ER, PgR, Ki67, p27Kip1, and histological grade as predictors of pathological complete response in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy using taxanes followed by fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide concomitant with trastuzumab

Patient and tumor characteristics at baseline. (PDF 6 kb

Cold preservation of the human colon and ileum with University of Wisconsin solution

The inclusion of the colon in the intestinal graft resulted in worsening patient and graft outcome and increased the incidence of infection and rejection. In this study, we examine the role of ischemia on the barrier function of the epithelium during cold ischemia. Samples were collected from 15 harvested and transplanted human donor grafts (colon, 10; ileum, 6), which were immersed in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. Ischemia (6, 12, 24, and 45 h) and reoxygenation were performed to evaluate the mucosal electrical status using the Ussing chamber technique. The functions of enterocytes and crypt cells were tested by glucose and theophylline challenge. Modified Park's classification was applied to evaluate the severity of mucosal damage under light microscopy. The colon had higher levels of baseline potential difference, short-circuit current, and resistance than the ileum during 6-48 h of ischemia. Colonic epithelial cells responded well to theophylline stimulation at 24 h of ischemia, while there was no ileal response. The colonic mucosa was histopathologically well preserved in UW solution for 48 h, and mucosal damage induced by reoxygenation was less than in the ileum. In conclusion, electrophysiologically and histopathologically, the colon is less susceptible to cold preservation damage than the ileum during storage with UW solution

Primary Thymic Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma: Diagnostic Tips

AbstractMucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma arising in the thymus is extremely rare and little is known regarding its clinicopathological features. This study examined the clinicopathological features of nine cases of thymic MALT lymphoma. Most patients had autoimmune disease or hyperglobulinemia, and they also had cysts in the tumors. Both increased serum autoantibody levels and polyclonal serum immunoglobulin levels remained essentially unchanged after total thymectomy in all patients. Thymic MALT lymphoma needs to be included in the differential diagnosis in Asian patients with a cystic thymic mass accompanied by autoimmune disease or hyperglobulinemia

A Simple Technique Using Tape to Expose the Subcarinal Lymph Node Station : Move the Field

In systemic lymph node dissection for lung cancer surgery, the subcarinal lymph node(#7)is situated far from any access incision. Therefore, it is difficult to identify#7 through the access wound used for video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy. This is also true in the case of a left-sided approach because of the descending aorta. Here,we propose a simple technique using tape to expose#7. This saves time and benefits the patient

Hemothorax from the stapled line after video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy

AbstractA 17-year-old man underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) bullectomy because of recurrent, spontaneous pneumothorax of the left lung. However, 6h later, gradually, 500mL of bloody fluid was seen. The bloody fluid continued to drain, so we decided on an emergency reoperation. Continuous bleeding was present along a line consistent with the stapled line of the edge of segment 6. We performed a VATS wedge resection with the edge of segment 6 folded up. Postoperatively, recovery was uneventful. Some reports demonstrated that intrapulmonary bleeding occurred late, at the stapled line. However, to our knowledge there has been no previous report on hemothorax just after surgery. This is the first report of hemothorax at the stapled line, developing after VATS bullectomy