Pesticide residues in fresh fruits imported into the United Arab Emirates.

Pesticides are a major public health issue connected with excessive use because they negatively impact health and the environment. Pesticide toxicity has been connected to various human illnesses by means of pesticide exposure in direct or indirect ways. A total of 4513 samples of imported fresh fruits were collected from Dubai ports between 2018 to 2020. Their contamination by pesticides was evaluated using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The display of monitoring results was based on the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) standard as per the procedures of the European Union. Eighty-one different pesticide residues were detected in the tested fruit samples. In 73.2% of the samples, the pesticide levels were ≥ MRL, while 26.8% were > MRL standards. Chlorpyrifos, carbendazim, cypermethrin, and azoxystrobin were the most frequently detected pesticides in more than 150 samples. Longan (81.4%) and rambutan (66.7%) showed the highest number of imported samples with multiple pesticide residues > MRL. These results highlight the need to continuously monitor pesticide residues in fruits, particularly samples imported into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Fruit samples with residues > MRL are considered unfit for consumption and prevented from entering commerce in the UAE.

Unleashing the full power of LHCb to probe stealth new physics.

In this paper, we describe the potential of the LHCb experiment to detect stealth physics. This refers to dynamics beyond the standard model that would elude searches that focus on energetic objects or precision measurements of known processes. Stealth signatures include long-lived particles and light resonances that are produced very rarely or together with overwhelming backgrounds. We will discuss why LHCb is equipped to discover this kind of physics at the Large Hadron Collider and provide examples of well-motivated theoretical models that can be probed with great detail at the experiment.

Autoimmune pancreatitis ­ a surgical mistake?

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a specific type of chronic pancreatitis. Its clinical manifestation mimics pancreatic cancer. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to establish the correct diagnosis. Autoimmune pancreatitis can be diagnosed on the basis of symptomatology, imaging methods, endoscopy, serology and histopathological examination. There are two different forms of autoimmune pancreatitis ­ type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis and type 2 is idiopathic centroductal sclerosing pancreatitis. The disease most often takes a chronic form with acute exacerbations. In this paper we present two case reports of patients operated on for suspected malignancy of the pancreas, who were subsequently diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis based on histopathological examination. The aim of this communication is to point out the diagnostic pitfalls of this disease. Surgical treatment is not considered as a standard therapeutic method according to the current guidelines.

Predictive factors associated with complete pathological response after neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: A proportion of 10 to 30% of patients treated by chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision surgery for a locally advanced rectal cancer can achieve a complete pathological response. We aimed to identify predictive factors associated with complete pathological response or no response and to assess the impact of each response on survival rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients treated with long course chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced and/or node positive rectal cancer from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine predictors of tumor regression and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Records were available on 70 patients. In the univariate analysis, clinical factors associated with complete tumor response were tumor mobility in digital rectal examination (P=0.047), a limited parietal invasion (P=0.001), clinically negative lymph node (P<0.001) and a circumferential extent greater than 50% (P=0.001). On the other hand, a T4 classification and an endoscopic tumor size greater than 6cm were associated with no response to treatment (P=0.049 and P=0.017 respectively). On multivariate analysis, T2 clinical classification and N0 statement before treatment were independent predictive factors of pathologic complete response (P<0.001 and P=0.001) and a delayed surgery after 12 weeks was associated with no response to treatment (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The identification of predictive factors of histological response may help clinicians to predict the prognosis and to propose organ preservation for good responders.

Wirelessly Powered Endoscopically Implantable Devices into the Submucosa as the Possible Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a rather common disease with a prevalence reaching up to 10 or 20% in the western world. The most specific symptoms which point to the diagnosis of GERD are feelings of heartburn and the regurgitation of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. However, a certain number of patients do not respond to standard therapy, and in these cases, it is necessary to resort to other treatment methods, such as laparoscopic fundoplication or electrostimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter. The aim of our work was to design and manufacture a miniature, battery-less stimulator to provide electric stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which could be implanted deep into the submucosa of the distal esophagus. The main goal was to provide a battery-less system as opposed to traditional battery neurostimulators to reduce the size and weight of the device. An electronic prototype of a wirelessly powered implantable device was developed. We used animal models for the experiments. The device is designed to treat GERD via electrical stimulation of the muscularis propria. It is implanted into the submucosal pocket by the lower esophageal sphincter with an endoscope. This method of implantation is superior to esophageal stimulators used today because of very low invasiveness of the surgery. Bipolar neurostimulation via two gold-plated leads is provided. The device does not have any source of energy; it is powered wirelessly which reduces the risk of potential battery leakage and reduces the overall dimensions.

Development of an Autonomous Endoscopically Implantable Submucosal Microdevice Capable of Neurostimulation in the Gastrointestinal Tract.

Gastric dysmotility can be a sign of common diseases such as longstanding diabetes mellitus. It is known that the application of high-frequency low-energetic stimulation can help to effectively moderate and alleviate the symptoms of gastric dysmotility. The goal of our research was the development of a miniature, endoscopically implantable device to a submucosal pocket. The implantable device is a fully customized electronics package which was specifically designed for the purpose of experiments in the submucosa. The device was endoscopically inserted into the submucosal pocket of a pig stomach and partially severed pig side in order to adequately simulate a live animal model. The experiment confirmed that the designed device can be implanted into the submucosa and is capable of the measurement of sensor data and the transmission of this data wirelessly in real time to a computer outside of the body. After proving that the device can be implanted submucosally and transmit data, further experiments can now be performed, primarily with an electrogastrography (EGG) instrument and implantable device with tissue stimulation capability.

Detection of cellulolytic bacteria from the human colon.

The main representatives of bacteria in the human colon were investigated by specific PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Prevalent in both cases were species of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium. Simultaneously, cellulolytic bacteria were isolated from the human feces. The largest proportion was represented by ruminococcus-like isolates. Their presence was confirmed both by PCR and DGGE methods; the latter one was able to give more comprehensive data about the composition of bacterial population in the human colon chyme.

Endoscopic therapy of benign tumors of the papilla of Vater.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of endoscopic treatment in 16 patients with benign adenomas of the papilla of Vater. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 16 patients with confirmed adenoma of the papilla of Vater. Diagnosis of adenoma was made by endoscopic findings, benign histologic findings at forceps and snare biopsy, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). The size of the tumor ranged from 2 to 7 cm. Papillectomy by diathermy snare consisted of excision of the adenoma together with the papilla of Vater. In three patients, residual tissue that could not be removed with the snare was removed using argon coagulation. RESULTS: Postpapillectomy complications included bleeding in two patients. Two patients had acute pancreatitis. No procedure-related death occurred. Follow-up duodenoscopy was performed at 6 and 12 months after papillectomy and yearly thereafter. Three patients had recurrences (benign adenoma in all cases). Two patients were treated endoscopically. One patient with extension of tumor into the distal common bile duct was referred to surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection of adenomas of the papilla of Vater appears to be a viable alternative to surgical therapy, particularly in patients for whom surgery is a high-risk approach.