Tumor markers for lipid metabolism-related genes: Based on small cell lung cancer and bronchial asthma dual analysis

Numerous studies have elucidated the intricate relationship between bronchial asthma and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), as well as the role lipid metabolism genes play in transitioning from bronchial asthma to SCLC. Despite this, the predictive power of single gene biomarkers remains insufficient and necessitates the development of more accurate prognostic models. In our study, we downloaded and preprocessed scRNA-seq of SCLC from the GEO database GSE164404 and severe asthma scRNA-seq from GSE145013 using the Seurat package. Using the MSigDB database and geneCard database, we selected lipid metabolism-related genes and performed scRNA-seq data analysis from the gene expression GEO database, aiming to uncover potential links between immune signaling pathways in bronchial asthma and SCLC. Our investigations yielded differentially expressed genes based on the scRNA-seq dataset related to lipid metabolism. We executed differential gene analysis, gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. In-depth GSEA pathway activation analysis, crucial target gene predictions via protein-protein interactions, and key cluster gene evaluations for differential and diagnostic ROC values correlation analysis confirmed that key cluster genes are significant predictors for the progression of bronchial asthma to SCLC. To validate our findings, we performed wet laboratory experiments using real-time quantitative PCR to assess the expression of these relevant genes in SCLC cell lines. In conclusion, this research proposes a novel lipid metabolism-related gene marker that can offer comprehensive insights into the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma leading to SCLC. Although this study does not directly focus on senescence-associated molecular alterations, our findings in the lipid metabolism genes associated with inflammation and cancer progression offer valuable insights for further research targeting senescence-related changes in treating inflammatory diseases.

Surgical outcomes of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: a single-center experience

Background

Increasing evidence has shown the effectiveness of surgery for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Present study aims to summarize the experience of our institution in dealing with advanced NSCLC in the context of multimodality therapy including lung surgery.

Methods

Patients underwent surgical resection for stage IV NSCLC diagnosed before or during surgery from January 2014 to June 2017 at Tangdu Hospital were included in this study.

Results

There were 88 stage IV NSCLC patients enrolled in this study. Among them, 35 patients with pleural metastases, 18 with brain oligometastases, 25 with extra-brain oligometastases and 10 with multiple metastatic sites or organs. For primary lung tumor, almost all (86/88) were resected with R0. For metastatic lesions, 53 patients received curative local treatment and 9 patients with partial treatment. There were 62 patients received adjuvant treatment, 10 patients received no adjuvant treatment and 16 patients with missing data of adjuvant treatment. The median overall survival of patients was 31.72 months. The estimated 3-year OS was 42.2%. Patients with pleural metastases and brain oligometastases got better outcomes than the ones with extra-brain oligometastases and multiple metastases (P<0.001). Patients with adjuvant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment had significantly better OS compared with those with adjuvant chemotherapy treatment (P=0.015). Besides, age <60 and cT1-2 were also associated with better survival.

Conclusions

Surgery may be a considerable choice for stage IV NSCLC in the context of multimodality therapy.

Imatinib inhibits CSF1R that stimulates proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes

In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of imatinib on the proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis synovial cell (RA-FLS) and inflammatory responses by regulating CSF1R. Differential genes were screened via microarray analysis, followed by being analysed through the weighted co-expression network (WGCNA) network, that included module and cluster analysis. The relationship between imatinib and genes was visualized using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STITCH) database. Expressions of mRNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability was examined via clone formation assay, while cell cycle and apoptosis were analysed through flow cytometry analysis. The hub gene CSF1R was ultimately determined by microarray analysis and WGCNA analysis. Colony-stimulating-factor receptor-1 (SF1R) was highly expressed in rheumatoid arthritis tissues and cells, and CSF1R over-expression could promote inflammatory responses. Moreover, CSF1R could promote RA-FLS proliferation, inhibit apoptosis and accelerate the cell cycle. The targeting relationship between imatinib and CSF1R was also validated in this study. Imatinib attenuated RA-FLS inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, imatinib could inhibit RA-FLS proliferation and promote apoptosis, ultimately reducing the damage of RA-FLS. Over-expression of CSF1R accelerated the cell cycle and proliferation of RA-FLS, while inhibiting cell apoptosis. Conversely, imatinib could significantly restrain the cell cycle and viability of RA-FLS and accelerated apoptosis via suppression of CSF1R expression. Further, histological and serological assay investigated and proved the proinflammatory effects of CSF1R in RA rabbits.

Controlling transmembrane protein concentration and orientation in supported lipid bilayers

The trans-membrane protein - proteorhodopsin (pR) has been incorporated into supported lipid bilayers (SLB). In-plane electric fields have been used to manipulate the orientation and concentration of these proteins, within the SLB, through electrophoresis leading to a 25-fold increase concentration of pR.

Intrinsic Ferromagnetism in the Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Co:TiO_{2}

Here we present a study of magnetism in Co_{0.05}Ti_{0.95}O_{2-δ} anatase films grown by pulsed laser deposition under a variety of oxygen partial pressures and deposition rates. Energy-dispersive spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that a high deposition rate leads to a homogeneous microstructure, while a very low rate or postannealing results in cobalt clustering. Depth resolved low-energy muon spin rotation experiments show that films grown at a low oxygen partial pressure (≈10^{-6}  torr) with a uniform structure are fully magnetic, indicating intrinsic ferromagnetism. First principles calculations identify the beneficial role of low oxygen partial pressure in the realization of uniform carrier-mediated ferromagnetism. This work demonstrates that Co:TiO_{2} is an intrinsic diluted magnetic semiconductor.

Breast cancer incidence and mortality: trends over 40 years among women in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer incidence rates are increasing among Asian women, likely due to the changes in risk factors caused by globalization. Trends in breast cancer rates among Chinese women may differ from other Asian regions due to the implementation of a nationwide family planning program and resulting changes in women's reproductive practices. Appraisal of cancer trends can direct cancer control and public health planning, but relevant studies in China are scarce due to a lack of long-term data. We sought to evaluate secular time trends in breast cancer incidence and mortality using 40 years of cancer registry data for women in urban Shanghai.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on invasive breast cancer incidence and mortality were collected by the Shanghai Cancer Registry. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for incidence and mortality were calculated using the Segi/Doll 1960 world standard population. Age, period, and birth cohort effects were evaluated using age-period-cohort (APC) Poisson regression models. Overall linear trends, interpreted as the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), were derived from the net drift in age-drift models.

RESULTS

A total of 53 885 breast cancer cases and 17 235 breast cancer-specific deaths were documented among women in urban Shanghai between 1 January 1973 and 31 December 2012. Breast cancer incidence and mortality ASRs increased by 141.2% and 26.6%, respectively. Significant age, cohort, and period effects were identified in both incidence and mortality APC models; cohort effects were pronounced. Overall, a substantial increase in breast cancer incidence (EAPC = 2.96%/year) and a moderate increase in breast cancer mortality (EAPC = 0.87%/year) was observed. A notable downward trend in mortality was identified among younger women born after 1960.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty years of cancer registry data document a tremendous increase in incidence and a slight increase in mortality for breast cancer among women in Shanghai. Effective, appropriate, and affordable breast cancer prevention and control strategies are urgently needed in China.

Quantitative assessment of new MRI-based measurements to differentiate low and high stages of pelvic organ prolapse using support vector machines

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the ability of new MRI-based measurements to differentiate low and high stages of pelvic organ prolapse. New measurements representing pelvic structural characteristics are proposed and analyzed using support vector machines (SVM).

METHODS

This retrospective study used data from 207 women with different types and stages of prolapse. Their demographic information, clinical history, and dynamic MRI data were obtained from the database. New MRI measurements were extracted and analyzed based on these reference lines: pubococcygeal line (PCL), mid-pubic line (MPL), true conjugate line (TCL), obstetric conjugate line (OCL), and diagonal conjugate line (DCL). A classification model using SVM was designed to assess the impact of the features (variables) in classifying prolapse into low or high stage.

RESULTS

The classification model using SVM can accurately identified anterior prolapse with very high accuracy (>0.90), and apical and posterior prolapse with good accuracy (0.80 - 0.90). Two newly proposed MRI-based features were found to be significant in the identification of anterior and posterior prolapse: the angle between TCL and MPL for anterior prolapse, and the angle between DCL and PCL for posterior prolapse. The overall accuracy of posterior prolapse identification increased from 47% to 80% when the newly proposed MRI-based features were taken into consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed MRI-based measurements are effective in differentiating low and high stages of pelvic organ prolapse, particularly for posterior prolapse.

On the roles of graphene oxide doping for enhanced supercurrent in MgB2 based superconductors

Due to their graphene-like properties after oxygen reduction, incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) sheets into correlated-electron materials offers a new pathway for tailoring their properties. Fabricating GO nanocomposites with polycrystalline MgB2 superconductors leads to an order of magnitude enhancement of the supercurrent at 5 K/8 T and 20 K/4 T. Herein, we introduce a novel experimental approach to overcome the formidable challenge of performing quantitative microscopy and microanalysis of such composites, so as to unveil how GO doping influences the structure and hence the material properties. Atom probe microscopy and electron microscopy were used to directly image the GO within the MgB2, and we combined these data with computational simulations to derive the property-enhancing mechanisms. Our results reveal synergetic effects of GO, namely, via localized atomic (carbon and oxygen) doping as well as texturing of the crystals, which provide both inter- and intra-granular flux pinning. This study opens up new insights into how low-dimensional nanostructures can be integrated into composites to modify the overall properties, using a methodology amenable to a wide range of applications.

Assessment of a semiautomated pelvic floor measurement model for evaluating pelvic organ prolapse on MRI

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a semiautomated pelvic floor measurement algorithmic model on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images compared with manual pelvic floor measurements for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) evaluation.

METHODS

We examined 15 MRIs along the midsagittal view. Five reference points used for pelvic floor measurements were identified both manually and using our semiautomated measurement model. The two processes were compared in terms of accuracy and precision.

RESULTS

The semiautomated pelvic floor measurement model provided highly consistent and accurate locations for all reference points on MRI. Results also showed that the model can identify the reference points faster than the manual-point identification process.

CONCLUSION

The semiautomated pelvic floor measurement model can be used to facilitate and improve the process of pelvic floor measurements on MRI. This will enable high throughput analysis of MRI data to improve the correlation analysis with clinical outcomes and potentially improve POP assessment.

A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the <i>IGF1R</i> gene and the association with growth traits in yak (Brief Report)

Abstract. The insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF1) is a peptide growth factor that exerts mitogenic and metabolic activities, which are regulators of growth, survival and cell differentiation in a number of cell and tissue types. To elicit its effects, IGF1 must bind its receptors. The insulinlike growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is similar to insulin receptor (INSR) and it mediates the growth-promoting effect of IGF1. The IGF1R gene, therefore, was selected as a biological candidate gene for growth, body composition, metabolic, and skeletal traits in animals (Rothschild et al. 1997). By now, no polymorphism of yak (Bos grunniensL) IGF1R gene is reported. In the present paper, the partial exon 1 region of IGF1R was screened to detect the SNPs in Chinese yak breeds. Associations of SNP of IGF1R with growth traits were analysed.

Diphenhydramine modulates cytokines and induces apoptosis in experimental acute pancreatitis

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of diphenhydramine (DPH), a H(1) receptor antagonist, on taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis and the underlying mechanisms involved. Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model, DPH-treated, octreotide-treated and the DPH plus octreotide combination therapy groups (n = 30 per group). Animals were sacrificed 3, 6 and 24 h after modeling and drug administration (n = 10 per time point) and sera, pancreas and lungs were harvested for further studies. DPH and octreotide monotherapy relieved histopathological injuries in multiple organs when compared to the model group. Combination therapy (DPH + octreotide) demonstrated better therapeutic potential than monotherapy. Data indicated that combination therapy had a better ability to reduce average mortality rates in rats, decrease the number of inflammatory cells, attenuate necrosis, upregulate the levels of amylase, TNF-alpha and IL-8 and downregulate the levels of IL-10 in the serum. Moreover, enhanced expression of Bax in the pancreas and lung were recorded suggesting a pro-apoptotic mechanism involved in the therapeutic potential of DPH. Our study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of DPH in acute pancreatitis and suggested a novel strategy for clinical management of this disease.

Ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers and applications in pharmaceutical discovery and development. Example application to rat cardiac troponin I assay via nanoparticle probes

e14594

Although specific to heart, rat cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is an example of an important biomarker for assessing drug-induced cardiotoxicity in animal models used in various phases of drug discovery and development. Current commercially available assays can only detect 10 ∼ 100 pg/mL in serum at the lowest limits. To improve the sensitivity of rat cTnI assay, we have developed a generically applicable, microarray based nano-probe test. Our rat cTnI assay algorithm uses a multi-step robotic process, which relies on non- isotropically oriented antibodies on functionalized glass as multiplexed microarrays to capture cTnI from serum. Functionalized, 130 angstrom diameter gold nano-probes (measured by static light scattering, 5 nm S.D.) also bind to the troponin through a molecular-scale complex containing antibodies. The troponin-bound molecular complex is then quantified through silver enhancement of the functionalized gold. Assays in this format can be rapidly configured and implemented for a wide array of potential biomarkers. For cTnI we have demonstrated a robust and ultra-sensitive assay with an LOD of less than 500 femtograms of rat cTnI per mL serum, and an overall CV of less than 20%. The assay also shows very low background, a broad dynamic range and over 3 logs of linear dose response. As an example of the potential of high sensitivity, the nanoparticle-based rat cTnI assay could significantly increase the effectiveness of measuring drug-induced heart damage at very low drug dosages and early times. Such sensitive and early measurements can improve examination of the safety of drug candidates while correspondingly reducing drug development time and cost.

[Table: see text]

Breast cancer mortality trends in the WEST compared to the EAST: lives gained, lives lost

Abstract #6082

INTRODUCTION: Breast Cancer (BrCa) Mortality trends between 1950 – 2005 were reviewed between the Western (WEST) and Eastern Asian (EAST) countries, with the objective to gain understanding between therapeutic and diagnostic interventions and underlying epidemiology factors determining BrCa outcomes.&#x2028; METHODOLOGY: We compared BrCa mortality trends in the WEST (Canada, UK, USA) and in the EAST (Japan and China-Shanghai). Data were obtained from WHO - IARC, Lyon (Canada, USA, UK, Japan); and from the Shanghai Cancer Registry (China-Shanghai). We analyzed age-standardized annual mortality rates per 100,000 / population (as per 1960 world standard population). Mortality trends were expressed relative to the baseline (year 1950 for all, year 1973 for China-Sha).&#x2028; RESULTS: The baseline mortality rates were: 22.5 for Canada; 23.5 for UK; 21.6 for USA, 4.1 for Japan; and 7.3 for China-Shanghai.&#x2028; &#x2028; CONCLUSION. These data confirm a substantial mortality reduction in the WEST evident after the 1980's - 1990's, likely reflecting the interaction of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (mammography, education, systemic / locoregional therapies, etc). The different timing and extent of mortality reduction in the WEST probably reflect different degree of implementation of the interactive factors.&#x2028; On the other hand, mortality is increasing in the EAST, in parallel with the “westernization” of those regions (industrialization, diet, etc, Ref. [NEJM; 2008:358;3)]. For the EAST, our data also support a correlation between the timing / extent of the “westernization” and mortality trend dynamics (i.e. mortality increase in Japan 20 years earlier than China).

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6082.

A prototype ultrasound-guided laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation system

BACKGROUND

Advanced laparoscopic procedures, particularly laparoscopic liver resection and ablation, may benefit from image-guided surgery techniques that involve interactive three-dimensional imaging and instrument tracking.

METHODS

A prototype system for laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation was designed and implemented. This system uses an infrared camera to track instruments and runs on a personal computer. Features of the system include spatially registered ultrasound visualization, volume reconstruction, and interactive targeting. Targeting of accuracy studies was performed by directing a tracked needle to a phantom target.

RESULTS

Ultrasound data collection and volume reconstruction can be achieved within minutes and interactively reviewed by the surgeon. Early results with phantom experiments demonstrate a targeting accuracy of 5 to 10 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

These results support the further development of this and similar image-guided surgery systems for specific laparoscopic procedures. Eventually, rigorous clinical evaluation will be necessary to prove their value.

Ultrasound-to-computer-tomography registration for image-guided laparoscopic liver surgery

BACKGROUND

The application of image-guided surgery (IGS) to laparoscopic liver resection and ablation is currently limited, but it would assist in intraoperative decision making regarding oncologic margins, ablation probe placement, and ablation tracking.

METHODS

Eight spherical surface targets on a liver phantom were imaged with an optically tracked laparoscopic ultrasound (US) probe. Ten US images of each target were registered to computer tomography (CT) images of the phantoms and then mapped to the CT scans. Accuracy of the registration was assessed by comparing the distance between the predicted target location and the position obtained directly from CT.

RESULTS

The average localization error was 5.3 mm. The errors resulted primarily from inaccurate US probe tracking but were otherwise insensitive to the variability that arises from manually identifying targets in US and CT images.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained for US-to-CT registration in a phantom model suggest that further investigations into its clinical use are warranted and that other IGS technologies could be applied to laparoscopic liver surgery as well.

Cytokine chemokine expression in contused rat spinal cord

Spinal cord injury within the first few hours, is complicated by inflammatory mechanisms, including the influx of monocyte/macrophages as well as the activation of resident spinal microglia and astrocytes. Numerous studies have suggested that the initial infiltration of the hematogenous cells may be due to the secretion of cytokines and chemokines in the injured CNS. In order to elucidate which chemotactic factors may be expressed following traumatic spinal cord contusion, the presence of mRNA for a number of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors was examined in contused rat spinal cord by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Spinal injury was accompanied by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA suggesting astrocyte activation and astrogliosis. TNFalpha message levels were upregulated as early as 1 h post injury and returned to baseline levels by 3 days post injury (DPI). By immunocytochemistry, staining for TNFalpha increased at 1 and 3 dpi and was predominantly diffuse in the necrotic tissue. The chemokines IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1alpha were also detected in the injured spinal cord. mRNA levels of IP-10 peaked around 6 h post injury and were upregulated up to 7 dpi. MCP-1 mRNA was detected at 1 h post injury and its levels returned to baseline by 14 dpi. An increase in MCP-1 staining was observed from 1 to 7 dpi. The staining was also diffuse in the necrotic tissue and also localized to cells near the site of injury. The presence of aFGF and bFGF was also detected in the injured spinal cord. mRNA for aFGF was detected at 0 time, increased at 6 h post injury, peaked at 3 days, and remained elevated up to 21 days. bFGF mRNA was initially detected at 1 h post injury, increased between 6 h and 3 days, declined thereafter and returned to baseline levels by 21 days.

L(infinity) constrained high-fidelity image compression via adaptive context modeling

In this paper, we study high-fidelity image compression with a given tight L(infinity) bound. We propose some practical adaptive context modeling techniques to correct prediction biases caused by quantizing prediction residues, a problem common to the existing DPCM-type predictive near-lossless image coders. By incorporating the proposed techniques into the near-lossless version of CALIC that is considered by many as the state-of-the-art algorithm, we were able to increase its PSNR by 1 dB or more and/or reduce its bit rate by 10% or more, more encouragingly, at bit rates around 1.25 bpp or higher, our method obtained competitive PSNR results against the best L(2)-based wavelet coders, while obtaining much smaller L(infinity) bound.

[Prenatal screening for major fetal defects by using of maternal serum markers]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of second-trimester maternal serum markers AFP, beta-hCG, uE3, for prenatal screening of the fetal defects.

METHODS

In 677 women the triple markers were measured. Some factors that may affect the testing such as maternal weight, gestational age, were adjusted on analyzing the result of the testing. Each woman, who underwent the triple screening, will be followed up until her fetus was delivered.

RESULTS

Among the women who were screened, 11 patients who presented at least one marker positive were identified as having an abnormal fetus, and the positive rate was 1.6%. While 32 women were confirmed to be false positive with a rate of 4.7%. Another 11 women had fetal demise on second-trimester, which had been proved to be not caused by fetal abnormality.

CONCLUSION

Maternal triple serum markers may take as a routine protocol for prenatal screening of the fetal defects.