Effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats: What we know so far?

正To the editor:We read with great interest the article entitled "Comparative study of the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats" by Ulmer et al.[1].The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of terlipressin ver-     

Characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients who develop pulmonary embolism: A cross-sectional study

Pulmonary embolism (PE), along with deep vein thrombosis, are collectively known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Predisposing factors for PE include post-operative conditions, pregnancy, cancer and an advanced age; of note, a number of genetic mutations have been found to be associated with an increased risk of PE. The association between cancer and VTE is well-established, and cancer patients present a higher risk of a thrombotic event compared to the general population. In addition, PE is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to illustrate the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, radiology features and outcomes of cancer patients who developed PE, collected from an anticancer hospital. For this purpose, adult cancer patients diagnosed with PE by imaging with computed tomography pulmonary angiography were enrolled. The following data were recorded: Demographics, comorbidities, type of cancer, time interval between cancer diagnosis and PE occurrence, the type of therapy received and the presence of metastases, clinical signs and symptoms, predisposing factors for PE development, laboratory data, radiological findings, electrocardiography findings, and the type of therapy received for PE and outcomes in a follow-up period of 6 months. In total, 60 cancer patients were enrolled. The majority of the cancer patients were males. The most common type of cancer observed was lung cancer. The majority of cases of PE occurred within the first year from the time of cancer diagnosis, while the majority of patients had already developed metastases. In addition, the majority of cancer patients had received chemotherapy over the past month, while they were not receiving anticoagulants and had central obstruction. A large proportion of patients had asymptomatic PE. The in-hospital mortality rate was 13.3% and no relapse or mortality were observed during the follow-up period. The present study demonstrates that elevated levels of lactic acid and an increased platelet count, as well as low serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen, albumin and D-dimer, may be potential biomarkers for asymptomatic PE among cancer patients.     

Postprandial lipemia in men with metabolic syndrome,hypertensives and healthy subjects

Background  

The metabolic syndrome (MetS), as well as postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, is associated with coronary heart disease. This study aimed to evaluate the postprandial lipemia after oral fat tolerance test (OFTT) in subjects with MetS and compare them to hypertensive (HTN) and healthy subjects.     

Prevalence of psychosocial distress in cancer patients across 55 North American cancer centers

Routine distress screening in United States oncology clinics has been mandatory since 2015.

Objective: This study was the first to assess distress in a geographically diverse sample of cancer patients following mandated distress screening implementation by oncology social workers.

Methods: Sites were self-selected via social workers who applied to participate in the Association of Oncology Social Work’s Project to Assure Quality Cancer Care, advertised through their social media outlets and conference. Electronic screening records were collected from 55 cancer treatment centers in the United States and Canada. Cases required cancer diagnoses and Distress Thermometer (DT) scores to be included. Distress rates and rates by age, sex, cancer type, and ethnicity were examined.

Results: Of 4664 cases, 46% (2157) experienced significant distress (DT score?≥?4). Being female, age 40-59, and having diagnoses of pancreatic or lung cancer was associated with increased likelihood of distress. Half of cases experience clinically-significant distress, though this need was not evenly distributed across patient or cancer types.

Conclusion: Identifying those at risk for distress may help inform optimal resource allocation. Methods to address needs of distressed patients in cases of limited resources are discussed.     

BsmI vitamin D receptor’s polymorphism and bone mineral density in men and premenopausal women on long‐term antiepileptic therapy

Background: Utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has long been associated with bone deleterious effects. Furthermore, the BsmI restriction fragment polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD), mostly in postmenopausal women. This study evaluates the association between bone metabolism of patients with epilepsy and the BsmI VDR’s polymorphism in chronic users of AEDs. Methods: This study evaluated 73 long‐term users of antiepileptic drug monotherapy, in a cross‐sectional design. Fasting blood samples were obtained to estimate the circulating serum levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, parathormone, 25hydroxyvitamin D as well as the VDR’s genotype. Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine was measured with Dual Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry. Results: Bone mineral density was significantly associated with the genotype of VDR (mean BMD: Bb genotype 1.056 ± 0.126 g/cm²; BB genotype 1.059 ± 0.113 g/cm²; bb genotype 1.179 ± 0.120 g/cm²; P < 0.05). Additionally, the presence of at least one B allele was significantly associated with lower bone mineral density (B allele present: BMD = 1.057 ± 0.12 g/cm², B allele absent: BMD = 1.179 ± 0.119 g/cm²; P < 0.01). Patients with at least one B allele had lower serum levels of 25hydroxyvitamin D when compared with bb patients (22.61 ng/ml vs. 33.27 ng/ml, P < 0.05), whilst they tended to have higher levels of parathyroid hormone. Discussion: Vitamin D receptor polymorphism is associated with lower bone mass in patients with epilepsy. This effect might be mediated through the vitamin D‐parathormone pathway.     

Autologous epidermal cells can induce wound closure of neurotrophic ulceration caused by trigeminal trophic syndrome

Trigeminal trophic syndrome is an extremely rare complication following surgical ablation of the trigeminal nerve or after alcohol injection or thermocoagulation of the Gasserian ganglion. These lesions show a poor healing tendency and sometimes persist for years. The therapeutic results of local wound care with ointments and wound dressings are often unsatisfactory, and those of plastic surgery are variable. In the case presented, the skin area affected by neurotrophic ulceration is successfully treated with autologous cultivated epidermal cells. This form of tissue engineering is already a clinically established procedure for treating burns and chronic wounds. The results show for the first time that transplantation of in vitro cultivated epidermal cells can induce tissue regeneration and may be an effective tool in the treatment of neurotrophic ulcerations in the facial region.     

Comparison of erythropoietin and sildenafil protective role against ischemia/reperfusion injury of the testis in adult rats

Purpose

Tissue damage in testicular torsion/detorsion is caused not only by the ischemia, but also by the ischemia/reperfusion injury after detorsion. Erythropoietin and sildenafil are considered to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Here, we studied and compared their actions in testicular torsion/detorsion in adult rats.

Methods

Twenty-two adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats in group A (n = 5) were sham operated. Rats in group B (n = 5), group C (n = 6) and group D (n = 6) underwent torsion of the right testis and detorsion after 90 min. No pharmaceutical intervention was performed in group B. Erythropoietin (1,000 IU/kg) and sildenafil (0.7 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally in groups C and D, respectively, after 60 min of torsion. All animals were killed 24 h after detorsion, and their right testis was extracted, placed into 10 % formalin solution and sent for histopathological examination. The histological changes in the testes were scored according to the four-point grading system proposed by Cosentino et al.

Results

All rats in group A had normal testicular architecture (grade 1). The untreated group B had a mean grade of 3.81 (range 3.65–4). The treated groups C (mean grade 3.24; range 3.05–3.45) and D (2.69, range 2.4–2.9) presented statistically significant better results (lower grades) compared with the untreated group B. Group D had significantly better results (lower grades) than group C.

Conclusions

The intraperitoneal injection of erythropoietin and sildenafil protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury after testicular torsion and detorsion. Sildenafil may have a stronger action than erythropoietin at the doses used in this study.     

Probiotics and prebiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: microflora 'on the scope'

The intestinal microflora is a large bacterial community that colonizes the gut, with a metabolic activity equal to an organ and various functions that affect the physiology and pathology of the host's mucosal immune system. Intestinal bacteria are useful in promotion of human health, but certain components of microflora, in genetically susceptible individuals, contribute to various pathological disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Clinical and experimental observations indicate an imbalance in protective and harmful microflora components in these disorders. Manipulation of gut flora to enhance its protective and beneficial role represents a promising field of new therapeutic strategies of inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, we discuss the implication of gut flora in the intestinal inflammation that justifies the role of probiotics and prebiotics in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and we address the evidence for therapeutic benefits from their use in experimental models of colitis and clinical trials.