Preoperative prediction of rectal Cancer staging combining MRI deep transfer learning, radiomics features, and clinical factors: accurate differentiation from stage T2 to T3.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the efficacy of integrating MRI deep transfer learning, radiomic signatures, and clinical variables to accurately preoperatively differentiate between stage T2 and T3 rectal cancer. METHODS: We included 361 patients with pathologically confirmed stage T2 or T3 rectal cancer, divided into a training set (252 patients) and a test set (109 patients) at a 7:3 ratio. The study utilized features derived from deep transfer learning and radiomics, with Spearman rank correlation and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression techniques to reduce feature redundancy. Predictive models were developed using Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), selecting the best-performing model for a comprehensive predictive framework incorporating clinical data. RESULTS: After removing redundant features, 24 key features were identified. In the training set, the area under the curve (AUC)values for LR, RF, DT, and SVM were 0.867, 0.834, 0.900, and 0.944, respectively; in the test set, they were 0.847, 0.803, 0.842, and 0.910, respectively. The combined model, using SVM and clinical variables, achieved AUCs of 0.946 in the trainingset and 0.920 in the test set. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the utility of a combined model of MRI deep transfer learning, radiomic features, and clinical factors for preoperative classification of stage T2 vs. T3 rectal cancer, offering significant technological support for precise diagnosis and potential clinical application.

Triple Amplification Ratiometric Electrochemical Aptasensor for CA125 Based on H-Gr/SH-ß-CD@PdPtNFs.

A triple-amplified and ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor for CA125 was designed based on hemin-graphene/SH-ß-cyclodextrin@PdPt nanoflower (H-Gr/SH-ß-CD@PdPtNF) composites and an exonuclease I (Exo I)-assisted strategy. In the nanocomposite, hemin acts as an internal reference signal owing to the reversible heminox/heminred pair. PdPtNFs can significantly improve the electron transfer rate. SH-ß-CD can efficiently enrich quercetin probes through host-guest recognition and increase the second indicator signal. In the presence of CA125, due to the specific binding between the aptamer and CA125, the conformational change of dsDNA (designed by the CA125 aptamer and its complementary DNA) results in the release of quercetin embedded in dsDNA. Subsequently, the free quercetin and DNA fragments are enriched on the H-Gr/SH-ß-CD@PdPtNF-modified electrode. Thus, an enhanced oxidation peak from quercetin (IQ) and a reduced peak from hemin (Ihemin) can indicate the same biological identification event. In addition, the recycling amplification of CA125 by Exo I can effectively assist the increase of the quercetin signal. The value of IQ/Ihemin is linear with the concentration of CA125 in the range from 6.0 × 10-4 to 1.0 × 103 ng/mL, and the limit of detection is 1.4 × 10-4 ng/mL. The recovery of CA125 in human blood serum samples was from 99.2 to 104.4%. The proposed sensor is sensitive and reliable, which provides an avenue for the development of triple amplification and ratiometric signal strategies for detecting tumor markers in clinical diagnostics.

CuO nanorod-decorated hemin-graphene with enhanced peroxidase-mimicking performance for the colorimetric and electrochemical determination of 4-aminophenol with a smartphone.

The detection of 4-aminophenol (4-AP) is of critical importance due to its high toxicity, and the development of accurate, sensitive, and portable methods for this purpose is essential. Here, a facile colorimetric and electrochemical dual-mode sensor based on a CuO nanorod-decorated hemin-functionalized graphene nanocomposite (CuO/H-Gr) is successfully constructed for the detection of 4-AP. CuO/H-Gr exhibited superior peroxidase-mimicking activity, catalyzing the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 and generating a colorimetric signal. The catalytic system was found to contain hydroxyl radicals, as revealed by reactive oxygen species trials. Meanwhile, TMB was found to be an electroactive indicator that could be oxidized on a glassy carbon electrode. In the presence of CuO/H-Gr and H2O2, an enhanced electrochemical signal of TMB was generated. Upon the addition of 4-AP, the catalytic performance of CuO/H-Gr in the oxidation of TMB was significantly reduced, leading to a decrease in colorimetric and electrochemical signals. Based on this, a dual-mode sensor for the detection of 4-AP was developed. The linear response ranges for colorimetric and electrochemical sensors are 1.00-200 µM and 0.0100-300 µM, with detection limits of 0.687 µM and 0.00756 µM, respectively. Real water samples were tested to estimate the feasibility of the dual-mode sensor, and the recoveries were found to be consistent with those obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, a smartphone-based assay was used to evaluate the levels of 4-AP, which opened a new path for on-site detection.

Nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle-decorated 3D rGO composites-based electrochemical sensing platform for detection of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate.

A label-free and efficient electrochemical (EC) sensing platform for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was developed based on in situ probe nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle (NiHCF NP)-decorated three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (3D rGO) composites. NiHCF NPs in the composites as an in situ probe show a pair of well-defined peaks with good reversibility and stability. Coupling 3D rGO with NiHCF NPs not only improved the electron transfer capability of NiHCF NPs but also provided more sites for aptamer immobilization. The synthesized NiHCF NP-decorated 3D rGO composites were used to act as a substrate for the immobilization of anti-DEHP aptamer by the covalent bonding method. The designed EC sensing platform displays excellent sensing performance for DEHP with a low detection limit of 3.64 pg/L, and a linear working range of 0.01 - 1000 ng/L. The application of the sensing platform to actual environmental samples was studied and satisfactory results were obtained. Thus, the proposed EC sensing platform would provide a potential tool for efficient detection of pollutants in the environment.

A selective electrochemical chiral interface based on a carboxymethyl-ß-cyclodextrin/Pd@Au nanoparticles/3D reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for tyrosine enantiomer recognition.

Palladium@gold nanoparticle modified three-dimensional-reduced graphene oxide (3D-rGO/Pd@Au) was coupled with carboxymethyl-ß-cyclodextrin to form a novel nanocomposite (3D-rGO/Pd@Au/CM-ß-CD). The 3D-rGO/Pd@Au/CM-ß-CD served as a chiral sensing interface for the electrochemical enantiorecognition of tyrosine (Tyr) via a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) approach. The 3D-rGO/Pd@Au demonstrates good electrical conductivity and efficient catalytic activity as an electrochemical indicator. Simultaneously, the CM-ß-CD displays a supramolecular chiral selectivity to reveal a higher binding affinity to the target L-tyrosine (L-Tyr) than to D-tyrosine (D-Tyr). Under the optimized determining conditions, the oxidation peak current ratio of L-Tyr to D-Tyr (IL/ID) was 2.12, meanwhile, the peak currents of the two isomers were linearly proportional to the concentration over the range of 0.8-130 µM with LODs of 52 nM and 96 nM for L- and D-Tyr (S/N = 3), respectively. This approach exhibits distinguished sensitivity, excellent selectivity and good reproducibility, as well as great stability, which can accurately determine the relative content of L- or D-Tyr enantiomers in a racemic solution.

Enhanced Effect of Qing-Ying Decoction Concurrent with Secukinumab in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis.

Both Qing-Ying decoction (QYD), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and secukinumab, a fully humanized anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, have been used to treat patients with plaque psoriasis. The combined application of TCM and biologics in the treatment of psoriasis, however, has not been investigated. We enrolled a total of 68 patients with plaque psoriasis in our prospective study, and randomly assigned them to either the study group (treated with secukinumab plus QYD), or the control group (treated with secukinumab alone). After 12- and 16-week treatment, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and the TCM score were significantly reduced in both the study and the control groups. However, the reduction in PASI and TCM scores was more significant in the study group than in the control group (12-week: PASI: 5.29 ± 0.27 vs 8.87 ± 0.38, respectively; P < .01; TCM: 5.83 ± 0.21 vs 12.39 ± 1.23, respectively; P < .01; 16-week: PASI score: 4.76 ± 0.18 vs 8.36 ± 0.31, respectively; TCM score: 4.98 ± 0.19 vs 11.27 ± 1.13, respectively; P < .01). The total treatment efficacy rate was significantly higher in the study group (97.1%) than the control group (76.5%; P = .012). The number of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells was increased, while the number of CD8+ T cells was decreased after treatment in both groups, with more significant changes in the study group (P < .01). QYD may enhance the therapeutic outcome of secukinumab in the treatment of plaque psoriasis by further suppressing chronic skin inflammation, as well as reducing adverse events and patients' psychological stress.

Direct Evidence of Active SARS-CoV-2 Replication in the Intestine.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is no direct evidence to prove the active replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the intestinal tract and relevant pathological changes in the colon and rectum. We investigated the presence of virions and pathological changes in surgical rectal tissues of a patient with clinically confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with rectal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The clinical data were collected during hospitalization and follow-up of this patient. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on the rectal tissue specimens obtained from surgical resection, succus entericus and intestinal mucosa of ileostomy, and rectal mucosa during follow-up after recovery. Ultrathin sections of surgical samples were observed for SARS-CoV-2 virions using electron microscopy. Histopathological examination was performed using hematoxylin-eosin stain. Immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence were carried out on rectal tissues to evaluate the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 antigen and immune cell infiltrations. RESULTS: The patient had fever and cough on day 3 postoperatively, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on day 7, and was discharged from the hospital on day 41. RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in surgically resected rectal specimens but not in samples collected 37 days after discharge. Notably, coincident with rectal tissues of surgical specimens testing nucleic acid positive for SARS-CoV-2, typical coronavirus virions in rectal tissue were observed under electron microscopy. Moreover, abundant lymphocytes and macrophages (some were SARS-CoV-2 positive) infiltrating the lamina propria were found with no significant mucosal damage. CONCLUSIONS: We first report the direct evidence of active SARS-CoV-2 replication in a patient's rectum during the incubation period, which might explain SARS-CoV-2 fecal-oral transmission.

Lipid Droplet-Specific Fluorescent Probe for In Vivo Visualization of Polarity in Fatty Liver, Inflammation, and Cancer Models.

Elucidating the intrinsic relationship between diseases and lipid droplet (LD) polarity remains a great challenge owing to the lack of the research on multiple disease models. Until now, the visualization of abnormal LD polarity in models of inflammation and clinical cancer patient samples has not been achieved. To meet the urgent challenge, we facilely synthesized a robust LD-specific and polarity-sensitive fluorescent probe (LD-TTP), which consists of a triphenylamine segment as an electron-donor group (D) and a pyridinium as an electron-acceptor moiety (A), forming a typical D-π-A molecular configuration. Owing to the unique intramolecular charge transfer effect, LD-TTP exhibits high sensitivity to polarity change in the linear range from Δf = 0.258 to 0.312, with over 278-fold fluorescence enhancement. Moreover, we revealed that LD-TTP possessed satisfactory ability for sensitively monitoring LD-polarity changes in living cells. Using LD-TTP, we first demonstrated the detection of LD-polarity changes in fatty liver tissues and inflammatory living mice via confocal laser scanning fluorescence imaging. Surprisingly, the visualization of LD polarity has been achieved not only at the cellular levels and living organs but also in surgical specimens from cancer patients, thus holding great potential in the clinical diagnosis of human cancer. All these features render LD-TTP an effective tool for medical diagnosis of LD polarity-related diseases.

Quantitative Analysis of Intramucosal Mast Cells in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Comparison With Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Remission.

GOAL: We aimed to study the density of intramucosal mast cells in histologically normal colonic mucosa biopsied from patients with a clinical diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). BACKGROUND: Mast cell activation has been thought to implicate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whether it serves a role in the pathogenesis of IBS remains controversial. STUDY: A total of 127 colonoscopic mucosal biopsies were immunohistochemically stained, including 51 IBS, 66 IBD, and 10 normal control samples. Intact mast cells were quantified in 3 high power fields (HPF) in areas showing the highest density. RESULTS: CD117 was sensitive in detecting mast cells in colonic mucosa. The mast cell counts in all biopsies ranged from 2 to 60 per HPF (mean=17.5±7.2). The density of intramucosal mast cells were similar among IBS, IBD and normal control groups (P=0.6733). IBD in remission versus IBS (17.1±8.0 vs. 18.1±7.0; P=0.4804), Crohn disease versus ulcerative colitis (17.1±10.4 vs. 17.2±5.2; P=0.9463), IBS with diarrhea versus without diarrhea (19.5±6.3 vs. 16.8±6.9; P=0.1404). Forty biopsies (31.5%) showing ≥20 mast cells per HPF appeared to equally distribute among various disease groups (P=0.7283). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference in the number of intramucosal mast cells between IBS and IBD that show normal colonic biopsies. In IBS patients, the number of intramucosal mast cell does not correlate with symptoms. The mast cell count (≥20/HPF) is not a reliable criterion for the diagnosis of IBS or for the distinction between patients with IBS and those with IBD in remission.

Balneotherapy with Chinese herbal medicine prolongs the remission period in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the supplementary balneotherapy with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) could facilitate the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and thus be beneficial for long-term remission from the symptoms. Two hundred psoriasis vulgaris patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis from January 2013 to June 2014 were evenly divided into two groups: the consolidated therapy group (CTG) and unconsolidated therapy group (UTG); the remission period of the two groups was compared. There was no significant difference in Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score between the two groups at the beginning and the end of the treatment. However, the average remission time in CTG was 10.99 months, which was significantly longer than that of 7.94 months in UTG (P = .001). After a correction of age, course of disease, skin type as well as PASI baseline value using a COX model, we found that the risk of recurrence of psoriasis vulgaris in UTG was higher than that in the CTG (P < .001). No adverse reactions were discovered when combing the two treatments together. The combined treatment of CHM balneotherapy and narrowband ultraviolet B could significantly prolong the remission time in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

TET2 rs2454206, TET2 rs12498609 and ASXL1 rs3746609 single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

To study the association between TET2rs2454206, TET2rs12498609 and ASXL1rs3746609 and Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a total of 90 MDS patients and 143 healthy volunteers were included. The clinical data, bone marrow samples of patients and peripheral blood samples of volunteers were obtained. We found TET2rs2454206 G/A genotype, TET2rs12498609 G/C genotype and ASXL1rs3746609 A/G genotype in 13.3%, 11.1%, 10.1% MDS patients and in 42.7%, 22.4%, 23.8% healthy volunteers (P < 0.001; P = 0.029; P = 0.009, respectively). TET2 rs2454206 G/A genotype was associated with higher serum LDH level in MDS (P = 0.025). Patients with TET2rs12498609 G/C genotype were characterized with higher frequency of mutated SRSF2 gene (P = 0.042) and lower occurrence rate of anemia (P = 0.026) than those with C/C genotype. ASXL1rs3746609 A/G genotype linked with higher thrombocyte counts (P = 0.02) and percent of total T lymphocyte (P = 0.029), whereas with lower percent of NK cell (P = 0.032) and B lymphocyte (P = 0.007). None of these three SNPs had impact on the overall survival and disease progression to AML. We concluded that People with TET rs2454206 G/A genotype, TET2rs12498609 G/C genotype or ASXL1rs3746609 A/G genotype were related to lower prevalence of MDS. All of the three SNPs were associated with certain laboratory features in MDS patients.

Simultaneous electrochemical sensing of serotonin, dopamine and ascorbic acid by using a nanocomposite prepared from reduced graphene oxide, Fe3O4 and hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin.

Reduced graphene oxide containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles was decorated with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) to construct a novel nanocomposite (3D-rGO/Fe3O4/HP-ß-CD). The composite was placed on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to design an electrochemical sensor for detecting simultaneously serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and ascorbic acid (AA). The interconnected porous reduced graphene oxide framework tightly anchored to the Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles warrants good electrical conductivity and efficient catalytic activity. The HP-ß-CD acts as a supramolecular host with high recognition ability for 5-HT, DA and AA. Well-separated oxidation peaks and increased peak currents were observed for 5-HT, DA, and AA individually and in mixtures by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The following figures of merit were found for simultaneous electrochemical determination of 5-HT, DA, and AA: (a) Well separated peaks at around 0.316, 0.16 and - 0.044 V; (b) linear responses in the 0.01 - 25 µM, 0.02 - 25 µM and 10 - 350 µM; (c) detection limits of 3.3 nM, 6.7 nM and 3.3 µM (S/N = 3), and (d) recoveries of 96.9-103%, 97.3%-102% and 96.3-105% from spiked serum samples, respectively. All relative standard deviation (RSD) are less than 4%. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of simultaneous detecting serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) for three-dimensional reduced-graphene oxide/Fe3O4/hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (3D-rGO/Fe3O4/HP-ß-CD) by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) approach.

Electrochemical prostate specific antigen aptasensor based on hemin functionalized graphene-conjugated palladium nanocomposites.

An electrochemical aptasensor is described for the detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The aptasensor is based on the use of hemin-functionalized graphene-conjugated palladium nanoparticles (H-Gr/PdNPs) deposited on a glassy carbon electrode. The nanocomposites integrate the high electrical conductivity of graphene with the easily functionalized surface chemistry of PdNPs and their excellent catalytic property. The hemin placed on graphene acts as both a protective agent and an in-situ redox probe. The PdNPs provide numerous binding sites for the immobilization of DNA-biotin via coordinative binding between Pd and amino groups. A sensitive and specific PSA assay was attained by immobilizing the PSA aptamer via biotin-streptavidin interaction. The resulting aptasensor has a linear response that covers the PSA concentration range from 0.025 to 205 ng·mL-1, with a 8 pg·mL-1 lower detection limit (at -0.362 V, scan rate: 0.1 mV·s-1, S/N = 3). The method was applied to the quantitation of PSA in spiked serum samples, giving recoveries ranging from 95.0 to 100.3%. Graphical abstract A signal amplified and approving electrochemical aptasensor was constructed for the determination of prostate specific antigen (PSA) based on the use of hemin-functionalized graphene conjugated to palladium nanoparticles (H-Gr/PdNPs). The sensor has a wide linear range, a relatively low detection limit, satisfying stability and high specificity.

Correlation of Musashi-1, Lgr5, and pEGFR expressions in human small intestinal adenocarcinomas.

Recent studies have revealed that Musashi-1 and Lgr5 (leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5) were putative stem cell genes. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has also been extensively studied; it was known as an oncogenic driver in cancers. Overexpressions of Musashi-1, EGFR, and Lgr5 have been reported in some tumor tissues and cell lines. In this study, we used immunohistochemical analysis to investigate the expression pattern of Musashi-1, Lgr5, and pEGFR in 38 small intestinal adenocarcinomas (SIAs) resection specimens, 20 matched normal specimens and tried to analyze the correlations among them. The positive rate of Musashi-1, Lgr5, and pEGFR in SIAs, respectively, was 71 % (27/38), 55 % (21/38), and 45 % (17/38). Compared with the adjacent normal small intestinal mucosa, Musashi-1, Lgr5, and pEGFR protein were overexpressed in SIAs (P< 0.05). Furthermore, Musashi-1 and Lgr5 expressions were significantly correlated with the depth of wall invasion (P = 0.0011, P = 0.0017, respectively). Musashi-1 expression was closely correlated with Lgr5 (P = 0.015, r = 0.392). However, pEGFR expression was not associated with age, gender, tumor size, differentiation, depth of invasion, lymphatic metastasis, TNM stage, and pEGFR expression was not correlated with Musashi-1 or Lgr5 (P > 0.05, r = 0.064; P > 0.05, r = 0.307, respectively). Thus, we suggest that Musashi-1, Lgr5, and pEGFR are overexpressed in human SIAs and may play roles in human SIA carcinogenesis and progression.

The Relationship Between Colonic Macrophages and MicroRNA-128 in the Pathogenesis of Slow Transit Constipation.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that colonic macrophages and microRNAs play important roles in motor activity in the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are almost no data concerning colonic macrophages and microRNAs in slow transit constipation. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate colonic macrophages and microRNA-128 expression in the pathogenesis of slow transit constipation in colon tissues. METHODS: Full-thickness colonic specimens from patients undergoing surgery for slow transit constipation, due to refractoriness to other therapeutic interventions (n = 25), were compared to controls (n = 25), and the number of colonic macrophages (as evaluated by specific monoclonal antibodies) was counted. Gene expression analysis of microRNA-128 was performed by microRNA microarray and qRT-PCR. Lastly, bioinformatics analysis, coupled with luciferase reporter assays, was used to investigate the mRNA transcript(s) targeted by microRNA-128. RESULTS: Compared to controls, 20 of 25 slow transit constipation patients (80 %) had significantly higher numbers of macrophages in colonic specimens, coupled with down-regulation of microRNA-128. Linear regression analyses showed a significant negative correlation between macrophage number and microRNA-128 expression level. Among 83 bioinformatically predicated candidates, mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (p38α) was validated to be a direct target of microRNA-128 in human intestinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents evidence for the negative correlation of macrophage number and microRNA-128 expression, in slow transit constipation patients, representing a possible mechanism of impaired gastrointestinal motility.

The prognostic value of autophagy-related markers beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B in cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Use of the autophagy-related markers beclin-1 (BECN1) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) as prognostic markers has been extensively investigated in various kinds of cancers. However, their prognostic roles are still controversial and not firmly validated. We systematically reviewed the evidence from various studies concerning the relationship between BECN1 and LC3B expression in cancers and overall survival (OS)/disease-free survival (DFS) to elucidate this issue. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched in July 2013 (then updated in April 2014) to identify eligible cohort studies that reported associations between BECN1 or LC3B expression and OS/DFS in cancer patients. Combined hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models according to heterogeneity in different groups. A total of 23 studies in distinct cancers were eligible for systematic review and meta-analysis. Our pooled results identified that a high expression of BECN1 is associated with favorable OS in gastric cancer (HR = 0.49, 95 % CI = 0.34-0.72) and lymphoma (HR = 0.25, 95 % CI = 0.11-0.57), whereas a high expression of LC3B predicts adverse OS in breast cancer (HR = 1.98, 95 % CI = 1.25-3.13). This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that the autophagy-related marker BECN1 might be a predictive factor of favorable prognosis in gastric cancer, breast cancer, and lymphoma and LC3B might predict unfavorable prognosis of breast cancer. Nevertheless, due to the limited number and retrospective design of the original studies, more powerful prospective cohorts are required to verify these conclusions.

A femtomolar level and highly selective 17ß-estradiol photoelectrochemical aptasensor applied in environmental water samples analysis.

Driven by the urgent demand of determining low level of 17ß-estradiol (E2) present in environment, a novel and ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform based on anti-E2 aptamer as the biorecognition element was developed onto CdSe nanoparticles-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays. The designed PEC aptasensor exhibits excellent performances in determination of E2 with a wide linear range of 0.05-15 pM. The detection limit of 33 fM is lower than the previous reports. The aptasensor manifests outstanding selectivity to E2 while used to detect seven other endocrine disrupting compounds that have similar structure or coexist with E2. The superior sensing behavior toward E2 can be attributed to the appropriate PEC sensing interface resulting from the preponderant tubular microstructure and excellent photoelectrical activity, the large packing density of aptamer on the sensing interface, as well as the high affinity of the aptamer to E2. The PEC aptasensor was applied successfully to determine E2 in environmental water samples without complicate sample pretreatments, and the analytical results showed good agreement with that determined by HPLC. Thus, a simple and rapid PEC technique for detection low level of E2 was established, having promising potential in monitoring environmental water pollution.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma with syncytial giant cells: Not that rare.

Syncytial giant cells (SGCs) are neoplastic giant cells of epithelial origin. The nuclear morphology of SGCs is uniform and similar to those of adjacent mononuclear tumor cells. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with SGCs is a rare microscopic morphology. In this study, the clinical and pathological data of 16 ccRCC cases with SGCs were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of SGCs in pathological stages pT3 and above (12.1%, 8/66) was significantly higher than that in pT1 and pT2 (2.6%, 8/306) (P = 0.002). The incidence of SGCs in the WHO/ISUP nuclear grade 3 or 4 ccRCC (12.4%, 14/113) was significantly higher than that in grade 1 or 2 (0.8%, 2/259) (P < 0.001). Two forms of SGCs were observed, some exhibited nuclear pyknosis and degeneration. Of the 16 cases, eight cases were accompanied by necrosis and seven cases had lymphovascular invasion. Both SGCs and mononuclear tumor cells were positive for ccRCC markers (PAX8, CAIX, CD10 and Vimentin). None of the SGC nuclei were positive for Ki-67. Follow-up information was available on 14 patients, with a median follow-up time of 27.5 months. Ten patients were alive without disease, three were alive with metastatic disease, and one patient died 10 months after surgery. These findings indicated that SGCs are not rare, especially in ccRCC with high nuclear grade and pathological stage, and often co-exist with other adverse prognostic features. SGCs may be senescent tumor cells, the presence of SGCs should not be considered as Fuhrman and WHO/ISUP nuclear grading 4.

An Automated Breast Volume Scanner-Based Intra- and Peritumoral Radiomics Nomogram for the Preoperative Prediction of Expression of Ki-67 in Breast Malignancy.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to create and verify a nomogram for preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in breast malignancy to assist in the development of personalized treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study received approval from the institutional review board and included a cohort of 197 patients with breast malignancy who were admitted to our hospital. Ki-67 expression was divided into two groups based on a 14% threshold: low and high. A radiomics signature was built utilizing 1702 radiomics features based on an intra- and peritumoral (10 mm) regions of interest. Using multivariate logistic regression, radiomics signature, and ultrasound (US) characteristics, the nomogram was developed. To evaluate the model's calibration, clinical application, and predictive ability, decision curve analysis (DCA), the calibration curve, and the receiver operating characteristic curve were used, respectively. RESULTS: The final nomogram included three independent predictors: tumor size (P = .037), radiomics signature (P < .001), and US-reported lymph node status (P = .018). The nomogram exhibited satisfactory performance in the training cohort, demonstrating a specificity of 0.944, a sensitivity of 0.745, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.905. The validation cohort recorded a specificity of 0.909, a sensitivity of 0.727, and an AUC of 0.882. The DCA showed the nomogram's clinical utility, and the calibration curve revealed a high consistency among the expected and detected values. CONCLUSION: The nomogram used in this investigation can accurately predict Ki-67 expression in people with malignant breast tumors, helping to develop personalized treatment approaches.

Ultrasensitive monitoring of PCB77 in environmental samples using a visible-driven photoelectrochemical sensing platform coupling with exonuclease I assisted in target recycling.

Due to the urgent need for detecting trace amounts of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77) in the environment, we have developed an efficient and visible-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform based on carbon quantum dots (CQDs) modified titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO2 NRs), coupling with exonuclease I (Exo I) assisted in target recycling for significant signal amplification. CQDs/TiO2 NRs with high visible-light absorption ability and electron-hole separation efficiency is used as photoactive substrate for anchoring anti-PCB77 aptamer and its complementary DNA (cDNA). With the addition of PCB77, the specific interaction between PCB77 and its aptamer forces aptamer to separate from the electrode surface, resulting in an increase in photocurrent density. Adding Exo I in the test system, a self-catalytic target cycle was motivated, which significantly increased the PEC signal by more than twice, achieving signal amplification. The relationship between the photocurrent density changes and the concentrations of PCB77 are utilized to achieve quantitative detection of PCB77. The designed PEC sensing platform has good analytical performance with a detection limit as low as 0.33 pg L-1, high selectivity and stability. Moreover, the PEC sensor is successfully used to evaluate the content of PBC77 in the environment samples. The established sensing platform provides a simple and efficient method for detecting trace amounts of PCB77 in the environment.