For which type of chronic pancreatitis is the “Hamburg procedure” indicated?

Background

A pancreatic duct diameter (PDD) ranging from 4 to 5 mm is regarded as “normal”. The “large duct” form of chronic pancreatitis (CP) with a PDD > 7 mm is considered a classical indication for drainage procedures. In contrast, in patients with so-called “small duct pancreatitis” (SDP) with a PDD < 3 mm, extended resectional procedures are suggested including, as an “ultima ratio”, even total pancreatectomy.

Methods

Between 1992 and 2008, among a total of 978 patients who were treated for CP, 51 suffered from SDP and underwent longitudinal “V-shaped excision” of the anterior aspect of the pancreas. The interval between symptoms and surgery varied from 12 to 123 months. Median follow-up was 87 months (range 32–131 months). A pain score was used as well as a multidimensional psychometric quality-of-life questionnaire.

Results

Hospital mortality was 0%. The perioperative morbidity (30 days) was 19.1%. Median pain score decreased by 95.5%. Global quality of life index increased in median by 53.6% (range 37.5–80%). In 35 patients (75%), complete pain relief was achieved. The impairment of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function after surgery was statistically not significant.

Conclusions

Longitudinal “V-shaped excision” of the ventral pancreas is a secure and effective approach for SDP, achieving significant improvement in quality of life and pain relief. While sparing patients from unnecessary, extended resectional procedures, it appears not to result in substantial deterioration of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function.     

Current status of cataract blindness and Vision 2020: the right to sight initiative in India

Background:

India is a signatory to the World Health Organization resolution on Vision 2020: The right to sight. Efforts of all stakeholders have resulted in increased number of cataract surgeries performed in India, but the impact of these efforts on the elimination of avoidable blindness is unknown.

Aims:

Projection of performance of cataract surgery over the next 15 years to determine whether India is likely to eliminate cataract blindness by 2020.

Materials and Methods:

Data from three national level blindness surveys in India over three decades, and projected age-specific population till 2020 from US Census Bureau were used to develop a model to predict the magnitude of cataract blindness and impact of Vision 2020: the right to sight initiatives.

Results:

Using age-specific data for those aged 50+ years it was observed that prevalence of blindness at different age cohorts (above 50 years) reduced over three decades with a peak in 1989. Projections show that among those aged 50+ years, the quantum of cataract surgery would double (3.38 million in 2001 to 7.63 million in 2020) and cataract surgical rate would increase from 24025/million 50+ in 2001 to 27817/million 50+ in 2020. Though the prevalence of cataract blindness would decrease, the absolute number of cataract blind would increase from 7.75 million in 2001 to 8.25 million in 2020 due to a substantial increase in the population above 50 years in India over this period.

Conclusions:

Considering existing prevalence and projected incidence of cataract blindness over the period 2001-2020, visual outcomes after cataract surgery and sight restoration rate, elimination of cataract blindness may not be achieved by 2020 in India.     

Cancer-promoting effect of Taiwan betel quid in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cancer-promoting effect of Taiwan betel quid in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-two non-inbred mate adult Syrian golden hamsters were randomly divided into six groups, each containing forty-two animalS. A treatment regimen over a 14-week experimental period was employed with six animals per group being killed at seven different periods (every 2 weeks). The right buccal pouch of each animal was painted three times a week with various combinations of 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), Taiwan betel quid extract, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and mineral oil.
RESULT: Both the number and size of tumors in animals concurrently treated with DMBA and betel quid were significantly higher than those in animals treated with DMBA alone in each killing period of 8, 10, 12 and 14 weekS. No visible tumors but hyperkeratosis and acanthosis were observed in pouches treated with betel quid alone for all killing periods.
CONCLUSION: Our results indicate Taiwan betel quid may be a co-carcinogen in human oral carcinogenesis, if extrapolation can be made from the current animal study.     

Molecular imaging of plaque vulnerability

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in the development of novel imaging strategies focusing on the biology of the vessel wall for identification of vulnerable plaques. While the majority of these studies are still in the pre-clinical stage, few techniques (e.g., ¹⁸F-FDG and ¹⁸F-NaF PET imaging) have already been evaluated in clinical studies with promising results. Here, we will briefly review the pathobiology of atherosclerosis and discuss molecular imaging strategies that have been developed to target these events, with an emphasis on mechanisms that are associated with atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability.     

DNA AMPLIFICATION OF A REPETITIVE SEQUENCE - IS 6110 IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF EXTRA PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

DNA amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of a repetitive sequence specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from clinical samples of extra pulmonary origin were evaluated. The 123 base pair fragment of the insertion element IS 6110 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis was amplified. A total of 50 samples were analysed by PCR and compared with culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ) and the clinical findings of the patient. Out of the total 26 samples were positive by PCR, while only seven grew the bacilli in culture. 24 samples were negative by PCR and culture. All the seven samples that grew the bacilli on culture were positive by PCR. In remaining 19 cases that were positive by PCR but did not grow the bacilli clinical features, radiological findings and Mantoux test were strongly suggestive of M. tuberculosis. All the amplification negative cases had no positive evidence of tuberculosis but were being followed up. When correlated with culture and clinical history the sensitivity of PCR for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis was 100%. However, the specifity was only 55.8% as culture on LJ (Gold Standard) was positive in only 7 samples out of 26 samples that were positive by PCR.KEY WORDS: DNA Amplification, IS 6110, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Bypass Surgery Versus Intentionally Incomplete Resection in Palliation of Pancreatic Cancer: Is Resection the Lesser Evil?

Objective  

As technical expertise increases, the indication for pancreatic resection for advanced pancreatic cancer has been expanded over the last years. Recently, several groups reported their series of unintentionally incomplete tumor resections and reported a potential survival benefit for patients after incomplete resection when compared with palliative bypass surgery. We investigated in a retrospective analysis whether even tumor resection that was intended to be incomplete might provide a better outcome than conventional palliative procedures.     

Assistive technology for students with visual disability in schools for the blind in Delhi

Abstract

Background: To understand the awareness and utilization of assistive technology in students at schools for the blind in Delhi.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 250 students selected randomly from 10 blind schools in Delhi. Binocular distance presenting and pinhole vision acuity were assessed using Snellen “E” chart and a multiple pinhole occluder. Students were also interviewed using a questionnaire about 42 assistive devices to understand their awareness and use.

Results: Male participants were 72.8%. Of the total, 27.6% students had best corrected visual acuity <6/18 to 1/60, and the rest had <1/60 vision. The awareness about tactile and sound-based technology was good among students: Braille books (98%), Braille slate and stylus (99.2%), handheld audio recorders (77.6%) and screen readers (77.2%). Good awareness was reported for abacus (88.8%), walking long canes (94.4%) and smart cane (89.6%), audible balls (96%), Braille chess (82.8%) and talking watch (98%). Among the students with <6/18 to 1/60 vision, the awareness of visual based technology ranged from 0.8% (typoscope) to 43.6% (video magnifiers). Braille technology was used for reading by 96.4% (books) and for writing by 96.8% (Braille slate and stylus) irrespective of visual status. Other devices were poorly used ranging from nil (typoscope) to 55% (screen readers). The use of math and science learning devices was poor (<20%). Walking canes were used by 59% of students whereas 87.2% students used audible ball for games.

Conclusion: The results showed that majority of students used tactile based technology irrespective of visual status.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Students with visual disability need assistive technology for a wide range of activities including academic learning.

• Students in schools for the blind who have binocular best corrected vision acuity of 1/60 or better should be encouraged to use visual based assistive technology instead of tactile based.

• Students with binocular best corrected vision acuity less than1/60 should be encouraged to use other available tactile and sound-based assistive technologies as well as Braille books and Braille slate and stylus for their academic activities including maths and sciences.

• Teachers should be trained in the use of various assistive technologies for reading, writing, maths, sciences, sports, mobility and activities of daily living.

     

消旋棉酚拆分的研究——Ⅲ.胺缩棉酚理化性质的研究

本文报道消旋棉酚与15种不同结构的光学活性胺缩合产物的薄层色谱性质和核磁共振氢谱数据,以及8个光学活性胺与光学活性棉酚缩合物的光学稳定性,并探讨了结构与这些性质的关系。