Mechanism and prevention of liver failure complicated by acute pancreatitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Liver failure often has rapid progression， multiple complications， and dangerous conditions. Acute pancreatitis is a common comorbidity during the progression of liver failure， and since acute pancreatitis has extremely similar clinical symptoms and signs to liver failure complicated by spontaneous peritonitis， it is often neglected in clinical practice. This article elaborates on the mechanisms of liver failure complicated by acute pancreatitis from the five aspects of inflammatory response， duodenal papillary dysfunction， gut microbiota dysbiosis， oxidative stress， and microcirculatory disturbance and proposes corresponding preventive measures based on these mechanisms.

Role of mitophagy in the development and progression of liver-related diseases / 临床肝胆病杂志

Mitophagy is a type of selective autophagy during which cells specifically remove damaged mitochondria in response to nutrient deficiency or external stimulation and thus maintain the integrity of mitochondrial function and cellular homeostasis. In recent years， a large number of studies have shown that dysfunction of mitophagy is closely associated with the development and progression of various liver-related diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease， drug-related liver injury， viral hepatitis， and hepatocellular carcinoma. This article summarizes the specific mechanisms of mitophagy in regulating liver-related diseases and further elaborates on the potential therapeutic targets of mitophagy in liver-related diseases， in order to provide more effective therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of liver diseases.

Pathogenesis of liver injury caused by antiviral drugs for coronavirus disease 2019 / 临床肝胆病杂志

Drug-induced liver injury is caused by the drug itself and/or its metabolites during drug use or occurs due to hypersensitivity or reduced tolerance to the drug in a particular body type. In the last three years of the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19）， antiviral drugs have played a very important role， but there are many reports on liver injury caused by anti-COVID-19 drugs in China and globally， with unknown pathogenesis of liver injury caused by such drugs. This article reviews the research advances in the types of antiviral drugs for COVID-19 and their mechanism in inducing liver injury， in order to promote the rational use of antiviral drugs.

The role and impact of macrophages in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Primary biliary cholangitis （PBC） is a chronic autoimmune disease of cholestasis in which immune factors lead to progressive small bile duct destruction， cholestasis， and eventually liver fibrosis， liver cirrhosis， and even liver failure. Macrophages， as a group with functional heterogeneity， play different roles in the whole disease process of PBC. This article summarizes the possible ways by which macrophages are involved in the pathogenesis of PBC and discusses their impact on the disease and the potential therapeutic targets of macrophages. It is pointed out that macrophages are mainly involved in innate immunity in PBC injury and are associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis， and they are also associated with cholestasis， liver fibrosis， and liver cirrhosis in the later stages of the disease.

Predictors of recurrence in breast cancer patients with pathological partial response

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a relative risk of developing recurrence. This study investigates the risk factors for recurrence in locally advanced breast cancer patients with residual disease and evaluates survival analysis. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center study. Breast cancer patients who failed to achieve a pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included. Demographic, clinicopathological, and treatment characteristics were evaluated to identify predictive factors of recurrence and survival analysis. RESULTS: We included 205 patients in this study. After a median of 31 months of follow-up, 10 patients died, and 20 developed distant metastasis. Disease-free survival and disease-specific survival were 73.8% and 83.1%, respectively. Lymphovascular invasion and non-luminal subtype were independent predictors of locoregional recurrence. In situ carcinoma, lymphovascular invasion, ypTIII stage, and non-luminal molecular subtypes were independent predictors of disease-free survival. The only independent factor affecting disease-specific survival was cNII-III. The number of involved lymph nodes was an independent predictor of disease-free survival in patients without complete axillary response. CONCLUSION: Factors affecting disease-specific survival and disease-free survival were cNII-III and the number of involved lymph nodes, respectively. Patients with non-luminal, large residual tumors with in situ carcinoma, lymphovascular invasion, clinically positive axilla, and residual nodal involvement have a high relative risk for recurrence and may benefit from additional treatments.

Post-Bader procedure: a long-term follow-up case study / Procedimento pós-Bader: estudo de caso com acompanhamento de longo prazo

ABSTRACT Keratoconus is a progressive disorder that manifests as a cone-like steepening of the central or paracentral inferior cornea and irregular stromal thinning. There is a gradual decrease in visual acuity due to corneal asymmetry, irregular astigmatism, and increased optical aberrations, consequently impacting the quality of life. Several procedures have been developed in an attempt to slow or reverse the progression. The Bader procedure, which includes a pattern of incisions around the circumference of the cornea and at the base of the protruding cone, is one such surgery. These incisions penetrate 70-90% of the cornea's depth. Its goal is to flatten the topography and reduce corneal asymmetry and irregular astigmatism. Though prior research found these to be highly promising, we report a patient who was given contact lenses to restore and maintain his vision while his corneal ectasia and thinning progressed over the following decade.

RESUMO O ceratocone é uma doença progressiva que se manifesta como uma elevação semelhante a um cone da cór­nea central ou paracentral inferior e é associada a uma re­dução irregular da espessura do estroma. Há uma diminuição gradual da acuidade visual devido à assimetria da córnea, ao astigmatismo irregular e a um aumento das aberrações ópticas, o que prejudica a qualidade de vida. Foram desenvolvidos vários procedimentos para tentar interromper ou mesmo reverter a evolução da doença. Um deles é o chamado procedimento de Bader, que inclui um padrão de incisões em volta da circunferência da córnea e na base do cone protuberante. Essas incisões penetram até 70%-90% da profundidade da córnea e têm o objetivo de achatar a topografia e diminuir a assimetria da córnea e o astigmatismo irregular. Embora essa técnica seja muito promissora, segundo um estudo anterior, aqui se apresenta o caso de um paciente no qual esses objetivos não foram atingidos. Esse paciente recebeu lentes de contato para restaurar e manter sua visão, enquanto sua ectasia corneana e a redução da espessura progrediram ao longo da década seguinte.

Calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with recurrent perilesional edema causing neurological manifestations in an HIV-infected individual: case report with a decade-long follow-up

ABSTRACT Four cases of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) with calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis associated with perilesional edema causing a single episode of neurological manifestations have recently been reported. Here, we describe the first detailed description of perilesional edema associated with calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis causing three episodes of neurological manifestations in a PLWHA, including seizures in two of them. These recurrences occurred over approximately a decade. Throughout this period, the patient showed immunological and virological control of the HIV infection, while using antiretroviral therapy regularly. This case broadens the spectrum of an emerging presentation of calcified cerebral toxoplasmosis, mimicking a well-described finding of neurocysticercosis in immunocompetent hosts.

Corneal ectasia following photorefractive keratectomy: a confocal microscopic case report and literature review / Ectasia corneana após ceratectomia fotorrefrativa: relato de caso de microscopia confocal e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT The occurrence of corneal ectasia after photorefractive keratectomy is a rare but serious complication of refractive surgery. Possible risk factors are not well assessed, but a probable reason is the failure to detect keratoconus preoperatively. In this report, we describe a case of corneal ectasia after photorefractive keratectomy in a patient who presented a suspicious tomography pattern preoperatively but had no degenerative alterations associated with pathologic keratoconus, as revealed by in vivo corneal confocal microscopy. We also review eligible case reports of post-photorefractive keratectomy ectasia to find similar characteristics.

RESUMO A ocorrência de ectasia corneana após ceratectomia fotorrefrativa é uma complicação rara, porém grave, em cirurgia refrativa. Os possíveis fatores de risco não são bem avaliados, mas a opinião atual é que a falha na detecção de ceratocone pré-operatório possa ser o principal motivo. Neste relato, descrevemos um caso de ectasia corneana após ceratectomia fotorrefrativa em paciente apresentando padrão tomográfico suspeito no pré-operatório, mas sem alterações degenerativas associadas a ceratocone patológico, conforme revelado por microscopia confocal in vivo da córnea. Além disso, revisamos, na literatura, relatos de casos elegíveis de ectasia pós-ceratectomia fotorrefrativa para encontrar características semelhantes.

Non-pathologic components are associated with reduced visual acuity in myopes after spectacle correction

Purpose: To find the association between reduced best?corrected visual acuity and non?pathologic components after optical correction in individuals with low to high myopia. Methods: Myopic children under 16 years of age were reviewed using electronic medical records and the following data were extracted and recorded: participant’s age, gender, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Spherical equivalent and cylinder were classified into low, moderate, and high categories based on the magnitude range. Similarly, astigmatism was defined into with?the?rule, against?the?rule, and oblique based on the location of the steepest meridian. Reduced BCVA was defined when the decimal visual acuity was less than 0.66 (equivalent to Snellen’s acuity of 6/9 or 20/30). Logistic regression was performed to test the factors associated with reduced visual acuity after optical correction in the absence of myopic pathologic changes. Statistical significance was considered if P < 0.05. Results: Overall 44.9% (N = 242/538) of myopes had reduced best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and none of the patients had pathologic myopic lesions. Using logistic regression, we found that high spherical refraction (OR 27.98, 95% CI 14.43–54.25, P < 0.001) and moderate spherical refraction (OR 5.52, 95% CI 2.56–11.91, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with reduced best corrected visual acuity despite any pathological lesions. Additionally, oblique and ATR astigmatism were associated with reduced visual acuity in myopic children with (OR 2.05, 95% CI 0.77–5.42) and (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.82–3.08). Conclusion: Higher magnitude of refractive error components causes reduced visual acuity in the absence of pathologic changes.

Estenosis tricuspídea de bioprótesis tratada mediante implante valvular percutáneo: una solución segura para un paciente inusual

Se comunica el caso de una mujer de 31 años quien había sido previamente sometida a reemplazo valvular aórtico, mitral y tricuspídeo en tres episodios quirúrgicos. Fue ingresada a nuestra sección de cardiologÍa con síntomas compatibles con insuficiencia cardiaca derecha. Se efectuó evaluación mediante ecocardiograma, sondeo cardíaco derecho/izquierdo, angioTAC cardíaco y cardio resonancia. Se diagnosticó una estenosis tricuspídea severa secundaria a disfunción de prótesis biológica. Debido a alto riesgo operatorio y riesgo de falla ventricular derecha post-operatorio, la paciente fue rechazada para reemplazo valvular quirúrgico. Se decidió efectuar reemplazo tricuspídeo procedimiento "valve in valve". Se logró efectuar de manera exitosa por abordeje venoso femoral, prótesis balón expansible. Se demostró corrección de la estenosis tricuspídea y la paciente evolucionó con remisión de los síntomas de falla cardíaca.

We report a 31-year-old woman who was previously subjected to aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve replacement in three different surgical episodes. She was admitted to our cardiology section with acute right heart failure symptoms. She was studied by echocardiography, right/left heart catheterization, cardiac CT scan and cardiac magnetic resonance. A severe tricuspid stenosis due to biological prosthesis dysfunction was diagnosed. Due to high operative risk and risk of postoperative right ventricular failure, the patient was rejected for cardiovascular surgery. We decided on a percutaneous tricuspid "valve in valve replacement". The procedure was done successfully by venous femoral approach, with a balloon expandable prosthesis. Tricuspid stenosis was corrected and the patient evolved with remission of heart failure symptoms.

Evaluation of Frontal QRS-T Angle in Patients with Coronary Artery Ectasia

Abstract Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined by focal enlargement of the coronary artery exceeding 1.5 times the adjacent normal segment. CAE can often cause arrhythmias, heart failure, sudden death, and myocardial ischemia. Ischemia due to microvascular dysfunction may be responsible for the ventricular heterogeneity in CAE. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the frontal QRS-T angle in patients with CAE. Methods: Our study included 55 patients with CAE and 50 individuals in the control group. Demographic characteristics and electrocardiographic parameters were compared between the two groups. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. Continuous variables were compared using unpaired Student's t-test. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The frontal QRS-T angle was calculated from 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) using the automatic report from the electrocardiography machine. Results: The average age of patients with CAE was 63.2 ± 3.4 years, with 18 women among them. The control group had an average age of 61.1 ± 3.2 years, with 28 women included. There was no significant difference in demographic parameters between the two groups. Compared to the control group, patients with CAE had significantly wider frontal QRS-T angle (p < 0.001), as well as longer QTmax duration, p = 0.002; Tp-Te interval, p = 0.02; and QT dispersion (QTd), p = 0.04. Conclusion: The frontal QRS-T angle can be calculated easily and time-efficiently using surface electrocardiography. In this study, we showed for the first time that the frontal QRS-T angle was significantly increased in patients with CAE.

Uso de stent en estenosis colorrectal benigna / Stent utilization in benign colorectal stenosis

Introducción. La estenosis colorrectal benigna hace referencia a una condición anatómica caracterizada por una disminución del diámetro de la luz intestinal distal a la válvula ileocecal, ocasionando una serie de signos y síntomas de tipo obstructivo. Es una entidad poco frecuente, secundaria en la gran mayoría de veces a la realización de anastomosis intestinales al nivel descrito. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la utilidad del stentcolónico en estenosis secundaria a patología colorrectal no neoplásica. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo de una cohorte de pacientes que desarrolló estenosis colorrectal de origen benigna confirmada por colonoscopía, en 3 hospitales de alta complejidad de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, entre los años 2007 y 2021. Resultados. Se incluyeron 34 pacientes con diagnóstico de estenosis colorrectal de origen benigno, manejados con stents metálicos autoexpandibles. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 19 meses y se obtuvo éxito clínico en el 73,5 % de los casos. La tasa de complicación fue del 41,2 %, dada principalmente por reobstrucción y migración del stent, y en menor medida por perforación secundaria a la colocación del dispositivo. Conclusión. Los stents metálicos autoexpandibles representan una opción terapéutica en pacientes con obstrucción colorrectal, con altas tasas de mejoría clínica en pacientes con patología estenosante no maligna. Cuando la derivación por medio de estoma no es una opción, este tipo de dispositivos están asociados a altas tasas de éxito clínico y mejoría de la calidad de vida de los pacientes

Introduction. Benign colorectal stenosis refers to an anatomical condition characterized by a decrease in the diameter of the intestinal lumen distal to the ileocecal valve, which might cause a series of obstructive signs and symptoms. It is a rare entity, caused in the vast majority of cases due to intestinal anastomosis at the described level. The purpose of this study is to determine the performance of colonic stents in the management of non-malignant colorectal strictures. Methods. Descriptive study of a cohort of patients who developed a benign colorectal stenosis confirmed by colonoscopy in three high-complexity hospitals in the city of Medellín, Colombia, between 2007 and 2021. Results. Thirty-four patients diagnosed with benign colorectal stenosis managed with self-expanding metal stents were included in the study. Median follow-up was 19 months, obtaining clinical success in 73.5% of cases, with a complication rate of 41.2%, mainly due to reobstruction and migration of the stent, and to a lesser extent due to perforation secondary to device placement.Conclusion. Self-expanding metallic stents represent a therapeutic option in patients with colorectal obstruction caused by non-malignant stenosing pathology. When diversion through a stoma is not an option, this type of device is associated with high rates of clinical success and improvement in the patients' quality of life

Research advances in acute pancreatitis-associated ascites fluid / 临床肝胆病杂志

Acute pancreatitis-associated ascites fluid (PAAF) is a common complication in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and is closely associated with the severity of AP, the development of local and systemic complications, and prognosis. PAAF may originate from the leakage of abdominal blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and pancreatic duct. Recent studies have found that early removal of PAAF by abdominal paracentesis drainage can help to reduce systemic inflammation and alleviate pancreatitis-associated organ injury, thereby improving the conditions of patients with severe AP and reducing mortality. However, it is still not completely clear how PAAF aggravates systemic inflammatory response, participates in pancreatic injury and damage of distal organs, and leads to the aggravation of disease conditions in patients with AP. Therefore, this article gives an overview of PAAF and summarizes related studies in recent years, so as to provide directions for exploring the pathophysiological process and treatment of AP.

Role of bone morphogenetic protein-4 in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the world, and it seriously harms human health. Recent studies have found that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) might be associated with NAFLD. This article reviews the latest advances in the research on the association between BMP4 and NAFLD in China and globally and explores the potential mechanism of action of BMP4 on NAFLD, in order to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Pathological Changes and Cause of Death Associated with the Global Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) / 法医学杂志

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a global epidemic for more than three years, causing more than 6.9 million deaths. COVID-19 has the clinical characteristics of strong infectivity and long incubation period, and can cause multi-system damage, mainly lung damage, clinical symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and systemic multiple organ damage. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is still constantly mutating. At present, there is no global consensus on the pathological changes of COVID-19 associated deaths and even no consensus on the criteria for determining the cause of death. The investigation of the basic pathological changes and progression of the disease is helpful to guide the clinical treatment and the development of therapeutic drugs. This paper reviews the autopsy reports and related literature published worldwide from February 2020 to June 2023, with a clear number of autopsy cases and corresponding pathological changes of vital organs as the inclusion criteria. A total of 1 111 autopsy cases from 65 papers in 18 countries are included. Pathological manifestations and causes of death are classified and statistically analyzed, common pathological changes of COVID-19 are summarized, and analytical conclusions are drawn, suggesting that COVID-19 infection can cause life-threatening pathological changes in vital organs. On the basis of different health levels of infected groups, the direct cause of death is mainly severe lung damage and secondary systemic multiple organ failure.

Influencing factors of intracranial in-stent restenosis / 国际脑血管病杂志

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is the main cause of ischemic stroke. Endovascular therapy (EVT) is a method of treating symptomatic ICAS, and in-stent restenosis (ISR) is an important factor affecting the efficacy of EVT. This article summarizes the influencing factors of ISR in patients with ICAS receiving EVT treatment.

Role of SOX9 and Hif-1α expression in placentas of patients with HELLP

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the immunohistochemical staining of SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) and Hif-1α expression in placentas of pregnant woman with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Methods: Placentas of 20 normotensive and 20 women with HELLP syndrome were processed for routine histological tissue processing. The biochemical and clinical parameters of patients were recorded. Placentas were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and SOX9 and Hif-1α immunostaining. Results: Normotensive placentas showed normal histology of placenta, however placentas of HELLP syndrome showed intense thrombosis, thinning of the villi membrane and vascular dilatation. In placentas of normotensive patients, SOX9 reaction was immunohistochemically negative, however placentas of HELLP group showed SOX9 expression in decidual cells, and syncytial regions of floating villi and inflammatory cells. In placentas of normotensive patients, Hif-1α reaction was mainly negative in vessels and connective tissue cells. Placentas of HELLP group showed increased Hif-1α expression in decidual cell and especially inflammatory cells in the maternal region. Conclusions: Hif-1α and SOX9 proteins can be used as a marker to show severity of preeclampsia and regulation of cell proliferation and angiogenesis during placental development.

Avaliação das aberrações de alta ordem em pacientes com ceratocone inicial / Assessment of high-order aberrations in patients with early keratoconus

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar alterações de aberrometria de alta ordem em diferentes graus de ceratocone. Métodos Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, observacional. Foram analisados 54 pacientes (108 olhos) diagnosticados com ceratocone pelo mesmo especialista em córnea por meio dos critérios ABCD de Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia, utilizando-se o tomógrafo Pentacam® HR 70900 (Oculus Wetzlar, Alemanha). Além disso, foram feitas análises qualitativa e quantitativa das aberrações de alta ordem desses mesmos pacientes por meio do OPD-Scan III-NIDEK. Resultados Por meio da avaliação de ambos os olhos dos pacientes com os critérios de Belin-Ambrósio, constatou-se presença de ceratocone em 34 pacientes. Ademais, por meio da análise estatística, constatou-se relação direta entre a asfericidade posterior e o desenvolvimento do ceratocone, com p<0,001 (referência: p<0,05). Por meio da análise do OPD-Scan III-NIDEK, as principais aberrações de alta ordem encontradas nos pacientes com ceratocone foram coma, trefoil e aberração esférica. Conclusão O raio da curvatura posterior é a primeira variável a se alterar com o desenvolvimento do ceratocone, o que se faz perceptível na análise da asfericidade posterior por meio o Pentacam®. Além disso, a alteração da paquimetria e da asfericidade posterior influencia diretamente o desenvolvimento de aberrações de alta ordem em pacientes com ceratocone.

ABSTRACT Objective To identify higher order aberrometry changes in different degrees of keratoconus. Methods Cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study. Fifty-four patients (108 eyes) diagnosed with keratoconus by the same corneal specialist using the Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia ABCD criteria were analyzed, using the Pentacam® HR 70900 tomograph (Oculus Wetzlar, Germany). In addition, qualitative and quantitative analysis of higher order aberrations in these patients was performed using the OPD-Scan III-NIDEK. Results Through the evaluation of both eyes of the patients according to the criteria of Benin Ambrósio, the presence of KCN was verified in 34 patients. Furthermore, through statistical analysis, a direct relationship was found between posterior asphericity and the development of KCN; p<0.001 (reference: p<0.05). Through the analysis of the OPD scan, the main higher order aberrations found in patients with KCN were Coma, Trefoil and Spherical Aberration (AE). Conclusion The posterior curvature radius is the first variable to change with the development of the KCN, which is noticeable in the analysis of posterior asphericity in Pentacam. In addition, alterations in pachymetry and posterior asphericity directly influence the development of higher order aberrations in patients with KCN.