[Clinical characteristics and prognosis analysis of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) in order to improve clinicians' understanding of this disease. Methods: The clinical data of patients diagnosed with PSC in our hospital from January 1, 2015 to November 30, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether radical resection was performed, the patients were divided into resectable group and unresectable group. The characteristics and treatments of PSC in different groups were compared. The survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier method to compare the prognosis of different groups of patients. Results: A total of 43 PSC patients were included, including 32 males, with an average age of (62.79±9.59) years, and 31 smokers. Peripheral-type tumors were more common, with imaging showing predominantly solid soft tissue masses, and the maximum diameter of the tumor was more than 5 cm in 14 patients. Among the 23 patients who underwent NGS gene testing, the KRAS mutation rate was 43.5%, the TP53 mutation rate was 30.4%, and the MET mutation rate was 8.7%, all of which were MET-14 exon skipping mutations. PD-L1 expression was detected in 13 patients, 10 of whom showed high expression. The median overall survival (mOS) of the 43 patients with PSC was 24.6 months (13.0-52.7 months). Among them, 22 patients underwent radical lobectomy plus mediastinal lymph node dissection, 13 patients had postoperative recurrence, and 7 patients died during follow-up. The median disease-free survival (mDFS) was 12.3 months, the mOS was not achieved and the 1-year OS rate was 77.3 %. Twenty-one patients had unresectable locally advanced or advanced stage, and 15 patients died. The mDFS was 2.5 months, the mOS was 6.2 months, and the 1-year OS rate was 42.9 %. Seventeen patients received immunotherapy, and 1 patient received targeted therapy with the MET inhibitor glumetinib. Conclusions: PSC has a higher incidence in the elderly, smokers, and males, is highly malignant and has a poor prognosis. Based on its molecular biological characteristics, PD-L1 expression and tumor molecular detection can be performed to guide treatment options.

[Clinical efficacy of modified Yokoyama procedure with extraocular muscle transposition for high myopic eyes with restrictive esotropia].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of the modified Yokoyama procedure with extraocular muscle transposition for high myopic eyes with restrictive esotropia. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients who underwent the modified Yokoyama procedure with extraocular muscle transposition for high myopic eyes with restrictive esotropia at Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from February 2017 to February 2022. During the procedure, the superior rectus and lateral rectus muscles were fully separated. A longitudinal blunt incision was made in the central muscle belly extending posteriorly to 12-14 mm from the muscle insertion. The temporal half of the superior rectus muscle and the upper half of the lateral rectus muscle belly were transposed and secured to the contralateral muscle insertion. Simultaneously, medial rectus muscle recession was performed. Follow-up visits were conducted at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Patients' ocular alignment, eye movements, improvement in compensatory head posture, objective degrees of strabismus using synoptophore, changes in extraocular muscles and globe position on orbital CT scan were recorded. Surgical complications were also documented. Results: Five patients (8 eyes) were included in this study, including 4 females (7 eyes) and 1 male (1 eye), with an average age of (63±11) years and an average axial length of (34.58±2.25) mm. The medial rectus muscle recession during surgery was (7.6±2.3) mm. Preoperatively, all patients had esotropia with a horizontal range of+15°to+45° and a vertical range of+15°to+45°. Significant limitations in lateral and upward gaze were observed, with a degree of restriction ranging from-3 (-4 to-1). Three patients with bilateral involvement and one patient with unilateral involvement exhibited significant compensatory head postures. One patient with unilateral involvement had no compensatory head posture. Preoperative orbital CT scans indicated nasal displacement of the superior rectus muscle and inferior displacement of the lateral rectus muscle, with the eyeball herniating from the muscle cone. At the 6-month follow-up, all patients achieved nearly orthophoric alignment. Objective degrees of horizontal strabismus ranged from-4°to+7°, and vertical strabismus ranged from 0°to +6°, as determined by synoptophore examination. Eye movements significantly improved, with a degree of restriction of-1 (-2 to-1) for lateral gaze and-2 (-3 to-1) for upward gaze. Compensatory head postures disappeared, and orbital CT scans indicated the eyeball was located within the muscle cone. There were no severe complications such as anterior segment ischemia, muscle adhesions, disease recurrence, secondary glaucoma, or globe penetration. Conclusion: The preliminary clinical outcomes of the modified Yokoyama procedure with extraocular muscle transposition for high myopic eyes with restrictive esotropia are promising.

[Similarities and differences of myocardial metabolic characteristics between HFpEF and HFrEF mice based on LC-MS/MS metabolomics].

Objective: To reveal the similarities and differences in myocardial metabolic characteristics between heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) mice using metabolomics. Methods: The experimental mice were divided into 4 groups, including control, HFpEF, sham and HFrEF groups (10 mice in each group). High fat diet and Nω-nitroarginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) were applied to construct a"two-hit"HFpEF mouse model. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery was used to construct the HFrEF mouse model. The differential expression of metabolites in the myocardium of HFpEF and HFrEF mice was detected by untargeted metabolomics (UHPLC-QE-MS). Variable importance in projection>1 and P<0.05 were used as criteria to screen and classify the differentially expressed metabolites between the mice models. KEGG functional enrichment and pathway impact analysis demonstrated significantly altered metabolic pathways in both HFpEF and HFrEF mice. Results: One hundred and nine differentially expressed metabolites were detected in HFpEF mice, and 270 differentially expressed metabolites were detected in HFrEF mice. Compared with the control group, the most significantly changed metabolite in HFpEF mice was glycerophospholipids, while HFrEF mice presented with the largest proportion of carboxylic acids and their derivatives. KEGG enrichment and pathway impact analysis showed that the differentially expressed metabolites in HFpEF mice were mainly enriched in pathways such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, ether lipid metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism. The differentially expressed metabolites in HFrEF mice were mainly enriched in arginine and proline metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism, etc. Conclusions: HFpEF mice have a significantly different myocardial metabolite expression profile compared with HFrEF mice. In addition, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism are significantly altered in both HFpEF and HFrEF mice, suggesting that these metabolic pathways may play an important role in disease progression in both types of heart failure.

[Feasibility and safety of the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of 157 colorectal cancer patients undergoing the medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure at Gastrointestinal Surgical Department of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from July 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 157 cases, 17 were transverse colon cancer, 94 were descending colon cancer, 25 were sigmoid cancer and 21 were rectal cancer; 89 were male and 68 were female; mean age was (61.8±10.3) years and mean body mass index was (23.2±3.7) kg/m(2). The medial approach "four-step method" in the laparoscopic mobilization of splenic flexure was performed as follows: (1) The root vessels were treated with the "provocation" technique to expand the Toldt's gap. This expansion was extended from the lateral side to the peritoneum reflex of left colonic sulcus, from the caudal side to the posterior rectal space, and from the cephalad side to the lower edge of pancreas. (2) The left colonic sulcus was mobilized, converging with the posterior Toldt's gap. Mobilization was carried out from cephalad side to descending colon flexure, freeing and cutting phrenicocolic ligament and splenocolic ligament, and from caudal side to peritoneal reflex. (3) Gastrocolic ligament was moblized. Whether to enter the great curvature of stomach omentum arch when the gastrocolic ligament was cut, that was, whether to clean the fourth group of lymph nodes, should be according to the tumor site and whether serosal layer was invaded. (4) Transverse mesocolon was moblized and transected at the lower edge of the pancreatic surface, merging with the posterior Toldt's gap, and from lateral side to lower edge of the pancreatic body, merging with the lateral left paracolonic sulcus. Safety and short-term clinical efficacy of this surgical procedure was summarized. Results: All the patients completed this procedure. During operation, 3 cases were complicated with organ injury, including 1 case of colon injury, 1 case of spleen injury and 1 case of pancreas injury. No operative death and conversion to open surgery was found. The average operation time was (147.5±35.1) minutes, the average intra-operative blood loss was (40.8±32.7) ml and the average number of harvested lymph node was (16.1±5.8), including (4.0±2.3) of positive lymph nodes. The first exhaust time after surgery was (41.3±20.6) hours, the fluid intake time was (1.5±1.3) days, the postoperative hospital stay was (5.2±2.3) days. Eight (5.1%) cases developed postoperative complications, and all were improved and discharged after conservative treatments. According to the TNM classification system, postoperative pathology revealed that 31 patients were stage I, 51 were stage II, 53 were stage III, 22 were stage IV. Conclusion: The medial approach "four-step method" is safe and feasible, which can effectively decrease the operation difficulty of the laparoscopic mobilization of the splenic flexure.

Biological function of microRNA-30c/SOX9 in pediatric osteosarcoma cell growth and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteosarcoma is one of the commonest malignant bone tumors, which frequently occurs in children all over the world. To find out methods to improve the therapeutic effect of osteosarcoma, it is necessary to detect the functioning mechanism of miR-30c to regulate the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cell. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to reveal the expression level of miR-30c, quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method was chosen. To evaluate cell viability and proliferation rates, colony formation and cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay were introduced. Based on cell migration and invasion assay, metastasis capacity of breast cancer cells was studied. Protein levels were measured by Western blotting assay and cell cycle distribution was identified by flow cytometry. Bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase assay were used to predict and verify the target gene. RESULTS: Compared with pericarcinomatous tissues (n=38), miR-30c in osteosarcoma tissues was significantly suppressed. Overexpressed miR-30c could weaken osteosarcoma cell's abilities of viability, proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, it could also encourage osteosarcoma cell apoptosis and block cell cycle at G0/G1 phase. According to bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter assay, SOX9 was recognized as the target gene of miR-30c. Restoration of SOX9 could make miR-30c regain the ability of suppression on tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-30c could play an important role in tumor suppression for pediatric osteosarcoma development and metastasis by targeting SOX9 in vitro. Thus, a creative and potential target was provided for diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.

Prognostic factor from MR spectroscopy in rat with astrocytic tumour during radiation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the tumour volume and metabolic rates of astrocytic tumours using MR spectroscopy (MRS) during radiation therapy (RT). METHODS: 12 healthy male Sprague-Dawley® rats (Sprague-Dawley Animal Company, Madison, WI) were used, and a tumour model was created through injecting C6 tumour cells into the right caudate nuclei of the rats. Tumours grew for 18 days after the injection and before the imaging study and radiation treatment. MRS was performed with two-dimensional multivoxel point-resolved spectroscopy sequence using a GE Signa VH/i 3.0-T MR scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) equipped with rat-special coil. RT was given on the 19th day with a dose of 4 Gy in one single fraction. The image examinations were performed before RT, and on the 4th, 10th, 14th and 20th days after treatment, respectively. GE FuncTool software package (GE Healthcare) was used for post-processing of spectrum. RESULTS: Metabolic ratios of serial MRS decrease progressively with time after RT. Choline-containing components (Cho)/creatine and creatine phosphate (Cr) ratios immediately prior to RT differed significantly from those on the 10th, 14th and 20th days after RT; both Cho/N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) ratios and NAA/Cr ratios immediately prior to RT differed significantly from those on the 14th and 20th days after RT. A positive correlation between changes of tumour volume and changes of Cho/Cr, lipid and lactate/Cr and glutamate plus glutamine/Cr ratio was observed on the 4th day after RT. CONCLUSION: MRS provides potential in monitoring tumour response during RT, and the imaging biomarkers predict the response of astrocytic tumours to treatment. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: MRS is combined with both tumour size and Ki-67 labelling index to access tumour response to radiation.

The role of the vagal pathway and gastric dopamine in the gastroparesis of rats after a 6-hydroxydopamine microinjection in the substantia nigra.

AIM: Gastroparesis is a common non-motor system symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism responsible for the gastric motor abnormality is not clear. We previously reported on the impaired gastric motility in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rats, which were treated with a bilateral microinjection of 6-OHDA in the substantia nigra (SN). We hypothesize that the enhanced dopamine system and reduced acetylcholine (Ach) in gastric tissues might contribute to the delayed gastric emptying observed in PD. METHODS: A strain gauge force transducer, digital X-ray imaging system, Western blot, immunofluorescence and Radio Immunoassay were used in this study. RESULTS: Dopaminergic neurones in the SN were greatly reduced following the bilateral microinjection of 6-OHDA. 6-OHDA rats exhibited impaired gastric motility and delayed gastric emptying, accompanied by increased dopamine content and the overexpression of D2 receptors in the stomach. The administration of the D2 receptor antagonist domperidone relieved gastric dysmotility in 6-OHDA rats, but the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 failed to do so. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy prevented the increase in the gastric dopamine content and D2 receptor expression and improved gastric dysmotility in 6-OHDA rats. CONCLUSION: Dopaminergic deficiency in the SN results in impaired gastric motility, possibly as a result of the enhanced activity of dopamine system and reduced Ach in gastric tissue. The vagus nerve plays an important role in peripheral gastric motility disorder.

Rathke's cleft cyst: clinicopathological and MRI findings in 22 patients.

AIM: To evaluate clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC) in 22 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients were imaged using non-enhanced MRI and 17 underwent an additional contrast-enhanced MRI examination. Fifteen patients received an additional non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination, and amongst these, two underwent contrast-enhanced CT. Two radiologists read the images retrospectively. The imaging data were studied with regards to location, size, margin, signal intensity, enhancement characteristics, haemorrhage, and presence of calcifications. Clinical data, such as presenting signs and symptoms, physical findings, and medical histories, were collected. Histopathological studies were performed and analysed by two pathologists. RESULTS: Nine lesions were located in the intrasellar region, 12 in both the intra- and suprasellar regions and one in the suprasellar region. The maximum diameter of the RCCs varied from 0.7 to 4 cm, with an average size of 1.7+/-0.7 cm. MRI features of RCC were divided into three groups based on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI): hypo- (n=6), iso- (n=9), and hyperintensity group (n=7). Patients in the latter two groups were statistically younger than that in the former group. The lesion size in the iso- and hyperintensity groups was significantly less than that in the hypointensity group (F=6.421, p=0.007). Only two cases showed enhancement after contrast injection in the cohort. One lesion with haemorrhage was found as were two cases with intracystic nodules. CONCLUSION: Although MRI features of RCCs are variable, RCCs should be suspected when the following conditions occur: lesions located in the intrasellar region or involving both intra and suprasellar regions, less than 1.5 cm in diameter, iso- or hyperdense on T1WI and no signal enhancement after contrast injection. In addition, the first case of a RCC with a markedly enhanced intracystic nodule is reported.

MRI findings of intracranial cystic meningiomas.

AIM: To report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of intracranial cystic meningiomas and compare these features in intra- and peritumoural cyst groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen cases of peritumoural cystic meningiomas were compared with 18 cases of intratumoural cystic meningiomas. All patients were examined using non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI. Tumour location, tumour size, signal intensity, enhancement characteristics, and cystic changes were assessed. The MRI features were compared between the intra- and peritumoural cyst groups. RESULTS: Most cystic meningiomas comprised two or more cysts. The solid parts of the tumours showed moderate or marked enhancement after the injection of contrast material. An enhanced cyst wall was found in six out of 14 cases in the peritumoural cyst group, but not in the intratumoural cyst group. Peritumoural cystic meningiomas were predominately located in the cerebral falx, whereas the intratumoural cystic meningiomas were predominantly found in frontal convexity (X(2)=7.434, p=0.024). The cysts were larger in the peritumoural cyst group than in the intratumoural cyst group (t=5.274, p=0.0258). Peritumoural oedema was more commonly found in the intratumoural cyst group (X(2)=6.863, p=0.008). Cystic meningiomas with solid parts located inside the cyst are reported for the first time. CONCLUSION: Cystic meningiomas, although uncommon, should be differentiated from other cystic intracranial lesions. Peri- and intratumoural cystic meningiomas have distinct MRI features. The present study provides the first report of two lesions with solid parts located inside the cyst, as well as one lesion with a calcified solid nodule and haemorrhage within the cyst.

Intracranial ganglioglioma: clinicopathological and MRI findings in 16 patients.

AIM: To record the clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of intracranial gangliogliomas in 16 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients were imaged using unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI. Eight patients underwent unenhanced CT and of these, three underwent contrast-enhanced CT. Two radiologists read the images retrospectively. The images were studied with regard to location, size, margin, signal intensity, enhancement characteristics, cystic changes, and presence of calcifications. Clinical data, such as presenting signs and symptoms, physical findings, and medical histories, were collected. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed and analysed by two pathologists. RESULTS: In 12 cases the tumours were located in one of the cerebral hemispheres; in the other cases they were located in the brainstem, cerebellum, suprasellar area or the thalamus. The tumour dimension varied from 1-7 cm, with a mean of 3.6 cm+/-1.8 cm. The MRI features of ganglioglioma in the present cohort can be divided into three patterns: cystic (n=2), cystic-solid (n=6), and solid (n=8). Solid lesions had a predilection for the temporal lobe; cystic and cystic-solid tumours had a wide anatomical distribution. Cystic lesions were significantly smaller than both cystic-solid and solid lesions (F=4.28, P<0.05). Cystic changes in the cystic-solid tumours showed one of the following patterns: those with walls showing contrast enhancement, those containing an enhancing nodule, or cysts without an obvious wall. The solid portion of cystic-solid gangliogliomas and the entire tumour in solid tumours showed homogeneous enhancement of variable degrees on T1-weighted (T1W) spin-echo (SE) images. Five tumours had mild or moderate oedema. In one patient two separate gangliogliomas were found, each lesion exhibiting different MRI features: solid and cystic-solid. One case of cortical ganglioglioma was found, causing bone erosion due to pressure. One tumour with chronic haemorrhage was found in the study. CONCLUSION: MRI features of gangliogliomas are non-specific. A ganglioglioma should be suspected when a tumour shows the following features: (1) a solid lesion located in the temporal lobes with mild or no oedema and homogeneous enhancement on SE T1W images; or (2) a small cystic lesion or cystic-solid mixed mass with a wall enhancement or a markedly enhanced nodule. We report a patient with two separate gangliogliomas and a case with bone erosion.

Central neurocytoma: clinical, pathological and neuroradiological findings.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical, pathological and neuroradiological features of intraventricular central neurocytoma in six patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients were imaged using non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); three of them were also examined using non-enhanced computed tomography (CT). Two radiologists read the images retrospectively. The imaging data were studied with regard to location, size, margin, signal intensity, enhancement characteristics and presence of calcifications. Clinical data (i.e. presenting signs and symptoms, physical findings and medical histories) were collected and histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed by two pathologists. RESULTS: All lesions were located in the lateral ventricles. Three tumors were confined to the left side, one to the right side and two cases involved both lateral ventricles. The growth of central neurocytoma was of close spatial relation to the septum pellucidum. On MRI, most of the cases showed a heterogeneous hypointensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images or FLAIR with a well-defined margin. The presence of cystic components, necroses and calcifications caused these internal heterogeneities. After intravenous administration of gadolinium (Gd-DTPA) all tumours showed a heterogeneous enhancement. CT provided additional information by distinguishing intratumoural calcifications in all three evaluated cases. Immunohistochemical analysis showed positive synaptophysin staining in all cases and positive neuron-specific enolase staining in four cases. In three cases a small proportion of the tumour cells could be labelled with antibodies to glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). CONCLUSION: Central neurocytoma should be considered when the following conditions occur: young patients with lesions in the lateral ventricle, which contain calcifications and show some enhancement. This is especially applicable for tumours involving both lateral ventricles with symmetrical growth around the centre of septum pellucidum or for unilateral ventricular tumors with a wide base attachment to the septum pellucidum.