These results show that in addition to changes in the signaling pathways, such as the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway, altered mitochondrial DNA replication and protein folding in liver cancer are also worth studying further. Collectively, these results suggest that specific mitochondrial proteins are uniquely susceptible to alterations in expression and carry implications for the investigation of their potential as therapeutic and prognostic markers. Further studies focusing on these proteins will be used to predict treatment response and reverse the apoptosis resistance.
This study is designed to investigate the effects of berberine (BBR) on galectin-3 (Gal-3) and the relationships to its suppressive activities on adipocyte differentiation, proliferation and adiposity. Our results showed that BBR greatly suppressed the differentiation and proliferation of mouse primary preadipocytes isolated from epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), during which the expression level of Gal-3 was down-regulated significantly. Overexpression of Gal-3 totally abolished the suppressive activities of BBR on Gal-3 expression, preadipocyte differentiation and proliferation. BBR reduced Gal-3 promoter activity, destabilized its mRNA and inhibited firefly luciferase activity of a recombinant plasmid containing the Gal-3 3′ untranslated region (UTR). Furthermore, BBR up-regulated microRNA (miRNA) let-7d expression and the suppressive activity on Gal-3 3′UTR was abolished by point mutation on the let-7d binding site. In mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), BBR up-regulated let-7d and down-regulated Gal-3 expression in eWAT; it also suppressed adipocyte differentiation and proliferation and reduced adiposity greatly. In summary, our study proves that BBR inhibits the differentiation and proliferation of adipocytes through down-regulating Gal-3, which is closely associated with its anti-obesity effect. Our results may support the future clinical application of BBR for the treatment of obesity or related diseases.
Rationale:
Duodenal neuroendocrine tumor (d-NET) is a rare tumor originating in the neuroendocrine system. The clinical manifestations of d-NET are similar to those of other digestive tract tumors, resulting in a lack of specificity and complex clinical symptoms.
Patient concerns:
A 55-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of an abdominal mass that had been present for more than 4 months.
Diagnoses:
The upper abdomen enhanced computed tomography scan showed an uneven density mass across the upper abdomen, and the tumor size was approximately 6.2 × 5.8 cm with obvious visible enhancement present in 1 area and a cystic nonenhanced area. The postoperative pathology showed the tumor cells to be positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, cytokeratin, CD56 (partial weak), negative for vimentin, CD117, DOG-1, CD34, S-100, SMA, desmin, and Ki-67 approximately 2%, which confirmed the diagnosis of d-NETs.
Interventions:
We preferred laparoscopic surgical exploration, but the tumor started at the ascending part of the duodenum and involved the mesenteric artery. As the branches of the superior mesenteric artery were intertwined with the tumor, it was difficult to operate with the endoscope, so we converted to open laparotomy. The postoperative pathology revealed the presence of d-NET.
Outcomes:
The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged after the operation. One-month and 3-month follow-up after surgery, showed no evidence of recurrence.
Lessons:
Radiological imaging studies are insufficient for the differential diagnosis of abdominal mass from other diseases, whereas surgery is the only radical treatment method, and the preferred surgical method is still active radical resection of the tumor.
Background: This study aims to establish a stable chronic rejection model for orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat and to describe the pathological features of this model. Methods: The livers from different strains of rats were transplanted in various allogeneic donor-recipient combinations with appropriate syngeneic grafts used as controls. The rats were untreated after surgery (acute rejection model) or treated with cyclosporin A (1 mg/kg) and hydrocortisone (0.75 mg/kg) to establish chronic rejection as determined by rejection activity index scores from pathological examination of liver specimens. Results: Acute rejection occurred in all of the untreated recipients of allogeneic orthotopic liver transplants, and all died within 30 days. Among the treated recipients, the combinations of Lewis with brown Norway and dark agouti with Lewis rats developed acute rejection, and no changes characteristic of chronic rejection were observed in the few rats that survived beyond 30 days. In contrast, the treated Lewis recipients of livers from Sprague-Dawley rats exhibited chronic rejection in the liver specimens. Conclusion: We have established an animal model for chronic rejection after transplantation of livers from Sprague-Dawley to Lewis rats under short-term immunosuppression induced by small doses of cyclosporin A and hydrocortisone.
Background: Paraganglioma (PGL) is a rare neuroendocrine tumour derived from the extra- adrenal gland that is also known as ectopic pheochromocytoma (PHEO). The typical clinical symptoms are paroxysmal hypertension with headache, sweating and palpitation. However, PGL with abnormal glucose metabolism as the main manifestation is rare.Case Presentation: In this case, the patient had a history of diabetes for 13 years and showed persistently increased blood glucose. The application of multiple hypoglycaemic drugs to control the patient’s blood glucose was ineffective, and a limited effect of high-dose insulin was observed. This patient underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan(CT),showing a soft tissue density shadow (3.2×2.4cm) with clear edges and slight enhancement in the medial side of inferior vena cava. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and significant blood pressure changes were observed when the tumourwas removed during the operation. The patient’s blood glucose decreased significantly and hypoglycaemiawas noted when the patient’s original dose of insulin was maintained. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged after the operation.Conclusions: Hyperglycaemia caused by PGL is rare in the clinic; therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the relevant blood glucose indexes during the preoperative examination and diagnosis process to improve the examination process and further assist in the preoperative diagnosis of PGL. It is necessary to pay attention to changes in blood pressure during and after the operation to avoid hypoglycaemia. Lifetime follow up is necessary after the operation.
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