Enhanced detection of early hepatocellular carcinoma by serum SELDI-TOF proteomic signature combined with alpha-fetoprotein marker.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers for accurate diagnosis of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are limited in number and clinical validation. We applied SELDI-TOF-MS ProteinChip technology to identify serum profile for distinguishing HCC and liver cirrhosis (LC) and to compare the accuracy of SELDI-TOF-MS profile and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in HCC diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 120 HCC and 120 LC patients for biomarker discovery and validation studies. ProteinChip technology was employed for generating SELDI-TOF proteomic features and analyzing serum proteins/peptides. RESULTS: A diagnostic model was established by CART algorithm, which is based on 5 proteomic peaks with m/z values at 3324, 3994, 4665, 4795, and 5152. In the training set, the CART algorithm could differentiate HCC from LC subjects with a sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 95%, respectively. The results were assessed in blind validation using separate cohorts of 60 HCC and 60 LC patients, with an accuracy of 83% for HCC and 92% for LC patients. The diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) indicated that SELDI-TOF proteomic signature could achieve better diagnostic performance than serum AFP level at a cutoff of 20 ng/mL (AFP(20)) (92.72 vs 9.11), particularly superior for early-stage HCC (87% vs 54%). Importantly, a combined use of both tests could enhance the detection of HCC (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 98%; DOR, 931). CONCLUSION: Serum SELDI-TOF proteomic signature, alone or in combination with AFP marker, promises to be a good tool for early diagnosis and/screening of HCC in at-risk population with liver cirrhosis

Efficacy and safety of tigecycline monotherapy vs. imipenem/cilastatin in Chinese patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tigecycline, a first-in-class broad-spectrum glycylcycline antibiotic, has broad-spectrum in vitro activity against bacteria commonly encountered in complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs), including aerobic and facultative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria. In the current trial, tigecycline was evaluated for safety and efficacy vs. imipenem/cilastatin in hospitalized Chinese patients with cIAIs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this phase 3, multicenter, open-label study, patients were randomly assigned to receive IV tigecycline or imipenem/cilastatin for ≤2 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoints were clinical response at the test-of-cure visit (12-37 days after therapy) for the microbiologic modified intent-to-treat and microbiologically evaluable populations. Because the study was not powered to demonstrate non-inferiority between tigecycline and imipenem/cilastatin, no formal statistical analysis was performed. Two-sided 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the response rates in each treatment group and for differences between treatment groups for descriptive purposes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred ninety-nine patients received ≥1 dose of study drug and comprised the modified intent-to-treat population. In the microbiologically evaluable population, 86.5% (45 of 52) of tigecycline- and 97.9% (47 of 48) of imipenem/cilastatin-treated patients were cured at the test-of-cure assessment (12-37 days after therapy); in the microbiologic modified intent-to-treat population, cure rates were 81.7% (49 of 60) and 90.9% (50 of 55), respectively. The overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was 80.4% for tigecycline vs. 53.9% after imipenem/cilastatin therapy (<it>P </it>< 0.001), primarily due to gastrointestinal-related events, especially nausea (21.6% vs. 3.9%; <it>P </it>< 0.001) and vomiting (12.4% vs. 2.0%; <it>P </it>= 0.005).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Clinical cure rates for tigecycline were consistent with those found in global cIAI studies. The overall safety profile was also consistent with that observed in global studies of tigecycline for treatment of cIAI, as well as that observed in analyses of Chinese patients in those studies; no novel trends were observed.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00136201</p

The Longest Known Follow‐Up of Vitallium Mold Arthroplasty in China: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background Before the advent of total hip arthroplasty, Vitallium mold arthroplasty had been widely performed. We present a case with a 42‐year follow‐up after Vitallium mold arthroplasty. To our knowledge, this case represents the longest known follow‐up of Vitallium mold arthroplasty in China. Case presentation This was a 59‐year‐old male. He underwent Vitallium mold arthroplasty of the left hip 42 years ago because of osteonecrosis of the femoral head. He developed left hip pain 3 months ago and underwent total hip revision surgery. There was some clear synovial fluid in the hip joint. The mold was loosened entirely and taken out effortlessly. Gram‐positive cocci could be observed occasionally in the synovial fluid smear, while the synovial fluid culture was negative. The inflammatory markers elevated perioperatively, and prophylactic cefuroxime and vancomycin were utilized successively. All elevated inflammatory markers fell since postoperative day 5, and there was no other sign of infection. The pain and function of the hip joint improved significantly after surgery. Conclusions Although Vitallium mold arthroplasty was inferior to total hip arthroplasty in survival rate and functional outcome, it did provide an excellent long‐term function of the hip joint

Effects of retrograde reperfusion on the intraoperative internal environment and hemodynamics in classic orthotopic liver transplantation

Abstract Background To investigate the effects of retrograde reperfusion on the intraoperative internal environment and hemodynamics in classic orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Thirty patients were undergone classic OLT using retrograde reperfusion in our center. Blood sampling was done at different time points including: Before blood venting via the portal vein (PV), 10 mL of blood was collected from the inferior vena cava (T0); During retrograde reperfusion through the inferior vena cava (IVC), 10 mL of blood was collected when the volume of blood venting reached 10 mL (T1), 100 mL (T2), and 200 mL (T3), respectively. 5 mL of blood was analyzed using a NOVA-f–type Blood Gas Analyzer. The remaining 5 mL was measured to determine the level of IL-1β using an enzyme-linked immunosobent assay. Results All operations were completed successfully, and postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) occurred in 6 patients (20%). The most notable findings were significant changes at T1, T2 and T3, including pH value, PvO2, SvO2, BEecf, HCO3 −, Lac, K+, Ca2+ and IL-1β, compared with T0 (P < 0.05). Yet their levels at T3 were not back to the level at T0 (P < 0.05). Conclusion This retrograde perfusion could eliminate some harmful metabolites inside the donor liver in time and reduce acid-base and electrolyte disorders as well as drastic hemodynamic fluctuations after recirculation during classic OLT