内镜介入治疗食管狭窄

目的 探讨内镜介入治疗食管贲门狭窄的方法、疗效及不良反应，寻求较为合理的治疗组合。方法 223例癌性狭窄病人，随机分为内镜下注射化疗药物、微波凝固、注射加微波加温、食管内支架治疗，35例放、化疗为对照组。118例良性狭窄，分别用高频电切、微波凝固、支架治疗。观察梗阻缓解情况、平均生存期、转移灶情况、并发症及不良反应。结果 梗阻缓解情况，恶性狭窄组总有效率为91．03％，单纯化疗组为55％，单纯放疗组为87％。良性狭窄组分别为77．4％、98．8％和100％。平均生存期，恶性组为11．75个月，对照组分别为8．3、13．8个月。良性组分别为39、42、44个月。结论 内镜介入治疗食管贲门癌性狭窄缓解梗阻优于放疗和化疗。病人生存期长于化疗，而与放疗接近，各治疗方法中以支架加化疗最佳。良性狭窄以消融扩张为首选，对反复狭窄再考虑用内支架。     

胸腔镜在食管良性疾病中的应用

本组应用电视胸腔镜(Videothoracoscopy,VATS)为12例食管良性疾病(食管平滑肌瘤、食管憩室、贯门失弛缓症)患施行了手术治疗。吞咽困难和胸骨后疼痛是三种疾病的主要症状。而疼痛并不是疾病本身造成,是由于返流性食管疾病及食管运动紊乱所致。对于某些症状较轻的病人,采用开胸手术的方法,其手术本身会给病人造成更大的伤害。胸腔镜不但可以避免开胸创伤的损害,而且可以获得良好的手术效果。本组无手术死亡及并发症。     

Development of a Swine Benign Biliary Stricture Model Using Endoscopic Biliary Radiofrequency Ablation

The large animal model with benign biliary stricture (BBS) is essential to undergo experiment on developing new devices and endoscopic treatment. This study conducted to establish a clinically relevant porcine BBS model by means of endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) was performed on 12 swine. The animals were allocated to three groups (60, 80, and 100 W) according to the electrical power level of RFA electrode. Endobiliary RFA was applied to the common bile duct for 60 seconds using an RFA catheter that was endoscopically inserted. ERC was repeated two and four weeks, respectively, after the RFA to identify BBS. After the strictures were identified, histologic evaluations were performed. On the follow-up ERC two weeks after the procedure, a segmental bile duct stricture was observed in all animals. On microscopic examination, severe periductal fibrosis and luminal obliteration with transmural inflammation were demonstrated. Bile duct perforations occurred in two pigs (100 W, n = 1; 80 W, n = 1) but there were no major complications in the 60 W group. The application of endobiliary RFA with 60 W electrical power resulted in a safe and reproducible swine model of BBS.     

MRCP与ERCP鉴别肝外胆管良恶性狭窄的对比研究

目的：探讨肝外胆管良、恶性狭窄患者的磁共振胰胆管成像（magnetic resonance cholangiopan-creatography，MRCP）与内镜逆行胆胰管造戥术（endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography，ERCP）的征象，并比较两种检查方法诊断的准确性。方法：对46例经手术或病理检查明确病因的肝外胆管狭窄患者的术前MRCP和ERCP资料进行回顾性分析，根据图像肝外胆管狭窄的形态描述为边缘不规则或平滑、狭窄不对称或对称、狭窄中断或呈鼠尾状及双管征等，计算MRCP与ERCP诊断的灵敏度、特异度及准确性，用标尺准确测量肝外胆管狭窄的长度，并用t检验来比较。结果：肝外胆管癌表现为不规则边缘和不对称狭窄（92％）较良性狭窄（分别为22％，35％）普遍。MRCP诊断肝外胆管癌与良性狭窄的灵敏度、特异度及准确性分别是84％、71％及78％，ERCP分别是72％、71％及72％。肝外胆管癌引起狭窄长度平均是（30．0±8．5）mm，良性狭窄平均长度是（13．6±9.1）mm（P〈0.001）。结论：MRCP在鉴别诊断肝外胆管良恶性的病变引起胆管狭窄与ERCP相比是较准确的。     

A Single Center Experience of Self-Bougienage on Stricture Recurrence after Surgery for Corrosive Esophageal Strictures in Children

Purpose

This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term treatment of esophageal strictures in children with corrosive esophagitis and to determine the effect of self-bougienage on recurrent strictures.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the medical records of nine children that were treated for corrosive esophageal strictures from May 2000 to May 2008. Six males and three females were included and their average age was 30 months. Six patients had ingested acids, two patents had ingested alkali, and one ingested an unknown agent.

Results

The interval between caustic ingestion and esophageal stricture ranged from one to eight weeks. The average length of the esophageal strictures was 3.8 cm (range, 1 to 9.2 cm). Four patients had a long segment stricture (longer than 5 cm) and one patient had multiple strictures. The most common site of involvement was the upper third followed by the mid third of the esophagus. Eight patients received repeated dilatation using a balloon catheter or bougie dilator. Among the eight patients, two patients had complete resolution of symptoms and six patients required surgery. Among five patients that developed restenosis of the esophageal anastomosis site, three patients had improved symptoms after self-bougienage and two patients had improved symptoms with repeated balloon dilatation or endoscopic bougienage. There were no complications in these patients.

Conclusion

Although a small number of patients were studied, self-bougienage was safe, less invasive, and effective for the management of esophageal restenosis in patients who required frequent dilation after surgery.     

Admixture and Population Stratification in African Caribbean Populations

Throughout biomedical research, there is growing interest in the use of ancestry informative markers (AIMs) to deconstruct racial categories into useful variables. Studies on recently admixed populations have shown significant population substructure due to differences in individual ancestry; however, few studies have examined Caribbean populations. Here we used a panel of 28 AIMs to examine the genetic ancestry of 298 individuals of African descent from the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, St. Thomas and Barbados. Differences in global admixture were observed, with Barbados having the highest level of West African ancestry (89.6%± 2.0) and the lowest levels of European (10.2%± 2.2) and Native American ancestry (0.2%± 2.0), while Jamaica possessed the highest levels of European (12.4%± 3.5) and Native American ancestry (3.2%± 3.1). St. Thomas, USVI had ancestry levels quite similar to African Americans in continental U.S. (86.8%± 2.2 West African, 10.6%± 2.3 European, and 2.6%± 2.1 Native American). Significant substructure was observed in the islands of Jamaica and St. Thomas but not Barbados (K=1), indicating that differences in population substructure exist across these three Caribbean islands. These differences likely stem from diverse colonial and historical experiences, and subsequent evolutionary processes. Most importantly, these differences may have significant ramifications for case-control studies of complex disease in Caribbean populations.     

HLA-Antigen Frequencies in Patients with a Plummer-Vinson Stricture

Factors of individual susceptibility seem to be involved in the occurrence of Plummer-Vinson stricture, which is a permanent stricture of the cervical esophagus associated with long continued iron deficiency. Fifty female patients with Plummer-Vinson stricture were HLA typed and the antigen frequencies were compared with those of 75 female blood donors from the same geographic area and of the same race. A comparison was also made with the HLA antigen frequencies of a group of 200 blood donors (75 female and 125 male). There were no statistically significant differences in the HLA antigen distributions of the three groups.     

Application of an African Ancestry Index as a Genomic Control Approach in a Brazilian Population

Ten ancestry informative markers were investigated in 101 coronary artery disease patients and 102 healthy controls from a Southern Brazilian population, in order to determine if stratification occurs in this population. The degree of African admixture detected in this population was estimated to be as high as 6%, but no differences between cases and controls were observed. Using an African Ancestry Index (AAI) that estimates admixture at the individual level it was possible to remove from the samples those individuals with evidence of African admixture. Therefore we have shown that it is possible to control for population stratification by choosing individuals, without the loss of statistical power that occurs with the use of other methods of genomic control.     

Determination of a Viral Load Threshold To Distinguish Symptomatic versus Asymptomatic Rotavirus Infection in a High-Disease-Burden African Population

We evaluated quantitative real-time PCR to establish the diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis in a high-disease-burden population in Malawi using enzyme immunoassay as the gold standard diagnostic test. In 146 children with acute gastroenteritis and 65 asymptomatic children, we defined a cutoff point in the threshold cycle value (26.7) that predicts rotavirus-attributable gastroenteritis in this population. These data will inform the evaluation of direct and indirect rotavirus vaccine effects in Africa.     

The Impact of ACE Genotype on Serum ACE Activity in a Black South African Male Population

The strong association between the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene I/D polymorphism with serum ACE activity appears lacking in Nigerians and Kenyans, but has not previously been well assessed in others of African origin. This study addressed this issue in an ethnically well defined black South African population. A putative association for the A22982G ACE gene variant, a QTL likely to impact on serum ACE activity, was also sought.
Subjects were 200 healthy male black South African volunteers from the Xhosa ethnic group. Venous blood was obtained from all subjects for DNA extraction. ACE I/D and A22982G genotypes were determined and serum ACE activity measured. Age and blood pressure were recorded. For the group as a whole (mean ± SD age 38.5 ± 9.8 years, SBP 119.6 ± 14.1 mmHg, DBP 78.2 ± 10.1 mmHg) serum ACE activity was 38.2 ± 11.2 nmol ml⁻¹min⁻¹. ACE I/D genotype was not significantly associated with serum ACE activity. In contrast, the A22982G variant was significantly associated with serum ACE activity, being 35.9 ± 9.6, 38.1 ± 10.6 and 42.4 ± 15.3 nmol ml⁻¹min⁻¹ for AA, AG and GG genotypes respectively; p = 0.03 by ANOVA and p = 0.01 by linear trend.
In keeping with the findings in some other African populations, the ACE I/D polymorphism is not strongly associated with serum ACE activity in Xhosa South Africans. As such, it cannot be used as a marker of ACE activity in these subjects. In this regard the use of the A22982G gene variant may be more appropriate.     

Elucidation of CYP2D6 Genetic Diversity in a Unique African Population: Implications for the Future Application of Pharmacogenetics in the Xhosa Population

Genetic variation of the CYP2D6 gene has been associated with altered drug metabolism; however, limited studies have investigated CYP2D6 sequence diversity in African populations. We devised a CYP2D6 genotyping strategy to analyse the South African Xhosa population and genotype a Xhosa schizophrenia cohort, as CYP2D6 metabolises many antipsychotics and antidepressants. The entire CYP2D6 gene locus was sequenced in 15 Xhosa control individuals and the data generated were used to design a comprehensive genotyping strategy. Over 25 CYP2D6 alleles were genotyped in Xhosa controls and Xhosa schizophrenia patients using long‐range PCR, DNA sequencing and single nucleotide primer extension analysis. Bioinformatic algorithms were used to predict the functional consequences of relevant mutations and samples were assigned CYP2D6 activity scores. A unique allele distribution was revealed and two rare novel alleles, CYP2D6*73 and CYP2D6*74, were identified. No significant differences in allele frequencies were detected between Xhosa controls and schizophrenia patients. This study provides i) comprehensive data on a poorly characterised population, ii) a valuable CYP2D6 genotyping strategy and iii) due to their unique genetic profile, provides the basis for pharmacogenetic intervention for Xhosa individuals.     

Splenic Abscess in a Tropical Zone

Abscess of the spleen is uncommon. The reported incidence varies widely and early observations of an association with tropical fevers are no longer evident. The pathogenesis is ill-understood and diagnosis is difficult and usually late. A careful clinical examination combined with the recent utilization of ⁹⁹Technitium scanning and splenic arteriography now permit early diagnosis. Splenectomy is the treatment of choice.     

Internet and Mobile Technology Use Among Urban African American Parents: Survey Study of a Clinical Population

Background

There is considerable potential for mobile technologies to empower pediatric patients and families by improving their communication with health professionals. National surveys suggest minority parents frequently communicate via mobile technology, but it is uncertain how amenable they are to receiving health care information in this format. Although the low cost and far reach characteristics of mobile health (mHealth) technology makes it advantageous for communication with minority parents, data on acceptance are needed.

Objective

The objective of the study was to determine utilization of mobile and Internet technology by African American parents in an urban, underserved population, and to assess their interest in receiving health information via text messaging or other technologies (eg, social media and the Internet).

Methods

A survey was administered to parents of children aged 1-12 years covered by public insurance receiving care at 3 pediatric primary care centers in Washington, DC.

Results

The African American sample (N=302) was composed of primarily single (75.8%, 229/302) mothers. Almost half had more than a high school education (47.7%, 144/302) and incomes above US $25,000 per year (43.0%, 130/302). Most (97.0%, 293/302) reported owning a cell phone, of which 91.1% (275/302) used it to text and 78.5% (237/302) used it to access the Internet. Most had service plans with unlimited text and data, but 26.5% (80/302) experienced service interruptions in the previous year. Home Internet access was more prevalent among those with higher income (86.2%, 112/130), but it was still relatively pervasive among lower income families (66.9%, 83/124). In adjusted logistic regression models, African American mothers with income greater than US $25,000 annually were 4 times as likely to own a tablet computer than their lower income counterparts. Of the participants, 80.8% (244/302) used social networking, primarily Facebook, and 74.2% (224/302) were interested in joining a social networking group about a health topic concerning their child. Although relatively few African American mothers (17.9%, 54/302) shared health information via texting, there was strong interest in receiving health information via mobile phones (87.4%, 264/302). There was no significant difference in Internet/mobile device use or interest in using these outlets to send/receive information about their children’s health between parents of healthy children and parents of children with chronic health conditions.

Conclusions

Urban African American parents are active users of the Internet and mobile technology for social interactions, but they are less likely to use it for accessing or communicating health information. However, most parents expressed an interest in receiving health information or utilizing social networking to learn more about health topics. Mobile technology and social networks may be an underutilized method of providing health information to underserved minority populations.     

内支架在气道狭窄中的临床应用

目的探讨内支架在气道狭窄中临床应用的价值。方法对51例大气道狭窄患者在透视下，其中经口16例，经鼻35例，应用支架放置器将镍钛舍金支架放入狭窄的大气道。结果所有病例均一次性放置成功，放置气管支架32例，支气管支架10例，气管、支气管均放置支架9例。术后患者气促症状明显改善。结论镍钛合金支架治疗大气道狭窄是一种有效、安全的方法。     

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms in Italy; III. Population data from Sicily: a possible quantitation of maternal African ancestry

mtDNA polymorphisms were studied in a sample of 90 individuals of the Sicilian population using six restriction enzymes: Hpa I, Bam HI, Hae II, Msp I, Ava II and Hinc II.
(1) Three new patterns, for Msp I, Ava II and Hinc II, have been detected.
(2) At least two different mutations were found to account for both the Ava II morph 3 and the Ava II morph 9 as in many other Caucasian groups so far examined.
(3) Seventeen types were found; of these six are new.
The frequency (54.5%) of type 1–2 (2.1.1.1.1.2) is lower than in the rest of Italy whereas those of type 6-2 (2.1.2.1.1.2) (10.0%) and type 18-2 (2.3.1.4.9*.2) (12.2%) lie at the upper level of the Italian range.
The 18-derivative, type 57-2 (2.3.1.4.13*.2), which is consistently found in all Italian samples, is present also among Sicilians with an incidence of 2.2%.
(4) Of particular interest is that the Hpa I-3/ Ava II-3 complex, which is unique to groups of African ancestry, was found in Sicily at a frequency of 4.4%. For the first time an estimate of the amount of gene flow from Blacks to the Sicilian gene pool could be obtained.     

Tropical pyomyositis,a thiamine-deficiency disease

On the basis of clinical observations made in Shanghai which confirmed the clinical and experimental findings of Osawa in Japan, it is suggested that thiamine deficiency is an essential contributary factor in producing tropical pyomyositis (TPM).It was found that the majority of patients affected by TPM suffer or have previously suffered from beriberi. The practical disappearance of TPM in Japan in recent years supports the above view.Thiamine deficiency induces a biochemical lesion (Peters) in the pyruvate oxidase system of the muscle, which breaks down its normal resistance to infection and opens the gate to bacterial agents.It is possible that in different parts of the world other or additional factors may play a similar role to that of thiamine deficiency.It is suggested that a wide survey should be undertaken — perhaps by the World Health Organisation — especially in areas in which TPM is endemic, using all relevant methods, to elucidate the factor or factors responsible for the development of TPM.