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Cureus May 2024Peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneal cavity, can be caused by various factors. The presence of ascites in a cancer patient is concerning for either metastasis...
Peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneal cavity, can be caused by various factors. The presence of ascites in a cancer patient is concerning for either metastasis or advanced cancer. Diagnosing acute peritonitis in a patient with cancer-related ascites can be quite challenging and often requires additional diagnostic procedures, such as paracentesis, to confirm the diagnosis and identify the exact cause of the ascites. Even with paracentesis, determining the exact cause of ascites can be a diagnostic challenge. Peritoneal carcinomatosis, with a poor survival rate, can originate from the peritoneal lining itself or result from intra-abdominal cancer, and trying to determine its origin can be difficult. We present the case of a 68-year-old female patient with a known history of cancer experiencing worsening ascites and peritonitis.
PubMed: 38899262
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60705 -
Nature Communications Jun 2024Ovarian cancer often develops resistance to conventional therapies, hampering their effectiveness. Here, using ex vivo paired ovarian cancer ascites obtained before and...
Ovarian cancer often develops resistance to conventional therapies, hampering their effectiveness. Here, using ex vivo paired ovarian cancer ascites obtained before and after chemotherapy and in vitro therapy-induced secretomes, we show that molecules secreted by ovarian cancer cells upon therapy promote cisplatin resistance and enhance DNA damage repair in recipient cancer cells. Even a short-term incubation of chemonaive ovarian cancer cells with therapy-induced secretomes induces changes resembling those that are observed in chemoresistant patient-derived tumor cells after long-term therapy. Using integrative omics techniques, we find that both ex vivo and in vitro therapy-induced secretomes are enriched with spliceosomal components, which relocalize from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and subsequently into the extracellular vesicles upon treatment. We demonstrate that these molecules substantially contribute to the phenotypic effects of therapy-induced secretomes. Thus, SNU13 and SYNCRIP spliceosomal proteins promote therapy resistance, while the exogenous U12 and U6atac snRNAs stimulate tumor growth. These findings demonstrate the significance of spliceosomal network perturbation during therapy and further highlight that extracellular signaling might be a key factor contributing to the emergence of ovarian cancer therapy resistance.
Topics: Female; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Spliceosomes; Cisplatin; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Animals; Mice; Extracellular Vesicles; Cell Survival; Antineoplastic Agents; RNA, Small Nuclear; DNA Repair
PubMed: 38898005
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49512-6 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024A Cucurbita phloem exudate lectin (CPL) from summer squash () fruits was isolated and its sugar-binding properties and biological activities were studied. The lectin was...
A Cucurbita phloem exudate lectin (CPL) from summer squash () fruits was isolated and its sugar-binding properties and biological activities were studied. The lectin was purified by affinity chromatography and the hemagglutination assay method was used to determine its pH, heat stability, metal-dependency and sugar specificity. Antimicrobial and anticancer activities were also studied by disc diffusion assays and in vivo and in vitro methods. The molecular weight of CPL was 30 ± 1 KDa and it was stable at different pH (5.0 to 9.0) and temperatures (30 to 60 °C). CPL recovered its hemagglutination activity in the presence of Ca. 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, lactose, rhamnose and -acetyl-D-glucosamine strongly inhibited the activity. With an LC value of 265 µg/mL, CPL was moderately toxic and exhibited bacteriostatic, bactericidal and antibiofilm activities against different pathogenic bacteria. It also exhibited marked antifungal activity against and agglutinated spores. In vivo antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice was observed when CPL exerted 36.44% and 66.66% growth inhibition at doses of 3.0 mg/kg/day and 6.0 mg/kg/day, respectively. A 12-day treatment by CPL could reverse their RBC and WBC counts as well as restore the hemoglobin percentage to normal levels. The MTT assay of CPL performed against human breast (MCF-7) and lung (A-549) cancer cell lines showed 29.53% and 18.30% of inhibitory activity at concentrations of 128 and 256 µg/mL, respectively.
Topics: Cucurbita; Animals; Plant Lectins; Mice; Humans; Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor
PubMed: 38893406
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112531 -
Journal of Primary Care & Community... 2024Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHBVI) is a major public health problem affecting about 296 million people worldwide. HBV infects the liver, and when it becomes...
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES
Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHBVI) is a major public health problem affecting about 296 million people worldwide. HBV infects the liver, and when it becomes chronic, may cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of our study was to identify the risk factors and comorbid medical conditions that were associated with HCC in patients who had CHBVI.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective electronic medical record review of adult patients diagnosed with CHBVI, who presented to our primary care office between October 1, 2017 and October 21, 2022. Selected variables in patients with CHBVI with HCC (HCC group) were compared to those without HCC (NoHCC group).
RESULTS
Among 125 patients with CHBVI, 24% had HCC and 76% did not have HCC. There were higher frequencies of association of certain comorbidities in the HCC group compared to NoHCC group, such as anemia (63.3% vs 26.3%; < .001), ascites (53.3% vs 1.1%; < .001), portal hypertension (43.3% vs 0.0%; < .001), chronic kidney disease (40.0% vs 13.7%; = .002), and HCV coinfection (13.3% vs 7.4%; < .001). The logistic regression model showed increased odds of HCC for each year of increase in age (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.11; = .014), and increased odds in men (OR = 5.96, 95% CI = 1.71-20.73; = .005). Although Asians represented the racial majority in both the groups, there was no significant difference in the race distribution between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
In patients with CHBVI, increasing age and male sex are factors associated with increased odds of having HCC. Patients with CHBVI and HCC have higher frequencies of association of tobacco use, recreational drug use, anemia, ascites, portal hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and co-infection with HCV.
Topics: Humans; Male; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Female; Liver Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Comorbidity; Adult; Aged
PubMed: 38884145
DOI: 10.1177/21501319241259413 -
Cureus May 2024Cardiac angiosarcoma is a malignant cardiac tumour. We present the case of a young patient in his mid-30s with recurrent pericardial effusion. He had flu-like symptoms a...
Cardiac angiosarcoma is a malignant cardiac tumour. We present the case of a young patient in his mid-30s with recurrent pericardial effusion. He had flu-like symptoms a month earlier and had shortness of breath, lethargy, and tightness in his throat for the past ten days. Echocardiography demonstrated global pericardial effusion > 4 cm with tamponade features, and the patient was blue-lighted to our hospital. He underwent emergency pericardiocentesis, and > 1 litre of pericardial fluid was drained. Computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed small-volume ascites and moderate right-sided pleural effusion, with associated lobar collapse. The patient presented to the hospital with global pericardial effusion requiring emergency pericardiocentesis three weeks later and underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating global pericardial effusion and a 48 × 26 mm pericardial space mass adjacent to the right atrium. He underwent surgical resection of the tumour, followed by chemotherapy, and tolerated the treatment well. The patient is currently under follow-up.
PubMed: 38883119
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60460 -
The American Journal of the Medical... Jun 2024Differential diagnosis between benign ascites and malignant ascites remains challenging in clinical practice, the aim of our study is to determine the differential value...
BACKGROUND
Differential diagnosis between benign ascites and malignant ascites remains challenging in clinical practice, the aim of our study is to determine the differential value of the ratio of ascitic-serum tumor markers between benign ascites and malignant ascites.
METHODS
418 patients with new-onset ascites were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The pertinent data of patients enrolled were collected; diagnostic value of tumor markers, ascites-serum tumor marker ratio, and diagnostic algorithm based on ascitic tumor markers and ascites-serum tumor marker ratio in patients with ascites were investigated.
RESULTS
81.25% of the patients with benign ascites had low (<1) ratio of ascites-serum tumor markers (Max [A/S CEA, A/S CA15-3, A/S CA19-9]); and 91.88 % of patients with benign ascites had the ratio of ascites-serum tumor marker less than 1.5. On the other hand, 94.96% of the patients with malignant ascites had high (≥1) ratio of ascites-serum tumor markers; and 97.29% of patients with malignant ascites had the ratio of ascites-serum tumor markers more than 0.67. Finally, diagnostic algorithm based on ascitic tumor markers and ascites-serum tumor marker ratio showed 96.37% of the sensitivity, and 94.37% of the accuracy in the diagnosis of malignant ascites, while ascitic tumor markers with a sensitivity of 78.29%, and an accuracy of 84.93%.
CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic algorithm based on ascitic tumor markers and ascites-serum tumor marker ratio exhibited an excellent performance in distinguishing benign and malignant ascites, which should be recommended in patients with new-onset ascites in clinical practice.
PubMed: 38880300
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2024.06.004 -
Case Reports in Women's Health Jun 2024A tubo-ovarian abscess is a potential life-threatening condition. In postmenopausal women, it is rarely seen and it has fewer typical symptoms, making it difficult to...
A tubo-ovarian abscess is a potential life-threatening condition. In postmenopausal women, it is rarely seen and it has fewer typical symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. This report concerns a postmenopausal patient who was admitted with general health decline, weight loss and ascites. At first, a malignancy of the right ovary was suspected because of the sonographic and laboratory findings. On diagnostic laparoscopy, the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease was made, most likely caused by a Mirena intrauterine device that had been in place for 20 years. In a postmenopausal woman a tubo-ovarian abscess should be included in differential diagnoses especially if she has an intrauterine device. Conservative treatment with antibiotics is preferred. If surgery is required, diagnostic laparoscopy is advised.
PubMed: 38873434
DOI: 10.1016/j.crwh.2024.e00618 -
Proceedings of the Japan Academy.... 2024This review seeks to highlight and celebrate Professor Tomizo Yoshida's famous work on "Establishment and characterization of a rat ascites sarcoma, later named "Yoshida... (Review)
Review
This review seeks to highlight and celebrate Professor Tomizo Yoshida's famous work on "Establishment and characterization of a rat ascites sarcoma, later named "Yoshida ascites sarcoma". Considering the tremendous contribution of this ascites tumor system to the subsequent promotion of research on cancer biology and cancer chemotherapy, his paper should be regarded as a monumental one in the cancer field. The research was carried out during 1943 and the results were submitted to this Journal in October 1944, when Japan was approaching a debilitating defeat in World War II in August 1945. In 1947, when "Research on Ascites sarcoma" was first comprehensively introduced to researchers in a special lecture at the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pathology, the whole audience was deeply impressed and was encouraged to resume scientific activity in Japan.
Topics: Animals; Sarcoma; Rats; Humans; History, 20th Century; Ascites; Japan
PubMed: 38866478
DOI: 10.2183/pjab.100.021 -
Archives of Iranian Medicine Jun 2024Macroscopic tumor implants in the hernia sac are a very rare condition. They occur as a result of the implantation of malignant cells in the malignant ascites from the...
Macroscopic tumor implants in the hernia sac are a very rare condition. They occur as a result of the implantation of malignant cells in the malignant ascites from the inguinal canal to the hernia sac. In this case report, we share the clinical and radiological findings of the macroscopic tumoral implants in the hernia sac at the level of the inguinal canal and scrotum in a male patient aged 65 years with a history of total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma and developing malignant ascites six months after the surgery.
Topics: Humans; Male; Stomach Neoplasms; Hernia, Inguinal; Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Gastrectomy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ascites
PubMed: 38855804
DOI: 10.34172/aim.28951 -
Clinical Case Reports Jun 2024Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare case of hematological malignancy mainly affects the elderly and may present with life threatening pericardial effusion as an...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare case of hematological malignancy mainly affects the elderly and may present with life threatening pericardial effusion as an initial manifestation. High index of suspicion is hence key for early management.
ABSTRACT
We present a case of an 81-year-old African male who presented with progressive cough, respiratory distress and bilateral lower limb swelling, and was diagnosed with life-threatening pericardial effusion resulting from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia following complete blood count, peripheral blood film, bone marrow aspirate with trephine biopsy, and flow cytometry studies.
PubMed: 38855083
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9048