68 Ga-DOTANOC and 18 F-FDG PET/CT in metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma: novel correlations with tumoral biomarkers

Abstract

Objective

Metastatic disease is common in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and it is usually detected by raising calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels. Nuclear medicine imaging has an important role in lesion identification/characterisation. We aim to compare ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT performance and to explore the correlations between tumoral markers and functional imaging.

Methods

This a retrospective cross-sectional study including 13 patients with MTC and high calcitonin/CEA levels that underwent both ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.

Results

⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT identified MTC metastases in 2twopatients that were ¹⁸F-FDG-negative (sensitivity of 69.2% vs. 53.9%, respectively). ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT also detected a higher number of lesions than ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in seven patients, with only one patient showing the opposite pattern. Both differences lacked statistical significance (p = 0.50 and p = 0.86, respectively) but ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT better performance allowed changes in patients' management. ⁶⁸Ga-positive/¹⁸F-FDG-negative patients were the ones with the lowest calcitonin doubling time and presented a CEA doubling time >24 months, while the patient with more ¹⁸F-FDG-positive lesions was the one with the highest CEA/calcitonin ratio. The number of lesions found in ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT were correlated with calcitonin levels (r = 0.73; p < 0.01) but not with CEA ones (r = 0.42; p = 0.15). The number of ¹⁸F-FDG hypermetabolic focus were correlated with CEA levels (r = 0.60; p < 0.05) but not with calcitonin (r = 0.48; p = 0.09).

Conclusions

This is the first study to describe a positive correlation between ⁶⁸Ga-positive lesions and calcitonin levels and between ¹⁸F-FDG-positivity and CEA levels. Tumoral markers pattern in metastatic MTC could help clinicians to decide which exam to perform first.

http://bit.ly/2sKzxeN

Correction to: Factors predicting long-term comorbidities in patients with Cushing’s syndrome in remission

The original version of this article unfortunately published with traditional Springer copyright instead of open access under Springer compact agreement.

http://bit.ly/2FSVrnT

The long-term prognosis of heart diseases for different metabolic phenotypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Abstract

Purpose

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the association of different categories of weight and metabolic status with risk of heart diseases including myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and heart failure (HF).

Methods

Data from relevant studies were identified systematically by searching PubMed and Scopus search engines up to 29 May 2018. Prospective studies were included in the analyses with metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW) as the reference. Pooled RRs and 95% CI were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effect models when appropriate. Subgroup analysis was applied to define possible sources of heterogeneity.

Results

Overall, 21 studies (n = 778,401 participants) were eligible for the present meta-analysis. Generally, the risk of CVDs for all metabolic phenotypes in metabolically unhealthy obese increased compared with the MHNW group. A significant positive association between all metabolic phenotypes and the risk of HF was also observed expect for MHOW (RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.60–2.00, P = 0.76) and MHO phenotypes (RR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.25–3.77, P = 0.95). Moreover, MUHO phenotype was associated with greater risk of MI compared with the MHNW phenotype (RR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.50–2.22, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Our findings showed that all metabolically unhealthy phenotypes in different categories of weight were associated with increased incident of CVDs/HF and MI. Furthermore, healthy overweight and obese subjects had increased risk of CVDs.

http://bit.ly/2RFj9Lk

Hepatic arterial infusion of irinotecan and EmboCept ® S results in high tumor concentration of SN-38 in a rat model of colorectal liver metastases

Abstract

Intraarterial chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) can be applied alone or together with embolization particles. It remains unclear whether different types of embolization particles lead to higher intratumoral drug concentration. Herein, we quantified the concentrations of CPT-11 and its active metabolite SN-38 in plasma, liver and tumor tissue after hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of irinotecan, with or without further application of embolization particles, in a rat model of CRLM. Animals underwent either systemic application of irinotecan, or HAI with or without the embolization particles Embocept^® S and Tandem™. Four hours after treatment concentrations of CPT-11 and SN-38 were analyzed in plasma, tumor and liver samples by high-performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, DNA-damage and apoptosis were analyzed immunohistochemically. Tumor tissue concentrations of SN-38 were significantly increased after HAI with irinotecan and EmboCept^® S compared to the other groups. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher after both HAI with irinotecan and EmboCept^® S or Tandem™ loaded with irinotecan compared to the control group. HAI with irinotecan and EmboCept^® S resulted in an increased SN-38 tumor concentration. Both HAI with irinotecan and EmboCept^® S or Tandem™ loaded with irinotecan were highly effective with regard to apoptosis.

http://bit.ly/2Mxl4vN

Meeting report: Metastasis Research Society (MRS) 17th Biennial conference and associated Young Investigator Satellite Meeting (YISM) on cancer metastasis

Abstract

The Metastasis Research Society (MRS) 17th Biennial conference on metastasis was held on the 1st to the 5th of August 2018 at Princeton University, NJ, USA. The meeting was held around themes addressing notable aspects of the understanding and treatment of metastasis and metastatic disease covering basic, translational, and clinical research. Importantly, the meeting was largely supported by our patient advocate partners including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Theresa's Research Foundation and METAvivor. There were a total of 85 presentations from invited and selected speakers spread across the main congress and presentations from the preceding Young Investigator Satellite Meeting. Presentations are summarized in this report by session topic.

http://bit.ly/2sQnxbG

VideoEndocrinology™ New Open Access Video

Parapharyngeal Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Justin Tran, Mark Zafereo 

The post VideoEndocrinology™ New Open Access Video appeared first on American Thyroid Association.

http://bit.ly/2T4XFEg

Long-term outcome of hyperthyroidism diagnosed in childhood and adolescence: a single-centre experience

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://bit.ly/2S6JgKK

Hepatopathies in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://bit.ly/2HA4mgf

Functional and endocrine-metabolic oligomenorrhea: proposal of a new diagnostic assessment tool for differential diagnosis in adolescence

Journal Name: Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Issue: Ahead of print


http://bit.ly/2S86xMc

Long-term spatiotemporal variations of atmospheric sulfur, nitrogen and particle pollutants in Chongqing, southwest China: implication of industrial transfer

Abstract

Industrial transfer has swept through in China. However, there is still a knowledge gap about its environmental effects. In this study, industrial transfer status was assessed and evaluated by industrial ratios (%; the gross product contributions of the secondary industry to the whole industry) and the impact of such transfer on atmospheric environment (SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀ (particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm), precipitations of SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺) in the 38 districts and counties in Chongqing was analyzed and discussed for the period of 2006–2015. Results showed that industries were transferred obviously from the main urban region (MUR) into the 1-h economic region (OHER). Atmospheric sulfur and PM₁₀ were efficiently put in control, but atmospheric nitrogen (NO₂; precipitations of NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺) was increasing and posted a potential threat to air quality especially during 2011–2015. Correlations showed that industrial ratios had significantly positive relationships with concentrations of ambient SO₂ and PM₁₀ in the MUR and ambient NO₂ in the OHER (p < 0.05) while a remarkably negative one with concentrations of ambient SO₂ in the OHER (p < 0.05) during 2006–2015, implying that industrial transfer could be effective in transferring sulfur pollution but not as efficient in transferring atmospheric nitrogen and PM₁₀ pollutions as SO₂ between in the MUR and OHER. More measures should be taken to reduce nitrogen and PM₁₀ emission and a regional monitoring network of ambient NH₃ is in urgent need.

http://bit.ly/2G2LR1z

Real-world drug survival of ixekizumab for psoriasis

Publication date: Available online 26 January 2019

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Erica B. Lee, Deeti J. Pithadia, Kelly A. Reynolds, Shivani P. Reddy, Alexander Egeberg, Jashin J. Wu

http://bit.ly/2B2K8pS

Pharmacy Costs of Medications for the Treatment of Onychomycosis in the United States

Publication date: Available online 26 January 2019

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Eric J. Yang, Shari R. Lipner

http://bit.ly/2Tkga84

A Comparison of the Efficacy of Ablative Fractional Laser Assisted Photodynamic Therapy according to Ablative Depth for Actinic Keratosis: A Single-blinded, Randomized, Comparative, Prospective Study

Publication date: Available online 26 January 2019

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Jeong-Wan Seo, Ho-Jin Kim, Ki-Hoon Song

http://bit.ly/2B60huR

Editorial Board

Publication date: February 2019

Source: Journal of Autoimmunity, Volume 97

Author(s):

http://bit.ly/2HwfavO

Androgens modulate keratinocyte differentiation indirectly through enhancing growth factor production from dermal fibroblasts

Publication date: Available online 26 January 2019

Source: Journal of Dermatological Science

Author(s): Chanat Kumtornrut, Takeshi Yamauchi, Saaya Koike, Setsuya Aiba, Kenshi Yamasaki

Abstract

Background

The main pathogenesis of acne vulgaris is increase in sebum production and abnormal keratinization of the hair infundibulum. The androgens are involved in acne pathogenesis by modulating sebaceous glands to enhance sebum production. However, the molecular mechanisms of abnormal keratinization of the hair infundibulum are not fully elucidated.

Objective

We hypothesized that the androgens affect the dermal fibroblasts, another androgen receptor-positive cells in the skin, resulting in abnormal keratinization through keratinocyte-fibroblast interaction.

Methods

We investigated effects of androgens and estrogens on growth factors expressions by RT-PCR and western blot analysis in human fibroblast (hFB), human keratinocyte (hKC), and fibroblast-keratinocyte co-culture. In vivo, we examined the growth factor expression in acne lesions compared to normal hair follicles by laser-assisted confocal microscope.

Results

In vitro, androgens but not estrogens significantly increased amphiregulin (AREG), epiregulin (EREG), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 10, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) 5 mRNA and protein expressions in human fibroblasts but not in keratinocytes. In vivo, AREG, EREG, FGF10, and IGFBP5 were more abundant in acne lesion compared to normal facial skin. FGF10 suppressed cytokeratin 1 and cytokeratin 10 expression in hKC, which was along with the decreased ratio of cytokeratin 10 against cytokeratin 14 in acne lesions compared to normal facial skin. Also, DHT suppressed cytokeratin 1 and cytokeratin 10, in fibroblast-keratinocyte co-culture similarly to the effect of FGF10 to hKC.

Conclusion

These observations suggested that androgens enhance growth factors production from dermal fibroblasts, and growth factors from fibroblasts alter keratinocyte differentiation in acne lesion.

http://bit.ly/2Hvf33P

Rare Risky Recurrent: An Enigmatous Cutaneous Polyp

Myxofibrosarcomas (MFS) are sarcomas most commonly seen in older patients. These are tumors of deep soft tissue seen in subcutaneous tissue, deep fascia with frequent muscle involvement. These sarcomas are notorious for recurrences, progression to a higher grade with notable metastatic potential. It is very often under‐diagnosed owing to its inherent morphological variability. A case of MFS is presented as a cutaneous, exophytic, polypoidal mass because of its rarity and importance of timely diagnosis, as under diagnosis may lead to inadequate clearance of tumor, recurrences, metastases and increased mortality.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://bit.ly/2HvpMuT

“IgG/IgA Pemphigus in a Patient with a History of Pemphigus Vulgaris: An Example of Epitope Spreading?

The dual presentation of IgG and IgA positivity on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) constitutes a rare form of pemphigus. IgG/IgA pemphigus varies widely in clinical and pathologic presentation. Reported sites of involvement range from the trunk as the sole site of involvement to the whole body and oral mucosa as well as the conjunctiva and esophagus¹.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://bit.ly/2S9Z5Af

Tissue sodium concentration and sodium T1 mapping of the human brain at 3 T using a Variable Flip Angle method

Publication date: Available online 26 January 2019

Source: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author(s): Arthur Coste, Fawzi Boumezbeur, Alexandre Vignaud, Guillaume Madelin, Kathrin Reetz, Denis Le Bihan, Cécile Rabrait-Lerman, Sandro Romanzetti

Abstract

Purpose

The state-of-the-art method to quantify sodium concentrations in vivo consists in a fully relaxed 3D spin-density (SD) weighted acquisition. Nevertheless, most sodium MRI clinical studies use short-TR SD acquisitions to reduce acquisition durations. We present a clinically viable implementation of the Variable Flip Angle (VFA) method for robust and clinically viable quantification of total sodium concentration (TSC) and longitudinal relaxation rates in vivo in human brain at 3 T.

Methods

Two non-Cartesian steady-state spoiled ultrashort echo time (UTE) scans, performed at optimized flip angles, repetition time and pulse length determined under specific absorption rate constraints, are used to simultaneously compute T₁ and total sodium concentration (TSC) maps using the VFA method. Images are reconstructed using the non-uniform Fast Fourier Transform algorithm and TSC maps are corrected for possible inhomogeneity of coil transmission and reception profiles. Fractioned acquisitions are used to correct for potential patient motion. TSC quantifications obtained using the VFA method are validated at first in comparison with a fully-relaxed SD acquisition in a calibration phantom. The robustness of similar VFA acquisitions are compared to the short-TR SD approach in vivo on seven healthy volunteers.

Results

The VFA method resulted in consistent TSC and T₁ estimates across our cohort of healthy subjects, with mean TSC of 38.1 ± 5.0 mmol/L and T₁ of 39.2 ± 4.4 ms. These results are in agreement with previously reported values in literature TSC estimations and with the predictions of a 2-compartment model. However, the short-TR SD acquisition systematically underestimated the sodium concentration with a mean TSC of 31 ± 4.5 mmol/L.

Conclusion

The VFA method can be applied successfully to image sodium at 3 T in about 20 min and provides robust and intrinsically T₁-corrected TSC maps.

http://bit.ly/2FOFKig

Eigenvector-based SPIRiT Parallel MR Imaging Reconstruction based on ℓp pseudo-norm Joint Total Variation

Publication date: Available online 25 January 2019

Source: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author(s): Jizhong Duan, Zhongwen Bao, Yu Liu

Abstract

Parallel Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is a well-established acceleration technique based on the spatial sensitivities of array receivers. Eigenvector-based SPIRiT (ESPIRiT) is a new parallel MR imaging reconstruction method that combines the advantages of the SENSE and GRAPPA methods. It estimates multiple sets of the sensitivity maps from the calibration matrix that is constructed from the auto-calibration data. To improve the quality of the reconstructed image, we introduced the Total Variation (TV) and ℓ_p pseudo-norm Joint TV (ℓ_pJTV) regularization terms to the ESPIRiT model for parallel MR imaging reconstruction, which were solved by using the Operator Splitting (OS) method. The resulting denoising problems with the TV and ℓ_pJTV regularization terms were solved by exploiting the majorization minimization method. Simulation experiments on two in vivo data sets demonstrated that the proposed OS algorithm with the TV regularization term (OSTV) and OS algorithm with the ℓ_pJTV regularization term (OSℓ_pJTV) outperformed the conventional method with the ℓ₁ regularization term in terms of SNR and NRMSE. And the OSℓ_pJTV algorithm was slightly superior to the OSTV algorithm with the TV regularization term.

http://bit.ly/2G3Eln5

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, the Hypothalamus, and Energy Balance

Publication date: Available online 25 January 2019

Source: Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism

Author(s): Isin Cakir, Eduardo A. Nillni

Overweight and obesity pose significant health problems globally, and are causatively linked to metabolic dysregulation. The hypothalamus integrates neural, nutritional, and hormonal cues to regulate homeostasis, including circadian rhythm, body temperature, thirst, food intake, energy expenditure, and glucose metabolism. Hypothalamic neuropeptides play a fundamental role in these processes. Studies during the past two decades suggest a role of central endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathophysiology of obesity. This review covers recent findings on the role of ER stress and neuropeptide processing in the central regulation of energy homeostasis, with special emphasis on proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-encoding neurons. In addition, the role of neuroinflammation in the context of obesity is briefly discussed.

http://bit.ly/2FQhNaj