MyMedR

Over-expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 predicts poor survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Sim CC, Sim EU

J Laryngol Otol, 2020 Apr;134(4):338-343.

PMID: 32172705 DOI: 10.1017/S0022215120000614

OBJECTIVES: The conclusive prognostic significance of cyclo-oxygenase-2 has been determined in various cancers but not in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship of cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression with the survival outcome and treatment response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients via a systematic meta-analysis approach.

METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses ('PRISMA') checklist. The primary clinical characteristics of patients, and hazard ratios with 95 per cent confidence intervals of overall survival data, were tabulated from eligible studies. The relationship of cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression with survival outcome (expressed as hazard ratio) and treatment response (expressed as odds ratio) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients was analysed, and explained with the aid of forest plot charts.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The pooled hazard ratio for overall survival was 2.02 (95 per cent confidence interval = 1.65-2.47). This indicates that the over-expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 is significantly associated with the poor survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. The pooled odds ratio of 0.98 (95 per cent confidence interval = 0.27-3.49) reveals that over-expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 was not significantly related to the treatment outcome.

Fulltext Changing patterns in the treatment of early breast cancer: a historical perspective and a review of changing local trends

Sim E, Lim TC, Tan WT, Rauff A

Med J Malaysia, 1993 Jun;48(2):211-6.

PMID: 8350798

Over the past 50 years, a variety of surgical procedures have been advocated for the treatment of operable breast cancer, ranging from local excision to supraradical mastectomy. Today, the surgical treatment of breast cancer remains highly contentious. We review the historical development of breast cancer surgery and analyse the available evidence supporting conservative procedures. We also express our opinions on the treatment of early breast cancer and illustrate the changing patterns of surgery with our experience at National University Hospital.

Fulltext Total occlusion of left main coronary artery in a patient with chronic, stable angina

Soo CS, Choo M, Sim E, Ling LH, Tan K, Lee CN

Med J Malaysia, 1992 Mar;47(1):74-6.

PMID: 1387455

We report a case of total occlusion of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) in a patient with chronic, stable angina. Total occlusion of the LMCA is rare and survival depends on the existence of collateral circulation. In LMCA disease, there is usually also disease in other parts of the coronary arterial tree.

Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of Carbomedics prosthetic values in the mitral position

Soo CS, Ca M, Tay M, Yeoh JK, Sim E, Choo M

J Am Soc Echocardiogr, 1994 3 1;7(2):159-64.

PMID: 8185960

We prospectively studied 37 consecutive patients implanted with the Carbomedics prosthetic heart value in the mitral position (without clinical evidence of prosthetic valve dysfunction) with two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. The peak mitral prosthetic gradient ranged from 4.60 to 14.63 (mean 8.97 +/- 2.29) mm Hg; mean mitral prosthetic gradient ranged from 1.67 to 6.18 (mean 3.24 +/- 0.95) mm Hg; pressure half-time derived mitral valve area ranged from 1.67 to 5.30 (mean 2.70 +/- 0.80) cm2. These values compare favorably with that of another bileaflet valve (i.e., the St. Jude Medical valve). There was a wide overlap in peak and mean transmitral gradients, even with the valves of the same size, with a significant but weak inverse relationship between peak mitral gradients and valve size (p = 0.03, r = -0.36). The performance index showed a smaller range of values, again with a significant but weak inverse relationship with valve size (p = 0.001, r = -0.54). The inverse relationship between valve size and peak mitral gradient and performance index should be borne in mind when analyzing Doppler hemodynamic data.

Fulltext The surgical treatment of multiple small bowel strictures in Crohn's disease by combined resection and stricturoplasty

Kum CK, Sim EK, Ngoi SS, Goh P, Sinniah R

Med J Malaysia, 1992 Dec;47(4):323-7.

PMID: 1303488

Crohn's disease is extremely rare among Asians. Resection of strictures causing obstruction has traditionally been the accepted choice in surgical therapy. This may lead to problems such as iatrogenic short bowel syndrome and its sequelae. Stricturoplasty is an acceptable and safe alternative. We report a case where combined stricturoplasty and resection was performed safely and advocate its use.

Fulltext Early experiences of intra-operative trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in mitral valve repair

Sim EK, Mestres CA, Lim MC, Adebo OA, Lee CN

Med J Malaysia, 1992 Mar;47(1):77-80.

PMID: 1387456

Whenever possible Mitral valve repair should be performed instead of Mitral valve replacement. It is important to assess the adequacy of the repair during the operation so that any corrective steps may be taken immediately. We present three cases of Mitral valve repair in which the intraoperative TEE was used to assess the adequacy of the repair. There was good correlation of the immediate post bypass TEE findings and early post operative transthoracic echocardiographic findings. Intraoperative TEE is a useful tool in the early assessment of Mitral Valve Repair.

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