Postsurgical wound progression monitored by temporal changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9

It is important to monitor the early stages of postoperative wound repair in order to identify those problems associated with impaired healing. Many of the crucial cellular responses of early wound healing, such as inflammatory infiltration, angiogenesis and re-epithelialization, are made possible through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is elevated in acute wounds, and still greater levels are found in chronic wounds, indicating that uncontrolled proteolysis is a characteristic of retarded healing. Therefore, comparative measurements of MMPs may be used to monitor the progression of early wound healing. To investigate this, wound fluids and sera were collected from mastectomy and colectomy patients throughout early stages of repair, and the temporal expression profile established. Wounds which were healing were expressed maximal levels of MMP-9 at 24 h, followed by a significant decline by 48 h. Persistent elevation of MMP-9 expression was associated with infected and chronic wounds, and was identified in postoperative wounds by the absence of the significant decline between 24 and 48 h. Measurement of MMP-9 in postoperative wound fluids, therefore, provides an early indicator of impaired healing, which may be evaluated non-invasively within 48 h of closure.     

Randomized trial of breast self-examination in Shanghai: methodology and preliminary results

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of breast self-examination in helping to reduce mortality from breast cancer has not been rigorously demonstrated. PURPOSE: To assess efficacy, a large, randomized trial was initiated in Shanghai, China. METHODS: From October 1989 to October 1991, 267040 current and retired female employees associated with 520 factories in the Shanghai Textile Industry Bureau were randomly assigned on the basis of factory to either a self-examination instruction group (133375 women) or a control group (133665 women). The women were born within the period from 1925 through 1958. Women in the instruction group were given intensive training in breast self-examination, including the use of silicone breast models and personalized instruction, plus two subsequent reinforcement sessions and multiple reminders to practice the technique. Women in the control group were asked to attend training sessions on the prevention of low back pain. All women have been followed for the development of breast diseases and for death from breast cancer. RESULTS: A high level of participation during the first 4-5 years of the trial was documented among women in the instruction group. Randomly sampled women in this group demonstrated greater proficiency in detecting lumps in breast models than did randomly sampled women in the control group. Approximately equal numbers of breast cancers were detected in the two groups (331 in the instruction group and 322 in the control group) through 1994, which is the last year for which case-finding efforts have been completed. The breast cancers detected in the instruction group were not diagnosed at an appreciably earlier stage or smaller size than those in the control group. More benign breast lesions were detected in the instruction group than in the control group (1457 versus 623, respectively), suggesting a higher index of suspicion for women who received training. Cumulative breast cancer mortality rates through 5 years from entry into the study were nearly equivalent for the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Breast self-examination has not led to a reduction in mortality from breast cancer in this study cohort in the first several years since the trial began. A shift toward the diagnosis of disease at a less advanced stage in women given instruction has also not been demonstrated. Longer follow-up of participants in this trial is required before final assessment can be made of the efficacy of breast self-examination. IMPLICATIONS: At this time, there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the teaching of breast self-examination.     

Effects of substrate temperature and texturing on the magnetic properties and crystallographic structures of CoCrTa/Cr thin film

Bi-layer CoCrTa/Cr films were deposited on textured aluminium or textured NiP-plated aluminium substrate by d.c. magnetron sputtering. The crystal anisotropy and thereby magnetic properties depending on substrate material, substrate temperature and texturing, were investigated. The magnetic crystal anisotropy induced by the mechanical texture on aluminium or NiP/Al substrates along the texture lines for the film deposited at high temperature, were clearly observed, while the film deposited at low temperature shows less prominent anisotropic behaviour. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates a change in the preferred orientation of the chromium and CoCrTa films sputtered on different substrates at different temperatures. It was found that a high substrate temperature was beneficial to the formation of Cr(002) and therefore epitaxial growth of Co(11¯20) on Cr(002) for either aluminium or NiP/Al substrates.     

Orbital pseudotumor: case report and overview

BACKGROUND: The most common cause of a sudden onset of painful proptosis with diplopia in an otherwise healthy adult is orbital pseudotumor. However, there are other conditions that mimic this presentation and must be ruled out with laboratory testing and imaging studies. CASE REPORT: A 41-year-old Hawaiian man sought treatment for an acute, progressive, painful, left ophthalmoplegia without exophthalmos. During the next week, a loss of accommodation and associated pupillary reaction, decreased visual acuity, color vision deficits, and a paracentral scotoma developed. CT and MRI revealed a mass in the orbital apex. All systemic findings were negative, and high-dose systemic steroid therapy was initiated. Symptoms resolved within hours of the first dose, and signs were completely absent 1 month later. Follow-up MRI revealed complete absence of the previously noted mass. CONCLUSION: This is an atypical case of orbital pseudotumor, since there was no exophthalmos. It was diagnosed by clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging studies, and response to therapy.     

Consumption of foods and micronutrients and the risk of cancer of the biliary tract

BACKGROUND: Gallstones and obesity have been suggested as risk factors for cancer of the biliary tract. Since both factors are related to diet, we studied the relationship between dietary intake and the cancer of interest in a population-based case-control study. METHODS: The study population comprised 111 patients and 480 controls. Food intake was assessed by means of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Estimates of the intake of foods and micronutrients were obtained from cases and controls themselves (direct respondents) or from relatives (indirect respondents). Participants were categorized into tertiles of intake. Risk ratios were estimated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The major findings are a monotonic decrease in risk associated with the consumption of vegetables (ORs 1.0, 0.7, 0.4, P value trend < 0.01) and a monotonic increase in risk associated with sugar added to drinks and desserts (ORs 1.0, 1.3, 2.5; P value trend < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The finding on added sugar corresponds to our earlier report that the group monosaccharides and disaccharides is a potential risk factor for this cancer. Sugar may influence bile composition through lipoprotein metabolism. The protective effect of vegetables is in accordance with the reported inverse relationship between vegetables and many epithelial cancers of the alimentary tract.