Six-gene signature for predicting survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients remains poor. High-throughput sequencing data have laid a solid foundation for identifying genes related to cancer prognosis, but a gene marker is needed to predict clinical outcomes in HNSCC. In our study, we downloaded RNA Seq, single nucleotide polymorphism, copy number variation, and clinical follow-up data from TCGA. The samples were randomly divided into training and test. In the training set, we screened genes and used random forests for feature selection. Gene-related prognostic models were established and validated in a test set and GEO verification set. Six genes (PEX11A, NLRP2, SERPINE1, UPK, CTTN, D2HGDH) were ultimately obtained through random forest feature selection. Cox regression analysis confirmed the 6-gene signature is an independent prognostic factor in HNSCC patients. This signature effectively stratified samples in the training, test, and external verification sets (P < 0.01). The 5-year survival AUC in the training and verification sets was greater than 0.74. Thus, we have constructed a 6-gene signature as a new prognostic marker for predicting survival of HNSCC patients.

A Prognostic 5-lncRNA Expression Signature for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignant cancer that accounts for 5-10% of all cancers. This study aimed to identify essential genes associated with the prognosis of HNSCC and construct a powerful prognostic model for the risk assessment of HNSCC. RNAseq expression profile data for the patients with HNSCC were obtained from the TCGA database (GEO). A total of 500 samples with full clinical following-up were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set. The training set was used to screen for differentially expressed lncRNAs. Single-factor survival analysis was performed to obtain lncRNAs that associated with prognosis. A robust likelihood-based survival model was constructed to identify the lncRNAs that are essential for the prognosis of HNSCC. A co-expression network between genes and lncRNAs was also constructed to identify lncRNAs co-expressed with genes to serve as the final signature lncRNAs for prognosis. Finally, the prognostic effect of the signature lncRNAs was tested by multi-factor survival analysis and a scoring model for the prognosis of HNSCC was constructed. Moreover, the results of the validation set and the relative expression levels of the signature lncRNAs in the tumour and the adjacent tissue were consistent with the results of the training set. The 5 lncRNAs were distributed among 3 expression modules. Further KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these 3 co-expressed modules participate in different pathways, and many of these pathways are associated with the development and progression of disease. Therefore, we proposed that the 5 validated lncRNAs can be used to predict the prognosis of HNSCC patients and can be applied in postoperative treatment and follow-up.

CCL18 promotes the metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck through MTDH-NF-κB signalling pathway

Metastasis is one of the primary causes for high mortality in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Our previous study showed that chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18), derived from tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs), regulates SCCHN metastasis by promoting epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and preserving stemness. However, the underlying mechanism needs to be further investigation. Interestingly, metadherin (MTDH) expression was induced when SCCHN cells were stimulated with recombinant CCL18 protein in this study. Suppressing MTDH expression reversed CCL18‐induced migration, invasion and EMT in SCCHN cells. Furthermore, the NF‐κB signalling pathway was involved in the MTDH knock‐down cells with CCL18 stimulation. We performed ELISA to evaluate the CCL18 levels in the serums of 132 treatment‐naive SCCHN patients, 25 patients with precancerous lesion and 32 healthy donors. Our results demonstrated that serum CCL18 levels were significantly higher in SCCHN patients than patients with precancerous lesion and healthy individuals. CCL18 levels were found to be significantly correlated with tumour classification, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and histological grade in SCCHN patients. Thus, our findings suggest that CCL18 may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of SCCHN and promote SCCHN invasion, migration and EMT by MTDH‐NF‐κB signalling pathway.

Increased expression of Rab coupling protein in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and its clinical significance

The role of Rab coupling protein (RCP) has not been previously investigated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The aim of this study was to explore RCP protein expression and its clinicopathological significance in SCCHN. RCP protein expression in 95 SCCHN samples, 18 vocal nodule epithelia and 16 leukoplakia epithelia samples was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. Our data indicated that vocal nodule epithelia, leukoplakia epithelia and SCCHN showed a gradual increase in the expression of RCP protein. RCP overexpression was significantly associated with T classification, clinical staging, lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Survival analysis revealed that a high RCP expression was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival and disease-free survival. In conclusion, RCP protein may contribute to the malignant progression of SCCHN, and serves as a novel prognostic marker in patients with SCCHN.

Analysis of transcriptional factors and regulation networks in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis

The present study was to identify and quantitate differentially expressed proteins in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues with or without lymph node metastasis and to explore transcriptional factors and regulation networks associated with the process. Tissue specimens were taken from 20 patients with LSCC, including 10 cases of LSCC without metastasis LSCC (N0) and 10 cases of LSCC with metastasis LSCC (Nx). Among the 643 unique proteins identified by using iTRAQ labeling and quantitative proteomic technology, 389 proteins showed an abundance change in LSCC (Nx) as compared to LSCC (N0). Cytoskeleton remodeling, cell adhesion, and immune response activation were found to be the main processes in LSCC metastasis. The construction of transcription regulation networks identified key transcription regulators for lymph node metastasis of LSCC, including Sp1, c-myc, and p53, which may affect LSCC metastasis through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, our results suggest that ubiquitination may be a critical factor in the networks. The present study provides insights into transcriptional factors and regulation networks involved in LSCC metastasis, which may lead to new strategies for treatment of LSCC metastasis.

Elevated expression of Derlin-1 associates with unfavorable survival time of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and promotes its malignance

Derlin-1 is over-expressed to function as an oncoprotein in breast, lung and colon cancers. However, the implications of Derlin-1 involved in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of Derlin-1 expression on SCCHN tissues and cells. The potential mechanism of Derlin-1 regulating SCCHN cell proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis was also indicated in this work. Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays showed that Derlin-1 was over-expressed in 114 SCCHN samples and five SCCHN cell lines. We found that the expression of Derlin-1 was positively associated with lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and recurrence in our SCCHN patients' samples. Survival analysis indicated that high expression of Derlin-1 was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Knock down expression of Derlin-1 in SCCHN cell lines was found to inhibit cell proliferation, metastasis and promote cell apoptosis. Further experiments showed that signals of PI3K/Akt, p53 and Smad2/3 may involve in these processes. In all, Derlin-1 might be a novel prognostic marker of SCCHN patients and plays an oncogenic role in SCCHN cell progression.

Anomalous Thermoelectric Effects of ZrTe_{5} in and beyond the Quantum Limit

Thermoelectric effects are more sensitive and promising probes to topological properties of emergent materials, but much less addressed compared to other physical properties. We study the thermoelectric effects of ZrTe_{5} in a magnetic field. The presence of the nontrivial electrons leads to the anomalous Nernst effect and quasilinear field dependence of thermopower below the quantum limit. In the strong-field quantum limit, both the thermopower and Nernst signal exhibit exotic peaks. At higher magnetic fields, the Nernst signal has a sign reversal at a critical field where the thermopower approaches zero. We propose that these anomalous behaviors can be attributed to the gap closing of the zeroth Landau bands in topological materials with the band inversion. Our understanding to the anomalous thermoelectric properties in ZrTe_{5} opens a new avenue for exploring Dirac physics in topological materials.

MRI features of different types of sinonasan rhabdomyosarcomas: a series of eleven cases

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively analyze magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of various pathological subtypes of sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and explore correlations between imaging features and pathological subtypes.

METHODS

In total, 11 cases with embryonal, alveolar or pleomorphic sinonasal RMSs, confirmed by surgical pathology, were selected. Their characteristics and distinctive imaging features were analysed, and the correlation between pathology and imaging features was explored.

RESULTS

Bone destruction was observed in all 11 cases with RMS. Expansive growth was predominant in three alveolar and three embryonal RMS cases, and creeping growth was predominant in two alveolar, two embryonal and one pleomorphic RMS cases. Signs of residual mucosa were observed in all 11 cases, and 10 cases showed involvement of multiple sinus cavities and orbital cavities. All cases exhibited mild-to-intermediate enhancement.

CONCLUSION

Sinonasal RMSs have the following characteristic MRI features: ethmoid sinuses and middle nasal conchae are the prevalent sites; lesions are mainly of mild enhancement; tumours exhibit signs of residual mucosa, mild-to-intermediate enhancement and frequent orbital involvement; bone invasion and bone destruction are frequently observed; and haematogenous metastasis is not as common as lymphatic metastasis. RMSs of various pathological subtypes were not significantly distinct by imaging.

Topological nature of the node-arc semimetal PtSn4 probed by de Haas-van Alphen quantum oscillations

Dirac node arc semimetal state is a new topological quantum state which is proposed to exist in PtSn₄ (Wu et al 2016 Dirac node arcs in PtSn₄ Nat. Phys. 12 667-71). We present a systematic de Haas-van Alphen quantum oscillation study on this compound. Two intriguing oscillation branches, i.e. F ₁ and F ₂, are detected in the fast Fourier transformation spectra, both of which are characterized to possess tiny effective mass and ultrahigh quantum mobility. And the F ₂ branch exhibits an angle-dependent nontrivial Berry phase. The features are consistent with the existence of the node arc semimetal state and shed new light on its complicated Fermi surfaces and topological nature.

Disruption of the Accidental Dirac Semimetal State in ZrTe_{5} under Hydrostatic Pressure

We study the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the magnetotransport properties of zirconium pentatelluride. The magnitude of resistivity anomaly gets enhanced with increasing pressure, but the transition temperature T^{*} is insensitive to it up to 2.5 GPa. In the case of H∥b, the quasilinear magnetoresistance decreases drastically from 3300% (9 T) at ambient pressure to 230% (9 T) at 2.5 GPa. Besides, the change of the quantum oscillation phase from topological nontrivial to trivial is revealed around 2 GPa. Both demonstrate that the pressure breaks the accidental Dirac node in ZrTe_{5}. For H∥c, in contrast, subtle changes can be seen in the magnetoresistance and quantum oscillations. In the presence of pressure, ZrTe_{5} evolves from a highly anisotropic to a nearly isotropic electronic system, which accompanies the disruption of the accidental Dirac semimetal state. It supports the assumption that ZrTe_{5} is a semi-3D Dirac system with linear dispersion along two directions and a quadratic one along the third.

Field-Driven Quantum Criticality in the Spinel Magnet ZnCr_{2}Se_{4}

We report detailed dc and ac magnetic susceptibilities, specific heat, and thermal conductivity measurements on the frustrated magnet ZnCr_{2}Se_{4}. At low temperatures, with an increasing magnetic field, this spinel material goes through a series of spin state transitions from the helix spin state to the spiral spin state and then to the fully polarized state. Our results indicate a direct quantum phase transition from the spiral spin state to the fully polarized state. As the system approaches the quantum criticality, we find strong quantum fluctuations of the spins with behaviors such as an unconventional T^{2}-dependent specific heat and temperature-independent mean free path for the thermal transport. We complete the full phase diagram of ZnCr_{2}Se_{4} under the external magnetic field and propose the possibility of frustrated quantum criticality with extended densities of critical modes to account for the unusual low-energy excitations in the vicinity of the criticality. Our results reveal that ZnCr_{2}Se_{4} is a rare example of a 3D magnet exhibiting a field-driven quantum criticality with unconventional properties.

An individual drug-therapy and genetic testing report of temporal bone verrucous carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the pathology and pathogenesis of and treatment methods for temporal bone verrucous carcinoma.

Materials and methods

A single-patient report of verrucous carcinoma on the left external auditory canal is presented and analyzed along with all cases of temporal bone verrucous carcinoma that have been documented in the English literature.

Results

Most of the patients with verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone have histories of surgery, trauma, or infection, and verrucous carcinomas are sensitive to antimicrotubule chemotherapeutic medicines. Adjuvant radiation therapy is not effective, but surgical treatment might be relatively more effective.

Conclusion

Temporal bone verrucous carcinoma has a poor prognosis; therefore, the preferred treatment is surgical resection facilitated with antimicrotubule chemotherapeutic treatment. Adjuvant radiation therapy is not a preferred treatment for temporal bone verrucous carcinoma.

[Anticoagulation status and adherence in patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized for ACS and the impact on 1-year prognosis: a multicenter cohort study]

Objective: For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) complicated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), both anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy should be applied, but the use of anticoagulation therapy is still poor in these patients in China. The purpose of this study was to explore the status and adherence of antithrombotic therapy in AF patients with ACS and the impact on 1 year clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients with AF hospitalized for ACS were retrospectively included from 6 tertiary hospitals in China between July 2015 and December 2020. According to the use of anticoagulant drugs at discharge, patients were divided into two groups: anticoagulant treatment group and non-anticoagulant treatment group. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the main factors influencing the use of anticoagulant drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation complicated with ACS. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, and ischemic stroke and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 3 bleeding events were also collected at 1 year after discharge. After propensity score matching, Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate the effect of anticoagulant treatment and non-anticoagulant treatment on 1-year prognosis. The patients were divided into different groups according to whether anticoagulation was performed at discharge and follow-up, and the sensitivity of the results was analyzed. Results: A total of 664 patients were enrolled, and 273 (41.1%) were treated with anticoagulant therapy, of whom 84 (30.8%) received triple antithrombotic therapy, 91 (33.3%) received double antithrombotic therapy (single antiplatelet combined with anticoagulant), and 98 (35.9%) received single anticoagulant therapy. Three hundred and ninety-one (58.9%) patients were treated with antiplatelet therapy, including 253 (64.7%) with dual antiplatelet therapy and 138 (35.3%) with single antiplatelet therapy. After 1∶1 propensity score matching between the anticoagulant group and the non-anticoagulant group, a total of 218 pairs were matched. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that history of diabetes, HAS-BLED score≥3, and percutaneous coronary intervention were predictors of the absence of anticoagulant therapy, while history of ischemic stroke and persistent atrial fibrillation were predictors of anticoagulant therapy. At 1-year follow-up, 218 patients (79.9%) in the anticoagulant group continued to receive anticoagulant therapy, and 333 patients (85.2%) in the antiplatelet group continued to receive antiplatelet therapy. At 1-year follow-up, 36 MACEs events (13.2%) occurred in the anticoagulant group, and 81 MACEs events (20.7%) in the non-anticoagulant group. HR values and confidence intervals were calculated by Cox proportional risk model. Patients in the non-anticoagulant group faced a higher risk of MACEs (HR=1.802, 95%CI 1.112-2.921, P=0.017), and the risk of bleeding events was similar between the two group (HR=0.825,95%CI 0.397-1.715, P=0.607). Conclusions: History of diabetes, HAS-BLED score≥3, and percutaneous coronary intervention are independent factors for the absence of anticoagulant therapy in patients with AF complicated with ACS. The incidence of MACEs, death and myocardial infarction is lower in the anticoagulant group, and the incidence of bleeding events is similar between the two groups. The risk of bleeding and ischemia/thrombosis should be dynamically assessed during follow-up and antithrombotic regiments should be adjusted accordingly.

Vortex phase diagram of the layered superconductor Cu0.03TaS2 for H is parallel to c

The magnetization and anisotropic electrical transport properties have been measured in high quality Cu(0.03)TaS(2) single crystals. A pronounced peak effect has been observed, indicating that high quality and homogeneity are vital to the peak effect. A kink has been observed in the magnetic field, H, dependence of the in-plane resistivity ρ(ab) for H is parallel to c, which corresponds to a transition from activated to diffusive behavior of the vortex liquid phase. In the diffusive regime of the vortex liquid phase, the in-plane resistivity ρ(ab) is proportional to H(0.3), which does not follow the Bardeen-Stephen law for free flux flow. Finally, a simplified vortex phase diagram of Cu(0.03)TaS(2) for H is parallel to c is given.

[The role of autophagy in the invasion and metastasis of the squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck]

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the effects of autophagy on the metastasis of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (SCCHN) via epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGF-β1. Method:Establish the EMT model induced by TGF-β1 in the SCCHN in time/concentration, and the expression of autophagy related protein microtubule associated protein 1 light chain3 (LC3) detected by western blot; Autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ), depressing autophagy, the expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin, Vimentin and LC3 were examined by Western blot. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assay indicate the effects to metastasis for SCCHN. Result:Autophagy was activated within TGF-β1 induced EMT model in the SCCHN in time/concentration dependently. After autophagy was suppressed, the expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin increased while vimentin and the capacity of metastasis was reduced compared with control group. Conclusion:TGF-β1 induce EMT and Autophagy in the SCCHN. Autophagy could enhances metastasis in the SCCHN via EMT induced by TGF-β1.

MiR-98 inhibits malignant progression via targeting MTDH in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

PURPOSE

MicroRNAs function through regulating specific target mRNA expression and then participate in the development and progression of diverse human cancers. MiR-98 shows aberrant expression and dysfunction in tumors. However, its clinical significance and exact role in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) remain elusive.

METHODS

MiR-98 expression was examined by qRT-PCR and correlated with clinicopathological variables and prognosis in SCCHN patients. Effects of miR-98 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the malignant phenotypes of SCCHN were studied. Finally, the role of target gene metadherin (MTDH) in miR-98 mediated effects were assayed.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that miR-98, as an endogenous inhibitor of MTDH via directly binding to its 3'-untranslated region (UTR) region, decreased significantly in SCCHN tissues. Decreased miR-98 expression was negatively correlated with T classification, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and a shorter survival status in SCCHN patients. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function analyses confirmed that miR-98 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of SCCHN cells in vitro. Moreover, miR-98 repression led to increased MTDH expression and induced EMT alteration. Importantly, ectopic expression of MTDH partially reversed the effects caused by miR-98 overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identifies that miR-98 serves as a suppressor in SCCHN progression via targeting oncogene MTDH.

Doping effects of Co and Cu on superconductivity and magnetism in Fe1+yTe0.6Se0.4 single crystals

We report on the investigation of Co and Cu substitution effects on superconductivity and magnetism in Fe(1+y)Te(0.6)Se(0.4) single crystals. The parent Fe(1.01)Te(0.59)Se(0.41) shows a nodeless bulk superconductivity as revealed in heat capacity measurement, which is gradually suppressed by either Co or Cu doping. It is found that the Co or Cu doping mainly serves as scatterers rather than charge carrier doping, which is in agreement with the DFT calculation (2010 Phys. Rev. Lett. 105 157004) reported by Wadati et al. In comparison with Cu doping, Co doping shows a stronger influence on magnetism while a less evident suppression effect on superconductivity. Upon substitution of Co for Fe, a Schottky heat capacity anomaly develops gradually at low temperatures, implying the existence of a paramagnetic moment in the Co-doped samples. In contrast, Cu doping may mainly serve as non-magnetic scatterers, where no Schottky anomaly is observed.

Wide-spectrum photodetector constructed on a centimeter-scale flexible SnSe2film using a new one-step strategy

Two-dimensional (2D) materials attached with flexible substrates enable possibilities to apply their superior properties to the rapidly increasing demand for foldable displays and wearable biosensors in the internet-of-things technology. However, previous two-step strategy to construct the flexible devices, namely first obtaining 2D materials elsewhere and then transferring them onto flexible substrates, can cause huge problems, including irreversibly undermining the device performance and limiting the material size. Here we propose a new one-step strategy (other than the liquid phase processing and low temperature synthesis methods), namely directly depositing appropriate 2D materials onto flexible substrates, which involves no transferring and can maintain the crystal quality and properties to the greatest extent. More importantly, this strategy in principle has no limit in the film size, hence removing a main obstacle for the practical use of flexible films, such as complex logic operations and large-area optoelectronic applications. Using this strategy, a centimeter-scale SnSe₂film is directly grown on polydimethylsiloxane, which is characterized as a uniform, out-of-plane oriented and semiconducting film that is robust to deformations. Based on the film, a flexible photodetector is fabricated and distinct photoresponse to a broad spectrum of light (405-830 nm) is observed, with remarkable technical parameters.