Genetic Polymorphism in a VEGF-Independent Angiogenesis Gene ANGPT1 and Overall Survival of Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgical Resection

Background The VEGF-independent angiogenic signaling plays an important role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its implication in the clinical outcome of CRC has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the association between genetic variations in several major VEGF-independent signaling pathway genes and the overall survival of CRC patients. Methods Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in four important VEGF-independent angiogenic genes (ANGPT1, AMOT, DLL4 and ENG) were genotyped in a Chinese population with 408 CRC patients. Results One SNP, rs1954727 in ANGPT1, was significantly associated with CRC overall survival. Compared to patients with the homozygous wild-type genotype of rs1954727, those with heterozygous and homozygous variant genotypes exhibited a favorable overall survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–1.43, P = 0.623), and 0.32 (95% CI 0.15–0.71, P = 0.005), respectively (P trend = 0.008). In stratified analysis, this association remained significant in patients receiving chemotherapy (P trend = 0.012), but not in those without chemotherapy. We further evaluated the effects of chemotherapy on CRC survival that was stratified by rs1954727 genotypes. We found that chemotherapy resulted in a significantly better overall survival in the CRC patients (HR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.26–0.75, P = 0.002), which was especially prominent in those patients with the heterozygous genotype of rs1954727 (HR = 0.45, 95%CI 0.22–0.92, P = 0.028). Conclusion Our data suggest that rs1954727 in ANGPT1 gene might be a prognostic biomarker for the overall survival of CRC patients, especially in those receiving chemotherapy, a finding that warrants validation in larger independent populations

Experimental evaluation of self-expandable metallic tracheobronchial stents

The self-expandable metallic stents have been widely used in tracheobronchial obstruction or fistulation, including the J-shaped and Y-shaped stents, named after the shape of the branch-stem junction of the stent. However, there is scarce data on the mechanical performance of these tracheobronchial stents, which is essential for optimal stent implantation. In this work, eight self-expandable metallic tracheobronchial stents in three types (i.e., straight, J-shaped, and Y-shaped), with or without cover, were characterized. The compression resistance of the stems was investigated through both compression and indentation tests. The bending resistance of the branches in the J-shaped and Y-shaped stents was assessed through the bending test. Our results demonstrated that the covered stents exhibited a significantly higher compression resistance and bending resistance than the uncovered ones. The branches had a minimal impact on the compression resistance of the stem. The branch of the J-shaped stent showed a significantly lower bending resistance than the Y shaped one. This work provides a testing framework for the J-shaped and Y-shaped stents, which could shed some light on the optimal design of stent with branches

Heterogeneity of non-suicidal self-injury behavior in adolescents with depression: latent class analysis

Abstract Background Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) by adolescent patients with depression has become a serious public health problem. This cross-sectional study aims to identify subgroups of adolescents based on NSSI and explore the factors related to these subgroups. Methods The study recruited 326 in- and out-patient adolescents (263 girls and 63 boys) aged 12 to 18 years (mean = 14.7, SD = 1.6) who had self-injured in the past year. Latent class indicators included 12 NSSI variables, as well as suicidal ideation. Logistic regression examined associations between identified classes and related factors. Results In this study, two distinct subgroups were identified: a “high suicidal ideation NSSI group” (n = 129, 39.6%) and a “low suicidal ideation NSSI group” (n = 197, 60.4%). Depression (OR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05–1.16), female (OR = 2.01; 95% CI, 1.09–3.69), left-behind experience (OR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.17–3.71), single-parent family (OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.11–3.04) and peer victimization (OR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.05) increases the probability of belonging to the “high suicidal ideation NSSI group”. A high level of perceived social support (OR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99) was a protective factor towards NSSI. Conclusions This study identifies two subgroups of NSSI and the factors associated with each subgroup. The early identification of high-risk groups for major NSSI in adolescents diagnosed with depression is possible due to the identification of correlating factors. Different treatment plans can be developed for different subtypes of NSSI to improve the effectiveness of prevention and intervention, promoting the healthy physical and mental development of adolescents with depression

The Role of Wetland Plants on Wastewater Treatment and Electricity Generation in Constructed Wetland Coupled with Microbial Fuel Cell

CWMFC is a novel technology that has been used for almost a decade for concurrent wastewater treatment and electricity generation in varying scopes of domestic, municipal, and industrial applications since its implementation in 2012. Its advantage of low-cost enhanced wastewater treatment and sustainable bioelectricity generation has gained considerable attention. Nevertheless, the overall efficiency of this novel technology is inclined by several operating factors and configuration strands, such as pH, sewage composition, organic loading, electrode material, filter media, electrogens, hydraulic retention time, and macrophytes. Here, we investigate the effect of the wetland plant component on the overall performance of CWMFCs. The macrophyte’s involvement in the oxygen input, nutrient uptake, and direct degradation of pollutants for the required treatment effect and bioelectricity production are discussed in more detail. The review identifies and compares planted and unplanted CWMFC with their efficiency on COD removal and electricity generation based on previous and recent studies

Feasibility of a clinical-radiomics combined model to predict the occurrence of stroke-associated pneumonia

Abstract Purpose To explore the predictive value of radiomics in predicting stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and construct a prediction model based on clinical features and DWI-MRI radiomics features. Methods Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the independent clinical predictors for SAP. Pearson correlation analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator with ten-fold cross-validation were used to calculate the radiomics score for each feature and identify the predictive radiomics features for SAP. Multivariate logistic regression was used to combine the predictive radiomics features with the independent clinical predictors. The prediction performance of the SAP models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC), calibration curves, decision curve analysis, and subgroup analyses. Results Triglycerides, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, dysphagia, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and internal carotid artery stenosis were identified as clinically independent risk factors for SAP. The radiomics scores in patients with SAP were generally higher than in patients without SAP (P < 0. 05). There was a linear positive correlation between radiomics scores and NIHSS scores, as well as between radiomics scores and infarct volume. Infarct volume showed moderate performance in predicting the occurrence of SAP, with an AUC of 0.635. When compared with the other models, the combined prediction model achieved the best area under the ROC (AUC) in both training (AUC = 0.859, 95% CI 0.759–0.936) and validation (AUC = 0.830, 95% CI 0.758–0.896) cohorts (P < 0.05). The calibration curves and decision curve analysis further confirmed the clinical value of the nomogram. Subgroup analysis showed that this nomogram had potential generalization ability. Conclusion The addition of the radiomics features to the clinical model improved the prediction of SAP in AIS patients, which verified its feasibility

Aberrant m5C hypermethylation mediates intrinsic resistance to gefitinib through NSUN2/YBX1/QSOX1 axis in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract Background RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of various tumors. However, the function and molecular mechanism of RNA m5C modification in tumor drug resistance remain unclear. Methods The correlation between RNA m5C methylation, m5C writer NOP2/Sun RNA methyltransferase family member 2 (NSUN2) and EGFR-TKIs resistance was determined in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and patient samples. The effects of NSUN2 on EGFR-TKIs resistance were investigated by gain- and loss-of-function assays in vitro and in vivo. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), RNA bisulfite sequencing (RNA-BisSeq) and m5C methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (MeRIP-qPCR) were performed to identify the target gene of NSUN2 involved in EGFR-TKIs resistance. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism of NSUN2 modulating the target gene expression was investigated by functional rescue and puromycin incorporation assays. Results RNA m5C hypermethylation and NSUN2 were significantly correlated with intrinsic resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Overexpression of NSUN2 resulted in gefitinib resistance and tumor recurrence, while genetic inhibition of NSUN2 led to tumor regression and overcame intrinsic resistance to gefitinib in vitro and in vivo. Integrated RNA-seq and m5C-BisSeq analyses identified quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) as a potential target of aberrant m5C modification. NSUN2 methylated QSOX1 coding sequence region, leading to enhanced QSOX1 translation through m5C reader Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1). Conclusions Our study reveals a critical function of aberrant RNA m5C modification via the NSUN2-YBX1-QSOX1 axis in mediating intrinsic resistance to gefitinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC