Scintigraphic validation of AC Biosusceptometry to study the gastric motor activity and the intragastric distribution of food in humans

Abnormal intragastric distribution of food (IDF) and a phasic contractility in the proximal stomach have been related to dyspeptic symptoms. Thus, the behaviour of the stomach and the proximal region, in particular, continues to attract attention and demand for reliable and comfortable techniques. The aims of this study were to employ AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) and scintigraphy to evaluate IDF and gastric motor activity in humans. Fifteen healthy volunteers ingested 60 mL of yogurt containing 2 mCi of 99mTc and 4 g of ferrite. Each volunteer had gastric motility and IDF evaluated twice on separate days; on one occasion by ACB and another by scintigraphy. Digital signal processing was performed in MatLab (Mathworks Inc., Natick, MA, USA). Results were expressed as mean +/- SD. Similar results of distal accumulation time (P < 0.001) were obtained for scintigraphy (6.93 +/- 3.25 min) and for ACB (7.04 +/- 3.65 min). Fast Fourier Transform revealed two dominant frequencies (P > 0.9). Besides the well-know frequency of 3 cpm, our results showed identical frequencies in proximal stomach recordings (P < 0.001) for scintigraphic (1.01 +/- 0.01 cpm) and ACB (0.98 +/- 0.06 cpm). In summary, our data showed that scintigraphy and ACB are promising techniques to evaluate several aspects of gastric motility. Moreover, ACB is non-invasive, radiation-free and deserves the same importance as conventional methods for this kind of analysis.     

The Hemodynamic Mechanisms of Lung Injury and Systemic Inflammatory Response Following Brain Death in the Transplant Donor

Brain-dead donors are the major source of lungs for transplantation. Brain death is characterized by two hemodynamic phases. Initially, massive sympathetic discharge results in a hypertensive crisis. This is followed by neurogenic hypotension. Up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators occurs in all organs and lung injury develops; this can adversely affect graft function post-transplantation. The mechanisms of the systemic and lung inflammation are unknown. We hypothesized that the hemodynamic changes are responsible for these inflammatory phenomena. Brain death was induced by intra-cranial balloon inflation in rats. This resulted in hypertensive crisis, followed by hypotension. There was a significant increase in blood neutrophil CD11b/CD18 expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage, compared with control animals. Rupture of the capillary-alveolar membrane was demonstrated by electron microscopy. Elimination of the hypertensive response by α-adrenergic antagonist pre-treatment prevented inflammatory lung injury, reduced the systemic inflammatory markers and preserved capillary-alveolar membrane integrity. Correction of the neurogenic hypotension with noradrenaline ameliorated the systemic inflammatory response and improved oxygenation. We conclude that the sympathetic discharge triggers systemic and lung inflammation, which can be further enhanced by neurogenic hypotension. Management of the brain-dead donor with early anti-inflammatory treatment and vasoconstrictors is warranted.     

Is endoscopic one‐piece mucosal resection essential for early gastric cancer?

Background: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is widely accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) in Japan. However, the criteria for EMR must be strictly adhered to otherwise patients will miss the chance for additional therapy. We assess the important factor in expanding the indication of EMR. Methods: We investigated 1101 EGCs that had been resected by EMR at the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH), Tokyo, Japan, according to the indication recommended by Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) and the expanded indication proposed by NCCH. Curability and local recurrence of the EMRs were assessed related to the applied indication and the number of resected specimens. Results: The recurrence rate of non‐evaluable resection was higher than that of evaluable resection (P < 0.0001). Eighty‐three lesions among 772 lesions in the JGCA group were non‐evaluable. Thirty‐seven leisons among 329 lesions in the NCCH group were non‐evaluable. There was no difference in the rate of non‐evaluable resection between JGCA and NCCH groups (P = 0.8329). However, the rate of curative resection was lower in the NCCH group than in the JGCA group (P = 0.0009). In piecemeal resection, there was no difference in the rate of non‐evaluable resection between JGCA and NCCH groups (P = 0.0527). In one‐piece resection, the rate of non‐evaluable resection was lower in the NCCH group than the JGCA group (P = 0.0137). Conclusion: Based on our series of cases, we propose one‐piece resection as a gold standard for EMR because it enables accurate histological evaluation, even in the EMR, according to the expanded indication.     

Characteristics of Acute Asthma Patients Attended Frequently Compared with Those Attended Only Occasionally in an Emergency Department

Asthma patients that depend on emergency department (ED) services are generally considered to have extremely poor disease control and prognosis. It is important to identify characteristics related to poor disease control and frequent visits to the ED to apply appropriate clinical management. This study comprised a cross-sectional survey of consecutive patients with asthma exacerbation (age ≥12 years) presenting at the adult ED of a large, tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital over a 2-month period. The frequent visitors (FV) were defined by ≥3 visits to the ED in the preceding year, and the occasional visitors (OV) by ≤2 visits. Eighty-six patients (61 females and 25 males) were included in the study (mean age 38 ± 18 years). Of these patients, 51.2% were FV and 48.8% were OV. Sixty-nine percent had annual income lower than A$3000 and 66.3% had ≤8 years of the formal education. Only 18.6% had used inhaled corticosteroids, 79.1% identified the asthma attack severity, 70.9% increased or initiated inhaled β-agonist, 20.9% increased or initiated steroid therapy, and 55.8% had an asthma action plan for attack. The number of hospital admissions in past year (OR 4.3, P = .02), use of home nebulizer (OR 3.6, P = .05) and the lack of a written asthma action plan (OR 3.3, P = .03) were independently associated with frequent visits to the ED. We conclude that a substantial proportion of the patients that visit the ED are FV. These patients are more likely to have hospital admission in the past year, to use a home nebulizer, and to lack a written asthma action plan. They should be considered the most important target for asthma education.     

A CASE OF EARLY GASTRIC CANCER ACCOMPANIED BY DIEULAFOY ULCER IN A YOUNG WOMAN

A case of early gastric carcinoma accompanied by Dieulafoy ulcer is presented. The patient, a 26‐year‐old female, visited our emergency room with chief complaints of massive hematemesis and tarry stool. The initial endoscopic examination revealed a superficial depressed lesion with a faded color accompanied by a tiny ulcer with converging folds at the anterior wall of the middle gastric body. Although no active bleeding vessel was found at that time, the patient was admitted to our hospital for further check‐ups and treatment. On the 6th hospital day, she developed massive hematemesis resulting in shock. Urgent endoscopy, this time, disclosed an exposed bleeding vessel at the small ulcer floor previously mentioned, and endoscopic hemostasis was achieved. Since, however, a biopsy at initial examination from the surrounding depressed area proved carcinoma, a partial distal gastrectomy was subsequently carried out. Histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of carcinoma limited to the mucosa and submucosa along with findings consistent with Dieulafoy ulcer. This is a rare case of combination of early cancer and Dieulafoy ulcer particularly in such a young patient. A review of the literature is also presented.     

Fas和mdr-1在急性白血病的表达及其相关性研究

本研究应用流式细胞仪 (FCM)直接免疫荧光法和半定量RT PCR方法分别测定 5 9例初发急性白血病(AL)患者治疗前及完全缓解 (completeremission ,CR)后骨髓Fas和mdr 1mRNA表达情况 ,旨在探讨Fas和mdr 1在AL的表达及二者在多药耐药 (multidrugresistance ,MDR)中的相关性。结果显示 :Fas在初发AML阳性表达率比ALL高 ,两表达率间有差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,mdr 1在AML和ALL阳性表达率间无差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,Fas 与mdr 1 有负相关性 (r =- 0 .2 82 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ;经单因素及多因素COX分析 ,Fas和mdr 1独立于其他参数 ,更具判断预后价值 ;在Fas 与Fas-的AML和AL ,CR率均有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1) ,在mdr 1 、mdr 1-的AML和AL中的CR率有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1) ;经Logrank检验 ,Fas 与Fas-组CR率及中数缓解时间有显著性差异 (χ2 =7.35 ,P =0 .0 0 6 7) ,mdr 1 与mdr 1-组CR率及中数缓解时间有显著性差异 (χ2 =10 .71,P =0 .0 0 11)。结论 :Fas、mdr 1与疗效高度相关 ;Fas阳性表达可能是AL预后良好因素 ;mdr 1为疗效差、预后不良的重要因素。     

MUC-1基因在胃癌和外周血中的表达及临床意义

目的：检测胃癌MUC－1的表达情况及其与临床分期和转移的相关性。方法：应用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT－PCR）和免疫组化方法检测胃癌活检标本和外周血中MUC－1基因和蛋白的表达水平。结果：在56例胃癌病例中MUC－1 mRNA阳性表达率为48．2％，MUC－1蛋白阳性表达率为53．6％，临床分期中I和II期病人阳性表达率MUC－1 RNA为33．3％，MUC－1蛋白为40％，而-Ⅲ期病人则分别高达65．4％和69．2％，二者差异有显著性意义（P＜0．05），在淋巴结转移的患者中外周血的癌细胞MUC－1高表达，阳性率为73％，结论：MUC－1是一种较好反映胃癌恶性程度和转移性的肿瘤标志物。     

Cdx2和PTEN在胃粘膜肠上皮化生及肠型胃癌组织中的表达

目的：观察Cdx2及PTEN在胃粘膜病变中的表达。方法：以正常胃粘膜作为对照，用免疫组化的方法检测Cdx2和PTEN在胃粘膜肠上皮化生和肠型胃癌组织中的表达情况。结果：Cdx2在正常胃粘膜中没有表达，在肠上皮化生和肠型胃癌组织中明显增高，在肠型胃癌组织中Cdx2和PTEN水平显著低于肠上皮化生，两者表达模式相似。在不同类型肠化生中，小肠型肠化生Cdx2水平明显高于结肠型肠化生，而PTEN没有显著差异。结论：Cdx2为肠上皮化生的特异性标志物，并与PTEN在肠型胃癌的多步骤多阶段过程中可能起到重要作用，而PTEN可能对Cdx2的表达起到正相调节作用。     

胃癌及肠化组织的微卫星不稳定性

目的 :探讨微卫星不稳定性 (MSI)在胃癌及肠化组织中的发生规律及其在胃癌发生过程中的作用。方法 :对 30例胃癌、4 0例肠上皮化生的石蜡标本分别提取病变及相应正常组织的DNA ,应用银染PCR SSCP技术检测 5个微卫星位点的不稳定性。结果 :胃癌组织MSI的发生率为2 3 3% ,胃窦癌MSI的发生率显著高于贲门癌 (P =0 0 4 4 )。肠化组织MSI发生率 2 0 % ,MSI全部出现在中度以上肠化组织中 (P =0 0 13) ,且更多见于女性 (P =0 0 4 4 )。结论 :MSI是胃癌多步骤发生过程中的早期分子事件 ,在胃癌的发生中可能具有重要作用。