Circulating tumor DNA tracking in patients with pancreatic cancer using next-generation sequencing.

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most devastating malignancies due to the absence of techniques for early diagnosis and the lack of target therapeutic options for advanced disease. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) generates high throughput and valuable genetic information when evaluating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA); however clinical utility of liquid biopsy in pancreatic cancer has not been demonstrated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether results from a Next Generation Sequencing panel on plasma samples from pancreatic cancer patients could have a clinical significance.

Design and validation of a patient-reported outcome measure scale in acute pancreatitis: the PAN-PROMISE study.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in acute pancreatitis (AP) as an endpoint centred on the patient.

Design: A PROM instrument (PAtieNt-rePoRted OutcoMe scale in acute pancreatItis, an international proSpEctive cohort study, PAN-PROMISE scale) was designed based on the opinion of patients, professionals and an expert panel. The scale was validated in an international multicentre prospective cohort study, describing the severity of AP and quality of life at 15 days after discharge as the main variables for validation.

CA19-9 capability as predictor of pancreatic cancer resectability in a Spanish cohort.

CA19-9 serum has been suggested as a marker of unresectability but different cut-off levels have been published. A cut-off of 500 U/ml is currently considered in an international consensus as biological criteria of borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. To evaluate whether serum CA19-9 threshold of 500 U/ml could be adequate predictor of resectability in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Acute esophageal necrosis resolved in 72 hours.

We report a case of acute esophageal necrosis whose initial symptom was sudden dysphagia and was completely resolved in 72 hours.

Impact of the endoscopist's experience on the negative predictive value of capsule endoscopy.

Introduction: The impact of the accumulated experience of the capsule endoscopy (CE) reader on the accuracy of this test is discussed.

Aim: To determine whether the negative predictive value of CE findings changes along the learning curve.

Methods: We reviewed the first 900 CE read by 3 gastroenterologists experienced in endoscopy over 8 years.

Predictive factors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: relationship with metabolic syndrome.

Unlabelled: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been proposed as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrom (Ms), with insulin resistance (IR) as the common pathophysiological mechanism.

Methods: We included 145 patients with NAFLD proven liver biopsy. NAS-score was employed to grading NAFLD.

Cat scratch colon.

Over the past few years, we have read several publications regarding the term "cat scratch colon." This neologism was developed to define some bright red linear markings seen in the colonic mucosa that resemble scratches made by a cat. We would like to communicate a recent case attended at our institution.