Agitation thrombolysis combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of non-cirrhotic acute portal vein thrombosis

AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of agitation thrombolysis(AT) combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis(CDT) for the treatment of non-cirrhotic acute portal vein thrombosis(PVT). METHODS Nine patients with non-cirrhotic acute PVT who underwent AT combined with CDT were analyzed retrospectively. Portography was carried out via the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic(commonly known as TIP) or percutaneous transhepatic(commonly known as PT) route, followed by AT combined with CDT. Complications of the procedure, and the changes in clinical symptoms, hemodynamics of the portal vein and liver function were recorded. Follow-up was scheduled at1, 3 and 6 mo after treatment, and every 6 mo thereafter, or when the patients developed clinical symptoms related to PVT. Color Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging were performed during the follow-up period to determine the condition of the portal vein.RESULTS AT combined with CDT was successfully performed. The portal vein was reached via the TIP route in 6 patients, and via the PT route in 3 patients. All clinical symptoms were relieved or disappeared, with the exception of 1 patient who died of intestinal necrosis 9 d after treatment. Significant differences in the changes in portal vein hemodynamics were observed, including the maximum lumen occupancy of PVT, portal vein pressure and flow velocity between pre-and posttreatment(P < 0.05). During the follow-up period, recurrence was observed in 1 patient at 19 mo after the procedure, and the portal vein was patent in the remaining patients.CONCLUSION AT combined with CDT is a safe and effective method for the treatment of non-cirrhotic acute PVT.

Cytochrome P450 Directed Prodrug Activation Therapy in Research of Cancer Enzymology

Cancer enzymology is a promising filiation of bio-medical sciences. In thepast decades, enzymes, such as GST(glutathione S-transferase) , PKC(protein kinase C) , Topo(DNAtopoisomerases), TK(tyrosine kinase), CD (bacterial cytosine deaminase), CPG2(carboxypeptidase G2) ,and PNP (purine nucleoside phosphorylase), have been known to bear close relations to cancer. Theirspecific expression and influence on the process of tumor initiation, promotion and progressionattract scientists to apply them as a biochemical marker of certain malignant tumor, a predictor ofresponse in cancer chemotherapy; to apply them to drug design, tumor prevention and as adjuvant toradiotherapy or surgery.

Cell reprogramming therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease.The initial strategy for cell replacement therapy used human fetal ventral midbrain and human embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease,which could substantially alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice.However,ethical issues and tumor formation were limitations of its clinical application.Induced pluripotent stem cells can be acquired without sacrificing human embryos,which eliminates the huge ethical barriers of human stem cell therapy.Another widely considered neuronal regeneration strategy is to directly reprogram fibroblasts and astrocytes into neurons,without the need for intermediate proliferation states,thus avoiding issues of immune rejection and tumor formation.Both induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of lineage cells have shown promising results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.However,there are also ethical concerns and the risk of tumor formation that need to be addressed.This review highlights the current application status of cell reprogramming in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,focusing on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in cell replacement therapy,including preclinical animal models and progress in clinical research.The review also discusses the advancements in direct reprogramming of lineage cells in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,as well as the controversy surrounding in vivo reprogramming.These findings suggest that cell reprogramming may hold great promise as a potential strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease.

Polyethylene glycol microspheres loaded with irinotecan for arterially directed embolic therapy of metastatic liver cancer

AIM To study tumor response, and tolerability of arterially directed embolic therapy(ADET) with polyethylene glycol embolics loaded with irinotecan for the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastases(CRC-LM). Secondary objectives were to monitor quality of life, time to progression and survival of patients.METHODS Patients were included in the study if they were affected by CRC-LM, refractory to systemic chemotherapy, treated with ADET using polyethylene glycol embolics, and had liver involvement < 50%. Tumor response, performance status(PS), tumor marker antigens, and quality of life(QoL) were monitored at 1, 3 and 6 mo after ADET. QoL was assessed with the Palliative Performance Scale(PPS).RESULTS We treated 50 consecutive CRC-LM patients with ADET using polyethylene glycol embolics. Their tumor response one month after ADET was: 28% of complete response(CR), 48% of partial response(PR), 8% stable disease(SD), and 16% of progression. Tumor response 3 mo after ADET was CR 24%, PR 38%, SD 19% and progression disease(PD) 19%. Tumor response 6 mo after ADET was CR 18%, PR 44%, SD 21% and PD 18%. QoL was 90% PPS at each time point. Median time to progression for patients who progressed was 2.5 mo(range 0.8-6). Median follow-up was 14 mo(0.8-25 range). ADETs were performed with no complications. Observed side effects(mild or moderate intensity) were: Pain in 32% of patients, increase of transaminase levels in 20% and fever in 14%, whereas 30% of patients did not complain any adverse event. CONCLUSION The treatment of unresectable CRC-LM with ADET using polyethylene glycol microspheres loaded with irinotecan was effective in tumor response and resulted in mild toxicity, and good QoL.

Goal-directed therapy in intraoperative fluid and hemodynamic management

Intraoperative fluid management is pivotal to the outcome and success of surgery, especially in high-risk proce- dures. Empirical formula and invasive static monitoring have been traditionally used to guide intraoperative fluid management and assess volume status. With the awareness of the potential complications of invasive procedures and the poor reliability of these methods as indicators of volume status, we present a case scenario of a patient who underwent major abdominal surgery as an example to discuss how the use of minimally invasive dynamic monitoring may guide intraoperative fluid therapy.

Scoliosis in Children: Impact of Goal-Directed Therapies on Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes

Background: Scoliosis is among interventions with high postoperative complication rates due to the characteristics of the surgery, where blood loss, transfusion and fluid requirements can be increased. A monocentric retrospective observational study was undertaken earlier to determine predictors of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in surgical patients. In this initial cohort, there were patients who underwent scoliosis surgery, and a secondary analysis to describe outcomes in these patients was realized and presented here. Objective: To describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in patients under 18 years old in scoliosis surgery included in the initial study and to propose improvement and implementation measures. Methods: A secondary analysis of patients undergoing scoliosis surgery from 1 January 2014 to 17 May 2017 was undertaken in our institution—Necker Enfants Malades university hospital. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Results: There were 116 patients with a mean age of 147.5 ± 40.2 months. Twenty-eight patients (24.1%) presented intraoperative and/or postoperative complications. The most common intraoperative complication was hemorrhagic shock in 3 patients (2.6%). The most common postoperative organ failure was neurologic in seven patients (6%), respiratory in 3 patients (2.6%), cardio-circulatory in 2 patients (1.7%) and renal failure in 1 patient (0.9%). The most common postoperative infection was surgical wound sepsis in 8 patients (6.9%), urinary sepsis in 3 patients (2.6%), and abdominal sepsis and septicemia in 2 patients (1.7%). 12 patients (10.3%) had reoperations. Fifty-six patients (48.3%) had intraoperative transfusion. There was no in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: The portion of patients with intraoperative and or postoperative complications was 24.1%, integrating goal-directed therapies in this surgical setting could improve postoperative outcomes.

Impact of cardiologist intervention on guideline-directed use of statin therapy

BACKGROUND Statins have an important and well-established role in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD).However,several studies have reported widespread underuse of statins in various practice settings and populations.Review of relevant literature reveals opportunities for improvement in the implementation of guideline-directed statin therapy(GDST).AIM To examine the impact of cardiologist intervention on the use of GDST in the ambulatory setting.METHODS Patients with at least one encounter at the adult Internal Medicine Clinic(IMC)and/or Cardiology Clinic(CC),who had an available serum cholesterol test performed,were evaluated.The 2 comparison groups were defined as:(1)Patients only seen by IMC;and(2)Patients seen by both IMC and CC.Patients were excluded if variables needed for calculation of ASCVD risk scores were lacking,and if demographic information lacked guideline-directed treatment recommendations.Data were analyzed using student t-tests or χ^2,as appropriate.Analysis of Variance was used to compare rates of adherence to GDST.RESULTS A total of 268 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study;211 in the IMC group and 57 in the IMC-CC group.Overall,56%of patients were female,mean age 56 years(±10.65,SD),22%Black or African American,56%Hispanic/Latino,14%had clinical ASCVD,13%current smokers,66%diabetic and 63%hypertensive.Statin use was observed in 55%(n=147/268)of the entire patient cohort.In the IMC-CC group,73.6%(n=42/57)of patients were prescribed statin therapy compared to 50.7%(n=107/211)of patients in the IMC group(P=0.002).In terms of appropriate statin use based on guidelines,there was no statistical difference between groups[IMC-CC group 61.4%(n=35/57)vs IMC group,55.5%(n=117/211),P=0.421].Patients in the IMC-CC group were older,had more cardiac risk factors and had higher proportions of non-white patients compared to the IMC group(P<0.02,all).CONCLUSION Although overall use of GDST was suboptimal,there was no statistical difference in appropriate statin use based on guidelines between groups managed by general internists alone or co-managed with a cardiologist.These findings highlight the need to design and implement strategies to improve adherence rates to GDST across all specialties.

Intraoperative Goal-Directed Therapies in Femoral and Pelvic Osteotomies in Children and In-Hospital Postoperative Outcomes

Background: Femoral and pelvic osteotomies are potential hemorrhagic interventions where transfusion requirements can be necessary. Objective: We undertook a secondary analysis of patients who underwent femoral and pelvic osteotomy in the initial cohort. The objective of this secondary analysis was to describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and to describe intraoperative management in these patients in terms of blood product management and fluid and hemodynamic therapy with the aim of implementing optimization management protocols for postoperative outcome improvement. Methods: A secondary analysis of patients who underwent femoral and pelvic osteotomy surgery was included in the initial retrospective study. Results: There were eighteen patients with a mean age of 104 ± 47.1 months. Four (22.2%) patients had intraoperative and/or postoperative complications. One patient (5.6%) had an intraoperative hemorrhagic shock, two patients (11.1%) had postoperative neurologic failure, and one patient (5.6%) had postoperative wound sepsis. The transfusion rate was 50% in nine patients. Conclusion: Femoral and pelvic osteotomies are interventions where blood, transfusion and fluid requirements can be increased;thus, this implies the necessity of a global patient blood management protocol with point-of-care tests and fluid- and hemodynamic-guided protocols with validated tools in children for intraoperative and postoperative outcome optimization.

Neuroblastoma in Children: Intraoperative Goal Directed Therapy, Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes

Background: Neuroblastoma is the most common tumor in children. Anesthetic management can be challenging due to the localization and catecholamine-secreting characteristics of the tumor. We undertook a secondary analysis in a previous study to describe patients who underwent neuroblastoma resection. Objective: To describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent neuroblastoma resection and to propose optimal intraoperative management for postoperative outcome improvement. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of children who underwent neuroblastoma resection in the initial retrospective study. Results: There were 16 patients with a mean age of 39.3 ± 22.1 months. Seven (43.8%) patients presented with intraoperative or postoperative complications. One (6.3%) patient had intraoperative broncho-laryngospasm and difficult intubation. Two (12.5%) patients had intraoperative hemorrhagic shock. One patient (6.3%) had postoperative renal failure. Two patients (12.5%) had postoperative respiratory failure, and 3 (18.8%) patients had postoperative cardiocirculatory failure. One (6.3%) had postoperative pulmonary sepsis and septicemia. Thirteen (81.3%) patients were intraoperatively transfused. There was no in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: In this cohort, 43.8% of the patients had intraoperative and or postoperative complications in terms of organ dysfunction or sepsis. 81.3% of the patients received intraoperative transfusion. Neuroblastoma surgery can be a challenging situation where cardiovascular instability, high blood loss and transfusion requirements can be encountered. Consequently, preoperative preparation and optimal intraoperative management with validated tools in children could be necessary for a better postoperative outcome in this surgical setting.

Simplified Intraoperative Goal-Directed Therapy Using the FloTrac/Vigileo System: An Analysis of Its Usefulness and Safety

Purpose: We investigated whether the simplified intraoperative Goal-Directed Therapy (GDT) could improve the factors affecting medical costs, and contribute in standardizing intraoperative fluid management. Methods: The enrolled patients underwent esophagectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy, or aortic stent grafting in 2012, and between March 2013 and October 2014. We conducted a comparison study on the effects of GDT, between the before-GDT historical control group (n = 100) and GDT group (n = 100). The hemodynamic indices used for control group patients were conventional: Blood pressure, heart rate, and urine output. For GDT group, additionally, we used stroke volume variation (SVV) and stroke volume index (SVI). The primary outcomes were the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital stay (LOS). Regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting LOS. The secondary outcomes were the albumin use, the fluid amount administered, and the variation in the fluid administration rate. Results: The control and GDT groups comprised 96 and 99 patients, respectively. The patient characteristics were similar. The length of ICU stay was significantly shorter (2.1 ± 2.1 days vs. 2.8 ± 1.9 days, P = 0.0009) and LOS was shorter but without statistical significance (24.5 ± 17.7 days vs. 27.7 ± 20.1 days, P = 0.21) in the GDT group than in the control group. The fluid amount administered and the presence/ absence of albumin use were factors affecting LOS. The variation of the fluid administration rate was significantly lower in the GDT group. Conclusion: The simplified GDT may contribute to the improvement of medical economics and standardize the fluid management.

Use of Early Goal-Directed Therapy in the Emergency Department before and after the Sepsis Trilogy

The management of sepsis evolved recently with the publication of three large trials (referred to as the sepsis trilogy) investigating the efficacy of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT). Our goal was to determine if the publication of these trials has influenced the use of EGDT when caring for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in the emergency department (ED). In February 2014, we surveyed a sample of board-certified emergency medicine physicians regarding their use of EGDT in the ED. A follow-up survey was sent after the publication of the sepsis trilogy. Data was analyzed using 95% confidence intervals to determine if there was a change in the use of EGDT following the publication of the above trials. Subgroup analyses were also performed with regard to academic affiliation and emergency department volume. Surveys were sent to 308 and 350 physicians in the pre-and post-publication periods, respectively. Overall, ED use of EGDT did not change with publication of the sepsis trilogy, 48.7% (CI 39.3% - 58.2%) before and 50.5% (CI 40.6% - 60.3%) after. Subgroup analysis revealed that academic-affiliated EDs significantly decreased EGDT use following the sepsis trilogy while nonacademic departments significantly increased EGDT use. Use of EGDT was significantly greater in community departments versus academic departments following the publication of the sepsis trilogy. There was no change overall in the use of EGDT protocols when caring for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, but subgroup analyses revealed that academic departments decreased their use of EGDT while community departments increased use of EGDT. This may be due to varying rates of uptake of the medical literature between academic and community healthcare systems.

Effect of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy on Lung Function, Cognitive Function and Inflammatory Response in Patients Undergoing Radical Esophageal Cancer Surgery under One-Lung Ventilation

Objective: To explore the effects of goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) on lung function, cognitive function and inflammatory response in patients undergoing radical esophageal cancer surgery under one-lung ventilation. Methods: Sixty-seven patients undergoing radical esophageal cancer surgery were divided into GDFT group (GDFT therapy) and control group (conventional liquid therapy). The changes in patients’ pulmonary function, cognitive function and inflammatory response were evaluated. Results: Both alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference [P(A-a)O2] and respiratory index (RI) increased at one-lung ventilation for 30 minutes (T2) and decreased at one-lung ventilation for 60 minutes (T3), and after surgery (T4) in the two groups, and the GDFT group was lower than the control group (P < 0.05);theoxygenation index (OI) of the two groups decreased at T2, T3, and T4 compared with that at T1 (before one-lung ventilation), and the GDFT group was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). At T4 and T5, the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), central nervous system specific protein (S100β), and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in the GDFT group were lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05), while interleukin-10 (IL-10) was higher compared to the control group (P < 0.05);the incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) in the GDFT group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: GDFT can help prevent lung injury during radical esophageal cancer surgery under one-lung ventilation, reduce the body’s inflammatory response, and reduce the incidence of perioperative cognitive disorder to a certain extent.

Direct acting antiviral therapy is curative for chronic hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome

Autoimmune phenomena are common in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Management of chronic hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis syndrome has until recently been problematic due to the adverse effects of interferon on autoimmune processes and immunosuppression on viral replication. In this report we describe 3 patients with chronic hepatitis C/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome who responded rapidly to direct acting antiviral therapy. The resolution of the autoimmune process supports a direct viral role in its pathophysiology.

Bridging therapy and direct mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion

BACKGROUND Intravenous thrombolysis is an important treatment for cerebral infarction.However,it is difficult to achieve good results if the patient is complicated with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion.In addition,the vascular recanalization rate is low,so mechanical thrombectomy,that is,bridging therapy,is needed AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of bridging therapy and direct mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion.METHODS Ninety-six patients in our hospital with cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion from January 2017 to July 2020 were divided into a direct thrombectomy group(n=48)and a bridging group(n=48).Direct mechanical thrombectomy was performed in the direct thrombectomy group,and bridging therapy was used in the bridging treatment group.Comparisons were performed for the treatment data of the two groups(from admission to imaging examination,from admission to arterial puncture,from arterial puncture to vascular recanalization,and from admission to vascular recanalization),vascular recanalization rate,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)scores before and after treatment,prognosis and incidence of adverse events.RESULTS In the direct thrombectomy group,the time from admission to imaging examination was 24.32±8.61 min,from admission to arterial puncture was 95.56±37.55 min,from arterial puncture to vascular recanalization was 54.29±21.38 min,and from admission to revascularization was 156.88±45.51 min,and the corresponding times in the bridging treatment group were 25.38±9.33 min,100.45±39.30 min,58.14±25.56 min,and 161.23±51.15 min;there were no significant differences between groups(P=0.564,0.535,0.426,and 0.661,respectively).There was no significant difference in the recanalization rate between the direct thrombectomy group(79.17%)and the bridging group(75.00%)(P=0.627).There were no significant differences between the direct thrombectomy group(16.69±4.91 and 12.12±2.07)and the bridging group(7.13±1.23) and(14.40±0.59)in preoperative NIHSS score and GCS score(P=0.200 and 0.203,respectively).After the operation,the NIHSS scores in both groups were lower than those before the operation,and the GCS scores were higher than those before the operation.There was no significant difference in NIHSS and GCS scores between the direct thrombectomy group(6.91±1.10 and 14.19±0.65)and the bridging group(7.13±1.23 and 14.40±0.59)(P=0.358 and 0.101,respectively).There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who achieved a good prognosis between the direct thrombectomy group(52.08%)and the bridging group(50.008%)(P=0.838).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the direct thrombectomy group(6.25%)and the bridging group(8.33%)(P=0.913).CONCLUSION Bridging therapy and direct mechanical thrombectomy can safely treat cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion,achieve good vascular recanalization effects and prognoses,and improve the neurological function of patients.

The trend of change in catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drugs for the management of atrial fibrillation over time： a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Objective To evaluate the trend of change in the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation compared with antiarrhythmic drug therapy （ADT） for rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation （AF） over time. Methods The online databases PubMed and EMBASE were searched for relevant studies. STATA software （version 12.0） was used to perform the meta-analysis and meta-regression. Results Fifteen randomized controlled trials including 2249 patients with AF were identified. The pooled results showed that catheter ablation was associated with a 52% reduction in the risk of AF recurrence compared with ADT [risk ratio （RR） = 0.48, 95% confidence interval （CI）： 0.40-0.57, I2 = 70.7%）. Subgroup analyses showed that catheter ablation exhibited less efficacy in studies after 2011 compared to studies before 2011 （RR = 0.61, 95% CI： 0.54-0.68, I2 = 9.3% and RR = 0.34, 95% CI： 0.24-0.47, I2 = 69.9%, respectively）, and the safety outcome showed a 1.08-fold higher incidence of adverse events （14.2% vs. 7.3%; RR = 1.08, 95% CI： 1.04-1.13） in studies after 2011. Conclusions Catheter ablation appears to be superior to ADT for rhythm control. However, less efficacy and a higher rate of adverse events were observed in studies after 2011 compared to studies before 2011.

Hepatocellular carcinoma after direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C virus therapy:A debate near the end

Direct acting antivirals(DAAs)have revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,achieving high rates(≥95%)of sustained virological response,with a good safety profile and high compliance rates.Consequently,it had been expected that viral clearance will reduce morbidity and mortality rates,as well as the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,since 2016,concerns have been raised over an unexpected high rate of HCC occurrence and recurrence after DAA therapy,which led to an avalanche of studies with contradictory results.We aimed to review the most recent and relevant articles regarding the risk of HCC after DAA treatment and identify the associated risk factors.

Comprehensive treatment of advanced primary live cancer with intraperitoneal chemotherapy or in combination with other therapies:therapeutic observation of 72 cases

Objective： To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal chemotherapy or in combination with other therapies in patients with advanced primary liver cancer. Methods： 72 patients with advanced primary liver cancer with no indication for surgery received intraperitoneal chemotherapy in combination with other therapies including transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE）, radiofrequency catheter ablation （RFA）, percutaneous ethanol injection therapy （PELT） and radiotherapy. Of them, 29 cases were complicated with hilar or retroperitoneal multiple lymph node metastases, 14 with portal vein embolus, 15 with intrapedtoneal and diaphragmatic metastases, 6 with chylous ascites, one with cancerous ascites, and 7 with suspected cancerous ascites （referring to large amounts of ascites without hypoproteinemia while exfoliative cytology of the ascites was positive）. The mean maximum tumor size was 8.2 cm in diameter. Liver function at the initial treatment was Child A in 53 cases, and Child B in 19 cases. I ntrapedtoneal chemotherapy was performed in all these patients. The intraperitoneal chemotherapy protocols included： 5-FU 0.5-0.75 g/d for 10-15 consecutive days, with a total dosage of 5-12.5 g, and at the last day of chemotherapy 10 mg mitomycin （MMC） or 100 mg carboplatin was injected. For 7 cases of cholangiocarcinoma, Gemzar 800-1000 mg was administered additionally. A majority of all these patients received another one or two therapy methods followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy. TACE was performed in the patients with multiple tumors or nodule more than 5 cm in diameter in the liver, RFA or PElT with nodule fewer than 4 in number and 5 cm or less than 5 cm in diameter and radiotherapy, only for metastases, with metastatic lymph nodes, localized metastasis within the abdominal cavity or portal vein embolus. Interval time between two methods was one month or so. Two months after the sequential therapy, repeated treatment would be given if general medical condition and liver function were perfect at that time. Results： The median survival time of the group was 13.97 ± 6.27 months. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 59.7% and 30.6% respectively. The mean survival time of the patients with liver function Child A was 15.91 ± 5.49 months, and that of the patients with Child B was 8.55 ± 5.09 months. The difference was statistically significant （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Intraperitoneal chemotherapy or in combination with other therapies in patients with advanced primary liver cancer with metastases to abdominal cavity is an effective method. It can prolong the survival time and improve life quality for a certain percentage of patients with advanced pnmary liver cancer.

The Impact of Directly Observed Therapy on Preventive Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Students in Dalian, China

Preventive treatment has an essential effect on latent tuberculosis infection(LTBI)[purified protein derivative(PPD)induration≥15 mm].Between2010 and 2013,there were 6 tuberculosis(TB)outbreaks in the universities in Dalian,China.So far,in Dalian,the directly observed therapy(DOT)and

从直接血管内取栓与标准静脉溶栓桥接血管内取栓治疗发病4.5 h内卒中的随机对照研究(DIRECT-SAFE)看桥接治疗的未来

桥接治疗是指在静脉溶栓基础上进行动脉血管内介入治疗。目前,已完成了6项随机对照研究及多项真实世界研究来对比直接血管内取栓与静脉溶栓桥接血管内取栓治疗急性卒中患者的疗效。该文对上述研究进行总结,并着重分析直接血管内取栓与标准静脉溶栓桥接血管内取栓治疗发病4.5 h内卒中的随机对照研究(DIRECT-SAFE)的结果来探讨桥接治疗的未来,以期为临床实践提供参考。

Radiological findings in non-surgical recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma:From locoregional treatments to immunotherapy

Since hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)represents an important cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world.Currently,it is fundamental not only to achieve a curative treatment but also to manage in the best way any possible recurrence.Even if the latest update of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer guidelines for HCC treatment has introduced new locoregional techniques and confirmed others as well-established clinical practices,there is still no consensus about the treatment of recurrent HCC(RHCC).Locoregional treatments and medical therapy represent two of the most widely accepted approaches for disease control,especially in the advanced stage of liver disease.Different medical treatments are now approved,and others are under investigation.On this basis,radiology plays a central role in the diagnosis of RHCC and the assessment of response to locoregional treatments and medical therapy for RHCC.This review summarized the actual clinical practice by underlining the importance of the radiological approach both in the diagnosis and treatment of RHCC.