Evaluation of the effect of filtered ultrafine particulate matter on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in a rat model using computed tomography, histopathologic analysis, and RNA sequencing

We aimed to investigate the effect of chronic particulate matter (PM) exposure on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in a rat model using chest CT, histopathologic evaluation, and RNA-sequencing. A bleomycin solution was intratracheally administrated to 20 male rats. For chronic PM exposure, after four weeks of bleomycin treatment to induce lung fibrosis, PM suspension (experimental group) or normal saline (control group) was intratracheally administrated for 10 weeks. Chest CT was carried out in all rats, and then both lungs were extracted for histopathologic evaluation. One lobe from three rats in each group underwent RNA sequencing, and one lobe from five rats in each group was evaluated by western blotting. Inflammation and fibrosis scores in both chest CT and pathologic analysis were significantly more aggravated in rats with chronic PM exposure than in the control group. Several genes associated with inflammation and immunity were also upregulated with chronic PM exposure. Our study revealed that chronic PM exposure in a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis rat model aggravated pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation, proven by chest CT, pathologic analysis, and RNA sequencing.

Thrombocytopaenia successfully treated by a multilocular thymic cyst resection

The multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) is a rare, acquired disease caused by inflammatory changes in the thymus, and is associated with autoimmune diseases. We report a case of MTC with thrombocytopaenia, which improved following surgical resection. A 45-year-old man developed thrombocytopaenia with an anterior mediastinal tumour. Thrombocytopaenia due to an autoimmune mechanism, associated with thymoma or thymus-related disease, was suspected. Pathologic analysis following thoracoscopic thymectomy confirmed MTC. The platelet level recovered postoperatively. Our findings suggested a relationship between the acquired formation of MTC and the development of autoimmune antibodies. However, further investigation is needed to obtain more information.

Complete tumor response in a patient with locally advanced lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma treated with Sintilimab plus platinum-based chemotherapy: a case report

Background pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare subset of lung cancer with a poor prognosis. As LCNEC is an uncommon malignancy, the optimal treatment for LCNEC has not been established. Case presentation : we report a case of a 66-year-old man diagnosed with unresectable, locally advanced LCNEC who presented a partial radiographic response to immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Salvage surgery was performed after 4 cycles of docetaxel and cisplatin (DP) regimen plus sintilimab, which is a highly selective, fully human antiprogrammed death-ligand 1 monoclonal antibody. Moreover, a pathologic analysis of the resected piece revealed the absence of residual viable tumor cells. Conclusion this case suggests that patients with locally advanced LCNEC may benefit from neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy, it is worthy for further study.

Open transperitoneal partial nephrectomy in a horseshoe kidney

We report the case of a 50-year-old Tibetan man who presented to an outpatient urology clinic after abdominal ultrasound for poorly defined abdominal pain demonstrated horseshoe kidney (HK) with a right moiety ~3.7 cm mass further characterised using contrast-enhanced CT scan (CECT). This dedicated imaging confirmed HK with a heterogeneously enhancing right upper pole 3.1 cm×3.7 cm×2.7 cm mass. Due to suspicion for aberrant vasculature on CECT, renovascular angiography was performed, which revealed recruitment of a right paravertebral vessel alongside two right renal moiety arteries and multiple right renal moiety veins. Based on vascular complexity and the surgical exposure required for arterial clamping, open transperitoneal right partial nephrectomy was preferred to minimally invasive techniques. Postoperative course was complicated by ileus, which resolved with standard management. Pathologic analysis revealed complete resection of a 5.0 cm Fuhrman grade II clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Update on Current Clinical Diagnosis and Management

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a disease afflicting individuals exposed to repetitive neurotrauma. Unfortunately, diagnosis is made by postmortem pathologic analysis, and treatment options are primarily symptomatic. In this clinical update, we review clinical and pathologic diagnostic criteria and recommended symptomatic treatments. We also review animal models and recent discoveries from pre-clinical studies. Furthermore, we highlight the recent advances in diagnosis using diffusor tensor imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and the fluid biomarkers t-tau, sTREM2, CCL11, NFL, and GFAP. We also provide an update on emerging pharmaceutical treatments, including immunotherapies and those that target tau acetylation, tau phosphorylation, and inflammation. Lastly, we highlight the current literature gaps and guide future directions to further improve clinical diagnosis and management of patients suffering from this condition.

Evaluation of polyhexamethylene guanidine-induced lung injuries by chest CT, pathologic examination, and RNA sequencing in a rat model

Our aim was to correlate chest CT and pathologic findings of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG)-induced lung injuries in a rat model, to determine whether PHMG exposure causes lung tumors, and to explore genetic alterations according to PHMG exposure under the guidance of CT. A PHMG solution was intratracheally administrated to 40 male rats. Chest CT was carried out in all rats and both lungs were collected for histopathologic evaluation. At 4- and 8-weeks post-instillation, one lobe of the right lung from 3 rats was subjected to RNA sequencing. At least one abnormal CT finding was found in all rats at all weeks. The major CT findings were inflammation, fibrosis, and tumors in the pathologic analysis, where significant changes were observed over time. The lung lesions remained persistent after 8 weeks of PHMG exposure. In the pathologic analysis, the extent/severity of inflammation did not show statistically significant changes over time, whereas the extent/severity of fibrosis increased continuously up to 6 weeks after PHMG exposure and then decreased significantly at 8 weeks. Bronchiolar-alveolar adenomas which have malignant potential were found in 50% of rats at 6 and 8 weeks after PHMG exposure. Also, several genes associated with lung cancer, acute lung injury, and pulmonary fibrosis were detected. Our study revealed that PHMG-induced lung injury and its changes according to the number of weeks after exposure were demonstrated using chest CT and pathologic evaluation. In addition, we showed that PHMG exposure caused lung tumors and genetic alterations according to PHMG exposure under the guidance of CT.

A Case of Schwannoma of the Lateral Aspect of the Superficial Peroneal Nerve

A schwannoma is a benign tumor with a neurogenic origin that affects peripheral nerves. It arises from the neural sheath of the peripheral nerves. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman who presented to our clinic with a painful schwannoma of her superficial peroneal nerve at the level of the ankle. The patient was treated with surgical excision, and diagnosis was confirmed with pathologic analysis.