Pyloric wall thickening in carcinoma stomach: a pseudokidney sign on computed tomography

Bowel wall thickening on ultrasound simulates appearance of kidney. The appearance of kidney on contrast enhanced computed tomography is entirely different. However, surprisingly bowel wall thickening or mass can mimic this appearance even on contrast enhanced computed tomography. A case of pyloric malignancy with pseudokidney appearance on contrast enhanced computed tomography is being reported.     

Effects of a self-managed home-based walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial

Purpose

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a self-managed home-based moderate intensity walking intervention on psychosocial health outcomes among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

The randomised controlled trial compared a self-managed, home-based walking intervention to usual care alone among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Outcome measures included changes in self-report measures of anxiety, depression, fatigue, self-esteem, mood and physical activity. Fifty participants were randomised to either the intervention group (n?=?25), who received 12 weeks of moderate intensity walking, or the control group (n?=?25) mid-way through chemotherapy. Participants in the intervention group were provided with a pedometer and were asked to set goals and keep weekly diaries outlining the duration, intensity and exertion of their walking. Levels of psychosocial functioning and physical activity were assessed pre- and post-intervention in both groups.

Results

The intervention had positive effects on fatigue (F?=?5.77, p?=?0.02), self-esteem (F?=?8.93, p?≤?0.001), mood (F?=?4.73, p?=?0.03) and levels of physical activity (x ²?=?17.15, p?=?0.0011) but not anxiety (F?=?0.90, p?=?0.35) and depression (F?=?0.26, p?=?0.60) as assessed using the HADS. We found an 80 % adherence rate to completing the 12-week intervention and recording weekly logs.

Conclusion

This self-managed, home-based intervention was beneficial for improving psychosocial well-being and levels of physical activity among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN50709297.

     

Fatal brainstem injury following proton radiation in a patient with medulloblastoma and a germline variant in RNF213

Brainstem injury occurs secondary to radiation to the posterior fossa in up to 2% of pediatric patients. It may occur after months to years after treatment. It has been associated with age less than 5 years and with comorbid conditions such as cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Radiation necrosis is often symptomatic and can be fatal. A pathogenic variant in RNF213 was found in a patient who suffered fatal radiation necrosis. This mutation has been associated with moyamoya disease and may predispose to radiation necrosis.     

Three-dimensional porous bioscaffolds for bone tissue regeneration: Fabrication via adaptive foam reticulation and freeze casting techniques, characterization, and cell study

Highly interconnected and 3D porous bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAP) and Bioglass scaffolds have been fabricated by an adaptive version of camphene based foam reticulation (ARM) and camphene freeze casting (CFC) methods. Controlled sublimation of camphene during freeze casting at -78°C produced process optimized bioscaffolds with open, uniform, and interconnected porous structures. HAP and Bioglass scaffolds with desired porosity, pore size, and microtopography were successfully fabricated using polyurethane foam templates of appropriate structures. Macropores of 50-1100 μm with microporosity of 1-10 μm, known to facilitate cell adhesion and proliferation, were obtained. Compressive yield strength of 0.8 MPa close to the upper range of cancellous bone was achieved. The mean compressive strength of HAP scaffolds compared favorably with the theoretical model of porosity variation with strength and was higher than reported values. The nature of pore development, morphology, porosity, crystal structure, chemical composition, and thermal behavior were characterized using scanning electron and optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and mercury porosimetry. These scaffolds are suited for nonstructural graft and were not cytotoxic in vitro when osteoblast-like MG63 cells were cultured with the HAP constructs. The cells attached indicated by cell metabolic activity by resazurin assay and spread well when cultured on the surface of the materials. ? 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A:2948-2959, 2012.     

Risk factors for gallbladder cancer: A case–control study

Risk factors for gallbladder cancer (GBC) except gallstones are not well known. The objective was to study the risk factors for GBC. In a case–control study, 200 patients with GBC, 200 healthy controls and 200 gallstones patients as diseased controls were included prospectively. The risk factors studied were related to socioeconomic profile, life style, reproduction, diet and bile acids. On comparing GBC patients (mean age 51.7 years; 130 females) with healthy controls, risk factors were chemical exposure [odd ratios (OR): 7.0 (2.7–18.2); p < 0.001)], family history of gallstones [OR: 5.3 (1.5–18.9); p < 0.01)], tobacco [OR: 4.1 (1.8–9.7); p < 0.001)], fried foods [OR: 3.1 (1.7–5.6); p < 0.001], joint family [OR: 3.2 (1.7–6.2); p < 0.001], long interval between meals [OR: 1.4 (1.2–1.6); p < 0.001] and residence in Gangetic belt [OR: 3.3 (1.8–6.2); p < 0.001]. On comparing GBC cases with gallstone controls, risk factors were female gender [OR: 2.4 (1.3–4.3); p = 0.004], residence in Gangetic belt [OR: 2.3 (1.2–4.4); p = 0.012], fried foods [OR: 2.5 (1.4–4.4); p < 0.001], diabetes [OR: 2.7 (1.2–6.4); p = 0.02)], tobacco [OR 3.8 (1.7–8.1); p < 0.001)] and joint family [OR: 2.1 (1.2–3.4); p = 0.004]. The ratio of secondary to primary bile acids was significantly higher in GBC cases than gallstone controls (20.8 vs. 0.44). Fried foods, tobacco, chemical exposure, family history of gallstones, residence in Gangetic belt and secondary bile acids were significant risk factors for GBC.     

Global Health and Emergency Care: A Postgraduate Medical Education Consensus‐based Research Agenda

Global emergency medicine (EM) is a rapidly growing field within EM, as evidenced by the increasing number of trainees and clinicians pursuing additional experiences in global health and emergency care. In particular, many trainees now desire opportunities at the postgraduate level by way of global EM fellowship programs. Despite this growing popularity, little is known of the effects of postgraduate training in global health and emergency care on learners and patients in the United States and abroad. During the 2013 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference on global health and emergency care, a group of leading educators at the postgraduate medical education level convened to generate a research agenda of pressing questions to be answered in this area. The consensus‐based research agenda is presented in this article.     

新复合杂合突变致婴儿型低磷酸酯酶症1例及其家系分析

该文对1例婴儿型低磷酸酯酶症(HPP)患儿及其家系进行临床特点分析及碱性磷酸酯酶基因(ALPL)检测。先证者,男,5个月,多发骨骼畸形:胸骨凹陷、双侧桡骨弯曲畸形、双膝外翻畸形,伴喂养困难、体重下降、发育迟滞、反复肺炎并呼衰,血碱性磷酸酶显著降低。患儿父母、姐姐、叔父、姨母(其他家系成员未能配合)中除父母及姨母的碱性磷酸酶略低,姨母可见脊柱侧弯畸形,余均无临床表型及实验室异常。患者ALPL基因检测到来源于母亲的c.228delG突变及来源于父亲的c.407GA复合杂合突变,其姨母携带c.228delG突变。c.407GA突变为已报道的HPP致病突变,c.228delG为新的致病性突变。低磷酸酯酶症是由ALPL基因突变所致,ALPL基因检测是有效的诊断方法。该研究拓展了ALPL基因突变谱,为HPP的基因诊断提供了理论依据。     

Fibromuscular dysplasia: A comprehensive review on evaluation and management and role for multidisciplinary comprehensive care and patient input model

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a nonatherosclerotic, under-recognized disorder primarily seen in middle-aged women. It can lead to several complications, such as hypertension, headaches, dissections, aneurysms, myocardial infarctions, and cerebrovascular accidents, to name a few. This article provides a comprehensive review of current literature on epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term surveillance and fibromuscular dysplasia management. In addition, it renders the role of education and prevention for patients living with this condition and family screening. Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive multidisciplinary care model and patient input, given the complexity of this disease and its systemic presence and protean manifestations.