Gastric ulcers: malignancy yield and risk stratification for follow-up endoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Malignant change can occur in gastric ulcer but guideline recommendations for follow-endoscopy (FU-OGD) are conflicting. This study aims to determine rate of malignancy and need for follow-up for gastric ulcers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with a first diagnosis of gastric ulcer between January 2012 and September 2013 were studied by analyzing endoscopic assessments, dysplasia, and malignancy yield and the influence of risk factors on the likelihood of benign disease. RESULTS: In a cohort of 432 patients with gastric ulcer (53 % male, mean age 65 years) dysplasia or neoplasia were found in 27 (19 adenocarcinomas, 2 cases of dysplasia, 5 lymphomas, 1 melanoma; malignancy yield 6 %). Twenty-five (93 %) cases were diagnosed on first biopsy. The cancer yield of FU-OGD after initially benign biopsy was 0.9 %. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that endoscopically benign appearance (odds ratio 0.004 95 % CI 0 - 0.576; P = 0.029), benign histology on first biopsy (odds ratio 0 95 % CI 0 - 0.39; P = 0.011) and lower number of ulcers (odds ratio 0.22 (95 % CI 0.05 - 0.99); P = 0.049) were independent predictors of benign disease. All dysplastic and neoplastic cases would have been identified by a combination of initial biopsies plus repeat endoscopy with further biopsies for endoscopically suspicious appearances. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort 6 % of gastric ulcers were found to be malignant, highlighting the need for all gastric ulcers to be biopsied. The cancer yield of FU-OGD after benign biopsies was low. We have demonstrated that the combination of benign index histology and no endoscopic suspicion of malignancy can predict benign disease. We recommend that all gastric ulcers to be biopsied. Risk stratification could potentially reduce need for FU-OGD.

Evaluation of the performance of an immunoturbidimetric HbA1c reagent applied to the Siemens ADVIA 2400 automatic analyzer.

OBJECTIVES: A new immunochemical reagent based on latex particles and antibodies against HbA1c (Axis-Shield), using Siemens ADVIA 2400 Instrument was evaluated. DESIGN AND METHODS: Intra-assay and total imprecision, interferences studies (bilirubin ~850 µmol/L, triglycerides ~16.9 mmol/L, total protein ~140 g/L, sodium cyanate ~50 mg/dL, ascorbic acid ~50 mg/dL, urea ~24.99 mmol/L, glucose ~105.46 mmol/L, rheumatoid factor ~600 U/mL), method comparison vs Capillary Electrophoresis (Sebia), Lot to Lot reproducibility, linearity and carry over were conducted on ADVIA 2400 according to CLSI protocols. Additionally, 40 samples were measured by the two methods and also by a NGSP reference lab. RESULTS: CVs % obtained by intra-assay imprecision, on 3 human HbA1c specimens at different concentrations (48, 48-64 and >64 mmol/mol) in 20 replicates, were <4%. CVs % by total imprecision, performed over 20 days with 4 calibrations on 3 human HbA1c samples (48, 48-64 and >64 mmol/mol), resulted <4%. Interferences were studied on two human samples (42-53 and>64 mmol/mol) without obtaining significant biases (<10%). Methods comparison vs Capillary Electrophoresis, performed on 120 samples ranging 23-137 mmol/mol, obtaining r = 0.974 as regression coefficient and a mean bias at decision level (48 mmol/mol) <3%. The results obtained with the NGSP samples have allowed the certification of the new reagent. CONCLUSIONS: The ASD reagent met the needs of clinical laboratories, fulfilling both NGSP and IFCC requirements and it is robust to endogenous interferences.

A case-based approach to the practical application of dexmedetomidine in critically ill adults.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective α(2) -adrenoceptor agonist that offers unique sedation because patients are readily awakened while administration continues and the drug does not suppress the respiratory center. Limitations of use include higher acquisition cost, inability to produce deep sedation, and bradycardia and hypotension. Using a case-based approach, the purpose of this review was to qualitatively assess the role of dexmedetomidine in the care of the critically ill and in the management of alcohol withdrawal, and to formulate recommendations regarding its clinical application. Sixty-six studies were identified that investigated dexmedetomidine for the provision of sedation. These studies were heterogeneous in design and patient populations; most investigated patients did not require heavy sedation, and few used propofol as the comparator. In general, though, the aggregate results of all studies demonstrate that dexmedetomidine provides comfort, possibly shortens the duration of mechanical ventilation to facilitate extubation, reduces the occurrence of acute brain dysfunction, and facilitates communication, but the drug is associated with hemodynamic instability and requires the supplemental use of traditional sedative and analgesic agents. These outcomes need to be substantiated in additional studies that include assessments of cost-effectiveness. Dexmedetomidine should be considered when patients require mild to moderate levels of sedation of short to intermediate time frames, and they qualify for daily awakenings with traditional sedative therapies. The data for dexmedetomidine in relation to alcohol withdrawal are limited to 12 retrospective reports representing a total of 127 patients. Its role for this indication requires further study, but it may be considered as adjunctive therapy when clinicians are concerned about respiratory suppression associated with escalating doses of γ-aminobutyric acid agonists. Regardless of the indication for dexmedetomidine, the practitioner must closely monitor patient comfort and the occurrence of hemodynamic deviations with the realization that as-needed administration of traditional sedatives and analgesics will be required and some degree of bradycardia and hypotension expected but intervention rarely required.

Rearrangement of a conditional allele regardless of inheritance of a Cre recombinase transgene.

To generate conditional gene knockouts in osteoblasts, we previously developed transgenic mice in which Cre recombinase cDNA was cloned downstream of a 3.6 or 2.3 kb fragment of the rat Col1a1 promoter (Col3.6-Cre and Col2.3-Cre, respectively). Col-Cre mice were bred with mice in which exon 4 of the Igf1 gene is flanked by loxP sites. Mating units were arranged such that either the male or the female breeder transmitted the Col-Cre transgenes. Progeny were evaluated for Cre-mediated Igf1 gene rearrangement. We found that the loxP-flanked Igf1 locus was rearranged in the absence of inheritance of the Cre transgene. The incidence was 50 and 28% with Col2.3-Cre and Col3.6-Cre females, respectively, and 15 and 18% with Col2.3-Cre and Col3.6-Cre males, respectively.