Higher serum carotenoid concentrations were associated with the lower risk of cancer-related death: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The study focuses on the association between serum carotenoids and cancer-related death. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2006 and 2017-2018), the study encompasses 10,277 participants older than age 20 years, with recorded baseline characteristics and serum carotenoid concentrations (including α-carotene, trans-β-carotene, cis-β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin). We hypothesized that serum carotenoid concentrations were negatively associated with cancer-related death. The weighted chi-square analyses indicate significant negative correlations between higher serum concentrations of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and total carotenoids, and the risk of cancer-related deaths. Using weighted Cox regression analysis, this study confirms that α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, trans-lycopene, and total carotenoids, as continuous or categorical variables, are inversely related to cancer mortality (P < .0001). Furthermore, considering competitive risk events, lower concentrations of serum β-cryptoxanthin (Fine-Gray P = 1.12e-04), trans-lycopene (P = 5.68e-14), and total carotenoids (P = .03) are associated with an increased risk of cancer-related deaths. The research reveals a crucial inverse relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and cancer-related death.

Comparison of MRI and CT-Based Radiomics and Their Combination for Early Identification of Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Current radiomics for treatment response assessment in gastric cancer (GC) have focused solely on Computed tomography (CT). The importance of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) radiomics in GC is less clear.

PURPOSE

To compare and combine CT and mp-MRI radiomics for pretreatment identification of pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in GC.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective.

POPULATION

Two hundred twenty-five GC patients were recruited and split into training (157) and validation dataset (68) in the ratio of 7:3 randomly.

FIELD/SEQUENCE

T2-weighted fast spin echo (fat suppressed T2-weighted imaging [fs-T2WI]), diffusion weighted echo planar imaging (DWI), and fast gradient echo (dynamic contrast enhanced [DCE]) sequences at 3.0T.

ASSESSMENT

Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated from DWI. CT, fs-T2WI, ADC, DCE, and mp-MRI Radiomics score (Radscores) were compared between responders and non-responders. A multimodal nomogram combining CT and mp-MRI Radscores was developed. Patients were followed up for 3-65 months (median 19) after surgery, the overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were calculated.

STATISTICAL TESTS

A logistic regression classifier was applied to construct the five models. Each model's performance was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The association of the nomogram with OS/PFS was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and C-index. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

CT Radscore, mp-MRI Radscore and nomogram were significantly associated with tumor regression grading. The nomogram achieved the highest area under the curves (AUCs) of 0.893 (0.834-0.937) and 0.871 (0.767-0.940) in training and validation datasets, respectively. The C-index was 0.589 for OS and 0.601 for PFS. The AUCs of the mp-MRI model were not significantly different to that of the CT model in training (0.831 vs. 0.770, P = 0.267) and validation dataset (0.797 vs. 0.746, P = 0.137).

DATA CONCLUSIONS

mp-MRI radiomics provides similar results to CT radiomics for early identification of pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The multimodal radiomics nomogram further improved the capability.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 2.

Application of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging for preoperative knowledge of lymphovascular invasion in gastric cancer: a prospective study

PURPOSE

To investigate the potential of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM) for preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

This study prospectively enrolled 90 patients (62 males, 28 females, 60.79 ± 9.99 years old) who received radical gastrostomy. Abdominal MRI examinations including IVIM were performed within 1 week before surgery. Patients were divided into LVI-positive and -negative group according to pathological diagnosis after surgery. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM parameters, including true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and pseudodiffusion fraction (f), were compared between the two groups. The relationship between MRI parameters and LVI was studied by Spearman's correlation analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent predictors of LVI. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were applied to evaluate the efficacy.

RESULTS

The ADC, D in LVI-positive group were lower, whereas tumor thickness and f parameter in LVI-positive group were higher than those in LVI-negative group, and they were statistically correlated with LVI (p < 0.05). D, f and tumor thickness were independent risk factors of LVI. The area under the curve of ADC, D, f, thickness, and the combined parameter (D + f + thickness) were 0.667, 0.754, 0.695, 0.792, and 0.876, respectively. The combined parameter demonstrated higher efficacy than any other parameters (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The ADC, D, and f can effectively distinguish LVI status of GC. The D, f and thickness were independent predictors. The combination of the three predictors further improved the efficacy.

The Biological and Molecular Function of LINC00665 in Human Cancers

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are more than 200 nucleotides in length and are implicated in the development of human cancers, without protein-coding function. Mounting evidence indicates that cancer initiation and progression are triggered by lncRNA dysregulation. Recently, a growing number of studies have found that LINC00665, a long intergenic non-protein coding RNA, may be associated with various cancers, including gastrointestinal tumors, gynecological tumors, and respiratory neoplasms. LINC00665 was reported to be significantly dysregulated in cancers and has an important clinical association. It participates in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis through different biological pathways. In this review, we summarize the current findings on LINC00665, including its biological roles and molecular mechanisms in various cancers. LINC00665 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and novel therapeutic target for cancers.

Effects of obatoclax combined with gemcitabine on the biological activity of pancreatic cancer cells under hypoxic conditions

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of obatoclax (OBX) combined with gemcitabine (GEM) treatment on the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) related proteins of pancreatic cancer cell line BxPC‑3 under hypoxic conditions. Protein expression levels of hypoxia‑inducible factor 1α (HIF‑1α) in BxPC‑3 pancreatic cancer cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions were detected by western blotting. Cells were divided into four groups: Normoxia group, hypoxia group, OBX group and OBX + GEM group. The proliferation activity of BxPC‑3 cells was detected by Cell Counting kit‑8. The migratory and invasive abilities of BxPC‑3 cells were detected by the scratch test and Matrigel assay, respectively. The protein expression levels of vimentin, E‑cadherin and p53 in BxPC‑3 cells were also detected by western blotting. HIF‑1α expression under hypoxic conditions was significantly increased compared with expression under normoxic conditions. Under hypoxic conditions, OBX treatment reduced cell activity, decreased cell migration and invasion, promoted the expression of E‑cadherin and p53. In the OBX + GEM group, BxPC‑3 cell activity decreased significantly, cell migration and invasion decreased significantly, the expression of vimentin was significantly reduced and the expression of E‑cadherin and p53 further increased. In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that under hypoxic conditions, OBX combined with a small dose of GEM may be able to inhibit the growth, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, possibly via inhibition of EMT process. These results may provide a promising strategy for pancreatic cancer therapy.

[Association between serum Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine level and anterior tibial arterial plaque calcification in patients with diabetic foot post foot amputation]

Objective: To observe the correlation between Nε-carboxymethyl-Lysine (CML), the main component of advanced glycation end products and the calcification of the anterior tibial artery plaque in patients with diabetic foot post foot amputation. Methods: Sixty patients hospitalized for foot amputation operation due to diabetic foot from June 2012 to June 2016 in the Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University were prospectively recruited.The patients were categorized into mild stenosis (0<stenosis<50%, n=20), moderate stenosis (50%≤stenosis<70%, n=20) and severe stenosis (70%≤stenosis≤100%, n=20) based on the color Doppler ultrasound assessed severity of anterior tibial artery stenosis.The baseline clinical data of patients were collected and anterior tibial artery was isolated.Then, HE staining, O-Cresolphthalein Complexone method, enzymic method and ELASA analysis were then performed to detect the evolution of calcification, arterial calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity and serum CML concentration, respectively. Results: The results from both color Doppler ultrasound scan before amputation and HE staining after amputation showed that echo intensity as well as spotty blue calcium particles of anterior tibial artery plaque increased significantly in proportion to degree of stenosis and destructed elastic plate of the arterial wall was evidenced in patients with severest stenosis.The content of calcium ((2.3±0.9), (3.9±1.3), (6.6±1.7) μmol/mg, respectively, P<0.001), ALP activity ((102.4±39.4), (202.3±73.4), (483.7±117.9) U/mg, respectively, P<0.001) and serum CML level ((28.9±4.4), (37.9±5.3), (57.3±7.1)μg/L, respectively, P<0.001) increased significantly in proportion to stenosis severity.Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum CML level was positively correlated with the content of calcium (r=0.749, P<0.001) and ALP activity (r=0.923, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Serum CML level is positively correlated with the calcification of anterior tibial arterial plaque in patients with diabetic foot and could be used to evaluate the calcification of anterior tibial arterial plaque and stenosis degree of anterior tibial arterial in these patients.

[Relief effect of CT-guided (125)I seed implantation on patients with spinal and paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of computed tomography (CT)-guided (125)I seed implantation in the treatment of patients with spinal and/or paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors. Methods: The radiation dose distribution was planned for 27 patients with 35 spinal and paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors by a treatment planning system (TPS). CT-guided (125)I seed implantation was carried out in the patients, and the quality of treatment was evaluated based on CT-imaging follow-up. Results: All the 27 patients underwent CT-guided (125)I seed implantation successfully. 12 to 50 (125)I seeds were injected into each spinal or paraspinal metastatic tumor, 39.15 on average, and the specific radioactive activity of the particles ranged from 0.60 to 0.80 mCi, 0.73 mCi on average. The minimal percentage of the dose received by 90% of the target volume (D(90)) of the spinal and paraspinal metastatic tumors ranged from 90 to 165 Gy, 115.03 Gy on average. Among the 27 patients, 21 (77.8%) had partial remission (PR) and 6(22.2%)had stable disease (SD). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores before implantation and at postoperative 3 and 6 months were 7.81±0.74, 2.04±1.10 and 1.81±0.79, respectively, (P<0.05). The assessment of pain intensity before (125)I seed implantation and at 3 postoperative months showed obvious improvements in the patients evaluated according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale: 12 (44.4%) patients with ASIA grade C were changed to grade D, 3 (11.1%) from grade C to grade E, 8 (29.6%) from grade D to grade E, 3 (11.1%) with a stable grade D, and 1 (3.7%)with a stablegrade C. The Karnovsky performance scale (KPS) scores before treatment and at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively were 66.30±6.88, 85.93±9.31 and 87.91±8.56, respectively (P<0.05). Their local control rate (LCR) at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively were 100%, 92.6% and 51.9%, respectively, and the overall survival rates(OSR) were 100%, 92.6% and 55.6%, respectively. Conclusions: CT-guided (125)I seed implantation can significantly relieve local pain, has advantages of less complications and higher local control rate. Therefore, it is a safe, effective and feasible treatment option for patients with spinal and paraspinal osteolytic metastatic tumors.

[Effects of hemoglobin J-Bangkok traits on measurements of glycated hemoglobin by five methods]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the interference of hemoglobin variants J-Bangkok on glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1)c) detected by five measurement systems.

METHODS

Seventy cases of blood samples were collected at Zhongshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2012 to January 2014, the blood samples were divided into the normal control group (40 cases) and Hb J-Bangkok variant group (30 cases), and the normal control group was divided into healthy control group (20 cases) and diabetic group (20 cases). HbA(1)c measurement systems were Primus Ultra2, Variant Ⅱ, Variant Ⅱ Turbo, Modular P and Leadman. Based on the standard of the American National Glycosylated Hemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP), Primus Ultra2 was used as comparative system, and the other 4 systems were test systems. Comparative analysis and bias evaluation were conducted on the results from five detection systems in different groups, statistical analysis were used for evaluating the differences. The estimated average glucose (eAG) was calculated by HbA(1)c values and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of Hb J-Bangkok variant group with the different detection systems. Deming regression analysis was used to determinate whether Hb J-Bangkok produced significant clinical effect on HbA(1)c results. HbA(1)c ± 10% and relative bias at 6% and 9% HbA1c were evaluation limits.

RESULTS

The differences of the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) between the test systems and the comparative system in control group were within ±0.7% HbA(1)c, bias were less than 6%, there were no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). In Hb J-Bangkok group, the eAG calculated from HbA(1)c measured by using Primus Ultra2, Modular P and Leadman were (8.14±2.99), (8.10±3.06) and (8.23±3.00)mmol/L, which had no statistically significant difference compared with FPG ((8.21±3.12)mmol/L, t=0.996, 1.091, 1.479, all P>0.05), and the differences of 95%CI between the results measured by Modular P and the comparative system were all within ±0.7% HbA(1)c, bias were -4.3%-0.4% and -5.2%-4.9%, there were no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). At 6% and 9% HbA(1)c concentrations, the mean differences of the results from the three detection systems were less than the clinically acceptable range. These results showed that the systems of Primus Ultra2, Modular P and Leadman were not affected by Hb J-Bangkok. However, the eAG values calculated from HbA(1)c of Variant Ⅱ and Variant Ⅱ Turbo were (5.58±2.12) and(5.00±2.13)mmol/L, which showed statistically significant lower results compared with FPG level (t=12.29, 13.23 , all P<0.001). Compared with Primus Ultra2, the differences of 95%CI were outside of ± 0.7% HbA1c, bias were -31.9%--12.0% and -42.0%- -17.6% , greater than 6%, showed a negative bias.At 6% and 9% HbA(1)c concentrations, the mean differences of the results were all greater than the clinical acceptable range. These results indicated that Hb J-Bangkok had significantly clinical interference on Variant Ⅱ and Variant Ⅱ Turbo systems.

CONCLUSION

Hb J-Bangkok has different interference on different HbA(1)c measurement systems, when performs the HbA(1)c test, clinical laboratory should pay attention to identify Hb variants, and select the appropriate methods to measure the HbA(1)c values in order to prevent the occurrence of interference by Hb variants.

Isolation and characterization of novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for Lutjanus erythropterus

We isolated and characterized 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus) using a (GT)13-enriched genomic library. We found three to 15 alleles per locus, with a mean of 6.68. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.087 to 0.978 and from 0.125 to 0.904, respectively, with averages of 0.576 and 0.650, respectively. Only three loci showed significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. Four loci showed evidence for null alleles. These markers will be useful for analyzing the population genetic structure and gene flow of L. erythropterus.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the purpleback flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensi)

The purpleback flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) is a pelagic squid with tremendous potential for commercial exploitation. We isolated and characterized 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci for S. oualaniensis using a (GT)13-enriched genomic library. The number of alleles per locus varied from 6 to 32. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.188 to 0.890, and 0.537 to 0.968, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected at these loci. Five loci significantly deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and four loci may have exhibited null alleles. These microsatellite markers will facilitate further studies in population genetics and the sustainable utilization of S. oualaniensis.

Effect of adding gemtuzumab ozogamicin to induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: a meta-analysis of prospective randomized phase III trials

BACKGROUND

Gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) is a targeted antineoplastic agent comprised of a recombinant anti-CD33 humanized antibody linked to calicheamicin. Previous trials have showed conflicting results concerning the efficacy and toxicity of adding GO to induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to resolve this controversial issue.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Summary data from five randomized phase III trials compared adding GO to induction chemotherapy with induction chemotherapy alone for newly diagnosed AML were meta-analyzed. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS), and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for complete remission (CR) rate, incidences of resistance disease, relapse and toxicity were calculated.

RESULTS

Data of 3596 patients (1798 GO and 1798 controls) from five randomized phase III trials were analyzed. Compared with induction chemotherapy alone, adding GO significantly prolonged OS (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.00, P=0.05) and RFS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.95, P=0.003), decreased the incidences of resistant disease (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.93, P=0.01) and relapse (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63-0.90, P=0.002), but had no effect on CR rate (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.91-1.46, P=0.24). Sensitivity analysis yielded similar results. Subgroup analysis identified that cytogenetics might be an influencing factor for the effect of adding GO. In addition, the risks of grade 3-4 nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and liver aspartate transaminase (AST) elevation were increased in GO arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding GO to induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed AML can significantly prolong OS and RFS, decrease incidences of resistant disease and relapse, but may increase risks of grade 3-4 nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and liver AST elevation.

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus)

We isolated and characterized 22 polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lutjanus erythropterus using a (GT)13-enriched genomic library. We found between 2 and 8 alleles per locus, with a mean of 4.85. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.065 to 0.867 and from 0.085 to 0.832, respectively, with means of 0.461 and 0.529, respectively. Allele frequencies in three loci were found to deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Evidence for null alleles was found for three loci. These markers will be useful for distinguishing released captive-bred L. erythropterus individuals from wild individuals.

Polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the yellowbelly threadfin bream, Nemipterus bathybius

Twenty-two polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from a (GT)13-enriched Nemipterus bathybius genomic library. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 13, with an average of 7.86. The observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.167-0.889 and 0.278-0.904, respectively, with averages of 0.590 and 0.690. Three loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg proportions, and 2 loci showed evidence of null alleles. No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected in the pairwise comparisons among the 22 loci. These markers are expected to be useful for the population genetic analysis of N. bathybius.