Controversies in the management of pancreatic IPMN

Although considerable progress has been made in our understanding of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas, some issues still remain to be resolved. Uncertainty exists regarding the classification of IPMNs. The necessity of the mixed-type category of IPMN and whether such lesions should be defined radiographically or histologically needs to be determined. The preoperative distinction of branch duct IPMNs from nonmucinous cysts should be further investigated so that potentially malignant lesions can be identified and management strategies guided effectively. The role and safety of cystic fluid analysis remains to be clarified in this context. With regard to the diagnosis of malignancy in branch duct IPMNs, criteria for identifying malignancy need to be re-evaluated. The presence of mural nodules is a very reliable predictor; however, controversy exists over the value of size as a reliable indicator. Criteria with increased specificity are needed, perhaps including histological subtype of lesion, to reduce the false-positive rate of the present criteria. Finally, the best modality and interval for surveillance of branch duct IPMNs requires determination because of its significance in terms of malignant transformation, development of distinct ductal adenocarcinoma and disease recurrence after resection.     

Salusin-β在血管钙化模型的表达变化及意义

目的在大鼠血管钙化模型上观察血浆和主动脉组织salusin-β表达。方法实验动物按电脑随机数字表法随机分为正常组和钙化组,每组8只。钙化组采用维生素D3(300 000 U/kg 1次,肌肉注射)和尼古丁(25 mg/kg溶于花生油中早、晚各灌胃1次)诱导大鼠血管钙化模型。常规饲养4周后取材,用Von Kossa染色检测血管钙化程度;用钙离子测试盒、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)试剂盒测定大鼠主动脉钙含量和碱性磷酸酶活性;用放射免疫法检测大鼠血浆和主动脉组织salusin-β含量。结果维生素D3和尼古丁能够诱导典型大鼠血管钙化模型,Von Kossa染色可见血管钙化模型大鼠主动脉有大量黑色颗粒沉淀。钙化组血管钙含量、碱性磷酸酶活性明显高于正常组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);同时,钙化组血浆和主动脉组织中salusin-β的表达明显上调。结论大鼠血管钙化模型中salusin-β的表达上调。     

Clinical significance of aortic knob width and calcification in unstable angina.

BACKGROUND: Chest radiography is a routine examination evaluating those patients with chest pain. There are few data about the correlation between aortic knob width, calcification and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aortic knob width was measured and the presence of aortic knob calcification was assessed via a chest posteroanterior view in 178 consecutive patients. The aortic knob width and calcification were compared to the risk factor and the extent of coronary artery disease. Patient's age (69.5+/-7.95 vs 61.1+/-10.29 years, p=0.010), the prevalence of hypertension (65.9 vs 46.3%, p=0.024) and diabetes (43.2 vs 26.1%, p=0.033), the level of total cholesterol (196.8+/-63.21 vs 188.6+/-44.45 mg/dl, p=0.049) and the incidence of multi-vessel disease (65.9 vs 38.1%, p<0.001) were higher in patients with aortic knob calcification than in patients without calcification. The aortic knob width and the prevalence of aortic knob calcification were significantly correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that aortic knob calcification and diabetes were independent factors for multi-vessel disease (p=0.018 and p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The observation of aortic knob on a chest radiograph can provide important predictive information of coronary atherosclerosis.     

Frequency and significance of swallowing during prolonged apnea in infants

To better document and describe the phenomenon of swallowing during apneic spells, we compared the frequency of swallowing during epidsodes of prolonged apnea with nonapnea control periods in 9 preterm and 1 term infant. Infants with a history of idiopathic prolonged apnea were studied for 2 to 3 h by monitoring, electrocardiogram, nasal air flow, oral CO2, abdominal respiratory movements, chin electromyogram, pharyngeal pressure, and pH. In 7 of the infants, additional observations were performed without the intrapharyngeal recording devices. One or more swallows occurred during 75% of the 100 spells observed. Swallows were far more common during apneic spells than during nonapnea control periods, and were more frequent during mixed and obstructive apnea than during central apnea (p less than .01). Asphyxia, regurgitation, and the intrapharyngeal recording devices did not appear to cause the increased frequency of swallows during apneic spells. Swallowing was temporally related to spontaneous recovery from apnea, with a swallow usually preceding recovery by 5 to 6 s. During apneic spells, we observed that swallows were often associated with a brief obstructed inspiratory effort ("swallow-breath"), a normal component of nonfeeding swallows in infants. These swallow-breaths were interspersed with higher amplitude "ordinary" obstructed breaths during apneic episodes. Thus, 2 distinctly different types of obstructed inspiratory efforts were identified during mixed and obstructive apnea episodes in infants. The sequence of events during apneic spells in the term and preterm infants was similar.     

Frequency and significance of antibodies to chromatin in autoimmune hepatitis

Our aims were to determine the frequency and prognostic implications of antibodies to chromatin in autoimmune hepatitis. Three hundred seventy-one serum samples from 172 patients were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sixty-seven patients (39%) had antibodies to chromatin. Percent positivity was greater in men than women (58% vs 34%, P = 0.008), and seropositivity was associated with higher serum levels of -globulin and immunoglobulin G. Antibodies to chromatin disappeared in 25 of 60 patients who were tested successively (42%), and they were more common in samples obtained during active than inactive disease (32% vs 19%, P = 0.01). Relapse after drug withdrawal occurred more often in seropositive patients (91% vs 66%, P = 0.002). We conclude that antibodies to chromatin occur commonly in autoimmune hepatitis, and they are associated with disease activity. Percent positivity is greater in men than women, and seropositivity identifies individuals who commonlyrelapse after drug withdrawal.     

冠状动脉钙化患者的血浆BMP-2水平及其临床意义

目的:研究冠状动脉钙化患者血浆骨形态发生蛋白-2(BMP-2)的水平及临床意义。方法:根据冠状动脉造影(CAG)结果将171例患者分3组:正常对照组、冠状动脉狭窄无钙化组,冠状动脉狭窄伴钙化组,比较3组患者BMP-2水平的差异。结果:CAG发现有冠状动脉钙化的患者组BMP-2水平高于正常组及冠状动脉狭窄而无钙化组。结论:BMP-2水平升高可能是动脉钙化标志之一。     

Pancreatic juice cytology in IPMN of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a disease ranging from adenoma to borderline (with moderate dysplasia) and further to carcinoma (noninvasive and invasive) and surgical strategy is different by the grades of dysplasia. METHODS: Preoperative pancreatic juice cytology in IPMN was reviewed in 71 patients with IPMN who underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: The IPMN was adenoma in 48 patients, borderline in 13 and carcinoma (invasive) in 10. The sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology in malignant IPMN was 40% (4/10). In 4 patients with the 48 IPM adenomas, diagnosis of pancreatic juice cytology was class IV or V. One of the 4 cases was considered to be an overdiagnosis of cytology, but the other 3 cases were considered to be a consequence of accompanying carcinoma in situ (or PanIN-3) (2 patients) or invasive ductal adenocarcinoma (1 patient) apart from IPMN. Sensitivity of pancreatic juice cytology was higher in IPMN of the main duct type with mucin hypersecretion and with mural nodules. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that pancreatic juice cytology in IPMN is useful especially in the main duct type with mucin hypersecretion and mural nodules. When the diagnosis of pancreatic juice cytology is malignant in otherwise benign-looking IPMNs, coexistence of pancreatic carcinoma should be suspected.