Clinical Outcomes and Safety of Partial Full-Thickness Myotomy versus Circular Muscle Myotomy in Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Achalasia Patients.

Background. Here we aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety between partial full-thickness myotomy and circular muscle myotomy during POEM procedure in achalasia patients. Methods. Clinical data of achalasia of cardia (AC) patients who underwent POEM in our center during January 2014 to January 2015 was collected (34 cases). 19 patients who received partial full-thickness myotomy were assigned to group A and 14 patients who received circular muscle myotomy were assigned to group B. The procedure-related parameters between the two groups were compared. Symptom relief rate and postprocedure manometry outcomes were compared to evaluate the efficacy. Procedure-related adverse events and complications were compared to evaluate the safety. Results. (1) Mean operation times were significantly shorter in group A than group B (62.42 ± 23.17 vs 87.86 ± 26.44 min, p < 0.01). (2) Symptom relief rate and postprocedure manometry outcomes had no statistical differences when compared between the two groups (all p > 0.05). (3) Comparison of procedure-related adverse events and complications had no statistical differences (all p > 0.05). Conclusion. Partial full-thickness myotomy had no significant differences in efficacy or safety with circular myotomy, but partial full-thickness myotomy significantly reduced the procedure time.

A nanosised oxygen scavenger: preparation and antioxidant application to roasted sunflower seeds and walnuts.

A novel oxygen scavenger using iron nanoparticle was produced and evaluated as a potential oxygen scavenger. Iron nanoparticle was prepared by liquid phase reduction method in microemulsion systems. The absorption capacity of different kinds of oxygen scavengers was measured as a function of time, and the absorption rate constant was evaluated at 25°C. The absorption kinetic analysis showed that the absorption process followed a first-order reaction. The absorption rate constant of nanosised and conventional oxygen scavenger were 0.45±0.044h(-1) and 0.05±0.006h(-1), respectively. Successful application of the nanosised oxygen scavenger on roasted sunflower seed and walnut demonstrated its ability to inhibit lipid oxidation in lipid-containing food. Roasted nut treated with nanosised oxygen scavenger possessed the lowest PV and AnV in all treatments after 120 days of storage. Therefore, it has the potential for broad application as an active packaging in a variety of oxygen-sensitive foods.

Application of endoscopic hemoclips for nonvariceal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

AIM: To investigate acute nonvariceal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and evaluate the effects of endoscopic hemoclipping. METHODS: Sixty-eight cases of acute nonvariceal bleeding in the upper GI tract were given endoscopic treatment with hemoclip application. Clinical data, endoscopic findings, and the effects of the therapy were evaluated. RESULTS: The 68 cases (male:female = 42:26, age from 9 to 70 years, average 54.4) presented with hematemesis in 26 cases (38.2%), melena in nine cases (13.3%), and both in 33 cases (48.5%). The causes of the bleeding included gastric ulcer (29 cases), duodenal ulcer (11 cases), Dieulafoy's lesion (11 cases), Mallory-Weiss syndrome (six cases), post-operative (three cases), post-polypectomy bleeding (five cases), and post-sphincterotomy bleeding (three cases); 42 cases had active bleeding. The mean number of hemoclips applied was four. Permanent hemostasis was obtained by hemoclip application in 59 cases; 6 cases required emergent surgery (three cases had peptic ulcers, one had Dieulafoy's lesion, and two were caused by sphincterotomy); three patients died (two had Dieulafoy's lesion and one was caused by sphincterotomy); and one had recurrent bleeding with Dieulafoy's lesion 10 mo later, but in a different location. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic hemoclip application was an effective and safe method for acute nonvariceal bleeding in the upper GI tract with satisfactory outcomes.

Genetic structure and population variability of tomato yellow leaf curl China virus.

Geminiviruses have circular single-stranded DNA genomes and are important pathogens in tropical and subtropical regions, but their population diversity and variability are poorly understood. Here, we have investigated variations accumulating in Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV), a geminivirus in the genus Begomovirus of the family Geminiviridae. The population variation was analyzed in a naturally infected tomato (Solanum lycopersicom) plant and in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato plants experimentally infected with a swarm of TYLCCNV DNA clones to provide an identical sequence for initiation of infection. Our results demonstrate that the population of TYLCCNV in a naturally infected tomato plant was genetically heterogeneous and that rapid mutation occurred in the populations amplified from N. benthamiana and tomato plants that had been infected with cloned DNA. This feature of the population of TYLCCNV in these plants consisted of the consensus sequence and a pool of mutants that are not identical but are closely related to the consensus sequence, and it coincides with the quasispecies concept described for many RNA viruses. The mutation frequency was circa 10(-4) in N. benthamiana and tomato at 60 days postinoculation, a value comparable to that reported for plant RNA viruses. The quasispecies-like nature of the TYLCCNV populations suggested that TYLCCNV is capable of rapid evolution and adaptation in response to changing agricultural practices.