Objectives:Oxidative stress(OS)plays a pivotal role in chronic and neurodegenerative diseases,which has sparked interest in molecules that modulate redox-regulating enzymes.Melatonin and its metabolites exhibit antiox...Objectives:Oxidative stress(OS)plays a pivotal role in chronic and neurodegenerative diseases,which has sparked interest in molecules that modulate redox-regulating enzymes.Melatonin and its metabolites exhibit antioxidant properties;however,their molecular mechanisms of enzymatic and transcriptional modulation remain unclear.This study aimed to investigate,through an exploratory in silico approach,the interactions of melatonin and related compounds with OS-related enzymes to generate hypotheses about their role in cellular redox control.Methods:A rational selection of antioxidant,pro-oxidant,and transcriptional targets was performed.Ligands were optimized at the DFT level(M05-2X/6-311+G(d,p))and docked to OS related enzymes.Docking results were analyzed using polygenic antioxidant indices(PAOX)and a similarity interaction index(SSI).Molecular dynamics simulations of selected complexes provided additional insight into potential ligand-protein interaction mechanisms.Results:In silico analyses revealed that N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine(AMK),N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine(AFMK),and 3-hydroxymelatonin(3OH-M)could partially inhibit pro-oxidant enzymes such as neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS),5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX),thioredoxin reductase(TrxR),and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NOX5).The N-(2-(2-acetyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide(IIcD)and N-(2-(6-hydroxy-7-mercapto-5-methoxy-1H-indol)ethyl)acetamide(dM38)derivatives could potentially stabilize superoxide dismutase(SOD1)and catalase(CAT)enzymes,respectively.Finally,AFMK and dM38 showed consistent interactions with transcriptional regulators,particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα)and Kelchlike ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1).Conclusion:These studies about melatonin-related compounds support a multifactorial profile of redox modulation and provide mechanistic hypotheses for future experimental validation.Among these approaches,the interaction-similarity index is introduced as a novel tool to facilitate the identification of promising redox-active candidates.展开更多
The authors introduce a new magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)radiologic feature,the“ice-breaking sign”(IBS),and present a retrospective case-control study comparing patients with common bile duct sto...The authors introduce a new magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)radiologic feature,the“ice-breaking sign”(IBS),and present a retrospective case-control study comparing patients with common bile duct stones who exhibit the IBS with a control group without this sign.The two groups were matched using a propensity score based on patient age and sex.However,the matching process did not account for the size of the choledocholithiasis,which may represent a significant confounding factor.Both groups were not homogeneous.The authors advocate for the use of MRCP as the primary diagnostic tool to guide the decision.However,in clinical practice,MRCP availability is often limited,particularly when compared to endoscopic ultrasound,which may be more available.The authors compared the clinical course and therapeutic responses to cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE)between the two groups.The results demonstrated a markedly low ERCP success rate in both the study and control,falling below international standards,whereas the success rate of LCBDE was only slightly reduced.Despite the study’s li-mitations and potential biases,the authors conclude that IBS is a valuable predictor for treatment planning and suggest that LCBDE should be considered the first-line approach.Despite its growing acceptance,LCBDE remains infeasible in many hospitals due to the steep learning curve.展开更多
Post-colonoscopic colorectal cancer(PCCRC),also known as interval CRC,is defined as CRC diagnosed more than six months after a colonoscopy in which no cancer was detected.It typically arises from missed lesions or inc...Post-colonoscopic colorectal cancer(PCCRC),also known as interval CRC,is defined as CRC diagnosed more than six months after a colonoscopy in which no cancer was detected.It typically arises from missed lesions or incomplete resections and is now recognized as one of the most reliable quality indicators for assessing colonoscopy performance.With an incidence rate of 3.6%to 9.3%,PCCRC remains a significant concern,highlighting the limitations of colonoscopy in CRC screening—not only in terms of diagnostic accuracy but also in its preventive role and effectiveness in treating lesions.A range of clinical,endoscopic,and biological factors has been associated with an increased risk of PCCRC.Identifying these factors can help stratify high-risk patients,enabling earlier detection and improving preventive strategies for interval CRC.Reducing PCCRC should be a top priority for every endoscopy unit.While technological advancements will enhance polyp detection,minimize missed lesions,prevent incomplete resections,and improve overall procedural quality,the most impactful strategy remains internal self-assessment within each unit.This review should evaluate key performance metrics,including cecal intubation rate,adenoma detection rate,withdrawal time,PCCRC incidence,and incomplete resections—both at the individual endoscopist level and across the entire unit.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in patients with chronic liver disease on the waiting list for liver transplantation. METHODS: Ten patients (eight males) wit...AIM: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in patients with chronic liver disease on the waiting list for liver transplantation. METHODS: Ten patients (eight males) with chronic liver disease were enrolled to receive infusion of autologous bone marrow-derived cells. Seven patients were classified as Child-Pugh B and three as Child-Pugh C. Baseline assessment included complete clinical and laboratory evaluation and abdominal MRI. Approximately 50 mL of bone marrow aspirate was prepared by centrifugation in a ficoll-hypaque gradient. At least of 100 millions of mononuclear-enriched BMCs were infused into the hepatic artery using the routine technique for arterial chemoembolization for liver tumors. Patients were followed up for adverse events up to 4 mo. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 52 years (range 24-70 years). All patients were discharged 48 h after BMC infusion. Two patients complained ofmild pain at the bone marrow needle puncture site. No other complications or specific side effects related to the procedure were observed. Bilirubin levels were lower at 1 (2.19 ± 0.9) and 4 mo (2.10 ± 1.0) after cell transplantation that baseline levels (238 ± 1.2). Albumin levels 4 mo after BMC infusion (3.73 ± 0.5) were higher than baseline levels (3.47 ± 0.5). International normalized ratio (INR) decreased from 1.48 (SD = 0.23) to 1.43 (SD = 0.23) one month after cell transplantation. CONCLUSION: BMC infusion into hepatic artery of patients with advanced chronic liver disease is safe and feasible. In addition, a decrease in mean serum bilirubin and INR levels and an increase in albumin levels are observed. Our data warrant further studies in order to evaluate the effect of BMC transplantation in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucosa of the colon and rectum.The hallmark clinical symptom of UC is bloody diarrhea.The clinical course is marked by exacerbati...Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucosa of the colon and rectum.The hallmark clinical symptom of UC is bloody diarrhea.The clinical course is marked by exacerbations and remissions,which may occur spontaneously or in response to treatment changes or intercurrent illnesses.UC is most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood,but it can occur at any age.The incidence of UC has increased worldwide over recent decades,especially in developing nations.In contrast,during this period,therapeutic advances have improved the life expectancy of patients,and there has been a decrease in the mortality rate over time.It is important to emphasize that there is considerable variability in the phenotypic presentation of UC.Within this context,certain clinical and demographic characteristics are useful in identifying patients who tend to have more severe evolution of the disease and a poor prognosis.In this group of patients,better clinical surveillance and more intensive therapy may change the natural course of the disease.The aim of this article was to review the epidemiology and demographic characteristics of UC and the factors that may be associated with its clinical prognosis.展开更多
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pat...Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients. Biological therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of infections, especially infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with anti-TNF-α properties. Recent studies have suggested that thalidomide is effective in refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Thalidomide costimulates T lymphocytes, with greater effect on CD8+ than on CD4+ T cells, which contributes to the protective immune response to Mtb infection. We present a case of Crohn's disease with gastric, ileal, colon and rectum involvement as well as steroid dependency, which progressed with loss of response to infliximabafter three years of therapy. The thorax computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary nodule suspected to be Mtb infection. The patient was started on thalidomide therapy and exhibited an excellent response.展开更多
Explosive Reactive Armor was originally modeled under the assumption that the plates in the cassettes were very thin.Hence their thickness could be ignored,and the thicknesses of the plates were considered only based ...Explosive Reactive Armor was originally modeled under the assumption that the plates in the cassettes were very thin.Hence their thickness could be ignored,and the thicknesses of the plates were considered only based on their areal mass density.In particular,it was assumed that the jet-plate interaction was controlled by the plates to jet-mass-flux ratio criteria for a specific jet velocity and diameter.In the present study,we extended this analysis,examining the effect of the variation of the mass-flux along the jet on the disruption effect by the two plates.In addition,we examined the thickness effect of the plates on the plate's effectiveness,replacing the steel plates by low-density materials like aluminum and polycarbonate.The mass-flux model was adjusted to account for the plate-thickness effect.It was found that increasing the thickness of the plate,keeping the areal weight unchanged,slightly increases the overall effectiveness of the cassette,in particular by the forward moving plate interacting with the center and the slow parts of the jet.展开更多
An initiation study is presented in which we examine the effect of the normal and the tangential velocity components of a fragment that impacts a covered and a bare Comp-B explosive. The study is based on calibrated n...An initiation study is presented in which we examine the effect of the normal and the tangential velocity components of a fragment that impacts a covered and a bare Comp-B explosive. The study is based on calibrated numerical Lagrangian simulations using the LS-Dyna hydrocode. A special procedure was developed to present the estimated initiation point and the shock wave transition into detonation for various impact angles. The influence of the fragment strength and the steel cover thickness on the detonation threshold were also examined. The velocity threshold results are presented and used to modify the Jacobs-Roslund initiation model.展开更多
AIM: To investigate whether Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, presence of enteroparasites, and other surrogates of fecal exposure. METHODS: We conducted a c...AIM: To investigate whether Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, presence of enteroparasites, and other surrogates of fecal exposure. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 121 children consecutively admitted at a pediatric hospital in Salvador, Brazil. H pyloriand HAV infection were identified by the presence of serum antibodies. Stool specimens were examined for the presence of ova and parasites. A structured questionnaire inquiring about sanitary conditions and life style was applied to each subject. RESULTS: Fifty-one of the 121 children (42.1%) were found to be seropositive for H pylori, and 45 (37.2%) for HAV. The seroprevalence of Hpyloriand HAV both increased significantly with age. Cross-tabulation of data showed that 26 (21.5%) were seropositive and 51 (42.1%) were negative for both H py/lriand HAV antibodies (x^2=7.18, OR=2.8, CI 1.30-5.97). The age adjusted OR for an HAV-infected child being H pylori positive was 2.3 (CI 1.02-5.03). The agreement between H pylori and HAV seropositivity was fair (k=0.24). After controlling for possible confounding, the variables remaining independently associated with seropositivity to H pylori were age, presence of Giardia lamblia in feces (OR=3.2, 95%CI, 1.1-9.5) and poor garbage disposal quality (OR=2.4, 95%CI, 1.1-5.1). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that H pylori infection is associated with surrogate markers of fecal exposure. Thus, we conclude that the fecal-oral route is relevant in the transmission of HP among children in an urban setting of a developing country. The association observed between G. lamblia and H pylori infection may have several explanations. Further studies to investigate this relationship are warranted.展开更多
The cervical spine injury represents a potential devastating disease with 6% associated in-hospital mortality (lain et al., 2015). Neurological deterioration ranging from complete spinal cord injury (SCI) to incom...The cervical spine injury represents a potential devastating disease with 6% associated in-hospital mortality (lain et al., 2015). Neurological deterioration ranging from complete spinal cord injury (SCI) to incomplete SCI or single radiculopathy are potential consequences of the blunt trauma over this region. The subaxial cervical spine accounts the vast majority of cervical injuries, making up two thirds of all cervical fractures (Alday, 1996). Few classifications (Holdsworth, 1970; White et al., 1975; Mien et al., 1982; Denis, 1984; Vaccaro et al., 2007) have been proposed to describe injuries of the cervical spine for several reasons. First, to delineate the best treatment in each case; second, to determinate an accurate neurological prognosis, and third, to establish a standard way to communicate and describe specific characteristics of cervical injuries patterns. Classical systems are primarily descriptive and no single system has gained widespread use, largely because of restrictions in clinical relevance and its complexity.展开更多
The best modality for foreign body removal has beenthe subject of much controversy over the years.We have read with great interest the recent article by Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,describing...The best modality for foreign body removal has beenthe subject of much controversy over the years.We have read with great interest the recent article by Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,describing their experience with the management of esophageal foreign bodies in children.Non-endoscopic methods of removing foreign bodies(such as a Foley catheter guided or not by fluoroscopy)have been successfully used at this center.These methods could be an attractive option because of the following advantages:Shorter hospitalization time;easy to perform;no need for anesthesia;avoids esophagoscopy;and lower costs.However,the complications of these procedures can be severe and potentially fatal if not performed correctly,such as bronchoaspiration,perforation,and acute airway obstruction.In addition,it has some disadvantages,such as the inability to directly view the esophagus and the inability to always retrieve foreign bodies.Therefore,in Western countries clinical practice usually recommends endoscopic removal of foreign bodies under direct vision and with airway protection whenever possible.展开更多
In recent years, social research surrounding the consequences of infertility has increasingly focused on the male perspective;however, a gap exists in the understanding of men’s experiences of male infertility treatm...In recent years, social research surrounding the consequences of infertility has increasingly focused on the male perspective;however, a gap exists in the understanding of men’s experiences of male infertility treatment. This review aims to synthesize theexisting evidence concerning the psychological, social, and sexual burden of male infertility treatment on men, as well as patientneeds during clinical care. A systematic search identified 12 studies that are diverse in design, setting, and methods. Psychologicalevaluations have found that urological surgery may have a lasting impact on infertility-specific stress, and treatment failure canlead to feelings of depression, grief, and inadequacy. Men tended to have an avoidant coping mechanism throughout fertilitytreatment, and their self-esteem, relationship quality, and sexual functions can be tied to outcomes of treatment. Partner bonds canbe strengthened by mutual support and enhanced communication;couple separation, however, has been noted as a predominantreason for discontinuing male infertility treatment and may be associated with difficult circumstances surrounding severe maleinfertility. Surgical treatments can affect the sexual functioning of infertile men;however, the impact of testicular sperm extractionoutcomes appears to be psychologically driven whereas the improvements after microsurgical varicocelectomy are only evident inhypogonadal men. Clinically, there is a need for better inclusion, communication, education, and resource provision, to addressreported issues of marginalization and uncertainty in men. Routine psychosocial screening in cases of severe male infertility andfollow-up in cases of surgical treatment failure are likely beneficial.展开更多
Introduction: The coexistence of synchronic duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is extremely rare, and only eight cases were describ...Introduction: The coexistence of synchronic duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is extremely rare, and only eight cases were described in the literature. Clinical Case: This is a rare case of a 38-year-old female patient with NF1 who developed synchronic GIST and neuroendocrine tumor, which were both in the second portion of the duodenum. The first symptoms were abrupt digestive bleeding and anemia. Upper digestive endoscopy revealed two tumors, sizes 2.5 and 3.0 cm, in the second portion of duodenum, with biopsies identifying a GIST and a neuroendocrine tumor. Therapeutic decision was to proceed to surgical resection, and Whipple’s procedure was indicated. Surgical procedure was performed with good outcome. Currently the patient has excellent quality of life and maintains follow up for thirty months without recurrence. Discussion: Long-term disease-free survival and excellent quality of life are reported when these tumors are fully resected in this context. However, it is not always easy to access the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine, and proceed to the histopathologic diagnosis of these tumors. Conclusion: It is important to be aware of the possibility of the coexistence of various tumors in the NF1 scenario for adequate screening, staging, and surgical treatment of these patients, as good prognosis can be achieved when such tumors are detected and treated properly.展开更多
The evolution of cesium iodide band gap as a function of pressure is studied in the range from 0 to 60 GPa. Within this range, two structural phase transitions occurred, and the band gap was affected by the compressio...The evolution of cesium iodide band gap as a function of pressure is studied in the range from 0 to 60 GPa. Within this range, two structural phase transitions occurred, and the band gap was affected by the compression pressure and structural rearrangement. The band gap estimation under pressure, as obtained by the density functional theory methods, successfully reproduced the experimental trend of the optical gap and electrical resistivity, namely, a general decreasing tendency, an early maximum, and a discontinuous peak around 40 GPa.展开更多
BACKGROUND Primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract (MBT) is a rare condition whose diagnosis requires excluding a primary origin in another location.This paper reviews the most important characteristics of MBT...BACKGROUND Primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract (MBT) is a rare condition whose diagnosis requires excluding a primary origin in another location.This paper reviews the most important characteristics of MBT cases published in the literature and reports a new case.The patient reported here is the first case of primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract with pulmonary metastasis treated with immunotherapy.This patient remains disease-free 36 mo after the treatment of metastatic lung lesions.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old man was admitted to the gastrointestinal department to study obstructive jaundice of a 1 wk clinical course.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary tract and stenosis of the common hepatic duct.Given the suspicion of biliary tract neoplasia,cholecystectomy and resection of the common hepatic duct were performed with hepatic jejunostomy free of complications.Anatomo-pathological diagnosis was melanoma.After intervention,the patient was referred to the Department of Medical Oncology,where a primary origin was excluded in the skin,mucosa,and eyes.This confirmed diagnosis of primary biliary tract melanoma.Computed tomography was performed 12 mo after the procedure revealed several subcentimetric lung nodules.Wedge resection was performed.After confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis of primary melanoma of the biliary tract,the patient was started on immunotherapy with nivolumab.Tolerance to treatment was excellent.The patient remains disease-free 36 mo after the treatment of metastatic lung lesions.CONCLUSION The patient reported here is the first case of primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract with lung metastases successfully treated with immunotherapy.展开更多
We study a mathematical model of biological neuronal networks composed by any finite number N ≥ 2 of non-necessarily identical cells. The model is a deterministic dynamical system governed by finite-dimensional impul...We study a mathematical model of biological neuronal networks composed by any finite number N ≥ 2 of non-necessarily identical cells. The model is a deterministic dynamical system governed by finite-dimensional impulsive differential equations. The statical structure of the network is described by a directed and weighted graph whose nodes are certain subsets of neurons, and whose edges are the groups of synaptical connections among those subsets. First, we prove that among all the possible networks such as their respective graphs are mutually isomorphic, there exists a dynamical optimum. This optimal network exhibits the richest dynamics: namely, it is capable to show the most diverse set of responses (i.e. orbits in the future) under external stimulus or signals. Second, we prove that all the neurons of a dynamically optimal neuronal network necessarily satisfy Dale’s Principle, i.e. each neuron must be either excitatory or inhibitory, but not mixed. So, Dale’s Principle is a mathematical necessary consequence of a theoretic optimization process of the dynamics of the network. Finally, we prove that Dale’s Principle is not sufficient for the dynamical optimization of the network.展开更多
AIM:To study the association between genetic ancestry,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) metabolic characteristics in two cohorts of patients,from Brazil and Portugal. METHODS:We included 131 subjects from Brazi...AIM:To study the association between genetic ancestry,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) metabolic characteristics in two cohorts of patients,from Brazil and Portugal. METHODS:We included 131 subjects from Brazil [(n = 45 with simple steatosis(S. Steatosis) and n = 86 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)] and 90 patients from Portugal(n = 66,S. Steatosis; n = 24,NASH). All patients had biopsy-proven NAFLD. In histologic evaluation NAFLD activity score was used to assess histology and more than 5 points defined NASH in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to histology diagnosis:simple steatosis or non-alcoholic statohepatitis. Genetic ancestry was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Seven ancestry informative markers(AT3-I/D,LPL,Sb19.3,APO,FYNull,PV92,and CKMM) with the greatest ethnicgeographical differential frequencies(≥ 48%) were used to define genetic ancestry. Data were analyzed using R PROJECTS software. Ancestry allele frequencies between groups were analyzed by GENEPOP onlineand the estimation of genetic ancestry contribution was evaluated by ADMIX-95 software. The 5% alpha-error was considered as significant(P < 0.05). RESULTS:In the Brazilian sample,NASH was significantly more frequent among the elderly patients with diabetes(NASH 56 ± 1.1 years old vs S. Steatosis 51 ± 1.5 years old,P = 3.7 x 10-9),dyslipidemia(NASH 63% vs S. Steatosis 37%,P = 0.009),higher fasting glucose levels(NASH 124 ± 5.2 vs S. Steatosis 106 ± 5.3,P = 0.001) and Homeostatic Model of Assessment index > 2.5 [NASH 5.3(70.8%) vs S. Steatosis 4.6(29.2%) P = 0.04]. In the Portuguese study population,dyslipidemia was present in all patients with NASH(P = 0.03) and hypertension was present in a larger percentage of subjects in the S. Steatosis group(P = 0.003,respectively). The genetic ancestry contribution among Brazilian and Portuguese individuals with NASH was similar to those with S. Steatosis from each cohort(Brazilian cohort:P = 0.75; Portuguese cohort:P = 0.97). Nonetheless,the genetic ancestry contribution of the Brazilian and Portuguese population were different,and a greater European and Amerindian ancestry contribution was detected in the Portuguese population while a higher African genetic ancestry contribution was observed in Brazilian population of both NASH and S. Steatosis groups.CONCLUSION:There was no difference between the genetic ancestry contribution among Brazilian and Portuguese individuals with NASH and S. Steatosis from each cohort.展开更多
Motor neuron disease includes a heterogeneous group of relentless progressive neurological disorders defined and characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common and ...Motor neuron disease includes a heterogeneous group of relentless progressive neurological disorders defined and characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common and aggressive form of motor neuron disease with no effective treatment so far.Unfortunately,diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are lacking in clinical practice.Neurofilaments are fundamental structural components of the axons and neurofilament light chain and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain can be measured in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum.Neurofilament light chain and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain levels are elevated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,reflecting the extensive damage of motor neurons and axons.Hence,neurofilaments are now increasingly recognized as the most promising candidate biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.The potential usefulness of neurofilaments regards various aspects,including diagnosis,prognosis,patient stratification in clinical trials and evaluation of treatment response.In this review paper,we review the body of literature about neurofilaments measurement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.We also discuss the open issues concerning the use of neurofilaments clinical practice,as no overall guideline exists to date;finally,we address the most recent evidence and future perspectives.展开更多
BACKGROUND Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms(SPN)of the pancreas represents approximately 2%of non-endocrine tumors of the pancreas.It is described in the literature as a rare and predominant tumor in young women.AIM To...BACKGROUND Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms(SPN)of the pancreas represents approximately 2%of non-endocrine tumors of the pancreas.It is described in the literature as a rare and predominant tumor in young women.AIM To report a case series with SPN and analyzing clinical,surgical,anatomopathological characteristics,as well as the prognosis and review of literature.METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgery,with histological diagnosis of SPN between 1998 and 2018,using standardized and prospectively completed forms,performed at the Surgery Service of the Upper Digestive System at Hospital São Rafael/Rede D’Or in Salvador-BA.Review of literature through a database search in MEDLINE/PubMed of retrospective articles.RESULTS Fourteen female patients with the average age of 31.6 years(range min-max)were selected.Twelve patients(85.7%)were asymptomatic,being an incidental diagnosis or due to screening for other reasons.One patient had abdominal pain due to gastric compression and another patient had jaundice.The 14 patients were staged with computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.None had evidence of metastasis.In 8 patients(57.1%),the tumor was in the tail and body.The average size was 6.7 cm(range min-18).The type of surgery was according to the anatomical location of the tumor.There was no lymph node involvement.In two cases,vascular resection with the use of a prosthesis was required for reconstruction.The surgical margins were free.In all cases,postoperative immunohistochemistry confirmed that it was a solid pseudo-papillary neoplasia of the pancreas.There has been no disease recurrence in any case so far.CONCLUSION The tumors had a benign,indolent and histopathological behavior compatible with the literature.Curative surgery is recommended in all cases.展开更多
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer,resulting in a decrease in the incidence and mortality of colon cancer.However,it has a 21%rate of missed polyps.Several strategies...Colonoscopy is the gold standard for the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer,resulting in a decrease in the incidence and mortality of colon cancer.However,it has a 21%rate of missed polyps.Several strategies have been devised to increase polyp detection rates and improve their characterization and delimi-tation.These include chromoendoscopy(CE),the use of other devices such as Endo cuffs,and major advances in endoscopic equipment[high definition,magnification,narrow band imaging,i-scan,flexible spectral imaging color enhancement,texture and color enhancement imaging(TXI),etc.].In the retrospective study by Hiramatsu et al,they compared white-light imaging with CE,TXI,and CE+TXI to determine which of these strategies allows for better definition and delimitation of polyps.They concluded that employing CE associated with TXI stands out as the most effective method to utilize.It remains to be demonstrated whether these results are extrapolatable to other types of virtual CE.Additionally,further investigation is needed in order to ascertain whether this strategy could lead to a reduction in the recurrence of excised lesions and potentially lower the occurrence of interval cancer.展开更多
基金supported by the SECIHTI project Ciencia Basica y de Frontera(No.CBF2023-2024-1141)https://secihti.mx/(accessed on 01 August 2025).
文摘Objectives:Oxidative stress(OS)plays a pivotal role in chronic and neurodegenerative diseases,which has sparked interest in molecules that modulate redox-regulating enzymes.Melatonin and its metabolites exhibit antioxidant properties;however,their molecular mechanisms of enzymatic and transcriptional modulation remain unclear.This study aimed to investigate,through an exploratory in silico approach,the interactions of melatonin and related compounds with OS-related enzymes to generate hypotheses about their role in cellular redox control.Methods:A rational selection of antioxidant,pro-oxidant,and transcriptional targets was performed.Ligands were optimized at the DFT level(M05-2X/6-311+G(d,p))and docked to OS related enzymes.Docking results were analyzed using polygenic antioxidant indices(PAOX)and a similarity interaction index(SSI).Molecular dynamics simulations of selected complexes provided additional insight into potential ligand-protein interaction mechanisms.Results:In silico analyses revealed that N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine(AMK),N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine(AFMK),and 3-hydroxymelatonin(3OH-M)could partially inhibit pro-oxidant enzymes such as neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS),5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX),thioredoxin reductase(TrxR),and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NOX5).The N-(2-(2-acetyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide(IIcD)and N-(2-(6-hydroxy-7-mercapto-5-methoxy-1H-indol)ethyl)acetamide(dM38)derivatives could potentially stabilize superoxide dismutase(SOD1)and catalase(CAT)enzymes,respectively.Finally,AFMK and dM38 showed consistent interactions with transcriptional regulators,particularly peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha(PPARα)and Kelchlike ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1).Conclusion:These studies about melatonin-related compounds support a multifactorial profile of redox modulation and provide mechanistic hypotheses for future experimental validation.Among these approaches,the interaction-similarity index is introduced as a novel tool to facilitate the identification of promising redox-active candidates.
文摘The authors introduce a new magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)radiologic feature,the“ice-breaking sign”(IBS),and present a retrospective case-control study comparing patients with common bile duct stones who exhibit the IBS with a control group without this sign.The two groups were matched using a propensity score based on patient age and sex.However,the matching process did not account for the size of the choledocholithiasis,which may represent a significant confounding factor.Both groups were not homogeneous.The authors advocate for the use of MRCP as the primary diagnostic tool to guide the decision.However,in clinical practice,MRCP availability is often limited,particularly when compared to endoscopic ultrasound,which may be more available.The authors compared the clinical course and therapeutic responses to cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE)between the two groups.The results demonstrated a markedly low ERCP success rate in both the study and control,falling below international standards,whereas the success rate of LCBDE was only slightly reduced.Despite the study’s li-mitations and potential biases,the authors conclude that IBS is a valuable predictor for treatment planning and suggest that LCBDE should be considered the first-line approach.Despite its growing acceptance,LCBDE remains infeasible in many hospitals due to the steep learning curve.
文摘Post-colonoscopic colorectal cancer(PCCRC),also known as interval CRC,is defined as CRC diagnosed more than six months after a colonoscopy in which no cancer was detected.It typically arises from missed lesions or incomplete resections and is now recognized as one of the most reliable quality indicators for assessing colonoscopy performance.With an incidence rate of 3.6%to 9.3%,PCCRC remains a significant concern,highlighting the limitations of colonoscopy in CRC screening—not only in terms of diagnostic accuracy but also in its preventive role and effectiveness in treating lesions.A range of clinical,endoscopic,and biological factors has been associated with an increased risk of PCCRC.Identifying these factors can help stratify high-risk patients,enabling earlier detection and improving preventive strategies for interval CRC.Reducing PCCRC should be a top priority for every endoscopy unit.While technological advancements will enhance polyp detection,minimize missed lesions,prevent incomplete resections,and improve overall procedural quality,the most impactful strategy remains internal self-assessment within each unit.This review should evaluate key performance metrics,including cecal intubation rate,adenoma detection rate,withdrawal time,PCCRC incidence,and incomplete resections—both at the individual endoscopist level and across the entire unit.
基金Supported by IMBTMCT/CNPq and Monte Tabor/Hospital Sao Rafael
文摘AIM: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation in patients with chronic liver disease on the waiting list for liver transplantation. METHODS: Ten patients (eight males) with chronic liver disease were enrolled to receive infusion of autologous bone marrow-derived cells. Seven patients were classified as Child-Pugh B and three as Child-Pugh C. Baseline assessment included complete clinical and laboratory evaluation and abdominal MRI. Approximately 50 mL of bone marrow aspirate was prepared by centrifugation in a ficoll-hypaque gradient. At least of 100 millions of mononuclear-enriched BMCs were infused into the hepatic artery using the routine technique for arterial chemoembolization for liver tumors. Patients were followed up for adverse events up to 4 mo. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 52 years (range 24-70 years). All patients were discharged 48 h after BMC infusion. Two patients complained ofmild pain at the bone marrow needle puncture site. No other complications or specific side effects related to the procedure were observed. Bilirubin levels were lower at 1 (2.19 ± 0.9) and 4 mo (2.10 ± 1.0) after cell transplantation that baseline levels (238 ± 1.2). Albumin levels 4 mo after BMC infusion (3.73 ± 0.5) were higher than baseline levels (3.47 ± 0.5). International normalized ratio (INR) decreased from 1.48 (SD = 0.23) to 1.43 (SD = 0.23) one month after cell transplantation. CONCLUSION: BMC infusion into hepatic artery of patients with advanced chronic liver disease is safe and feasible. In addition, a decrease in mean serum bilirubin and INR levels and an increase in albumin levels are observed. Our data warrant further studies in order to evaluate the effect of BMC transplantation in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.
文摘Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucosa of the colon and rectum.The hallmark clinical symptom of UC is bloody diarrhea.The clinical course is marked by exacerbations and remissions,which may occur spontaneously or in response to treatment changes or intercurrent illnesses.UC is most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood,but it can occur at any age.The incidence of UC has increased worldwide over recent decades,especially in developing nations.In contrast,during this period,therapeutic advances have improved the life expectancy of patients,and there has been a decrease in the mortality rate over time.It is important to emphasize that there is considerable variability in the phenotypic presentation of UC.Within this context,certain clinical and demographic characteristics are useful in identifying patients who tend to have more severe evolution of the disease and a poor prognosis.In this group of patients,better clinical surveillance and more intensive therapy may change the natural course of the disease.The aim of this article was to review the epidemiology and demographic characteristics of UC and the factors that may be associated with its clinical prognosis.
文摘Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is defi ned by relapsing and remitting episodes. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) appears to play a central role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Standard therapies for inflammatory bowel disease fail to induce remission in about 30% of patients. Biological therapies have been associated with an increased incidence of infections, especially infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with anti-TNF-α properties. Recent studies have suggested that thalidomide is effective in refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Thalidomide costimulates T lymphocytes, with greater effect on CD8+ than on CD4+ T cells, which contributes to the protective immune response to Mtb infection. We present a case of Crohn's disease with gastric, ileal, colon and rectum involvement as well as steroid dependency, which progressed with loss of response to infliximabafter three years of therapy. The thorax computed tomography scan demonstrated a pulmonary nodule suspected to be Mtb infection. The patient was started on thalidomide therapy and exhibited an excellent response.
文摘Explosive Reactive Armor was originally modeled under the assumption that the plates in the cassettes were very thin.Hence their thickness could be ignored,and the thicknesses of the plates were considered only based on their areal mass density.In particular,it was assumed that the jet-plate interaction was controlled by the plates to jet-mass-flux ratio criteria for a specific jet velocity and diameter.In the present study,we extended this analysis,examining the effect of the variation of the mass-flux along the jet on the disruption effect by the two plates.In addition,we examined the thickness effect of the plates on the plate's effectiveness,replacing the steel plates by low-density materials like aluminum and polycarbonate.The mass-flux model was adjusted to account for the plate-thickness effect.It was found that increasing the thickness of the plate,keeping the areal weight unchanged,slightly increases the overall effectiveness of the cassette,in particular by the forward moving plate interacting with the center and the slow parts of the jet.
文摘An initiation study is presented in which we examine the effect of the normal and the tangential velocity components of a fragment that impacts a covered and a bare Comp-B explosive. The study is based on calibrated numerical Lagrangian simulations using the LS-Dyna hydrocode. A special procedure was developed to present the estimated initiation point and the shock wave transition into detonation for various impact angles. The influence of the fragment strength and the steel cover thickness on the detonation threshold were also examined. The velocity threshold results are presented and used to modify the Jacobs-Roslund initiation model.
文摘AIM: To investigate whether Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, presence of enteroparasites, and other surrogates of fecal exposure. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 121 children consecutively admitted at a pediatric hospital in Salvador, Brazil. H pyloriand HAV infection were identified by the presence of serum antibodies. Stool specimens were examined for the presence of ova and parasites. A structured questionnaire inquiring about sanitary conditions and life style was applied to each subject. RESULTS: Fifty-one of the 121 children (42.1%) were found to be seropositive for H pylori, and 45 (37.2%) for HAV. The seroprevalence of Hpyloriand HAV both increased significantly with age. Cross-tabulation of data showed that 26 (21.5%) were seropositive and 51 (42.1%) were negative for both H py/lriand HAV antibodies (x^2=7.18, OR=2.8, CI 1.30-5.97). The age adjusted OR for an HAV-infected child being H pylori positive was 2.3 (CI 1.02-5.03). The agreement between H pylori and HAV seropositivity was fair (k=0.24). After controlling for possible confounding, the variables remaining independently associated with seropositivity to H pylori were age, presence of Giardia lamblia in feces (OR=3.2, 95%CI, 1.1-9.5) and poor garbage disposal quality (OR=2.4, 95%CI, 1.1-5.1). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that H pylori infection is associated with surrogate markers of fecal exposure. Thus, we conclude that the fecal-oral route is relevant in the transmission of HP among children in an urban setting of a developing country. The association observed between G. lamblia and H pylori infection may have several explanations. Further studies to investigate this relationship are warranted.
文摘The cervical spine injury represents a potential devastating disease with 6% associated in-hospital mortality (lain et al., 2015). Neurological deterioration ranging from complete spinal cord injury (SCI) to incomplete SCI or single radiculopathy are potential consequences of the blunt trauma over this region. The subaxial cervical spine accounts the vast majority of cervical injuries, making up two thirds of all cervical fractures (Alday, 1996). Few classifications (Holdsworth, 1970; White et al., 1975; Mien et al., 1982; Denis, 1984; Vaccaro et al., 2007) have been proposed to describe injuries of the cervical spine for several reasons. First, to delineate the best treatment in each case; second, to determinate an accurate neurological prognosis, and third, to establish a standard way to communicate and describe specific characteristics of cervical injuries patterns. Classical systems are primarily descriptive and no single system has gained widespread use, largely because of restrictions in clinical relevance and its complexity.
文摘The best modality for foreign body removal has beenthe subject of much controversy over the years.We have read with great interest the recent article by Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil,describing their experience with the management of esophageal foreign bodies in children.Non-endoscopic methods of removing foreign bodies(such as a Foley catheter guided or not by fluoroscopy)have been successfully used at this center.These methods could be an attractive option because of the following advantages:Shorter hospitalization time;easy to perform;no need for anesthesia;avoids esophagoscopy;and lower costs.However,the complications of these procedures can be severe and potentially fatal if not performed correctly,such as bronchoaspiration,perforation,and acute airway obstruction.In addition,it has some disadvantages,such as the inability to directly view the esophagus and the inability to always retrieve foreign bodies.Therefore,in Western countries clinical practice usually recommends endoscopic removal of foreign bodies under direct vision and with airway protection whenever possible.
文摘In recent years, social research surrounding the consequences of infertility has increasingly focused on the male perspective;however, a gap exists in the understanding of men’s experiences of male infertility treatment. This review aims to synthesize theexisting evidence concerning the psychological, social, and sexual burden of male infertility treatment on men, as well as patientneeds during clinical care. A systematic search identified 12 studies that are diverse in design, setting, and methods. Psychologicalevaluations have found that urological surgery may have a lasting impact on infertility-specific stress, and treatment failure canlead to feelings of depression, grief, and inadequacy. Men tended to have an avoidant coping mechanism throughout fertilitytreatment, and their self-esteem, relationship quality, and sexual functions can be tied to outcomes of treatment. Partner bonds canbe strengthened by mutual support and enhanced communication;couple separation, however, has been noted as a predominantreason for discontinuing male infertility treatment and may be associated with difficult circumstances surrounding severe maleinfertility. Surgical treatments can affect the sexual functioning of infertile men;however, the impact of testicular sperm extractionoutcomes appears to be psychologically driven whereas the improvements after microsurgical varicocelectomy are only evident inhypogonadal men. Clinically, there is a need for better inclusion, communication, education, and resource provision, to addressreported issues of marginalization and uncertainty in men. Routine psychosocial screening in cases of severe male infertility andfollow-up in cases of surgical treatment failure are likely beneficial.
文摘Introduction: The coexistence of synchronic duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and neuroendocrine tumor in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is extremely rare, and only eight cases were described in the literature. Clinical Case: This is a rare case of a 38-year-old female patient with NF1 who developed synchronic GIST and neuroendocrine tumor, which were both in the second portion of the duodenum. The first symptoms were abrupt digestive bleeding and anemia. Upper digestive endoscopy revealed two tumors, sizes 2.5 and 3.0 cm, in the second portion of duodenum, with biopsies identifying a GIST and a neuroendocrine tumor. Therapeutic decision was to proceed to surgical resection, and Whipple’s procedure was indicated. Surgical procedure was performed with good outcome. Currently the patient has excellent quality of life and maintains follow up for thirty months without recurrence. Discussion: Long-term disease-free survival and excellent quality of life are reported when these tumors are fully resected in this context. However, it is not always easy to access the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine, and proceed to the histopathologic diagnosis of these tumors. Conclusion: It is important to be aware of the possibility of the coexistence of various tumors in the NF1 scenario for adequate screening, staging, and surgical treatment of these patients, as good prognosis can be achieved when such tumors are detected and treated properly.
基金A Lithuanian State Scholarship from the Education Exchanges Support Foundation was granted to A.C. Support from CONACYT grant 237045 and the hospitality of the SPMS Laboratory and Vilnius University were also acknowledged.
文摘The evolution of cesium iodide band gap as a function of pressure is studied in the range from 0 to 60 GPa. Within this range, two structural phase transitions occurred, and the band gap was affected by the compression pressure and structural rearrangement. The band gap estimation under pressure, as obtained by the density functional theory methods, successfully reproduced the experimental trend of the optical gap and electrical resistivity, namely, a general decreasing tendency, an early maximum, and a discontinuous peak around 40 GPa.
文摘BACKGROUND Primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract (MBT) is a rare condition whose diagnosis requires excluding a primary origin in another location.This paper reviews the most important characteristics of MBT cases published in the literature and reports a new case.The patient reported here is the first case of primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract with pulmonary metastasis treated with immunotherapy.This patient remains disease-free 36 mo after the treatment of metastatic lung lesions.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old man was admitted to the gastrointestinal department to study obstructive jaundice of a 1 wk clinical course.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary tract and stenosis of the common hepatic duct.Given the suspicion of biliary tract neoplasia,cholecystectomy and resection of the common hepatic duct were performed with hepatic jejunostomy free of complications.Anatomo-pathological diagnosis was melanoma.After intervention,the patient was referred to the Department of Medical Oncology,where a primary origin was excluded in the skin,mucosa,and eyes.This confirmed diagnosis of primary biliary tract melanoma.Computed tomography was performed 12 mo after the procedure revealed several subcentimetric lung nodules.Wedge resection was performed.After confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis of primary melanoma of the biliary tract,the patient was started on immunotherapy with nivolumab.Tolerance to treatment was excellent.The patient remains disease-free 36 mo after the treatment of metastatic lung lesions.CONCLUSION The patient reported here is the first case of primary malignant melanoma of the biliary tract with lung metastases successfully treated with immunotherapy.
文摘We study a mathematical model of biological neuronal networks composed by any finite number N ≥ 2 of non-necessarily identical cells. The model is a deterministic dynamical system governed by finite-dimensional impulsive differential equations. The statical structure of the network is described by a directed and weighted graph whose nodes are certain subsets of neurons, and whose edges are the groups of synaptical connections among those subsets. First, we prove that among all the possible networks such as their respective graphs are mutually isomorphic, there exists a dynamical optimum. This optimal network exhibits the richest dynamics: namely, it is capable to show the most diverse set of responses (i.e. orbits in the future) under external stimulus or signals. Second, we prove that all the neurons of a dynamically optimal neuronal network necessarily satisfy Dale’s Principle, i.e. each neuron must be either excitatory or inhibitory, but not mixed. So, Dale’s Principle is a mathematical necessary consequence of a theoretic optimization process of the dynamics of the network. Finally, we prove that Dale’s Principle is not sufficient for the dynamical optimization of the network.
文摘AIM:To study the association between genetic ancestry,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) metabolic characteristics in two cohorts of patients,from Brazil and Portugal. METHODS:We included 131 subjects from Brazil [(n = 45 with simple steatosis(S. Steatosis) and n = 86 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)] and 90 patients from Portugal(n = 66,S. Steatosis; n = 24,NASH). All patients had biopsy-proven NAFLD. In histologic evaluation NAFLD activity score was used to assess histology and more than 5 points defined NASH in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to histology diagnosis:simple steatosis or non-alcoholic statohepatitis. Genetic ancestry was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Seven ancestry informative markers(AT3-I/D,LPL,Sb19.3,APO,FYNull,PV92,and CKMM) with the greatest ethnicgeographical differential frequencies(≥ 48%) were used to define genetic ancestry. Data were analyzed using R PROJECTS software. Ancestry allele frequencies between groups were analyzed by GENEPOP onlineand the estimation of genetic ancestry contribution was evaluated by ADMIX-95 software. The 5% alpha-error was considered as significant(P < 0.05). RESULTS:In the Brazilian sample,NASH was significantly more frequent among the elderly patients with diabetes(NASH 56 ± 1.1 years old vs S. Steatosis 51 ± 1.5 years old,P = 3.7 x 10-9),dyslipidemia(NASH 63% vs S. Steatosis 37%,P = 0.009),higher fasting glucose levels(NASH 124 ± 5.2 vs S. Steatosis 106 ± 5.3,P = 0.001) and Homeostatic Model of Assessment index > 2.5 [NASH 5.3(70.8%) vs S. Steatosis 4.6(29.2%) P = 0.04]. In the Portuguese study population,dyslipidemia was present in all patients with NASH(P = 0.03) and hypertension was present in a larger percentage of subjects in the S. Steatosis group(P = 0.003,respectively). The genetic ancestry contribution among Brazilian and Portuguese individuals with NASH was similar to those with S. Steatosis from each cohort(Brazilian cohort:P = 0.75; Portuguese cohort:P = 0.97). Nonetheless,the genetic ancestry contribution of the Brazilian and Portuguese population were different,and a greater European and Amerindian ancestry contribution was detected in the Portuguese population while a higher African genetic ancestry contribution was observed in Brazilian population of both NASH and S. Steatosis groups.CONCLUSION:There was no difference between the genetic ancestry contribution among Brazilian and Portuguese individuals with NASH and S. Steatosis from each cohort.
文摘Motor neuron disease includes a heterogeneous group of relentless progressive neurological disorders defined and characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common and aggressive form of motor neuron disease with no effective treatment so far.Unfortunately,diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are lacking in clinical practice.Neurofilaments are fundamental structural components of the axons and neurofilament light chain and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain can be measured in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum.Neurofilament light chain and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain levels are elevated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,reflecting the extensive damage of motor neurons and axons.Hence,neurofilaments are now increasingly recognized as the most promising candidate biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.The potential usefulness of neurofilaments regards various aspects,including diagnosis,prognosis,patient stratification in clinical trials and evaluation of treatment response.In this review paper,we review the body of literature about neurofilaments measurement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.We also discuss the open issues concerning the use of neurofilaments clinical practice,as no overall guideline exists to date;finally,we address the most recent evidence and future perspectives.
文摘BACKGROUND Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms(SPN)of the pancreas represents approximately 2%of non-endocrine tumors of the pancreas.It is described in the literature as a rare and predominant tumor in young women.AIM To report a case series with SPN and analyzing clinical,surgical,anatomopathological characteristics,as well as the prognosis and review of literature.METHODS Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgery,with histological diagnosis of SPN between 1998 and 2018,using standardized and prospectively completed forms,performed at the Surgery Service of the Upper Digestive System at Hospital São Rafael/Rede D’Or in Salvador-BA.Review of literature through a database search in MEDLINE/PubMed of retrospective articles.RESULTS Fourteen female patients with the average age of 31.6 years(range min-max)were selected.Twelve patients(85.7%)were asymptomatic,being an incidental diagnosis or due to screening for other reasons.One patient had abdominal pain due to gastric compression and another patient had jaundice.The 14 patients were staged with computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.None had evidence of metastasis.In 8 patients(57.1%),the tumor was in the tail and body.The average size was 6.7 cm(range min-18).The type of surgery was according to the anatomical location of the tumor.There was no lymph node involvement.In two cases,vascular resection with the use of a prosthesis was required for reconstruction.The surgical margins were free.In all cases,postoperative immunohistochemistry confirmed that it was a solid pseudo-papillary neoplasia of the pancreas.There has been no disease recurrence in any case so far.CONCLUSION The tumors had a benign,indolent and histopathological behavior compatible with the literature.Curative surgery is recommended in all cases.
文摘Colonoscopy is the gold standard for the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer,resulting in a decrease in the incidence and mortality of colon cancer.However,it has a 21%rate of missed polyps.Several strategies have been devised to increase polyp detection rates and improve their characterization and delimi-tation.These include chromoendoscopy(CE),the use of other devices such as Endo cuffs,and major advances in endoscopic equipment[high definition,magnification,narrow band imaging,i-scan,flexible spectral imaging color enhancement,texture and color enhancement imaging(TXI),etc.].In the retrospective study by Hiramatsu et al,they compared white-light imaging with CE,TXI,and CE+TXI to determine which of these strategies allows for better definition and delimitation of polyps.They concluded that employing CE associated with TXI stands out as the most effective method to utilize.It remains to be demonstrated whether these results are extrapolatable to other types of virtual CE.Additionally,further investigation is needed in order to ascertain whether this strategy could lead to a reduction in the recurrence of excised lesions and potentially lower the occurrence of interval cancer.