Alfentanil versus ketamine combined with propofol for sedation during upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy in morbidly obese patients.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of both propofol/alfentanil and propofol/ketamine on sedation during upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy in morbidly obese patients (UGSEMOP). METHODS: In a prospective, double-blinded, randomized clinical study, 52 patients scheduled for UGSEMOP were assigned to either group A (n=26; 10 µg/kg intravenous [IV] alfentanil) or group K (n=26; 0.5 mg/kg IV ketamine). Each patient was administered 0.7 mg/kg propofol for induction. If it was needed, the patients were administered an additional dose of IV propofol. This study was performed in Sehitkamil State Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey, between January 2014-2015. Total propofol consumption, time to achieve Modified Aldrete Scores (MAS) of 5 and 10 following the procedure, physician and patient satisfaction scores, and instances of side effects, such as bradycardia and hypotension were recorded. Results: Time to onset of sedation and duration of sedation were both significantly shorter in group A. Patients in group A also required less time to achieve an MAS of 5. Total propofol consumption was significantly lower in group A. CONCLUSION: Both propofol/alfentanil and propofol/ketamine combinations provided appropriate hypnosis and analgesia during UGSEMOP. However, propofol consumption was significantly higher using the propofol/ketamine combination.

A new and simple score for predicting cystobiliary fistula in patients with hepatic hydatid cysts.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic hydatid cysts are common disorders in Turkey. Although most patients are treated by percutaneous drainage, some cases require operative intervention. Biliary fistula is a major complication of hydatid cyst operations. The purpose of this study is to identify preoperative predictors of cystobiliary fistula (CBF) and to develop a scoring system for this disorder. METHODS: Overall, 135 patients with hepatic hydatid cysts were included in this study. The following variables were analyzed as potential predictors of CBF: Age, gender, findings on physical examination, complete blood cell count, liver function tests, and ultrasonographic features of the cysts (type, diameter, number, and localization). RESULTS: CBF was detected in 33 of 135 patients. Univariate analyses showed significant differences in cyst diameter, levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and direct bilirubin, platelet count, and white blood cell (WBC) count between patients with and without CBF. On multivariate analyses, WBC count > 9,000/mm(3) (odds ratio [OR], 4.5), direct bilirubin level > 0.7 mg/dL (OR, 2.76), cyst diameter > 8.2 cm (OR, 5.48), and ALP level > 120 U/L (OR, 3.82) were significant and independent predictors of CBG. One point was given for the presence of each of these factors to develop a new score. The resulting area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.803 (95% confidence interval, 0.726-0.866). CONCLUSION: Preoperative detection and management of CBF are important issues in the treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver. Developing a scoring system based on routinely measured laboratory and radiologic factors will help the clinician to manage patients with hepatic hydatid cysts. External studies are needed to validate this new scoring system in routine clinical practice.

Gastric carcinogenesis.

Gastric cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite complete resection of gastric cancer and lymph node dissection, as well as improvements in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there are still 700,000 gastric cancer-related deaths per year worldwide and more than 80% of patients with advanced gastric cancer die of the disease or recurrent disease within 1 year after diagnosis. None of the treatment modalities we have been applying today can influence the overall survival rates: at present, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for gastric cancer is about 28%. Cellular metaplasia due to chronic inflammation, injury and repair are the most documented processes for neoplasia. It appears that chronic inflammation stimulates tumor development and plays a critical role in initiating, sustaining and advancing tumor growth. It is also evident that not all inflammation is tumorigenic. Additional mutations can be acquired, and this leads to the cancer cell gaining a further growth advantage and acquiring a more malignant phenotype. Intestinalization of gastric units, which is called "intestinal metaplasia"; phenotypic antralization of fundic units, which is called "spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia"; and the development directly from the stem/progenitor cell zone are three pathways that have been described for gastric carcinogenesis. Also, an important factor for the development of gastrointestinal cancers is peritumoral stroma. However, the initiating cellular event in gastric metaplasia is still controversial. Understanding gastric carcinogenesis and its precursor lesions has been under intense investigation, and our paper attempts to highlight recent progress in this field of cancer research.

A novel screening biomarker in gastric cancer: serum Dickkopf-1.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite all the knowledge about gastric cancer, there is no prognostic biomarker which could be useful for early detection. Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), a secreted protein, is known as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. DKK-1 is reported to be over expressed in many malignant tissues. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the normal level of serum DKK-1 (sDKK-1) levels in healthy Turkish peoples and to investigate the clinical utility of sDKK-1 levels for gastric cancer screening. METHODOLOGY: Serum DKK-1 levels were measured in 69 healthy controls and in 60 gastric adenocarcinoma patients with ELISA and sDKK-1 levels were compared with clinicopathological features and outcomes in gastric cancer patients. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of DKK-1 in gastric adeno cancer patients were significantly higher than control patients (p<0.001). The optimal cut-off for sDKK-1 levels order to discriminate control group from gastric cancer patients was 25U/mL with sensitivity equal to 100% and specificity equal to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Serum DKK-1 levels may be a potentially useful novel serologic marker for gastric cancers.

The relationship among acute-phase response proteins, cytokines and hormones in cachectic patients with colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Acute-phase response proteins (APRP), cytokines and hormones have been claimed to be an independent prognostic factor of malignancies, however the basis for their association with prognosis remains unexplained. We suggest that in colon malignancies, as similar to pancreatic and lung cancers, changes in APRP are associated with angiogenesis. METHODS: C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, midkine, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin serum levels are studied in 126 colon cancer patients and 36 healthy subjects. RESULTS: We found statistically significant difference and correlations between two groups. We found significantly higher serum CRP, IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, VEGF-A, VEGF-C and leptin concentrations in patients relative to controls (p < 0.001). We found lower levels of the serum albumin, midkine, adiponectin and ghrelin in patients compared to control subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cachexia in patients with colon cancers is associated with changes in APRP, cytokines and hormone concentrations. These biomarkers and cachexia together have a direct relationship with accelerated angiogenesis. This may lead to a connection between the outcomes in malignancies and the biomarkers.