[Association between volatile organic compounds and mortality risk of stroke]

Objective: To investigate the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure in the atmosphere on the risk of daily death from stroke in Guangzhou. Methods: Daily average concentrations of twelve atmospheric VOCs, meteorological factors, and daily deaths for stroke and its subtypes (including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) in Guangzhou from 2020 to 2021 were collected. The time-series Poisson generalized additive model was established to analyze the relationship between daily average concentrations of atmospheric VOCs and daily mortality from a stroke on different lag days. The season, gender, and age group further performed stratification analysis. Results: Toluene and n-pentane were associated with a higher mortality risk from stroke and its subtypes. For each interquartile range (IQR) increment in toluene concentration at lag0- 1 days, the RRs for mortality from stroke and hemorrhagic stroke were 1.060 (95%CI: 1.036-1.085) and 1.071 (95%CI: 1.030-1.113), respectively. For each IQR increment in n-pentane concentration, the RR for mortality from ischemic stroke was 1.064 (95%CI: 1.030-1.099). The effect estimates of VOCs may be higher during the cold season and among women and people aged ≥75 years. For each IQR increment in toluene concentration, the RRs for mortality risk of stroke in the cold season and women were 1.099 (95%CI: 1.056-1.143) and 1.085 (95%CI: 1.050-1.120), respectively. For n-pentane, the RR for death risk of stroke in people aged ≥75 years old was 1.072 (95%CI: 1.036-1.109). Results of sensitivity analysis showed that the effect estimates fluctuated less when PM2.5 and O3 were separately introduced for the two-pollutant model, as well as changing the degrees of freedom for covariates. Conclusions: This study suggests that VOCs may be an independent risk factor for daily mortality from stroke. Moreover, Toluene presented the most significant health impact.

Abstract 1394: Comprehensive clinical and genomic analysis for patients with MYC, MYCN, and MYCL amplified solid tumors

Introduction: The MYC gene family (MYCf), which includes MYC, MYCN, and MYCL, is deregulated in ~70% of cancers and is associated with treatment resistance. Whereas older investigational therapies for MYC amplified tumors were unsuccessful, promising novel targeted therapies are in early phase clinical trials. Unfortunately, it remains unclear how to select patients whose cancers may harbor true MYC addiction. We thus sought to characterize factors such as amplification level, focality, and clonality that may correlate with increased MYC dependence.

Methods: Utilizing a center-wide next generation sequencing (NGS) program of >71,000 sequenced patients, genomic and clinical data from pediatric and adult patients with MYC, MYCN, and MYCL amplifications were identified between 2014 and 2022. Patients were characterized as harboring MYC, MYCN, and MYCL amplification based on a read-depth methodology using a DNA-based hybrid-capture NGS (MSK-IMPACT) and Fraction and Allele-Specific Copy Number Estimates from the Tumor Sequencing (FACETS). All cases underwent clinical data curation including baseline demographic, tumor characteristics, and treatment histories.

Results: We identified 3911 cancers with MYCf amplification (n=3257 (82%) MYC; n=364 (9%) MYCL; n=330 (8%) MYCN) across 40 malignancies, for an overall 5.5% incidence. The most frequent tumor types with MYCf amplification were breast (22%), non-small cell lung (NSCLC) (11%), colorectal (8%), ovarian (8%), prostate (7%), brain (5%), and small cell lung cancers (SCLC) (2%). Cancers with MYC amplification had longer segment lengths than MYCL and MYCN amplification, which appeared more focal (median = 19, 4.3 and 4.5 MB, respectively, p < 0.001). MYCN amplified cancers had higher total copy number than MYC and MYCL amplified cancers (median = 19, 8, 9, respectively, p < 0.001). MYC, MYCN, and MYCL samples were predominantly clonal (median clonal fraction > 99% for all genes). Most NSCLC, squamous cell lung cancers, and pulmonary carcinoids had MYC amplifications (93%, 70%, and 67% respectively). Conversely, SCLCs most often had MYCL amplifications (49%). No concurrent targetable driver alterations were found in 33% of metastatic NSCLCs with MYC, 75% of MYCN, and 6% of MYCL amplifications.

Conclusions: While MYCf amplification is observed across a broad range of cancer types, factors such as gene type (MYC, MYCN, MYCL), focality, total copy number, clonality, and concurrent oncogenic drivers vary widely. Novel MYC-directed trials may consider enrichment for a subpopulation of cancers with higher-level, focal, and clonal MYCf amplifications without concurrent other drivers.

Citation Format: Monica F. Chen, Allison Richards, Patrick Evans, Patrick Lee, Adam Price, Matteo Repetto, Soo Ryum Yang, Jason Chang, Rose Brannon, Ezra Rosen, David Brown, Charles Rudin, Nitya Raj, Mark G. Kris, Jorge Reis-Filho, Mark Donoghue, Alexander E. Drilon, Noura J. Choudhury. Comprehensive clinical and genomic analysis for patients with MYC, MYCN, and MYCL amplified solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1394.

[Research progress in association between endothelial dysfunction and periodontitis]

Vascular endothelium formulates the basic defense against cardiovascular diseases. Multiple factors such as inflammatory factors, oxidative stress and biological factors can cause endothelial dysfunction and be involved in the formation and development of cardiovascular diseases. In studies of recent years, accumulated evidences showed that periodontitis was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, and was related to vascular endothelial dysfunction. Periodontal therapy could improve the vascular endothelial function. In this paper, the epidemiological evidences of associations between periodontitis and vascular endothelial dysfunction in recent years were listed, and the possible mechanisms of periodontitis aggravating endothelial dysfunction were analyzed. The importance of periodontal intervention in improving endothelial function was emphasized. This will provide new ideas for further study about the relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases and for the prevention and treatment strategies.

ESMO expert consensus statements on the management of EGFR mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) held a virtual consensus-building process on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer in 2021. The consensus included a multidisciplinary panel of 34 leading experts in the management of lung cancer. The aim of the consensus was to develop recommendations on topics that are not covered in detail in the current ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline and where the available evidence is either limited or conflicting. The main topics identified for discussion were: (i) tissue and biomarkers analyses; (ii) early and locally advanced disease; (iii) metastatic disease and (iv) clinical trial design, patient's perspective and miscellaneous. The expert panel was divided into four working groups to address questions relating to one of the four topics outlined above. Relevant scientific literature was reviewed in advance. Recommendations were developed by the working groups and then presented to the entire panel for further discussion and amendment before voting. This manuscript presents the recommendations developed, including findings from the expert panel discussions, consensus recommendations and a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation.

Uterine mesenchymal tumors harboring ALK fusions and response to ALK-targeted therapy

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the uterus is a rare but aggressive malignancy that is often misdiagnosed. Approximately 50% of uterine IMTs (UMT) harbor rearrangements involving the ALK gene on chromosome 2p23 with subsequent overexpression of the ALK protein. Molecular characterization and wider availability of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next generation sequencing (NGS) have improved clinical recognition and accurate diagnosis of UMT. The discovery of ALK fusions as a genomic driver led to the FDA approval of ALK inhibitors in ALK-altered lung cancers, but there are limited data to date on the spectrum of ALK fusions or patterns of response and resistance to ALK inhibitors in ALK-altered UMT. In this report we describe the genomic and histopathological characteristics and the response to ALK-targeted therapy in four patients with UMT. In all four patients, clinical activity of ALK inhibition was observed, with durable responses lasting 12 months or more. Moreover, three patients derived benefit from a second-generation ALK inhibitor after progression of disease or intolerance to the first-generation inhibitor crizotinib. Our report advocates for consideration of expanding the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to include later-generation ALK inhibitors for the treatment of ALK-rearranged UMTs.

High-quality thulium iron garnet films with tunable perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by off-axis sputtering - correlation between magnetic properties and film strain

Thulium iron garnet (TmIG) films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) were grown on gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) (111) substrates by off-axis sputtering. High-resolution synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction studies and spherical aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (Cs-corrected STEM) images showed the excellent crystallinity of the films and their sharp interface with GGG. Damping constant of TmIG thin film was determined to be 0.0133 by frequency-dependent ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. The saturation magnetization (Ms) and the coercive field (Hc) were obtained systematically as a function of the longitudinal distance (L) between the sputtering target and the substrate. A 170% enhancement of PMA field (H⊥) was achieved by tuning the film composition to increase the tensile strain. Moreover, current-induced magnetization switching on a Pt/TmIG structure was demonstrated with an ultra-low critical current density (jc) of 2.5 × 106 A/cm2, an order of magnitude smaller than the previously reported value. We were able to tune Ms, Hc and H⊥ to obtain an ultra-low jc of switching the magnetization, showing the great potential of sputtered TmIG films for spintronics.

[Molecular typing characterization of food-borne methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in China]

Objective: To analyses the antimicrobial resistance and molecular characterization of 21 MRSA isolates cultured from retail foods from different provinces in China, and evaluate the molecular typing methods. Methods: Twenty-one MRSA isolates were obtained from national foodborne pathogen surveillance network in 2012 (Chinese salad, n=3; milk, n=1; cake, n=2; rice, n=1; cold noodle, n=1; spiced beef, n=1; dumpling, n=1; packed meal, n=1; salad, n=1; raw pork, n=9). The antimicrobial resistance of 21 strains to 12 antimicrobial agents was tested by broth dilution method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were performed to obtain the genetic types of MLST (ST) and spa typing. The clonal complex (CC) was assigned by eBURST soft and the MLVA type (MT) and MLVA complex (MC) were identified via the database of the MLVA website (http://www.mlva.net). SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (SmaⅠ-PFGE) was also carried out to obtain the PFGE patterns of 21 strains. The genetic diversity and discriminatory power of typing were calculated by the Simpson's index of diversity (diversity index, DI) to find out the best genotyping method for MRSA. Results: All MRSA isolates showed multi-drug resistance(MDR), and were resistant to oxacillin, benzylpenicillin, clindamycin and erythromycin, and 71.4% (15/21), 47.6% (10/21), 42.9% (9/21) and 28.6% (6/21) of the MRSA isolates were resistant to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin, respectively. Moreover, one strain was found to be resistant to all three antimicrobials of levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and rifampicin. Great diversity was found in these food-associated MRSA (6 STs, 7 spa types, and 9 MTs). PFGE patterns were more diverse than those of other three molecular typing methods (19 pulse types). The index of diversity (DI) of PFGE, MLVA, spa typing and MLST was 0.99, 0.80, 0.73, and 0.61, respectively. Among the MRSA isolates, CC9-ST9-t899-MT929-MC2236 (PFGE Cluster Ⅴ) was the most prevalent clone, which were all cultured from raw pork (9 isolates). Besides, two MRSA were identified as CC59-ST338-t437-MT621-MC621 (PFGE Cluster Ⅳ). Different clone had their own resistance spectrum profiles. Conclusion: The food-borne MRSA isolates were all MDR in this study. Different clones had their own resistance spectrum profiles. MLVA represented a promising tool for molecular epidemiology tracing of MRSA in foodborne disease events.

Strongly exchange-coupled and surface-state-modulated magnetization dynamics in Bi2Se3/yttrium iron garnet heterostructures

Harnessing the spin–momentum locking of topological surface states in conjunction with magnetic materials is the first step to realize novel topological insulator-based devices. Here, we report strong interfacial coupling in Bi₂Se₃/yttrium iron garnet (YIG) bilayers manifested as large interfacial in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) and enhancement of damping probed by ferromagnetic resonance. The interfacial IMA and damping enhancement reaches a maximum when the Bi₂Se₃ film approaches its two-dimensional limit, indicating that topological surface states play an important role in the magnetization dynamics of YIG. Temperature-dependent ferromagnetic resonance of Bi₂Se₃/YIG reveals signatures of the magnetic proximity effect of T_C as high as 180 K, an emerging low-temperature perpendicular magnetic anisotropy competing the high-temperature IMA, and an increasing exchange effective field of YIG steadily increasing toward low temperature. Our study sheds light on the effects of topological insulators on magnetization dynamics, essential for the development of topological insulator-based spintronic devices.

Understanding the effects of topological insulators on magnetization dynamics of adjacent magnetic materials is essential for novel spintronic devices. Here, Fanchiang et al. report thickness dependence of interfacial in-plane magnetic anisotropy and damping enhancement in Bi₂Se₃/yttrium iron garnet (YIG) bilayers, indicating an important role of topological surface states in the magnetization dynamics of YIG.

Influence of pre-diagnostic cigarette smoking on colorectal cancer survival: overall and by tumour molecular phenotype

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a risk factor for incident colorectal cancer (CRC); however, it is unclear about its influence on survival after CRC diagnosis.

METHODS

A cohort of 706 CRC patients diagnosed from 1999 to 2003 in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, was followed for mortality and recurrence until April 2010. Smoking and other relevant data were collected by questionnaire after cancer diagnosis, using a referent period of '2 years before diagnosis' to capture pre-diagnosis information. Molecular analyses of microsatellite instability (MSI) status and BRAF V600E mutation status were performed in tumour tissue using standard techniques. Multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with Cox proportional hazards regression, controlling for major prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Compared with never smokers, all-cause mortality (overall survival, OS) was higher for current (HR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.04-3.06), but not for former (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.71-1.59) smokers. The associations of cigarette smoking with the study outcomes were higher among patients with ≥40 pack-years of smoking (OS: HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.03-2.85; disease-free survival (DFS: HR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.25-3.19), those who smoked ≥30 cigarettes per day (DFS: HR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.22-2.67), and those with microsatellite stable (MSS) or MSI-low tumours (OS: HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.04-1.82 and DFS: HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.01-1.72). Potential heterogeneity was noted for sex (DFS HR: 1.68 for men and 1.01 for women: P for heterogeneity=0.04), and age at diagnosis (OS: HR: 1.11 for patients aged <60 and 1.69 for patients aged ≥60: P for heterogeneity=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-diagnosis cigarette smoking is associated with worsened prognosis among patients with CRC.

A bio-inspired two-layer multiple-walled carbon nanotube-polymer composite sensor array and a bio-inspired fast-adaptive readout circuit for a portable electronic nose

We report a fully integrated, portable, battery-operated electronic nose system comprising a bio-inspired two-layer multiple-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-polymer composite sensor array, a bio-inspired fast-adaptive readout circuit, and a microprocessor embedded with a pattern recognition algorithm. The two-layer MWNT-polymer composite sensor is simple to operate, and the membrane quality can be easily controlled. These two-layer membranes have improved sensitivity and stability. The fast-adaptive readout circuit responds to the sensor response, while tuning out the long-term constant background humidity, temperature, and odors. This portable electronic nose system successfully classified four complex alcohol samples 40 times for each sample; these samples were sake, sorghum liquor, medical liquor, and whisky.

[CT diagnosis of maxillary mucoceles]

CT signs of thirty-six cases of maxillary mucocele surgically and pathologically proved were analyzed. 20 of 36 cases revealed as low density lesion. 16 of 36 cases revealed as isodensity or high density lesion. They were morphologically classified as three types: nodular type, inflammatory type, bony defect type. Cystic morphology and fluid density within the lesion obviously indicated mucocele. Differential diagnosis should be made between mucocele and polyps, when the lesion revealed as soft tissue density. Inflammatory type need to be distinguished from maxillary inflammation. And bony defect type should be distinguished from the benign or malignant tumor of maxillary sinus. The islet sign and bone sclerosis are considered to be valuable for the differential diagnosis.

Anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Solanum alatum

Solanum alatum aqueous extract was investigated on carrageenin-induced edema and on CCl4-induced liver injury. The extract (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) exhibited both anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities. The effects were more prominent at the dose of 200 mg/kg. Histological changes such as necrosis, fatty changes, ballooning degeneration, and inflammatory infiltration of lymphocytes and Kupffer cells around the central veins were concurrently improved by treatment with the S. alatum aqueous extract.

The effects of glutamate and GABA (gamma-amino-butyric-acid) on spontaneous acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction in Xenopus laevis embryo cell cultures

The miniature endplate currents (MEPC's) were recorded at the neuromuscular junction of Xenopus laevis embryo neuron-muscle co-cultured cells. These MEPC's were due to the spontaneous release of acetylcholine from the nerve terminal. After perfusion with glutamate (10 mumol/L), both frequency and amplitude of the MEPC's increased. After washing away of glutamate, this effect persisted. We named this phenomena "Long-Term Facilitation". GABA (20 mumol/L) on the other hand had an inhibitory effect on both frequency and amplitude of the MEPC's. After washing away of GABA, the MEPC frequency and amplitude increased. We named this effect "Post-Potentiation". Local perfusion experiments furthermore indicated that the effect of glutamate was restricted to the neuromuscular junction, the effect of GABA was restricted to the soma.

[Two types of nondepolarizing-activated calcium channels on the spinal cholinergic neurons from embryonic Xenopus laevis]

Single calcium channel current was studied on the identified spinal cholinergic neurons from embryonic Xenopus laevis with patch clamp method. The results indicate that some calcium channels show opening activity at resting membrane potential. According to the characteristics of conductance and kinetics of such channels, they could be divided into two types: a stretch sensitive Type-NS with a slope conductance of 7.5 pS (mean open time 0.58 ms at resting membrane potential) and a Type-NL with a slope conductance of 16.7 pS (and two opening times of 2 ms and 19.3 ms). Both types of channel are predominantly active at resting potential and negative membrane phases. It is suggested that they may be involved in the calcium-dependent neuronal events at resting state.

[Mechanisms of effects of electrical stimulation of "Renzhong" (Du 26) on phrenic discharge in rabbits]

Experiments were performed on urethane anesthetized, bivagotomized, flaxedil paralyzed and artificially ventilated rabbits. The effects of stimulation of "Renzhong" (Du 26) on phrenic discharge were not caused secondarily by blood pressure alteration. The effects were abolished by bilateral section of infraorbital nerves, were similar to those of stimulation of the central end of the infraorbital nerve, and were not qualitatively changed by mid-colliculi decerebration. The responses of the bulbar respiratory related neurons were coordinated with those of the phrenic nerve to stimulation of "Renzhong", i.e., the responses of almost all of the inspiratory neurons were consistent with phrenic responses and those of the most of the expiratory neurons were contrary to them. It can be concluded that the effects of electrical stimulation of "Renzhong" on phrenic discharge result from the nervous reflex. Its afferent is infraorbital nerve and the higher centers are not essential for it. The bulbar respiratory related neurons might play an important part in it.

Cloning and sequencing of a beta-thalassemia gene from south China

A beta-thalassemia gene from a patient with beta+-thalassemia in South China was cloned and sequenced. A four nucleotide (TCTT) deletion in codons 41 and 42 was found. This is the most common beta-thalassemia gene in South China and the first mutant identified on China mainland.