Rising incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in men in Australia

Adenocarcinomas of the oesophagus and of the gastric cardia have been reported to be increasing in incidence in many countries, while the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus is stable and non-cardia gastric cancers are decreasing in incidence. Age-standardized incidence rates for the years 1982–93 for oesophageal adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia and non-cardia cancers were calculated based on state cancer registry incidence data. Time trends in the age-standardized rates were assessed using linear regression. A consistent increasing trend in the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in men was seen in all states of Australia and was statistically significant in all states except South Australia. There were no consistent nationwide trends in the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in women, although a trend towards an increase in the incidence of this cancer reached statistical significance ( P < 0.05) in three states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland). There were no important trends in the incidence of oesophageal non-adenocarcinoma in either men or women. There were no consistent nationwide changes in the incidence of gastric cardia cancer in either men or women, although this cancer was significantly increasing in Tasmania in both men and women. The incidence of cancer of the stomach not arising at the gastric cardia was significantly decreasing in men in all states and was also decreasing in women in all states, although in women this decrease was statistically significant only in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. There has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in men in Australia. The incidence of this cancer in men is now approximately equal with that of non-adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. The incidence of non-cardia stomach cancer continues to fall.     

Circumferential wall thickness measurements of the human left ventricle: reference data for thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography

New heart imaging methods, including echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and nuclear magnetic resonance, involve measurements of left ventricular (LV) wall thickness in cross sections perpendicular to the LV long axis. To provide a reference base, LV myocardial wall thicknesses were measured in human autopsy specimens. Short-axis views were chosen at the base of the heart, at the level of the papillary muscles and at a level close to the apex. At the 3 levels, LV wall thicknesses were measured for each of 36 circumferential sectors. The measurements revealed a nonuniformity of LV myocardial wall thickness, related to the papillary muscles, the anterior and posterior junctions with the right ventricle and the thinness of the ventricular septum. These findings help to explain the structured appearance of SPECT 201-thallium short-axis views.     

A collaborative, double-blind randomized study of cetiedil citrate in sickle cell crisis

We have recently completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, noncrossover study, the goal of which was to determine whether cetiedil citrate (cetiedil) could affect the course of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease. Patients, who presented to the emergency room at least 4 but no more than 24 hours after the onset of a painful vasoocclusive crisis severe enough to require hospitalization, were considered candidates for the study. Each patient received either placebo or cetiedil at one of the following three dosages: 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4 mg/kg body weight. The assigned drug dosage was given as a 30 minute intravenous infusion every 8 hours for 4 consecutive days. A total of 67 patients was enrolled in the study. Cetiedil, at its highest dosage (0.4 mg/kg body weight), was found to be significantly superior to placebo both in reducing the number of painful sites present on all 4 treatment days and in shortening the total time in crisis. No serious adverse reactions were observed during the course of the study. We conclude that cetiedil, given at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg body weight, is therapeutically advantageous for sickle cell crisis.     

Reconstruction of large meningomyelocele defects with rotation-transposition fasciocutaneous flaps

Meningomyelocele is one of the most common congenital defects of the central nervous system. Reconstruction of these defects must be performed immediately after delivery to prevent complications such as primary meningitis and to protect the neural tissues. The most important factors in the surgical treatment of meningomyelocele defects are the size of the defect, its location, the presence of kyphosis, and the quality of the surrounding tissue. The chosen method must be a simple one that causes minimal blood loss, requires a short duration of surgery, and covers the surface of the neural defect with a soft-tissue mass enabling closure without tension. In our study, satisfactory results have been obtained using 1 or 2 fasciocutaneous flaps based on the midline in 20 patients with large meningomyelocele defects where primary closure was not possible. A single flap based superiorly on the midline was sufficient to close the defects in patients without kyphosis. In patients with concurrent kyphosis, a second flap based inferiorly on the midline has been used. All flaps survived, except for a distal partial necrosis observed in 1 patient. In the method we used, we adopted a defect reconstruction that is similar to the normal anatomic structures and resistant to trauma and infections, and does not sacrifice any muscle tissue. According to our clinical experiences, this method is useful for large meningomyelocele defects that are unsuitable for primary closure.     

Phase I study on the safety and preliminary efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

BACKGROUNDHypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult as well as in the neonate, with limited options for treatment and significant dysfunctionality.AIMTo investigate the safety and preliminary efficacy of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in HIE patients.METHODSPatients who had HIE for at least 6 mo along with significant dysfunction and disability were included. All patients were given Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs at 1 × 10⁶/kg intrathecally, intravenously, and intramuscularly twice a month for two months. The therapeutic effects and prognostic implications of MSCs were evaluated by multiple follow-ups. Functional independence measure (FIM), modified Ashworth, and Karnofsky scales were used to assess any side effects, neurological and cognitive functions, and overall outcomes.RESULTSThe 8 subjects included in the study had a mean age of 33.25 ± 10.18 years. Mean HIE exposure and mean post-HIE durations were 45.63 ± 10.18 and 19.67 ± 29.04 mo, respectively. Mean FIM score was 18.38 ± 1.06, mean modified Ashworth score was 43.5 ± 4.63, and mean Karnofsky score was 20. For the first 24 h, 5 of the patients experienced a subfebrile state, accompanied by mild headaches due to intrathecally administration and muscle pain because of intramuscularly administration. Neurological and functional examinations, laboratory tests, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess safety of treatment. Mean FIM score increased by 20.88 ± 3.31 in the first month (P = 0.027) and by 31.38 ± 14.69 in 12 mo (P = 0.012). The rate of patients with an FIM score of 126 increased from 14.58% to 16.57% in the first month and 24.90% in 12 mo.CONCLUSIONMultiple triple-route Wharton’s jelly-derived MSC administrations were found to be safe for HIE patients, indicating neurological and functional improvement. Based on the findings obtained here, further randomized and placebo research could be performed.