Development of a nomogram for predicting clinical outcome in patients with angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest clinical retrospective study in AN‐SAH patients, and is the first time to establish accurate predictive models paired with bleeding pattern.

An MRI Image Analysis of Primary Cardiac Neoplasms

Objective

This study aimed to examine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of primary cardiac neoplastic lesions.

Methods

A retrospective investigation was conducted on 24 cases of primary cardiac neoplastic lesions as confirmed by surgery and pathology results. All the cases in this study received MRI multi-sequence and multi-dimension scanning, including the cardiac long-axis and short-axis cine sequences, parameter sequences of the cardiac long axis and short axis (T1WI, T2WI), first-pass perfusion sequence, and delayed enhancement sequence of the cardiac long axis and short axis. The age and gender of the patients and the location, size, signal characteristics, and relationship with the neighboring tissues of all the lesions were examined.

Results

Twenty-four cases of primary neoplastic lesions were examined in this study, the onset age was 11–72 years old, the median age was 53 years old, and the mean age was 46 years old. Among these cases, there were 8 cases including males and 16 cases including females, 19 cases were benign lesions; including 11 cases of myxoma, 4 cases of hemangioma, 1 case of paraganglioma, 1 case of PEcoma, 1 case of hamartoma, and 1 case of lipoma. The malignant lesions included 3 sarcomas and 2 lymphomas in 5 patients.

Conclusion

MRI imaging provides a great value in the preoperative classification of primary cardiac neoplastic lesions.

[A multi-center retrospective study of perioperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer based on real-world data]

Objective: To explore the effect of perioperative chemotherapy on the prognosis of gastric cancer patients under real-world condition. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Real world data of gastric cancer patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy and surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy in 33 domestic hospitals from January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2016 were collected. Inclusion criteria: (1) gastric adenocarcinoma was confirmed by histopathology, and clinical stage was cT2-4aN0-3M0 (AJCC 8th edition); (2) D2 radical gastric cancer surgery was performed; (3) at least one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) was completed; (4) at least 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) [SOX (S-1+oxaliplatin) or CapeOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin)] were completed. Exclusion criteria: (1) complicated with other malignant tumors; (2) radiotherapy received; (3) patients with incomplete data. The enrolled patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the perioperative chemotherapy group, and those who received only postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to control selection bias. The primary outcome were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after PSM. OS was defined as the time from the first neoadjuvant chemotherapy (operation + adjuvant chemotherapy group: from the date of operation) to the last effective follow-up or death. PFS was defined as the time from the first neoadjuvant chemotherapy (operation + adjuvant chemotherapy group: from the date of operation) to the first imaging diagnosis of tumor progression or death. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival rate, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the independent effect of perioperative chemo therapy on OS and PFS. Results: 2 045 cases were included, including 1 293 cases in the surgery+adjuvant chemotherapy group and 752 cases in the perioperative chemotherapy group. After PSM, 492 pairs were included in the analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, tumor stage before treatment, and tumor location between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group, patients in the perioperative chemotherapy group had higher proportion of total gastrectomy (χ(2)=40.526, P<0.001), smaller maximum tumor diameter (t=3.969, P<0.001), less number of metastatic lymph nodes (t=1.343, P<0.001), lower ratio of vessel invasion (χ(2)=11.897, P=0.001) and nerve invasion (χ(2)=12.338, P<0.001). In the perioperative chemotherapy group and surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group, 24 cases (4.9%) and 17 cases (3.4%) developed postoperative complications, respectively, and no significant difference was found between two groups (χ(2)=0.815, P=0.367). The median OS of the perioperative chemotherapy group was longer than that of the surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group (65 months vs. 45 months, HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.62-0.89, P=0.001); the median PFS of the perioperative chemotherapy group was also longer than that of the surgery+adjuvant chemotherapy group (56 months vs. 36 months, HR=0.72, 95% CI:0.61-0.85, P<0.001). The forest plot results of subgroup analysis showed that both men and women could benefit from perioperative chemotherapy (all P<0.05); patients over 45 years of age (P<0.05) and with normal body mass (P<0.01) could benefit significantly; patients with cTNM stage II and III presented a trend of benefit or could benefit significantly (P<0.05); patients with signet ring cell carcinoma benefited little (P>0.05); tumors in the gastric body and gastric antrum benefited more significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Perioperative chemotherapy can improve the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Long-term Effect of Individualized Titanium Mesh in Orbital Floor Reconstruction After Maxillectomy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes and long-term stability of individualized titanium mesh combined with free flap for orbital floor reconstruction after maxillectomy and to identify the risk factors for titanium mesh exposure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The data of 66 patients who underwent maxillectomy and orbital floor defect reconstruction by individualized titanium mesh in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology between 2011 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative ophthalmic function and success of aesthetic restoration were assessed. Titanium mesh exposure was recorded and the risk factors were identified.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was for 24.8 months (range, 6-92 months). Ophthalmic function was successfully restored in 63/66 patients. Aesthetic restoration was not considered satisfactory by 10 patients. Titanium mesh exposure occurred in six patients (exposure rate, 9.1%). Preoperative radiotherapy was identified as an independent risk factor for mesh exposure (OR = 28.8, P = 0.006). Previous surgery, postoperative radiotherapy, pathological type of the primary lesion, the type of tissue flap applied, and the use of intraoperative navigation were not significant risk factors. Six patients with titanium mesh exposure underwent second surgery, but mesh exposure recurred in two patients due to insufficient soft tissue coverage.

CONCLUSION

Individualized titanium mesh with free flap can effectively restore maxilla-orbital defects. Preoperative radiotherapy is an independent predictor of postoperative titanium mesh exposure. Adequate soft tissue coverage of the mesh may reduce the risk of mesh exposure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4 (case-control study) Laryngoscope, 2021.

[Implementing and evaluating the online course system of orthodontic education]

A new teaching mode with the combination of online teaching and flipped class was designed and implemented in the Stomatological College of Nanjing Medical University based on the National Online Open Courses, the Virtual Interactive Network Teaching Platform and the E-learning Network Teaching Platform. The new online course system of orthodontic education was constructed with several components including the process and outcome assessments, the professional literature and knowledge summary reports and the virtual interactive online training. With the informative and convenient online teaching resources and modes, students' comprehensive abilities of independent learning were improved.

[The study of the association between lung cancer screening and smoking behavior change]

The smoking cessation rate of 1 314 people at high risk of lung cancer in the area of lung cancer screening and early diagnosis and early treatment in Sichuan Province increased from 22.37% at baseline to 41.78% after screening (χ²=227.97, P<0.001), and the smoking amount of persistent smokers decreased from 20 cigarettes per day to 15 cigarettes per day (t=11.76, P<0.001). Those with positive results in lung cancer screening were more likely to quit smoking or continue to quit smoking. Male, younger age or lower education level would increase the risk of continuous smoking or relapse (P<0.05).

Lactate-induced M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages promotes the invasion of pituitary adenoma by secreting CCL17

Background: Lactate greatly contributes to the regulation of intracellular communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the role of lactate in pituitary adenoma (PA) invasion is unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of lactate on the TME and the effects of TME on PA invasion.

Methods: To explore the correlation between TME acidosis and tumor invasion, LDHA and LAMP2 expression levels were quantified in invasive (n = 32) and noninvasive (n = 32) PA samples. The correlation between immune cell infiltration and tumor invasion was evaluated in 64 PAs. Critical chemokine and key signaling pathway components were detected by qPCR, Western blotting, siRNA knockdown, and specific inhibitors. The functional consequences of CCR4 signaling inhibition were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Results: Lactate was positively associated with PA invasion. Of the 64 PA tissues, invasive PAs were related to high infiltration of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) (P < 0.05). Moreover, lactate secreted from PA cells facilitated M2 polarization via the mTORC2 and ERK signaling pathways, while activated TAMs secreted CCL17 to promote PA invasion via the CCL17/CCR4/mTORC1 axis. According to univariate analysis of clinical data, high CCL17 expression was associated with larger tumor size (P = 0.0438), greater invasion (P = 0.0334), and higher susceptibility to postoperative recurrence (P = 0.0195) in human PAs.

Conclusion: This study illustrates the dynamics between PA cells and immune TME in promoting PA invasion via M2 polarization. CCL17 levels in the TME are related to the PA invasiveness and clinical prognosis, and the CCL17/CCR4/mTOCR1 axis may serve as potential therapeutic targets for Pas.

Improved procedure for Brown's Class III maxillary reconstruction with composite deep circumflex iliac artery flap using computer-assisted technique

Reconstruction of Brown's Class III maxillary defect can be challenging due to the complex geometry of maxilla. We aimed to introduce an improved method for maxillary reconstruction with a composite deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap aided by virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation. A 27-year-old woman diagnosed with left maxillary fibromyxoma was admitted to our institution in December 2018. Pre-operative facial and iliac computed tomography data were obtained for virtual surgical planning. Personalized cutting template, tooth-supported surgical guide, and rapid prototype model with reconstructed orbital floor were printed for pre-operative preparation. Surgery was completely guided by the intraoperative navigation system. The root mean square estimate of the reconstructed area was 3.68 mm. The average errors measured on the lateral and medial DCIA segments were 0.61 and 0.85 mm, respectively. Application of virtual surgical planning and intraoperative navigation could potentially enhance the reconstruction outcomes.

A survey on the application of oral propranolol and atenolol for the management of infantile hemangiomas in mainland China: Survey on propranolol atenolol hemangiomas

Since 2008, oral propranolol has evolved as the first-line therapy for infantile hemangiomas (IHs). Meanwhile, oral atenolol gradually shows comparative effectiveness versus oral propranolol with few side effects. Here, we conducted a mobile internal survey among a group of Chinese clinicians about how they choose the dosage, dose regimen, and dose escalation methods of propranolol and atenolol for the treatment of IH.A mobile-ready internal survey on the application of oral propranolol and oral atenolol for IH in mainland China was performed and distributed to 333 potential clinicians from different levels of healthcare institutions in mainland China. Eighty-one doctors responded to the survey. All the respondents had the experience of treating IH with oral propranolol and 32 had the experience with oral atenolol.Most of the doctors from tertiary hospitals chose 2 mg/kg/d twice daily, while most of those with the experience of propranolol from private hospitals chose 1 mg/kg/d once daily. More doctors from tertiary hospitals had the experience of atenolol than those from private hospitals.Oral atenolol has become another medication intervention option for IH in mainland China. This survey is helpful to standardize and develop a guideline of oral atenolol therapy for IH.

Cardiac parameters affect prognosis in patients with non-large atherosclerotic infarction

Background

Although large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) is the most common type of cerebral infarction, non-LAA is not uncommon. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the prognosis of patients with non-LAA and to establish a corresponding nomogram.

Patients and methods

Between June 2016 and June 2017, we had 1101 admissions for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Of these, 848 were LAA and 253 were non-LAA. Patients were followed up every 3 months with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. After excluding patients who were lost follow-up and patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria, a total of 152 non-LAA patients were included in this cohort study. After single-factor analysis and multifactor logistic regression analysis, the risk factors associated with prognosis were derived and different nomograms were developed based on these risk factors. After comparison, the best model is derived.

Results

Logistics regression found that the patient’s National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, ejection fraction (EF), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), age, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and serum albumin were independently related to the patient’s prognosis. We thus developed three models: model 1: single NIHSS score, AUC = 0.8534; model 2, NIHSS + cardiac parameters (CK-MB, EF), AUC = 0.9325; model 3, NIHSS + CK−MB + EF + age + AST + NLR + albumin, AUC = 0.9598. We compare the three models: model 1 vs model 2, z = − 2.85, p = 0.004; model 2 vs model 3, z = − 1.58, p = 0.122. Therefore, model 2 is considered to be the accurate and convenient model.

Conclusions

Predicting the prognosis of patients with non-LAA is important, and our nomogram, built on the NIHSS and cardiac parameters, can predict the prognosis accurately and provide a powerful reference for clinical decision making.

[Radiomics nomogram of MR: a prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in laryngeal cancer]

Objective: To establish and validate a radiomics nomogram based on MR for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in laryngeal cancer. Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent MR examinations and received open surgery and neck dissection between January 2016 and December 2019 were included in this study. All patients were randomly divided into a training cohort (n=89) and test cohort (n=28) using computer-generated random numbers. Clinical characteristics and MR were collected. Radiological features were extracted from the MR images. Enhanced T1 and T2WI were selected for radiomics analysis, and the volume of interest was manually segmented from the Huiyihuiying radiomics cloud platform. The variance analysis (ANOVA) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm were used to reduce the dimensionality of the radiomics features in the training cohort. Then, a radiomic signature was established. The clinical risk factors were screened by using ANOVA and multivariate logistic regression. A nomogram was generated using clinical risk factors and the radiomic signature. The calibration curve and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve were used to confirm the nomogram's performance in the training and test sets. The clinical usefulness of the nomogram was evaluated by decision curve analysis (DCA). Furthermore, a testing cohort was used to validate the model. Results: The radiomics signature consisted of 21 features, and the nomogram model included the radiomics signature and the MR-reported lymph node status. The model showed good calibration and discrimination. The model yielded areas under the ROC curve (AUC) in the training cohort, specificity, and sensitivity of 0.930, 0.930 and 0.875. In the test cohort, the model yielded AUC, specificity and sensitivity of 0.883, 0.889 and 0.800. DCA indicated that the nomogram model was clinically useful. Conclusion: The MR-based radiomics nomogram model may be used to predict cervical lymph node metastasis of laryngeal cancer preoperatively. MR-based radiomics could serve as a potential tool to help clinicians make an optimal clinical decision.

Three-Dimensional Accuracy of Bone Contouring Surgery for Zygomaticomaxillary Fibrous Dysplasia Using Virtual Planning and Surgical Navigation

PURPOSE

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign condition in which normal cancellous bone is replaced by immature woven bone and fibrous tissue. The present study aimed to estimate and compare the 3-dimensional (3D) accuracy of bone contouring surgery for zygomaticomaxillary FD performed using virtual planning and surgical navigation versus surgeon's intraoperative assessment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients with zygomaticomaxillary FD who underwent bone contouring surgery between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed. They were divided into 2 groups: group A underwent bone contouring surgery using virtual planning and surgical navigation, and group B underwent bone contouring surgery by surgeon's intraoperative assessment. The predictor variable was surgical technique. The other variables were gender, age, and operative region. The primary outcome variable was 3D accuracy, which was indicated by root mean square, calculated as a measure of the deviation of the postoperative computed tomography from the preoperative virtual plan. The other outcome variables were patient satisfaction with the outcome by self-evaluation score and operative times. Correlation analysis between the predictor variables and outcome variables was performed.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 24 patients (17 males and 7 females, mean age, 25.7 ± 10.45 years), 13 patients in group A and 11 patients in group B. The mean root mean square was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P = .007). Patient satisfaction with facial symmetry was significantly better in group A (P = .015). Mean operative time was comparable between the 2 groups (P = .918). Surgical technique (P = .011) and operative region (P = .01) were significant influence factors in 3D accuracy of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual planning and surgical navigation can significantly improve the 3D accuracy and patient satisfaction of bone contouring surgery for zygomaticomaxillary FD, without prolonging operative time.

Accuracy of multimodal image fusion for oral and maxillofacial tumors: A revised evaluation method and its application

OBJECTIVE

To develop a revised evaluation method for accuracy of multimodal image fusion for oral and maxillofacial tumors and explore its application for comparing the accuracy of three commonly used fusion algorithms, automatic fusion, manual fusion, and registration point-based fusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Image sets of patients with oral and maxillofacial tumor were fused using the iPlan 3.0 navigation system. Fusion accuracy included two aspects: (1) overall fusion accuracy: represented by the mean value of the coordinate differences along the x-, y-, and z- axes (Δx, Δy, and Δz), mean deviation (MD), and root mean square (RMS) of six pairs of landmarks on the two image sets; (2) tumor volume fusion accuracy: represented by Fusion Index (FI), which was calculated based on the volume of tumor delineated on the two image sets.

RESULTS

Eighteen pairs of image sets of 17 patients were enrolled in this study. The Δx and Δy values for the three algorithms were less than 1.5 mm. The Δz values for automatic fusion, manual fusion and registration point-based fusion was 1.049 mm, 1.864 mm and 1.254 mm. The MD for automatic fusion, manual fusion and registration point-based fusion was 1.978 mm, 2.788 mm and 1.926 mm. Significant differences existed in Δz for manual fusion and that for automatic fusion (P = 0.058), in MD for manual fusion and that for automatic fusion (P = 0.087), and in MD for manual fusion and that for registration point-based fusion (P = 0.069). The FI for automatic fusion, manual fusion, and registration point-based fusion was 0.594, 0.520, and 0.549; the inter-algorithm differences were not significant (P = 0.290).

CONCLUSION

The automatic fusion and the registration point-based fusion were more accurate than manual fusion, and therefore were recommended to be used in multimodal image fusion for oral and maxillofacial tumors.

Hypermethylated PAX1 and ZNF582 genes in the tissue sample are associated with aggressive progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

DNA methylation of paired box gene 1 (PAX1) and zinc finger 582 (ZNF582) is promising cancer biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma detection. This study aims to investigate the correlation between PAX1 or ZNF582 methylation and the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 135 OSCC cases from Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology were enrolled in this study. Tissue specimens were collected from the lesion site and corresponding adjacent normal site. The methylation level of these two genes was evaluated in primary and recurrent OSCC group.

RESULTS

Hypermethylation of PAX1 or ZNF582 was observed in lesion sites among primary and recurrent OSCC cases. In the lesion site of primary cases, promoter methylation was observed in T3/T4 (PAX1: P = .02; ZNF582: P = .01), stage III/IV (PAX1: P = .03; ZNF582: P = .01), and bone invasion cases (PAX1: P = .02; ZNF582: P = .047). In the subgroup analysis, the correlation between hypermethylation and OSCC severity remains significant with exposure to smoking/alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypermethylated PAX1 and ZNF582 can sufficiently act as biomarkers to reflect the severity or progression of OSCC.

A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts hemorrhagic transformation of large atherosclerotic infarction in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation is associated with the development of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L) is an important marker of inflammation and is highly correlated with mortality in stroke patients in recent studies. The N/L of patients who experience hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after AIS is know, but any relationship between N/L and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) remains unclear, this is our present topic. We enrolled 185 patients with LAA-type HT in the development cohort from a prospective, consecutive, hospital-based stroke registry to this end. We matched these patients to 213 LAA patients who did not develop HT as controls. The incidence of HT after LAA was significantly greater (P<0.01) in patients with higher N/L. We developed a predictive nomogram (incorporating age, systolic blood pressure, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and the N/L) for LAA patients. The predictive power was good (area under the curve, AUC: 0.832, 95%CI: 0.791–0.872). Our findings were further validated in a validation cohort of 202 patients with AIS attributable to LAA (AUC:0.836, 95%CI:0.781–0.891). In summary, a high N/L is associated with an increased risk for HT after LAA.

Synaptic Dysfunction in Human Neurons With Autism-Associated Deletions in PTCHD1-AS

BACKGROUND

The Xp22.11 locus that encompasses PTCHD1, DDX53, and the long noncoding RNA PTCHD1-AS is frequently disrupted in male subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the functional consequences of these genetic risk factors for ASD are unknown.

METHODS

To evaluate the functional consequences of PTCHD1 locus deletions, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from unaffected control subjects and 3 subjects with ASD with microdeletions affecting PTCHD1-AS/PTCHD1, PTCHD1-AS/DDX53, or PTCHD1-AS alone. Function of iPSC-derived cortical neurons was assessed using molecular approaches and electrophysiology. We also compiled novel and known genetic variants of the PTCHD1 locus to explore the roles of PTCHD1 and PTCHD1-AS in genetic risk for ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, genome editing was used to explore the functional consequences of deleting a single conserved exon of PTCHD1-AS.

RESULTS

iPSC-derived neurons from subjects with ASD exhibited reduced miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor hypofunction. We found that 35 ASD-associated deletions mapping to the PTCHD1 locus disrupted exons of PTCHD1-AS. We also found a novel ASD-associated deletion of PTCHD1-AS exon 3 and showed that exon 3 loss altered PTCHD1-AS splicing without affecting expression of the neighboring PTCHD1 coding gene. Finally, targeted disruption of PTCHD1-AS exon 3 recapitulated diminished miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency, supporting a role for the long noncoding RNA in the etiology of ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our genetic findings provide strong evidence that PTCHD1-AS deletions are risk factors for ASD, and human iPSC-derived neurons implicate these deletions in the neurophysiology of excitatory synapses and in ASD-associated synaptic impairment.

Scoring system for selective tracheostomy in head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Selective tracheostomy is an effective but invasive airway management method for patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction. Studies have shown that not all patients need tracheostomy. Several systems evaluating the need for tracheostomy have been proposed, but none is used clinically.

METHODS

A total of 533 cases underwent head and neck free flap reconstruction at Peking University School of Stomatology were reviewed for system development. Another 131 cases undergone the same surgery were included for system verification. Patients' demographic and surgical-related information were analyzed.

RESULT

A total of 321 cases in the development cohort and 68 cases in the system cohort underwent tracheostomy. The score was estimated: score = ∑(|log₂ OR|). Patients scoring >3 required tracheostomy, those scoring <2 should avoid tracheostomy, and those scoring 2 or 3 need further evaluation.

CONCLUSION

This scoring system can help determine the need for selective tracheostomy in patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction.

Global Vectors Representation of Protein Sequences and Its Application for Predicting Self-Interacting Proteins with Multi-Grained Cascade Forest Model

Self-interacting proteins (SIPs) is of paramount importance in current molecular biology. There have been developed a number of traditional biological experiment methods for predicting SIPs in the past few years. However, these methods are costly, time-consuming and inefficient, and often limit their usage for predicting SIPs. Therefore, the development of computational method emerges at the times require. In this paper, we for the first time proposed a novel deep learning model which combined natural language processing (NLP) method for potential SIPs prediction from the protein sequence information. More specifically, the protein sequence is de novo assembled by k-mers. Then, we obtained the global vectors representation for each protein sequences by using natural language processing (NLP) technique. Finally, based on the knowledge of known self-interacting and non-interacting proteins, a multi-grained cascade forest model is trained to predict SIPs. Comprehensive experiments were performed on yeast and human datasets, which obtained an accuracy rate of 91.45% and 93.12%, respectively. From our evaluations, the experimental results show that the use of amino acid semantics information is very helpful for addressing the problem of sequences containing both self-interacting and non-interacting pairs of proteins. This work would have potential applications for various biological classification problems.

Hsa_circ_101882 promotes migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by regulating EMT

Background

At present, gastric cancer (GC) is a serious threat to human life and health. Non‐coding circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found abnormal expression in multiple tumors. However, circRNAs remain largely unknown in tumor progression. In the present study, we mainly examined the expression, function, and molecular mechanisms of a new circRNAs (hsa_circ_101882) in GC.

Materials and methods

The expression of hsa_circ_101882 in GC tissue, corresponding adjacent normal tissues, and GC cell lines was examined by RT‐PCR. The function of hsa_circ_101882 in GC was evaluated by MTT assay, cell migration, and invasion assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometric assay. The effect of hsa_circ_101882 on epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related gene expression was detected by RT‐PCR and Western blot.

Results

Hsa_circ_101882 expression levels were significantly increased in GC tissue and GC cell lines. Functionally, low expression of hsa_circ_101882 revealed anti‐tumor effects via inhibiting cell growth, migration, and invasion and promoting cell apoptosis. Mechanically, the dysregulated expression of hsa_circ_101882 affects EMT signaling pathway, which was examined by detecting E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, vimentin, and Snail expression levels.

Conclusions

Therefore, our research reveals that hsa_circ_101882 is considered a metastasis promoter by activating EMT and may serve as a critical oncogene and potential new biomarker in GC.

Outcomes of Zygomatic Complex Reconstruction With Patient-Specific Titanium Mesh Using Computer-Assisted Techniques

PURPOSE

Zygomatic complex defects after extensive maxillectomy can cause severe esthetic and functional deformities. Patient-specific titanium mesh fabricated using a computer-assisted technique is a promising method for such midface reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application and clinical outcomes of this technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study that included 9 patients with zygomatic complex defects after extensive maxillectomy from 2015 through 2017 at the authors' institution. A 3-dimensional stereo model was obtained based on mirror images of the unaffected side to fabricate a patient-specific titanium mesh using computer-assisted design and manufacturing. Titanium mesh was used to restore the contour of the zygomatic complex with free flap reconstruction after tumor resection. Anterolateral thigh flaps were used in 8 cases and a myocutaneous fibula flap was used in 1 case. Symmetry of the zygomatic complex was evaluated by measuring the zygomatic eminence on the postoperative computed tomogram, and complications were recorded during follow-up visits. Facial symmetry was self-evaluated and scored.

RESULTS

Mean duration for follow-up was 27.3 months (range, 15 to 39 months). Mean deviation of the zygomatic eminence between the reconstructed and unaffected sides was 1.4 ± 0.5 mm. No significant difference was noted in the zygomatic eminence between the reconstructed and unaffected sides (P = .591). Titanium mesh exposure occurred in only 1 patient after radiotherapy. There were no other remarkable complications. All patients were satisfied with their postoperative facial symmetry.

CONCLUSION

Patient-specific titanium mesh fabricated using a computer-assisted technique was an alternative option for extensive zygomatic complex reconstruction, resulting in acceptable clinical outcomes. A study with a larger sample and long-term follow-up is needed for the observation of long-term outcomes and risk of titanium mesh-related complications.

Structure and dynamical properties of liquid Ni64Zr36 and Ni65Hf35 alloys: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are performed to investigate the atomic structures and dynamics of Ni₆₄Zr₃₆ and Ni₆₅Hf₃₅ metallic liquids in a temperature range of 1400-2500 K. Calculated results are in good agreement with recently reported high temperature experimental data. Local atomic structures are analyzed and compared for Ni₆₄Zr₃₆ and Ni₆₅Hf₃₅ metallic liquids in terms of average bond length, coordination number, Honey-Andersen index, Bond-orientation order, spatial correlation and Voronoi tessellation methods. It is found that Zr-Zr bonds have larger average length of 3.32 Å than 3.22 Å for Hf-Hf bonds, causing sluggish diffusion in Ni₆₅Hf₃₅ liquids. Zr and Hf atom-centered clusters with higher coordination numbers are inclined to aggregate with high-coordinated clusters, while Ni atom-centered clusters with lower coordination numbers prefer to avoiding to be the nearest neighbor with each other. Temperature dependent diffusion coefficients reveal the decoupled diffusion in both liquids, which are related with different spatial correlations for Ni- and Zr- (or Hf-) centered clusters.