Multiple noncovalent interactions tailored crystallization and performance reinforcement mechanisms of Biopolyester Composites with functional Cellulose Nanocrystals.

The slow crystallization and weak mechanical features of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) have become a severe industrial problem in food packaging. Inspired by principle of bionic structure, functional cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) modified with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) can enhance the crystallization ability and mechanical properties of PBAT nanocomposites. Significantly, CNC-T (CNC modified by TDI) showed a stronger reinforced effect on PBAT properties than unmodified CNCs and CNC-H (CNC modified by HMDI) nanofillers due to hydrogen bonds, π-π interaction between PBAT matrix and CNC-T nanofillers with benzene ring structure. Thus, compared with pure PBAT, PBAT/5CNC-T composites displayed an enhancement of 34.5 % on the tensile strength and exhibited the most robust nucleation ability on PBAT crystallization than CNC and CNC-H. Meanwhile, the possible nucleation, crystallization, and performance reinforcement mechanisms of PBAT nanocomposites have been presented, which is very beneficial for designing robust PBAT nanocomposites with functional cellulose nanocrystals for potential green packaging.

Predictive factors for postoperative myasthenic crisis in patients with myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVES: Thymectomy plays an important role in the comprehensive treatment of myasthenia gravis. The present study aimed to investigate the risk factors for postoperative myasthenic crisis (POMC) in these patients and then establish a predicting model based on preoperatively available indicators. METHODS: The clinical records of 177 consecutive patients with myasthenia gravis who received extended thymectomy between January 2018 and September 2022 in our department were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether they developed POMC. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent risk factors of POMC. Then a nomogram was constructed to intuitively show the results. Finally, the calibration curve and bootstrap resampling were used to evaluate its performance. RESULTS: POMC occurred in 42 (23.7%) patients. By multivariate analysis, body mass index (P = 0.029), Osserman classification (P = 0.015), percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (pred%) (P = 0.044), percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (pred%) (P = 0.043) and albumin to globulin ratio (P = 0.009) were identified as independent risk factors and entered into the nomogram. The calibration curve showed good concordance between the predicted and actual probability of prolonged ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our model is a valuable tool for predicting POMC in myasthenia gravis patients. For those high-risk patients, appropriate preoperative treatment is necessary to improve the symptoms and greater attention to postoperative complications is needed.

A novel nomogram to predict lymph node metastasis in cT1 non-small-cell lung cancer based on PET/CT and peripheral blood cell parameters.

BACKGROUND: Accurately evaluating the lymph node status preoperatively is critical in determining the appropriate treatment plan for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This study aimed to construct a novel nomogram to predict the probability of lymph node metastasis in clinical T1 stage patients based on non-invasive and easily accessible indicators. METHODS: From October 2019 to June 2022, the data of 84 consecutive cT1 NSCLC patients who had undergone PET/CT examination within 30 days before surgery were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of lymph node metastasis. A nomogram based on these predictors was constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the calibration curve was used for assessment. Besides, the model was confirmed by bootstrap resampling. RESULTS: Four predictors (tumor SUVmax value, lymph node SUVmax value, consolidation tumor ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio) were identified and entered into the nomogram. The model indicated certain discrimination, with an area under ROC curve of 0.921(95%CI 0.866-0.977). The calibration curve showed good concordance between the predicted and actual possibility of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: This nomogram was practical and effective in predicting lymph node metastasis for patients with cT1 NSCLC. It could provide treatment recommendations to clinicians.

Exosomal mir-625-3p derived from hypoxic lung cancer cells facilitates metastasis by targeting SCAI.

BACKGROUND: Tumor hypoxia is a feature of tumor micro-environment (TME), which provides a suitable environment for tumor cells migration and invasion. However, up to now, the function of exosomes derived from hypoxic tumor cells is still not fully understood. The present study is aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of lung cancer-secreted exosomes-mediated tumor metastasis under hypoxia. METHODS & RESULTS: Exosomes were isolated from normoxic or hypoxic NCI-H446 cells. Some characteristic proteins were detected by western blots. Levels of CD63, CD 9 and CD 81 proteins were up-regulated on the membrane of exosomes secreted by hypoxic NCI-H446 cells. Basing on the results from miRNA sequencing, qRT-PCR and wound healing assay, hsa-miR-625-3p was discovered to be accumulated inside hypoxic exosomes and responsible for the metastasis of lung cancer cell. Further experiments from luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated hsa-miR-625-3p could directly inhibit SCAI expression through binding with its 3'UTR, which suggested the mechanisms by which exosomal hsa-miR-625-3p suppressed tumor cells migration. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomal miR-625-3p derived from hypoxic small lung cancer cells accelerated tumor cells migration through inhibiting SCAI directly.

Clinical features and prognosis according to genomic mutations in primary and metastatic lesions of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The distant metastasis heterogeneity of gene tumor mutations in tumors of NSCLC patients brings critical challenges for treatment. We sequenced the primary tumors and metastatic tissues of 48 NSCLC patients through 363 tumor-related gene panels to examine gene mutations in primary tumors and metastatic tissues, and screen candidate carcinogenic and metastatic-related driver mutations. The patient group included 21 patients in the metastatic group and 27 patients in the non-metastatic group. The patient's median age was 62 years and 54% (26/48) of patients were women. Approximately 75% (36/48) of patients were non-smokers. The mutation spectrum results showed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation was the most frequent mutation (68.75%), followed by TP53 mutation (45.83%); 19del accounted for the largest proportion of EGFR mutations. Copy number variation (CNV) mutation spectrum results showed that EGFR amplification was more common in the metastatic group than the non-metastatic group. The mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity value of the metastatic group was higher than that of the non-metastatic group (p = 0.013). The progression-free survival of the metastatic group was significantly shorter than that in the non-metastatic group (p = 0.041). Single nucleotide variant difference analysis showed that the frequency of TP53 mutations was higher in the metastasis group. The number of subclonal mutations in the primary and metastatic lesions in the metastasis group was significantly different; the number of subclonal sites in metastatic lesions was higher than that in primary lesions. Our results suggested that the gene mutations of NSCLC in primary and metastatic lesions and identified specific mutations related to metastasis of NSCLC. Our research will help to clarify key differences between gene mutations between primary and metastatic NSCLC. These findings will help to provide new theoretical support for the future targeted therapy of metastatic NSCLC.

Identification of genes and pathways involved in malignant pleural mesothelioma using bioinformatics methods.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare tumor in the pleura. This study was carried out to identify key genes and pathways that may be involved in MPM. METHODS: Microarray datasets GSE51024 and GSE2549 were analyzed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal and MPM tissues. The identified DEGs were subjected to functional analyses using bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: A total of 276 DEGs were identified, consisting of 187 downregulated and 79 upregulated genes. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs were enriched in extracellular structure organization, extracellular matrix, and ECM-receptor interaction. Due to high degree of connectivity among 24 hub genes, EZH2 and HMMR are likely to play roles in the carcinogenesis and progression of MPM. The two genes were found over-expressed in MPM tissues. Patients with elevated EZH2 and HMMR expressions had poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: EZH2 and HMMR are identified to be the hub genes for MPM and they may be further characterized to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis of MPM.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Young Patients: An Analysis of Clinical, Pathologic and TNM Stage Characteristics Compared to the Elderly.

PURPOSE: To compare clinicopathologic factors including tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage between young and elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This retrospective study compared the following characteristics between 52 young patients with NSCLC (<50 years of age) and 67 elderly patients with NSCLC (>60 years): duration of symptoms before medical consultation, smoking index, family history of cancer, Ki-67 index, and pTNM stage. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors predictive of greater stage NSCLC (stage III/IV compared to stage I/II) within each age group. RESULTS: The incidence of adenocarcinoma was higher in the young than in the elderly (P=0.006). Smoking index (P=0.002) and Ki-67 index (P<0.001) were lower in the young than in the elderly. In young patients with NSCLC, delayed treatment (greater duration from symptoms to medical consultation, P=0.050) and active tumor proliferation (higher Ki-67 index, P=0.003) were predictive of more advanced cancer stage (III/IV), with only symptom duration being predictive of stage III/IV NSCLC among elderly patients. Among young patients, cough (P=0.021) and chest congestion (P=0.040) were the most significant warning symptoms of advanced-stage NSCLC. CONCLUSION: High tumor proliferation and delayed treatment are predictive of advanced NSCLC on presentation among young individuals. Early diagnosis by imaging, such as with the use of low dose computed tomography (LDCT), for young individuals with coughing and chest congestion over 1 month might be effectiveto improve prognosis and outcomes.