Medicine
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The aim was to compare the effects of metal artifacts from a pacemaker on pulmonary nodule detection among computed tomography (CT) images reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), single-energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR), and forward-projected model-based iterative reconstruction solution (FIRST). Nine simulated nodules were placed inside a chest phantom with a pacemaker. CT images reconstructed using FBP, SEMAR, and FIRST were acquired at low and standard dose, and were evaluated by 2 independent radiologists. ⋯ At standard-dose CT, SEMAR showed the most significant metal artifact reduction (P < .00001). In terms of nodule detection, no significant differences were observed between FIRST and SEMAR (P = .161). With a pacemaker present, FIRST showed the best nodule detection ability at low-dose CT and SEMAR is comparable to FIRST at standard dose CT.
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This case series investigated the efficacy and optimal dose of Escherichia coli-derived bone morphogenetic protein-2 (E. BMP-2) as a bone graft substitute for additional posterolateral spinal fusion, accompanying interbody fusion procedures, for treating lumbar degenerative spinal stenosis. This study focused on the optimal dose for each segment and the efficacy of E. ⋯ BMP-2 per segment was sufficient to obtain bony union in posterolateral fusion surgery. Further large-scale trials with long-term follow-up are necessary to evaluate the various complications related to the use of E. BMP-2.
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Pure invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a rare histologic subtype of pancreatic cancer which has a high propensity for lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. ⋯ This report highlights the diagnostic features and molecular characteristics of pure pancreatic IMPC and the challenges with diagnosis by FNAC. A centralized and collaborative accumulation of additional cases of pure IMPC could further elucidate its pathogenesis.
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Case Reports
Protrusion of a ceramic femoral head through the acetabular metallic cup in total-hip arthroplasty: A case report.
Dislocation, wear, metallosis, and implant loosening are well-known complications of a failed total-hip arthroplasty (THA), and acetabular liner dissociation is an uncommon but catastrophic complication. To our knowledge, this is the first description of metallosis due to acetabular liner dissociation, but not presenting as a result of wear of a metal-on-metal articulation and a polyethylene liner of other articulation. ⋯ Wear of THA components can result in catastrophic failure of the implants and significant soft-tissue metallosis. Therefore, regular postoperative follow-up is necessary for early intervention, even in those with asymptomatic hips.
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common malignant tumor with a remarkable racial and geographical distribution including people in southern China, South East Asia, and the Middle East/North Africa. DNA methylation is an important manifestation of epigenetic modification, has been studied over several decades, and by regulating and controlling the expression of cancer-related genesits, abnormal DNA methylation can influence in a variety of human malignancy tumors. Until now, there is no analysis focus on differentially methylated, differential expressed genes (MDEGs) study, so we make a joint analysis for both gene methylation profiling microarray and gene expression profiling microarray in NPC. ⋯ A total of 4 genes (TROAP, PCOLCE2, HOXA4, and C1QB) in Hyper-LGs and 14 genes (DYNC1H1, LNX1, RAB37, ALDH3A1, SLC24A4, CP, CEP250, ANK2, DNAI2, MUC13, ACACB, GABRP, STX7, and TTC9) in Hypo-HGs were identified as hub genes. The study of DNA methylation and gene expression provides us a strong support as well as new comprehensive information of MDEGs to the revelation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma's complex pathogenesis. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the biological function of these genes in NPC in the future.