Concurrent chemoradiotherapy shows long-term survival after conversion from locally advanced to resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: For locally unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) has been applied as a loco-regional treatment. After shrinkage of tumors in selected patients, surgical resection is performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors and long-term survivors in such patients.

Silencing of hypoxia-inducible factor-1β induces anti-tumor effects in hepatoma cell lines under tumor hypoxia.

Dimerization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 beta (HIF-1β) [aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT)] with HIF-1α is involved in various aspects of cancer biology, including proliferation and survival under hypoxic conditions. We investigated the in vitro mechanism by which silencing of HIF-1β leads to the suppression of tumor cell growth and cellular functions. Various hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (Huh-7, Hep3B, and HepG2) were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against HIF-1β (siHIF-1β) and cultured under hypoxic conditions (1% O2 for 24 h).

Liver stiffness value-based risk estimation of late recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma: development and validation of a predictive model.

Background: Preoperative liver stiffness (LS) measurement using transient elastography (TE) is useful for predicting late recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We developed and validated a novel LS value-based predictive model for late recurrence of HCC.

Methods: Patients who were due to undergo curative resection of HCC between August 2006 and January 2010 were prospectively enrolled and TE was performed prior to operations by study protocol.

Alcohol intake and risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Background: Alcohol intake is inconsistently associated with the risk of stroke morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding this relationship by using a dose-response meta-analytic approach.

Methods: We performed electronic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant prospective studies.

Robotic versus open partial nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To critically review the currently available evidence of studies comparing robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN).

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature from Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus was performed in October 2013. All relevant studies comparing RPN with OPN were included for further screening.

Histological subclassification of cirrhosis can predict recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection continues to be a major cause of death. This prospective study is designed to investigate whether histological subclassification of cirrhosis using the Laennec system could predict recurrence in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC after curative resection.

Methods: Patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent curative resection and showed Laennec stage 3 to 4 were enrolled and the cases with stage 4 were subclassified histologically into three groups (stages 4A, 4B and 4C) according to the Laennec system.

Clinical significance of AFP and PIVKA-II responses for monitoring treatment outcomes and predicting prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: Recently, the utility of tumor markers in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) field has received a good deal of attention. Here, we review and summarize the results of studies on the roles played by the α -fetoprotein (AFP) and prothrombin induced by the absence of vitamin K or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) responses in terms of the monitoring of outcomes and prediction of prognosis after various HCC treatments.

Methods: Studies lodged in PUBMED and that satisfied our inclusion criteria were reviewed.

Therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy in huge (≥10 cm) unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) show dismal prognosis and only a limited number of cases are eligible for curative resection. We studied the therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with huge unresectable HCCs.

Methods: Data from 283 patients with huge HCCs and preserved liver function who underwent non-surgical treatment from July 2001 to March 2012 were retrospectively reviewed.

Effect of calcium or vitamin D supplementation on vascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Whether calcium or vitamin D supplementation reduces serious vascular outcomes in older people remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of calcium or vitamin D supplementation on the risk of major cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: We performed electronic searches in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials.

Association of CXCL12 and CXCR4 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma.

CXCL12 and its unique receptor CXCR4, play important roles in inflammation and cancer metastasis. This study was undertaken to investigate the association of CXCL12 and CXCR4 polymorphisms with risk and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the Chinese population. Blood was collected from 322 RCC patients and 402 healthy controls.

¹⁸F-FDG PET metabolic parameters and MRI perfusion and diffusion parameters in hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary study.

Objectives: Glucose metabolism, perfusion, and water diffusion may have a relationship or affect each other in the same tumor. The understanding of their relationship could expand the knowledge of tumor characteristics and contribute to the field of oncologic imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between metabolism, vasculature and cellularity of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using multimodality imaging such as ¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET), dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI, and diffusion weighted imaging(DWI).

T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule 3 gene polymorphisms and renal cell carcinoma.

T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule 3 (TIM-3) is a novel transmembrane protein that is involved in the regulation of T-helper 1 (Th1)-cell-mediated immunity. This study was undertaken to investigate the association of TIM-3 polymorphisms with susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the Chinese population. Blood was collected from 322 RCC patients and 402 healthy controls.

A comparative study of voiding and sexual function after total mesorectal excision with autonomic nerve preservation for rectal cancer: laparoscopic versus robotic surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the protection of the urogenital function after robot-assisted total mesorectal excision (R-TME) for rectal cancer compared to those of laparoscopic TME (L-TME).

Methods: 69 patients who underwent L-TME (n = 39) or R-TME (n = 30) were prospectively enrolled. Their urogenital function was evaluated by uroflowmetry, a standard questionnaire of the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and the international index of erectile function (IIEF) before surgery and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

[Risk factors and strategies of dental implants in the maxillary posterior without sufficient bone available].

There are two ways to place dental implants in the maxillary posterior without sufficient bone available, one is the maxillary sinus floor bone augmentation technique, the other is to evade maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus floor bone augmentation technique may result in a series of complication, and reduce obedience of patients for implant surgery. According to principles of the best bone utilization, the evaded maxillary sinus implant technique is more simple, more economic, more predictable, and more shortage of time, compared with the maxillary sinus floor bone augmentation technique, and has certain technological advantages in some special cases.

Pelvic anatomy as a factor in laparoscopic rectal surgery: a prospective study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate factors affecting the difficulty of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (L-TME), focusing on the pelvic anatomy.

Methods: Seventy-four patients who underwent L-TME were prospectively enrolled. Tumor and patient factors, including magnetic resonance imaging-based pelvic measurements (obstetric conjugate, sacral length, sacral depth, interspinous distance, and intertuberous distance), were analyzed with respect to pelvic dissection time.

[A case of hepatic congestion due to right heart failure mimicking liver tumor].

This report describes a patient with hepatic congestion due to right heart failure mimicking liver tumor. The patient had a history of breast cancer and left total mastectomy 30 years ago, tricuspid valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve replacement 4 years ago. Three years ago, abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed to evaluate inguinal hernia, which revealed multiple small hepatic nodules.

[Clinical research of immediate restoration implant with mini-implants in edentulous space].

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effective of immediate restoration with Osstem MS mini-implant in the edentulous space of 5-6 mm.

Methods: The sample consisted of 36 consecutively treated partially edentulous patients who had a total of 36 Osstem MS mini-implants, which were 2.5 mm or 3.

Is local radiotherapy still valuable for patients with multiple intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinomas?

Purpose: To investigate whether local radiotherapy (RT) is valuable for patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Methods And Materials: From July 1992 to August 2006, 107 patients with unresectable HCC were treated with local RT after incomplete transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The RT field included a main tumor with or without other tumor nodules, depending on the effectiveness of TACE.

Challenge and hope in radiotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most critical global health issues. With frequent association of viral liver disease, HCC is highly complex, harboring both cancer and chronic liver disease. The tumor stage and underlying liver function are both major determinants of the treatment selection as well as prognosis in HCC patients, thus allowing no more than a 20% chance for potentially curative therapies.

[Immediate implant-support and overdenture retained by conical crowns: three cases report].

Completed denture or immediate completed dentures were manufactured before operation to three patients with edentulous mandible and maxillary or severe chronic periodontitis. The remnant teeth of patients were extracted. Four Ankylos implants were implanted in mandible, and six implants were implanted in maxillary.

Prognostic value of postoperative CEA clearance in rectal cancer patients with high preoperative CEA levels.

Purpose: We determined the prognostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) clearance after tumor resection with serial evaluation of postoperative CEA levels in rectal cancer.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2004, we retrospectively reviewed 122 patients with rectal cancer whose serum CEA levels were measured on the preoperative day and postoperative days 7 and 30. Patients with preoperative CEA levels <5.

[Immediate loading of implants in fully edentulous jaws: two cases report].

Thirty-six implants were placed into 2 patients with fully edentulous jaws. Provisional prosthesis were placed into 34 of 36 implants which implant stability quotient (ISQ) was larger than 60 at the time of fixture placement. After 3 months, osseointegration of implants completed and permanence reparations were made.

The efficacy of hepatic resection after neoadjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiation therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma greater than 5 cm in size.

In cases of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), neoadjuvant treatment such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiation therapy can be performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of these treatments prior to hepatic resection. Between January 1994 and May 2007, 16 patients with HCC greater than 5 cm in size were treated with TACE and radiation therapy prior to hepatic resection.

Pilot clinical trial of localized concurrent chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis.

Background: Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) have a particularly grave prognosis. In the current study, an attempt was made to localize chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) followed by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with locally advanced HCC with PVT and good reserve liver function. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of localized CCRT followed by HAIC as a new treatment modality for these patients.

Role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in detecting extrahepatic metastasis in pretreatment staging of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is useful for differentiating benign from malignant lesions, evaluating tumor stage, monitoring the response to therapy and detecting tumor recurrence in a variety of malignancies. Nevertheless, its use in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still uncertain. We evaluated whether FDG-PET has a role in detecting extrahepatic metastasis in pretreatment tumor staging of HCC and the characteristics of patients with extrahepatic metastasis that benefit from FDG-PET.