Listeria myopericarditis associated with right atrial mural thrombus: a case report

Abstract Background Pericarditis is a common cardiology presentation, most often due to a viral or idiopathic cause. Listeria as a cause of pericarditis is rare. Listeria is an infection that is readily treatable with antibiotics following accurate identification. Without adequate treatment, Listeria infection has a high mortality rate. Case summary In this case, a fit and well 59-year-old man complained of headaches and fever to the emergency department (ED). He was provisionally diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and commenced on management pathways for GCA. He represented to the ED with chest pain and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes suggestive of a clinical presentation of pericarditis. He received treatment for idiopathic pericarditis with no clinical resolution. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed myopericardial inflammation associated with a right atrial mural thrombus. After 2 weeks of poor treatment response, peripheral blood cultures grew Listeria monocytogenes and the patient responded well to antibiotic treatment. Repeat cardiac MRI after an extended course of antibiotics showed resolution of MRI signs. Discussion This is a case of Listeria myopericarditis. Physicians should consider rarer causes of myopericarditis in treatment resistance cases. Cardiac MRI has utility in atypical or treatment resistant patients to assess myopericardial inflammation and response to treatment.

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Dynamic Stromal Alterations Influence Tumor-Stroma Crosstalk to Promote Pancreatic Cancer and Treatment Resistance

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13143481 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 3481

Author(s):

Kendelle J. Murphy ◽

Cecilia R. Chambers ◽

David Herrmann ◽

Paul Timpson ◽

Brooke A. Pereira

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Tumor Development ◽

Treatment Resistance ◽

Tumor Stroma ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Cell Phenotype ◽

Stromal Compartment ◽

Clinical Prognosis ◽

Functional Value

Many cancer studies now recognize that disease initiation, progression, and response to treatment are strongly influenced by the microenvironmental niche. Widespread desmoplasia, or fibrosis, is fundamental to pancreatic cancer development, growth, metastasis, and treatment resistance. This fibrotic landscape is largely regulated by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which deposit and remodel extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review will explore the prognostic and functional value of the stromal compartment in predicting outcomes and clinical prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We will also discuss the major dynamic stromal alterations that occur in the pancreatic TME during tumor development and progression, and how the stromal ECM can influence cancer cell phenotype, metabolism, and immune response from a biochemical and biomechanical viewpoint. Lastly, we will provide an outlook on the latest clinical advances in the field of anti-fibrotic co-targeting in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy in PDAC, providing insight into the current challenges in treating this highly aggressive, fibrotic malignancy.

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Magnetic resonance imaging of the cirrhotic liver: diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluation of response to treatment – Part 2

Radiologia Brasileira ◽

10.1590/0100-3984.2015.0140 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 115-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Miguel Ramalho ◽

António P. Matos ◽

Mamdoh AlObaidy ◽

Fernanda Velloni ◽

Ersan Altun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Diagnostic Algorithm ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Locoregional Therapy ◽

Liver Imaging ◽

Imaging Features ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Abstract In the second part of this review, we will describe the ancillary imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that can be seen on standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, and on novel and emerging protocols such as diffusion weighted imaging and utilization of hepatocyte-specific/hepatobiliary contrast agent. We will also describe the morphologic sub-types of HCC, and give a simplified non-invasive diagnostic algorithm for HCC, followed by a brief description of the liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS), and MRI assessment of tumor response following locoregional therapy.

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AUREOMYCIN IN THE TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL INFECTIONS WITH H. INFLUENZAE, TYPE B

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.5.2.267 ◽

1950 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 267-275

Author(s):

CAROLINE A. CHANDLER ◽

HORACE L. HODES

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Clinical Improvement ◽

Complete Recovery ◽

Spinal Fluid ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Type B ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Residual Damage ◽

Toxic Reactions

Aureomycin, in doses of 20 mg./kg. body weight, was as effective in the treatment of mice infected with H. influenzae, type B, as streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin, and more effective than polymyxin or Q-19. Two infants with H. influenzae, type B, meningitis were treated successfully with aureomycin and sulfadiazine. Spinal fluid cultures became negative and marked clinical improvement occurred within 48 hours. Both patients went on to complete recovery. Three children were treated with aureomycin alone. Although their response to treatment was not so rapid as that of the infants treated with aureomycin and sulfadiazine, rccovery was assured within four to seven days and subsequently there were no evidences of residual damage. No serious toxic reactions to aureomycin were apparent. A sixth patient, desperately ill on admission, succumbed within 36 hours in spite of adequate treatment with combined aureomycin and sulfadiazine.

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Abstract W P158: Permeability as a Biomarker of Cavernous Malformations

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.wp158 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdul Ghani Mikati ◽

Luying Li ◽

Robert Shenkar ◽

Lingjao Zhang ◽

Xiaodong Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Grey Matter ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Cavernous Malformations ◽

Familial Cases ◽

Coefficients Of Variation ◽

Mri Scans ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Over Time

Introduction: Vascular hyperpermeability in lesions and nonlesional brain is a cardinal feature of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) pathogenesis. Thus we implemented a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique in order to quantitate vascular permeability in CCMs and non-CCM brain tissue in humans. We hypothesize that permeability of lesions and background brain will differ between familial and sporadic patients and measurements will be consistent between observers and over time. Method: We used a T 1 -weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced quantitative perfusion (DCEQP) protocol in 30 patients (13 sporadic, 12 familial, and 5 non-CCM cases) in conjunction with routine MRI scans. Regions of interest (ROIs) for permeability measurement included the entire lesion and areas of 12.9 mm 2 (16 pixels) of grey and white matter near and far from the lesion. Measurements were repeated by two observers and at two time points on a subset of patients. Results: For each ROI category except white matter near lesions, the mean permeability was higher in the familial than in the sporadic patients with p-values of 0.04, 0.005, 0.05, and 0.007 for CCM lesions, grey matter near, grey matter far (GMF), and white matter far (WMF) from lesions respectively. No difference was seen between sporadic and non-CCM cases, however familial WMF had higher permeability than both those groups (p0.05) except GMF with p=0.04. The intrapatient coefficients of variation between measurements were 0.74 and 0.63 and interpatient coefficients of variation were 1.36 and 1.56 for sporadic and familial cases respectively. Lastly, it was found that 3 of 4 patients with two scans had stable background (WMF) brain permeability over time. Conclusion: Results show the higher lesional and background brain permeability of familial cases, corroborating previous findings in mice. We also demonstrate the feasibility of DCEQP in CCM disease and the potential of permeability as a biomarker of disease activity or response to treatment. It also highlights the need for further investigation into clinical factors that may impact disease activity and permeability measures.

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Adult-onset Neurological Langerhans Cell histiocytosis and Response to Treatment

Austin Journal of Clinical Neurology ◽

10.26420/austinjclinneurol.2021.1146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Al-Hader R ◽

◽

Suneja A ◽

Memon AB ◽

Mukherje A ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis ◽

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Langerhans Cell ◽

Response To Therapy ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Adult Onset ◽

Multisystem Disease ◽

Clonal Proliferation ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Mass Lesions

Introduction: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare form of cancer that mostly affects children and rarely adults. LCH involves an abnormal clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells in the bone marrow. These cells are capable of migrating from the skin to lymph nodes. Therefore, it is characterized as a multisystem disease. Neurological manifestations are not common, and often patients’ present with endocrine dysfunction with neuroimaging findings of hypothalamic and pituitary masses can mimic pituitary adenoma. Here, we discuss two instances of unusual adult-onset, primary neurological LCH in patients with a positive response to therapy-these two patients presented with mass lesion and neurodegenerative form of LCH, respectively. LCH can manifest features of mass lesions or neurodegeneration on brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Since it is rare in adults, it is crucial to identify this condition as timely treatment can have a better prognosis.

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The Potential of Computational Modeling to Predict Disease Course and Treatment Response in Patients with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9030586 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 586 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francesco Pappalardo ◽

Giulia Russo ◽

Marzio Pennisi ◽

Giuseppe Alessandro Parasiliti Palumbo ◽

Giuseppe Sgroi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Immune System ◽

Computational Modeling ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Oligoclonal Bands ◽

Host Immune System ◽

Immunological Parameters ◽

Disease Modifying Drugs ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

As of today, 20 disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and, based on their efficacy, they can be grouped into moderate-efficacy DMDs and high-efficacy DMDs. The choice of the drug mostly relies on the judgment and experience of neurologists and the evaluation of the therapeutic response can only be obtained by monitoring the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) status during follow up. In an era where therapies are focused on personalization, this study aims to develop a modeling infrastructure to predict the evolution of relapsing MS and the response to treatments. We built a computational modeling infrastructure named Universal Immune System Simulator (UISS), which can simulate the main features and dynamics of the immune system activities. We extended UISS to simulate all the underlying MS pathogenesis and its interaction with the host immune system. This simulator is a multi-scale, multi-organ, agent-based simulator with an attached module capable of simulating the dynamics of specific biological pathways at the molecular level. We simulated six MS patients with different relapsing–remitting courses. These patients were characterized based on their age, sex, presence of oligoclonal bands, therapy, and MRI lesion load at the onset. The simulator framework is made freely available and can be used following the links provided in the availability section. Even though the model can be further personalized employing immunological parameters and genetic information, we generated a few simulation scenarios for each patient based on the available data. Among these simulations, it was possible to find the scenarios that realistically matched the real clinical and MRI history. Moreover, for two patients, the simulator anticipated the timing of subsequent relapses, which occurred, suggesting that UISS may have the potential to assist MS specialists in predicting the course of the disease and the response to treatment.

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Morphological and Advanced Imaging of Epilepsy: Beyond the Basics

Children ◽

10.3390/children6030043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 43 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aikaterini Fitsiori ◽

Shivaprakash Hiremath ◽

José Boto ◽

Valentina Garibotto ◽

Maria Vargas

Keyword(s):

Functional Neuroimaging ◽

Young Patients ◽

Structural Condition ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Epilepsy Syndrome ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Pharmacoresistant Epilepsy ◽

Anti Epileptic Drug ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Neuroimaging Techniques

The etiology of epilepsy is variable and sometimes multifactorial. Clinical course and response to treatment largely depend on the precise etiology of the seizures. Along with the electroencephalogram (EEG), neuroimaging techniques, in particular, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are the most important tools for determining the possible etiology of epilepsy. Over the last few years, there have been many developments in data acquisition and analysis for both morphological and functional neuroimaging of people suffering from this condition. These innovations have increased the detection of underlying structural pathologies, which have till recently been classified as “cryptogenic” epilepsy. Cryptogenic epilepsy is often refractory to anti-epileptic drug treatment. In drug-resistant patients with structural or consistent functional lesions related to the epilepsy syndrome, surgery is the only treatment that can offer a seizure-free outcome. The pre-operative detection of the underlying structural condition increases the odds of successful surgical treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. This article provides a comprehensive overview of neuroimaging techniques in epilepsy, highlighting recent advances and innovations and summarizes frequent etiologies of epilepsy in order to improve the diagnosis and management of patients suffering from seizures, especially young patients and children.

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Minocycline augmentation in older adults with persistent depression: an open label proof of concept study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220001313 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 881-884

Author(s):

Jimmy N. Avari ◽

Dora Kanellopoulos ◽

Nili Solomonov ◽

Lauren Oberlin ◽

George S. Alexopoulos

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Antidepressant Treatment ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Substantial Improvement ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Open Label ◽

Adequate Treatment ◽

Augmentation Strategies ◽

Persistent Depression ◽

Open Pilot

ABSTRACTLess than 40% of depressed older adults treated with an antidepressant achieve remission. Incomplete response to treatment is common. Current augmentation strategies have limited efficacy, and many have side effects that restrict their utilization in older adults. We conducted the first open pilot trial of minocycline augmentation in older adults who had failed to achieve remission after adequate psychopharmacologic treatment. Subjects older than 55 years of age with major depression and failure to achieve substantial improvement of depressive symptoms after at least 6 weeks of antidepressant treatment were given augmentation with minocycline 100 mg twice daily over an 8-week period. At the end of 8 weeks of augmentation with minocycline, 31% (4/13) patients achieved remission. Remitters had higher baseline ratings of hopelessness and apathy. Minocycline was well tolerated with no reported adverse events or discontinuation due to intolerance. Larger placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the effects of minocycline augmentation in older adults who had failed to achieve remission after adequate treatment with antidepressants.

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Ovatodiolide Suppresses Oral Cancer Malignancy by Down-Regulating Exosomal Mir-21/STAT3/β-Catenin Cargo and Preventing Oncogenic Transformation of Normal Gingival Fibroblasts

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12010056 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 56 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jia-Hong Chen ◽

Alexander T. H. Wu ◽

Oluwaseun Adebayo Bamodu ◽

Vijesh Kumar Yadav ◽

Tsu-Yi Chao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽

Treatment Resistance ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Gingival Fibroblasts ◽

Bioinformatics Analyses ◽

Cancer Associated Fibroblast ◽

Tumor Sphere ◽

Bioactive Component

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is among the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in the world. Patients with OSCC often develop treatment resistance, resulting in a poor prognosis. Mounting evidence indicates that interactions between cancerous cells and other components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) determine their response to treatment. Herein, we examined the role of cancer stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (CSC_EVs) generated from CAL27 and SCC-15 OSCC cells in the development of cisplatin (CDDP) resistance. We demonstrated that CSC_EVs enhance CDDP resistance, clonogenicity, and the tumorsphere formation potential of OSCC cells. Our bioinformatics analyses revealed that OSCC_EVs are enriched with microRNA (miR)-21-5p and are associated with increased metastasis, stemness, chemoresistance, and poor survival in patients with OSCC. Mechanistically, enhanced activity of CSC_EVs was positively correlated with upregulated β-catenin, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 messenger (m)RNA and protein expression levels. CSC_EVs also conferred a cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype on normal gingival fibroblasts (NGFs), with the resultant CAFs enhancing the oncogenicity of OSCC cells. Interestingly, treatment with ovatodiolide (OV), the bioactive component of Anisomeles indica, suppressed OSCC tumorigenesis by reducing the cargo content of EVs derived from CSCs, suppressing self-renewal, and inhibiting the NGF-CAF transformation by disrupting EV-TME interactions. Moreover, by suppressing miR-21-5p, STAT3, and mTOR expressions in CSC_EVs, OV re-sensitized CSCs to CDDP and suppressed OSCC tumorigenesis. In vivo, treatment with OV alone or in combination with CDDP significantly reduced the tumor sphere-forming ability and decreased EV cargos containing mTOR, PI3K, STAT3, β-catenin, and miR-21-5p. In summary, our findings provide further strong evidence of OV’s therapeutic effect in OSCC.

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Rank-One and Transformed Sparse Decomposition for Dynamic Cardiac MRI

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/169317 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xianchao Xiu ◽

Lingchen Kong

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Mri ◽

Low Rank ◽

Cine Mri ◽

Sparse Decomposition ◽

Sparse Model ◽

Cardiac Cine ◽

Rank One ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Alternative Direction Method ◽

Space Data

It is challenging and inspiring for us to achieve high spatiotemporal resolutions in dynamic cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this paper, we introduce two novel models and algorithms to reconstruct dynamic cardiac MRI data from under-sampledk-tspace data. In contrast to classical low-rank and sparse model, we use rank-one and transformed sparse model to exploit the correlations in the dataset. In addition, we propose projected alternative direction method (PADM) and alternative hard thresholding method (AHTM) to solve our proposed models. Numerical experiments of cardiac perfusion and cardiac cine MRI data demonstrate improvement in performance.

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