Readmissions following elective radical total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: A case-controlled study

AbstractBackgroundReadmission after gastrectomy is one of the factors that reflect quality of life. Therefore, we analyzed the several factors related to readmissions after total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.MethodsFrom January 2002 through December 2009, 102 consecutive patients who underwent radical total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the incidence, cause, time point, and type of treatment for readmission after discharge; we compared the readmission and non-readmission groups in regard to clinicopathologic features and postoperative outcomes.ResultsThe readmission rate during the five years after total gastrectomy was 22 of 102 (21.6%). The most common cause for readmission was esophagojejunostomy stricture (5 cases). The treatment given for 31 readmissions included 23 conservative therapies, 3 radiologic or endoscopic interventions, and 5 re-operations. No significant differences were detected in the clinicopathologic feature, postoperative outcomes, or 5-year survival rates between the readmission and non-readmission group. No specific risk factor was found to be associated with readmission.ConclusionAlthough we could not determine a specific risk factor associated with readmission after radical total gastrectomy, prevention of readmission by evaluating the causes and treatments after radical total gastrectomy can improve the patient's quality of life

Enzymatic analysis of the effect of naturally occurring Leu138Pro mutation identified in SHV β-lactamase on hydrolysis of penicillin and ampicillin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to analyze the significance of leucine to proline substitution at position 138(Leu138Pro) on the hydrolysis of penicillin and ampicillin that we identified in the <it>bla</it>_SHVgene of clinical <it>Escherichia coli </it>swine isolate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Kinetic analysis of the mutant proteins showed that <it>K</it>_{<it>m </it>}value of the purified L138P mutant was comparatively higher than SHV-1, SHV-33 and SHV-33(L138P) enzyme for penicillin and ampicillin. Docking simulation of the SHV-1 and SHV-(L138P) enzymes also confirmed that β-lactamases preferred penicillin to ampicillin and the SHV-1 had a higher binding affinity for antibiotics compared to the SHV-(L138P) and other mutants.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our result demonstrated that L138P has a reduced role in penicillin and ampicillin hydrolyzing properties of SHV β-lactamases. These naturally occurring mutations rendering reduced function of the existing protein could trigger the emergence or acquisition of more effective alternative mechanisms for β-lactam hydrolysis.</p

Orbital Variations of Biogenic CaCO3 and Opal Abundance in the Western and Central Equatorial Pacific Ocean During the Late Quaternary

Biogenic CaCO3 and opal abundances were measured in two piston cores (PC313 and PC5101) collected, respectively, along the equator in the western and central Pacific Ocean. The age model for core PC313, which extends to about 750 ka, was developed by comparing the oxygen isotope stratigraphy of planktonic foraminifera (N. dutetrei) to the SPECMAP stack. The age model for core PC5101, which extends to about 600 ka, was developed by stratigraphic correlation of CaCO3 contents to those in the well-dated core RC11-210 (Chuey et al. 1987). Both cores distinctly exhibited a series of CaCO3 and opal variations, which are mainly controlled by the orbital eccentricity cycle of about 100-kyr. The orbital-scale cyclic variations of CaCO3 and opal contents appear to be contrasting in both cores such that high CaCO3 and low opal contents occurred during the glacial periods. In contrast, during the interglacial periods, low CaCO3 and high opal contents occurred. Mostly remarkable is the distinct occurrence of a mid-Bruhnes event (MBE) at around 350 ka. The CaCO3 content was higher in core PC5101 than in core PC313 before the MBE, whereas biogenic opal abundance became higher in core PC5101 after the MBE. Such a characteristic discrepancy of biogenic (CaCO3 and opal) production, i.e., a succession of primary producers from coccolithophore to diatom, between cores PC313 and PC5101 may be attributed to the prevailing dominant hydrographic conditions (i.e., the South Equatorial Current), in the path of which both cores are located. The intensity of westward propagation might have been an important factor in contrasting biogenic production centering around the MBE

Biogenic CaCO3 and Opal Depositions and Their Latitudinal Comparison During the Past 600 ka in the Central Equatorial Pacific

The orbital-scale variations in biogenic CaCO3 and opal abundance in two piston cores collected in the central equatorial Pacific (core PC5101 from a southern site at _ and core PC5103 from a northern site at _ were compared to assess latitudinal differences. The correlation between the oxygen isotope stratigraphy of planktonic foraminifera (Globigerinoides sacculifer) of PC5103 with the LR04 stacks provides the age of PC5103 to be approximately 950 ka. The age of PC5103 was further refined by correlating the CaCO3 content with the well-dated core RC11-210. The age of PC5101 was also constrained by the same CaCO3 chronostratigraphic correlation with RC11-210, resulting in an age of approximately 650 ka. Distinct orbital-scale series of CaCO3 and opal variations appear to be parallel between the two cores during the past 600 ka, which are controlled mainly by eccentricity with an approximate periodicity of 100 ka. It is worth noting that the biogenic CaCO3 and opal deposition patterns in the two cores differ between interglacial and glacial periods. During interglacial periods the biogenic opal content is higher in the southern core than in the northern core, which corresponds with the present-day condition. In contrast the CaCO3 content is higher in the northern core, which is contradictory to the present-day northward decreasing CaCO3 deposition pattern from the Equator. The collection site of PC5101 is approximately 350 m deeper than that of PC5103, which significantly promotes CaCO3 dissolution and causes unexpectedly high CaCO3 content at the northern site in contrast to the biogenic opal content

Nature-derived epigallocatechin gallate/duck’s feet collagen/hydroxyapatite composite sponges for enhanced bone tissue regeneration

Scaffolds mimicking structural and chemical characteristics of the native bone tissues are critical for bone tissue engineering. Herein, we have developed and characterized epigallocatechin gallate/duck's feet collagen/hydroxyapatite (EGCG/DC/HAp) composite sponges that enhanced the bone tissue regeneration. The three-dimensional composite sponges were synthesized by loading various amounts (i.e. 1, 5 and 10 μM) of EGCG to duck feet derived collagen followed by freeze-drying and then coating with hydroxyapatite. Several measuremental techniques were employed to examine the properties of the as-fabricated composite sponges including morphology and structure, porosity, compressive strength, etc. and as well compared with pristine duck feet derived collagen. SEM observations of EGCG/DC/HAp sponges showed the formation of a highly porous collagen matrix with EGCG embodiment. The porosity and pore size of sponges were found to increase by high EGCG content. The compressive strength was calculated as 3.54 ± 0.04, 3.63 ± 0.03, 3.89 ± 0.05, 4.047 ± 0.05 MPa for 1, 5 and 10 μM EGCG/DC/HAp sponges, respectively. Osteoblast-like cell (BMSCs isolated from rabbit) culture and in vivo experiments with EGCG/DC/HAp sponges implanted in nude mouse followed by histological staining showed enhanced cell internalization and attachment, cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase expressions, indicating that EGCG/DC/HAp sponges have ahigh biocompatibility. Moreover, highEGCG content in the EGCG/DC/HAp sponges have led to increased cellular behavior. Collectively, the 5 μM of EGCG/DC/HAp sponges were suggested as the potential candidates for bone tissue regeneration.This research was supported by Technology Commercialization Support Program [grant number 814005-03-3-HD020], MIFAFF; and Basic Science Research Program [grant number NRF2017R1A2B3010270] through the National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, Republic of Korea.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clinical factors affecting progression-free survival with crizotinib in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer

Background/Aims: Although crizotinib is standard chemotherapy for advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), clinical factors affecting progression-free survival (PFS) have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical factors affecting PFS of crizotinib and develop a prognostic model for advanced ALK-positive NSCLC. Methods: Clinicopathologic features of patients enrolled in PROFILE 1001, 1005, 1007, and 1014 (training cohort) were reviewed. We conducted multivariate Cox analysis for PFS and overall survival (OS) in the training cohort (n = 159) and generated a proportional hazards model based on significant clinicopathologic factors, and then validated the model in an independent validation cohort (n = 40). Results: In the training cohort, the objective response rate was 81.5%. Median PFS and OS from the start of crizotinib were 12.4 and 31.3 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed poor performance status, number of metastatic organs (>= 3), and no response to crizotinib independently associated shorter PFS. Based on a score derived from these three factors, median PFS and OS of patients with one or two factors were significantly shorter compared to those without these factors (median PFS, 22.4 months vs. 10.5 months vs. 6.5 months; median OS, not reached vs. 29.1 months vs. 11.8 months, respectively; p < 0.001 for each group). This model also had validated in an independent validation cohort. Conclusions: Performance status, number of metastatic organs, and response to crizotinib affected PFS of crizotinib in ALK-positive NSCLC. Based on these factors, we developed a simple and useful prediction model for PFS.

Endothelin A Receptor Blockade Influences Apoptosis and Cellular Proliferation in the Developing Rat Kidney

Endothelin systems are believed to play important roles in the emergence and maintenance of functions of various organs during perinatal development, including the kidney. The present study was designed to investigate the roles of endothelin systems on physiologic renal growth and development. Newborn rat pups were treated with either Bristol-Myers Squibb-182874 (30 mg/kg/day), a selective endothelin A receptor (ETAR) antagonist, or vehicle for 7 days. To identify cellular changes, kidneys were examined for apoptotic cells by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated nick-end labeling stain and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by immunohistochemical (IHC) stain. To clarify the molecular control of these processes, immunoblots and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for Clusterin, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bax, and p53 were performed. ETAR antagonist treatment resulted in reduced kidney weights, decreased PCNA-positive proliferating cells, and increased apoptotic cells. The protein expressions of renal Bcl-XL and Bax in the ETAR antagonist-treated group were significantly decreased, whereas the mRNA expressions of these genes were not changed. There were no significant differences in the expressions of Clusterin, Bcl-2, and p53. In conclusion, inhibition of endogenous endothelins impairs renal growth, in which decreased cellular proliferation, increased apoptosis and decreased expressions of renal Bcl-XL and Bax are possibly implicated