Medicine
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Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer accounts for ∼20% of invasive breast cancers and is associated with poor prognostics. The recent outcome of HER2+ breast cancer treatment has been vastly improved owing to the application of antibody-targeted therapies. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a monoclonal antibody designed to target HER2+ breast cancer cells. ⋯ In addition, we found that trastuzumab-enhanced MGP gene expression could be used as prognostics marker for longer patient survival in breast invasive carcinoma patients, and validated our finding using TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) breast cancer dataset. Moreover, our study revealed a 48-gene expression signature that is associated with cell death of cardiomyocytes, which could be used as early biomarkers for trastuzumab-mediated cardiotoxicity. This work is the first study to look at single cell level transcriptome profile of trastuzumab-treated patients, providing a new understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of trastuzumab action and trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity side effects.
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Case Reports
A typical 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and pseudohypoparathyroidism: A CARE compliant case report.
It is rare to find 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with pseudohypoparathyroidism in children. Furthermore, the phenotypic spectrum of this disorder varies widely. ⋯ Signs of this syndrome include delayed speech development due to velofacial dysfunction, recurrent croup attacks during early childhood due to latent hypocalcemia, and mild dysmorphic features. The findings of this patient indicated that 22q11.2 deletion syndrome may include a wide spectrum of clinical findings and that this diagnosis needs to be considered for all patients presenting with hypocalcemia, regardless of age.
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Case Reports
Postpartum deep vein thrombosis resolved by catheter-directed thrombolysis: A case report.
Postpartum deep vein thrombosis is a unique condition in diagnosis and treatment. Rivaroxaban, a novel oral anticoagulant, is indicated for acute deep vein thrombosis, but limited data have been reported for postpartum women. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is a common procedure for treating acute deep vein thrombosis, but it is rarely used for postpartum patients, especially after more than 3 months. ⋯ Pregnancy seems to be a transient provoking factor for deep vein thrombosis, but it is sometimes refractory even during the postpartum period.Follow-up imaging studies should be encouraged to confirm the vessel condition, particularly for applying down-titration or discontinuation strategies of medication.Catheter-directed thrombolysis could be considered as an alternative method for postpartum iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. Postpartum women usually have favorable functional status and lower bleeding risk.Rivaroxaban is a favorable choice for deep vein thrombosis, but its use in postpartum women is still controversial, and evidence of its effectiveness is not available. Thus, endovascular intervention can be a relatively safe therapy, in addition to anticoagulation therapy for premenopausal patients with recurrent deep vein thrombosis.
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Aortic dissection (AD) is one of the most lethal cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to identify core genes and pathways revealing pathogenesis in AD. ⋯ Taken above, the study reveals some candidate genes and pathways potentially involving molecular mechanisms of AD. These findings provide a new insight for research and treatment of AD.
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Artemisinin was discovered to be highly effective antimalarial drugs shortly after the isolation of the parent artemisinin in 1971 in China. It is derived from extracts of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) and are well established for the treatment of malaria. Recently, artemisinin has been shown that it might have therapeutic value for several other diseases. The purpose of this review is to assess the efficacy of artemisinin as a treatment for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion. ⋯ The protocol for this systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO under the number CRD42019131408.