Characterization of progressive metaplasia in the gastric corpus mucosa of Mongolian gerbils infected with Helicobacter pylori

Spasmolytic polypeptide‐expressing metaplasia (SPEM) and intestinal metaplasia are considered neoplastic precursors of gastric adenocarcinoma in humans. Loss of parietal cells causes the development of SPEM in the gastric corpus and then chronic inflammation drives SPEM toward a more proliferative lineage. Mongolian gerbils infected with Helicobacter pylori develop chronic gastritis and metaplasia, mimicking aspects of human gastritis with H. pylori infection. We therefore examined metaplastic lineages in the gastric corpus mucosa of gerbils infected by H. pylori strain 7.13, which produces rapid onset of severe inflammation. Six weeks following H. pylori infection, Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II (GSII)‐positive SPEM developed in the base of oxyntic glands in association with parietal cell loss and inflammation. In association with severe inflammation, SPEM glands evolved into aberrant phenotypes, including branched lesions, dilated lesions, and penetrating invasive glands. Mucin 4 (MUC4) was up‐regulated in SPEM and progressive SPEM. Clusterin was expressed in the tips of branched and dilated lesions and throughout regions of invasive glands. Intriguingly, clusterin‐positive regions in these lesions expressed Ki67 and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP‐7). These same regions were also positive for expression of phospho‐IkBα, suggestive of activated NFkB signalling. These findings suggest that clusterin‐positive regions in progressive phenotypes of SPEM have invasive characteristics. Thus, H. pylori infection in gerbils induces SPEM, which then can progress to further aberrant and invasive metaplastic phenotypes. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interventional radiology in the spleen

Despite the widespread use of interventional radiologic techniques, there has been reluctance to apply these to the spleen. Concern for bleeding and difficulty in negotiating around the colon and pleura have limited its use. The authors report their experience with interventional radiology of the spleen in 35 cases, including percutaneous biopsy (n = 5), diagnostic and therapeutic fluid aspiration (n = 14), and catheter drainage of abscesses (n = 9), hematomas (n = 2), intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocysts (n = 2), and necrotic tumor (n = 1). Transsplenic fluid aspiration and biopsy of the pancreas and adrenal gland were performed as well (n = 2). All procedures were performed under computed tomographic or ultrasound guidance. Biopsies were performed with 22- or 20-gauge needles only; no complications were encountered. Diagnoses included primary and secondary malignancies and an infectious process. Drainages were successful in 11 of 14 patients; pleural effusions occurred in two cases, but neither required specific therapy. Interventional radiologic procedures in the spleen are feasible, and the authors discuss methods to promote their safe application.     

Pseudomyxoma peritonei in the pleural cavity

PURPOSE: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare disease characterized by mucinous ascites and associated with ruptured mucocele, cystadenoma, and low-grade carcinoma arising from the appendix, ovaries, or colon. Metastases and extraperitoneal involvement are extremely rare events. METHOD: This is a case report of a patient with pseudomyxoma peritonei with pleural involvement. RESULTS: A 38-year-old male patient with a pseudomyxoma peritonei from appendiceal origin underwent an extensive cytoreduction procedure. During the operation pleural involvement was noted. This was later confirmed by thoracoscopy. An expectant policy was followed until the patient became symptomatic with progressive disease in the abdomen and both pleural cavities. With systemic chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and leucovorin), a good clinical response was obtained, and the patient was alive with stable disease 2.5 years after the first diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of the pleural cavity by pseudomyxoma peritonei is rare and carries an unfavorable prognosis. Whenever possible, the same guidelines as for intra-abdominal disease should be followed: extensive cytoreductive procedures with local and/or systemic chemotherapy. In our patient we hope to achieve a prolonged palliation with systemic chemotherapy.     

Anti-Sc1 in pregnancy

Anti-Sc1 was detected in a gravida-2 patient at 12 weeks' gestation. At 29 weeks, the antibody was found to be of the IgG3 subclass with a titer of 16, score 36, by the indirect antiglobulin test, and it produced 7 percent lysis by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay, a finding that suggested an unaffected fetus. The titer remained constant throughout the pregnancy, as did the IgG subclass and activity in the ADCC assay. At delivery of the full-term infant, the cord hemoglobin was 13.5 g per dL and the direct antiglobulin test was positive (3+) with anti-IgG. The infant did not require transfusion. A sample taken 9 weeks after delivery showed 44 percent lysis in the ADCC assay. The anti-Sc1 titer was 32, score 65.     

新型人工肝--分子吸附再循环系统及其临床应用

到目前为止,急慢性重型肝炎的治疗仍强调基础护理和一般的支持对症处理,缺乏清除肝脏毒素和促进肝细胞再生的有效手段。虽然血液透析、灌流和血浆置换已被用于重型肝炎的治疗,但其临床疗效尚未被公认。与上述血液净化方法不同的是,新型人工肝——分子吸附再循环系统在有效清除水溶性中小毒素分子的同时,还可以选择性清除亲脂性及与血浆白蛋白相结合的毒素分子,并保留血液中有用的重要营养物质和蛋白质。本文对这一新型人工肝支持系统的基本原理、使用方法、不良反应及临床应用研究进展作了综述。     

Grenzen der operativen Geschlechtstransformation bei Transsexualität

Zusammenfassung Grundlagen: Seit 1980 besteht in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ein Transsexuellen-Gesetz (TSG; BGB 1, 1654). Durch die zust?ndigen Amtsgerichte sind von 1981 bis 1990 über 1400 Entscheidungen getroffen worden, die in über 90 % der F?lle eine Antragsanerkennung beinhalten. In den n?chsten Jahren ist mit einer Zunahme an Antr?gen zu rechnen. Methodik: Sowohl bei Mann-zu-Frau-Transsexualit?t als auch bei Frau-zu-Mann-Transsexuellen strebt der betroffene Patient die operative Geschlechtstransformation an. In den letzten Jahren haben sich auf nationaler wie auch auf europ?ischer Ebene Richtlinien zur Indikation, Durchführung und Nachsorge entwickelt, die jedoch nur wenigen in der Betreuung von Transsexuellen t?tigen ?rzten bekannt sind. Ergebnisse: W?hrend bei Mann-zu-Frau-Transsexuellen die operativen Techniken weitgehend als standardisiert anerkannt sind, ist die Geschlechtstransformation bei Frau-zu-Mann-Transsexuellen noch immer eine komplexe chirurgische Herausforderung, für die keine „state of the art“-Richtlinien bestehen. Schlu?folgerungen: Sowohl bei Mann-zu-Frau- als auch bei Frau-zu-Mann-Transsexuellen ist die integrative Therapie eine interdisziplin?re Thematik und schlie?t psychiatrische, endokrinologische, chirurgische sowie urologische und gyn?kologische Problemstellungen mit ein. Die Kenntnis der operativen M?glichkeiten und Grenzen ist wichtig, um schon in der Anfangsphase betroffene Patienten sinnvoll beraten zu k?nnen.