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Olga Sergeeva,1 Yifan Zhang,1 Songqi Gao,2 E Ricky Chan,3 Maxim Sergeev,4 Renuka Iyer,5 Sandra Sexton,5 Norbert Avril,4 Zheng-Rong Lu,2 Zhenghong Lee1 1Department of Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; 3Cleveland Institute for Computational Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; 4Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; 5Medical Oncology and Laboratory Animal Shared Resources, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USACorrespondence: Zhenghong Lee, Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Case Western Reserve University, Bolwell S107, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA, Tel +1216-844-7920, Email zxl11@case.edu Zheng-Rong Lu, Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Wickenden 427, Mail Stop 7207, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA, Tel +1 216-368-0187, Email zxl125@case.eduPurpose: We tested a recently developed short peptide radioligand for PET imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting an oncoprotein, extra-domain B fibronectin (EDB-FN) in the tumor microenvironment.Methods: The radioligand consists of a small linear peptide ZD2 with 68Ga-NOTA chelator, and specifically binds to EDB-FN. PET images were acquired dynamically for 1 hour after intravenously (i.v.) injecting 37 MBq (1.0 mCi) of the radioligand into the woodchuck model of naturally occurring HCC. Woodchuck HCC originated from chronic viral hepatitis infection, which recapitulates the corresponding human primary liver cancer. The animals were euthanized post-imaging for tissue collection and validation.Results: For ZD2 avid liver tumors, the radioligand accumulation plateaued a few minutes after injection, while the liver background uptake stabilized 20 min post-injection. The status of EDB-FN in woodchuck HCC was confirmed by histology and validated by PCR and western blocking.Conclusion: We have showed the viability of using the ZD2 short peptide radioligand targeting EDB-FN in liver tumor tissue for PET imaging of HCC, which can potentially impact the clinical care for HCC patients.Keywords: peptide ligand, EDB fibronectin, positron emission tomography, woodchuck model

Alison Dillman,1 Michael J Zoratti,2 Jay JH Park,3 Grace Hsu,2 Louis Dron,2 Gerald Smith,2 Ofir Harari,2 Craig R Rayner,4 Noor-E Zannat,2 Alind Gupta,2 Eric Mackay,5 Paul Arora,6 Zelyn Lee,7 Edward J Mills2 1School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, England; 2Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; 3Department of Experimental Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; 4Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; 5Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; 6Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; 7Department of Physiology & Department of Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, CanadaCorrespondence: Jay JH Park Tel +1 604 294-3823Email jayhpark1@alumni.ubc.caPurpose: A multitude of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have emerged in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Understanding the distribution of trials among various settings is important to guide future research priorities and efforts. The purpose of this review was to describe the emerging evidence base of COVID-19 RCTs by stages of disease progression, from pre-exposure to hospitalization.Methods: We collated trial data across international registries: ClinicalTrials.gov; International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry; Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; Clinical Research Information Service; EU Clinical Trials Register; Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; Japan Primary Registries Network; German Clinical Trials Register (up to 7 October 2020). Active COVID-19 RCTs in international registries were eligible for inclusion. We extracted trial status, intervention(s), control, sample size, and clinical context to generate descriptive frequencies, network diagram illustrations, and statistical analyses including odds ratios and the Mann–Whitney U-test.Results: Our search identified 11503 clinical trials registered for COVID-19 and identified 2388 RCTs. After excluding 45 suspended RCTs and 480 trials with unclear or unreported disease stages, 1863 active RCTs were included and categorized into four broad disease stages: pre-exposure (n=107); post-exposure (n=208); outpatient treatment (n=266); hospitalization, including the intensive care unit (n=1376). Across all disease stages, most trials had two arms (n=1500/1863, 80.52%), most often included (hydroxy)chloroquine (n=271/1863, 14.55%) and were US-based (n=408/1863, 21.90%). US-based trials had lower odds of including (hydroxy)chloroquine than trials in other countries (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.45– 0.90) and similar odds of having two arms compared to other geographic regions (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.80– 1.38).Conclusion: There is a marked difference in the number of trials across settings, with limited studies on non-hospitalized persons. Focus on pre- and post-exposure, and outpatients, is worthwhile as a means of reducing infections and lessening the health, social, and economic burden of COVID-19.Keywords: COVID-19, novel coronavirus 2019, systematic review, randomized controlled trials

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown promise as treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT). Mechanisms mediating in vivo effects of MSCs remain largely unknown, including their biodistribution following infusion. To this end, human bone-marrow derived MSCs (hMSCs) were injected via carotid artery (IA) or tail vein (TV) into allogeneic and syngeneic BMT recipient mice. Following xenogeneic transplantation, MSC biodistribution was measured by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) using hMSCs transduced with a reporter gene system containing luciferase and by scintigraphic imaging using hMSCs labeled with [99mTc]-HMPAO. Although hMSCs initially accumulated in the lungs in both transplant groups, more cells migrated to organs in alloBMT recipient as measured by in vivo BLI and scintigraphy and confirmed by ex vivo BLI imaging, immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR. IA injection resulted in persistent whole–body hMSC distribution in alloBMT recipients, while hMSCs were rapidly cleared in the syngeneic animals within one week. In contrast, TV-injected hMSCs were mainly seen in the lungs with fewer cells traveling to other organs. Summarily, these results demonstrate the potential use of IA injection to alter hMSC biodistribution in order to more effectively deliver hMSCs to targeted tissues and microenvironments.

Characterization of two rapid-quenched Nd-Fe-B alloys with nonstoichiometric Nd content in the optimized magnetic state was carried out using the X-ray diffractometry (XRD), 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic phase analysis (MS), electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HREM) and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. The experimental results demonstrate the fundamental difference in the structure and magnetic properties of the two investigated alloys in the optimized magnetic state. The Nd-Fe-B alloy with the reduced Nd content (Nd4.5Fe77B18.5) was found to have the nanocomposite structure of Fe3B/Nd2Fe14B and partly α-Fe/Nd2Fe14B, with mean grain size below 30 nm. On the other side, the overstoichiometric Nd14Fe79B7 alloy has almost a monophase structure with the dominant content of the hard magnetic phase Nd2Fe14B (up to 95 wt. %) and a mean crystallite size about 60 nm, as determined by XRD and TEM analysis. The results of magnetic measurements on SQUID magnetometer also suggest the nanocomposite structure of the Nd-low alloy and nanocrystalline decoupled structure of the Nd-rich alloy after the optimal heat treatment.

The field of microsurgical head and neck reconstruction has witnessed tremendous advancements in recent years. While the historic goals of reconstruction were simply to maximize flap survival, optimizing both aesthetic and functional outcomes has now become the priority. With an increased understanding of perforator anatomy, improved technology in instruments and microscopes, and high flap success rates, the reconstructive microsurgeon can push the envelope in harvesting and designing the ideal flap to aid patients following tumor extirpation. Furthermore, with improvements in cancer treatment leading to improved patient survival and prognosis, it becomes increasingly important to have a broader repertoire of donor sites. The present review aims to provide a review of newly emerging soft tissue flap options in head and neck reconstruction. While certainly a number of bony flap options also exist, the present review will focus on soft tissue flaps that can be harvested reliably from a variety of alternate donor sites. From the upper extremity, the ulnar forearm as well as the lateral arm, and from the lower extremity, the profunda artery perforator, medial sural artery perforator, and superficial circumflex iliac perforator flaps will be discussed, and we will provide details to aid reconstructive microsurgeons in incorporating these alternative flaps into their armamentarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Examine outcomes for lateral arm autologous tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary cancer center. Methods: All patients who underwent traditional lateral arm, extended lateral arm, and lateral forearm flaps for head and neck reconstruction from 2012 to 2022 were assessed. Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) was measured. Factors associated with complications and enteral or mixed diet were evaluated by multivariable regression. Results: Among 160 patients followed for a median of 2.3 ± 2.1 years, defects were 54% oral tongue, 18% external, 9% maxilla, 8% buccal mucosa, 9% floor of mouth, and 3% pharynx. Flap types (and median pedicle lengths) were 41% traditional lateral arm (8 cm), 25% extended lateral arm (11.5 cm), and 34% lateral forearm (14 cm). All donor sites were closed primarily; 19.6% and 0% of patients had increased DASH scores 2 and 12 weeks after reconstruction. Major complications occurred in 18.1% of patients, including 6.3% reoperation, 6.9% readmission, 3.7% fistula, and 1.8% flap loss. Complications were independently associated with peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio [OR]: 5.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5‐21.6, P =.01), pharyngeal defects (OR: 11.3, 95% CI: 1.4‐94.5, P =.025), and interposition vein grafts (OR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.1‐13.3, P =.037). Conclusion: The lateral arm free flap was safe, versatile, and reliable for head and neck reconstruction with low donor‐site morbidity. Complications occurred in a fifth of patients and were associated with peripheral vascular disease, pharyngeal defects, and vein grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAutism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by a triad of deficits: qualitative impairments in social interactions, communication deficits, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Although autism is etiologically heterogeneous, family and twin studies have established a definite genetic basis. The inheritance of idiopathic autism is presumed to be complex, with many genes involved; environmental factors are also possibly contributory. The analysis of chromosome abnormalities associated with autism contributes greatly to the identification of autism candidate genes.Case presentationWe describe a child with autistic disorder and an interstitial deletion on chromosome 4q. This child first presented at 12 months of age with developmental delay and minor dysmorphic features. At 4 years of age a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder was made. At 11 years of age he met diagnostic criteria for autism. Cytogenetic studies revealed a chromosome 4q deletion. The karyotype was 46, XY del 4 (q31.3-q33). Here we report the clinical phenotype of the child and the molecular characterization of the deletion using molecular cytogenetic techniques and analysis of polymorphic markers. These studies revealed a 19 megabase deletion spanning 4q32 to 4q34. Analysis of existing polymorphic markers and new markers developed in this study revealed that the deletion arose on a paternally derived chromosome. To date 33 genes of known or inferred function are deleted as a consequence of the deletion. Among these are the AMPA 2 gene that encodes the glutamate receptor GluR2 sub-unit, GLRA3 and GLRB genes that encode glycine receptor subunits and neuropeptide Y receptor genes NPY1R and NPY5R.ConclusionsThe deletion in this autistic subject serves to highlight specific autism candidate genes. He is hemizygous for AMPA 2, GLRA3, GLRB, NPY1R and NPY5R. GluR2 is the major determinant of AMPA receptor structure. Glutamate receptors maintain structural and functional plasticity of synapses. Neuropeptide Y and its receptors NPY1R and NPY5R play a role in hippocampal learning and memory. Glycine receptors are expressed in very early cortical development. Molecular cytogenetic studies and DNA sequence analysis in other patients with autism will be necessary to confirm that these genes are involved in autism.

Two autistic children with a chromosome 15q11-q13 inverted duplication are presented. Both had uneventful perinatal courses, normal electroencephalogram and magnetic resonance imaging scans, moderate motor delay, lethargy, severe hypotonia, and modest lactic acidosis. Both had muscle mitochondrial enzyme assays that showed a pronounced mitochondrial hyperproliferation and a partial respiratory chain block most parsimoniously placed at the level of complex III, suggesting candidate gene loci for autism within the critical region may affect pathways influencing mitochondrial function.