Emerging Roles of the Endolumenal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe in Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

Gastrointestinal sphincters play a vital role in gut function and motility by separating the gut into functional segments. Traditionally, function of sphincters including the esophagogastric junction is studied using endoscopy and manometry. However, due to its dynamic biomechanical properties, data on distensibility and compliance may provide a more accurate representation of the sphincter function. The endolumenal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) system uses a multi-detector impedance planimetry system to provide data on tissue distensibility and geometric changes in the sphincter as measured through resistance to volumetric distention with real-time images. With the advent of EndoFLIP studies, esophagogastric junction dysfunction and other disorders of the stomach and bowels may be better evaluated. It may be utilized as a tool in predicting effectiveness of endoscopic and surgical treatments as well as patient outcomes.

Rate of rejection of Haematology samples in Pathology Department In Port Moresby General Hospital : A Retrospective Study

@#The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of rejection of blood samples sent to the haematology section in the Pathology laboratory and to identify the areas of sample collection and the reasons for rejection. This retrospective study was conducted at the Port Moresby General Hospital within the period April 2012 to March 2013. The data was retrieved from the sample registration records in the haematology section. The percent cumulative rate of sample rejection over the 12 months duration of the study was 1.44%. The areas with the highest rate of rejected samples were those from the accident and emergency ward (23.19%) followed by children’s ward (22.39%). Some of the causes for rejection were clotting of blood samples (19.24%) followed by requisition forms without samples (18.32%) and unlabelled samples (15.65%). Thus, technical errors in the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory testing were among the common reasons for rejection. This include insufficient blood collection, not inverting the sample bottle straight after collecting the blood for effective mixing with the anti-coagulant to prevent clotting, incorrect labelling of samples and request forms, and sending samples unaccompanied by request forms. The pre-analytical phase is vital in ensuring sample integrity and correct patient identification

Passive smoking status of students and employees of a private medical university

To study the passive exposure by cigarette smoke among students and employees of Ziauddin Medical University. The data of passive smoking status was collected by a self administrated questionnaire which was prepared as per WHO guidelines. The eighteen staff members were smokers whose number was significantly higher [P value-0.04] when compared with students and faculty members. The thirteen of faculty members were among the never smoker category and their number was significantly higher [P value-0.004] compared to students and staff members while more students were passive smokers [36] as compared to staff and faculty members. Passive exposure to cigarette smoke is seen more in students as compared to faculty and staff so it is essential to create awareness both in health professionals and common people to prevent them from hazards of passive smoking

Immunopathological changes in schistosomiasis and pulmonary tuberculosis: an approach towards an effective immunotherapy

Schistosomiasis and pulmonary tuberculosis [T.B.] are diseases that have a special importance in the developing world. Information derived from experimental models suggested that a number of cytokines released from Th-I and Th-2 cells play a role in granuloma formation in such diseases. Yet, it had not revealed a common underlying mechanism in order to compare the immunopathological events in a systematic manner. Although both schistosomiasis and T.B. can be acquired due to living under unhygienic conditions, we seldom meet cases of active or patent mixed schistosomiasis and T.B. in our clinical work. This motivated us to study the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory responses in these two diseases. 45 patients and 15 healthy controls constituted the material of this study. Patients were divided into 3 groups, each one included 15 patients: group I:pure schistosomal cases, group II:pure T.B. patients and group III: mixed T.B. and schistosomiasis. Beside routine laboratory investigations for diagnosis of schistosomiasis and T.B.,the following cytokines were estimated: IL-2, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10. Our results revealed that in pure schistosomal patients, Th-2 cytokines were significantly dominated which reflect a major role of these cytokines in humoral immunity. In the near future, this finding may allow the use of anti-idiotype antibodies as a therapeutic option in schistosomiasis. On the other hand, in pure T.B. patients Th-1 cytokines were statistically increased which may indicate the major role of hyperactive state of cellular immunity. Hence, this approach may allow therapeutic interventions to target critical cytokines to be used as a tool in the concerned disease process

Crohn's disease in Saudi Arabians

We describe two cases of Crohn's disease, which we believe are the first to be reported from Saudi Arabia