Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of fatty acid synthase in breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAberrant expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) was demonstrated in various tumors including breast cancer. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the role of FASN in breast cancer development and its potential prognostic significance.MethodsThe Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify studies that evaluated the relationship between FASN expression and overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) of breast cancer patients. To analyze the clinicopathological and prognostic values of FASN expression in breast cancer, pooled hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were clustered based on random-effects models. To confirm whether the findings were stable and impartial, a sensitivity analysis was performed, and publication bias was estimated. Data were analyzed using Engauge Digitizer version 5.4 and Stata version 15.0.ResultsFive studies involving 855 participants were included. Patients with higher FASN expression did not have a shorter survival period compared to those with lower FASN expression (summary HR: OS, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.41-1.32; P=0.300]; DFS/RFS, 1.65 [95% CI, 0.61-4.43; P=0.323]). However, increased FASN expression was correlated with large tumor size (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.04-4.00; P=0.038), higher human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.05-2.23; P=0.028). No significant associations were observed between FASN expression and histological grade (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.41-2.04; P=0.832), Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) stage (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.49-2.53; P=0.795), nodal metastasis (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.84-2.38; P=0.183), Ki-67 labelling index (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.15-2.63; P=0.533), estrogen receptor (ER) status (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.61-1.32; P=0.586), or progesterone receptor (PR) status (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.29-1.56; P=0.354).ConclusionFASN is associated with HER2 expression and may contribute to tumor growth, but it has no significant impact on the overall prognosis of breast cancer

A nomogram combining thoracic CT and tumor markers to predict the malignant grade of pulmonary nodules ≤3 cm in diameter

BackgroundWith the popularity of computed tomography (CT) of the thorax, the rate of diagnosis for patients with early-stage lung cancer has increased. However, distinguishing high-risk pulmonary nodules (HRPNs) from low-risk pulmonary nodules (LRPNs) before surgery remains challenging.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 1064 patients with pulmonary nodules (PNs) admitted to the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from April to December 2021. Randomization of all eligible patients to either the training or validation cohort was performed in a 3:1 ratio. Eighty-three PNs patients who visited Qianfoshan Hospital in the Shandong Province from January through April of 2022 were included as an external validation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression (forward stepwise regression) were used to identify independent risk factors, and a predictive model and dynamic web nomogram were constructed by integrating these risk factors.ResultsA total of 895 patients were included, with an incidence of HRPNs of 47.3% (423/895). Logistic regression analysis identified four independent risk factors: the size, consolidation tumor ratio, CT value of PNs, and carcinoembryonic antigen levels in blood. The area under the ROC curves was 0.895, 0.936, and 0.812 for the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated excellent calibration capability, and the fit of the calibration curve was good. DCA has shown the nomogram to be clinically useful.ConclusionThe nomogram performed well in predicting the likelihood of HRPNs. In addition, it identified HRPNs in patients with PNs, achieved accurate treatment with HRPNs, and is expected to promote their rapid recovery

Distinguishing EGFR mutant subtypes in stage IA non-small cell lung cancer using the presence status of ground glass opacity and final histologic classification: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe progression of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is closely related to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status. The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate the relationship between EGFR mutation status and demographic, imaging, and ultimately pathologic features in patients with NSCLC.MethodsA complete literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases to discover articles published by May 15, 2023 that were eligible. The relationship between EGFR mutation status and specific demographic, imaging, and ultimately pathologic features in patients with NSCLC was evaluated using pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CIs was the appropriate statistic to summarize standard deviations (SDs) means for continuous variables.ResultsA total of 9 studies with 1789 patients were included in this analysis. The final findings suggested that patients with a greater age, female gender, and non-smoking status would have a relatively higher incidence of EGFR mutations. Additionally, the risk of EGFR mutations increased with larger tumor diameter, tumor imaging presentation of mixed ground glass opacity (mGGO), and tumor pathological findings of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) or invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). Significantly, malignancies presenting as MIA are more likely to contain L858R point mutations (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.04–3.13; p = 0.04) rather than exon 19 deletions (OR = 1.81; 95% CI: 0.95–3.44; p = 0.07).ConclusionThis meta-analysis showed that imaging parameters and histological classifications of pulmonary nodules may be able to predict stage IA NSCLC genetic changes

Lymph node involvement is associated with overall survival for elderly patients with non-metastatic gallbladder adenocarcinoma

BackgroundLymph node involvement is recognized as a prognostic factor for patients with gallbladder cancer. However, the N stage varied from different editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM Classification. Our objective was to investigate the impact of lymph node involvement on overall survival in elderly patients with non-metastatic gallbladder adenocarcinoma.MethodsPatients older than 65 years with non-metastatic gallbladder adenocarcinoma were identified from the SEER data. We used Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to select the independent risk factor. A nomogram was built to identify the 1-, 3-, and 5-years’ prognostic impact. Univariate and multivariate models were used to examine the correlation of overall survival (OS) with the number of metastatic nodes.ResultsA total of 1,654 patients (706 with and 948 without nodal involvement) were included. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses found that age, gender, tumor size, lymph node involvement, and surgical options were risk factors for the prognosis and were integrated into the nomogram. After adjustment, OS was compromised for patients who receive surgery with nodal involvement [hazard ratio (HR), 2.238; P < 0.01]. Furthermore, after adjustment the presence of more than two metastatic lymph nodes was associated with decreased OS (HR, 3.305; P < 0.01).ConclusionsOur results suggest that lymph node involvement is associated with compromised survival in elderly patients. A nomogram was developed to predict the prognosis of gallbladder cancer. A change point of more than two metastatic lymph nodes seems to carry prognostic significance, calling for closer monitoring of elderly patients with gallbladder cancer with involvement of increased number of lymph nodes

Probing Antigen-Antibody Interaction Using Fluorescence Coupled Capillary Electrophoresis

In this report, the use of fluorescence detection coupled capillary electrophoresis (CE-FL) allowed us to fully characterize the antigen-antibody interaction. CE-FL allowed separation of unbound quantum dots (QDs) and ligand bound QDs and also revealed an ordered assembly of biomolecules on QDs. Further, we observed FRET from QDs donor to DyLight acceptor, which were covalently conjugated with human IgG and goat anti-human IgG, respectively. The immunocomplex was formed and the mutual affinity of the antigen and antibody brought QDs and DyLight close enough to allow FRET to occur. This novel CE-based technique can be easily extended to other FRET systems based on QDs and may have potential application in the detection of antibodies

Impact of closed management on gastrointestinal function and mental health of Chinese university students during COVID-19

Abstract Background The innovative closed management of universities may have influenced the physical and mental health of students during the fourth stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. The study aimed to assess the gastrointestinal and mental health status of students in this stage and to explore the possible risk factors and mechanisms to provide a reference for future school responses to similar stressful events. Method A multicenter, cross-sectional survey was administered to 598 college students from 10 Chinese universities. The study used the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19 S), and the Diagnostic Tendency of Functional Bowel Disease Scale (DT-FBD) to evaluate anxiety, depression, fear of COVID-19 and likelihood of being diagnose diagnosed with functional bowel disease (FBD), respectively. Results A total of 516 college students completed the questionnaire. The proportions of students with more severe anxiety, more severe depression, greater fear of COVID-19, and a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with FBD were 49.8%, 57.0%, 49%, and 49%, respectively. These symptoms were significantly and positively correlated with the frequency of irregular sleep and eating (p < 0.05). Students in high-risk areas were more likely to experience anxiety and depression than students in areas with low/medium risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–3.24, p = 0.017; OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.11–4.11, p = 0.022). A high likelihood of being diagnosed with FBD was positively associated with the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms and fear of COVID-19 (all p < 0.001). Moreover, mediation analysis revealed the following pathway in college students: fear of COVID-19 → depression and anxiety → poor diet → likelihood of being diagnosed with FBD. Conclusion College students generally exhibited higher more severe anxiety and depression symptoms and psychological symptoms with a greater higher propensity likelihood of being to be diagnosed with FBD. Good lifestyle habits, especially adequate sleep and a regular diet, can alleviate these problems. In addition, appropriate psychological intervention is very important

Prognostic significance and survival benefits of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with non-predominant micropapillary components

Abstract Background The prognostic significance of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for patients with stage IA micropapillary non-predominant (MPNP) lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of postoperative ACT in patients with stage IA MPNP-LUAD. Methods A total of 149 patients with pathological stage IA MPNP-LUAD who underwent surgery at our center were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to reduce potential selection bias. Kaplan–Meier analyses were used to assess the impact of ACT on recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS). Subgroup analyses were performed for the survival outcomes based on the percentage of micropapillary components. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were applied to identify risk factors associated with survival. Results The receipt or non-receipt of postoperative ACT had no significant effect on RFS, OS, and DSS among all enrolled patients with stage IA MPNP-LUAD (P > 0.05). For patients with a micropapillary component > 5%, the 5-year rates of RFS, OS, and DSS were significantly higher in the ACT group compared to the observation group, both before and after PSM (P  0.05). The resection range (HR = 0.071; 95% CI: 0.020–0.251; P < 0.001), tumor size (HR = 2.929; 95% CI: 1.171–7.330; P = 0.022), and ACT (HR = 0.122; 95% CI: 0.037–0.403; P = 0.001) were identified as independent prognostic factors for RFS through Cox regression analysis. Conclusion Patients with stage IA MPNP-LUAD who have a micropapillary component greater than 5% might benefit from postoperative ACT, while those with a micropapillary component ≤ 5% did not appear to derive the same benefit from postoperative ACT