Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of occult cervical lymph node metastases in cN0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

We have explored the relations between clinicopathological features and cervical lymph node metastases (LNM) in patients with cN0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, and developed and validated a nomogram for predicting the risk of their development. Clinical data on 230 patients with cN0 SCC of the tongue who had had primary extended excision and lymph node dissection of the neck were collected retrospectively. They were divided into a development cohort and a validation cohort in a 4:1 ratio. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of cervical LNM in patients in the development cohort, and a nomogram was established to predict the risk of such nodes. In the validation cohort, the predictive performance and compliance of the model were evaluated using the consistency index (C-index) and calibration curve, and the clinical value was evaluated by decision curve analysis. Of the 230 patients, 60 had cervical LNM, of which 60 were invaded (26%). Analysis of the development cohort showed that the site of the primary lesion, depth of invasion, size of the tumour, and histopathological grade were included in the prediction model, which was validated in the validation cohort. Consistency was high (C-index=0.846), calibration good, and it was clinically valuable. The nomogram could be used to predict the probability of occult cervical LNM before operation in patients with stage cN0 SCC of the tongue. It could also be used as a reference tool for dissection of cervical nodes and a communication tool between the doctor and the patient.

[Downregulation of Herg1 suppresses osteosarcoma proliferation and invasion by targeting Hippo signaling pathway]

Objective: To detect the effect and regulatory mechanism of human ether à go-go related gene 1 (Herg 1) knockdown on the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma (OS). Methods: We constructed a recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad5-Herg1-shRNA) expressing short hair RNA (shRNA) against Herg1 and tested the knockdown efficiency. Then, the effects of Herg 1 knockdown on the proliferation, growth and invasion of osteosarcoma were measured by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing assay, Transwell assay and xenograft model of nude mice, respectively. Tandem affinity purification, mass spectrometry and dual luciferase reporter assay were used to find out the molecules interacted with Herg1. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of large tumor suppressor gene (LATS1), p-LATS1, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and p-YAP in cells after infection of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA. Results: Compared to Ad5-control-shRNA, Ad5-Herg1-shRNA dramatically inhibited the expression of Herg1 in OS cells. The result of CCK8 array demonstrated that 143B cell vitalities of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA1 and Ad5-Herg1-shRNA2 group were (65.47±3.90)% and (79.90±1.52)%, significantly lower than (100.00±6.14)% of Ad5-control-shRNA group. Meanwhile, U2OS cell vitality of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA1 and Ad5-Herg1-shRNA2 group were (69.69±1.36)% and (76.72±2.75)%, significantly lower than (100.00±3.01)% of Ad5-control-shRNA group (all P<0.001). The results of wound healing array showed that 143B cell migration rates of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA1 and Ad5-Herg1-shRNA2 group were (33.03±2.88)% and (36.47±4.16)%, significantly lower than (97.78±2.28)% of Ad5-control-shRNA group. Meanwhile, U2OS cell migration rates of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA1 and Ad5-Herg1-shRNA2 group were (68.07±0.90)% and (73.97±1.25)%, significantly lower than (96.50±1.12)% of Ad5-control-shRNA group (all P<0.001). The results of Transwell showed that 143B cell invasion numbers of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA1 and Ad5-Herg1-shRNA2 group were 36.50±12.15 and 44.83±7.62, significantly lower than 195.33±19.68 of Ad5-control-shRNA group. Meanwhile, U2OS cell migration rates of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA1 and Ad5-Herg1-shRNA2 group were 21.83±7.99 and 22.85±7.08, significantly lower than 83.33±12.36 of Ad5-control-shRNA group (all P<0.001). The results of xenograft model of OS showed that the tumor volume and weight of Ad5-Herg1-shRNA group were significantly smaller than of Ad5-control-shRNA group after 14 days and 5 weeks of inoculation, respectively (P<0.001). Moreover, knockdown of Herg1 inhibited the metastasis of OS cells. In mechanism, Herg1 protein interacted with NF2 protein. Knockdown of Herg1 significantly suppressed the expression levels of LATS1 and YAP protein, and promoted the phosphorylation of LATS1 and YAP in OS cells (all P<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Herg1 participates in the proliferation and motility of OS cells and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma patients.

Emergent dynamics of extremes in a population driven by common information sources and new social media algorithms

We quantify how and when extreme subpopulations emerge in a model society despite everyone having the same information and available resources – and show that counterintuitively these extremes will likely be enhanced over time by new social media algorithms designed to reduce division. We verify our analysis mathematically, and show it reproduces (a) the time-dependent behavior observed in controlled experiments on humans, (b) the findings of a recent study of online behavior by Facebook concerning the impact of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ news, (c) the observed temporal emergence of extremes in U.S. House of Representatives voting, and (d) the real-time emergence of a division in national opinion during the ongoing peace process in Colombia. We uncover a novel societal tipping point which is a ‘ghost’ of a nearby saddle-node bifurcation from dynamical systems theory, and which provides a novel policy opportunity for preventing extremes from emerging.

ZB transposon and chicken vasa homologue (Cvh) promoter interact to increase transfection efficiency of primordial germ cells in vivo

1. In order to increase the efficiency of generating transgenic chicken, this trial focused on two points: primordial germ cells (PGCs）transfection in vivo and a germline-specific promoter.2. In order to transfect PGCs in vivo, two plasmids (pZB-CAG-GFP, pCMV-ZB）were co-injected into chicken embryos via the subgerminal cavity at Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) stage 2-3 or via blood vessel at HH stage 13-14. Results showed that the percentage of GFP+ embryos, viability and hatching rate of embryos injected at HH stage 13-14 were significantly higher than that at HH stage 2-3.3. Two plasmid transposon systems were used for chicken embryo micro-injections. The donor plasmid, with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene, was mediated by the ZB transposon. The helper plasmid was a transposase expression vector driven by the promoter of the chicken vasa homologue (Cvh) gene or Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Results showed that 60.98% of gonads in Cvh group expressed GFP, which was 52.50% higher than seen in the CMV group. Only gonad tissue from the Cvh group showed any GFP signal, whereas both gonads and other tissues in the CMV group showed green fluorescence.4. The data suggested that ZB transposon-mediated gene transfer was efficient for transfecting PGCs in vivo; the Cvh promoter drove the transposase gene specifically in the germline and increased the efficiency of germline transmission. Blood vessels injection at HH stage 13-14 may be a more efficient route for PGCs transfection in vivo.

Cytotoxic Polyketides from the Marine Sponge-Derived Fungus Pestalotiopsis heterocornis XWS03F09

Four new compounds, including two new polyketides, heterocornols M and N (1, 2), and a pair of epimers, heterocornols O and P (3, 4), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the marine sponge-derived fungus Pestalotiopsis heterocornis XWS03F09, together with three known compounds (5-7). The new chemical structures were established on the basis of a spectroscopic analysis, optical rotation, experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). All of the compounds (1-7) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities, and heterocornols M-P (1-4) exhibited cytotoxicities against four human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 20.4-94.2 μM.

The efficacy and safety of menatetrenone in the management of osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we comprehensively evaluated menatetrenone in the management of osteoporosis. We found that menatetrenone decreased the ratio of undercarboxylated osteocalcin to osteocalcin (ucOC/OC) and improved lumbar BMD compared with placebo based on the 18 studies assessed. However, its benefit in fracture risk control was uncertain.

INTRODUCTION

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of menatetrenone in managing osteoporosis.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov , and three Chinese literature databases (CNKI, CBM, Wanfang) were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before October 5, 2017, comparing menatetrenone with other anti-osteoporotic drugs or placebo in treating osteoporosis. The pooled risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Eighteen RCTs (8882 patients) were included. Pooled analyses showed that menatetrenone was more effective than placebo in improving lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) (five studies, N = 658, MD = 0.05 g/cm², 95% CI 0.01 to 0.09 g/cm²) and decreasing ucOC/OC (two studies, N = 75, MD = - 21.78%, 95% CI - 33.68 to - 9.87%). Compared with placebo, menatetrenone was associated with a nonsignificantly decreased risk of vertebral fracture (five studies, N = 5508, RR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.20). Evidence on other anti-osteoporotic drugs as comparators was limited and revealed no significantly different effects of menatetrenone on BMD or fracture risks. Furthermore, compared with placebo, menatetrenone significantly increased the incidence of adverse events (AEs) (two studies, N = 1949, RR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.02) and adverse drug reactions (four studies, N = 6102, RR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.56). However, no significant difference in the incidence of serious AEs was found between menatetrenone and placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Menatetrenone significantly decreases ucOC and might improve lumbar BMD in osteoporotic patients. However, its benefit in fracture risk control is uncertain.

Enhancement of Sensitivity to Chemo/Radiation Therapy by Using miR-15b against DCLK1 in Colorectal Cancer

Chemo-/radiotherapy resistance is the main cause accounting for most treatment failure in colorectal cancer (CRC). Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are the culprit leading to CRC chemo-/radiotherapy resistance. The underlying regulation mechanism of TICs in CRC remains unclear. Here we discovered that miR-15b expression positively correlated with therapeutic outcome in CRC. Expression of miR-15b in pretreatment biopsy tissue samples predicted tumor regression grade (TRG) in rectal cancer patients after receiving neoadjuvant radiotherapy (nRT). Expression of miR-15b in post-nRT tissue samples was associated with therapeutic outcome. DCLK1 was identified as the direct target gene for miR-15b and its suppression was associated with self-renewal and tumorigenic properties of DCLK1+ TICs. We identified B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region l homolog (BMI1) as a downstream target regulated by miR-15b/DCLK1 signaling. Thus, miR-15b may serve as a valuable marker for prognosis and therapeutic outcome prediction. DCLK1 could be a potential therapeutic target to overcome chemo-/radioresistance in CRC.

Diffuse Speckle Contrast Analysis Assisted Intraoperative Blood Flow Monitoring in the Rat Model of Femoral Arterial Occlusion

The rodent model has been largely used for understanding specific disease pathophysiology, with low cost and the large spectrum from genetic strains. Here, we present a diffuse speckle contrast analysis (DSCA) system to measure blood flow changes non-invasively in rat's thigh and paw during femoral arterial occlusion (FAO) surgery which is the procedure for inducing peripheral arterial disease. The blood flow index in rat's paw showed significant decrease according to arterial occlusion. Moreover, we analyzed cross-correlation between two measurement positions. The results showed the affinity with hemodynamic response. In conclusion, the DSCA system secured the intraoperative blood flow monitoring during FAO surgery in a rat model.

[Pay much attention to control and manage the high pressure of renal plevic and the backflow of irrigation during the operation of urolithiasis of upper tract urinary]

Endoscopic surgery has become the most common urological procedure for calculus in upper urinary tract. However, the widespread usage of minimally invasive endoscopic techniques failed to end the occurrence of perioperative complications, especially some fatal complications. The most severe complication of urolithiasis related endoscopic procedure is urosepsis, which is closely related to the backflow of irrigation fluid induced by the high pressure of renal pelvic during the procedure. By controlling the perfusion and drainage during the operation, the liquid backflow can be reduced effectively, thus may reduce the spread of infectious toxins and pathogens, and incidence of infectious complications can be controlled accordingly. In this article, the pathophysiology of urinary obstruction, the backflow which caused by elevated renal pelvic pressure and its subsequent pathophysiological changes, the control of intra-renal gressure and the prevention of urosepsis will be reviewed. The important range of intra-renal pressure and the major steps for pressure control during the operation is emphasized.

Universality and correlations in individuals wandering through an online extremist space

The "out of the blue" nature of recent terror attacks and the diversity of apparent motives highlight the importance of understanding the online trajectories that individuals follow prior to developing high levels of extremist support. Here we show that the physics of stochastic walks, with and without temporal correlation, provides a unifying description of these online trajectories. Our unique data set comprising all users of a global social media site reveals universal characteristics in individuals' online lifetimes. Our accompanying theory generates analytical and numerical solutions that describe the characteristics shown by individuals that go on to develop high levels of extremist support and those that do not. Going forward, it is conceivable that a deeper understanding of these temporal and many-body correlations may eventually contribute to the important task of better countering the spread of radical propaganda online.

Antidamping-Torque-Induced Switching in Biaxial Antiferromagnetic Insulators

We investigate the current-induced switching of the Néel order in NiO(001)/Pt heterostructures, which is manifested electrically via the spin Hall magnetoresistance. Significant reversible changes in the longitudinal and transverse resistances are found at room temperature for a current threshold lying in the range of 10^{7}  A/cm^{2}. The order-parameter switching is ascribed to the antiferromagnetic dynamics triggered by the (current-induced) antidamping torque, which orients the Néel order towards the direction of the writing current. This is in stark contrast to the case of antiferromagnets such as Mn_{2}Au and CuMnAs, where fieldlike torques induced by the Edelstein effect drive the Néel switching, therefore resulting in an orthogonal alignment between the Néel order and the writing current. Our findings can be readily generalized to other biaxial antiferromagnets, providing broad opportunities for all-electrical writing and readout in antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Long-term risk of diabetes in women at varying durations after gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis with more than 2 million women

This study aims to investigate the impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the long-term risks of diabetes in women with prior GDM, including the effect at different time periods after GDM. We searched PubMed and other databases to retrieve articles which were published prior to February 28, 2017. Cohort studies which evaluated the risk and time of onset of diabetes postpartum in women with and without GDM were included. Meta-analysis with random effects models was used to obtain pooled relative risks and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of diabetes. Subgroup analyses were performed to check for different effect sizes as well as consistency across groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. Thirty cohort studies with 2,626,905 pregnant women were included. Women with prior GDM had 7.76-fold (95% confidence intervals: 5.10-11.81) unadjusted pooled risk of diabetes as compared with women without GDM, whilst the adjusted risk was 17.92-fold (16.96-18.94). The adjusted ORs of GDM for diabetes among women at <3, ≥3 - <6 and ≥6 - <10 years after GDM were 5.37 (3.51-9.34), 16.55 (16.08-17.04) and 8.20 (4.53-14.86), respectively. Women with prior GDM had substantially increased risk of diabetes, with the risk highest during the 3-6 years after GDM.