Ultrasonographic Characteristics of the Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Cancer According to the Tumor Size

Follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer (FVPTC) is the second most common subtype after conventional PTC. We compared ultrasonographic (US) features of FVPTC to those of conventional PTC according to tumor size. We reviewed US findings, pathologic reports, and medical charts of 249 PTC patients with surgically proven disease (83 FVPTCs, 166 conventional PTCs) at our institution from January 2007 to December 2012. FVPTCs were divided into PTC-like and follicular neoplasm (FN)-like based on sonographic characteristics. PTC-like features were defined as having at least one malignant feature (taller-than-wide shape, infiltrative margin, marked hypoechogenicity, and micro-calcifications), whereas FN-like cancers showed oval solid features without malignant features. FVPTCs showed a higher rate of FN-like features than conventional PTCs. Of 166 conventional PTCs, 13 (7.8%) had FN-like features and 153 (92.2%) had PTC-like features, whereas of the 83 FVPTCs, 31 (37.3%) had FN-like features and 52 (62.7%) had PTC-like features. Macro-FVPTCs showed a higher rate of FN-like features than micro-FVPTCs (P < 0.001). Of 21 macro-FVPTCs, 18 (85.7%) had FN-like features and 3 (14.3%) had PTC-like features, whereas of the 62 micro-FVPTCs, 13 (21%) had FN-like features and 49 (79%) had PTC-like features. There were no differences in multifocality, extrathyroidal invasion, and lymph node metastasis between PTC-like FVPTCs and FN-like FVPTCs. FVPTCs showed fewer sonographic malignant features than conventional PTCs. In particular, FVPTCs larger than 1 cm had a more frequent benign sonographic appearance. Therefore, if fine-needle aspiration result is suspicious for PTC in a nodule larger than 1 cm with no suspicious US features, the possibility of FVPTC might be considered.     

From phenotyping to genotyping - bioinformatics for the busy clinician

Bioinformatics is a new scientific field. It applies computational and analysis tools to the capture, analyze and interpret large quantities of biological data. To understand genomic information, comparative analysis of data obtained is crucial. Primary physicians are dauntingly being implored to evaluate patients genetically, and analyze the results received.We depict online tools available for defining the clinical characteristics of a patient (phenotype), assisting in compiling them into a tentative genetic clinical diagnosis. The subsequent step is to then learn the patient's genotype and how to curate a specific genetic copy number or sequence variant. The online resources available to assist in this arduous process are described.     

HLA antigens in patients with variant angina in Japan

There have been few reports on examining the susceptibility of variant angina. Accordingly, the major histocompatibility complexes (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR) of unrelated Japanese patients with variant angina were examined. There were no significant differences in the frequency of HLA-A,-B, -C, and -DR antigens between patients and controls (n = 100). Although endothelial dysfunction with pathological abnormalities is suggested to be one of the etiological factors in vasospasm, immunogenetic abnormalities linked to HLA system might not play a role in the pathogenesis of variant angina.     

放射事故受照者血型糖蛋白A突变分析

目的研究血型糖蛋白Ａ（ＧＰＡ,ｇｌｙｃｏｐｈｏｒｉｎＡｌｏｃｕｓ）突变分析用作新的辐射生物剂量计。方法结合流式细胞分析和单克隆抗体标记技术,检测红细胞糖蛋白的变异。结果随访全国１０例放射源事故受照者,４人为ＭＮ杂合体,生物剂量在１４６～２９Ｇｙ,１人ＭＮ弱阳性。ＧＰＡＮＯ变异率与剂量线性回归曲线有显著意义,曲线斜率４１５３×１０－６／Ｇｙ,而ＮＮ没有显著意义。结论ＧＰＡ变异率剂量效应曲线二次线性拟合比一次线性好。二次线性重建远期辐射剂量高于一次模型,用原爆、切尔诺贝利、戈亚尼亚事故参数回顾剂量多偏高。     

Coronary spasm: It’s common,but it’s still unsolved

Coronary spasm is caused by a transient coronary narrowing due to the constriction of epicardial coronary artery, which leads to myocardial ischemia. More than 50 years have passed since the first recognition of coronary spasm, and many findings on coronary spasm have been reported. Coronary spasm has been considered as having pivotal roles in the cause of not only rest angina but also exertional angina, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure. In addition, several new findings of the mechanism of coronary spasm have emerged recently. The diagnosis based mainly on coronary angiography and spasm provocation test and the mainstream treatment with a focus on a calcium-channel blocker have been established. At a glance, coronary spasm or vasospastic angina (VSA) has become a common disease. On the contrary, there are several uncertain or unsolved problems regarding coronary spasm, including the presence of medically refractory coronary spasm (intractable VSA), or an appropriate use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator in patients with cardiac arrest who have been confirmed as having coronary spasm. This editorial focused on coronary spasm, including recent topics and unsolved problems.     

Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis develops independently of NOD2 variants

Backgroud/Purpose

Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) represents a cause for significant pre- and postoperative morbidity and mortality in Hirschsprung disease (HD). Although multiple studies on HAEC have been performed and several mechanisms have been presumed, the pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear. As changes in colonic mucosal defense are key factors suggested in both Crohn's disease (CD) and HAEC pathogenesis, the aim of the current study was to investigate genetic alterations in the most important susceptibility gene for Crohn's enterocolitis (NOD2) to see whether carriers of polymorphisms within the NOD2 gene are predisposed to the development of HAEC.

Methods

Genotyping for the NOD2 variants in exon 4 (p.Arg702Trp [rs2066844]), exon 8 (p.Gly908Arg [rs2066845]), and exon 11 (p.1007fs [rs2066847]) was performed in 52 white children with HD (41 boys, 11 girls), 152 healthy controls, and 152 children with CD (onset of disease <17 years; mean, 11.8 years). Seventeen patients with HD (32.7%) were carriers of a RET germline mutation, 35 children (67.3%) had short segment disease, and 17 (32.7%) had long segment disease.

Results

Ten children (19.2%) with HD were heterozygous carriers of at least one NOD2 variant vs 17 (11.2%) in the healthy control group and 69 (45.4%) in the CD cohort. Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis was observed in 7 children (13.5%), with 4 having short segment HD and 3 with long segment HD; but none of them were carriers of NOD2 variants.

Conclusion

Our study shows that NOD2 variants described to be causatively associated with CD do not predispose to the development of HAEC. As data on the molecular basis of HAEC are limited, the distinct mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this complication remain unclear.     

Variant angina pectoris associated with FOLFOX4 therapy

The patient was a 71-year-old man who underwent a right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer(pT3,pN1,pM0) and who opted not to receive adjuvant chemotherapy.Eight months later,multiple liver metastases occurred.He therefore received FOLFOX4(5-fluorouracil/leucovorin and 85 mg/m 2 oxaliplatin) therapy,up to a total of 5 courses,and showed a partial response.While receiving the sixth course of FOLFOX4,he complained of chest pain and systemic itching approximately 15 min after the start of chemo-therapy.An electrocardiogram revealed typical signs of ischemia.Coronary arteriography showed that the coronary arteries were intact.Believing the chest pain to be merely coincidental,we continued with the same therapy.However,he again developed the same chest pain during the seventh cycle of FOLFOX4 and treatment was stopped.We concluded that the patient’s symptoms were due to acute coronary syndrome(ACS) associated with the FOLFOX4 regimen.Variant angina as a type of ACS is a rare adverse effect of FOLFOX4. Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse effect when monitoring patients receiving FOLFOX4.     

咳嗽变异性哮喘的临床分析

目的观察临床治疗咳嗽变异性哮喘（cough variant asthma,CAV）的疗效,减少误诊误治。方法选取2001年2月至2003年6月门诊及住院共78例病人,分析78例确诊为咳嗽变异性哮喘患者的临床特点及治疗方法。结果 78例中治愈56例,显效14例,8例发展成慢性支气管哮喘。结论咳嗽变异性哮喘又名过敏性咳嗽,是哮喘的一种变异形式,被确诊为咳嗽变异性哮喘的患者不用过分担心,只要在医生的指导下进行适当的抗炎解痉治疗,一般都能有效地缓解咳嗽症状,避免发展为典型哮喘。