Primary tumor resection improves prognosis of unresectable carcinomas of the transverse colon including flexures with pulmonary metastasis: a cohort study

PURPOSE

Studies of unresectable colorectal cancer pulmonary metastasis (CRPM) have rarely analyzed patient prognosis from the perspective of colonic subsites. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of primary tumor resection (PTR) on the prognosis of patients with unresectable pulmonary metastases of transverse colon cancer pulmonary metastasis (UTCPM), hepatic flexure cancer pulmonary metastasis (UHFPM), and splenic flexure cancer pulmonary metastasis (USFPM).

METHODS

Patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2000 and 2018. The Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS). The Kaplan-Meier analyses and log-rank tests were conducted to assess the effectiveness of PTR on survival.

RESULTS

This study included 1294 patients: 419 with UHFPM, 636 with UTCPM, and 239 with USFPM. Survival analysis for OS and CSS in the PTR groups, showed that there were no statistical differences in the the UHFPM, UTCPM, and USFPM patients. There were statistical differences in the UHFPM, UTCPM, and USFPM patients for OS and CSS. Three non-PTR subgroups showed significant statistical differences for OS and CSS.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed the different survival rates of patients with UTCPM, UHFPM, and USFPM and proved for the first time that PTR could provide survival benefits for patients with unresectable CRPM from the perspective of the colonic subsites of the transverse colon, hepatic flexure, and splenic flexure.

A novel prognostic signature contributes to precision treatment in colon adenocarcinoma with KRAS mutation

BACKGROUND

Approximately 40% of colon cancer harbor Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene ( KRAS ) mutations, but the prognostic value of KRAS mutations in colon cancer is still controversial.

METHODS

We enrolled 412 colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients with KRAS mutations, 644 COAD patients with KRAS wild-type and 357 COAD patients lacking information on KRAS status from five independent cohorts. A random forest model was developed to estimate the KRAS status. The prognostic signature was established using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-Cox regression and evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariate-Cox analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve and nomogram. The expression data of KRAS -mutant COAD cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database and the corresponding drug sensitivity data from the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database were used for potential target and agent exploration.

RESULTS

We established a 36-gene prognostic signature classifying the KRAS -mutant COAD as high and low risk. High risk patients had inferior prognoses compared to those with low risk, while the signature failed to distinguish the prognosis of COAD with KRAS wild-type. The risk score was the independent prognostic factor for KRAS -mutant COAD and we further fabricated the nomograms with good predictive efficiency. Moreover, we suggested FMNL1 as a potential drug target and three drugs as potential therapeutic agents for KRAS -mutant COAD with high risk.

CONCLUSION

We established a precise 36-gene prognostic signature with great performance in prognosis prediction of KRAS -mutant COAD providing a new strategy for personalized prognosis management and precision treatment for KRAS -mutant COAD.

Radiation-Hardened and Flexible Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 Piezoelectric Sensor for Structural Health Monitoring

Piezoelectric sensors are excellent damage detectors that can be applied to structural health monitoring (SHM). SHM for complex structures of aerospace vehicles working in harsh conditions is frequently required, posing challenging requirements for a sensor's flexibility, radiation hardness, and high-temperature tolerance. Here, we fabricate a flexible and lightweight Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 piezoelectric film on flexible KMg3(AlSi3O10)F2 substrate via van der Waals (vdW) heteroepitaxy, endowing it with robust ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties under low energy-high flux protons (LE-HFPs) radiation (1015 p/cm2). More importantly, the Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 film sensor maintains highly stable damage monitoring sensitivity on an aluminum plate under harsh conditions of LE-HFPs radiation (1015 p/cm2, flat structure), high temperature (175 °C, flat structure), and mechanical fatigue (bending 105 cycles under a radius of 5 mm, curved structure). All these superior qualities are suggested to result from the outstanding film crystal quality due to vdW epitaxy. The flexible and lightweight Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 film sensor demonstrated in this work provides an ideal candidate for real-time SHM of aerospace vehicles with flat and complex curve-like structures working in harsh aerospace environments.

Electrically programmable magnetic coupling in an Ising network exploiting solid-state ionic gating

Two-dimensional arrays of magnetically coupled nanomagnets provide a mesoscopic platform for exploring collective phenomena as well as realizing a broad range of spintronic devices. In particular, the magnetic coupling plays a critical role in determining the nature of the cooperative behavior and providing new functionalities in nanomagnet-based devices. Here, we create coupled Ising-like nanomagnets in which the coupling between adjacent nanomagnetic regions can be reversibly converted between parallel and antiparallel through solid-state ionic gating. This is achieved with the voltage-control of the magnetic anisotropy in a nanosized region where the symmetric exchange interaction favors parallel alignment and the antisymmetric exchange interaction, namely the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, favors antiparallel alignment of the nanomagnet magnetizations. Applying this concept to a two-dimensional lattice, we demonstrate a voltage-controlled phase transition in artificial spin ices. Furthermore, we achieve an addressable control of the individual couplings and realize an electrically programmable Ising network, which opens up new avenues to design nanomagnet-based logic devices and neuromorphic computers.

miR-488-3p Represses Malignant Behaviors and Facilitates Autophagy of Osteosarcoma Cells by Targeting Neurensin-2

OBJECTIVE

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone sarcoma that primarily affects children and adolescents and poses significant challenges in terms of treatment. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in OS cell growth and regulation. This study sought to investigate the role of hsa-miR-488-3p in autophagy and apoptosis of OS cells.

METHODS

The expression of miR-488-3p was examined in normal human osteoblasts and OS cell lines (U2OS, Saos2, and OS 99-1) using RT-qPCR. U2OS cells were transfected with miR-488-3p-mimic, and cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were employed to measure apoptosis- and autophagy-related protein levels, as well as the autophagosome marker LC3. The binding sites between miR-488-3p and neurensin-2 (NRSN2) were predicted using online bioinformatics tools and confirmed by a dual-luciferase assay. Functional rescue experiments were conducted by co-transfecting miR-488-3p-mimic and pcDNA3.1-NRSN2 into U2OS cells to validate the effects of the miR-488-3p/NRSN2 axis on OS cell behaviors. Additionally, 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, was used to investigate the relationship between miR-488-3p/NRSN2 and cell apoptosis and autophagy.

RESULTS

miR-488-3p was found to be downregulated in OS cell lines, and its over-expression inhibited the viability, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis of U2OS cells. NRSN2 was identified as a direct target of miR-488-3p. Over-expression of NRSN2 partially counteracted the inhibitory effects of miR-488-3p on malignant behaviors of U2OS cells. Furthermore, miR-488-3p induced autophagy in U2OS cells through NRSN2-mediated mechanisms. The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA partially reversed the effects of the miR-488-3p/NRSN2 axis in U2OS cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that miR-488-3p suppresses malignant behaviors and promotes autophagy in OS cells by targeting NRSN2. This study provides insights into the role of miR-488-3p in OS pathogenesis and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target for OS treatment.

Two-Dimensional Wedge-Shaped Magnetic EuS: Insight into the Substrate Step-Guided Epitaxial Synthesis on Sapphire

Rare earth chalcogenides (RECs) with novel luminescence and magnetic properties offer fascinating opportunities for fundamental research and applications. However, controllable synthesis of RECs down to the two-dimensional (2D) limit still has a great challenge. Herein, 2D wedge-shaped ferromagnetic EuS single crystals are successfully synthesized via a facile molten-salt-assisted chemical vapor deposition method on sapphire. Based on the theoretical simulations and experimental measurements, the mechanisms of aligned growth and wedge-shaped growth are systematically proposed. The wedge-shaped growth is driven by a dual-interaction mechanism, where the coupling between EuS and the substrate steps impedes the lateral growth, and the strong bonding of nonlayered EuS itself facilitates the vertical growth. Through temperature-dependent Raman and photoluminescence characterization, the nanoflakes show a large Raman temperature coefficient of -0.030 cm^-1 K^-1 and uncommon increasing band gap with temperature. More importantly, by low-temperature magnetic force microscopy characterization, thickness variation of the magnetic signal is revealed within one sample, indicating the great potential of the wedge-shaped nanoflake to serve as a platform for highly efficient investigation of thickness-dependent magnetic properties. This work sheds new light on 2D RECs and will offer a deep understanding of 2D wedge-shaped materials.

Observation of the Orbital Rashba-Edelstein Magnetoresistance

We report the observation of magnetoresistance (MR) that could originate from the orbital angular momentum (OAM) transport in a permalloy (Py)/oxidized Cu (Cu^{*}) heterostructure: the orbital Rashba-Edelstein magnetoresistance. The angular dependence of the MR depends on the relative angle between the induced OAM and the magnetization in a similar fashion as the spin Hall magnetoresistance. Despite the absence of elements with large spin-orbit coupling, we find a sizable MR ratio, which is in contrast to the conventional spin Hall magnetoresistance which requires heavy elements. Through Py thickness-dependence studies, we conclude another mechanism beyond the conventional spin-based scenario is responsible for the MR observed in Py/Cu^{*} structures-originated in a sizable transport of OAM. Our findings not only suggest the current-induced torques without using any heavy elements via the OAM channel but also provide an important clue towards the microscopic understanding of the role that OAM transport can play for magnetization dynamics.

Longitudinal Study of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Characteristics Using Label-Free Immunoassays

Introduction/Objective

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, much research has focused on the kinetics and magnitude of humoral immune response. With the advantages of monitoring real-time immunoreactions, label-free immunoassay (LFIA) is becoming a powerful tool in serology studies. We have developed LFIAs to measure SARS- CoV-2 antibody avidity and neutralization activity in a cohort of COVID-19 patients and determine if they correlate with antibody concentration. Serial serum samples collected from mild to severe COVID-19 patients were measured out to 8 months post-symptom onset to determine the durability of the neutralizing antibody response.

Methods/Case Report

Based on thin-film interferometry technology, we established a label-free IgG avidity assay and a label-free surrogate virus neutralization test (LF-sVNT). For measurement, sensing probes pre-coated with receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are applied to serum samples containing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The label-free IgG avidity assay measures the binding strength between RBD and IgG under urea dissociation. The LF-sVNT analyzes the binding ability of RBD to ACE2 after neutralizing RBD with antibodies.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

IgG avidity indices and neutralizing antibody titers (IC50) were determined from serum samples (n=246) from COVID-19 patients (n=113). IgG concentrations were measured using a fluorescent immunoassay. The neutralizing antibody titers showed a weak correlation with IgG concentrations and no correlation with IgG avidity indices. Over the time course up to 8 months post-symptom onset, IgG concentrations and neutralizing antibody titers presented similar trends: an initial rise, plateau and then in some cases a gradual decline after 40 days. The IgG avidity indices, in the same cases, plateaued after the initial rise.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated that LFIA could be used an excellent solution in the determination of SARS- CoV-2 antibody characteristics. The study found that IgG concentration and neutralizing antibody titer declined over time, while IgG avidity index remained constant after reaching a plateau. The decline of antibody neutralization activity can be attributed to the reduction in antibody quantity rather than the deterioration of antibody quality, as measured by antibody avidity.

Micromagnetic simulation of microstructure effect for binary-main-phase Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets

We investigate the magnetic properties of a chemically heterogeneous binary-main-phase (BMP) Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnet with a core-shell structure via micromagnetic simulation. It is found that the coercivity strongly depends on the shell thickness. The BMP magnet's coercivity initially increases and then decreases with increasing Nd-rich shell thickness, and so there is the optimal shell thickness which shows the maximum coercivity for any given Ce concentration. The simulation shows the significant difference in coercivity and maximum energy product between the BMP and single-main-phase magnets. Notably, the magnetization reversal mechanism of the BMP magnet is revealed in the simulation. Local reversals in the BMP magnet first occur in the Ce-rich shells, followed by the Nd-rich cores. Then, the magnetization in Ce-rich core/Nd-rich shell typed grains is switched after reversed magnetization of all the Nd-rich core/Ce-rich shell typed grains. The BMP magnet represents a further increased coercivity for a larger GB thickness, which can be well explained by a maximum stray field.

A15 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FILGOTINIB AS INDUCTION THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH MODERATELY TO SEVERELY ACTIVE ULCERATIVE COLITIS: RESULTS FROM THE PHASE 2B/3 SELECTION STUDY

Aims

The SELECTION (NCT02914522) Induction Studies evaluated the efficacy/safety of filgotinib (FIL), a preferential JAK1 inhibitor, as induction therapy for patients (pts) with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who were biologic-naïve but failed conventional therapy (Induction Study A) or failed prior biologics (Induction Study B).

Methods

Pts were randomized 2:2:1 to once–daily FIL 200mg, FIL 100mg or placebo (PBO). The primary (clinical remission), key secondary (Mayo Clinic Score [MCS] remission, endoscopic remission, and histologic remission), and exploratory endpoints (MCS response and endoscopic improvement) were assessed at Week 10.

Results

In both studies, baseline demographics and disease characteristics were similar across treatment groups. In Study A, 659 pts were randomized and treated. Baseline mean MCS was 8.6 and 56% had a Mayo endoscopic subscore (ES)=3. A significantly higher proportion of biologic-naïve pts on FIL 200mg achieved clinical remission vs PBO and all key secondary endpoints (Table). In Study B, 689 pts were randomized and treated. Baseline mean MCS was 9.3 and 78% had ES=3. Prior treatment failures were: anti-TNF (86%), vedolizumab (52%) and both (dual-refractory; 43%). A significantly higher proportion of biologic-experienced pts on FIL 200mg achieved clinical remission vs PBO. In Studies A and B, a greater proportion of pts on FIL 200 mg achieved an MCS response and endoscopic improvement vs PBO.

The rates of AEs, serious AEs and discontinuations due to AEs were similar across FIL and PBO groups during induction. In the PBO, FIL 100mg and FIL 200mg groups, serious infections occurred in 0.7%, 0.7% and 0.4% pts in Study A and 1.4%, 1.4% and 0.8% pts in Study B; H Zoster occurred in <1% in both groups for both cohorts.

Conclusions

SELECTION included a high proportion of dual-refractory pts, and pts with severe endoscopic disease. Both doses of FIL were well tolerated. Filgotinib 200mg was effective induction therapy for both biologic-naïve/-experienced pts with moderately to severely active UC.

Funding Agencies

None

Creating Ferromagnetic Insulating La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 Thin Films by Tuning Lateral Coherence Length

In this work, heteroepitaxial vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) La_0.9Ba_0.1MnO₃ (LBMO)-CeO₂ films are engineered to produce ferromagnetic insulating (FMI) films. From combined X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy, the elimination of the insulator-metal (I-M) transition is shown to result from the creation of very small lateral coherence lengths (with the corresponding lateral size ∼ 3 nm (∼7 u.c.)) in the LBMO matrix, achieved by engineering a high density of CeO₂ nanocolumns in the matrix. The small lateral coherence length leads to a shift in the valence band maximum and reduction of the double exchange (DE) coupling. There is no "dead layer" effect at the smallest achieved lateral coherence length of ∼3 nm. The FMI behavior obtained by lateral dimensional tuning is independent of substrate interactions, thus intrinsic to the film itself and hence not related to film thickness. The unique properties of VAN films give the possibility for multilayer spintronic devices that can be made without interface degradation effects between the layers.

High Yield Transfer of Clean Large-Area Epitaxial Oxide Thin Films

In this work, we have developed a new method for manipulating and transferring up to 5 mm × 10 mm epitaxial oxide thin films. The method involves fixing a PET frame onto a PMMA attachment film, enabling transfer of epitaxial films lifted-off by wet chemical etching of a Sr₃Al₂O₆ sacrificial layer. The crystallinity, surface morphology, continuity, and purity of the films are all preserved in the transfer process. We demonstrate the applicability of our method for three different film compositions and structures of thickness ~ 100 nm. Furthermore, we show that by using epitaxial nanocomposite films, lift-off yield is improved by ~ 50% compared to plain epitaxial films and we ascribe this effect to the higher fracture toughness of the composites. This work shows important steps towards large-scale perovskite thin-film-based electronic device applications.

A High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method for Identification of Toxic Natural Products in Clinical Cases

Introduction/Objective

Many natural products have biological effects on humans and animals. Poisoning caused by natural products is often found in clinical toxicology cases. Liquid chromatography-high-resolution-mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) has recently emerged as a powerful analytical tool for large-scale target screening, and the application of LC-HRMS can be expanded to solve the clinical cases of natural product poisoning.

Methods

The LC-HRMS method is based on a spectral library of 121 natural products. The spectral library was constructed by analyzing standards either in a Q-TOF mass spectrometer (only MS2 spectra acquired) or in an Orbitrap Tribrid mass spectrometer (MS2 and MS3 spectra acquired).

Results

The LC-HRMS method was verified for the limit of detection (LOD) and matrix effects in both serum and urine matrices. For each compound, the LOD was evaluated from 1.0 ng/ml to 1000 ng/ml for urine samples and from 0.50 ng/ml to 500 ng/ml for serum samples. The matrix effects were determined at three concentration levels andranged from 30.4% to 123.5% for urine samples and from 23.4% to 132.9% for serum samples. The LC-HRMS method was successfully applied to identify the culprits in three clinical cases. In addition, the combined use of MS2 and MS3 spectra enhanced the accuracy of compound identification, in library search reducing the importance of retention time that varies among instruments and consumable lots. In Case 1, the patient presented with paresthesias, arrhythmias, and stiffened arms and legs. The toxic alkaloid aconitine was identified in the serum sample and the extract of herbs that the patient ingested. In Case 2, the patients presented with weakness, dizziness, and vomiting.

The symptoms were caused by mistakenly taking Nicotiana glauca leaves and the alkaloid anabasine was identified as the culprit. In Case 3, the patients were suspected of intoxicated by taking too much extract of lupini beans. The culprit alkaloids from lupini beans lupanine and sparteine were found in the serum samples.

Conclusion

The involvement of a toxicology laboratory with the capability to perform the LC-HRMS method and with experience in the investigation of undifferentiated cases provides a unique diagnostic advantage in cases where exposure to toxic substances is possible.

Achieving ferromagnetic insulating properties in La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 thin films through nanoengineering

Strongly correlated manganites have a wide range of fascinating magnetic and electronic properties, one example being the coexistence of ferromagnetic and insulating properties in lightly-doped bulk. However, it is difficult to translate bulk properties to films. Here, this problem is overcome by thin film nanoengineering of the test case system, La_0.9Ba_0.1MnO₃ (LBMO). This was achieved by using vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) thin films of LBMO + CeO₂ in which CeO₂ nanocolumns form embedded in a LBMO matrix. The CeO₂ columns produce uniform tensile straining of the LBMO. Also light Ce doping of intrinsic cation vacancies in the LBMO occurs. Together, these factors strongly reduced the double exchange coupling and metallicity. Hence, while standard plain reference films showed an insulator-to-metal transition at >200 K, originating from defects and complex structural relaxation, the VAN LBMO films exhibited ferromagnetic insulating properties (while maintaining a T_c of 188 K). This is the first time that a combined strain + doping method is used in a VAN system to realise exemplary properties which cannot be realised in plain films. This work represents an important step in engineering high performance spintronic and multiferroic thin film devices.

Vertical Strain-Driven Antiferromagnetic to Ferromagnetic Phase Transition in EuTiO3 Nanocomposite Thin Films

Three-dimensional (3D) strain induced in self-assembled vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) epitaxial films provides an unrivaled method to induce very large strains in thin films. Here, by growing VAN films of EuTiO₃ (ETO)-Eu₂O₃ (EO) with different EO fractions, the vertical strain was systematically increased in ETO, up to 3.15%, and the Eu-Ti-Eu bond angle along ⟨111⟩ decreased by up to 1°, leading to a weakening of the antiferromagnetic interactions and switching from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior. Our work has shown for the first time that Eu-Ti-Eu superexchange interactions play a key role in determining the magnetic ground state of ETO. More broadly, our work serves as an exemplar to show that multifunctionalities in strong spin-lattice coupling perovskite oxides can be uniquely tuned at the atomic scale using simple VAN structures.

Interface Engineered Room-Temperature Ferromagnetic Insulating State in Ultrathin Manganite Films

Ultrathin epitaxial films of ferromagnetic insulators (FMIs) with Curie temperatures near room temperature are critically needed for use in dissipationless quantum computation and spintronic devices. However, such materials are extremely rare. Here, a room-temperature FMI is achieved in ultrathin La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 films grown on SrTiO3 substrates via an interface proximity effect. Detailed scanning transmission electron microscopy images clearly demonstrate that MnO6 octahedral rotations in La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 close to the interface are strongly suppressed. As determined from in situ X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, O K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory, the realization of the FMI state arises from a reduction of Mn eg bandwidth caused by the quenched MnO6 octahedral rotations. The emerging FMI state in La0.9Ba0.1MnO3 together with necessary coherent interface achieved with the perovskite substrate gives very high potential for future high performance electronic devices.

All-Oxide Nanocomposites to Yield Large, Tunable Perpendicular Exchange Bias above Room Temperature

In all-oxide-based spintronic devices, large exchange bias effect with robustness against temperature fluctuation and compatibility with perpendicular magnetic recording is highly desired. In this work, rock-salt antiferromagnetic NiO with a Néel temperature ( T_N) of ∼525 K and spinel ferrimagnetic NiFe₂O₄ with a high Curie temperature, T_C, ≈ 790 K and T_C > T_N were chosen as compatible materials to form a well-phase-separated, vertically aligned nanocomposite thin film. In this nanoengineered thin film, an exchange bias effect with a blocking temperature far above room temperature has been achieved. A large perpendicular exchange bias field of up to 0.91 kOe with an interfacial exchange energy density of 0.11-0.34 erg/cm² was obtained at room temperature. It was also demonstrated that the exchange bias effect can be easily tuned by changing the alignment of the magnetic moments in the NiO phase using substrates of different crystalline orientations and by changing the microstructure of the film with substrates of different lattice parameters. The results demonstrate that proper choice of the phases (including use of nonperovskite compositions) and careful strain engineering and nanostructure engineering makes oxide nanocomposites strong potential candidate systems for next generation spintronic devices.

Design of a Vertical Composite Thin Film System with Ultralow Leakage To Yield Large Converse Magnetoelectric Effect

Electric field control of magnetism is a critical future technology for low-power, ultrahigh density memory. However, despite intensive research efforts, no practical material systems have emerged. Interface-coupled, composite systems containing ferroelectric and ferri-/ferromagnetic elements have been widely explored, but they have a range of problems, for example, substrate clamping, large leakage, and inability to miniaturize. In this work, through careful material selection, design, and nanoengineering, a high-performance room-temperature magnetoelectric system is demonstrated. The clamping problem is overcome by using a vertically aligned nanocomposite structure in which the strain coupling is independent of the substrate. To overcome the leakage problem, three key novel advances are introduced: a low leakage ferroelectric, Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃; ferroelectric-ferrimagnetic vertical interfaces which are not conducting; and current blockage via a rectifying interface between the film and the Nb-doped SrTiO₃ substrate. The new multiferroic nanocomposite (Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃-CoFe₂O₄) thin-film system enables, for the first time, large-scale in situ electric field control of magnetic anisotropy at room temperature in a system applicable for magnetoelectric random access memory, with a magnetoelectric coefficient of 1.25 × 10^-9 s m^-1.

Bottom-up Formation of Carbon-Based Structures with Multilevel Hierarchy from MOF-Guest Polyhedra

Three-dimensional carbon-based structures have proven useful for tailoring material properties in structural mechanical and energy storage applications. One approach to obtain them has been by carbonization of selected metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with catalytic metals, but this is not applicable to most common MOF structures. Here, we present a strategy to transform common MOFs, by guest inclusions and high-temperature MOF-guest interactions, into complex carbon-based, diatom-like, hierarchical structures (named for the morphological similarities with the naturally existing diatomaceous species). As an example, we introduce metal salt guests into HKUST-1-type MOFs to generate a family of carbon-based nano-diatoms with two to four levels of structural hierarchy. We report control of the morphology by simple changes in the chemistry of the MOF and guest, with implications for the formation mechanisms. We demonstrate that one of these structures has unique advantages as a fast-charging lithium-ion battery anode. The tunability of composition should enable further studies of reaction mechanisms and result in the growth of a myriad of unprecedented carbon-based structures from the enormous variety of currently available MOF-guest candidates.

Adults with intellectual disabilities in China: comorbid psychiatric disorder and its association with health service utilisation

BACKGROUND

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) often have multiple comorbidities. Psychiatric disorders in this population have been poorly studied in developing countries. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adults with ID and whether comorbid psychiatric disorders were associated with health service utilisation.

METHODS

We obtained data from the Second National Sample Survey on Disability, conducted in 31 provinces of China and selected a subsample of 13 631 adults aged 18 years and above with ID. ID were defined by intelligence quotient score under 70, deficits in two or more adaptive behaviours and age of onset under 18 years. Psychiatric disorders were identified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Logistic regressions were used for data analyses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adults with ID was 16.7%. The most prevalent type of psychiatric disorder was dementia. Older adults, females, being minorities, urban residents, being literate, low-income groups and having severe ID, were associated with elevated risk of psychiatric disorder among adults with ID. Compared with individuals without psychiatric disorders, those with comorbid psychiatric disorders were more likely to use medical service and less likely to use rehabilitation service.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of psychiatric disorder in adults with ID was strikingly higher than that in the general population. Health service utilisation among Chinese adults with ID remained a big challenge. There is a possibility of diagnostic overshadowing by local clinicians, which may have resulted in overdiagnosis of dementia and underdiagnosis of common mental disorders. This study informs further investigations regarding common mental disorders among people with ID and has implications for public health strategies and health policies to meet health service need for this population.

Self-assembled oxide films with tailored nanoscale ionic and electronic channels for controlled resistive switching

Resistive switches are non-volatile memory cells based on nano-ionic redox processes that offer energy efficient device architectures and open pathways to neuromorphics and cognitive computing. However, channel formation typically requires an irreversible, not well controlled electroforming process, giving difficulty to independently control ionic and electronic properties. The device performance is also limited by the incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Here, we report a novel memristive model material system based on self-assembled Sm-doped CeO2 and SrTiO3 films that allow the separate tailoring of nanoscale ionic and electronic channels at high density (∼10(12) inch(-2)). We systematically show that these devices allow precise engineering of the resistance states, thus enabling large on-off ratios and high reproducibility. The tunable structure presents an ideal platform to explore ionic and electronic mechanisms and we expect a wide potential impact also on other nascent technologies, ranging from ionic gating to micro-solid oxide fuel cells and neuromorphics.

Effect of arousing stimuli on circulating corticosterone and the circadian rhythms of luteinizing hormone (LH) surges and locomotor activity in estradiol-treated ovariectomized (ovx+EB) Syrian hamsters

In most proestrous hamsters, novel wheel exposure phase advances activity rhythms and blocks the preovulatory LH surge, which occurs 2h earlier the next day. Because wheel immobilization does not prevent these effects we hypothesized that arousal alone blocks and phase advances the LH surge. Ovariectomized (ovx) hamsters received a jugular vein cannula and estradiol benzoate (EB) or vehicle was injected sc. The next day (Day 1), at zeitgeber time (ZT) 4-5 (ZT 12 = lights off), after obtaining a blood sample, each hamster was exposed to constant darkness (DD), and either remained in her home cage or was transferred to a new cage and exposed to a running wheel or a 2-hour arousal paradigm. Blood samples were obtained in dim red light and activity was recorded hourly until ~ZT 10-11 on Days 1 and 2. For the next 1-2 weeks, activity was monitored in DD. Plasma LH and corticosterone were assessed by RIA. Novel wheel exposure or arousal at ZT 4 greatly attenuated the Day 1 LH surge in ovx+EB hamsters, and phase advanced the Day 2 LH surge by about 2h. In proestrous hamsters, novel wheel exposure led to a prolonged (>2h) increase in corticosterone levels only when LH surges were blocked. Phase advances in activity rhythms were enhanced by estradiol and arousal. The results suggest that estradiol modulates the effectiveness of non-photic stimuli. The role of the increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis associated with novel wheel-induced attenuation of LH surges in ovx+EB hamsters remains to be determined.

Endogenous estrogen metabolites as biomarkers for endometrial cancer via a novel method of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction

Increased levels of endogenous estrogens and their metabolites are well-known risk factors of endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the potential for estrogen metabolites to serve as biomarkers of endometrial carcinogenesis. The following estrogen metabolites were evaluated: 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2), 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), 4-hydroxyestrone (4-OHE1), 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE1), 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeOE2), and 2-methoxyestrone (2-MeOE1). The low content of estrogen metabolites in urine makes their measurement difficult. To address this issue, we developed a rapid, sensitive, specific, and accurate liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method, with hollow fiber liquid-phase micro-extraction (HF-LPME) for an enriched pretreatment of the sample and for the simultaneous quantification of estrogens and their metabolites in the urine samples of 23 post-menopausal female endometrial cancer patients and 23 post-menopausal healthy female controls. The levels of estrogens were found to differ between the endometrial cancer patients and the controls. The level of 4-OHE2 was elevated in patients compared with the controls, while the levels of 2-MeOE1 and 2-MeOE2 were reduced in the endometrial cancer group. The results of this study indicate an imbalance of estrogen metabolites in endometrial carcinogenesis, and that the elevation of 4-OHE2 may be used as a potential biomarker for the risk assessment of estrogen-induced endometrial cancer.

cDNA cloning and heterologous expression of an endo-β-1,4-glucanase from the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi

Major β-glucosidase (BG) and endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EG) activities were localized to the midgut of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi. Previously, we obtained the endogenous BG gene (MbmgBG1) from the midgut of M. barneyi. Here, we report the cDNA cloning of another endogenous cellulase, the EG protein MbEG1. This cellulase was partially purified from crude extract of the midgut of worker termites using zymogram analysis. Based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence and using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), a full-length cDNA of 1,843 base pairs was obtained. This encoded 448 amino acids and the sequence was similar to that of the members of glycoside hydrolase family 9. The MbEG1 transcript was detected primarily in the midgut using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To confirm functional activity of MbEG1, heterologous expression was conducted in both Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris expression systems. Results indicated that MbEG1 could be functionally expressed in P. pastoris. This study provides the information that may facilitate understanding of cellulolytic systems in fungus-growing termites.

Abstract P6-06-42: Impact of molecular subtype on overall survival according to age in Korean women

Introduction: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous diseases, which is based on expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Using these factors, molecular subtype can be determined as luminal A, luminal B, HER2+, and TNBC. This is considered as an important prognostic factor. In breast cancer, age is the one of the important prognostic factors and prognosis is varied according to patients’ age. We performed this study to analyze the impact of molecular subtypes on prognosis of breast cancer according to patients’ age.

Patients and methods: We performed this study by using Korean Breast Cancer Society Registration Program data. Total 15,286 patients are included into this study, and they underwent surgery during the period Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2006. All patients were divided into two groups according to age (younger: age≤34, older: age≥35) and molecular subtypes were classified into four groups as follows: luminal A (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2-), luminal B (ER+ and/or PR+ HER2+), HER2+ (ER-, PR-, HER2+), and triple-negative (ER-, PR-, HER2-). We determined prognostic impact of molecular subtype on overall survivals (OS). Clinicopathologic results and OS were compared by chi-square test, Kaplan Meier test, and Cox's hazards model.

Results: Younger group more frequently had tumors with negative hormone receptor (ER-/PR-), worse prognostic factors and diagnosed with more advanced stage compared to older group. In univariate analysis, molecular subtype was not related with OS in younger group (p = 0.069), but not in older group (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, molecular subtype was an independent prognostic factor for OS only in older group (p = 0.690 vs p<0.001).

Conclusion: In young breast cancer patients, less than 35 years, the impact of molecular subtypes on overall survival was not significant compared to other age group.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-06-42.

Influence of stereopsis and abnormal binocular vision on ocular and systemic discomfort while watching 3D television

PURPOSE

To evaluate the degree of three-dimensional (3D) perception and ocular and systemic discomfort in patients with abnormal binocular vision (ABV), and their relationship to stereoacuity while watching a 3D television (TV).

METHODS

Patients with strabismus, amblyopia, or anisometropia older than 9 years were recruited for the ABV group (98 subjects). Normal volunteers were enrolled in the control group (32 subjects). Best-corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, angle of strabismus, and stereoacuity were measured. After watching 3D TV for 20 min, a survey was conducted to evaluate the degree of 3D perception, and ocular and systemic discomfort while watching 3D TV.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty subjects were enrolled in this study. The ABV group included 49 patients with strabismus, 22 with amblyopia, and 27 with anisometropia. The ABV group showed worse stereoacuity at near and distant fixation (P<0.001). Ocular and systemic discomfort was, however, not different between the two groups. Fifty-three subjects in the ABV group and all subjects in the control group showed good stereopsis (60 s of arc or better at near), and they reported more dizziness, headache, eye fatigue, and pain (P<0.05) than the other 45 subjects with decreased stereopsis. The subjects with good stereopsis in the ABV group felt more eye fatigue than those in the control group (P=0.031). The subjects with decreased stereopsis showed more difficulty with 3D perception (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The subjects with abnormal stereopsis showed decreased 3D perception while watching 3D TV. However, ocular and systemic discomfort was more closely related to better stereopsis.

Abstract P4-03-11: SUVmax of FDG-PET/CT is Associated with Chemotherapy Response Assay Test Results and Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer Patients

Backgrounds:18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is widely used for cancer evaluation and there are several studies which suggested maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) may reflect the cancer patients' prognosis. Adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA) is commonly used as a chemosensitivity assay modality for the treatment of various cancers in clinical settings and there have been several studies on its usefulness in breast cancer. We previously reported chemosensitivity (ATP-CRA) results might reflect patients' prognosis. So we supposed that SUVmax could reflect chemosenitivity (ATP-CRA) results of patients, so performed this study to analyze the relationship between PET/CT SUVmax and chemosenstivity (ATP-CRA) results of these drugs. Furthermore, we evaluated prognostic factors for breast cancer according to SUVmax.

Materials and Methods: 102 breast cancer patients, who underwent PET/CT and chemosensitive (ATP-CRA) test between December 2010 and April 2012, were enrolled in this study. We analyzed, retrospectively, the correlation between SUVmax of PET/CT and chemosenitivity (ATP-CRA) results of doxorubicin/paclitaxel. SUVmax according to prognostic factors were also assessed.

Results: Chemosensitivity (ATP-CRA) results of doxorubicin and paclitaxel have significant positive correlation with SUVmax. Their correlation coefficient were 0.236 (p = 0.020) and 0.216 (p = 0.030), respectively. Patients with larger tumor size, higher histologic and nuclear grade, estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, HER2 positive, and Ki67 positive (≥14%) have higher mean SUVmax values (p &lt; 0.05). In molecular subgroup analysis, triple negative group showed higher mean SUVmax values than luminal A group (p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion: Higher SUVmax values of PET/CT is correlated with better chemosensitive (ATP-CRA) results of doxorubicin and paclitaxel, and poor prognostic factors of breast cancer. However, examination of additional cases might be needed.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-11.