大范围食管早期癌及癌前病变内镜黏膜下剥离术后发生顽固性狭窄的危险因素分析

目的 探讨大范围早期食管癌及其癌前病变内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD）术后发生食管顽固性狭窄的危险因素。方法 2013年7月—2017年12月,在中国医学科学院肿瘤医院内镜科行内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗,病变范围≥3/4食管环周的186例患者（共212处食管早期癌或癌前病变）纳入回顾性分析,根据术后内镜下食管球囊扩张次数分为顽固性狭窄组（69例,扩张≥6次）和非顽固性狭窄组（117例,扩张0～5次）。单因素分析使用t检验或Mann-Whitney U检验、χ2检验或Fisher精确概率法,多因素分析使用Logistic回归。结果 与非顽固性狭窄组比较,顽固性狭窄组在病变纵径、人工溃疡（ESD术后创面）纵径以及病变位置、病变环周范围和固有肌层损伤构成方面差异均有统计学意义（P均＜0.05）。剔除人工溃疡纵径这一因素后（因人工溃疡纵径与病变纵径在临床上存在明显相关性）,多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,病变纵径＞5 cm（P=0.003,OR=3.531,95%CI：1.547～8.060）、病变位于胸上段（与胸下段比较：P=0.001,OR=36.720,95%CI：4.233～318.551）、颈段（与胸下段比较：P=0.003,OR=24.959,95%CI：2.927～212.795）、全周病变（P＜0.001,OR=10.082,95%CI：4.196～24.226）和存在术中固有肌层损伤（P＜0.001,OR=7.128,95%CI：2.748～18.486）的早期食管癌及其癌前病变行ESD术后易发生食管顽固性狭窄。结论 对于大范围（病变范围≥3/4食管环周）早期食管癌及其癌前病变,病变纵径＞5 cm,病变位于胸上段、颈段,全周病变,以及存在术中固有肌层损伤均是ESD术后发生食管顽固性狭窄的独立危险因素。     

大面积食管早期癌内镜下切除术后食管狭窄的影响因素分析

目的 探讨大面积食管早期癌（创面环周黏膜缺损程度≥3/4周）内镜下切除术（endoscopic resection,ER）术后发生食管狭窄的影响因素。方法 2009年5月—2016年4月,63例在解放军总医院第一医学中心消化内镜中心行ER治疗的大面积食管早期癌病例纳入回顾性分析,按术后是否发生食管狭窄分为狭窄组（32例）和无狭窄组（31例）,2组间比较行t检验或卡方检验,P＜0.05的指标以及结合临床专业知识认为可能有意义的指标,一同纳入多因素Logistic回归分析。结果 单因素分析发现,病变长度、创面环周黏膜缺损程度、固有肌层损伤与ER术后发生食管狭窄有关（P＜0.05）。以上3个指标,连同是否采取狭窄预防措施、病理类型、是否整块切除共计6个指标一同纳入多因素Logistic回归分析,结果显示,创面环周黏膜缺损程度≥7/8周（与3/4～＜7/8周者比较：P=0.028,OR=0.317,95%CI：0.114～0.884）和未采取狭窄预防措施（P=0.002,OR=0.153,95%CI：0.046～0.512）是大面积食管早期癌ER术后发生食管狭窄的独立危险因素。结论 创面环周黏膜缺损程度≥7/8周是导致大面积食管早期癌ER术后发生食管狭窄的主要因素。对于大面积食管早期癌患者来说,采取适当的狭窄预防措施能有效减少ER术后食管狭窄发生。     

早期食管癌及癌前病变内镜黏膜下剥离术后食管狭窄预测模型的构建及测试

目的 探讨早期食管癌及癌前病变行内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD）后发生食管狭窄的高危险因素,尝试以此构建预测模型并加以验证。方法 2015年1月—2020年4月在郑州大学第一附属医院消化内科行ESD治疗,经病理确诊的421例早期食管癌及癌前病变病例纳入回顾性分析,其中发生术后狭窄者89例（狭窄组）、未发生术后狭窄者332例（非狭窄组）。通过单因素联合多因素Logistic回归分析探寻发生术后食管狭窄的危险因素。通过Lasso算法将独立危险因素作为预测因子构建Nomogram模型图,采用一致性指数（C-index）和校准曲线评估模型的准确性,应用Bootstrap完成内部验证以避免模型过拟合。结果 单因素分析发现,术后病理、浸润深度、标本中位长径、标本中位短径、黏膜环周缺损范围、固有肌层损伤与发生术后食管狭窄有关（P＜0.05）。进一步多因素Logistic回归分析发现,黏膜环周缺损范围≥1/2环周（与＜1/2环周比较：P＜0.01,OR=48.453,95%CI：11.288～207.983）、固有肌层损伤（P＜0.01,OR=4.671,95%CI：2.283～9.557）和纵向长径≥50 mm（与＜50 mm比较：P=0.008,OR=2.741,95%CI：1.299～5.785）是ESD术后发生食管狭窄的独立危险因素。通过Lasso算法将以上因素作为预测因子构建Nomogram模型,原始模型的C-index为0.934（95%CI：0.909～0.959）,经过100次Bootstrap内部抽样验证后C-index为0.931,该模型预测概率和实际观察概率吻合度较好。结论 黏膜环周缺损范围≥1/2环周、发生固有肌层损伤和病灶纵向长径≥50 mm是ESD术后发生食管狭窄的高危险因素,以上3个指标作为预测因子构建的Nomogram模型对早期食管癌及癌前病变ESD术后是否发生食管狭窄的预测效果较好,有助于对术后食管狭窄高风险患者建立提前干预的标准方案。     

早期食管癌内镜黏膜下剥离术后食管狭窄的特征及影响因素探讨

目的 探讨早期食管癌内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD）后发生食管狭窄的特征及可能的影响因素。方法 以2011年1月—2018年12月在陆军军医大学第二附属医院消化内镜中心接受ESD治疗的患者为研究对象,通过病历、随访获取患者的病例资料,采用单因素分析和Cox回归分析发生食管狭窄的相关因素。结果 接受ESD治疗的654例患者中79例（12.1%）出现术后食管狭窄,从接受ESD到发生狭窄的中位时间为27（17,43）d。病变形态和病变环周比例是狭窄发生的独立相关因素,其中Ⅱa型病变狭窄发生率是Ⅱc型病变的6.601倍（95%CI：1.518~28.709,P=0.012）,环周比例75%~<100%和100%者狭窄发生率分别是环周比例<75%者的17.408倍（95%CI：8.009~37.839,P＜0.001）和52.439倍（95%CI：23.905~115.029,P＜0.001）。79例狭窄患者中27例为严重狭窄,病变环周比例是严重狭窄发生的独立相关因素,环周比例75%~<100%和100%者严重狭窄发生率分别是环周比例<75%者的7.775倍（95%CI：1.977~30.577,P=0.003）和70.062倍（95%CI：19.879~246.926,P＜0.001）。结论 早期食管癌病变形态和病变环周比例是ESD术后狭窄发生的独立相关因素,病变环周比例是严重狭窄发生的独立相关因素。     

心内直视术中同期射频消融治疗心房纤颤疗效的危险因素分析

目的 总结心内直视术中同期行射频消融（radiofrequencyablation,RFA）治疗心房纤颤（atrialfibrillation,AF）的临床疗效．分析可能影响转复率的危险因素。方法将2009年1月至2011年1月广东省人民医院收治的483例心内直视术同期行RFA的患者全部纳入研究,以术后3个月内是否为持续性AF进行分组比较,对术前、术中、术后可能影响RFA转复效果的相关因素进行单因素和多因素分析。结果左心房内径≥55mm（OR=8．925,95％CI：5．045．15．790,P〈0．0001）,年龄≥60岁的患者RFA转复率明显降低（DR=2．940,95％CI：1．731～4．992．P〈O．0001）;接受双心房消融的患者相对于单纯接受左心房消融的患者转复成功率高（OR=0．590,95％CI：0．276～0．961,P=0．0321）。结论左心房≥55mm、年龄≥60岁是影响RFA手术效果的独立危险因素;双心房消融相对于左心房消融治疗效果更好。     

结直肠侧向发育型肿瘤内镜黏膜下剥离术手术时长的影响因素

目的探讨内镜黏膜下剥离术（endoscopic submucosal dissection,ESD）治疗结直肠侧向发育型肿瘤（laterally spreading tumor,LST）手术时长的影响因素。方法回顾性纳入于2013年6月—2019年3月在北京市消化疾病中心行ESD治疗的结直肠LST患者。对ESD手术时间延长（≥60 min）的影响因素先进行单因素分析,对于其中有统计学差异的因素再纳入多因素Logistic回归分析独立危险因素。结果纳入了201位患者,年龄(65.05±10.44)岁,其中男性占53.73%。患者有病变213处,病变长径(2.52±1.67)cm。病变整块切除率、完整切除率和治愈性切除率分别为93.90%、84.04%和79.81%。术中穿孔率、迟发穿孔率和迟发出血率分别为1.88%、0.94%和1.41%。单因素分析显示,病变直径≥3 cm（OR=13.48,P<0.001）、结节混合型（OR=25.28,P=0.002）、颗粒均一型（OR=9.00,P=0.045）、位于直乙部位（OR=3.08,P=0.002）以及抬举征阴性（OR=3.40,P=0.012）与ESD手术时间延长相关。多因素Logistic回归分析表明,直径≥3 cm（OR=9.29,P<0.001）、结节混合型（OR=8.80,P=0.043）和抬举征阴性（OR=3.43,P=0.043）是手术时间延长的独立危险因素。ESD手术时间延长,病变的完整切除率（69.56%比88.55%,P=0.003）和治愈性切除率（63.64%比85.50%,P=0.002）显著降低,发生癌变的风险显著升高（86.96%比51.91%,P<0.001）。结论当LST直径≥3 cm、结节混合型或抬举征阴性时,ESD的手术时间延长。手术时间越长,ESD的切除效率越低,病变发生癌变的风险越高。     

心房颤动射频消融术后复发的相关危险因素研究

目的 分析心房颤动（房颤）导管射频消融术后复发患者的临床特点,探讨影响房颤患者术后复发的危险因素.方法 回顾性分析2008年2月至2012年2月在南方医科大学南方医院进行射频消融治疗的房颤复发患者124例的临床病历资料,将上述信息作为房颤患者术后复发的预测因素.采用x2检验和t检验进行单因素分析,在此基础上进一步采用多因素Logistic回归分析筛选影响房颤患者射频消融术后复发的独立危险因素.结果 本研究共纳入113例患者,射频消融术后随访时间（15.37＆#177;6.21）个月.33例（29.20％）患者出现早期复发,37例（32.74％）患者出现晚期复发.多因素Logistic回归分析显示,左心房直径变大（OR=1.190,95％CI：1.028～1.378,P=0.020）、体质量指数越大（OR=1.109,95％CI：1.001～1.212,P=O.009）、伴发睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（OR=1.239,95％CI：1.079～1.423,P=0.002）是房颤患者消融术后早期复发的危险因素;消融术中采用电复律（OR=1.937,95％CI：1.314～2.856,P=0.001）是晚期复发的危险因素.结论 房颤消融术后复发率较高,左心房内径、体质量指数、睡眠呼吸暂停综合征、术中电复律是患者术后复发的独立危险因素,加强术后患者的定期随访具有重要的临床价值.     

表浅食管鳞癌黏膜下深部浸润发生淋巴结转移的危险因素分析及风险分层

目的 探索表浅食管鳞癌黏膜下深部浸润淋巴结转移的危险因素,在此基础上构建预测淋巴结转移风险的评分系统,并初步评价评分系统的临床应用价值。 方法 2005—2017年南京大学附属鼓楼医院267例外科术后病理证实为黏膜下深部浸润（距黏膜肌层≥200 μm）的表浅食管鳞癌病例纳入回顾性分析,采用多元Logistic回归分析探索淋巴结转移的独立危险因素,选取P＜0.1的自变量建立危险因素评分系统并对自变量赋分,根据受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析的临界值对267例病例进行风险分组,淋巴结转移率行多组间对比分析。 结果 267例表浅食管鳞癌黏膜下深部浸润者中,71例（26.59%）术后病理证实存在淋巴结转移。多元Logistic回归分析显示：分化程度为中度或低度（P=0.015,OR=2.802,95%CI：1.225～6.409）、血管侵犯（P=0.043,OR=3.450,95%CI：1.040～11.445）、淋巴管侵犯（P＜0.001,OR=36.985,95%CI：13.699～99.856）为淋巴结转移的独立危险因素,黏膜肌层增生异常不是淋巴结转移的独立危险因素（P=0.081,OR=2.005,95%CI：0.918～4.380）,但P＜0.1。根据上述4个因素建立评分系统,黏膜肌层增生异常赋1分、分化程度为中度或低度赋1分、血管侵犯赋2分、淋巴管侵犯赋5分,ROC曲线分析显示淋巴结转移的最佳诊断界点为评分＞2分,将267例病例分为低危组（评分0～1分,n=143）、中危组（评分2～5分,n=79）和高危组（评分6～9分,n=45）,3组间淋巴结转移率比较差异有统计学意义（χ2=119.712,P＜0.001）,且趋势卡方检验结果显示3组淋巴结转移率具有线性上升趋势（χ2=109.298,P＜0.001）。 结论 中度和低度分化、血管侵犯、淋巴管侵犯为表浅食管鳞癌黏膜下深部浸润发生淋巴结转移的独立危险因素,上述3个因素结合黏膜肌层增生异常构建的淋巴结转移风险评估系统具有较好的临床应用价值,有助于个体化指导临床决策,对术后管理具有重要意义。     

内镜粘膜下剥离术治疗胃浅表病变手术时长的影响因素分析

目的 探讨造成胃浅表病变内镜黏膜下剥离术（ESD）手术时间较长（大于120 min）的独立危险因素。 方法 从北京友谊医院内镜中心病历库中,收集2015年1月至2017年12月因术前诊断早期胃癌而行ESD治疗的病例资料,包括患者基本信息（年龄、性别、体重指数、合并症等）、病灶特征（大小、部位、形态等）、操作者经验、手术时间及术后病理等信息,最终纳入193例（195处病灶）。对收集到的资料先行单因素分析以寻找ESD手术时间的影响因素,对于其中有统计学差异的因素再纳入Logistic回归分析以寻找ESD手术时间大于120 min的独立危险因素。 结果 193例患者平均年龄为63.34±9.11岁,手术时间为120.00（95.00,165.00）min,病灶长轴为1.50（1.00,2.38）cm,术后病理诊断早期胃癌164例（84.10%）,其中162例（98.78%）达到整块切除,148例（90.24%）达到治愈性切除。单因素分析中,患者性别（P=0.018）、病灶部位（P＜0.001）及病灶长轴大小（r=0.209,P=0.007）与手术时间相关,而年龄、体重指数、美国麻醉医师协会分级（ASA分级）、病灶表面是否粗糙、有无白苔、有无溃疡、病变浸润深度、手术时期、病灶大体形状、分化程度及操作者年资均不是手术时间的影响因素（P＞0.05）。患者性别、病灶部位、病灶长轴纳入多因素Logistic回归分析发现,病灶位于贲门/胃底（OR=5.656,95%CI：2.291～13.964,P＜0.001）、胃体（OR=2.667,95%CI：1.048～6.785,P=0.040）及病灶长轴＞2 cm（OR=2.761,95%CI：1.229～6.205,P=0.014）是手术时间超过120 min的独立危险因素。 结论 胃浅表病变行ESD治疗时,病灶位于贲门/胃底、胃体及病灶长轴＞2 cm者易发生手术时间较长（大于120 min）的情况。     

内镜下乳头球囊扩张术治疗胆总管结石并发 十二指肠乳头出血的危险因素分析（含视频）

目的探讨内镜下乳头球囊扩张术（endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation,EPBD）治疗胆总管结石并发十二指肠乳头出血的危险因素。方法回顾性分析杭州市第一人民医院2016年1月—2019年12月收治的411例因胆总管结石行EPBD的患者临床资料,按球囊扩张后是否出现十二指肠乳头出血分为出血组和非出血组,采用单因素及Logistic回归分析筛选十二指肠乳头出血的危险因素。结果411例行EPBD治疗的患者中,29例（7.1%）发生十二指肠乳头出血。单因素分析显示出血组和非出血组患者在球囊扩张直径≥1.2 cm占比（P=0.001）、乳头括约肌切开占比（P=0.002）及切开长度(P＜0.001)方面差异有统计学意义。多因素Logistic回归分析显示切开长度（OR=69.771, 95%CI: 7.544~645.296,P＜0.001）是EPBD并发十二指肠乳头出血的独立危险因素,球囊扩张直径≥1.2 cm（OR=0.192,95%CI：0.071~0.524,P=0.001）是EPBD并发十二指肠乳头出血的保护因素。结论乳头括约肌切开长度是EPBD并发十二指肠乳头出血的独立危险因素。大球囊扩张治疗胆总管结石安全,可减少十二指肠乳头出血发生率。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

MUTATION FREQUENCY IN NURSES AND PHARMACISTS WORKING WITH CYTOTOXIC DRUGS

Individuals occupationally exposed to cytotoxic drugs may be at risk owing to the effects of these agents on DNA. As an index of DNA damage, in vivo mutations were measured in lymphocytes from 24 oncology nurses or pharmacists and 24 matched controls. Mutation frequency was significantly increased in exposed individuals and appeared to be related to duration of exposure. However, the overall magnitude of the increase was small and its biological significance remains to be determined.     

A single injection of adrenergic agonists enhances pineal melatonin production in Turkish hamsters

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pineal gland of Turkish hamsters (Mesocricetus brandti) responds to adrenergic agonists with an increase in melatonin production, and, if it does, whether the sensitivity of the pineal gland to agonists would differ throughout the dark phase. Adult Turkish hamsters weighing 110–210 g received a subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (ISO, 1 mg/kg B.W.) or norepinephrine (NE, 1 mg/kg B.W.) at different times of night. Animals exposed to LD 16:8 responded to ISO or NE with increased pineal melatonin content only when injected at dawn, when endogenous melatonin is at basal or near-basal levels. When the 8 hr scotophase was entirely replaced with light, the responsiveness to ISO injections at dawn disappeared. In animals exposed to light from 30 min prior to injection to the time of sacrifice, ISO injections increased pineal melatonin content (P < 0.005, three-way ANOVA), which varied, depending on the specific time of injection (effect of time of night, P < 0.05, three-way ANOVA). These results demonstrate that (1) adrenergic agonists enhance the production of pineal melatonin in Turkish hamsters, (2) this stimulatory effect takes place late, but not early in the 8 hr scotophase, and (3) the adrenergic induction of pineal melatonin production in Turkish hamsters requires priming by darkness during the appropriate circadian phase.     

Immune effector mechanisms in malaria: An update focusing on human immunity

The past decade has witnessed dramatic decreases in malaria‐associated mortality and morbidity around the world. This progress has largely been due to intensified malaria control measures, implementation of rapid diagnostics and establishing a network to anticipate and mitigate antimalarial drug resistance. However, the ultimate tool for malaria prevention is the development and implementation of an effective vaccine. To date, malaria vaccine efforts have focused on determining which of the thousands of antigens expressed by Plasmodium falciparum are instrumental targets of protective immunity. The antigenic variation and antigenic polymorphisms arising in parasite genes under immune selection present a daunting challenge for target antigen selection and prioritization, and is a given caveat when interpreting immune recall responses or results from monovalent vaccine trials. Other immune evasion strategies executed by the parasite highlight the myriad of ways in which it can become a recurrent infection. This review provides an update on immune effector mechanisms in malaria and focuses on our improved ability to interrogate the complexity of human immune system, accelerated by recent methodological advances. Appreciating how the human immune landscape influences the effectiveness and longevity of antimalarial immunity will help explain which conditions are necessary for immune effector mechanisms to prevail.     

Secondary aortoduodenal fistula

Aorto-duodenal fistulae （ADF） are the most frequent aorto-enteric fistulae （80%）, presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We report the first case of a man with a secondary aorto-duodenal fistula presenting with a history of persistent occlusive syndrome. A 59-year old man who underwent an aortic-bi-femoral bypass 5 years ago, presented with dyspepsia and biliary vomiting. Computed tomography scan showed in the third duodenal segment the presence of inflammatory tissue with air bubbles between the duodenum and prosthesis, adherent to the duodenum. The patient was submitted to surgery, during which the prosthesis was detached from the duodenum, the intestine failed to close and a gastro-jejunal anastomosis was performed. The post-operative course was simple, secondary ADF was a complication （0.3%-2%） of aortic surgery. Mechanical erosion of the prosthetic material into the bowel was due to the lack of interposed retroperitoneal tissue or the excessive pulsation of redundantly placed grafts or septic procedures. The third or fourth duodenal segment was most frequently involved. Diagnosis of ADF was difficult. Surgical treatment is always recommended by explorative laparotomy. ADF must be suspected whenever a patient with aortic prosthesis has digestive bleeding or unexplained obstructive syndrome. Rarely the clinical picture of ADF is subtle presenting as an obstructive syndrome and in these cases the principal goal is to effectively relieve the mechanical bowel obstruction.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Married to M. tuberculosis: risk of infection and disease in spouses of smear-positive tuberculosis patients

Objectives To quantify the risk of infection and disease in spouses of tuberculosis patients and the extent to which intervention could reduce the risk in this highly exposed group. Methods We compared HIV prevalence, TB prevalence and incidence and tuberculin skin test (TST) results in spouses of TB patients and community controls. HIV‐positive spouses were offered isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), and TST was repeated at 6, 12 and 24 months. Results We recruited 148 spouses of smear‐positive patients ascertained prospectively and 3% had active TB. We identified 203 spouses of previously diagnosed smear‐positive patients, 11 had already had TB, and the rate of TB was 2.4 per 100 person years(py) over 2 years (95% CI 1.15–5.09). 116 were found alive and recruited. HIV prevalence was 37% and 39% in the prospective and retrospective spouse groups and 17% in controls. TST was ≥10 mm in 80% of HIV negative and in 57% of HIV‐positive spouses ascertained retrospectively; 74% HIV negative and 62% HIV‐positive spouses ascertained prospectively, and 48% HIV negative and 26% HIV‐positive community controls. Of 54 HIV‐positive spouses, 18 completed 6‐month IPT. At 2 year follow‐up, 87% of surviving spouses had TST ≥10 mm and the rate of TB was 1.1 per 100 py (95% CI 0.34–3.29). Conclusions Spouses are a high‐risk group who should be screened for HIV and active TB. TST prevalence was already high by the time the spouses were approached but further infections were seen to occur. Uptake and adherence to IPT was disappointing, lessening the impact of short‐duration therapy.