Performance characteristics and evaluation of an automated-developed and quantitative, immunochemical, fecal occult blood screening test

OBJECTIVES: Guaiac fecal occult blood colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests (FOBT) are faulted for low sensitivity and nonspecificity for human hemoglobin (Hb). Automated-developed, immunochemical, human Hb FOBT (I-FOBT) is specific, eliminates diet restrictions, and Hb quantification allows selection of a threshold for colonoscopy. Aims were to determine 1) test reproducibility; 2) test stability; 3) intrapatient daily I-FOBT variation; 4) test sensitivity and specificity for neoplasia in 500 symptomatic/high-risk patients undergoing colonoscopy; and 5) to correlate fecal Hb measurements with findings. METHODS: The desktop instrument OC-Sensor (Eiken, Japan) automatically develops and quantitates 50 tests/h for Hb. Patients prepared three tests, which were quantified and then 1) repeatedly re-examined; 2) stored at 4 degrees C or 20 degrees C or 28 degrees C and repeatedly examined; and 3) fecal Hb levels were correlated with colonoscopic findings. RESULTS: Five I-FOBTs re-examined five times in 1 day had no significant measurement changes. Thirty tests stored for 21 or more days had a decay/day of 0.3%+/- 0.4 at 4 degrees C (NS), 2.2%+/- 1.7 at 20 degrees C (NS), and 3.7%+/- 1.8 at 28 degrees C (p < 0.05). There were intrapatient variations between the three daily I-FOBTs (NS). At the recommended 100 ng Hb/mL threshold, all six cases of CRCs and 20 out of 28 cases of advanced adenomas were detected; evaluated together their sensitivity and specificity were 76.5% and 95.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Desktop, automated-developed, quantitative I-FOBT is now available. Refrigerated OC-Sensor samples are stable for 21 days, easy to prepare and develop and, at the 100 ng Hb/mL threshold, have high sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values for significant neoplasia. Suitability for population CRC screening awaits further evaluation.     

Role of beta adrenergic receptor polymorphisms in heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis

Heart Failure (HF) is a common disorder associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. beta adrenergic receptors (betaAR) are the primary pathway through which cardiac function is influenced. Chronic beta(1)AR activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of HF and betaAR blockade improves survival in left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Common functional polymorphisms in beta adrenergic receptor genes (ADRB) have been associated with HF phenotypes, and with pharmacogenetic interaction with beta adrenergic receptor blockers (beta blockers). However, these associations have not been consistently replicated. The evidence for ADRB variant involvement in pathogenesis, progression and response to beta blockers in HF is reviewed. In addition, a meta-analysis of three studies analysing the effect of ADRB1 Arg389Gly polymorphism on left ventricular remodelling with the use of beta blockers, demonstrating a 5% improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction in Arg389 homozygotes, is presented. There is now accumulating molecular evidence for a different functional response to beta blockers associated with this polymorphism. In the future, confirmed genotypic associations may enable patients to be identified who are either at greater risk of developing HF, whose HF may rapidly progress, or who are unlikely to benefit from beta blockers, and such patients may benefit from targeted aggressive therapy.     

Use of strain and tissue velocity imaging for early detection of regional myocardial dysfunction in patients with beta thalassemia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF STUDY: Iron overload contributes to cardiac dysfunction in patients with beta thalassemia (Th). Tissue velocity and strain imaging (TVI and SI) might prove useful in early detection of regional myocardial dysfunction in these patients. The aim of this study is to clarify the value of TVI and SI in early detection of regional myocardial dysfunction in thalassemia patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included two age-matched groups; G1: 27 Th patients and G2: 14 normal subjects. Conventional echo-Doppler measures of LV and RV dimensions and function were obtained. TVI measures included systolic and diastolic myocardial velocities (Sm, Em, Am and Em/Am) of the basal segments of septal wall, lateral LV and RV free walls. Systolic strain values were measured in the same basal segments and included S-septal, S-LV and S-RV. Strain and TVI data were compared in the two groups. Sm and strain values were compared in the different walls (LV, RV and septum) in each group separately. S-LV was lower in G1 than G2 (20.9 +/- 6.8 vs 27.2 +/- 4.3, p < 0.001), while S-septal was higher in G1 than G2 (31.1 +/- 8.3 vs 25.1 +/- 3.8, p < 0.01). TVI measures of diastolic performance of the septal and RV walls were different in G1 compared to G2. Septal-Em was lower, septal-Am was higher and septal-Em/Am was lower in G1 compared to G2. RV-Am was higher and RV-Em/Am was lower in G1 compared to G2. Other SI and TVI measures were not significantly different in G1 from G2. Sm and strain values were lower in the lateral LV wall compared to septal wall in G1 but not in G2, while the corresponding values of the RV wall were higher than those of the septal and LV walls in both groups (G1 and G2). CONCLUSION: Thalassemia patients have regional systolic dysfunction in the lateral LV wall and regional diastolic dysfunction in the septal and RV wall. TVI and the newer modality SI are promising tools for quantitative assessment of regional myocardial function. SI seems more capable of early detection of regional myocardial dysfunction.     

Colonic perforation with intraluminal stents and bevacizumab in advanced colorectal cancer: retrospective case series and literature review

Background

Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are increasingly used in the treatment of malignant large bowel obstruction in the setting of inoperable colorectal cancer. Perforation is a well-known complication associated with these devices. The addition of the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor bevacizumab is suspected to increase the rate, but the extent of the increase is not known.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients receiving SEMS in tertiary hospitals in Calgary, Alta., between October 2001 and January 2012.

Results

We reviewed the records of 87 patients with inoperable colorectal cancer who received SEMS during our study period. Nine perforations occurred in total: 4 of 30 (13%) patients who received no chemotherapy, 3 of 47 (6%) who received chemotherapy but no bevacizumab, and 2 of 10 (20%) who received chemotherapy and bevacizumab. These two patients received bevacizumab with FOLFIRI after SEMS placement, and they had peritoneal disease.

Conclusion

Our case series and other studies suggest that bevacizumab may increase the risk of colonic perforation in the setting of SEMS. Caution should be used when combining these therapies.     

Association between metabolic abnormalities and hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and aim. Metabolic syndrome is recognised as a potential risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The association between metabolic factors and hepatitis C (HCV)-related HCC has not yet been well clarified. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of metabolic factors in HCV-related HCC.Material and methods. We recruited 147 HCC patients and compared them with 147 matched CHC patients and 320 controls. The plasma levels of homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), adiponectin and lipids for all participants were assessed.Results. The HCC group showed significantly hig-her levels of insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR and adiponectin as well as lower levels of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides compared with the matched CHC patients and controls. HOMA-IR did not correlate with pathologic features of HCC, whereas serum adiponectin levels correlated positively with the size of tumour nodules (P = 0.009). Based on stepwise logistic regression analysis, age (OR: 1.456, 95% CI: 1.0721.979, P < 0.01), HOMA-IR (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.70-3.69, P = 0.001), and adiponectin (OR: 1.585, 95% CI: 1.2691.980, P = 0.001) were independently associated with HCC.Conclusions. Metabolic abnormalities are closely associated with the occurrence and development of HCV-related HCC. Patients with CHC and high serum adiponectin levels face a higher risk of developing liver cancer. Insulin resistance, as measured by HOMA-IR, is significantly associated with HCV-related HCC.     

Crystal structure,spectroscopic measurement,optical properties,thermal studies and biological activities of a new hybrid material containing iodide anions of bismuth(iii)

As part of our interest in halogenobismuthate(iii) organic–inorganic hybrid materials, a novel compound named bis(4,4′-diammoniumdiphenylsulfone) hexadecaiodotetrabismuthate(III) tetrahydrate with the chemical formula (C₁₂H₁₄N₂O₂S)₂[Bi₄I₁₆]·4H₂O, abbreviated as (H₂DDS)[Bi₄I₁₆], has been prepared by a slow evaporation method at room temperature. This compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), spectroscopic measurements, thermal study and antimicrobial activity. The examination of the molecular arrangement shows that the crystal packing can be described as made of layers of organic [C₁₂H₁₄N₂O₂S]²⁺ entities and H₂O molecules, between which tetranuclear [Bi₄I₁₆]⁴⁻ units, isolated from each other, are inserted. The cohesion among the different molecules is assured by N–H⋯I, N–H⋯O and O–H⋯I hydrogen bonding interactions, forming a three-dimensional network. Room temperature IR, Raman spectroscopy of the title compound were recorded and analyzed. The optical properties were also investigated by both UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Moreover, the synthesized compound was also screened for in vitro antimicrobial (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) and antioxidant activities (scavenging effect on DPPH free radicals, reducing power and total antioxidant capacity).

A novel halogenobismuthate(iii) organic–inorganic hybrid material named bis(4,4′-diammoniumdiphenylsulfone) hexadecaiodotetrabismuthate(iii) tetrahydrate, (C₁₂H₁₄N₂O₂S)₂[Bi₄I₁₆]·4H₂O, has been prepared by slow evaporation at room temperature.     

Congenital brucellosis: A case report

Although rare, brucellosis is endemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In the case presented here, a neonate was born at 29 weeks gestation with severe respiratory depression, pyrexia; hypotension and an elevated white blood cell count. Her mother was a 19-year-old pregnant woman who developed premature rupture of the membranes and went into labour early. Sepsis was suspected and so the neonate received dobutamine and empiric ampicillin/gentamicin. The mother reported visiting a farm during her pregnancy and so congenital brucellosis was considered a possibility. Blood cultures were positive for Gram-negative coccobacilli and serology confirmed the presence of Brucella abortus and B. meltiness. Antibiotic treatment was changed to rifampin/gentamicin/ciprofloxacin but on day 17 the baby deteriorated and gentamicin was discontinued and meropenem was added. The neonate gradually improved; meropenem was discontinued on day 24 and the baby was discharged from hospital on day 38.