A newly identified pyroptosis-related gene signature for predicting prognosis of patients with hepatocellular cancer.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very heterogeneous illness, making prognosis prediction a huge problem. Pyroptosis, which has recently been shown to be an inflammatory type of programmed cell death, is involved in HCC. Nevertheless, the role of pyroptosis-related genes in HCC has not been fully elucidated. Thus, this study aimed to construct a prognostic signature based on pyroptosis-related genes for HCC. Methods: The messenger RNA expression patterns of HCC patients, as well as the accompanying clinical information, were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for this research. After differentially expressed pyroptosis-related Gene in tumor and normal groups were identified, Cox regression analyses were performed to construct a prognostic signature which was then assessed through independent prognostic analysis. Results: A signature consisting of four genes (CASP8, GSDME, NOD2, and PLCG1) was constructed to predict overall survival (OS) for HCC. The signature was identified to be independent by the cox regression analysis and obtained the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.691, 0.628, and 0.632 for survival at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Conclusions: We discovered that the levels of pyroptosis-related genes expression differed across HCC patients and were associated with both survival and prognosis. This suggested that targeting pyroptosis as a treatment strategy for HCC may be a viable option.

Mammotome® biopsy system for the resection of breast lesions: Clinical experience in two high-volume teaching hospitals.

Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is regarded as a feasible, effective, minimally invasive and safe method for the removal of benign breast lesions, without the occurrence of serious complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided VABB using the Mammotome® biopsy system in the treatment of breast lesions. The clinical outcomes of 3,681 patients with breast lesions were evaluated following excisions by ultrasound-guided VABB in two high-volume teaching hospitals. From January 2008 to December 2012, a total of 4,867 ultrasound-guided VABB procedures were performed in the 3,681 patients, who had a mean age of 37.8 years (range, 16-73 years). The parameters examined in this analysis included lesion size, lesion location in the inner breast, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) ultrasound category and histopathological diagnosis. Ultrasonography follow-up was performed at 3-6 month intervals in order to assess recurrence. The size of the investigated lesions ranged between 6 and 62 mm and a histopathological diagnosis was made in 100% of cases. The results indicated that the majority of specimens (98.89%) were benign. On average, the ultrasound-guided VABB was performed in 10.3 min (range, 7.5-43 min) and the mean number of cores removed in the procedure was 8.1 (range, 3-32). A complete excision was achieved in the majority of cases (99.7%). The presence of a hematoma was the most common complication following the biopsy, and was observed in 27.5% of patients. The mean follow-up period was 25.5 months (range, 1-60 months), during which the rate of recurrence was 4.4%. The results indicated that ultrasound-guided VABB using the Mammotome biopsy system is an effective and safe procedure that is able to rapidly remove the majority of benign breast lesions using a small incision and without the occurrence of scarring or complications.

[Diagnosis and treatment of benign duodenal tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of benign duodenal tumor. METHODS: Clinical data of 14 patients with benign duodenal tumor confirmed pathologically or by operation from Oct.1988 to Oct.2001 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 14 patients, 5 had Brunner's grand adenoma, 4 mesenchymoma, 2 leiomyoma, 2 hemangioma, 1 lipoma. Upper abdominal discomfort (64% ), gastrointestinal bleeding(50% ) and abdominal pain(20% ) were common manifestations. All cases received gastroscopy and only one case was diagnosed. Five cases received duodenoscope and the diagnosis was confirmed in 4 cases. Nine cases received hypotonic duodenography and lesions were found in 8 cases. Digital subtraction angiography was performed in 3 cases and detected all lesions. Computed tomographic scan and B-ultrasound were performed in 2 cases and only one case was diagnosed. Eleven cases (79% ) got definite diagnosis before operation. Tumor resection was performed in all patients. Perioperative death occurred in one patient. No recurrence occurred in 13 cases after following up from 2 to 11 years. CONCLUSION: Upper abdominal discomfort and gastrointestinal bleeding are common features in patients with benign duodenal tumor. Duodenoscopy and hypotonic duodenography are good diagnostic approaches. Surgical tumor resection is the first choice of treatment.