Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: Rare case of ischemic colitis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV) is a rare and poorly understood ischemic colitis that occurs in the rectosigmoid colon of predominantly young, previously healthy, male patients. A 76‐year‐old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a 1‐year history of worsening diarrhea, lower abdominal pain, and weight loss (−6 kg). Laboratory evaluation revealed white blood cell count of 13 200/μL, C‐reactive protein level of 2.0 mg/dL (normal range, 0.0–0.3), and negative results for stool culture (including Clostridium difficile). Colonoscopy showed circumferential and edematous narrowing of the sigmoid colon with deep longitude ulceration. Biopsy was done and examination of the specimen demonstrated no specific ischemia. The patient was treated with bowel rest, antibiotics, and i.v. fluids; however, his symptoms worsened. Finally, sigmoidectomy was carried out. Histological examination demonstrated significant myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins leading to thickening and stenosis of the venous lumen. Therefore, the final diagnosis was IMHMV. Three months following sigmoidectomy, he was asymptomatic.     

基于网络药理学的济脉通片降压机制研究

目的 采用网络药理学阐明济脉通片多成分-多靶点-多途径的作用理念，为进一步研究济脉通片降压药效物质基础和机制提供一定理论参考。方法 通过TCMSP数据库，结合口服利用度（≥ 30%）和类药性分析（≥ 0.18）参数，筛选济脉通片的活性成分；通过Drugbank和TCMSP数据库进行靶点预测分析；通过GENCARD数据库筛选出高血压疾病相关基因；结合DAVID和KEGG数据库进行GO分析和通路分析；使用Cystoscope软件构建"化合物-靶点-作用通路"网络图。结果 经筛选后得到济脉通片的33个化合物，148个潜在靶基因并映射到了223条信号通路，其中31条信号通路与高血压的发生发展密切相关，其中AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications、PI3K-Akt signaling pathway、TNFsignaling pathway、Adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes和Focal adhesion为重要的通路枢纽。结论 济脉通片主要通过多成分、多靶点、多通路调节血管内皮功能、炎症反应、钙钠离子转运、糖脂代谢等参与血管舒张、改善炎症、调节机体代谢、调节离子转运等而产生降压作用。     

Patients with Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) Are at a Higher Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Absence of Cirrhosis

Background and Aims: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is commonly found in patients with cirrhosis, but it is also associated with other diseases in the absence of cirrhosis. Whether GAVE confers a different severity of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding between patients with and without cirrhosis remains unknown. We aim to examine whether there is a difference in clinically significant GI bleeding due to GAVE in patients with or without cirrhosis. Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study of patients who were diagnosed with GAVE between January 2000 and June 2014. Patients were categorized into cirrhosis and noncirrhosis groups, and those with an additional GI bleeding source were excluded. Univariate comparisons and multivariable models were constructed using logistic regression. Results: In total, 110 patients diagnosed with GAVE on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were included in our analysis; 84 patients had cirrhosis (76.4%) and 26 (23.6%) did not. Active GI bleeding was more prevalent in patients without cirrhosis (63.4% vs. 32.1%, p=0.003) despite similar indications for EGD, and endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation (APC) was required more often in this group, approaching statistical significance (27% vs. 10.7%, p=0.056). There was no difference in bleeding severity, as evidenced by similar re-bleeding rates, surgery, or death attributed to uncontrolled bleeding. The strongest independent risk factor for GI bleeding was the absence of cirrhosis (odds ratio (OR): 5.151 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-24.48, p=0.039). Conclusions: Patients with GAVE in the absence of cirrhosis are at higher risk for active GI bleeding and require more frequent endoscopic treatment than similar patients with cirrhosis. It may be worthwhile to treat GAVE in this population even in the absence of active bleeding.     

Disorders of sex development

Disorders of sex development (DSD) occur in 1–2/10,000 live births, with a specific molecular diagnosis only possible in 20% of cases. Presentation is usually at birth, and gender assignment must be avoided before review by an expert multidisciplinary team. Initial investigations allow a working diagnosis to be made within 48 hr. In 46,XY DSD, surgery may be necessary to correct hypospadias, reposition or remove undescended testes, and remove symptomatic Müllerian remnants. In 46,XX DSD, feminizing surgery is performed less frequently than in the past, but genitoplasty may still be indicated. Psychosocial support is required to promote positive adaptation as gender dissatisfaction can occur in certain conditions. Long-term outcome data are sparse.     

Endothelial function,regulation of angiogenesis and embryonic central hemodynamics in ART-conceived pregnancies

Abstract

This study was undertaken to compare the concentrations of pro- and anti-angiogenic growth factors, nitric oxide (NO) stable metabolites in maternal serum and embryonic left ventricular (LV) isovolumic relaxation time (IRT, ms) during the first trimester in two groups of women: with pregnancy conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART, n?=?39) and normally conceived (control group, n?=?68) pregnancy. The concentration of vasoconstrictor endothelin 1 was 45.5 times more in ART than in control group. On the contrary, the concentrations of NO stable metabolites in ART were 1.9 times less than in control women. The assessment of angiogenic suppressors in ART women demonstrates the decrease in s-endoglin concentration was 1.6 times and in soluble receptor to vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was 2.0 times in comparison with control group. There was a significant increase in LV IRT in ART embryos in comparison to control ones. These data suggest significant changes in pro- anti-angiogenic factors balance and increase in vascular impedance in ART-conceived embryos.     

The vascular endothelium plays a role in insulin action

The endocrine system relies on the vasculature for delivery of hormones throughout the body, and the capillary microvasculature is the site where the hormones cross from the blood into the target tissue. Once considered an inert wall, various studies have now highlighted the functions of the capillary endothelium to regulate transport and therefore affect or maintain the interstitial environment. The role of the capillary may be clear in areas where there is a continuous endothelium, yet there also appears to be a role of endothelial cells in tissues with a sinusoidal structure. Here we focused on the most common endocrine disorder, diabetes, and several of the target organs associated with the disease, including skeletal muscle, liver and pancreas. However, it is important to note that the ability of hormones to cross the endothelium to reach their target tissue is a component of all endocrine functions. It is also a consideration in organs throughout the body and may have greater impact for larger hormones with target tissues containing a continuous endothelium. We noted that the blood levels do not always equal interstitial levels, which is what the cells are exposed to, and discussed how this may change in diseases such as obesity and insulin resistance. The capillary endothelium is, therefore, an essential and understudied aspect of endocrinology and metabolism that can be altered in disease, which may be an appropriate target for treatment.     

Factors Affecting Recurrent Deep Vein Thrombosis after Pharmacomechanical Thrombolysis and Left Iliac Vein Stent Placement in Patients with Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome

PurposeThis study evaluated the factors affecting contralateral and ipsilateral recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after iliac vein stent placement in patients with iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS).Materials and MethodsData from 130 patients (95 female patients) who underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis and stent placement for IVCS with left lower leg thrombosis at a single institution were retrospectively analyzed. Mean patient age was 69.0 ± 14.0 years old. Median follow-up was 14 months (range, 3–164 months). Anticoagulation therapy was prescribed for 6 months, followed by lifelong antiplatelet therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors affecting the development of contralateral and ipsilateral recurrent DVT.ResultsSeven patients (5.4%) developed contralateral DVT (median, 26 months; range, 2–61 months), and 11 patients (8.5%) developed ipsilateral DVT (median, 1 month; range, 0–53 months). Stent location (odds ratio [OR], 11.564; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.159–115.417) and in-stent thrombosis during follow-up (OR, 15.142; 95% CI, 1.406–163.119) were predictors of recurrent contralateral DVT. Thrombophilia (OR, 47.560; 95% CI, 2.369–954.711), remaining inferior vena cava filter (OR, 30.552; 95% CI, 3.495–267.122), and in-stent thrombosis during follow-up (OR, 82.057; 95% CI, 2.915–2309.848) were predictors of ipsilateral DVT.ConclusionsContralateral DVT occurs late and is associated with extension of the iliac vein stent to the inferior vena cava and in-stent thrombosis. Ipsilateral DVT occurs relatively early and is associated with thrombophilia, remaining inferior vena cava filter, and in-stent thrombosis.