Rare Findings of Gallbladder Metastasis From Cutaneous Melanoma on 18 F-FDG PET/CT Imaging.

ABSTRACT: We present the imaging findings of a 77-year-old man with a history of malignant cutis melanoma that metastasized to the gallbladder. A restaging 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan showed uneven thickening and elevated 18 F-FDG uptake in the gallbladder wall. Subsequently, the patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma of the gallbladder.

Improvement of physical conditions in tennis players under high altitudes / Aprimoramento das condições físicas em tenistas sob altitudes elevadas / Mejora de las condiciones físicas de tenistas en altitudes elevadas

ABSTRACT Introduction: Due to the lower atmospheric density at high altitudes, the spherical surface of the table tennis ball offers less resistance, requiring higher performance from its players. The athletes' reaction time and movement speed can improve significantly. Objective: This paper studies the changes in the fitness level of Chinese table tennis players under training at high altitudes. These results can serve as a reference to formulate and implement the training strategy of the Chinese table tennis team. Methods: The performance of 12 outstanding table tennis players in the competition was explored. After arriving at the high altitude, the athletes practiced training for four weeks. The athletes' biochemical parameters and heart rates were evaluated before and after training. These data were statistically treated. Results: The heart rate of the athletes in the third week after the experiment was lower than before, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The hematocrit value of table tennis players in training showed a temporary elevation after one week, significantly different from that before the experiment (P<0.05). After two weeks of exercise at a high altitude, the hematocrit value of the athletes remained at a high level (P<0.05). Conclusion: Table tennis players can improve their physical conditions with training at high altitudes, including aerobic and anaerobic properties. High-intensity exercise at high altitudes is also beneficial for improving athletes' strength, speed, and reaction time quality. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Devido à menor densidade atmosférica em altitudes elevadas, a superfície esférica da bola de tênis de mesa oferece menor resistência, exigindo um maior desempenho de seus jogadores. O tempo de reação e a velocidade de movimento dos atletas podem melhorar significativamente. Objetivo: Este trabalho estuda as alterações no nível de aptidão física dos jogadores de tênis de mesa chineses sob treinamento em altitudes elevadas. Estes resultados podem servir como referência para formular e implementar a estratégia de treinamento da equipe chinesa de tênis de mesa. Métodos: Foi explorado o desempenho de 12 jogadores de tênis de mesa de destaque em competição. Após chegarem em altitude elevada, os esportistas praticaram um treinamento por quatro semanas. Os parâmetros bioquímicos e o ritmo cardíaco dos atletas foram avaliados antes e depois do treinamento. Esses dados foram tratados estatisticamente. Resultados: O ritmo cardíaco dos atletas na terceira semana após o experimento foi menor do que antes, sem diferença significativa (P>0,05). O valor de hematócrito dos jogadores de tênis de mesa em treinamento apresentou uma elevação temporária, após uma semana foi significativamente diferente daquele antes do experimento(P<0,05). Após duas semanas de exercícios em altitude elevada, o valor do hematócrito dos atletas permaneceu em um nível elevado (P<0,05). Conclusão: Os jogadores de tênis de mesa podem obter um aprimoramento de suas condições físicas com o treinamento em altitudes elevadas, incluindo as propriedades aeróbicas e anaeróbicas. O exercício de alta intensidade em altitudes elevadas também é benéfico para melhorar a força, a velocidade e a qualidade de tempo de reação nos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigando os resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Debido a la menor densidad atmosférica en las alturas, la superficie esférica de la pelota de tenis de mesa ofrece menos resistencia, lo que exige un mayor rendimiento a sus jugadores. El tiempo de reacción y la velocidad de movimiento de los atletas pueden mejorar significativamente. Objetivo: Este trabajo estudia los cambios en el nivel de aptitud física de los jugadores de tenis de mesa chinos bajo entrenamiento a gran altura. Estos resultados pueden servir de referencia para formular y aplicar la estrategia de entrenamiento del equipo chino de tenis de mesa. Métodos: Se exploró el rendimiento de 12 destacados jugadores de tenis de mesa en competición. Tras llegar a la altitud, los deportistas practicaron el entrenamiento durante cuatro semanas. Se evaluaron los parámetros bioquímicos y la frecuencia cardíaca de los atletas antes y después del entrenamiento. Estos datos fueron tratados estadísticamente. Resultados: La frecuencia cardíaca de los atletas en la tercera semana después del experimento era más baja que antes, sin diferencias significativas (P>0,05). El valor del hematocrito de los jugadores de tenis de mesa en entrenamiento presentó una elevación temporal, después de una semana fue significativamente diferente al de antes del experimento (P<0,05). Tras dos semanas de ejercicios a gran altura, el valor del hematocrito de los atletas se mantuvo en un nivel elevado (P<0,05). Conclusión: Los jugadores de tenis de mesa pueden obtener una mejora de sus condiciones físicas con el entrenamiento en altura, incluyendo las propiedades aeróbicas y anaeróbicas. El ejercicio de alta intensidad a gran altura también es beneficioso para mejorar la fuerza, la velocidad y la calidad del tiempo de reacción en los atletas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for the evaluation of metastasis in patients with prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of gallium-68-prostate specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in detecting metastases in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of studies published before August 2021 in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was conducted.The methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Studies investigating the diagnostic value of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT were selected for qualitative and quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles using 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for detecting metastases in PCa patients were selected for qualitative analysis, 16 of which were selected for meta-analysis. The sensitivities of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in detecting lymph node metastases ranged from 33.3% to 96.08%, with high specificities ranged from 82% to 100%. Gallium-68-PSMA PET/CT demonstrated outstanding diagnostic performance in PCa patients with bone metastases. Only two articles about 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for lung metastases showed that the detection value was limited. It was difficult to distinguish lung metastases in PCa patients from benign lesions or primary lung cancer. There was only one article about 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for liver metastases, which showed that about 77.7% of metastatic lesions will be 68Ga-PSMA-positive and 22.3% will be false negatives. Due to the lack of articles on PCa visceral metastases, we only conducted a meta-analysis on lymph node metastases and bone metastases. In our meta-analysis, the per-patient pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of lymph node metastases were 0.61, 0.96, 14.4, 0.41, 35, and 0.95, respectively. The per-lesion pooled sensitivity, specificity, LR+, LR-, DOR, and AUC of V were 0.74, 0.99, 76.0, 0.26, 289 and 0.99, respectively. The per-patient pooled sensitivity, specificity, LR+, LR-, DOR, and AUC of bone metastases were 0.97, 1.00, 1100.1, 0.03, 37490 and 0.98, respectively. CONCLUSION: Gallium-68-PSMA PET/CT demonstrated outstanding diagnostic performance for bone metastases in PCa patients. The majority of lymph node metastases, lung metastases, and liver metastases overexpressed PSMA, which could be directly detected. However, a considerable number of lesions were false negatives.

LncRNA SNHG5 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by regulating miR-1179/HMGB3 axis.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be important regulators in pathogenesis of human cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we mainly aimed to explore the mechanisms of LncRNA-SNHG5/ miR-1179/HMGB3 axis in NPC progression. METHODS: RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were employed to detect mRNA and protein expressions. CCK-8, Transwell and dual luciferase reporter assays were applied to investigate functions of LncRNA-SNHG5/miR-1179/HMGB3 axis. RESULTS: Upregulation of lncRNA-SNHG5 and downregulation of miR-1179 were identified in NPC, which were associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Functionally, upregulation of lncRNA-SNHG5 and downregulation of miR-1179 accelerated NPC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, lncRNA-SNHG5 acted as a molecular sponge of miR-1179 in NPC. Besides that, upregulation of HMGB3 was found in NPC, and knockdown of HMGB3 restrained NPC progression. Moreover, HMGB3, a target of miR-1179, regulated NPC progression by mediating LncRNA-SNHG5/miR-1179 axis. CONCLUSION: LncRNA SNHG5 serves as a tumor promoter in NPC by sponging miR-1179 and upregulating HMGB3.

MicroRNA-103 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma through targeting TIMP-3 and the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To verify how microRNA-103 (miR-103) is involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development. STUDY DESIGN: Research on the relationship between miR-103 and NPC. METHODS: Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) was identified as the theoretical target gene of miR-103, and its regulatory mechanism in NPC was explored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, MTT, transwell, and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: MiR-103 was upregulated whereas TIMP-3 was markedly decreased in NPC tissue samples. Ectopic expression of miR-103 promoted NPC cell viability, migration, and invasion. In vitro assay showed that TIMP-3 recovered miR-103-mediated promotion of NPC cell viability, migration, and invasion. The expression of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway markers (ß-catenin and cyclin D1) were enhanced after miR-103 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-103 might play a key role in NPC carcinogenesis by targeting TIMP-3 and affecting the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:E75-E82, 2020.

Comparison of PSMA-PET/CT, choline-PET/CT, NaF-PET/CT, MRI, and bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis of bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic performance of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET/CT, choline-PET/CT, Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT, MRI, and bone scintigraphy (BS) in detecting bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase for articles published between January 1990 and September 2018. Two evaluators independently extracted the sensitivity, specificity, the numbers of true and false positives, and true and false negatives. We calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each method. We calculated the tests' diagnostic odds ratios (DOR); drew the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves; and obtained the areas under the curves (AUC), Q* values, and 95% CIs. RESULTS: The per-patient pooled sensitivities of PSMA-PET/CT, choline-PET/CT, NaF-PET/CT, MRI, and BS were 0.97, 0.87, 0.96, 0.91, and 0.86, respectively. The pooled specificities were 1.00, 0.99, 0.97, 0.96, and 0.95, respectively. The pooled DOR values were 504.16, 673.67, 242.63, and 114.44, respectively. The AUC were 1.00, 0.99, 0.99, 0.98, and 0.95, respectively. The per-lesion pooled sensitivities of PSMA-PET/CT, choline-PET/CT, NaF-PET/CT, MRI, and bone imaging were 0.88, 0.80, 0.97, 0.81 and 0.68, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the meta-analysis, PSMA-PET/CT had the highest per-patient sensitivity and specificity in detecting bone metastases with prostate cancer. The sensitivities of NaF-PET/CT and MRI were better than those for choline-PET/CT and BS. The specificity of PSMA-PET/CT was significantly better than BS. Others were similar. For per-lesion, NaF-PET/CT had the highest sensitivity, PSMA-PET/CT had higher sensitivity than choline-PET/CT and MRI, and BS had the lowest sensitivity.

miR-34a targets BCL-2 to suppress the migration and invasion of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma.

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SN-SCC) are rare tumors with low survival rate. It was reported that miR-34a expression is low in many cancers and acted as a tumor suppressor. But the biological function of miR-34a in SN-SCC has hardly been reported. Therefore, we explored the role and underlying mechanism of miR-34a in the migration and invasion of SN-SCC. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR were carried out to examine B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and miR-34a expression in SN-SCC. Transwell assay was performed to test the SN-SCC migratory and invasive ability. Luciferase reporter assay was carried out to verify the target of miR-34a. Results demonstrated that miR-34a expression was lower in SN-SCC tissues and cells than normal SN-SCC. Re-expression of miR-34a inhibited cell migration and invasion, while had the opposite effect on inhibition of miR-34a. We also found that BCL-2 expression was higher in SN-SCC and silencing BCL-2 curbed the development of SN-SCC. BCL-2 was found to be a target of miR-34a and negatively correlated with miR-34a expression. Furthermore, BCL-2 attenuated the miR-34a inhibitory effect on SN-SCC cell migration and invasion. In short, these data demonstrated that miR-34a inhibited SN-SCC cell migration and invasion through targeting BCL-2.

Amide-Directed Ru-Catalyzed Hydrodemethoxylation of ortho-Methoxy-Benzamides and -Naphthamides: A D oM Reaction Counterpart.

A new ruthenium-catalyzed hydrodemethoxylation of ortho-methoxy-benzamides and -naphthamides involving amide-directed C-OMe bond activation and hydride reduction is disclosed. The reaction is general, proceeding under RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 catalysis using either triethylsilane (Et3SiH) or diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H) as the reductant. The corresponding C-N hydrodeamination reaction is also briefly reported.

High 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in primary bilateral adrenal diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with nongerminal center B-cell phenotype: A case report.

RATIONALE: Bilateral adrenal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, nongerminal center B-cell phenotype (non-GCB DLBCL), is an uncommon malignancy that exhibits rapid development. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose position emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) is extremely sensitive in distinguishing highly malignant tumors from benign tumors. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of non-GCB DLBCL showing significantly high uptake of 18F-FDG on PET/CT examination. DIAGNOSES: Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination further confirmed that the bilateral adrenal masses were non-GCB DLBCL. INTERVENTIONS: The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the adrenal lesion was 17.2. Abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was observed in a retroperitoneal lymph node, the SUVmax of which was 14.2. OUTCOMES: He was administered CHOP chemotherapy without rituximab due to high costs.His therapeutic effect and survival time could not be tracked due to patient privacy. LESSONS: non-GCB DLBCL is a rare malignancy.18F-FDG PET/CT examination can distinguish benign from malignant adrenal lesions based on increased FDG uptake. It is a noninvasive method to diagnose malignant adrenal tumors.

MicroRNA-132 sensitizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to cisplatin through regulation of forkhead box A1 protein.

Chemoresistance in cancer is one of the major hindrances in cisplatin (DPP) treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The mechanism of such resistance remains unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to clarify the mechanism of DDP resistance and attempted to reduce chemoresistance. Here, we found that miR-132, as a tumor suppressor, was poorly expressed in a cisplatin resistant CNE2 cell line (CNE2/DPP) accompanied with a decreased expression of miR-132 and an increased expression of FOXA1 compared with the parental cells CNE2. Exogenous overexpression of miR-132 in CNE2/DPP could sensitize their reaction to the treatment of cisplatin. In addition, FOXA1 knockdown in CNE2/DPP cells increased the chemosensitivity to DPP, suggesting the dependence of FOXA1 regulation in miR-132 activity. Moreover, miR-132 can restore cisplatin treatment response in cisplatin-resistant xenografts in vivo, while FOXA1 protein levels were decreased. In summary, our results provide novel mechanistic insights into the role of miR-132/FOXA1 signaling in the cisplatin resistance of NPC cells. Targeting of miR-132 is a potential therapeutic approach for NPC.

Ester-directed Ru-catalyzed C-O activation/C-C coupling reaction of ortho-methoxy naphthoates with organoboroneopentylates.

A new, catalytic and general synthetic methodology for the construction of biaryls and heterobiaryls by the cross-coupling of ortho-methoxy naphthoates with organoboroneopentylates is disclosed. The reaction proceeds under RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3-catalyzed conditions driven by unreactive C-O bond activation of a proximate ester directing group (DG)-catalyst chelation. This one-step synthesis of 2-aryl and -heteroaryl-1-naphthoates has the features of operational simplicity, minimum waste and convenient scale-up. The hierarchy of C(O)Me > CONEt2 > CO2Me coordination-assisted reactivity, of potential value in chemoselective synthesis, is also established.

Beyond Directed ortho Metalation: Ruthenium-Catalyzed Amide-Directed CAr-OMe Activation/Cross-Coupling Reaction of Naphthamides with Aryl Boronates.

A new and general synthetic methodology for the construction of biaryl, heterobiaryl, and polyaryl molecules by the ruthenium-catalyzed cross-coupling of ortho-methoxy naphthamides with aryl boroneopentylates is described. The isomeric 1-MeO-2-naphthamides and 2-MeO-1-naphthamides furnish an expansive series of arylated naphthamides in excellent yields. Competition experiments showed the higher reactivity of 1-MeO-2-naphthamide over 2-MeO-benzamide. Orthogonality between the C-O activation/cross-coupling and the Suzuki-Miyaura reactions was established. The method provides naphthalenes which are difficult to prepare by directed ortho metalation.

Beyond directed ortho metalation: Ru-catalyzed CAr-O activation/cross-coupling reaction by amide chelation.

Disclosed is a new, catalytic, and general methodology for the chemical synthesis of biaryl, heterobiaryl, and polyaryl molecules by the cross-coupling of o-methoxybenzamides with aryl boroneopentylates. The reaction is based on the activation of the unreactive C-OMe bond by the proximate amide directing group using catalytic RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 conditions. A one-step, base-free coupling process is thereby established that has the potential to supersede the useful two-step directed ortho metalation/cross-coupling reaction involving cryogenic temperature and strong base conditions. High regioselectivity, orthogonality with the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, operational simplicity, minimum waste, and convenient scale-up make these reactions suitable for industrial applications.

Beyond directed ortho metalation: ruthenium-catalyzed amide-directed C(Ar)-N activation/C-C coupling reaction of anthranilamides with organoboronates.

A new, catalytic, and general methodology for the synthesis of biaryls and heterobiaryls by the cross coupling of anthranilamide derivatives (o-NMe2 benzamides) with aryl boroneopentylates is described. The reaction proceeds under catalytic RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 conditions driven by the activation of the unreactive C-N bond by amide directing group (DG)-Ru catalyst chelation. High regioselectivity, orthogonality with the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, operational simplicity, and convenient scale-up are features of these reactions which may lend themselves to industrial applications.

A practical in situ generation of the Schwartz reagent. Reduction of tertiary amides to aldehydes and hydrozirconation.

A new, highly efficient in situ protocol (Cp2ZrCl2/LiAlH(OBu-t)3) is described for the generation of the Schwartz reagent which provides a convenient method for the amide to aldehyde reduction and the regioselective hydrozirconation-iodination of alkynes and alkenes. Highlighted are chemoselective reductions of benzamides derived by directed ortho metalation (DoM) chemistry, allowing the synthesis of valuable 1,2,3-substituted benzaldehydes. The single-step, three-component process proceeds in a very short reaction time, shows excellent functional group compatibility, and uses inexpensive and long-storage stable reducing reagents.

Reductive cleavage of aryl O-carbamates to phenols by the Schwartz reagent. Expedient link to the directed ortho metalation strategy.

A general, mild, and efficient method for the reductive cleavage of aryl O-carbamates to phenols, 1 → 2 using the Schwartz reagent is reported. The method is selective, tolerating a large number of functional groups; may be carried out by direct or by an economical in situ procedure; and, notably, establishes a synthetic connection to the directed ortho metalation strategy (Figure 1 ) allowing new entries into difficult to prepare contiguously substituted aromatics and heteroaromatics.