A hydatic cyst of the appendix mimicking a uterine lateral mass: a case report

Hydatic cyst is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It is a public health problem in Tunisia and remains endemic. It occurs in intra-abdominal organs in 10–15% of the cases, particularly in t...

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Efficacy, safety and predictive indicators of apatinib after multilines treatment in advanced nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer: Apatinib treatment in nonsquamous NSCLC.

Efficacy, safety and predictive indicators of apatinib after multilines treatment in advanced nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer: Apatinib treatment in nonsquamous NSCLC.

Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2018 Mar 24;:

Authors: Wu D, Liang L, Nie L, Nie J, Dai L, Hu W, Zhang J, Chen X, Han J, Ma X, Tian G, Han S, Long J, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Xin T, Fang J

Abstract
AIM: Patients with advanced nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who experienced progression with two or more lines chemotherapy have no treatment options that clearly confer a survival benefit. As a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, apatinib has a certain antitumor effect for various solid tumors. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of apatinib in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC as salvage treatment in Chinese real-world practice.
METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled in this observational study from October 2015 to May 2017. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were graphed by Kaplan-Meier curve and intergroup comparisons were carried out by log-rank test. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and adverse effects (AEs) were also evaluated.
RESULTS: Seven patients obtained partial response, and 18 obtained stable disease, representing an ORR of 26% and a DCR of 93%. Median PFS and OS were 3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-3.4) and 7.4 (95% CI 1.3-13.5) months, respectively. The efficacy analysis showed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1 was correlated with prolonged OS and PFS (P < 0.05), and hypertension during apatinib treatment was correlated with prolonged OS (P < 0.05). Cox regression showed that ECOG performance status (P < 0.01) (RR = 0.231) (95% CI 0.083-0.642) and hypertension during apatinib treatment (P = 0.05) were predictive indicators for apatinib treatment. Grade 3-4 AEs with incidences of 10% or greater were hypertension (21%), hand-foot syndrome (14%) and proteinuria (11%) which could be relieved by dose reduction.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, apatinib has a certain therapeutic effect in patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC. ECOG performance status and hypertension during apatinib might be predictive indicators for treatment efficacy.

PMID: 29573236 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Interruption of lactate uptake by inhibiting mitochondrial pyruvate transport unravels direct antitumor and radiosensitizing effects.

Interruption of lactate uptake by inhibiting mitochondrial pyruvate transport unravels direct antitumor and radiosensitizing effects.

Nat Commun. 2018 Mar 23;9(1):1208

Authors: Corbet C, Bastien E, Draoui N, Doix B, Mignion L, Jordan BF, Marchand A, Vanherck JC, Chaltin P, Schakman O, Becker HM, Riant O, Feron O

Abstract
Lactate exchange between glycolytic and oxidative cancer cells is proposed to optimize tumor growth. Blocking lactate uptake through monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) represents an attractive therapeutic strategy but may stimulate glucose consumption by oxidative cancer cells. We report here that inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) activity fulfils the tasks of blocking lactate use while preventing glucose oxidative metabolism. Using in vitro 13C-glucose and in vivo hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate, we identify 7ACC2 as a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial pyruvate transport which consecutively blocks extracellular lactate uptake by promoting intracellular pyruvate accumulation. Also, while in spheroids MCT1 inhibition leads to cytostatic effects, MPC activity inhibition induces cytotoxic effects together with glycolysis stimulation and uncompensated inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Hypoxia reduction obtained with 7ACC2 is further shown to sensitize tumor xenografts to radiotherapy. This study positions MPC as a control point for lactate metabolism and expands on the anticancer potential of MPC inhibition.

PMID: 29572438 [PubMed - in process]

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Matrix metalloproteinases expression in spontaneous canine histiocytic sarcomas and its xenograft model.

Matrix metalloproteinases expression in spontaneous canine histiocytic sarcomas and its xenograft model.

Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2018 Apr;198:54-64

Authors: Fayyad A, Lapp S, Risha E, Pfankuche VM, Rohn K, Barthel Y, Schaudien D, Baumgärtner W, Puff C

Abstract
Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) represents a malignant neoplastic disorder often with a rapid and progressive clinical course. A better understanding of the interaction between tumor cells and the local microenvironment may provide new insights into mechanisms of tumor growth and metastasis. The influence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) on tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis has been detailed in previous studies. In addition, inflammatory cells infiltrating neoplasms especially tumor associated macrophages (TAM) may contribute significantly to tumor progression. Due to the high variability of spontaneously occurring canine HS, standardized models are highly required to investigate tumor progression and interaction with its microenvironment. Therefore, the present study comparatively characterized the intratumoral macrophage infiltration as well as the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14 and TIMP-1 in spontaneous canine HS and its murine model. In spontaneous canine HS, scattered MAC 387-positive macrophages were randomly found in tumor center and periphery, whereas tumor cells were negative for this marker. Interestingly, quantitative analysis revealed that MMPs and TIMP-1 were mainly expressed at the invasive front while tumor centers exhibited significantly reduced immunoreactivity. Similar findings were obtained in xenotransplanted HS. Interestingly, murine tumor associated macrophages (TAM), characterized by Mac3 expression (CD107b/LAMP2), which was not present in xenotransplanted histiocytic sarcoma cells, strongly express MMPs and TIMP-1. In addition, MMPs are known to regulate angiogenesis and a positive correlation between MMP-14 expression and microvessel density was demonstrated in xenotransplanted histiocytic sarcomas. Summarized similar findings with respect to MMP and TIMP distribution and the role of macrophages in spontaneously-occurring and xenotransplanted HS indicate the high suitability of this murine model to further investigate HS under standardized conditions. Moreover results indicate that MMP expression contributes to tumor progression and invasion and TAMs seem to be major players in the interaction between neoplastic cells, the microenvironment and vessel formation indicating that therapeutic approaches modulating TAM associated molecules might represent promising future treatment options.

PMID: 29571518 [PubMed - in process]

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A rare case of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome by pirfenidone for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Publication date: Available online 24 March 2018
Source:Allergology International
Author(s): Kumiko Suda, Koji Kamiya, Binluen Chiang, Hirofumi Okada, Naoko Mato, Takeo Maekawa, Mayumi Komine, Satoru Murata, Mamitaro Ohtsuki




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Non-invasive quantification of human swallowing using a simple motion tracking system.

Non-invasive quantification of human swallowing using a simple motion tracking system.

Sci Rep. 2018 Mar 23;8(1):5095

Authors: Hashimoto H, Hirata M, Takahashi K, Kameda S, Katsuta Y, Yoshida F, Hattori N, Yanagisawa T, Palmer J, Oshino S, Yoshimine T, Kishima H

Abstract
The number of patients with dysphagia is rapidly increasing due to the ageing of the population. Therefore, the importance of objectively assessing swallowing function has received increasing attention. Videofluoroscopy and videoendoscopy are the standard clinical examinations for dysphagia, but these techniques are not suitable for daily use because of their invasiveness. Here, we aimed to develop a novel, non-invasive method for measuring swallowing function using a motion tracking system, the Kinect v2 sensor. Five males and five females with normal swallowing function participated in this study. We defined three mouth-related parameters and two larynx-related parameters and recorded data from 2.5 seconds before to 2.5 seconds after swallowing onset. Changes in mouth-related parameters were observed before swallowing and reached peak values at the time of swallowing. In contrast, larynx-related parameters showed little change before swallowing and reached peak values immediately after swallowing. This simple swallow tracking system (SSTS) successfully quantified the swallowing process from the oral phase to the laryngeal phase. This SSTS is non-invasive, wireless, easy to set up, and simultaneously measures the dynamics of swallowing from the mouth to the larynx. We propose the SSTS for use as a novel and non-invasive swallowing assessment tool in the clinic.

PMID: 29572522 [PubMed - in process]

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Analysis of chemosensory function in patients with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction prior to and after balloon dilatation.

Analysis of chemosensory function in patients with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction prior to and after balloon dilatation.

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2018 Mar 20;:

Authors: Ute WD, Lisa S, Brandon G, Robert P, Philipp D, Stuck BA, Christian G

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) affects approximately 1% of adults in the general population. Non treated Eustachian tube dysfunction can result in chronic middle ear diseases, which have been shown to significantly affect taste sensitivity. A promising treatment is balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether individuals with ETD had impairment in chemosensory functions, and the changes of the chemosensory function after balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube.
METHODS: 26 patients (17 female, 9 male) (=56 ears) suffering from ETD with a mean age of 39±15years were included in the present study. 20 patients (76%) returned to be evaluated at the follow up (=40 ears) 51±22days after balloon dilatation. For pre- and post operation, gustatory function was measured with a lateralized gustatory test with the taste strips and olfactory function was tested by means of the Sniffin' Sticks test battery (threshold, discrimination and identification (ID)).
RESULTS: Patients' baseline taste function (summed taste score 9.8±3.5 (mean±SD)) was significantly impaired compared to normative data (summed taste score 12.4±2.3; p=0.002). After balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube, the taste function remained stable (summed taste score 9.4±4.3; p=0.814). Olfactory function (odor ID, summed score (TDI)) improved postoperatively (TDI 32.4±3.6) compared to pre-operative scores (TDI 33.6±4.0; p=0.012), but not to a clinically relevant extent.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests, that patients suffering from ETD exhibit reduced taste scores. Balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube does not seem to influence gustatory function, but olfactory function showed improvement.

PMID: 29571548 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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