Background. A new agent, potassium-competitive acid blocker vonoprazan (VPZ) has potent acid-inhibitory effects and may offer advantages over conventional H. pylori eradication therapies. We aimed to compare the eradication rate between VPZ-based treatment and PPI-based one. Methods. This randomized controlled trial was designed to assign 141 patients with H. pylori-positive gastritis to VPZ group (VPZ 20 mg, amoxicillin 750 mg, and clarithromycin 200 or 400 mg twice daily for 7 days) or PPI group (rabeprazole 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 750 mg, and clarithromycin 200 or 400 mg twice daily for 7 days). Primary endpoints were eradication rates and adverse events. Results. Seventy of 72 patients in VPZ group and 63 of 69 patients in PPI group completed the treatment after 7 days. The eradication rate was significantly higher in VPZ group than PPI group by intention-to-treat analysis (95.8% versus 69.6%, P = 0.00003, 95% confidence interval [CI] 88.3-99.1% versus 57.3-80.1%) and per-protocol analysis (95.7% versus 71.4%, P = 0.0002, 95% CI 88.0-99.1% versus 58.7-82.1%). The incidence of adverse events was not different between the groups (26.3% in VPZ group versus 37.7% in PPI group, P = 0.15). Conclusion. VPZ-based regimen is more useful than that PPI-based regimen as a first-line H. pylori eradication therapy.

A large series of split cord malformation (SCM). Over the last 22 years, we have operated more than 1500 patients of SD, of which over 450 are (SCM), and 300 are with various lipomatus malformations. About 55% type II and 45% type I SCM. A separate sub-classification of type I SCM (a,b,c and d), is presented which alter the surgical approach and influence the results. Overall improvement following surgery in patients with SCM was observed in 94%. Fifty percent patients improved and 44% remained stable. However, deterioration was noticed in 6%, mostly with composite type of SCM. A paradigm for management of SCM is provided taking into consideration also the author’s large experience.

Integrated PET/MR is a feasible whole-body imaging modality and may score better than PET/CT for the detection of brain metastases. To further prove diagnostic utility, this technique requires further clinical validation.

(67)Ga scintigraphy was useful in differentiating between the two diseases. Uptake in mediastinal LNs, in supraclavicular LNs, and in the muscle was specific to sarcoidosis, whereas uptake in the pancreas and in the submandibular gland indicated IgG4-related disease.

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