Conserving resources in the diagnosis of intraoral fibroepithelial polyps

Fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) are common, benign intraoral lesions that tend to develop slowly at predictable sites, often in response to local irritation or trauma. Historical precedent often results in referral to oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) departments for biopsy, often irrespective of symptoms, and histological assessment. OMFS and pathology services are struggling to cope with an increasing workload that will potentially lead to widespread delays to diagnosis and treatment. Over the past 20 years, clinical pathways and guidance have been developed to ensure that healthcare interventions, such as the removal of third molars, tonsils, skin tags, and benign moles, are evidence-based, have a net patient benefit, and ensure the best use of finite NHS resources. However, no such guidance exists for intraoral lesions and we regard this as an oversight. We analysed the removal of 682 FEPs over a seven-year period and report sensitivities of 92.4% for a “confirmed clinical suspicion of an FEP” and 99.7% for a “confirmed clinical suspicion of a benign diagnosis”. The incidence of non-benign disease was 0.3%. Primary care dentists should be able to diagnose and monitor FEPs and refer only if symptoms are serious or in high-risk patients or sites. Adopting this practice across the UK could free up to 1825 four-hour OMFS clinics, 405 hours of consultant histopathologists’ time, and recurring savings to the NHS estimated to be in the region of £620 000/annum. We believe that the removal of FEPs should be reclassified as an “intervention not normally funded”, and the time and resources put to better use treating patients with lesions of questionable pathology.     

Contribution to the rheological testing of pharmaceutical semisolids

Rheological behaviour of pharmaceutical semisolid preparations significantly affects manufacturing process, administration, stability, homogeneity of incorporated drug, accuracy of dosing, adhesion in the place of application, drug release, and resulting therapeutic effect of the product. We performed test of consistency by penetrometry, rotational, oscillation and creep tests, and squeeze and tack tests of model samples to introduce methods suitable for characterization and comparison of semisolids in practice. Penetrometry is a simple method allowing sorting the semisolids to low and high stress-resistant materials but deficient for rheological characterization of semisolids. Value of yield stress, generally considered to be appropriate feature of semisolids, is significantly influenced by the method of testing and the way of evaluation. The hysteresis loops of model semisolids revealed incomplete thixotropy, therefore, three-step thixotropy test was employed. Semisolids showed nonlinear response in the creep phase of tests and partial recovery of structure by storing energy in the recovery phase. Squeeze and tack tests seem to be convenient ways for comparison of semisolids. Our study can contribute to a better understanding of different flow behaviour of semisolids given by different physicochemical properties of excipients and can bring useful approaches to evaluation and comparison of semisolids in practice.     

糖尿病肛瘘lncRNA芯片分析及CNC图搭建＊

目的 研究糖尿病肛瘘创面特异表达LncRNA与mRNA基因功能之间调控网络。方法 用基因芯片技术对糖尿病肛瘘创面和普通肛瘘创面组织中差异性表达的LncRNA及mRNA进行基因表达谱检测，筛选的标准为2倍差异及P < 0.05,再进行差异表达分析，然后对差异表达的mRNAs进行KEGG通路分析及Pathway Map展示，挑选出显著mRNA指标，将这些显著mRNA指标进行q-PCR验证，得到有意义的阳性指标，再将阳性指标与差异LncRNA交集得出LncRNA-mRNA共表达网络，并基于LncRNA-mRNA共表达网络挑选出不同LncRNA进行功能验证。结果 将芯片标准化后分析差异表达的长链非编码RNA和mRNA，发现上调差异有502个，下调差异有1204个；mRNA分析发现上调差异621个，下调差异505个，KEGG通路分析发现上调和下调的通路均有10条；通过分别对上调、下调最明显的通路进行Pathway Map展示，挑选出显著mRNA指标8个：BMP2、IFNB1、IL6、IL18、PIK3CB、SMAD7、SMAD9、β-actin，分别将其进行q-PCR验证，得到有意义的阳性指标个5个：BMP2、IL6、IL18、PIK3CB、SMAD7，将5个阳性指标和差异LncRNA交集得出LncRNA-mRNA共表达网络，并基于LncRNA-mRNA共表达网络挑选出不同LncRNA进行功能验证。结论 挑选出的20个LncRNA（NR_125383、T323486、ENST00000582334、TCONS_00018312、ENST00000418393、TCONS_00017190、TCONS_00019532、ENST00000601559、ENST00000566575、NR_109882、NR_026913、T301537、NR_109774、ENST00000415536、ENST00000610000、ENST00000412485、ENST00000573220、T175957、ENST00000580756、TCONS_00014747）所调控的mRNA居于LncRNA-mRNA共表达网络，其在各个领域当中均有不同程度的报道，为后续的功能和机制研究提供了方向和重点，为加速慢性难愈合和创面愈合的研究提供了新的思路，为开发促愈药物提供基础研究借鉴。     

不同氮素形态和浓度水平对浙贝母产量和品质的影响

目的:研究不同氮素形态配施对浙贝母产量和品质的影响,为浙贝母氮肥的科学施用及重庆地区的迁地引种提供依据。方法:采用盆栽试验法,研究了2种氮素形态的5种浓度水平即硝态氮(NO_3~--N)-铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)为15∶0(N1),12∶3(N2),7. 5∶7. 5(N3),3∶12(N4),0∶15(N5)处理下,引种栽培的浙贝母生长及生理生化、土壤因子、生物碱含量及产量的变化。结果:与不施氮(CK)处理组相比,不同氮素营养配施对浙贝母生长和品质均有显著提高,相互间存在差异。其中,随着铵态氮浓度的增加:①在硝态氮-铵态氮比为3∶12时,株高、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性达到最大,较CK组分别增加了9. 27%,206. 62%;②在硝态氮-铵态氮比为0∶15时,叶长,叶宽,茎粗,叶绿素a,叶绿素b,叶绿素总量,速效磷含量,有机质含量、总生物碱含量/产量达到最大,分别高于CK处理组14. 02%,16. 44%,13. 68%,40. 75%,45. 31%,41. 72%,77. 70%,14. 70%,24. 61%/47. 39%;随着硝态氮浓度的增加;③在硝态氮-铵态氮比为7. 5∶7. 5时,叶形指数、可溶性蛋白含量、贝母辛含量/产量、贝母素乙产量、鳞茎干重均达到最大,分别高于CK处理组2. 54%,5. 92%,21. 76%/54. 55%,60. 61%,26. 93%;④在硝态氮-铵态氮比为12∶3时,类胡萝卜素含量、色素含量、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、贝母素甲含量/产量、贝母素乙含量、贝母素(甲+乙)含量/产量、贝母素(甲+乙)+贝母辛含量/产量、鳞茎湿重均达到最大,分别高于CK处理组45. 39%,45. 31%,271. 38%,67. 45%,39. 82%/64. 87%,36. 01%,38. 90%/63. 80%,37. 03%/61. 57%,20. 29%。结论:较高比例的铵态氮利于浙贝母的生长;而较高比例的硝态氮利于浙贝母鳞茎的生长以及代谢产物生物碱的积累。氮素配比施用(硝态氮-铵态氮比为12:3)较单一形态氮素更有利于提高浙贝母的产量和品质。     

正交试验优选猫爪草纳米乳喷雾剂的提取工艺

目的:正交试验优选猫爪草纳米乳喷雾剂的最佳提取工艺。方法:以总黄酮提取量和浸膏得率的综合评分为评价指标,在单因素试验基础上,采用L9(34)正交试验考察猫爪草醇提工艺的溶剂体积、乙醇浓度、提取时间及提取温度对提取工艺的影响。结果:最佳提取工艺为以75%乙醇为提取溶剂,提取温度60℃,第1次8倍量1.5 h,第2次7倍量1 h,共提取2次。结论:在单因素试验基础上,通过正交试验优选的提取工艺经验证稳定、简便易行、预测性好,为猫爪草纳米乳喷雾剂的进一步研发奠定了基础。     

Diagnostic yield of high-density versus low-density EEG: The effect of spatial sampling,timing and duration of recording

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of spatial sampling and of recording duration on the diagnostic yield of EEG for identification of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). Previous studies demonstrated that high-density (HD) recordings increased accuracy of localization compared to low-density (LD) recordings.MethodsWe have prospectively evaluated the effect of spatial sampling and of recording duration in patients who had short-term (ST) recordings with a HD array of 256 electrodes following long-term (LT) recordings with a LD array consisting of the standard IFCN array of 25 electrodes. IED clusters were identified in four datasets: LT-LD, ST-LD (spatially down-sampled to the standard IFCN array), ST-HD and a shortened (90 minutes) epoch of LT-LD.ResultsSixty consecutive patients were recruited. We identified 89 IED clusters totally. Two clusters were found by increasing spatial sampling from 25 to 256 electrodes. This modest increase was not statistically significant. Eight clusters were missed by reducing the recording duration to 90 minutes, as compared with the LT recordings (p = 0.003).ConclusionsRecording duration is more important for the diagnostic yield of EEGs than increasing spatial sampling beyond the standard IFCN electrode array.SignificanceThe standard IFCN electrode array provides sufficient spatial sampling for identification of the IEDs.     

Follow-up on: optimizing lesion detection in small bowel capsule endoscopy and beyond: from present problems to future solutions

Introduction: This review presents noteworthy advances in clinical and experimental Capsule Endoscopy (CE), focusing on the progress that has been reported over the last 5 years since our previous review on the subject.

Areas covered: This study presents the commercially available CE platforms, as well as the advances made in optimizing the diagnostic capabilities of CE. The latter includes recent concept and prototype capsule endoscopes, medical approaches to improve diagnostic yield, and progress in software for enhancing visualization, abnormality detection, and lesion localization.

Expert commentary: Currently, moving through the second decade of CE evolution, there are still several open issues and remarkable challenges to overcome.     

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging improves the nodal yield in neck dissection in oral cavity cancer – A randomized study

IntroductionLymph node yield (LNY) in neck dissection has been identified as a prognostic factor in oral cavity cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of additional use of optical imaging on LNY in therapeutic ND in oral cancer.MethodsConsecutive patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma with clinical neck metastasis planned for primary tumor resection were randomized to conventional neck dissection or near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)-guided neck dissection, respectively. In the intervention group, patients were injected with ICG-Nanocoll prior to surgery. Intraoperatively, an optical hand-held camera system was used for lymph node identification. Also, NIRF imaging of the neck specimen was performed, and optical signals were pinned with needle markings to guide the pathological examination. The endpoint of the study was LNY per neck side in levels Ib-III.Results31 patients were included with 18 neck sides in the control group and 18 neck sides in the intervention group for evaluation. During NIRF-guided ND, individual lymph nodes could be identified by a bright fluorescent signal and individual tumor-related drainage patterns could be observed in the neck. The LNY in the intervention group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p = 0.032) with a mean of 24 LN (range: 12–33 LN in levels Ib-III compared to 18 LN (range: 10–36 LN) in the control group, respectively.ConclusionsNIRF-guided ND significantly improved the nodal yield compared to the control group. Intraoperative real-time optical imaging enabled direct visualization of tumor-related drainage patterns within the neck lymphatics.     

Detection of circulating tumor cells with a novel microfluidic system in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Detection of rare tumor cells circulating in the blood (CTCs) presents technical challenges. CellSearch, the only approved system for clinical use, fails to capture epithelial cell adhesion molecule‐negative CTCs such as malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We have developed a novel microfluidic device (CTC‐chip) in which any Ab to capture CTCs is conjugated. The CTC‐chip was coated with an Ab against podoplanin that is abundantly expressed on MPM. Circulating tumor cell‐detection performance was evaluated in experimental models in which MPM cells were spiked in blood sampled from a healthy volunteer and in clinical samples drawn from MPM patients. The CTC‐chip showed superior CTC‐detection performance over CellSearch in experimental models (sensitivity, 63.3%‐64.5% vs 0%‐1.1%; P < .001) and in clinical samples (CTC‐positivity, 68.8% vs 6.3%; P < .001). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the CTC test provided a significant diagnostic performance in discrimination of unresectable disease from resectable disease (area under the ROC curve, 0.851; P = .003). The higher CTC count (≥2 cells/mL) was significantly associated with a poor prognosis (P = .030). The novel CTC‐chip enabled sensitive detection of CTCs, which provided significant diagnostic and prognostic information in MPM.