Abstract
Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic relapsing skin disease. Recent studies have shown promising results of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment. Objective: To ...compare the efficacy and safety of infliximab and adalimumab in the treatment of HS. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to compare 2 cohorts of 10 adult patients suffering from severe, recalcitrant HS. In 2005, 10 patients were treated with infliximab intravenous (i.v.) (3 infusions of 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 6). In 2009, 10 other patients were treated in the same hospital with adalimumab subcutaneous (s.c.) 40 mg every other week. Both cohorts were followed up for 1 year using identical evaluation methods Sartorius score, quality of life index, reduction of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), patient and doctor global assessment, and duration of efficacy. Results: Nineteen patients completed the study. In both groups, the severity of the HS diminished. Infliximab performed better in all aspects. The average Sartorius score was reduced to 54% of baseline for the infliximab group and 66% of baseline for the adalimumab group. Conclusions: Adalimumab s.c. 40 mg every other week is less effective than infliximab i.v. 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, and 6.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Surgical resection of the primary tumor provides the best chance of cure for patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, bacterial translocation during intestinal surgery has been correlated ...with poor long-term oncological outcome. Therefore, we investigated the influence of bacterial contamination during colon surgery on CRC liver metastases development. Blood and liver samples of patients undergoing resection of primary CRC or liver metastases were collected. Cell numbers, activation markers and inflammatory mediators were determined. Tumor cell adhesion and outgrowth after sham- or colectomy operations were determined in a rat model, in which tumor cells had been injected into the portal vein.
White blood cells and granulocytes were increased in per- and post-operative patient blood samples. IL-6 was also increased post-operatively compared to the preoperative level. Expression of NOX-2, NOX-4 and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) numbers were elevated in post-operative human liver samples. In vitro stimulation of macrophages with plasma of rats after colectomy resulted in production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Colectomy in rats increased D-lactate levels in plasma, supporting bacterial translocation. Decreased expression of tight junction molecules and increased tumor cell adhesion and outgrowth was observed. Treatment with a selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) cocktail decreased tumor cell adherence after colectomy.
In conclusion, postoperative bacterial translocation may activate liver macrophages and PMNs, resulting in ROS production. As we previously showed that ROS release led to liver vasculature damage, circulating tumor cells may adhere to exposed extracellular matrix and grow out into liver metastases. This knowledge is pivotal for development of therapeutic strategies to prevent surgery-induced liver metastases development.
The aim of this study was to test and validate a novel noninvasive method for intraoperative visualization of extrahepatic bile ducts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Injury to the common bile ...duct (CBD) is a rare but major complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Most injuries occur when anatomy is unclear due to the presence of anatomic variations, acute inflammation, or adhesions.
Thirty patients were included, and each received an intravenous injection of 0.05 mg/kg of indocyanine green (ICG) (ICG-Pulsion(®); PULSION Medical Systems AG, Munich, Germany) prior to the start of surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed according to standard procedures. The CBD and cystic duct (CD) were visualized before and during dissection of the liver hilus using a conventional laparoscopic camera and a recently developed near-infrared (NIR) camera (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan).
Using ICG-NIR, the CBD and CD could be visualized 11 minutes (P=.008) and 8.6 minutes (P=.001) earlier than with a conventional camera. Both early (20/30 patients) and late (26/30 patients) identification of the CBD with ICG-NIR was significantly more frequent compared with conventional images (2/30 and 10/30, respectively; P<.001). One postoperative bilioma required re-admission and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement.
Identification of the CBD and CD using a low dose of ICG and the NIR camera was both faster and more frequent compared with conventional laparoscopic images during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
After promising results were obtained from studies in large animals, a technique using indocyanine green (ICG) is being introduced for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in colon cancer patients.
Colon ...cancer patients without clinical signs of metastatic disease, presenting at the VU University Medical Center (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) or Kennemer Gasthuis (Haarlem, The Netherlands), were asked to participate in the study. During laparoscopy, a subserosal injection of 2.5 mg of ICG diluted in 1 mL of 0.9% NaCl plus 2% human albumin was performed using a percutaneously inserted long rigid or flexible needle. After injection, a near-infrared laparoscope (Olympus Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was used for lymph flow and SLN visualization. The SLNs were laparoscopically harvested and analyzed by a senior pathologist using multisectioning and immunohistochemistry.
Fourteen patients were included (six women, eight men), with a median age of 75.5 (interquartile range IQR, 67.8-81.0) years and a median body mass index of 25.1 (IQR, 22.7-26.0) kg/m(2). Median tumor diameter was 4.5 (IQR, 3.4-7.0) cm. At least one SLN was identified in all patients, with a median number of 2.0 (IQR, 2.0-3.3) SLNs. The median time between injection and identification of the SLN was 15.0 (IQR, 13.3-29.3) minutes. Positioning of the needle tip into the subserosal layer was found to be more effective using the flexible needle. When this flexible needle was used, less spill of dye was observed. All SLNs were negative. We observed four false-negative nodes, all after using a rigid needle. None of the patients showed an adverse reaction to the ICG injection.
Preliminary results of laparoscopic sentinel node identification using a near-infrared dye show this procedure is safe and feasible. It was possible to detect lymph nodes in all patients. Large tumor size, drainage to adjacent lymphatic vessels, and the use of a rigid needle might contribute to false-negative nodes.
Abstract
Objective. To identify women who are suffering from urinary incontinence but do not consult a physician and to identify reasons for this. Design. Survey study as part of a randomized ...controlled trial that investigates the effects of a standardized assessment and evidence-based treatment on urinary incontinence in older women, the URINO project. Setting. Female patients from general practices in the Northern part of the Netherlands. Patients. A total of 225 women of 55 years and older suffering from urinary incontinence. Main outcome measures. Number of patients with urinary incontinence who are not registered by their GP as suffering from this, factors associated with help-seeking behaviour, and reasons for not seeking help. Results. Of the 225 patients, 143 (64%) were not registered by their GP as suffering from urinary incontinence. These women were more often younger and had lower levels of distress due to their urogynaecological symptoms. The most common reason for not consulting a GP was that patients considered their symptoms not to be serious enough. Conclusion. The prevalence of older women with urinary incontinence who do not seek help is high. Help-seeking behaviour is associated with increasing age and higher levels of distress caused by the symptoms. Younger patients more often hesitate to consult their GP if they perceive their symptoms to be relatively mild.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
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