Charge density functional plus UU calculation of lacunar spinel GaM4_4Se8_8 (M = Nb, Mo, Ta, and W)

Charge density functional plus $U$ calculations are carried out to examine the validity of molecular $J_\text{eff}$=1/2 and 3/2 state in lacunar spinel GaM$_4$X$_8$ (M = Nb, Mo, Ta, and W). With LDA (spin-unpolarized local density approximation)$+U$, which has recently been suggested as the more desirable choice than LSDA (local spin density approximation)$+U$, we examine the band structure in comparison with the previous prediction based on the spin-polarized version of functional and with the prototypical $J_\text{eff}$=1/2 material Sr$_2$IrO$_4$. It is found that the previously suggested $J_\text{eff}$=1/2 and 3/2 band characters remain valid still in LDA$+U$ calculations while the use of charge-only density causes some minor differences. Our result provides the further support for the novel molecular $J_\text{eff}$ state in this series of materials, which can hopefully motivate the future exploration toward its verification and the further search for new functionalities

Combined DNA Methylation and Gastric Microbiome Marker Predicts Helicobacter pylori-Negative Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: While DNA methylation and gastric microbiome are each associated with gastric cancer (GC), their combined role in predicting GC remains unclear. This study investigated the potential of a combined DNA methylation and gastric microbiome signature to predict Helicobacter pylori-negative GC. METHODS: In this case-control study, we conducted quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction to measure the methylation levels of DKK3, SFRP1, EMX1, NKX6-1, MIR124-3, and TWIST1 in the gastric mucosa from 75 H. pylori-negative patients, including chronic gastritis (CG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and GC. A combined analysis of DNA methylation and gastric microbiome, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, was performed in 30 of 75 patients. RESULTS: The methylation levels of DKK3, SFRP1, EMX1, MIR124-3, and TWIST1 were significantly higher in patients with GC than in controls (all q<0.05). MIR124-3 and TWIST1 methylation levels were higher in patients with IM than those with CG and also in those with GC than in those with IM (all q<0.05). A higher methylation level of TWIST1 was an independent predictor for H. pylori-negative GC after adjusting for age, sex, and atrophy (odds ratio [OR], 15.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58 to 145.46; p=0.018). The combination of TWIST1 methylation and GC microbiome index (a microbiome marker) was significantly associated with H. pylori-negative GC after adjusting for age, sex, and atrophy (OR, 50.00; 95% CI, 1.69 to 1,476; p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of TWIST1 methylation and GC microbiome index may offer potential as a biomarker for predicting H. pylori-negative GC

Heterogeneous amplification of ERBB2 in primary lesions is responsible for the discordant ERBB2 status of primary and metastatic lesions in gastric carcinoma

Aims: To determine the extent of HER2 homogeneity/heterogeneity in primary versus metastatic gastric carcinoma ( GC). Materials and results: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ( HER2) status in primary and metastatic lesions was evaluated by immunohistochemistry ( IHC) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization ( FISH). Four separate cohorts consisting of primary GC alone or primary GC paired with metastatic lesions were examined. In the FISH analysis of 325 primary GCs, eight cases ( 2.5%) showed amplification with a heterogeneous pattern, whereas 27 cases ( 8.3%) showed amplification with a homogeneous pattern, and in this cohort the discordant: concordant FISH ratio based on examination of three different areas in each primary lesion was 0.30: 1. FISH testing using 250 paired primary and metastatic lesions revealed seven cases (2.8%) with discordant amplification. In metastatic disease positive conversion occurred in six cases (2.4%), whereas negative conversion happened in one case (0.4%). The discordant: concordant ratio of primary versus secondary lesions was 0.23: 1. When the seven discordant cases were re-evaluated using whole sections of primary GCs, six showed a heterogeneous pattern of amplification. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the discordant HER2 amplification observed in metastatic lesions is explained substantially by heterogeneity within primary tumours

Fetal Pericallosal Lipoma: US and MR Findings

We report a case of fetal pericallosal lipoma occurring at the anterior interhemispheric fissure and associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum. During targeted prenatal ultrasonography at 26 weeks' gestation, the lesion was seen as a highly echogenic mass. MR imaging performed at 35 weeks' gestation and during the postnatal period revealed a pericallosal fatty mass and agenesis of the corpus callosum

Association of Alcohol Consumption with the Risk of Ocular Trauma

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of alcohol consumption on the risk of ocular trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,024 patients who visited emergency department and received ophthalmologic examination from January 1 to December 31, 2009. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with ocular trauma (n = 494) and those without (n = 530); the influence of alcohol consumption was compared between these 2 groups. In the ocular trauma group, the association of the causes and types of ocular trauma with alcohol consumption was evaluated. One of 530 patients of no trauma group and 117 (23.7%) of 494 patients of trauma group were related with alcohol intake, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Concerning the causes, physical assault was significantly more common in alcohol-associated injury (P < 0.001). Regarding the types of injury, orbital wall fracture and hyphema showed a significant association with alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). Older age and nighttime injury were significantly related to the increased risk of alcohol-associated ocular trauma (P = 0.018 and < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of ocular trauma