Effects of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fermentation product on the laying performance, egg quality, jejunal mucosal morphology and intestinal microbiota of hens

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa solid-state fermentation product (RSFP) on the laying performance, egg quality and intestinal microbial flora of hens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, 40-week-old Roman laying hens (n = 216) were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: the control (CON) group, fed 87.5% basal diet +12.5% fermentation substrate; the 0.5% RSFP group, fed 87.5% basal diet +12.0% fermentation substrate +0.5% RSFP; the 2.5% RSFP group, fed 87.5% basal diet +10.0% fermentation substrate +2.5% RSFP; and the 12.5% RSFP group, fed 87.5% basal diet +12.5% RSFP. The effect of each treatment was analysed in six replicates of nine hens. The experimental period was 31 days, which included a 3-day adaptation period. After 31 days of feeding, one hen from each replicate was randomly selected and killed, and the jejunum and digesta in the cecum were collected for the determination of the intestinal morphology and microbial flora respectively. Daily egg mass in the 2.5 and 12.5% RSFP groups and egg production and feed conversion ratio in the 12.5% RSFP group were higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The yolk colour was improved in hens fed RSFP-supplemented diets (P < 0.05). Hens fed RSFP-supplemented diet showed a decrease in the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Helicobacteraceae, Helicobacter and Lachnospiraceae UCG-002, but an increase in the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae UCG-001 in the cecum (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dietary RSFP supplementation improved the laying performance, egg quality and intestinal microflora of hens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Dietary supplementing diet with Rhodotorula mucilaginosa solid-state fermentation product, which is rich in carotenoids, improved the yolk colour and increased the carotenoid content, thereby improving the intestinal health of hens.

FFAR4 promotes cell proliferation and migration and servers as a potential biomarker for clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in laryngocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The poor prognosis of advanced laryngocarcinoma was associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), which was related to the dysregulated expression of free fatty acids receptor 4 (FFAR4). By detecting the expression of FFAR4 in laryngocarcinoma and its relation with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of laryngocarcinoma, as well as conducting in vitro experiments, our aim is to explore the role of FFAR4 in laryngocarcinoma biological and clinical process.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The protein expression level of FFAR4 in 54 cases of laryngocarcinoma and 30 cases of laryngocarcinoma adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Combined with clinical follow-up data, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were conducted to compare the relation between the expression of FFAR4, the clinicopathological characteristics, and the 5-year survival rate in laryngocarcinoma. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed the independent predictors for the prognosis of laryngocarcinoma. CCK-8 and migration assay were used to test cell proliferation and migration abilities.

RESULTS

FFAR4 was upregulated in laryngocarcinoma tissues and influenced cell proliferation and migration abilities. The FFAR4 expression was related to the age and lymph node metastasis in laryngocarcinoma patients and indicated a reduced 5-year survival rate and increased lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The upregulation FFAR4 expression was associated with the lymph node metastasis and the prognosis. FFAR4 can significantly promote laryngocarcinoma cell proliferation and migration in vitro.

Nuclear Dependence of the Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetry in the Production of Charged Hadrons at Forward Rapidity in Polarized p+p, p+Al, and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report on the nuclear dependence of transverse single-spin asymmetries (TSSAs) in the production of positively charged hadrons in polarized p^{↑}+p, p^{↑}+Al, and p^{↑}+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurements have been performed at forward rapidity (1.4<η<2.4) over the range of transverse momentum (1.8<p_{T}<7.0  GeV/c) and Feynman x (0.1<x_{F}<0.2). We observed positive asymmetries for positively charged hadrons in p^{↑}+p collisions, and significantly reduced asymmetries in p^{↑}+A collisions. These results reveal a nuclear dependence of TSSAs for charged-hadron production in a regime where perturbative techniques are applicable. These results provide new opportunities to use p^{↑}+A collisions as a tool to investigate the rich phenomena behind TSSAs in hadronic collisions and to use TSSAs as a new handle in studying small-system collisions.

Effect of length of apical root resection on the biomechanical response of a maxillary central incisor in various occlusal relationships

AIM

To investigate the stress distribution and tooth displacement of a maxillary central incisor with various apical root resection lengths and occlusal relationships using finite element (FE) analysis.

METHODOLOGY

A maxillary central incisor was scanned by micro-CT. First, the FE intact incisor model with dentine, enamel, pulp and root surrounded by alveolar bone and periodontal ligament was designed based on the micro-CT image data. Then, six FE models with varying lengths of apical root resection were established to simulate the clinical treatment and reveal the clinically applicable limit of apical root resection during endodontic microsurgery. For each model under different loading conditions, the maximum von Mises stress (σ max) at the root apex, root cervix, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament and the maximum tooth displacement (ΔR max) were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

In a normal occlusion, more than 6 mm of root resection resulted in a marked increase in the ΔR max values (>10%) and σ max values of alveolar bone (>50%); the stress levels at the root apex increased dramatically when the apical root was resected more than 7 mm. With increased overjet, apical root resection did not change the stress level markedly until it reached 8 mm, but the ΔR max increased markedly (>10%) if the root was resected more than 5 mm. With deep overbites, the σ max increased significantly (>50%) when the root was resected more than 4 mm whilst the ΔR max decreased. With increased overjet and deep overbite, more than 6 mm of resection resulted in a substantial σ max increase (>50%) of alveolar bone and the ΔR max increased markedly (>10%) when the root was resected 8 mm. Additionally, the σ max and the ΔR max values were greater with increased overjet and lower with deep overbites.

CONCLUSIONS

Using FE analysis, apical root resection of more than 6 mm resulted in a marked increase of stress distribution and tooth displacement in normal and increased overjet with deep overbite occlusal relationships. In increased overjets or deep overbites, more than 5 mm or 4 mm, respectively, stress distribution and tooth displacement increased markedly.

Beam Energy and Centrality Dependence of Direct-Photon Emission from Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum (0.4<p_{T}<3  GeV/c) direct-photon yields from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable dN_{ch}/dη reveals that the low-momentum (>1  GeV/c) direct-photon yield dN_{γ}^{dir}/dη is a smooth function of dN_{ch}/dη and can be well described as proportional to (dN_{ch}/dη)^{α} with α≈1.25. This scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different A+A collision systems. At a given beam energy, the scaling also holds for high p_{T} (>5  GeV/c), but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional sqrt[s_{NN}]-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.

The association between LncRNA HOTAIR and cancer lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis: a meta-analysis

HOTAIR has been reported to be associated with development and metastasis in different types of cancer. This meta- analysis collected all relevant articles and explored the correlation of HOTAIR with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and distant metastasis (DM). A literature collection was conducted by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library (up to Sep 11, 2016). The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated to assess the association with strength. Nineteen studies were included in this study, with a total of 1874 patients. The study objects were all Asians. We found high HOTAIR expression in tumor tissues was significantly correlated with LNM and DM, and analysis showed a pooled OR of 3.18 (95% CI: 2.10-4.81, p<0.00001) and 3.93 (95% CI: 2.39-6.47, p<0.00001), respectively. HOTAIR may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for cancer metastasis.

Factors associated with hospitalisation costs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of hospital admissions, which can result in a significant financial burden.

OBJECTIVE

To determine hospitalisation costs and factors associated with higher costs in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AE-COPD).

DESIGN

Patients hospitalised for a whole year formed the study cohort. Demographic features, clinical data and hospitalisation bills were evaluated retrospectively. Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the mean values of variables between high-cost and low-cost groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the relationship between hospitalisation costs with clinical factors.

RESULTS

A total of 188 patients were evaluated. The mean length of stay in hospital (LOSH) was 8.5 days. The mean cost of AE-COPD was US$1722.0. Costs were significantly associated with LOSH and the per cent predicted value of forced expiratory volume in one second. Age, sex, smoking index, partial oxygen pressure, partial carbon dioxide pressure, haemoglobin concentration and white blood cell counts were not associated with hospitalisation costs.

CONCLUSION

Medications and laboratory services are the main drivers of hospitalisation costs in AE-COPD. Longer LOSH and reduced pulmonary function determine the high costs in hospitalised patients with AE-COPD admitted to a general ward. To reduce hospitalisation costs, more emphasis should be placed on shortening LOSH and preventing the worsening of pulmonary function.

[Oral hygiene maintenance of locator attachments implant overdentures in edentulous population: A longitudinal study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the oral hygiene status of edentulous patients with locator attachments implant overdentures (IOD) and to analyze the relationship among daily hygiene behavior, oral hygiene status and peri-implant diseases.

METHODS

Edentulous patients who received IOD treatment with locator attachments from January 2012 to May 2016 were recruited. Clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted to assess the peri-implant tissue status. Modified plaque index (mPLI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD) were recorded and peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL) was measured using paralleling projection technique. Patients' peri-implant oral hygiene maintainence habits were investigated. The correlation between peri-implant diseases and oral hygiene status and behaviors was analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (125 implants) with an average follow-up time of 22 months (6-54 months) were enrolled. The mean values of mPLI, SBI, and GI were 1.4±1.2, 0.8±0.7, and 0.7± 0.6, respectively. Average PD was (2.2±0.7) mm. Mesial and distal maginal bone resorptions were (1.1±1.1) mm and (0.9±0.9) mm, respectively. The prevalance of mucositis and peri-implantitis of the implants were 49.6% and 0. The prevelance of mucositis in the patients with poor oral hygiene (mPLI≥2) was 11.9 times as much as that of those with adequate oral hygiene (mPLI<1). The patients who performed oral hygiene procedure on attachments at least twice a day achieved much lower mPLI scores than those who cleaned less than twice a day.

CONCLUSION

Oral hygiene condition in the group of patients with implant overdentures was poor, and it contributed to increased risk of peri-implant mucositis. The prevelance of musositis of the paitients with poor oral hygiene was 11.9 times as much as that of those with proper oral hygiene. Patients wearing IOD should pay more attention to the hygiene of the attachments.

Abstract OT1-01-06: POSITIVE: A study evaluating Pregnancy, disease outcome and safety of interrupting endocrine therapy for premenopausal women with endocrine responsIVE breast cancer who desire pregnancy (IBCSG 48-14/BIG 8-13)

Background

Young patients with breast cancer (BC) are often diagnosed with the disease before completing their families. The best available retrospective evidence suggests that pregnancy after BC does not negatively impact disease outcomes in patients with endocrine responsive BC and is safe for the offspring. However, given the possibility of extended adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) (5-10 years), it is not feasible for many of these women to delay pregnancy until completion of therapy and thus there is a need to study the safety of interrupting ET to allow pregnancy. To date, no prospective study has been conducted in BC survivors attempting future pregnancy.

Trial Design

Young patients with endocrine responsive early BC who desire pregnancy will interrupt ET for up to 2 yrs to attempt pregnancy. As resumption of menses and conception depends on many factors (e.g. patient's age and adjuvant treatment received), the 2-yr interruption period is approximate, intended to include treatment wash-out (3 mos), conception (˜3-6 mos), delivery (˜9 mos), and breast feeding (˜6 mos). Patients will be strongly advised to resume ET as soon as pregnancy attempts/deliveries are concluded, and to complete the planned 5-10 yrs of ET.

Major Eligibility Criteria

- Histologically-proven stage I-III endocrine-responsive BC.

- Patient's wish to become pregnant.

- Age ≥ 18 and ≤ 42 years at enrollment.

- Adjuvant ET (selective estrogen receptor modulator [SERM] alone, GnRH analogue plus SERM or aromatase inhibitor) for ≥18 months but ≤30 months, stopped within 1 month prior to enrollment.

- Premenopausal status at BC diagnosis.

Specific Aim

To assess the risk of BC relapse associated with the interruption of ET to permit pregnancy, and to evaluate pregnancy success rate and offspring outcome.

Statistical Methods

With 500 pts enrolled and followed for a median of 3 years, the statistical design is based on the 95% CI for the 3-year BC recurrence rate. Interim monitoring assumes a 2% BC recurrence risk/yr with continuous ET and a recommendation to stop the study early if the BC risk exceeds 4%/yr with ET interruption.

Translational Research will investigate various ovarian function and uterine parameters and circulating tumour DNA. Fresh frozen paraffin embedded tissue of the primary tumour will be collected to evaluate parameters related to the biology of BC in young women. All material will be banked centrally.

Psycho-oncological Companion Study (POCS) will evaluate fertility concerns, psychological well-being and decisional conflict. It is mandatory in North America and open to interested centers elsewhere.

Accrual: Target: 500; Actual: 262 (30 June 2018)

Psycho-oncological Companion Study Accrual: Target: 200; Actual: 138 (30 June 2018)

Citation Format: Pagani O, Partridge AH, Peccatori F, Azim HA, Colleoni M, Saura C, Kroep JR, Warner E, Gombos A, Sætersdal AB, Ruggeri M, Gelber RD, Sun Z. POSITIVE: A study evaluating Pregnancy, disease outcome and safety of interrupting endocrine therapy for premenopausal women with endocrine responsIVE breast cancer who desire pregnancy (IBCSG 48-14/BIG 8-13) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-01-06.

Abstract P5-05-03: Estrogen receptor beta elicits anti-cancer effects in triple negative breast cancer through suppression of NFκB signaling

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) affects approximately 15-20% of BC patients, yet accounts for a disproportionately higher rate of BC morbidity and mortality, in part due to lack of targeted therapies. Using well-validated antibodies, Estrogen Receptor Beta (ERβ) protein has been shown to be expressed in approximately 25% of TNBCs and is associated with improved patient outcomes. Using multiple ERβ +/- TNBC cell lines and PDX models, we have demonstrated that ligand-mediated activation of ERβ by estradiol (E2) decreases cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro, as well as primary tumor growth and metastatic spread in vivo.

Methods: To determine the mechanisms by which ERβ elicits these anti-cancer effects, we elucidated the ERβ transcriptome and cistrome via Microarray and ChIPseq, respectively, in TNBC cells stably expressing ERβ in a doxycycline-inducible manner. We also performed gene expression and luciferase assays to assess the impact of ERβ on NFκB signaling, followed by ChIP-PCR and ChIPseq to assess how ERβ modifies chromatin architecture near NFκB target genes.

Results: Pathway analysis of ERβ-regulated genes identified NFκB signaling as one of the most suppressed pathways in response to E2 treatment. Indeed, numerous NFκB target genes were among the most down-regulated genes following E2 treatment but only in the presence of ERβ expression. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIPseq) revealed that ERβ primarily associated with estrogen response elements (EREs), but was also enriched around NFκB binding sites following E2 treatment. In fact, 12% of all ERβ binding sites were enriched for NFκB response elements and ERβ was shown to physically associate with NFκB protein. Using an NFκB reporter construct and qPCR, ERβ was shown to block TNFα-mediated induction of NFκB signaling and NFκB target gene expression. Globally, RNAseq identified 200 genes to be significantly regulated by TNFα in TNBC cells, of which 81 were significantly altered in the presence of E2+TNFα. ChIPseq demonstrated that ligand-mediated activation of ERβ significantly diminished an activating histone mark (H3K27Ac) at many of these NFκB target genes while enhancing a repressive mark (H3K27Me3). These modifications are also associated with recruitment of the histone methyltransferase, EZH2, to enhancer elements of these NFκB target genes. Drug-mediated blockade of HDAC and EZH2 activity reversed suppression of NFκB target gene expression by ERβ.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that ERβ may elicit its anti-cancer effects in part via formation of a novel co-repressor complex consisting of ERβ, NFκB, and EZH2. These data are in keeping with prior observations of the importance of NFκB signaling as it relates to TNBC cell proliferation and invasion, and that decreased expression of NFκB target genes is associated with improved outcomes in TNBC patients. Currently, a Mayo Breast SPORE prospective study is underway to investigate the role of estradiol in ERβ expressing TNBC and to further evaluate the cross-talk between ERβ and NFκB signaling in TNBC.

Citation Format: Aspros K, Nelson A, Ye Z, Sun Z, Chernukhin I, Carroll J, Ingle J, Goetz M, Hawse J. Estrogen receptor beta elicits anti-cancer effects in triple negative breast cancer through suppression of NFκB signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-05-03.

Abstract P6-04-02: Evaluation of breast cancer intratumor heterogeneity and its implications to the therapeutic agents with organoids subclones

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, accounting for 15.3% new cancer cases and 6.7% cancer death in 2018. Chemotherapy, target therapy and endocrine therapy are main strategies for breast cancer treatment after surgery to prevent cancer recurrence and metastasis. The choice of these strategies is mainly based on the molecular and pathological markers as well as experience from clinicians. However, due to the heterogeneity of intra-tumor and also between different patients, it is hard for clinicians to make the best therapeutic regimen to target all the cancer sub-population at current stage. Developing more precise and personalized chemotherapy strategy for individual patient would be of great importance. Cancer organoids, established based on in vitro 3-D culture techniques, were demonstrated to largely retain the biological characteristics of tumors from patients, and made it possible to assess the responses to various strategies for individual patient. Comparing with other cancer type such as colon cancer, breast cancer organoids study was relatively immature. This study was designed to efficiently establish breast cancer organoids from clinical patients and further test the sensitivity of these organoids to therapeutic agents.

Methods: Fresh breast cancer tissues from patients were dissected into small pieces and subjected to enzyme digestion to prepare a single cell suspension. Organoids were established from the single cell suspension in Matrigel and modified PDTO culture medium. Organoid clones derived from various cancer cells were heterogeneous, which were isolated with pipette tips to establish breast cancer organoids subclones. First line chemotherapy drugs such as Docetaxel, Adriamycin, and Fluorouracil, target therapy agents and endocrine therapy drug such as PD-991, Neratinib and Afimoxifene were used to treat each organoid clones. Cell survival rate was measured by CellTiter-Glo Kit and drug sensitivity was assessed by IC50 value.

Results: 23 organoid subclones from 5 patients were successfully established. Drug response (effect) varied to individual organoid subclones from the same patient. Some subclones showed totally resistance while others were sensitive or parcial sensitive to indicated therapeutic agents, indicating the heterogeneity of breast cancer and different intra-tumor subpopulation have distinct drug response. The heterogeneity, especially the resistant subclones put forward to explain the acquired drug resistance and relapse in clinical practice.

Conclusion:Breast cancer organoids are good in vitro models for drug sensitivity screening, which would assist clinicians make better chemotherapy strategy to achieve precise and personalized medication for patients. Moreover, organoid models would also be an ideal platform to help dissect the underlying mechanism of cancer heterogeneity induced drug resistance.

Citation Format: Zhang B, Xu X, Cai H, Sun Z. Evaluation of breast cancer intratumor heterogeneity and its implications to the therapeutic agents with organoids subclones [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-04-02.

Abstract P2-09-12: Perilymphatic IRX-2 cytokine therapy to enhance tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 expression preceding curative-intent therapy in early stage breast cancer (ESBC)

Background: Cytokines are being explored as a therapeutic strategy to modulate the tumor microenvironment and facilitate immunotherapy benefit in breast cancer. Here, we investigate a locoregional therapeutic approach whereby cytokines (IRX-2) are administered into the subcutaneous peri-areolar tissue (in an anatomic distribution similar to sentinel lymph node mapping) to facilitate immune cell recruitment/activation within the draining lymph nodes and tumor in ESBC. IRX-2 is derived from ex vivo phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes and contains multiple cytokines including IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF, with stable concentrations from lot to lot. Preclinically, IRX-2 activates T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells, facilitates antigen presentation, and enhances activity of anti-PD-1/L1 in a SCC7 model. In a preceding head/neck squamous cell carcinoma phase I trial, perilymphatic IRX-2 was safe and increased TILs. Here, we report the final clinical results of a phase Ib trial evaluating the feasibility and immunologic activity of IRX-2 in ESBC.

Methods: Beginning 21 days prior to surgical resection, enrolled operable patients with stage I-III ESBC (all subtypes) received the pre-operative IRX-2 regimen consisting of a single low-dose cyclophosphamide (300 mg/m2 to facilitate T-regulatory cell depletion), followed by 10 days of subcutaneous peri-areolar IRX-2 injections into the affected breast (1 mL × 2 at tumor axis and at 90°). Endpoints were feasibility (primary endpoint), stromal TIL (sTIL) count (pre-treatment versus post-treatment, blinded average of two pathologist reads using San Antonio H&E sTIL guidelines), PD-L1 expression (Nanostring) and enumeration of peripheral immune cells by flow cytometry.

Results: All patients (n=16/16) completed and tolerated the regimen with no surgical delays or treatment-attributed grade III/IV toxicities. Common adverse events (occurring in &gt;15% subjects) attributed to IRX-2 injections were: injection site reaction (grade 1, n=8/16), bruising (grade 1, n=7/16), and pain (grade 1, n=3/16). Common adverse events attributed to low-dose cyclophosphamide were: fatigue (grade 1, n=5/16) and nausea (grade 1/2, n=3/16). Treatment was associated with an increase in sTIL score (Wilcoxon signed-rank p=.04), with 4/10 sTIL-low tumors (0-10% score) re-categorized to sTIL-moderate (11-50% score). Increases in PD-L1 RNA expression were observed (Wilcoxon signed-rank p=.04) in 12/16 tumors (median 57% increase, range: -53% to 185% increase), as well as increases in Nanostring NK and Th1 cell signatures. In blood, increases in CD4 and CD8 effector T-cell activation (ICOS, HLA-DR, and CD38) and T-reg depletion were observed.

Conclusions: IRX-2 was well tolerated with preliminary evidence of sTIL increase, PD-L1 upregulation, and peripheral lymphocyte activation. Based upon these data and preclinical evaluations demonstrating synergy with checkpoint inhibition, the IRX-2 regimen is being evaluated for clinical efficacy in conjunction with pembrolizumab and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel) in patients with stage II-III triple negative breast cancer.

Citation Format: Pucilowska J, Egan JE, Berinstein NL, Moxon N, Aliabadi-Wahle S, Imatani JH, Conlin A, Acheson A, Massimino K, Martel M, Campbell M, Wu Y, Sun Z, Redmond W, Shah M, Urba WJ, Page DB. Perilymphatic IRX-2 cytokine therapy to enhance tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 expression preceding curative-intent therapy in early stage breast cancer (ESBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-12.

MRI Abnormalities Predominate in the Bottom Part of the Sulcus with Type II Focal Cortical Dysplasia: A Quantitative Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Type II focal cortical dysplasia is a common histopathological substrate in focal epilepsy. This study explored the spatial distribution of abnormal findings on MR imaging across the sulcus with type II focal cortical dysplasia using quantitative MR imaging postprocessing techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The morphometric analysis program and normalized FLAIR signal intensity analysis were applied to retrospectively analyze the MR imaging data of 58 patients with histopathologically confirmed type II focal cortical dysplasia. We divided the dysplastic sulcus into the bottom and nonbottom parts. Then spatial distribution types 1, 2, and 3 were arbitrarily defined as the abnormal findings on MR imaging (z-value > threshold) located in the bottom part, both the bottom and nonbottom parts, and the nonbottom part, respectively. For type 2, the mean z-values and standardized volumes of abnormal findings on MR imaging were compared between the bottom and nonbottom parts.

RESULTS

Abnormal findings on MR imaging were detected by quantitative techniques in 42 of 58 enrolled patients. Among these 42 patients, 38 and 26 patients showed gray-white matter junction blurring and cortical FLAIR hyperintensity, respectively, which were the 2 most common abnormal MR imaging features. Gray-white matter junction blurring manifested as types 1, 2, and 3 in 24, 13, and 1 patient, respectively, and the corresponding counts for cortical FLAIR hyperintensity were 12, 13, and 1 patient. For the 2 most common abnormal findings on MR imaging spatially manifested as type 2, higher mean z-values and larger corresponding standardized volumes of abnormalities were found in the bottom part.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal findings on MR imaging predominate in the bottom part of the sulcus with type II focal cortical dysplasia, which indicates that this malformation is bottom-of-sulcus-rooted.

Erratum: Observation of D^{0} Meson Nuclear Modifications in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 142301 (2014)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.142301.

Pseudorapidity Dependence of Particle Production and Elliptic Flow in Asymmetric Nuclear Collisions of p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and ^{3}He+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

Asymmetric nuclear collisions of p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and ^{3}He+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV provide an excellent laboratory for understanding particle production, as well as exploring interactions among these particles after their initial creation in the collision. We present measurements of charged hadron production dN_{ch}/dη in all such collision systems over a broad pseudorapidity range and as a function of collision multiplicity. A simple wounded quark model is remarkably successful at describing the full data set. We also measure the elliptic flow v_{2} over a similarly broad pseudorapidity range. These measurements provide key constraints on models of particle emission and their translation into flow.

Photocatalytic and adsorption property of ZnS–TiO2/RGO ternary composites for methylene blue degradation

The visible light–driven ZnS–TiO2/RGO nanocomposites, with good visible light–driven photocatalytic activity, utilizing graphene oxide as precursor, were successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal thermal method with graphene oxide as precursor. Ti4+ ions were derived from titanium dioxide powder (TiO2, P25) and tetrabutyl titanate. S2− ions and Zn2+ ions were provided by sodium sulfide and zinc acetate, respectively. The photocatalytic and absorbance activity of the nanocomposites was investigated through the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution. The results showed that the ZnS–TiO2/RGO nanocomposite prepared by tetrabutyl titanate exhibited better photocatalytic and adsorbance activity for methylene blue under visible light irradiation and its photocatalytic efficiency reached 90% in 60-min light irradiation, almost 1.5 times that of the synthesized ZnS–TiO2/RGO by P25, which was attributed to a cooperative reaction because of an increase of photo-absorption effect of graphene sheets and photocatalytic effect of ZnS nanoparticles. The adsorbance activity for ZnS–TiO2/RGO–tetrabutyl titanate) reached 48%, which was almost 1.7 times higher than that of ZnS–TiO2/RGO-P25 and almost 3.7 times higher than that of ZnS/RGO.

A novel humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody potentiates therapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Currently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been shown to extend the survival of many cancer patients. However, few studies have focused on immune checkpoint inhibition for the treatment of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, by screening at an early stage, we obtained a strain of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) does not contain the C_H1 and C_L fragment. In this study, the role of our novel mAb was tested in the treatment of OSCC in vitro and in vivo. We found that our novel mAb can significantly augment T cell mediated cytokine secretion, target cellular lytic and apoptotic abilities, and inhibit tumor growth and inflammation in vivo. The PD-L1 blockade was accompanied by the inhibition of AKT and ERK1/2, thus suggesting that the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway may play an important immunopreventive role in the tumorigenic properties of OSCC cells by modulating the AKT and ERK1/2 pathways. Additionally, PD-L1 staining was observed both in human OSCC tissues and normal oral mucous tissue adjacent to the tumor, which occurred at different rates. Taken together, these results indicated that our novel anti-PD-1 mAb may be used as a clinical therapy in human OSCC development and progression.

[Evaluation of the fabrication deviation of a kind of milling digital implant surgical guides]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the deviation of digital implant surgical guides during fabrication process in the Organical Dental Implant (ODI) system.

METHODS

This study included two parts. The first part was the in vitro study. A resin block with a diagnostic template was used for the planning. After cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning, a surgical guide with eight implants was virtually designed using the ODI system. The guide was milled by a 5-axial numerical controlled milling machine, and an optical scanning was taken to digitalize the guide to a standard tessellation language (STL) form. The STL data were then imported into an ODI software and registered with the original design. The deviation of the sleeves between the design and the STL was measured in the ODI software and set as the golden standard. Then the ODI examination table was used to measure the deviation of the guide during fabrication. Examiners A and B measured 10 times separately. The reliability and the validity of the examination table was calculated. The second part was the in vivo study: The deviation during fabrication of 12 guides designed and fabricated by the ODI system were measured using the examination table.

RESULTS

The standard deviation of the deviation measured using the examination table by examiners A and B were all below 0.40 mm (for the shell reference points) and 0.71 degree (for the angles). No significant difference was found between the two examiners for any implant sites. The result of the examination table was larger than that of the software for the shell reference point (t-test, P<0.05), but no significant difference was found for the angle deviation (t-test, P>0.05). The 45 implants positions in the 12 guides for the in vivo study were examined using the examination table. The deviations at the shell reference points were (1.06±0.29) mm (0.42-1.75 mm), and at the implant tip were (1.12±0.48) mm (0.41-2.44 mm). The angle deviations were (1.42±0.70) degree (0.29-2.96 degree).

CONCLUSION

Deviation is unavoidable during the fabrication process of the guides. The examination table of the ODI system is a reliable and valid tool to measure the deviation during fabrication of the ODI guides. More studies should be designed to research the relationship between the fabrication deviation and the implant insertion deviation.

Similar Effect of P16 Hydroxymethylation and True Methylation on Prediction of Malignant Transformation of Oral Epithelial Dysplasia: A Prospective Study

Background: Total P16 methylation (P16M), including P16 hydroxymethylation (P16H) and true-P16M, correlates with malignant transformation of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). Both true-P16M and P16H are early events in carcinogenesis. Aim: The aim of this study is to prospectively determine if discrimination of true-P16M from P16H similarly is necessary for prediction of cancer development from OEDs. Methods: Patients (n = 265) with mild or moderate OED were recruited into the double-blind 2-center cohort. Total-P16M and P16H were analyzed using the 115-bp MethyLight, TET-assistant bisulfite (TAB) methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and TAB-sequencing. Total-P16M-positive and P16H-negative samples were defined as true-P16M-positive. Progression of OEDs was monitored for a minimum 24 months follow-up period. Results: P16H was detected in 23 of 73 (31.5%) total-P16M-positive OEDs. Follow-up information was obtained from 247 patients with an ultimate compliance of 93.2%. OED-derived squamous cell carcinomas were observed in 13.0% (32/247) patients during the follow-up (median, 41.0 months). The cancer progression rate for total-P16M-positive patients was significantly increased when compared with total-P16M-negative patients (23.3% vs 8.6%; adjusted odds ratio = 2.67 [95% CI: 1.19-5.99]). However, the cancer progression rate was similar between P16H- and true-P16M-positive OEDs (26.1% [6/23] vs 22.0% [11/50]; odds ratio = 0.80 [95% CI: 0.22-2.92]). The progression-free survival was also similar for these patients. Conclusion: P16H and true-P16M are similar biomarkers for determining malignant potential of OEDs. Discrimination of P16H from true-P16M, at least in OED, may be not necessary in clinical applications.

Comparative study of microRNA profiling in one Chinese Family with PSEN1 G378E mutation

MicroRNAs are not widely studied in familial Alzheimer's disease cases, whether the microRNA profilings in familial Alzheimer's disease patients are similar to the sporadic AD patients is not known. This study aims to investigate the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EO-FAD) in a Chinese family. We performed the gene mutation analysis in a family clinically diagnosed of EO-FAD. Micro-arrays were used to profile the miRNAs in cerebrospinal fluid of 2 affected members, 2 unaffected carriers and 2 mutation negative controls. The clinical presentation confirmed the EO-FAD diagnosis, and a recurrent mutation of the PSEN1 p.G378E was found in the family. The result showed that in the miRNAs expression profile, a total of 166 miRNAs were up-regulated and 3 miRNAs were down-regulated in the affected individuals compared with mutation negative individuals. But after Benjamini Hochberg FDR correction, only 25 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated and no miRNA was down-regulated, the levels of miR-30a-5p, miR-4758-3p and let-7a-3p were elevated significantly. Compared with mutation negative controls, 21 miRNAs were up-regulated and 18 microRNAs were down-regulated in the unaffected mutation carriers, after Benjamini Hochberg FDR correction, miR-345-5p was up-regulated and miR-4795-3p was down-regulated in the unaffected mutation carriers. And there was no difference between the affected members and unaffected mutation carriers. GO database showed that the top biological processes affected by the predicted target genes are nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity and transcription factor activity (sequence-specific DNA binding) (GO:0001071 and GO:0003700). The result of KEGG pathways showed 64 pathways were implicated in the regulatory network. The present study identified the miRNA profiling of Chinese siblings with G378E mutation in the PSEN1. Compared with mutation negative controls, the levels of 25 miRNAs including miR-30a-5p, miR-4758-3p and let-7a-3p were elevated significantly in the affected members, miR-345-5p was up-regulated and miR-4795-3p was down-regulated in the unaffected mutation carriers. Our study showed the microRNA profilings in the cases of a EO-FAD family with PSEN1 p.G378E mutation, but because of the individuals in the family was small, the results in other types of EO-FAD still need further studied.