Lipiodol emulsion as a dual chemoradiation-sensitizer for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a low survival rate and limited treatment options. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is considered beneficial to improve tumor control, but the low drug bioavailability at tumor site and the low radiation tolerance of surrounding healthy organs greatly limits its effectiveness. Lipiodol, a natural drug carrier used in clinical transarterial chemoembolization, has shown potential as a radiosensitizer due to its high Z element iodine composition.

Color-coded parametric imaging support display of vessel hemorrhage-an experiment and clinical validation study.

Background: Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is currently the most effective diagnostic method for vascular diseases, but it is still subject to various factors, resulting in uncertain diagnosis. Therefore, a new technology is needed to help clinical doctors improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of utilizing color-coded parametric imaging techniques on the accuracy of identifying active bleeding through DSA, the widely accepted standard for diagnosing vascular disorders.

PDZK1 confers sensitivity to sunitinib in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by suppressing the PDGFR-β pathway.

Background: Sunitinib has emerged as the primary treatment for advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) due to its significant improvement in patients' average survival time. However, drug resistance and adverse effects of sunitinib pose challenges to its clinical benefits.

Methods: The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with sunitinib sensitivity and resistance in ccRCC were investigated.

Impressive recompensation in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt-treated individuals with complications of decompensated cirrhosis based on Baveno VII criteria.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is the standard second-line treatment option for individuals with complications of decompensated cirrhosis, such as variceal bleeding and refractory ascites.

Aim: To investigate whether recompensation existed in TIPS-treated patients with decompensated cirrhosis according to Baveno VII criteria.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed on 64 patients who received TIPS for variceal bleeding or refractory ascites.

Association of preoperative IL-6 levels with overt HE in patients with cirrhosis after TIPS.

Background: HE is a common and dangerous complication after TIPS. The relationship between IL-6 levels and overt HE (OHE) after TIPS is rarely reported.We aimed to explore the relationship between the preoperative serum IL-6 levels and OHE risk after TIPS, and to evaluate its value in predicting the OHE risk.

Association of systemic inflammation index with survival in patients with advanced perihilar cholangiocarcinoma treated with interventional therapy.

Objective: Immunity and inflammation are key mediators of carcinoma development, invasion and metastasis. However, it remains unknown whether the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) can be used as a prognostic indicator for cholangiocarcinoma. In this study, we investigated the association and predictive value of the SII with the prognosis of advanced perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) after interventional therapy.

The Relationship and Changes of Liver Blood Supply, Portal Pressure Gradient, and Liver Volume following TIPS in Cirrhosis.

Aim: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alters the liver blood supply and reduces portal pressure. This study was to investigate the changes and associations of the hepatic blood flow, liver volume, and portal pressure gradient (PPG) after TIPS in liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with liver cirrhosis who received TIPS were recruited.

E3 ubiquitin ligase MAGI3 degrades c-Myc and acts as a predictor for chemotherapy response in colorectal cancer.

Background: Recurrence and chemoresistance constitute the leading cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, it is of great significance to clarify the underlying mechanisms and identify predictors for tailoring adjuvant chemotherapy to improve the outcome of CRC.

Methods: By screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs), constructing random forest classification and ranking the importance of DEGs, we identified membrane associated guanylate kinase, WW and PDZ domain containing 3 (MAGI3) as an important gene in CRC recurrence.

Prostate arterial chemoembolization for treatment of refractory hematuria and urinary retention in patients with localized advanced prostate cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of refractory gross hematuria (RGH) and urinary retention (UR) secondary to localized advanced prostate cancer (PCa).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-two patients (mean age 72.5 years, range 60-89) with advanced PCa-related RGH that failed conventional therapy were included.

Controlling nutritional status score as a new indicator of overt hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Background & Aims: The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is designed to assess the immune-nutritional status of patients. Poor nutritional status and inflammation may facilitate the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in cirrhotic patients. However, it remains unknown whether the CONUT score is related to and can be used as a predictive marker for HE.

The Efficacy of TACE Combined With Lenvatinib Plus Sintilimab in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) combined with lenvatinib plus sintilimab in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients And Methods: The data of patients with unresectable HCC administered a combination therapy with TACE and lenvatinib plus sintilimab were retrospectively assessed. Patients received lenvatinib orally once daily 2 weeks before TACE, followed by sintilimab administration at 200 mg intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day therapeutic cycle after TACE.

Reduced MAGI3 level by HPV18E6 contributes to Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation and cervical cancer progression.

Human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) has high carcinogenic power in invasive cervical cancer (ICC) development. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. The carcinogenic properties of HPV18 require the PDZ-binding motif of its E6 oncoprotein (HPV18 E6) to degrade its target PSD95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) proteins.

NHERF4 hijacks Mas-mediated PLC/AKT signaling to suppress the invasive potential of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells.

The Mas receptor has been reported to promote migration and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cells via Ang-(1-7)-dependent AKT signaling. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of Mas function remains unknown. Here, eight PDZ domain-containing proteins were identified as Mas interactors using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS).

Body mass index changes after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in individuals with cirrhosis.

Objectives: Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by portal hypertension and malnutrition, two common complications that seriously affect treatment efficacy and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on body mass index (BMI) and metabolism in individuals with cirrhotic portal hypertension, and the risk factors that affect changes of BMI.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed to collect basic information before and after TIPS.

Prognostic significance of controlling nutritional status score-based nomogram for hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria after radiofrequency ablation.

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within Milan criteria. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and oncological outcomes in HCC patients within Milan criteria after RFA. Nomograms were constructed for the prediction of prognosis.

Late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation: a multicenter study of risk factors, patterns, and survival.

Objective: This study aims to determine the risk factors, patterns, and long-term survival outcomes of late recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria and develop a nomogram to predict the recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included patients with HCC within the Milan criteria, who received RFA at three hospitals in China from January 2011 to December 2016. The clinical variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

Using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score for Evaluating Patients with Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Radiofrequency Ablation: A Two-Center Retrospective Study.

Purpose: To estimate the prognostic significance of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) in patients with BCLC stage A hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Materials And Methods: From January 2013 to December 2016, 325 patients with BCLC stage A HCC who underwent RFA at the National Cancer Center and First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into low (≤ 4) and high (≥ 5) CONUT scores for assessment of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Loss of PDZK1 expression activates PI3K/AKT signaling via PTEN phosphorylation in gastric cancer.

Phosphorylation of PTEN plays an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer. However, the underlying mechanism of PTEN phosphorylation regulation remains largely elusive. In the present study, PDZK1 was identified as a novel binding protein of PTEN by association of PTEN through its carboxyl terminus and PDZ domains of PDZK1.

HPV16 E6 promotes cervical cancer cell migration and invasion by downregulation of NHERF1.

HPV16 is the predominant type of HPV causing invasive cervical cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of the unparalleled carcinogenic power of HPV16 compared to other types of high-risk (HR)-HPV including HPV18 remains elusive. The PDZ binding motif (PBM) of high-risk HPV E6 plays an important role in neoplasia and progression of cervical cancer.

Brainstem Congestion Due to Dural Arteriovenous Fistula at the Craniocervical Junction: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) at the craniocervical junction are rare. Clinical manifestations range from acute or chronic myelopathy to subarachnoid hemorrhage to brainstem dysfunction. We encountered 4 cases of DAVFs at the craniocervical junction with progressive brainstem dysfunction and investigated the typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features using T-weighting imaging, susceptibility-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced imaging.

SERPINH1 overexpression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: association with poor clinical outcome and its potential as a novel prognostic marker.

Precision therapy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) requires molecular biomarkers ascertaining disease prognosis. In this study, we performed integrated proteomic and transcriptomic screening in all four tumour-node-metastasis stages of ccRCC and adjacent normal tissues (n = 18) to investigate differentially expressed genes. Most identified differentially expressed genes revealed a strong association with transforming growth factor-β level and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process.

Global Analysis of miRNA-mRNA Interaction Network in Breast Cancer with Brain Metastasis.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been linked to a number of cancer types including breast cancer. The rate of brain metastases is 10-30% in patients with advanced breast cancer which is associated with poor prognosis. The potential application of miRNAs in the diagnostics and therapeutics of breast cancer with brain metastasis is an area of intense interest.