Flowcharts for the management of biliary tract and ampullary carcinomas

No strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract carcinoma have been clearly described. We developed flowcharts for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract carcinoma on the basis of the best clinical evidence. Risk factors for bile duct carcinoma are a dilated type of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) and primary sclerosing cholangitis. A nondilated type of PBM is a risk factor for gallbladder carcinoma. Symptoms that may indicate biliary tract carcinoma are jaundice and pain in the upper right area of the abdomen. The first step of diagnosis is to carry out blood biochemistry tests and ultrasonography (US) of the abdomen. The second step of diagnosis is to find the local extension of the carcinoma by means of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Because resection is the only way to completely cure biliary tract carcinoma, the indications for resection are determined first. In patients with resectable disease, the indications for biliary drainage or portal vein embolization (PVE) are checked. In those with nonresectable disease, biliary stenting, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or best supportive care is selected.     

Comprehensive analysis of CTLA-4 in the tumor immune microenvironment of 33 cancer types

Immunotherapy has recently become a powerful weapon against cancer. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) was the first immune checkpoint used for immunotherapy. However, CTLA-4-related mechanisms in various cancers have not been comprehensively investigated. This aim of this study was an in-depth investigation of CTLA-4 in the tumor microenvironment and its relationship with other immunomodulators, immune-related pathways and survival outcomes of 33 cancer types.Overall 9,743 tumor samples and 710 normal samples of 33 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were included. CTLA-4 expression level was compared between tumor and normal tissues in 22 cancer types. The microenvironment cell populations (MCP)-counter method was used to analyze the correlation between CTLA-4 and immune cell infiltration. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were employed to investigate its relationship with immune pathways. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test.CTLA-4 expression was found to be increased in some types of cancer and decreased in other cancer types (P < 0.05). When comparing between different tumor tissues, CTLA-4 was lowest in uveal melanoma (UVM). MCP analysis demonstrated that CTLA-4 had a strong correlation with T cells in almost all cancer types and that CTLA-4 showed a positive correlation with most immune cells in UVM. Immune pathway analysis found that CTLA-4 is involved in a variety of immune pathways. Survival analysis revealed that CTLA-4 can predict patients’ survival outcomes. This comprehensive analysis of CTLA-4 will promote anti-CTLA-4 therapy and personalized combined immunotherapy.     

Psychological Adaptation to Serious Illness: A Qualitative Study of Culturally Diverse Patients With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease

ContextPsychological distress is associated with adverse health outcomes in serious illness and magnified among patients of low socioeconomic status. Aspects of one's culture, such as religion and spirituality, can influence these patients' coping response to distress. Advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious illness that disproportionately affects patients of low socioeconomic status, but a theory-based understanding of this group's lived experience of CKD is lacking.ObjectivesWe explored the cognitions, emotions, and coping behaviors of patients with CKD with emphasis on those of low socioeconomic status. We further inquired into any influences of religion or spirituality.MethodsWe interviewed 50 English-speaking or Spanish-speaking adults with advanced CKD from three medical centers in Nashville, Tennessee. Analyses occurred with isolation of themes; development of a coding system; and creation of a conceptual framework using an inductive-deductive approach.ResultsMedian age was 65 years; median annual income was $17,500 per year; and 48% of participants had not progressed beyond high school. Key beliefs (awareness of mortality and lack of control) influenced patients' emotions (existential distress in the form of death anxiety, prognostic uncertainty, and hopelessness) and coping behaviors (acceptance, avoidance, emotion regulation via spirituality, and seeking social support via a religious community).ConclusionIndividuals with advanced CKD and low socioeconomic status lack control over disease progression, experience death anxiety and existential distress, and emphasize spirituality to cope. Our study identifies novel components for a psychotherapeutic intervention for patients with advanced CKD at high risk for adverse health outcomes.     

Gallbladder gangrene after percutaneous vertebroplasty,an uncommon presentation of vascular complication: a case report and analysis of the causes

We present a case of an 81-year-old man with gallbladder gangrene after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) that was successfully treated via laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The patient underwent multilevel, thoracic PV for painful osteoporotic compression fractures. PV performed at the T6 level was complicated by severe abdominal pain owing to direct embolization of the right T6 segmental artery with penetration of bone cement into the radicular artery beneath the pedicle. Cement leakage, especially arterial embolization of cement into the general circulation, is a known potential complication following PV. Serious complications related to PV augmentation procedures, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, are rare and most often result from local cement leakage or venous embolization. Combined with this case report, we reviewed the literature regarding the unusual occurrence of direct arterial cement embolization during PV and analyzed the causes to alert clinicians to this potentially rare vascular complication.     

Pancreatic pseudocyst,pancreatitis, and incomplete pancreas divisum in a child treated with endotherapy: a case report

Pancreatic divisum (PD) is caused by the lack of fusion of the pancreatic duct during the embryonic period. Considering the incidence rate of PD, clinicians lack an understanding of the disease, which is usually asymptomatic. Some patients with PD may experience recurrent pancreatitis and progress to chronic pancreatitis. Recently, a 13-year-old boy presented with pancreatic pseudocyst, recurrent pancreatitis, and incomplete PD, and we report this patient’s clinical data regarding the diagnosis, medical imagining, and treatment. The patient had a history of recurrent pancreatitis and abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was chosen for diagnosis of PD, pancreatitis, and pancreatic pseudocyst, followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, minor papillotomy, pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, and stent implantation. In the follow-up, the pseudocyst lesions were completely resolved, and no recurrent pancreatitis has been observed.     

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells promote pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and invasion

To explore the effects of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and the possible mechanism involved, ADSCs were cocultured with pancreatic cancer cells, and a cell counting kit (CCK-8) was used to detect the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. ELISA was used to determine the concentration of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in the supernatants. RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 in pancreatic cancer cells and ADSCs. An in vitro invasion assay was used to measure invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. SDF-1 was detected in the supernatants of ADSCs, but not in pancreatic cancer cells. Higher CXCR4 mRNA levels were detected in the pancreatic cancer cell lines compared with ADSCs (109.3±10.7 and 97.6±7.6 vs 18.3±1.7, respectively; P<0.01). In addition, conditioned medium from ADSCs promoted the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, and AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, significantly downregulated these growth-promoting effects. We conclude that ADSCs can promote the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, which may involve the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.     

Coaching: A Primer for the Radiologist

The practice of coaching using positive psychology is an emerging and promising approach to address the radiologist burnout epidemic, with the focus on wellness even more urgent given the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and other recent stressful events. Coaching uses a strengths-based approach to help radiologists identify and achieve positive emotions, create meaningful relationships, increase engagement and purpose, and develop coping skills for personal and professional stressors, including communication, improving resilience, team building, and mindfulness. Health and wellness coaching promotes healthy behavior change as a means of averting or mitigating chronic lifestyle-related diseases and is a potential treatment for burnout and stress management. Coaches help clients enhance self-motivation, identify strengths, and implement a framework for change by applying psychological resources, including mindfulness, positive mind-set, resilience, self-efficacy, and self-awareness. The framework of coaching is built upon psychological safety, mindfulness, accountability, and the coach-client relationship. Coaches use the three fundamental skills of mindful listening, open-ended inquiry, and perceptive reflections to empower clients on their journeys to achieve their best selves.     

Characteristics and Outcomes of Percutaneous Biliary Interventions in the United States

ObjectiveTo explore baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and clinical diagnoses in the prediction of outcomes for inpatient percutaneous biliary interventions in the United States.MethodsHospitalizations for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and percutaneous biliary drainage were studied using the National Inpatient Sample 2012 to 2015. Associations between baseline characteristics, comorbidities, clinical diagnoses, and outcomes were analyzed using multivariable regression modeling. Regional variations were studied in an exploratory analysis.ResultsHospitalizations for percutaneous biliary interventions had average inpatient mortality of 3.8% ± 0.8% and length of stay of 7.6 ± 0.3 days. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (50.5% ± 0.8%), and paralysis was associated with the highest inpatient mortality (19.1% ± 5.7%) and length of stay (11.4 ± 1.3 days). Compared with nonmalignant biliary-pancreatic disorders, sepsis was associated with the highest inpatient mortality (6.5% ± 1.1%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.2 [3.9-7.0]) and length of stay (9.0 ± 3.0 days; aOR: 2.2 [1.9-2.5]), followed by underlying malignancy (mortality of 5.5% ± 0.6%; aOR: 2.3 [1.7-3.0]; length of stay of 8.3 ± 0.2 days; aOR: 1.6 [1.4-1.8]). The observed associations were independent of baseline characteristics and comorbidities. With regard to regional variations, the Middle Atlantic states had the lengthiest hospital stays (38.8% ± 2.0% >8 days) and the East South Central states had the highest inpatient mortality (6.6% ± 1.6%) while having the highest frequency of malignancy (37.9% ± 3.7%) and the lowest frequency of postoperative cases (15.2% ± 2.4%).ConclusionIn addition to baseline characteristics and comorbidities, sepsis and malignancy were determinants of higher mortality and increased length of stay in hospitalizations for percutaneous biliary interventions. We observed significant regional variations in clinical diagnoses and outcomes across the United States.     

MYNN rs10936599基因多态性与急性心力衰竭患者短期预后的相关性

目的探讨MYNN基因的rs10936599位点多态性与急性心力衰竭（AHF）患者预后的关系。 方法选取2012年3月至2016年3月于南京医科大学第一附属医院心血管内科住院的AHF患者328例,采用TaqMan探针法对MYNN基因的SNP位点rs10936599（T/C）进行基因多态性检测,记录并比较不同基因型患者（TT基因型、CT基因型、CC基因型）住院期间的人口学特征、临床资料、病因和伴随疾病、住院期间治疗用药等基线资料,并对所有患者进行12个月的前瞻性随访,随访终点为全因死亡。分析rs10936599位点多态性对AHF预后的影响。 结果（1）rs10936599基因型频率分布：TT基因型100例（占30.5%）,CT基因型162例（占49.4%）,CC基因型66例（占20.1%）;rs10936599位点的基因型和等位基因频率在死亡患者和存活患者间比较,差异有统计学意义（χ²=9.749,P=0.0076;χ²=9.641,P=0.0019）。（2）心率、血清钾水平及住院期间地高辛和醛固酮拮抗剂使用情况在不同基因型患者间比较,差异有统计学意义（H=7.714,P=0.021;F=3.254,P=0.040）;其他基线资料在不同基因型患者间比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。（3）Kaplan-Meier曲线分析显示携带等位基因C（CC/CT）的AHF患者12个月生存率较TT基因型患者明显下降,差异有统计学意义（TT vs CT,P=0.026;TT vs CC,P=0.002）。（4）进一步Cox回归分析结果显示杂合子CT基因型和纯合子CC基因型是影响AHF患者预后的独立危险因素（HR=2.10,95%CI：1.07~4.12;HR=2.96,95%CI：1.42~6.19）。 结论MYNN基因rs10936599位点多态性与AHF患者预后有关,CC和CT基因型是预测AHF患者12个月不良预后的独立危险因素。