Pancreatic cancer frequently infiltrates the portal vein system because of the close anatomical proximity between the head of the pancreas and the portal/superior mesenteric vein confluence,and the biological character of invasion. In these cases, pancreatectomy combined with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection is a potential treatment, but the outcome remains controversial. So far there is no significant evidence have shown that the pancreatectomy combined with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection improves the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. In order to establish clinical practice guidelines, as well as standardize operational indication and operational method, it is necessary to conduct large-scale, multicenter, randomized and controlled prospective clinical trials,and collect long-term follow up information.

Objective To evaluate the effect of combination therapy of tolterodine and tamsulosin in improving symptoms in patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents.Methods A total of 96 patients underwent placement of a double-J ureteral stent after retrograde ureteroscopy for urinary stone disease,which were prospectively randomized ( random numbers table) into two groups.The tamsulosin group ( n =48) was administered tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily,the combination group (n =48) was administcred tamsulosin 0.2 mg once daily and tolterodine 2 mg twice daily.All the patients completed a validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ),the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS),the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) one day before he placement and 4 weeks after stent placement of stent.Results The mean urinary symptom index score (25.4 ± 4.0 vs 15.3 ± 2.9,P ＜ 0.0001 ),the mean pain index score (15.0 ±2.6 vs10.3 ±2.1,P ＜0.0001),the mean general health index score (15.4 ±2.2 vs 11.0±1.5,P＜0.0001),the work performance index score (13.0±2.2vs9.7±1.9,P＜0.0001),the sex index score (3.6 ± 1.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.9,P ＜0.0001 ) improved significantly in combination group than those in tamsulosin group.There was a statistically significant difference between tamsulosin group and combination group in the IPSS score ( 12.8 ± 2.0 vs 9.2 ± 1.7,P ＜ 0.0001 ) and OABSS score ( 6.7 ± 1.4 vs 4.2 ± 1.4,P ＜ 0.0001 ) at the 4 weekfollow-up.Conclusions Indwelling ureteral stents have a significant impact on health related quality of life.It is effective for improving symptoms in patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents by combination therapy with tolterodine and tamsulosin.

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical value of ECG-gated dual-source CT angiography (DSCTA) in evaluating coarctation of aorta (CoA). 23 patients suspected with CoA underwent DSCTA and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Surgical results were taken as reference standard. 23 patients were diagnosed with CoA, 12 cases had focal stenosis of aorta, while 11 had tubular stenosis. 19 cases were associated with other cardiovascular malformations, including 5 cases of hypoplastic aortic arch, 5 of patent ductus arteriosus, 10 of ventricular septal defect, 2 of bicuspid aortic valve, 4 of collateral arteries, 2 of aberrant left subclavian artery and 2 of persistent left superior vena cava, respectively. The mean diameter of stenotic segment of aorta was (7.0 +/- 3.7) mm. In 9 patients with tubular CoA, the diameter and length of stenotic segment of aorta were (6.2 +/- 7. 3) mm and (29.2 +/- 5.9) mm, respectively. The accuracies of DSCTA and TTE in the diagnosis of CoA were 100% and 91.3% (P > 0.05), respectively. It is well concluded that ECG-gated DSCTA could accurately evaluate CoA and associated cardiovascular malformations, and provide detailed anatomic information before surgery.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiography ; methods ; Aortic Coarctation ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Contrast Media ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

To evaluated the multi-detector CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of localized Castleman's disease (CD), we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, MDCT and MRI findings of 13 patients with CD proved pathologically. All patients underwent plain MDCT scan, 11 underwent enhanced CT, and 2 MRI. 14 lesions were detected in the 13 patients, and all of them were hyaline-vascular type (HV-CD) histopathologically. On plain MDCT scans, all lesions were homogeneously attenuated soft tissue mass; intra-tumoral calcification with punctate and "arborizing" patterns was detected in the center of 2 lesions each. Of the patients with enhanced MDCT, all lesions showed obvious enhancement homogeneously except two lesions with central stellate and 1 lesion with dotted low attenuation. Tortuous vessels could be revealed at the periphery of 8 lesions. Of the 2 patients with MRI, the lesions showed slightly hyper-intensity on T1WI, hyper-intensity on T2WI and marked homogenous enhancement. In addition, one of them showed signal void appearance in the center on unenhanced MRI and large supplying artery with tortuous vessels at the periphery on enhanced MRI. In a word, Localized HV-CD usually demonstrated as soft tissue mass with obvious enhancement on MDCT and MRI. Central stellate area of low attenuation and calcification with punctate or "arborizing" pattern may also be present.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Castleman Disease ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) has been extensively investigated in mouse models of multiple myeloma, which results in osteolytic bone lesions. Elevated DKK1 levels in bone marrow plasma and serum inhibit the differentiation of osteoblast precursors. Present pharmaceutical approaches to target bone lesions are limited to antiresorptive agents. In this study, we developed a cyclized oligopeptide against DKK1-low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 5/6 interaction and tested the effects of the oligopeptide on tumor burden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cyclized oligopeptide based on DKK1-LRP5/6 interactions was synthesized chemically, and its nuclear magnetic resonance structure was assessed. Luciferase reporter assay and mRNA expressions of osteoblast markers were evaluated after oligopeptide treatment. MOPC315.BM.Luc cells were injected into the tail vein of mice, after which cyclized oligopeptide was delivered subcutaneously 6 days a week for 4 weeks. RESULTS: The cyclized oligopeptide containing NXI motif bound to the E1 domain of LRP5/6 effectively on surface plasmon resonance analysis. It abrogated the Wnt-β-catenin signaling inhibited by DKK1, but not by sclerostin, dose dependently. RT-PCR and alkaline phosphatase staining showed increased expressions of osteoblast markers according to the treatment concentrations. Bioluminescence images showed that the treatment of cyclized oligopeptide reduced tumor burden more in oligopeptide treated group than in the vehicle group. CONCLUSION: The cyclized oligopeptide reported here may be another option for the treatment of tumor burden in multiple myeloma.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; Bone Marrow ; Lipoproteins ; Luciferases ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mice* ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Osteoblasts ; Plasma ; RNA, Messenger ; Surface Plasmon Resonance ; Tail ; Tumor Burden* ; Veins