AIM: To compare the effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) and videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (VSPL) on pain and quality of life of chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients.METHODS: Forty-eight small duct CP ...AIM: To compare the effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) and videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (VSPL) on pain and quality of life of chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients.METHODS: Forty-eight small duct CP patients were treated invasively with NCPB (n = 30) or VSPL (n = 18) in two non-randomized, prospective, case-controlled protocols due to chronic pain syndrome, and compared to a control group who were treated conservatively (n = 32). Visual analog scales were used to assess pain and opioid consumption rate was evaluated. In addition, the quality of life was measured using QLQ C-30 for NCPB and FACIT for VSPL.Although both questionnaires covered similar problems,they could not be compared directly one with another.Therefore, the studies were compared by meta-analysis methodology.RESULTS: Both procedures resulted in a significant positive effect on pain of CP patients. Opioids were withdrawn totally in 47.0% of NCPB and 36.4% of VSPL patients,and reduced in 53.0% and 45.4% of the respective patient groups. No reduction in opioid usage was observed in the control group. In addition, fatigue and emotional well-being showed improvements. Finally, NCPB demonstrated stronger positive effects on social support, which might possibly be attributed to earlier presentation of patients treated with NCPB.CONCLUSION: Both invasive pain treatment methods are effective in CP patients with chronic pain.展开更多
The invasive, insecticide-resistant, Q whitefly biotype, has gradually spread to other countries including the US via human-mediated movement of plant materials. We assessed the utility of the VspI-based mtCOI (mitoc...The invasive, insecticide-resistant, Q whitefly biotype, has gradually spread to other countries including the US via human-mediated movement of plant materials. We assessed the utility of the VspI-based mtCOI (mitochondrion cytochrome oxidase I) polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique as a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable alternative for differentiating the Q from the dominant B biotype in Arizona. Using the standard mtCOI gene sequencing and mtCOI PCR-RFLP techniques, we biotyped eight whitefly strains of five individuals each collected from poinsettia and cotton at different locations in Arizona. Complete concordance was observed between the two methods, with three strains being identified as the Q biotype and five samples as the B biotype. We also scanned the mtCOI gene sequences for VspI polymorphisms in the B and Q biotype whiteflies currently available in the GenBank database. This global screening revealed the existence of three and four VspI polymorphic types for the Q and B biotypes, respectively. Nevertheless, all three VspI polymorphic Q biotype whiteflies shared a common and unique VspI site that can be used to differentiate Q biotype from the four VspI polymorphic B biotype whiteflies identified. These results demonstrate that the VspI-based mtCOI gene PCR-RFLP provides a reliable diagnostic tool for differentiating the Q and B biotype whiteflies in the US and elsewhere.展开更多
文摘AIM: To compare the effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) and videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (VSPL) on pain and quality of life of chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients.METHODS: Forty-eight small duct CP patients were treated invasively with NCPB (n = 30) or VSPL (n = 18) in two non-randomized, prospective, case-controlled protocols due to chronic pain syndrome, and compared to a control group who were treated conservatively (n = 32). Visual analog scales were used to assess pain and opioid consumption rate was evaluated. In addition, the quality of life was measured using QLQ C-30 for NCPB and FACIT for VSPL.Although both questionnaires covered similar problems,they could not be compared directly one with another.Therefore, the studies were compared by meta-analysis methodology.RESULTS: Both procedures resulted in a significant positive effect on pain of CP patients. Opioids were withdrawn totally in 47.0% of NCPB and 36.4% of VSPL patients,and reduced in 53.0% and 45.4% of the respective patient groups. No reduction in opioid usage was observed in the control group. In addition, fatigue and emotional well-being showed improvements. Finally, NCPB demonstrated stronger positive effects on social support, which might possibly be attributed to earlier presentation of patients treated with NCPB.CONCLUSION: Both invasive pain treatment methods are effective in CP patients with chronic pain.
文摘The invasive, insecticide-resistant, Q whitefly biotype, has gradually spread to other countries including the US via human-mediated movement of plant materials. We assessed the utility of the VspI-based mtCOI (mitochondrion cytochrome oxidase I) polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique as a rapid, cost-effective, and reliable alternative for differentiating the Q from the dominant B biotype in Arizona. Using the standard mtCOI gene sequencing and mtCOI PCR-RFLP techniques, we biotyped eight whitefly strains of five individuals each collected from poinsettia and cotton at different locations in Arizona. Complete concordance was observed between the two methods, with three strains being identified as the Q biotype and five samples as the B biotype. We also scanned the mtCOI gene sequences for VspI polymorphisms in the B and Q biotype whiteflies currently available in the GenBank database. This global screening revealed the existence of three and four VspI polymorphic types for the Q and B biotypes, respectively. Nevertheless, all three VspI polymorphic Q biotype whiteflies shared a common and unique VspI site that can be used to differentiate Q biotype from the four VspI polymorphic B biotype whiteflies identified. These results demonstrate that the VspI-based mtCOI gene PCR-RFLP provides a reliable diagnostic tool for differentiating the Q and B biotype whiteflies in the US and elsewhere.