[Ultraviolet-visible spectrometry analysis of insoluble xanthate heavy metal complexes].

A ultraviolet-visible spectrometry method of determining insoluble xanthate heavy metal complexes in flotation wastewater was the first time to be put forward. In this work, the changes of ultraviolet-visible spectra of xanthate solution after the addition of various heavy metal ions were investigated firstly. It was found that Pb2+ and Cu2+ can form insoluble complexes with xanthate, while Fe2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ have little effect on the ultraviolet absorption of xanthate solution.

Gene expression profiling of colorectal tumors and normal mucosa by microarrays meta-analysis using prediction analysis of microarray, artificial neural network, classification, and regression trees.

Background: Microarray technology shows great potential but previous studies were limited by small number of samples in the colorectal cancer (CRC) research. The aims of this study are to investigate gene expression profile of CRCs by pooling cDNA microarrays using PAM, ANN, and decision trees (CART and C5.0).

CDH1 polymorphisms and haplotypes in sporadic diffuse and intestinal gastric cancer: a case-control study based on direct sequencing analysis.

Background: Findings related to the influence of the -160C → A promoter polymorphism and haplotypes of the E-cadherin (CDH1) gene have not been consistent in previous studies regarding the risk for sporadic gastric cancer. Investigators in most previous studies detected those genotypes using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study to investigate the association of the CDH1 - 160C → A promoter polymorphism and haplotypes for cancer risk related to sporadic diffuse and intestinal gastric cancer by direct sequencing analysis.

Medical treatment for a fish bone-induced ileal micro-perforation: a case report.

Ingested fish bone induced intestinal perforations are seldom diagnosed preoperatively due to incomplete patient history taking and difficulties in image evidence identification. Most literature suggests early surgical intervention to prevent sepsis and complications resulting from fish bone migrations. We report the case of a 44-year-old man suffered from acute abdomen induced by a fish bone micro-perforation.

Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block combined with general anesthesia administered in thyroid operations.

Background: We investigated the analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block in patients undergoing thyroidectomy and to determine whether it reduces the adverse effects of general anesthesia.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 162 patients who underwent elective thyroid operations from March 2006 to October 2007. They were randomly assigned to receive a bilateral superficial cervical block (12 ml per side) with isotonic saline (group A; n = 56), bupivacaine 0.

Compositions and in vitro anticancer activities of the leaf and fruit oils of Litsea cubeba from Taiwan.

The leaf and fruit essential oils of Litsea cubeba, extracted by hydrodistillation, were assessed for anticancer activities. A total of 53 and 50 compounds were identified, respectively from the leaf and fruit oils, and their yields were 13.9 +/- 0.

Experience with reversed L-shaped incision for right hemicolectomy combined with liver resection.

Background: Various types of incisions have been applied in simultaneous resections of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases. We describe our experience with the reversed L-shaped incision for simultaneous right hemicolectomy and liver resection.

Methods: We applied the reversed L-shaped incision in nine patients who underwent simultaneous right hemicolectomy and right liver resection or left hepatectomy.

Transection of the esophagus is optional in the Modified Sugiura procedure.

Background/aims: Esophageal transection in the Modified Sugiura procedure is advocated by some authors, but considered unnecessary by others. We compared the effectiveness of the Modified Sugiura procedure to our simplified Sugiura procedure that omits esophageal transection for the emergency treatment of bleeding esophagogastric varices.

Methodology: From January 1999 to September 2004 we treated 51 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and bleeding esophagogastric varices.

Therapeutic strategies for pancreatic pseudocysts: experience in Taiwan.

Background/aims: A retrospective study of Chinese patients with pancreatic pseudocysts to compare the results between non-conservative and conservative treatments, and the use of serial serum amylase and imaging in monitoring treatment success.

Methodology: One hundred and sixty-two pseudocyst patients, treated between 1974 and 2003, were divided into two groups, conservative treatment and interventions (percutaneous needle drainage, internal drainage, or resection), and treatment results for these groups compared.

Results: Ninety-one cases (56%) showed spontaneous pseudocyst resolution (mean duration to resolution, 33.

Midgut volvulus in an adult with congenital malrotation.

Congenital midgut malrotation, a rare anatomic anomaly that can lead to duodenal or small-bowel obstruction, rarely is observed beyond the first year of life. Symptomatic patients present with either acute bowel obstruction and intestinal ischemia with a midgut or cecal volvulus or with chronic vague abdominal pain. Chronic symptoms often can make the diagnosis difficult.

Hepatocutaneous fistula: a complication after radiofrequency ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A 34-year-old male was admitted for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with poor healing of a radiofrequency ablation wound over the subxiphoid region. The patient underwent lobectomy of the liver 3 years previously. Transarterial chemoembolisation was performed twice for tumour recurrence, and radiofrequency ablation was done for new recurrence 2 months previously.

Knot formation in the feeding jejunostomy tube: a case report and review of the literature.

Jejunostomy feeding tubes provide surgeons with an excellent method for providing nutritional support, but there are several complications associated with a tube jejunostomy, including complications resulting from placement of the tube, mechanical problems related to the location or function and development of focally thickened small-bowel folds. A 76-year old man who presented with multiple medical diseases was admitted to our hospital due to aspiration pneumonia with acute respiratory failure and septic shock. He underwent exploratory laparotomy with feeding jejunostomy using a 14-French nasogastric tube for nutritional support.

Evaluation of serum amyloid A as a biomarker for gastric cancer.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a useful biomarker for gastric cancer in an animal model. We investigated the potential of SAA as a biomarker for gastric cancer in humans.

Methods: Serum levels of SAA from 96 gastric cancer patients were measured before and after curative gastrectomy; 32 patients with gastric ulcers and 52 healthy subjects were the control groups.

Comparing the effects of minimal low-flow desflurane with that of semi-close high flow desflurane on perioperative cytokine response in patients undergoing gastrectomy.

Background: Anesthetic techniques may influence the perioperative cytokine response. We investigate two anesthetic techniques: minimal low-flow anesthesia (LFA) and semi-closed high flow anesthesia (HFA) with desflurane on the effect of cytokine response in gastrectomy.

Methods: Forty patients scheduled to undergo elective gastrectomy were randomly allocated to LFA (0.

Mechanisms inactivating the gene for E-cadherin in sporadic gastric carcinomas.

Aim: To study the role of CDH1/E-cadherin (E-cad) gene alteration profiles including mutation, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), promoter polymorphism and hypermethylation in mechanisms of CDH1 inactivation in gastric carcinoma (GC).

Methods: Specimens were collected surgically from 70 patients with GC. Allelotyping PCR and detection of LOH, denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, methylation specific PCR, and immunohistochemical staining were used.

Ruptured hepatoblastoma with massive internal bleeding in an adult.

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary hepatic tumor of children. However, only a very few cases have been reported in adults. Most studies support treatment with chemotherapy followed by surgical resection.

Spontaneous splenic rupture associated with hepatosplenic gammadelta T-cell lymphoma.

Spontaneous splenic rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of hematologic malignancies, despite the frequent involvement of the spleen in these diseases. It has been reported in patients with acute and chronic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and histiocytic lymphoma. A 50-year-old previously healthy man presented with acute symptoms of spontaneous splenic rupture.

Diverticulosis of the jejunum with intestinal obstruction: A case report.

A diagnosis of intestinal diverticulosis is difficult to make pre-operatively because the clinical symptoms are usually non-specific. We report the case of a 70-year-old man who had suffered from three episodes of intestinal obstruction in 1 year. He experienced dull pain and a sensation of fullness over the whole abdomen.

Intrauterine contraceptive device appendicitis: a case report.

Uterine perforation is one of the serious complications associated with use of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). Uterine perforation by IUD can involve several neighboring organs. A case of acute appendicitis was caused by a Multiload Cu 375 IUD inserted previously.

Helicobacter pylori infection in relation to E-cadherin gene promoter polymorphism and hypermethylation in sporadic gastric carcinomas.

Aim: To study Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in relation to E-cadherin (E-cad) promoter polymorphism and hypermethylation in GCs.

Methods: Specimens were taken from representative cancerous lesions and adjacent non-cancerous epithelia of 67 resected GCs.

Preventing prolonged post-operative ileus in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy and intra-peritoneal chemotherapy.

Aim: To assess the efficacy of metoclopramide (Met) for prevention of prolonged post-operative ileus in advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing D2 gastrectomy and intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (IPC).

Methods: Thirty-two advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing D2 gastrectomy and IPC were allocated to two groups. Sixteen patients received Met immediately after operation (group A), and 16 did not (group B).