Episodic biliary obstruction due to an intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Biliary cystadenoma is a rare, benign neoplasm of the bile ducts with malignant potential. Symptoms, predominantly right hypochondrial pain and the feeling of a lump or fullness are usually due to the mass effect. Jaundice is rare. This is the fifth reported patient with an intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma giving rise to episodic biliary obstruction, which is usually caused by choledocholithiasis or periampullary carcinoma. Considering the mean age of previous similar patients (53.5, standard deviation 14.6 years), the early age of presentation is very unusual in our patient.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 25-year-old Asian woman presented with right hypochondrial pain and episodic biliary obstruction. Contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed a cystic mass in segment 4B and protruding into and along the left hepatic duct. Laparotomy confirmed the contrast enhanced computed tomography findings and histology revealed an intrahepatic mucinous biliary cystadenoma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Biliary cystadenoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with cystic liver lesions who present with episodic biliary obstruction. Due to the reported malignant potential, radical surgery such as wide local excision of the lesion or hepatic resection is needed to minimize the risk of local recurrence.</p

In vitro investigation of anti-inflammatory activity and evaluation of phytochemical profile of Syzygium caryophyllatum

This study examined the anti-inflammatory potential of an aquous root extract of Syzygium caryophyllatum (Family: Myrtaceae) and reference drug Declofenac sodium, invitro using heat induced egg albumin denaturation bio assay technique. The concentrations of the root extract used were 781.25, 1562.5, 3125, 6250 and 12500 μg/mL. While diclofenac sodum were 78.12, 156.25, 312.5, 625, 1250 and 2500 μg/mL. Both the extract (r2 = 0.97; P<0.05) and Diclofenac sodium (r2 = 0.87; P<0.05) displayed marked and concentration dependent inhibition of heat-induced protein denaturation with IC50 value of 6.229 *103 μ g/ml and ~1.704*108 μg/mL respectively. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of the flavanoids, phenols, tanins, alkaloids, saponins and amino acids. It is concluded that the aquous root extract of Sri Lankan grown Syzygium caryophyllatum possess marked in vitro antiinflammatory activity which is mediated possibly by flavanoids, tanins and alkaloids. This is a novel finding. Further the results scientifically justify the use of roots of Syzygium caryophyllatum in Sri Lankan traditional medicine to treat inflammation

Low-Loss 800-V Lateral IGBT in Bulk Si Technology Using a Floating Electrode

An 800V rated lateral Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (LIGBT) for high frequency, low-cost applications is proposed. This LIGBT features a new method of adjusting the bipolar gain by using floating N+ and P+ regions connected by a floating electrode in front of the P+ collector. This floating structure lowers the injection efficiency at the collector side of the device, resulting in a very significant decrease in the turn-off time and substantially lower turn-off losses. The device was fabricated in a 0.5µm bulk silicon CMOS technology at a commercial foundry without additional processing steps or process optimisation. Tests on fabricated devices showed equivalent Rdson below 70m.cm2 at 125oC with switching times as low as 250ns at 125oC. The novel LIGBT device showed avalanche capability and low gate capacitance and was used for the first time, in an AC/DC converter operating at 200kHz allowing significant improvements in performance, compactness and reduced component count

A non-contact measurement system for the range of motion of the hand

An accurate and standardised tool to measure the active range of motion (ROM) of the hand is essential to any progressive assessment scenario in hand therapy practice. Goniometers are widely used in clinical settings for measuring the ROM of the hand. However, such measurements have limitations with regard to inter-rater and intra-rater reliability and involve direct physical contact with the hand, possibly increasing the risk of transmitting infections. The system proposed in this paper is the first non-contact measurement system utilising Intel Perceptual Technology and a Senz3D Camera for measuring phalangeal joint angles. To enhance the accuracy of the system, we developed a new approach to achieve the total active movement without measuring three joint angles individually. An equation between the actual spacial position and measurement value of the proximal inter-phalangeal joint was established through the measurement values of the total active movement, so that its actual position can be inferred. Verified by computer simulations, experimental results demonstrated a significant improvement in the calculation of the total active movement and successfully recovered the actual position of the proximal inter-phalangeal joint angles. A trial that was conducted to examine the clinical applicability of the system involving 40 healthy subjects confirmed the practicability and consistency in the proposed system. The time efficiency conveyed a stronger argument for this system to replace the current practice of using goniometers

Noncontact detection and analysis of respiratory function using microwave Doppler Radar

Real-time respiratory measurement with Doppler Radar has an important advantage in the monitoring of certain conditions such as sleep apnoea, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and many other general clinical uses requiring fast nonwearable and non-contact measurement of the respiratory function. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of using Doppler Radar in measuring the basic respiratory frequencies (via fast Fourier transform) for four different types of breathing scenarios: normal breathing, rapid breathing, slow inhalation-fast exhalation, and fast inhalation-slow exhalation conducted in a laboratory environment. A high correlation factor was achieved between the Doppler Radar-based measurements and the conventional measurement device, a respiration strap. We also extended this work from basic signal acquisition to extracting detailed features of breathing function (I: E ratio). This facilitated additional insights into breathing activity and is likely to trigger a number of new applications in respiratory medicine

Tsunami impacts on shallow groundwater and associated water supply on the East Coast of Sri Lanka: a post-tsunami well recovery support initiative and an assessment of groundwater salinity in three areas of Batticaloa and Ampara Districts

Groundwater, Aquifers, Salinity, Natural disasters, Water supply, Drinking water, Wells, Rehabilitation, Mosquitoes, Disease vectors, Environmental Economics and Policy, Health Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Association of selected inflammatory markers and risk factors with pain in patients undergoing cervical or lumbar disc herniation

Introduction Studies have suggested that radicular pain following disc herniation may be associated with local or systemic inflammatory responses produced in the vicinity of the herniated disc rather than compression of the nerve. Present study assessed the association of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and related risk factors in patients undergoing discectomy following cervical disc herniation (CDH) or lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods Study recruited 77 patients undergoing discectomy for LDH and CDH. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic, behavioral and occupational data. IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were measured in each individual. IL-6 was analyzed by ELISA method and hs-CRP was determined using auto analyzer. Results were analyzed by using SPSS version 25.0. &nbsp; Results Significant correlation was not found with serum IL-6 and hs-CRP levels (r=0.02, p˃0.05) for acute and chronic CDH and LDH. Patients with chronic neck or back pain showed significantly (p=0.043) higher IL-6 level compared to patients with acute neck or back pain. Serum hs-CRP level was significantly higher (p=0.048) in patients with acute neck or back pain compared to patients with chronic neck or back pain. Significant association was not observed between; level of physically demanding nature of occupation (p=0.542), duration of occupation (p=0.446), type of exercise (p=0.371), type of sports (p=0.339) and CDH or LDH. Conclusion Though significant correlation was not observed between inflammatory markers IL-6, hs-CRP and CDH or LDH. The mean IL-6 was higher in chronic back pain and neck pain patients with LDH and CDH whereas mean hs-CRP mean was higher in acute back pain and neck pain patients. Significant association was not reported between selected known risk factors (behavioral, occupational) and CDH or LDH