The Reconstruction of the Nasal Columella Defect Using Domino Flaps.

Skin defects of the total nasal columella can significantly impact both nasal respiratory function and aesthetics. The reconstruction of total columella is a complex process and represents a significant challenge for plastic surgeons. Various factors can cause the loss of the columella. Numerous columella reconstruction procedures have been proposed, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The main issues to address include the need for regional flaps from the forehead or nasofacial sulcus, a long pedicle to reach the columella, and the double angular folding that causes a risk of malnutrition or venous congestion. Additionally, using horizontal nasolabial flaps may lead to deformation of the upper lip. In this study, we present a new procedure to reconstruct the nasal columella using "Domino flaps" with two flaps (the horizontal upper lip island flap and nasocheek island flap). This new procedure ensures adequate skin for reconstruction of nasal columella and partial tip, minimizes rotation angle, reduces the angular folding of the pedicle, furthermore limits deformation of the upper lip. "Domino flaps" are a valuable option for surgeons when reconstructing the total nasal columella. However, it is important to consider whether the patient has a beard at the donor sites.

Assessment of the changes in product characteristics, total ascorbic acid, total flavonoid content, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of dried soursop fruit tea (Annona muricata L.) during product storage.

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) fruit tea is a health-beneficial product that promotes economic development and addresses the issue of excessive agricultural waste. Prolonging the shelf-life of soursop fruit tea has been of scientific interest currently. This study evaluated the effects of three types of packaging materials of soursop fruit tea (e.g., paper, paper-combined Polyetylen (PE), and aluminum-combined PE) and different storage temperatures (5, 15, 30, and 45°C) on various product characteristics, total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total ascorbic acid (TAA), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH)/2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging capacity during 4 weeks of storage. The results revealed that the sample stored in aluminum-combined PE packaging at 30°C retained most of the product's characteristics and nutritional values. This was evidenced by the moisture content of 2.49%, TAA of 3.9 ± 1.4 mg/100 g dry weight, TPC of 12.89 ± 0.47 mgGAE/g, TFC of 0.54 ± 0.004 mgQE/g, DPPH scavenging activity of 4.06 ± 0.02 mgAA/g, and ABTS scavenging activity of 13.34 ± 0.32 mgAA/g. Additionally, the microbiological quality of the sample met the standard of TCVN 9740:2013. Overall, the study highlights the importance of packaging materials and storage temperatures to maintain the nutritional quality of soursop fruit tea. It provides valuable insights into the suitable storage conditions for preserving the quality and health-promoting effects of this product.

Epidermoid cyst of the craniovertebral junction-A case report.

An epidermoid cyst is a benign tumor in many locations. The symptoms of an epidermoid cyst depend on its location. The brain or spine MRI can confirm the lesion. Removing total decompression is the first choice in treatment with a symptomatic cyst.

Sulfonyl thiourea derivatives from 2-aminodiarylpyrimidines: In vitro and in silico evaluation as potential carbonic anhydrase I, II, IX, and XII inhibitors.

A series of synthesized sulfonyl thiourea derivatives (7a-o) of substituted 2-amino-4,6-diarylpyrimidines (4a-o) exhibited the remarkable inhibitory activity against some the human carbonic anhydrases (hCAs), including hCA I, II, IX, and XII isoforms. The inhibitory efficacy of synthesized sulfonyl thiourea derivatives were experimentally validated by in vitro enzymatic assays. 7a (KI = 46.14 nM), 7j (KI = 48.92 nM), and 7m (KI = 62.59 nM) (for isoform hCA I); 7f (KI = 42.72 nM), 7i (KI = 40.98 nM), and 7j (KI = 33.40 nM) (for isoform hCA II); 7j (KI = 228.5 nM), 7m (KI = 195.4 nM), and 7n (KI = 210.1 nM) (for isoform hCA IX); 7l (KI = 116.9 nM), 7m (KI = 118.8 nM), and 7n (KI = 147.2 nM) (for isoform hCA XII) in comparison with KI values of 452.1, 327.3, 437.2, and 338.9 nM, respectively, of the standard drug AAZ. These compounds also had significantly more potent inhibitory action against cytosolic isoform hCA I and tumor-associated isoforms hCA IX and hCA XII. Furthermore, the potential inhibitory compounds were subjected to in silico screening for molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The results of in vitro and in silico studies revealed that compounds 7a, 7j, and 7m were the most promising derivatives in this series due to their significant effects on studied hCA I, II, IX, and XII isoforms, respectively. The results showed that the sulfonyl thiourea moiety was accommodated deeply in the active site and interacted with the zinc ion in the receptors.

Possibility of nanostructured lipid carriers encapsulating astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis to alleviate skin injury in radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to protect patients' skin against ionizing irradiation during radiotherapy by using astaxanthin-encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC-ATX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: NLC-ATX was prepared by a combined method of hot homogenization and sonication. Cytotoxicity of NLC-ATX was evaluated by MTT colorimetric assay. The in vitro radioprotection of NLC-ATX for human fibroblast (HF) cells was investigated based on the level of ROS (reactive oxygen species), DNA damage, and cell death caused by X-irradiation. In addition, the in vivo radioprotection was evaluated based on the appearance and histological structure of the irradiated skin. RESULTS: NLC-ATX was successfully prepared, with a mean particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency of 114.4 nm, -34.1 mV, and 85.67%, respectively. Compared to the control, NLC-ATX, at an optimum ATX concentration under in vitro condition, reduced the amount of generated ROS and DNA damage of 81.6% and 41.6%, respectively, after X-radiation, resulting in a significant decrease in cell death by 62.69%. Under in vivo condition, after the 9th day of X-irradiation (equivalent to an accumulated dose of 14 Gy), the dorsal skin of five out of six NLC-ATX-untreated mice exhibited grade-1 skin damage, according to CTCAE v5.0, while treatment with NLC-ATX protected 6/6 mice from acute skin damage. Moreover, on the 28th day after the first X-irradiation, the histological images illustrated that NLC-ATX at an ATX concentration of 0.25 µg/mL exhibited good recovery of the skin, with barely any difference noted in the collagen fibers and sebaceous glands compared to normal skin. CONCLUSIONS: NLC-ATX shows potential for application in skin protection against adverse effects of ionizing rays during radiotherapy.

Modified Coprecipitation Synthesis of Nickel-Rich NMC (Li1.0Ni0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2) for Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Simple, Cost-Effective, Environmentally Friendly Method.

Lithium-ion batteries lay the foundation for satisfying the fast-growing demand of portable electronics and electric vehicles. However, due to the complexity of material syntheses, high fabrication temperature condition, and toxic gas emission, high volume manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries is still challenging. Here, we propose a modified coprecipitation method to synthesize Li1.0Ni0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622-MCP) as a cathode material in a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach. We demonstrate that the proposed method can be operated in a lower temperature environment, with respect to the requirement of conventional synthesis methods. Furthermore, only CO2 gas is emitted during synthesis. We also employed first-principles simulations to evaluate the crystallinity of the synthesized materials via X-ray diffractometer patterns. During charge/discharge processes, the obtained cathode materials induce outstanding electrochemical performance with a maximum specific capacity of up to 206.9 mAh g-1 at 0.05 C and a retention capacity of 83.22% after 100 cycles. Thus, the simple, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and highly electrochemical performance of the newly acquired material envisages the modified coprecipitation method as a promising tool to manufacture cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Comparison of the radioprotective effects of the liposomal forms of five natural radioprotectants in alleviating the adverse effects of ionising irradiation on human lymphocytes and skin cells in radiotherapy.

This study aims to evaluate the radioprotective effects of liposomes encapsulating curcumin (Lip-CUR), silibinin (Lip-SIL), α-tocopherol (Lip-TOC), quercetin (Lip-QUE) and resveratrol (Lip-RES) in alleviating the adverse effects of ionising irradiation on human lymphoctyes and skin cells in radiotherapy. Liposomes encapsulating the above natural radioprotectants (Lip-NRPs) were prepared by the film hydration method combined with sonication. Their radioprotective effects for the cells against X-irradiation was evaluated using trypan-blue assay and γ-H2AX assay. All prepared Lip-NRPs had a mean diameter less than 240 nm, polydispersity index less than 0.32, and zeta potential more than -23 mV. Among them, the radioprotective effect of Lip-RES was lowest, while that of Lip-QUE was highest. Lip-SIL also exhibited a high radioprotective effect despite its low DPPH-radical scavenging activity (12.9%). The radioprotective effects of Lip-NRPs do not solely depend on the free radical scavenging activity of NRPs but also on their ability to activate cellular mechanisms.

Intravenous Infusion of Exosomes Derived from Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Promotes Angiogenesis and Muscle Regeneration: An Observational Study in a Murine Acute Limb Ischemia Model.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have demonstrated that adipose tissue-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation could promote neoangiogenesis in various ischemic diseases. However, as whole cells, ADSCs have some disadvantages, such as shipping and storage issues, high costs, and controversies related to the fates of grafted cells in the recipients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of intravenously infused exosomes purified from human ADSCs on ischemic disease in a murine hindlimb ischemia model. METHODS: ADSCs were cultured in exosome-free medium for 48 h before the conditioned medium was collected for exosome isolation by ultracentrifugation. The murine ischemic hindlimb models were created by cutting and burning the hindlimb arteries. Exosomes were intravenously infused into murine models (ADSC-Exo group), with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) used as a placebo (PBS group). Treatment efficacy was determined using a murine mobility assay (frequency of pedaling in water per 10 s), peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2 index), and the recovery of vascular circulation by trypan blue staining. The formation of blood vessels was shown by X-ray. Expression levels of genes related to angiogenesis and muscle tissue repair were quantified by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Finally, H&E staining was used to determine the histological structure of muscle in the treatment and placebo groups. RESULTS: The rates of acute limb ischemia in the PBS and ADSC-Exo injection groups were 66% (9/16 mice) and 43% (6/14 mice), respectively. The mobility of the limbs 28 days after surgery was significantly different between the ADSC-Exo treatment group (41 ± 1 times/10 s) and the PBS group (24 ± 1 times/10 s; n = 3; p < 0.05). Peripheral blood oxygen saturation 21 days after treatment was 83.83% ± 2.02% in the PBS group and 83% ± 1.73% in the ADSC-Exo treatment group, and the difference was not statistically significant (n = 3, p > 0.05). On day 7 after treatment, the time required to stain the toes after trypan blue injection was 20.67 ± 12.5 s and 85 ± 7.09 s in the ADSC-Exo and PBS groups, respectively (n = 3, p < 0.05). On day 3 after the operation, the expression of genes promoting angiogenesis and muscle remodeling, such as Flk1, Vwf, Ang1, Tgfb1, Myod, and Myf5, was increased 4-8 times in the ADSC-Exo group compared with the PBS group. No mice in either group died during the experimental period. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that intravenous infusion of human ADSC-derived exosomes is a safe and effective method to treat ischemic disease, especially hindlimb ischemia, by promoting angiogenesis and muscle regeneration.

The expression and mutation of BRCA1/2 genes in ovarian cancer: a global systematic study.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review was designed to summarize the findings on expression and mutation of BRCA1/2 genes in ovarian cancer (OC) patients, focusing on mutation detection technology and taking clinical decisions for better treatment. AREAS COVERED: We conducted a systematic review by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses document selection guidelines for the document selection process and the PICOT standard for developing the keywords to search for. A total of 5729 publications were included, and 50 articles were put into the final screening. The results showed that Next-Generation Sequencing was a breakthrough technology in detecting Breast Cancer 1/2 (BRCA1/2) gene mutations because of its efficacy and affordability. Other technologies are also being applied now for mutation detection. The most prominent associations of BRCA1/2 gene mutations were age, heredity, and family history. Furthermore, mutations of BRCA1/2 could improve survival rate and overall survival. There is no sufficient study available to conclude a systematic analysis for the expression of BRCA1/2 gene in OC. EXPERT OPINION: Research will continue to develop more diagnostic techniques based on the expression and mutation of BCRA1/2 genes for OC in the near future.

Applying Tumescent solution for preserving the facial nerve in parotidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Facial nerve palsy is one of the most common complications in parotid gland surgery. This report evaluates the effectiveness of applying Tumescent solution for preserving the facial nerve in parotidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective and descriptive clinical study on 34 patients undergoing parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation. Before skin incision, 5-10 min, we injected 100-200 ml of the Tumescent solution into the surgical area. We recorded the surgical method, tumor size, length of surgery, pathological results and facial nerve dysfunction. All patients were followed for a period ranging from 6 to 24 months. RESULTS: There were 14 patients with malignant tumors and 20 patients with benign tumors. The length of surgery lasted from 90 to 180 min, with an average of 126.8 min. The number of patients having temporary facial paralysis was 22 cases (64.7%), recovery time ranged from 1 week to 6 months, and no permanent facial paralysis cases were recorded. The clinical occurrence of Frey's syndrome was five cases (14.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The application of Tumescent solution for preserving facial nerves in parotidectomy could minimize nerve injury and shorten the length of surgery.

Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes of Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures with Nonsurgical Management: A Multicenter, Prospective, Cohort Study.

Background: Evidence for the efficacy of surgical stabilization of rib fractures in patients with rib fractures is controversial. Objective: We aim to compare the clinical outcomes of surgical rib fixation for rib fracture with non-operative treatment. Methods: Our institutional database from three general hospitals (Viet Duc Hospital, Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital & Cho Ray Hospital) was queried to identify patients with flail chest treated with locked plate fixation between December 2021 and February 2023. A medical record review for demographic, injury, hospital, and surgical data was also retrospectively performed for all patients. Characteristics and outcomes of the patients receiving the surgical rib fixation for rib fracture were compared with those without surgery. Results: A total of 166 patients with thoracic trauma were included. The majority of patients were male, and the age range was from 18 to 80 years old, with a mean age of 51.6 years. 52 (31.3%) underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF). The highest combined injuries were limb injuries, followed by traumatic brain injury, and maxillofacial trauma. While 1 patient died in the non-surgical group, there was no significant difference in the mortality between the two groups. The surgical group had a slightly shorter hospital stay than the non-surgical group (8.6 days vs. 10.0 days, p-value: 0.038). SSRF group tended toward a lower incidence of pneumonia compared to the non-surgical group (SSRF: 3.8% vs. non-surgical: 7%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value: 0.426). SSRF group also had a lower incidence of tracheostomy than the non-operative group (SSRF: 0% vs. non-surgical: 1.8%, p-value: 0.337). Conclusion: Operative fixation of a rib fracture in trauma patients resulted in a lower incidence of pneumonia, fewer days of mechanical ventilation, and a shorter hospital stay compared to non-operative treatment group.

Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis: Lipectomy for Madelung Collar.

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a rare disease associated with metabolic disorders and alcoholism. In this report, we describe the clinical outcome and surgical protocol for eight men with Madelung collar who underwent treatment in a craniofacial and plastic surgery facility in Hanoi, Vietnam, between May 2018 and December 2020. We discuss the patients' clinical symptoms, subclinical signs, epidemiology, magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, surgical protocol, complications, and postoperative indicators that we collected and evaluated. Each patient underwent surgery in two stages (i.e., in supine and prone positions). We injected a tumescent solution 10 min before the incision. Two surgeons performed each operation simultaneously. After surgery, we followed the patients for 6-27 months. All of the patients had a history of long-time alcohol abuse and had associated comorbidities that included liver disease, blood disorders, restricted neck movement, and orthopnea. We did not have to open the trachea or transfuse blood during any of the surgical procedures. Postoperatively, all patients were satisfied with their functional results and aesthetic appearance. One patient experienced a recurrence of his MSL. We believe our surgical protocol provides optimal results for patients with MSL and Madelung collar.

Cancer cells produce liver metastasis via gap formation in sinusoidal endothelial cells through proinflammatory paracrine mechanisms.

Intracellular gap (iGap) formation in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) is caused by the destruction of fenestrae and appears under pathological conditions; nevertheless, their role in metastasis of cancer cells to the liver remained unexplored. We elucidated that hepatotoxin-damaged and fibrotic livers gave rise to LSECs-iGap formation, which was positively correlated with increased numbers of metastatic liver foci after intrasplenic injection of Hepa1-6 cells. Hepa1-6 cells induced interleukin-23-dependent tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion by LSECs and triggered LSECs-iGap formation, toward which their processes protruded to transmigrate into the liver parenchyma. TNF-α triggered depolymerization of F-actin and induced matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), intracellular adhesion molecule 1, and CXCL expression in LSECs. Blocking MMP9 activity by doxycycline or an MMP2/9 inhibitor eliminated LSECs-iGap formation and attenuated liver metastasis of Hepa1-6 cells. Overall, this study revealed that cancer cells induced LSEC-iGap formation via proinflammatory paracrine mechanisms and proposed MMP9 as a favorable target for blocking cancer cell metastasis to the liver.

Massive lung necrosis due to microwave ablation in an octogenarian required urgent lobectomy.

We present a rare complication of microwave ablation (MWA) in a male patient in his 80s. His massive pulmonary necrosis and tension pneumothorax required urgent surgery. However, the damage to the lung tissue was too large, deep and fragile. We failed to suture or conduct wedge resection on the lung lesion, so, left upper lobectomy was necessary. Therefore, we suggest that it is probably possible to reduce the frequency and time threshold when performing MWA for the elderly with comorbidities.

Soluble Immune Checkpoint Protein CD27 Is a Novel Prognostic Biomarker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Hepatitis C Virus-Sustained Virological Response Patients.

Factors affecting the probability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development even after sustained virological response (SVR) following anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy remain unelucidated. This study characterized the role of 16 soluble (s) immune checkpoint proteins in 168 HCV-SVR patients, with 47 developing HCC at the study end point. At baseline, high concentrations of 10 immune checkpoint proteins were found in the sera of the HCC group. At the study end point, levels of sCD27, sCD28, sCD40, and sCD86 in the HCC group, which were depleted following SVR, returned to higher levels than those in the non-HCC group. More importantly, patients with baseline levels of sCD27 ≥ 4104 pg/mL, sCD28 ≥ 1530 pg/mL, and sCD40 ≥ 688 pg/mL predicted a significantly greater HCC cumulative rate. Although sCD27 was elevated in patient sera, its membrane-bound form, mCD27, accumulated in the tumor and peritumor area, mainly localized in T cells. Interestingly, T-cell activation time dependently induced sCD27. Furthermore, CD70, the ligand of CD27, was robustly expressed in HCC area in which CD70 promoter methylation analysis indicated the hypomethylation compared with the nontumor pairs. Recombinant human CD27 treatment induced the proliferation of CD70-bearing HepG2 cells via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, but not NF-κB or p38 pathway. In conclusion, these data indicate that baseline sCD27, sCD28, and sCD40 levels could be used as HCC prognostic markers in HCV-SVR patients. sCD27 likely promotes HepG2 cell growth via the CD27-CD70 axis.

A giant adenomatoid odontogenic tumor of the mandible: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: An adenomatoid odontogenic tumor is a rare medical condition. Large tumor (or several) often appears in the maxillae. In a minority of cases, the tumor(s) appear in the mandible. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on a case of a 24-year-old female diagnosed with a mandibular adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, a giant tumor measuring approximately 22 × 25 × 17 cm. The tumor was located on the side of the mandible, causing facial deformity, malnutrition, and hemorrhaging. We assessed the patient's overall condition, carried out a resection of the tumor and mandible from the right condyle to the left mandibular angle, and reconstructed the mandibular defect with a fibula free flap. After the treatment, the patient was followed up for 1 year, with no recurrence detected over this period. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Because adenomatoid odontogenic tumors are benign odontogenic lesions, which are painless and slow-growing, most are surgically removed or treated conservatively. However, the above treatment measures cannot be applied in the case of a giant tumor that causes facial deformity, destroys the entire jawbone, and has complications such as hemorrhaging and malnutrition. After the tumor resection, the defect is still significant. Accordingly, reconstruction using a microsurgical bone flap is an effective method instead. CONCLUSION: Large adenomatoid odontogenic tumors in the mandible are rare, and treatment cannot follow conventional methods. Accordingly, defect reconstruction after tumor resection is essential.

An anatomic study of the perforators from the peroneal artery. A new method to locate the cutaneous perforator.

Background: The goal of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the perforators from the peroneal artery in Vietnamese patients. Methods: 30 cadaver's legs were dissected and investigated for the distribution, course, origin, number and types of perforators of the peroneal artery. The locations of the exit points on the skin of perforators were marked in relation to reference points and segments. Results: The total number of cutaneous perforating branches of the peroneal artery from 30 specimens was 149, which included 63 (42.2%) musculocutaneous perforators and 86 (57.8%) septocutaneous perforators. In most cases, the perforator branches were located in the range from 4 to 7 of the total fibula length (69.8%). The average number of perforating vessels in a leg was 4.9, ranging from 1 to 8 vessels. All the perforators were positioned behind the posterior border of the peroneal bone. In all the dissected samples presented, there was always one cutaneous perforator within a distance of 18 mm from the F point, which is the junction between the 6/10 and 7/10 segments at the posterior border of the fibular bone. Conclusion: The abundance of cutaneous perforators in Vietnamese patients can be used to plan various combined skin and bone flaps. A cutaneous perforator was consistently found near the F point, and this factor can be used in the planning of a bone flap with accompanying skin for monitoring survival of the underlying fibular bone flap.

Ceramide Kinase Inhibition Drives Ferroptosis and Sensitivity to Cisplatin in Mutant KRAS Lung Cancer by Dysregulating VDAC-Mediated Mitochondria Function.

Ceramide kinase (CERK) is the mammalian lipid kinase from which the bioactive sphingolipid, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), is derived. CERK has been implicated in several promalignant phenotypes with little known as to mechanistic underpinnings. In this study, the mechanism of how CERK inhibition decreases cell survival in mutant (Mut) KRAS non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a major lung cancer subtype, was revealed. Specifically, NSCLC cells possessing a KRAS mutation were more responsive to inhibition, downregulation, and genetic ablation of CERK compared with those with wild-type (WT) KRAS regarding a reduction in cell survival. Inhibition of CERK induced ferroptosis in Mut KRAS NSCLC cells, which required elevating VDAC-regulated mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) and the generation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Importantly, through modulation of VDAC, CERK inhibition synergized with the first-line NSCLC treatment, cisplatin, in reducing cell survival and in vivo tumor growth. Further mechanistic studies indicated that CERK inhibition affected MMP and cell survival by limiting AKT activation and translocation to mitochondria, and thus, blocking VDAC phosphorylation and tubulin recruitment. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings depict how CERK inhibition may serve as a new key point in combination therapeutic strategy for NSCLC, specifically precision therapeutics targeting NSCLC possessing a KRAS mutation.

Cytoglobin attenuates pancreatic cancer growth via scavenging reactive oxygen species.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly challenging malignancy with extremely poor prognosis. Cytoglobin (CYGB), a hemeprotein involved in liver fibrosis and cancer development, is expressed in pericytes of all organs. Here, we examined the role of CYGB in the development of pancreatic cancer. CYGB expression appeared predominately in the area surrounding adenocarcinoma and negatively correlated with tumor size in patients with pancreatic cancer. Directly injecting 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene into the pancreatic tail in wild-type mice resulted in time-dependent induction of severe pancreatitis, fibrosis, and oxidative damage, which was rescued by Cygb overexpression in transgenic mice. Pancreatic cancer incidence was 93% in wild-type mice but only 55% in transgenic mice. Enhanced CYGB expression in human pancreatic stellate cells in vitro reduced cellular collagen synthesis, inhibited cell activation, increased expression of antioxidant-related genes, and increased CYGB secretion into the medium. Cygb-overexpressing or recombinant human CYGB (rhCYGB) -treated MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells exhibited dose-dependent cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, diminished cell migration, and reduction in colony formation. RNA sequencing in rhCYGB-treated MIA PaCa-2 cells revealed downregulation of cell cycle and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. An increase in MIA PaCa-2 cell proliferation and reactive oxygen species production by H2O2 challenge was blocked by rhCYGB treatment or Cygb overexpression. PANC-1, OCUP-A2, and BxPC-3 cancer cells showed similar responses to rhCYGB. Known antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine and glutathione also inhibited cancer cell growth. These results demonstrate that CYGB suppresses pancreatic stellate cell activation, pancreatic fibrosis, and tumor growth, suggesting its potential therapeutic application against pancreatic cancer.

A case report of primary pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma.

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is a rare tumor that mimics pulmonary embolism. Patients may present with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and weight loss. The diagnosis is challenging. Herein, we report a case of 29-year-old female patient who had presented with dyspnea, fatigue for 2 weeks. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography scan suggests pulmonary embolism. We decided to perform surgical embolectomy. The histopathological results, however demonstrated primary pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma. The patient died 1-month post-surgery because of respiratory and circulatory failure.