Abstract Background: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a malignancy of the nasopharyngeal mucosal epithelium. Primary and secondary metastases in nasopharyngeal cancer are generally prevalent in the bones. Gene expression plays a critical role in regulating fundamental cellular processes in cancer cells, including metastasis. Methods: A total of 29 patients with non-metastatic NPC were included in the study. Results: The mean age of the participants was 48.45±9.98 years old. Most participants were male (75.9%). More than half of the participants had T4 and N2, 52.7% and 51.0% respectively). Secondary metastasis was observed in 9 of the 29 participants within two years. Patients with secondary metastases had a higher proportion of T4 (7/9) and N2 (4/9) disease. Bone was the first site of secondary metastasis (6/9 patients). The median time to secondary bone metastasis was 14.0 (6.8-21.2) months. Based on the differential expression gene (DEG) analysis, the MMP9 gene was upregulated 12.50 (4.18–37.40), adjusted p <0.01, and the ADNP gene was downregulated 0.141 (0.04–0.43), adjusted p 0.04, among patients with secondary bone metastasis. Conclusion: Bones are the first site of metastasis, with a time to metastasis of 14.0 (6.8-21,2) months. MMP9 was upregulated, and ANDP was downregulated in patients with bone metastasis compared to those without metastasis.
MMP-9 ; ADNP ; nasopharyngeal cancer ; secondary bone metastasis

Background: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy indicates an intrathoracic pathological process. Tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy (TML) can be an early sign of tuberculosis infection, particularly in developing countries. Its incidence is often unclear due to underdiagnosis and limited access to diagnostic tools. Timely diagnosis is essential, as delayed treatment can result in severe complications. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a reliable method for obtaining samples and establishing a diagnosis, although its use is constrained by various factors. This study aims to clarify the role of EBUS features in assessing TML. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that recruited ≥18 years old patients with suspected TML who underwent EBUS-TBNA. Mediastinal lymph nodes were systematically evaluated EBUS, with a focus on the largest nodes for further characteristic analysis. A TBNA was performed, and the retracted samples were assessed for pathology, acid-fast bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) culture, and Xpert Ultra examinations. Results: One hundred patients were recruited for the study. Fifty-three of these patients were ultimately diagnosed with TML. Significant associations were found between TML and several factors: short-axis size (p<0.001), oval-shaped lymph nodes (p=0.034), indistinct margins (p<0.001), central hilar presentation (p<0.001), internal echoes (p<0.049), thin layer echogenicity (p=0.033), and nodal matting (p<0.001). Among the diagnostic modalities, Xpert Ultra demonstrated the highest sensitivity for TML at 71.7%. Conclusion Endobronchial ultrasonographic features such as small size, round shape, indistinct margin, central hilar presentation, internal echo, thin layer echogenicity, and nodal matting are indicative of TML.

Purpose: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute limb ischemia, leading to damage to distant organs, including the lungs. A complex mechanism is involved in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), release of inflammatory mediators, and neutrophil activation. One strategy to reduce the damage is administering selenium, an antioxidant enzyme component that can bind ROS and protect cells. This study aimed to compare the degree of lung injury due to limb IRI in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with selenium administration versus those without selenium treatment. Materials and Methods: Fifteen male SD rats were divided into three groups: the control group (Group A), the ischemia-reperfusion with pre-reperfusion selenium (Group B), and the ischemia-reperfusion with post-reperfusion selenium (Group C).All animals underwent two hours of limb ischemia and three hours of reperfusion.Selenium was given intravenously at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight. After reperfusion, lung specimens were histopathologically examined. Results: The median degree of lung injury was severe in Group A, mild in Group B, and moderate in Group C (P=0.01). Post hoc analysis revealed a significant difference in the degree of lung injury between Groups A and B (P=0.01), while a comparison between Groups A and C (P=0.06) and Groups B and C (P=0.31) revealed no significant difference. Conclusion The administration of pre-reperfusion selenium significantly decreases lung injury induced by limb ischemia-reperfusion in SD rats.

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a significant challenge for public health and clinical medicine. COVID-19 mainly impairs the respiratory tract. However, gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19 are increasingly being recognized. Although acute viral pancreatitis has been described in other viral infections, pancreatic involvement in SARS-CoV-2 disease is still poorly defined. We reported a case of acute maternal pancreatitis in an early postpartum period woman with confirmed COVID-19. Case Presentation: A 31-year-old woman in term pregnancy had a caesarean section due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19 pneumonia. One day after surgery, her stomach appeared bloated, bowel sounds were weak, and her abdominal circumference increased. Ultrasound examination did not reveal any suspicion of bleeding or hematoma. Her abdominal contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) scan showed small bowel obstruction and oedematous pancreas. Amylase levels increased to 382 units/litre and lipase levels to 724 units/litre. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were also increased. The diagnosis of sepsis was made, and she received broad-spectrum antibiotics and treatment for the COVID-19 infection. Recovery was characterized by a gradual resolution of abdominal and pulmonary signs and symptoms. A decline of amylase and lipase was observed by the tenth day. On the 13th day, she was extubated and gradually recovered from respiratory symptoms, with a negative result for COVID-19 RT-PCR. Based on this case, we consider that pregnancy and COVID-19 support each other as the cause of acute pancreatitis. Conclusion Early diagnosis and severity classification are essential steps for successful management because late recognition and treatment may allow a greater prevalence of associated complications.
Pancreatitis ; COVID-19 ; Pregnancy ; Cesarean Section