Barrett’s esophagus: Review of natural history and comparative efficacy of endoscopic and surgical therapies

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Progression to cancer typically occurs in a stepwise fashion through worsening dysplasia and ultimately, invasive neoplasia. Established EAC with deep involvement of the esophageal wall and/or metastatic disease is invariably associated with poor long-term survival rates. This guides the rationale of surveillance of Barrett’s in an attempt to treat lesions at an earlier, and potentially curative stage. The last two decades have seen a paradigm shift in management of Barrett’s with rapid expansion in the role of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for management of dysplastic and early neoplastic BE, and there have been substantial changes to international consensus guidelines for management of early BE based on evolving evidence. This review aims to assist the physician in the therapeutic decision-making process with patients by comprehensive review and summary of literature surrounding natural history of Barrett’s by histological stage, and the effectiveness of interventions in attenuating the risk posed by its natural history. Key findings were as follows. Non-dysplastic Barrett’s is associated with extremely low risk of progression, and interventions cannot be justified. The annual risk of cancer progression in low grade dysplasia is between 1%-3%; EET can be offered though evidence for its benefit remains confined to highly select settings. High-grade dysplasia progresses to cancer in 5%-10% per year; EET is similarly effective to and less morbid than surgery and should be routinely performed for this indication. Risk of nodal metastases in intramucosal cancer is 2%-4%, which is comparable to operative mortality rate, so EET is usually preferred. Submucosal cancer is associated with nodal metastases in 14%-41% hence surgery remains standard of care, except for select situations.     

Hirschsprung-associated inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter study from the APSA Hirschsprung disease interest group

Background/PurposeA small number of Hirschsprung disease (HD) patients develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like symptoms after pullthrough surgery. The etiology and pathophysiology of Hirschsprung-associated IBD (HD-IBD) remains unknown. This study aims to further characterize HD-IBD, to identify potential risk factors and to evaluate response to treatment in a large group of patients.MethodsRetrospective study of patients diagnosed with IBD after pullthrough surgery between 2000 and 2021 at 17 institutions. Data regarding clinical presentation and course of HD and IBD were reviewed. Effectiveness of medical therapy for IBD was recorded using a Likert scale.ResultsThere were 55 patients (78% male). 50% (n = 28) had long segment disease. Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) was reported in 68% (n = 36). Ten patients (18%) had Trisomy 21. IBD was diagnosed after age 5 in 63% (n = 34). IBD presentation consisted of colonic or small bowel inflammation resembling IBD in 69% (n = 38), unexplained or persistent fistula in 18% (n = 10) and unexplained HAEC >5 years old or unresponsive to standard treatment in 13% (n = 7). Biological agents were the most effective (80%) medications. A third of patients required a surgical procedure for IBD.ConclusionMore than half of the patients were diagnosed with HD-IBD after 5 years old. Long segment disease, HAEC after pull through operation and trisomy 21 may represent risk factors for this condition. Investigation for possible IBD should be considered in children with unexplained fistulae, HAEC beyond the age of 5 or unresponsive to standard therapy, and symptoms suggestive of IBD. Biological agents were the most effective medical treatment.Level of EvidenceLevel 4     

MSCT在对比剂外渗的急性腹部创伤性动脉损伤诊断中的应用价值

目的探讨MSCT在对比剂外渗的急性腹部创伤性动脉损伤诊断中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析本院2016年1月～2018年12月收治的44例急性创伤性腹部动脉损伤患者及58例腹部非创伤性动脉病变患者影像资料,分析急性腹部创伤性和非创伤性动脉病变所致对比剂外渗的相关性。结果 44例创伤性腹部损伤患者通过MSCT及图像后处理技术共检出59支动脉损伤,其中对比剂外渗34支、非对比剂外渗共25支;58例急性腹部非创伤组共检出58支动脉病变,其中8支存在对比剂外渗。对比剂外渗征象创伤组出现率明显高于非创伤性组(χ~2=24.42,P0.05)。结论与非创伤组相比,急性腹部创伤性动脉损伤对比剂外渗征象较为常见,MSCT可以较好地显示创伤性对比剂外渗的直接及间接征象。     

Noise characterization of “effective quiet” areas on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize noise levels in spaces designated as “effective quiet” areas on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Noise dosimetry samples were collected in 15 designated spaces, representing 15 noise measurements, while at-sea during airwing carrier qualifications. Equivalent sound level (L_eq) measurements were collected during flight operations (L_{eq (flt ops)}), non-flight operations (L_{eq (non-flt ops)}), and over 24-hr periods (L_{eq (24-hr)}). These data were compared to the 70 dBA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH^®) Threshold Limit Value (TLV^®) for “effective quiet” areas intended for temporary threshold shift recovery when personnel live and work in a potentially noise hazardous environment for periods greater than 24?hr. The monitored areas were selected based on personnel occupancy/use during off-duty time periods. Areas were classified by either (1) leisure areas that included mess (eating areas), gyms, lounges, an internet cafe, and the fantail social area or (2) berthing (sleeping) areas. The L_eq measurements in decibels “A” weighted (dBA) were compared to determine significant differences between L_{eq (flt ops)}, L_{eq (non-flt ops)}, and L_{eq (24-hr)} and were compared between leisure area and berthing area. Measured noise levels according to time period ranged as follows: (1) L_{eq (24-hr)}: 70.8–105.4 dBA; (2) L_{eq (flt ops)}: 70–101.2 dBA; and (3) L_{eq (non-flt ops)}: 39.4–104.6 dBA. All area measurements over the 24-hr period and during flight operations and 46.7% of the areas during the non-flight operation time period exceeded the “effective quiet” 70 dBA ACGIH TLV. Mean L_eqs were 15 dBA higher during flight operations compared to non-flight operations in “effective quiet” areas (p?=?0.001). The L_eqs in leisure areas were significantly higher than berthing areas by approximately 21 dBA during non-flight operation periods (p?=?0.001). Results suggest noise levels in “effective quiet” areas frequented by aircraft carrier personnel during off-duty hours when at-sea may inhibit auditory recovery from occupational noise exposures that occur on-duty.     

Rethinking Ethical Categories in the Age of Technology

Over time, ethical judgments evolve, but so do the phenomena they are applied to. For example, plagiarism is a modern concept. Before the early eighteenth century, works did not generally have references or acknowledgments, and ideas were freely exchanged. As writing became an occupation, copying others' words became “unethical.” As cut and paste, music mash-up, and other technological forms of exchange make copying the works of others simple, the idea of plagiarism is eroding, and perhaps will eventually even be discarded. The same may be true with privacy. As with plagiarism, it was not really until the eighteenth century that our modern idea of privacy was established. To younger generations, raised on social media, online life is predicated on trading personal information for access. The undermining of former standards of privacy may suggest that privacy may also eventually become an outmoded concept.     

原发性骶尾部脊索瘤的CT分型及征象

目的对治疗前原发性骶尾部脊索瘤(PSC)CT图像分型,并分析其CT征象,为诊断和个性化治疗提供依据。方法回顾性分析101例PSC患者治疗前的CT图像,包括肿瘤的部位、范围、大小、密度、肿瘤与邻近结构的关系。按照肿瘤的部位由上及下分为Ⅰ~Ⅳ型,并根据肿瘤侵犯的范围从小到大分为a^d亚型。采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验比较PSC各亚型的占比,并对各亚型之间进行两两比较。采用R×C列联表精确概率检验比较分型和亚型肿瘤钙化的发生率。采用单因素方差分析及LSD-t检验对各分型和亚型肿瘤的大小和密度进行分析、比较。结果101例PSC中,Ⅰ~Ⅳ型的发生率分别为17.8%、30.7%、36.6%、14.9%,a^d亚型的占比分别为9.9%、25.7%、58.4%、5.9%。各亚型的占比差异具有统计学意义(P=0.012)。c亚型明显高于a亚型(P=0.039),d亚型明显低于a亚型(P=0.036),其余各型之间无明显差异。各分型肿瘤内钙化的差异无统计学意义(P=0.233);各亚型肿瘤内钙化的差异有统计学意义(P=0.003),a^d亚型肿瘤钙化的比率逐渐增加。Ⅰ型肿瘤的左右径及上下径明显大于Ⅱ~Ⅳ型(P<0.05)。a亚型与b亚型肿瘤之间前后径的差异无统计学意义(P=0.102),b^d亚型之间前后径的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);不同亚型肿瘤之间的左右径、上下径之间的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),a亚型径线最小,d亚型径线最大。结论101例PSC中,Ⅱ、Ⅲ型最多见,肿瘤较少累及第一骶骨;各亚型中,a型较少见,c亚型最多见,d亚型最少见。肿瘤的密度与分型无关,肿瘤内钙化与亚型有关。Ⅰ型肿瘤侵犯的范围较Ⅱ~Ⅳ型广泛,a^d亚型肿瘤的径线逐渐增大,CT分型有利于判断肿瘤的范围。PSC诊断延迟现象比较明显,但很少发生远处侵犯和转移。CT图像可对治疗前PSC分型,为诊断和个性化治疗提供依据。