Prognostic analysis of robotic and open pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the prognosis of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy after the learning curve and open pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 396 patients who underwent curative pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic duct adenocar-cinoma in Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2018 were collected. There were 244 males and 152 females, aged 64(range, 36?92)years. Of 396 patients, 86 cases undergoing robotic pancreatoduodenectomy were divided into robotic group, 310 cases undergoing open pancreatoduodenectomy were divided into open group. Observa-tion indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data between the two groups after matching; (2) follow-up and survival analysis. Follow-up was conducted by telephone interview or outpatient examinations including tumor markers and abdominal imaging examina-tions to detect survival of patients up to March 2022. Overall survival was defined as the time from the surgery date to death or the last follow-up. Disease-free survival was defined as the time from the surgery date to tumor recurrence or the last follow-up. The propensity score matching was conducted by 1∶1 matching using the nearest neighbor method. Normality of measurement data was examined using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed in this study, patients who were converted to laparotomy from robotic surgery were still divided into the robotic group. Results:(1) Propensity score matching and comparison of general data between the two groups after matching: 164 of 396 patients had successful matching, including 82 cases in robotic group and open group, respectively. Before propensity score matching, the body mass index, cases in stage T1, T2, T3, T4, cases in N0, N1, N2 were 23.4(range, 21.4?25.3)kg/m 2,24, 41, 10, 11, 52, 27, 7 for the robotic group, versus 22.4(range,20.3?23.9)kg/m 2,57, 144, 22, 87, 131, 132, 47 for the open group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=3.01, 2.63, 3.03, P<0.05). After propensity score matching, cases of males, age, body mass index, cases with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score as 1, 2, 3, CA19-9, cases with preoperative biliary drainage, cases with portal vein resection, cases with pancreatic resection margin <1 mm, cases in stage T1, T2, T3, T4, cases in stage N0, N1, N2, cases with nerve invasion, cases with tumor differentiation as high-medium differentiation, medium-low differentiation, low differentiation, cases with adjuvant chemotherapy were 51, 65(range, 59?69)years, 23.0(range, 21.0?25.2)kg/m 2, 32, 41, 9, 160.4(range, 46.7?377.2)U/mL, 21, 9, 8, 21, 40, 10, 11, 48, 27, 7, 76, 26, 47, 9, 53 for the robotic group, versus 58, 65(range, 58?69)years, 23.3(range, 21.4?25.3)kg/m 2, 35, 39, 8, 172.0(range, 69.7?402.9)U/mL, 26, 9, 10, 24, 40, 7, 11, 49, 28, 5, 76, 22, 49, 11, 57 for the open group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=1.34, Z=0.18, 0.34, 0.49, 0.51, χ2=0.75, 0.00,0.25, Z=0.59, 0.27, χ2=0.00, Z=0.76, χ2=0.44, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up and survival analysis: after propensity score matching, 164 patients were followed up for 54(range, 1?67)months. The follow-up time of patients was 55(range, 51?59)months for the robotic group, versus 54(range, 50?58)months for the open group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=0.48, P>0.05). During the follow-up, the 1-year overall survival rate, 3-year overall survival rate, the median survival time, 1-year disease-free survival rate, 3-year disease-free survival rate, the median disease-free survival time, tumor recurrence rate, cases with recurrence pattern as local recurrence, liver recurrence, other distant recurrence, local and distant recurrence were 81.7%, 39.0%, 27 months(95% confidence interval as 19?33 months), 61.0%, 34.2%, 15 months(95% confidence interval as 12?18 months), 54.9%(45/82), 12, 16, 9, 8 for the robotic group. The above indicators were 79.3%, 36.0%, 24 months(95% confidence interval as 19?31 months), 59.8%, 27.5%, 15 months(95% confidence interval as 10?20 months), 58.5% (48/82), 10, 22, 6, 10 for the open group. There was no significant difference in overall survival or disease-free survival between the two groups ( χ2=0.39, 0.47, P>0.05). There was no significant difference in tumor recurrence rate or tumor recurrence site between the two groups either ( χ2=0.22, 1.86, P>0.05). Conclusion:After the learning curve, robotic pancreato-duodenectomy has non-inferior prognosis compared with open pancreatoduodenectomy.

Approaches in the treatment of vascular variation by robot-assisted pancreatic surgery / 中华胰腺病杂志

Da Vinci robot has been widely used in pancreatic surgery nowadays. Pancreatic surgery is known as a difficult procedure in general surgery due to its surgical difficulty, complex anatomy, severe postoperative complications and high perioperative mortality. Vascular variation is another key point in surgical operation, which demands lots of attention and careful management. In physiological state, abdominal blood vessels may vary in different phenotypes, which occasionally cause troubles to surgeons, resulting in increased risk of vascular injuries, perioperative hemorrhage, hepatic or bile duct ischemia and consequent leakage and the like. Based on the previous research and our experience, it is recommended that the vascular variations be treated by specific surgical approaches and techniques in robot-assisted pancreatic surgery.

Impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on the prognosis of patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) on the prognosis of patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer (LACRC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinicopathological data of 684 patients with stage II(-III( CRC undergoing radical resection at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. NLR was calculated from neutrophil and lymphocyte counts on routine blood tests prior to surgery. The optimal cutoff value of NLR for predicting 5-year overall survival (OS) was determined through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. According to the cut-off value, patients were divided into high NLR and low NLR groups. Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were compared between two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate the impact of clinical factors on prognosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 396 male and 288 female patients were included in the study, with a median age of 62 years(range 21-92).Among these patients, 335 had rectal cancers and 349 had colonic cancers; 328 were TNM stage II( and 356 were stage III(. The end of follow-up was January 2016. ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 3.0, then patients were divided into low NLR group (NLR≤3.0, n=481) and high NLR group (NLR>3.0, n=203). Compared with low NLR group, the high NLR group was more likely to be older (median 64 vs. 61, t=-2.412, P=0.016), presented higher ratio of colonic cancer [66.0%(134/203) vs. 44.7%(215/481), χ=25.945, P=0.000] and stage III( tumor [60.1%(122/203) vs. 48.6%(234/481), χ=7.499, P=0.007], but lower ratio of first-degree relative cancer history [8.9%(18/203) vs. 15.6%(75/481); χ=5.496, P=0.020]. However, no significant differences were observed between two groups in gender, smoking and drinking history, tumor differentiation grade, vessel invasion and nerve invasion (all P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 67 months (range 3-92), and the 5-year OS rates of high NLR and low NLR group were 59.6% and 73.2% respectively, with significant difference (P=0.001). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that age >65 years (HR=2.07, 95%CI=1.59-2.70, P=0.000), no first-degree relative cancer history (HR=2.01, 95%CI=1.23-3.28, P=0.005), poor differentiation grade (HR=1.65, 95%CI=1.26-2.15, P=0.000), positive vessel or nerve invasion (HR=1.92, 95%CI=1.35-2.71, P=0.000), high TNM stage(HR=2.10, 95%CI=1.59-2.77, P=0.000) and preoperative NLR>3.0(HR=1.51, 95%CI=1.14-2.00, P=0.004) were independent risk factors of prognosis for patients with LACRC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative NLR can influence the prognosis of patients with LACRC receiving radical surgery. High NLR is associated with poor prognosis.</p>

A pedigree of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 with the proband initially presenting adrenal cortical carcinoma / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

[Summary]_ This is a pedigree of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1(MEN1). The proband pursuit medical assistance because of hypertension and weakness. Adrenal cortical carcinoma with possible Cushing's syndrome was diagnosed after a series of tests. During this process, the proband was found to have hypercalcemia, and he was diagnosed as primary hyperparathyroidism. Adrenal carcinoma plus primary hyperparathyroidism suggested MEN1, which was confirmed by MEN1 gene 400_401insC mutation. Pedigree investigation found six additional patients, including one with high parathyroid hormone level and two without clinical evidence of any MEN1 diseases. The proband died of metastatic malignancy 7 months after diagnosis while the other 3 patients with clinically confirmed MEN1 tumor responded well to surgery, including one with adrenal cortical carcinoma.

Risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods The clinical data of 310 patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy at the Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University from January 2005 to May 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.The risk factors associated with the interoperative pancreatic fistula were analyzed.The univariate and multivariate analysis were done using the Pearson chi-square test and non-conditional Logistic regression model.Results A total of 134 patients had postoperative complications,including 103 (33.23％) with pancreatic fistula,among them 40 patients developed additional complications.The results of univariate analysis showed that preoperative levels of hemoglobin,total bilirubin,diameter of the pancreatic duct and postoperative level of albumin were risk factors of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (x2 ＝ 4.543,6.087,6.265,5.311,P ＜ 0.05).The results of multivariate analysis showed that preoperative level of total bilirubin equal to or above 34.2 μmol/L,the diameter of the pancreatic duct under 3 mm and the level of postoperative albumin under 28 g/L were the independent risk factors of pancreatic fistula (OR =1.806,1.936,1.780; 95％ confidence interval:1.107-2.948,1.170-3.206,1.002-3.165,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Preoperative jaundice (the level of total bilirubin ≥ 34.2 umol/L),pancreatic duct diameter ＜ 3 mm and postoperative malnutrition (albumin ＜ 28 g/L) indicate a higher incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Up-regulation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 on peripheral monocytes after major abdominal surgical operation.

BACKGROUND: This study is to investigate the time-course expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on peripheral monocytes in patients receiving major abdominal surgical operation. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from peripheral vein before and after an operation in 30 patients with gastrointestinal or pancreatic surgery. The mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR4, TNF-α and IL-6 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was analyzed by real-time PCR. The expressions of TLR2, TLR4, HLA-DR, CD80, and CD86 on monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 on monocytes responding to each agonist (zymosan and lipopolysaccharide) were also measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA showed significant up-regulation after the completion of the operation when compared with those before the operation. TLR2 expression reached its peak level on day 1 and TLR4 on days 1 and 3. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-operation in the expressions of HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86. Stimulation with zymosan, increased the expression of TLR2 significantly after the operation and reached its highest value on day 3. Similarly, after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, the expression of TLR4 was also increased and the highest level was observed on day 1. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA decreased after completion of the operation and gradually returned to basal level. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 on monocytes were up-regulated during the early period after a major abdominal surgical operation in patients, which might be related to the activation of innate immunity.

The association between Toll-like receptor 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors (TLR) are key innate immunity receptors participating in an immune response. Growing evidence suggests that mutations of TLR2/TLR9 gene are associated with the progress of cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the temporal relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of TLR2/TLR9 and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: In this single center-based case-control study, SNaPshot method was used to genotype sequence variants of TLR2 and TLR9 in 211 patients with HCC and 232 subjects as controls. RESULTS: Two synonymous SNPs in the exon of TLR2 were closely associated with risk of HCC. Compared with those carrying wild-type homozygous genotypes (T/T), risk of HCC decreased significantly in individuals carrying the heterozygous genotypes (C/T) of the rs3804099 (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.493, 95% CI 0.331 - 0.736, P < 0.01) and rs3804100 (adjusted OR, 0.509, 95% CI 0.342 - 0.759, P < 0.01). There was no significant association found in two TLR9 SNPs concerning the risk of HCC. The haplotype TT for TLR2 was associated significantly with the decreased risk of HCC (OR 0.524, 95% CI 0.394 - 0.697, P = 0.000). Inversely, the risk of HCC increased significantly in patients with the haplotype CC (OR 2.743, 95% CI 1.915 - 3.930, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that TLR2 rs3804099 C/T and rs3804100 C/T polymorphisms were closely associated with HCC. In addition, the haplotypes composed of these two TLR2 synonymous SNPs have stronger effects on the susceptibility of HCC.

Relationship between hepatic arterial buffer response and early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome after living donor liver transplantation / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the relationship between hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR),recovery of liver function,early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS).Methods Early hepatic hemodynamic parameters (including hepatic arterial flow (HAF),portal venous flow (PVF) were measured using duplex Doppler sonography in 34 patients who received living donor liver transplantation (preoperatively n＝26,intraoperatively n=26) and on postoperative days 1,2,3,and 7.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) level were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1,2,3,7,14,21,and 28.If TBIL level was elevated,we used B ultrasonography or CT and even ERCP to diagnose early biliary complications.The days taken for AST,AI T and TBIL to recover and the number of patients with early (＜60 days) biliary complications (bile leakage or bile stricture) and with small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) were recorded.Results Passive hepatic artery buffer response (HABR) was present in 11 patients early after living donor liver transplantation (group 1) and it disappeared in 23 patients (group 2).The recovery in days taken for normalization of AST (10.6± 8.8),AIT (11.6±9.0) and TBlL (average of 29) in group 1 were shorter than in group 2.However,the differences did not reach statistics difference (P＞0.05).The overall incidences of early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) in group 1 were significantly lower than in group 2 (P=0.04).The survival rate in group 1 was 82 ％,compared with 74 ％ in group 2.Conclusions Passive hepatic arterial buffer response (HABR) disappeared in some patients early after living donor liver transplantation.There were high incidences of early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) in these patients.Measurcment of hepatic buffer response in the early stage after living donor liver tranaplanta tion is valuable for predition of early biliary complications and small-for-size syndrome (SFSS),thus helping to prevent failure in transplantation.

Efficacy of pancreaticoduodenectomy by da Vinci robotic surgical system / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pancreaticoduodenectomy by using the da Vinci robotic system.Methods The clinical data of 10 patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) by the da Vinci robotic surgical system at the Ruijin Hospital from March 2010 to March 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.The perioperative condition of the patients,incidence of complications and postoperative survival were observed.Results Operations were successfully performed on all the patients,and there was no conversion to open surgery.Nine patients received pancreaticojejunostomy,and 1 received pancreaticogastrostomy.The mean operation time,operative blood loss and postoperative duration of hospital stay were 449.5 minutes (range,405-510 minutes),614 ml (range,340-1100 ml) and 22.7 days (range,14-39 days),respectively.One patient developed pancreatic obstruction which was alleviated by operation.Two patients developed pancreatic fistula and were cured by conservative treatment.One patient developed anastomotic bleeding and was cured by conservative treatment.The results of pathological examination confirmed that 3 patients were diagnosed as with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,2 with duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma,1 with ampullary adenocarcinoma,2 with serous cystadenocarcinoma,1 with carcinoid tumor and 1 with pancreatic duct stone and inflammatory mass.All patients were followed up for 6-12 months.The prognosis of the 9 patients was good,except for 1 patient who had tumor recurrence at the sixth month after operation.No mortality was observed.Conclusion PD performed with the da Vinci robotic surgical system is safe,and its efficacy is comparable to that of open surgery.

Protective effect of polymyxin B in liver transplantation in rats / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of polymyxin B (PMB) to the liver graft after liver transplantation and the underlying mechanism in rats.Methods Male SD rats were selected as the donors and recipients.Non-artery whole liver transplantation model was established in rats according to Kamada's two-cuff method.The rats were divided into two groups by the way of random number table method:control group (normal saline,0.5 ml) and PMB group (PMB,1 mg/ml,0.4 mg/kg+ normal saline 0.5 ml).The levels of portal vein plasma endtotoxin (EU/ml)were determined by endotoxin-analyzing machine of BET-24A. ALT,BUN,and TNF-α,IL-6 in serum were measured by using machine of Automatic Analyzer and ELISA,respectively.The CD14,TLR4,NFκB and AP-1 in the grafts were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting,and pathological changes were observed. Results PMB decreased the levels of portal vein plasma endotoxin 1 h after reperfusion in PMB group as compared with control group (P＜0.05),and the levels of portal vein plasma endotoxin returned to the normal levels 6 h after reperfusion in both two groups (P＞0.05).After operation,the levels of ALT,TNFα and IL-6 in serum were significantly reduced (P＜0.05),the expression of CD14 and TLR4 mRNA in the grafts was significantly decreased (P＜0.05),the expression of Hsp60 protein and mRNA,and NF-κB and AP1 proteins in the grafts were reduced (P＜0.05),and the pathological damage to the grafts was significantly alleviated in PMB group as compared with control group.Conclusion PMB reduced the levels of portal vein plasma endotoxin after reperfusion in liver transplantation in rats.PMB improved liver function,reduced the injury of inflammatory response,decreased the levels of endotoxin signal pathway markers and alleviated the pathological damage to the grafts.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor 4 decrease the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key innate immunity receptor that initiates an inflammatory response. Growing evidence suggests that mutation of TLR4 gene may play a role in the development of cancers. This study aimed to investigate the temporal relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms of TLR4 and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a single center-based case-control study was conducted. METHODS: A systematic genetic analysis of sequence variants of TLR4 by evaluating ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms was performed from 216 hepatocellular carcinoma cases and 228 controls. RESULTS: Six single nucleotide polymorphisms of the TLR4 in the 5'-untranslated region and intron were associated with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Individuals carrying the heterozygous genotypes for the rs10759930, rs2737190, rs10116253, rs1927914, rs12377632 and rs1927911 had significantly decreased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio [OR], from 0.527 to 0.578, P<0.01) comparing with those carrying wild-type homozygous genotypes. In haplotype analysis, one haplotype (GCCCTTAG) of TLR4 was associated significantly with decrease of the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (OR, 0.556, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.407-0.758, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results suggested that the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma was associated with TLR4 sequence variation. TLR4 single nucleotide polymorphisms may play an important protective role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Safety evaluation of donors when performing modified extended right lobe hepatectomy in ALDLT.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the safety of the donor after donation of right lobe with middle hepatic vein (MHV) in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). METHODOLOGY: From Jun 2006 to Dec 2008, 32 patients underwent ALDLT using right lobe liver grafts in our center according to our own individualized selection criteria of the right lobe graft with MHV, in which 22 donors received right lobe graft without MHV (Group 1, n = 22) and 10 donors received right lobe graft with MHV (Group 2, n = 10). Besides protecting the venous return of segment IVb, we reserved the tissue of segment IV as much as possible. We compared the two groups in terms of their intraoperative data, postoperative recovery, complication, regeneration of the remnant liver and spleen hypersplenism. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in ages, steatosis of the graft, remnant liver volume, etc., nor the operation time and blood loss. Besides the body weights and whole-liver volumes which were greater in group 1 than in group 2, the graft weights (GW) were proximate in two groups, and there were no significant differences in GW/SLV and GRWR as well. Donors in both group 1 and group 2 recovered with satisfaction, and the serum ALT from group 2 recovers even faster than that from group 1; Three months after operations, the remnant livers from group 2 appeared to have a good regeneration as well as the spleen, though there was only one case developing temporary hypersplenism. There was no statistical difference in the rate of complications (p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: It is more accessible to obtain a larger graft with modified extended right lobe hepatectomy. Congestion in segment IV might help the remnant liver to regenerate. For donors with more than 35% livers reserved without obvious hepatic steatosis, it is safe to perform right lobe hepatectomy with MHV.

Correlation between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolic acid in liver transplant patients.

This study investigated the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in liver transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Total and free plasma MPA concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography before MMF dose and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after dosing in 27 patients. The inhibitory capacity of serum MPA on proliferation of CEM cells was monitored at 0, 1, and 2 hours. The concentration of free MPA at 0, 1, and 2 hours (C(0h), C(1h), C(2h)) and the area under the concentration-time curve at 0 to 12 hours (AUC(0-12h)) of free MPA were significantly related to those of total MPA (P < .05). C(1h) and C(2h) of total and free MPA were conversely related with the rate of proliferation of CEM cells (P < .05). At 1 and 2 hours after an MMF dose, the percentage of CEM cell proliferation was below 40% in the majority of patients compared with the percentage before dosing. Thus, there was a significant relationship between total and free plasma MPA concentrations in liver transplant patients. After MMF dose, the inhibitory capacity of serum MPA on proliferation of CEM cells was enhanced significantly. This effect was related greatly to MPA concentrations.

Anatomy and variation of right posterior portal vein in Chinese population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our assessment of the segmental anatomy of the liver will allow more systematic and limited segmentectomies, as well as a safer harvesting for liver sectors in LDLT. METHODOLOGY: We have examined 104 patients with normal intrahepatic vascular anatomy by helical CT scans and another 12 cases of cadaveric livers dissected to examine their bifurcation characteristics. RESULTS: In 61 out of 104 (59%) cases, we have found out that the right posterior portal vein does not have obvious isolated bifurcation branches which can determine the boundary between the 6th and the 7th graft. In 8 out of 12 (66.6%) cadaveric livers cases, the RPV runs through the right posterior segment without any other large branches while the rest of them form an actinomorphic bifurcation. CONCLUSION: Because of the major discrepancies that occurred in determining the boundary between the 6th and 7th segment, we propose a creative assessment of the segment of the right hemiliver and consider the right posterior graft as a unique segment.

The dynamic changes of plasma endotoxin in portal vein following partial liver transplantation in rats / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate and compare the dynamic changes of plasma endotoxin and CD14/TLR4 levels in the portal vein following partial liver transplantation in rats. Methods 100 %(group Ⅰ), 50 % (group Ⅱ) and 30 % (group Ⅲ) orthotopic liver transplantation models in the SD rats→SD rats were established in vivo according to "Kamada two-cuff method". Based on the principle of dynamic turbidity law, the plasma endotoxin (EU/ml) levels were determined at the postoperative time points of 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 h in recipients. The mRNA expression levels of CD14 and TLR4 in liver grafts were detected by using real-time RT-PCR. Results Under the condition of no significant difference in surgical factors, the plasma endotoxin levels in the portal vein of groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were higher than in group Ⅰ , and reached the peak at the first h postoperation. The endotoxin levels in group Ⅱ were lower than in group Ⅲ. The endotoxin levels in sham-operation group were the highest. The mRNA expression levels of CD14 and TLR4 in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly increased as compared with sham-operation group (P＜0. 01). Conclusion There exists portal vein plasma endotoxima in 100 %, 50 % and 30 % orthotopic liver transplantation in the rats. The smaller the graft volume, the higher and longer plasma endotoxin in portal vein, so is the relative quantification of the TLR4 and CD14 mRNA in liver grafts.

Pathological characteristics of the solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To summarize and analyze the pathological characteristics of solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas (SPTs).Methods The clinical data of 51 cases of SPTs were retrospectively analyzed.The immunohistochemical localizations of different markers (HSE,SYN,CD_(56),CD_(10),Nestin,Vim,a1-ACT,EMA,AE1/AE3 and CK19) on 39 SPTs were studied.Results Pathological features included a combination of solid and cystic components with pseudopapillae formation and degenerative regions without glands.Among the 39 cases of SPTs,the expression rate of NSE was 97.4%,the expression rate of CD_(56),CD_(10) was 84.6%,the expression rate of Nestin and Vim was 64% and 87%,the expression rate of S100 was 79.5%,the expression rate of a1-ACT and a1-AT was 82.1% and 79.5%,while the expression rate of SYN was 12.8%;however there was low expression and weak positive reaction of EMA,AE1/AE3 and CK19.Conclusions The typical pathological characteristics of SPTs may result from gradual degenerative changes induced anoxemia in some SPT's areas.The heterogeneity of SPTs on different antibody markers showed that the SPTs may be originated from pancreatic embryonic stem cells,and result from immature differentiation of the pluripotential stem cells during pancreatic genesis.

Monitoring mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetic parameters in liver transplant recipients: prediction of occurrence of leukopenia.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a very powerful immunosuppressive drug used in preventing acute rejection in liver transplantation. However, MMF has some serious side effects, including hematologic and gastrointestinal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the clinical events and the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in Chinese liver transplant recipients. Sixty-three adult liver transplant recipients receiving 1.0 g of MMF twice daily in combination with tacrolimus were prospectively included. The MPA pharmacokinetic profiles (blood sampling time points: before the dose and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours after the dose) were monitored after transplantation. Every clinical event, including acute and MMF-related side effects, was monitored in all patients within 3 months. Two patients (3.2%) had an episode of acute rejection. Forty-two patients (66.7%) had 52 episodes of MMF-related side effects, including leukopenia, diarrhea, and infection. The 0-hour concentration (C(0h)), maximum (peak) concentration (C(max)), and area under the curve from 0 to 12 hours (AUC(0-12h)) in patients with side effects were significantly higher than those in patients without side effects (P < 0.05). The thresholds of side effects from receiver operating characteristic analysis were 2 mg/L (sensitivity, 52.4%; specificity, 90.5%) for C(0h), 10 mg/L (sensitivity, 45.2%; specificity, 85.7%) for C(max), and 40 mg h/L (sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 61.9%) for AUC(0-12h) (P < 0.05). Leukopenia was discriminated effectively in C(0h) and in C(max) (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate the close relationship between leukopenia and MPA pharmacokinetic parameters in the early period after liver transplantation. C(0h) and AUC(0-12h) of MPA could predict the subsequent occurrence of leukopenia. These values may be used in routine monitoring for MMF therapy.

Validation of limited sampling strategy for the estimation of mycophenolic acid exposure in Chinese adult liver transplant recipients.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is indicated as immunosuppressive therapy in liver transplantation. The abbreviated models for the estimation of mycophenolic acid (MPA) area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) have been established by limited sampling strategies (LSSs) in adult liver transplant recipients. In the current study, the performance of the abbreviated models to predict MPA exposure was validated in an independent group of patients. A total of 30 MPA pharmacokinetic profiles from 30 liver transplant recipients receiving MMF in combination with tacrolimus were used to compare 8 models' performance with a full 10 time-point MPA-AUC. Linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman analysis were used to compare the estimated MPA-AUC0-12h from each model against the measured MPA-AUC0-12h. A wide range of agreement was shown when estimated MPA-AUC0-12h was compared with measured MPA-AUC0-12h, and the range of coefficient of determination (r2) was from 0.479 to 0.936. The model based on MPA pharmacokinetic parameters C1h, C2h, C6h, and C8h had the best ability to predict measured MPA-AUC0-12h, with the best coefficient of determination (r2=0.936), the excellent prediction bias (2.18%), the best prediction precision (5.11%), and the best prediction variation (2SD=+/-7.88 mg.h/L). However, the model based on MPA pharmacokinetic sampling time points C1h, C2h, and C4h was more suitable when concerned with clinical convenience, which had shorter sampling interval, an excellent coefficient of determination (r2=0.795), an excellent prediction bias (3.48%), an acceptable prediction precision (14.37%), and a good prediction variation (2SD=+/-13.23 mg.h/L). Measured MPA-AUC0-12h could be best predicted by using MPA pharmacokinetic parameters C1h, C2h, C6h, and C8h. The model based on MPA pharmacokinetic parameters C1h, C2h, and C4h was more feasible in clinical application.