Occidental beriberi and sudden death

Beriberi, thiamine deficiency, is classified as "dry" (neurologic) or "wet" (cardiovascular) and may be mixed. Deficiency of this vitamin may be nutritional or secondary to alcohol intoxication. In Western societies (occidental beriberi), the disorder is more commonly observed in long-term alcohol abusers. However, it may go undiagnosed because it is relatively uncommon. In some cases (acute cardiovascular beriberi), early treatment with parenteral vitamin B1 is required to prevent the development of low-output state and sudden death. We report a case of occidental beriberi with fatal outcome despite therapy.     

Association of malignancy with diseases causing interstitial pulmonary changes

A number of studies have shown a high incidence of lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (9.8 to 38%) compared to control subjects (2 to 6.4%). A similar trend occurs in other entities that affect the interstitial lung compartment, such as systemic sclerosis and sarcoidosis, as well as occupational diseases. The pathogenesis of lung cancer in patients with diffuse pulmonary fibrosis is still unclear. Recent progress in molecular and cellular biology has shed some light on the possible interactions of several types of inflammatory cells, following the deleterious effects of toxic factors leading to alveolitis, and destruction and disorganization of lung parenchyma, which results in fibrosis. Further research in the field would enhance our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of cancer development in these patients, and to explain the reason for the different incidence of lung cancer in patients with various interstitial lung diseases.     

Comparison of spatial and contrast resolution for cone-beam computed tomography scanners

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate the perceived spatial and contrast resolution for a wide range of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) devices. STUDY DESIGN: A customized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom was developed. Inserts containing a line-pair and rod pattern were used. The phantom was scanned with 13 CBCT devices and 1 multislice CT (MSCT) device using a variety of scanning protocols. The images were presented to 4 observers for scoring. RESULTS: The observer scores showed excellent agreement. A wide range was seen in image quality between CBCT exposure protocols. Compared with the average CBCT scores, the MSCT protocols scored lower for the line-pair insert but higher for the rod insert. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT devices are generally suitable for the visualization of high-contrast structures. Certain exposure protocols can be used for depicting low-contrast structures or fine details. The user should be able to select appropriate exposure protocols according to varying diagnostic requirements.     

Phenotype and genotype frequency of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease carriers in Halkidiki, Northern Greece

A decade of screening (years 2000 to 2010) for hemoglobinopathies in 3,931 patients was performed at the General Hospital of Poligiros, Halkidiki, Northern Greece. Among the patients examined, 10.8% heterozygotes for β-thalassemia (β-thal) were found, as well as 4.1% with sickle cell disease and 1.2% with double β-thal/Hb S [β6(A3)Glu→Val] heterozygosity. Iron deficiency was observed in 23.4%. The geographical distribution in the region revealed a substantial incidence of hemoglobinopathies even in mountainous areas. This pattern did not follow the typical distribution according to the malaria hypothesis, as incidence did not dovetail with swamp locations recorded in the past. The HBB gene mutations for 85 patients were also analyzed. Most prevalent in Halkidiki, Northern Greece, was the codon 39 (C>T) mutation (27.1%) followed by the IVS-I-110 (G>A) mutation (22.4%); this was in direct contrast to the current distribution of the same mutations seen in the rest of Greece (Greek National Genetic Database, GNGD). This frequency inversion was statistically significant, with the difference from the GNGD being 20.6% for the IVS-I-110 mutation (p <0.0005) and 7.6% for the codon 39 mutation (p = 0.0238). The history of Halkidiki, denoting a clear example of geographical isolation from the rest of the country, may possibly account for a potentially diverse genetical identity of the disease in this region.     

Translational research. New findings and potential future applications in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

The current achievements in pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment are disappointing for patients and clinicians alike. Still, in the dawn of 2012, most patients are diagnosed at a late stage where cure is not feasible, with the majority going to succumb within the same year of diagnosis. Thus, the only hope for early and diagnosis and radical treatment is the invention of diagnostic and prognostic tests which might predict accurately patients who may develop this disease and those who have the most aggressive potential, so clinician adopt the appropriate strategy. In this paper we summarize the findings from the three most interesting research abstract as presented at the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. In particular, we focus on Abstract #160 which shows the diagnostic utility of microRNA serum profiling in pancreatic cancer patients, on Abstract #201 which suggests a potential prognostic role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta pathway in advanced pancreatic cancer, and on Abstract #165 which shows that protein S100A4 might be a new, potentially useful, predictive biomarker of gemcitabine efficacy.