Use of gestation adjusted projection method for predicting fetal head circumference.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine if the gestation adjusted projection (GAP) method applied to a fetal head circumference (FHC) measured on ultrasound between 32 and 36 weeks and 6 days gestation can predict birth head circumference, specifically ≥ 35 cm, which is a known risk factor for Cesarean. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 60 pregnancies from January to December 2019. Eligible patients delivered a singleton term neonate and received two ultrasounds, one at 32-36 weeks and 6 days gestation (period 1) and a second within 7 days of a term birth (period 2). Fetal head circumference was predicted two ways, by applying (1) the GAP method to the period 1 ultrasound and (2) by direct measurement with a period 2 ultrasound. These estimates were compared to the birth head circumference (HCBIRTH) by measures of error and with paired t-tests. McNemar's test compared the ability to predict head circumference (HC) ≥ 35 cm. RESULTS: None of the measures of error were significantly different between the GAP and the period 2 ultrasound, including the ability to predict HC ≥ 35 cm. In patients who delivered at ≥ 39 weeks, the period 2 ultrasound performed poorly while the GAP's performance remained good. CONCLUSION: The GAP method applied to an early third trimester ultrasound predicts HCBIRTH with accuracy similar to an ultrasound performed seven days from delivery and may be superior for deliveries ≥ 39 weeks. The ability to predict HCBIRTH could improve clinical management of affected pregnancies.

EGFR/c-Met and mTOR signaling are predictors of survival in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: EGFR/c-Met activation/amplification and co-expression, mTOR upregulation/activation, and Akt/Wnt signaling upregulation have been individually associated with more aggressive disease and characterized as potential prognostic markers for lung cancer patients. METHODS: Tumors obtained from 109 participants with stage I-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were studied for EGFR/c-Met co-localization as well as for total and active forms of EGFR, c-Met, mTOR, S6K, beta-catenin, and Axin2. Slides were graded by two independent blinded pathologists using a validated scoring system. Protein expression profile correlations were assessed using Pearson correlation and Spearman's rho. Prognosis was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Protein expression profile analysis revealed significant correlations between EGFR/p-EGFR (p = 0.0412) and p-mTOR/S6K (p = 0.0044). Co-localization of p-EGFR/p-c-Met was associated with increased p-mTOR (p = 0.0006), S6K (p = 0.0018), and p-S6K (p < 0.0001) expression. In contrast, active beta-catenin was not positively correlated with EGFR/c-Met nor any activated proteins. Axin2, a negative regulator of the Wnt pathway, was correlated with EGFR, p-EGFR, p-mTOR, p-S6K, EGFR/c-Met co-localization, and p-EGFR/p-c-Met co-localization (all p-values <0.03). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed shorter median survival in participants with high expression of Axin2, total beta-catenin, total/p-S6K, total/p-mTOR, EGFR, and EGFR/c-Met co-localization compared with low expression. After controlling for stage of disease at diagnosis, subjects with late-stage disease demonstrated shorter median survival when exhibiting high co-expression of EGFR/c-Met (8.1 month versus 22.3 month, p = 0.050), mTOR (6.7 month versus 22.3 month, p = 0.002), and p-mTOR (8.1 month versus 25.4 month, p = 0.004) compared with low levels. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that increased EGFR/c-Met signaling is correlated with upregulated mTOR/S6K signaling, which may in turn be associated with shorter median survival in late-stage NSCLC.