Identification of a Twelve-microRNA Signature with Prognostic Value in Stage II Microsatellite Stable Colon Cancer

We aimed to identify and validate a set of miRNAs that could serve as a prognostic signature useful to determine the recurrence risk for patients with COAD. Small RNAs from tumors of 100 stage II, untreated, MSS colon cancer patients were sequenced for the discovery step. For this purpose, we built an miRNA score using an elastic net Cox regression model based on the disease-free survival status. Patients were grouped into high or low recurrence risk categories based on the median value of the score. We then validated these results in an independent sample of stage II microsatellite stable tumor tissues, with a hazard ratio of 3.24, (CI_95% = 1.05-10.0) and a 10-year area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.67. Functional analysis of the miRNAs present in the signature identified key pathways in cancer progression. In conclusion, the proposed signature of 12 miRNAs can contribute to improving the prediction of disease relapse in patients with stage II MSS colorectal cancer, and might be useful in deciding which patients may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

COLONOMICS - integrative omics data of one hundred paired normal-tumoral samples from colon cancer patients

Colonomics is a multi-omics dataset that includes 250 samples: 50 samples from healthy colon mucosa donors and 100 paired samples from colon cancer patients (tumor/adjacent). From these samples, Colonomics project includes data from genotyping, DNA methylation, gene expression, whole exome sequencing and micro-RNAs (miRNAs) expression. It also includes data from copy number variation (CNV) from tumoral samples. In addition, clinical data from all these samples is available. The aims of the project were to explore and integrate these datasets to describe colon cancer at molecular level and to compare normal and tumoral tissues. Also, to improve screening by finding biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of colon cancer. This project has its own website including four browsers allowing users to explore Colonomics datasets. Since generated data could be reuse for the scientific community for exploratory or validation purposes, here we describe omics datasets included in the Colonomics project as well as results from multi-omics layers integration.

Relevance of dietary glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids to human health

Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids participate in a variety of indispensable metabolic, neurological, and intracellular signaling processes. In this didactic paper we review the biological roles of phospholipids and try to unravel the precise nature of their putative healthful activities. We conclude that the biological actions of phospholipids activities potentially be nutraceutically exploited in the adjunct therapy of widely diffused pathologies such as neurodegeneration or the metabolic syndrome. As phospholipids can be recovered from inexpensive sources such as food processing by-products, ad-hoc investigation is warranted.

Detection of deep vein thrombosis with a computerized strain gauge plethysmograph

Forty patients suspected clinically the first episode of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were studied using a new computerized strain gauge plethysmographic (SGP) system, the Phlebotest. A capacitance mode was used to secure the obtaining of maximum venous filling before deflation in every determination. Following parameters were calculated automatically and instantly: the maximum volume change (V sec), the outflow rate during the first second after deflation (F 1.0), the expelled volume in four seconds (EV 4.0) and the surface area over the curve during the first four seconds after deflation (IND). The eighty lower limbs of the patients were divided into three groups according to the Duplex scanning results: proximal (n = 19), distal (n = 13) and no DVT (n = 48) groups. The diagnostic accuracy of the Phlebotest parameters was determined and compared with that of another widely used SGP system, the Perivein. In this case the maximum volume change and the maximum venous outflow (MVO) were calculated manually. The results of the two systems were compatible. For the detection of proximal DVT, the parameters of venous outflow were better than maximum volume change and the best single parameter was maximum venous outflow: F 1.0 for Phlebotest and MVO for Perivein. The two parameters had a similar sensitivity of 79% when 50 and 27 ml/100 ml/min were used as the lower limits of normal respectively. The best criterion for the diagnosis of proximal DVT was F 1.0 < 50 ml/100 ml/min plus the EV 4.0/V sec ratio < 60%, which had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 96% and overall accuracy of 94%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plethysmographic findings in normal subjects using a capacitance mode

A new strain-gauge plethysmographic system, Phlebotest, was evaluated in 19 normal subjects, yielding 38 lower limbs for study. A capacitance mode was used which allowed both the left and right calves to reach their maximal volume expansion before releasing the cuff pressure (60 mmHg in this study). Parameters such as the maximum volume change (V sec), the outflow rate during the first second after deflation (F 1.0), the expelled volume in four seconds (EV 4.0) and the surface area over the curve during the first four seconds after deflation (IND) were automatically calculated and their side differences between the left and right legs were determined respectively. There was a good linear correlation between EV 4.0 and V sec (r = 0.9274, p less than 0.0005) and the EV 4.0/V sec ratio was calculated. In contrast to the previous reports, between three consecutive determinations there were no significant differences in the measurements of these parameters, and V sec consistently kept an identical mean value. These results suggest that using this new system only one determination of calf expansion is required. The reason might be that, in addition to some technical improvements, the computer-controlled capacitance function can secure the optimal venous filling in every determination.

[Diagnostic value and significance of photoplethysmography in venous insufficiency]

In this study, including 62 patients, or 104 lower extremities, the author demonstrates first, with the chi-2 test, that the method based on Photoplethysmography has a good diagnostic value (sensitivity: 92%, specificity: 88%). Then, with the Student t-test, he demonstrates that the advantage of Photoplethysmography in venous insufficiency is to differentiate easily normal subjects from subjects affected with valve insufficiency, and to establish the differential diagnosis between superficial valvular insufficiency and deep valvular insufficiency. On the contrary, in analyzing the discrepancies between clinical examination and the results of Photoplethysmography, he demonstrates that the diagnosis obtained with Photoplethysmography is limited in the presence of edema, isolated varicose veins, Phlebitis and arterial disease, or during an ineffective compression of the reflux of the superficial venous system. Finally, the author suggests an approach in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, based on clinical examination, Doppler examination and Photoplethysmography.

[Photoplethysmography (PPG) or photoreflexometry (PRM): principle and reproducibility (study of the validity of the method in healthy subjects)]

Photoplethysmography, a non-invasive vascular exploratory test, has recently made great in the evaluation of venous haemodynamics. The principle of Photoplethysmography uses the cutaneous reflection of infrared light in the intradermal venous plexi. Then methods are presented for a reliable implementation of the tests. Validity of the method is verified by applying statistical tests to measurements carried out in two healthy subjects. In conclusion, Photoplethysmography may be produced, providing that the method used is strict, that three successive measurements are carried out, so that only the mean value is considered; because of the low value of the variability index of the total filling time, this parameter is used in the interpretation of the method.