Ti2C3 MXene-based nanocomposite as an intelligent nanoplatform for efficient mild hyperthermia treatment.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted much attention due to its less invasive, controllable and highly effective nature. However, PTT also suffers from intrinsic cancer resistance mediated by cell survival pathways. These survival pathways are regulated by a variety of proteins, among which heat shock protein (HSP) triggers thermotolerance and protects tumor cells from hyperthermia-induced apoptosis. Confronted by this challenge, we propose and validate here a novel MXene-based HSP-inhibited mild photothermal platform, which significantly enhances the sensitivity of tumor cells to heat-induced stress and thus improves the PPT efficacy. The Ti3C2@Qu nanocomposites are constructed by utilizing the high photothermal conversion ability of Ti3C2 nanosheets in combination with quercetin (Qu) as an inhibitor of HSP70. Qu molecules are loaded onto the nanoplatform in a pH-sensitive controlled release manner. The acidic environment of the tumor causes the burst-release of Qu molecules, which deplete the level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in tumor cells and leave the tumor cells out from the protection of the heat-resistant survival pathway in advance, thus sensitizing the hyperthermia efficacy. The nanostructure, photothermal properties, pH-responsive controlled release, synergistic photothermal ablation of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, and hyperthermia effect on subcellular structures of the Ti3C2@Qu nanocomposites were systematically investigated.

MSCT study for adult esophageal diverticulum with secondary broncho-esophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) secondary to esophageal diverticulum is a rare clinical condition, which is often misdiagnosed for a long time. The aim of our study is to summarize and clarify the advantages of MSCT in diagnosing BEF secondary to esophageal diverticulum. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients clinically diagnosed with BEF from January 2005 to January 2022 at Jilin University First Hospital. Only those patients with BEF secondary to esophageal diverticulum and complete clinical data met our enrolled standard. All patients' clinicopathologic characteristics and MSCT features were systemically evaluated. RESULTS: 17 patients were eligible for our cohort study, including male 10 and female 7. The patient's mean age was 42.3 ± 12.5. The chronic cough occurred in all seventeen patients and bucking following oral fluid intake was documented in nine patients. MSCT distinctly suggested the fistulous tract between the bronchi and the esophagus in all patients. The mean diameter of the orifices in the wall of the esophagus was 4.40 ± 1.81 mm. The orifice in the midthoracic esophagus side was 15 cases and 2 cases at the lower thoracic esophagus. The involved bronchus included 13 cases at the right lower lobe bronchus, 1 at the right middle lobe bronchus and 3 at the left lower lobe bronchus. The contrast agent was observed in the pulmonary parenchyma in 10 of 13 patients who underwent esophagogram. No definite fistula was observed in 3 of 11 who underwent gastroscopy, while the intra-operative findings supported the existence of fistula. CONCLUSIONS: BEF secondary to esophageal diverticulum tends to occur between the midthoracic esophagus and the right lower lobe bronchus. Compared with esophagography and gastroscopy, MSCT shows more comprehensive information about the fistulous shape, size, course and lung involvement, which are helpful for establishing diagnosis and guiding subsequent treatment.

Recurrent aortic-arch pseudoaneurysm eroding into the left main bronchus following descending thoracic aortic stent repair.

BACKGROUND: Behcet's disease is a form of systematic vasculitis that affects vessels of various sizes anywhere in the body. Aortic pseudoaneurysm is the most hazardous lesion in Behcet's disease and is associated with high mortality rate once rupture. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we presented a patient with a known history of Behcet's disease, whose recurrent aortic-arch pseudoaneurysm eroding into the left main bronchus was identified after a 4-year duration of thoracic endovascular aortic repair for thoracic descending aortic pseudoaneurysm ruptured into the left lung. Repeated thoracic endovascular aortic repair combined with the chimney stent effectively controlled massive hemoptysis under the life-threatening circumstance, and the patient was in good condition at the 7-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair can be used as an effective and problem-solving treatment approach for thoracic aortic aneurysms eroded into the lung, even recurrent pseudoaneurysm after thoracic endovascular aortic repair in BD patients. Among the imaging methods assessing the technical success, outcome and complications, computed tomography angiography offers a fast, accessible and sensitive imaging modality.

Hemothorax caused by costal exostosis injuring diaphragm: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Osteochondromas, also known as exostoses, are the most common benign tumors of bone and can be classified into isolated and multiple osteochondromas. A great majority of osteochondromas is asymptomatic, painless, slow-growing mass, and incidentally found. However, osteochondromas occurring in adolescence or in adult patients can grow in size and become symptomatic as a result of mechanical irritation of the surrounding soft tissues or peripheral nerves, spinal cord compression, or vascular injury. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 13-year-old girl with spontaneous hemothorax, the cause of which was identified by limited thoracotomy with the aid of video-assisted thoracic surgery to be bleeding from a diaphragmatic laceration incurred by a costal exostosis on the left sixth rib. Preoperative chest computed tomography (CT) depicted a bony projection arising from the rib and bloody effusion in the intrathoracic cavity, but was unable to discern the bleeding cause from the lung or the diaphragm. This case will highlight our awareness that costal exostosis possibly results in bloody pleural effusion. Meanwhile, English literatures about solitary costal exostosis associated with hemothorax were searched in PubMed and nineteen case reports were obtained. Combined our present case with available literature, a comprehensive understanding of this rare disease entity will further be strengthened. CONCLUSIONS: Injury to the diaphragm is the primary cause of hemothorax caused by costal osteochondroma, including the present case. Thoracic CT scan can help establish a diagnosis of preoperative diagnosis of costal osteochondroma. Surgical intervention should be considered for those patients with symptomatic osteochondroma of the rib. Combined with our case and literature, prophylactic surgical removal of intrathoracic exostosis should be advocated even in asymptomatic patients with the presentation of an inward bony spiculation.

Intramural hematoma of colon: Case report of 2 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Colonic intramural hematomas are rarely encountered clinical entity. Colonic intramural hematomas are frequently associated with blunt trauma, and they could occur spontaneously in patients under anticoagulant therapy or with bleeding diathesis. There were few reports on synchronous colon cancer and intramural hematoma. Intramural hematomas of gastrointestinal tract in those patients undergoing anticoagulation treatment often occurred at the esophagus, duodenum, and small intestine, while colon was rarely affected site. Clinical symptoms of colonic intramural hematomas may include abdominal pain, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and occasionally bowel obstruction. PATIENT CONCERNS: We herein report 2 cases of colonic intramural hematomas. Case 1 presented with abdominal pain and decreased defecation. Colonoscopy and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed intramural hematoma proximal to the neoplasm at ascending colon. Case 2 was a patient under regular anticoagulation therapy after coronary arterial stent implantation. His chief complaints were intermittent abdominal pain and distension. Colonoscopy and contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated intramural hematoma at sigmoid colon. DIAGNOSIS: Case 1 was diagnosed synchronous colonic intramural hematoma and colon cancer at ascending colon via surgery. Case 2 was diagnosed intramural hematoma of sigmoid colon through colonoscopy and follow-up CT. INTERVENTIONS: Case 1 underwent right hemicolectomy. Case 2 received conservative treatment including anticoagulation discontinuation, total parenteral nutrition, and intravenous hydration. OUTCOMES: They both had a good recovery. CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy and CT are useful in diagnosing colonic intramural hematoma. The optimal treatment should be individualized according to different etiologies causing hematoma.

Left lung cancer in a patient with congenital unilateral absence of the left pulmonary artery: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Unilateral absence of pulmonary artery (UAPA) is a rare congenital disease of pulmonary circulation, which is often accompanied by other cardiovascular anomalies. Infrequently, it may remain undiagnosed until adulthood. More rarely, it is to be found with lung cancer in the ipsilateral or contralateral lung simultaneously. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old man with complaints of intermittent left chest pain for 2 months was referred to our hospital. Chest computed tomography(CT) revealed a cavitary lesion measuring 5.5 cm × 5.7 cm in the superior segment of the left lower lobe. Absence of left pulmonary artery and right-sided aortic arch were found on chest computed tomography angiography (CTA). The tumor was successfully removed via left pneumonectomy, and postoperative histopathology showed that the tumor was a squamous cell carcinoma (T2bN1). At a postoperative 24-month follow-up, the patient was free of disease and no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Based on literature review, this is the ninth case of lung cancer in UAPA patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer and UAPA occurred ipsilaterally in 66.7% of these cases (6/9), including the present case. For those patients who occurred contralaterally, surgical treatment may be more challenging. CT and CTA could provide an accurate diagnosis for this disease entity. Identification and recognition of this rare and special disease entity may facilitate timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

A novel radiomic nomogram for predicting epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in peripheral lung adenocarcinoma.

To predict the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in patients with lung adenocarcinoma using quantitative radiomic biomarkers and semantic features. We analyzed the computed tomography (CT) images and medical record data of 104 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical excision and EGFR mutation detection from 2016 to 2018 at our center. CT radiomic and semantic features that reflect the tumors' heterogeneity and phenotype were extracted from preoperative non-enhanced CT scans. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method was applied to select the most distinguishable features. Three logistic regression models were built to predict the EGFR mutation status by combining the CT semantic with clinicopathological characteristics, using the radiomic features alone, and by combining the radiomic and clinicopathological features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed using five-fold cross-validation and the mean area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated and compared between the models to obtain the optimal model for predicting EGFR mutation. Furthermore, radiomic nomograms were constructed to demonstrate the performance of the model. In total, 1025 radiomic features were extracted and reduced to 13 features as the most important predictors to build the radiomic signature. The combined radiomic and clinicopathological features model was developed based on the radiomic signature, sex, smoking, vascular infiltration, and pathohistological type. The AUC was 0.90 ± 0.02 for the training, 0.88 ± 0.11 for the verification, and 0.894 for the test dataset. This model was superior to the other prediction models that used the combined CT semantic and clinicopathological features (AUC for the test dataset: 0.768) and radiomic features alone (AUC for the test dataset: 0.837). The prediction model built by radiomic biomarkers and clinicopathological features, including the radiomic signature, sex, smoking, vascular infiltration, and pathological type, outperformed the other two models and could effectively predict the EGFR mutation status in patients with peripheral lung adenocarcinoma. The radiomic nomogram of this model is expected to become an effective biomarker for patients with lung adenocarcinoma requiring adjuvant targeted treatment.

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm protruding into the mitral anterior leaflet causing dyspnea: A CARE-compliant case report.

INTRODUCTION: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) protruding into the mitral anterior leaflet is an extremely rare clinical condition; herein, we present a case of unruptured noncoronary SVA protruding into the mitral anterior leaflet. PATIENT'S CONCERNS: A 46-year-old male was referred to hospital for exertional dyspnea. DIAGNOSIS: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) suggested a noncoronary SVA protruding into the mitral anterior leaflet, causing mitral regurgitation and aortic insufficiency. INTERVENTIONS: The aneurysm was resected and the aortic and mitral valves were replaced with mechanical valves via a transaortic approach. OUTCOMES: Postoperative recovery was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: A rare noncoronary SVA protruding into the mitral anterior leaflet can be diagnosed via TTE and CTA. Transaortic mitral surgery is feasible in patients with a dilated aortic annulus ring and mitral valve diseases.

Huge thrombus in the ascending aorta: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: A floating thrombus in the ascending aorta is occasionally found in clinical practice. The treatment for such lesions is poorly defined and mainly depends on the clinical experience of the surgeons. CASE PRESENTATION: We herein report a case involving a 22- × 22- × 45-mm space-occupying lesion in the ascending aorta. The patient was successfully treated with surgical intervention. Thrombectomy and ascending aorta replacement were performed to prevent systemic embolization. Histopathological examination revealed that the lesion was a thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic computed tomography angiography is a useful examination technique for patients with aortic thrombi. Resection of the thrombus can effectively reduce the risk of recurrent embolism.

Superior mesenteric artery branch pseudoaneurysm rupture mimicking acute pancreatitis in a patient with acute type B aortic dissection: A case report.

RATIONALE: Visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms are rare but important vascular entities because of their inclination to cause life-threatening hemorrhage. They were commonly reported to be associated with trauma, infection, inflammatory disease, or occurred as postoperative complication. To date, there has been no published report of a superior mesenteric artery (SMA) branch pseudoaneurysm rupture mimicking acute pancreatitis in a patient with acute type B aortic dissection. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient's medical history, clinical information, imaging findings including follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA), and treatment are reported. A 51-year-old male presenting with epigastric pain and fever was found to have an enlarged pancreatic head and obscure fatty space around it on abdominal nonenhanced CT. He has medical history of anaphylactoid purpura and uncontrolled hypertension. His serum lipase and amylase were both within normal limits. Thoracoabdominal CTA following a sudden blood pressure drop attributed to the accurate diagnosis. DIAGNOSES: He was diagnosed with acute type B aortic dissection involving SMA and retroperitoneal hemorrhage secondary to SMA branch pseudoaneurysm rupture. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was successfully treated by thoracic endovascular aortic repair without additional branch intervention. OUTCOMES: Follow-up CTA at 3 months later demonstrated that the endoprothesis is well positioned with no endoleaks, and SMA branch pseudoaneurysm disappeared. LESSONS: We report a rare and complicated case presenting with SMA branch pseudoaneurysm rupture and acute type B aortic dissection. CTA is vital in the diagnosis of such vessel pathology. We must inspect carefully to ensure that no small lesions are missed.

The role of plasma D-dimer levels for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated plasma D-dimer levels have been suggested as a predictor of poor prognosis in NSCLC. But rare study showed the relationship between D-dimer levels and lymph node involvement. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of plasma D-dimer levels in predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in NSCLC. METHODS: Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were quantified in 253 NSCLC patients that underwent radical lung resection with systemic lymph node dissection. Patients were classified as lymph node negative (N0) versus lymph node positive (N1 + N2) and mediastinal lymph node negative (N0 + N1) versus mediastinal lymph node positive (N2). RESULTS: Median plasma D-dimer level was significantly lower in Group N0 (94.0 µg/L) compared to Group N1 + N2 (177.0 µg/L) and in Group N0 + N1 (122.0 µg/L) compared to Group N2 (198.0 µg/L). Similar results were found in patients stratified by age, sex, smoking status and histological type, expect in patients with squamous carcinoma. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for plasma D-dimer levels of N0 versus N1 + N2 showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.757 and when a cutoff value was 124.0 µg/L DDU, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.80 and 0.68. The ROC curve for plasma D-dimer levels of N0 + N1 versus N2 showed an AUC of 0.720 and when a cutoff value was 147.0 µg/L DDU, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.75 and 0.67. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma D-dimer level has utility for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node status in patients with operable NSCLC.