Xiaodong Shao

Comparison of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses against pancreatic cancer induced by dendritic cells transfected with total tumor RNA and fusion hybrided with tumor cell

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly human malignancy. Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy with whole tumor antigens demonstrates potential efficiency in cancer treatment. Tumor RNA and tumor fusion hybrid cells are sources of whole tumor antigens for preparing DC tumor vaccines. However, the efficacy of these sources in eliciting immune responses against PC has not yet to be directly compared. In the present study, patient-derived PC cells and DCs were fused (DC–tumor hybrids) and primary cultured PC cell-derived total RNA was electroporated into autologous DCs (DC–tumor RNA). The antitumor immune responses induced by DC–tumor hybrids and DC–tumor RNA were compared directly. The results showed that both RNA and hybrid methodologies could induce tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, but pulsing DCs with total tumor RNA could induce a higher frequency of activated CTLs and T-helper cells than fusing DCs with autologous tumor cells. In addition, DC–tumor RNA triggered stronger autologous tumor cell lysis than DC–tumor hybrids. It could be concluded that DCs pulsed with whole tumor RNA are superior to those fused with tumor cells in priming anti-PC CTL responses. Electroporation with total tumor RNA may be more suitable for DC-based PC vaccination.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Spontaneous Splenorenal Shunt in Liver Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Observational Study Based on Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans

Background This is a retrospective observational study evaluating the prevalence and clinical characteristics of spontaneous splenorenal shunt in liver cirrhosis. Material/Methods We included a total of 105 cirrhotic patients who were admitted to our hospital between June 2012 and December 2013 and underwent contrast-enhanced CT and/or MRI scans at admissions. Spontaneous splenorenal shunt was identified. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between cirrhotic patients with and without spontaneous splenorenal shunt. Results The prevalence of spontaneous splenorenal shunt was 10.5% (11/105). The prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy was higher in patients with spontaneous splenorenal shunt than in those without spontaneous splenorenal shunt (18.2% vs. 4.3%, p=0.062), but the difference between them was not statistically significant. The prevalence of acute upper-gastrointestinal bleeding was lower in patients with spontaneous splenorenal shunt than in those without spontaneous splenorenal shunt (0% vs. 18.1%, p=0.205), but the difference between them was not statistically significant. Patients with spontaneous splenorenal shunt had significantly higher Child-Pugh scores (9.50±1.65 vs. 7.43±2.02, p=0.002) and MELD scores (11.26±7.29 vs. 5.67±6.83, p=0.017) than those without spontaneous splenorenal shunt. In-hospital mortality was similar between them (0% vs. 4.3%, p=1.000). Conclusions Spontaneous splenorenal shunt might be associated with worse liver function in liver cirrhosis, but not with in-hospital mortality.

Serum Liver Fibrosis Markers in the Prognosis of Liver Cirrhosis: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background The prognostic role of serum liver fibrosis markers in cirrhotic patients remains unclear. We performed a prospective observational study to evaluate the effect of amino-terminal pro-peptide of type III pro-collagen (PIIINP), collagen IV (CIV), laminin (LN), and hyaluronic acid (HA) on the prognosis of liver cirrhosis. Material/Methods All patients who were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and admitted to our department were prospectively enrolled. PIIINP, CIV, LN, and HA levels were tested. Results Overall, 108 cirrhotic patients were included. Correlation analysis demonstrated that CIV (coefficient r: 0.658, p<0.001; coefficient r: 0.368, p<0.001), LN (coefficient r: 0.450, p<0.001; coefficient r: 0.343, p<0.001), and HA (coefficient r: 0.325, p=0.001; coefficient r: 0.282, p=0.004) levels, but not PIIINP level (coefficient r: 0.081, p=0.414; coefficient r: 0.090, p=0.363), significantly correlated with Child-Pugh and MELD scores. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HA (odds ratio=1.00003, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.000004–1.000056, p=0.022) was significantly associated with the 6-month mortality. Receiver operating characteristics analysis demonstrated that the area under the curve (AUC) of HA for predicting the 6-month mortality was 0.612 (95%CI=0.508–0.709, p=0.1531). Conclusions CIV, LN, and HA levels were significantly associated with the severity of liver dysfunction, but might be inappropriate for the prognostic assessment of liver cirrhosis.

A good response to steroid therapy in IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis: a case report

IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis is a rare autoimmune liver disease. Biliary tract imaging, serum IgG4 concentration, and histopathological examination are the major diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. In this paper, we report a male patient with yellowish skin, in whom classical liver-protection drugs were initially given, but the efficacy was poor. After that, IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed, and he achieved a good response to steroid therapy.

Mixed hemangioma on the ileocecal valve removed by endoscopic polypectomy

A pedunculated polypoid mass on the ileocecal valve in a 74-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain and diarrhea was presented. Previous colonoscopy revealed multiple polyps and diverticula in the cecum of the patient. During colonoscopy in our department a pedunculated polypoid mass on the ileocecal valve with a diameter of 15 mm was noted. The mass was successfully removed by snare polypectomy and a diagnosis of mixed hemangioma was confirmed by histological examination. A review of the literature is presented involving current diagnostic and therapeutic methods for gastrointestinal hemangiomas.

Should vasoconstrictors be considered in a cirrhotic patient with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Abstract Varices manifest as a major etiology of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. By contrast, non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding is rare. Pharmacological treatment differs between patients with variceal and non-variceal bleeding. Vasoconstrictors are recommended for the treatment of variceal bleeding, rather than non-variceal bleeding. In contrast, pump proton inhibitors are recommended for the treatment of non-variceal bleeding, rather than variceal bleeding. Herein, we present a case with liver cirrhosis and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding who had a high risk of rebleeding (i.e., Child–Pugh class C, hepatocellular carcinoma, portal vein thrombosis, low albumin, and high international normalized ratio and D-dimer). As the source of bleeding was obscure, only terlipressin without pump proton inhibitors was initially administered. Acute bleeding episode was effectively controlled. After that, an elective endoscopic examination confirmed that the source of bleeding was attributed to peptic ulcer, rather than varices. Based on this preliminary case report, we further discussed the potential role of vasoconstrictors in a patient with cirrhosis with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Thrombocytosis in a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Reported here is a case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to a peptic ulcer involving an extremely high platelet count of 989 × 109/L. Myeloproliferative neoplasms were ruled out on the basis of gene mutation testing and a bone marrow biopsy. After the cessation of index bleeding, the platelet count decreased markedly. Thus, reactive thrombocytosis was considered as a possibility.

An extremely increased CA19-9 level due to common bile duct stone: a case report

Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), a common tumor marker, is frequently increased in bile duct malignancy. We reported a case with an extremely increased CA19-9 level due to benign common bile duct stones and gallstones. A 63-year-old male presented with intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 1 year. Tumor markers showed that CA19-9 level was more than 1,000.0 U/mL (normal range: 0–37 U/mL), CA-50 level was 466.34 IU/mL (normal range: 0–25 IU/mL), and CA24-2 level was more than 200 IU/mL (normal range: 0–20 IU/mL). Abdominal CT scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) demonstrated multiple stones located in the lower segment of common bile duct, lower bile duct obstruction, and gallbladder stones. Pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma were excluded. On the third day after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), CA19-9 level dropped to 78.62 U/mL. In conclusion, an extremely increased CA19-9 level might be observed in some patients with benign bile duct diseases.