Breathing Signature as Vitality Score Index Created by Exercises of Qigong: Implications of Artificial Intelligence Tools Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Rising concerns about the short- and long-term detrimental consequences of administration of conventional pharmacopeia are fueling the search for alternative, complementary, personalized, and comprehensive approaches to human healthcare. Qigong, a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, represents a viable alternative approach. Here, we started with the practical, philosophical, and psychological background of Ki (in Japanese) or Qi (in Chinese) and their relationship to Qigong theory and clinical application. Noting the drawbacks of the current state of Qigong clinic, herein we propose that to manage the unique aspects of the Eastern 'non-linearity' and 'holistic' approach, it needs to be integrated with the Western "linearity" "one-direction" approach. This is done through developing the concepts of "Qigong breathing signatures," which can define our life breathing patterns associated with diseases using machine learning technology. We predict that this can be achieved by establishing an artificial intelligence (AI)-Medicine training camp of databases, which will integrate Qigong-like breathing patterns with different pathologies unique to individuals. Such an integrated connection will allow the AI-Medicine algorithm to identify breathing patterns and guide medical intervention. This unique view of potentially connecting Eastern Medicine and Western Technology can further add a novel insight to our current understanding of both Western and Eastern medicine, thereby establishing a vitality score index (VSI) that can predict the outcomes of lifestyle behaviors and medical conditions.

Tissue Elasticity Bridges Cancer Stem Cells to the Tumor Microenvironment Through microRNAs: Implications for a "Watch-and-Wait" Approach to Cancer

BACKGROUND

Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) through which cancer stem cells (CSCs) crosstalk for cancer initiation and progression, may open new treatments different from those centered on the original hallmarks of cancer genetics thereby implying a new approach for suppression of TME driven activation of CSCs. Cancer is dynamic, heterogeneous, evolving with the TME and can be influenced by tissue-specific elasticity. One of the mediators and modulators of the crosstalk between CSCs and mechanical forces is miRNA, which can be developmentally regulated, in a tissue- and cellspecific manner.

OBJECTIVE

Here, based on our previous data, we provide a framework through which such gene expression changes in response to external mechanical forces can be understood during cancer progression. Recognizing the ways mechanical forces regulate and affect intracellular signals with applications in cancer stem cell biology. Such TME-targeted pathways shed new light on strategies for attacking cancer stem cells with fewer side effects than traditional gene-based treatments for cancer, requiring a "watchand- wait" approach. We attempt to address both normal brain microenvironment and tumor microenvironment as both works together, intertwining in pathology and physiology - a balance that needs to be maintained for the "watch-and-wait" approach to cancer.

CONCLUSION

This review connected the subjects of tissue elasticity, tumor microenvironment, epigenetic of miRNAs, and stem-cell biology that are very relevant in cancer research and therapy. It attempts to unify apparently separate entities in a complex biological web, network, and system in a realistic and practical manner, i.e., to bridge basic research with clinical application.

Cancer genomic research at the crossroads: realizing the changing genetic landscape as intratumoral spatial and temporal heterogeneity becomes a confounding factor

The US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) created the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Project in 2006. The TCGA’s goal was to sequence the genomes of 10,000 tumors to identify common genetic changes among different types of tumors for developing genetic-based treatments. TCGA offered great potential for cancer patients, but in reality has little impact on clinical applications. Recent reports place the past TCGA approach of testing a small tumor mass at a single time-point at a crossroads. This crossroads presents us with the conundrum of whether we should sequence more tumors or obtain multiple biopsies from each individual tumor at different time points. Sequencing more tumors with the past TCGA approach of single time-point sampling can neither capture the heterogeneity between different parts of the same tumor nor catch the heterogeneity that occurs as a function of time, error rates, and random drift. Obtaining multiple biopsies from each individual tumor presents multiple logistical and financial challenges. Here, we review current literature and rethink the utility and application of the TCGA approach. We discuss that the TCGA-led catalogue may provide insights into studying the functional significance of oncogenic genes in reference to non-cancer genetic background. Different methods to enhance identifying cancer targets, such as single cell technology, real time imaging of cancer cells with a biological global positioning system, and cross-referencing big data sets, are offered as ways to address sampling discrepancies in the face of tumor heterogeneity. We predict that TCGA landmarks may prove far more useful for cancer prevention than for cancer diagnosis and treatment when considering the effect of non-cancer genes and the normal genetic background on tumor microenvironment. Cancer prevention can be better realized once we understand how therapy affects the genetic makeup of cancer over time in a clinical setting. This may help create novel therapies for gene mutations that arise during a tumor’s evolution from the selection pressure of treatment.

Training stem cells for treatment of malignant brain tumors

The treatment of malignant brain tumors remains a challenge. Stem cell technology has been applied in the treatment of brain tumors largely because of the ability of some stem cells to infiltrate into regions within the brain where tumor cells migrate as shown in preclinical studies. However, not all of these efforts can translate in the effective treatment that improves the quality of life for patients. Here, we perform a literature review to identify the problems in the field. Given the lack of efficacy of most stem cell-based agents used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors, we found that stem cell distribution (i.e., only a fraction of stem cells applied capable of targeting tumors) are among the limiting factors. We provide guidelines for potential improvements in stem cell distribution. Specifically, we use an engineered tissue graft platform that replicates the in vivo microenvironment, and provide our data to validate that this culture platform is viable for producing stem cells that have better stem cell distribution than with the Petri dish culture system.

Therapeutic window, a critical developmental stage for stem cell therapies

In children, cancers are the deadliest of diseases and second only to accidents as the leading cause of death. The deadliest of the brain cancers are the malignant gliomas. Approximately two-thirds of children can survive less malignant types of brain cancers, however, in ~67% of these survivors recurs under the current regimes of surgery followed by administration of high doses toxic drugs and exposure to high doses of radiation. Even more distressing is that fortunate survivors are generally left with life-long cognitive disabilities. A new medical approach is desperately needed. Stem cells, with their natural ability to seek out brain tumors, could be used to accurately deliver therapy directly to the cancer sparing normal tissues for suppression of tumor growth. Despite exciting initial reports, clinical potency of stem cell therapy in animal brain tumor models has to date proven disappointing. Attempts to extrapolate the animal study results to humans are stymied by the fact that stem cells are heterogeneous, resulting in differences in their efficacy. Indeed, therapeutic success relies on an effective strategy to select for a stem cell sub-population within some particular stage of the development at which they are competitive and capable of targeting brain tumors. To improve this during developmental path, concept of a 'therapeutic window' is proposed. The "therapeutic window" for stem cells or more specifically a "biochemical therapeutic window" can be determined from biochemical assays and a "biological therapeutic window" from biological assays or even a molecular window for genetic description. Taken together, we can use selective processes to generate more effective stem cells to treat cancers as is clearly needed today.

A biological global positioning system: considerations for tracking stem cell behaviors in the whole body

Many recent research studies have proposed stem cell therapy as a treatment for cancer, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. Some of these experimental therapies have been tested in small animals and, in rare cases, in humans. Medical researchers anticipate extensive clinical applications of stem cell therapy in the future. The lack of basic knowledge concerning basic stem cell biology-survival, migration, differentiation, integration in a real time manner when transplanted into damaged CNS remains an absolute bottleneck for attempt to design stem cell therapies for CNS diseases. A major challenge to the development of clinical applied stem cell therapy in medical practice remains the lack of efficient stem cell tracking methods. As a result, the fate of the vast majority of stem cells transplanted in the human central nervous system (CNS), particularly in the detrimental effects, remains unknown. The paucity of knowledge concerning basic stem cell biology--survival, migration, differentiation, integration in real-time when transplanted into damaged CNS remains a bottleneck in the attempt to design stem cell therapies for CNS diseases. Even though excellent histological techniques remain as the gold standard, no good in vivo techniques are currently available to assess the transplanted graft for migration, differentiation, or survival. To address these issues, herein we propose strategies to investigate the lineage fate determination of derived human embryonic stem cells (hESC) transplanted in vivo into the CNS. Here, we describe a comprehensive biological Global Positioning System (bGPS) to track transplanted stem cells. But, first, we review, four currently used standard methods for tracking stem cells in vivo: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bioluminescence imaging (BLI), positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and fluorescence imaging (FLI) with quantum dots. We summarize these modalities and propose criteria that can be employed to rank the practical usefulness for specific applications. Based on the results of this review, we argue that additional qualities are still needed to advance these modalities toward clinical applications. We then discuss an ideal procedure for labeling and tracking stem cells in vivo, finally, we present a novel imaging system based on our experiments.

The complement system and host defense against Pseudomonas endophthalmitis

The authors examined the role of the complement system in host defense against Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis. Guinea pigs received intravitreal injections of P. aeruginosa, and comparisons were made between bacterial counts from the vitreous of control guinea pigs and experimental guinea pigs that underwent systemic decomplementation with cobra venom factor. In group 1 (intravitreal injection of 42 organisms), bacterial counts were significantly higher in the vitreous of decomplemented guinea pigs versus control guinea pigs at days 1, 2, and 3 after intravitreal injection but not at day 7 when complement levels returned to normal. In group 2 (intravitreal injection of 102 organisms), bacterial counts were significantly higher in the vitreous of experimental guinea pigs versus control guinea pigs only at day 1 with no statistically significant differences thereafter. In group 3 (intravitreal injection of 150 bacteria), there were no significant differences in bacterial counts in the vitreous of experimental versus control guinea pigs. Our results in group 1 suggest that partially decomplemented guinea pigs show impaired host defense to P. aeruginosa and that this defense is restored as complement levels return to normal. Intravitreal injection of higher numbers of P. aeruginosa as in a group 3 overwhelms and obscures any beneficial effect of the complement system on host defense.

Experimental herpesvirus keratitis in the rabbit: topical versus intrastromal infection routes

Intrastromal and topical routes of infection of rabbit corneas with the HF strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 were compared clinically to determine which route of infection would present the best model of disciform edema and of deep stromal keratitis for our further studies on how the immune response of the infected animals may influence the expression of clinical disease. In addition, virus clearing and persistence of viral antigens as immunologic stimuli were monitored by virologic and electron microscopic immunocytochemical studies. We found topical infection to be preferable to the intrastromal infection route for presenting stromal disease in that it resulted in a higher incidence of epithelial disease with less anterior chamber involvement. The topical infection route model should be valuable in studies of cell-mediated immune response against HSV-infected cells.

Experimental Klebsiella-induced endophthalmitis in the rabbit

Klebsiella organisms have been reported in postoperative endophthalmitis. We describe an experimental model of endophthalmitis with anterior segment inflammation over the injection of Klebsiella oxytoca into the rabbit vitreous. Within 24 hours, polymorphonuclear leukocytes were found at the corneal limbus, adjacent to the endothelium, in the iris and ciliary body, throughout the vitreous, and in the optic nerve. Retinal photoreceptor degeneration was widespread within 48 hours. Mononuclear cells appeared in the vitreous within 72 hours. Increased pathologic manifestations concomitant with decreased numbers of recoverable, viable organisms implicate the endotoxins of K oxytoca in the observed pathologic condition. Our model may be useful in further studies on antibiotic therapy in Klebsiella ocular infections and in continuing work on the cross-reaction between Klebsiella and HLA-B27.