Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall in heterotopic pancreas: A case report

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall is a rare benign disease characterized by development of multiple cysts in heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the duodenal wall. A forty-five-year-old male came to the emergency department of our hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis had been done. The patient was treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤临床特点及预后

 摘要：目的 探讨未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤疾病特点、治疗方法及预后。方法 结合文献及我院收治的四例未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤病例，分析未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的临床表现、病理特点、与性激素受体及生长发育的关系、治疗方法及预后。结果 未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的临床表现与成人大致相同，但表现出明显的生长发育障碍，如本组病例中各患者的第二性征发育迟滞等表现。手术切除肿瘤后生长发育迟缓可得到逆转。治疗方法为保证肿瘤完整切除的前提下保留尽可能多的脏器，以减少对术后生长发育的影响。本组四例患者手术治疗的前提均为手术创伤最小化。未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤预后目前尚无定论。结论 在对未成年人胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的诊治过程中应充分考虑到患者的未成年特点，以保证患者术后继续生长发育及长期生活质量。     

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is distinguished by structural and functional criteria. Alcohol is the major aetiological factor, but about 20% of patients have another cause such as hereditary pancreatitis. Abdominal pain is the usual presenting feature, often as recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis but chronic pancreatitis may be clinically silent. The pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis is incompletely understood. Diagnosis is usually made on imaging (CT, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound). Complications include exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, obstructive jaundice, duodenal obstruction, left-sided portal hypertension, and the development of pancreatic cancer. Overall management is difficult and depends upon symptoms, morphological characteristics and complications. Treatment options include medical, endoscopic, and surgical strategies; the latter is reserved for patients with complications. Early involvement of a specialist centre in the care of patients with complicated chronic pancreatitis is important and should be encouraged.     

Somatostatin receptor 1–5; expression profiles during rat development

Abstract

Background. Somatostatin acts through five receptor subtypes (SSTRs 1–5). We aimed to investigate SSTRs mRNA expression and protein distribution in whole rat embryos, with special emphasis on the pancreas.

Material and methods. Rat embryos were collected on embryonal days 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, and at birth. Presence of SSTRs was investigated with RT-PCR techniques and immunohistochemistry.

Results. There was no SSTR5 mRNA expression in the whole rat embryos. All SSTR1–5 proteins were observed at embryonal day 10, but the localization varied between the different subtypes. From day 11 to birth SSTRs protein presence increased with time in major structures such as skin and cartilage. It remained similar over time in the heart and liver. In the fetal pancreas mRNA expression of SSTR2 and 4 was detected at day 14, and there was an increase up to birth. Only SSTR1 protein co-localized to a higher extent with the islet hormones studied. SSTR2 was present in all islet endocrine cells except for β-cells. In contrast, the immunostaining for SSTR3–4 was co-localized with insulin and PP, and, finally, SSTR5 with glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide. In mRNA isolated from whole rat embryos SSTR1-2 and SSTR4 expression showed a peak at day 14, while SSTR3 mRNA was not present until day 15.

Conclusion. The present data suggest a role for SSTRs during the development of the rat embryo. Subsequent functional studies may elucidate regulatory roles of specific SSTRs for the growth and differentiation of the pancreas as well as other organs.     

Clinical presentation and prognosis of adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas – Matched-pair analysis with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

IntroductionAdenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP) is a rare subtype of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of ASCP in comparison to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Materials and methodsAll patients with ASCP treated between December 2001 and December 2017 were identified from a prospective database. Clinicopathological and follow-up data were analyzed. A nested case-control-study with matched-pair analysis was performed to compare overall survival of ASCP and PDAC.ResultsOf 4009 patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma 91 patients had ASCP. Compared to PDAC ASCP were larger (4.0 vs. 3.2 cm; p < 0.0001), more frequently involved lymph nodes (88% vs. 78%; p = 0.0216), more frequently showed poor differentiation (G3: 79% vs. 36%; p < 0.0001) and more frequently were located in the pancreatic tail (19% vs. 10%; p = 0.0179). Overall median post-resection-survival was shorter in ASCP (10.8 vs. 20.5 months in PDAC; p = 0.0085), but 5-year survival rates were comparable (18.2% vs. 17.5%). After matching for the unevenly distributed prognostic factors survival after resection of ASCP and PDAC was comparable (p = 0.8301). Localization in the head or several parts of the pancreas, high CA 19-9 levels, and M1 disease were independent predictors of survival in patients with ASCP.ConclusionASCP is more aggressive with poorer differentiation and higher rates of lymph node metastases compared to PDAC. In spite of a shorter median survival, 5-year survival rates after surgical resection of about 18% can be expected in ASCP and support resection as part of a multimodal therapy as the treatment of choice in this rare cancer.     

Using technology to advance type 1 diabetes care among women during the reproductive years and in pregnancy

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing globally. Technology to improve care among individuals with diabetes is constantly being developed. Women living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) have unique challenges affecting their glucose control relating to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. The purpose of this review is to examine the literature related to the use of technology to help women with T1DM manage their diabetes during the reproductive years, pregnancy, and beyond. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy can provider equivalent or better glucose control when compared with multiple daily injections (MDI), with less hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and weight gain. The CSII therapy has features that could help improve glucose control over the menstrual cycle, menopause, and pregnancy, although the most studied of these stages is pregnancy. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can be combined with any insulin delivery system (MDI or CSII) to provide data on glucose values every few minutes and show glucose trends over time. CGM introduction can highlight glucose variability for women with T1DM, may be beneficial during pregnancy, and can reduce hypoglycemia. Sensor-augmented pump therapy and hybrid artificial pancreas (closed-loop) systems are promising tools that improve outcomes among individuals with diabetes. The use of modern technology to improve glucose and metabolic control among menopausal women with diabetes has not been well studied. Internet and phone-based technologies are emerging as important tools that may help with diabetes self-care for women living with diabetes.     

Fault Detection and Safety in Closed-Loop Artificial Pancreas Systems

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps and continuous glucose monitors enable individuals with type 1 diabetes to achieve tighter blood glucose control and are critical components in a closed-loop artificial pancreas. Insulin infusion sets can fail and continuous glucose monitor sensor signals can suffer from a variety of anomalies, including signal dropout and pressure-induced sensor attenuations. In addition to hardware-based failures, software and human-induced errors can cause safety-related problems. Techniques for fault detection, safety analyses, and remote monitoring techniques that have been applied in other industries and applications, such as chemical process plants and commercial aircraft, are discussed and placed in the context of a closed-loop artificial pancreas.