Lanthanide luminescence nanothermometer with working wavelength beyond 1500 nm for cerebrovascular temperature imaging in vivo

Nanothermometers enable the detection of temperature changes at the microscopic scale, which is crucial for elucidating biological mechanisms and guiding treatment strategies. However, temperature monitoring of micron-scale structures in vivo using luminescent nanothermometers remains challenging, primarily due to the severe scattering effect of biological tissue that compromises the imaging resolution. Herein, a lanthanide luminescence nanothermometer with a working wavelength beyond 1500 nm is developed to achieve high-resolution temperature imaging in vivo. The energy transfer between lanthanide ions (Er3+ and Yb3+) and H2O molecules, called the environment quenching assisted downshifting process, is utilized to establish temperature-sensitive emissions at 1550 and 980 nm. Using an optimized thin active shell doped with Yb3+ ions, the nanothermometer's thermal sensitivity and the 1550 nm emission intensity are enhanced by modulating the environment quenching assisted downshifting process. Consequently, minimally invasive temperature imaging of the cerebrovascular system in mice with an imaging resolution of nearly 200 μm is achieved using the nanothermometer. This work points to a method for high-resolution temperature imaging of micron-level structures in vivo, potentially giving insights into research in temperature sensing, disease diagnosis, and treatment development.

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma complicated with atrial fibrillation: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare malignant primary hepatic lymphoma. The sensible choice of treatment for patients with primary lymphoma combined with atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial and challenging.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient presented with both primary hepatic MALT lymphoma and AF, which was difficult to manage.

DIAGNOSES

Pathological and immunohistochemical examination are helpful for definitive diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical resection and subsequent anticoagulant therapy are main treatment methods, and adjuvant therapy depends on the situation.

OUTCOMES

Primary hepatic MALT lymphoma is easy to misdiagnosis due to a lack of typical symptoms and imaging signs.

LESSONS

This case highlights for patients with primary hepatic MALT lymphoma combined with AF, toxicity caused by adjuvant chemotherapy should be fully considered, and careful selection should be made based on the general conditions and complications of patients.

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater in a medium-volume center: a propensity score matching analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) in a medium-volume medical center.

METHODS

Data for patients who underwent OPD or LPD for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater (VPC) between January 2017 and June 2022 were acquired retrospectively. Propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis was performed to balance the baseline characteristics between the groups. The primary outcome was disease-free survival (DFS). Cox regression analysis was used to explore the independent risk factors for DFS.

RESULTS

A total of 124 patients with pathologically diagnosed VPC were included. After 1:1 matching, there were 23 cases each in the OPD and LPD groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed that the median DFS in the OPD and LPD groups was identical (16.0 months vs 16.0 months, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low levels of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, positive surgical margin, and lymph node enlargement were independent risk factors for DFS.

CONCLUSION

LPD in medium-volume centers with acceptable technical conditions may approach or even achieve the efficacy of LPD in large-volume centers.

Carbon Nanotube-encapsulated Chestnut Inner Shell O,N-doped Graded Porous Carbon as Stable and High-Sulfur Loading Electrode for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries and the poor conductivity of sulfur (S) and lithium polysulfide severely limit their practical applications. Currently, compounding carbon materials with S is one of the effective ways to solve this problem. Therefore, green, low-cost chestnut inner shell biochar (CISC) with graded porous structure was used as the S carrier in this experiment, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coating was employed as the S protective layer to improve the electrical conductivity and inhibit the shuttle effect. The results showed that the CISC prepared in this experiment had a relatively high specific surface area (1135.11 m2  g-1 ), and the S loading rate was as high as 65.72 %. The graded porous structure and high specific surface area of CISC can increase the loading rate of S and thus increase the battery capacity. Meanwhile, the naturally contained O and N elements can improve the chemisorption of S. The initial discharge capacity of the CISC@S/CNTs battery at 0.1 C is 967.3 mAh g-1 , and the capacity retention rate is 74.3 % after 500 cycles. The unique composite structure improves the battery's electrical conductivity, reduces the dissolution of polysulfides, and enhances the battery cycle stability.

Search for Gamma-Ray Spectral Lines from Dark Matter Annihilation up to 100 TeV toward the Galactic Center with MAGIC

Linelike features in TeV γ rays constitute a "smoking gun" for TeV-scale particle dark matter and new physics. Probing the Galactic Center region with ground-based Cherenkov telescopes enables the search for TeV spectral features in immediate association with a dense dark matter reservoir at a sensitivity out of reach for satellite γ-ray detectors, and direct detection and collider experiments. We report on 223 hours of observations of the Galactic Center region with the MAGIC stereoscopic telescope system reaching γ-ray energies up to 100 TeV. We improved the sensitivity to spectral lines at high energies using large-zenith-angle observations and a novel background modeling method within a maximum-likelihood analysis in the energy domain. No linelike spectral feature is found in our analysis. Therefore, we constrain the cross section for dark matter annihilation into two photons to ⟨σv⟩≲5×10^{-28}  cm^{3} s^{-1} at 1 TeV and ⟨σv⟩≲1×10^{-25}  cm^{3} s^{-1} at 100 TeV, achieving the best limits to date for a dark matter mass above 20 TeV and a cuspy dark matter profile at the Galactic Center. Finally, we use the derived limits for both cuspy and cored dark matter profiles to constrain supersymmetric wino models.

Effects of plasma-induced grafting modification on the adhesive strength and mechanical properties of fiber posts

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the effects of plasma grafting modification on the micro-push-out adhesive strength and mechanical properties of fiber posts and to assess the stability of these treatment effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Glass-fiber posts were divided into four groups based on the treatment methods used, as follows: (1) Group NT: no treatment; (2) Group PT: Helium (He) plasma treatment; (3) Group PIG: He-plasma-induced post-irradiation grafting; and (4) Group SIG: He-plasma-induced syn-irradiation grafting. The treated fiber posts were bonded using self-adhesive resin cement exposure to air for 0, 1, 6 or 12 hours separately after surface treatment. Micro-push-out adhesive strength, flexural modulus, and flexural strength were measured.

RESULTS

Plasma treatment, post-irradiation grafting, and syn-irradiation grafting improved adhesive strength at the 0-hours level. However, the improved adhesive strength disappeared in group PT after exposure for one or more hours. In group PIG, the adhesive strength after 1-hour exposure was 20.5% lower than that of 0-hour exposure (adhesive immediately after treatment), and no statistically significant differences in adhesive strength were observed between the 1, 6, and 12-hour exposure. In group SIG, no statistically significant differences in adhesive strength were observed among the 0, 1, and 6-hour exposure. Although the adhesive strength was 23% lower at the 12-hour exposure than that of 0-hour exposure in group SIG, the adhesive strength of fiber posts received syn-irradiation grafting still presented the best adhesive strength compared with the other treatment methods. The three-point flexural modulus and strength remained unaffected by the treatment methods used.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma-induced syn-irradiation grafting provided the ideal improvement and stability in adhesive strength in fiber posts. In addition, plasma-induced grafting modification successfully overcame the surface aging effect caused by plasma treatment alone without affecting the bulk mechanical properties of fiber posts.

FaceBase: A Community-Driven Hub for Data-Intensive Research

The FaceBase Consortium, funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health, was established in 2009 with the recognition that dental and craniofacial research are increasingly data-intensive disciplines. Data sharing is critical for the validation and reproducibility of results as well as to enable reuse of data. In service of these goals, data ought to be FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. The FaceBase data repository and educational resources exemplify the FAIR principles and support a broad user community including researchers in craniofacial development, molecular genetics, and genomics. FaceBase demonstrates that a model in which researchers "self-curate" their data can be successful and scalable. We present the results of the first 2.5 y of FaceBase's operations as an open community and summarize the data sets published during this period. We then describe a research highlight from work on the identification of regulatory networks and noncoding RNAs involved in cleft lip with/without cleft palate that both used and in turn contributed new findings to publicly available FaceBase resources. Collectively, FaceBase serves as a dynamic and continuously evolving resource to facilitate data-intensive research, enhance data reproducibility, and perform deep phenotyping across multiple species in dental and craniofacial research.

A lanthanide nanocomposite with cross-relaxation enhanced near-infrared emissions as a ratiometric nanothermometer

Lanthanide luminescence nanothermometers (LNTs) provide microscopic, highly sensitive, and visualizable optical signals for reporting temperature information, which is particularly useful in biomedicine to achieve precise diagnosis and therapy. However, LNTs with efficient emissions at the long-wavelength region of the second and the third near-infrared (NIR-II/III) biological window, which is more favourable for in vivo thermometry, are still limited. Herein, we present a lanthanide-doped nanocomposite with Tm³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions as emitters working beyond 1200 nm to construct a dual ratiometric LNT. The cross-relaxation processes among lanthanide ions are employed to establish a strategy to enhance the NIR emissions of Tm³⁺ for bioimaging-based temperature detection in vivo. The dual ratiometric probes included in the nanocomposite have potential in monitoring the temperature difference and heat transfer at the nanoscale, which would be useful in modulating the heating operation more precisely during thermal therapy and other biomedical applications. This work not only provides a powerful tool for temperature sensing in vivo but also proposes a method to build high-efficiency NIR-II/III lanthanide luminescent nanomaterials for broader bio-applications.

Inhibiting Hh Signaling in Gli1+ Osteogenic Progenitors Alleviates TMJOA

The increased prevalence of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) in children and adolescents has drawn considerable attention as it may interfere with mandibular condyle growth, resulting in dento-maxillofacial deformities. However, treatments for osteoarthritis have been ineffective at restoring the damaged bone and cartilage structures due to poor understanding of the underlying degenerative mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate that Gli1+ cells residing in the subchondral bone contribute to bone formation and homeostasis in the mandibular condyle, identifying them as osteogenic progenitors in vivo. Furthermore, we show that, in a TMJOA mouse model, derivatives of Gli1+ cells undergo excessive expansion along with increased but uneven distribution of osteogenic differentiation in the subchondral bone, which leads to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling via Hedgehog (Hh) signaling activation and to the development of TMJOA. The selective pharmacological inhibition and specific genetic inhibition of Hh signaling in Gli1+ osteogenic progenitors result in improved subchondral bone microstructure, attenuated local immune inflammatory response in the subchondral bone, and reduced degeneration of the articular cartilage, providing in vivo functional evidence that targeting Hh signaling in Gli1+ osteogenic progenitors can modulate bone homeostasis in osteoarthritis and provide a potential approach for treating TMJOA.

Influence on the Apparent Luminescent Lifetime of Rare-Earth Upconversion Nanoparticles by Quenching the Sensitizer's Excited State for Hypochlorous Acid Detection and Bioimaging

Lanthanide-ion-doped upconversion materials have been widely used in biological detection, bioimaging, displays, and anticounterfeiting due to their abilities of real-time readings, high spatial resolution, and deep tissue penetration. The typically long fluorescence lifetimes of rare-earth nanoparticles, in the microsecond to millisecond range, make them useful in interference-free lifetime detection imaging. Most detection systems are accompanied by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), in which the lifetime of the luminescence center can be used as a signal to reveal the degree of FRET. Due to the complex energy level structure and complex energy transfer processes, the apparent lifetimes of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) do not simply equal the decay time of the corresponding energy level, inducing an insignificant lifetime change in the upconversion detection system. In this study, the relationship between the apparent luminescence lifetime of upconversion and the decay rate of each energy level was studied by numerical simulations. It was proved that the apparent lifetime of the emission at 540 nm was mainly affected by the decay rate of Yb³⁺. We then constructed a nanocomposite with Rh1000 fluorophores loaded onto the surface of UCNPs to quench the sensitizer Yb³⁺. We found that the lifetime of the emission at 540 nm from Er³⁺ was affected to a large extent by the number of attached Rh1000 molecules, proving the greater influence on the apparent luminescent lifetime of Er³⁺ at 540 nm caused by quenching the Yb³⁺ excited state. The qualitative detection of hypochlorous acid (HClO) in vivo was also achieved using the luminescent lifetime as the signal.

Pyroelectric effect mediated infrared photoresponse in Bi2Te3/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 optothermal ferroelectric field-effect transistors

The responses of material properties to multi-field stimulation are often exploited to construct new types of multi-functional devices. Here, we demonstrate electrical, optical and thermal modulation of the electronic properties of optothermal ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs) which are fabricated by growing Bi₂Te₃ films on (111)-oriented 0.71Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.29PbTiO ₃ (PMN-PT) ferroelectric single-crystal substrates. Using the electric field to switch the polarization direction of PMN-PT, the carrier density and resistance of Bi₂Te₃ films are in situ, reversibly, and nonvolatilely modulated via the ferroelectric field effect. Moreover, through infrared light illumination on the bottom of PMN-PT substrates, the resistance of Bi₂Te₃ films in two polarization states could be further modulated, which is ascribed to the decreased polarization intensity at higher temperature due to the pyroelectric effect. Taking advantage of these two effects, the Bi₂Te₃/PMN-PT optothermal FeFETs exhibit multiple responses to optical and electric field stimulation at room temperature. Our work provides a strategy to design optoelectronic devices with both photodetector and memory functionalities.

Plasmonic gold nanojets fabricated by a femtosecond laser irradiation

Gold nanojets with various morphologies, from nanopillar to nanotip with up to 800 nm height, and finally to nanotip with droplet, are fabricated on gold thin film by a femtosecond laser irradiation. The near-field localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and photothermal effects of gold nanojets are studied through finite element electromagnetic (EM) analysis, supporting in nanojets design for potential applications of high-resolution imaging, nanomanipulation and sensing. For an individual nanotip, the confined electron oscillations in LSPR lead to an intense local EM field up to three orders of magnitude stronger than the incident field strength at the end of gold tip, where the vertical resolution for the field enhancement was improved down to nanoscale due to the small size of the sharp gold tip (5-nm-radius). At specific wavelength, nanopillar can serve as an effective light-to-heat converter and its heating can be fine-tuned by external irradiation, and its dimension. The long-range periodic nanojet arrays (periods from 1.5 µm to 2.5 µm) with different geometry were printed using several pulse energy levels. By confining more light into the tip (two orders of magnitude stronger than single tip), nanotip array shows more pronounced potential to serve as a refractometric sensor due to their high sensitivity and reproducibility. These results promote fs laser printing as a high-precision tool for nanoarchitecture in optical imaging, nanomanipulation and sensing application.

Surface structure evolution and Raman response for multipulse, few-cycle, laser damaged ZnSe

Multiple 11-fs infrared, few-cycle laser pulses were applied to a polycrystal ZnSe surface to study the evolution of surface damage morphologies. The polycrystalline grain boundaries seem to be the initiation site of surface damage and formation of ripples, which evolve as the result of many laser pulses at the same site. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied to characterize the surface. The crystalline change and material phase transition were examined by confocal Raman spectroscopy. The thermal expansion coefficient increased slightly in the ablated zone compared to the non-ablated zone according to an AFM thermal tip test. The results show the growth and organization of surface ripples and the change of thermal properties as the number of irradiations at each site increases.

Bounds on Lorentz Invariance Violation from MAGIC Observation of GRB 190114C

On January 14, 2019, the Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov telescopes detected GRB 190114C above 0.2 TeV, recording the most energetic photons ever observed from a gamma-ray burst. We use this unique observation to probe an energy dependence of the speed of light in vacuo for photons as predicted by several quantum gravity models. Based on a set of assumptions on the possible intrinsic spectral and temporal evolution, we obtain competitive lower limits on the quadratic leading order of speed of light modification.

Single-shot intense few-cycle pulse interaction with polycrystalline ZnSe

The interaction of high-intensity few-cycle laser pulses with solids opens a new area of fundamental light-material interaction research. The applied research extends from extreme nonlinearity in solids to the next-generation high laser light damage resistance optical design. In this Letter, 11 fs infrared, carrier-envelope-phase (CEP) stable, two-cycle laser pulses were applied to investigate the process of laser-material interaction on the ZnSe surface. A systematic study of a few-cycle pulse laser-induced damage threshold on ZnSe was performed for a single-pulse regime (1-on-1). Laser damage morphologies were carefully characterized. Our experiment demonstrated the very beginning of laser-induced structures on the ZnSe surface by using the shortest infrared few-cycle laser pulse currently available with a stable CEP.

Non-invasive and real-time proliferative activity estimation based on a quantitative radiomics approach for patients with acromegaly: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Proliferative activity prediction is important for determining individual treatment strategies for patients with acromegaly, and tumor proliferative activity is usually measured by the expression of Ki-67.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the value of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics approach in predicting the Ki-67 index of acromegaly patients.

METHODS

A total of 138 patients with acromegaly were retrospectively reviewed and randomly assigned to primary and validation cohorts. Radiomics features were extracted from MR images, and then the elastic net and recursive feature elimination algorithms were applied to determine critical radiomics features for constructing a radiomics signature. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to select the most informative clinical features, and a radiomics nomogram incorporating a radiomics signature and selected clinical features was constructed for individual predictions. Twenty-five acromegaly patients were enrolled for multicenter model validation.

RESULTS

Seventeen radiomics features were selected to construct a radiomics signature that achieved an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.96 and 0.89 in the primary cohort and the validation cohort, respectively. A radiomics nomogram that incorporated the radiomics signature and eight selected clinical features was constructed and showed good discrimination and calibration, with an AUC of 0.94 in the primary cohort and 0.91 in the validation cohort. The radiomics signature in the multicenter validation achieved an accuracy of 88.2%. The analysis of the decision curve showed that the radiomics signature and radiomics nomogram were clinically useful for patients with acromegaly.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiomics signature developed in this study could aid neurosurgeons in predicting the Ki-67 index of patients with acromegaly and could contribute to non-invasive measurement of proliferative activity, affecting individual treatment strategies.

0060 Morning Locus Coeruleus Activation During the PVT Predicts Later-Day Sleepiness

Introduction

The locus coeruleus (LC) plays a key role in the regulation of arousal and autonomic function. Homeostatic sleep pressure refers to the drive for sleep that increases as a saturating exponential when we stay awake and decreases exponentially when we sleep. The current study used arterial spin labeling (ASL) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the relationship between homeostatic sleep pressure (sleepiness) and LC activity during the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT).

Methods

We analyzed sleepiness and ASL imaging data from N=70 health adults (40 males, age range 21–50 years) who participated in a controlled in-laboratory sleep study. All participants were scanned at rest and during the PVT on the morning between 0700h-1000h after 9 hour time-in-bed (TIB) baseline sleep. LC regions-of-interest (ROI) were defined by standard templates from Keren et al. (2009). Sleepiness was assessed by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) every two hours from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm.

Results

Sleepiness scores gradually increased over wakefulness time and reached its peak in the evening at about 10:20pm. PVT-induced CBF changes did not correlate with sleepiness scores on the morning (p > 0.05), but showed significant negative correlations with sleepiness scores on later day when sleep pressure became higher, especially during the night-time (r = -0.41, p < 0.001). Specifically, LC CBF showed significant increases during the PVT scan as compared to the resting scan (p = 0.04) in individuals with less nigh-time sleepiness (KSS < 4), but no differences (p > 0.1) in individuals with greater nigh-time sleepiness (KSS ≥ 5). After controlling for age, gender, and total sleep time, PVT-induced regional CBF difference in the LC still negatively predicted sleepiness (β = -0.325, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Our findings showed that individuals with greater LC CBF increases during the PVT were less sleepy during the night, supporting the key role of LC activity in promoting wakefulness and maintaining sleep homeostasis. PVT-induced LC activation may provide a non-invasive bio-marker of homeostatic sleep pressure in healthy adults.

Support

Supported in part by NIH grants R01-HL102119, R01-MH107571, R21-AG051981. CTRC UL1RR024134, and P30-NS045839.

Nanolaminate-based design for UV laser mirror coatings

With ever-increasing laser power, the requirements for ultraviolet (UV) coatings increase continuously. The fundamental challenge for UV laser-resistant mirror coatings is to simultaneously exhibit a high reflectivity with a large bandwidth and high laser resistance. These characteristics are traditionally achieved by the deposition of laser-resistant layers on highly reflective layers. We propose a "reflectivity and laser resistance in one" design by using tunable nanolaminate layers that serve as an effective layer with a high refractive index and a large optical bandgap. An Al2O3-HfO2 nanolaminate-based mirror coating for UV laser applications is experimentally demonstrated using e-beam deposition. The bandwidth, over which the reflectance is >99.5%, is more than twice that of a traditional mirror with a comparable overall thickness. The laser-induced damage threshold is increased by a factor of ~1.3 for 7.6 ns pulses at a wavelength of 355 nm. This tunable, nanolaminate-based new design strategy paves the way toward a new generation of UV coatings for high-power laser applications.

Phase 2 study of the Exportin 1 inhibitor selinexor in patients with recurrent gynecological malignancies

BACKGROUND

Selinexor is an oral inhibitor of the nuclear export protein Exportin 1 (XPO1) with demonstrated antitumor activity in solid and hematological malignancies. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of selinexor in heavily pretreated, recurrent gynecological malignancies.

METHODS

In this phase 2 trial, patients received selinexor (35 or 50 mg/m2 twice-weekly [BIW] or 50 mg/m2 once-weekly [QW]) in 4-week cycles. Primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR) including complete response (CR), partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) ≥12 weeks. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety.

RESULTS

114 patients with ovarian (N = 66), endometrial (N = 23) or cervical (N = 25) cancer were enrolled. Median number of prior regimens for ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer was 6 (1-11), 2 (1-5), and 3 (1-6) respectively. DCR was 30% (ovarian 30%; endometrial 35%; cervical 24%), which included confirmed PRs in 8%, 9%, and 4% of patients with ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer respectively. Median PFS and OS for patients with ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer were 2.6, 2.8 and 1.4 months, and 7.3, 7.0, and 5.0 months, respectively. Common Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) were thrombocytopenia (17%), fatigue (14%), anemia (10%), nausea (9%) and hyponatremia (9%). Patients with ovarian cancer receiving 50 mg/m2 QW had fewer high-grade AEs with similar efficacy as BIW treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Selinexor demonstrated single-agent activity and disease control in patients with heavily pretreated ovarian and endometrial cancers. Side effects were a function of dose level and treatment frequency, similar to previous reports, reversible and mitigated with supportive care.

P04.13 Prognostic role of single stranded DNA binding protein 2 in IDH wild type lower grade glioma

Comprehensive and integrative characterizations of genomic analysis including somatic alterations and molecular subtypes of glioma have been established. However, diffuse gliomas (World Health Organization grades II and III, hereafter referred to collectively as lower-grade gliomas,LGG) consist of highly variable clinical behaviors, leading to emerging studies to identify prognostic factors. Through comparative analyses of 516 cases of primary LGG patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, we reported that the expression level and methylation level of SSBP2 (encoding single stranded DNA-binding protein 2) gene vary among LGG patients and SSBP2 expression or gene body methylation can be served as prognostic biomarkers for LGG survival. Cox regression results confirmed that SSBP2 as an independent predictor of survival in LGG, with a cox coefficient of 0.534 indicating a worse prognosis. Furthermore, lower-grade glioma was statistically ranked first among 21 different cancer types according to the FDR correction. We further investigated the combination of SSBP2 with other known genetic prognostic factors(IDH mutation and 1p19q co-deletion) of LGG. By matching gene expression profile of LGG patients, IDH-mutant gliomas had decreased expression of SSBP2 compared with IDH-wildtype gliomas and 1p19q intact gliomas had increased expression of SSBP2 compared with 1p19q codeletion gliomas. Moreover, we found that the combination of IDH or 1p19q status with SSBP2 identified LGG subsets with significantly diverse survival effects. Patients with low SSBP2 expression had significantly better 5-, 10-, and 15-year OS in IDH wild type, but not in the cohorts of IDH mutant. Our findings offer an explanation for the specificity of SSBP2 effect on survival rate in IDH wild type LGG patients.

Benign esophageal schwannoma: A case report and review of literature

Esophageal schwannoma was extremely rare and difficult to differentiate from other submucosal tumors. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman who suffered from dysphagia and retrosternal pain for a month. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a submucosal tumor, located 23-25cm from the incisors arising from the esophagus. The patient underwent subtotal esophagectomy. The histopathological finding confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal schwannoma. Her postoperative course was uneventful and free of recurrence 2 years after the operation.

Omental herniation through the diaphragmatic defect: Two cases mimicking mediastinal lipomas

Omental herniation through a diaphragmatic defect without involvement of the stomach is rare and has often been misdiagnosed as mediastinal lipoma. We herein report two cases of intrathoracic omental herniation through adiaphragmatic defect in patients that were misdiagnosed as a mediastinal lipoma at presentation. They both underwent successful laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repairs with full resolution of their symptoms. Doctors should pay attention to the differential diagnosis between diaphragmatic hernia and mediastinal lipoma when a fatty mass is found in the mediastinum at the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Regulatory Mechanisms of Soft Palate Development and Malformations

Orofacial clefting is the most common congenital craniofacial malformation, appearing in approximately 1 in 700 live births. Orofacial clefting includes several distinct anatomic malformations affecting the upper lip and hard and soft palate. The etiology of orofacial clefting is multifactorial, including genetic or environmental factors or their combination. A large body of work has focused on the molecular etiology of cleft lip and clefts of the hard palate, but study of the underlying etiology of soft palate clefts is an emerging field. Recent advances in the understanding of soft palate development suggest that it may be regulated by distinct pathways from those implicated in hard palate development. Soft palate clefting leads to muscle misorientation and oropharyngeal deficiency and adversely affects speech, swallowing, breathing, and hearing. Hence, there is an important need to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of soft palate development. Significantly, the anatomy, function, and development of soft palatal muscles are similar in humans and mice, rendering the mouse an excellent model for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms of soft palate clefts. Cranial neural crest-derived cells provide important regulatory cues to guide myogenic progenitors to differentiate into muscles in the soft palate. Signals from the palatal epithelium also play key roles via tissue-tissue interactions mediated by Tgf-β, Wnt, Fgf, and Hh signaling molecules. Additionally, mutations in transcription factors, such as Dlx5, Tbx1, and Tbx22, have been associated with soft palate clefting in humans and mice, suggesting that they play important regulatory roles during soft palate development. Finally, we highlight the importance of distinguishing specific types of soft palate defects in patients and developing relevant animal models for each of these types to improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of soft palate development. This knowledge will provide a foundation for improving treatment for patients in the future.

BMP Signaling in Regulating Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Incisor Homeostasis

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling performs multiple essential functions during craniofacial development. In this study, we used the adult mouse incisor as a model to uncover how BMP signaling maintains tissue homeostasis and regulates mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate by mediating WNT and FGF signaling. We observed a severe defect in the proximal region of the adult mouse incisor after loss of BMP signaling in the Gli1+ cell lineage, indicating that BMP signaling is required for cell proliferation and odontoblast differentiation. Our study demonstrates that BMP signaling serves as a key regulator that antagonizes WNT and FGF signaling to regulate MSC lineage commitment. In addition, BMP signaling in the Gli1+ cell lineage is also required for the maintenance of quiescent MSCs, suggesting that BMP signaling not only is important for odontoblast differentiation but also plays a crucial role in providing feedback to the MSC population. This study highlights multiple important roles of BMP signaling in regulating tissue homeostasis.

Pulmonary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymph tissue: A case report and literature review

Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymph tissue (MALT lymphoma) is a rare subtype of marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. Most primary MALT lymphoma occurs in the stomach, while lung is an uncommon site of MALT lymphoma. We herein report a case of MALT lymphoma in a 44-year-old female who underwent a pulmonary lobectomy and received rituximab plus CHOP chemotherapy regimen. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and a good prognosis without tumor recurrence for 3 years.

Laser resistance dependence of interface for high-reflective coatings studied by capacitance-voltage and absorption measurement

HfO₂/SiO₂ bilayer coatings and multilayer high-reflection coatings without and with a modified co-evaporated interface (MCEI) have been prepared. An MCEI is designed to be evaporated at an oxygen-deficient environment to achieve higher absorption than the conventional discrete interface. Capacitance-voltage measurements and absorption measurements demonstrate that an MCEI increases the trap density and leads to higher absorption. The laser-induced damage threshold and nano-indenter test results indicate that the MCEI multilayer coating exhibits better laser resistance and mechanical property, despite the larger absorption. The experimental results suggest that adhesive force between layers plays a more important role in nanosecond laser damage resistance than interface absorption.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase PRMT1 Is Essential for Palatogenesis

Cleft palate is among the most common birth defects. Currently, only 30% of cases have identified genetic causes, whereas the etiology of the majority remains to be discovered. We identified a new regulator of palate development, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), and demonstrated that disruption of PRMT1 function in neural crest cells caused complete cleft palate and craniofacial malformations. PRMT1 is the most highly expressed of the protein arginine methyltransferases, enzymes responsible for methylation of arginine motifs on histone and nonhistone proteins. PRMT1 regulates signal transduction and transcriptional activity that affect multiple signal pathways crucial in craniofacial development, such as the BMP, TGFβ, and WNT pathways. We demonstrated that Wnt1-Cre;Prmt1 ^fl/fl mice displayed a decrease in palatal mesenchymal cell proliferation and failure of palatal shelves to reach the midline. Further analysis in signal pathways revealed that loss of Prmt1 in mutant mice decreased BMP signaling activation and reduced the deposition of H4R3me2a mark. Collectively, our study demonstrates that Prmt1 is crucial in palate development. Our study may facilitate the development of a better strategy to interrupt the formation of cleft palate through manipulation of PRMT1 activity.

Staged distraction osteogenesis followed by arthrodesis using internal fixation as a form of surgical treatment for complex conditions of the ankle

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the technique of distraction osteogenesis followed by arthrodesis using internal fixation to manage complex conditions of the ankle, and to present the results of this technique.

Patients and Methods

Between 2008 and 2014, distraction osteogenesis followed by arthrodesis using internal fixation was performed in 12 patients with complex conditions of the ankle due to trauma or infection. There were eight men and four women: their mean age was 35 years (23 to 51) at the time of surgery. Bone healing and functional recovery were evaluated according to the criteria described by Paley. Function was assessed using the ankle-hindfoot scale of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).

Results

A solid fusion of the ankle and eradication of infection was achieved in all patients. A mean lengthening of 6.1 cm (2.5 to 14) was achieved at a mean follow-up of 25.2 months (14 to 37). The mean external fixation index (EFI) was 42 days/cm (33.3 to 58). The function was judged to be excellent in six patients and good in six patients. Bone results were graded as excellent in ten patients and good in two patients. The mean AOFAS score was 37.3 (5 to 77) preoperatively and 75.3 (61 to 82) at the final follow-up. Minor complications, which were treated conservatively, included pain, pin-tract infection, loosening of wires, and midfoot stiffness. Major complications, which were treated surgically included grade V pin-tract infection with inflammation and osteolysis, poor consolidation of the regenerate bone, and soft-tissue invagination. The reoperations required to treat the major complications included the exchange of pins and wires, bone grafting and invagination split surgery.

Conclusion

The technique of distraction osteogenesis followed by arthrodesis using internal fixation is an effective form of treatment for the management of complex conditions of the ankle. It offers a high rate of union, an opportunity to remove the frame early, and a reduced EFI without infection or wound dehiscence. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:755–60.

Targeted next-generation sequencing and parental genotyping in sporadic Chinese Han deaf patients

The interpretation of the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) results can be challenging for variants identified in the sporadic deaf patients. In this study, we performed targeted NGS of 143 deafness-associated genes in 44 sporadic deaf patients and use parental genotyping to test whether the candidate pathogenic variants complied with recessive or de novo pattern. Of 29 recessive candidate variants with minor allele frequencies (MAFs) less than 0.005, 3 pairs of apparent compound heterozygous variants were inherited from the same parental allele, ruling out their pathogenic roles. In addition, non-segregation of an OTOA p.Gln293Arg variant led to the discovery of a genomic microdeletion of OTOA on the opposite allele by copy number variation analysis. Overall, 13 pairs of recessive candidate variants were deemed causative in 13 patients. Of the 28 dominant candidate variants with MAFs less than 0.0005, none occurred de novo, suggesting that they were not disease causing. Our results revealed that targeted NGS in sporadic deaf patients may generate a significant false-positive rate. Parental genotyping is a simple but effective step toward minimizing the false-positive results. Our study also showed that de novo variants in dominant deafness genes may not be a common cause for sporadic deafness.

Smad6 Methylation Represses NFκB Activation and Periodontal Inflammation

The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory signals maintains tissue homeostasis and defines the outcome of chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, a condition that afflicts the tooth-supporting tissues and exerts an impact on systemic health. The induction of tissue inflammation relies heavily on Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, which drives a proinflammatory pathway through recruiting myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and activating nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). TLR-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines is reined in by anti-inflammatory cytokines, including the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family of cytokines. Although Smad6 is a key mediator of TGFβ-induced anti-inflammatory signaling, the exact mechanism by which TGFβ regulates TLR proinflammatory signaling in the periodontal tissue has not been addressed to date. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that the ability of TGFβ to inhibit TLR-NFκB signaling is mediated by protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1)-induced Smad6 methylation. Upon methylation, Smad6 recruited MyD88 and promoted MyD88 degradation, thereby inhibiting NFκB activation. Most important, Smad6 is expressed and methylated in the gingival epithelium, and PRMT1-Smad6 signaling promotes tissue homeostasis by limiting inflammation. Consistent with this, disturbance of Smad6 methylation exacerbates inflammation and bone loss in experimental periodontitis. The dissected mechanism is therapeutically important, as it highlights the manipulation of PRMT1-Smad6 signaling as a novel promising strategy to modulate the host immune response in periodontitis.

Giant mediastinal schwannoma located in the lower right side of the chest

Schwannoma is a type of neurogenic tumor usually found in the posterior mediastinum. Most schwannomas range in size from 2 to 3 cm; some can exceed 10 cm. We herein report a case of a rare, large mediastinal schwannoma whose size is 20 cm × 15 cm × 12 cm, which has rarely reported before. Computed tomography scan showed a huge mass filling the lower right side of the chest and was compressing the right lower lobe of the lung. Subsequently, the tumor was completely resected using a right posterior lateral thoracotomy approach. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and had done well since discharge from the hospital.

Vulnerability of Barley to African Pathotypes of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici and Sources of Resistance

The emergence of widely virulent pathotypes (e.g., TTKSK in the Ug99 race group) of the stem rust pathogen (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) in Africa threatens wheat production on a global scale. Although intensive research efforts have been advanced to address this threat in wheat, few studies have been conducted on barley, even though pathotypes such as TTKSK are known to attack the crop. The main objectives of this study were to assess the vulnerability of barley to pathotype TTKSK and identify possible sources of resistance. From seedling evaluations of more than 1,924 diverse cultivated barley accessions to pathotype TTKSK, more than 95% (1,844) were found susceptible. A similar high frequency (910 of 934 = 97.4%) of susceptibility was found for the wild progenitor (Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum) of cultivated barley. Additionally, 55 barley lines with characterized or putative introgressions from various wild Hordeum spp. were also tested against pathotype TTKSK but none was found resistant. In total, more than 96% of the 2,913 Hordeum accessions tested were susceptible as seedlings, indicating the extreme vulnerability of the crop to the African pathotypes of P. graminis f. sp. tritici. In total, 32 (1.7% of accessions evaluated) and 13 (1.4%) cultivated and wild barley accessions, respectively, exhibited consistently highly resistant to moderately resistant reactions across all experiments. Molecular assays were conducted on these resistant accessions to determine whether they carried rpg4/Rpg5, the only gene complex known to be highly effective against pathotype TTKSK in barley. Twelve of the 32 (37.5%) resistant cultivated accessions and 11 of the 13 (84.6%) resistant wild barley accessions tested positive for a functional Rpg5 gene, highlighting the narrow genetic base of resistance in Hordeum spp. Other resistant accessions lacking the rpg4/Rpg5 complex were discovered in the evaluated germplasm and may possess useful resistance genes. Combining rpg4/Rpg5 with resistance genes from these other sources should provide more durable resistance against the array of different virulence types in the Ug99 race group.

Nickel(II)-assisted enantiomeric differentiation and quantitation of tadalafil by direct electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A facile method based on electrospray mass spectrometry was established and validated for the differentiation of enantiomeric tadalafil isomers without using chiral chromatographic separation. The enantiomers were coupled with a chiral selector to form diastereomeric complex ions. Nickel-tadalafil complexes, [Ni^II (tadalafil)(l-Trp)-H]⁺ , produced a characteristic fragment ion at m/z 524 by loss of 1-methyl-1,6-dihydropyrazine-2,5-dione via collision-induced dissociation. The relative abundance of this fragment ion to the precursor contributed to differentiate tadalafil enantiomers, and energy-resolved product-ion spectra were applied to determine the molar composition of tadalafil in the mixture (R,R and S,S) as well. In addition, the other two forms of stereomeric isomers of tadalafil (R,S and S,R) could be also distinguished and analyzed by this method. The method was validated in different types of mass spectrometers (AB quadrupole time-of-flight and Bruker ion trap) and also verified by a chiral high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight. The chiral determination of tadalafil using MS method proved to be rapid (1-min run time for each sample) and to have the same accuracy and precision comparable to chiral liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods. This method provides an alternative to commonly used chromatographic technique for chiral determination and is particularly useful in rapid screening in enantioselective synthesis and enantiomeric impurity detection in pharmaceutical industry. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Competitive benzyl cation transfer and proton transfer: collision-induced mass spectrometric fragmentation of protonated N,N-dibenzylaniline

Collision-induced dissociation of protonated N,N-dibenzylaniline was investigated by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Various fragmentation pathways were dominated by benzyl cation and proton transfer. Benzyl cation transfers from the initial site (nitrogen) to benzylic phenyl or aniline phenyl ring. The benzyl cations transfer to the two different sites, and both result in the benzene loss combined with 1,3-H shift. In addition, after the benzyl cation transfers to the benzylic phenyl ring, 1,2-H shift and 1,4-H shift proceed competitively to trigger the diphenylmethane loss and aniline loss, respectively. Deuterium labeling experiments, substituent labeling experiments and density functional theory calculations were performed to support the proposed benzyl cation and proton transfer mechanism. Overall, this study enriches the knowledge of fragmentation mechanisms of protonated N-benzyl compounds. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Intra-articular corrective osteotomies combined with the Ilizarov technique for the treatment of deformities of the knee

Aims

To present our experience of using a combination of intra-articular osteotomy and external fixation to treat different deformities of the knee.

Patients and Methods

A total of six patients with a mean age of 26.5 years (15 to 50) with an abnormal hemi-joint line convergence angle (HJLCA) and mechanical axis deviation (MAD) were included. Elevation of a tibial hemiplateau or femoral condylar advancement was performed and limb lengthening with correction of residual deformity using a circular or monolateral Ilizarov frame.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 2.8 years (1.5 to 4.1), the mean HJLCA improved from 15.6° (10° to 23°) pre-operatively to 0.4° (0° to 2°). The mean MAD improved from 70.0 mm (20.1 to 118.5) pre-operatively to 9.1 mm (3 to 15). The mean tibiofemoral angle improved from 31.0° (8° to 54°) pre-operatively to 4.9° (2° to 8°). The mean limb-length discrepancy decreased from 6.3 cm (2.9 to 13.6) pre-operatively to 1.1 cm (0 to 5). All osteotomies and distraction zones healed without complications.

Conclusion

The use of intra-articular corrective osteotomies combined with the Ilizarov technique allowed correction of deformities of the knee joint with satisfactory HJLCA and overall mechanical axis in six patients with a good functional and cosmetic outcome in the short term. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:204–10.

Measuring the solubility of solids in non-solvents: case of polystyrene in alkanes

We introduce a simple and sensitive technique for measuring extremely low solubilities with a small sample size and small solvent volume. This technique involves measuring the decrease in the thickness of a supported thin film after exposure to a drop of known volume of solvent and removal of the solution. The feasibility of measuring very small changes in film thickness directly translates to the ability to measure extremely low solubility while at the same time using only μL of solvent. We apply the technique to the case of polystyrene with M_w values in the range 2500 g/mol to 22200 g/mol in alkane solvents and show that we can easily measure a solubility of 0.1 g/L using only 1[Formula: see text] g of material and 3[Formula: see text] L of solvent for each sample.

Multilayer deformation planarization by substrate pit suturing

In the pursuit of 1064 nm high-power laser resistance dielectric coatings in the nanosecond region, a group of HfO₂/SiO₂ high reflectors with and without suture layers were prepared on prearranged fused silica substrates with femtosecond laser pits. Surface morphology, global coating stress, and high-resolution cross sections were characterized to determine the effects of substrate pit suturing. Laser-induced damage resistance was investigated for samples with and without suture layers. Our results indicate considerable stability in terms of the nanosecond 1064 nm laser-induced damage threshold for samples having a suture layer, due to decreased electronic field (e-field) deformation with simultaneous elimination of internal cracks. In addition, a suture layer formed by plasma ion-assisted deposition could effectively improve global mechanical stress of the coatings. By effectively reducing the multilayer deformation using a suture layer, electron-beam high-reflective coatings, whose laser-induced damage resistance was not influenced by the substrate pit, can be prepared.

Suppression of nano-absorbing precursors and damage mechanism in optical coatings for 3ω mirrors

Damage precursors in the 3ω (351 nm) mirror for a high-power laser system are investigated as well as the relevant damage mechanisms. The precursors are classified into two ensembles according to the different laser resistance and damage features. The former is nano-absorbing precursors, which are sensitive to the standing wave electric field and vulnerable to the laser irradiation. The latter is submicrometer nodular defects, which have higher laser resistance and are sensitive to the adhesion strength between the fluoride coatings and oxide coatings. The damage due to nano-absorbing precursors is efficiently suppressed with the double stack design that screens the electric field in the oxides. Currently, the nodular seed is major originating from the Al2O3/SiO2 stack. Even for the same defect type and mirror, the final damage features are dependent on the local mechanical properties at the irradiation location. The investigations of the damage mechanisms provide a direction to further improve the laser-induced damage threshold of the 3ω mirror.

Improving laser damage resistance of 355 nm high-reflective coatings by co-evaporated interfaces

355 nm high-reflective multilayer coatings with or without coevaporated interfaces (CEIs) were prepared by electron beam evaporation under the same deposition condition. Their transmission spectra, surface roughness, and mechanical stress properties were evaluated. Elemental composition analysis of the multilayer interfaces was performed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and laser-induced damage thresholds were obtained in both 1-on-1 and 300-on-1 testing modes. The coatings with CEIs reveal a lower mechanical stress and a higher laser damage resistance when irradiated with high laser fluence, and the corresponding damage modeling indicates that CEIs can significantly decrease defect density. The resulting damage morphologies show that CEI coatings can significantly suppress coating delamination and exhibit a "bulk-like" damage behavior, demonstrating better damage performance against high-power lasers.

LINC01225 promotes occurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent pathway

The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have long been clarified to participate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a biomarker. We carried out the present study in order to identify HCC-related lncRNAs and elucidate the functional roles in the development and progression of HCC. Our previous study has provided that LINC01225 may be an HCC-related gene. Here, we verified that LINC01225 was upregulated in HCC. Knockdown of LINC01225 resulted in inhibited cell proliferation and invasion with activated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro. Overexpression of LINC01225 in LINC01225 knockdown cells presented that attenuated cell proliferation and invasion were restored and enhanced. Subcutaneous and tail vein/intraperitoneal injection xenotransplantation model in vivo validated reduced tumor progression and metastasis. Investigation of mechanism found that LINC01225 could bind to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and increase the protein level of EGFR, and subsequently fine tune the EGFR/Ras/Raf-1/MEK/MAPK signaling pathway. Analysis with clinicopathological information suggested a high expression of LINC01225 is positively associated with poor prognosis. We also proved that LINC01225 was stably expressed in serum and can act as a novel biomarker in predicting the diagnosis of HCC. As a conclusion, LINC01225 plays a crucial role in HCC and can act as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC.

Intrafilm separation of solgel film under nanosecond irradiation

We have observed large-scale intrafilm separation after the irradiation of solgel film with a single Nd:YAG pulse (1064 nm, 12 ns) in air. The irradiated but undamaged surface or the surface after intrafilm separation is densified. These damage features are distinctly different from the scalding surface of the electron beam evaporation coating or the ripple structures on the rear surface of fused silica, which indicates the extreme pressure gradients at the free surface-film interface. The submicrometer size melted cavity in the center of damage site is related with the nanoscale absorber. A phenomenological description that combines the defect-induced incubation phase and laser-supported surface breakdown wave is used to explain the damage process.