Recommendations for endoscopic surveillance after esophageal atresia repair in adults

SUMMARY Background Endoscopic surveillance of adults with esophageal atresia is advocated, but the optimal surveillance strategy remains uncertain. This study aimed to provide recommendations on appropriate starting age and intervals of endoscopic surveillance in adults with esophageal atresia. Methods Participants underwent standardized upper endoscopies with biopsies. Surveillance intervals of 3–5 years were applied, depending on age and histopathological results. Patient’s age and time to development of (pre)malignant lesions were calculated. Results A total of 271 patients with esophageal atresia (55% male; median age at baseline endoscopy 26.7 (range 15.6–68.5) years; colon interposition n = 17) were included. Barrett’s esophagus was found in 19 (7%) patients (median age 32.3 (17.8–56.0) years at diagnosis). Youngest patient with a clinically relevant Barrett’s esophagus was 20.9 years. Follow-up endoscopies were performed in 108 patients (40%; median follow-up time 4.6 years). During surveillance, four patients developed Barrett’s esophagus but no dysplasia or cancer was found. One 45-year-old woman with a colon interposition developed an adenoma with high-grade dysplasia which was radically removed. Two new cases of esophageal carcinoma were diagnosed in patients (55 and 66 years old) who were not under surveillance. One of them had been curatively treated for esophageal carcinoma 13 years ago. Conclusions This study shows that endoscopic screening of patients with esophageal atresia, including those with a colon interposition, can be started at 20 years of age. Up to the age of 40 years a surveillance interval of 10 years appeared to be safe. Endoscopic surveillance may also be warranted for patients after curative esophageal cancer treatment.

Chicken hepatomegaly and splenomegaly associated with novel subgroup J avian leukosis virus infection

Background Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is an oncovirus which can induce multiple types of tumors in chicken. In this report, we found novel ALV-J infection is closely associated with serious hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in chicken. Case presentation The layer chickens from six flocks in Jiangsu province, China, showed serious hemoperitoneum, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Histopathological results indicated focal lymphocytic infiltration, cell edema and congestion in the liver, atrophy and depletion of lymphocyte in the spleen. Tumor cells were not detected in all the organs. avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV), which is thought to be the cause of a very similar disease, big liver and spleen disease (BLS), was not detected. Other viruses causing tumors or liver damage including Marek’s disease virus (MDV), reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), fowl adenovirus (FAdV) and chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) were also proved negative by either PCR or RT-PCR. However, we did detect ALV-J in those chickens using PCR. Only novel ALV-J strains were efficiently isolated from these chicken livers. Conclusions This is the first report that chicken hepatomegaly and splenomegaly disease was closely associated with novel ALV-J, highlighting the importance of ALV-J eradication program in China.

Assessing colposcopic accuracy for high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion detection: a retrospective, cohort study

Background Inappropriate management of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) may be the result of an inaccurate colposcopic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess colposcopic performance in identifying HSIL+ cases and to analyze the associated clinical factors. Methods Records from 1130 patients admitted to Shenzhen Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital from 12th January, 2018 up until 30th December, 2018 were retrospectively collected, and included demographics, cytological results, HPV status, transformation zone type, number of cervical biopsy sites, colposcopists’ competencies, colposcopic impressions, as well as histopathological results. Colposcopy was carried out using 2011 colposcopic terminology from the International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy. Logistic regression modelling was implemented for uni- and multivariate analyses. A forward stepwise approach was adopted in order to identify variables associated with colposcopic accuracy. Histopathologic results were taken as the comparative gold standard. Results Data from 1130 patient records were collated and analyzed. Colposcopy was 69.7% accurate in identifying HSIL+ cases. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of detecting HSIL or more (HSIL+) were 35.53%, 64.47%, 42.35% and 77.60%, respectively. Multivariate analysis highlighted the number of biopsies, cytology, and transformation zone type as independent factors. Age and HPV subtype did not appear to statistically correlate with high-grade lesion/carcinoma. Conclusion Evidence presented here suggests that colposcopy is only 69.7% accurate at diagnosing HSIL. Even though not all HSIL will progress into cancer it is considered pre-cancerous and therefore early identification will save lives. The number of biopsies, cytology and transformation zone type appear to be predictors of misdiagnosis and therefore should be considered during clinical consultations and by way of further research.

Correlation of Bladder Wall Endometriosis Histological Location, To Infertility Patients’ Clinical Characteristics and Severity of Peritoneal Endometriosis

Study question: What is the correlation of bladder wall endometriosis histological location, to the severity of peritoneal endometriosis in infertility patients? Summary answer: Secondary infertility, back pain, micturition problems, history of ectopic pregnancy and number of abortions can probably be considered as high-risk factors for bladder wall endometriosis for infertility patients. What is known already: Bladder and/or ureter endometriosis occur in 70–85% among patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis. The knowledge regarding the bladder wall involvement with endometriosis in association to peritoneal endometriosis and infertility patients’ clinical characteristics is limited. Study design, size, duration: Retrospective, longitudinal cohort, Sixty-six, primary and secondary infertility patients, collection of surgical and clinical data between 2010 to 2018. Participants/materials, setting, and methods: An experienced histopathologist on endometriosis was asked to review all the patients’ histopathological results. The histopathological reported findings were reviewed prior to the study to reassure the bladder wall depth of endometriosis involvement. The operation and tissue macroscopic description reports before processing were also reviewed. Attention was paid for possible discrepancies or missed important data that could influence the histopathological results. In cases where results were equivocal, the paraffin blocks were available for additional sections for reassuring the diagnosis. An extra effort was made to meticulously observe and identify the involvement of the bladder serosa, muscularis and mucosa with endometriotic cells and glands. Main results and the role of chance: Primary infertility was the indication for the current laparoscopic surgeries in 32 out of 66 (48.5%) patients and secondary infertility for the rest of the group. The highest incidence of bladder endometriosis (BE) was detected on the serosa of 12 patients and in the detrusor muscle (DM) of 11 cases. Bladder serosa endometriosis (BSE) was significantly more prominent among patients with history of ectopic pregnancy (p=0.004) and among patients with secondary infertility (p=0.029). Destrusor muscle endometriosis (DME) was significantly more frequent (p=0.012) in patients with increasing number of abortions. DME highest rates of 37.7% were observed among the severe spread of abdominal endometriosis as compared to 19% of the cases with bladder serosa endometriosis. No statistically significant difference found between serosa and detrusor muscle endometriosis involvement, when compared to severity and spread of endometriosis within the abdominal cavity. Back pain was most prominent with statistical significant difference (p=0.007) in 8 patients with BSE + DME as compared with other groups of patients (4 BSE, 3 DME and 3 BME+DME patients). Among 30 cases with an ovarian endometrioma detected by TVU, DME was diagnosed in 13 patients, in serosa of 10, and in serosa and DM of 6 patients. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests and the Kruskal-Wallis test by STATA version 15 SE (StataCorp. 2017). Limitations, reasons for caution: This is a cohort retrospective study. There is a possibility that other areas with endometriosis were also involved in the BW other than those diagnosed and treated. The mixture of patients with primary and secondary infertility could also affect the results, although statistical analysis did not show any significance in BWE, clinical symptoms and surgical findings. BE is rarely an isolated condition, and other forms of endometriosis are frequently concomitant Wider implications of the findings: Detrusor muscle endometriosis involvement was in 68% and bladder serosa in 32% of all cases with bladder endometriosis and infertility investigated. The severity of the peritoneal endometriosis can probably direct to meticulous intraoperative investigation for bladder endometriosis.

The Performance of Artificial Intelligence in Cervical Colposcopy: A Retrospective Data Analysis

Objective. We aimed to evaluate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) system in detecting high-grade precancerous lesions. Methods. A retrospective and diagnostic study was conducted in Chongqing Cancer Hospital. Anonymized medical records with cytology, HPV testing, colposcopy findings with images, and the histopathological results were selected. The sensitivity, specificity, and areas under the curve (AUC) in detecting CIN2+ and CIN3+ were evaluated for the AI system, the AI-assisted colposcopy, and the human colposcopists, respectively. Results. Anonymized medical records from 346 women were obtained. The images captured under colposcopy of 194 women were found positive by the AI system; 245 women were found positive either by human colposcopists or the AI system. In detecting CIN2+, the AI-assisted colposcopy significantly increased the sensitivity (96.6% vs. 88.8%, p = 0.016 ). The specificity was significantly lower for AI-assisted colposcopy (38.1%), compared with human colposcopists (59.5%, p < 0.001 ) or the AI system (57.6%, p < 0.001 ). The AUCs for the human colposcopists, AI system, and AI-assisted colposcopy were 0.741, 0.765, and 0.674, respectively. In detecting CIN3+, the sensitivities of the AI system and AI-assisted colposcopy were not significantly higher than human colposcopists (97.5% vs. 92.6%, p = 0.13 ). The specificity was significantly lower for AI-assisted colposcopy (37.4%) compared with human colposcopists (59.2%, p < 0.001 ) or compared with the AI system (56.6%, p < 0.001 ). The AUCs for the human colposcopists, AI system, and AI-assisted colposcopy were 0.759, 0.674, and 0.771, respectively. Conclusions. The AI system provided equally matched sensitivity to human colposcopists in detecting CIN2+ and CIN3+. The AI-assisted colposcopy significantly improved the sensitivity in detecting CIN2+.

Pouteria ramiflora leaf extract on emulgel in wound healing activity in diabetic rats

The genus Pouteria has been studied because it presents various activities, among which is its anti-inflammatory potential. The effects of Pouteria ramiflora Carbopol gel on the healing of skin wounds in diabetic rats were evaluated by microscopic imaging. Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally in animals that had fasted for 12 hours, a situation confirmed by the glycemic index (˃ 240 mg dL-1). An excision on the back of the animals was performed and three groups were formed: Control (Gel), Ethanolic extract (Ext) and Gel + extract 2% (Ext+gel); the histopathological evaluation occurred on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 30th days after the post-operative period. The results of the phytochemical prospecting of P. ramiflora extract demonstrated the major presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids; the assessment of the inflammatory infiltrate on the 7th day was higher on group Ext and Ext+gel when compared to group Control; on the 14th day control and Ext (p<0.05). The quantification of fibroblasts was higher on the 7th day among the three treatments, control and Ext (p<0.05), on the 21st day. Angiogenesis showed a higher number of vessels in Ext+gel group (p<0.05) on the 7th day; in Control, Ext and Ext+gel (p<0.05) on the 14th day; and Control and Ext (p<0.05)on the 21st day. The histopathological results showed that the formulation Ext+gel was efficient in tissue reparation and decrease in inflammatory cells on the diabetic’s animals.

Ameliorative effects of morel mushroom (Morchella esculenta) against Cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in adult male rats

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the major toxicants, which affects human health through occupational and environmental exposure. In the current study, we evaluated the protective effects of morel mushrooms against Cd-induced reproductive damages in rats. For this purpose, 30 male rats were divided into 6 groups (n=5/group), the first group served as the control group, second group was treated with an intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of 1 mg/kg/day of Cd. Third and fourth groups were co-treated with 1 mg/kg/day of Cd (i.p) and 10 and 20 mg/kg/day of morel mushroom extract (orally) respectively. The final 2 groups received oral gavage of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day of morel mushroom extract alone. After treatment for 17 days, the animals were euthanized, and testes and epididymis were dissected out. One testis and epididymis of each animal were processed for histology, while the other testis and epididymis were used for daily sperm production (DSP) and comet assay. Our results showed that Cd and morel mushrooms have no effect on animal weight, but Cd significantly decreases the DSP count and damages the heritable DNA which is reversed in co-treatment groups. Similarly, the histopathological results of testes and epididymis show that morel mushrooms control the damage to these tissues. Whereas the morel mushroom extract alone could enhance the production of testosterone. These results conclude that morel mushrooms not only control the damage done by Cd, but it could also be used as a protection mechanism for heritable DNA damage.

Concurrent cytologic and colposcopic evaluation of symptomatic cervical erosion

Background: Cervical cancer is amongst the leading causes of deaths due to cancer in developing countries. Moreover, preinvasive lesions of the cervix have a long latency period for conversion into malignancy and are also detectable by screening techniques. Hence, colposcopy in addition to cytology should be carried out wherever facility is available to ensure early detection and timely management.Methods: Simultaneous cytology and colposcopy was done for 80 women with symptomatic cervical erosion followed by a colposcopic directed biopsy in women with MRCI >3. Finally, correlation between cytology, colposcopy and histopathological results was done.Results: 65/80 women were biopsied. 12/80 women had MRCI >6 amongst which 10/80 were confirmed to have a high grade lesion on histopathology. 13/80 had lesser abnormalities (ASCUS and LSIL) amongst which 3/80 had CIN1 on histopathology. Only 2/80 had HSIL on cytology as compared to 8/80 on histopathology that had CIN 2/3. Lastly, only 1/80 had SCC on cytology compared to 2/80 on histopathology. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of cytology and colposcopy for diagnosing cervical dysplasia was 46.1%, 83.5%, 35.2%, 88.8% and 84.6%, 86.5%, 55%, 96.6% respectively making colposcopy a better screening tool than cytology for evaluating cervical malignancy.Conclusions: Colposcopic examination should ideally be carried out in all women with symptomatic cervical erosion in addition to cytology. Moreover, suspicious areas should be biopsied even if cytology is normal to exclude malignancy.

Association between lesion enhancement and breast cancer in contrast-enhanced spectral mammography

Background Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) may help to determine the malignancy potential of lesions according to the degree of enhancement. Purpose To investigate the correlation between the degree of contrast enhancement of the lesions in contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) and the final histopathological diagnosis in patients with BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions. Material and Methods CESM was performed in 128 patients who had BI-RADS 4 and 5 lesions on mammography and underwent histopathological examination. A total of 128 index lesions were scored using a 4-point scale regarding the degree of contrast enhancement (0 = no contrast enhancement, 1 = minimal, 2 = moderate, 3 = marked), a score of 2 and 3 was accepted as suggestive of malignancy. The study was approved in our institutional scientific committee. Results In total, 76 (59.4%) of the lesions had benign histopathological results, whereas 52 of them had malignant results. Contrast enhancement was not observed in 22.7% of the lesions while 24.2% had minimal enhancement, 18.8% had moderate enhancement, and 34.4% had marked enhancement in CESM. The sensitivity of the degree of contrast enhancement in CESM was 98.1%, when the specificity was 77.6%, positive predictive value was 75%, negative predictive value was 98.3%, and accuracy was 85.9%. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the degree of contrast enhancement of the lesions in CESM may be used in daily practice with easily performing a visual scale in predicting the malignancy potential of the lesions.

Changes in Diet and Anthropometric Parameters in Children and Adolescents with Celiac Disease—One Year of Follow-Up

Celiac disease (CD) may cause numerous nutrient deficiencies that a proper gluten-free diet (GFD) should compensate for. The study group consists of 40 children, aged 8.43 years (SD 3.5), on average, in whom CD was diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, immunological and histopathological results. The patients’ height, weight, diet and biochemical tests were assessed three times: before diagnosis, after six months, and following one year of GFD. After one year, the patients’ weight and height increased but nutritional status (body mass index, BMI percentile) did not change significantly. The children’s diet before diagnosis was similar to that of the general Polish population: insufficient implementation of the dietary norm for energy, fiber, calcium, iodine, iron as well as folic acid, vitamins D, K, and E was observed. Over the year, the GFD of the children with CD did not change significantly for most of the above nutrients, or the changes were not significant for the overall assessment of the diet. Celiac patients following GFD may have a higher risk of iron, calcium and folate deficiencies. These results confirm the need for personalized nutritional education aimed at excluding gluten from the diet, as well as balancing the diet properly, in patients with CD.