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Revista Do Colegio Brasileiro de... 2024valproic acid (VPA), an epigenetic drug, has potential for the treatment of neoplasms. Its effects on the healing of the peritoneal-musculo-aponeurotic plane (PMA) of...
INTRODUCTION
valproic acid (VPA), an epigenetic drug, has potential for the treatment of neoplasms. Its effects on the healing of the peritoneal-musculo-aponeurotic plane (PMA) of the abdominal wall are studied.
METHOD
sixty Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: experimental (VPA) and control (0.9% sodium chloride), treated daily, starting three days before the intervention and until euthanasia. Under anesthesia, a median laparotomy was performed and repaired with two synthetic layers. Assessments took place 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery. The integrity of the wounds, the quality of the inflammatory reaction, the intensity of the leukocyte infiltrate, collagen synthesis, the intensity of angiogenesis and the presence of myofibroblasts were studied.
RESULTS
there was dehiscence of the PMA plane in 11 of the 30 animals (p=0.001) in the experimental group. There was no difference in the quality and intensity of the inflammatory reaction. Immunohistochemistry revealed, in the experimental group, less collagen I (p3=0.003, p7=0.013 and p14=0.001) and more collagen III (p3=0.003, p7=0.013 and p14= 0.001). Collagen evaluated by Sirus Supra Red F3BA showed, in the experimental group, less collagen at all three times (p<0.001) with less collagen I and collagen III (p<0.001). A lower number of vessels was found on the 3rd day (p<0.001) and on the 7th day (p=0.001) and did not affect the number of myofibroblasts.
CONCLUSION
VPA showed dehiscence of the PMA plane, with less deposition of total collagen and collagen I, less angiogenic activity, without interfering with the number of myofibroblasts.
Topics: Animals; Rats, Wistar; Wound Healing; Rats; Abdominal Wall; Valproic Acid; Male; Abdominal Muscles
PubMed: 38896636
DOI: 10.1590/0100-6991e-20243676-en -
International Journal of Colorectal... Jun 2024The extent of tumor regression varies widely among locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) followed by total...
PURPOSE
The extent of tumor regression varies widely among locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME). The purpose of this retrospectively study is to assess prognostic factors in LARC patients with NCRT, and further to analyze survival outcomes in patients with different tumor regression grades (TRGs).
METHODS
This study includes LARC patients who underwent NCRT and TME at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and survival of all patients, and performed subgroup analysis for patients with different TRGs. Survival differences were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test. Additionally, a multiple Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify independent prognostic factors.
RESULTS
The study included 393 patients, with 21.1%, 26.5%, 45.5%, and 6.9% achieving TRG 0, TRG 1, TRG 2, and TRG 3, respectively. The overall survival (OS) rate and disease-free survival (DFS) rate for all patients were 89.4% and 70.7%, respectively. Patients who achieved TRG 0-3 had different 5-year OS rates (96.9%, 91.1%, 85.2%, and 68.8%, P = 0.001) and 5-year DFS rates (80.8%, 72.4%, 67.0%, 55.8%, P = 0.031), respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score was an independent prognostic indicator for both overall survival (OS) (HR = 4.040, 95% CI = 1.792-9.111, P = 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.971, 95% CI = 1.478-2.628, P ˂ 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, the NAR score was found to be associated with DFS in patients with TRG 1 and TRG 2. After conducting multivariate analysis, it was found that ypT stage was a significant predictor of DFS for TRG 1 patients (HR = 4.384, 95% CI = 1.721-11.168, P = 0.002). On the other hand, ypN stage was identified as the dominant prognostic indicator of DFS for TRG 2 patients (HR = 2.795, 95% CI = 1.535-5.091, P = 0.001). However, none of these characteristics was found to be correlated with survival in patients with TRG 0 or TRG 3.
CONCLUSION
NAR score, in particular, appears to be the most powerful prognostic factor. It is important to consider various prognostic predictors for patients with different TRGs.
Topics: Humans; Rectal Neoplasms; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Aged; Disease-Free Survival; Adult; Chemoradiotherapy; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies; Multivariate Analysis
PubMed: 38896374
DOI: 10.1007/s00384-024-04666-z -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Aiming at the shortcomings of artificial surgical path planning for the thermal ablation of liver tumors, such as the time-consuming and labor-consuming process, and...
OBJECTIVE
Aiming at the shortcomings of artificial surgical path planning for the thermal ablation of liver tumors, such as the time-consuming and labor-consuming process, and relying heavily on doctors' puncture experience, an automatic path-planning system for thermal ablation of liver tumors based on CT images is designed and implemented.
METHODS
The system mainly includes three modules: image segmentation and three-dimensional reconstruction, automatic surgical path planning, and image information management. Through organ segmentation and three- dimensional reconstruction based on CT images, the personalized abdominal spatial anatomical structure of patients is obtained, which is convenient for surgical path planning. The weighted summation method based on clinical constraints and the concept of Pareto optimality are used to solve the multi-objective optimization problem, screen the optimal needle entry path, and realize the automatic planning of the thermal ablation path. The image information database was established to store the information related to the surgical path.
RESULTS
In the discussion with clinicians, more than 78% of the paths generated by the planning system were considered to be effective, and the efficiency of system path planning is higher than doctors' planning efficiency.
CONCLUSION
After improvement, the system can be used for the planning of the thermal ablation path of a liver tumor and has certain clinical application value.
Topics: Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Ablation Techniques; Algorithms; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Liver
PubMed: 38894328
DOI: 10.3390/s24113537 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Myeloid sarcoma, a rare extramedullary manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), can occur in various anatomic sites but seldom involves the gastrointestinal tract....
Myeloid sarcoma, a rare extramedullary manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), can occur in various anatomic sites but seldom involves the gastrointestinal tract. We report the unusual case of a 49-year-old man with a history of AML who initially presented with abdominal pain and imaging findings suggestive of a paracolic abscess. However, the lesion rapidly progressed to a large descending colon mass with peritoneal involvement over five weeks. Surgical resection and histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. This case highlights the potential of myeloid sarcoma to mimic an inflammatory colonic process at initial presentation prior to manifesting as an overt mass lesion. Although exceedingly rare, myeloid sarcoma should be considered in patients with a history of AML presenting with colon lesions, particularly in those with an aggressive clinical course. Early recognition may expedite appropriate treatment and prevent unnecessary procedures. This report also underscores the importance of correlating imaging findings with clinical history and histopathology findings to establish an accurate diagnosis.
PubMed: 38893589
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111062 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Breast cancer is influenced by factors such as diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and postmenopausal status, which are all linked to prolonged hormonal and...
Breast cancer is influenced by factors such as diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and postmenopausal status, which are all linked to prolonged hormonal and inflammatory exposure. Physical activity offers protection against breast cancer by modulating hormones, immune responses, and oxidative defenses. This study aimed to assess how a prolonged high-fat diet (HFD) affects the effectiveness of physical activity in preventing and managing mammary tumorigenesis. Ovariectomised C57BL/6 mice were provided with an enriched environment to induce spontaneous physical activity while being fed HFD. After 44 days (short-term, ST HFD) or 88 days (long-term, LT HFD), syngenic EO771 cells were implanted into mammary glands, and tumour growth was monitored until sacrifice. Despite similar physical activity and food intake, the LT HFD group exhibited higher visceral adipose tissue mass and reduced skeletal muscle mass. In the tumour microenvironment, the LT HFD group showed decreased NK cells and TCD8+ cells, with a trend toward increased T regulatory cells, leading to a collapse of the T8/Treg ratio. Additionally, the LT HFD group displayed decreased tumour triglyceride content and altered enzyme activities indicative of oxidative stress. Prolonged exposure to HFD was associated with tumour growth despite elevated physical activity, promoting a tolerogenic tumour microenvironment. Future studies should explore inter-organ exchanges between tumour and tissues.
Topics: Animals; Diet, High-Fat; Female; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Tumor Microenvironment; Oxidative Stress; Carcinogenesis; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental; Cell Line, Tumor; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Killer Cells, Natural
PubMed: 38892407
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116221 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Metformin, a medication known for its anti-glycemic properties, also demonstrates potent immune system activation. In our study, using a 4T1 breast cancer model in...
Metformin, a medication known for its anti-glycemic properties, also demonstrates potent immune system activation. In our study, using a 4T1 breast cancer model in BALB/C WT mice, we examined metformin's impact on the functional phenotype of multiple immune cells, with a specific emphasis on natural killer T (NKT) cells due to their understudied role in this context. Metformin administration delayed the appearance and growth of carcinoma. Furthermore, metformin increased the percentage of IFN-γ NKT cells, and enhanced CD107a expression, as measured by MFI, while decreasing PD-1, FoxP3, and IL-10 NKT cells in spleens of metformin-treated mice. In primary tumors, metformin increased the percentage of NKp46 NKT cells and increased FasL expression, while lowering the percentages of FoxP3, PD-1, and IL-10-producing NKT cells and KLRG1 expression. Activation markers increased, and immunosuppressive markers declined in T cells from both the spleen and tumors. Furthermore, metformin decreased IL-10 and FoxP3 Tregs, along with Gr-1 myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in spleens, and in tumor tissue, it decreased IL-10 and FoxP3 Tregs, Gr-1, NF-κB, and iNOS MDSCs, and iNOS dendritic cells (DCs), while increasing the DCs quantity. Additionally, increased expression levels of MIP1a, STAT4, and NFAT in splenocytes were found. These comprehensive findings illustrate metformin's broad immunomodulatory impact across a variety of immune cells, including stimulating NKT cells and T cells, while inhibiting Tregs and MDSCs. This dynamic modulation may potentiate its use in cancer immunotherapy, highlighting its potential to modulate the tumor microenvironment across a spectrum of immune cell types.
Topics: Metformin; Animals; Female; Mice; Breast Neoplasms; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Cell Line, Tumor; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells; Natural Killer T-Cells; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Immunomodulating Agents
PubMed: 38892058
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115869 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024Myelolipoma is a benign, typically inert neoplasm of uncertain aetiology that is rarely reported in cats. Although commonly asymptomatic, in some cases, myelolipomas can...
Myelolipoma is a benign, typically inert neoplasm of uncertain aetiology that is rarely reported in cats. Although commonly asymptomatic, in some cases, myelolipomas can cause abdominal discomfort or present with rupture and haemorrhage. Here, we describe a rare case of a splenic myelolipoma in a Domestic Long Hair cat in which, after extensive diagnostic investigations, clinical signs of hyporexia and weight loss were attributable to the presence of an intra-abdominal mass. The patient was treated by splenectomy and unexpectedly died during the post-operative period. Although splenectomy appears to be a sensible intervention in symptomatic patients, the optimal management of splenic myelolipomas in cats remains unknown. The risk-benefit ratio of surgical management needs to be carefully considered, and therapeutic intervention should be tailored individually to each patient.
PubMed: 38891746
DOI: 10.3390/ani14111700 -
BMC Medical Imaging Jun 2024Abdominal CT scans are vital for diagnosing abdominal diseases but have limitations in tissue analysis and soft tissue detection. Dual-energy CT (DECT) can improve these...
BACKGROUND
Abdominal CT scans are vital for diagnosing abdominal diseases but have limitations in tissue analysis and soft tissue detection. Dual-energy CT (DECT) can improve these issues by offering low keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI), enhancing lesion detection and tissue characterization. However, its cost limits widespread use.
PURPOSE
To develop a model that converts conventional images (CI) into generative virtual monoenergetic images at 40 keV (Gen-VMI) of the upper abdomen CT scan.
METHODS
Totally 444 patients who underwent upper abdominal spectral contrast-enhanced CT were enrolled and assigned to the training and validation datasets (7:3). Then, 40-keV portal-vein virtual monoenergetic (VMI) and CI, generated from spectral CT scans, served as target and source images. These images were employed to build and train a CI-VMI model. Indexes such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and Structural Similarity (SSIM) were utilized to determine the best generator mode. An additional 198 cases were divided into three test groups, including Group 1 (58 cases with visible abnormalities), Group 2 (40 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) and Group 3 (100 cases from a publicly available HCC dataset). Both subjective and objective evaluations were performed. Comparisons, correlation analyses and Bland-Altman plot analyses were performed.
RESULTS
The 192nd iteration produced the best generator mode (lower MAE and highest PSNR and SSIM). In the Test groups (1 and 2), both VMI and Gen-VMI significantly improved CT values, as well as SNR and CNR, for all organs compared to CI. Significant positive correlations for objective indexes were found between Gen-VMI and VMI in various organs and lesions. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the differences between both imaging types mostly fell within the 95% confidence interval. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients for objective scores between Gen-VMI and VMI in Groups 1 and 2 ranged from 0.645 to 0.980. In Group 3, Gen-VMI yielded significantly higher CT values for HCC (220.5HU vs. 109.1HU) and liver (220.0HU vs. 112.8HU) compared to CI (p < 0.01). The CNR for HCC/liver was also significantly higher in Gen-VMI (2.0 vs. 1.2) than in CI (p < 0.01). Additionally, Gen-VMI was subjectively evaluated to have a higher image quality compared to CI.
CONCLUSION
CI-VMI model can generate Gen-VMI from conventional CT scan, closely resembling VMI.
Topics: Humans; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography, Abdominal; Aged; Adult; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Liver Neoplasms; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Aged, 80 and over; Contrast Media
PubMed: 38890572
DOI: 10.1186/s12880-024-01331-3 -
Endoscopy Dec 2024
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Male; Sentinel Lymph Node; Gastroscopy; Female; Aged
PubMed: 38889895
DOI: 10.1055/a-2342-0221 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Dogs with retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma (HSA) exhibit variable postoperative median survival times (MST). (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Prognostic value of tumour-related factors associated with canine retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma in comparison with other anatomic presentations: A retrospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Dogs with retroperitoneal hemangiosarcoma (HSA) exhibit variable postoperative median survival times (MST).
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively evaluate the prognostic value of selected tumour-related factors, such as tumour size, rupture, invasion into adjacent tissue, involvement of lymph node and distant metastasis, they were analysed in dogs with retroperitoneal HSA.
METHODS
Ten dogs with retroperitoneal HSA managed solely with surgical excision were reviewed and compared with spleen (71) and liver (9) HSA. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank analysis were used compare MSTs between factors. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazard analysis was used to compare differences between arising sites.
RESULTS
Retroperitoneal HSA showed comparatively longer postoperative MST compared with that of spleen and liver HSA and demonstrated significantly longer MST (p = 0.003) for tumours ≥5 cm (195 days) than <5 cm (70 days). Spleen HSA revealed significantly shorter MSTs in involvement of distant lymph nodes (23 days) and distant metastasis (39 days) than those in negative (83 days, p = 0.002 and 110 days, p < 0.001, respectively). Liver HSA also revealed significantly shorter MST (16.5 days compared with 98 days, p = 0.003) for distant metastasis. Additionally, hazard ratios (HRs) and their forest plot for overall HSA revealed as poor prognostic factors, arising sites (spleen; HR 2.78, p = 0.016 and liver; HR 3.62, p = 0.019), involvement of distant lymph nodes (HR 2.43, p = 0.014), and distant metastasis (HR 2.86, p < 0.001), and as better prognostic factor of tumour size ≥5 cm (HR 0.53, p = 0.037).
CONCLUSION
In combination with overall HSA, retroperitoneal HSA shows comparatively longer postoperative MST compared to spleen and liver HSA, associated with tumour size ≥5 cm suggesting better prognostic factor.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Hemangiosarcoma; Retrospective Studies; Dog Diseases; Male; Female; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms; Prognosis; Splenic Neoplasms; Liver Neoplasms
PubMed: 38889089
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1495