Safety and efficacy of etomidate and propofol anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing gastroscopy: A double-blind randomized clinical study.

The aim of the present study is to compare the safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of anesthetic regimens by compound, using etomidate and propofol in elderly patients undergoing gastroscopy. A total of 200 volunteers (65-79 years of age) scheduled for gastroscopy under anesthesia were randomly divided into the following groups: P, propofol (1.5-2.

Ischemic post-conditioning attenuates acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion in mice: role of Nrf2.

Intestinal ischemic post-conditioning (IPo) protects against lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR) partly through promotion of expression and function of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that interacts with HO-1 and regulates antioxidant defense. However, the role of Nrf2 in IPo protection of IIR-induced pulmonary injury is not completely understood.

Chemical shift artifact on steady-state free precession cardiac magnetic resonance sequences as a result of lipomatous metaplasia: a novel finding in chronic myocardial infarctions.

Background: Because balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences are opposed-phase gradient echo techniques, linear low signal due to chemical shift artefact is observed at fat-water interfaces. We observed that some patients with chronic myocardial infarctions had linear low signal along the inner myocardial wall in areas of infarction, which we postulated was due to chemical shift artefact, as a result of lipomatous metaplasia. The purpose of this retrospective review was to evaluate whether subendocardial low signal on SSFP, likely related to chemical shift artifact, could be used to identify chronic myocardial infarctions.

Improved survival for stage IV melanoma from an unknown primary site.

PURPOSE We previously demonstrated a survival advantage for nodal metastasis of melanoma from an unknown primary (MUP) versus melanoma from a known primary (MKP). We hypothesized that this survival benefit would extend to MUP patients with distant (stage IV) metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed prospectively acquired data for 2,247 patients diagnosed with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IV melanoma at our cancer center between 1971 and 2005.

Solitary dermal melanoma: beginning or end of the metastatic process?

Background: Solitary dermal melanoma (SDM) is confined to the dermal and/or subcutaneous tissue without an epidermal component. It is unclear whether this lesion is a subtype of primary melanoma or distant cutaneous metastasis from an unknown primary. We evaluated our large experience to determine the prognosis and optimal management of SDM.

Training tissue bank operators: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)/National University of Singapore (NUS) 10 years of experience.

National University of Singapore (NUS) was appointed by IAEA to become IAEA/NUS Regional Training Centre (RTC) for Asia and the Pacific region in September 1996. The Government of Singapore (represented by the Ministry of Environment) with the National Science and Technology Board as the funding agency awarded a grant of S$225,500 to build a new purpose-built tissue bank to be the Regional Training Centre. National University Hospital provided a space of 2,000 square feet for this purpose.

Improved survival after lymphadenectomy for nodal metastasis from an unknown primary melanoma.

Purpose: No primary lesion is identified in 10% to 20% of patients presenting with palpable evidence of regional metastatic melanoma. Because the prognostic significance of unknown primary melanoma (MUP) is unclear, we compared clinical outcomes of patients with MUP and known primary melanoma (MKP) with regional nodal metastases.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed our 13,000-patient prospective melanoma database (1971 through 2005) to identify patients managed with regional lymphadenectomy for palpable nodal metastases from MUP or MKP.

Management of T2 gallbladder cancer: are practice patterns consistent with national recommendations?

Background: The national recommendation for the management of localized T2 gallbladder cancer (GBCA) is radical cholecystectomy. Although reported survival for localized T2 disease has been poor, groups have documented improvement with radical resection. We hypothesized that a discrepancy exists between national recommendations and current practice patterns.

Aprotinin may decrease blood loss in complex adult spinal deformity surgery, but it may also increase the risk of acute renal failure.

Study Design: Matched cohort comparison.

Objective: This study examines the potential for aprotinin to conserve blood in adults undergoing long thoracolumbar deformity procedures and characterizes patients at risk for acute renal failure.

Summary Of Background Data: Aprotinin has been shown to reduce intraoperative blood loss and reduce transfusion requirement in pediatric spine and cardiac surgery populations.

Hepatic cytoreductive surgery for neuroendocrine cancer.

Patients with gut-based metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET) often present late in the course of their slowly progressive disease, when cancer has extended beyond the point of reasonable expectation for surgical cure. At this stage of disease, the tumor's overwhelming hormonal production often significantly impairs the patient's quality of life. Unlike patients with other malignancies that might involve a heavy burden of hepatic metastatic disease, many patients with metastatic NET continue to live for a long time despite escalating hormone-related symptoms.

Candida parapsilosis keratitis following treatment of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To present a case of Candida parapsilosis following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: Retrospective chart review.

Results: A case report of a 51-year-old woman who underwent bilateral LASIK is presented.

The role of fluorine-18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the management of patients with metastatic melanoma: impact on surgical decision making.

Malignant melanoma can metastasize to almost any organ site. Optimal management requires sensitive radiographic evaluation of the entire body. The optimal management of patients with metastatic melanoma requires accurate assessment of extent of disease (EOD).

Structure analysis of peptide deformylases from Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Thermotoga maritima and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: snapshots of the oxygen sensitivity of peptide deformylase.

Peptide deformylase (PDF) has received considerable attention during the last few years as a potential target for a new type of antibiotics. It is an essential enzyme in eubacteria for the removal of the formyl group from the N terminus of the nascent polypeptide chain. We have solved the X-ray structures of four members of this enzyme family, two from the Gram-positive pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, and two from the Gram-negative bacteria Thermotoga maritima and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.