Pancreatico-duodenal artery aneurysm (PDAA) associated with stenosis or occlusion of the celiac trunk is a rare condition. Furthermore, PDAAs associated with stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) are even more uncommon, with only six cases reported in the literature. We report a case of a 61-year old male patient who presented with hematemesis, haematochezia and haemorrhagic shock. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an ulcerous lesion at the third portion of the duodenum, without achieving the haemostasis. The emergency laparotomy (suture of the lesion and gastro-entero-anastomosis) permitted temporary haemostasis. Computed tomography angiography identified the PDAA ruptured into the third portion of the duodenum and the SMA stenosis at its origin; a dense network of collateral vessels was present. The patient was successfully managed with coil embolization. Short and mid-term follow-up were without incidents.

The ability of texture analysis (TA) features to discriminate between different types of infected fluid collections, as seen on computed tomography (CT) images, has never been investigated. The study comprised forty patients who had pathological post-operative fluid collections following gastric cancer surgery and underwent CT scans. Patients were separated into six groups based on advanced microbiological analysis of the fluid: mono bacterial (n = 16)/multiple-bacterial (n = 24)/fungal (n = 14)/non-fungal (n = 26) infection and drug susceptibility tests into: multiple drug-resistance bacteria (n = 23) and non-resistant bacteria (n = 17). Dedicated software was used to extract the collections’ TA parameters. The parameters obtained were used to compare fungal and non-fungal infections, mono-bacterial and multiple-bacterial infections, and multiresistant and non-resistant infections. Univariate and receiver operating characteristic analyses and the calculation of sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) were used to identify the best-suited parameters for distinguishing between the selected groups. TA parameters were able to differentiate between fungal and non-fungal collections (ATeta3, p = 0.02; 55% Se, 100% Sp), mono and multiple-bacterial (CN2D6AngScMom, p = 0.03); 80% Se, 64.29% Sp) and between multiresistant and non-multiresistant collections (CN2D6Contrast, p = 0.04; 100% Se, 50% Sp). CT-based TA can statistically differentiate between different types of infected fluid collections. However, it is unclear which of the fluids’ micro or macroscopic features are reflected by the texture parameters. In addition, this cohort is used as a training cohort for the imaging algorithm, with further validation cohorts being required to confirm the changes detected by the algorithm.

Aloe, the largest genus in the Asphodelaceae family, comprises 548 species, with A. vera, A. arborescens and A. ferox being among the most widely studied species. Aloe species originated in arid climates and cover various habitats, from sea level up to 2700 m, and from desert to closed-canopy forests. For human health, Aloe species are the richest natural sources. The biological activity of Aloe sp. constituents covers a wide spectrum. Most of the indications come from traditional, folkloric use and several have been verified by in vitro or in vivo studies. Emodin, the main phenolic component, has showed anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and toxicological potential for use in pharmacology. Polysaccharides, with acemannan being the most important, are present in high abundance in Aloe gels. Acemannan has been reported to have applications in oral, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, oncology, dentistry and wound healing. The effectiveness of Aloe sp. constituents on colon, liver, duodenum, skin, pancreas, intestine, lungs and kidneys cancers was highly studied with remarkable findings. Regarding the metabolic syndrome, Aloe sp. can be used as an antidiabetic and reduces cholesterol and total body fat. Constituents of Aloe sp. are nontoxic in experimental acute oral studies and are widely used in cosmetology and as bitter agents or consistence modifiers in food and beverages. Traditional Aloe remedies cover most human diseases; however, in order to gain legitimacy, the Aloe-derived drugs must have a well-established composition, with thoroughly investigated adverse effects and conventional drug interactions.