STC Group Research Articles

The Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention Supported by the InterWalk Smartphone App on Increasing Physical Activity Among Persons With Type 2 Diabetes: Parallel-Group, Randomized Trial.

BackgroundEffective and sustainable implementation of physical activity (PA) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) health care has in general not been successful. Efficacious and contemporary approaches to support PA adherence and adoption are required.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of including an app-based (InterWalk) approach in municipality-based rehabilitation to increase moderate-and-vigorous PA (MVPA) across 52 weeks compared with standard care among individuals with T2D.MethodsThe study was designed as a parallel-group, randomized trial with 52 weeks’ intervention and subsequent follow-up for effectiveness (52 weeks from baseline). Participants were recruited between January 2015 and December 2016 and randomly allocated (2:1) into 12 weeks of (1) standard care + InterWalk app–based interval walking training (IWT; IWT group; n=140), or (2) standard care + the standard exercise program (StC group; n=74). Following 12 weeks, the IWT group was encouraged to maintain InterWalk app–based IWT (3 times per week for 30-60 minutes) and the StC group was encouraged to maintain exercise without structured support. Moreover, half of the IWT group (IWTsupport group, n=54) received additional motivational support following the 12-week program until 52-week follow-up. The primary outcome was change in objectively measured MVPA time (minutes/day) from baseline to 52-week follow-up. Key secondary outcomes included changes in self-rated physical and mental health–related quality of life (HRQoL), physical fitness, weight, and waist circumference.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 59.6 (SD 10.6) years and 128/214 (59.8%) were men. No changes in MVPA time were observed from baseline to 52-week follow-up in the StC and IWT groups (least squares means [95% CI] 0.6 [–4.6 to 5.8] and –0.2 [–3.8 to 3.3], respectively) and no differences were observed between the groups (mean difference [95% CI] –0.8 [–8.1 to 6.4] minutes/day; P=.82). Physical HRQoL increased by a mean of 4.3 (95% CI 1.8 to 6.9) 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) points more in the IWT group compared with the StC group (Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted P=.007) and waist circumference apparently decreased a mean of –2.3 (95% CI –4.1 to –0.4) cm more in the IWT group compared with the StC group but with a Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted P=.06. No between-group differences were observed among the remaining key secondary outcomes.ConclusionsAmong individuals with T2D referred to municipality-based lifestyle programs, randomization to InterWalk app–based IWT did not increase objectively measured MVPA time over 52 weeks compared with standard health care, although apparent benefits were observed for physical HRQoL.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02341690; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02341690

Individualized CT image-guided free-hand catheter technique: A new and reliable method for minimally invasive evacuation of basal ganglia hematoma.

ObjectiveTo validate the clinical reliability of an individualized CT image-guided‘ free-hand catheter technique (CTGFC) for basal ganglia hematoma (BGH) evacuation.MethodsFrom January 2017 to December 2020, 58 cases of patients with BGH who underwent catheter evacuation were enrolled. The surgery was conducted using the CTGFC (n = 31) or stereotactic catheter technique (STC, n = 27). The authors evaluated the baseline characteristics, operation-related indicators, postoperative complications, hospitalization-related indicators, short-term and long-term functional outcomes, and mortality rate 1 year after surgery.ResultsAll patients underwent BGH evacuation under non-general anesthesia in the CTGFC group. The operative time (p < 0.01) and operation costs (p < 0.05) were significantly shorter in the CTGFC group than that in the STC group (p < 0.01). Comparable results were found in the catheter indwelling duration, residual hematoma volume, hematoma evacuation rate, incidence of postoperative complications, hospital ICU stay, and hospital costs between these two groups (p > 0.05). The duration of hospital stay was remarkably shorter in the CTGFC group than that in the STC group (p < 0.01). There were no differences in terms of the short-time functional outcomes score at discharge, including the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, the activities of daily living (ADL) score, and the Karnofsky performance score (KPS). Moreover, comparable findings were also found in the 1-year postoperative GOS score, ADL score, KPS score, and mortality rate between these two groups.ConclusionThe simple CTGFC-assisted surgery was a safe and reliable option for BGH evacuation, especially in primary medical institutes and emergency situations with limited medical resources.

Assessment of free radicals and reactive oxygen species milieu in nanoparticles adjuvanted outer membrane proteins vaccine against Salmonella typhi.

In this study, calcium phosphate nanoparticles-based (STCNV) and montanide oil adjuvant vaccine (STOAV) containing outer membrane proteins (Omps) of S. Typhi were evaluated for inducing oxidative stress indicators [reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total protein] in the tissues of mice after vaccination. The GSH levels though slightly high in the liver, kidney, and lungs of STCNV group were not significantly different from STOAV and the control group (STC). There was no significant difference in LPO levels in any group for any tissue. The significantly lower activities of catalase were observed in the kidney and lungs of the STCNV group as compared to STOAV and STC group, while in the liver, STCNV group revealed lower catalase activity in comparison to the control group. No significant difference in the SOD activities between the two vaccinated groups was observed. The total protein contents in all the organs showed no significant difference in the vaccinated and the control group. The vaccines may induce long-term inflammatory response and consequently damage vital organs; this study revealed no long-term oxidative stress in all the three vital organs, suggesting that these vaccines may not cause oxidative damages in the vital organs of mice.

Emergency surgery for obstructive splenic flexure colon cancer: results of a multicentric study of the French Surgical Association (AFC).

Management of malignant left-sided colonic obstruction remains challenging and requires a stoma in 40-65% of patients. In those with obstructive splenic flexure colon cancer (OSFCC), a debate still exists regarding the most appropriate surgery. The aim of this muticenter study was to report and compare the different surgical procedures in OSFCC patients with a special focus on operative and histological characteristics and survival outcomes including 12-month stoma-free survival. Between 2000 and 2015, 2325 patients were treated for obstructive colon cancer in centers members of the French National Surgical Association (AFC). Among them, 198 underwent surgery for OSFCC and were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with OSFCC and proximal colonic ischemia or perforation were excluded. Four procedures were performed: decompressing stoma (DS, 39%), splenic flexure colectomy (SFC, 39%), subtotal colectomy (STC, 17%,) and left hemicolectomy (LHC, 5%). All patients treated with LHC underwent a Hartmann's procedure. There was no significant difference between groups for postoperative mortality and morbidity. Hospital stay was significantly longer after DS. The length of the specimen, longitudinal resection margins and number of harvested lymph nodes were significantly higher in the STC group. There was no difference for overall and disease-free survival. Stoma-free survival was significantly lower after LHC (62%) in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.0001). At the end of follow-up, 50% of patients who underwent LHC had a permanent stoma. In OSFCC patients without proximal colonic ischemia or peritonitis, LHC should no longer be recommended due to a high risk of permanent stoma.

Augmented reality-assisted training with selected Tai-Chi movements improves balance control and increases lower limb muscle strength in older adults: A prospective randomized trial

Background/ObjectiveTai-Chi benefits older adults by enhancing balance control and increasing the muscle strength of the lower limbs. However, a complete set of traditional Tai-Chi exercises is sometimes too difficult for beginners. We investigated whether practicing augmented reality-assisted training with selected Tai-Chi movements tailored to the practitioner’s ability (selected Tai-Chi, or sTC) is as effective as performing a complete set of Tai-Chi sequences (complete traditional Tai-Chi, or tTC). MethodsIn this prospective randomized trial carried out in the Beitou District of Taipei City, Taiwan, community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 and without any debilitating diseases (n = 28) were included. Participants were randomly assigned to the sTC group (n = 14) or the tTC group (n = 14). Participants in the sTC group practiced selected Tai-Chi movements using the augmented reality Tai-Chi training system. Participants of the tTC group were asked to complete the 24-form Yang-style Tai-Chi following the instructions of Tai-Chi masters. Each training session lasted 30 min, with 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations included functional balance tests, comprising the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and Functional Reach Test (FRT), as well as muscle strength measurements of the lower extremities. ResultsPre-intervention evaluations showed significant differences in FRT (p = 0.034) and left hip abductor muscle strength (p = 0.046) between the sTC and tTC groups. After 8 weeks of training, the BBS, TUG, and FRT scores in the sTC group showed significant improvement overall. Although all three functional balance test scores improved in the tTC group, only the improvement in BBS was statistically significant (p = 0.001). After 8 weeks, all muscle strength measurements increased by an average of 3.1 ± 1.0 kgw in the sTC group and 1.6 ± 0.8 kgw in the tTC group. ConclusionsThe augmented reality-assisted training with selected Tai-Chi movements, designed based on objective measurements of the practitioner’s capability, improved balance control and muscle strength of lower limbs at least as effectively as the complete sequence of traditional Tai-Chi exercises. Trial registrationThis study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of National Yang-Ming University (IRB number: 1000087). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Logistic and Transportation Challenges in Education

This work presents some logistics and transportation challenges that were solved by 3 different student groups from 3 different European entities. These groups were: the STC Group, from The Netherlands, made of 12 students; the FHOO Group, from Austria, which comprised a number of 10 students and the IMST Group from Romania, made of 12 students. Each of the group had a specific task of finding the best logistic and transportation solution for each of their task. Also, they need to take into account several important parameters like air pollution problem, the shortest way of reaching to destination, the way of transport and others, which were decisive in choosing the right solution.

Optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy duration in Wilms tumour with intravascular thrombus: A literature review and evidence from SIOP WT 2001 trial.

Preoperative chemotherapy is recommended for children with Wilms tumour with intravascular extension. Extended chemotherapy may improve resectability, but increase tumour adherence to vascular endothelium, precluding complete resection. To evaluate the optimal length of preoperative treatment, we report a two-part review comprising systematic review of the literature and investigation of patients treated in the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) WT 2001 trial. Studies were identified using Medline and Embase databases from 1996 to present. English language titles reporting management of intravascular Wilms tumour were analysed. Patients with Wilms tumour and thrombus were identified from the SIOP WT 2001 trial. Overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS), tumour regression, completeness of resection and cavectomy were investigated. The search retrieved 43 articles documenting 498 children. Note that 72% of the patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy: 101 received standard course (4-6weeks, standard course neoadjuvant chemotherapy [StC]) and 62 extended course (>6weeks, extended course neoadjuvant chemotherapy [EC]). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of thrombus regression or completeness of resection. EFS was greater in the StC group (78vs 54%; P=.04). Of 4511 patients registered in the SIOP WT 2001 trial, 166 had thrombus. Note that 97% of the patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy: 63 StC and 67 EC. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to tumour regression, complete resection, or cavectomy. Survival was significantly higher in those receiving StC than EC (OS: 95%vs 82%, P=.025; EFS: 88%vs 72%, P=.047). There is no evidence that prolonged courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy beyond the recommended protocols confer any additional benefit in treating intravascular extension of Wilms tumour.

Can Match-Mimicking Intermittent Practice Be Used as a Simulatory Training Mode of Competition Using Olympic Time Frame in Elite Taekwondo Athletes?

Aim: The physiological realities between Taekwondo (TKD) simulation kicking training and TKD competition according to the Olympic time frame remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to establish an Olympic match-simulated kicking model and compare its effects with real TKD competition on physiological challenges and hormonal responses during serial matches in elite athletes.Method: Sixteen elite TKD athletes randomly were assigned into either a TKD match-simulated kicking group (TMSK; N = 8, age: 21.3 ± 0.2 years) or a simulated TKD competition group (STC; N = 8, age: 21.6 ± 0.5 years). Both groups performed either simulated kicking or TKD competitions in the same time-course order, and all physiological parameters and blood sampling time-points were identical between groups. The heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded during each match-simulated kicking and TKD competition session. Blood samples were obtained before competition (Pre-Comp.), after competition—in ths case meaning four consecutive matches (End-Comp.), and 24 h after the first match (Next day) for determination of biomarkers of muscle damage (myoglobin and CK), hematological profiles, and hormonal profiles (testosterone and cortisol).Results: The responses of HR, RPE, and blood lactate levels during the consecutive testing sessions showed no differences between TMSK and STC. The changes in CK and myoglobin were greater in STC (p < 0.05), and a greater decrease in red blood cell (RBC) loss was observed in the STC group (p < 0.05). Compared with TMSK, the inflammatory state, reflected by the ratios of neutrophils-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelets-to-lymphocyte (PLR), was higher in STC (p < 0.05). Moreover, the catabolic state (cortisol/testosterone) was greater in STC than in TMSK (p < 0.05).Conclusion: We demonstrated that, compared with TMSK, the STC produced greater muscle damage, inflammatory responses, and catabolic stress in the Olympic competition time frame in elite male TKD athletes. Although TMSK is capable of eliciting similar physiological challenges as TKD competition, the muscle damage and hormonal profiles provoked by TMSK were not comparable to TKD competition. Our findings provide science-based data and better understanding for coaches, athletes, and sports scientists to develop TKD-specific training programs for Olympic preparation.

Comparison of metabolic effects of del Nido cardioplegia, blood cardioplegia, and St. Thomas cardioplegia solutions in adult patients undergoing isolated minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery

Aim: Cardiac arrest during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPBP) is achieved using cardioplegia solutions for myocardial protection. There are limited data about the systemic biochemical effects of cardioplegia solutions. This study aimed to compare the biochemical effects of del Nido cardioplegia, blood cardioplegia, and St. Thomas cardioplegia solutions.Material and Methods: This retrospective study included patients that underwent isolated Aortic valve replacement between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018. The medical records of patients reviewed after ethical approval of the protocol. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the cardioplegia solution used during surgery, as follows: the del Nido cardioplegia group (dNC group); the blood cardioplegia group (BC group); the St. Thomas cardioplegia group (STC group). Perioperative clinical outcomes and laboratory findings were compared between groups. Results: The study included 26 patients that underwent minimally invasive aortic valve replacement. Fewer patients in the dNC group required inotropic agents than in the other 2 groups, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.844). There wasn’t a significant difference between the groups in the change in the troponin t level from the preoperative to postoperative period (P = 0.148). The difference in the arterial glucose and insulin levels was similar in all 3 groups (P = 0.372 and P = 0.258, respectively). Thyroid, liver, and renal function were also similar in all 3 groups. Conclusion: dNC solution is a safe alternative to BC and STC solutions during isolated minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery, in terms of myocardial protection and biochemical parameters.

Therapeutic Effect of Omalizumab in Severe Asthma: A Real-World Study in Korea.

PurposeOmalizumab, an anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody, has proved to be effective for the treatment of severe asthma. However, there is no direct evidence of effectiveness of omalizumab in Korean patients with severe asthma. We sought to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of omalizumab in Korean adult patients suffering from severe asthma and to identify predictors of favorable response.MethodsA retrospective analysis of electrical medical records was performed on severe allergic asthmatic patients with omalizumab treatment group (OT group) for more than 6 months between March 2008 and February 2016. Propensity score matching was applied to define the standardized treatment control group (STC group) treated without omalizumab. Asthma-related outcomes were compared between the 2 groups, and analyzed before and after omalizumab use in the OT group. Responders to treatment were defined as patients showing >50% reduction in asthma exacerbations and/or systemic steroid requirement during the outcome period.ResultsOne hundred twenty-four patients with severe asthma (62 in the OT group; 62 in the STC group) were enrolled in the study. Proportion of patients having the reduction of asthma exacerbation (53.2% vs 35.5%, P=0.015) and the rate of responders (67.7% vs 41.9%, P=0.007) were significantly higher in the OT group than in the STC group. Significant reductions were noted in asthma exacerbation (P=0.006), hospitalization (P=0.009), hospitalization days (P=0.006), systemic corticosteroid requirements (P=0.027), and sputum eosinophil count (P=0.031) in OT group compared with STC group. There were no significant differences in changes of forced expiratory volume in the 1 second (FEV1) levels between the 2 groups. No predictors of responders were found for omalizumab treatment.ConclusionsOmalizumab can reduce exacerbations/hospitalization/systemic steroid burst in Korean adult patients with severe asthma.

Role of the postoperative cholesterol in early allograft dysfunction and survival after living donor liver transplantation

Many studies have confirmed that serum total cholesterol (sTC) concentrations were associated with underlying liver damage and the synthesis capacity of liver. However, the role of postoperative sTC level on evaluating graft function and predicting survival of recipients who underwent liver transplantation has not been discussed. Clinical data of 231 living donor liver transplantation recipients from May 2003 to January 2015 were retrospectively collected. Patients were stratified into the low sTC group (sTC <1.42 mmol/L, 57 recipients) and high sTC group (sTC =1.42 mmol/L, 174 recipients) according the sTC level on postoperative day 3 based on receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The clinical characteristics and postoperative short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. Recipients with sTC <1.42 mmol/L experienced more severe preoperative disease conditions, a higher incidence of postoperative early allograft dysfunction (38.6% vs 10.3%, P<0.001), 90-day mortality (28.1% vs 10.9%, P=0.002) and severe complications (29.8% vs 17.2%, P=0.041) compared to recipients with sTC =1.42 mmol/L. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that sTC <1.42 mmol/L had a 4.08-fold (95% CI: 1.83-9.11, P=0.001) and 2.72-fold (95% CI: 1.23-6.00, P=0.013) greater risk of developing allograft dysfunction and 90-day mortality, and patients with sTC <1.42 mmol/L had poorer overall recipient and graft survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year than those with sTC =1.42 mmol/L (67%, 61% and 61% vs 83%, 71% and 69%, P=0.025; 65%, 59% and 59% vs 81%, 68% and 66%, P=0.026, respectively). Cox multivariate analysis showed that sTC <1.42 mmol/L was an independent predicting factor for total recipient survival (HR=2.043; 95% CI: 1.173-3.560; P=0.012) and graft survival (HR=1.905; 95% CI: 1.115-3.255; P=0.018). sTC <1.42 mmol/L on postoperative day 3 was an independent risk factor of postoperative early allograft dysfunction, 90-day mortality, recipient and graft survival, which can be used as a marker for predicting postoperative short- and long-term outcomes.

A systematic review of segmental vs subtotal colectomy and subtotal colectomy vs total proctocolectomy for colonic Crohn's disease.

Surgical management of colonic Crohn's disease (CD) is still unclear because different procedures can be adopted. The choice of operation is dependent on the involvement of colonic disease but the advantages and disadvantages of the extent of resection are still debated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences in short-term and long-term outcomes of adult patients with colonic CD who underwent either subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (STC) or segmental colectomy (SC) or total proctocolectomy and end ileostomy (TPC). Studies published between 1984 and 2012 including comparisons of STC vs SC and of STC vs TPC were selected. The study end-points were overall and surgical recurrence, postoperative morbidity and incidence of permanent stoma. Fixed effect models were used to evaluate the study outcomes. Eleven studies, consisting of a total of 1436 patients (510 STC, 500 SC and 426 TPC), were included. Analysis of the data showed no significant difference between STC and SC in terms of overall and surgical recurrence of CD. In contrast, STC showed a higher risk of overall and surgical recurrence of CD than TPC (OR 3.53, 95% CI 2.45-5.10, P<0.0001; OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.27-5.44, P<0.0001, respectively). SC had a higher risk of postoperative complications compared to STC, and STC had a lower risk of complications than TPC (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.16-6.96, P<0.02; OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.09-0.38, P<0.0001, respectively). SC resulted in a lower risk of permanent stoma than STC (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.35-0.77). All three procedures were equally effective as treatment options for colonic CD and the choice of operation remains intrinsically dependent on the extent of colonic disease. However, patients in the TPC group showed a lower recurrence risk than those in the STC group. Moreover, SC had a higher risk of postoperative complications but a lower risk of permanent stoma. These data should be taken into account when deciding surgical strategies and when informing patients about postoperative risks.

Relapse and Mortality Risk of Stage I Testicular Cancer.

- To assess the medical insurance risk for patients with stage I testicular cancer (TC), by calculating the overall mortality risk with and without relapse, and compare it to men from the Danish population. - Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in young males. Outcomes of a Danish cohort of 3366 patients with stage I TC (1366 non-seminomas (NSTC) and 2000 Seminomas (STC)), were analyzed. - The data were analyzed by the "illness-death" model. For the analysis of the transitions between diagnosis, relapse and death we adopted a parametric approach, where the relationship between the intensities and the effect of covariates were specified by Poisson regression models for NSTC and STC individually. - In the NSTC group, 422 patients relapsed. Six relapses (1.4%) occurred after 5 years of follow-up. In the STC group, 389 relapsed. The relapse rate after 5 years was 4.1%. The overall mortality analyses showed that the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for men with NSTC without relapse, was slightly lower than in the matched general population of Danish men (SMR = 0.9). In STC patients without relapse, SMR was 0.80. Relapse raised the overall mortality by a factor 2.0 for NSTC and 1.5 for STC. - The fact that few relapses occur 5 years after diagnosis is an important finding for risk assessment in life insurance. It makes it possible to insure men diagnosed with stage I TC, who have not experienced relapse 5 years after diagnosis, on normal terms.

Differential Proteomics Analysis of Colonic Tissues in Patients of Slow Transit Constipation.

Objective. To investigate and screen the different expression of proteins in STC and normal group with a comparative proteomic approach. Methods. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was applied to separate the proteins in specimens from both 5 STC patients and 5 normal controls. The proteins with statistically significant differential expression between two groups were identified by computer aided image analysis and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Results. A total of 239 protein spots were identified in the average gel of the normal control and 215 in patients with STC. A total of 197 protein spots were matched and the mean matching rate was 82%. There were 14 protein spots which were expressed with statistically significant differences from others. Of those 14 protein spots, the expression of 12 spots increased markedly, while that of 2 spots decreased significantly. Conclusion. The proteomics expression in colonic specimens of STC patients is statistically significantly different from that of normal control, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of STC.

Persistence and Tissue Distribution of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Serotypes 1 and 2 in Turkeys.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the persistence and tissue distribution of serotypes 1 and 2 of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in specific-pathogen-free and vaccinated turkeys. In Experiment 1, three groups of 2-wk-old turkey poults, including a negative control group, were used. In groups 1 and 2, 13 poults in each group were challenged with either serotype 1 (STC) or serotype 2 (OH) strains using an inoculum of 10(4) 50% embryo infectious dose (EID50)/0.2 ml/bird. Thymus, bursa, spleen, kidney, lungs, liver, pancreas, caecum, and breast and thigh muscles were sampled at predetermined intervals. The bursal tissues from birds inoculated with either serotype were reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) positive up to 21 days postinoculation (DPI). In both groups virus isolation from bursas was possible up to 14 DPI. Except for the bursas and spleens in birds inoculated with serotype 1 and bursas in birds inoculated with serotype 2, all other tissues were RT-PCR negative. In Experiment 2, five groups of turkey poults were used. At 4 wk of age, group 1 was challenged with a serotype 1 STC strain and group 2 with serotype 2 OH strain using an inoculum size of 10(2) EID50/0.2 ml for both serotypes. Groups 3 and 4 were vaccinated at 2 wk of age using an inactivated serotype 1 IBDV vaccine. At 2 wk postvaccination, groups 3 and 4 were challenged with STC and OH strains respectively. From group 1, bursal, spleen, and liver tissues were RT-PCR positive up to 14 DPI; breast muscle and kidney tissues were positive up to 7 DPI; and lungs and pancreatic tissues were positive up to 3 DPI. From group 2, bursal tissues were RT-PCR positive up to 14 DPI and lung tissues up to 3 DPI. All of the tissue samples collected from groups 3, 4, and 5 were RT-PCR negative. Virus could not be isolated from RT-PCR positive bursal homogenate. In this work, it was confirmed that the virus persisted in the bursa longer than in any other tissues. The difference in the results between Experiments 1 and 2 could be due to the age of poults at vaccination and the higher inoculum size used in Experiment 1. This study indicates that turkeys are more resistant to IBDV as compared to chickens. Viruses of serotypes 1 and 2 infect turkeys and persist in bursal tissue for 14 days and RNA was detected up to 21 days.

Salvage focal and salvage total cryoablation for locally recurrent prostate cancer after primary radiation therapy

To present the oncological and functional outcomes of salvage focal (SFC) and salvage total (STC) cryoablation for recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) after failed primary radiotherapy. From March 2003 to August 2010, 50 men with biopsy-proven unilateral (n = 25) or bilateral (n = 25) radio-recurrent PCa underwent SFC or STC, respectively. Patients were assessed after treatment by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, transrectal ultrasonography, biopsy and questionnaires. Biochemical failure (BF) was defined using the Phoenix criteria (PSA nadir + 2 mg/mL). Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. The median pre-cryoablation PSA level and Gleason score were, respectively, 2.8 ng/mL and 7 for SFC, and 3.9 ng/mL and 7 for STC. The median follow-up was 31 and 53 months (P = 0.004) for SFC and STC, respectively. Oncological outcomes were as follows: no patient died; one patient who underwent STC developed bone metastases; eight patients who underwent SFC and three who underwent STC had BF and the 5-year BF-free survival rates were 54 and 86%, respectively. In those patients without BF, the mean PSA decreased by 86% for SFC and 90% for STC within the first year and remained stable. Functional outcomes were as follows: new onset urinary incontinence occurred in three (13%) patients in the STC group, whereas no patient in the SFC group developed incontinence (P = 0.10); Two of seven patients in the SFC group retained postoperative potency, but none of the four potent patients in the STC group recovered potency postoperatively (P = 0.48); one (4%) patient in the STC group developed a recto-urethral fistula, but none occurred in the SFC group (P = 0.48). SFC and STC are feasible and safe with acceptable mid-term oncological outcomes. For carefully selected patients, SFC is an option that could be associated with lower treatment-related morbidity compared with STC. Although longer follow-up and more patient numbers are needed, our initial oncological and functional outcomes of SFC and STC are encouraging.

Salvage focal versus salvage total cryoablation for radio-recurrent prostate cancer: Seven years experience.

e15212 Background: Salvage cryoablation (SC) of the whole prostate is a curative option for radio (RT)-recurrent prostate cancer (PCa). Focal SC has emerged as an option for minimizing morbidity. We present our 7-year experience of oncological and functional outcomes of Salvage Focal (SFC) and Salvage Total (STC) Cryoablation (CRYO) for RT-recurrent PCa. Methods: From Dec 2003 to Aug 2010, 50 men underwent SFC (n=25) or STC (n=25) for RT-recurrent PCa. SFC patients had biopsy-proven unilateral PCa and underwent a hemi-CRYO of the prostate. STC patients underwent CRYO of the whole prostate gland. All patients were evaluated to exclude metastases prior to treatment. Two freeze-thaw cycles were used to perform transperineal prostate CRYO under TRUS guidance. Follow up was assessed by PSA, TRUS, biopsy and questionnaires at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 mth. Results: Median (range) age, PSA and Gleason score for the SFC group were 71 y (59-81); 2.8 ng/ml (0-8.2) and 7 (6-8), while those for STC were 73 y (57-83), 3.9 ng/ml (0.1-12) and 7 (6-9), respectively. Oncological outcomes: Within one year after SC, the median percent PSA-decrease was 89% for SFC and 98% for STC. The median (range) follow up was 31 mth (4-90) for SFC and 53 mth (12-92) for STC. No patient died. One patient treated with STC developed bone metastases. Using the Phoenix criteria (PSA nadir + 2 ng/ml), 8 SFC and 3 STC patients had biochemical failure (BF), and the 5-year biochemical free survival (BFS) was 54% and 86% respectively (p=0.05). In those patients with no BF, the median PSA remained stable, ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 ng/ml for SFC and 0.1 to 0.1 ng/ml for STC during the follow up period. Follow up biopsy-proven cancer occurred in 2 patients in the SFC group (both on the untreated side), and in 1 patient in the STC group. Functional outcomes: New onset urinary incontinence occurred in none (0) of the SFC vs 3 (13%) of the STC patients. One (4%) patient in the STC group developed a recto-urethral fistula. Conclusions: Salvage Focal and Total CRYO after RT-failure are feasible and safe. Although STC had a favorable BFS compared with SFC, there was no significant difference in disease specific or overall survival between groups. SFC offered comparable cancer control to STC with lower morbidity.

Isothiocyanate attenuates ischemia‐induced cell death

4,4′‐diisothio‐cyanostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid (DIDS) is a stilbene derivative with pleiotropic biological nature. DIDS not only affects the activity of several ion channels and transporters in mammalian cells, but also mediates cell survival and neurodegeneration. Recently, we and others have observed that DIDS could prevent cell damage in both in vivo and in vitro ischemia models. However, the mechanism underlying DIDS protection is not clear. In this study, we examined the role of the isothiocyanate group (SCN) as the functional moiety in the DIDS molecule and its effect on cell death. Using an in vitro ischemia model (IS) developed in our laboratory that uses organotypic brain slices and propidium iodide fluorescence as an assay for cell death, we compared the protective effect of several stilbene derivatives that have different numbers of SCN groups. Our data show that at 400 µM, DIDS and H2DIDS (both have two SCN groups) blocked IS‐induced cell death by 100%, SITS (with one STC group) blocked by about 50%, and DNDS (with no SCN group) had no effect. These results strongly support the idea that the rescue of cell death by DIDS is dependent on the presence of the STC moiety.

Constructive Remodeling of Biologic Scaffolds is Dependent on Early Exposure to Physiologic Bladder Filling in a Canine Partial Cystectomy Model

Biologic scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) have been used to facilitate the constructive remodeling of several tissue types. Previous studies suggest that the ECM scaffold remodeling process is dependent on microenvironmental factors, including tissue-specific biomechanical loading. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of long-term catheterization (LTC), with its associated inhibition of bladder filling and physiologic biomechanical loading, on ECM scaffold remodeling following partial cystectomy in a canine model. Reconstruction of the partial cystectomy site was performed using ECM scaffolds prepared from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) or porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM). Animals were randomly assigned to either a long-term catheterization (LTC) group (n=5, catheterized 28 d) or a short-term catheterization group (STC, n=5, catheterized 24 h), and scaffold remodeling was assessed by histologic methods at 4 and 12 wk postoperatively. By 4 wk, animals in the STC group showed a well-developed and highly differentiated urothelium, a robust vascularization network, abundant smooth muscle actin (SMA), and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC) expressing spindle-shaped cells, and many neuronal processes associated with newly formed arterioles. In contrast, at 4 wk the scaffolds in LTC animals were not epithelialized, and did not express neuronal markers. The scaffolds in the LTC group developed a dense granulation tissue containing SMA+, smMHC-, spindle-shaped cells that were morphologically and phenotypically consistent with myofibroblasts, but not smooth muscle cells. By 12 wk postoperatively, the ECM scaffolds in the STC animals showed a constructive remodeling response, with a differentiated urothelium and islands of smooth muscle cells within the remodeled scaffold. In contrast, at 12 wk the scaffolds in LTC animals had a remodeling response more consistent with fibrosis even though catheters had been removed 8 wk earlier. These findings show that early exposure of site-appropriate mechanical loading (i.e., bladder filling) mediates a constructive remodeling response after ECM repair in a canine partial cystectomy model.