Increased mucosal inflammatory cytokines in children with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis

The concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1-β in tissue homogenates of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens, and in gastric juice samples from Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative children, were determined. The study population comprised 30 children with recurrent abdominal pain attending upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Of these patients 18 were infected with H. pylori. Cytokine concentrations in gastric biopsy homogenate supernatants and in gastric juice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNF-α levels in gastric juice and in gastric biopsy homogenate supernatants in patients with H. pylori-positive gastritis were found to be significantly higher than those in children without H. pylori infection. IL-6 levels were also higher in H. pylori -infected subjects, but the difference in IL-6 concentrations measured in gastric juice and biopsy homogenate supernatants did not reach statistical significance. IL-1-β concentrations in both specimens showed no significant difference between the two groups of children. It was suggested that increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, especially TNF-α and IL-6 generated locally within the gastric mucosa might be implicated in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis in childhood.     

Prognosis following a second whiplash injury

Five percent of the population have suffered a whiplash injury. Of these, 43% suffer long-term symptoms. We undertook a retrospective study of 79 patients who had suffered two whiplash injuries. The severity of each patient's symptoms was assessed after the first and second injuries using the Gargan and Bannister classification. Overall, 84% of patients reported increased symptoms following the second injury. Ninety-seven percent of patients who had been symptom free before the second injury reported persisting discomfort.     

Is the reexcision rate higher if breast conservation surgery is performed by surgical trainees?

BACKGROUND: It is essential that surgical trainees obtain adequate operative experience without compromising patient outcome. The aim of this study was to compare the reexcision and local recurrence rates between consultants (attending surgeons) and surgical trainees (residents) after breast conservation surgery. METHODS: Prospective data were obtained from the local breast cancer registry for all patients who had breast-conservation surgery between 1994 and 2000. Reexcision was carried out if the margins were deemed inadequate after taking the clinical and pathologic features into consideration. RESULTS: The primary operation (n = 505) was wide local excision = 377; wire-guided excisions = 107; and quadrantectomy = 21 patients. Sixty-five percent (n = 330) were operated on by consultants and 35% (n = 175) by residents. Second procedures (n = 137) were performed for involved margins in 95 and close margins in 31 patients. The patients in both groups were equally matched. The reexcision rate was similar for both groups of surgeons (P = 0.58). On multivariate analysis, the factors determining reexcision were nodal status, type of first procedure, and tumor type. The local recurrence rate was comparable in both groups (P = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with breast cancer treated by conservation surgery during a 7-year period, the reexcision and local recurrence rates were similar for both groups of surgeons.