Laparoscopic versus open left hemihepatectomy for hepatolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Partial hepatectomy is the most definitive treatment for hepatolithiasis. Laparoscopic liver resection, however, presents unique technical challenges. The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the safety and perioperative and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) versus open left hemihepatectomy (OLH) for left intrahepatic duct stones. METHODS: From March 2009-October 2014, 97 consecutive patients with left intrahepatic duct stones who underwent LLH (n = 46) or OLH (n = 51) were evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes and the stone clearance rates of the 97 patients in this study. RESULTS: The median surgical procedure times were 254 min (188-396 min) in the LLH group and 236 min (192-395 min) in the OLH group. No significant difference was found in the surgical procedure times between the two groups. The intraoperative blood loss of the LLH group was less than the OLH group (332 mL [247-914 mL] versus 369 mL [221-996 mL], P = 0.13), but there was no statistical significance. A shorter length of postoperative hospital stay was noticed in laparoscopy group (11 d [8-21 d] versus 12 d [9-24 d], P = 0.01). Postoperative complications were observed in six of the 46 patients (13.0%) after LLH and in 11 of the 51 patients (21.6%) after OLH (P = 0.27). Laparoscopy was comparable with laparotomy in the effectiveness of stone clearance during the first attempt (93.5% versus 94.1%, P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: In left-sided hepatolithiasis, LLH was safe and effective: it resulted in low postoperative morbidity, no mortality, and a high stone clearance rate. The potential benefit of LLH was a shorter hospital stay. If consideration is given to the appropriate indication criteria, including the extent of hepatectomy and the location and distribution of lesions, LLH may be an excellent choice for treatment of left-sided hepatolithiasis.

Preoperative factors predicting poor outcomes following laparoscopic choledochotomy: a multivariate analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery for common bile duct stones varies procedurally from a transcystic approach to laparoscopic choledochotomy (LC) with or without biliary drainage. However, LC is a difficult procedure with higher documented morbidity than the transcystic approach. We retrospectively investigated risk factors for adverse outcomes of LC. METHODS: We used logistic regression models to assess 4 categories of adverse outcomes: overall, complications, conversion to open operation and failed surgical clearance. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: We included 201 patients who underwent LC in our analysis. Adverse outcomes occurred in 48 (23.9%) patients, complications occurred in 43 (21.4%), retained stones were observed in 8 (4%), and conversion to laparotomy occurred in 7 (3.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that total bilirubin (BIL) and the presence of medical risk factors (MRFs) were significant predictors of adverse outcomes and complications. We calculated the probability of adverse outcomes (p) using the following formula: logit(p) = 0.977 (MRFs) + 0.014 (BIL) - 2.919. p = EXP (logit(p)) ÷ [1+EXP (logit(p))]. According to their logit(p), all patients were divided into a low-risk group (logit(p) ≤ -1.32, n = 130) and a high-risk group (logit(p) > -1.32, n = 71). Patients in the low-risk group had about a 1 in 10 chance (12 of 130) of adverse outcomes developing. Of the 71 patients in the high-risk group, 36 (50.7%) experienced adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: High BIL and the presence of MRFs could predict adverse outcomes in patients undergoing LC.

CONTEXTE: La chirurgie laparoscopique pour extraction de calculs biliaires logés dans le cholédoque diffère sur le plan technique de la cholédochotomie laparoscopique (CL) par approche transcystique avec ou sans drain biliaire. Toutefois, la CL est une intervention délicate, qui s'accompagne d'un taux de morbidité documenté plus élevé comparativement à l'extraction transcystique. Nous avons analysé rétrospectivement les facteurs de risque à l'égard d'une issue négative de la CL. MÉTHODES: Nous avons utilisé des modèles de régression logistique pour évaluer 4 catégories d'issue négative : issue négative globale, complications, conversion vers une chirurgie ouverte et échec de l'extraction chirurgicale. Nous avons calculé l'aire sous la courbe de la fonction d'efficacité du récepteur pour évaluer la précision diagnostique. RÉSULTANTS: Nous avons inclus dans notre analyse 201 patients soumis à une CL. Une issue négative est survenue chez 48 patients (23,9 %), des complications chez 43 (21,4 %), la persistance des calculs chez 8 (4 %) et la conversion vers la laparotomie chez 7 (3,5 %). L'analyse multivariée a montré que la bilirubine totale (BIL) et la présence de facteurs de risque médicaux (FRM) étaient des prédicteurs significatifs d'une issue négative et de complications. Nous avons calculé la probabilité de survenue d'une issue négative (p) à l'aide de la formule suivante : logit(p) = 0,977 (FRM) + 0,014 (BIL) ­ 2,919. p = EXP (logit(p)) ÷ [1 + EXP (logit(p))]. En fonction de leur valeur logit(p), tous les patients ont été répartis entre un groupe à faible risque (logit(p) ≤ ­1,32, n = 130) et un groupe à risque élevé (logit(p) > ­1,32, n = 71). Les patients du groupe à faible risque présentaient 1 chance sur 10 (12 sur 130) d'issue défavorable. Parmi les 71 patients du groupe à risque élevé, 36 (50,7 %) ont présenté une issue défavorable. CONCLUSIONS: Un taux de BIL élevé et la présence de FRM pourraient prédire l'issue négative chez des patients soumis à une CL.

Treatment of recurrent hernia in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the most commonly used treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease and has the advantages of simple operation and low treatment costs. However, long-term PD may lead to inguinal hernia formation, which needs to be repaired as early as possible. There are many studies on this kind of hernia, but there are few reports about how to treat recurrent hernia in PD patients. Therefore, we present a case of a female PD patient who suffered from a recurrent femoral hernia after primary hernioplasty. We successfully proceeded with treatment by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair. The patient was scheduled to receive temporary haemodialysis until the normal PD dose was restored. After 36 months of follow-up, we found that there was no recurrence of hernia, and the function of the PD catheter was normal.

Novel pathogenic variant in LMNA gene identified in a six-generation family causing atrial cardiomyopathy and associated right atrial conduction arrhythmias.

Objective: To characterize the cardiac phenotype associated with the novel pathogenic variant (c.1526del) of LMNA gene, which we identified in a large, six-generation family. Methods and Results: A family tree was constructed. The clinical data of living and deceased family members were collected. DNA samples from 7 family members were analyzed for LMNA mutations using whole-exome high-throughput sequencing technology. The clinical presentation of pathogenic variant carriers was evaluated. In this six-generation family (n = 67), one member experienced sudden death at the age of 40-years-old. Three pathogenic variant carriers were identified to possess a novel heterozygous deletion mutation in LMNA gene (HGVS: NM_170707.4, c.1526del) located at exon 9 of LMNA chr1:156137145, which creates a premature translational stop signal (p.Pro509Leufs*39) in the LMNA gene and results in an mutant lamin A protein product. The main symptoms of the pathogenic variant carriers were palpitation, fatigue, and syncope, which typically occurred around 20-years-old. AV-conduction block and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia were the first signs of disease and would rapidly progress to atrial standstill around 30-years-old. Significant right atrial enlargement and bicuspid aortic valve malformation was also commonly seen in patients who carried this pathogenic variant. Conclusion: The pathogenic variant of c.1526del p.P509Lfs*39 was a frameshift deletion located at exon 9 of LMNA chr1:156137145 and causes severe right atrial enlargement, sick sinus syndrome, atrial standstill, ventricular tachycardia, and bicuspid aortic valve malformation. Our findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of novel LMNA gene mutations.

Platinum-based adjuvant therapy was efficient for triple-negative breast cancer: a meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was widely accepted for treating TNBC. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and survival benefit of platinum-based adjuvant therapy (PBAT) in treating TNBC. The keywords were searched in Medline, Embase, Pubmed, and Cochrane Library database up to July 24, 2022. All the randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing PBAT and non-PBAT in treating TNBC were included in our study. The pathological complete remission (pCR) and complications were compared by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were compared by hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CIs. A total of 19 RCTs were included in our meta-analysis, among which 2,501 patients were treated with PBAT and 2,290 with non-PBAT. The patients treated with PBAT combined a significantly higher pCR rate compared to those patients treated with non-PBAT (49.8% versus 36.4%, OR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.14-1.43, P < 0.001). Besides, patients treated with PBAT had a significantly better RFS (HR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.63-0.95, P = 0.016), but not in OS (HR = 0.84, P = 0.304). Although the occurrence of neutropenia and nausea were slightly different between the PBAT group (51.5% and 24.4%) and the non-PBAT group (47.0% and 29.4%), the complications were acceptable in the two treatments groups. Our results demonstrated that TNBC patients treated with PBAT could achieve a higher pCR rate and better RFS benefit without a higher complication rate.Highlights Platinum-based adjuvant therapy provided a higher pCR rate for TNBC.Platinum-based adjuvant therapy prolonged the RFS but without prolongingthe OS.Neutropenia and nausea rate was different between group PBAT and non-PBAT.

High glucose induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and results in the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Hyperglycemia, a chronic abnormality in diabetes, is an independent predictor of cancer-associated mortality in CRC. However, the underlying biological mechanism of hyperglycemia in CRC cells is largely unknown. In the present study, HCT-116 and HT-29 cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were assessed. In addition, the expression of epithelial (E)-cadherin, vimentin and high-mobility group A protein 2 (HMGA2) were assessed using western blotting. The results demonstrated that high glucose (HG; 30 mmol/l) caused CRC cells to lose their epithelial morphology, with a decrease in E-cadherin and an increase in vimentin, suggesting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, HG significantly enhanced the cell migration and invasion of CRC cells and the expression of HMGA2. Transfection with HMGA2 small interfering RNA reversed the HG-induced changes to CRC cells. In addition, HG promoted CRC cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. The results of the present study suggest that hyperglycemia promotes EMT, proliferation, migration and invasion in CRC cells and may provide novel insights into the link between HG and CRC.

Expression and prognostic value of HER-2/neu in primary breast cancer with sentinel lymph node metastasis.

The present study explores the correlation of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) protein expression with sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer. The breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were obtained from patients with primary breast cancer. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA level of HER-2. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of HER-2 expression with SLN metastasis. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients were investigated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to explore factors influencing SLN metastasis and prognosis of breast cancer. Compared with adjacent tissues, HER-2 expression was significantly up-regulated in breast cancer tissues. HER-2 expression was correlated with the pathological type, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, histological grade, blood vessel invasion, SLN metastasis, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR). The expression level of HER-2 was positively related to the SLN metastasis (r=0.548). Median DFS and OS were longer in patients with negative HER-2 expression than in patients with positive HER-2 expression. TNM staging, SLN metastasis, and expression levels of HER-2 and ER were independent factors for DFS of breast cancer patients, while TNM staging, blood vessel invasion, histological grade, SLN metastasis, and expression levels of HER-2 and PR were independent factors for OS of breast cancer patients. Our study suggests that high expression of HER-2 promoted SLN metastasis. HER-2 expression and SLN metastasis were the independent factors for the prognosis of breast cancer.

Partial reconstitution of V(D)J rearrangement and lymphocyte development in RAG-deficient mice expressing inducible, tetracycline-regulated RAG transgenes.

Previously, we described a tetracycline-based autoregulatory system for inducible gene expression in mammalian cells and transgenic mice [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 92 (1995) 6522]. We have tested the ability of this system to drive functional expression in vivo of the V(D)J recombination activating genes, RAG1 and RAG2. In induced transgenic mice, transgenic RAG1 and RAG2 mRNA is observed in thymus and spleen, and expression of both transgenes on the RAG1 or RAG2 knockout backgrounds allows partial, inducible, lymphocyte reconstitution. In thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs of reconstituted animals, cells expressing CD4 and/or CD8 on their surface, also express CD3 and TCR beta chain. In these animals, V(D)J rearrangements are detected in thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen at the TRB locus, and in thymus and lymph nodes at the TRD locus. At the TRA locus, broken ends at V(D)J recombination signals are detected only in thymus, as are reciprocal signal joint products derived from deletional rearrangement. T cell reconstitution occurs in these animals whether they are induced in utero during development, or shortly after birth. A low level of B cell reconstitution is also observed. B220+IgM+ cells are observed in spleen only in induced animals, and rearrangements at IGH and IGK loci are detected in bone marrow and spleen. Broken signal ends at the IGK locus, are not detected in peripheral lymphoid organs. Inducible reconstitution of normal levels of serum immunoglobulin, including heavy chain class switch isotype variants is also observed in these animals. Further, these transgenes do not appear to interfere with lymphocyte development mediated by functionally rearranged TRB chain or IGH chain transgenes in RAG-deficient animals. These mice provide a unique system for the inducible activation of V(D)J recombination and the development of primary lymphocytes.

Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy for Left-sided Hepatolithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatolithiasis is a prevalent disease in the southeastern coastal regions of China. Partial hepatectomy is the most definitive treatment for hepatolithiasis. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) for left-sided hepatolithiasis. METHODS: The clinical data of 37 consecutive patients who underwent pure LLH for left-sided hepatolithiasis at Yinzhou Second Hospital between March 2009 and December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Pure LLH was performed successfully in 36 patients. Because of severe adhesions from previous choledochotomy, 1 patient was converted to open procedure. The mean operative time was 257.9 minutes (range, 188 to 396 min). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 11.7 days (range, 8 to 21 d). There were 2 (5.4 %) cases of postoperative bile leakage, 2 (5.4%) cases of intra-abdominal fluid collection, and 1 (2.7%) case of incisional infection, which were successfully managed conservatively. Residual stones were observed in 2 (5.4%) patients. The residual stones were located in the common bile duct in these cases and were removed through the T-tube tract by choledochoscopy. During a mean follow-up of 31.3 months (range, 6 to 63 mo), recurrent stones were detected in 2 (5.4%) patients and were successfully treated with endoscopic sphincterotomy. CONCLUSIONS: LLH for left-sided hepatolithiasis is feasible and safe in selected patients.

Elevated plasma visfatin levels correlate with conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis.

Visfatin correlates with inflammation and its levels in peripheral blood are associated with some inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma visfatin levels and conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis. One hundred and forty-six acute cholecystitis patients and 146 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited and their plasma visfatin levels were determined using an enzyme immunoassay. 17 patients (11.6%) underwent conversion. Plasma visfatin levels were statistically significantly elevated in all patients (97.2±41.8ng/mL), those with (161.4±71.3ng/mL) or without conversion (88.7±26.9ng/mL), compared to controls (40.3±13.3ng/mL, all P<0.001). A linear regression analysis showed that plasma visfatin levels were positively associated with plasma C-reactive protein levels (t=0.510, P<0.001). A logistic-regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) 1.160, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.011-1.332, P=0.035] and plasma visfatin levels (OR 1.035, 95% CI 1.005-1.066, P=0.022) appeared to be the independent predictors of conversion. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis found that plasma visfatin levels predicted conversion with high area under curve (AUC) (AUC, 850; 95% CI, 0.781-0.903). The AUC of the visfatin concentration was similar to that of age (AUC, 0.738; 95% CI, 0.659-0.807) (P=0.188). Visfatin improved the AUC of age to 0.914 (95% CI, 0.856-0.954) (P=0.011) using a combined logistic-regression model. Thus, high plasma levels of visfatin are associated with systemic inflammation, and may independently predict conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis.