Metabonomic analysis of tumor microenvironments: a mini-review.

Metabolomic analysis is a vital part of studying cancer progression. Metabonomic crosstalk, such as nutrient availability, physicochemical transformation, and intercellular interactions can affect tumor metabolism. Many original studies have demonstrated that metabolomics is important in some aspects of tumor metabolism. In this mini-review, we summarize the definition of metabolomics and how it can help change a tumor microenvironment, especially in pathways of three metabonomic tumors. Just as non-invasive biofluids have been identified as early biomarkers of tumor development, metabolomics can also predict differences in tumor drug response, drug resistance, and efficacy. Therefore, metabolomics is important for tumor metabolism and how it can affect oncology drugs in cancer therapy.

Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome.

The two main branches of the radial nerve (RN) are the deep branch (DBRN) and the superficial branch (SBRN). The RN splits into two main branches at the elbow. The DBRN runs between the deep and shallow layers of the supinator. The DBRN can be easily compressed at the arcade of Frohse (AF) due to its anatomical features. This work focuses on a 42-year-old male patient who had injured his left forearm 1 month prior. Multiple muscles of the forearm (extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi ulnaris) were sutured in another hospital. After that, he had dorsiflexion limitations in his left ring and little fingers. The patient was reluctant to undergo another operation because he had undergone suture surgeries for multiple muscles 1 month prior. Ultrasound revealed that the deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN) had edema and was thickened. The exit point of the DBRN had deeply adhered to the surrounding tissue. To relieve this, ultrasound-guided needle release plus a corticosteroid injection were performed on the DBRN. Nearly 3 months later, the dorsal extension in the patient's ring and little fingers was significantly improved (ring finger: -10°, little finger: -15°). Then, the same treatment was done for the second time. Nearly 1 month after that, the dorsal extension of the ring and the little finger was normal when the joints of the fingers were fully straightened. Ultrasound could evaluate the condition of the DBRN and its relationship with the surrounding tissues. Ultrasound-guided needle release combined with corticosteroid injection is an effective and safe treatment for DBRN adhesion.

Comparison efficacy of ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection and mini-open surgery in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

This retrospective study was to compare clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided needle release with corticosteroid injection vs. mini-open surgery in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). From January 2021 to December 2021, 40 patients (40 wrists) with CTS were analyzed in this study. The diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, electrophysiological imaging, and ultrasound imaging. A total of 20 wrists were treated with ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection (Group A), and the other 20 wrists were treated with mini-open surgery (Group B). We evaluated the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire, electrophysiological parameters (distal motor latency, sensory conduction velocity, and sensory nerve action potential of the median nerve), and ultrasound parameters (cross-sectional area, flattening ratio, and the thicknesses of transverse carpal ligament) both before and 3 months after treatment. Total treatment cost, duration of treatment, healing time, and complications were also recorded for the two groups. The Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire and electrophysiological and ultrasound outcomes at preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively had a significant difference for each group (each with P < 0.05). There were no complications such as infection, hemorrhage, vascular, nerve, or tendon injuries in both groups. Ultrasound-guided needle release and mini-open surgery are both effective measures in treating CTS patients. Ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection provides smaller incision, less cost, less time of treatment, and faster recovery compared with mini-open surgery. Ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection is better for clinical application.

Ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection of superficial radial nerve: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The radial nerve (RN) splits into two main branches at the elbow: The superficial branch of RN (SBRN) and the deep branch of RN. The SBRN can be easily damaged in acute trauma due to its superficial feature. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old male patient injured his right wrist 10 mo ago. Debridement, suturing and bandaging were performed in the emergency room. Six months after the scar had healed, he felt numbness and tingling in the dorsal surface of the thumb of the right hand. So the surgery of resection and SBRN anastomosis were performed. The pathological findings showed it as traumatic neuroma. Four months after surgery, the patient felt numbness and tingling in the right dorsal surface of the thumb again. The tenderness was marked in the operated area. Ultrasound indicated that the SBRN was adhered to the surrounding tissue. The patient refused further surgical treatment and underwent ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection of the SBRN. Four weeks later, the tenderness in the surgical area was reduced by 70%, the numbness in the dorsal surface of the thumb of the right hand was reduced by 40% and the nerve swelling evaluated by ultrasound was reduced. Four months passed, he did not feel any numbness or tingling sensation of his right wrist. This is the first report of ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection of the SBRN. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound can evaluate the condition of the RN, and the relationship with surrounding tissues. Ultrasound-guided needle release plus corticosteroid injection is an effective and safe treatment for SBRN adhesion.

Use of Ultrasound to Observe Mycosis Fungoides: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with many clinicopathological variants, thus difficult to diagnose in its early stages. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report is about a 76 years old Chinese woman presented with 2 years history of erythematous plaque on the lateral right thigh; after combining clinical manifestations with results of pathological examinations, it is consistent with the diagnosis of MF. DISCUSSION: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The patient in this case had a long course of disease and repeated attacks. Ultrasound shows a small patch of liquid dark area of the lesion. Color Doppler image shows rich blood flow, which just looks like lacustrine. Thick and nourishing blood vessels could be seen in the depth. CONCLUSION: Our case report using ultrasound to observe MF and demonstrate that ultrasound is helpful in diagnosing and evaluating effectiveness in treating MF.

Subclavian brachial plexus metastasis from breast cancer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The common area of breast cancer metastases are bone, lung and liver. Brachial plexus metastasis from breast cancer is extremely rare. We report a case of subclavian brachial plexus metastasis from breast cancer 6 years postoperative, which were detected by ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). CASE SUMMARY: Our study reports a 64-year-old woman who had right breast cancer and underwent radical mastectomy 6 years before. Ultrasound first revealed a soft lesion measuring 38 mm × 37 mm which located on the right side of the clavicle to the armpit subcutaneously. The right subclavian brachial plexus (beam level) was significantly thickened, wrapped around by a hypoechoic lesion, the surrounded axillary artery and vein were pressed. MRI brachial plexus scan showed that the right side of brachial plexus was enlarged compared with the left side and brachial plexus bundle in the distance showed a flake shadow. FDG-PET/CT revealed that the right side of brachial plexus nodular appearance with increased FDG metabolism. These results supported brachial plexus metastasis from breast cancer. Ultrasound exam also found many lesions between pectoralis major, deltoid muscle and inner upper arm. The lesion puncture was performed under ultrasound guidance and the tissue was sent for pathology. Pathology showed large areas of tumor cells in fibroblast tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed the following results: A2-1: GATA3 (+), ER (+, strong, 90%), PR (+, moderate, 10%), HER-2 (3+), Ki67 (+15%), P120 (membrane+), P63 (-), E-cadherin (+), CK5/6 (-). These results were consistent with the primary right breast cancer characteristics, thus supporting lesion metastasis from breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The brachial plexus metastasis from breast cancer is uncommon. Ultrasound has great value in detecting brachial plexus metastasis of breast cancer. It is an easy, non-invasive and affordable method. Close attention should be paid to new grown out lesions in those patients who had a history of breast cancer when doing ultrasound review.

Mitochondria-Targeted Nanocarriers Promote Highly Efficient Cancer Therapy: A Review.

Mitochondria are the primary organelles which can produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They play vital roles in maintaining normal functions. They also regulated apoptotic pathways of cancer cells. Given that, designing therapeutic agents that precisely target mitochondria is of great importance for cancer treatment. Nanocarriers can combine the mitochondria with other therapeutic modalities in cancer treatment, thus showing great potential to cancer therapy in the past few years. Herein, we summarized lipophilic cation- and peptide-based nanosystems for mitochondria targeting. This review described how mitochondria-targeted nanocarriers promoted highly efficient cancer treatment in photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemotherapy, combined immunotherapy, and sonodynamic therapy (SDT). We further discussed mitochondria-targeted nanocarriers' major challenges and future prospects in clinical cancer treatment.