Search

BACKGROUND: Although the influence of molecular biomarkers on the biological behavior of tumor cells has been investigated, their quantitative influence on the velocity of tumor growth remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the molecular biomarkers associated with tumor growth rates in World Health Organization (WHO) grade II gliomas, or low-grade gliomas (LGGs). METHODS: Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of patients with LGGs were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with at least 2 preoperative MRIs taken more than 90 days apart were enrolled. Patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type tumors or with no recorded IDH status were excluded. A linear mixed-effects model was used to assess the velocity of tumor diameter expansion. The effect of biomarker expression on tumor growth rate was assessed using a multivariate linear mixed-effects regression model. RESULTS: Data from 56 patients were used in our study. The overall velocity of diameter expansion (VDE) for LGGs was 2.1 mm/year. Higher expression level of mutant p53 were significantly associated with a higher tumor growth rate (+1.9 mm/year, P

The rapid development of tissue engineering technology has provided new methods for tracheal replacement. However, none of the previously developed biomimetic tracheas exhibit both the anatomy (separated-ring structure) and mechanical behavior (radial rigidity and longitudinal flexibility) mimicking those of native trachea, which greatly restricts their clinical application. Herein, we proposed a biomimetic scaffold with a separated-ring structure: a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with a ring-hollow alternating structure was three-dimensionally printed as a framework, and collagen sponge was embedded in the hollows amid the PCL rings by pouring followed by lyophilization. The biomimetic scaffold exhibited bionic radial rigidity based on compressive tests and longitudinal flexibility based on three-point bending tests. Furthermore, the biomimetic scaffold was recolonized by chondrocytes and developed tracheal cartilage in vitro. In vivo experiments showed substantial deposition of tracheal cartilage and formation of a biomimetic trachea mimicking the native trachea both structurally and mechanically. Finally, a long-segment tracheal replacement experiment in a rabbit model showed that the engineered biomimetic trachea elicited a satisfactory repair outcome. These results highlight the advantage of a biomimetic trachea with a separated-ring structure that mimics the native trachea both structurally and mechanically and demonstrates its promise in repairing long-segment tracheal defects.

Gelatin methacryloyl is a promising material in tissue engineering and has been widely studied in three-dimensional bioprinting. Although gelatin methacryloyl possesses excellent biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties, its poor printability/processability has hindered its further applications. In this study, we report a reversible physical crosslinking strategy for precise deposition of human chondrocyte-laden gelatin methacryloyl bioink at low concentration without any sacrificial material by using extrusive three-dimensional bioprinting. The precise printing temperature was determined by the rheological properties of gelatin methacryloyl with temperature. Ten percent (w/v) gelatin methacryloyl was chosen as the printing formula due to highest biocompatibility in three-dimensional cell cultures in gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel disks. Primary human chondrocyte-laden 10% (w/v) gelatin methacryloyl was successfully printed without any construct deformation or collapse and was permanently crosslinked by ultraviolet light. The printed gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel constructs remained stable in long-term culture. Chondrocyte viability and proliferation that were printed under this optimal temperature were better than that of chondrocytes printed under lower temperatures and were similar to that of chondrocytes in the non-printed gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels. The results indicate that with this strategy, 10% (w/v) gelatin methacryloyl bioink presented excellent printability and printing resolution with high cell viability, which appears to be suitable for printing primary human chondrocytes in cartilage biofabrication and can be extensively applied in tissue engineering of other organs or in other biomedical fields.

Some clinical N0 lung adenocarcinomas have been pathologically diagnosed as N1 or N2. To improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of lymph node disease, we developed a prediction model for lymph node metastasis in cT1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma based on computed tomography texture analysis and clinical characteristics to estimate the probability of lymph node metastasis.The records of 501 consecutive patients with cT1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma who underwent computed tomography scan and pulmonary resection with systematic lymph nodes dissection or lymph nodes sampling were reviewed. Each nodule was manually segmented, and its computerized texture features were extracted. Multivariate logistic regression with fivefold validation was used to estimate independent predictors and build the prediction model. The prediction model was then externally validated. A nomogram was developed based on logistic regression results.Among 501 patients, 41 were diagnosed with positive lymph nodes (8.18%). Four independent predictors were identified: the skewness and 90th percentile of computed tomography number, nodule compactness, and carcinoembryonic antigen level. This model showed good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p = 0.337), with an area under the curve of 0.883 (95% confidence interval, 0.842 to 0.924; p0.001). The area under the curve was 0.808 (95% confidence interval, 0.735 to 0.880) when validated with independent data.A model based on computerized textures and carcinoembryonic antigen level can assess the lymph node status of patients with cT1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma preoperatively, which could assist surgeons in making subsequent clinical decisions.

Small pulmonary nodules are a common problem, especially with the wide implementation of lung cancer-screening program. This poses a great challenge to thoracic surgeons because of the difficulty of nodule localization. We recently built an efficient, customized navigational template using 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology to facilitate the procedure of lung nodule localization. This study aims to investigate its feasibility in clinical application.Patients with peripheral lung nodules (2 cm) were enrolled. Preadmission computed tomography images were downloaded and reconstructed into a 3D model. A digital model of the navigational template was designed via computer-aided design software and then exported into 3D printer to produce physical template. The precision of the template-guided nodule localization and associated complications were evaluated.A total of 16 patients were enrolled, and 18 nodules were localized through template-guided localization. The success rate of lung nodule localization was 100%, and the median time of localization was 13 minutes (range 10-16 minutes). In our series, no significant complication occurred, except for 2 asymptomatic pneumothoraxes. The median deviation between the localizer and the center of the nodule was 10.0 mm, ranging from 5 to 20 mm.This novel navigational template created by 3D printing technology is feasible, and it has acceptable accuracy for the application in lung nodule localization. The use of this navigational template could facilitate the procedure of lung nodule localization and may potentially break the dependence of percutaneous localization on computed tomography scanning.