Mesenteric Pseudocyst of the Small Bowel in Gastric Cancer Patient: A Case Report

Mesenteric pseudocyst is rare. This term is used to describe the abdominal cystic mass, without the origin of abdominal organ. We presented a case of mesenteric pseudocyst of the small bowel in a 70-year-old man. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy showed a 3.5 cm sized excavated lesion on the posterior wall of angle. Endocopic biopsy confirmed a histologic diagnosis of the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, which includes the signet ring cell component. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a focal mucosal enhancement in the posterior wall of angle of the stomach, a 2.4 cm sized enhancing mass on the distal small bowel loop, without distant metastases or ascites in rectal shelf, and multiple gallbladder stones. The patient underwent subtotal gastrectomy with gastroduodenostomy, segmental resection of the small bowel, and cholecystectomy. The final pathological diagnosis was mesenteric pseudocyst. This is the first case report describing incidentally detected mesenteric pseudocyst of the small bowel in gastric cancer patients

A Case of Aortopulmonary Fistula Caused by a Huge Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Aortopulmonary fistula is an uncommon but often fatal condition resulting as a late complication of an aortic aneurysm. The most common cause is erosion of a false aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta into the pulmonary artery, resulting in the development of a left-to-right shunt and leading to acute pulmonary edema and right heart failure. We report an our experience with aortopulmonary fistula as a rare complication associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and high output heart failure

Identification of SYK inhibitor, R406 as a novel senolytic agent

The selective removal of senescent cells by senolytics is suggested as a potential approach to reverse aging and extend lifespan. Using high-throughput screening with replicative senescence of human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs), we identified a novel senolytic drug R406 that showed selective toxicity in senescent cells. Using flow cytometry and caspase expression analysis, we confirmed that R406 caused apoptotic cell death along with morphological changes in senescent cells. Interestingly, R406 altered the cell survival-related molecular processes including the inhibition of phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in senescent cells. This pattern was not observed in other known senolytic agent ABT263. Correspondingly, apoptotic cell death in senescent cells was induced by simultaneously blocking the FAK and p38 pathways. Taken together, we suggest that R406 acts as a senolytic drug by inducing apoptosis and reducing cell attachment capacity. © Cho et al.1

Evaluation of chewing ability in cerebrovascular accident and Parkinson’s disease

Purpose: Chewing problems are a major and prevalent issue in populations with neurological pathologies including cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). We measured habitual solid chewing performance in patients with CVA or PD and compared it to that of normal older adults to identify differences in chewing ability between groups.Methods: Measures of habitual solid chewing in 32 patients with CVA, in 35 patients with PD, and in 217 normal older adults were compared. Data on the chewing duration, frequency, and rate were collected using a solid chewing task (SCT). We also analyzed the relationships between dentures, number of teeth, and SCT outcomes.Results: The chewing duration in the PD group was significantly longer than the normal group (p<0.05). Chewing frequency and rate were not significantly different among the three groups. Results can be explained by rigidity and bradykinesia in orofacial structures in the PD group. No significant differences between the PD and CVA groups may be partly explained by the diverse location and size of the CVA lesion compared to the PD. Dentures and the number of teeth were not significantly correlated with SCT outcomes.Conclusions: Chewing impairment remains the area of development for research and rehabilitation, and SCT may help to assess oropharyngeal dysphagia and to identify therapeutic interventions.11Nscopu

An Experimental Investigation on the Droplet Behavior Impacting a Hot Surface above the Leidenfrost Temperature

An appropriate model to predict the size of the droplets resulting from the break-up with the structures will help in a better understanding and modeling of the two-phase flow calculations in the simulation of a reactor core loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). A droplet behavior impacting on a hot surface above the Leidenfrost temperature was investigated. Droplets of known size and velocity were impacted to an inclined plate of hot temperature, and the behavior of the droplets was observed by a high-speed camera. It was found that for droplets of Weber number higher than a certain value, the higher the Weber number of the droplet the smaller the secondary droplets. The COBRA-TF model over-predicted the measured secondary droplet sizes obtained by the present experiment. A simple model for the secondary droplet size was proposed using the mass conservation equation. The maximum spreading diameter of the droplets was also compared to previous correlations and a fairly good agreement was found. A better prediction of the heat transfer in the case of LOCA can be obtained with the presented model

Optimization of a Multi-Residue Analytical Method during Determination of Pesticides in Meat Products by GC-MS/MS

In this study, a multi-residue analysis was developed for 32 compounds, including pesticides and metabolites, in five meat products using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The validation of the developed analytical method was also evaluated in accordance with Codex Alimentarius guidelines. Aminopropyl (NH2), C18, and florisil solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges were used to evaluate and optimize the cleanup procedure of the tested samples prior to GC-MS/MS analysis. Based on the analytical performance, the C18 SPE cartridge was deemed to be the most suitable among the examined SPE cartridges. The optimized method demonstrated that 29 out of 32 tested compounds acquired good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99), and 25 tested compounds displayed the method limit of quantification (MLOQ) ≤ 0.01 mg/kg. Out of the 32 tested compounds, only 21 compounds met the acceptable analytical criteria for the lard and tallow samples, compared to 27 compounds in the beef, pork, and chicken samples that falls within the acceptable standards for recovery (70–120%) and analytical precision (relative standard deviation RSD ≤ 20%). The average matrix effect was widely varied (20.1–64.8%) in the studied meat samples that were affected by either ion enhancement or suppression. In particular, in the lard sample, 13 compounds showed poor recovery and analytical precision due to ion suppression. Thus, the matrix effect (ME) was considered a critical factor during multi-residue pesticide analysis in different meat products. In conclusion, this developed analytical method can be used as a routine monitoring system for residual pesticide analysis in livestock products with acceptable analytical standards. Further meticulous analytical studies should be optimized and validated for multi-residue pesticide analysis in diversified meat products

Characteristics of diabetic and non-diabetic carpal tunnel syndrome in terms of clinical, electrophysiological, and Sonographic features: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Although diabetes is considered a major risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the characteristics of diabetic CTS have not been fully understood. Objective This study is aimed at evaluation of the clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic findings of non-diabetic and diabetic CTS. Methods This retrospective, cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with CTS. Patient age, sex, involved side, body mass index, clinical and electrophysiological findings, and median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) were identified. Diabetes was identified through patient or guardian interviews, medical records, and medication history. Linear and binary logistic regression models were established to confirm the associations between the electrophysiological findings, median nerve CSA, and clinical outcomes. Covariates, such as age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, symptom duration, and thenar muscle weakness were adjusted. Results Out of the 920 hands, 126 and 794 belonged to the diabetic and non-diabetic CTS groups, respectively. The patients were significantly older in the diabetic CTS group (P < 0.001). The rate of thenar weakness in the diabetic CTS group was also significantly higher than that in the non-diabetic CTS group (P = 0.009). The diabetic CTS group had a more severe electrodiagnostic grade (P = 0.001). The prolonged onset latency of the compound motor nerve action potential (CMAP) and median nerve CSA were well associated with the degree of clinical symptoms. Increased median nerve CSA was significantly associated with prolonged CMAP onset latency (β = 0.64; P = 0.012), prolonged transcarpal latency (β = 0.95; P = 0.044), and decreased CMAP amplitude (β = -0.17; P = 0.002) in the non-diabetic CTS group. Conclusion Diabetic CTS had more profound electrophysiological abnormalities. Distal motor latency and median nerve CSA were not only associated with each other, but also with clinical symptoms. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetic CTS

Effect of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> on the Growth and Phytochemical Contents of “Red Russian” Kale (<i>Brassica napus</i> var. Pabularia)

Kale is a prominent leafy vegetable because of its high content of bioactive compounds and various health benefits. Microalgae have been suggested as a biostimulator that can replace chemical fertilizers by enhancing crop yield and supporting soil carbon sequestration. In this study, the effect of Chlorella vulgaris as a plant biostimulant on the growth and secondary metabolite contents of “Red Russian” kale (Brassica napus var. Pabularia) with green leaves and purple veins has been demonstrated. Three Chlorella treatments were used: CS, C. vulgaris suspension; CB, C. vulgaris biomass; and CFS, filtered C. vulgaris-free supernatant. The plant growth rates, phytochemical contents, and individual glucosinolate and anthocyanin contents were determined. There was no significant difference under the CS and CB treatments, while CFS negatively influenced on kale growth with 37% reduction of dried weight. In contrast, metabolite production differed according to Chlorella treatments. Total contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid were increased by 1.57 and 1.41 folds by CS treatment, whereas total contents of phenol and flavonoids were enhanced by 1.30 and 1.22 folds by CFS treatment. Totally, seven glucosinolates and four anthocyanins were characterized and quantified individually. Notably, CFS treatment increased gluconasturtiin and all anthocyanins the most, 10.28-fold and 5.90-fold, respectively