Intelectin-1 is a novel prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still not well understood. Gene microarray analysis showed that the expression of Intelectin-1 (ITLN-1) in tumor-adjacent normal liver tissue was 454.8 times higher than in the corresponding cancer tissue. ITLN-1 is a secreted soluble glycoprotein which has been reported to be associated with the occurrence and development of various tumor types. However, the prognostic significance of ITLN-1 in HCC remain unclear. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate 149 liver cancer cases for ITLN-1 mRNA expression. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis were used to ascertain protein expression of ITLN-1 in cancer and para-carcinomatous tissue, and further to evaluate the correlation between ITLN-1 mRNA expression and surgical prognosis after liver resection. The ITLN-1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in adjacent normal liver tissues than HCC tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the ITLN-1 expression was decreased in 78.5% (117/149) of HCC tissues compared with their corresponding adjacent liver tissues. Moreover, its low expression was significantly correlated with increased tumor size, tumor differentiation degree, degree of liver cirrhosis, capsule integrity, vascular invasion and tumor recurrence. Patients with high ITLN-1 expression had significantly better overall and recurrence-free survival after curative liver resection. Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that ITLN-1 was an independent predictor of surgical outcomes in HCC patients. The present study suggested that low ITLN-1 expression was associated with poor clinical outcome for HCC patients, indicating a novel biomarker for prognosis evaluation and a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.

Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell tumor with hepatic lymphoma history: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT)-like follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a very rare disease. Till now, only 19 cases were reported in the English literature. However, the coexistence of IPT-like sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the same patient has never been reported. In this report, we presented a case of hepatic IPT-like FDC with hepatic NHL history of which both were successfully resected. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a case of a 47-year-old male patient who presented with right upper abdominal discomfort. Nineteen years ago, he underwent liver resection of segment VII for hepatic NHL (B-cell lymphoma). He had a history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Serum alpha fetoprotein level was normal. However, imaging studies revealed a well-circumscribed, solid mass in the right hepatic lobe, he came back to the clinic because he was worried about a recurrence of the B-cell lymphoma. DIAGNOSES: Based on the patient's past medical history and magnetic resonance imaging results, and he was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic NHL preoperatively. INTERVENTIONS: Right hemi-hepatectomy was performed on this patient. OUTCOMES: Histological report showed features of a mixture of chronic inflammatory cells and variable amounts of spindle cells. Also, immuno-histo-chemical studies demonstrated that all the tumor cells showed strong nuclear in situ labeling for EBV-encoded small RNAs and strongly positive stainings with CD21 and CD35. The patient tolerated the surgery well, recovered smoothly and he was discharged on postoperative day 7 (day 7). The patient is still disease free after a follow-up of over 50 months. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating hepatic IPT-like FDC sarcoma in a patient with primary hepatic NHL history. In regards to treatment, complete surgical resection should be performed and would acquire excellent long-term outcomes.

Effect of Severity of Liver Cirrhosis on Surgical Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Resection and Microwave Coagulation.

BACKGROUND: Liver resection (LR) and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) are both considered as radical treatments for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is still unclear whether to select LR or PMCT in HCC patients with different degrees of liver cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of LR and PMCT in the treatment of solitary and small HCC accompanied with different degrees of liver cirrhosis. METHODS: In this study, 230 patients with solitary HCC lesions ≤ 3 cm and Child-Pugh A liver function were retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, 122 patients underwent LR, and 108 received PMCT. The short- and long-term outcomes were compared between these two procedures. Severity of liver cirrhosis was evaluated by using clinical scoring system (CSS) as previously published. Subgroup analysis based on CSS was performed to evaluate the effect of severity of liver cirrhosis on surgical outcomes after LR and PMCT. RESULTS: There was no mortality within 90 days in both groups. Major complications were significantly more frequent in the LR group than in the PMCT group (18.8% vs. 4.6%, p<0.001). However, LR provided better surgical outcomes than PMCT. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for the LR and PMCT groups were 65.2% and 42%, respectively (p=0.006), and the corresponding disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 51.7% and 31.5%, respectively (p=0.004). Nevertheless, subgroup analysis showed that PMCT provided long-term outcomes that were similar to LR and lower surgical complications in HCC patients with CSS score≥4. CONCLUSIONS: LR may provide better OS and DFS rates than PMCT for patients with solitary HCC lesions ≤ 3 cm and Child-Pugh A liver function irrespective of liver cirrhosis. PMCT should be viewed as the optimal treatment for solitary and small HCC with severe cirrhosis.

Application of Real-Time Augmented Reality Laparoscopic Navigation in Splenectomy for Massive Splenomegaly.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical impact and technical feasibility of augmented reality laparoscopic navigation (ARLN) system in laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly. METHODS: The clinical data of 17 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy using ARLN (ARLN group) and 26 patients without ARLN guidance (Non-ARLN group) between January 2018 and April 2020 were enrolled. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed between the patients with and without ARLN guidance at a ratio of 1:1. RESULTS: Mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the ARLN-group than in the Non-ARLN group (306.6 ml vs. 462.6 ml, p = 0.047). All the patients in the ARLN-group achieved successful splenic artery dissection, while surgical success was achieved in 12 patients in the Non-ARLN group (p = 0.044). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the Non-ARLN group (3.8 days vs. 4.5 days, p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: ARLN can provide feasible and accurate intraoperative image guidance, and it could be helpful in the performance of laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly.

A novel method of fluorescent imaging can guide hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with intrahepatic biliary obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present a novel bile-duct obstructed area imaging (BOAI) and to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of this method in guiding hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with intrahepatic biliary obstruction. METHODS: From May 2017 to October 2019, eligible patients who underwent hepatectomy guided by BOAI were enrolled. Perioperative outcomes and operative data were analyzed. To assess the feasibility of BOAI and Glissonean pedicle approach, demarcations based on them were compared. To verify the accuracy of BOAI staining of the target territory, simple linear regression analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficient were used to examine the relationship between predicted resected liver volume (PRLV) and actual resected liver volume (ARLV). RESULTS: BOAI staining achieved valid demarcation in 15 (93.8%) of 16 patients, whereas the ischemic line achieved valid demarcation in only nine patients (57.3%; p = .017). ARLV and PRLV had a strong positive correlation (PRLV = 60.06 + 0.925 × ARLV; R = .945; p = .000). Meanwhile, ARLV (intraclass correlation coefficient = .971) achieved an excellent agreement with PRLV (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The novel BOAI staining method can provide valid, feasible, and accurate demarcation line and may be an effective method in the surgical treatment of intrahepatic biliary obstruction.

Accuracy of actual resected liver volume in anatomical liver resections guided by 3-dimensional parenchymal staining using fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of actual resected liver volume (ARLV) in anatomical liver resections (ALRs) guided by 3-dimensional parenchymal staining using fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (IGFI). METHODS: Patients eligible for hepatic resection were enrolled in the current study from January 2016 to November 2017. All patients underwent surgery planning based on Medical Image Three-Dimensional Visualization System (MI-3DVS) before the operation, in which predicted resected liver volumes (PRLVs) were calculated. Under 3-dimensional guidance by fusion IGFI, ALRs were performed and ARLVs were measured. Simple linear regression, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to evaluate the relationship and agreement between PRLV and ARLV. RESULTS: Of the 27 patients who achieved valid demarcation by fusion IGFI, 12 (44.4%) received hemihepatectomy, while 10 (37.0%) and five (18.5%) underwent sectionectomy and segmentectomy, respectively. The relationship and agreement between PRLV (481.37 ± 189.47 cm³) and ARLV (450.57 ± 205.19 cm³) were then evaluated. The simple regression equation obtained was PRLV = 0.874 × ARLV + 87.75 (R = 0.946; P = 0.000). Meanwhile, ARLV (ICC = 0.943) achieved an excellent agreement with PRLV ( P < 0.001); 25 of 27 dots were in the range of 95% confidence interval in Bland-Altman analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In the study, these findings validated the consistency between PRLV calculated by MI-3DVS and ARLV guided by fusion IGFI, which proved that IGFI can accurately guide anatomical hepatectomy. Generally, fusion IGFI can provide a valid, feasible and accurate demarcation line, which can confer precision to hepatic resection.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty used for advanced spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Unicompartment knee replacement is more popular for small trauma, rapid recovery, low less complications and almost normal knee mechanics, and has been used to repair unicompartmental knee diseases. At abroad, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for advanced spontaneous osteonecrosis of knee (SONK) has obtained satisfactory outcomes, but its long-term efficacy and safety are not known in China. OBJECTIVE: To explore the short-term effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for advanced SONK. METHODS: Clinical data of 12 SONK patients (12 knees) admitted between January and August 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty was operated by the same surgical team using the 3rdgeneration of Oxford?Unicompartmental Knee. The Visual Analogue Scale, femorotibial angle, range of motion of the knee and Hospital for Special Surgery scores were used to evaluate the curative efficacy at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 12-18 months. The incision in all patients achieved primary union, and no infection, lower limb venous thrombosis or fracture occurred. (2) At the end of follow-up, the Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly reduced from preoperative (6.67±0.78) to (1.75±0.97); the Hospital for Special Surgery scores were significantly increased from preoperative (63.92±7.27) to (91.67±2.87); the femorotibial angle changed from preoperative (178.28±3.38)° to (176.82±2.37)°(All P < 0.05). But the range of motion of the knee joint did not differ significantly before and after surgery. (3) That is to say, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty obtains satisfactory short-term efficacy in the treatment of advanced SONK.

Impact of three-dimensional reconstruction technique in the operation planning of centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of operations based on 3-dimensional (3D) operation planning with non 3D-assisted operations in the treatment of centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: From April 2008 to March 2014, 116 patients with centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma received surgical treatment in our department. Among these cases, a total of 60 patients received resection with operation planning based on 3D reconstructions (group A); the remaining 56 received treatment with the aid of traditional imaging (group B). Three-dimensional surgical planning, including the classification system for centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma, was elaborated in the study. RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A was linked to shorter operation time (294.5 ± 61.9 minutes vs 324.3 ± 83.1 minutes; p = 0.028) and lower rate of hepatic inflow occlusion (51.7% vs 71.4%; p = 0.029). No differences were found in surgical methods, intraoperative blood transfusion, and intraoperative blood loss. The groups were similar in their rates of complications, except that group B was more liable to have Clavien Grade III to V complications (3.3% vs 14.3%; p = 0.048). In addition, a significant difference in ascites was found across the 2 cohorts (2 in group A and 8 in group B; p = 0.048), and the 2 groups also differed significantly in total bilirubin (23.2 ± 16.1 g/L vs 31.1 ± 24.1 g/L; p = 0.032) and albumin (29.3 ± 5.2 g/L vs 27.8 ± 7.9 g/L; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with non 3D-assisted operations, the operation planning based on 3D reconstruction is a more effective and reasonable method in the treatment of centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, the classification system may facilitate the 3D operation planning.