[Evaluation of semicircular canal and otolith graviceptive pathway function in patients diagnosed with motion sickness disorder based on the diagnostic criteria of the Bárány society]

Objective: To investigate the altered function of the semicircular canal and otolith graviceptive pathway in patients diagnosed with motion sickness disorder (MSD) based on the diagnostic criteria of the Bárány society, and explore its relevance to the pathogenesis of MSD. Methods: This is a case-control study. Twenty patients with MSD and age-and sex-matched healthy controls without a history of MSD from the Department of Neurology of Aerospace Center Hospital between March and August 2022 were recruited. All subjects completed the motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire-short version (MSSQ-short) and the motion sickness assessment questionnaire (MSAQ). Canal function was evaluated using caloric stimulation test and video head impulse test (vHIT), and subjective visual vertical/horizontal (SVV/SVH) and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) were employed to assess otolith graviceptive function. Differences in vestibular function and correlations between the two groups were analyzed. Results: Each group consisted of 20 cases (9 males and 11 females). The mean age of the MSD and control groups was (26.9±3.9) years and (27.0±3.4) years, respectively. The scores of MSSQ-short [27.0 (22.5, 38.8) vs 1.2 (0, 3.2), P<0.001] and MSAQ [70.1 (54.5, 78.1) vs 11.8 (11.1, 13.9), P<0.001] were significantly higher in the MSD group compared with those of the control group. Evaluation of canal function revealed a significantly higher incidence of caloric stimulation intolerance in MSD patients (60.0%, 12/20) compared with that of the control group (20.0%, 4/20) (P=0.010). Evaluation of otolith graviceptive pathway indicated no significant difference in SVV, SVH and cervical VEMP (cVEMP) abnormality rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). The ocular VEMP (oVEMP) abnormality rate was significantly higher in the MSD group (55.0%, 11/20) than that of the control group (10.0%, 2/20) (P=0.002), with a delayed P1-wave latency compared with the control group [(18.4±1.2) ms vs (17.6±0.8) ms, P=0.018]. Further correlation analysis revealed that P1-wave latency in oVEMP was positively correlated with MSSQ-short (r=0.486, P=0.002) and MSAQ (r=0.391, P=0.015) scores, and duration of caloric intolerance symptoms (r=0.377, P=0.004). Conclusion: The presence of hypersensitivity to caloric stimulation and delayed latency of otolith function in patients with MSD suggests a "separation" between semicircular canal and otolithic function, which may be related to sensory conflict.

[The value of DISCO and MUSE-DWI combined with prostate specific antigen density in the diagnosis and risk stratification of prostate cancer]

Objective: To explore the value of differential subsampling with cartesian ordering (DISCO) and multiplexed sensitivity-encoding diffusion weighted-imaging (MUSE-DWI) combined with prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) in the diagnosis and risk stratification of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: The data of 183 patients [aged from 48 to 86 (68±8) years] with prostate diseases in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from July 2020 to August 2021 were retrospectively collected. Those patients were divided into non-PCa group (n=115) and PCa group (n=68) based on the disease condition. According to the risk degree, PCa group was subdivided into low risk PCa group (n=14) and medium-to-high risk PCa group (n=54). The differences of volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), extracellular volume fraction (Ve), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and PSAD between groups were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis were conducted for evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of quantitative parameters and PSAD in distinguishing non-PCa and PCa, low-risk PCa and medium-high risk PCa. Multivariate logistic regression model was used for screening out the predictors, which was statistically significant differences between non-PCa group and PCa group, for PCa prediction. Results: Ktrans, Kep, Ve and PSAD of PCa group all were higher than those of non-PCa group, and ADC value was lower than that of non-PCa group, and the differences all were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Ktrans, Kep and PSAD of medium-to-high risk PCa group all were higher than those of low risk PCa group, and ADC value was lower than that of low risk PCa group, and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.001). When distinguishing non-PCa from PCa, the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the combined model (Ktrans+Kep+Ve+ADC+PSAD) was higher than that of any single index [0.958 (95%CI: 0.918-0.982) vs 0.881 (95%CI: 0.825-0.924), 0.836 (95%CI: 0.775-0.887), 0.672 (95%CI: 0.599-0.740), 0.940(95%CI: 0.895-0.969), 0.816(95%CI:0.752-0.869), all P<0.05]. When distinguishing low-risk PCa and medium-to-high risk PCa, the AUC of the combined model (Ktrans+Kep+ADC+PSAD) were higher than those of Ktrans, Kep and PSAD[0.933 (95%CI: 0.845-0.979) vs 0.846 (95%CI:0.738-0.922), 0.782 (95%CI:0.665-0.873), 0.84 8(95%CI: 0.740-0.923), all P<0.05]. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Ktrans (OR=1.005, 95%CI:1.001-1.010) and ADC values (OR=0.992, 95%CI:0.989-0.995) were predictors of PCa (P<0.05). Conclusions: DISCO and MUSE-DWI combined with PSAD can distinguish benign and malignant prostate lesions. Ktrans and ADC values were predictors of PCa; Ktrans, Kep, ADC values and PSAD are helpful in predicting the biological behavior of PCa.

Updated and novel limits on double beta decay and dark matter-induced processes in platinum

A 510 day long-term measurement of a 45.3 g platinum foil acting as the sample and high voltage contact in an ultra-low-background high purity germanium detector was performed at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy). The data was used for a detailed study of double beta decay modes in natural platinum isotopes. Limits are set in the range O ( 10 14 - 10 19 )  years (90% C.L.) for several double beta decay transitions to excited states confirming, and partially extending existing limits. The highest sensitivity of the measurement, greater than 10 19  years, was achieved for the two neutrino and neutrinoless double beta decay modes of the isotope 198 Pt. Additionally, novel limits for inelastic dark matter scattering on 195 Pt are placed up to mass splittings of approximately 500 keV. We analyze several techniques to extend the sensitivity and propose a few approaches for future medium-scale experiments with platinum-group elements.

[The analysis to data from Chinese Rheumatism Data Center external quality assurance program for autoantibodies in 2021]

To evaluate the data obtained from the external quality assurance program initiated by Chinese Rheumatism Data Center (CRDC-QAP) for autoantibodies detection in 2021, so as to assess the consensus and differences in cross-laboratory testing to autoantibodies in China. This is a retrospective study. After collecting data from the first half year (from May 15th to July 10th) and the second half year (from August 15th to November 19th) of CRDC-QAP program for autoantibody detection in 2021, it firstly analyzed the qualitative consensus of the cross-laboratory results. Secondly, it compared the positivity grade of numeric results according to the Sample to cut-off ratio (S/CO ratio) calculation. Finally, the mean and coefficient variation (CV) of numeric results from three major manufacturers were calculated. A total of 303 and 332 clinical labs voluntarily participated in the first half year and the second half year of CRDC-QAP program for autoantibody detection in 2021, respectively. Except for anti-β2 glycoprotein type I (aβ2-GPI) IgM, the cross-laboratory consensus of qualitative results for the other autoantibodies is greater than 96%. As for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) and anti mitochondrial antibody-M2 (AMA-M2), the numeric results from more than 90% laboratories showed the same positivity grade. More than 50% of laboratories used chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for quantitative evaluation of autoantibody. The CV of numeric results from different manufacturers showed certain differences(P<0.01) with the range from 0 to 238%. Although high consensus can be observed in term of qualitative result for autoantibody detection in cross-laboratory, there are still certain differences in numeric results in term of positivity grade and manufacturer-based CV.

Deep Underground Laboratory Measurement of ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O in the Gamow Windows of the s and i Processes

The ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O reaction is the main neutron source for the slow-neutron-capture process in asymptotic giant branch stars and for the intermediate process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections and vast cosmic-ray-induced background. We performed the first consistent direct measurement in the range of E_{c.m.}=0.24 to 1.9 MeV using the accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory and Sichuan University. Our measurement covers almost the entire intermediate process Gamow window in which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from 60% down to 15%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing datasets, and provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the slow-neutron-capture and intermediate processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for the near-threshold state.

[The clinical characteristics of nuclear dense fine speckled pattern in 95 289 patients]

To investigate the distribution and clinical significance of nuclear dense fine speckled (DFS) pattern in various diseases. A total of 95 289 patients who received DFS tests at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were included in this study. The results of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) for detection of antinuclear antibody (ANA) were evaluated. The positive rates of ANA and DFS were 39.60% (37 733/95 289) and 1.19% (1 139/95 289) respectively. The positive rate of DFS in ANA-positive patients was 3.02% (1 139/37 733). DFS and ANA positivity were significantly different among different age groups rather than gender. The positivity rate of DFS reached the peak (55.57%, 633/1 139) in young patients between 21-40 years, while positive ANA with negative DFS was mainly observed in patients between 41-60 years (37.26%, 13 636/36 594). Additionally, single ANA-positivity were mainly detected in rheumatology department (59.23%, 18 402/31 066), whereas positive DFS was more common in obstetrics and gynecology department (3.08%, 49/1 593). There were 82.88% (944/1 139) patients with positive DFS diagnosed with non-autoimmune disease (non-AID), and 19.49%(222/1 139) with dermatosis. Positive DFS with higher titer (≥1∶320) was detected more frequently in autoimmune disease (AID) patients (5.13%, 10/195) than in non-AID patients (1.69%, 16/944) (P<0.05). The DFS pattern is rare in ANA positive patients, which is mainly observed in women between 21-49 years. High titer of DFS is prevalent in AID patients, but positive DFS is detected more in non-AID patients, especially those with dermatosis.

[The value of relaxation time quantitative technique from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and invasion assessment of prostate cancer]

Objective: To investigate the application value of relaxation time quantitative technique from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and invasion assessment of prostate cancer. Methods: A total of 119 patients with prostate diseases [122 regions of interest(ROI)] who underwent routine MRI scan and magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC) sequence of prostate from March 2020 to March 2021 in General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were retrospectively collected, they were divided into prostate cancer group(58 cases, 61 ROI) and non-prostate cancer group(61 cases, 61 ROI) according to the pathological results. In the prostate cancer group, those patients with an age of 48 to 85(69.8±5.9) years, and further divided into two subgroups according to the location of occurrence: peripheral zone cancer group (43 cases, 45 ROI) and transitional zone cancer group (15 cases, 16 ROI). The non-prostate cancer group consisted of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia or complicated with chronic prostatitis, with an age of 41 to 81(68.6±7.0) years, and they were further divided into two subgroups according to the location of occurrence: non-cancerous peripheral zone group (45 cases, 45 ROI) and transitional zone benign prostatic hyperplasia group(16 cases, 16 ROI). Prostate cancer lesions were classified as low risk (Gleason score ≤6) or intermediate/high risk (Gleason score ≥7). After the post-processing of MAGiC images, T₁, T₂ and proton density(PD) values of prostate cancer group and non-prostate cancer group were obtained. At the same time, relevant software were used for image post-processing to generate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, the data between the two groups were analyzed by the Independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, and the diagnostic effectiveness of each quantitative parameter in diagnosing prostate cancer and discriminating low risk prostate cancer from intermediate/high risk prostate cancer was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the correlation between each quantitative parameter and Gleason score were assessed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The T₁ value and T₂ value of the peripheral zone cancer group were lower than those in non-cancerous peripheral zone group [1 201.3 (1 103.5, 1 298.2) ms vs 2 274.0 (1 620.9, 2 776.5) ms; 78.0 (74.0, 83.8) ms vs (160.6±54.9) ms] (all P<0.001), there was no statistically significant in PD value between the two groups (P>0.05). The T₁ value and T₂ value of the transitional zone cancer group were lower than those in transitional zone benign prostatic hyperplasia group [1 073.3 (1 003.9, 1 164.9) ms vs 1 340.8 (1 208.5, 1 502.8) ms; 76.9 (74.8, 82.8) ms vs 95.1(82.8, 103.4) ms] (all P<0.001), there was no statistically significant in PD value between the two groups (P>0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of T₂ value was similar with the ADC value in discriminating peripheral zone cancer group from non-cancerous peripheral zone group(0.963 vs 0.991, P=0.105), while in discriminating transitional zone cancer group from transitional zone benign prostatic hyperplasia group, the AUC of T₂ value、T₁ value and ADC value were similar(0.867, 0.930 vs 0.938, all P>0.05). ADC value, T₂ value all were negatively correlated with Gleason score (r=-0.747,-0.453, all P<0.001). T₂ value and ADC value demonstrated equivalent diagnostic performance in discriminating low risk from intermediate/high risk prostate cancer, and there were no statistically significant (AUC: 0.787 vs 0.943, P=0.069). Conclusions: Quantitative relaxation time T₁ and T₂ values derived from synthetic MRI can discriminate prostate cancer from other benign pathologies, and T₂ value have the equivalent diagnostic performance compared to ADC value. Synthetic MRI has high clinical application value, and T₂ value can distinguish low risk prostate cancer from intermediate/high risk prostate cancer.

Enhanced sequestration of molybdenum(VI) using composite constructed wetlands and responses of microbial communities

The molybdenum (Mo) non-point source pollution in the mining area has an irreversible impact on the surrounding water and soil ecosystems. Herein, three integrated vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (CWs) were constructed to assess the effects of combination substrates and plant on the removal of Mo(VI). Results showed that CW1 with combination substrates and cattail exhibited a favorable removal performance for Mo(VI) at 80.90%. Moreover, most Mo(VI) retained in the CWs was retained in the substrate (58.13-88.04%), and the largest fraction of Mo(VI) retained was the water-soluble fraction on the surface of the combination substrates. Mo(VI) removal was also influenced by the microbial community composition in substrate, especially their co-occurrence networks. The species that showed significant positive correlation with Mo(VI) removal were Planctomycetes, Latescibacteria, Armatimonadetes, and Gemmatimonadetes. Moreover, CWs added plants showed that more co-occurrences interaction between taxa occurs, which means that the wetlands efficiently select recruitment of potential microbial consortia and change the co-occurrences to remove pollution in the substrate. These results could be useful in providing an ecology-based solution for the treatment of Mo(VI) in wastewater, especially in adjusting the microbial communities for Mo(VI) removal at the genetic level.

A prospective study on vulvovaginal candidiasis: multicentre molecular epidemiology of pathogenic yeasts in China

BACKGROUND

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is frequent in women of reproductive age, but very limited data are available on the epidemiology in cases of VVC in China.

OBJECTIVES

The current study has been conducted to reveal the prevalence, species distribution of yeast causing VVC and molecular genetics of Candida albicans in China.

METHODS

Vaginal swabs were collected from 543 VVC outpatients recruited in 12 hospitals in China between September 2017 and March 2018. They were preliminarily incubated on Sabouraud dextrose agar and then positive subjects of which were then transmitted to our institute for further identification. CHROMagar™ was used to isolate Candida species, and all isolates were finally identified by DNA sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to analyse phylogenetic relationships of the various C. albicans isolates.

RESULTS

Eleven different yeast species were identified in 543 isolates, among which C. albicans (84.7%) was the most frequent, followed by C. glabrata (8.7%). We obtained 117 unique diploid sequence types from 451 clinical C. albicans isolates and 92 isolates (20.4%) belonged to a New Clade. All the strains appearing in the New Clade were from northern China and they were isolated from non-recurrent VVC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that C. albicans are still the main cause of VVC in China and the majority of C. albicans isolates belongs to Clade 1 with DST 79 and DST 45 being two most common. Moreover, the New Clade revealed in our study seems to be specific to northern China.

Ageing, hypertension and aortic valve stenosis - Understanding the series circuit using cardiac magnetic resonance and applanation tonometry

BACKGROUND

Aortic stenosis (AS) is no longer considered to be a disease of fixed left ventricular (LV) afterload, but rather, functions as a series circuit, with important contributions from both the valve and vasculature. Patients with AS are typically elderly, with hypertension and a markedly remodelled aorta. The arterial component is sizeable, and yet, quantifying this to-date has been difficult to determine. We compared measurement of aortic pressure, flow and global LV load using a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)/applanation tonometry (AT) technique to uncouple ventriculo-arterial (VA) interactions.

METHODS

20 healthy elderly patients and 20 with AS underwent a CMR/AT protocol. CMR provided LV volume and aortic flow simultaneously with AT pressure acquisition. Aortic pressure was derived by transformation of the AT waveform. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and global LV load were determined as the relationship of pressure to flow in the frequency domain. Values from both cohorts were compared.

RESULTS

AS patients were older (p ​< ​0.01) albeit with no significant difference in brachial or central aortic pressure. SVR (14228 vs 19906 ​dyne ​s.cm-3; p ​= ​0.02) and load (740 vs 946 ​dyne ​s.cm-3; p ​= ​0.02) were higher in patients with AS, whilst aortic peak flow velocity was lower (38 vs 58 ​cm/s; p ​< ​0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Quantification of aortic pressure, flow velocity and global LV load using a simultaneous CMR/AT technique is able to demonstrate the progressive effects of hypertension and aortic stiffening with advanced age and valvular stenosis. This technique may help to better identify future patients at risk of VA coupling mismatch after correction of AS.

The analysis of the effects of Liuwei Dihuang decoction on aging-related metabolites and metabolic pathways in naturally aging mice by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-light mass spectrometry

Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LWDH) has been used to treat age-related diseases in Asia for thousands of years. Its effect is significant, but the mechanism is not entirely understood. The development and maturity of metabonomics technology have created a new way to understand its effects. In this study, 20-month-old naturally aging mice were used as the research subjects. Mice were randomly divided into the young group, elderly group, vitamin E group, and LWDH group, with 10 mice in each group. The UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique analyzed the changes in plasma metabolism of these mice. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to study metabolic markers and metabolic pathways. Compared with the elderly group, the organ index and weightbearing swimming time of the LWDH and vitamin E groups increased (P ≤ 0.01). The results show that LWDH can benignly regulate the expression level of 11 aging-associated metabolites in aged mice and alleviate the aging state of mice. These metabolites mainly affect the metabolism of glutathione, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, pyrimidine, selenium, pentose phosphate, arginine, and proline.

Inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, TNF-α and peritoneal fluid flora were associated with infertility in patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlations of inflammatory factors, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and composition of bacterial flora in the peritoneal fluid with infertility in endometriosis patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 55 patients diagnosed with endometriosis and infertility in the Gynecology Clinic of our hospital from June 2014 to July 2017 were selected as observation group, and another 30 non-endometriosis and non-infertility patients were enrolled as control group. The peritoneal fluid was extracted from patients in both groups, and the total white cell count and the percentage of leukocyte subset were determined. The total genome deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of microorganisms in peritoneal fluid was extracted, and the composition of microorganisms was analyzed using the Ion Torrent PGM platform (BGI). The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the correlations of inflammatory factors in the peritoneal fluid with endometriosis complicated with infertility were analyzed via Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The total white cell count, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils in endometriosis patients complicated with infertility were significantly higher than those in control group (p<0.05). Results of ELISA showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients complicated with infertility were significantly higher than those in control group (p<0.05). In peritoneal fluid of patients in both groups, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were mainly dominated, followed by Actinobacillus, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria and Tenericutes, and there was no significant difference in the Eumycota between the two groups (p>0.05). Logistic regression analysis results showed that there were significant correlations of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and TNF-α) with endometriosis complicated with infertility.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many kinds of Eumycota in the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients complicated with infertility, but they are not the main pathogenic factors. Inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and TNF-α) can be used as important reference indexes for the diagnosis of endometriosis complicated with infertility.

Investigation of the surface confinement effect of copper nanoclusters: construction of an ultrasensitive fluorescence turn-on bio-enzyme sensing platform

Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) have attracted considerable research interest due to their good physicochemical properties, ease of preparation, and low price. However, the low quantum yield and poor stability in aqueous solutions have greatly limited their applications. In order to improve the fluorescence properties and stability of CuNCs, in this paper, the surface confinement effect of CuNCs based on 2D layered double hydroxide (LDH) was proposed to prepare the fluorescent composites of glutathione protected CuNCs and LDH (GS-CuNCs/LDH) with excellent quantum yield and long fluorescence lifetime. Moreover, a novel, simple, and ultrasensitive fluorescence assay for the detection of hyaluronidase was proposed based on the surface confinement effect. The limit of detection for hyaluronidase was as low as 0.014 U mL-1. For the first time, this work developed a bio-enzyme sensing platform based on the surface confinement effect, which can serve as a promising candidate in biosensing.

Abstract P3-10-04: The fully validated NSABP/NRG 8-gene signature which predicted the degree of benefit in the adjuvant setting (B-31 and NCCTG N9831) associates with pCR in the neoadjuvant setting in NSABP clinical trial FB-7

Background: We previously described a predictive signature for trastuzumab benefit which was validated in the adjuvant setting in an independent cohort within NSABP B-31 (the 8-gene signature) (Pogue-Geile et al JNCI, 2013) and in Alliance/NCCTG N9831 (SABCs 2017). The 8-gene signature subtyped B-31 patients into three trastuzumab benefit groups: high HR=0.27, intermediate HR=0.56 and no benefit HR=1.56 based on disease free survival. The 8 gene signature was also predictive of trastuzumab benefit in N9831. HRs were 0.47, P&lt;0.001, 0.6, P=0.02, and 1.54, P=0.375 in the predicted-high, -intermediate and -no benefit groups, respectively based on recurrence free survival (SABCS 2017). The interaction P-value was significant at 0.019 in adjusted Cox models. The RFS at 10 years for trastuzumab-treated pts was 83%, 83% and 72% in the high, intermediate and no benefit groups, respectively. Now we have tested the association of the 8-gene signature groups with pCR in FB-7 which was a 3 arm neoadjuvant study testing the pCR rate of HER2+ breast cancer patients treated with paclitaxel in combination with trastuzumab (T) or neratinib (N) or the combination (T + N).

Methods: RNA-Seq data from FB-7 pretreatment biopsies was used to predict the trastuzumab benefit groups (high, intermediate, and no) for each patient's tumor using the 8 gene signature using methods and cut-offs as previously described (Pogue-Geile et al 2013). The pCR rates (percentages) were tested for treatment interaction with a chi-square test.

Results: The pCR rates were 75%, 53%, and 22%, in the high (N=12), intermediate (N=32) and no benefit groups (N=9), respectively, when analyzed without regard to treatment arm. The pCR rates for the no benefit group and the high benefit groups were significantly different (p=0.030) and there was a significant treatment interaction with the 8-gene benefit group (intp=0.0081). The predicted low and intermediate groups were combined to test whether the 8 gene signature could identify a group of patients whose pCR rates might improve by adding N to T, and referred to it as the low benefit group. This was necessary due to the small numbers of patients in each group. The pCR rate in the low benefit group was higher in patients treated with T+N (9/15, 60%) than in the T arm (6/11, 45%) but these differences were not significant.

Conclusions: This is the first test of the 8-gene signature in the neoadjuvant setting and interpretations of these data should be interpreted cautiously due to the small numbers. However, if these results were validated in another neoadjuvant trial then the 8 gene signature could provide a rationale for selecting patients who would be appropriate for the addition of neratinib or other TKIs to trastuzumab and chemotherapy.

SUPPORT: PUMA Biotechnology, NCI U10CA180868, -180822, UG1-189867, and U24-196067; The Pennsylvania Department of Health. The Department specifically disclaims responsibility for any analysis,interpretations, or conclusions.

Citation Format: Pogue-Geile KL, Wang Y, Srinivasan A, Gavin PG, Kim RS, Song N, Feng H, Lipchik C, Costantino JP, Wolmark N, Lucas PC, Paik S, Jacobs SA. The fully validated NSABP/NRG 8-gene signature which predicted the degree of benefit in the adjuvant setting (B-31 and NCCTG N9831) associates with pCR in the neoadjuvant setting in NSABP clinical trial FB-7 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-10-04.

[Preparation of cobalt phthalocyanine functionalized polymer monolith and application to enrichment of transferrin glycopeptides]

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) (Poly(GMA-EDMA)) monolith functionalized with cobalt phthalocyanine tetracarboxylic acid (CoPcTc) was prepared. The monolith was used for transferrin (Tf) glycopeptide enrichment. By taking advantage of hydrogen bonds between isoindole subunits of phthalocyanine and glycans and coordination interaction between cobalt and glycopeptides, the monolithic material was efficient and selective. After enrichment of transferrin through the functionalized monolith, 17 glycopeptides were identified by electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. When the concentration of transferrin was reduced to 8.8×10^-10mol/L, three glycopeptides could still be obtained. The present method has great potential for trace sample analysis.

Abstract PD3-18: The NSABP/NRG 8-gene signature accurately predicts degree of benefit from trastuzumab in Alliance/NCCTG N9831: Validation of the 8-gene signature in an independent clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials NRG/NSABP B-31 and Alliance/NCCTG N9831 demonstrated that trastuzumab added to chemotherapy extended disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients (pts) in the adjuvant setting (Romond et al). However, the degree of trastuzumab benefit varies among pts. We previously described an 8-gene model that was predictive for trastuzumab benefit, which was validated in an independent cohort of B-31 patients (Pogue-Geile 2013). The 8-gene signature subtyped B-31 pts in an independent validation cohort into three trastuzumab benefit groups: one with large benefit HR=0.27, one with medium benefit HR=0.56, and one with little to no benefit HR=1.56. The purpose of this study was to validate the 8-gene model in pts enrolled into N9831, which tested the efficacy of adding trastuzumab to doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide → paclitaxel by randomizing pts into one of three arms: chemotherapy only (Arm A), trastuzumab given after chemotherapy (Arm B), or trastuzumab given concurrently with chemotherapy (Arm C).

METHODS

NCounter data, consisting of 8 predictive genes and 4 house-keeping genes, for 1,379 patients enrolled into N9831 were used to assign each patient to one of the three benefit groups. Assignments to one of the three trastuzumab benefit groups based on the 8-gene model were made by the NSABP/NRG Pathology Laboratory Biostatistician, who was blinded to outcome data. Predictions were sent to N9831 investigators and accuracy of predictions were tested in pts enrolled into arms A and C (N=892) using Cox models adjusted for age, nodes, ER/PR status, tumor size, and grade. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and DFS were used as endpoints.

RESULTS

Tumors from N9831were placed into one of the three trastuzumab benefit groups based on the 8-gene signature. The N9831 pts in the predicted-large benefit group had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.47, P=0.0006, pts in the predicted-medium benefit group had an HR of 0.6, P=0.02, and the predicted-low benefit group had an HR of 1.54, P=0.375. The interaction P value was significant at 0.019 in adjusted Cox models. The RFS at 10 years for trastuzumab-treated pts was 72%, 83%, and 83% in the low, medium, and large benefit groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The 8-gene signature developed in a discovery cohort and validated in an independent cohort of B-31 pts has now been validated in N9831. Many anti-HER2 therapies such as lapatinib, afatinib, neratinib, pertuzumab, and TDM-1 have been approved for treatment in metastatic breast cancer pts and although these agents have shown responses, the actual improvements in outcomes in pts is variable and it is not known which pts actually receive benefit. Thus this signature may be clinically useful in identifying pts who may benefit from additional treatment beyond trastuzumab or for stratification of pts enrolled into clinical trials testing new anti-HER2 therapies.

SUPPORT

U10CA180868, -180822, UG1CA189867, U24CA196067, the PA DOH, which disclaims certain responsibilities, Genentech, Inc., and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Citation Format: Pogue-Geile KL, Song N, Serie DJ, Thompson EA. The NSABP/NRG 8-gene signature accurately predicts degree of benefit from trastuzumab in Alliance/NCCTG N9831: Validation of the 8-gene signature in an independent clinical trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD3-18.

Rankl expression predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients: results from a retrospective and single-center analysis

The receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK pathway plays an important role in the prognosis of several solid tumor types, but its role in gastric cancer prognosis has been poorly characterized. A total of 116 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical resection were enrolled in this study. Expressions of RANKL and RANK in gastric cancer tissues were detected using immunohistochemical staining. Thirty-eight patients (33%) showed a high level of RANKL expression and 61 patients (53%) showed a high level of RANK expression. There was a positive correlation between expressions of RANKL and RANK (P=0.014, r=0.221). A high level of RANKL expression indicated shorter overall survival (OS) (P=0.008), and was associated with a higher pathological tumor/lymph node/metastasis (pTNM) stage (P=0.035), while no significant correlation was detected between RANK expression and clinicopathological parameters. RANKL also predicted poor prognosis in patients with high RANK expression (P=0.008) and Bormann's type III/IV (P=0.002). Furthermore, RANKL expression correlated with pTNM stage according to high RANK expression (P=0.009), while no significance was found in patients with low RANK expression (P=1.000). Together, our results revealed that high expression of RANKL could predict worse outcomes in gastric cancer especially combined with RANK detection, and thereby this pathway could be a useful prognostic indicator of gastric cancer.

Exosomes promote cetuximab resistance via the PTEN/Akt pathway in colon cancer cells

Cetuximab is widely used in patients with metastatic colon cancer expressing wildtype KRAS. However, acquired drug resistance limits its clinical efficacy. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles secreted by various cell types. Tumor cell-derived exosomes participate in many biological processes, including tumor invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this study, exosomes derived from cetuximab-resistant RKO colon cancer cells induced cetuximab resistance in cetuximab-sensitive Caco-2 cells. Meanwhile, exosomes from RKO and Caco-2 cells showed different levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and phosphor-Akt. Furthermore, reduced PTEN and increased phosphorylated Akt levels were found in Caco-2 cells after exposure to RKO cell-derived exosomes. Moreover, an Akt inhibitor prevented RKO cell-derived exosome-induced drug resistance in Caco-2 cells. These findings provide novel evidence that exosomes derived from cetuximab-resistant cells could induce cetuximab resistance in cetuximab-sensitive cells, by downregulating PTEN and increasing phosphorylated Akt levels.

Overexpression of AtPAD4 in transgenic Brachypodium distachyon enhances resistance to Puccinia brachypodii

Brachypodium distachyon (L.) has recently emerged as a model for temperate grasses for investigating the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interactions. Phytoalexin deficient 4 (PAD4) plays a regulatory role in mediating expression of genes involved in plant defence. In this research, we generated transgenic B. distachyon plants constitutively overexpressing AtPAD4. Two transgenic B. distachyon lines were verified using PCR and GUS phenotype. Constitutive expression of AtPAD4 in B. distachyon enhanced resistance to Puccinia brachypodii. P. brachypodii generated less urediniospores on transgenic than on wild-type plants. AtPAD4 overexpression enhanced salicylic acid (SA) levels in B. distachyon-infected tissues. qRT-PCR showed that expression of pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) and other defence-related genes were up-regulated in transformed B. distachyon following infection with P. brachypodii. Our results indicate that AtPAD4 overexpression in B. distachyon plants led to SA accumulation and induced PR gene expression that reduced the rate of colonisation by P. brachypodii.

Anchoring β-cyclodextrin modified lysine to polymer monolith with biotin: specific capture of plasminogen

A biotin-Lys-CD based monolithic material was employed for the specific capture of plasminogen.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers of the eastern keelback mullet (Liza affinis)

Twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for Liza affinis using a (GT)13-enriched genomic library. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean number of 6.250. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.417 to 1.000 and from 0.550 to 0.861, with an average of 0.859 and 0.779, respectively. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg proportions was detected at three loci. Evidence of null alleles was found at two loci. These markers will be useful in further studies investigating the genetic variation and population structure of this species, and may provide insights into the maintenance and efficient management of eastern keelback mullet resources.

Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for a new fish species, Chinese sillago (Sillago sinica)

Sillago sinica is a newly identified species belonging to Sillaginidae, Perciforms, and was found along the coast of China in 2011. In the present study, 81 microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library, and 24 positive clones containing microsatellite repeats had adequate flanking sequences for the development of PCR primers. Sixteen of these primers were monomorphic or would not amplify. Eight were polymorphic in an examined population with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 14. The number of observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.125 to 0.958 and from 0.120 to 0.904, respectively. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.110 to 0.721. All loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) after Bonferroni correction. There was no significant linkage disequilibrium between the eight polymorphic loci. These results suggest that these markers may be very useful for the characterization of natural populations of this species.

Synthesis of graphene oxide functionalized surface-imprinted polymer for the preconcentration of tetracycline antibiotics

In this work, we synthesized graphene oxide functionalized a surface-imprinted polymer based on the self-polymerization of dopamine to generate the imprinted cavity.

Association of CRTC2 gene polymorphisms with growth and meat quality traits of Qinchuan cattle

Growth and meat quality traits play important roles in the evaluation of cattle productivity and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. CRTC2 is a recently discovered gene related to obesity that may influence fat deposition. The aim of the current study was to detect polymorphisms of bovine CRTC2 and explore their relationships to growth and meat quality in Qinchuan cattle. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs); g.3001 C>T; g.3034 G>A; and g.3467 T>C, were identified from sequencing results of 422 Qinchuan cattle. The genotypic distributions of both g.3034 G>A and g.3467 T>C mutations were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, (P < 0.05), while the T3001C mutation was not (P > 0.05), based on χ(2) test analysis. The SNPs g.3001 C>T and g.3034 G>A are missense mutations (Ser/Phe and Ser/Thr respectively). Additionally, SNPs g.3034 G>A and g.3467 T>C showed a medium polymorphism level (0.25 < PIC< 0.50), whereas g.3001 C>T showed a low polymorphism level (PIC < 0.25). These three SNPs were significantly associated with several growth and meat quality traits in the Qinchuan cattle population (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Collectively, these results demonstrate that CRTC2 is involved in the regulation of cattle growth and meat quality, and suggest that CRTC2 is a potential candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in future breeding development programs for Qinchuan cattle.

Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gene (STAT3) associated with body measurement and carcass quality traits in beef cattle

Previous studies have shown that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 gene (STAT3) is involved in lipid storage and energy metabolism, suggesting that STAT3 is a potential candidate gene that affects body measurement and carcass quality traits in animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms in bovine STAT3 and to analyze their possible associations with body measurement and carcass quality traits in 493 individuals of 2 native Chinese cattle breeds: Qinchuan (N = 371) and Jiaxian cattle (N = 122). DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were employed to detect STAT3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We found 5 SNPs: 1 in an exon (g.65812G>A: exon 16) and 4 in introns (g.43591G>A: 13 intron, g.67492T>G: 19 intron, g.67519T>C: 19 intron, and g.68964G>A: 20 intron). Both g.65812G>A and g.68964G>A were not in Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), whereas individual frequencies of each genotype were consistent with HWE for other SNPs in Qinchuan cattle populations. For the Jiaxian cattle, the genotype distributions of the 4 mutations were in HWE except for g.67519T>C. The results indicate that these SNPs have a significant association with some body measurements and carcass quality traits (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Therefore, STAT3 might have potential effects on production traits in beef cattle populations and could be used for marker-assisted selection.

Preparation of an allyloxy-cucurbit[6]uril-modified polymer monolithic column for microextraction of estrogens in cosmetics

An allyloxy-cucurbit[6]uril modified poly(butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic column was prepared and used for the microextraction of estrogens in cosmetics coupled with HPLC-DAD.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of systemic sclerosis patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in China

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Since there was no published study regarding PAH in the Chinese SSc population, we aimed to describe a cohort to provide some data for early diagnosis.

METHODS

We evaluated 236 systemic sclerosis patients prospectively registered in the EUSTAR (European League Against Rheumatism Scleroderma Trial and Research Group) database from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2009 to 2012. Among them, 33 individuals received right heart catheterisations (RHC) while the remaining patients were grouped by echocardiographic data. These patients were classified into two groups, PAH and non-PAH group. Their clinical and laboratory features were statistically analysed to identify possible risk factors for PAH in Chinese SSc population.

RESULTS

The possible prevalence of PAH in SSc patients was approximately 11% in our study. Digital ulcers (52.0% vs. 31.2%), telangiectasias (64.0% vs. 37.6%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (60.0% vs. 36.2%) were more common in SSc patients with PAH. Some laboratory results were also proved to be significantly correlated with it. Logistic regression analysis showed that telangiectasias (OR=2.888, 95% CI=1.176-7.093), presence of GERD (OR=2.592, 95% CI=1.067-6.296), anti-RNP positivity (OR=24.384, 95% CI=1.978-36.651), IgA level elevation (OR=8.745, 95% CI 4.838-122.896) and FVC/TLCO ratio (OR=97.067, 95% CI 12.475-755.271) were associated with an increased odds for PAH in SSc patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study described possible predictors of PAH in Chinese SSc population, which have been supported by similar studies in other ethnic groups.