Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio: A Predictive Marker for Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Rectal Cancer Who Underwent Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Followed by Surgery

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a predictor of tumor response and as a prognostic factor in patients with rectal cancer who had undergone curative surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT). METHODS: Between January 2009 and July 2016, we collected 140 consecutive patients who had undergone curative intent surgery after nCRT due to rectal adenocarcinoma. We obtained the pre- and post-nCRT NLR by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count. The cutoff value was obtained using receiver operating characteristic analysis for tumor response and using maximally selected rank analysis for recurrence-free survival (RFS). The relationship among NLR, tumor response, and RFS was assessed by adjusting the possible clinico-pathological confounding factors. RESULTS: The possibility of pathologic complete response (pCR) was significantly decreased in high pre- (>2.77) and postnCRT NLR (>3.23) in univariate regression analysis. In multivariate analysis, high post-nCRT NLR was an independent negative predictive factor for pCR (adjusted odds ratio, 0.365; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.145–0.918). The 5-year RFS of all patients was 74.6% during the median 37 months of follow-up. Patients with higher pre- (>2.66) and post-nCRT NLR (>5.21) showed lower 5-year RFS rates (53.1 vs. 83.3%, P = 0.006) (69.2 vs. 75.7%, P = 0.054). In multivariate Cox analysis, high pre-nCRT NLR was an independent poor prognostic factor for RFS (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.300; 95% CI, 1.061–4.985). CONCLUSION: Elevated NLR was a negative predictive marker for pCR and was independently associated with decreased RFS. For confirmation, a large-scale study with appropriate controls is needed.

Comparison of effects of intraoperative nefopam and ketamine infusion on managing postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy administered remifentanil / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although intraoperative opioids provide more comfortable anesthesia and reduce the use of postoperative analgesics, it may cause opioid induced hyperalgesia (OIH). OIH is an increased pain response to opioids and it may be associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. This study aimed to determine whether intraoperative nefopam or ketamine, known being related on NMDA receptor, affects postoperative pain and OIH after continuous infusion of intraoperative remifentanil. METHODS: Fifty-four patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into three groups. In the nefopam group (N group), patients received nefopam 0.3 mg/kg at the induction of anesthesia followed by a continuous infusion of 0.065 mg/kg/h. In the ketamine group (K group), patients received ketamine 0.3 mg/kg at the induction of anesthesia followed by a continuous infusion of 3 µg/kg/min. The control group did not received any other agents except for the standard anesthetic regimen. Postoperative pain score, first time and number of demanding rescue analgesia, OIH and degrees of drowsiness/sedation scale were examined. RESULTS: Co-administrated nefopam or ketamine significantly reduced the total amount of intraoperative remifentanil and postoperative supplemental morphine. Nefopam group showed superior property over control and ketamine group in the postoperative VAS score and recovery index (alertness and respiratory drive), respectively. Nefopam group showed lower morphine consumption than ketamine group, but not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both nefopam and ketamine infusion may be useful in managing in postoperative pain control under concomitant infusion of remifentanil. However, nefopam may be preferred to ketamine in terms of sedation.

A Comparative Efficacy of Propacetamol and Ketorolac in Postoperative Patient Controlled Analgesia

BACKGROUND: Ketorolac has been used as a postoperative analgesia in combination with opioids. However, the use of ketorolac may produce serious side effects in vulnerable patients. Propacetamol is known to induce fewer side effects than ketorolac because it mainly affects the central nervous system. We compared the analgesic effects and patient satisfaction levels of each drug when combined with fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups, each with n = 46. The patients in each group were given 60 mg of ketorolac or 2 g of propacetamol (mixed with fentanyl) for 10 minutes. The patients were then given 180 mg of ketorolac or 8 g of propacetamol (mixed with fentanyl and ramosetron) through PCA. We assessed the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) at the time point immediately before administration (baseline) and at 15, 30, and 60 minutes, and 24 hours after administration. Also, the side effects of each regimen and each patient's degree of satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in the VAS score in both groups (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the VAS scores between the groups at each time point. Satisfaction scores between the groups showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of propacetamol is comparable to that of ketorolac in postoperative PCA with fentanyl.

Curcumin Enhances Docetaxel-Induced Apoptosis of 8505C Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cells

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies in humans, and its progression is poorly controlled by existing therapeutic methods. Curcumin has been shown to suppress inflammation and angiogenesis. In this study, we evaluated whether curcumin could augment docetaxel-induced apoptosis of ATC cells. We also analyzed changes in nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels to delineate possible mechanisms of their combined action. METHODS: ATC cells were cultured and treated with curcumin and docetaxel alone or in combination. The effects on cell viability were determined by MTS assay. Apoptosis was assessed by annexin V staining and confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. Caspase, COX-2, NF-kappaB levels were assayed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Curcumin combined with docetaxel led to lower cell viability than treatment with docetaxel or curcumin alone. Annexin V staining followed by flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that curcumin treatment enhanced the docetaxel-induced apoptosis of ATC cells. Additionally, curcumin inhibited docetaxel-induced p65 activation and COX-2 expression. CONCLUSION: We conclude that curcumin may enhance docetaxel's antitumor activity in ATC cells by interfering with NF-kappaB and COX-2. Our results suggest that curcumin may emerge as an attractive therapeutic candidate to enhance the antitumor activity of taxanes in ATC treatment.

Effects of Rosiglitazone on Inflammation in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty Rats / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a role in the response to metabolic stress in type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of rosiglitazone on inflammation of skeletal muscle have not been fully examined in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We investigated the effects of the insulin-sensitizing anti-diabetic agent, rosiglitazone, on the progression of skeletal muscle inflammation in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) type 2 diabetic rats. We examined the expression of serologic markers (serum glucose, insulin and free fatty acid) and inflammatory cytokines (tumor-necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin [IL]-1beta and IL-6) in OLETF rats from early to advanced diabetic stage (from 28 to 40 weeks of age). RESULTS: Serum glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly decreased in rosiglitazone-treated OLETF rats compared to untreated OLETF rats. Rosiglitazone treatment significantly decreased the concentrations of serum inflammatory cytokines from 28 to 40 weeks of age. The mRNA expression of various cytokines in skeletal muscle was reduced in rosiglitazone-treated OLETF rats compared with untreated OLETF rats. Furthermore, rosiglitazone treatment resulted in the downregulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB expression in the skeletal muscle of OLETF rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that rosiglitazone may improve insulin sensitivity with its anti-inflammatory effects on skeletal muscle.

Effects of Nitrous Oxide and Desflurane on Cardiovascular Responses to Endotracheal Intubation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation often results in hypertension and tachycardia. Desflurane and nitrous oxide (N2O) are known to augment the sympathetic nervous activity. We examined whether N2O and desflurane affect the cardiovascular responses to the intubation. METHODS: One hundred-fifty patients were assigned randomly to receive one of six treatment regimens (n = 25 each): 2% sevoflurane (control), 6% desflurane or 12% desflurane with and without 75% N2O, respectively. General anesthesia was induced with intravenous thiopental (5-7 mg/kg), and tracheal intubation was facilitated with intravenous vecuronium (0.12 mg/kg). N2O was started 3 min before and desflurane soon after the intubation. Systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), heart rate (HR), and plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined. RESULTS: The intubation increased SAP and HR in all groups within 1 min. A second increase was noted with 12% desflurane at 3 to 5 min after the intubation. N2O did not affect the tachycardiac response, but attenuated the pressor response to both intubation and 12% desflurane. The plasma concentrations of norepinephrine increased significantly at 1 min after the intubation in all groups with more pronounced rise in N2O groups, and increased further at 5 min in the 12% desflurane groups. CONCLUSIONS: A biphasic increase of SAP and HR was noted with 12% desflurane. The first increase may be related with the mechanical stimulus of the tracheal intubation and the second with the desflurane itself. Although N2O did not affect the tachycardiac responses and augmented norepinephrine release, it suppressed the pressor responses.

Expression of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL in Graves'Disease / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: 4-1BB mediated costimulatory signal is a recently identified immunotherapeutic strategy for treating autoimmune diseases without depressing the immune response. In this study, we investigated the expression of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and we assessed whether the serum levels of soluble (s) 4-1BB and s4-1BBL in the patients with Graves' disease (GD) and compared them with normal subjects. METHODS: Expression of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL on PBMC of GD patients was determined by flow cytometry. The concentrations of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL were assessed in the sera of GD patients by performing ELISA. RESULTS: 4-1BB was constitutively expressed on naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of the GD patients and this was increased by stimulation. 4-1BBL was also expressed on the antigen-presenting cells such as CD19+ B cells, monocytes and dendritic cells in GD patients. The serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL were significantly higher in GD patients than those in controls, and these levels were significantly correlated with the serum levels of thyroid-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin and free T4. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that effector T cells of GD patients can be activated through the 4-1BB-mediated costimulatory signal. Elevated s4-1BB and s4-1BBL levels in the sera of GD patients may affect modulation of the clinical course in GD patients.

Serum concentrations of soluble 4-1BB and 4-1BB ligand correlated with the disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease whose etiopathogenesis is not well understood. Although soluble (s) forms of 4-1BB (s4-1BB) and 4-1BB legand (s4-1BBL) have been detected in the sera of RA patients, their significance is not known. We compared the serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL in RA patients with those in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Behcet's disease (BD) patients. Serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL were significantly higher in RA patients compared with healthy controls, SLE or BD patients, and the abundance was correlated with disease severity in patients with RA. The serum levels of s4-1BB in RA patients were inversely corroborated with 4-1BB expression levels on activated T lymphocytes. In addition, there was a correlation between serum levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL. The augmented secretion of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL levels into the serum may reflect the clinical symptoms of RA and levels of s4-1BB and s4-1BBL in sera at the time of diagnosis may be indicative of the severity and outcome of RA.

Effects of Nitrous Oxide on Cardiovascular Response to Laryngoscopy and Endotracheal intubation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGORUND: Endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing general anesthesia often causes hypertension and tachycardia. Nitrous oxide (N2O), which is frequently used during the induction of anesthesia, is known to augment sympathetic nervous activity in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether N2O affects cardiovascular response to intubation. METHODS: After iRB approval, 100 ASA i patients (aged 35 60 yr) were assigned randomly to receive one of four concentrations (0, 25, 50 or 75%; n = 25 for each) of N2O in oxygen throughout the study period, beginning 3 min before intubation. Anesthesia was induced with iV thiopental (5-7mg/kg) and tracheal intubation was faciliated with iV vecuronium (0.12 mg/kg), while patients were ventilated with the designated concentrations of N2O in oxygen. After intubation, all patients received 2% sevoflurane and N2O in oxygen via a semiclosed anesthesia circuit. Systolic arterial pressure (SAP), heart rate (HR) and rhythm were recorded before and after intubation at intervals for up to 5 min. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines were measured before and 3 min after induction, and 1 and 5 min after intubation. RESULTS: The intubation caused significant increases in SAP and HR in all groups (P<0.05). increasing concentrations of N2O gradually attenuated the pressor response to intubation, without affecting the tachycardiac response. No significant differences were observed between the groups in plasma concentrations of either norepinephrine or epinephrine:norepinephrine concentration increased significantly 1 min after intubation in all N2O-treated groups, while it remained unchanged in the control group. in contrast, the epinephrine concentration remained unaltered in all N2O-treated groups, but increased significantly in the control group. incidence of tachycardia, bradycardia, and arrhythmia was not different among the groups. CONCLUSiONS: These results indicate that N2O suppresses the pressor but not the tachycardiac response associated with endotracheal intubation, while it enhances the increases in plasma norepinephrine concentrations.

Factors Associated with the Development of Gastroduodenal Lesions after Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in a Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastroduodenal lesions such as erosions and ulcers are less infrequent complications after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) procedures. This study was conducted to clarify the incidence and associated factors of post-TAE gastroduodenal lesions. METHODS: Cases involving 142 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent TAE during 70 months were retrospectively analyzed. Endoscopic examinations were performed before and after TAE. Patients were classified into two groups depending upon whether gastroduodenal lesions developed or not. RESULTS: New gastroduodenal lesions developed in 32 of 142 patients (22.5%) within 3 months of TAE. Of these, 14 patients (9.9%) developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding. There were no significant differences in clinical and biochemical characteristics between the two groups (p>0.05). There was also no significant difference in catheter selection level, tumor type, number of TAE, use of gelform between the two groups (p>0.05). However, the cases involving large tumor size (>8 cm) and angiographical abnormalities of hepatic arteries including atypical branching, vascular tortuosity, spasms or intimal dissection during the procedure, infusion of embolizing materials adjacent to vessels supplying the stomach or duodenum, had more post-TAE gastroduodenal lesions. These two factors were found to significantly affect the development of post-TAE gastroduodenal lesions by multivariate analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The major factors associated with the development of post-TAE gastroduodenal lesions are large tumor sizes and angiographical abnormalities of hepatic arteries. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy should be performed as follow-up examinations in these patients.

Propofol as Premedication for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Benzodiazepine is generally used when sedation is required for endoscopy, while propofol, a phenol-derived intravenous anesthetic agent, appears to have a more suitable phamacokinetic profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of propofol as premedication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: Between July 1998 and October 1998, 44 male patients and 70 female patients were involved in this study. The relative ease of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, patient's tolerance, and amnestic effects on 64 patients with propofol was compared with 50 patients with non-sedation. Pulse rate and arterial oxygen saturation was monitored. The endoscopist and patients replied to a questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients receiving propofol tolerated endoscopy much more than patients with non-sedation (p<0.01). The change in pulse rate was less variable but arterial oxygen saturation showed a statistically significant decrease in patients receiving propofol (p<0.01). Propofol induced complete amnesia in 93.7% of the patients and partial anesthesia in 4.7%. Most of the patients receiving propofol accepted the same sedative methods in their next endoscopy (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol is highly effective, with a short recovery time and satisfaction of the patients, but careful monitoring is recommended because of its untoward effect of hypoxia. It is recommended that propofol be used as a premedication especially in patients who are apprehensive about a repeated endoscopy.

Four Cases of Gastric Mucosal Tear after Blunt Abdominal Trauma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The incidence of abdominal trauma has increased in recent decades as the frequency of traffic accidents increased. Early symptoms and signs of blunt abdominal trauma may be absent and associated injuries frequently detract physicians from early diagnosis of abdominal trauma. Delayed diagnosis has been shown to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Gastrointestinal tract is the third most commonly injured organ from blunt abdominal trauma. Gastric ruptures after blunt abdominal trauma were reported occasionally, but reports of upper gastrointestinal bleeding by gastric mucosal tear were very rare. Four cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric mucosal tear after blunt abdominal trauma are herein reported with a review of related literatures.

A literature Review Study on Kawasaki Disease with Special Concern on Causal Hypothesis / 한국역학회지

Kawasaki disease that had been identified and reported as a new syndrome complex by a Japanese pediatrician Kawasaki in 1967 still remains as a disease of unknown etiology despite the enormous research efforts throughout the world. We conducted this literature review study with an attempt to formulate causal gypothesis on Kawasaki disease based on research findings published. Summarizing the research results in terms of clinical, pathologic and epidemiologic characteristics we could characterize the causative agent as followings: (1) The agent should have high infectivity and low pathogenicity causing generalized infection, perhaps with more frequent inapparent infection than apparent infection, particularly among immunocompromized, feeble children by preceded infection, (2) The target organ of the agent seems to be endothelial cells of arteries, (3) The agent appears to take airborne transmission route in very special environment where the agent can be supplied by reservoirs other than human beings, and (4) the agent should be quite ubiquitous around human living environment resulting in high herd immunity among adult population. For the time being we propose Coxiella burneti as a possible causative agent that could satisfy the most of the above characteristics.

Myocardial uptake and clearnace of thallium-201 in normal subjects:a comparison between pharmacologic stress with intravenous adenosine, dipyridamole and dobutamine, and exercise stress testing / 대한핵의학회잡지

No abstract available.