“时间治疗”与肿瘤化疗的护理

目的 :提高肿瘤化疗患者的治疗和护理水平。方法 :回顾分析 30例恶性肿瘤化疗患者引入时间治疗的临床资料。结果 :30例患者均顺利完成整个化疗过程。有效率 80 %、无效和进展 2 0 % ,毒副反应 0度 9例、Ⅰ度 14例、Ⅱ度 5例、Ⅲ度 2例。结论 :时间治疗在恶性肿瘤化疗时具有耐受性好、疗效好、毒副反应发生率低的优点 ,护理有其特殊性。

Role of surgical intervention in managing gastrointestinal metastases from lung cancer

AIM:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of late-stage lung cancer patients with gastrointestinal(GI)-tract metastases,focusing on therapeutic options and outcomes.METHODS:Our institution(the National Taiwan University Hospital) diagnosed 8159 patients with lung cancer between 1987 and 2008,of which 21 developed symptomatic GI metastases.This study reviewed all of the patients' information,including survival data,pathological reports,and surgical notes.RESULTS:The most common histological type of lung cancer was adenocarcinoma,and 0.26% of patients with lung cancer developed GI metastases.The median duration from lung cancer diagnosis to GI metastases was three months(range,0-108 mo),and the average time from diagnosis of GI metastasis to death was 2.8 mo.Most patients with symptomatic gastric and/or duodenal metastases exhibited GI bleeding and were diagnosed by panendoscopy.In contrast,small bowel metastases typically presented as an acute abdomen and were not diagnosed until laparotomy.All patients with small bowel or colonic metastases underwent surgical intervention,and their perioperative mortality was 22%.Our data revealed a therapeutic effect in patients with solitary GI metastasis and a favorable palliative effect on survival when metastases were diagnosed preoperatively.In patients with multiple GI metastases,the presentation varied according to the locations of the metastases.CONCLUSION:Surgical treatment is worthwhile in a select group of patients with bowel perforation or obstruction.Physicians should be more alert to symptoms or signs indicating GI metastases.

New developments in immunotherapy for lymphoma

The development of immunotherapies for lymphoma has undergone a revolutionary evolution over the past decades. Since the advent of rituximab as the first successful immunotherapy for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma over two decades ago, a plethora of new immunotherapeutic approaches to treat lymphoma has ensued. Four of the most exciting classes of immunotherapies include:chimeric antigen receptor T-cells, bispecific antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines. However, with addition of these novel therapies the appropriate timing of treatment, optimal patient population, duration of therapy, toxicity, and cost must be considered. In this review, we describe the most-promising immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of lymphoma in clinical development, specifically focusing on clinical trials performed to date and strategies for improvement.

Prognostic factors and time-related changes influence results of colorectal liver metastases surgical treatment:A single-center analysis

AIM:To analyze the prognostic factors involved in survival and cancer recurrence in patients undergoing surgical treatment for colorectal liver metastases(CLM) and to describe the effects of time-related changes on survival and recurrence in these patients.METHODS:From January 1994 to January 2006,236 patients with CLM underwent surgery with the aim of performing curative resection of neoplastic disease at our institution and 189(80%) of these patients underwent resection of CLM with curative intention.Preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative data,including primary tumor and CLM pathology results,were retrospectively reviewed.Patients were divided into two time periods:a first period from January 1994 to January 2000(n = 93),and a second period from February 2000 to January 2006(n = 143).RESULTS:Global survival at 1,3 and 5 years in patients undergoing hepatic resection was 91%,54% and 47%,respectively.Patients with preoperative extrahepatic disease,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) levels over 20 ng/dL,more than four nodules or extrahepatic invasion at pathological analysis had worse survival.Tumor recurrence rate at 1 year was 48.3%,being more frequent in patients with preoperative and pathological extrahepatic disease and CEA levels over 20 ng/dL.Although patients in the second time period had more adverse prognostic factors,no differences in overall survival and recurrence were observed between the two periods.CONCLUSION:Despite advances in surgical technique and better adjuvant treatments and preoperative imaging,careful patient staging and selection is crucial to continue offering a chance of cure to patients with CLM.

The effects of exercise on self-rated sleep among adults with chronic sleep complaints

Purpose： The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether and to what extent the observed effects on self-rated sleep in a previous study using a combined treatment program with physical exercise and sleep education can be attributed by the physical activity （PA） component. Methods： The present study reports supplementary analysis of an already described and published study. Data were provided by a nonclinical sample of 98 normal-active adults with chronic initiating and the maintaining of sleep complaints. The additional analysis included sleep log, exercise log, and daily pedometer data which were collected during a baseline week and 6-week of a combined intervention. Results： The results indicate that the number of steps （p -- 0.02） and the duration of PA （p = 0.01） is significantly related to the improvement in subjective sleep measures and therefore reveal an independent effect within this combined sleep program. Sleep diary data （recuperation of sleep, number of awakenings after sleep onset, and wake time after sleep onset time） improved significant （all p 〈 0.01） over the intervention program. About 50% of the participants stated that the PA had an effect on their improvement. Conclusion： Improvements on subjective sleep quality after a combined intervention cannot be attributed to the cognitive component alone, but PA has an independent effect. Adults with chronic sleep complaints benefit from exercise. Therefore structured PA should be implemented in any sleep management programs.

Aggressive therapy with statins in elderly and malnourished patients with acute myocardial infarction： is the right time to change？

The changes in the demographic profile of the population with longer life expectancy are mainly due to an improvement of lifestyle, prevention and care of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

Argon plasma coagulation for superficial esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma in high-risk patients

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) for superficial esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (SESC) in high-risk patients. METHODS: We studied 17 patients (15 men and 2 women, 21 lesions) with SESC in whom endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and open surgery were contraindicated from March 1999 through February 2009. None of the patients could tolerate prolonged EMR/ESD or open surgery because of severe concomitant disease (e.g., liver cirrhosis, cerebral infarction, or ischemic heart disease) or scar formation after EMR/ESD and chemoradiotherapy. After conventional endoscopy, an iodine stain was sprayed on the esophageal mucosa to determine the lesion margins. The lesion was then ablated by APC. We retrospectively studied the treatment time, number of APC sessions per site, complications, presence or absence of recurrence, and time to recurrence.RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 36 mo (range: 6-120 mo). All of the tumors were macroscopically classified as superficial and slightly depressed type (0-Ⅱc). The preoperative depth of invasion was clinical T1a (mucosal cancer) for 19 lesions and clinical T1b (submucosal cancer) for 2. The median treatment time was 15 min (range: 10-36 min). The median number of treatment sessions per site was 2 (range: 1-4). The median hospital stay was 14 d (range: 5-68 d). Among the 17 patients (21 lesions), 2 (9.5%) had recurrence and underwent additional APC with no subsequent evidence of recurrence. There were no treatment-related complications, such as bleeding or perforation. CONCLUSION: APC is considered to be safe and effective for the management of SESC that cannot be resected endoscopically because of underlying disease, as well as for the control of recurrence after EMR and local recurrence after chemoradiotherapy.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Adult Renal Sarcoma

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of primary adult renal sarcoma.Methods A total of 1654 cases with adult renal tumors were treated during 1985 to 2009 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.Of all,17 cases were diagnosed as primary renal sarcoma and underwent radical nephrectomy.The clinical features of 17 such patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results The first symptom of 10(59%) cases in all renal sarcomas was abdominal mass.The pathological diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma(7 cases),rhabdomyosarcoma(2 cases),malignant fibrous histiocytoma(2 cases),low-differentiated sarcoma(2 cases),chromophobe renal cell carcinoma coexisting with liposarcoma(1 case),fibrosarcoma(1 case),embryonic sarcoma(1 case) and leiomyosarcoma(1 case).One patient died of tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava during surgery.Finally,15 cases were regularly followed up for 4 to 60 months.Till now,1 had tumor-free survival for 9 months,and the other 14 cases died 2-38 months after the operation with a median survival time of 18(range,5-60) months.The median survival time of leiomyosarcoma group was 28(range,11-60) months,and 2 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma died 4 and 8 months after the operation respectively.Conclusions The primary renal sarcoma has the clinical symptom similar with advanced renal cell carcinoma and has poor prognosis.Leiomyosarcoma might have relative good prognosis.

Long-term results of the hydroxylapatite for laryngotracheal framework reconstruction

Objective: To discuss the long-term results of the laryngotracheal (LT) reconstruction with a composites sternohyoid myocutaneous rotary door flap (RDF) and hydroxylapatite (HA) ring.Methods: Thirty-two patients suffered by LT stenosisn were treated through LT reconstruction with a composite sternohyoid myocutaneous RDF and HA ring, then we made long-term follow up. Results:Thirty of the 32 patients were successfully decannulated from 1 to 6 months postoperatively and the decannulation rate was 93%(30/32). Decannulated failed in 2 patients because of hypertrophic scar and infection in the operative region. The term of follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years in 30 patients. patients had a stable airway and an effective voice. Conclusion: A composite sternohyoid myocutaneous RDF and HA ring is a relatively simple method with positive long-term effect for LT reconstruction.

COMMENTS ON THE THERAPEUTIC TIMETABLE OF ISCHEMIC APOPLEXY AND SUPER-EARLY INTERVENTION OF ACUPUNCTURE

According to the pathological process of ischemic apoplexy, which involves its onset and development, this paper expounds the great significance of adopting various active and effective measures within the therapeutic timetable for favorable prognosis and improvement of apoplexy. The author’s viewpoints differ from the conventional thinking towards the management of apoplexy, stressing super early intervention with acupuncture.

Clinical analysis of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 83 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LANSCLC). Methods:83 cases of patients who have been diagnosed for locally advanced NSCLC by determined cytology or pathology were divided into two groups randomly, 42 patients in NP group and 41 patients in EP group. All patients accepted thoracic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and concurrent either NP chemotherapy in NP group or EP chemotherapy in EP group. 3D-CRT were started on day 1 in the first cycle of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy were carried out for 4 cycles, every cycle was 21 days. Thoracic radiotherapy adopted conventional fractionated irradiation with 15 MeV-X ray, a total dose of 60 Gy. Results: In 83 patients were evaluable, there were 5 cases complete regression to be observed, 29 cases had partial regression (PR), 7 cases with stable disease (SD) and 1 case with progression disease (PD) in NP group. CR 3 cases, PR 27 cases, SD 9 cases and PD 2 cases in EP group. The overall response rate (RR) both NP group and EP group were 80.9%, 73.2%, respectively (P = 0.785).1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate were 90.5%, 69.0%, 28.6% and 82.9%, 51.2%, 21.9%, respectively (P = 0.393). The incidence of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in NP group was higher than that in the EP group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:CCRT in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, 3D-CRT with concurrent NP or EP chemotherapy. 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival (OS) and average survival time (AST) were not statistically differences, a higher incidence of toxicities were observed in NP group but can be tolerable.

Drug-induced liver injury in hospitalized patients with notably elevated alanine aminotransferase

AIM： To identify the proportion, causes and the nature of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） in patients with no- tably elevated alanine aminotransferase （ALT）. METHODS： All the inpatients with ALT levels above 10 times upper limit of normal range （ULN） were ret- rospectively identified from a computerized clinical laboratory database at our hospital covering a 12-mo period. Relevant clinical information was obtained from medical records. Alternative causes of ALT eleva- tions were examined for each patient, including bili- ary abnormality, viral hepatitis, hemodynamic injury, malignancy, DILI or undetermined and other causes. All suspected DILI cases were causality assessed usingthe Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences scale, and only the cases classified as highly probable, probable, or possible were diagnosed as DILI. Comments related to the diagnosis of DILI in the medical record and in the discharge letter for each case were also examined to evaluate DILI detection by the treating doctors. RESULTS： A total of 129 cases with ALT 〉 i0 ULN were identified. Hemodynamic injury （n = 46, 35.7%）, DILl （n = 25, 19.4%） and malignancy （n = 21, 16.3%） were the top three causes of liver injury. Peak ALT val- ues were lower in DILI patients than in patients with hemodynamic injury （14.5 5.6 ULN vs 32.5 ：I： 30.7 ULN, P = 0.001）. Among DILI patients, one （4%） case was classified as definite, 19 （76%） cases were clas- sified as probable and 5 （20%） as possible according to the ClOMS scale. A hepatocellular pattern was ob- served in 23 （92%） cases and mixed in 2 （8%）. The extent of severity of liver injury was mild in 21 （84%） patients and moderate in 4 （16%）. Before discharge, 10 （40%） patients were recovered and the other 15 （60%） were improved. The improved patients tended to have a higher peak ALT （808 ＋ 348 U/L vs 623 ＋ 118 U/L, P = 0.016） and shorter treatment duration before discharge （8 ＋ 6 d vs 28 ~ 12 d, P = 0.008） compared with the recovered patients. Twenty-two drugs and 6 herbs were found associated with DILl. Antibacterials were the most common agents causing DILI in 8 （32%） cases, followed by glucocorticoids in 6 （24%） cases. Twenty-four （96%） cases received treatment of DILl with at least one adjunctive drug. Agents for treatment of DILI included anti-inflammatory drugs （e.g., glycyr- rhizinate）, antioxidants （e.g., glutathione, ademetionine 1,4-butanedisulfonate and tiopronin）, polyene phospha- tidyl choline and herbal extracts （e.g., protoporphyrin disodium and silymarin）. Diagnosis of DILl was not mentioned in the discharge letter in 60% of the cases. Relative to prevalent cases and cases from wards of internal medicine, incident cases and cases from surgi- cal wards had a higher risk of missed diagnosis in dis- charge letter [odds ratio （OR） 32.7, 95%CI （2.8-374.1）,CONCLUSION： DILI is mostly caused by use of anti- bacterials and glucocorticoids, and constitutes about one fifth of hospitalized patients with ALT 〉 10 ULN. DILI is underdiagnosed frequently.

UGT1A1 predicts outcome in colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan and fluorouracil

AIM:To evaluate effects of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase1A1(UGT1A1) and thymidylate synthetase(TS) gene polymorphisms on irinotecan in metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC).METHODS:Two irinotecan-and fluorouracil-based regimens,FOLFIRI and IFL,were selected as second-line therapy for 138 Chinese mCRC patients.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples before treatment.UGT1A1 and TS gene polymorphisms were determined by direct sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism,respectively.Gene polymorphisms of UGT1A1*28,UGT1A1*6 and promoter enhancer region of TS were analyzed.The relationship between genetic polymorphisms and clinical outcome,that is,response,toxicity and survival were assessed.Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed in a subgroup patients based on different UGT1A1 genotypes.Plasma concentration of irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 and inactive metabolite SN-38G were determined by high performance liquid chromatography.Differences in irinotecan and its metabolites between UGT1A1 gene variants were compared.RESULTS:One hundred and eight patients received the FOLFIRI regimen,29 the IFL regimen,and one irinotecan monotherapy.One hundred and thirty patients were eligible for toxicity and 111 for efficacy evaluation.One hundred and thirty-six patients were tested for UGT1A1*28 and *6 genotypes and 125 for promoter enhancer region of TS.Patients showed a higher frequency of wild-type UGT1A1*28(TA6/6) compared with a Caucasian population(69.9% vs 45.2%).No significant difference was found between response rates and UGT1A1 genotype,although wild-type showed lower response rates compared with other variants(17.9% vs 24.2% for UGT1A1*28,15.7% vs 26.8% for UGT1A1*6).When TS was considered,the subgroup with homozygous UGT1A1*28(TA7/7) and non-3RG genotypes showed the highest response rate(33.3%),while wild-type UGT1A1*28(TA6/6) with non-3RG only had a 13.6% response rate,but no significant difference was found.Logistic regression showed treatment duration was closely linked to clinical response.In toxicity comparison,UGT1A1*28 TA6/6 was associated with lower incidence of grade 2-4 diarrhea(27.8% vs 100%),and significantly reduced the risk of grade 4 neutropenia compared with TA7/7(7.8% vs 37.5%).Wild-type UGT1A1*6(G/G) tended to have a lower incidence of grade 3/4 diarrhea vs homozygous mutant(A/A) genotype(13.0% vs 40.0%).Taking UGT1A1 and TS genotypes together,lower incidence of grade 2-4 diarrhea was found in patients with non-3RG TS genotypes,when TA6/6 was compared with TA7/7(35.3% vs 100.0%).No significant association with time to progression(TTP) and overall survival(OS) was observed with either UGT1A1 or TS gene polymorphisms,although slightly longer TTP and OS were found with UGT1A1*28(TA6/6).Irinotecan PK was investigated in 34 patients,which showed high area under concentration curve(AUC) of irinotecan and SN-38,but low AUC ratio(SN-38G /SN-38) in those patients with UGT1A1*28 TA7/7.CONCLUSION:A distinct distribution pattern of UGT1A1 genotypes in Chinese patients might contribute to relatively low toxicity associated with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil in mCRC patients.

Left univentricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy using rate-adaptive atrioventricular delay

Objective To evaluate left univentricular （LUV） pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy （CRT） using a rate-adaptive atrioven- tricular delay （RAAVD） algorithm to track physiological atrioventricular delay （AVD）. Methods A total of 72 patients with congestive heart failure （CHF） were randomized to RAAVD LUV pacing versus standard biventricular （BiV） pacing in a 1 ： 1 ratio. Echocardiography was used to optimize AVD for both groups. The effects of sequential BiV pacing and LUV pacing with optimized A-V （right atrio-LV） delay using an RAAVD algorithm were compared. The standard deviation （SD） of the S/R ratio in lead VI at five heart rate （HR） segments （Rs/R-SD5）, defined as the ＂tracking index,＂ was used to evaluate the accuracy of the RAAVD algorithm for tracking physiological AVD. Results TheQRS complex duration （132 ± 9.8 vs. 138± 10ms, P 〈 0.05）, the time required for optimization （21 ±5 vs. 50±8min, P〈 0.001）, the mitral regurgitant area （1.9 ± 1.1 vs. 2.5 ± 1.3 em2, P 〈 0.05）, the interventricular mechanical delay time （60.7 ± 13.3 ms vs. 68.3 ± 14.2 ms, P 〈 0.05）, and the average annual cost （13,200 ± 1000 vs. 21,600 ± 2000 RMB, P 〈 0.001） in the RAAVD LUV pacing group were significantly less than those in the standard BiV pacing group. The aortic valve velocity-time integral in the RAAVD LUV pacing group was greater than that in the standard BiV pacing group （22.7 ± 2.2 vs. 21.4 ± 2.1 cm, P 〈 0.05）. The Rs/R-SD5 was 4.08 ± 1.91 in the RAAVD LUV pacing group, and was significantly negatively correlated with improved left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） （ALVEF, Pearson＇s r = -0.427, P = 0.009）, and positively correlated with New York Heart Association class （Spearman＇s r - 0.348, P 0.037）. Conclusions RAAVD LUV pacing is as effective as standard BiV pacing, can be more physiological than standard BiV pacing, and can de- crease the average annual cost of CRT.

Effect of ezetimibe on the prevalence of cholelithiasis

AIM： To investigate the prevalence of cholelithiasis among patients treated with ezetimibe. METHODS： A retrospective, case-control study based on computerized medical records from patients of the Clalit Health Services, Sharon-Shomron region, from 2000 to 2009. Patients 20-85 years of age, who had been treated with ezetimibe and statins or statins only for at least 6 too, and who had an abdominal ultrasound were included in the study. Collected data included age, gender, ezetimibe treatment duration, presence of hypothyroidism or diabetes, and existence of cholelithiasis as determined by ultrasound. Ex- cluded were subjects after gallbladder resection, with hemolysis, myeloproliferative or inflammatory bowel diseases, and those treated with ursodeoxycholic acid and fibrates. Patients treated with statins and ezeti- mibe （study group） were compared to patients treated with statins only （control group）. RESULTS： The study group included 25 patients and the control group 168. All patients in the study were treated with statins. The study group included 13 males （52%） and 12 females （48%）, the control group 76 males （45%） and 92 （55%） females （P = 0.544）. The groups did not differ in age （mean age： 68 ± 8 years, range 53-85 years vs mean age： 71±8 years, range 51-85 years; P = 0.153） or in the rate of dia- betic and hypothyroid patients [11 （44%） vs 57 （33%）, P = 0.347 in the study group and 5 （20%） vs 23 （14%）, P = 0.449 in the control group, respectively]. Patients in the study group were treated with ezetimibe for an average of 798±379 d. Cholelithiasis was found in 4 （16%） patients in the study group and in 33 （20%） patients in the control group （P = 0.666）. CONCLUSION： Ezetimibe does not appear to influ- ence the prevalence of gallstones.

Intergranular Corrosion of AISI 304 Heat Treated at 800℃ Varying Range Times

Austenitic stainless steels, when exposed to welding conditions or aging for length of service, it＇s observed the formation of numerous deleterious phases, such as several kinds of carbides type MC, M6C, M7C3, M23C6, and intermetallic secondary phases （sigma, chi, laves）, which cause the process of intergranular corrosion. The aim of this work was verifying the formation of the types of carbides and/or intermetallic phases existing in the stainless AISI 304 at 800 ℃, varying the timing of heat treatment between 30, 360 and 1,440 min. The optical microscopy analysis revealed the predominant formation of the carbide type M23C6. The results of DL-EPR （double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation） tests showed a gradual increase in the precipitation of this carbide with the increase of treatment time. The potentiodynamic polarization showed that the precipitation of this carbide reduce the formation of the Cr2O3 passive layer, suggesting that the precipitate carbide to be predominantly of the Cr23C6 type.

Anticoagulation therapy prevents portal-splenic vein thrombosis after splenectomy with gastroesophageal devascularization

AIM:To compare the incidence of early portal or splenic vein thrombosis(PSVT) in patients treated with irregular and regular anticoagulantion after splenectomy with gastroesophageal devascularization.METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed 301 patients who underwent splenectomy with gastroesophageal devascularization for portal hypertension due to cirrhosis between April 2004 and July 2010.Patients were categorized into group A with irregular anticoagulation and group B with regular anticoagulation,respectively.Group A(153 patients) received anticoagulant monotherapy for an undesignated time period or with aspirin or warfarin without low-molecular-weight heparin(LMWH) irregularly.Group B(148 patients) received subcutaneous injection of LMWH routinely within the first 5 d after surgery,followed by oral warfarin and aspirin for one month regularly.The target prothrombin time/international normalized ratio(PT/INR) was 1.25-1.50.Platelet and PT/INR were monitored.Color Doppler imaging was performed to monitor PSVT as well as the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy.RESULTS:The patients' data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Among the patients,94 developed early postoperative mural PSVT,including 63 patients in group A(63/153,41.17%) and 31 patients in group B(31/148,20.94%).There were 50(32.67%) patients in group A and 27(18.24%) in group B with mural PSVT in the main trunk of portal vein.After the administration of thrombolytic,anticoagulant and antiaggregation therapy,complete or partial thrombus dissolution achieved in 50(79.37%) in group A and 26(83.87%) in group B.CONCLUSION:Regular anticoagulation therapy can reduce the incidence of PSVT in patients who undergo splenectomy with gastroesophageal devascularization,and regular anticoagulant therapy is safer and more effective than irregular anticoagulant therapy.Early and timely thrombolytic therapy is imperative and feasible for the prevention of PSVT.

Personalized Management of Anastomotic Leak after Surgery for Esophageal Carcinoma

Objective To summarize the management of anastomotic leak following surgery for esophageal car-cinoma. Methods The medical records of the patients developing digestive tract leak after surgery for esophageal carcinoma in our hospital from January 2003 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 36 patients were included, in whom 13 developed cervical anastomotic leak, 18 had intra-thoracic anastomotic leak, and 5 had intra-thoracic gastric necrosis. Of these patients, 7 were treated with resurgery, 6 with esophageal stent implantation, and 23 with conservative treatment. Treatment lasted for 5 to 181 days, averagely 47.0±31.9 days. After management, 9 patients died (25.0%). Among seven patients with resurgery, four had deceased, two were cured, and one developed leak again and was switched to conservative treatment until discharged. All the 6 patients treated with stent implantation were cured. Of the 24 patients receiving conservative treatment (including one switched from resurgery), 18 (75.0%) were cured and 1 was not cured but survived. Conclusions Anastomotic leak following surgery for esophageal carcinoma should be treated individually based on the onset time, location, size, and extent of the leakage. Conservative treatment is still a safe and effective method.The efficacy of stent implantation needs further investigation to confirm.

ERCP for the treatment of bile leak after partial hepatectomy and fenestration for symptomatic polycystic liver disease

AIM: To describe endoscopic treatment of bile leaks in these patients and to identify risk factors in these patients which can predict the development of bile leaks. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study examining consecutive patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for polycystic liver disease (PLD) and developed a postoperative bile leak managed endoscopically over a ten year period. Each case was matched with two controls with PLD who did not develop a postoperative bile leak. RESULTS: Ten cases underwent partial hepatectomy with fenestration for symptoms including abdominal distention, pain and nausea. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed anatomic abnormalities in 1 case. A biliary sphincterotomy was performed in 4 cases. A plastic biliary stent was placed with the proximal end at the site of the leak in 9 cases; in 1 case two stents were placed. The overall success rate of ERCP to manage the leak was 90%. There were no significant differences in age, gender, comorbidities, duration of symptoms, history of previous surgery or type of surgery performed between cases and controls. CONCLUSION: ERCP with stent placement is safe and effective for management of post-hepatectomy bile leak in patients with PLD.

Optimization of dilute acid hydrolysis of Enteromorpha

Acid hydrolysis is a simple and direct way to hydrolyze polysaccharides in biomass into fermentable sugars. To produce fermentable sugars effectively and economically for fuel ethanol, we have investigated the hydrolysis of Enteromorpha using acids that are typically used to hydrolyze biomass： H2SO4, HC1, H3PO4 and C4H404 （maleic acid）. 5%（w/w） Enteromorpha biomass was treated for different times （30, 60, and 90 min） and with different acid concentrations （0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, and 2.2%, w/w） at 121~C. H2SO4 was the most effective acid in this experiment. We then analyzed the hydrolysis process in H2SO4 in detail using high performance liquid chromatography. At a sulfuric acid concentration of 1.8% and treatment time of 60 min, the yield of ethanol fermentable sugars （glucose and xylose） was high, （230.5 mg/g dry biomass, comprising 175.2 mg/g glucose and 55.3 mg/g xylose）, with 48.6% of total reducing sugars being ethanol fermentable. Therefore, Enteromorpha could be a good candidate for production of fuel ethanol. In future work, the effects of temperature and biomass concentration on hydrolysis, and also the fermentation of the hydrolysates to ethanol fuel should be focused on.