Changes in serum α-fetoprotein level predicts treatment response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is an alternative systemic treatment for patients with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were refractory or intolerant to sorafenib. To date, there have been no biomarkers reported to monitor the therapeutic efficacy and to predict the outcomes of HCC patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Eighty-one HCC patients with elevated baseline α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and extrahepatic spreading who received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy between 2012 and 2014 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Two AFP tests were performed, at baseline and 2-4 weeks after the initiation of chemotherapy. The change in AFP levels was calculated for survival analysis. RESULTS: In the AFP decline group (decreased compared to baseline), the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 7.0 months and 12.3 months, respectively. In the AFP nondecline group, the median PFS and OS were 2.3 months and 3.0 months, respectively. The difference in OS between the two groups was significant (p < 0.005). In the multivariate analysis for disease progression, the best response to chemotherapy and AFP decline were independent factors, with p values of 0.004 and 0.009, respectively. In the multivariate analysis for OS, the baseline Child-Pugh score, best response to chemotherapy, and AFP decline were independent prognostic factors, with p values of 0.01, 0.001, and 0.008, respectively. Additionally, the unit change in AFP level was predictive of PFS and OS with p values of 0.007 and 0.001, respectively. CONCLUSION: The change in AFP levels 2-4 weeks after initiating oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is useful to predict treatment response and survival.

Multi-disciplinary management of type 1 and 2 skin tears using a silver-based hydrofiber dressing.

Skin tear is a common problem encountered in the emergency department. If it is not properly managed, it can lead to wound infection, skin necrosis and a need for further surgical intervention and skin grafting. Current management is to cleanse the wound, replace the thin skin tear followed by coverage with a dressing that is inducive for wound healing. Several dressings have been suggested for the coverage of these wounds. But, up to now, there has been no mention of the use of a silver-based hydrofiber dressing in the management of this condition. The objective of this study was to explore the use of a silver-based hydrofiber dressing for the management of paper-thin skin tears. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with Type 1 or 2 skin tears that had undergone management using a silver-based hydrofiber dressing between October 2019 and October 2020. Demographic data and medical history was obtained by retrospective chart review. Data that was collected included: age, sex, comorbid illnesses, defect location, defect size, complications, number of times the silver-based hydrofiber dressing was replaced and the number of days required to achieve complete wound healing. A total of 65 patients were included in the study. There were 42 males and 23 females. There were 28 patients whose age was greater then 85 years old, of which 14 patients were over 90 years old. The mean number of outpatient visits was 2. The mean defect size was 33 cm2 (range 1 cm × 1 cm to 18 × 10 cm). The mean number of days required for total wound healing was 13 days (range 7-21). We did not encounter any patients that required further surgical debridement or split-thickness skin grafting. The use of a silver-based hydrofiber dressing was well tolerated by the elderly population as it provided an easy, efficient, economical and effective form of management of skin tears. We suggest that a silver-based hydrofiber dressing can be used as a first-line treatment method for type 1 and 2 skin tears.

Diallyl disulfide induces Ca2+ mobilization in human colon cancer cell line SW480.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS), one of the major organosulfur compounds of garlic, is recognized as a group of potential chemopreventive compounds. In this study, we examines the early signaling effects of DADS on human colorectal cancer cells SW480 loaded with Ca(2+)-sensitive dye fura-2. It was found that DADS caused an immediate and sustained rise of [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner (EC(50) = 232 µM). DADS also induced a [Ca(2+)](i) elevation when extracellular Ca(2+) was removed, but the magnitude was reduced by 45%. Depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores with 2 µM carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, a mitochondrial uncoupler, didn't affect DADS's effect. In Ca(2+)-free medium, the DADS-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise was abolished by depleting stored Ca(2+) with 1 µM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump inhibitor). DADS-caused [Ca(2+)](i) rise in Ca(2+)-containing medium was not affected by modulation of protein kinase C activity. The DADS-induced Ca(2+) influx was blocked by nicardipine (10 µM). U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, abolished ATP (but not DADS)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rise. These findings suggest that DADS induced a significant rise in [Ca(2+)](i) in SW480 colon cancer cells by stimulating both extracellular Ca(2+) influx and thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) release via as yet unidentified mechanisms.

Supportive Care and Unmet Needs in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: Screening and Related Factors.

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer treatment can cause physical and psychological distress and may result in unmet needs. The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the levels of gastrointestinal (GI) symptom distress, social support, and supportive care needs; (2) screen the priorities of unmet supportive care needs; and (3) identify the factors associated with supportive care needs among UGI cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This cross-sectional study examined UGI cancer patients who received treatment from the outpatient chemotherapy department of a single cancer center in northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding GI symptom distress, social support, unmet needs, and supportive care needs. The top three unmet needs were "fears about the cancer spreading", "uncertainty about the future", and "being informed about things you can do to help yourself to get well". Descriptive statistics examined the levels of GI symptom distress, social support, supportive care needs, and priorities of unmet supportive care needs. Stepwise regression was conducted to determine significant factors related to supportive care needs. Greater supportive care needs were found to be associated with higher levels of disease-related worries, increased treatment-related symptoms, and a lower level of physical performance. These factors explained 48.0% of the variance in supportive care needs. Disease-related worries and treatment-related symptoms strongly influence overall supportive care needs and each domain of supportive care needs. Symptom management and psychological support for patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy may help patients meet needs.