Direct insertion of an ultra‐slim upper endoscope for cholangioscopy in patients undergoing choledochoduodenostomy

Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope is one modality of POC for intraductal endoscopic evaluation and treatment of the bile duct. Choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) is one modality of biliary bypass surgery that provides a new route to the bile duct. We carried out direct POC using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope without the use of accessories in 10 patients (four sump syndromes, three bile duct strictures and three intrahepatic duct stones) previously undergoing surgical CDS. Direct POC was successful in all patients. The use of an intraductal balloon catheter was required in one patient for advancement of the endoscope into the bile duct. Distal bile ducts with sump syndromes were cleared using baskets and water irrigation under direct POC. Cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed in one patient with hilar bile duct stricture after cholangioscopic evaluation and a targeting forceps biopsy under direct POC. Intrahepatic duct stones were successfully extracted after intraductal fragmentation under direct POC. Oozing bleeding occurred during intraductal lithotripsy but stopped spontaneously. Direct POC using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope without the assistance of accessories can easily be carried out in patients undergoing CDS.     

使用棱镜重新定位双侧中心暗点患者视网膜物像的预试验

目的 本研究使用激光扫描检眼镜(SLO)评价双侧中央暗点患者使用棱镜后的眼球运动反应.方法 本预试验共招募6例有双侧中央暗点的年龄相关性黄斑变性(AMD)患者以及6例正常视力的志愿者.首先用Nidek MP-1微视野仪确认患者的中央暗点和优选视网膜注视点(PRL),然后用Rodenstock SLO,在将视标投射在优选视网膜注视点时拍下实时视网膜像,接着在受检者眼前加入6～8 PD的棱镜,要求受检者保持注视视标,这时通过视网膜标记来测量视网膜像的移位量,以及随后发生的优选视网膜注视点的再次注视.过程中平均移位量和再次注视时间通过图像软件(ImageJ software)来计算.结果 实验组再次注视时的移位量在3个像素点或11.66个弧分之内(x轴:2.90±3.92,y轴:2.53±4.18).对照组再次注视时的移位会准确些(x轴:0.33±1.15,y轴:0.89±2.50),但与实验组差异无统计学意义(tx=1.32,Px＞0.05;ty=0.80,Py＞0.05).对照组再次注视时间(0.98±0.19)s较实验组(2.83±1.63)s要短,差距有统计学意义(t=5.03,P＜0.01).其中有1例实验组受检者没有发生再次注视,其结果被排除并单独分析.结论 研究发现,双眼中央暗点患者对棱镜物像转移后的再注视反应与正常人接近,但实验组再注视明显较对照组慢,并有1例受检者没有发生再注视.该数据说明双侧中央暗点患者无论眼前有没有棱镜,都会利用相同的视网膜位置视物,因此,通过棱镜物像再定位的意义不大.     

Sodium butyrate prevents radiation-induced cognitive impairment by restoring pCREB/BDNF expression

Sodium butyrate is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that affects various types of brain damages. To investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on hippocampal dysfunction that occurs after whole-brain irradiation in animal models and the effect of sodium butyrate on radiation exposure-induced cognitive impairments,adult C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally treated with 0.6 g/kg sodium butyrate before exposure to 10 Gy cranial irradiation. Cognitive impairment in adult C57BL/6 mice was evaluated via an object recognition test 30 days after irradiation. We also detected the expression levels of neurogenic cell markers(doublecortin)and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Radiation-exposed mice had decreased cognitive function and hippocampal doublecortin and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. Sodium butyrate pretreatment reversed these changes. These findings suggest that sodium butyrate can improve radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction through inhibiting the decrease in hippocampal phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression. The study procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Korea Institute of Radiological Medical Sciences(approval No. KIRAMS16-0002) on December 30, 2016.