6-lncRNA Assessment Model for Monitoring and Prognosis of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Based on Transcriptome Data.

Background: In view of the high malignancy and poor prognosis of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, we analyzed the RNA expression profiles of HER2-positive breast cancer samples to identify the new prognostic biomarkers. Methods: The linear fitting method was used to identify the differentially expressed RNAs from the HER2-positive breast cancer RNA expression profiles in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Then, a series of methods including univariate Cox, Kaplan-Meier, and random forests, were used to identify the core long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with stable prognostic value for HER2-positive breast cancer. A clinical feature analysis was performed, and a competing endogenous RNA network was constructed to explore the role of these core lncRNAs in HER2-positive breast cancer. In addition, a functional analysis of differentially expressed messenger RNAs in HER-2 positive breast cancer also provided us with some enlightening insights. Results: The high expression of four core lncRNAs (AC010595.1, AC046168.1, AC069277.1, and AP000904.1) was associated with worse overall survival, while the low expression of LINC00528 and MIR762HG was associated with worse overall survival. The 6-lncRNA model has an especially good predictive power for overall survival (p < 0.0001) and 3-year survival (the area under the curve = 0.980) in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Conclusion: This study provides a new efficient prognostic model and biomarkers of HER2-positive breast cancer. Meanwhile, it also provides a new perspective for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying HER2-positive breast cancer.

Optimal Starting Age and Baseline Level for Repeat Tests: Economic Concerns of PSA Screening for Chinese Men - 10-Year Experience of a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal age for the baseline serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and for repeat screening and its economic burden in a single center in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 35,533 men with PSA screening were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Follow-ups were conducted in 1,586 men with PSA >4 ng/mL, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to investigate the optimal cutoffs. RESULTS: ROC analysis indicated that the optimal age for initial PSA screening was 57.5 years (AUC = 0.84), 62.5 years (AUC = 0.902), 60.5 years (AUC = 0.909), and 61.5 years (AUC = 0.890) for individuals with PSA >4 and >10 ng/mL, a diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), and clinically significant PCa defined as the focus events, respectively. For Chinese men aged 50-59, 60-69, and >70 years, the initial PSA levels of 1.305 ng/mL (AUC = 0.699), 1.975 ng/mL (AUC = 0.711), and 2.740 ng/mL (AUC = 0.720) might have a PSA velocity >0.75 ng/mL per year during the follow-up. In addition, the total cost amounts to CNY 13,609,260 in these cases, but only 60 of the 35,533 (0.17%) men gained benefit from PSA screening. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, the optimal starting age for initial PSA testing was 57.5 years. The necessity for repeat screening should be based on the first PSA level depending on age. A cost--benefit analysis should be included in population-based screening.

7-lncRNA Assessment Model for Monitoring and Prognosis of Breast Cancer Patients: Based on Cox Regression and Co-expression Analysis.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the deadliest malignant tumors worldwide. Due to its complex molecular and cellular heterogeneity, the efficacy of existing breast cancer risk prediction models is unsatisfactory. In this study, we developed a new lncRNA model to predict the prognosis of patients with BRCA. Methods: BRCA-related differentially-expressed long non-coding RNA were screened from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. A novel lncRNA model was developed by univariate and multivariate analyses to predict the prognosis of patients with BRCA. The efficacy of the model was verified by TCGA-based breast cancer samples. Identified lncRNA-related mRNA based on the co-expression method. Results: We constructed a 7-lncRNA breast cancer prediction model including LINC00377, LINC00536, LINC01224, LINC00668, LINC01234, LINC02037, and LINC01456. The breast cancer samples were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the model, which verified the specificity and sensitivity of the model. The Area Under Curve (AUC) of the 3- and 5-year Receiver Operating Characteristic curve were 0.711 and 0.734, respectively, indicating that the model has good performance. Conclusion: We constructed a 7-lncRNA model to predict the prognosis of patients with BRCA, and suggest that these lncRNAs may play a specific role in the carcinogenesis of BRCA.

Does acupuncture ameliorate motor impairment after stroke? An assessment using the CatWalk gait system.

The effect of acupuncture on gait deficits after stroke is uncertain. This animal study was designed to determine whether acupuncture improves gait impairment following experimentally induced ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke was induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. After 7 days' of acupuncture treatment, assessment of gait changes using the CatWalk automated gait analysis system was performed. Comparison of the CatWalk gait parameters among the groups showed that gait function was impaired after ischemic stroke and acupuncture treatment was effective in improving a variety of gait parameters including intensity, stance and swing time, swing speed and stride length at postoperative day 8. This study demonstrates a beneficial effect of acupuncture on gait impairment in rats following ischemic stroke. Further studies aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture at different stages during stroke using the CatWalk system are required.

[Correlation of aging with psychological and organic ED: nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment of 83 cases].

OBJECTIVE: The ratio of psychological to organic ED changes with aging. This study aimed to analyze the results of nocturnal electrobioimpedance volumetric assessment (NEVA) for ED patients of different age groups and their significance in the diagnosis of ED. METHODS: A total of 83 ED patients were divided into 4 age groups (< or = 29 yr, 30 -39 yr, 40 -49 yr and > or = 50 yr) and detected for nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) by NEVA. RESULTS: Thirty-four of the cases were diagnosed as organic ED, and the other 49 as psychological ED. With the increase of age, the former was increased from 30.3% in the < or = 29 yr group to 60.0% in the > or = 50 yr group, while the latter decreased from 69.7% to 40.0%. CONCLUSION: The percentage of organic ED tends to grow with the increase of age, while that of psychological ED is just the opposite.

Assessment of hepatic VX(2) tumors with combined percutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging.

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic lymphosonography (PTL) as a novel method for the detection of tumor lymphangiogenesis in hepatic VX(2) of rabbits and to evaluate combined PTL and routine contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging for the diagnosis of liver cancer. METHODS: Ten rabbits with VX(2) tumor were included in this study. SonoVue (0.1 mL/kg) was injected into each rabbit via an ear vein for contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging, and 0.5 mL SonoVue was injected into the normal liver parenchyma near the VX(2) tumor for PTL. Images and/or movie clips were stored for further analysis. RESULTS: Ultrasonographic imaging showed VX(2) tumors ranging 5-19 mm in the liver of rabbits. The VX(2) tumor was hyperechoic and hypoechoic to liver parenchyma at the early and later phase, respectively. The hepatic lymph vessels were visualized immediately after injection of contrast medium and continuously visualized with SonoVue during PTL. The boundaries of VX(2) tumors were hyperechoic to liver parenchyma and the tumors. There was a significant difference in the values for the boundaries of VX(2) tumors after injection compared with the liver normal parenchyma and the tumor parenchyma during PTL. CONCLUSION: PTL is a novel method for the detection of tumor lymphangiogenesis in hepatic VX(2) of rabbits. Combined PTL and contrast-enhanced ultrasonographic imaging can improve the diagnosis of liver cancer.