ERCP and MRCP--when and why

Since the introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the 1970s, gastroenterologists have a wide spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic options in the biliopancreatic ductal system at their disposal. With its arrival in the 1990s, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) developed as a potent diagnostic tool in biliopancreatic pathology. Currently, MRCP is widely replacing diagnostic ERCP and thereby avoiding complications related to endoscopic technique.We summarize evidence-based data and demonstrate indications and differential indications for MRCP and ERCP in pancreatic disease. Complications related to the procedures and possible medical prevention are discussed. The feasibility of interventional endoscopy in pancreatic disease is reported in detail. The role of gastroenterologists in performing MRCP is outlined on the basis of practical examples.     

Convection and permeation and albumin between plasma and interstitium.

Nonequilibrium thermodynamics is combined with compartmental analysis to interpret albumin sieving and tracer experiments in terms of a permeability-surface product PS (permeation) and a solvent drag reflection coefficient σ_f (convection) for various blood-tissue barriers. The human whole-body albumin data of Lassen, Parving, and Rossing (Lassen, Parving, and Rossing, Microvasc. Res.7, i–iv (1974)), modified for nonliver tissues by Johnson and Levitt (Johnson &; Levitt, Microvasc. Res.9, 141 (1975)) lead to P ～ 1.8 × 10^?8 cm sec^?1 (based on a surface area per unit plasma volume of 700 cm^?1) and to σ_f ～ 0.9, which imply, in agreement with Johnson and Levitt, that permeation is the dominant nonliver blood-tissue transport mechanism for albumin in the normal resting human. Similar values are derived from the dog paw muscle data of Garlick and Renkin (Garlick and Renkin, Amer. J. Physiol.219, 1595–1605 (1970)). The Casley-Smith (Casley-Smith, Microvasc. Res.9, 43–48 (1975)) mechanism of uphill albumin transport is verified as possible. It is tentatively inferred that lymph formation in resting tissue does not result from a small difference between a large fluid (volumetric) filtration and an almost equally large fluid reabsorption, either in the same capillary (Starling) or between different capillaries (Zweifach) (Zweifach, Circ. Res.34, 858–866 (1974)). Rather, reabsorption is negligibly small relative to filtration, and lymph flow is comparable to volumetric filtration.     

Micronutrients and infection: interactions and implications with enteric and other infections and future priorities

Symposium presentations have focused on the elegant molecular science and the biologic mechanisms by which micronutrients play critical roles in cellular and humoral immune responses, cellular signaling and function, and even in the evolution of microbial virulence. The concluding session examined the practical issues of how best to evaluate the nutritionally at-risk host, especially in the areas of greatest need-an analytical model of nutrient-immune interactions, implications of nutritional modulation of the immune response for disease, and the implications for international research and child health. This overview illustrated how malnutrition may be a major consequence of early childhood diarrhea and enteric infections, as enteric infections may critically impair intestinal absorptive function with potential long-term consequences for growth and development. The potentially huge, largely undefined DALY (disability-adjusted life years) impact of early childhood diarrheal illnesses demonstrates the importance of quantifying the long-term functional impact of largely preventable nutritional and infectious diseases, especially in children in developing areas.     

Radiation and chemotherapy sensitizers and protectors

Radiosensitizers and radioprotectors are part of the chemical modifier approach to cancer therapy whereby the state of the tumor cells and/or normal tissues are modified such that a therapeutic gain is achieved using conventional radiation or chemotherapy. Radiosensitization can be achieved by the use of oxygen-mimetic compounds, agents that alter DNA sensitivity to irradiation, maneuvers that alter DNA repair processes, and manipulation of tissue oxygenation. Standard chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin can be utilized in a manner that optimizes the radiosensitization properties. Protection and sensitization can occur by altering the thiol status of the cell. The chemical modifiers field is both developing novel approaches to cancer treatment and increasing the understanding of basic cancer biology.     

自身免疫与动脉粥样硬化的发生发展

在动脉粥样硬化的发生发展过程中,自身免疫具有重要作用,本文就近年有关动脉粥样硬化的免疫机制的研究进展作一简要综述.     

Medical and Psychology Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Aging and Sexuality

The current study surveys medical and doctoral psychology students (N = 100) from an urban northeastern university regarding knowledge and attitudes toward elderly sexuality and aging using the Facts on Aging Quiz, the Aging Sexuality Knowledge and Attitudes Scale, and measures of interest in gerontology, academic/clinical exposure to aging and sexuality, and contact with elders. The current study found that psychology students demonstrated greater aging knowledge than medical students; however, both groups showed gaps in knowledge about sexuality. Married students had greater academic/clinical exposure and greater knowledge about aging but less permissive attitudes toward elderly sexuality. Generally, knowledge about aging was the strongest correlate of knowledge about sexuality. Level of knowledge about sexuality was not associated with attitudes. Attitudes toward sexuality and aging may be more strongly tied to demographic variables reflective of religious beliefs or adherence to sociocultural norms.     

Sex and Gender and Allostatic Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Risk and Disease

Cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of mortality and morbidity in adults worldwide. Multiple studies suggest that there are clinically relevant sex differences in cardiovascular disease. Women and men differ substantially in terms of prevalence, presentation, management, and outcomes of cardiovascular disease. To date, however, little is known about why cardiovascular disease affects women and men differently. Because many studies do not differentiate the concept of sex and gender, it is sometimes difficult to discriminate sociocultural vs biological contributors that drive observed clinical differences. Female sex has some biological advantages in relation to cardiovascular disease, but many of these advantages seem to disappear as soon as women develop cardiovascular risk factors (eg, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia). Furthermore, stress and allostatic load could play an important role in the relationship between sex/gender and cardiovascular diseases. In this narrative review, we argue that chronic stress and psychosocial factors might better encompass the patterns of allostatic load increases seen in women, while biological risk factors and unhealthy behaviours might be more important mechanisms that drive increased allostatic load in men. Indeed, men show allostatic load patterns that are more associated with impaired anthropometric, metabolic, and cardiovascular functioning and women have greater dysregulation in neuroendocrine and immune functioning. Thus gender-related factors might contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease especially through stress mechanisms. It is important to continue to study the mechanisms by which gender influences chronic stress, because chronic stress could influence modifiable gendered factors to promote cardiovascular disease prevention.