Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia mimicking esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

in a patient with lye-induced esophageal stricture.:

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jun;63(6):366-8

Authors: Han JS, Lee SW, Suh KH, Kim SY, Hyun JJ, Jung SW, Koo JS, Yim HJ

Abstract

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is a benign condition that may be caused by prolonged inflammation, chronic infection, and/or neoplastic conditions of the mucous membranes or skin. Due to its histological resemblance to well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia may occasionally be misdiagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. The importance of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is that it is a self-limited condition that must be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma before invasive treatment. We report here on a rare case of esophageal pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia in a 67-year-old Korean woman with a lye-induced esophageal stricture. Although esophageal pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia is infrequently encountered, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of esophageal lesions.

PMID: 24953614 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Autophagy markers LC3B and p62 in esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Prognostic relevance of 

Oncotarget. 2016 ;

Authors: Adams O, Dislich B, Berezowska S, Schläfli AM, Seiler CA, Kroell D, Tschan MP, Langer R

Abstract

Esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) are aggressive tumors with considerable rates of chemoresistance. Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradation process, characterized by the formation of vesicles called autophagosomes, and has been implicated in cancer. Protein light chain 3 B (LC3B) and p62 are associated with autophagosomal membranes and degraded. We aimed to assess the impact of basal autophagy on EAC. In EAC cell lines, an increase in LC3B and p62 was observed with increasing concentrations of the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, which indicates functional basal autophagy. LC3B and p62 immunohistochemistry was performed on primary resected EAC. High LC3B and p62 expression was associated with earlier tumor stages (p < 0.05). High nuclear and cytoplasmic p62 staining were associated with a better prognosis (p = 0.006; p = 0.028). Various combinations of p62 expression with or without LC3B expression identified different prognostic groups. Tumors with low total p62 (p = 0.007) or low LC3B/low p62 expression had the worst outcome (p = 0.007; p = 0.005). A combination score of dot-like/cytoplasmic p62 and nuclear p62 staining was an independent prognostic parameter (p = 0.033; HR = 0.6). This study highlights the potential significance of basal autophagy in EAC biology. Tumors with low LC3B and p62 expression show the most aggressive behavior and may be candidates for autophagy regulating therapeutics.

PMID: 27250034 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Elevating the Head of the Bed for Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

[A Systematic Review of the Literature Related to Elevating the Head of the Bed for Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Applications in Patients After Esophageal Cancer Surgery].:

Hu Li Za Zhi. 2016 Jun;63(3):83-93

Authors: Huang HC, Fang SY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acid regurgitation typically worsens during nighttime sleep, which influences the quality of life of patients and potentially causes pathological changes. As much as 80% of esophageal cancer patients experience acid regurgitation following esophagectomy and reconstruction surgery. Thus, improving this symptom is important to improving the quality of life of these patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of elevating the head of the bed for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS: A systematic review was used. Electronic databases including CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and PubMed/MEDLINE were retrieved for relevant articles that were published prior to June 2015. Keywords included "elevating the head of the bed/bed position/body position", "flat", "reflux", and the MeSh term "gastroesophageal reflux". A total of 37 articles that matched the search criteria were extracted. After screening the topics and deleting repetitions, three randomized controlled studies and one quasi-experimental designed study were selected.

RESULTS: Results of this systemic review revealed that elevating the head of the bed for patients with GERD reduced the duration of exposure of the the esophagus to an acid environment. Furthermore, patients perceived that this intervention not only improved symptoms such as regurgitation and burn sensation without medication but also relieved symptoms better than taking medications alone.

CONCLUSIONS: The reviewed studies support that elevating the head of the bed is an easy and effective way to alleviate the symptoms of acid regurgitation. A height of elevation of 20 to 28 cm is recommended in the literature. The slope of the elevated bed must also be considered. Elevating the head of the bed may be useful for improving acid regurgitation among esophageal cancer patients after surgery. A randomized controlled study may be used to validate this effect in the future.

PMID: 27250962 [PubMed - in process]

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Tetradentate polyamines as efficient metallodrugs for Chagas disease treatment in murine model.

Tetradentate polyamines as efficient metallodrugs for Chagas disease treatment in murine model.

J Chemother. 2016 Jun 2;:1-11

Authors: Olmo F, Costas M, Marín C, Rosales MJ, Martín-Escolano R, Cussó O, Gutierrez-Sánchez R, Ribas X, Sánchez-Moreno M

Abstract
A series of tetraamine-based compounds was prepared, and their trypanocidal effects against Trypanosoma cruzi and cytotoxicity were determined through the determination of IC50 values. In vivo assays were performed in mice, where parasitaemia levels were quantified by fresh blood examination and the assignment of a cure was determined by polymerase chain reaction and reactivation of blood parasitaemia levels after immunosuppression. The mechanisms of action were elucidated at metabolic and ultra-structural levels, by (1)H NMR, Fe-SOD inhibition and TEM studies. The high-selectivity indexes observed in vitro were the basis of promoting one of the tested compounds to in vivo assays. Compound 6 induced a remarkable decrease in the reactivation of parasitaemia after immunosuppression and curative rates of 33%. The experiments allowed us to select compound 6 as a promising candidate for treating Chagas disease, but a further high-level study should be considered to obtain an improved efficiency.

PMID: 27251893 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Surgeon's clinical valuation and accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: A comparison with intraoperative evaluation. Five years experience.

Surgeon's clinical valuation and accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: A comparison with intraoperative evaluation. Five years experience.

Int J Surg. 2016 May 30;

Authors: Ferrarese A, Falcone A, Solej M, Bono D, Moretto P, Dervishi N, Andrea V, Enrico S, Nano M, Martino V

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdomen in adolescents, with an overall incidence of 7%. Two such tools are used to diagnose acute appendicitis: ultrasound and Computer Tomography imaging. End point of this study was to verify the accuracy of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis with respect to intraoperative observations and the respective clinical and laboratory findings in young and in the elderly.
METHODS: We considered all the appendectomies for acute appendicitis performed between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2015. We evaluated clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, ultrasound findings, intraoperative signs, and anatomical and pathological findings. In the study we compared the ultrasound and intraoperative findings and then compared these with the respective clinical and laboratory data.
RESULTS: In a comparison of diagnostic accuracy, the difference between clinical and ultrasound examinations was not significant. The differences between the diagnostic accuracy of clinical and laboratory findings and between ultrasound and laboratory investigations were statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: We defined white blood cells and C protein levels as non-diagnostic of the type of acute inflammation but rather as indicators of the severity of the inflammatory process. We also agree with the authors who proposed the incorporation of ultrasonography into routine practice in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but only and exclusively to support other diagnostic procedures and preferably within emergency departments. A thorough clinical examination of patients with suspected acute appendicitis is still the best diagnostic procedure available to us.

PMID: 27255128 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Spontaneous Neuronal Activity in Developing Neocortical Networks: From Single Cells to Large-Scale Interactions.

Spontaneous Neuronal Activity in Developing Neocortical Networks: From Single Cells to Large-Scale Interactions.

Front Neural Circuits. 2016;10:40

Authors: Luhmann HJ, Sinning A, Yang JW, Reyes-Puerta V, Stüttgen MC, Kirischuk S, Kilb W

Abstract
Neuronal activity has been shown to be essential for the proper formation of neuronal circuits, affecting developmental processes like neurogenesis, migration, programmed cell death, cellular differentiation, formation of local and long-range axonal connections, synaptic plasticity or myelination. Accordingly, neocortical areas reveal distinct spontaneous and sensory-driven neuronal activity patterns already at early phases of development. At embryonic stages, when immature neurons start to develop voltage-dependent channels, spontaneous activity is highly synchronized within small neuronal networks and governed by electrical synaptic transmission. Subsequently, spontaneous activity patterns become more complex, involve larger networks and propagate over several neocortical areas. The developmental shift from local to large-scale network activity is accompanied by a gradual shift from electrical to chemical synaptic transmission with an initial excitatory action of chloride-gated channels activated by GABA, glycine and taurine. Transient neuronal populations in the subplate (SP) support temporary circuits that play an important role in tuning early neocortical activity and the formation of mature neuronal networks. Thus, early spontaneous activity patterns control the formation of developing networks in sensory cortices, and disturbances of these activity patterns may lead to long-lasting neuronal deficits.

PMID: 27252626 [PubMed - in process]

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Spirometry in elderly laryngectomized patients: A feasibility study.

Spirometry in elderly laryngectomized patients: A feasibility study.

Int J Surg. 2016 May 30;

Authors: Izzo A, Perrotta F, Cennamo A, Cerqua FS, Rinaldi L, Mazzella A, Grella E, Tranfa C, Bianco A, Stefanelli F, Mazzarella G

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Laryngeal cancer is the second most common respiratory neoplasm after lung cancer. Laryngectomy is a well established treatment for larynx cancers which imply spirometry. It is an essential investigation tool for diagnosis and severity of respiratory diseases is challenged by anatomical alterations in laryngectomees.
METHODS: 43 consecutive laryngectomized patients were enrolled from July 2014 to March 2015. Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria underwent spirometry at baseline assessment and after two days. During the examination, the spirometer was placed directly on the stoma of the patient, through mouthpiece "Spirometry Filter 74".
RESULTS: At baseline, 26 eligible laryngectomees correctly performed the spirometry test with mouthpiece adhering to the stoma; 4 patients refused to perform the second spirometry after 2 days. The feasibility of spirometry examination in these patients was 100% despite difficulties in the execution of the test. The Pearson coefficient of reproducibility for FEV1, FVC and Tiffeneau Index was, respectively, 0.98, 0.94 and 0.77.
DISCUSSION: Spirometry in laryngectomee patients is a feasible procedure for assessment of respiratory function; despite technical difficulties in the execution of the test, the results underline the reproducibility and repeatability of the spirometry. In conclusion, when performed within dedicated respiratory pathophysiology unit, spirometry is a reliable tool in the assessment and follow up of laryngectomees.

PMID: 27255127 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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