经皮氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗老年肝癌20例

磁共振导引下氩氦刀靶向冷冻消融术是近年开展的冷冻治疗新技术,利用局部超低温冷冻的方法损毁肿瘤组织,避免了因开刀手术导致过量肝组织被切除使肝脏功能受到影响,因而使一些无法耐受肝脏手术的老年肿瘤病人可以接受该治疗[1].本文通过对经皮穿刺氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗老年肝癌进行临床总结,探讨此疗法治疗肝癌的适应证、疗效及安全性和临床意义.     

猪胰头部冷冻的炎症反应观察

氩氦刀冷冻技术是近年兴起的微创肿瘤疗法之一,可作为手术切除的辅助疗法,有效消融不能手术切除的肝癌[1-2]、肺癌[3]和前列腺癌[4]等恶性肿瘤.目前该技术开始运用于治疗不能手术切除的胰腺肿瘤[5],并多见于治疗胰体尾部肿瘤.     

冷冻消融联合DC-CIK治疗伴转移的胰腺癌

对于伴有转移的晚期胰腺癌,因肿瘤对放、化疗治疗不敏感,且不良反应较大,治疗后患者生存时间有限[1].有研究显示,氩氦刀冷冻联合碘离子植入治疗Ⅳ期胰腺癌术后患者不良反应少,耐受性好,中位生存时间为8个月[2],同时氩氦刀冷冻治疗还可缓解肿瘤侵袭神经引起的剧烈疼痛,提高患者的生存质量[3].自体肿瘤抗原负载的树突状细胞联合自体细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（DC-CIK）的免疫治疗可在不损伤机体免疫系统结构和功能的前提下直接杀伤肿瘤细胞,对预防肿瘤复发、改善患者生存质量具有重要意义[4-5].本研究回顾性分析化疗、DC-CK、氩氦刀冷冻消融以及冷冻联合DC-CIK4种治疗方式对伴转移的胰腺癌患者生存时间的影响.     

氩氦刀联合肝动脉栓塞化疗与单纯氩氦刀治疗原发性肝癌比较研究

目的比较氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗联合肝动脉灌注化疗栓塞（TACE）与单纯氩氦刀治疗原发性肝癌的优劣。方法 86例原发性肝癌患者随机分为2组,A组43例行单纯氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗,B组43例行氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗联合TACE。分别在治疗前、治疗后8、15、30和50 d监测并记录各组甲胎蛋白（AFP）的动态变化。结果与A组比较,B组的AFP下降明显（P〈0.05）。结论氩氦刀冷冻消融联合TACE治疗原发性肝癌是一种微创、安全、有效的新方法,对于不适宜手术切除治疗的肝癌患者是一种有效的治疗方法。     

综合靶向消融治疗中晚期肝癌的临床研究

目的 探讨用氩氦刀冷冻 微波消融 化学消融等综合靶向消融治疗中晚期肝癌的疗效.方法 78例中晚期肝癌患者采用综合靶向消融治疗,先行肝动脉栓塞化疗,一周后行局部氩氦刀冷冻术、微波消融或化学消融术;56例单纯行动脉栓塞化疗.结果 治疗组1年生存率56.4%,对照组1年生存率36.9%;治疗组AFP平均值低于对照组,有显著性差异.结论 综合靶向消融治疗能提高中晚期肝癌患者的生存率,较单纯介入疗法治疗更为有效.     

经皮氩氦刀冷冻治疗肝细胞癌的安全性和疗效

肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)居世界癌症死因第三位,在中国居第二位。手术切除率仅为20%～30%,因供体缺乏,肝移植术明显受限,因此多种局部消融术,如无水酒精、射频、激光、高强度聚集超声、微波和冷冻消融等在HCC治疗中发挥着重要作用。氩氦超导靶向手术系统(氩氦刀)冷冻治疗HCC是近年发展的一项局部消融术,尽管在中国经皮氩氦刀治疗HCC已有较多应用,但世界范围内对该技术尚存争议。与应用广泛的射频消融术及其他热消融技术相比,氩氦刀冷冻治疗有产生较大的毁损面积及更为清晰可辨的治疗区域等优势。本文对经皮氩氦刀冷冻治疗HCC的适应证、技术、患者管理、安全性及疗效进行评述。     

肝癌冷冻治疗的临床研究进展

对于不能手术切除的肝癌,无论是原发或是继发,冷冻治疗都是一种重要选择。冷冻治疗具有坏死彻底、适应性广、创伤小、可控性强等优点;冷冻消融后的瘤苗作用还能提高患者的抗肿瘤免疫力,冷冻导致的血管栓塞能阻止肿瘤通过血行转移;冷冻治疗不仅能用于治疗小肝癌,对大肝癌和邻近大血管的肝癌均适用。冷冻疗法可在手术中应用,也町经腹腔镜或经皮穿刺完成治疗过程;在超声或CT引导下,经皮氩氦刀冷冻消融对于小肝癌的治疗效果等同于外科手术.     

进展期肝癌患者氩氦刀冷冻消融术前中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值与术后预后关系研究

目的探讨氩氦刀术前中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio,NLR)与进展期肝癌患者术后生存期的关系。方法回顾性分析2008—2009年在我院行氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗的150例进展期肝癌患者临床资料,根据术前NLR中位数(2.94)将患者分为2组(高NLR组和低NLR组),对2组进行生存分析和Cox回归分析。结果氩氦刀冷冻消融术前病理组织分化程度、NLR和肝硬化Child-Pugh分级是术后进展期肝癌患者生存期的影响因素。术前高NLR组患者生存期为5个月(95%CI 3.5~6.4),而低NLR组患者生存期为9个月(95%CI 6.9~11.0),2组生存期差异有统计学意义。结论 NLR2.94的进展期肝癌患者行氩氦刀冷冻消融治疗预后较差。     

消化系肿瘤最新治疗

近年有不少新疗法用于治疗肝癌、胰癌和消化道癌肿。主要有以下几种： 一、“氩氦刀”冷冻治疗 冷冻或超低温疗法（Ｃｒｙｏｔｈｅｒｅｐｙ）在临床上已用多年，但主要用于浅表或易于直接接触部位的肿瘤，且多用于治疗无法切除的或转移性癌肿。主要困难在于无合适的冷冻机和冷冻头，不能使肿瘤内温度快速降至希冀的水平。“氩氦刀”为临床提供了理想的冷冻手段，不仅可在手术直视下准确冷冻肿瘤组织，而且可在超声／ＣＴ引导下经皮穿刺治疗。 “氩氦刀”系美国Ｅｎｄｏｃａｒｅ公司采用太空火箭制导技术，研制成功的氩氦刀超导手术系统。该…     

氩氦刀冷冻消融术治疗180例肝癌临床分析

目的探讨氩氦刀冷冻消融术治疗肝癌方法的安全性和近期疗效。方法选择180例肝癌患者在超声引导下行经皮穿刺氩氦刀冷冻治疗。术后定期复查肿瘤标志物及CT或MRI随访。结果小肝癌（≤5cm）患者135例,85%达到完全消融。大肝癌（〉5cm）患者45例,治疗后AFP降至正常范围或CT、MRI提示肿瘤完全坏死21例,占46.8%。转移性肝癌44例,治疗后肿瘤标志物降至正常或CT、MRI提示完全坏死30例,占68.2%。结论超声引导下肝癌的经皮穿刺氩氦刀冷冻消融术是一种安全、有效的治疗方法。     

A Call to Action to Enhance Filovirus Disease Outbreak Preparedness and Response

The frequency and magnitude of recognized and declared filovirus-disease outbreaks have increased in recent years, while pathogenic filoviruses are potentially ubiquitous throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, the efficiency and effectiveness of filovirus-disease outbreak preparedness and response efforts are currently limited by inherent challenges and persistent shortcomings. This paper delineates some of these challenges and shortcomings and provides a proposal for enhancing future filovirus-disease outbreak preparedness and response. The proposal serves as a call for prompt action by the organizations that comprise filovirus-disease outbreak response teams, namely, Ministries of Health of outbreak-prone countries, the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Atlanta, and others.     

Resistance of Helicobacter pylori to antibiotics from 2000 to 2009 in Shanghai

AIM: To investigate the resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) to 6 commonly used antibiotics from 2000 to 2009 in Shanghai. METHODS: A total of 293 H. pylori strains were collected from 2000 to 2009 in Shanghai and tested for their susceptibility to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, furazolidone, levofloxacin and tetracycline using agar dilution. RESULTS: The resistant rates of H. pylori to clarithromycin (8.6%, 9.0% and 20.7%) and levofloxacin (10.3%, 24.0% and 32.5%) increased from 2000...     

MicroRNAs bind to Toll-like receptors to induce prometastatic inflammatory response

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, 19-24 nucleotides in length, that regulate gene expression and are expressed aberrantly in most types of cancer. MiRNAs also have been detected in the blood of cancer patients and can serve as circulating biomarkers. It has been shown that secreted miRNAs within exosomes can be transferred from cell to cell and can regulate gene expression in the receiving cells by canonical binding to their target messenger RNAs. Here we show that tumor-secreted miR-21 and miR-29a also can function by another mechanism, by binding as ligands to receptors of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, murine TLR7 and human TLR8, in immune cells, triggering a TLR-mediated prometastatic inflammatory response that ultimately may lead to tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, by acting as paracrine agonists of TLRs, secreted miRNAs are key regulators of the tumor microenvironment. This mechanism of action of miRNAs is implicated in tumor-immune system communication and is important in tumor growth and spread, thus representing a possible target for cancer treatment.     

Seizures due to maprotiline overdose

Maprotiline, a new tetracyclic antidepressant, has a pattern of toxicity that is different from that of tricyclics. Maprotiline overdosage appears more likely to cause seizures but less likely to cause the peripheral autonomic and cardiac manifestations seen with tricyclics. Two cases of maprotiline overdose resulting in seizures without significant anticholinergic or cardiotoxic effects are presented. Both patients were treated acutely with gastric emptying and were observed to have no further seizures during subsequent drug-free hospital and outpatient follow up. Physostigmine salicylate has been used as an antidote for the anticholinergic syndrome of tricyclic overdose, but probably offers less in maprotiline overdose. Careful observation for seizures appears to be warranted.     

TACI deficiency leads to alternatively activated macrophage phenotype and susceptibility to Leishmania infection

The TNF family member, transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI), is a key molecule for plasma cell maintenance and is required in infections where protection depends on antibody response. Here, we report that compared with WT mouse, TACI KO Μϕs expressed lower levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), CD14, myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88, and adaptor protein Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β and responded poorly to TLR agonists. Analysis of Μϕ phenotype revealed that, in the absence of TACI, Μϕs adapt the alternatively activated (M2) phenotype. Steady-state expression levels for M2 markers IL-4Rα, CD206, CCL22, IL-10, Arg1, IL1RN, and FIZZ1 were significantly higher in TACI KO Μϕ than in WT cells. Confirming their M2 phenotype, TACI-KO Mϕs were unable to control Leishmania major infection in vitro, and intradermal inoculation of Leishmania resulted in a more severe manifestation of disease than in the resistant C57BL/6 strain. Transfer of WT Μϕs to TACI KO mice was sufficient to significantly reduce disease severity. TACI is likely to influence Mϕ phenotype by mediating B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) and a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) signals because both these ligands down-regulated M2 markers in WT but not in TACI-deficient Μϕs. Moreover, treatment of Μϕs with BAFF or APRIL enhanced the clearance of Leishmania from cells only when TACI is expressed. These findings may have implications for understanding the shortcomings of host response in newborns where TACI expression is reduced and in combined variable immunodeficiency patients where TACI signaling is ablated.Transmembrane activator and calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) is a member of the TNF family molecules (1). It is a receptor for B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL). Although BAFF and APRIL share a second receptor, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), BAFF-R only binds to BAFF, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans only engage APRIL. TACI is primarily expressed on mature B cells and mediates signals for Ig isotype switch and secretion (2). Studies in TACI KO mice (3), combined variable immune deficient (CVID) patients with mutations in TACI gene tnfrsf13b (4), and newborns who express severely reduced B-cell TACI (5) all point to its pivotal role in determining antibody (Ab) development against T cell-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigens. In contrast to earlier publications (3), more recent reports showed diminished sustainment of plasma cells in response to T cell-dependent (TD) antigens in TACI KO mice (6). Interestingly, Tsuji et al. reported that despite impaired plasma cell survival and reduced Ab response to TD antigens, TACI KO mice manifest enhanced clearance of the enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, presumably due to generation of higher avidity of Abs in the absence of TACI (7). Whereas TACI is well established as a B-cell receptor, its involvement in innate immune response is less clear. One study reported diminished B-cell responses to Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 and TLR9 agonists in CVID patients with TACI mutations (4). A second possible link between TACI and innate immune system was suggested by He and colleagues, who have shown that the TLR adaptor molecule myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) is downstream of TACI in B cells (8). Other members of the innate immune system such as dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes are known to be the main sources of circulating BAFF and APRIL, but TACI expression is limited to intracellular compartments in these cells (9, 10). Although BAFF and APRIL can induce inflammatory cytokine secretion in human DCs and monocytes, the significance of their activity remains to be understood (9, 10).Here, we investigated the role of TACI in innate immune response and showed that TACI deficient macrophages (Mϕs) respond poorly to TLR agonists, and this ablated response is likely due to reduced expression of TLRs, CD14, MyD88, and adaptor protein Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF) in TACI KO cells. Furthermore, TACI KO Mϕs manifested alternatively activated Μϕ (M2) phenotype characterized by elevated levels of molecules associated with M2 phenotype and impaired resistance to in vitro Leishmania major infection. Moreover, intradermal inoculation with L. major resulted in a more severe manifestation of disease in TACI KO mouse than the Leishmania-resistant WT C57BL/6 strain, and adaptive transfer of Μϕs from the WT mouse was sufficient to reduce the severity of Leishmania induced cutaneous disease in the TACI KO mouse. Comparison of the response of WT and TACI-deficient Μϕs revealed that TACI mediates ligand induced down-regulation of molecules associated with M2 Mϕ phenotype and up-regulation of some of the markers representative of classically activated (M1) phenotype. Collectively, these findings extend the role of TACI from its well-defined involvement in B-cell homeostasis to Mϕ phenotype determination and resistance to intracellular pathogens.     

Intratracheal aerosolized etidocaine to attenuate cardiovascular and cough responses to laryngoscopy and intubation

Forty-five ASA I or II patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomized into one of three groups. Patients in Group 1 (n = 15) received no intratracheal aerosol at laryngoscopy. Patients in Group 2 (n = 15) and Group 3(n = 15) received 50 mg and 75 mg, respectively, of intratracheal aerosolized etidocaine at laryngoscopy. Cardiovascular and respiratory responses were observed at laryngoscopy and intubation and for the first ten minutes following laryngoscopy and intubation (with anesthesia provided by IV thiopental and nitrous oxide [70%] in oxygen). The magnitude and duration of blood pressure and heart rate increases caused by laryngoscopy and intubation were significantly less in the etidocaine-treated patients than in the controls (P less than .05). The incidence of coughing after intubation also was decreased significantly in the etidocaine-treated patients (P less than .05). Etidocaine did not, however, decrease the incidence of arrhythmias after intubation.     

Laparoscopic approach to Meckel's diverticulum

AIM: To retrospective review the laparoscopic management of Meckel Diverticulum (MD) in two Italian Pediatric Surgery Centers.METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2012, 19 trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted (TULA) procedures were performed for suspected MD. The children were hospitalized for gastrointestinal bleeding and/or recurrent abdominal pain. Median age at diagnosis was 5.4 years (range 6 mo-15 years). The study included 15 boys and 4 girls. All patients underwent clinical examination, routine laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound and technetium-99m pertechnetate scan, and patients with bleeding underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. The abdominal exploration was performed with a 10 mm operative laparoscope. Pneumoperitoneum was established based on the body weight. Systematic overview of the peritoneal cavity allowed the ileum to be grasped with an atraumatic instrument. The complete exploration and surgical treatment of MD were performed extracorporeally, after intestinal exteriorization through the umbilicus. All patients’ demographics, main clinical features, diagnostic investigations, operative time, histopathology reports, conversion rate, hospital stay and complications were registered and analyzed.RESULTS: MD was identified in 17 patients, while 1 had an ileal duplication and 1 a jejunal hemangioma. Fifteen patients had painless intestinal bleeding, while 4 had recurrent abdominal pain and exhibited cyst like structures in an ultrasound study. Eleven patients had a positive technetium-99m pertechnetate scan. In the patients with bleeding, gastrointestinal endoscopy did not name the source of hemorrhage. All patients were subjected to a TULA surgical procedure. An intestinal resection/anastomosis was performed in 14 patients, while 4 had a wedge resection of the diverticulum and 1 underwent stapling diverticulectomy. All surgical procedures were performed without conversion to open laparotomy. Mean operative time was 75 min (range 40-115 min). No major surgical complications were recorded. The median hospital stay was 5-7 d (range 4-13 d). All patients are asymptomatic at a median follow up of 4, 5 years (range 10 mo-10 years).CONCLUSION: Trans-umbilical laparoscopic-assisted Meckel’s diverticulectomy is safe and effective in the treatment of MD, with excellent results.     

Toxic megacolon secondary to pseudomembranous colitis

Toxic megacolon has rarely been reported in the course of antibiotic-induced pseudomembranous colitis. We have been able to collect 20 cases from the literature and add one new case. The mortality in the collected series was 33 per cent. The critical factor in improving survival is early recognition of the pseudomembranous colitis. Most patients can be managed medically by removal of the offending antibiotic, bowel rest, vancomycin, and steroids. If toxic megacolon develops in the face of appropriate medical management, an aggressive surgical approach is indicated, as with ulcerative colitis. Subtotal colectomy appears to be the procedure of choice.     

Approach to the Highly Sensitized Kidney Transplant Candidate

For patients with ESRD, kidney transplant offers significant survival and quality-of-life advantages compared with dialysis. But for patients seeking transplant who are highly sensitized, wait times have traditionally been long and options limited. The approach to the highly sensitized candidate for kidney transplant has changed substantially over time owing to new advances in desensitization, options for paired donor exchange (PDE), and changes to the deceased-donor allocation system. Initial evaluation should focus on determining living-donor availability because a compatible living donor is always the best option. However, for most highly sensitized candidates this scenario is unlikely. For candidates with an incompatible donor, PDE can improve the prospects of finding a compatible living donor but for many highly sensitized patients the probability of finding a match in the relatively small pools of donors in PDE programs is limited. Desensitization of a living donor/recipient pair with low levels of incompatibility is another reasonable approach. But for pairs with high levels of pathologic HLA antibodies, outcomes after desensitization for the patient and allograft are less optimal. Determining the degree of sensitization by calculated panel-reactive antibody (cPRA) is critical in counseling the highly sensitized patient on expected wait times to deceased-donor transplant. For candidates with a high likelihood of finding a compatible deceased donor in a reasonable time frame, waiting for a kidney is a good strategy. For the candidate without a living donor and with a low probability of finding a deceased-donor match, desensitization on the waiting list can be considered. The approach to the highly sensitized kidney transplant candidate must be individualized and requires careful discussion among the transplant center, patient, and referring nephrologist.