The effect of intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy in patients under anesthesia for gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND Intraoperative fluid management is an important aspect of anesthesia mana-gement in gastrointestinal surgery.Intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy(GDFT)is a method for optimizing a patient's physiological state by monitoring and regulating fluid input in real-time.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative GDFT in patients under anesthesia for gastrointestinal surgery.METHODS This study utilized a retrospective comparative study design and included 60 patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at a hospital.The experimental group(GDFT group)and the control group,each comprising 30 patients,received intraoperative GDFT and traditional fluid management strategies,respectively.The effect of GDFT was evaluated by comparing postoperative recovery,com-plication rates,hospitalization time,and other indicators between the two patient groups.RESULTS Intraoperative blood loss in the experimental and control groups was 296.64±46.71 mL and 470.05±73.26 mL(P<0.001),and urine volume was 415.13±96.72 mL and 239.15±94.69 mL(P<0.001),respectively.The postoperative recovery time was 5.44±1.1 days for the experimental group compared to 7.59±1.45 days(P<0.001)for the control group.Hospitalization time for the experimental group was 10.87±2.36 days vs 13.65±3 days for the control group(P<0.001).The visual analogue scale scores of the experimental and control groups at 24 h and 48 h INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal surgery is one of the most common procedures in the field of general surgery[1],involving the stomach,intestines,liver,pancreas,spleen,and other internal abdominal organs[2,3].With advancements in surgical technology and anesthesia methods,the safety and success rates of surgery have significantly improved[4,5].However,intraop-erative fluid management remains a critical challenge[6].Traditional fluid management strategies often rely on experience and basic physiological parameters,which may lead to excessive or insufficient fluid input,thereby affecting postoperative recovery and complication rates.Intraoperative goal-directed fluid therapy(GDFT)is an emerging fluid management strategy that dynamically adjusts fluid input volume by monitoring the patient's hemodynamic parameters in real-time to optimize the patient's physiological state[7,8].GDFT has shown superiority in many surgical fields;however,its application in gastrointestinal surgery requires further research and verification[9,10].The application of intraoperative GDFT in clinical settings has gradually increased in recent years[11,12].Studies have demonstrated that GDFT can optimize tissue perfusion and oxygenation by precisely controlling fluid input and reducing the occurrence of postoperative complications[13,14].For example,in cardiac and major vascular surgeries,GDFT significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury and cardiovascular events[15,16].Similarly,in abdominal surgery,GDFT effectively reduced postoperative infections and expedited recovery[17].However,studies on the utilization of GDFT in gastrointestinal surgery are relatively limited and they are confounded by contradictory findings[18].Traditional fluid management strategies typically rely on estimating fluid input volume based on the patient's weight,preoperative status,and basic physiological parameters[19].However,this method lacks real-time dynamic adjustment,which may result in either insufficient or excessive fluid input,consequently affecting postoperative recovery.Insufficient fluid input can lead to hypovolemia and inadequate tissue perfusion,whereas excessive fluid input can cause tissue edema and postoperative complications,such as pulmonary edema and heart failure.GDFT involves dynamically adjusting fluid input volume by monitoring the patient's hemodynamic parameters in real-time,such as cardiac output,pulse pressure variability,and central venous pressure.Commonly used monitoring equipment include esophageal Doppler and pulse wave profile analyzers[20].These devices provide real-time hemo-dynamic data to assist anesthesiologists in tailoring fluid therapy to a patient's specific condition.Firstly,the patient's volume responsiveness is assessed by preloading fluid;secondly,fluid input volume is dynamically adjusted based on real-time monitoring data;finally,vasoactive and inotropic drugs are administered in combination to further optimize the patient’s hemodynamic status.Through personalized fluid management,GDFT can more accurately maintain intraop-erative hemodynamic stability and reduce complications[21].Gastrointestinal surgery involves procedures on multiple organs,often requiring prolonged operative times and extensive tissue trauma,which presents challenges for intraop-erative fluid management.Surgical procedures can lead to significant bleeding and fluid loss,requiring prompt and effective fluid replenishment.In addition,the slow recovery of gastrointestinal function after surgery and susceptibility to complications such as intestinal obstruction and delayed gastric emptying elevate the necessity for postoperative fluid management.

Effects of fluid therapy combined with a preoperative glucose load regimen on postoperative recovery in patients with rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Patients with rectal cancer undergoing radical resection often have poor post-operative recovery due to preoperative fasting and water deprivation and the removal of diseased tissue,and have a high risk of complications.Therefore,it is of great significance to apply appropriate rehydration regimens to patients un-dergoing radical resection of rectal cancer during the perioperative period to improve the postoperative outcomes of patients.AIM To analyze the effects of goal-directed fluid therapy(GDFT)with a preoperative glucose load regimen on postoperative recovery and complications in patients undergoing radical resection for rectal cancer.METHODS Patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical resection(n=184)between January 2021 and December 2023 at our hospital were randomly divided into either a control group or an observation group(n=92 in each group).Both groups received a preoperative glucose load regimen,and routine fluid replacement and GDFT were additionally implements in the control and observation groups,res-pectively.The operative conditions,blood levels of lactic acid and inflammatory markers,postoperative recovery,cognitive status,hemodynamic indicators,brain oxygen metabolism,and complication rates were compared between the groups.RESULTS The colloidal fluid dosage,total infusion,and urine volume,as well as time to first exhaust,time to food intake,and postoperative length of hospital stay,were lower in the observation group(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of operation time,bleeding volume,crystalloid liquid consumption,time to tracheal extubation,complication rate,heart rate,or mean arterial pressure(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,in the ob-servation group the lactic acid level was lower immediately after the surgery(P<0.05);the Mini-Mental State Examination score was higher on postoperative day 3(P<0.05);the pulse pressure variability(PPV)was lower at 30 min after pneumoperitoneum(P<0.05),though the differences in the PPV of the two groups was not significant at the remaining time points(P>0.05);tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin-6 levels were lower on postoperative day 3(P<0.05);and the left and right regional cerebral oxygen saturation was higher immediately after the surgery and 30 min after pneumoperitoneum(P<0.05).CONCLUSION GDFT combined with the preoperative glucose load regimen is a safe and effective treatment strategy for im-proving postoperative recovery and risk of complications in patients with rectal cancer undergoing radical re-section.

Treatment of spinal cord injury with biomaterials and stem cell therapy in non-human primates and humans

Spinal cord injury results in the loss of sensory,motor,and autonomic functions,which almost always produces permanent physical disability.Thus,in the search for more effective treatments than those already applied for years,which are not entirely efficient,researches have been able to demonstrate the potential of biological strategies using biomaterials to tissue manufacturing through bioengineering and stem cell therapy as a neuroregenerative approach,seeking to promote neuronal recovery after spinal cord injury.Each of these strategies has been developed and meticulously evaluated in several animal models with the aim of analyzing the potential of interventions for neuronal repair and,consequently,boosting functional recovery.Although the majority of experimental research has been conducted in rodents,there is increasing recognition of the importance,and need,of evaluating the safety and efficacy of these interventions in non-human primates before moving to clinical trials involving therapies potentially promising in humans.This article is a literature review from databases(PubMed,Science Direct,Elsevier,Scielo,Redalyc,Cochrane,and NCBI)from 10 years ago to date,using keywords(spinal cord injury,cell therapy,non-human primates,humans,and bioengineering in spinal cord injury).From 110 retrieved articles,after two selection rounds based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,21 articles were analyzed.Thus,this review arises from the need to recognize the experimental therapeutic advances applied in non-human primates and even humans,aimed at deepening these strategies and identifying the advantages and influence of the results on extrapolation for clinical applicability in humans.

Optimizing care for gastric cancer with overt bleeding:Is systemic therapy a valid option?

Gastric cancer(GC)and gastroesophageal junction cancer(GEJC)represent a significant burden globally,with complications such as overt bleeding(OB)further exacerbating patient outcomes.A recent study by Yao et al evaluated the effectiveness and safety of systematic treatment in GC/GEJC patients presenting with OB.Using propensity score matching,the study balanced the comparison groups to investigate overall survival and treatment-related adverse events.The study's findings emphasize that systematic therapy can be safe and effective and contribute to the ongoing debate about the management of advanced GC/GEJC with OB,highlighting the complexities of treatment decisions in these high-risk patients.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived therapies for regeneration after central nervous system injury

In recent years,the progression of stem cell therapies has shown great promise in advancing the nascent field of regenerative medicine.Considering the non-regenerative nature of the mature central nervous system,the concept that“blank”cells could be reprogrammed and functionally integrated into host neural networks remained intriguing.Previous work has also demonstrated the ability of such cells to stimulate intrinsic growth programs in post-mitotic cells,such as neurons.While embryonic stem cells demonstrated great potential in treating central nervous system pathologies,ethical and technical concerns remained.These barriers,along with the clear necessity for this type of treatment,ultimately prompted the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells.The advantage of pluripotent cells in central nervous system regeneration is multifaceted,permitting differentiation into neural stem cells,neural progenitor cells,glia,and various neuronal subpopulations.The precise spatiotemporal application of extrinsic growth factors in vitro,in addition to microenvironmental signaling in vivo,influences the efficiency of this directed differentiation.While the pluri-or multipotency of these cells is appealing,it also poses the risk of unregulated differentiation and teratoma formation.Cells of the neuroectodermal lineage,such as neuronal subpopulations and glia,have been explored with varying degrees of success.Although the risk of cancer or teratoma formation is greatly reduced,each subpopulation varies in effectiveness and is influenced by a myriad of factors,such as the timing of the transplant,pathology type,and the ratio of accompanying progenitor cells.Furthermore,successful transplantation requires innovative approaches to develop delivery vectors that can mitigate cell death and support integration.Lastly,host immune responses to allogeneic grafts must be thoroughly characterized and further developed to reduce the need for immunosuppression.Translation to a clinical setting will involve careful consideration when assessing both physiologic and functional outcomes.This review will highlight both successes and challenges faced when using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell transplantation therapies to promote endogenous regeneration.

Effect of perioperative fluid therapy on early phase prognosis after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Although liver transplantation (LT) has made rapid progress, early pulmonary complications still occur. More attention should be paid to fluid therapy that may be an important factor leading to these complications. It is necessary to investigate the correlation between intraoperative and postoperative fluid therapy and early pulmonary complications after LT, then attempt to provide a reasonable fluid therapy in the perioperative period. METHODS: Sixty-two patients who had undergone Ff were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. Based on early phase prognosis after LT, the 62 patients were divided into a non-pulmonary complication group and a pulmonary complication group. Twenty perioperative variables were analyzed in both groups to screen out several factors causing early pulmonary complications, then the parameters reflecting postoperative recovery were analyzed. RESULTS: The pulmonary complication group had 29 patients (46.77%), 3 (4.84%) of whom died during the perioperative period. Using monofactorial analysis for each variable, the two groups differed in the following variables: preoperative lung function, volume of intraoperative transfusion, volume of intraoperative bleeding, and volume of intraoperative net fluid retention and fluid balance (<=-500 ml) in >= 2 of the first 3 days after operation. Analysis of the relationship between multivariate factors and pulmonary complications after LT by logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that preoperative lung function, volume of intraoperative bleeding, and fluid balance (<=-500 ml) in >=-2 of the first 3 days after operation were influential factors. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to maintain fluid balance during the perioperative period of LT. If the hemodynamics are stable, appropriate negative fluid balance in the first 3 days after operation apparently decreases the incidence of early pulmonary complications after LT. These measures are associated with better postoperative recovery.

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.

Perioperative restricted fluid therapy preserves immunological function in patients with colorectal cancer

AIM: To investigate the effect of perioperative restricted fluid therapy on circulating CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio, percentage of regulatory T cells (Treg) and postoperative complications in patients with colorectal cancer.

Individualized peri-operative fluid therapy facilitating early-phase recovery after liver transplantation

AIM:To investigate the correlation between peri-operative fluid therapy and early-phase recovery after liver transplantation(LT) by retrospectively reviewing 102 consecutive recipients.METHODS:Based on whether or not the patients had pulmonary complications,the patients were categorized into non-pulmonary and pulmonary groups.Twentyeight peri-operative variables were analyzed in both groups to screen for the factors related to the occurrence of early pulmonary complications.RESULTS:The starting hemoglobin(Hb) value,an intra-operative transfusion > 100 mL/kg,and a fluid balance ≤-14 mL/kg on the first day and the second or third day post-operatively were significant factors for early pulmonary complications.The extubation time,time to initial passage of flatus,or intensive care unit length of stay were significantly prolonged in patients who had not received an intra-operative transfusion ≤ 100 mL/kg or a fluid balance ≤-14 mL/kg on the first day and the second or the third day post-operatively.Moreover,these patients had poorer results in arterial blood gas analysis.CONCLUSION:It is important to offer a precise and individualized fluid therapy during the peri-operative period to the patients undergoing LT for cirrhosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Controversies in fluid therapy: Type, dose and toxicity

Fluid therapy is perhaps the most common intervention received by acutely ill hospitalized patients; however, a number of critical questions on the efficacy and safety of the type and dose remain. In this review, recent insights derived from randomized trials in terms of fluid type, dose and toxicity are discussed. We contend that the prescription of fluid therapy is context-specific and that any fluid can be harmful if administered inappropriately. When contrasting ‘‘crystalloid vs colloid'', differences in efficacy are modest but differences in safety are significant. Differences in chloride load and strong ion difference across solutions appear to be clinically important. Phases of fluid therapy in acutely ill patients are recognized, including acute resuscitation, maintaining homeostasis, and recovery phases. Quantitative toxicity(fluid overload) is associated with adverse outcomes and can be mitigated when fluid therapy basedon functional hemodynamic parameters that predict volume responsiveness and minimization of non-essential fluid. Qualitative toxicity(fluid type), in particular for iatrogenic acute kidney injury and metabolic acidosis, remain a concern for synthetic colloids and isotonic saline, respectively. Physiologically balanced crystalloids may be the ‘‘default'' fluid for acutely ill patients and the role for colloids, in particular hydroxyethyl starch, is increasingly unclear. We contend the prescription of fluid therapy is analogous to the prescription of any drug used in critically ill patients.

Neoadjuvant therapy for pancreas cancer: Past lessons and future therapies

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a most deadly malignancy, with an overall 5-year survival of 5%. A subset of patients will be diagnosed with potentially resectable disease, and while complete surgical resection provides the only chance at cure, data from trials of postoperative chemoradiation and/or chemotherapy demonstrate a modest survival advantage over those patients who undergo resection alone. As such, most practitioners believe that completion of multimodality therapy is the optimal treatment. However, the sequence of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy is frequently debated, as patients may benefit from a neoadjuvant approach by initiating chemotherapy and/or chemoradiation prior to resection. Here we review the rationale for neoadjuvant therapy, which includes a higher rate of completion of multimodality therapy, minimizing the risk of unnecessary surgical resection for patients who develop early metastatic disease, improved surgical outcomes and the potential for longer overall survival. However, there are no prospective, randomized studies of the neoadjuvant approach compared to a surgeryfirst strategy; the established and ongoing investigations of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer are discussed in detail. Lastly, as the future of therapeutic regimens is likely to entail patient-specific genetic and molecular analyses, and the treatment that is best applied based on those data, a review of clinically relevant biomarkers in pancreatic cancer is also presented.

When combination therapy isn't working: Emerging therapies for the management of inflammatory bowel disease

Although antagonists of tumor necrosis factor have resulted in major therapeutic benefits in inflammatory bowel disease, the magnitude and durability of response are variable. Similar to previously available drugs such as 5-aminosalicylates and immunomodulators, the therapeutic effect is not universal leaving many people searching for options. The development of newer agents has benefited from advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. Uncontrolled activation of the acquired immune system has an important role, and lymphocytes, cytokines, and adhesion molecules are broadly targeted for therapeutic intervention. There is increasing evidence of an important role of the innate immune system and the intestinal epithelium, and the therapeutic paradigm is also shifting from immunosuppression to the reinforcement of the intestinal barrier, and modification of the disease process. In this review, we explore the limitation of current therapy as well as mechanisms of actions of new drugs and the efficacy and adverse events from data from clinical trials.

Cumulative positive fluid balance is a risk factor for acute kidney injury and requirement for renal replacement therapy after liver transplantation

AIM To analyze whether fluid overload is an independent risk factor of adverse outcomes after liver transplantation(LT).METHODS One hundred and twenty-one patients submitted to LT were retrospectively evaluated.Data regarding perioperative and postoperative variables previously associated with adverse outcomes after LT were reviewed.Cumulative fluid balance(FB) in the first 12 h and 4 d after surgery were compared with major adverse outcomes after LT.RESULTS Most of the patients were submitted to a liberal approach of fluid administration with a mean cumulative FBover 5 L and 10 L,respectively,in the first 12 h and 4 d after LT.Cumulative FB in 4 d was independently associated with occurrence of both AKI and requirement for renal replacement therapy(RRT)(OR = 2.3;95%CI:1.37-3.86,P = 0.02 and OR = 2.89;95%CI:1.52-5.49,P = 0.001 respectively).Other variables on multivariate analysis associated with AKI and RRT were,respectively,male sex and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System(APACHE II) levels and sepsis or septic shock.Mortality was shown to be independently related to AST and APACHE II levels(OR = 2.35;95%CI:1.1-5.05,P = 0.02 and 2.63;95%CI:1.0-6.87,P = 0.04 respectively),probably reflecting the degree of graft dysfunction and severity of early postoperative course of LT.No effect of FB on mortality after LT was disclosed.CONCLUSION Cumulative positive FB over 4 d after LT is independently associated with the development of AKI and the requirement of RRT.Survival was not independently related to FB,but to surrogate markers of graft dysfunction and severity of postoperative course of LT.

Loco-regional therapies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation: Selecting an optimal therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is a common, increasingly prevalent malignancy. For all but the smallest lesions, surgical removal of cancer via resection or liver transplantation(LT) is considered the most feasible pathway to cure. Resection- even with favorable survival- is associated with a fairly high rate of recurrence, perhaps since most HCCs occur in the setting of cirrhosis. LT offers the advantage of removing not only the cancer but the diseased liver from which the cancer has arisen, and LT outperforms resection for survival with selected patients. Since time waiting for LT is time during which HCC can progress, locoregional therapy(LRT) is widely employed by transplant centers. The purpose of LRT is either to bridge patients to LT by preventing progression and waitlist dropout, or to downstage patients who slightly exceed standard eligibility criteria initially but can fall within it after treatment. Transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation have been the most widely utilized LRTs to date, with favorable efficacy and safety as a bridge to LT(and for the former, as a downstaging modality). The list of potentially effective LRTs has expanded in recent years, and includes transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads, radioembolization and novel forms of extracorporal therapy. Herein we appraise the various LRT modalities for HCC, and their potential roles in specific clinical scenarios in patients awaiting LT.

Pathophysiology of Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis Revisited: The Use of Isotonic Fluid for Preoperative Infusion Therapy Is Supported

Background: The aim of this study was to elucidate the preoperative clinical and biochemical profile of infants with IHPS to optimize infusion therapy. Patients and Method: We retrospectively analyzed data from 56 infants who were operated for IHPS. Our study includes growth and laboratory data prior to the initiation of therapy. Results: Median duration of propulsive vomiting was 4 d;the median age was 37 d (18 - 108), and the median body weight was 3840 g (2760 -5900). Metabolic alkalosis (MAlk) with a pH of 7.45 ± 0.06 and an stHCO3- of 28.7 ± 4.5 mmol/l was found. In a subgroup of the infants, negative base excess (BE) was observed. The sodium concentration was normal or reduced (mean/median of 137 mmol/l). There was a strong negative correlation between stHCO3- and K+. The carbon dioxide partial pressure tended to increase (5.72 ± 0.84 kPa). Calculations of osmolality revealed a normal osmolarity. Hypoglycemia did not occur. The creatinine clearance according to the Schwartz formula remained at a normal level (85.3 ± 24.3 ml/min/1.73 m2). Discussion: The presented case series is characterized by a short duration of preoperative vomiting. MAlk can be classified as a chloride deficiency syndrome. It is accompanied by normo- or hyponatremic dehydration with normal osmolality. Partial respiratory compensation occurred. A normal creatinine clearance indicated good glomerular renal function. Conclusion: The presented study supports the use of an isotonic infusion fluid with a low glucose concentration for preoperative infusion therapy.

Advances in radiotherapy and targeted therapies for rectal cancer

The last decade witnessed a significant progress in understanding the biology and immunology of colorectal cancer alongside with the technical innovations in radiotherapy.The stepwise implementation of intensitymodulated and image-guided radiation therapy by means of megavolt computed tomography and helical tomotherapy enabled us to anatomically sculpt dose delivery,reducing treatment related toxicity.In addition,the administration of a simultaneous integrated boost offers excellent local control rates.The novel challenge is the development of treatment strategies for medically inoperable patient and organ preserving approaches.However,distant control remains unsatisfactory and indicates an urgent need for biomarkers that predict the risk of tumor spread.The expected benefit of target?ed therapies that exploit the tumor genome alone is so far hindered by high cost techniques and pharmaceuticals,hence hardly justifying rather modest improvements in patient outcomes.On the other hand,the immune landscape of colorectal cancer is now better clarified with regard to the immunosuppressive network that promotes immune escape.Both N2 neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSC)emerge as useful clinical biomarkers of poor prognosis,while the growing list of anti-MDSC agents shows promising ability to boost antitumor T-cell immunity in preclinical settings.Therefore,integration of genetic and immune biomarkers is the next logical step towards effective targeted therapies in the context of personalized cancer treatment.

Human amniotic fluid stem cell therapy can help regain bladder function in type 2 diabetic rats

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus(DM)is a serious and growing global health burden.It is estimated that 80%of diabetic patients have micturition problems such as poor emptying,urinary incontinence,urgency,and urgency incontinence.Patients with diabetic bladder dysfunction are often resistant to currently available therapies.It is necessary to develop new and effective treatment methods.AIM To examine the therapeutic effect of human amniotic fluid stem cells(hAFSCs)therapy on bladder dysfunction in a type 2 diabetic rat model.METHODS Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups:Group 1,normal-diet control(control);group 2,high-fat diet(HFD);group 3,HFD plus streptozotocin-induced DM(DM);group 4,DM plus insulin treatment(DM+insulin);group 5,DM plus hAFSCs injection via tail vein(DM+hAFSCs).Conscious cystometric studies were done at 4 and 12 wk after insulin or hAFSCs treatment to measure peak voiding pressure,voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and residual volume.Immunoreactivities and/or mRNA expression of muscarinic receptors,nerve growth factor(NGF),and sensory nerve markers in the bladder and insulin,MafA,and pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1(PDX-1)in pancreatic beta cells were studied.RESULTS Compared with DM rats,insulin but not hAFSCs treatment could reduce the bladder weight and improve the voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and residual volume(P<0.05).However,both insulin and hAFSCs treatment could help to regain the blood glucose and bladder functions to the levels near controls(P>0.05).The immunoreactivities and mRNA expression of M2-and M3-muscarinic receptors(M2 and M3)were increased mainly at 4 wk(P<0.05),while the number of beta cells in islets and the immunoreactivities and/or mRNA of NGF,calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),substance P,insulin,MafA,and PDX-1 were decreased in DM rats(P<0.05).However,insulin and hAFSCs treatment could help to regain the expression of M2,M3,NGF,CGRP,substance P,MafA,and PDX-1 to near the levels of controls at 4 and/or 12 wk(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Insulin but not hAFSCs therapy can recover the bladder dysfunction caused by DM;however,hAFSCs and insulin therapy can help to regain bladder function to near the levels of control.

Combining chemotherapy and targeted therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer remains one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. During the past years, the development of new effective treatment options has led to a considerable improvement in the outcome of this disease. The advent of agents such as capecitabine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, cetuximab and bevacizumab has translated into median survival times in the range of 2 years. Intense efforts have focused on identifying novel agents targeting specific growth factor receptors, critical signal transduction pathways or mediators of angiogenesis. In addition, several clinical trials have suggested that some of these molecularly targeted drugs can be safely and effectively used in combination with conventional chemotherapy. In this article we review various treatment options combining cytotoxic and targeted therapies currently available for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Relationship between endogenous digitalis－like factor and fluid therapy in burn－blast combined injury

Fifty dogs were inflicted with burn-blast combined injury and divided into 5 groups. All the experimental animals began to receive various amounts of fluid and sodium slat replacement 2 h after injury. Serum level of endogenous digitalis-like factor (EDLF

Prevention of hospital-acquired hypokalemia in children receiving maintenance fluid therapy

Objective: It has been suggested that the use of hypotonic intravenous fluid (IVF) puts hospitalized children at a greater risk of developing hyponatremia in children with increased arginine vasopressin (AVP) production. To reduce its risk, the National Patient Safety Agency in UK issued alert 22 in 2007, of which recommendations were to use isotonic solutions for these children at risk of hyponatremia, instead of the previously most commonly used IVF (0.18% saline/ 4% dextrose) for maintenance fluid therapy. Recent observations, however, revealed that hypokalemia are also common in hospitalized patients who do not receive potassium in their IVF. This study was conducted to validate the potassium added IVF for the prevention of hospital-acquired hypokalemia in maintenance fluid therapy. Design: For maintenance fluid therapy, a commercially available IVF solution in Japan named as Solita-T2R (Na 84 mmol/L, K 20 mmol/L, Cl 66 mmol/L, glucose 3.2%) was infused for 41 sick children with a median age of 3.01 years. Its composition is close equivalent to 0.45% saline/5% dextrose (Na 77 mmol/L, K 0 mmol/L, Cl 77 mmol/L, dextrose 5%) except K content. The patients in states of AVP excess were excluded from the analysis. Results: Median serum potassium value did not drop significantly at a median interval of 48 hours (before IVF: 4.30 mmol/L, after IVF: 4.10 mmol/L, p > 0.05), whereas median serum sodium level significantly increased from 136.0 mmol/L to 139.0 mmol/L (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Potassium added (20 mmol/L) IVF solution reduces the risk of developing “hospital-acquired hypokalemia” in children who are not in states of AVP excess in maintenance fluid therapy. It is worthwhile to study prospectively in a larger number of sick children.