Effect of subconjunctival injection with conbercept as an adjuvant to filtration surgery for open angle glaucoma: a prospective randomized interventional 6-month follow-up study

AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy of subconjunctival injection with conbercept and 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) for open angle glaucoma(OAG) patients after filtration surgery. METHODS: As a prospective randomized interventional trial, 36 eyes from 36 patients after OAG surgery were collected and divided randomly into conbercept and 5-FU groups. All patients were subconjunctivally injected with either conbercept(0.2 mL) or 5-FU(0.2 mL) on the 5th day post-operatively. The intraocular pressure(IOP), number of medications used, type of conjunctival bleb, and complications were recorded and analyzed pre-operatively and 1d, 1wk, 1, 3 and 6mo post-injection. RESULTS: There were significant differences in IOP between the conbercept and 5-FU groups 1mo(conbercept group: 12.17±1.04 mm Hg; 5-FU group: 13.50±2.33 mm Hg, t=2.214, P=0.037), 3mo(conbercept group: 13.00±1.88 mm Hg; 5-FU group: 14.50±2.28 mm Hg, t=2.153, P=0.039), and 6mo post-injection(conbercept group: 13.28±2.95 mm Hg; 5-FU group: 15.22±2.49 mm Hg, t=2.140, P=0.040); however, in the number of medications, a prominent difference was not shown between groups on post-injection 6mo(t=1.312, P=0.200). Moreover, there was mild vascularity observed in the conbecept group than the 5-FU group 1d(3a, 3b, 3c: t=8.497, 6.693, 4.515, P=0.000), 1wk(3a, 3b, 3c: t=3.431, 6.408, 3.984, P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000), and 1mo post-injection(3a, 3b, 3c: t=2.466, 2.466, 2.503, P=0.019, 0.019, 0.017). Simultaneously, differences from other indicators between the two groups were not demonstrated. Also, there was a lower probability of corneal epithelial stripping in the conbercept group than the 5-FU group(χ2=4.500, P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival injection of conbercept has a safe, effective, and tolerable profile for open angle glaucoma patients with distinct conjunctival congestion after filtration surgery.

Endoscopic management of a new entity-plastobezoar:A case report and review of literature

Foreign bodies and bezoars are commonly encountered in children. We describe a child aged 11 years who ingested large amounts of plastic material used for knitting chairs and charpoys. The conglomerate of plastic threads, entrapped food material and other debris, formed a huge mass occupying the whole stomach. Chronic irritation of the gastric antral mucosa led to ulceration and formation of hyperplastic polyps. We labeled this new entity as a “plastobezoar”. The entire bezoar could be removed endoscopically.

Contribution of genetics to a new vision in the understanding of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases （IBD）, such as Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis （UC）, are chronic inflammatory autoimmune conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Other organs, such as the eyes, skin and articulations, are often affected and IBD may be accompanied by other diseases of autoimmune origin. There is no single etiological factor responsible for the onset of IBD. Recent advances in genetics and in the molecular mechanisms of the proteins coded by these genes have given rise to a new vision in understanding these complex diseases. Activation of specific genes that affect antigen presentation and the handling of cells by innate immunity may lead to autoimmunity with the consequent activation of the major histocompatibility complex （MHC） and multiple cytokines involved in the regulation of acquired immunity. In this review IBD is described as a constellation of diseases that can best be classified as barrier diseases. This vision, developed by Kiel in Germany, includes the idea that changes in our environment due to the westernization of civilization have not been met with adaptation of the innate immune system, and this has given rise to autoimmune diseases. These diseases affect 1-5 of 1000 individuals and represent a major burden on the national health systems of many countries on different continents. On a world scale, a major challenge is to generate interventions to prevent the development of these diseases in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Meta-analysis of lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅰ and Ⅱ T1 adenocarcinomas

AIM To evaluate the incidence of lymph node metastasis （LNM） and its risk factors in patients with Siewert type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pT1 adenocarcinomas.METHODS We enrolled 85 patients [69 men, 16 women; median age （range）, 67 （38-84） years] who had undergone esophagectomy or proximal gastrectomy for Siewert type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pT1 adenocarcinomas. Predictive risk factors of LNM included age, sex, location of the tumor center, confirmed Barrett’s esophageal adenocarcinoma, tumor size, macroscopic tumor type, pathology, invasion depth, presence of ulceration, and lymphovascular invasion. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors predicting LNM. We also evaluated the frequencies of LNM for Siewert type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pT1 adenocarcinomas in meta-data analysis.RESULTSLNMs were found in 11 out of 85 patients （12.9%, 95%CI： 5.8-20.0）. Only 1 of the 15 patients （6.6%, 95%CI： 0.0-19.2） who had a final diagnosis of pT1a adenocarcinoma had a positive LNM, whereas 10 of the 70 patients （14.2%, 95%CI： 6.0-22.4） with a final diagnosis of pT1b adenocarcinoma had positive LNM. Furthermore, only one of the 30 patients （3.3%, 95%CI： 0.0-9.7） with a tumor invasion depth within 500 μm from muscularis mucosae had positive LNM. Poor differentiation and lymphovascular invasion were independently associated with a risk of LNM. In meta-data analysis, 12 of the 355 patients （3.3%, 95%CI： 1.5-5.2） who had a final diagnosis of pT1a adenocarcinoma had a positive LNM, whereas 91 of the 438 patients （20.7%, 95%CI： 16.9-24.5） with a fnal diagnosis of pT1b adenocarcinoma had positive LNM.CONCLUSIONWe consider endoscopic submucosal dissection （ESD） is suitable for patients with Siewert type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ T1a adenocarcinomas. For patients with T1b adenocarcinoma, especially invasion depth is within 500 μm from muscularis mucosae with no other risk factor for LNM, diagnostic ESD could be a treatment option according to the overall status of patients and the presence of comorbidities.

Application of Stool-PCR test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children

AIM： To evaluate the usefulness of stooI-PCR test for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori （H pylon） infection in pediatric populations. METHODS： Based on endoscopic features （including nodular gastritis, erosive duodenitis and ulcer） and/or a positive rapid urease test （RUT） obtained during endoscopy, 28 children from a group of children admitted to the Children＇s Medical Center of Tehran for persistent upper gastrointestinal problems were selected to compare biopsy-based tests with stool- PCR. Their gastric activity and bacterial density were graded by the updated Sydney system, and their first stool after endoscopy was stored at -70℃. Biopsies were cultured on modified campy-blood agar plates and identified by gram-staining, biochemical tests, and PCR. Two methods of phenol-chloroform and boiling were used for DNA extraction from H pylori isolates. Isolation of DNA from stool was performed using a stool DNA extraction kit （Bioneer Inc, Korea）. PCR was performed using primers for detection of vacA, cagA, and 16srRNA genes in both isolates and stool. RESULTS： Sixteen out of 28 child patients （57%） were classified as H pylori positive by biopsy-based tests, of which 11 （39%） were also positive by stool- PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of stool-PCR was 62.5% and 92.3% respectively. H pylori was observed in histological sections for 10 out of 11 stool-positive patients. Association was observed between higher score of H pylori in histology and positivity of stool- PCR. Also association was observed between the more severe form of gastritis and a positive stool-PCR. CONCLUSION： Association between higher score of H pylori in histology and a positive stool-PCR make it a very useful test for detection of H pylori active infection in children. We also suggest that a simple stool-PCR method can be a useful test for detection of Hpylori virulence genes in stool.

Ileocecal masses in patients with amebic liver abscess:Etiology and management

AIM. To assess the causes of ileocecal mass in patients with amebic liver abscess. METHODS： Patients with amebic liver abscess and ileocecal mass were carefully examined and investigated by contrast-enhanced CT scan followed by colonoscopy and histological examination of biopsy materials from lesions during colonoscopy. RESULTS： Ileocecal masses were found in seventeen patients with amebic liver abscess. The cause of the mass was ameboma in 14 patients, cecal tuberculosis in 2 patients and adenocarcinoma of the cecum in 1 patient. Colonic ulcers were noted in five of the six （83%） patients with active diarrhea at presentation. The ileocecal mass in all these patients was ameboma. Ulcers were seen in only one of the 11 （9%） patients without diarrhea. The difference was statistically significant from the group with diarrhea （P〈 0.005）. CONCLUSION： Ileocecal mass is not an uncommon finding in patients with amebic liver abscess. Although, the ileocecal mass is due to ameboma formation in most cases, it should not be assumed that this is the case in all patients. Colonoscopy and histological examination of the target biopsies are mandatory to avoid missing a more sinister lesion.

Antral exfoliative cytology for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of antral exfoliative cytology method in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)infection in the stomach.METHODS: Fifty patients were submitted to upper digestivetract endoscopy due to complaints of dyspepsia. Thematerial for exfoliative cytology was obtained by extensive brushing of the gastric antral mucosa and Papanicolaou stain was used to identify the bacteria. The authors also performed gastric biopsies to collect material for urease tests and histologic studies, with hematoxylin-eosin and fucsin stains in order to identify the microorganism. The gold standard used to detect the presence of H pylori was an analysis of the combined results from the gastric biopsies by urease test and histological method. RESULTS: Antral exfoliative cytology method exhibited 90.3% sensitivity, 66.6% specificity, accuracy of 81.6%, positive predictive value of 82.3% and negative predictive value of 80.0%, in this population with a prevalence of 63.3%.CONCLUSION: Antral exfoliative cytology was demonstrated to be a sensitive, accurate and easy to perform method for investigating H pylori infection in the stomach.

Ileoscopy in patients with ileocolonic tuberculosis

AIM: To study the role of retrograde terminal ileoscopy in patients suspected to have ileocolonic tuberculosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for patients undergoing colonoscopy for suspected ileocolonic tuberculosis between January 2000 and June 2004, in whom retrograde ileoscopy had been performed. Only patients diagnosed with tuberculosis on the basis of histological findings of either a caseating granuloma or those having non-caseating granuloma or a collection of epithelioid cells at a minimum of one endoscopic lesion (either in the colon or the terminal ileum) on histology with good responses to conventional anti-tuberculous drugs were enrolled for the study. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were included. The terminal ileum was involved in only 11 patients. Eight of these patients had involvement of the cecum too. Two patients had ileal lesions without cecal involvement; however, lesions were noted in the ascending colon. In one patient the whole colon was normal and only the terminal ileum showed nodularity and ulceration. Histological examination of the ileal biopsies obtained from the ileal lesions showed noncaseating granulomas in five, collection of epithelioid cells in four and nonspecific histology in two patients. Mucosal biopsies obtained from the lesion in the terminal ileum, in the patient in whom mucosal abnormality was observed to be confined to the ileum, showed noncaseating granulomas. In two other patients the ileal biopsies alone showed histological evidence of tuberculosis with biopsies from the colonic lesions showing non-specific inflammatory changes only. CONCLUSION: Retrograde ileoscopy should be performed in all patients undergoing colonoscopy for suspected ileocolonic tuberculosis. In some patients only the terminal ileum may be involved and histological examination may reveal evidence of tuberculosis only from the lesions in the terminal ileum. This approach would lead to additional lesions being picked up andincreasing the chances of well-timed diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Acute liver injury induced by weight-loss herbal supplements

We report three cases of patients with acute liver injury induced by weight-loss herbal supplements. One patient took Hydroxycut while the other two took Herbalife supplements. Liver biopsies for all patients dem onstrated f indings consistent with drug-induced acute liver injury. To our knowledge, we are the fi rst instit ute to report acute liver injury from both of these two typ es of weight-loss herbal supplements together as a case series. The series emphasizes the importance of taking a cautious approach when consuming herbal supp lements for the purpose of weight loss.

Ileoscopy in 39 hematochezia patients with normal colonoscopy

AIM： To assess the role of retrograde terminal ileoscopy in hematochezia patients with normal colonoscopy. METHODS： Between January 1997 and March 2005, 39 hematochezia patients （males 36, females 3, mean age 44.7 years） with a reported normal colonoscopy underwent a repeat colonoscopy. After reaching the cecum, attempt was made to localize the ileocecal valve and intubate the terminal ileum. Any abnormality in the mucosa of the terminal ileum was carefully recorded and biopsies were obtained from suspiciouslooking lesions. RESULTS： During the study period there were 39 patients admitted for hematochezia in whom colonoscopy till cecum did not reveal any abnormality. Fulllength colonoscopy till the cecum could be performed in all the patients. The terminal ileum could be intubated in 36 patients. No abnormality was noted in 31 patients. Ileal ulcers were noted in two patients. Noclularity along with ulceration of the ileal mucosa, a Dieulafoy＇s lesion, and an angiomatous malformation were noted in one patient each. Histological examination of the biopsies obtained from the ulcers revealed typical tuberculous lesion in the patient with nodularity and ulceration. One of the patients had typhoid ulcers and another had non-specific ulcers. CONCLUSION： Retrograde terminal ileoscopy gives limited but valuable information, in patients with hematochezia and should be attempted in all such patients.