Application of biochemical markers CA 19-9, CEA and C-reactive protein in diagnosis of malicious and benign pancreatic tumors

Introduction

We would save many lives and spare a lot of suffering if we could only detect and accurately determine the character and TMN staging of pancreatic tumors (PTs). With improved diagnosis, we could offer specific treatment that would result in better treatment outcome. The aim of study was to determine the significance of neoplastic markers CA 19-9 and CEA for prognosis in inflammatory and carcinomatous PTs.

Material and methods

We based our research upon a group of 170 patients. The patients were treated in our Oncologic Surgery Department from January 2007 to December 2010 for PTs. The patients were divided into four groups depending on the character of the tumor and underwent the following treatments: group 1 – 34 patients with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, group 2 – 64 patients with PTs at different stages (1, 2, 3) according to TMN classification, group 3 – 62 patients with PTs at stage 4 on the TMN scale (unresectable tumors), group 4 – 28 patients with inflammatory PTs.

Results

The results of Ca 19-9 in group 2 were 736.00 (25–75% 220.40–4285.00) ng/ml before surgery, 53.00 (25–75% 12.60–84.00) ng/ml in the 7 days after surgery, 29.4 (25–75% 7.90–113.00) ng/ml at day 30, and 119.00 (25–75% 96.30–621.00) ng/ml 3 months after the operation. These results were significantly higher than the control group but were significantly lower than the results for group 3 (unresectable tumors). The highest average concentration and median for CA 19-9 and CEA were noted in patients with unresectable PTs (the 3^rd group). The average concentration for CEA was lowest in group 4, but much higher than the lab limits.

Conclusions

The sensitivity of the CA 19-9 marker may be as high as 88%. Values of CA 19-9 above 852 U/ml may indicate TNM stage 4, consistent with an unresectable PT. In the cases where CA 19-9 is within normal limits but C-reactive protein is above normal limits (often thirty times the upper limit), in comparison to the control group and to patients with pancreatic neoplasms, strong consideration should be given towards the inflammatory characteristics of the pancreatic changes and conservative treatment should be applied.     

Pattern of adverse events of antiepileptic drugs: results of the aESCAPE study in Poland

Introduction

The Adverse Event Scale in Patients With Epilepsy (aESCAPE) European study ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00394927","term_id":"NCT00394927"}}NCT00394927) explored and analyzed adverse events (AEs) and reasons for modifying treatment in patients treated with newer and older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used in monotherapy or polytherapy. The present analysis concerns the results of patients recruited in Poland.

Material and methods

Multicentre, international, observational, cross-sectional study investigating AEs in patients with epilepsy (aged ≥ 4 years), on stable AED treatment with one or two AED(s) for ≥ 3 months, using standardized questionnaires completed by a physician during a single study visit.

Results

Out of 309 patients, 24.6% were treated exclusively with newer AED(s) in monotherapy or in combination, while 75.4% were treated with older AED(s) or a combination of older and newer AED(s). 60.8% were on monotherapy, and 39.9% on polytherapy. In general, 73.8% of patients reported ≥ 1 AE(s). There were no significant differences in the frequency of reported AEs in compared groups. The most common were disturbances in cognitive function (40.5%), psychological problems (36.2%), and sedation (32.7%). Some AEs were found to be more specific for particular types and treatment regimens. Changes in treatment or dose during the study visit occurred in 22.3% of the patients, mainly due to lack of efficacy (10.7%), AEs (5.2%) or absence of seizures (4.5%).

Conclusions

A detailed structured interview revealed high frequency of AEs in patients treated with AEDs. The main reasons for treatment modifications at the study visit were lack of efficacy, adverse events and absence of seizures.     

Treatment of frozen shoulder with subcutaneous TNF-alpha blockade compared with local glucocorticoid injection: a randomised pilot study

We compared the effect of subcutaneous adalimumab injections with intraarticular glucocorticoid injections on frozen shoulder of 18 patients with unilateral joint involvement. Ten patients were randomised to subcutaneous injections with adalimumab and eight to intraarticular glucocorticoid injections administered every other week for a total of three administrations. The evaluation included validated scores. No effect of subcutaneous injections of adalimumab on frozen shoulder symptoms was demonstrated.     

Selexipag: an oral, selective prostacyclin receptor agonist for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

In this phase 2 proof-of-concept study we examined the safety and efficacy of selexipag, an orally available, selective prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) agonist, as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). 43 adult patients with symptomatic PAH (receiving stable endothelin receptor antagonist and/or a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor therapy) were randomised three to one to receive either selexipag or placebo. Dosage was up-titrated in 200-μg increments from 200 μg twice daily on day 1 to the maximum tolerated dose by day 35 (maximum allowed dose of 800 μg twice daily). Change in pulmonary vascular resistance at week 17 expressed as a percentage of the baseline value was the primary efficacy end-point, and was analysed in the per protocol set first and then in the all-treated set to assess robustness of results. A statistically significant 30.3% reduction in geometric mean pulmonary vascular resistance was observed after 17 weeks' treatment with selexipag compared with placebo (95% confidence limits -44.7- -12.2; p=0.0045, Wilcoxon rank sum test). This was supported by a similar result from the all-treated set. Selexipag was well tolerated with a safety profile in line with the expected pharmacological effect. Our results encourage the further investigation of selexipag for the treatment of PAH.     

The scavenging of volatile anesthetic agents in the cardiovascular intensive care unit environment: a technical report

Purpose

The use of volatile-based sedation within critical care environments has been limited by difficulties of drug administration and safety concerns over environment pollution and staff exposure in an intensive care unit (ICU) with no scavenging. The aim of this study was to develop a simple scavenging system to be used with the Anesthesia Conserving Device (AnaConDa^®) and to determine whether or not ambient concentrations of residual anesthetic are within current acceptable limits.

Technical features

The scavenging system consists of two Deltasorb^® canisters attached to the ICU ventilator in series. AnaConDa is a miniature vaporizer designed to provide volatile-based sedation within an ICU. The first ten patients recruited into a larger randomized trial assessing outcomes after elective coronary graft bypass surgery were sedated within the cardiac ICU using either isoflurane or sevoflurane. Sedation was guided by the Sedation Agitation Scale, resulting in an end-tidal minimum anesthetic concentration of volatile agent ranging from 0.1-0.3. At one hour post ICU admission, infrared photometric analysis was used to assess environmental contamination at four points along the ventilator circuit and scavenging system and around the patient’s head. All measurements taken within the patient’s room were below 1 part per million, which satisfies criteria for occupational exposure.

Conclusions

This study shows that volatile agents can be administered safely within critical care settings using a simple scavenging system. Our scavenging system used in conjunction with the AnaConDa device reduced the concentration of environmental contamination to a level that is acceptable to Canadian standards and standards in most Western countries and thus conforms to international safety standards. The related clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01151254).     

Measurement of active shoulder proprioception: dedicated system and device

Proprioception is an essential part of shoulder stability and neuromuscular control. The purpose of the study was the development of a precise system of shoulder proprioception assessment in the active mode (Propriometr). For that purpose, devices such as the electronic goniometer and computer software had been designed. A pilot study was carried out on a control group of 27 healthy subjects, the average age being 23.8 (22–29) in order to test the system. The result of the assessment was the finding of the error of active reproduction of the joint position (EARJP). EARJP was assessed for flexion, abduction, external and internal rotation. For every motion, reference positions were used at three different angles. The results showed EARJP to range in 3–6.1°. The proprioception evaluation system (propriometr) allows a precise measurement of active joint position sense. The designed system can be used to assess proprioception in both shoulder injuries and treatment. In addition, all achieved results of normal shoulders may serve as reference to be compared with the results of forthcoming studies.