Miniprobe EUS in the pretherapeutic assessment of early esophageal neoplasia.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The high-frequency endosonography miniprobe has been advocated prior to endoscopic treatment of superficial esophageal neoplasm. We conducted a retrospective study, which summarized our clinical experience with various miniprobe techniques in the assessment of early squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and superficial adenocarcinoma on Barrett's mucosa (SAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 106 superficial and naive esophageal lesions were included in this series (52 SAB, 54 SCC). The results of the miniprobe staging were compared with pathology in order to determine the accuracy of this technique in differentiating mucosal from submucosal infiltration. Secondary aims were a comparison between the frequencies (20- vs. 30-MHz) and coupling methods (water-filled lumen vs. balloon-sheathed catheter) used. RESULTS: Overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity to differentiate T1sm from T1 m tumors were 73.5 %, 62 %, and 76.5 %, respectively. Overdiagnosis occurred in 18.6 % of the lesions. No statistically significant difference was found in the accuracy of the miniprobe staging between the two lesion types (SCC and SAB) ( P = 0.65), and results were significantly poorer in the distal part of the esophagus ( P = 0.00039). No significant difference was found between the two frequencies ( P = 0.51). Water-filled lumen proved to be superior to the balloon-sheathed catheter ( P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: High-frequency miniprobe examination has a limited accuracy in the detection of submucosal invasion in early esophageal cancer. Further improvements in acoustic coupling and ultrasound technique are required to improve the miniprobe accuracy before its implementation into clinical routine.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Salts on the Development of Helminthosporium solani, the Causal Agent of Potato Silver Scurf.

Potato silver scurf, caused by Helminthosporium solani, is an important postharvest disease of economic significance. Control of H. solani has been accomplished primarily by postharvest applications of thiabendazole. However, many strains of H. solani have become resistant to thiabendazole, resulting in failure of disease control. Consequently, alternative control strategies are needed. This study showed that several salts significantly reduced silver scurf development on potato tuber at a concentration of 0.2 M and that the timing of application also influenced salt efficacy. Among the 23 tested salts, aluminum chloride was the only one reducing silver scurf severity when applied either 2, 4, or 7 days after H. solani inoculation. Aluminum lactate, potassium sorbate, sodium carbonate, sodium metabisulfite, and trisodium phosphate also markedly reduced silver scurf severity but only when applied 2 or 4 days after inoculation. Ammonium acetate, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, and sodium formate reduced disease severity by at least 50% when applied 2 days after H. solani inoculation. With the exception of calcium chloride and sodium formate, these salts also were shown to strongly inhibit H. solani mycelial growth or spore germination in vitro. Results of this study further demonstrate the possibility of using selected salts for the control of potato silver scurf.