Gastric Cancer and Paraneoplastic Pemphigus

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a relatively rare but significant acquired autoimmune mucocutaneous disorder that is characterised by diffuse erythema, painful blistering and sores of the skin and mucus membranes. The underlying pathogenesis is believed to be triggered by altered immune system in response to underlying neoplasm. The manifestations can predate, occur at the same time or after the diagnosis of cancer. Associations with gastric cancer have only been reported twice. A 78-year-old lady presented with a month’s history of extensive skin lesions that started off as bullous lesions and biopsy revealed bullous pemphigus. Endoscopy for anemia revealed gastric cancer. This case reinforced the need to consider underlying malignancy in elderly patient with new onset dermatological presentation.     

Ethyl lactate as a potential green solvent to extract hydrophilic (polar) and lipophilic (non-polar) phytonutrients simultaneously from fruit and vegetable by-products

Phytonutrients extracted from natural resources are receiving much attention among researchers due to their highly antioxidative characteristics which prevent several degenerative diseases including cardiovascular diseases and cancers. These nutraceutical compounds can be used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as natural antioxidants, preservatives, colourants and functional foods. Huge volume of food wastes are generated from the processing industry and these low-value food residues are rich in various phytonutrients worth recovering. This approach of valorisation reduces the generation of food wastes and is cost-effective considering the cheap feedstock, reduced waste management expenses and high market value of extracted compounds. In light of the health and safety risks posed by commonly used organic extraction solvents derived from the petrochemical industry, there is a need to recover the phytonutrients using green, sustainable and efficient solvents that are safe for human consumption. This work discusses ethyl lactate as a safe, green, efficient and potentially cheap solvent to recover phytonutrients from fruit and vegetable by-products. Ethyl lactate is compared with other organic solvents commonly used from the aspects of safety, environmental impacts and efficiency. Current challenges when employing ethyl lactate are also discussed.     

Emerging from their burrow: Hedgehog pathway inhibitors for cancer

Introduction: Cancer treatment is moving away from conventional cytotoxic drugs and towards agents that target specific proteins and mechanisms important to cancer development or survival. The Hedgehog Pathway (HhP) is a signal transduction pathway and its constitutive activation is tumorigenic in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The HhP enables phenotypic flexibility, and channels tumor-stroma interactions. As a result, it is over-expressed in numerous cancers as well as in the tumor microenvironment and may represent a promising therapeutic target.

Areas covered: In this article, we review the rationale for targeting HhP and its role as an oncogenic driver, in tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and in the tumor microenvironment and describe the results of preclinical and clinical studies involving HhP inhibitors.

Expert opinion: HhP activation plays an important role in both the tumor microenvironment and tumor EMT which can lead to treatment resistance for a number of different malignancies. In addition to standard use in BCC, several HhP inhibitors are in preclinical, early, and mid-stage clinical development for other solid and hematologic malignancies.     

阿尔茨海默病患者的执行功能障碍

目的了解阿尔茨海默病(A lzhe im er d isease,AD)患者执行功能损害状况及对于生活能力的影响,探讨执行功能障碍与记忆等AD常见认知功能损害的相关性。方法运用神经心理学测验的方法对40例AD患者及30例轻度认知功能损害(m ild cogn itive impairm ent,MC I)患者进行执行功能、记忆及其他认知功能检查,同时进行生活能力评定。另外选择40名健康老人作对照。结果AD组的执行功能测验成绩均显著低于健康对照组(P<0.01),其中额叶功能评定量表(FAB)(5.29±2.47)分,执行性画钟作业(CLOX1)(4.63±3.56)分,Stroop测验错误次数(Stroop1)(14.17±8.99)分,词语流畅性测验(RVR)(17.56±10.51)分。除Stroop测验反应时间(Stroop2)外,MC I组的其他执行功能测验成绩显著低于健康对照组(P<0.05),其中FAB为(7.67±2.44)分,CLOX1为(7.86±3.78)分,Stroop1为(7.21±8.07)分,RVR为(30.86±8.38)分。用多元逐步回归方法分析不同认知功能对生活能力的影响,结果为反映执行功能的FAB测验成绩处于第一位,独立与操作性日常生活能力(IADL)相关(β=-0.778,t=-7.079,P<0.01)。各项执行功能测验与年龄相关性不明显(r=0.026~0.250,P>0.05),与简易精神状态量表(MMSE)、记忆测验成绩相关性好(r=0.438~0.786,P<0.01)。结论AD患者具有明显的执行功能障碍;在尚未到达痴呆水平的MC I阶段也可发现执行功能损害。执行功能和整体认知功能及记忆等认知域功能具有良好的相关性。AD患者的执行功能障碍是导致生活能力下降的重要因素。     

NT-proBNP reflects right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension.

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether alterations in N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) reflect changes in right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension patients during treatment. The study consisted of 30 pulmonary hypertension patients; 15 newly diagnosed and 15 on long-term treatment. NT-proBNP, right heart catheterisation and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging measurements were performed, at baseline and follow-up. There were no significant differences between newly diagnosed patients and those on treatment at baseline or follow-up with respect to NT-proBNP, haemodynamics and right ventricular parameters. Relative changes in NT-proBNP during treatment were correlated to the relative changes in right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.59), right ventricular mass index (r = 0.62) and right ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.81). N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide measurements reflect changes in magnetic resonance imaging-measured right ventricular structure and function in pulmonary hypertension patients. An increase in N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide over time reflects right ventricular dilatation concomitant to hypertrophy and deterioration of systolic function.     

对诊断PADAM的游离睾酮指数的评估

目的 评价诊断中老年男子部分雄激素缺乏综合征（PADAM）的游离睾酮指数（FTI）.方法 对129例45岁以上健康男性的FTI进行年龄相关分析.以推算的游离睾酮（CFT）值为依据,对FTI进行有效性检验.结果 男子在中老年期FTI与增龄呈明显的负相关.FTI敏感性97.78%,特异性58.33%.结论 计算简单的FTI可用于PADAM病人的筛选和随访,尤其对70岁以上男子是血清FT较为有效的参数.     

Investigation of melt agglomeration process with a hydrophobic binder in combination with sucrose stearate

The melt agglomeration process of lactose powder with hydrogenated cottonseed oil (HCO) as the hydrophobic meltable binder was investigated by studying the physicochemical properties of molten HCO modified by sucrose stearates S170, S770 and S1570. The size, size distribution, micromeritic and adhesion properties of agglomerates as well as surface tension, contact angle, viscosity and specific volume of molten HCO, with and without sucrose stearates, were examined. The viscosity, specific volume and surface tension of molten HCO were found to be modified to varying extents by sucrose stearates which are available in different HLB values and melt properties. The growth of melt agglomerates was promoted predominantly by an increase in viscosity, an increase in specific volume or a decrease in surface tension of the molten binding liquid. The agglomerate growth propensity was higher with an increase in inter-particulate binding strength, agglomerate surface wetness and extent of agglomerate consolidation which enhanced the liquid migration from agglomerate core to periphery leading to an increased surface plasticity for coalescence. The inclusion of high concentrations of completely meltable sucrose stearate S170 greatly induced the growth of agglomerates through increased specific volume and viscosity of the molten binding liquid. On the other hand, the inclusion of incompletely meltable sucrose stearates S770 and S1570 promoted the agglomeration mainly via the reduction in surface tension of the molten binding liquid with declining agglomerate growth propensity at high sucrose stearate concentrations. In addition to being an agglomeration modifier, sucrose stearate demonstrated anti-adherent property in melt agglomeration process. The properties of molten HCO and melt agglomerates were dependent on the type and concentration of sucrose stearate added.     

Heubner回返动脉显微外科解剖及其临床应用

目的 :为前交通动脉复合体部位显微手术避免损伤Heubner回返动脉提供相关的应用解剖学资料。方法 :对经双侧椎动脉 (VA)、颈内动脉 (ICA)乳胶灌注的尸头标本 2 2例 ,按翼点入路方向 ,在手术显微镜下解剖观测 2 0例Heubner回返动脉的起点、管径、行径及其毗邻关系。 2例模拟手术操作。结果 :(1)本组观测到 4 3支回返动脉 ,其中 39支Heubher回返动脉 ;4支副Heubner回返动脉。 (2 )Heubner回返动脉 4 6 .5 % (2 0 / 4 3)起于A2 段 ,2 5 .6 % (11/ 4 3)起于A1段 ,2 7.9% (12 /4 3)起于前交通动脉 (ACOA)水平的大脑前动脉 (ACA)。 (3)Heubner回返动脉起点管径 :左侧 0 .81± 0 .2 1mm(0 .35～ 1.17mm) ;右侧 0 .84± 0 .2 6mm(0 .37～ 1.2 1mm)。 (4 )回返动脉发出后 ,与ACA反方向成锐角 ,沿A1上壁、外侧及后内侧 ,越过ICA两分叉 ,经大脑中动脉 (MCA)始段前面穿通入脑 ,少数回返动脉行走于前穿质 (APS)的后部。A1近端 3～ 5mm或中 1/ 3段穿通支少。结论 :在前交通动脉复合体部位手术时 ,A1近端 3～ 5mm或中 1/ 3段夹闭 ,并解剖寻找、剥离Heubner回返动脉 ,可避免损伤Heubner回返动脉及其它穿通支 ,最大限度减少术后并发症     

Working‐correlation‐structure identification in generalized estimating equations

Selecting an appropriate working correlation structure is pertinent to clustered data analysis using generalized estimating equations (GEE) because an inappropriate choice will lead to inefficient parameter estimation. We investigate the well‐known criterion of QIC for selecting a working correlation structure, and have found that performance of the QIC is deteriorated by a term that is theoretically independent of the correlation structures but has to be estimated with an error. This leads us to propose a correlation information criterion (CIC) that substantially improves the QIC performance. Extensive simulation studies indicate that the CIC has remarkable improvement in selecting the correct correlation structures. We also illustrate our findings using a data set from the Madras Longitudinal Schizophrenia Study. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.