Activity

  • Cruz posted an update 9 months ago

    Studies on refractory regurgitation using some of the newer antireflux procedures (magnetic sphincter augmentation and transoral fundoplication) demonstrated success in over 85% of patients whereas increased PPI dosing helped in approximately 15%. Summary Precision care of regurgitation should recognize the low-therapeutic impact of acid control, while antireflux procedures are very successful.Purpose of review Barrett’s oesophagus is the only identifiable precursor lesion to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The stepwise progression of Barrett’s oesophagus to dysplasia and invasive carcinoma provides the opportunity to intervene and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this lethal cancer. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for the management of Barrett’s oesophagus related neoplasia. The primary goal of EET is to achieve complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) followed by enrolment of patients in surveillance protocols to detect recurrence of Barrett’s oesophagus and Barrett’s oesophagus related neoplasia. Recent findings EET depends on early and accurate detection and diagnosis of Barrett’s oesophagus related neoplasia. All visible lesions should be resected followed by ablation of the remaining Barrett’s epithelium. After treatment, patients should be enrolled in endoscopic surveillance programmes. For nondysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus, surveillance alone is recommended. For low-grade dysplasia, both surveillance and ablation are reasonable options and should be decided on an individual basis according to patient risk factors and preferences. EET is preferred for high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma. For T1b oesophageal adenocarcinoma, esophagectomy remains the standard of care, but endoscopic therapy can be considered in select cases. Summary EET is now standard of care and endorsed by societal guidelines for the treatment of Barrett’s oesophagus related neoplasia. Future studies should focus on risk stratification models using a combination of clinical data and biomarkers to identify ideal candidates for EET, and to predict recurrence. Optimal therapy for T1b cancer and surveillance strategy after CE-IM are topics that require further study.Purpose of review Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed and have excellent short-term tolerability. Administrative database studies have highlighted that many diseases are associated with PPI therapy including pneumonia, fracture, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. This review therefore reviews the evidence of the risks and benefits of these drugs. Recent findings There is high-to-moderate quality evidence that PPIs are effective at treating many acid-related disorders. Recent randomized trials have suggested that the associations between PPIs and various diseases are likely to be related to bias and residual confounding and these drugs appear to be safe apart from a possible increased risk of enteric infections. Summary PPIs should be used at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration possible. They are still relatively well-tolerated drugs but should only be prescribed for proven indications.Purpose of review In this review article, we address emerging evidence for the medical and surgical treatment of the hospitalized patient with ulcerative colitis. Recent findings Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the colon and rectum. About one-fifth of patients will be hospitalized from ulcerative colitis, and about 20-30%, experiencing an acute flare will undergo colectomy. Because of the significant clinical consequences, patients hospitalized need prompt evaluation for potential complications, stratification of disease severity, and a multidisciplinary team approach to therapy, which involves both the gastroenterologist and surgeon. Although corticosteroids remain first-line therapy, second-line medical rescue options, primarily infliximab or cyclosporine, are considered within 3-5 days of presentation. In conjunction, an early surgical consultation to present the possibility of a staged proctocolectomy as one of the therapeutic options is equally important. Summary A coordinated multidisciplinary, individualized approach to treatment, involving the patient preferences throughout the process, is optimal in providing patient-centered effective care.Background Children with leukemia commonly receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and transfusion-related iron overload (TRIO) is a major complication. However, few studies have evaluated TRIO in children with leukemia and no guidelines for screening exist. This retrospective, observational cohort study in children with acute leukemia evaluates the prevalence of TRIO and its impact on end-organ function. selleck products Results The study included 139 patients; 60% standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 32% high-risk (HR) ALL, and 9% acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The mean age at diagnosis was 6 years (range 5 mo to 18 y). Patients with HR-ALL and AML were more likely to be transfused with ≥10 RBC units (59% and 92%, respectively) compared with those with standard-risk ALL (18%) (P1000 mcg/L) in 23%. Endocrinopathies were the most common end-organ abnormality. Hepatic dysfunction was significantly higher in patients with ≥10 RBC units transfused compared with those with less then 10 units (P=0.008). Conclusions Although the RBC transfusion burden is highest in patients with AML and HR-ALL, TRIO screening was not commonly performed. Patients who receive ≥10 RBC units are at risk for hepatic and endocrine dysfunction. We recommend routine screening for TRIO in children with leukemia, who are at risk for a higher transfusion burden.Cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) is the key second messenger molecule in nitric oxide signaling. Its rapid generation and fate, but also its role in mediating acute cellular functions has been extensively studied. In the past years, genetic studies suggested an important role for cGMP in affecting the risk of chronic cardiovascular diseases, for example, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Here, we review the role of cGMP in atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases and discuss recent genetic findings and identified mechanisms. Finally, we highlight open questions and promising research topics.

Skip to toolbar