Anaplastic thyroid cancer: outcomes of trimodal therapy

BackroundThe purpose of this study is to assess the impact of trimodal therapy [surgery, chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)] in patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) treated with curative intent.Materials and methodsRetrospective review of patients with ATC treated at a tertiary referral centre between January 2009 and June 2020. Data were collected regarding demographics, histology, staging, treatment and outcomes.ResultsSeven patients (4 female) were identified. Median age was 58 years (range 52–83 years). All patients received EBRT with concurrent doxorubicin. Six patients received surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and one underwent neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery. Median radiological tumour size was 50mm (range 40–90 mm). Six patients had gross extrathyroidal extension and three had N1b disease. Prescribed radiotherapy schedules were 46.4 Gy in 29 bidaily fractions (n = 2, treated 2010), 60 Gy in 30 daily fractions (n = 2), 66 Gy in 30 fractions (n = 2) and 70 Gy in 35 fractions (n = 1; patient received neoadjuvant CRT). CRT was discontinued early for two patients due to toxicities. At median follow up of 5.8 months, 42.9% (3/7) patients were alive and disease-free. Only one patient developed a local failure. Three patients died from distant metastases without locoregional recurrence.ConclusionsDespite poor prognosis of ATC, selected patients with operable tumours may achieve high locoregional control rates with trimodal therapy, with possibility of long-term survival in select cases.     

高龄患者腹腔镜直肠癌根治术不同麻醉方法的比较

目的观察比较3种麻醉方法对高龄腹腔镜直肠癌根治术患者的呼吸循环功能和麻醉效果的影响。方法将45例高龄腹腔镜直肠癌根治术患者随机分成3组,每组15例。EA组,连续硬膜外阻滞麻醉组;GA组,静吸复合全身麻醉组;EGA组,小剂量硬膜外阻滞复合静吸全身麻醉组。观察3组麻醉开始前(T0)、麻醉诱导期(T1)、气管插管时(T2)、拔除气管导管时(T3)的HR、SBP、DBP、MAP、PETCO2、ECG,GA组与EGA组同时监测异氟醚MAC、气道压、手术结束自主呼吸恢复时间、自主呼吸潮气量达标、拔管时间、肌松情况及患者麻醉苏醒时间。结果 EA组有13例麻醉效果优良,SpO295%,PETCO2维持在正常范围;EGA组术毕自主呼吸恢复时间、潮气量达标、拔管时间均明显短于GA组(P0.01)。EA组在麻醉10～15 min后血压下降程度与GA组、EGA组麻醉诱导期血压下降相似(P0.05),EGA组在气管插管/拔管期血压波动不明显,而GA组血压显著升高(P0.01);EA组与GA组麻醉效果相似,EGA组麻醉效果优于GA组(P0.05)。结论 EGA组椎管内局麻药用量、全麻维持药用量、肌松药用量等均相应减少,呼吸循环功能较为稳定,术毕麻醉苏醒快,自主呼吸恢复和潮气量达标迅速,多数患者术毕即可拔除气管导管,是高龄腹腔镜直肠癌根治术患者理想的麻醉方法。     

高血压基底节区脑出血患者血清CXCL1、CXCL10与神经损伤指标和微创穿刺引流术后预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨高血压基底节区脑出血（HBGH）患者血清CXC趋化因子配体1（CXCL1）、CXC趋化因子配体10（CXCL10）与神经损伤指标和微创穿刺引流术后预后的关系。方法：选取2020年2月~2023年4月聊城市人民医院东院区收治的行微创穿刺引流术治疗的HBGH患者162例纳入研究组，选取体检健康的志愿者110例纳入对照组。检测对比两组血清CXCL1、CXCL10和神经损伤指标[神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）、S100β蛋白]水平。采用Pearson检验分析血清CXCL1、CXCL10与神经损伤指标的相关性。所有患者均随访3个月，根据改良Rankin量表（mRS）评分分为预后良好组和预后不良组。采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析HBGH患者微创穿刺引流术后预后的影响因素。结果：研究组的血清CXCL1、CXCL10水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的血清NSE、GFAP、S100β蛋白水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。Pearson检验分析结果显示，血清CXCL1、CXCL10与NSE、GFAP、S100β蛋白均呈正相关（P<0.05）。单因素分析结果显示，预后不良与年龄、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、凝血酶原时间（PT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、血肿破入脑室、血肿体积、术后24 h内血肿清除率、尿激酶冲管次数、术后颅内出血再发、CXCL1、CXCL10有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，年龄偏大、LDL偏高、血肿体积偏大、术后24 h内血肿清除率偏低、尿激酶冲管次数偏多、CXCL1偏高、CXCL10偏高是HBGH患者微创穿刺引流术后预后不良的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：HBGH患者血清CXCL1、CXCL10水平升高可能导致神经损伤和不良预后。年龄、LDL、血肿体积、术后24 h内血肿清除率、尿激酶冲管次数、CXCL1、CXCL10是HBGH患者术后预后不良的危险因素，值得引起重视。     

Criteria for Patient Selection and Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment of the Weight Loss Surgery Patient

Objective: To provide evidence‐based guidelines for patient selection and to recommend the medical and nutritional aspects of multidisciplinary care required to minimize perioperative and postoperative risks in patients with severe obesity who undergo weight loss surgery (WLS). Research Methods and Procedures: Members of the Multidisciplinary Care Task Group conducted searches of MEDLINE and PubMed for articles related to WLS in general and medical and nutritional care in particular. Pertinent abstracts and literature were reviewed for references. Multiple searches were carried out for various aspects of multidisciplinary care published between 1980 and 2004. A total of 3000 abstracts were identified; 242 were reviewed in detail. Results: We recommended multidisciplinary screening of WLS patients to ensure appropriate selection; preoperative assessment for cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and other obesity‐related diseases associated with increased risk for complications or mortality; preoperative weight loss and cessation of smoking; perioperative prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE); preoperative and postoperative education and counseling by a registered dietitian; and a well‐defined postsurgical diet progression. Discussion: Obesity‐related diseases are often undiagnosed before WLS, putting patients at increased risk for complications and/or early mortality. Multidisciplinary assessment and care to minimize short‐ and long‐term risks include: comprehensive medical screening; appropriate pre‐, peri‐, and postoperative preparation; collaboration with multiple patient care disciplines (e.g., anesthesiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, and psychology); and long‐term nutrition education/counseling.     

The ethics of cesarean section on maternal request: a feminist critique of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' position on patient-choice surgery

In recent years, the medical establishment has been speaking in favor of women's autonomy in childbirth by advocating cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR). This paper offers to look at the ethical dimension of CDMR through a feminist critique of the medicalization of childbirth and its influence on present-day medical ethics. I claim that the medicalization of childbirth reflects a sexist bias with regard to conceptions of the body and needs to be used with caution when applied to women's reproductive health. I then use this perspective to critically analyze the position of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on the ethics of decision-making in patient-choice surgery. I claim that informed consent cannot be meaningfully exercised unless women are made aware of the sexist underpinnings of the medical model of childbirth and its influence on the ethical reasoning of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. I also express concern about the effects of normalizing patient-choice cesarean sections on the choices available to pregnant women using as examples the institutional rules on mandatory cesarean sections for women with a previous cesarean delivery or breech presentation. I conclude with a call for more research into the real cost of convenience in CDMR, particularly as our increasingly strained publicly funded healthcare system would greatly benefit from the de-medicalization of normal body functions rather than an increased dependence on costly surgical technology.     

Bacteriological and chemical changes occurring in Bunker-stored silage covered with biodegradable coating

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of a biodegradable silage coating for the ability to protect timothy (Phleum pratensa) type silage against spoilage and its quality under natural conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Triplicate mini-silos of silage were prepared for three treatments (1: uncoated; 2: coated with biodegradable coating and 3: sealed with plastic), two types of storage (unprotected or protected from rain) and 10 sampling times (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 63 and 70 days postensiling). Triplicate mini-silos were opened at each sampling time for microbiological (total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, moulds and yeasts) and biochemical analyses [pH, dry matter (DM), water-soluble sugars (WSC), lactic (LA), acetic, propionic and butyric acids content]. The study showed that at day 70, counts of moulds and yeasts in silages protected against rain and coated with biodegradable coating were 5.98 log CFU g(-1) when compared with 5.92 and 3.62 log CFU g(-1) in samples from plastic-sealed silage and uncoated silage, respectively. The pH was low and stable pH (4.34) when compared with uncoated (7.17) and plastic sealed (8.34) silages (P < or = 0.05). A DM, WSC and LA content of 421.7, 13.4 and 20.9 g kg(-1) was, respectively, observed. For silage stored outdoors, a level of moulds and yeasts of 3.77 log CFU g(-1) of silage was also observed in silages coated with biodegradable coating after 28 days of storage. A stable pH showing a mean value of 4 was also observed. The pH, DM, WSC and LA content were, respectively, 4.18, 341.1, 13.34 and 31.8 g kg(-1) in these samples. After 70 days of storage, the level of moulds and yeasts on silage sealed with biodegradable coating was 7.73 log CFU g(-1). A DM, WSC and LA content of 291.9, 5.56 and 10.0 g kg(-1) was, respectively, observed. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with uncoated silage, the application of biodegradable coating can preserve the quality of silage for up to a month when exposed to rain and up to 70 days when protected from rain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results emphasize the possibility of the use of a biodegradable coating as an alternative to plastic film for sealing horizontal bunker silos.     

Hydrophobic plastics films synthesis by mean of agaroid acylation with lauroyl chloride in the N,N-dimethylacetamide homogeneous system

The synthesis of hydrophobic plastic films was performed by acylation of agaroids with lauroyl chloride in the N,N-dimethylacetamide homogeneous system. All the plastic films were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and their degrees of substitution (DS) was deduced from their ¹H-NMR spectra. In addition, thermomechanical feature of plastic films were analyzed and compared to those obtained from other kinds of hydrophobic plastic films. Latin square design of experiments helped us to determine optimized experimental conditions and identify the most important factors. Hence, mild conditions of acylation (90∘C, 1 eq/OH of lauroyl chloride, 1 eq/OH of 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 5,min) led to the production of highly substituted plastic films (DS = 3.62; maximum 4) with a high weight yield (211%) displaying mechanical properties close to polyethylene low density.     

Plant traits respond to the competitive neighbourhood at different spatial and temporal scales

Background and Aims Clonal plants can plastically modify their traits in response to competition, but little is known regarding the spatio-temporal scale at which a competitive neighbourhood determines the variability in species traits. This study tests the hypothesis that the local neighbourhood can be expected to influence the processes that are involved in competition tolerance and avoidance, and that this effect depends on organ lifespan.Methods Fragments of the rhizomatous Elytrigia repens (Poaceae) were sampled in 2012 in experimental plant communities that varied in species identity and abundance. These communities had been cultivated since 2009 in mesocosms in a common garden. Fragment performance, shoot and clonal traits were measured, and the effects of past and present local neighbourhoods of five different radius sizes (5–25 cm) were examined. Past and present local neighbourhood compositions were assessed in 2011 and 2012, respectively.Key Results Most of the measured traits of E. repens responded to the local neighbourhood (5–10 cm radius), with an additional effect of the larger neighbourhood (20–25 cm radius) on ramet height, leaf dry matter content, maximal internode length and specific rhizome mass. Contrary to the expectation of the hypothesis, the temporal influence was not due to the organ lifespan. Indeed, five of the eight traits studied responded to both the past and present neighbourhoods. With the exception of specific rhizome mass, all trait responses were explained by the abundance of specific species.Conclusions This study demonstrates that the traits of a single clonal individual can respond to different competitive environments in space and time. The results thus contribute to the understanding of competition mechanisms.     

Copper,selenium and zinc levels after bariatric surgery in patients recommended to take multivitamin-mineral supplementation

BackgroundBariatric surgery is widely performed to improve obesity-related disorders, but can lead to nutrient deficiencies. In this study we examined serum trace element concentrations before and after bariatric surgery.MethodsWe obtained serum trace element concentrations by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method in 437 patients (82% women, median preoperative body-mass index 46.7 kg/m² [interquartile range 42–51]) undergoing either gastric banding (22.7%), sleeve gastrectomy (20.1%), or gastric bypass (57.3%) procedures. Trace element data were available for patients preoperatively (n = 44); and 3 (n = 208), 6 (n = 174), 12 (n = 122), 18 (n = 39), 24 (n = 44) and 36 months (n = 14) post-operatively. All patients were recommended to take a multivitamin-mineral supplement after surgery.ResultsCopper deficiency was found in 2% of patients before surgery; and after surgery deficiency rates ranged from 0 to 5% with no significant change in median concentrations during follow-up (p = 0.68). Selenium deficiency was reported in 2% of patients before surgery; and after surgery deficiency rates ranged from 11 to 15% with a near-significant change in median concentrations (p = 0.056). Zinc deficiency was reported in 7% before surgery; and after surgery deficiency rates ranged from 7 to 15% with no significant change in median concentrations (p = 0.39).ConclusionsIn bariatric surgery patients recommended to take multivitamin-mineral supplements, serum copper, zinc and selenium concentrations were mostly stable during the first years after bariatric surgery. There was a possible tendency for selenium concentrations to decline during the early postoperative period.