Retrograde air insufflation in MRI: A technical note

Retrograde air insufflation was employed to distend the colon and the ileum in 18 patients and five volunteers for magnetic resonance examination. Good and moderate marking of the ileum was obtained in 18 cases. The colon was nearly completely distended in every case. Intraluminal tumor, mural thickening, and extraluminal lesion were outlined by intraluminal air and surrounding air-distended bowel. This study shows that retrograde air insufflation is a useful method to mark the colon and most parts of the ileum.     

豚鼠胃肠道粘膜下层内神经节丛与血管的伴行现象

对豚鼠胃肠道各段的研究发现,在胃体、胃底和幽门的粘膜下层内,血管仅由神经纤维束伴行。除小肠粘膜下层可见神经节丛与血管伴行外,在盲肠粘膜下层,亦可见神经节丛与小动、静脉伴行,尤以血管始段及第一分支段最明显。某些神经节丛还发出神经纤维束投射到血管壁上。在结肠和直肠均未见到神经节丛与血管的伴行现象。     

Staging-laparoscopy

Summary. The so-called extended diagnostic laparoscopy (EDL) facilitates the comprehensive exploration of the abdominal cavity, thus improving the precision of the pretherapeutic tumor staging in gastrointestinal malignancies. EDL comprises visual inspection with a specific preparation of all relevant sites, laparoscopic sonography and retrieval of samples for biopsy and cytology. Additional relevant therapeutic information was obtained through EDL in 40.5 % of gastric cancer patients. EDL could be of similar importance for diagnosing esophageal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies.      

Natural history of IgE-mediated food allergy in fully breast-fed babies

We have studied 21 babies with IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) sensitized via breast milk. The diagnosis of IgE-mediated FA was based on the response to elimination diet and challenge tests, and was confirmed by positive RAST and skin tests. The children exhibited immediate symptoms, such as urticaria, angioedema, and asthma. Only 5/21 children developed tolerance to the offending food at the median age of 14 years. The children who failed to develop tolerance still have high levels of IgE antibodies towards the offending food. In conclusion, the results of our long-term follow-up study show that the natural history of FA in children sensitized via breast milk may be less optimistic than generally reported.     

Iodine status in vegans consuming a living food diet

The dietary intake and urinary output of iodine and the thyroid activity was measured in 12 living food eaters (people consuming uncooked, Lactobacilli rich vegan food) and omnivores. Seven day food record was used for calculating the dietary iodine intake, instrumental neutron activation analysis for measuring the urinary iodine output and RIA for determining of the thyroid hormones (TSH and FT4). The living food eaters were divided into two groups according to urinary iodine output: high iodine group (≥900 ug/d) and low iodine group (<200 ug/d). Thyroid activity in both groups was with in normal range. Dietary intake of iodine was dependent on the the use of seaweed. The highest amounts of dietary iodine observed in the present study, as assessed by the the urinary iodine output, can be harmful for susceptible subjects. On the other hand the calculated intake of iodine by living food eaters didn't fill the RDA. As an conclusion on a living food diet one has to ensure the sufficient intake of iodine by consuming seaweed or Kelp tablets daily. However the intake of these preparations needs to be kept at reasonble limits due to their possible high iodine content. More information of the iodine content of different seaweeds and seaweed products is needed.     

Efficacy of short‐term oral cobalamin therapy for the treatment of cobalamin deficiencies related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption: A study of 30 patients

Background: It has been suggested that oral cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) therapy may be an effective therapy for treating cobalamin deficiencies related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption. However, the duration of this treatment was not determined. Patients and method: In an open‐label, nonplacebo study, we studied 30 patients with established cobalamin deficiency related to food‐cobalamin malabsorption, who received between 250 and 1000 μg of oral crystalline cyanocobalamin per day for at least 1 month. Endpoints: Blood counts, serum cobalamin and homocysteine levels were determined at baseline and during the first month of treatment. Results: During the first month of treatment, 87% of the patients normalized their serum cobalamin levels; 100% increased their serum cobalamin levels (mean increase, +167 pg/dl; P < 0.001 compared with baseline); 100% had evidence of medullary regeneration; 100% corrected their initial macrocytosis; and 54% corrected their anemia. All patients had increased hemoglobin levels (mean increase, +0.6 g/dl) and reticulocyte counts (mean increase, +35 × 10⁶/l) and decreased erythrocyte cell volume (mean decrease, 3 fl; all P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that crystalline cyanocobalamin, 250–1000 μg /day, given orally for 1 month, may be an effective treatment for cobalamin deficiencies not related to pernicious anemia.     

消化道恶性肿瘤确诊初期患者社会支持与生命质量的调查

目的 调查消化道恶性肿瘤确诊初期的患者半年中的社会支持和生命质量变化。方法 采用社会支持评定量表和CARES-SF对146名患者的社会支持和生命质量进行为期半年的追踪调查。结果 消化道恶性肿瘤确诊初期患者的生命质量为中等，其中婚姻关系维度、性关系维度得分半年后下降。患者所获得的社会支持最多的是情感支持，其次是实际支持，信息支持为第三位。情感支持大多来源于家庭成员，信息支持大多来源于医务人员。患者大多很少参与社交活动。在半年中情感支持、实际支持、信息支持的变化模式不一。诊断初期的患者不能有效地利用社会支持。结论 应对确诊初期患者加强咨询，以充分识别和利用社会资源。应持续评估患者的生命质量和社会支持，并制订干预方案，提高消化道恶性肿瘤确诊初期患者的社会支持程度，最终提高其生命质量。     

An Historical Perspective from the Green Revolution to the Gene Revolution

Since the 1960s conventional crop breeding has increased food production commesurate with the growing population. For agricultural development to continue, the exploitation of greater genetic diversity and modern biotechnology are becoming increasingly important. This article reviews the milestones achieved by the Green Revolution and many of the recent breakthroughs of modern biotechnology.