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@#Objective To investigate the predictive value of recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes (RLN) status for supraclavicular lymph node (SLN) metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 83 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent McKeown three-field lymphadenectomy from January 2017 to April 2018 in our hospital, including 53 males and 30 females with an average age of 64.07±7.05 years. Results The SLN metastasis rate of the patients was 24.1%. The rate in the thoracic and abdominal metastases positive (N1-3) group and negative (N0) group was 37.8% and 13.0%, respectively, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). The rate of SLN metastasis was significantly different between the RLN metastasis positive (RLN+) and negative (RLN–) groups (39.1% vs. 18.3%, P<0.05). One side of RLN metastasis could lead to SLN metastasis on the opposite side. No correlation between the SLN metastasis and age, gender, location, differentiation degree, maximum tumor diameter, T-staging or histologic type was observed (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis in chest or abdomen was an independent predictor of SLN metastasis. Conclusion RLN+ is not the independent predictor for SLN metastasis. SLN should be dissected in N1-3 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma without considering tumor location and T-staging. Bilateral SLN dissection should be recommended even if RLN metastasis is only unilateral.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Obesity, hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia are known risk factors in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Squalene has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol and triglycerides in dogs although its therapeutic use in high BP and obese patients has not been established. This study evaluates the effect of feeding high doses of squalene on plasma leptin, glucose, testosterone, blood pressure (BP) and body fat in rats. METHODS: Wistar rats (male, 22 days old) were randomly divided into two groups receiving either regular control diet or a squalene-containing diet. After feeding squalene for 4 wk, 10 rats each from the squalene and control groups were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for measurement of leptin, cholesterol, triglycerides and testosterone. Blood pressure was monitored weekly. RESULTS: Following squalene feeding, BP and body weight gain were lower in the squalene group. BP was significantly lower from 47 days of age in squalene fed group compared to controls. The levels of plasma leptin, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lower in squalene fed rats than those from the control group at 51 and 75 days of age. However, testicular weights (only 75 days) and testosterone levels were significantly higher in rats from the squalene group than those from the control group at days 51 and 75. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that squalene may counteract the increase in body fat, BP and levels of plasma leptin, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. These effects of squalene may be further explored as a likely new approach for clinical management of high BP and obesity.