Post thoracotomy spinal cord compression in a child. A word of caution

AbstractINTRODUCTIONOxidised regenerated cellulose is a commonly used haemostatic agent in surgery which, in rare cases, has been held responsible for severe complications.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 6-year-old girl developed flaccid paraplegia following the excision of a large thoracic ganglioneuroblastoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed spinal cord compression at the T10–11 level and the patient underwent emergency decompression via the previous thoracotomy. At operation the causative factor was found to be a mass consisted of cellulose used at the original procedure to control local bleeding in the vicinity of the intervertebral foramen.DISCUSSIONThe accessibility of the spinal canal from the thoracic cavity through the opening of the intervertebral foramen may allow migration of material and in this case oxidized regenerated cellulose, commonly used during cardiothoracic procedures, can cause rare but severe complications such as compression of the spinal cord.CONCLUSIONThe value of hemostatic gauze is well established in cardiothoracic surgery. However, surgeon should be cautious with the application of material in the proximity of the intervertebral foramen, especially if this is to leave behind after the completion of the procedure

The Greek pharmaceutical industry : a study of the national and sectoral interface within a system of innovation context

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Carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) expression in non-small-cell lung cancer: correlation with regulatory FOXP3+T-cell tumour stroma infiltration

BACKGROUND:Low pH suppresses the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ cytotoxic and natural killer lymphocytes. The hypoxia-regulated transmembrane protein, carbonic anhydrase CA9, converts carbon dioxide produced by the Krebs cycle to bicarbonate and protons that acidify the extracellular milieu. We examined whether CA9 is also involved in intratumoural immunosuppression pathways. METHODS:A series of 98 tissue samples of primary non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) from patients treated with surgery were analysed for the expression of CA9 and programmed-death ligand PD-L1 by cancer cells, and of FOXP3 by tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). RESULTS:There was no direct association of CA9 with PD-L1 expression or the density of TILs in the tumour stroma, but CA9 was directly related to the extent of FOXP3+ TIL density (p = 0.008). Double-stratification survival analysis showed that patients with high CA9 expression and low TIL score had significantly poorer survival compared with all other groups (p < 0.04). In a multivariate analysis stage (p < 0.0001, HR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.3-2.7), TIL score (p = 0.05, HR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.2-1.0) was an independent prognostic variable of death events. CA9 expression by cancer cells is associated significantly with FOXP3+ regulatory T-cell abundance in the tumour stroma of NSCLC. CONCLUSION:The study provides a basis for testing CA9 as a marker of resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors and as a therapeutic target to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy

Carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) expression in non-small-cell lung cancer: correlation with regulatory FOXP3+T-cell tumour stroma infiltration

BACKGROUND:Low pH suppresses the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ cytotoxic and natural killer lymphocytes. The hypoxia-regulated transmembrane protein, carbonic anhydrase CA9, converts carbon dioxide produced by the Krebs cycle to bicarbonate and protons that acidify the extracellular milieu. We examined whether CA9 is also involved in intratumoural immunosuppression pathways. METHODS:A series of 98 tissue samples of primary non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) from patients treated with surgery were analysed for the expression of CA9 and programmed-death ligand PD-L1 by cancer cells, and of FOXP3 by tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). RESULTS:There was no direct association of CA9 with PD-L1 expression or the density of TILs in the tumour stroma, but CA9 was directly related to the extent of FOXP3+ TIL density (p = 0.008). Double-stratification survival analysis showed that patients with high CA9 expression and low TIL score had significantly poorer survival compared with all other groups (p < 0.04). In a multivariate analysis stage (p < 0.0001, HR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.3-2.7), TIL score (p = 0.05, HR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.2-1.0) was an independent prognostic variable of death events. CA9 expression by cancer cells is associated significantly with FOXP3+ regulatory T-cell abundance in the tumour stroma of NSCLC. CONCLUSION:The study provides a basis for testing CA9 as a marker of resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors and as a therapeutic target to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy

Predictors of outcomes after correction of acute type a aortic dissection under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade cerebral perfusion

Introduction: Hypothermic circulatory arrest is widely used for correction of acute type A aortic dissection pathology. We present our experience of 45 consecutive patients operated in our unit with bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods: Between January 2011 and April 2015, 45 consecutive patients were admitted for acute type A aortic dissection and operated emergently under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion. Results: Mean age was 58±11.4 years old. Median circulatory arrest time was 41.5 (30-54) minutes while the 30-day mortality and postoperative permanent neurological deficits rates were 6.7% and 13.3%, respectively. Unadjusted analysis revealed that the factors associated with 30-day mortality were: preoperative hemodynamic instability (OR: 14.8, 95% CI: 2.41, 90.6, P=0.004); and postoperative requirement for open sternum management (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.041, 24.02, P=0.044) while preoperative hemodynamic instability (OR: 8.8, 95% CI: 1.41, 54.9, P=0.02) and postoperative sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction (OR: 13.6, 95% CI: 2.1, 89.9, P=0.007) were correlated with neurological dysfunction. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, postoperative sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction independently predicted (OR: 15.9, 95% CI: 1.05, 96.4, P=0.045) the incidence of severe postoperative neurological complication. During median follow-up of 6 (2-12) months, the survival rate was 86.7%. Conclusion: Bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and direct carotid perfusion for cardiopulmonary bypass, in the surgical treatment for correction of acute aortic dissection type A, is a valuable technique with low 30-day mortality rate. However, postoperative severe neurological dysfunctions remain an issue that warrants further research. © 2018, Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular. All rights reserved