Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare low-grade malignant tumor with uncommon regional lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. The diagnosis of this disease primarily relies on the examination of pathological morphology and immunohistochemical staining, as its clinical symptoms and imaging findings are non-specific. This makes it more difficult to provide specific information about EMC lung metastasis. The present report describes a biopsy-confirmed case of pulmonary metastases arising from EMC of the parotid. The pulmonary nodules were dispersed throughout both lungs and exhibited varying degrees of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans. Additionally, the pathological and immunohistological presentation of the lung mass was similar to that of the primary lesion. Several pulmonary nodules exhibiting varying degrees of FDG uptake may be considered a distinctive sign of metastasis on EMC imaging. Reviewing the present case, along with other similar rare cases in the literature, is crucial to accurately evaluate the imaging examinations of such patients to identify and establish an appropriate treatment plan for potential metastatic lung cancer. It also highlights the importance of not underestimating the malignant potential of EMC and the necessity for close follow-up.
Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a rare histological type of epithelial ovarian cancer. It has poor response to conventional platinum-based chemotherapy regimens and PARPi-based maintenance treatment, resulting in short survival and poor prognosis in advanced-disease patients. MOC is characterized by mucus that is mainly composed of mucin in the cystic cavity. Our review discusses in detail the role of mucins in MOC. Mucins are correlated with MOC development. Furthermore, they are valuable in the differential diagnosis of primary and secondary ovarian mucinous tumors. Some types of mucins have been studied in the context of chemoresistance and targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. This review may provide a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of advanced MOC.
Abstract Background: Low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to ameliorate obesity and reproductive dysfunctions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and further explorations in PCOS-like rats showed that EA could affect white adipose tissue (WAT). However, the function and neuromodulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in PCOS and after EA treatment have remained unknown. The present study focused on the role of BAT in PCOS-like rats and its relationship with EA, and it characterized the three-dimensional (3D) innervation of BAT associated with activation molecules. Methods: Twenty-one-day-old female rats were implanted with dihydrotestosterone or fed high fat diet respectively to establish PCOS-like and obesity models, and then EA treatment at “Guilai” (ST 29) and “Sanyinjiao” (SP 6) was carried out for 4 weeks. In present study, morphology, 3D imaging, molecular biology and other experimental techniques were used to study the sympathetic nerve and activity of BAT. Results: First, dihydrotestosterone-induced PCOS-like rats showed both obvious weight gain and reproductive dysfunction, similar to what is seen in high-fat dietinduced obesity rats except for the absence of reproductive dysfunction. We found that the body weight gain was mainly caused by an increase in WAT, but surprisingly we also observed an abnormal decrease in BAT. Because both the lipid metabolism and reproductive disorders could be improved with bilateral EA at “Guilai” (ST 29) and “Sanyinjiao” (SP 6), especially the restoration of BAT, we further investigated the neuromodulation and inflammation in BAT and identified the sympathetic marker tyrosine hydroxylase as one of the key factors of sympathetic nerves. We used tissue clearing and 3D high-resolution imaging technology to show that crooked or dispersed sympathetic nerves, but not the twisted vasculature, were reconstructed and associated with the activation of BAT and are likely to be the functional target for EA treatment. Conclusion: Taken together, the results of our study highlight the significant role of BAT and its sympathetic innervations in PCOS and in EA therapy. Keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome, electroacupuncture, brown adipose tissue, sympathetic nerve, mitochondrial brown fat uncoupling protein 1
Background Perforating artery territorial infarction (PAI) caused by branch atheromatous disease (BAD) is prone to recurrence and early progression without an effective and well-documented antiplatelet treatment regimen. Tirofiban, an adjunctive antiplatelet agent, has shown great potential to treat acute ischaemic stroke. However, whether the combination of tirofiban and aspirin can improve the prognosis of PAI remains unclear. Aim To explore an effective and safe antiplatelet regimen for reducing the risk of recurrence and early neurological deterioration (END) in PAI caused by BAD by comparing the tirofiban and aspirin combination with placebo and aspirin combination. Methods Tirofiban combined with Aspirin in the Treatment of Acute Penetrating Artery Territory Infarction (STRATEGY) trial is an ongoing multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in China. Eligible patients shall be randomly assigned to receive standard aspirin with tirofiban or placebo on the first day and standard aspirin from days 2 to 90. The primary endpoint is a new stroke or END within 90 days. The primary safety endpoint is severe or moderate bleeding within 90 days. Discussion The STRATEGY trial will assess whether tirofiban combined with aspirin is effective and safe in preventing recurrence and END in patients with PAI. Trial registration number NCT05310968 .
Objective: A biological system's internal morphological structure or function can be changed as a result of the mechanical effect of focused ultrasound. Pulsed low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) has mechanical effects that might induce follicle development with less damage to ovarian tissue. The potential development of LIFU as a non-invasive method for the treatment of female infertility is being considered, and this study sought to explore and confirm that LIFU can activate ovarian follicles. Results: We found a 50% increase in ovarian weight and in the number of mature follicles on the ultrasound-stimulated side with pulsed LIFU and intraperitoneal injection of 10 IU PMSG in 10-day-old rats. After ultrasound stimulation, the PCOS-like rats had a decrease in androgen levels, restoration of regular estrous cycle and increase in the number of mature follicles and corpora lutea, and the ratio of M1 and M2 type macrophages was altered in antral follicles of PCOS-like rats, consequently promoting further development and maturation of antral follicles. Conclusion:LIFU treatment could trigger actin changes in ovarian cells, which might disrupt the Hippo signal pathway to promote follicle formation, and the mechanical impact on the ovaries of PCOS-like rats improved antral follicle development.
Excessive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is considered to be an initiating factor in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). GnRH neuronal axons terminate at the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and median eminence, where tanycytes, specialized glial cells, have been proposed to modulate GnRH secretion through plasticity. However, the precise role of the “GnRH-tanycyte unit” during the pathological state of PCOS has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we demonstrated the architecture and distribution of GnRH neurons and tanycytes. In PCOS-like mice, retracted tanycyte processes and dysregulated GnRH-tanycyte unit may create an environment conducive to the excessive secretion of GnRH and subsequent reproductive endocrine dysfunction. Mechanistically, excessive androgens impair hypothalamic neuroglial homeostasis by acting through the androgen receptor (AR) and its downstream target integrin β1 (Itgb1), thereby suppressing the FAK/TGF-βR1/Smad2 signaling pathway. Both selective deletion of AR and overexpression of Itgb1 in tanycytes counteracted the detrimental effects of androgens, alleviating endocrine dysfunction. Collectively, this study highlights the alterations in the GnRH-tanycyte unit mediated by androgen/AR/Itgb1 signaling and provides a novel perspective for developing therapies for hypothalamic hormone secretion disorders by maintaining solid neuroglial structures in the brain.
'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(23.036 .093 25.536)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(45.87 1.273 16.18)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(69.945 .996 12.078)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(20.66 -19.689 31.932)'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)