Utility of D-dimer in total joint arthroplasty

As the number of patients receiving total joint replacements continues to rise,considerable attention has been directed towards the early detection and prevention of postoperative complications.While D-dimer has long been studied as a diagnostic tool in venous thromboembolism(VTE),this assay has recently received considerable attention in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection(PJI).D-dimer values are substantially elevated in the acute postoperative period after total joint arthroplasty,with levels often exceeding the standard institutional cutoff for VTE(500µg/L).The utility of D-dimer in detecting VTE after total joint replacement is currently limited,and more research to assess its value in the setting of contemporary prophylaxis protocols is warranted.Recent literature supports D-dimer as a good to excellent biomarker for the diagnosis of chronic PJI,especially when using serum sample technique.Providers should exercise caution when interpreting D-dimer levels in patients with inflammatory and hypercoagulability disorders,as the diagnostic value is decreased.The updated 2018 Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria,which includes D-dimer levels>860µg/L as a minor criterion,may be the most accurate for diagnosing chronic PJI to date.Larger prospective trials with transparent lab testing protocols are needed to establish best assay practices and optimal cutoff values for D-dimer in the diagnosis of PJI.This review summarizes the most current literature on the value of D-dimer in total joint arthroplasty and elucidates areas for future progress.

Protective effects of apocynin and allopurinol on ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury in mice

AIM: To determine the effects of allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, and apocynin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, on oxidant stress and liver injury caused by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) procedure in mice. METHODS: Mice were pretreated with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, allopurinol, or NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor, apocynin before the hepatic I/R procedure. Then treated or untreated mice underwent the hepatic I/R procedure. The effects on hepatic injury and superoxide anions were determined after starting reperfusion. RESULTS: A standard warm hepatic I/R procedure led to a marked increase in superoxide anion production as indicated by a superoxide anion tracer, MCLA. At the same time, the procedure caused profound acute liver injury, as indicated by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase and tumor necrosis factor-α levels, reduced liver glutathione levels and elevated malondialdehyde contents, as well as a high apoptotic cell count. All these changes were reversed by the use of apocynin or allopurinol prior to the hepatic I/R procedure. CONCLUSION: Allopurinol and apocynin exerted protective effects on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. The protection is associated with blocking the generationof superoxide anions during the hepatic I/R procedure by inhibiting xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase activity.

The Effects of Intracellular Glutathione Content on the Sensitivity of Methylseleninic Acid to Human High-metastatic Large Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line L9981

Background and Objective Lung cancer has the fastest increasing rate of morbidity and mortality all over the world and appears to be one of the most dangerous malignant tumors

The N-Terminal Kinase Suppressor of Ras (KSR1) Complex Exhibits Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase (NDPK) Activity

Background and objective Lung cancer has not only become the most frequent malignant cancer which is increasing fastest among all the tumors, but also become the rst killer

Trapped vessel of abdominal pain with hepatomegaly: A case report

Abdominal pain with elevated transaminases from inferior vena cava(IVC) obstruction is a relatively common reason for referral and further workup by a hepatologist. The differential for the cause of IVC obstruction is extensive, and the most common etiologies include clotting disorders or recent trauma. In some situations the common etiologies have been ruled out, and the underlying process for the patient's symptoms is still not explained. We present one unique case of abdominal pain and hepatomegaly secondary to IVC constriction from extrinsic compression of the diaphragm. Based on this patient's presentation, we urge that physicians be cognizant of the IVC diameter and consider extrinsic compression as a contributor to the patient's symptoms. If IVC compression from the diaphragm is confirmed, early referral to vascular surgery is strongly advised for further surgical intervention.

Protocol for electrophysiological monitoring of carotid endarterectomies

Near zero stroke rates can be achieved in carotid endarterectomy （CEA） surgery with selective shunting and electrophysiological neuromonitoring.though false negative rates as high as 40% have been reported.We sought to determine if improved training for interpretation of the monitoring signals can advance the efficacy of selective shunting with electrophysiological monitoring across multiple centers,and determine if other factors could contribute to the differences in reports.Processed and raw beta band （12.5-30 Hz） electroencephalogram （EEG） and median and tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials （SSEP） were monitored in 668 CEA cases at six surgical centers.A decrease in amplitude of 50% or more in any EEG or SSEP channel was the criteria for shunting or initiating a neuroprotective protocol.A reduction of 50% or greater in the beta band of the EEG or amplitude of the SSEP was observed in 150 cases.No patient showed signs of a cerebral infarct after surgery.Selective shunting based on EEG and SSEP monitoring can reduce CEA intraoperative stroke rate to a near zero level if trained personnel adopted standardized protocols.We also found that the rapid administration of a protective stroke protocol by attending anesthesiologists was an important aspect of this success rate.

Use of a New Algorithm with an Internally Cooled Electrode for Radiofrequency Ablation of Small Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a new algorithm to increase the volume of tissue ablation via gradual ramp-up of power using an internally cooled electrode for ablating hepatomas 3 cm or less. Materials and Methods: 44 patients with 62 hepatomas were treated from March 4, 2004 to May 24, 2009. Ablation with a gradual ramp-up of power was performed using a single needle with an internally cooled electrode. Evaluation for tumor response was performed with 4-phase CT at 24 hours and 3 months. All immediate and follow-up complications were recorded. Results: Complete tumor ablation was achieved in 86%. The ablation volumes were 16 cm3 +/- 12 cm3 for tumors 3 +/- 12 cm3 for tumors 2 - 3 cm. Out of 68 total ablation sessions, there were 2 major complications (pleural effusions) requiring intervention (thoracentesis). Conclusion: Compared with existing techniques using a constant full-power setting, ablation of small hepatomas using an algorithm of gradual ramp-up of power provides comparable rate of complete tumor ablation, adequate ablation volumes, and a low rate of complications that require treatment.

Systematic review of single stage revision for prosthetic joint infection

While advanced technology,increased medical knowledge and improved surgical technique has improved patient outcomes in total joint arthroplasty,prosthetic joint infection still remains one of the leading causes of increased healthcare costs,medical resources and societal burdens in orthopaedic care.Two stage arthroplasty revision remains the gold standard for treatment of prosthetic joint infection.Proponents of single stage revision arthroplasty for infection argue that it results in lower healthcare costs while improving patient reported functional outcomes and with equivalent success rates.Here we review the history of single stage revision arthroplasty,discuss the key principles,highlight the indications and contraindications,and review the reported outcomes with a focus on future developments of single stage revision arthroplasty for hip and knee periprosthetic joint infections.

Comparison of Patient Survival after Resection for Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumors Compared to Other Neuroendocrine Tumors: A United States Population Study

Background: We hypothesized: 1) resected pulmonary typical carcinoid (TC) will show a favorable clinical pattern compared to other bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (BPNETs);and 2) Atypical carcinoid (AC) and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) patients will have similar outcomes. Methods: The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result database was queried to compare demographics and tumor specific variables in patients undergoing resection for TC, AC, LCNEC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) from 2001 to 2006. Results: Similar to LCNEC, AC patients had greater incidence of histologic positive lymph nodes compared to TC (P < 0.001). Survival analysis showed a mean survival of 40.0 ± 1.9 months for SCLC, 46.2 ± 2.2 months for LCNEC, 58.3 ± 2.3 months for AC, and 70.2 ± 0.2 months for TC tumors. TC patients demonstrated favorable survival, and SCLC patients poorer survival, compared to AC and LNEC patients (P < 0.01). Conclusion: AC tumors are a BPNET histology that exhibits clinical behavior distinct from TC. AC tumors should be staged, and treated with stage appropriate therapeutic strategies similar to other non-small cell lung cancers.

中国大陆麻醉住院医师毕业后教育的探讨

经过近几年在全国部分省市试点后,2015年教育部和卫计委正式通知在全国范围内改变医学教育的现有模式,新的规范化培养（简称规培）已经逐步开展并日渐规范。各专科住院医师规范化培训的目的是培养具有现代医学素质的专职人员,能够胜任现代医学的临床要求。同时对住院医师进行评估和考核已经日趋重要,同样需要通过规范化的方式进行。现将美国麻醉住院医师培训考核模式与国内麻醉住院医师考核方式进行比较。

心脏影像学对左室射血分数的评估

左室射血分数（left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF）是每搏心输出量占左室舒张末容量的百分数,是评价左室收缩功能的一个重要指标。虽然它不是反映左室收缩功能的唯一参数,还受到负荷、瓣膜返流等因素的影响,也并非绝对准确代表心肌收缩力,但它仍然是临床心脏影像学最重要且最常用的参数。LVEF与心脏病的死亡率密切相关,可以预测愈后,衡量治疗效果,是心脏病诊断治疗的最重要指标[1-4]。

聚丙烯腈多块共聚物肾动脉栓塞的实验研究

聚丙烯腈(PAN)可作为一种新型的治疗用栓塞剂。本研究旨在检测PAN的二种液态制剂和其固态微粒制剂(微粒直径100～400微米)的栓塞效果。将18只白兔平均分成三组,分别用上述的一种制剂进行单侧肾动脉栓塞。PAN对所有被栓塞的肾脏均能造成梗塞。采用血管造影和病理检查观察其梗塞效用,结果表明PAN是一个可靠而有效的肾动脉栓塞剂。

血管紧张素转换酶抑制药用于心脏手术围术期:是否同样有益?(英文)

目前尚无有效方法减少心脏手术围术期心脑血管等重要器官的各种并发症。多项临床随机调查和荟萃分析证实血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)抑制药对非手术的冠状动脉疾病患者、糖尿病和肾疾病患者具有明显的脏器保护作用,能够降低死亡率和心脑血管、肾脏并发症。但心脏手术前是否应停用ACE抑制药及其对心脏手术患者的器官保护作用尚无一致意见。近期有研究证实围术期持续ACE抑制药治疗能显著改善心脏手术患者的生存状况,建议在严密监控的前提下心脏手术患者围术期应维持ACE抑制药治疗。

Molecular therapy for hepatic injury and fibrosis:Where are we?

Hepatic fibrosis is a wound healing response, involving pathways of inflammation and fibrogenesis. In response to various insults, such as alcohol, ischemia, viral agents, and medications or hepatotoxins, hepatocyte damage will cause the release of cytokines and other soluble factors by Kupffer cells and other cell types in the liver. These factors lead to activation of hepatic stellate cells, which synthesize large amounts of extracellular matrix components. With chronic injury and fibrosis, liver architecture and metabolism are disrupted, eventually manifesting as cirrhosis and its complications. In addition to eliminating etiology, such as antiviral therapy and pharmacological intervention, it is encouraging that novel strategies are being developed to directly address hepatic injury and fibrosis at the subcellular and molecular levels. With improvement in understanding these mechanisms and pathways, key steps in injury, signaling, activation, and gene expression are being targeted by molecular modalities and other molecular or gene therapy approaches. This article intends to provide an update in terms of the current status of molecular therapy for hepatic injury and fibrosis and how far we are from clinical utilization of these new therapeutic modalities.

Wilson disease:Histopathological correlations with treatment on follow-up liver biopsies

AIM:To investigate the progression of hepatic histopathology in serial liver biopsies from Wilson disease(WD)patients.METHODS:We report a group of 12 WD patients treated with zinc and/or penicillamine who underwent multiple follow-up liver biopsies.Demographic,clinical and laboratory data were gathered and all patients underwent an initial biopsy and at least one repeat biopsy.RESULTS:Time to repeat biopsy ranged from 2 to 12 years.Six patients(non-progressors)showed stable hepatic histology or improvement.In one case,we observed improvement of fibrosis from stage 2 to 0.Six patients(progressors)had worsening of fibrosis.There was no significant correlation between the histological findings and serum aminotransferases or copper me-tabolism parameters.The hepatic copper concentration reached normal levels in only two patients:one from the non-progressors and one from the progressors group.The estimated rate of progression of hepatic fibrosis in the entire group was 0 units per year in the time frame between the first and the second liver biopsy(4 years),and 0.25 between the second and the third(3 years).In the progressors group,the rate of progression of liver fibrosis was estimated at 0.11 fibrosis units per year between the first and second biopsy and,0.6 fibrosis units between the second and third biopsy.CONCLUSION:The inability of clinical tools to detect fibrosis progression in WD suggests that a liver biopsy with hepatic copper quantification every 3 years should be considered.

Laparoscopic liver resection: Current role and limitations

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for the treatment of benign and malignant liver lesions is often performed at specialized centers. Technological advances, such as laparoscopic ultrasonography and electrosurgical tools, have afforded surgeons simultaneous improvements in surgical technique. The utilization of minimally invasive techniques for liver resection has been reported to reduce operative time, decrease blood loss, and shorten length of hospital stay with equivalent postoperative mortality and morbidity rates compared to open liver resection (OLR). Non-anatomic liver resection and left lateral sectionectomy are now routinely performed laparoscopically at many institutions. Furthermore, major hepatic resections are performed by pure laparoscopy, hand-assisted technique, and the hybrid method. In addition, robotic surgery and single port surgery are revealing early promising results. The consensus recommendation for the treatment of benign liver disease and malignant lesions remains unchanged when considering a laparoscopic approach, except when comorbidities and anatomic limitations of the liver lesion preclude this technique. Disease free and survival rates after LLR for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic colon cancer correspond to OLR. Patient selection is a significant factor for these favorable outcomes. The limitations include LLR of superior and posterior liver lesions; however, adjustments in technique may now consider a laparoscopic approach as a viable option. As growing data continue to reveal the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic liver surgery, this skill is increasingly being adopted by hepatobiliary surgeons. Although the full scope of laparoscopic liver surgery remains infrequently used by many general surgeons, this technique will become a standard in the treatment of liver diseases as studies continue to show favorable outcomes.

Endoscopic ultrasound in chronic liver disease

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic modality with a number of established as well as evolving uses in patients with chronic liver disease.Compared to other diagnostic tools such as cross-sectional imaging or conventional endoscopy,EUS has been shown to increase diagnostic sensitivity and therapeutic success for many clinical scenarios and applications with a low rate of adverse events.In this review,we discuss and focus on the current and growing role of EUS in the evaluation and/or treatment of hepatobiliary masses,hepatic parenchymal disease,portal hypertension,esophageal and other varices,and indeterminate biliary strictures.

2003年加利福尼亚冠状动脉搭桥术结果报告计划中高加索人、西班牙人、亚洲人和非裔美国人的临床特征和30d死亡率

种族间临床特征的差异在冠状动脉搭桥(CABG)手术死亡率中的重要性尚未明确。加利福尼亚CABG结果报告计划的资料汇报在加利福尼亚州法律要求下施行。分析2003年来自121所医院的施行单一CABG患者的数据。

Shenqi Fuzheng Injection(参芪扶正注射液) for Advanced Gastric Cancer:A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective： To evaluate the effectiveness of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection （参芪扶正注射液, SFI） combined with chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. Methods： Randomized controlled trials （RCTs） from 10 databases were searched for this meta-analysis till December 31, 2012 without language restriction. Grey literature and potential unpublished literature was also searched. The key search terms were ＂chemotherapy＂, ＂Shenqi Fuzheng Injection＂ and ＂advanced gastric cancer＂. Criteria were built to select these clinical trials, in which SFI combined with chemotherapy was compared with chemotherapy alone for advanced gastric cancer. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. RevMan 5.1 software was applied for data analyses. Results： Thirteen RCTs involving 860 patients met the selection criteria （all articles were from Chinese databases）. The meta-analysis showed positive results for the use of SFI combined with chemotherapy according to quality of life in terms of the scores when compared with chemotherapy alone. Positive results were also obtained for the combination treatment, in terms of complete remission and partial remission efficacy rate, body weight and decreased adverse events including nausea and vomiting at grade 3-4, oral mucositis at grade 1-2, leucopenia at grade 3-4, and myelo-suppression at grade 1-2. Conclusions： This systematic review found encouraging albeit limited evidence for SFI combined with chemotherapy. However, to obtain stronger evidence without the drawbacks of trial design and the quality of studies, we recommend comparative effectiveness researches to test the effectiveness of combination treatment.

Improved Peptidyl Linkers for Self-Assembly of Semiconductor Quantum Dot Bioconjugates

We demonstrate improved peptide linkers which allow both conjugation to biomolecules such as DNA and self-assembly with luminescent semiconductor quantum dots.A hexahistidine peptidyl sequence was generated by standard solid phase peptide synthesis and modified with the succinimidyl ester of iodoacetamide to yield a thiol-reactive iodoacetyl polyhistidine linker.The reactive peptide was conjugated to dye-labeled thiolated DNA which was utilized as a model target biomolecule.Agarose gel electrophoresis and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis confirmed that the linker allowed the DNA to self-assemble with quantum dots via metal-affinity driven coordination.In contrast to previous peptidyl linkers that were based on disulfide exchange and were thus labile to reduction,the reactive haloacetyl chemistry demonstrated here results in a more stable thioether bond linking the DNA to the peptide which can withstand strongly reducing environments such as the intracellular cytoplasm.As thiol groups occur naturally in proteins,can be engineered into cloned proteins,inserted into nascent peptides or added to DNA during synthesis,the chemistry demonstrated here can provide a simple method for self-assembling a variety of stable quantum dot bioconjugates.