Direct insertion of an ultra‐slim upper endoscope for cholangioscopy in patients undergoing choledochoduodenostomy

Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope is one modality of POC for intraductal endoscopic evaluation and treatment of the bile duct. Choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) is one modality of biliary bypass surgery that provides a new route to the bile duct. We carried out direct POC using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope without the use of accessories in 10 patients (four sump syndromes, three bile duct strictures and three intrahepatic duct stones) previously undergoing surgical CDS. Direct POC was successful in all patients. The use of an intraductal balloon catheter was required in one patient for advancement of the endoscope into the bile duct. Distal bile ducts with sump syndromes were cleared using baskets and water irrigation under direct POC. Cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed in one patient with hilar bile duct stricture after cholangioscopic evaluation and a targeting forceps biopsy under direct POC. Intrahepatic duct stones were successfully extracted after intraductal fragmentation under direct POC. Oozing bleeding occurred during intraductal lithotripsy but stopped spontaneously. Direct POC using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope without the assistance of accessories can easily be carried out in patients undergoing CDS.     

利用CNV-seq技术产前诊断Pallister-Killian综合征胎儿一例

应用拷贝数变异测序(copy number variation sequencing,CNV-seq)技术鉴别来源不明的胎儿标记染色体,明确其遗传物质的来源,并探讨此技术在产前诊断中的应用价值。讨论Pallister-Killian综合征(Pallister-Killian syndrome,PKS)的临床特征及遗传学特点,提高对此类罕见染色体疾病的认识。该病例因在妊娠中期超声发现胎儿异常而行羊水穿刺进行CNV-Seq检测,同时分析胎儿和父母的核型。羊水CNV-Seq结果示该样本12号染色体p13.33-p11.1处检测到拷贝数为3.5、片段大小为34.70 Mb的嵌合重复区域;羊水染色体核型结果为47,XY,+i(12)(p10)[58]/46,XX[42],综合上述结果考虑为PKS。通过结合超声结果,综合应用染色体G显带核型分析和CNV-seq技术能准确确认染色体异常片段来源,在产前有效诊断PKS患者。     

The role of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) in strengthening health system governance: Lessons from three middle-income countries—Argentina,Jordan, and South Africa (2017–2018)

IntroductionToward the Global Vaccine Action Plan 2020 goal, almost 90% of countries have established a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). However, little is known about NITAG's contributions to governance.MethodsIn 2017–2018, a two-step, qualitative retrospective study was conducted. Jordan (JO), Argentina (AR), and South Africa (SA) were selected owing to government-financed NITAGs from middle-income countries (MICs), geographic diversity, and a vaccine introduction with NITAG support. Country case studies were developed, collecting data through desk review and face-to-face key informant interviews (KIIs) from Ministry of Health (MoH) and NITAG. Case studies were analyzed together, to assess governance applying the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies framework focusing on transparency, accountability, participation, integrity, and policy capacity (TAPIC).ResultsDocument review and 53 KII (22 AR, 20 SA, 11 JO) showed NITAGs played a pivotal role as advisors promoting a culture of evidence-informed policies. NITAGs strengthened governance, although practices varied among countries. Meetings were conducted behind-closed-doors, participation restricted to members, only in one country agendas, and recommendations were public (AR). To increase participation, policy capacity, and transparency, countries considered adding experts in communications, advocacy, and economics. AR and SA contemplated including community members. NITAGs functioned autonomously from the government, with no established internal or external monitoring or supervision. NITAG meeting minutes allowed the review of integrity, adherence to terms of reference, standard operating procedures, and conflict of interest (CoI). For the most part, NITAGs abided by their mandates. Significant issues were related to the level of MoH support and oversight of CoI declaration and documentation.ConclusionsSystematically implementing governance approaches could improve processes, better tailor policies, and implementation. The long-term survival and resilience of NITAGs in these countries showed they play a significant role in strengthening governance. Lessons learned could be useful to those promoting country-driven evidence-informed decision-making.     

Contribution of transcranial magnetic stimulation in restless legs syndrome: pathophysiological insights and therapeutical approaches

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may offer a reliable means to characterize significant pathophysiologic and neurochemical aspects of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Namely, TMS has revealed specific patterns of changes in cortical excitability and plasticity, in particular dysfunctional inhibitory mechanisms and sensorimotor integration, which are thought to be part of the pathophysiological mechanisms of RLS rather than reflect a non-specific consequence of sleep architecture alteration.If delivered repetitively, TMS is able to transiently modulate the neural activity of the stimulated and connected areas. Some studies have begun to therapeutically use repetitive TMS (rTMS) to improve sensory and motor disturbances in RLS. High-frequency rTMS applied over the primary motor cortex or the supplementary motor cortex, as well as low-frequency rTMS over the primary somatosensory cortex, seem to have transient beneficial effects. However, further studies with larger patient samples, repeated sessions, an optimized rTMS setup, and clinical follow-up are needed in order to corroborate preliminary results.Thus, we performed a systematic search of all the studies that have used TMS and rTMS techniques in patients with RLS.     

Preparing IR for COVID-19: The Singapore Experience

This paper describes country-wide special measures undertaken for interventional radiology staff during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although each interventional radiology service around the world faces unique challenges, the principles outlined in this article will be useful when designing or strengthening individual practices and integrating them within wider hospital and national measures. Moving beyond the current outbreak, these measures will be useful for any future infectious diseases which are likely to arise.     

Total bilirubin independently predicts incident metabolic syndrome among community-dwelling women

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is related to the increased risk of major cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The link between high serum total bilirubin (TBL) is cross-sectionally related to MetS and its components. However, whether serum TBL predicts incidence of MetS and its components remains inconclusive.MethodsThe present study included 893 women aged 70 ± 9 years from a rural village. We examined the relationship between serum TBL and MetS based on the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III report in a cross-sectional (N = 893) and cohort (N = 288) data.ResultsIn the cross-sectional study, serum TBL (β = 0.536, p < 0.001) as well as age, alcohol consumption, exercise habits, history of CVD, SUA, GGT, and ALT was significantly and dependently associated with number of MetS components, but in the cohort study serum TBL was not associated with number of MetS components. Compared with the 1st tertile of serum TBL (0.20–0.55 mg/dL), multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the 2nd -3rd tertiles of serum TBL (0.54–2.00 mg/dL) was 0.70 (0.51–0.95) in the cross-sectional study and 0.41 (0.21–0.81) in the cohort study.ConclusionsOur data demonstrated an independently negative association between serum TBL and MetS in Japanese community-dwelling women.