High-definition optical magnification with digital chromoendoscopy detects gastric mucosal changes in dyspeptic-patients

BACKGROUND Accurate detection of gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) and premalignant lesions are important for effective provision of treatment,preventing the development of gastric neoplasia.Optical enhancement systems with optical magnification improved the identification of mucosal superficial and vascular patterns in patients with dyspepsia.AIM To evaluate an optical enhancement system with high-definition magnification,for diagnosis of normal gastric mucosa,H.pylori-associated gastritis,and gastric atrophy.METHODS A cross-sectional,nonrandomized study from November 2015 to April 2016 performed in a single-tertiary academic center from Ecuador.Seventy-two consecutive patients with functional dyspepsia according to the Rome III criteria,were tested for H.pylori using a stool antigen test and were assigned to an Hp+group or an Hp-control group.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with highdefinition optical magnification and digital chromoendoscopy was performed,and patients were classified into 4 groups,in accordance to the microvasculararchitecture pattern of the mucosa.Interobserver and intraobserver agreement among operators were calculated.RESULTS Of the 72 participants,35 were Hp+ and 37 were Hp-.Among 10 patients with normal mucosal histology in biopsy samples,90% had a Type I pattern of microvascular architecture by endoscopy.Among participants with type IIa and type IIb patterns,significantly more were Hp+ than Hp-(32 vs 8),and most(31 out of 40) had histological diagnoses of chronic active gastritis.Two of the three participants with a histological diagnosis of atrophy had a type III microvascular pattern.The type I pattern predicted normal mucosa,type IIa–IIb predicted H.pylori infection,and type III predicted atrophy with sensitivities of 90.0%,91.4%,and 66.7%,respectively.The intraobserver and interobserver agreements had kappa values of 0.91 and 0.89,respectively.CONCLUSION High-definition optical magnification with digital chromoendoscopy is useful for diagnosis of normal gastric mucosa and H.pylori-associated gastritis with high accuracy,but further studies are needed to determine whether endoscopic diagnosis of gastric atrophy is feasible.     

Is a friend truly a treasure? Evolution of friendship competence from pre-school up to the last year of primary school

A Friend is truly a treasure, in accordance with age and competence’s qualitative changes. The aim of this study was to con?rm the increase in friendship competence and its multifactorial nature in 3- up to 10-year-old children, and to verify gender differences, and parenting in?uences on the concept of friendship. A semi-structured interview was administered in a natural context to 3- to 10-year-old children (N?=?167; Mean?=?7.6 years; SD?=?2.16). According to Selman’s Model, the coding provides ?ve sub-categories: (1) friendship; (2) social perspective taking; (3) emotions understanding; (4) social interaction strategies; and (5) aggressiveness. Three parental style questionnaires were administered to parents. Results point up an increase in social skills according to age. The Friendship Interview turned out to be a reliable tool able to investigate how the concept of friendship is also structured in preschool children.     

Results From a Large,Multicenter, Retrospective Analysis On Radium223 Use in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) in the Triveneto Italian Region

Background

Radium 223 was introduced for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer based on the results of a randomized controlled trial showing risk reduction for death and skeletal events. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of patients receiving radium 223 in a real-world setting.

Classification and cyclic fatigue evaluation of new kinematics for endodontic instruments

This study evaluated the effect of new motions of the motor TriAuto ZX2 on the cyclic fatigue of endodontic instruments. Vortex Blue 35.06 instruments were divided into four groups (n = 10) and tested for fatigue in a curved artificial canal (90° and 2 mm radius) using the following motions: continuous rotation (CR), Optimum Torque Reverse (OTR) set at 180° and the Optimum Glide Path (OGP), which was tested at 90° and 240°. The time to fracture (TTF) and the lengths of the fractured fragments were recorded. The mean TTF was significantly different among the groups (anova , P < 0.05): OGP 90° (213.39 ± 27.45), OTR 180° (121.24 ± 17.03), OGP 240° (45.24 ± 5.61) and CR (8.43 ± 1.27). Weibull analysis confirmed the shortest life expectancy for CR and the longest survival for OGP at 90°. The resistance to fatigue was affected by motions and pre‐set angles. The proprietary movements that are currently available for endodontic instruments were classified according to their kinematics.     

Cost of postoperative complications: How to avoid calculation errors

Postoperative complications(PC) are a basic health outcome, but no surgery service in the world records and/or audits the PC associated with all the surgical procedures it performs. Most studies that have assessed the cost of PC suffer from poor quality and a lack of transparency and consistency. The payment system in place often rewards the volume of services provided rather than the quality of patients' clinical outcomes. Without a thorough registration of PC, the economic costs involved cannot be determined. An accurate, reliable appraisal would help identify areas for investment in order to reduce the incidence of PC,improve surgical results, and bring down the economic costs. This article describes how to quantify and classify PC using the Clavien-Dindo classification and the comprehensive complication index, discusses the perspectives from which economic evaluations are performed and the minimum postoperative follow-up established, and makes various recommendations. The availability of accurate and impartially audited data on PC will help reduce their incidence and bring down costs. Patients, the health authorities, and society as a whole are sure to benefit.     

Endoscopy mitigation strategy with telemedicine and low-cost device use for COVID-19 prevention: A fourth-level Colombian center experience

Background and study aimsThe COVID-19 outbreak has reorganized surgical team conditions regarding endoscopy. The number of interventions has been reduced, the number of healthcare professionals must be limited, and both the patients and physicians are more protected than ever.Patients and MethodsIn the highest peak of contagion in Colombia, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were performed using a low-cost disposable device. A total of 1388 procedures were performed. Every patient was assessed for symptoms via a telephone call, at the health center, and after the procedure, following specific attention routes.ResultsAfter procedure follow-up, no positive cases of COVID-19 were noted.ConclusionThe methodology reduced the risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.