Fluorescence Analysis of Circulating Exosomes for Breast Cancer Diagnosis Using a Sensor Array and Deep Learning.

Emerging liquid biopsy methods for investigating biomarkers in bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, or urine can be used to perform noninvasive cancer detection. However, the complexity and heterogeneity of exosomes require improved methods to achieve the desired sensitivity and accuracy. Herein, we report our study on developing a breast cancer liquid biopsy system, including a fluorescence sensor array and deep learning (DL) tool AggMapNet. In particular, we used a 12-unit sensor array composed of conjugated polyelectrolytes, fluorophore-labeled peptides, and monosaccharides or glycans to collect fluorescence signals from cells and exosomes. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) processed the fluorescence spectral data of cells and cell-derived exosomes, demonstrating successful discrimination between normal and different cancerous cells and 100% accurate classification of different BC cells. For heterogeneous plasma-derived exosome analysis, CNN-based DL tool AggMapNet was applied to transform the unordered fluorescence spectra into feature maps (Fmaps), which gave a straightforward visual demonstration of the difference between healthy donors and BC patients with 100% prediction accuracy. Our work indicates that our fluorescent sensor array and DL model can be used as a promising noninvasive method for BC diagnosis.

[Clinical oberservation on rotator cuff suture threader and strapping suture in meniscus tear under arthroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of arthroscopic meniscus tear strapping suture by rotator cuff suture threader. METHODS: Forty patients with meniscus tear injury admitted from July 2015 to May 2019, including 27 males and 13 females, aged from 20 to 55 years old with an average of (36.0±1.4) years old. Menisci laceration was sutured with rotator cuff suture thread under arthroscopy. Postoperative complication was observed, Lysholm knee joint score before and after operation at 12 months were used to evaluate clinical effects, visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of knee flexion and extension were applied to evaluate recovery of pain and function. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 15 months with an average of (12.6±0.7) months.No complication such as joint effusion, suture failure occurred. Two patients occurred mild pain after activity without clinical physical abnormality, and 1 patient manifested moderate pain with joint space tenderness, the other rest without abnormal. Lysholm knee joint score was increased from (49.55±1.21) preoperatively to (98.95±0.42) at 12 months after operation, VAS score decreased from (5.18±0.78)preoperatively to (1.03±0.77) at 12 months after operation, and range of knee joint flexion and extension activity increased from (50.63±9.20)°preoperatively to (130.38±4.99)°after operation, and there were statistical differences in Lysholm knee joint score, VAS and range of knee joint flexion and extension activity (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic strapping suture by rotator cuff suture threading device applies to most meniscus injuries, including medial meniscus posterior horn tears, lateral meniscus body tears and lateral meniscus posterior horn tears. This technique meets the need of full-internal meniscus suture without specialmeniscus suture, and has advantages of convenient operation, less complications and good postoperative function.

CircFOXP1/FOXP1 promotes osteogenic differentiation in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and bone regeneration in osteoporosis via miR-33a-5p.

Osteoporosis (OP) is defined by bone mass loss and structural bone deterioration. Currently, there are no effective therapies for OP treatment. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to have an important function in stem cell osteogenesis and to be associated with OP. Most circRNA roles in OP remain unclear. In the present study, we employed circRNA microarray to investigate circRNA expression patterns in OP and non-OP patient bone tissues. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction was predicted using bioinformatic analysis and confirmed by RNA FISH, RIP and dual-luciferase reporter assays. ARS and ALP staining was used to detect the degree of osteogenic differentiation in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) in vitro. In vivo osteogenesis in hASCs encapsulated in collagen-based hydrogels was tested with heterotopic bone formation assay in nude mice. Our research found that circFOXP1 was significantly down-regulated in OP patient bone tissues and functioned like a miRNA sponge targeting miR-33a-5p to increase FOXP1 expression. In vivo and in vitro analyses showed that circFOXP1 enhances hASC osteogenesis by sponging miR-33a-5p. Conversely, miR-33a-5p inhibits osteogenesis by targeting FOXP1 3'-UTR and down-regulating FOXP1 expression. These results determined that circFOXP1 binding to miR-33a-5p promotes hASC osteogenic differentiation by targeting FOXP1. Therefore, circFOXP7ay prevent OP and can be used as a candidate OP therapeutic target.

Arctigenin inhibits STAT3 and exhibits anticancer potential in human triple-negative breast cancer therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are the most aggressive and hard-to-treat breast tumors with poor prognosis, and exploration for novel therapeutic drugs is impending. Arctigenin (Atn), a bioactive lignan isolated from seeds of Arctium lappa L, has been reported to inhibit many cancer types; however, the effect of Atn on TNBC remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that Atn decreased proliferation, and induced apoptosis in TNBC cells. Furthermore, we explored the underlying mechanism of Atn inhibition on TNBC cells. Computational docking and affinity assay showed that Atn bound to the SH2 domain of STAT3. Atn inhibited STAT3 binding to genomic DNA by disrupting hydrogen bond linking between DNA and STAT3. In addition, Atn augmented Taxotere®-induced TNBC cell cytotoxicity. TNBC xenograft tests also confirmed the antitumor effect of Atn in vivo. These characteristics render Atn as a promising candidate drug for further development and for designing new effective STAT3 inhibitors.

[Reverse fasciocutaneous flap pedicled with perforator branch of anterior medial malleolus artery for soft tissue defect on the dorsal side of foot].

OBJECTIVE: To report the therapeutic effect of reverse fasciocutaneous flap pedicled with perforator branch of anterior medial malleolus artery for soft tissue defect on the dorsal side of foot. METHODS: The perforator branch was located under the guidance of Doppler flowmeter. The flap was designed along the saphenous neurovascular axis. Then the flap was transferred reversely with the perforator branch as rotation point. RESULTS: From Feb. 2002 to Mar. 2008, 12 cases were treated and followed up for 6 - 18 months. All the flaps survived completely. The flap size ranged from 13.5 cm x 3.0 cm to 8 cm x 3 cm. The perforator branch located at 0.5 - 1.5 cm anterior-inferior to the medial malleolus. Both the cosmetic and functional results were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The flap has a reliable blood supply and a flexible design. It is easily performed for soft tissue defect on the dorsal side of foot. It is a new type flap which combined neurocutaneous vascular flap with the perforator flap.