Structure Differentiation of Hydrophilic Brass Nanoparticles Using a Polyol Toolbox

Nano-brasses are emerging as a new class of composition-dependent applicable materials. It remains a challenge to synthesize hydrophilic brass nanoparticles (NPs) and further exploit them for promising bio-applications. Based on red/ox potential of polyol and nitrate salts precursors, a series of hydrophilic brass formulations of different nanoarchitectures was prepared and characterized. Self-assembly synthesis was performed in the presence of triethylene glycol (TrEG) and nitrate precursors Cu(NO3)2·3H2O and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O in an autoclave system, at different temperatures, conventional or microwave-assisted heating, while a range of precursor ratios was investigated. NPs were thoroughly characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmition electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and ζ-potential to determine the crystal structure, composition, morphology, size, state of polyol coating, and aqueous colloidal stability. Distinct bimetallic α-brasses and γ-brasses, α-Cu40Zn25/γ-Cu11Zn24, α-Cu63Zn37, α-Cu47Zn10/γ-Cu19Zn24, and hierarchical core/shell structures, α-Cu59Zn30@(ZnO)11, Cu35Zn16@(ZnO)49, α-Cu37Zn18@(ZnO)45, Cu@Zinc oxalate, were produced by each synthetic protocol as stoichiometric, copper-rich, and/or zinc-rich nanomaterials. TEM sizes were estimated at 20–40 nm for pure bimetallic particles and at 45–70 nm for hierarchical core/shell structures. Crystallite sizes for the bimetallic nanocrystals were found ca. 30–45 nm, while in the case of the core-shell structures, smaller values around 15–20 nm were calculated for the ZnO shells. Oxidation and/or fragmentation of TrEG was unveiled and attributed to the different fabrication routes and formation mechanisms. All NPs were hydrophilic with 20–30% w/w of polyol coating, non-ionic colloidal stabilization (−5 mV < ζ-potential < −13 mV) and relatively small hydrodynamic sizes (<250 nm). The polyol toolbox proved effective in tailoring the structure and composition of hydrophilic brass NPs while keeping the crystallite and hydrodynamic sizes fixed

Effect of KRAS Mutation on Long-term Outcomes of Patients undergoing Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases

To investigate the prognostic value of KRAS in a large cohort of patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Between 2003 and 2013, 334 patients underwent hepatic resection for CRLM at Johns Hopkins Hospital and met the inclusion criteria. Clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative details, and outcomes were stratified by KRAS status-mutant KRAS (mtKRAS) versus wild-type KRAS (wtKRAS)-and analyzed. mtKRAS was identified in 115 (34.4 %) patients. At a median follow-up of 28.2 months, recurrence was observed in 59 (51.3 %) patients with mtKRAS and 117 (53.4 %) patients with wtKRAS (P = 0.79); there was no difference in the pattern of recurrence (liver: mtKRAS 39.0 % vs. wtKRAS 52.1 %; lung: mtKRAS 55.6 % vs. wtKRAS 64.3 %; both P > 0.05). Although 5-year log-rank overall survival (OS) was comparable among mtKRAS (41.6 %) vs. wtKRAS (48.5 %), on multivariable Cox survival analysis and after adjusting for known predictors of OS mtKRAS was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio 1.65; 95 % confidence interval 1.07-2.54; P = 0.02). Among patients who experienced a recurrence, 5-year OS was worse among those patients who had mtKRAS (mtKRAS 28.1 % vs. wtKRAS 44.5 %; P = 0.004). After controlling for tumor factors and receipt of chemotherapy, mtKRAS status remained independently associated with a worse outcome among patients who experienced recurrence (hazard ratio 2.07; 95 % confidence interval 1.31-3.27; P = 0.002). mtKRAS was noted in one-third of patients with CRLM. Although KRAS status did not affect the pattern of recurrence and recurrence-free survival, mtKRAS was an independent predictor of worse OS. The effect was more pronounced among patients who experienced a recurrence after resection of CRLM

Effect of KRAS Mutation on Long-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases

To investigate the prognostic value of KRAS in a large cohort of patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Between 2003 and 2013, 334 patients underwent hepatic resection for CRLM at Johns Hopkins Hospital and met the inclusion criteria. Clinicopathologic characteristics, perioperative details, and outcomes were stratified by KRAS status-mutant KRAS (mtKRAS) versus wild-type KRAS (wtKRAS)-and analyzed. mtKRAS was identified in 115 (34.4 %) patients. At a median follow-up of 28.2 months, recurrence was observed in 59 (51.3 %) patients with mtKRAS and 117 (53.4 %) patients with wtKRAS (P = 0.79); there was no difference in the pattern of recurrence (liver: mtKRAS 39.0 % vs. wtKRAS 52.1 %; lung: mtKRAS 55.6 % vs. wtKRAS 64.3 %; both P > 0.05). Although 5-year log-rank overall survival (OS) was comparable among mtKRAS (41.6 %) vs. wtKRAS (48.5 %), on multivariable Cox survival analysis and after adjusting for known predictors of OS mtKRAS was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio 1.65; 95 % confidence interval 1.07-2.54; P = 0.02). Among patients who experienced a recurrence, 5-year OS was worse among those patients who had mtKRAS (mtKRAS 28.1 % vs. wtKRAS 44.5 %; P = 0.004). After controlling for tumor factors and receipt of chemotherapy, mtKRAS status remained independently associated with a worse outcome among patients who experienced recurrence (hazard ratio 2.07; 95 % confidence interval 1.31-3.27; P = 0.002). mtKRAS was noted in one-third of patients with CRLM. Although KRAS status did not affect the pattern of recurrence and recurrence-free survival, mtKRAS was an independent predictor of worse OS. The effect was more pronounced among patients who experienced a recurrence after resection of CRLM

A Case of Distal Epithelioid Sarcoma of the Thumb Expressing Podoplanin, TLE1 and Ca 125

Distal epithelioid sarcoma is a rare and slowly growing tumor that usually develops in the upper extremities of young adults. Neoplastic cells have both spindle and epithelioid appearance and are characterized by the loss of the nuclear protein SMARCB1/INI1. We present the case of a distal epithelioid sarcoma arising in the thumb of a 14-year-old girl, which immunohistochemically was characterized by the loss of SMARCB1/INI1 protein as well as the expression of podoplanin (D2-40), TLE1, Glut1, and Ca 125; plus, we highlight the differential diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma from its histological mimics

Effect of KRAS mutation on long-term outcomes of patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases

282 Background: The impact of KRAS mutation on overall (OS) and recurrence-free (RFS) survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) remains poorly defined. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of KRAS in a large cohort of patients undergoing liver resection for CLM. Methods: Between 2003 and 2013, 334 patients underwent hepatic resection for CLM at Johns Hopkins Hospital and met the inclusion criteria. Somatic mutations at codons 12/13 were evaluated through a sequencing analysis of the tumor samples. Clinicopathological characteristics, perioperative details, and outcomes were stratified by KRAS status (mtKRAS vs. wtKRAS) and analyzed. Results: Among 334 patients undergoing liver resection for CLM, mtKRAS was identified in 115 (34.4%) patients. Median CEA was 7.3 ng/dL; 40.4% of patients had a solitary tumor and median tumor size was 2.5 cm. At a median follow-up of 28.2 months, recurrence was observed in 59 (51.3%) patients with mtKRAS and 117 (53.4%) patients with wtKRAS (P=0.71); there was no difference in the pattern of recurrence (liver: mtKRAS, 39.0% vs. wtKRAS, 52.1%; lung: mtKRAS, 55.6% vs. wtKRAS, 64.3%; both P>0.05). While 5-year log-rank OS was comparable among mtKRAS (41.6%) vs. wtKRAS (48.5%), on multivariable Cox survival analysis mtKRAS was associated with worse OS(HR, 1.65; 95%CI, 1.07-2.54). Moreover, among patients who experienced a recurrence, 5-year OS was worse among those patients who had mtKRAS (mtKRAS, 28.1% vs. wtKRAS, 44.5%; P=0.004). After controlling for tumor factors, as well as receipt of chemotherapy, mtKRAS status remained independently associated with a worse outcome among patients who recurred(HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.31-3.27; P=0.002). Conclusions: mtKRAS was noted in one-third of patients with CLM. While KRAS status did not impact pattern of recurrence, mtKRAS was an independent predictor of worse OS among patients who experienced a recurrence following resection of CLM. mtKRAS was identified in 115 (34.4 %) patients. At a median follow-up of 28.2 months, recurrence was observed in 59 (51.3 %) patients with mtKRAS and 117 (53.4 %) patients with wtKRAS (P = 0.79); there was no difference in the pattern of recurrence (liver: mtKRAS 39.0 % vs. wtKRAS 52.1 %; lung: mtKRAS 55.6 % vs. wtKRAS 64.3 %; both P > 0.05). Although 5-year log-rank overall survival (OS) was comparable among mtKRAS (41.6 %) vs. wtKRAS (48.5 %), on multivariable Cox survival analysis and after adjusting for known predictors of OS mtKRAS was associated with worse OS (hazard ratio 1.65; 95 % confidence interval 1.07-2.54; P = 0.02). Among patients who experienced a recurrence, 5-year OS was worse among those patients who had mtKRAS (mtKRAS 28.1 % vs. wtKRAS 44.5 %; P = 0.004). After controlling for tumor factors and receipt of chemotherapy, mtKRAS status remained independently associated with a worse outcome among patients who experienced recurrence (hazard ratio 2.07; 95 % confidence interval 1.31-3.27; P = 0.002). mtKRAS was noted in one-third of patients with CRLM. Although KRAS status did not affect the pattern of recurrence and recurrence-free survival, mtKRAS was an independent predictor of worse OS. The effect was more pronounced among patients who experienced a recurrence after resection of CRLM

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression and gene alterations in glioblastoma: Correlations with clinical outcome

Aims To study anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression and possible underlying gene alterations in glioblastoma (GBM), correlating them with clinical outcome. Methods We studied ALK immunohistochemical expression and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH)-detected ALK gene alterations in 51 GBMs (46 isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) R132H-negative and 5 IDH-mutant (IDH1 R132H-positive)). We compared two anti-ALK antibodies and immunohistochemical detection systems (5Î &apos;4/Nichirei Biosciences, D5F3/Ventana). The results were correlated with tumour cell proliferation and clinical outcome. Results Intense granular cytoplasmic ALK immunostaining was observed in 10/51 (19.61%) GBM and correlated with high Ki67 proliferation index; only 1 in 10 ALK-positive cases displayed multiple alk gene signals by FISH. Moderate ALK immunostaining was observed in 21 (41.17%), weak immunostaining in 5 (9.80%) while 15 (29.42%) cases were negative. p53 was expressed in 26/51 GBM (50.9%) (10% cut-off). IDH1 R132H-negative GBM showed higher ALK expression compared with IDH-mutant GBM (65.2% vs 20%). ALK overexpression was more common in older patients but did not correlate with other clinicopathological variables or patient overall survival. Conclusions ALK overexpression can be identified in up to 70% of GBMs and does not correlate with underlying alk gene amplification. Despite being more common in rapidly growing, clinically aggressive GBM, ALK overexpression did not show correlation with prognosis in this study. © 2017 Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited

Association Between Specific Mutations in KRAS Codon 12 and Colorectal Liver Metastasis

IMPORTANCE Currently, one of the most commonly available biomarkers in the treatment of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS); however, the prognostic implications of specific mutations of the KRAS gene are still not well defined. OBJECTIVE To investigate the prognostic impact of specific KRAS mutations on patients undergoing liver resection for CRLM. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective single-center study was conducted from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2013. Data about specific KRAS mutations for 331 patients who underwent hepatic resection for CRLM at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2003 and 2013 were analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics, perioperative details, and outcomes were stratified by specific KRAS mutation at codons 12 and 13. INTERVENTION Resection of CRLM. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival. RESULTS A mutated KRAS (mtKRAS) was identified in 91 patients (27.5%). At a median follow-up of 27.4 months, recurrence was observed in 48 patients (52.7%) with mtKRAS and 130 patients (54.2%) with wild-type KRAS (wtKRAS) (P = .82). Median and 5-year survival among patients with mtKRAS was 32.4 months and 32.7%, respectively, vs 58.5 months and 46.9%, respectively, for patients with wtKRAS (P = .02). Patients with KRAS codon 12 mutations had worse OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.05-2.27; P = .03) vs those with wtKRAS, whereas a KRAS codon 13 mutation was not associated with prognosis (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.83-2.62; P = .19). Among the 6 most common mutations in codons 12 and 13, only G12V (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.00-3.17; P = .05) and G12S (HR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.22-9.10; P = .02) were associated with worse OS compared with patients with wtKRAS (both P < .05). Among patients who recurred, G12V (HR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.32-6.61; P = .01), G12C (HR, 6.74; 95% CI, 2.05-22.2; P = .002), and G12S mutations (HR, 4.91; 95% CI, 1.52-15.8; P = .01) were associated with worse OS (both P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE G12V and G12S mutations of codon 12 were independent prognostic factors of worse OS. Among patients who recurred after resection of CRLM, G12V, G12C, and G12S mutations were associated with worse OS. Information on specific KRAS mutations may help individualize therapeutic and surveillance strategies for patients with resected CRLM