Protective effect of bromelain on corrosive burn in rats

IntroductionIn some cases, the tongue and oesophagus tissues are damaged by the corrosive burn. Surgical interventions may cause scar formation, and severe burns treatment methods are limited. This study aims to investigate bromelain, a phytotherapeutic product, on the corrosive burn as a non-surgical option and as an adjunctive therapy, insofar as the treatment of corrosive wounds is not limited only to the treatment of oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions.MethodsOn the tongues of Wistar albino rats, chemically produced oral ulcers were created by topical application of NaOH (40%) solution, and in the distal oesophagus same mixture was applied to produce a corrosive oesophageal burn. For a week, they were treated orally by bromelain (100 mg/kg/day) or saline solution. At the end of seven days, animals were decapitated to remove the tongue and oesophagus, and blood samples were collected to obtain serum. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations were measured in serum, and luminol and lucigenin chemiluminescence (CL) were measured in tissue samples.ResultsMDA and CL values were significantly increased, and GSH levels in tissue significantly decreased due to the corrosive burns. Saline treated corrosive burn group measured higher in the serum cytokines in according to the control group.ConclusionsBromelain administration decreased oxidant and inflammatory parameters and increased antioxidant levels in NaOH-induced corrosive burns. Thus, we concluded that bromelain may protect the tongue and oesophagus tissues with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.     

CD117阳性小肠间质瘤中Ki67和p53蛋白的表达及在预后中的意义

目的 :研究小肠间质瘤 (smallbowelstromaltumors,SBST)Ki6 7和p5 3免疫组织化学的表达 ,探讨两者在肿瘤良恶性划分和预后中的作用。方法 :选用CD117阳性的SBST 33例进行光镜观察 ,用EnVisionTM+二步法免疫组化方法检测Ki6 7和 p5 3蛋白在肿瘤中的表达情况并与形态学进行比较。 结果 :33例SBST患者 ,男 2 0例 ,女13例 ,年龄 2 1～ 71岁 ,发生于十二指肠 5例 ,空肠 2 2例 ,回肠 6例。肿瘤最大径的范围在 1.5～ 2 0cm之间。在光镜下出现肿瘤内坏死的有 11例。肿瘤核分裂象计数每 5 0个高倍镜视野 0个有 6例 ,1～ 2个 5例 ,≥ 3个的有 2 2例。 33例中良性 4例 ,交界性 4例 ,恶性 2 5例。随访时间为 3～ 180个月 (平均 73.3个月 ) ,结果为良性组 4例均无瘤生存 ;交界性组 2例无瘤生存 ,1例失访 ,1例在无瘤生存 18个月后失访 ;恶性组无瘤生存有 7例 ,带瘤生存者及死亡有 16例 ,2例失访。Ki6 7染色阴性 2例 ,均为良性 ;其余 31例阳性中 ,增殖指数 (阳性细胞数 )大于 5 %的有恶性 16例 (94 .1% ) ,交界性 1例。在免疫组化p5 3染色中 ,恶性组 2 5例均呈阳性表达 (平均阳性细胞数 4 2 .9% ) ,其中 12例阳性细胞数大于 5 0 %。当Ki6 7和 p5 3均为阴性或两者阳性细胞数分别是 <1%和 <10 %时 ,肿瘤呈良性经过 ,预后     

腹腔镜胃切除治疗胃间质瘤26例临床报告

目的:探讨腹腔镜胃切除术治疗胃间质瘤的安全性及可行性。方法:2003年8月至2007年9月间,26例胃间质瘤病人在腹腔镜下行胃部分切除手术,其中17例行胃楔形切除、6例近端胃切除、3例远端胃切除。结果:无中转开腹,无手术死亡。手术平均出血量15(10～75)ml,平均手术时间(144±74)min,平均切口长度(5.5±1.5)cm,平均术后住院日为(8.3±3.6)d。手术并发症发生率7.69%(2/26),其中1例肺感染、1例切口感染。病理结果:极低度风险8例、低度风险12例、中度风险4例、高度风险2例。随访3～48个月,2例病人出现肝转移、现带瘤生存,其余无瘤生存,目前总生存率100%,复发率7.69%(2/26),3年无瘤生存率96.0%。结论:腹腔镜下胃切除术治疗胃间质瘤是安全、可行的,手术近期疗效令人满意,远期结果有待进一步观察。     

Accuracy and choice of procedures in 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring with monocrystalline antimony electrodes

In 24 h pH monitoring, the evaluation is dependent on the absolute accuracy of the pH measurements. Several sources of error exist, such as the chemical composition of calibration buffers and reference electrode gel and the effect of temperature on both the pH and the reference electrodes. We investigated the magnitude of these errors for the monocrystalline antimony electrode. Similar analysis applies to other types of pH electrodes. The errors we found are important when choosing a calibration procedure. We recommend a calibration procedure in which the pH and reference electrodes are both put in a beaker with the calibration buffers prior to and after the 24 h measurements. The calibration buffers and the electrode gel should have a specially selected ion composition where, for example, the Cl-ion concentration is critical. Corrections for differences in temperature between the calibration and the in situ measurements must be added. The pH measurements can be checked by performing in situ calibration.     

Melanocytes and melanosis of the oesophagus in Japanese subjects — analysis of factors effecting their increase

Summary Normal oesophagus specimens taken from 65 autopsy cases and surgical specimens from 127 oesophageal carcinoma cases were examined histopathologically to determine melanocyte incidence and distribution. Melanocytes were found in the epithelio-stromal junction in 7.7% of normal oesophagus specimens examined at autopsy, and in 29.9% of surgical cases with oesophageal carcinoma. Positive specimens in the latter groups, especially from pre-operatively irradiated individuals, showed a more remarkable increase of melanocytes than was evident in any of the normal oesophageal samples. There were no significant differences in incidence between males and females, or between age groups. In cases where the cancer invaded into deeper stroma, the melanocytes were mainly observed in the normal epithelium around the carcinomas. Epithelial and stromal elements of the melanotic mucosa commonly showed hyperplastic changes such as acanthosis or basal cell hyperplasia, and chronic oesophagitis. Melanocytes were observed most commonly in the lower part of the oesophagus, the site where malignant melanoma of the oesophagus, most often originates. These results strongly suggest that the melanocyte increase observed in areas of hyperplastic epithelium and chronic oesophagitis may play an important role as a precursor lesion for malignant melanoma in the oesophagus.     

Fibrocartilaginous mesenchymoma with low-grade malignancy

In a review of cases of fibrous cartilaginous dysplasia of bone, five of fibrocartilaginous lesions were found to be different in clinical behavior and radiographic and morphologic features from the others. We have named these previously undescribed tumors fibrocartilaginous mesenchymomas with low-grade malignancy in the fibrous elements.Dr. Bertoni is a visiting surgical pathologist from the Servizio di Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica, Bologna, Italy     

Ossifying lipoma

 Lipomas are very common, but osseous changes within these tumours are rare. A lipoma with osseous components is presented, with an overview of the literature and pathogenesis of this unusual lesion and considerations relating to the differential diagnosis. Received: 28 July 1998 / Accepted: 27 August 1998     

5-Hydroxytryptamine4 receptors mediate relaxation of the rat oesophageal tunica muscularis mucosae

Summary The present study was designed to characterize an atypical 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor mediating relaxation of the rat oesophageal tunica muscularis mucosae. All experiments were performed under equilibrium conditions, using pargyline to inhibit the oxidative deamination of indoleamines, and cocaine and corticosterone to inhibit neuronal and extraneuronal uptake. Under these conditions 5-HT (0.3–1000 nmol/l) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of carbachol-induced tension. The concentration-effect curve to 5-HT was unaffected by potent antagonists for 5-HT₁, 5-HT₂, 5-HT₃ and so called 5-HT_1P receptors (metergoline, methysergide, ketanserin, ondansetron, N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptophyl-5-hydroxytryptophan amide), but was antagonized competitively by ICS 205–930 (pA₂ = 6.7). Responses to 5-HT were mimicked by other indoleamines and substituted benzamides with the following order of potency: 5-HT 5-methoxytryptamine > cisapride = -methyl-5-HT = (S)-zacopride = renzapride > (RS)-zacopride > 5-carboxamido-tryptamine = metoclopramide = (R)-zacopride > tryptamine > 2-methyl-5-HT. ICS 205–930 afforded similar pA₂ values (6.0–6.7) against each agonist, indicating a common site of action. Concentration-effect curves to 5-HT were not affected by tetrodotoxin or indomethacin, sugesting that 5-HT-induced relaxation of the tunica muscularis mucosae was mediated via a postjunctional receptor, independent of endogenous prostanoids. The pharmacological profile of the 5-HT receptor in the rat oesophageal tunica muscularis mucosae correlates well with the 5-HT₄ receptor characterized recently in both the CNS and gastro-intestinal tract. Send offprint requests to D. E. Clarke at the above address     

Gamma scintigraphic evaluation of the fate of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsules in the human gastrointestinal tract

The fate (movement and disintegration) of hard novel hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) two-piece capsules in the human gastrointestinal tract was investigated using a gamma scintigraphic imaging method. Two different prolonged-release formulations without an active ingredient were used. The capsules contained different viscosity grades of HPMC powder (HPMC K100 and HPMC K4M). The aim was to determine the main reason why the pharmacokinetic profiles of model drugs change when the diluent was changed to a higher viscosity grade. The results were compared with our previous pharmacokinetic studies with corresponding capsules containing metoclopramide hydrochloride or ibuprofen as a model drug. The first observation was that the HPMC capsules had a tendency to attach to the oesophagus. Therefore, it is recommended that the HPMC capsules as well as gelatine capsules be taken with a sufficient amount of water (150–200 ml) in an upright position and maintaining the upright position for several minutes. The viscosity grade of the HPMC did not affect the transit times of the capsules in the GI tract. The major differences between the two formulations were the complete disintegration times of the capsules and the spreading of the capsules to the large intestine. Most of the HPMC K100-based capsules were completely disintegrated during the 8 h study, whereas the HPMC K4M-based capsules still exhibited plug formations in the large intestine. Also the HPMC K100-based capsules spread better to the ascending colon than the HPMC K4M-based capsules. The faster disintegration of the HPMC K100-based capsules explains the differences in the pharmacokinetic profiles of the model drugs between the HPMC K100- and K4M-based capsules in our previous studies. The main absorption site of the drugs from the capsules studied here is probably the large intestine when taken in a fasting state.     

An unusual sharp magnetic foreign body in the oesophagus and its removal: A case report

Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common pediatric problem. The majority of ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously. Oesophageal foreign bodies should be urgently removed because of their potential to cause complications. Ingested batteries that lodge in the oesophagus, sharp or pointed foreign bodies in the oesophageal or gastric tract, and ingestion of multiple magnets all require urgent endoscopic removal. A 4-year-old boy ingested a sharp magnetic foreign body, which was removed via rigid oesophagoscopy without complication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only sharp magnetic foreign body ingested by a young child ever reported in the English-language literature. We describe the presentation and therapeutic procedure adopted in this case.