The Benefit of an Intensive Training Course on ERCP Artificial Simulator on Decreasing the Cannulation Time Achieved by the Trainees

Background

Trainees learn to perform ERCP with hands-on training in a clinical setting on real patients under the supervision of a trained endoscopist: the so-called master apprentice model. This setting offers immediate feedback from an experienced endoscopist, but it also has certain drawbacks. Trainees learn by “trial and error,” which potentially increases patient discomfort and risk of complications and prolongs procedure time, which has additional economic consequences. Simulators offer the potential to train in a dedicated „learning environment, offering a less stressful situation with less potential risks and the opportunity to endlessly repeat specific tasks.

Aim of the Work

The aim of this study is to test the benefit of a two weeks intensive training course on ERCP artificial simulator on decreasing the cannulation time achieved by the trainees.

Patients and Methods

This is a prospective study including 20 trainees classified into 2 equal groups; group (1) included 10 trainees were enrolled in a clinical training program only, and group (2) included 10 trainees were enrolled in an intensive two weeks hands on training on BoskoskiCostamagna ERCP trainer followed by clinical training. Another group (3) included 10 expert endoscopist represent the control group.

Results

All steps for ERCP shows successful ERCP steps of the three studied groups, however group (2) showed better improvement than group (1) as compared to group (3). None had failed for the overall technique. All steps for ERCP in the current study shows statistically highly significant difference (p < 0.001) in comparison between the three studied groups. Group (2) with intensive training program had a highly significant difference than group (1) and group (3) had a highly significant difference than both groups (1) & (2). The total biliary and pancreatic cannulation times were statistically highly significant difference in comparison between the three studied groups.

Conclusion

ERCP is a skill demanding procedure, therefore trainees who will train in ERCP should be selected between those who are likely to achieve competence and will make good use of the valuable skills. Structured ERCP training programs are still not widely available, especially in developing countries. Scientific societies should promote training in endoscopy on all levels especially through scholarships for doctors from developing countries.

Abnormal profiles of cathepsin C secreted in urine of Papillon Lefevre syndrome patients

BACKGROUND

Papillon Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from a mutated gene that encodes a lysosomal peptidase known as cathepsin C (CTSC). The clinical presentation of PLS involves mainly palmoplantar keratosis and periodontitis with a variable degree of severity.

SUBJECTS

and methods: Our study included ten patients with a broad spectrum of palmoplantar keratosis and periodontitis severity. CTSC variants were detected by Sanger sequencing. CTSC protein secreted in urine was detected by western blotting.

RESULTS

Five patients have missense variants, Four have nonsense variants, and one has splice variants in CTSC. The activation products of cathepsin C protein (Heavy and light chains) were absent in all patients' urine samples except one with a significantly reduced level compared to the controls. The dimeric form of CTSC protein was found in all the studied cases. The monomeric form was found in five cases. The products of proteolytic activation of CTSC by other cathepsins (L and S) were found in the urine samples of five of the patients. Each patient had a characteristic pattern of accumulated CTSC protein maturation/activation substrates, intermediates, and products. 40% of the patients had the activation products of other lysosomal cathepsins.

CONCLUSION

Urinary CTSC in PLS patients could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for the biochemical screening of the disease. Different variants in CTSC result in different profiles of CTSC secreted in the urine of PLS patients. The profiles of secreted CTSC in urine could be correlated to the severity of palmoplantar keratosis.

Oral rehabilitation of a case with regional odontodysplasia using a regenerative approach-A case report and a review of literature

AIM

to investigate for the first time whether the regenerative approach can be used to rehabilitate a case with regional odontodysplasia (ROD). ROD is a rare, localized developmental anomaly of the dental tissues. Moreover, we review the various treatment protocols for ROD and compare them to the suggested regenerative protocol.

CASE REPORT

A 22-year-old female patient diagnosed with ROD in the upper left quadrant was presented to our clinic. Initially, the affected teeth were extracted and three implants were inserted. A combination of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) seeded on a collagen sponge, nanohydroxyapatite, and autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was used to enhance bone regeneration in the defective area and around the inserted implants. After 9 months, bone regeneration and successful osteointegration around the inserted implants were achieved, permitting the insertion of a fourth implant. After an additional six months, a final fixed restoration was constructed.

CONCLUSION

The suggested regenerative approach provides a better treatment option for ROD patients to regenerate the lost bone, rehabilitate aesthetics, and restore normal function.

Towards an optimal luteal support modality in agonist triggered cycles: a randomized clinical trial

STUDY QUESTION

In ICSI patients with high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), are antagonist cycles triggered by gonadotropin releasing hormone (GNRH) agonist with a specialized luteal support regimen associated with comparable ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) and less OHSS than those triggered by hCG?

SUMMARY ANSWER

In antagonist ICSI cycles, GnRH agonist triggering with a specialized luteal support regimen is associated with comparable OPR to those triggered by hCG but may be less likely to be associated with OHSS.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In IVF/ICSI protocols, exogenous hCG was used for years as a substitute of the endogenous LH surge. However, because of its longer half life, hCG is associated with more risk of OHSS, especially in high risk women. For this reason, GnRH agonist triggering was introduced. There is, however, no consensus on the best protocol for luteal support on agonist triggered cycles.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Randomized controlled open label trial including 190 participants recruited from June 2015 to March 2016 in a private fertility center. Participants were divided into 2 equal groups; GnRH agonist trigger and hCG trigger. Randomization was done using identical sealed envelope technique.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

One hundred ninety women, predicted to have high response, were randomized on the day of final oocyte maturation into two equal groups: group (A), GnRH agonist trigger followed by specialized regimen (1500 IU hCG) at time of oocyte retrieval plus oral estradiol and intramuscular progesterone during luteal phase; and group (B), 5000 IU of hCG with luteal support (oral estradiol and vaginal progesterone).

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The 2 groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. OPR per randomized patient was comparable in the 2 groups {49/95 (51.6%) in group A, and 50/95 (52.6%) in group B ((P = 0.88); RR = 0.980, 95% CI: 0.75-1.29)}. Considerable (moderate + severe) OHSS was higher in group B (13/95 [14%] versus 5/95 [5%] P = 0.047; uncorrected Chi-square test). Upon performing multivariate regression analysis for predicting OHSS, number of follicles ≥11 mm on trigger day was the only independent predictor (P = 0.0004).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Strict selection criteria limit generalization of results. The study was powered for pregnancy rate not OHSS, so that the strength of evidence on OHSS prediction is weak.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

We recommend the use of GnRH agonist plus the specialized luteal phase support in high responders with high risk of OHSS undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles. This protocol achieved a similar ongoing pregnancy to hCG triggering and may be less likely to result in moderate to severe OHSS.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PACTR 201506001132105.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE

24/6/2015.

DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLLMENT

26/6/2015.

Consequences of cathepsin C inactivation for membrane exposure of proteinase 3, the target antigen in autoimmune vasculitis

Membrane-bound proteinase 3 (PR3^m) is the main target antigen of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a systemic small-vessel vasculitis. Binding of ANCA to PR3^m triggers neutrophil activation with the secretion of enzymatically active PR3 and related neutrophil serine proteases, thereby contributing to vascular damage. PR3 and related proteases are activated from pro-forms by the lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin C (CatC) during neutrophil maturation. We hypothesized that pharmacological inhibition of CatC provides an effective measure to reduce PR3^m and therefore has implications as a novel therapeutic approach in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. We first studied neutrophilic PR3 from 24 patients with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS), a genetic form of CatC deficiency. PLS neutrophil lysates showed a largely reduced but still detectable (0.5-4%) PR3 activity when compared with healthy control cells. Despite extremely low levels of cellular PR3, the amount of constitutive PR3^m expressed on the surface of quiescent neutrophils and the typical bimodal membrane distribution pattern were similar to what was observed in healthy neutrophils. However, following cell activation, there was no significant increase in the total amount of PR3^m on PLS neutrophils, whereas the total amount of PR3^m on healthy neutrophils was significantly increased. We then explored the effect of pharmacological CatC inhibition on PR3 stability in normal neutrophils using a potent cell-permeable CatC inhibitor and a CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cell model. Human CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells were treated with the inhibitor during neutrophil differentiation over 10 days. We observed strong reductions in PR3^m, cellular PR3 protein, and proteolytic PR3 activity, whereas neutrophil differentiation was not compromised.

Could Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis Be Misdiagnosed as Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome?

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early loss of teeth with hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a disorder of decreased pain sensation, decreased sweating, recurrent infections, and fever. Here, we report a 5-year-old girl born to consanguineous parents with a family history of a similarly affected sibling. The girl presented with early loss of teeth and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, hence, provisionally diagnosed as PLS. Further clinical examination and detailed history taking shifted the diagnosis to CIPA. CIPA could be misdiagnosed as PLS. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of PLS.

Generalised versus Regional Odontodysplasia: Diagnosis, Transitional Management, and Long-Term Followup-A Report of 2 Cases

Background. Odontodysplasia is an uncommon condition. It can be localised or generalised, isolated or part of a syndrome. Case Report. We first report the case of an 8.5-year-old boy who presented with abnormally shaped teeth and multiple intraoral abscesses. Findings of clinical and radiographic examinations were consistent with those of generalised odontodysplasia. A 2-step, conservative treatment plan was executed with a 10-year followup. Step 1 was root canal treatment of nonvital teeth. Step 2 was crowning without preparation of new vital, erupted, and malformed teeth. The second case is that of a 12-year-old girl who presented with lack of teeth in the upper-left quadrant. The impacted teeth were exposed surgically, and fixed restoration was performed for temporary aesthetic improvement. Conclusion. Instead of tooth extraction, an approach previously used in similar cases, conservative management is feasible and offers better prosthetic treatment options for the future.

Class II alleles HLA-DQB1* 0301 among a seven-membered Egyptian family of a child with oral pemphigoid

OBJECTIVES

The presence of HLA-DBQ1* 0301 allele in an Egyptian patient with oral pemphigoid and six of his family members was investigated.

BACKGROUND

Oral pemphigoid is a variant of vesiculobullous mucous membrane pemphigoid with an immunogenetic predisposition related to defects in major histocompatibility complex (OMIM 604305), HLA-DQB 1 alleles.

METHODS

High resolution typing of HLA-DQB 1*0301 allele was carried out for the seven members of an Egyptian family including the child affected with oral pemphigoid.

RESULTS

Both parents and three children including the proband were found to be carriers for the studied allele, while the other two children were not.

CONCLUSION

Participation of HLA-DBQ1*0301 allele was not informative for both susceptibility and/or phenotypic expression of the disease within the studied family (Fig. 2, Ref. 31).

Unusual pattern of inheritance and orodental changes in the Ellis-van Creveld syndrome

Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) syndrome (chondroectodermal dysplasia, mesoectodermal dysplasia, OMIM 225500) is an autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia characterized by short limbs, short ribs, postaxial polydactyly and dysplastic nails and teeth. Oral manifestations tend to be pathognomonic such as multiple broad labial frenula and congenital missing teeth. In this study we report three Egyptian families with six cases of EVC syndrome. An unusual pattern of inheritance with father to son or to daughter transmission was observed in 2 consanguineous families thus demonstrating pseudo-dominant inheritance, probably for the first time in the literature. A new consistent orodental anomaly found in all our cases was bifid tip of the tongue. We emphasize study of orodental anomalies in future cases for accurate diagnosis of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome and its probable differential diagnosis from Weyers acrodental dysostosis.