A case of minute intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas presenting with recurrent acute pancreatitis

Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the pancreas, a lesion consisting of mucin-producing cells with neoplastic potential, is characterized by duct ectasia, mucin hypersecretion, often extensive papillary intraductal growth, varying degrees of cytologic atypia, and relatively indolent growth. The clinical presentation of IPMT of the pancreas is characterized by chronic or recurrent attacks of abdominal discomfort often in association with low level pancreatic enzyme elevations. Less commonly these lesions may be detected as asymptomatic radiographic abnormalities. Interestingly, a case of a minute IPMT (2 mm in height and 7 mm in length, adenoma) in the main pancreatic duct presenting with acute pancreatitis in a 55 year-old man has been reported in the Japanese literature. Recently, we also experienced a case of a minute IPMT in a branch pancreatic duct causing repeated bouts of acute pancreatitis in a 75 year-old man. A filling defect at the neck of the main pancreatic duct seen on an endoscopic retrograde pancreatogram performed after recovery of the second attack of acute pancreatitis led the patient to undergo an exploratory laparotomy. After a near-total pancreatectomy was carried out, a minute (3 x 7 mm) IPMT of borderline malignancy was discovered in a branch duct at the head portion near the pancreatic neck without any lesions in the main pancreatic duct. Surprisingly, despite the resective surgery the patient died of carcinomatosis 8.5 months after the operation. We herein report a case of a minute but aggressive IPMT of the pancreas with a review of the literature.     

Cooperative transformation of murine fibroblast NIH3T3 cells by hepatitis C virus core protein and hepatitis B virus X protein

Co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is associated with increased frequency in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we demonstrated that HBV X protein (HBx) and HCV core cooperate to transform mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. They additively stimulated cell growth, especially in the absence of serum growth factors. In addition, co-expression of HBx and HCV core had additive effects on the induction of anchorage-independent cell growth as well as on the secretion of matrix metalloproteases, which may contribute to increased metastatic potential. Furthermore, the cells expressing both viral proteins exhibited higher tumorigenicity, as demonstrated in athymic nude mice.     

A new haplogroup pattern displayed in Fujian Han in China

Human Y-chromosomal binary polymorphisms have been considered to preserve the paternal genetic legacy and provide evidence on human evolution and the genetic relationships among and demographic history of different populations. To reveal the genetic origin and immigration of the Fujian Han, 13 binary markers on the Y chromosome were used to screen Fujian Han by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that the M₉G marker was highly prevalent (96.20%), suggesting a significant genetic drift. In addition, M₁₂₂C frequency was only 22.78%, and M₄₅A and M₁₀₃T were default. The distinctive haplogroup frequencies (H₁, H₅, and H_6/7/8) imply that the haplogroup pattern is a relatively ancestral and interim type. Received: October 13, 2001 / Accepted: December 3, 2001     

Laser doppler imaging of menstrual symptoms

In this paper, the skin blood flow for the stomach and forehead regions of 36 female patients with menstrual symptoms was studied using a moorLDI laser Doppler imager in which the results of 6 typical patients are included. The patterns obtained at the two sites are common to all women in the sample who have menstrual symptoms. Cold stress testing was also investigated to see if it was effective in bringing out any skin blood flow fluctuation at these regions caused by menstrual symptoms. Each patient attended two scanning sessions: one before and the other during menstruation. During each session, the patient was scanned three consecutive times, each on the stomach and the forehead skin regions. For each region, the first measurement was a bare scanning whereas for the second and the third, 85% denatured ethanol (cold stress test) was applied onto the required scan areas. It was found that cold stress testing was able to bring out distinct differences in LDI perfusion images before and during menstruation. Results were best captured when perfusion images were taken approximately after 85% denatured ethanol had been applied in two layers for 30 s, allowed to evaporate over the next 5 min (approximately the time taken to obtain one image), reapplied for another 30 s and then finally over the next 30 s allowed to evaporate further. However, it was impossible to deduce conclusively any correlation regarding migraine and skin blood flow since all the patients for this work had menstrual cramps only.     

Radioprotective Effect of Whey Hydrolysate Peptides against γ-Radiation-Induced Oxidative Stress in BALB/c Mice

Radiation therapy is widely used in the treatment of tumor diseases, but it can also cause serious damage to the body, so it is necessary to find effective nutritional supplements. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of whey hydrolysate peptides (WHPs) against ⁶⁰Coγ radiation damage in mice and explore the mechanism. BALB/c mice were given WHPs by oral gavage administration for 14 days. Then, some mice underwent a 30-day survival test after 8 Gy radiation, and other mice received 3.5 Gy radiation to analyze the changes in body weight, hematology and bone marrow DNA after three and 14 days. In addition, through further analysis of the level of oxidative stress and intestinal barrier function, the possible mechanism of the radioprotective effect of WHPs was explored. The study found WHPs can prolong survival time, restore body weight, and increase the number of peripheral blood white blood cells and bone marrow DNA content in irradiated mice. In addition, WHPs can significantly improve the antioxidant capacity, inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and protect the intestinal barrier. These results indicate that WHPs have a certain radioprotective effect in mice, and the main mechanism is related to reducing oxidative damage.     

Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict Mortality and Allocate Palliative Care for Older Patients With Hip Fracture

ObjectivesTo evaluate a machine learning model designed to predict mortality for Medicare beneficiaries aged >65 years treated for hip fracture in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs).DesignRetrospective design/cohort analysis of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility–Patient Assessment Instrument data.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 17,140 persons admitted to Medicare-certified IRFs in 2015 following hospitalization for hip fracture.MeasuresPatient characteristics include sociodemographic (age, gender, race, and social support) and clinical factors (functional status at admission, chronic conditions) and IRF length of stay. Outcomes were 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality. We trained and evaluated 2 classification models, logistic regression and a multilayer perceptron (MLP), to predict the probability of 30-day and 1-year mortality and evaluated the calibration, discrimination, and precision of the models.ResultsFor 30-day mortality, MLP performed well [acc = 0.74, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.76, avg prec = 0.10, slope = 1.14] as did logistic regression (acc = 0.78, AUROC = 0.76, avg prec = 0.09, slope = 1.20). For 1-year mortality, the performances were similar for both MLP (acc = 0.68, AUROC = 0.75, avg prec = 0.32, slope = 0.96) and logistic regression (acc = 0.68, AUROC = 0.75, avg prec = 0.32, slope = 0.95).Conclusion and ImplicationsA scoring system based on logistic regression may be more feasible to run in current electronic medical records. But MLP models may reduce cognitive burden and increase ability to calibrate to local data, yielding clinical specificity in mortality prediction so that palliative care resources may be allocated more effectively.     

绝经前后子宫内膜癌的病理及临床特点110的分析

目的:探讨子宫内膜癌在绝经前发病与绝经后发病的临床及病理特征。方法:将1990年1月—2001年1月我院收治住院有完整资料的110例病例作一回顾性分析。结果:由于绝经后组子宫内膜癌在手术分期、细胞分化、肿瘤细胞的亚型及发生淋巴结转移的程度上均差于绝经前组,提示绝经后发生子宫内膜癌的预后差于绝经前的子宫内膜癌。     

The association between plant-based diet and erectile function in Chinese young healthy men: A population-based study

The study was designed and conducted to evaluate the plant-based diet status and its association with erectile function (EF) in Chinese young healthy men. From July 2018 to May 2020, 116 objectively proved physically and psychologically healthy men were selected. Clinical questionnaires, detailed physical examinations and blood tests were all assessed. An overall plant-based diet index (PDI) and a healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) were developed from each participant to measure plant-based diet quantitatively. The EF was measured by both the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the surrogated measures of endothelial function, peripheral levels of nitric oxide (NO) and E-selectin. In subjects, the mean PDI and hPDI were 53.8 ± 8.2 and 54.7 ± 8.9 respectively. Results of multivariate analysis showed that both PDI and hPDI were negatively associated with BMI (all p < .05), but had no relationships with NO, E-selectin, TT levels and IIEF-5 scores (all p > .05). In a subgroup of male population, Chinese young healthy men, the plant-based diet, measured by PDI and hPDI, was not related to erectile function. The population can adhere to plant-based diet to keep healthy without concerns of negative influence on erectile function.     

Smoking Alters Inflammation and Skeletal Stem and Progenitor Cell Activity During Fracture Healing in Different Murine Strains

Smokers are at a higher risk of delayed union or nonunion after fracture repair. Few specific interventions are available for prevention because the molecular mechanisms that result in these negative sequelae are poorly understood. Murine models that mimic fracture healing in smokers are crucial in further understanding the local cellular and molecular alterations during fracture healing caused by smoking. We exposed three murine strains, C57BL/6J, 129X1/SvJ, and BALB/cJ, to cigarette smoke for 3 months before the induction of a midshaft transverse femoral osteotomy. We evaluated fracture healing 4 weeks after the osteotomy using radiography, micro-computed tomography (μCT), and biomechanical testing. Radiographic analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in the fracture healing capacity of smoking 129X1/SvJ mice. μCT results showed delayed remodeling of fracture calluses in all three strains after cigarette smoke exposure. Biomechanical testing indicated the most significant impairment in the functional properties of 129X1/SvJ in comparison with C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice after cigarette smoke exposure. Thus, the 129X1/SvJ strain is most suitable in simulating smoking-induced impaired fracture healing. Furthermore, in smoking 129X1/SvJ murine models, we investigated the molecular and cellular alterations in fracture healing caused by cigarette smoking using histology, flow cytometry, and multiplex cytokine/chemokine analysis. Histological analysis showed impaired chondrogenesis in cigarette smoking. In addition, the important reparative cell populations, including skeletal stem cells and their downstream progenitors, demonstrated decreased expansion after injury as a result of cigarette smoking. Moreover, significantly increased pro-inflammatory mediators and the recruitment of immune cells in fracture hematomas were demonstrated in smoking mice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the significant cellular and molecular alterations during fracture healing impaired by smoking, including disrupted chondrogenesis, aberrant skeletal stem and progenitor cell activity, and a pronounced initial inflammatory response. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).