Search

Background Dihydropyrimidinase like 2 (DPYSL2) has been linked to tumor metastasis. However, the function of DPSY2L in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is yet to be explored. Methods Herein, we assessed DPYSL2 expression in various tumor types via online databases such as Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Further, we verified the low protein and mRNA expressions of DPYSL2 in LUAD via the ULCAN, The TCGA and GEPIA databases. We applied the ROC curve to examine the role of DPYSL2 in diagnosis. The prognostic significance of DPYSL2 was established through the Kaplan–Meier plotter and the Cox analyses (univariate and multivariate). TIMER was used to explore DPYSL2 expression and its connection to immune infiltrated cells. Through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, the possible mechanism of DPYSL2 in LUAD was investigated. Results In this study, database analysis revealed lower DPYSL2 expression in LUAD than in normal tissues. The ROC curve suggested that expression of DPYSL2 had high diagnostic efficiency in LUAD. The DPYSL2 expression had an association with the survival time of LUAD patients in the Kaplan–Meier plotter and the Cox analyses. The results from TIMER depicted a markedly positive correlation of DPYSL2 expression with immune cells infiltrated in LUAD, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells, and neutrophils. Additionally, many gene markers for the immune system had similar positive correlations in the TIMER analysis. In Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, six immune-related signaling pathways were associated with DPYSL2. Conclusions In summary, DPYSL2 is a novel biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic potential for LUAD as well as an immunotherapy target. Highlights Expression of DPYSL2 was considerably lower in LUAD than in normal tissues. Investigation of multiple databases showed a high diagnostic value of DPYSL2 in LUAD. DPYSL2 can independently predict the LUAD outcomes. Immune-related mechanisms may be potential ways for DPYSL2 to play a role in LUAD.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) has been a leading cause of cancer-related mortality for many years. It is thought that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play a significant role in GC. This study aimed to construct a powerful six-lncRNA signature as a prognostic biomarker for GC patients.Methods: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the expression profiles of lncRNAs and the corresponding clinical data of GC patients were obtained. Cox regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model were used to identify the prognostic lncRNA signature. A total of 337 patients were included in the combined dataset (N = 337), which was divided into a training dataset (N= 169) and a test dataset (N = 168). The reliability of the lncRNA prognostic signature was validated in three datasets.Results: A six-lncRNA prognostic signature was constructed to predict the overall survival (OS) of GC patients. The signature had better discriminability than clinical characteristics. The prognostic risk score was as follows: (expression level of RP11-284F21.7×-0.243981) + (expression level of RP11-432J22.2×-0.502378) + (expression level of RP4-584D14.5×-0.447878) + (expression level of AC093850.2×0.261822) + (expression level of AP000695.6 ×0.654318) + (expression level of AC098973.2× 0.406603). In addition, the signature was confirmed to be a significant predictor for predicting the OS. The nomogram model precisely predicted the OS of GC. Enrichment analysis indicated that the signature was mainly enriched for extracellular matrix-related functions and tumor signaling pathways. The target genes IGFBP7, VCAN, and COL1A1 had prognostic value in GC. AC098973.2 and RP11-284F21.7 was verified for the first time in GC tissues and cell lines.Conclusions: The six-lncRNA prognostic signature could predict the OS and has high clinical application value in GC.

Machine learning methods offer great promise for fast and accurate detection and prognostication of COVID-19 from standard-of-care chest radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) images. Many articles have been published in 2020 describing new machine learning-based models for both of these tasks, but it is unclear which are of potential clinical utility. In this systematic review, we search EMBASE via OVID, MEDLINE via PubMed, bioRxiv, medRxiv and arXiv for published papers and preprints uploaded from January 1, 2020 to October 3, 2020 which describe new machine learning models for the diagnosis or prognosis of COVID-19 from CXR or CT images. Our search identified 2,212 studies, of which 415 were included after initial screening and, after quality screening, 61 studies were included in this systematic review. Our review finds that none of the models identified are of potential clinical use due to methodological flaws and/or underlying biases. This is a major weakness, given the urgency with which validated COVID-19 models are needed. To address this, we give many recommendations which, if followed, will solve these issues and lead to higher quality model development and well documented manuscripts., 35 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, updated to the period 1 January 2020 - 3 October 2020

Imaging-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) with high thermal efficiency comprises rapid, successful management of small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) in selected patients. Ultrasound Committee of Chinese Medical Association, Interventional Oncology Committee of Chinese Research Hospital Association developed evidence-based guidelines for MWA of RCCs after systematically reviewing the 1969–2019 literature. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, cohort, and case–control studies reporting MWA of RCCs were included and levels of evidence assessed. Altogether, 146 articles were identified, of which 35 reported percutaneous MWA for T1a RCCs and 5 articles for T1b RCCs. Guidelines were established based on indications, techniques, safety, and effectiveness of MWA for RCCs, with the goal of standardizing imaging-guided percutaneous MWA treatment of RCCs.Key pointsMicrowave ablation is recommended for managing small renal cell carcinoma in selected patients.Imaging protocols are tailored based on the procedural plan, guidance, and evaluation.Patient’s selection evaluation, updated technique information, clinical efficacy, and complications are recommended to standardize management.A joint task force (multidisciplinary team) summarized the key elements of the standardized report. Microwave ablation is recommended for managing small renal cell carcinoma in selected patients. Imaging protocols are tailored based on the procedural plan, guidance, and evaluation. Patient’s selection evaluation, updated technique information, clinical efficacy, and complications are recommended to standardize management. A joint task force (multidisciplinary team) summarized the key elements of the standardized report.

A precision rotating-bomb combustion calorimeter (thermistor of which was constructed in the laboratory) was calibrated using benzoic acid with purity of 99.999 %. The combustion energy of phenanthroline monohydrate (phen·H2O) at 298.15 K was determined to be Δc U m = −(5,757.45 ± 2.53) kJ mol−1. Then, the standard enthalpy of combustion and the standard enthalpy of formation of phen·H2O were calculated to be Δc H m = −(5,759.93 ± 2.53) kJ mol−1 and Δf H m = −(391.34 ± 2.98) kJ mo1−1, respectively. Particularly, the effect of phen·H2O on growth and metabolism of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was also determined by a TAM air isothermal calorimeter at 37 °C. The thermokinetic parameters, including maximum heat output power (P max), growth rate constant (κ), generation times (t G), inhibitive rate (I), and half inhibition concentration (C I,50), were obtained. The results showed that phen·H2O possessed the bi-directional biological effect and Hormesis effect, which stimulated the growth of E. coli at lower concentration, but inhibited the growth at higher concentration. The half inhibition concentration C I,50 of phen·H2O was found to be 7.31 mg L−1.

The aim of this study was to compare the detection of brain metastases at 3 T using a 32-channel head coil with 2 different 3-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced sequences, a T1-weighted fast spin-echo-based (SPACE; sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions) sequence and a conventional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (MP-RAGE) sequence.Seventeen patients with 161 brain metastases were examined prospectively using both SPACE and MP-RAGE sequences on a 3-T magnetic resonance system. Eight healthy volunteers were similarly examined for determination of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values. Parameters were adjusted to equalize acquisition times between the sequences (3 minutes and 30 seconds). The order in which sequences were performed was randomized. Two blinded board-certified neuroradiologists evaluated the number of detectable metastatic lesions with each sequence relative to a criterion standard reading conducted at the Gamma Knife facility by a neuroradiologist with access to all clinical and imaging data.In the volunteer assessment with SPACE and MP-RAGE, SNR (10.3 ± 0.8 vs 7.7 ± 0.7) and contrast-to-noise ratio (0.8 ± 0.2 vs 0.5 ± 0.1) were statistically significantly greater with the SPACE sequence (P0.05). Overall, lesion detection was markedly improved with the SPACE sequence (99.1% of lesions for reader 1 and 96.3% of lesions for reader 2) compared with the MP-RAGE sequence (73.6% of lesions for reader 1 and 68.5% of lesions for reader 2; P0.01).A 3D T1-weighted fast spin echo sequence (SPACE) improves detection of metastatic lesions relative to 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo-based scan (MP-RAGE) imaging when implemented with a 32-channel head coil at identical scan acquisition times (3 minutes and 30 seconds).

This report describes for the first time an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis among neonates associated with human astrovirus (HAstV) serotype 1b at a maternity hospital in Inner Mongolia, China. Of 40 specimens, 28 were astrovirus positive and rotavirus, calicivirus, and adenovirus negative. Poor hygiene likely contributed to the spread and persistence of HAstV in the neonatal care room.

Metal rubber material is a new type of elastic and porous material which develops from metal materials. The macro-structure of metal rubber is reticular just as high polymer, made up of fine metal wires. In this paper, the testing equipment which can test micro-motion of metal rubber is designed and the compressive force-displacement curve along molding of metal rubber has gain. The cure along molding of metal rubber has three different characteristic stages. In different characteristic stages, the deformation of metal rubber material has different micro physical mechanism. The micro physical mechanism of different deformation periods is summarized by the micro analyses of three different characteristic curve stages and the study of metal rubber molding technology. Based on the manufacture technology and molding process, the spring wires in metal rubber material have contacted adequately after molding. The micro physical mechanism of metal rubber material in this stage is produced by blank tear combination deformation in linear elastic of spring wires. Because of the deformation stage is very little; the stiffness of metal rubber material is represented linear characteristic in this stage. The contacted points of spring wires are slide along with deformation increasing. The stiffness of metal rubber material is reduced after early linear deformation stage. The compressive force-displacement curve represents soft characteristic stage in macro- expression. When the most contacted points of spring wires are slide along with deformation increasing, the stiffness of metal rubber material is rapid rise. The exponential reinforcement stage is caused by the strongly constraints among spring wires. The micro physical mechanism can explain the different characteristic stages of metal rubber material on compressive performance.

Due to its intrinsically poor repair potential, injuries to articular cartilage do not heal and clinical intervention is required. Osteochondral grafts may improve healing while promoting integration with host tissue. We report here the development of an osteochondral graft based on a hybrid of a hyrogel and a polymer-bioactive glass composite (PLAGA-BG) microsphere scaffold. This novel osteochondral construct consists of three regions: gel-only, gel/composite interface, and a composite-only-region. The three phases differ in calcium phospate (Ca-P) or BG content. The objective of the current study is to investigate the effects of scaffold composition on chondrocyte response, and to evaluate the effects of co-culture on osteoblasts and chondrocyte growh and differentiation on the hybrid scaffold. The PLAGA-BG microsphere scaffold supported the growth of chondrocytes and initial results indicate that in the presence of BG, chondrocyte-mediated mineralization may be stimulated. Co-culture of osteoblasts and chondrocytes on the multi-phased scaffold with varied Ca-P content facilitated the formation of multiple matrix zones: a GAGrich chondrocyte region, an interfacial matrix rich in GAG+collagen, and a mineralized collagen matrix with osteoblasts. In summary, chondrocyte response has been optimized as a function of scaffold composition and the novel osteochondral graft has the potential to support the simultaneous formation of multiple types of tissue in vitro.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of ex vivo high-resolution multicontrast-weighted MRI to accurately classify human coronary atherosclerotic plaques according to the American Heart Association classification.Thirteen human cadaver heart specimens were imaged using high-resolution multicontrast-weighted MR technique (T1-weighted, proton density-weighted, and T2-weighted). All MR images were matched with histopathologic sections according to the landmark of the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI for the classification of plaques were determined, and Cohen's kappa analysis was applied to evaluate the agreement between MRI and histopathology in the classification of atherosclerotic plaques.One hundred eleven MR cross-sectional images obtained perpendicular to the long axis of the proximal left anterior descending artery were successfully matched with the histopathologic sections. For the classification of plaques, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI were as follows: type I-II (near normal), 60% and 100%; type III (focal lipid pool), 80% and 100%; type IV-V (lipid, necrosis, fibrosis), 96.2% and 88.2%; type VI (hemorrhage), 100% and 99.0%; type VII (calcification), 93% and 100%; and type VIII (fibrosis without lipid core), 100% and 99.1%, respectively. Isointensity, which indicates lipid composition on histopathology, was detected on MRI in 48.8% of calcified plaques. Agreement between MRI and histopathology for plaque classification was 0.86 (p0.001).Ex vivo high-resolution multicontrast-weighted MRI can accurately classify advanced atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries.

AIM: To assess the clinicopathologic features and its relationship with prognosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) in Chinese patients. METHODS: The clinicopathologic features and follow-up data of 92 patients with PMP were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The cases were categorized into three groups: disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMCA), and peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis with intermediate or discordant features (PMCA-I/D). The log-rank test was used to analyze survival for each group and various clinicopathological parameters. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazard models were constructed to determine the important factors associated with survival. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 51.9 years (range: 22-76 years). The median follow up was 124 mo. The 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 74.0%, 67.4% and 49.1%, respectively. There were 49 (53.2%) patients with DPAM, 26 (28.3%) with PMCA-I and 17 (18.5%) with PMCA. Patients with DPAM, PMCA-I/D and PMCA exhibited statistically significant difference in survival (P = 0.001). The 3 year survival for DPAM, PMCAI/D and PMCA was 97.0%, 80.0% and 67.0%, respectively; the 5 year survival was 80.0%, 67.0% and 50.0%, respectively; and the 10 year survival was 65.0%, 28.0% and 14.0%, respectively. Survival rate was significantly lowest in patients < 40 age years of age (P = 0.011). Appendiceal tumor and extra-ovarian parenchymal organ involvement were significantly related to overall survival. Patients with appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MACA) showed the significantly poorer prognosis (P = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that pathological classification, age, appendiceal tumor were significant related to overall survival. CONCLUSION: The clinical process “PMP” should be pathologically classified into DPAM, PMCA and PMCA-I/D. Pathological classification, age, appendiceal MACA are survival independent predictors in Chinese patients with PMP.

Pervasive electroencephalographic (EEG) artifacts are associated with eye movement. This study shows that Independent Component Analysis (ICA) using Joint Approximate Diagonalization of Eigenmatrice (JADE) algorithm can be applied to removing ocular artifacts in EEG. The nine channels of EEGs were recorded from three young healthy subjects with additional VEOG and HEOG channels in blinking and saccade conditions respectively. Seven EEG recordings were selected for artifacts removal tests with two EOG recordings indicating the possible interferences. Ocular artifacts for both conditions were successfully presented by an independent component, which was then eliminated to reconstruct the artifact-free EEGs. This study demonstrates that JADE algorithm can be an effective tool in correcting EOG interference with multichannel EEG recordings.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) may demonstrate a marked histologic diversity. We report 5 cases of hepatic AML exhibiting prominent inflammatory cells in the background (inflammatory AML). The patients were 4 females and 1 male, with age ranged from 21 to 48 years (mean, 39.2 years). Three tumors were in the left lobe and 2 in the right lobe. The tumor size was from 5.5 to 10 cm in the greatest dimension (mean, 7.46 cm). No patient had clinical features of tuberous sclerosis. Histologically, the striking feature was the infiltration of numerous inflammatory cells in the background of the tumors, including small lymphocytes, plasma cells, and histiocytes. The percentage of tumor area with heavy inflammatory infiltration was more than 50% in all cases. The myoid cells were spindled and epithelioid in shape, with eosinophilic or clear cytoplasm, and were arranged in fascicles and clusters. Scattered adipose cells and sinusoidal and thick-walled blood vessels were variably present in all tumors. Focal trabecular arrangement was present in 2 of the 5 tumors. There was no nuclear atypia, and mitotic figures were rare. The myoid cells were diffusely positive for vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and HMB-45 in all cases. All patients showed no evidence of disease after the initial surgical excision during a follow-up period from 3 to 9 years. The inflammatory AMLs should be distinguished from other tumors with inflammatory background such as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor and follicular dendritic cell tumor.

Primary choriocarcinomas of the liver are rare. Previous reported cases were mostly in infants with only rare adult cases. Here, we presented five adult cases. The patients were all males, with an average age of 41.6 years (from 36 to 48 years). Clinical presentations included right upper abdominal pain or abdominal distension. All patients presented with a large hepatic mass on ultrasonography that measured 11 cm on average in the greatest diameter. Elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels were noted in all cases. At presentation, the tumor was confined to the liver in two patients and therefore surgically resected. The other three patients presented with extrahepatic metastases on imaging study and therefore only received chemotherapy. All five patients died from the tumor within 2 to 8 months. Autopsy was performed for all five cases. The autopsy confirmed that the choriocarcinoma was confined to the liver in two surgically resected cases. The other three patients had metastatic choriocarcinoma in the lung (two patients), peritoneum (one patient), adrenal glands (one patient), and brain (one patient). None of the patients had any evidence of a testicular tumor or scar after examination of the entirely submitted testes. No tumor was observed in central nervous system, mediastinum, or other organs other than described above. Grossly, the primary tumors were large, soft, hemorrhagic, and with foci of necrosis. Histologically, the tumors were composed of mononucleated trophoblastic cells with round nuclei, clear cytoplasm, and prominent nucleoli admixed with large, multinucleated syncytiotrophoblastic cells. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were strongly positive for keratin, HCG, and focally positive for human placental lactogen. Ki-67 proliferation index was high (mean 75%) in the mononucleated trophoblastic cells. Our series is the largest one to document primary hepatic choriocarcinoma in adults. Although these tumors are rare, they behave in a very aggressive fashion.

Primary gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are rare. Here we report on 5 such cases (4 males and 1 female, age range 36-45 years). Their presenting symptoms included abdominal mass (5 patients), abdominal pain (4 patients), and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1 patient). Tumor size ranged from 4.5 to 8 cm in the greatest dimension. Histologically, these tumors showed three patterns: myxoid hypocellular, fascicular, and hyalinized. A lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate was present in all 5 tumors. One to two mitotic figures were recognized in 10 high power fields (HPFs) in 4 patients and focally up to 5 in 10HPFs in 1 patient. No prominent nuclear atypia or necrosis was observed. ALK, smooth muscle actin, and vimentin staining were observed in all tumors. One tumor focally expressed desmin. S-100, CD21, CD34, CD35, CD68, and CD117 were negative in all IMTs. The patients were followed up for 2-5 years (mean 3.4 years), and none of them had tumor metastasis or died. Only one patient developed local recurrence and is now alive with no evidence of disease after the second surgery (11 months after the second surgery). Our results indicate that primary gastric IMTs have an intermediate behavior as seen at other sites.

This study describes the clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of four cases of GI PEComa. The size of the tumors ranged from 3.5 to 6.0cm in diameter, and all were located in wall of the large bowel. Microscopically, the tumors were characterized by an epithelioid arrangement of tumor cells, which had abundant clear to pale eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. The stroma was rich in capillaries, a sinusoidal vasculature and thick-walled blood vessels. Mitotic figures were generally rare. Immunohistochemically, the tumors were positive for Vimentin (4/4), HMB-45 (4/4), Melan-A(4/4),alpha-smooth muscle actin (4/4), and desmin (3/4). The patients have been well with no evidence of disease at 8, 15, 32 and 36 months,respectively, after the surgical operation. GI tract PEComas should be regarded as tumors of an uncertain malignant potential until long-term outcome data for a larger number of patients become available.

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) of the laryngopharynx is extremely rare, and no such descriptions have been reported in the literature. This study describes the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features of three cases of laryngopharynx PEComa. The patients (two males and one female) were 38, 42, and 47 years old, respectively. Their tumors were well-demarcated, gray white on the cut surface with focal hemorrhage, and ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 cm in diameter. Microscopically, the tumors were characterized by an epithelioid arrangement of tumor cells, which had abundant clear to pale eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. The stroma was rich in capillaries, sinusoidal vasculature, and thick-walled blood vessels. Mitotic figures were rare. The tumors showed no cellular atypia, with two of them having moderate atypical nuclei focally. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely or focally positive for vimentin (3/3), HMB-45 (3/3), melan-A(3/3), alpha-smooth muscle actin (3/3), and S-100(1/3). They were uniformly negative for CK, Syn, CgA, CD34, CD10, and CD117. Two patients are well, with no evidence of disease at 13 and 30 months after surgery, one patient had recurrence at 15 months after operation. Laryngopharynx PEComas should be regarded as tumors with a malignant potential.