Apelin-13 inhibits apoptosis and excessive autophagy in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Apelin-13 is a novel endogenous ligand for an angiotensin-like orphan G-protein coupled receptor, and it may be neuroprotective against cerebral ischemia injury. However, the precise mechanisms of the effects of apelin-13 remain to be elucidated. To investigate the effects of apelin-13 on apoptosis and autophagy in models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, a rat model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Apelin-13(50 μg/kg) was injected into the right ventricle as a treatment. In addition, an SH-SY5 Y cell model was established by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion, with cells first cultured in sugar-free medium with 95% N2 and 5% CO2 for 4 hours and then cultured in a normal environment with sugar-containing medium for 5 hours. This SH-SY5 Y cell model was treated with 10–7 M apelin-13 for 5 hours. Results showed that apelin-13 protected against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Apelin-13 treatment alleviated neuronal apoptosis by increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and significantly decreasing cleaved caspase-3 expression. In addition, apelin-13 significantly inhibited excessive autophagy by regulating the expression of LC3 B, p62, and Beclin1. Furthermore, the expression of Bcl-2 and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3 K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway was markedly increased. Both LY294002(20 μM) and rapamycin(500 nM), which are inhibitors of the PI3 K/Akt/mTOR pathway, significantly attenuated the inhibition of autophagy and apoptosis caused by apelin-13. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that Bcl-2 upregulation and mTOR signaling pathway activation lead to the inhibition of apoptosis and excessive autophagy. These effects are involved in apelin-13-induced neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, both in vivo and in vitro. The study was approved by the Animal Ethical and Welfare Committee of Jining Medical University, China(approval No. 2018-JS-001) in February 2018.     

Robotic-assisted central pancreatectomy: A minimally invasive approach for benign and low-grade lesions

BackgroundCentrally located pancreatic lesions are often treated with extended pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy resulting in loss of healthy parenchyma and a high risk of diabetes and exocrine insufficiency. Robotic central pancreatectomy (RCP) is a parenchyma sparring alternative that has been shown safe and feasible [[1], [2]].MethodsIn this article, we describe our operative technique and the perioperative outcomes of a series of RCP for low-grade or benign pancreatic tumors.ResultsSix patients (5 female and 1 man) with a median age of 51.5 (44–68) years underwent a RCP for 2 serous cystadenomas, 2 mucinous cystic tumors, 1 neuroendocrine tumor, and 1 autoimmune pancreatitis. There were no conversions, intraoperative complications, or perioperative transfusions. Median operative time and was 240 (230–291) minutes and median blood loss was 100 (100–400) ml. The median hospital stay was 8 (5–27) days. There were no mortalities, reoperations, or readmissions. One patient developed a grade B pancreatic fistula which was successfully managed conservatively. All resections had free margins and the median tumor size was 2.5 (1.5–3.5) cm. After a mean follow-up of 46 months, no patients presented new-onset diabetes or exocrine insufficiency.ConclusionsRCP represents the least invasive option for both the patient and the pancreatic parenchyma. With a standardized technique, RCP results in low postoperative morbidity and excellent long-term pancreatic function. Although our results are excellent, POPF still represents the main complication of central pancreatectomy with an incidence ranging from 0 to 80% depending on multiple factors such as the surgeon, technique, and pancreatic texture.     

HIV相关淋巴瘤诊治进展

[摘要]　HIV相关淋巴瘤是常见的HIV相关肿瘤之一，在联合抗反转录病毒治疗（combination antiretroviral therapy, cART）出现之前，其治疗效果极差。在cART时代，HIV相关淋巴瘤的基础及临床研究取得了重大进展，这些为挖掘治疗新靶点提供了依据，使优化HIV相关淋巴瘤的诊治成为可能。本文对近年来HIV相关淋巴瘤的诊断和治疗进展进行综述。     

Predictability and Inducibility of Detachment of Prostatic Central Gland Tissue after Prostatic Artery Embolization: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

To assess the frequency and potential predictors of prostatic central gland tissue detachment (CGD), an enucleation-like reaction that sporadically occurred in a randomized controlled trial assessing efficacy and safety of prostatic artery embolization (PAE).

Anticoagulation Strategies in Patients With Cancer: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Patients with active cancer are at an increased risk of arterial and venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding events. Historically, in patients with cancer, low molecular weight heparins have been preferred for treatment of VTE, whereas warfarin has been the standard anticoagulant for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). More recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of venous and arterial thromboembolism in large randomized clinical trials of patients with VTE and AF, respectively, thus providing an attractive oral dosing option that does not require routine laboratory monitoring. In this review, we summarize available clinical trial data and guideline recommendations, and outline a practical approach to anticoagulation management of VTE and AF in cancer.     

唤醒状态联合中央沟定位切除脑运动区胶质瘤对患者运动功能保护作用探讨

目的 探究唤醒状态联合中央沟定位对脑运动区胶质瘤切除术患者运动功能的保护作用。方法 选取本院2016年12月—2017年10月期间收治的脑运动区胶质瘤患者70例。所有患者均行唤醒状态联合中央沟定位运动区胶质瘤切除术。观察患者术后复发情况及术后第6、12个月的Kamofsky评分,并记录并发症发生情况。结果 所有患者均成功完成手术,未出现术中大出血、死亡等严重并发症。70例患者中,有40例全切除,26例次全切除,4例大部分切除。术后,感觉减退者有6例,肌力下降者有5例,肌力下降伴感觉减退者有2例,并发症发生率为18.57%(13/70)。6个月后,应用增强MRI显示有4例患者肿瘤灶周围明显强化,进一步使用正电子发射断层显像发现有1例患者肿瘤复发。术前及术后第6、12个月的Kamofsky评分分别为(89.62±11.88)及(80.73±9.91)、(65.82±12.36)。结论 唤醒状态联合中央沟定位能最大限度切除脑运动区胶质瘤,提高患者预后效果。