53 research outputs found
Tensor based multichannel reconstruction for breast tumours identification from DCE-MRIs
A new methodology based on tensor algebra that uses a higher order singular value decomposition
to perform three-dimensional voxel reconstruction from a series of temporal images
obtained using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is proposed.
Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to robustly extract the spatial and temporal
image features and simultaneously de-noise the datasets. Tumour segmentation on
enhanced scaled (ES) images performed using a fuzzy C-means (FCM) cluster algorithm is
compared with that achieved using the proposed tensorial framework. The proposed algorithm
explores the correlations between spatial and temporal features in the tumours. The
multi-channel reconstruction enables improved breast tumour identification through
enhanced de-noising and improved intensity consistency. The reconstructed tumours have
clear and continuous boundaries; furthermore the reconstruction shows better voxel clustering
in tumour regions of interest. A more homogenous intensity distribution is also observed,
enabling improved image contrast between tumours and background, especially in places
where fatty tissue is imaged. The fidelity of reconstruction is further evaluated on the basis
of five new qualitative metrics. Results confirm the superiority of the tensorial approach. The
proposed reconstruction metrics should also find future applications in the assessment of
other reconstruction algorithms
Dietary leucine supplementation minimises tumour-induced damage in placental tissues of pregnant, tumour-bearing rats
Molecular pathways leading to loss of skeletal muscle mass in cancer cachexia can findings from animal models be translated to humans?
Background: Cachexia is a multi-factorial, systemic syndrome that especially affects patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, and leads to reduced treatment response, survival and quality of life. The most important clinical feature of cachexia is the excessive wasting of skeletal muscle mass. Currently, an effective treatment is still lacking and the search for therapeutic targets continues. Even though a substantial number of animal studies have contributed to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the loss of skeletal muscle mass, subsequent clinical trials of potential new drugs have not yet yielded any effective treatment for cancer cachexia. Therefore, we questioned to which degree findings from animal studies can be translated to humans in clinical practice and research. Discussion: A substantial amount of animal studies on the molecular mechanisms of muscle wasting in cancer cachexia has been conducted in recent years. This extensive review of the literature showed that most of their observations could not be consistently reproduced in studies on human skeletal muscle samples. However, studies on human material are scarce and limited in patient numbers and homogeneity. Therefore, their results have to be interpreted critically. Summary: More research is needed on human tissue samples to clarify the signaling pathways that lead to skeletal muscle loss, and to confirm pre-selected drug targets from animal models in clinical trials. In addition, improved diagnostic tools and standardized clinical criteria for cancer cachexia are needed to conduct standardized, randomized controlled trials of potential drug candidates in the future
KDM1A microenvironment, its oncogenic potential, and therapeutic significance
The lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A) was the first demethylase to challenge the concept of the irreversible nature of methylation marks. KDM1A, containing a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent amine oxidase domain, demethylates histone 3 lysine 4 and histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K4me1/2 and H3K9me1/2). It has emerged as an epigenetic developmental regulator and was shown to be involved in carcinogenesis. The functional diversity of KDM1A originates from its complex structure and interactions with transcription factors, promoters, enhancers, oncoproteins, and tumor-associated genes (tumor suppressors and activators). In this review, we discuss the microenvironment of KDM1A in cancer progression that enables this protein to activate or repress target gene expression, thus making it an important epigenetic modifier that regulates the growth and differentiation potential of cells. A detailed analysis of the mechanisms underlying the interactions between KDM1A and the associated complexes will help to improve our understanding of epigenetic regulation, which may enable the discovery of more effective anticancer drugs
Integration of ERα-PELP1-HER2 signaling by LSD1 (KDM1A/AOF2) offers combinatorial therapeutic opportunities to circumventing hormone resistance in breast cancer
Can contrast-enhanced mammography replace dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in the assessment of sonomammographic indeterminate breast lesions?
Gadoterate meglumine decreases ADC values of breast lesions depending on the b value combination
Specification of unique Pit-1 activity in the hGH locus control region
The human GH (hGH) gene cluster is regulated by a remote 5âČ locus control region (LCR). HSI, an LCR component located 14.5 kb 5âČ to the hGH-N promoter, constitutes the primary determinant of high-level hGH-N activation in pituitary somatotropes. HSI encompasses an array of three binding sites for the pituitary-specific POU homeodomain factor Pit-1. In the present report we demonstrate that all three Pit-1 sites in the HSI array contribute to LCR activity in vivo. Furthermore, these three sites as a unit are fully sufficient for position-independent and somatotrope-restricted hGH-N transgene activation. In contrast, the hGH-N transgene is not activated by Pit-1 sites native to either the hGH-N or rat (r)GH gene promoters. These findings suggest that the structures of the Pit-1 binding sites at HSI specify distinct chromatin-dependent activities essential for LCR-mediated activation of hGH in the developing pituitary
The value of MRI contrast enhancement in biopsy decision of suspicious mammographic microcalcifications: a prospective multicenter study
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