KEAP1-driven co-mutations in lung adenocarcinoma unresponsive to immunotherapy despite high tumor mutational burden

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated significant overall survival (OS) benefit in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Nevertheless, a remarkable interpatient heterogeneity characterizes immunotherapy efficacy, regardless of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB). KEAP1 mutations are associated with shorter survival in LUAD patients receiving chemotherapy. We hypothesized that the pattern of KEAP1 co-mutations and mutual exclusivity may identify LUAD patients unresponsive to immunotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

KEAP1 mutational co-occurrences and somatic interactions were studied in the whole MSKCC LUAD dataset. The impact of coexisting alterations on survival outcomes in ICI-treated LUAD patients was verified in the randomized phase II/III POPLAR/OAK trials (blood-based sequencing, bNGS cohort, N = 253). Three tissue-based sequencing studies (Rome, MSKCC and DFCI) were used for independent validation (tNGS cohort, N = 289). Immunogenomic features were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) LUAD study.

RESULTS

On the basis of KEAP1 mutational co-occurrences, we identified four genes potentially associated with reduced efficacy of immunotherapy (KEAP1, PBRM1, SMARCA4 and STK11). Independent of the nature of co-occurring alterations, tumors with coexisting mutations (CoMut) had inferior survival as compared with single-mutant (SM) and wild-type (WT) tumors (bNGS cohort: CoMut versus SM log-rank P = 0.048, CoMut versus WT log-rank P < 0.001; tNGS cohort: CoMut versus SM log-rank P = 0.037, CoMut versus WT log-rank P = 0.006). The CoMut subset harbored higher TMB than the WT disease and the adverse significance of coexisting alterations was maintained in LUAD with high TMB. Significant immunogenomic differences were observed between the CoMut and WT groups in terms of core immune signatures, T-cell receptor repertoire, T helper cell signatures and immunomodulatory genes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that coexisting alterations in a limited set of genes characterize a subset of LUAD unresponsive to immunotherapy and with high TMB. An immune-cold microenvironment may account for the clinical course of the disease.

Immunotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer: state of the art and future perspectives

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease with primary or acquired incurability characteristics in a significant part of patients. Immunotherapeutical agents represent an emerging option for breast cancer treatment, including the human epidermal growth factor 2 positive (HER2+) subtype. The immune system holds the ability to spontaneously implement a defensive response against HER2+ BC cells through complex mechanisms which can be exploited to modulate this response for obtaining a clinical benefit. Initial immune system modulating strategies consisted mostly in vaccine therapies, which are still being investigated and improved. However, the entrance of trastuzumab into the scenery of HER2+ BC treatment was the real game changing event, which embodied a dominant immune-mediated mechanism. More recently, the advent of the immune checkpoint inhibitors has caused a new paradigm shift for immuno-oncology, with promising initial results also for HER2+ BC. Breast cancer has been traditionally considered poorly immunogenic, being characterized by relatively low tumor mutation burden (TMB). Nevertheless, recent evidence has revealed high tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in a considerable proportion of HER2+ BC patients. This may translate into a higher potential to elicit anti-cancer response and, therefore, wider possibilities for the use and implementation of immunotherapy in this subset of BC patients. We are herein presenting and critically discussing the most representative evidence concerning immunotherapy in HER2+ BC cancer, both singularly and in combination with therapeutic agents acting throughout HER2-block, immune checkpoint inhibition and anti-cancer vaccines. The reader will be also provided with hints concerning potential future projection of the most promising immutherapeutic agents and approaches for the disease of interest.

Efficient solid acid catalyst containing Lewis and Brønsted Acid sites for the production of furfurals

Self-assembled nanoparticulates of porous sulfonated carbonaceous TiO2 material that contain Brønsted and Lewis acidic sites were prepared by a one-pot synthesis method. The material was characterized by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, pyridine FTIR spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, N2 -sorption, atomic absorbance spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The carbonaceous heterogeneous catalyst (Glu-TsOH-Ti) with a Brønsted-to-Lewis acid density ratio of 1.2 and more accessible acid sites was effective to produce 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural from biomass-derived mono- and disaccharides and xylose in a biphasic solvent that comprised water and biorenewable methyltetrahydrofuran. The catalyst was recycled in four consecutive cycles with a total loss of only 3 % activity. Thus, Glu-TsOH-Ti, which contains isomerization and dehydration catalytic sites and is based on a cheap and biorenewable carbon support, is a sustainable catalyst for the production of furfurals, platform chemicals for biofuels and chemicals.

Direct visualization of oral-cavity tissue fluorescence as novel aid for early oral cancer diagnosis and potentially malignant disorders monitoring

Direct visualization of the oral tissue autofluorescence has been recently reviewed in several studies as a possible adjunctive tool for early recognition and diagnosis of potentially malignant and malignant oral disorders. The aims of this study were to assess: a) the value of a simple handheld device for tissue auto-fluorescence visualization of potentially malignant oral lesions; and b) the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of tested device, using histological examination as the gold standard. 175 consecutive patients, with at least one clinical oral lesion, were enrolled in the study. Clinical conventional inspections were performed for each patient by two blind operators. Then, oral biopsy and histological examination were performed. Pathologist was blind with respect to the autofluorescence results. The 175 histological assessments revealed no dysplasia, mild dysplasia, moderate/severe dysplasia and OSCC, in the 67.4%, 8.6%, 8%, 16% of cases, respectively. Oral lesions diagnosed as OSCC were found as positive under fluorescent light in the 96.4% of cases. Statistically significant correlation was observed between oral dysplastic lesions and the loss of tissue fluorescence (p-value=0.001). Low sensitivity values (60% and 71%) were recorded about the ability of the device in differentiating mild dysplasia vs. lack of dysplasia and moderate/severe dysplasia vs absence of dysplasia, respectively. The device tested in our study was found to not replace the histopathology procedure. However, we assessed its usefulness for oral tissue examination, especially within an oral medicine secondary care facility, before performing a biopsy and in monitoring oral lesions.

Expression of sexual hormones receptors in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Sexual hormones play an important role in expression of genes involved in a wide variety of biological and neoplastic processes. The information on Estrogen Receptors (ER) expression in non-target tissues is very few and, in particular, the studies in head and neck tumors are still controversial. Recent studies analyzed the role of Tamoxifen (TAM) on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) lines in relation to the presence/absence of ER. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the expression of sexual hormones receptors mRNAs, in particular Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) and Androgen Receptor (AR) mRNA in OSCC tissues. The study group comprised 20 samples of OSCC, harvested from 20 otherwise healthy subjects (14 males and 6 females, mean age 58.2y, range 38-74). The control group was formed by 20 samples of normal mucosa harvested around the margins of the specimens (at least 1 cm from the lesion margins). Estrogens Receptor alpha (Era) and Androgen Receptor (AR) mRNA expressions were analyzed by RT-PCR carried out on total RNAs extracted from both cancerous and healthy tissues. Obtained data were evaluated by Shapiro-Walk normality test and compared by Student's t test. Results with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. AR transcripts were less expressed in OSCC specimens than in healthy tissues, while levels of ERα transcripts significantly increased in tumor samples. These preliminary data show different expression patterns of AR and ERα mRNAs in malignant tissues of oral mucosa and could suggest an involvement of these sexual hormones in oral cancer.

The M/V X-Press Pearl Nurdle Spill: Contamination of Burnt Plastic and Unburnt Nurdles along Sri Lanka’s Beaches

In May 2021, the M/V X-Press Pearl cargo ship caught fire 18 km off the west coast of Sri Lanka and spilled ∼1680 tons of spherical pieces of plastic or "nurdles" (∼5 mm; white in color). Nurdles are the preproduction plastic used to manufacture a wide range of end products. Exposure to combustion, heat, and chemicals led to agglomeration, fragmentation, charring, and chemical modification of the plastic, creating an unprecedented complex spill of visibly burnt plastic and unburnt nurdles. These pieces span a continuum of colors, shapes, sizes, and densities with high variability that could impact cleanup efforts, alter transport in the ocean, and potentially affect wildlife. Visibly burnt plastic was 3-fold more chemically complex than visibly unburnt nurdles. This added chemical complexity included combustion-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A portion of the burnt material contained petroleum-derived biomarkers, indicating that it encountered some fossil-fuel products during the spill. The findings of this research highlight the added complexity caused by the fire and subsequent burning of plastic for cleanup operations, monitoring, and damage assessment and provides recommendations to further understand and combat the impacts of this and future spills.

Double demonstration of oncogenic high risk human papilloma virus DNA and HPV-E7 protein in oral cancers

Oncogenic HPVs are necessarily involved in cervical cancer but their role in oral carcinogenesis is debated. To detect HPV in oral cancer, 38 cases of formalin fixed-paraffin embedded OSCC were studied by both DNA genotyping (MY09/11 L1 consensus primers in combination with GP5-GP6 primer pair followed by sequencing) and immunohistochemistry (monoclonal Abs against capsid protein and HPV-E7 protein, K1H8 DAKO and clone 8C9 INVITROGEN, respectively). HPV-16 tonsil cancer was used as positive control. The overall prevalence of HPV infection in OSCCs was 10.5%. Amplification of DNA samples showed single HPV DNA infection in 3 cases (HPV16; HPV53; HPV70) and double infection in one case of cheek cancer (HPV31/HPV44). The overall HR-HPV prevalence was 7.5%. E-7 antigen was immunohistochemically detected in all HPV-positive cases. HPV+ OSCC cases showed an overall better outcome than HPV negative oral cancers, as evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves. HPVs exert their oncogenic role after DNA integration, gene expression of E5, E6 and E7 loci and p53/pRb host proteins suppression. This study showed that HPV-E7 protein inactivating pRb is expressed in oral cancer cells infected by oncogenic HPV other than classical HR-HPV-16/18. Interestingly HPV-70, considered a low risk virus with no definite collocation in oncogenic type category, gives rise to the expression of HPV-E7 protein and inactivate pRb in oral cancer. HPV-70, as proved in current literature, is able to inactivates also p53 protein, promoting cell immortalization. HPV-53, classified as a possible high risk virus, expresses E7 protein in OSCC, contributing to oral carcinogenesis. We have identified among OSCCs, a subgroup characterized by HPV infection (10.5%). Finally, we have proved the oncogenic potential of some HPV virus types, not well known in literature.

Peri-tumoral inflammatory cell infiltration in OSCC: a reliable marker of local recurrence and prognosis? An investigation using artificial neural networks

The presence of inflammatory reaction in peri-tumoural connective tissue is generally considered as a defense mechanism against cancer, but inflammation tissue in malignant transformation and early steps of oncogenesis has been recently proven to play a supporting and aggravating role in some carcinomas. Aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate in OSCCs the independent association of peri-tumoral inflammatory infiltrate (PTI) with local recurrence (LR) or survival outcome, and to verify whether PTI can be considered a marker of prognosis. Data from 211 cases of OSCC, only surgically treated between 1990 and 2000, were collected and retrospectively analyzed for PTI and the event LR (5 yrs follow-up at least) by means of univariate-multivariate and neural networks analyses. Patients (mean age 65.3 ± 12.4 yrs, M/F = 2.98) showed presence of PTI in 68.2% (144/211): (+) in 27.0%, (++) in 25.6%, (+++) 15.6%; PTI was found reduced in 24.7% of cases and absent in 7.1%. In overall PTI+ve group (n=144), 66 were TNM Stage I, 33 Stage II, 45 Stage III, none Stage IV. LR (mean 6 ± 4 months) was present in 87/211 (41.2%) patients, of which 43/144 (29.8%) in OSCCs with PTI [23 (+), 13 (++) and 7 (+++)] vs. 44/67 (65.7%) in OSCC with PTI -/+ or PTI-ve ones. By univariate analysis, PTI+ve cases showed a significant lower risk to have LR (p <0.0001; OR= 0.2297; CI= 0.1277:0.4134) vs PTI -/+ or -ve ones, especially among cases with higher PTI value (+++) (OR= 0.1718; CI= 0.0749:0.3939). Multivariate analyses (Logit model and neural networks) confirmed the same datum: presence of PTI was an independent predictive variable accounting for a better tumoural outcome without LR (Logit and neural networks values: OR' 0.226; CI= 0.113:0.454; ROC Area = 0.66, respectively). In terms of prognostic significance, elevated PTI was found to have an independent association with the poorest overall survival rate (P = 0.056). Our findings strongly suggest the importance to investigate routinely PTI in OSCCs, as useful marker of tumoral behavior and prognosis, and warrant further studies.

Characterization of the Fe metalloproteome of a ubiquitous marine heterotroph, Pseudoalteromonas (BB2-AT2): multiple bacterioferritin copies enable significant Fe storage

Fe is a critical nutrient to the marine biological pump, which is the process that exports photosynthetically fixed carbon in the upper ocean to the deep ocean. Fe limitation controls photosynthetic activity in major regions of the oceans, and the subsequent degradation of exported photosynthetic material is facilitated particularly by marine heterotrophic bacteria. Despite their importance in the carbon cycle and the scarcity of Fe in seawater, the Fe requirements, storage and cytosolic utilization of these marine heterotrophs has been less studied. Here, we characterized the Fe metallome of Pseudoalteromonas (BB2-AT2). We found that with two copies of bacterioferritin (Bfr), Pseudoalteromonas possesses substantial capacity for luxury uptake of Fe. Fe : C in the whole cell metallome was estimated (assuming C : P stoichiometry ∼51 : 1) to be between ∼83 μmol : mol Fe : C, ∼11 fold higher than prior marine bacteria surveys. Under these replete conditions, other major cytosolic Fe-associated proteins were observed including superoxide dismutase (SodA; with other metal SOD isoforms absent under Fe replete conditions) and catalase (KatG) involved in reactive oxygen stress mitigation and aconitase (AcnB), succinate dehydrogenase (FrdB) and cytochromes (QcrA and Cyt1) involved in respiration. With the aid of singular value decomposition (SVD), we were able to computationally attribute peaks within the metallome to specific metalloprotein contributors. A putative Fe complex TonB transporter associated with the closely related Alteromonas bacterium was found to be abundant within the Pacific Ocean mesopelagic environment. Despite the extreme scarcity of Fe in seawater, the marine heterotroph Pseudoalteromonas has expansive Fe storage capacity and utilization strategies, implying that within detritus and sinking particles environments, there is significant opportunity for Fe acquisition. Together these results imply an evolved dedication of marine Pseudoalteromonas to maintaining an Fe metalloproteome, likely due to its dependence on Fe-based respiratory metabolism.

MicroRNA-based signatures impacting clinical course and biology of ovarian cancer: a miRNOmics study

Background

In Western countries, ovarian cancer (OC) still represents the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths, despite the remarkable gains in therapeutical options. Novel biomarkers of early diagnosis, prognosis definition and prediction of treatment outcomes are of pivotal importance. Prior studies have shown the potentials of micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) as biomarkers for OC and other cancers.

Methods

We focused on the prognostic and/or predictive potential of miRNAs in OC by conducting a comprehensive array profiling of miRNA expression levels in ovarian tissue samples from 17 non-neoplastic controls, and 60 tumor samples from OC patients treated at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE). A set of 54 miRNAs with differential expression in tumor versus normal samples (T/N-deregulated) was identified in the IRE cohort and validated against data from the Cancer Genoma Atlas (TCGA) related to 563 OC patients and 8 non-neoplastic controls. The prognostic/predictive role of the selected 54 biomarkers was tested in reference to survival endpoints and platinum resistance (P-res).

Results

In the IRE cohort, downregulation of the 2 miRNA-signature including miR-99a-5p and miR-320a held a negative prognostic relevance, while upregulation of miR-224-5p was predictive of less favorable event free survival (EFS) and P-res. Data from the TCGA showed that downregulation of 5 miRNAs, i.e., miR-150, miR-30d, miR-342, miR-424, and miR-502, was associated with more favorable EFS and overall survival outcomes, while miR-200a upregulation was predictive of P-res. The 9 miRNAs globally identified were all included into a single biologic signature, which was tested in enrichment analysis using predicted/validated miRNA target genes, followed by network representation of the miRNA-mRNA interactions.

Conclusions

Specific dysregulated microRNA sets in tumor tissue showed predictive/prognostic value in OC, and resulted in a promising biological signature for this disease.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40364-021-00289-6.

Synergy between Sunlight, Titanium Dioxide, and Microbes Enhances Cellulose Diacetate Degradation in the Ocean

Sunlight chemically transforms marine plastics into a suite of products, with formulation─the specific mixture of polymers and additives─driving rates and products. However, the effect of light-driven transformations on subsequent microbial lability is poorly understood. Here, we examined the interplay between photochemical and biological degradation of fabrics made from cellulose diacetate (CDA), a biobased polymer used commonly in consumer products. We also examined the influence of ∼1% titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a common pigment and photocatalyst. We sequentially exposed CDA to simulated sunlight and native marine microbes to understand how photodegradation influences metabolic rates and pathways. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that sunlight initiated chain scission reactions, reducing CDA's average molecular weight. Natural abundance carbon isotope measurements demonstrated that chain scission ultimately yields CO₂, a newly identified abiotic loss term of CDA in the environment. Measurements of fabric mass loss and enzymatic activities in seawater implied that photodegradation enhanced biodegradation by performing steps typically facilitated by cellulase. TiO₂ accelerated CDA photodegradation, expediting biodegradation. Collectively, these findings (i) underline the importance of formulation in plastic's environmental fate and (ii) suggest that overlooking synergy between photochemical and biological degradation may lead to overestimates of marine plastic persistence.

Antineoplastic treatment class modulates COVID-19 mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity in cancer patients: a secondary analysis of the prospective Vax-On study

BACKGROUND

Preliminary analysis from the Vax-On study did not find a correlation between cancer treatment type and antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination. We carried out a secondary subgroup analysis to verify the effects of comprehensive cancer treatment classification on vaccine immunogenicity.

METHODS

The Vax-On study prospectively enrolled patients who started a two-dose messenger RNA-BNT162b2 vaccine schedule from 9 March 2021 to 12 April 2021 (timepoint-1). Those on active treatment within the previous 28 days accounted for the exposed cases. Patients who had discontinued such treatment by at least 28 days or received intravesical therapy represented the control cases. Quantification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was carried out before the second dose (timepoint-2) and 8 weeks thereafter (timepoint-3). Seroconversion response was defined at ≥50 arbitrary units/ml IgG titer. Classification of antineoplastic agents was based on their pharmacodynamic properties.

RESULTS

Three hundred and sixty-six patients were enrolled (86 and 260 as control and exposed cases, respectively). Univariate analysis revealed a significantly lower IgG titer after both doses of vaccine in subgroups treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), multiple cytotoxic agents, alkylating agents, and topoisomerase inhibitors. At timepoint-3, seroconversion response was significantly impaired in the topoisomerase inhibitors and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors subgroups. After multivariate testing, treatment with alkylating agents and TKIs was significantly associated with a reduced change in IgG titer at timepoint-2. Treatment with mTOR inhibitors resulted in a similar interaction at each timepoint. Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor treatment was independently correlated with an incremental variation in IgG titer at timepoint-3. Specific subgroups (TKIs, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, and multiple-agent chemotherapy) predicted lack of seroconversion at timepoint-2, but their effect was not retained at timepoint-3. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2, immunosuppressive corticosteroid dosing, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use were independently linked to lower IgG titer after either dose of vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Drugs interfering with DNA synthesis, multiple-agent cytotoxic chemotherapy, TKIs, mTOR and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors differentially modulate humoral response to messenger RNA-BNT162b2 vaccine.

Characterization of the metalloproteome of Pseudoalteromonas (BB2-AT2): biogeochemical underpinnings for zinc, manganese, cobalt, and nickel cycling in a ubiquitous marine heterotroph

Pseudoalteromonas (BB2-AT2) is a ubiquitous marine heterotroph, often associated with labile organic carbon sources in the ocean (e.g. phytoplankton blooms and sinking particles). Heterotrophs hydrolyze exported photosynthetic materials, components of the biological carbon pump, with the use of diverse metalloenzymes containing zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni). Studies on the metal requirements and cytosolic utilization of metals for marine heterotrophs are scarce, despite their relevance to global carbon cycling. Here, we characterized the Zn, Mn, Co, and Ni metallome of BB2-AT2. We found that the Zn metallome is complex and cytosolic Zn is associated with numerous proteins for transcription (47.2% of the metallome, obtained from singular value decomposition of the metalloproteomic data), translation (33.5%), proteolysis (12.8%), and alkaline phosphatase activity (6.4%). Numerous proteolytic enzymes also appear to be putatively associated with Mn, and to a lesser extent, Co. Putative identification of the Ni-associated proteins, phosphoglucomutase and a protein in the cupin superfamily, provides new insights for Ni utilization in marine heterotrophs. BB2-AT2 relies on numerous transition metals for proteolytic and phosphatase activities, inferring an adaptative potential to metal limitation. Our field observations of increased alkaline phosphatase activity upon addition of Zn in field incubations suggest that such metal limitation operates in sinking particulate material collected from sediment traps. Taken together, this study improves our understanding of the Zn, Mn, Co, and Ni metallome of marine heterotrophic bacteria and provides novel and mechanistic frameworks for understanding the influence of nutrient limitation on biogeochemical cycling.

Clonal KEAP1 mutations with loss of heterozygosity share reduced immunotherapy efficacy and low immune cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

KEAP1 mutations have been associated with reduced survival in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), particularly in the presence of STK11/KRAS alterations. We hypothesized that, beyond co-occurring genomic events, clonality prediction may help identify deleterious KEAP1 mutations and their counterparts with retained sensitivity to ICIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Beta-binomial modelling of sequencing read counts was used to infer KEAP1 clonal inactivation by combined somatic mutation and loss of heterozygosity (KEAP1 C-LOH) versus partial inactivation [KEAP1 clonal diploid-subclonal (KEAP1 CD-SC)] in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) MetTropism cohort (N = 2550). Clonality/LOH prediction was compared to a streamlined clinical classifier that relies on variant allele frequencies (VAFs) and tumor purity (TP) (VAF/TP ratio). The impact of this classification on survival outcomes was tested in two independent cohorts of LUAD patients treated with immunotherapy (MSK/Rome N = 237; DFCI N = 461). Immune-related features were studied by exploiting RNA-sequencing data (TCGA) and multiplexed immunofluorescence (DFCI mIF cohort).

RESULTS

Clonality/LOH inference in the MSK MetTropism cohort overlapped with a clinical classification model defined by the VAF/TP ratio. In the ICI-treated MSK/Rome discovery cohort, predicted KEAP1 C-LOH mutations were associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to KEAP1 wild-type cases (PFS log-rank P = 0.001; OS log-rank P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained in the DFCI validation cohort (PFS log-rank P = 0.006; OS log-rank P = 0.014). In both cohorts, we did not observe any significant difference in survival outcomes when comparing KEAP1 CD-SC and wild-type tumors. Immune deconvolution and multiplexed immunofluorescence revealed that KEAP1 C-LOH and KEAP1 CD-SC differed for immune-related features.

CONCLUSIONS

KEAP1 C-LOH mutations are associated with an immune-excluded phenotype and worse clinical outcomes among advanced LUAD patients treated with ICIs. By contrast, survival outcomes of patients whose tumors harbored KEAP1 CD-SC mutations were similar to those with KEAP1 wild-type LUADs.

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) of ionic liquids

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) was used to analyze ionic liquids (ILs) containing either imidazolium or phosphonium cations combined with different types of inorganic and organic anions. Ionic liquids were directly inserted into the ionization source using a glass probe without dissolution into organic solvents. Mass spectra of the ILs were collected in both positive and negative mode with a linear ion-trap instrument. The intact cation of the compound was typically the dominant peak in positive mass spectra and cluster ion formation was present. Some individual anions were not readily observed in the negative mass spectra (based on the type of anion); however, the mass difference of adjacent cluster ions equal the mass of a complete IL and the anion mass could be verified by subtracting the known cation mass. The degree and intensity of the cluster ion formations was found to be dependent on the nature of the specific ILs as well as the DART temperature gas stream.

Distinct microbial communities degrade cellulose diacetate bioplastics in the coastal ocean

IMPORTANCE

Cellulose diacetate (CDA) is a promising alternative to conventional plastics due to its versatility in manufacturing and low environmental persistence. Previously, our group demonstrated that CDA is susceptible to biodegradation in the ocean on timescales of months. In this study, we report the composition of microorganisms driving CDA degradation in the coastal ocean. We found that the coastal ocean harbors distinct bacterial taxa implicated in CDA degradation and these taxa have not been previously identified in prior CDA degradation studies, indicating an unexplored diversity of CDA-degrading bacteria in the ocean. Moreover, the shape of the plastic article (e.g., a fabric, film, or foam) and plasticizer in the plastic matrix selected for different microbial communities. Our findings pave the way for future studies to identify the specific species and enzymes that drive CDA degradation in the marine environment, ultimately yielding a more predictive understanding of CDA biodegradation across space and time.

Effects of tricresylphosphate on esterase activity of rat serum and tissues

The effect of tricresylphosphate (TCP) was studied in vitro and in vivo on the rat liver and brain enzymes acetylcholinesterase (ACC), butyrylcholinesterase (CHE), arylesterase (ARE), aliesterase (ALI), and the microsomal nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH2-oxidase) system. The results show that, in the male rat, TCP given intraperitoneally induces an increase in liver microsomal ARE AND NADPH2-oxidase and a decrease in ALI and cholinesterase; no activation of ARE and NADPH2-oxidase is observed in female rats.

[Anemia of prematurity: risk factors influencing red cell transfusions]

To investigate the importance of transfusion practice with packed red cells (PRCs) in premature infants and to identify risk factors significant influencing transfusion practice, we analyzed 75 preterm infants (gestational age: 31 +/- 2 weeks; birth weight: 1459 +/- 402 g) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Catholic University of Rome. Fifty-three (70.7%) of the infants received one or more PRCs transfusions (in total 246 transfusions). The variables associated with an increase in number and frequency of PRCs transfusions were: a) gestational age < or = 30 weeks; b) birth weight < or = 1000 g; c) severe neonatal pathology (ie a respiratory disease requiring ventilatory support and/or a clearly documented or suspected sepsis). Repeated PRCs transfusions during the first week of life significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the need for late transfusions, after 4 weeks of age, for the treatment of the anemia of prematurity. These data indicate that preterm infants with a gestational age < or = 30 weeks, a birth weight < 1000 g and a severe respiratory or infectious disease represent natural candidates for administration of recombinant human erythropoietin to reduce the need for late PRCs transfusions.