Molecular biomarkers in HNSCC: prognostic and therapeutic implications

The prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC) is influenced by many factors, such as performance status, TNM staging and pathological grading of differentiation. However, these factors are not sufficient for predicting outcome. Therefore, recent research has focused on the identification of molecular biomarkers. These markers help to stage patients in more meaningful prognostic groups and identify high-risk patients who may benefit from a more aggressive treatment approach. They also identify patients who are resistant to radiotherapy or chemotherapy, potentially avoiding the morbidity and cost of ineffective therapies. They can also identify patients with a high risk of recurrence who may benefit from chemoprevention. Finally, these markers may serve as targets for novel therapies, which would eventually change the outcome of HNSCC.     

B／S模式下动态心电系统开单及检查结果的设计与实现

介绍了动态心电系统的设计方案，以MYSQL为后台数据库，前台开发语言C#，电子开单、查询图文报告采用ASP．Net技术，突破了心电设备本身的限制，实现了临床业务的简便化、快捷化。     

Cyriax Physiotherapy Versus Phonophoresis with Supervised Exercise in Subjects with Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Cyriax and Cyriax advocated the use of deep transverse friction massage in combination with Mill's manipulation in treating lateral epicondylalgia. Evidence comparing this approach with other physical therapies is lacking. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of deep transverse friction massage with Mill's manipulation versus phonophoresis with supervised exercise in managing lateral epicondylalgia. Sixty patients age 30-60, presenting with the teno-periosteal variety of lateral epicondylalgia with symptom duration greater than one month, were randomized into two groups. The control group received phonophoresis with diclofenac gel over the area of the lateral epicondyle for 5 minutes combined with supervised exercise. The experimental group received 10 minutes of deep transverse friction massage followed by a single application of Mill's manipulation. Both groups received treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Outcomes of interest included pain via visual analog scale (VAS), pain-free grip strength, and functional status measured with the Tennis Elbow Function Scale. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. Whereas both groups improved significantly from the initiation of treatment, a between-group comparison revealed significantly greater (p<0.05) improvements regarding pain, pain-free grip, and functional status for the experimental group compared to the control group. The results of this study demonstrate that Cyriax physiotherapy is a superior treatment approach compared to phonophoresis and exercise in managing lateral epicondylalgia.     

Genetic disruption of USP9X sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil

The X-linked deubiquitinase USP9X affects the stability and activity of numerous regulatory proteins that influence cell survival. Recent studies suggest that decreased USP9X expression can confer a selective advantage onto developing cancer cells and thereby promotes disease progression. To examine the effect of USP9X on the cellular responses to anticancer therapies, we derived cancer cell lines in which the USP9X locus was disrupted by homologous recombination. The resulting USP9X-deficient cancer cells exhibited increased activation of apoptotic pathways and markedly decreased clonogenic survival in response to 5-fluorouracil, a chemotherapeutic drug that is widely used for treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. These unexpected results suggest that cancers with low USP9X expression might be specifically sensitized to some conventional therapeutic agents.     

Torsemide Versus Furosemide After Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Due to Acute Renal Failure in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Acute renal failure (ARF) usually develops in 5% to 30% of patients undergoing heart surgery and is associated with a more complicated clinical evolution course and with an excessive mortality of up to 80%. The objective of this study was to verify the frequency of ARF in postoperative coronary artery bypass surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass, by the evaluation of renal function markers' performance [ plasma creatinine, plasma urea, urinalysis, fractional excretion of sodium, creatinine clearance and Alpha‐glutathione S‐transferase (α‐GST)], besides to verify possible relations between clinical variables involved in postoperative heart surgery and the occurrence of renal insufficiency.     

Gene delivery to dendritic cells by orally administered recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae in mice

DNA vaccination has caught the attention of many for triggering humoral as well as cellular immune responses. And delivering DNA into the antigen presenting cells (APCs) in order to induce efficient immunoresponse has become the backbone of this field. It has been confirmed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, though non-pathogenic, is being engulfed by the dendritic cells and macrophages and delivers not only proteins, but also DNA materials (already confirmed in vitro). In this research, S. cerevisiae is used to deliver green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene controlled under cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter in living organism (mice). The recombinant yeast, transfected with the plasmid containing the GFP gene, was heat killed and orally administered to mice. After 60 h of yeast administration, mice were sacrificed and intestine was separated, washed and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Tissues were cut at the size of 10 μm using Cryostat machine, and GFP expression was successfully detected under a fluorescence microscope. After 45 days Western blot was able to detect GFP antibody in the blood of mice. These results imply that S. cerevisiae, being non-pathogenic, cheap, and easy to culture could be a good candidate to deliver DNA materials to the immune cells for vaccination.     

Usefulness of interposition arthroplasty in the Sauvé–Kapandji procedure for rheumatoid wrist

Abstract

The aim of synovectomy combined with the Sauvé–Kapandji (S–K) procedure for the treatment of a rheumatoid wrist is to obtain a stable painless wrist that retains sufficient mobility for function. However, loss of motion occurs postoperatively in most cases. In our study of 59 rheumatoid patients, the results of the transposition of distal strips of retinaculum into the radiocarpal and ulnocarpal joints for interposition arthroplasty to maintain wrist motion (interposition group), and transposition below the extensors to provide a gliding surface (SK group) were evaluated. The distal end of the ulna was fixed to the radius with poly-L-lactic acid screws, and a proximal strip of retinaculum was placed above the extensors after synovectomy of the rheumatoid wrist. Clinical symptoms, radiographic changes, and postoperative complications were assessed 3–9 years (mean 5.9 years) postoperatively. Patients in the interposition group showed better postoperative results, including wrist motion, than those of patients in the SK group. Both procedures resulted in only minor complications such as superficial skin necrosis, hematoma, and superficial infection. We concluded that interpostion arthroplasty combined with the S–K procedure using a distal strip of retinaculum might be a safe and appropriate method for wrist reconstruction following synovectomy of a rheumatoid wrist.     

Using apprenticeship communication flow as an ergonomic design input for future OR systems

Removing the gallbladder is a relatively simple laparoscopic operation. Tissue trauma, caused by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is usually minimal. Misidentifying the cystic duct and artery and the common hepatic duct represents the most severe complication. However, the Critical View of Safety (CVS) technique reduces the risk of trauma, by accomplishing a safe 360° identification of the cystic duct origin at the gallbladder neck [5]. This technique is employed and trained at the Erasmus Medical Centre (EMC), Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

?This study presents the potential value of a training device which residents can use during practice. This training device must cover both user friendliness and information supply. The current information supply was studied subjectively; the CVS protocol and the users' experience were studied both objectively and subjectively. The results of these studies show that the present information supply is not satisfactory, that there is a CVS protocol which can be easily used in a training device, and that most actions defining the cystic duct during operation revert on users' experience. Therefore, it is desirable to design a new training device according to the experience of the target group and the protocols, and taking into account an optimal human‐product interaction.     

Cathepsin S inhibitors: 2004 – 2010

Introduction: Cathepsin S, a lysosomal cysteine protease, plays an important role in antigen presentation. Its inhibition is expected to result in immunosuppression, making this enzyme an attractive target to potentially treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Areas covered: The focus of this review is on patent literature regarding small molecule inhibitors of cathepsin S published from 2004 to April 2010. Different structure classes based on binding strategies (covalent vs non-covalent) are surveyed and listed according to warhead type and research organization.

Expert opinion: Although > 40 patent applications have appeared between 2004 and 2010, the decrease in applications focusing on cathepsin S over the past 2 – 3 years may reflect a renewed interest in other cathepsins, especially cathepsin K, for which a small molecule inhibitor is currently in Phase III clinical trials.