Microbiome and cancer: from mechanistic implications in disease progression and treatment to development of novel antitumoral strategies.

Cancer is a very aggressive disease and one of mankind's most important health problems, causing numerous deaths each year. Its etiology is complex, including genetic, gender-related, infectious diseases, dysbiosis, immunological imbalances, lifestyle, including dietary factors, pollution etc. Cancer patients also become immunosuppressed, frequently as side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and prone to infections, which further promote the proliferation of tumor cells. In recent decades, the role and importance of the microbiota in cancer has become a hot spot in human biology research, bringing together oncology and human microbiology. In addition to their roles in the etiology of different cancers, microorganisms interact with tumor cells and may be involved in modulating their response to treatment and in the toxicity of anti-tumor therapies. In this review, we present an update on the roles of microbiota in cancer with a focus on interference with anticancer treatments and anticancer potential.

Considerations on the morphology of the thyroid ima artery.

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND: Detailed knowledge of the thyroid ima artery is essential for surgeons consequently we conducted an analysis investigating the arterial vasculature of the thyroid gland in 290 cases by dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers and by studying computed tomography angiographies. METHODS: Our study was conducted on 82 cases obtained from the dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers while 208 cases were computed tomography angiographies. The following aspects were observed: the frequency of the thyroid ima artery, its origin, course, and diameter. All were studied, comparing right to left and according to sex. RESULTS: Following the study of thyroid gland vasculature on a number of 290 cases, the thyroid ima artery was discovered in 16 cases (5.52% of cases), from which 3.45% of cases were in male subjects, and 2.07% of cases in female subjects. Of these, 4.14% of the total cases were left thyroid ima artery, and 1.38% of cases were on the right, found only in female subjects. In 5.17% of the total cases, the thyroid ima artery originated from the aortic arch, of which 3.45% were in the male sex and 1.72% were in the female sex. In one case only (0.35%) in the female sex did the thyroid ima artery originate from the brachiocephalic trunk. In 2.76% of cases, the thyroid ima artery existed with a left-sided inferior thyroid artery originating from the subclavian artery, either directly or from a thyrocervical trunk. CONCLUSIONS: The thyroid ima artery has proven to be one of the highly variable arteries in terms of its presence and origin and the knowledge surrounding it is useful for surgical interventions.

Landscape of Genetic Mutations in Appendiceal Cancers.

In appendiceal cancers, the most frequently mutated genes are (i) KRAS, which, when reactivated, restores signal transduction via the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway and stimulates cell proliferation in the early stages of tumor transformation, and then angiogenesis; (ii) TP53, whose inactivation leads to the inhibition of programmed cell death; (iii) GNAS, which, when reactivated, links the cAMP pathway to the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway, stimulating cell proliferation and angiogenesis; (iv) SMAD4, exhibiting typical tumor-suppressive activity, blocking the transmission of oncogenic TGFB signals via the SMAD2/SMAD3 heterodimer; and (v) BRAF, which is part of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Diverse mutations are reported in other genes, which are part of secondary or less critical signaling pathways for tumor progression, but which amplify the phenotypic diversity of appendiceal cancers. In this review, we will present the main genetic mutations involved in appendix tumors and their roles in cell proliferation and survival, and in tumor invasiveness, angiogenesis, and acquired resistance to anti-growth signals.

Considerations on the origin of the inferior thyroid artery emerging from the subclavian artery determined by CT examination.

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND: The specialized literature has a low degree of information regarding the origin of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA). Our study was performed on computed tomography angiographies (CTAs), and the following aspects were observed: the origin of the ITA from the subclavian artery (SCA) or thyrocervical trunk (TCT), taking note of the distance of the origin of the ITA in relation to the origin of the SCA or the corresponding TCT, as well as the origin of the ITA, comparing right to left and according to gender. METHODS: Our study was realized on a total of 108 ITA (64 on the right side and 44 on the left, with 48 in male subjects and 60 in females), analyzed on CTA. RESULTS: From the 108 arteries, we found the origin of ITA directly from the SCA in 31.48% of cases, and in 68.52% from the TCT. The distance between the origin of the right SCA and the origin of the corresponding ITA, was between 29.1 and 53.1 mm, while on the left side, the same distance was between 43.7 and 68.1 mm. The distance between the right TCT and the origin of the right SCA, was between 22.5 and 75.0 mm, and for the left side, it's between 48.7 and 56.8 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The inferior thyroid artery is one of the arteries most susceptible to variations in terms of origin and size. With differences between the two sides (right and left), as well as differences related to gender.

Patellar Resurfacing in Total Knee Arthroplasty, a Never-Ending Controversy; Case Report and Literature Review.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a lifesaving procedure for advanced gonarthrosis. However, patella resurfacing (PR) in TKA remains a controversial procedure, leading to extensive discussions amongst orthopedic surgeons, regarding its indications and results. Based on these premises, we present a clinical case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman admitted for pain, swelling and limitation of left knee joint mobility. Her medical history records an Ahlback stage IV gonarthrosis with simultaneous bilateral TKA surgery performed in different hospital, when two NexGen cemented total prostheses were implanted with patellar resurfacing being performed only on the right side. Our clinical (American Knee Society Score, Lonner and Feller scales) and radiological evaluations (CT scan and Xray) revealed left patellar arthrosis and a slight lateral subluxation of the patella. The chosen treatment plan was revision surgery for PR and patellar prosthesis with a cemented patellar component, cross-linked polyethylene, no 32 NexGen model with 8.5 mm thickness. The immediate and distant postoperative evolution was favorable. Extensive literature review shows that, at present, PR remains at surgeon's discretion mainly based on his previous results. Therefore, we believe there is an imperative need to develop high quality studies based on accurate scientific evidence to universally establish valid guidelines for PR in TKA.

Adiponectin - stratification biomarker in diastolic cardiac dysfunction.

This study does not propose to elucidate how adiponectin secretion is regulated, but how its adiponectin concentration is an indicator of heart disease. About adiponectin, it is not known whether it is functionally an enzyme, or very likely a cytokine/chemokine/hormone, secreted by fat cells/adipocytes in the abdomen. Abdominal fat secretes 67 hormones, and all of which cause disease. For example, adiponectin generates diabetes and ischaemic heart disease via dyslipidemia. Based on clinical symptoms, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters, a group of 208 patients with diastolic cardiac dysfunction with or without preserved systolic function, developed on a background of painful chronic ischaemic heart disease, stable angina on exertion, was constituted. The serum levels of adiponectin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Using the identified values, it was appreciated whether adiponectin correlates with the type of any of the two conditions, so that it can be recognised as a diagnostic and risk stratification marker.

In Vivo Study of Local and Systemic Responses to Clinical Use of Mg-1Ca Bioresorbable Orthopedic Implants.

(1) Background: Resorbable Mg-based implants represent a new direction in orthopedic surgery but have some drawbacks, such as their rapid biodegradation and increased rate of corrosion. Some in vitro studies hypothesized that tissue necrosis, incision dehiscence, risk of gas embolization in vital organs, interference with coagulation processes, and trophocyte viability impairment can occur. (2) Methods: We conducted an in vivo study on ten rabbit cases, in two groups; group one, consisting of six cases, received cylindrical implants of Mg-1Ca alloy in tibial intramedullary bone tissue. Group two, consisting of four cases, received Mg-1Ca parallelepiped implants, in the thigh muscular tissue. We recorded and compared weight (preoperatively and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively), complete blood count, serum electrolytes, liver and kidney functional markers, and coagulation parameters, prior to and at 6 weeks after surgery. Local evolution was assessed radiologically and with tissue biopsies with complete pathology analysis. (3) Results: All biological markers and clinical evolution were favorable, showing good integration of the implants with none of the local or systemic signs of degradation. (4) Conclusions: Our study shows that the clinical use of Mg-1Ca bioresorbable alloys can be safe as none of the cited local or systemic complications have been identified.

Primary Bone Lesions in Rosai-Dorfman Disease, a Rare Case and Diagnostic Challenge-Case Report and Literature Review.

Rosai-Dorfman Disease (RDD), also known as sinus histiocytosis, is included in the group of rare diseases, characterized by proliferation and accumulation of histiocytes in the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), most often involving the cervical ganglion chains (nodal form). RDD bone involvement is rare, estimated at 10% of cases, but primary bone involvement (extranodal form), is very rare-2-8%. Usually they are solitary lesions, with multifocal primary bone manifestations being extremely rare. Histopathological analysis is of high value for a correct diagnosis. We present the case of a Caucasian woman, 42 years old, initially treated in another clinic, for an osteolytic tumor formation in the right tibial shaft. An excisional biopsy with bone trepanation was performed, the histopathological diagnosis being the chronic inflammatory tissue. The evolution was atypical, with tumor growth, extraosseous, subcutaneous. A needle biopsy was repeated in our clinic, the result being similar to the original one. Evolution of the tumor, and the radiological and imaging aspect (periosteal reaction, eroded and thin bone cortex) suggested a more aggressive disease, these being in inconsistency with the result obtained. The biopsy was repeated, as an excision type this time. The histopathological result and immunohistochemistry indicated an RDD primary bone lesion. Based on this result, and corroborated with the data from the literature, we initiated the surgical treatment, curettage and grafting with bone substitute plus safety osteosynthesis with locked plaque, the patient registering a favorable evolution. RDD primary bone lesions are in fact an atypical manifestation of a rare disease. The correct diagnosis is very difficult due to the non-specific imaging aspect. Histopathological examination errors, especially in the case of needle biopsies can lead to errors in diagnosis and treatment with negative results for the patient.