Does Familial Mediterranean Fever Provoke Atherosclerosis in Children? Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness and Serum Endocan Levels

Clinical Rheumatology - This study aimed to evaluate the risk for atherosclerosis by using echocardiographic arterial stiffness (AS) parameters and serum endocan levels, as a biomarker of...     

Relationship of the total atrial conduction time to subclinical atherosclerosis,inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of our study was to evaluate the total atrial conduction time and its relationship to subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS:

A total of 132 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 54.5±9.6 years; 57.6% male) and 80 age- and gender-matched controls were evaluated. The total atrial conduction time was measured by tissue-Doppler imaging and the carotid intima-media thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography.

RESULTS:

The total atrial conduction time was significantly longer in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the control group (131.7±23.6 vs. 113.1±21.3, p<0.001). The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly increased carotid intima-media thicknesses, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than those of the controls. The total atrial conduction time was positively correlated with the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, carotid intima-media thickness and left atrial volume index and negatively correlated with the early diastolic velocity (Em), Em/late diastolic velocity (Am) ratio and global peak left atrial longitudinal strain. A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, carotid intima-media thickness and global peak left atrial longitudinal strain were independent predictors of the total atrial conduction time.

CONCLUSIONS:

We suggest that subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammation may represent a mechanism related to prolonged total atrial conduction time and that prolonged total atrial conduction time and impaired left atrial myocardial deformation may be represent early subclinical cardiac involvement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Targeted mesenchymal stem cell and vascular endothelial growth factor strategies for repair of nerve defects with nerve tissue implanted autogenous vein graft conduits

Peripheral nerve gaps exceeding 1 cm require a bridging repair strategy. Clinical feasibility of autogenous nerve grafting is limited by donor site comorbidity. In this study we investigated neuroregenerative efficacy of autogenous vein grafts implanted with tissue fragments from distal nerve in combination with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in repair of rat peripheral nerve defects. Six‐groups of Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 8 each) were evaluated in the autogenous setting using a 1.6 cm long peroneal nerve defect: Empty vein graft (group 1), Nerve graft (group 2), Vein graft and nerve fragments (group 3), Vein graft and nerve fragments and blank microspheres (group 4), Vein graft and nerve fragments and VEGF microspheres (group 5), Vein graft and nerve fragments and MSCs (group 6). Nerve fragments were derived from distal segment. Walking track analysis, electrophysiology and nerve histomorphometry were performed for assessment. Peroneal function indices (PFI), electrophysiology (amplitude) and axon count results for group 2 were ?9.12 ± 3.07, 12.81 ± 2.46 mV, and 1697.88 ± 166.18, whereas the results for group 5 were ?9.35 ± 2.55, 12.68 ± 1.78, and 1566 ± 131.44, respectively. The assessment results did not reveal statistical difference between groups 2 and 5 (P > 0.05). The best outcomes were seen in group 2 and 5 followed by group 6. Compared to other groups, poorest outcomes were seen in group 1 (P ≤ 0.05). PFI, electrophysiology (amplitude) and axon count results for group 1 were ?208.82 ± 110.69, 0.86 ± 0.52, and 444.50 ± 274.03, respectively. Vein conduits implanted with distal nerve‐derived nerve fragments improved axonal regeneration. VEGF was superior to MSCs in facilitating nerve regeneration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:578–585, 2016.     

Necrotizing enterocolitis: early conventional and fluorescein laparoscopic assessment

Aim

The clinical and radiological diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) can be difficult. When radiological evidence is present, severity and complications, such as perforation and full-thickness necrosis, often may not be obvious. This study aims to establish early signs of full-thickness necrosis or perforation by using standard and fluorescein laparoscopy before clinical deterioration of patients occurs.

Patients and Methods

Thirteen patients with preoperative presumed clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of NEC underwent laparoscopy. A 4.7-mm umbilical or left upper quadrant camera port was inserted by using the open method. The abdominal cavity was inspected for bowel ischemia, fibrin, adhesion formation, and presence of free intestinal contents. If necessary, one or two 3-mm working ports were inserted for manipulation of bowel.

Results

Median age of 13 patients was 17 (3-38) days. Their median weight was 1160 (910-2415) g. The first 5 infants had standard laparoscopy only, with the next 8 having fluorescein-aided assessment added to the laparoscopy. Standard laparoscopy identified perforation in 5 patients and gangrenous bowel in 2. One patient was found to have chyle ascites, and 1 patient had no abnormal findings on laparoscopy. Fluorescein identified gangrenous bowel in 3 additional patients. Laparotomy and necessary surgical intervention were performed in all 10 patients with positive laparoscopy findings. Eleven patients survived and were doing well at a median of 9 (range, 6-39) months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Laparoscopy helps to improve assessment of patients with a diagnosis of NEC. It allows for early identification of perforation and necrosis. Where ischemia is suspected, fluorescein laparoscopy may have an added benefit in identifying necrotic segments.     

Gastroesophageal reflux strictures in children, management and outcome

Esophageal reflux (GER) strictures are frequently diagnosed late and require a prolonged management programme depending on the severity of the stricture. Management protocols include medical therapy, bouginage, fundoplication, stricture resection and even interposition grafting. Our preferred method is to delay the anti-reflux surgery until the esophagitis is medically controlled, adequate enteral intake with weight gain is achieved and the oesophageal narrowing adequately dilated. We review the results of the approach over a 27-year period (1977–2004). Method: Thirty-one children were treated (mean age at diagnosis 35 months). Diagnosis of GERD was made on barium meal and confirmed by pH studies, gastroesophageal scintigraphy and oesophagoscopy. Stenosed site, its length and nature (i.e. response to dilatation) were documented. Dilatations were carried by prograde, balloon and string-guided techniques. Three fundoplication techniques were used (Boix-Ochoa, Toupet and Nissen). Results: Twenty-two strictures were in the lower third, seven in the mid-third and two in the upper third of the oesophagus. Thirteen (42%) had associated hiatus hernia (HH). Twenty (64%) had a stricture length>3 cm. Twelve strictures were so severe (tight) as to require gastrostomy and string-guided dilatation. An average 5.5 dilatations were required prior to surgery. Only six children did not require post-surgery dilatation. Twelve required more than five post-operative dilatations. Reasons for stricture persistence were identified as failed reflux surgery in seven, candida oesophagitis in two, HIV infection in one and severity of fibrosis in three (two requiring stricture resection). At average follow-up of 5 years, all patients have restored growth without further symptoms. Conclusion: Strictures are a major complication of GER requiring prolonged and intensive management in most cases. Reasons for persistence of stricture after anti-reflux surgery can be identified and require early intervention. Long-term follow-up is essential but results have been good in our hands.     

Colonic atresia: spectrum of presentation and pitfalls in management. A review of 14 cases

Fourteen cases of colonic atresia seen over a 38-year period are reviewed with particular reference to clinical presentation and pitfalls in management. Seven had Type I atresia, two Type II and five Type IIIa. Ten had associated gastrointestinal anomalies. Management varied considerably. Six had primary colonic anastomosis. Two of these developed complications due to unrecognized distal hypoganglionosis, two had associated jejunal atresias resulting in short bowel syndrome, and two had primary anastomosis protected by proximal ileostomies. Seven had a staged repair with initial defunctioning enterostomy with only one complication, an unfixed mesentery that later resulted in midgut volvulus. The only mortality was a patient in which a jejunal atresia repair leaked as a result of a missed colonic atresia. Operative strategy should depend on the clinical state of the patients, the level of atresia, associated small bowel pathology and exclusion of distal pathology. Primary anastomosis would only rarely be advised with a circumspect approach. Long-term outlook, as in small bowel atresia is generally excellent. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Cardiac cyclic variation of integrated backscatter in hypertension and dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Cyclic variation of myocardial-integrated backscatter (CV-IB) offers a non-invasive myocardial contractile performance assessment. There is limited data concerning CV-IB in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS: Forty essential hypertensive (EH) patients (mean age 51+/-8 yrs) and 24 ESRD patients (mean age 49+/-14 yrs) were compared to 10 healthy controls (mean age 45+/-10 yrs). A 2D-Doppler echocardiography with digitized imaging was performed to characterize myocardial ultrasonic tissue by CV-IB between systole and diastole at the interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricular (LV) posterior wall (PW). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between age and sex among groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) were both higher in EH patients (157/96 mmHg in EH, 129/81 mmHg in ESRD and 115/77 mmHg in controls, p<0.001). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was higher in EH and ESRD patients than in controls (respectively, 119+/-37, 130+/-46, 87+/-12 g/m2, p<0.05), while there was no significant difference found between EH and ESRD patients. EH patient CV-IB values were significantly lower than in ESRD patients and controls (respectively, 6.9+/-1.6, 8.6+/-0.7, 10.6+/-1.1 dB, p<0.001 for IVS, 7.7+/-1.3, 8.7+/-0.8, 10.4+/-1.1 dB, p<0.001 for PW). CV-IB for PW and IVS were significantly lower in ESRD patients than in controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CV-IB can offer useful parameters for myocardial structure in EH and ESRD patients. Further studies are needed to clarify CV-IB in ESRD patients.     

Colostomy Control Device

Temporary or permanent colostomy produces many difficulties such as continuous fecal flow, odor, skin irritation, rash, edema, and uncleanliness. Efforts to resolve these difficulties have not had much success. The present work describes the development of a new colostomy control device and its successful application to eight patients. The device is removable and allows the patients to empty their bowels naturally. Following the bowel movement and cleaning of the stoma, the device is reapplied. The patient remains continent and experiences a psychological uplift from being able to feel the urge for bowel movements. The application of the device is easy and leads to no complications.