Intestinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma presenting as a pancreatic head space-occupying lesion:A case report

BACKGROUND Intestinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma(NKTCL)is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,and its occurrence is closely related to Epstein-Barr virus infection.In addition,the clinical symptoms of NKTCL are not obvious,and the specific pathogenesis is still uncertain.While NKTCL may occur in any segment of the intestinal tract,its distinct location in the periampullary region,which leads clinicians to consider mimics of a pancreatic head mass,should also be addressed.Therefore,there remain huge challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal NKTCL.CASE SUMMARY In this case,we introduce a male who presented to the clinic with edema of both lower limbs,accompanied by diarrhea,and abdominal pain.Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)showed well-defined homogeneous hypoechoic lesions with abundant blood flow signals and compression signs in the head of the pancreas.Under the guidance of EUS-fine needle biopsy(FNB)with 19 gauge or 22 gauge needles,combined with multicolor flow cytometry immunophenotyping(MFCI)helped us diagnose NKTCL.During treatments,the patient was prescribed the steroid(dexamethasone),methotrexate,ifosfamide,L-asparaginase,and etoposide chemotherapy regimen.Unfortunately,he died of leukopenia and severe septic shock in a local hospital.CONCLUSION Clinicians should enhance their understanding of NKTCL.Some key factors,including EUS characteristics,the right choice of FNB needle,and combination with MFCI,are crucial for improving the diagnostic rate and reducing the misdiagnosis rate.

Diagnostic efficacy of the Japan Narrow-band-imaging Expert Team and Pit pattern classifications for colorectal lesions: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Pit pattern classification using magnifying chromoendoscopy is the established method for diagnosing colorectal lesions. The Japan Narrow-band-imaging(NBI) Expert Team(JNET) classification is a novel NBI magnifying endoscopic classification that focuses on the vessel, and surface patterns.AIM To determine the diagnostic efficacy of each category of the JNET and Pit pattern classifications for colorectal lesions.METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve of each category of the JNET and Pit pattern classifications were calculated.RESULTS A total of 19227 colorectal lesions in 31 studies were included. The diagnostic performance of the JNET classification was equivalent to the Pit pattern classification in each corresponding category. The pooled sensitivity, specificity,and area under the curve(AUC) for each category of the JNET classification were as follows: 0.73(95%CI: 0.55-0.85), 0.99(95%CI: 0.97-1.00), and 0.97(95%CI: 0.95-0.98), respectively, for Type 1;0.88(95%CI: 0.78-0.94), 0.72(95%CI: 0.64-0.79), and 0.84(95%CI: 0.81-0.87), respectively, for Type 2 A;0.56(95%CI: 0.47-0.64), 0.91(95%CI: 0.79-0.96), and 0.72(95%CI: 0.68-0.76), respectively, for Type 2 B;0.51(95%CI: 0.42-0.61), 1.00(95%CI: 1.00-1.00), and 0.90(95%CI: 0.87-0.93), respectively, for Type 3.CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that the diagnostic efficacy of the JNET classification may be equivalent to that of the Pit pattern classification. However, due to its simpler and clearer clinical application, the JNET classification should be promoted for the classification of colorectal lesions, and to guide the treatment strategy.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in early treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

Percutaneous catheter drainage （PCD） is a minimally invasive intervation for severe acute pancreatitis （SAP）. This study was undertaken to compare the results of surgery and ultrasound-guided PCD in the treatment of 32 patients with SAP, and to direct clinicians to the most optimal approach for SAP. In the 32 patients, 19 were proved to have deteriorated clinical signs or symptoms, extensive fluid exudation, and necrosis confirmed by computed tomography （CT） and they underwent operative debridement and drainage. For extensive fluid exudation or necrosis, complete liquefaction and safe catheter implantation, the other 13 patients were given PCD. The mortality rate of the surgery group was 26.3%, much higher than that of the PCD group （0%）. There was a significant difference between the two groups （P=0.044）. The mean time for recovery of the serum C-reactive protein （CRP） level was 43.8 days in the surgery group, which was significantly longer than that of the PCD group （23.8 days） （P=0.034）. Early PCD guided by ultrasound could decrease the mortality of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, alleviate life-threatening inflammatory complications, and avoid unnecessary emergency operation.

Nomogram based on clinical characteristics for predicting overall survival in gastric cancer patients with preoperative anemia

BACKGROUND Preoperative anemia is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality and increased perioperative transfusion risk.For surgical patients,this affects physical and cognitive ability and quality of life,but it is an important and modifiable risk factor.AIM To determine the effect of preoperative anemia on the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC)patients and generate a prognostic nomogram to predict the postoperative overall survival(OS)of GC patients with preoperative anemia.METHODS Clinicopathological and follow-up data of GC patients treated at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital(China)from 2010 to 2015 were collected.Independent prognostic factors were screened by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.Then,these factors were used to construct a nomogram to predict 1-,3-,and 5-year postoperative OS in preoperative anemic GC patients.The nomogram was assessed by calibration curves,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS Nine hundred and sixty GC patients were divided into two groups(preoper atively anemic and nonanemic),and postoperative survival analysis was performed on both groups,yielding a shorter postoperative survival for preoperatively anemic patients than for nonanemic patients.A total of 347 GC patients with preoperative anemia were included.Age,preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level,monocyte count,lymphocyte count,clinicopathological stage,liver metastasis,and GC type were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the nomogram for predicting 1-,3-,and 5-year OS was 0.831,0.845,and 0.840,respectively,for the training cohort,and the corresponding AUC values in the validation cohort were 0.827,0.829,and 0.812,respectively.Calibration curves and DCA indicated good performance of the nomogram.CONCLUSION In all,we have successfully produced and verified a useful nomogram for predicting OS in GC patients with preoperative anemia.This nomogram based on a variety of clinicopathological indices can provide an effective prognostic assessment and help clinicians choose an appropriate treatment strategy for GC patients with preoperative anemia.

Immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with advanced cervical cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(PJS)is a rare autosomal dominant disorder,and female patients may develop gynecologic tumours.The prognosis for such patients is poor and the specific pathogenesis remains uncertain.Therefore,there are currently no uniform treatment options.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we introduce the case of a 45-year-old female who was diagnosed with PJS for 45 years and cervical cancer for 3 years.Postoperative pathological examination showed metastases in the right external iliac lymph nodes.The patient was initially treated with a combination of doxorubicin and carboplatin chemotherapy and pelvic magnetic resonance showed that the metastases had grown.Subsequently,we performed whole exome sequencing in this patient and identified the relevant causative gene.In addition to the chemotherapy regimen,sindilizumab was administered and the patient was followed up.After 4 cycles of treatment,the metastases were substantially reduced and were not enlarged after six months of follow-up.This case report suggests that patients with PJS combined with cervical cancer may have a sustained response to immunecombination chemotherapy regimens.CONCLUSION Clinicians should be aware of the importance of immunotherapy in patients with PJS combined with advanced cervical cancer.

Resveratrol alleviates intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis mice by enhancing autophagy

BACKGROUND Intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis(UC).Recent studies have revealed that impaired autophagy is associated with intestinal mucosal dysfunction in the mucosa of colitis mice.Resveratrol exerts anti-inflammatory functions by regulating autophagy.AIM To investigate the effect and mechanism of resveratrol on protecting the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and anti-inflammation in dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mice.METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups:negative control group,DSS model group,DSS+resveratrol group,and DSS+5-aminosalicylic acid group.The severity of colitis was assessed by the disease activity index,serum inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Colon tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin,and mucosal damage was evaluated by mean histological score.The expression of occludin and ZO-1 in colon tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis.In addition,the expression of autophagy-related genes was determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western-blot,and morphology of autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy.RESULTS The resveratrol treatment group showed a 1.72-fold decrease in disease activity index scores and 1.42,3.81,and 1.65-fold decrease in the production of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β,respectively,in DSS-induced colitis mice compared with DSS group(P<0.05).The expressions of the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in DSS model group were decreased,and were increased in resveratrol-treated colitis group.Resveratrol also increased the levels of LC3B(by 1.39-fold compared with DSS group)and Beclin-1(by 1.49-fold compared with DSS group)(P<0.05),as well as the number of autophagosomes,which implies that the resveratrol may alleviate intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in DSS-induced UC mice by enhancing autophagy.CONCLUSION Resveratrol treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory factors,increased the expression of tight junction proteins and alleviated UC intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction;this effect may be achieved by enhancing autophagy in intestinal epithelial cells.

Drug utilization of clarithromycin for gastrointestinal disease treatment

AIM： To evaluate the patterns of use of clarithromycin for gastrointestinal disease treatment and promote its rational use.METHODS： Using a structured pro forma, we conducted a two-month survey of the electronic prescriptions containing immediate-release （IR） or sustained-release （SR） product of clarithromycin for outpatients with gastrointestinal diseases in a 2200-bed general hospital. Suitability of the prescription was audited retrospectively. RESULTS： One hundred and sixty-four prescriptions of SR product and 110 prescriptions of IR product were prescribed for gastrointestinal disease treatment. Among prescriptions for anti-Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） therapy, triple therapy take the dominant position （91.8%）, followed by quadruple therapy （4.3%） and dual therapy （3.9%）. Amoxicillin was the most frequently co-prescribed antibiotic.Furazolidone and levofloxacin are used more widely than metronidazole or tinidazole. Clarithromycin SR was administered at inappropriate time points in all prescriptions. Fifty percent of all prescriptions of clarithromycin SR, and 6.4% of prescriptions of clarithromycin IR, were prescribed at inappropriate dosing intervals. Surprisingly, disconcordance between diagnoses and indications was observed in all prescriptions of clarithromycin SR which has not been approved for treating Hpy/ori infection although off-label use for this purpose was reported in literature. On the contrary, only one prescription （0.9%） of clarithromycin IR was prescribed for unapproved indication （i.e. gastro-oesophageal reflux disease）. 1.4% of prescriptions for chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer treatment were irrational in that clarithromycin was not co-prescribed with gastric acid inhibitors. Clinical significant CYP3A based drug interactions with clarithromycin were identified. CONCLUSION： There is a great scope to improve the quality of clarithromycin prescribing in patients with gastrointestinal disease, especially with regard to administration schedule, concordance between indications and diagnoses and management of drug interactions.

Rational prescription of drugs within similar therapeutic or structural class for gastrointestinal disease treatment: Drug metabolism and its related interactions

AIM:To review and summarize drug metabolism and its related interactions in prescribing drugs within the similar therapeutic or structural class for gastrointestinal disease treatment so as to promote rational use of medicines in clinical practice.METHODS:Relevant literature was identified by performing MEDLINE/Pubmed searches covering the period from 1988 to 2006.RESULTS:Seven classes of drugs were chosen,including gastric proton pump inhibitors,histamine H2-receptor antagonists,benzamide-type gastroprokinetic agents,selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists,fluoroquinolones,macrolide antibiotics and azole antifungals.They showed significant differences in metabolic profile(i.e.,the fraction of drug metabolized by cytochrome P450(CYP),CYP reaction phenotype,impact of CYP genotype on interindividual pharmacokinetics variability and CYP-mediated drug-drug interaction potential).Many events of severe adverse drug reactions and treatment failures were closely related to the ignorance of the above issues.CONCLUSION:Clinicians should acquaint themselves with what kind of drug has less interpatient variability in clearance and whether to perform CYP genotyping prior to initiation of therapy.The relevant CYP knowledgehelps clinicians to enhance the management of patients with gastrointestinal disease who may require treatment with polytherapeutic regimens.

Is the required therapeutic effect always achieved by racemic switch of proton-pump inhibitors?

Many of the drugs currently used in medical practice are racemates. The enantiomers of a racemic drug differ in pharmacodynamics and/or pharmacokinetics, thus in some cases it is preferable to develop pure enantiomers by racemic switch. In a recent study by Pai et al, dexrabeprazole [R(+)-rabeprazole] (10 mg) was found to be more effective than rabeprazole (20 mg) in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. We read with great interest in this study and discussed whether such racemic switch would be applicable to other proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). A literature review indicates that stereoselective pharmacokinetics, rather than stereoselective pharmacological activity, is the main cause of differences in clinical efficacy between pure enantiomer and racemic PPI. Racemic switches of PPI provide the therapeutic advantages such as reducing metabolic load on the body, simplifying pharmacokinetics, providing benefit to the non-responders to standard dose of racemate, more homogenous response to treatment and better efficacy with equal safety. Further studies in quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) are needed to address the fact that the preferred enantiomer of PPI is not always in the same absolute configuration, i.e., S-form is for omeprazole, pantoprazole and tenatoprazole whereas R-form is for lansoprazole and rabeprazole.

Spontaneous expulsion of a duodenal lipoma after endoscopic biopsy: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal(GI)lipomas are benign submucosal tumors of mature adipocytes that arise mainly in the colon and stomach,sometimes in the ileum and jejunum,and rarely in the duodenum.Patients with symptomatic lipomas require endoscopic or surgical treatment.Spontaneous expulsion of lipomas after biopsy is a rare condition that has limited case reports.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent postprandial epigastric fullness.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)revealed a 10-mm soft yellowish submucosal lesion with the“pillow sign,”located in the second portion of duodenum.Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)using a 12-MHz catheter probe showed a hyperechoic,homogenous,and round solid lesion(OLYMPUS EUS EUME2,UM-DP12-25R,12-MHz radial miniprobe,Olympus Corporation,Tokyo,Japan).Deep biopsy was performed using the bite-on-bite technique with forceps.Histological examination was compatible with submucosal lipoma.The lesion spontaneously expelled 12 d after the biopsy.Follow-up EUS performed after 2 mo confirmed this condition.CONCLUSION Deep biopsy could lead to spontaneous GI lipoma expulsion.This might be the first step in lipoma diagnosis and treatment.