Imaging of liver cancer

Improvements in imaging technology allow exploitation of the dual blood supply of the liver to aid in the identification and characterisation of both malignant and benign liver lesions. Imaging techniques available include contrast enhanced ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. This review discusses the application of several imaging techniques in the diagnosis and staging of both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma and outlines certain characteristics of benign liver lesions. The advantages of each imaging technique are highlighted, while underscoring the potential pitfalls and limitations of each imaging modality.     

A founder mutation in the gamma-sarcoglycan gene of gypsies possibly predating their migration out of India

We investigated the molecular basis of a severe form of early onset autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy with sarcoglycan (SG) deficiency in seven large Gypsy families living in different parts of Western Europe and apparently not closely related. They were linked to the LGMD2C locus (13q12) suggesting a primary defect in the gamma-SG gene coding for the 35 kDa dystrophin-associated glycoprotein. All of the 18 investigated patients were homozygous for the same G-->A transition in codon 283 producing the replacement of a conserved cysteine of the extra-cellular domain of the protein by a tyrosine. All affected chromosomes in homozygous and heterozygous relatives carried the same allele 5 of the intragenic marker D13S232. Flanking markers were studied to delineate a common ancestral haplotype, the size of which was used to compute the date of the founding mutation. We found evidence that the mutation occurred between 60 and 200 generations ago, therefore possibly predating the commonly accepted date of migration of the Gypsy ancestors out of India.      

Late recovery in cerebral fat embolism

Fat embolism syndrome presenting primarily with cerebral manifestations is rarely reported. We report here two such patients who showed complete recovery following initial deterioration. The aim of these reports is to highlight that prolonged intensive care and good rehabilitation can lead to normal neurologic recovery despite poor clinical picture initially. The importance of adequate oxygenation to prevent secondary brain damage is emphasized during prolonged recovery.     

Fehlstellungen der Hüfte

Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde - Fehlstellungen der Hüfte sind bei Kindern und Jugendlichen gut an einem hinkenden Gang, an der Rumpfasymmetrie im Stand sowie an einem seitendifferenten aktiven...     

Emerging wearable technology applications in gastroenterology: A review of the literature

The field of gastroenterology has recently seen a surge in wearable technology to monitor physical activity, sleep quality, pain, and even gut activity. The past decade has seen the emergence of wearable devices including Fitbit, Apple Watch, AbStats, and ingestible sensors. In this review, we discuss current and future devices designed to measure sweat biomarkers, steps taken, sleep efficiency, gastric electrical activity, stomach pH, and intestinal contents. We also summarize several clinical studies to better understand wearable devices so that we may assess their potential benefit in improving healthcare while also weighing the challenges that must be addressed.     

核因子κΒ血管增殖性疾病的中枢性信号分子

目的：综合分析核因子κΒ在血管增殖性疾病中的作用。 资料来源：应用计算机检索highwire1995—01／2004—12有关核因子κΒ对血管增殖性疾病影响的文献，检索词“nudear factor-Kappa B，vascular smooth muscle cell, proliferation, signal pathway”，并限定文章语言种类为English。 资料选择：对检索到的有关核因子κΒ对血管增殖性疾病影响方面的信息进行整理，选取针对性强的文章。同一领域的文献则选择近期发表或权威杂志的文章。 资料提炼：从检索到的203篇文献中初选符合要求的相关文献43篇。经过仔细研读，选择其中15篇文章作为参考。 资料综合：核因子κΒ或单独或与其他细胞因子协同作用．经过特定的信号转导途径，既可直接促进血管平滑肌细胞增殖也可通过抑制细胞凋亡而间接促进血管平滑肌细胞的增殖。选用能作用于核因子κΒ信号转导通路各个环节的抑制剂设法阻断导致核因子κΒ激活相关因子的表达，已经成为防治血管增殖性疾病的重要手段之一。 结论：核因子κΒ的激活确可通过不同途径促进血管增殖性疾病的发生，所以，如何适度有效地抑制核因子κΒ的激活将成为防治血管增殖性疾病面临的关键问题。