Expression analysis and biological regulation of silencing regulatory protein 6 (SIRT6) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the most common types of skin cancer worldwide. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers associated with CSCC progression could aid in the early detection of high-risk squamous cell carcinoma and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Objective This study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of silent mating type Information Regulation 2 homolog 6 (SIRT6) in CSCC and its clinical significance. Methods The protein expression level of SIRT6 in tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between SIRT6 expression and clinicopathological parameters in CSCC patients was analyzed. The relative expression of SIRT6 in CSCC cell lineage and tissue specimens was determined by western blotting and PCR. The effect of SIRT6 silencing on cell proliferation was evaluated using cell counting kit 8. Wound healing, transwell method, and flow cytometry were used to investigate the migration, invasion, and cell cycle distribution/apoptosis of CSCC cells after SIRT6 silencing, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression of EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition), cycle, apoptosis, and other related proteins. Results The high expression of SIRT6 was correlated with the location of cancer tissue and Broder staging in CSCC patients. Knockdown of SIRT6 inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CSCC cells, and promoted their apoptosis, with cells blocked in G1 phase. Study limitations No animal experiments were conducted to further verify the results. Conclusion Decreased expression of SIRT6 can inhibit the occurrence and development of CSCC.

Efeitos de Longo Prazo do Implante Valvar Pulmonar e Evolução da Prótese em Pacientes com Tetralogia de Fallot Corrigida / Long-Term Effects of Pulmonary Valve Implantation and Prosthesis Evolution in Patients with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Resumo Fundamento A regurgitação valvar pulmonar é uma importante complicação de longo prazo em pacientes com tetralogia de Fallot (TF). Objetivo O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar os efeitos do implante valvar pulmonar (IVP) na anatomia e função do ventrículo direito (VD) e na evolução em longo prazo da prótese implantada em posição pulmonar. Métodos Uma análise de coorte retrospectiva e unicêntrica foi realizada em 56 pacientes consecutivos com TF submetidos a IVP. O estudo incluiu pacientes de ambos os gêneros, com idade ≥ 12 anos e compreendeu avaliação de dados clínicos e cirúrgicos, ressonância magnética cardiovascular pré e pós-operatória e dados ecocardiográficos obtidos mais de 1 ano após IVP. Resultados Após o IVP, houve uma diminuição significativa do volume sistólico final do VD indexado pela área de superfície corpórea (ASC), de 89 mL/ASC para 69 mL/ASC (p < 0,001) e do volume diastólico final indexado do VD, de 157 mL/ASC para 116 mL/ASC (p < 0,001). Além disso, houve aumento da fração de ejeção corrigida do VD [ FEVDc = fluxo pulmonar ajustado (fluxo pulmonar anterógrado − fluxo regurgitante) / volume diastólico final do VD ] de 23% para 35% (p < 0,001) e da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo de 58% para 60% (p = 0,008). No entanto, foi observado um aumento progressivo no gradiente de pico da válvula pulmonar ao longo do tempo, com 25% dos pacientes apresentando um gradiente superior a 60 mmHg. Próteses menores (tamanhos 19 a 23) foram associadas a um risco 4,3 vezes maior de gradiente > 60 mmHg em comparação com próteses maiores (tamanhos 25 a 27; p = 0,029; intervalo de confiança: 1,18 a 17,8). Conclusão Conforme esperado, o IVP demonstrou melhorias nos volumes e na função do VD. O acompanhamento e a vigilância a longo prazo são cruciais para avaliar a durabilidade da prótese e detectar potenciais complicações. O dimensionamento adequado das próteses é essencial para melhorar a longevidade da prótese.

Abstract Background Pulmonary valve regurgitation is a significant long-term complication in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of pulmonary valve implantation (PVI) on the anatomy and function of the right ventricle (RV) and the long-term evolution of the implanted prosthesis in the pulmonary position. Methods A single-center retrospective cohort analysis was performed in 56 consecutive patients with TOF who underwent PVI. The study included patients of both sexes, aged ≥ 12 years, and involved assessing clinical and surgical data, pre- and post-operative cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiogram data more than 1 year after PVI. Results After PVI, there was a significant decrease in RV end-systolic volume indexed by body surface area (BSA), from 89 mL/BSA to 69 mL/BSA (p < 0.001) and indexed RV end-diastolic volume, from 157 mL/BSA to 116 mL/BSA (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was an increase in corrected RV ejection fraction [ RVEFC = net pulmonary flow (pulmonary forward flow − regurgitant flow) / R V end-diastolic volume] from 23% to 35% (p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction from 58% to 60% (p = 0.008). However, a progressive increase in the peak pulmonary valve gradient was observed over time, with 25% of patients experiencing a gradient exceeding 60 mmHg. Smaller prostheses (sizes 19 to 23) were associated with a 4.3-fold higher risk of a gradient > 60 mmHg compared to larger prostheses (sizes 25 to 27; p = 0.029; confidence interval: 1.18 to 17.8). Conclusion As expected, PVI demonstrated improvements in RV volumes and function. Long-term follow-up and surveillance are crucial for assessing the durability of the prosthesis and detecting potential complications. Proper sizing of prostheses is essential for improved prosthesis longevity.

Marcadores de cáncer stem cells y transición epitelio mesenquimal como factores de agresividad y progresión en pacientes jóvenes con cáncer de tiroides

El cáncer de tiroides (CT) es el primer tumor maligno en glándulas endocrinas, y se estima que al 2030 estará en el top cinco de cáncer a nivel mundial. En Chile, el CT fue incluido, recientemente, como la patología N° 82 con Garantías Explícitas de Salud, lo que implica destinar importantes recursos públicos y privados al tratamiento de pacientes con un cáncer que va en aumento en el mundo. Existen grupos de pacientes jóvenes con tumores pequeños que presentan un comportamiento clínico más agresivo desde el inicio, donde se podría adelantar la toma de decisiones. Específicamente, destaca un grupo de pacientes menores de 55 años con tumores pequeños menores de 2 cm, pero con metástasis regionales, que quedan fuera de la indicación de radioyodoterapia y podrían requerir tratamiento complementario o presentar peor evolución. Las herramientas clínicas y moleculares para guiar el tratamiento adecuado en pacientes con metástasis linfonodales son limitadas y no han sido actualizadas hasta el momento. Existen factores de tumorigenicidad y pronóstico, tales como los marcadores de Transición Epitelio-Mesenquimal (TEM) y Cáncer Stem Cells (CSC) que se han incorporado al estudio de otros tumores y recientemente en cáncer de tiroides. Actualmente estudios que relacionan TEM y CSC con CT apuntan a la descripción molecular y genética, con escasos reportes que correlacionen, clínicamente, estos hallazgos, (particularmente en subgrupos con características particulares de agresividad) y que los propongan como marcadores de tumorigenicidad y pronóstico. La descripción de estos biomarcadores en la población descrita podría facilitar la toma de decisiones en cuanto a seguimiento, terapia quirúrgica y radioyodoterapia.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the first malignant tumor in endocrine glands, and it is estimated that by 2030 it will be in the top five cancers worldwide. In Chile, TC was recently included as pathology No. 82 with Explicit Health Guarantees, which implies allocating significant public and private resources to the treatment of patients with a cancer that is on the rise. There are groups of young patients with small tumors that present a more aggressive clinical behavior, where decision-making could be advanced. Specifically, a group of patients under 55 years of age with tumors less than 2 cm in size but with regional metastases, that lack indication for radioiodine therapy and could require complementary treatment or present a worse evolution. Clinical and molecular tools to guide appropriate treatment in patients with lymph node metastases are limited and have not been updated. There are tumorigenicity and prognostic factors, such as EpithelialMesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) markers that have been incorporated into the study of other tumors and recently in thyroid cancer. Studies linking EMT and CSC with TC currently point to molecular and genetic description, with few reports clinically correlating these findings (particularly in subgroups with particular characteristics of aggressiveness) and proposing them as tumorigenicity and prognosis markers. The description of these biomarkers in the described population could facilitate decision-making regarding follow-up, surgical therapy, and radioiodine therapy.

Síndrome de Sjögren: identificación de nuevos biomarcadores y mecanismos moleculares implicados en su fisiopatogénesis

Introducción: El Síndrome de Sjögren (SS) es una enfermedad autoinmune de carácter sistémico, que afecta principalmente al sistema glandular exocrino, generando un funcionamiento anormal de las glándulas lacrimales y salivales. Objetivo: proporcionar una actualización sobre la identificación de nuevos biomarcadores y mecanismos moleculares implicados en la fisiopatogénesis del SS. Método: Revisión narrativa de la literatura en diferentes bases de datos, mediante la búsqueda de términos descritos incluidos en los tesauros MESH y DeCs, para artículos publicados a partir del año 2018. Resultados: presentamos evidencia que destaca la identificación de nuevos biomarcadores y mecanismos implicados en la fisiopatogénesis del SS, describiendo las vías de: linfocitos B, catepsina S, cistatina C, quimioquina C-X3-C modificada de ligando 1, quimiocina regulada por activación del timo, células T, proteína morfogenética ósea 6, estimulación del receptor de oxitocina, receptor de zinc, calponina-3. Conclusión: los avances en la tecnología facilita el análisis detallado de la genética y fisiopatogénesis del SS, impulsando el desarrollo de terapias específicas. La búsqueda de biomarcadores no invasivos responde a las limitaciones de los métodos existentes y la invasividad de las biopsias salivales, prometiendo mejoras diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Introduction: Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the exocrine glandular system, leading to abnormal lacrimal and salivary gland function. Objective: To provide an update on identifying new biomarkers and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SS. Method: Narrative review of the literature in various databases, searching for terms included in the MESH and DeCs thesauri, for articles published since 2018. Results: We present evidence highlighting the identification of new biomarkers and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SS, describing pathways of B lymphocytes, cathepsin S, cystatin C, modified C-X3-C chemokine ligand 1, thymus activation-regulated chemokine, T cells, bone morphogenetic protein 6, oxytocin receptor stimulation, zinc receptor, and calponin-3. Conclusion: Advances in technology facilitate detailed analysis of the genetics and pathogenesis of SS, driving the development of specific therapies. The search for non-invasive biomarkers is driven by the limitations of existing methods and the invasiveness of salivary gland biopsies, promising diagnostic and therapeutic improvements.

Realidad virtual y biomarcadores digitales: una herramienta clínica para el diagnóstico del autismo / Virtual reality and digital biomarkers: a clinical tool for early autism diagnosis

Resumen Introducción : El Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) es un trastorno del neurodesarrollo, y sus procedimien tos tradicionales de evaluación encuentran ciertas li mitaciones. El actual campo de investigación sobre TEA está explorando y respaldando métodos innovadores para evaluar el trastorno tempranamente, basándose en la detección automática de biomarcadores. Sin embargo, muchos de estos procedimientos carecen de validez ecológica en sus mediciones. En este contexto, la reali dad virtual (RV) presenta un prometedor potencial para registrar objetivamente bioseñales mientras los usuarios experimentan situaciones ecológicas. Métodos : Este estudio describe un novedoso y lúdi co procedimiento de RV para la evaluación temprana del TEA, basado en la grabación multimodal de bio señales. Durante una experiencia de RV con 12 esce nas virtuales, se midieron la mirada, las habilidades motoras, la actividad electrodermal y el rendimiento conductual en 39 niños con TEA y 42 compañeros de control. Se desarrollaron modelos de aprendizaje automático para identificar biomarcadores digitales y clasificar el autismo. Resultados : Las bioseñales reportaron un rendimien to variado en la detección del TEA, mientras que el modelo resultante de la combinación de los modelos de las bioseñales demostró la capacidad de identificar el TEA con una precisión del 83% (DE = 3%) y un AUC de 0.91 (DE = 0.04). Discusión : Esta herramienta de detección pue de respaldar el diagnóstico del TEA al reforzar los resultados de los procedimientos tradicionales de evaluación.

Abstract Introduction : Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition which traditional as sessment procedures encounter certain limitations. The current ASD research field is exploring and endorsing innovative methods to assess the disorder early on, based on the automatic detection of biomarkers. How ever, many of these procedures lack ecological validity in their measurements. In this context, virtual reality (VR) shows promise for objectively recording biosignals while users experience ecological situations. Methods : This study outlines a novel and playful VR procedure for the early assessment of ASD, relying on multimodal biosignal recording. During a VR experience featuring 12 virtual scenes, eye gaze, motor skills, elec trodermal activity and behavioural performance were measured in 39 children with ASD and 42 control peers. Machine learning models were developed to identify digital biomarkers and classify autism. Results : Biosignals reported varied performance in detecting ASD, while the combined model resulting from the combination of specific-biosignal models demon strated the ability to identify ASD with an accuracy of 83% (SD = 3%) and an AUC of 0.91 (SD = 0.04). Discussion : This screening tool may support ASD diagnosis by reinforcing the outcomes of traditional assessment procedures.

Diagnostic utility, disease activity, and disease phenotype correlation of serum ASCA, pANCA, and PR3-ANCA in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility, disease activity, and phenotypic association of serum anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA), perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA), PR3-ANCA, and MPO-ANCA in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Pediatric patients diagnosed with IBD were recruited and classified as Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and IBD-unclassified (IBD-U) through full investigation. The Paris classification was used to evaluate disease phenotypes of pediatric CD and UC. Results: In all, 229 pediatric patients with IBD (CD 147, UC 53, IBD-U 29) were included. The ASCA IgG seropositivity significantly differed among the three groups (CD 75.4%, UC 17.5%, and IBD-U 60.0%; p < 0.001). PR3-ANCA positive rates were the highest in UC (24.0%), followed by IBD-U (17.6%), and none in CD (p = 0.002); pANCA-positive rates were higher in IBD-U (33.6%), followed by UC (28.0%) than in CD (1.4%) (p < 0.001). Regarding disease phenotype, perianal disease revealed higher serum ASCA IgG titers (median 36.7 U/mL in P1 vs. 25.2 U/mL in P0, p = 0.019). Serum ASCA IgG and IgA cutoff values to distinguish CD were 32.7 (U/mL) and 11.9 (U/mL), respectively, with a specificity of 80.0%. Conclusion: Serological biomarkers of ASCA IgG and IgA were effective for differentiating CD in pediatric IBD patients, and serum pANCA and PR3-ANCA, but not MPO-ANCA, were effective in distinguishing UC and IBD-U. Furthermore, measuring serological titers of ASCA IgG and IgA may help differentiate CD and evaluate the disease activity and phenotype of pediatric IBD in practice.

Os Biomarcadores podem ser Utilizados para Prever Recorrência de Arritmia após a Ablação de Fibrilação Atrial Guiada pelo Ablation-Index? / Can Pre-Ablation Biomarkers Be Used to Predict Arrhythmia Recurrence after Ablation Index-Guided Atrial Fibrillation Ablation?

Resumo Fundamento: O software ablation index (AI) permitiu melhorar os resultados da ablação de fibrilação atrial (FA), mas as taxas de recorrência permanecem significativas. Biomarcadores séricos específicos têm sido associados a essa recorrência. Objetivos: Avaliar se certos biomarcadores podem ser utilizados (individualmente ou combinados) para predizer a recorrência de FA pós ablação guiada pelo AI. Métodos: Estudo multicêntrico, observacional, prospectivo de pacientes consecutivos, encaminhados para ablação de FA de janeiro de 2018 a março de 2021. Hemoglobina, peptídeo natriurético cerebral (BNP), proteína C reativa, troponina I ultrassensível, clearance de creatinina, Hormônio Tireoestimulante (TSH), e Tiroxina livre (T4) foram avaliados quanto à capacidade de prever a recorrência de arritmias durante o acompanhamento. Valores de p <0,05 foram aceitos como estatisticamente significativos. Resultados: Um total de 593 pacientes foram incluídos - 412 com FA paroxística e 181 com FA persistente. Durante o seguimento médio de 24±6 meses, 76,4% não apresentaram recidiva após ablação. Individualmente, os biomarcadores demonstraram um valor preditivo baixo ou nulo para recorrência. No entanto, TSH >1,8 μUI/mL [HR=1,82 (IC95%, 1,89-2,80), p=0,006] foi um preditor independente de recorrência. Avaliando-se a combinação de TSH, FT4 e BNP, a adição de cada valor "anormal" foi associada a uma menor sobrevida livre de recorrência (87,1% se nenhum vs. 83,5% se um vs. 75,1% se dois vs. 43,3% se três biomarcadores, p<0,001). Doentes com três biomarcadores "anormais" apresentaram três vezes maior probabilidade de recorrência de FA, comparativamente aos que não apresentaram nenhum biomarcador "anormal" (HR=2,88 [IC95%, 1,39-5,17], p=0,003). Conclusões: Quando combinados, valores anormais de TSH, FT4 e BNP podem ser uma ferramenta útil para prever a recorrência de FA pós ablação guiada pelo AI.

Abstract Background: Ablation Index (AI) software has allowed better atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation results, but recurrence rates remain significant. Specific serum biomarkers have been associated with this recurrence. Objectives: To evaluate whether certain biomarkers could be used (either individually or combined) to predict arrhythmia recurrence after AI-guided AF ablation. Methods: Prospective multicenter observational study of consecutive patients referred for AF ablation from January 2018 to March 2021. Hemoglobin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein, high sensitivity cardiac troponin I, creatinine clearance, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were assessed for their ability to predict arrhythmia recurrence during follow-up. Statistical significance was accepted for p values of<0.05. Results: A total of 593 patients were included - 412 patients with paroxysmal AF and 181 with persistent AF. After a mean follow-up of 24±6 months, overall single-procedure freedom from atrial arrhythmia was 76.4%. Individually, all biomarkers had no or only modest predictive power for recurrence. However, a TSH value >1.8 μUI/mL (HR=1.82 [95% CI, 1.89-2.80], p=0.006) was an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence. When assessing TSH, FT4 and BNP values in combination, each additional "abnormal" biomarker value was associated with a lower freedom from arrhythmia recurrence (87.1 % for no biomarker vs. 83.5% for one vs. 75.1% for two vs. 43.3% for three biomarkers, p<0.001). Patients with three "abnormal" biomarkers had a threefold higher risk of AF recurrence compared with no "abnormal" biomarker (HR=2.88 [95% CI, 1.39-5.17], p=0.003). Conclusions: When used in combination, abnormal TSH, FT4 and BNP values can be a useful tool for predicting arrhythmia recurrence after AI-guided AF ablation.

Elevated serum IL-6 levels predict treatment interruption in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis: a 6-year real-world cohort study

Abstract Background: Real-world, primary data on the treatment of psoriasis are scarce, especially concerning the role of soluble biomarkers as outcome predictors. Objective: The authors evaluated the utility of Th1/Th17 serum cytokines along with clinical characteristics as predictors of drug survival in the treatment of psoriasis. Methods: The authors consecutively included participants with moderate to severe psoriasis who were followed up for 6 years. Baseline interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α, and inter-leukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A were measured using a cytometric bead array; clinical data were assessed. The authors calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for drug survival using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The authors included 262 patients, most of whom used systemic immunosuppressants or biologics. In the multivariate model, poor quality of life measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (HR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; p = 0.012) and elevated baseline IL-6 (HR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.29-3.08; p = 0.002) were associated with treatment interruption. Study limitations: The main limitation of any cohort study is the presence of confounders that could not be detected in clinical evaluation. Conclusions: Poor quality of life and elevated baseline serum IL-6 level predicted treatment interruption in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Although IL-6 is not the most important mediator of the inflammatory pathway in the skin environment, it is an interesting biomarker candidate for predicting psoriasis treatment response.

Construction and Verification of A Nomogram Model for Predicting Invasive Risk of Ground Glass Nodules / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To investigate the importance of a nomogram model based on biomarkers and CT signs in the prediction of the invasive risk of ground glass nodules. Methods A total of 322 patients with ground glass nodule, including 240 and 82 patients in the model and verification groups, respectively, were retrospectively analyzed. Independent risk factors for the invasive risk of ground glass nodules were screened out after using single and multiple Logistic analysis. R software was used to construct the nomogram model, and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA), receiver operating curve (ROC), and calibration curve were used for internal and external verification of the model. Results In this study, the independent risk factors for the invasive risk of ground glass nodules included systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), CYFRA21-1, edge, vascular cluster sign, and nodular consolidation tumor ratio (CTR). The area under the ROC curve of the constructed nomogram model had a value of 0.946, and that of the external validation group reached 0.932, which suggests the good capability of the model in predicting the invasive risk of ground glass nodules. The model was internally verified through drawing of calibration curves of Bootstrap 1000 automatic sampling. The results showed that the consistency index between the model and actual curves reached 0.955, with a small absolute error and good fit. The DCA curve revealed a good clinical practicability. In addition, nodule margin, vascular cluster sign, and CTR were correlated with the grade of pathological subtype of invasive adenocarcinoma. Conclusion A nomogram model based on biomarkers and CT signs has good value and clinical practicability in the prediction of the invasive risk of ground glass nodules.

Correlation of serum metabolites and clinical features in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma / 陆军军医大学学报

Objective To explore the changes in serum energy metabolites in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma,and investigate serum biomarkers for monitoring peripheral T-cell lymphoma from the perspective of energy metabolism.Methods Multiple/selected reaction monitoring(MRM/SRM)was used to detect the energy-related metabolites in the sera of 16 patients with newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphoma admitted in the Hematology Medical Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from November 2020 to December 2021,as well as 10 recruited healthy volunteers.The corresponding clinical data including medical history,laboratory results and image data were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Results Significant differences were seen in the contents and expression profiles of serum energy metabolism-related products between the patients and the healthy volunteers.The patients had significantly reduced serum contents of cyclic AMP,succinate,citrate and cis-aconitate(P＜0.05),and elevated D-glucose 6-phosphate content(P＜0.05).The serum contents of citrate and succinate were negatively correlated with the risk stratification(low-,moderate-and high-risk)and clinical stage of the disease(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,there was a negative correlation between the contents of L-malic acid and citrate and the mid-term efficacy evaluation results,such as complete/partial response(CR/PR)or stable disease(SD)(P＜0.05).For patients with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma(n=10),there were also significant reductions in the contents of cyclic AMP,succinate,citrate,isocitrate and cis-aconitate in the sera of patients compared with healthy volunteers(P＜0.05),and the contents of citrate and succinate were negatively correlated with the clinical stage(P＜0.05)and were rather correlated with mid-term efficacy evaluation results(CR/PR or SD)(P＜0.05).For patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma(n=6),the serum contents of cyclic AMP,citrate and succinate were significantly lower,while the content of D-glucose 6-phosphate was higher when compared with the healthy volunteers(P＜0.05),and the content of succinate was negatively correlated with both clinical stage and risk grade of the patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are 5 serum differential metabolites identified between patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma and healthy controls,and succinate and citrate are expected to be serum biomarkers of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Serum metabolomic characteristics of early papillary thyroid carcinoma and association with lymph node metastasis / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To compare the metabolomic characteristics of stage T1 papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)and nodular goiter(NG),and the relationship between metabolites and lymph node metastasis of PTC.METHODS Serum samples were collected from 60 patients with stage T1 PTC and 30 patients with NG who underwent thyroidectomy at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Civil Aviation General Hospital between September 2021 and April 2022.The PTC group was divided into the N+ group with lymph node metastasis and the N-group without lymph node metastasis according to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis.The serum metabolites of the N+ and N-groups and the PTC and NG groups were compared and analyzed using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS)coupled platform,and principal component analysis(PCA),partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA),and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA)was performed using SIMCA-P 14.1 software.OPLS-DA modeling,combined with FDR-corrected Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test results and metabolite difference multiples in the two groups undergoing comparison,etc.to screen for potential small molecule metabolic markers,and to establish a joint diagnostic model by binary logistic regression analysis.RESULTS There were no significant differential metabolites between the N+ group with lymph node metastasis and the N-group without lymph node metastasis.Seven differential metabolites were found between PCA patients and NG patients,and the five relevant metabolic pathways were the pentose phosphate pathway,pentose and glucuronide interconversion,glycolysis/gluconeogenesis,fructose,and mannose metabolism,and fatty acid biosynthesis.The differential metabolite with an area under the ROC curve>0.9 was D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate,and another N-undecanoylglycine,uronic acid,and the area under the ROC curve for three metabolites,N-undecanoylglycine,uric acid,and triiodothyronine glucuronide,was>0.8.CONCLUSION PTC patients differed from NG patients mainly in glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism,and D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate could be distinguished from NG patients with the aid of N-undecanoylglycine,uric acid,and triiodothyronine glucuronide,combined with imaging findings.Also,no significant differences in serum metabolites were found in the N+ group compared with the N-group,and the presence or absence of lymph node metastases did not affect serum metabolites in patients with stage T1 PTC.

Associations of cardiac biomarkers with stroke severity and short-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate associations between cardiac biomarkers with stroke severity and short-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from June 2018 to February 2024 whose etiological classification was large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO) or cardioembolism (CE) were included retrospectively. According to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, patients were divided into mild stroke group (≤8) and moderate to severe stroke group (>8). According to the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge, patients were divided into good outcome group (≤2) and poor outcome group (>2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between cardiac biomarkers and short-term outcome. The predictive value of cardiac biomarkers for poor outcome in patients with AIS and different stroke etiology subtypes were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:A total of 2 151 patients with AIS were enrolled, including 1 256 males (58.4%), aged 67.40±11.34 years. 1 079 patents were LAA type (50.2%), 679 were SVO type (31.6%), and 393 were CE type (18.3%); 1 223 were mild stroke (56.86%) and 928 (43.14%) were moderate to severe stroke; 1 357 patients (63.09%) had good short-term outcome, and 794 (36.91%) had poor short-term outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), NT-proBNP/creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) ratio, and CK-MB/CK ratio were independent risk factors for poor short-term outcome. ROC curve analysis shows that the CK-MB/CK ratio had a higher predictive value for short-term poor outcome in patients with AIS (the area under the curve, 0.859, 95% confidence interval 0.839-0.879). Various cardiac biomarkers had a higher predictive value for short-term outcome of CE type and LAA type, but the predictive value for short-term outcome of SVO type was lower. Conclusions:Cardiac biomarkers are associated with the severity and poor outcome of AIS. NT-proBNP/CK-MB and CK-MB/CK ratios have higher predictive value for short-term poor outcome of AIS, especially in patients with CE type.

Prediction of efficacy of early-stage tumor markers combined with NLR and PLR for immunotherapy in gastric cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To explore the predictive value of early serum tumor markers (STM) , neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) , platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) combination score on the efficacy of gastric cancer immunotherapy.Methods:A total of 76 patients with gastric cancer who received immunotherapy at Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022 were selected. Patients' leading STM, NLR, PLR were collected. Optimal cut-off value of NLR and PLR were determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The clinical efficacy and prognosis of different leading STM, NLR, PLR and combined scores in gastric cancer patients received immunotherapy were analyzed. ROC curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficiency of each index and the combined score. Cox regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting patients' survival.Results:The best truncation value for NLR was 2.75, and the best truncation value for PLR was 175.9. All patients completed at least 2 cycles of immunotherapy, the objective response rate (ORR) was 23.7% (18/76) , and the disease control rate (DCR) was 88.2% (67/76) . There were no significant differences in ORR [ (20.9% (9/43) vs. 27.3% (9/33) ], DCR [83.7% (36/43) vs. 93.9% (31/33) ] between the high NLR group ( n=43) and low NLR group ( n=33) ( χ2=0.42, P=0.519; χ2=1.02, P=0.313) . There were no significant differences in ORR [27.3% (12/44) vs. 18.8% (6/32) ], DCR [81.8% (36/44) vs. 96.9% (31/32) ] between the high PLR group ( n=44) and low PLR group ( n=32) ( χ2=0.75, P=0.388; χ2=2.71, P=0.555) . The ORR for the high combined score group ( n=39) and low combined score group ( n=37) was 17.9% (7/39) and 29.7% (11/37) , respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=1.46, P=0.230) ; the DCR was 79.5% (31/39) and 97.3% (36/37) , respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=4.19, P=0.041) . The median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of 76 patients were 8.0 and 12.0 months. The median PFS in the high NLR group and low NLR group was 7.0 and 10.0 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=7.95, P=0.005) ; the median OS was 12.0 and 14.0 months, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=1.04, P=0.307) . The median PFS in the high PLR group and low PLR group was 8.0 and 10.0 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=3.90, P=0.048) ; the median OS was 13.0 and 13.0 months, respectively, with no significant difference ( χ2=0.02, P=0.896) . The median PFS in the high combined score group and low combined score group was 7.0 and 10.0 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=13.52, P<0.001) ; the median OS was 12.0 and 14.0 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.02, P=0.025) . ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve (AUC) of leading STM, NLR, PLR and combined score to predict the efficacy of gastric cancer immunotherapy was 0.662, 0.697, 0.601 and 0.773. Univariate analysis showed that, surgery ( HR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.36-0.95, P=0.031) , leading STM ( HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.34-0.93, P=0.026) , NLR ( HR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.34-0.87, P=0.011) , combined score ( HR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.26-0.68, P<0.001) were all influencing factors for PFS in gastric cancer patients received immunotherapy; tumor stage ( HR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.12-0.75, P=0.011) , leading STM ( HR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.15-0.50, P<0.001) , combined score ( HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.31-0.96, P=0.036) were all influencing factors for OS in gastric cancer patients received immunotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that, leading STM ( HR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.98, P=0.041) was an independent influencing factor for PFS in gastric cancer patients received immunotherapy; tumor stage ( HR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.11-0.76, P=0.012) , leading STM ( HR=0.32, 95% CI: 0.17-0.58, P<0.001) , combined score ( HR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.25-0.82, P=0.009) were all independent influencing factors for OS in gastric cancer patients received immunotherapy. Conclusion:The combined score of leading STM, NLR and PLR is an independent factor influencing OS in patients receiving immunotherapy for gastric cancer, and can predict the efficacy of immunotherapy for gastric cancer.

Advances in predicting efficacy and prognostic markers of immunotherapy for gastric cancer / 国际肿瘤学杂志

The high intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity of gastric cancer leads to a great difference in the immunotherapy efficacy and the prognosis among patients. Several biomarkers, including programmed death-ligand 1, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, the features of tumor microenvironment, the peripheral blood inflammatory markers and Claudin18.2 have predictive value in the immunotherapy efficacy and the prognosis of gastric cancer patients, which might help the clinicians find the potential patients who will benefit from immunotherapy, and achieve the goal of precision medicine.

Serum Metabolomics Characteristics of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Patients with Liver-Stomach Qi Stagnation Syndrome and Spleen-Stomach Weakness Syndrome / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To analyze the metabolomics characteristics of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation and spleen-stomach weakness syndromes based on non-targeted metabolomics technology,and to identify the serum differentiated metabolites related to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome of CAG patients,so as to provide a reference for the objectification of syndrome differentiation.Methods Sixty patients with CAG were included,including 30 cases of liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and 30 cases of spleen-stomach weakness syndrome.Fasting blood of 5 mL was collected from the cubital vein of patients in the two groups,and the serum levels of metabolites were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS)methods.The principal component analysis(PCA),orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA),and cluster analysis were used to screen the differentiated metabolites of CAG patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and spleen-stomach weakness syndrome.Finally,metabolite pathway analysis was performed for the obtained differentiated metabolites using the KEGG database.Results The results for the screening of differentiated metabolites showed that significant differences of amino acid derivatives and small peptide metabolites were presented between CAG patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and CAG patients with spleen-stomach weakness syndrome.The amino acid derivatives consisted of N-acetylglycine,histamine,O-phosphoserine,selenomethylselenocysteine,and methyl-tyrosine.And the small peptide metabolites consisted of tyrosine-leucine-phenylalanine,histidine-alanine-glutamate-lysine,L-asparagine-L-proline-L-serine,and L-isoleucine-L-isoleucine.Conclusion Differences in amino acid metabolism exist between CAG patients with liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome and those with spleen-stomach weakness syndrome,and metabolites such as N-acetylglycine,intermethyltyrosine,and O-phosphoserine may be the potential biomarkers for distinguishing liver-stomach qi stagnation syndrome from spleen-stomach weakness syndrome in CAG patients.

Zinc deficiency during pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcome / 基础医学与临床

Zinc deficiency during pregnancy is common and has been significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous preterm birth(PTB),recurrent abortion(RA),low birth weight(LBW),small-for-gestational-age infant(SGA),preeclampsia(PE),and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Unfortunately,there is no specific biomarkers which are sensitive,easy-to-collect and detect available for the clini-cal evaluation of zinc nutritional status.However,recent studies have identified metallothionein and the ratio of oleic acid to dihydroxymethyl gamma-linolenic acid(LA/DGLA)as potentially candidates of biomarkers.This article focuses on summarizing and discussing the progress of domestic and international researches on zinc deficiency dur-ing pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes,potential zinc biomarkers,and zinc deficiency treatments,aiming at providing ideas for perinatal nutritional guidance.

Identification of Atrial Fibrillation-related Inflammatory Genes and Their Association with Immune Cell Infiltration Based on Comprehensive Bioinformatic Analysis / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To identify inflammation-related genes in atrial fibrillation(AF)and explore the possible role and mechanism of these genes and infiltrating immune cells in the development of AF.Methods A series of bioinformatics analysis combined with machine learning algorithms to identify biomarkers of AF,the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to verify the prediction and diagnostic value of key genes,and Spearman correlation analysis was used to clarify the correlation between key genes and infiltrating immune cells.Results 593 differential genes(| log2(fold change,FC)|>1,P<0.05),7 immune cell subtypes(P<0.05)were selected,190 immune-related differential genes were obtained,3 biomarkers(IGF1,PTGS 2 and PPARG),and the correlation analysis showed that 3 markers were significantly associated with infiltrating immune cells(P<0.05).Conclusion IGF1,PTGS2 and PPARG are inflammation-related genes of AF,which are speculated to be closely related to the process and pathway of immune cell infiltration.

Research progress on the role of cancer stem cell biomarkers in the progression and treatment of cervical cancer / 新乡医学院学报

Cancer stem cells(CSCs)are a small subgroup of cells capable of initiating cancer and are associated with chemotherapy resistance and cancer recurrence.Cervical cancer is one of the major malignant tumors threatening women's health worldwide.With the popularization of cervical cancer screening,some early cervical cancer and precancerous lesions have been discovered and timely treated,but the treatment and prognosis of mid-to late-stage cervical cancer have not been markedly improved.The treatments of mid-to late-stage cervical cancer are still surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy.There-fore,effective targeting strategies for cervical cancer CSCs are increasingly important for monitoring the progress of cervical cancer treatment and evaluating new treatment methods.This article provides a brief review of the role of biomarkers of cervical cancer CSCs in the progression of cervical cancer and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Study and validation of biomarkers in serum of patients with acute and chronic kidney injury / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical utility of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL)and other biomarkers in serum for patients with acute and chronic kidney injury.METHODS:A total of 171 patients with acute kidney injury(AKI)and 209 patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD)who sought medical care at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou between January 2022 and July 2023 were in-cluded in this study.Data on potassium(K),sodium(Na),chloride(Cl),carbon dioxide(CO2),urea(Urea),and glu-cose(GLU)were collected from each group of participants.A total of 94 individuals who were deemed healthy and had un-dergone physical examinations within the same time frame were chosen as the control group.The serum NGAL levels of all three groups were measured using latex immunoturbidimetry.The diagnostic effectiveness of serum NGAL and other bio-markers in identifying acute and chronic kidney injury was analyzed.Multiple logistic regression equations were employed to examine the factors influencing the occurrence of AKI and CKD in patients.Additionally,receiver operating characteris-tic(ROC)curves were constructed to evaluate the clinical significance of these biomarkers in patients with kidney injury.RESULTS:Through bioinformatic analysis,it was suggested that NGAL may be a detection marker of kidney injury.Ac-cording to general data,in the AKI and the CKD groups,K,Na,CO2,Urea,GLU and NGAL levels were higher than those in the healthy control group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression equation analysis showed that Na,Urea,GLU and NGAL levels were all independent risk factors for AKI or CKD disease occurrence(P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that in the AKI group,the area under the curve(AUC)for Na,Urea,GLU and NGAL were 0.711,0.960,0.793 and 0.841,respectively(P＜0.01).In the CKD group,the AUC for Na,Urea,GLU and NGAL were 0.681,0.990,0.703 and 0.930,respectively(P＜0.01).The sensitivity and specificity of NGAL and Urea combined diagnosis for AKI were 81.9%and 61.1%,respectively,and those for CKD were 62.7%and 80.0%,respectively.CONCLUSION:Serum NGAL can serve as an indicator of acute and chronic kidney injury,and its combination with other biomarkers also has certain clinical application value in acute and chronic kidney injury.

Clinical efficacy of tirellizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of tirellizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer and its effect on immune function and quality of life in patients.Methods:In this retrospective case-control study, we analyzed the clinical data of 104 patients with advanced (stages III and IV) non-small cell lung cancer who received treatment at Zhoushan Hospital between May 2021 and June 2022. These patients were divided into two groups: group A ( n = 52) and group B ( n = 52), based on the treatment methods utilized. Patients in group A received chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin or pemetrexed plus cisplatin. Meanwhile, patients in group B were treated with tirellizumab combined with chemotherapy regimens of gemcitabine plus cisplatin or pemetrexed plus cisplatin, with 21 days as a treatment cycle. Both groups of patients received three cycles of treatment. The short-term efficacy was compared between the two groups. Additionally, serum levels of tumor markers, immune function indexes, quality of life score, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:The short-term response rate in group B was significantly higher than that in group A [51.92% (27/52) vs. 32.69% (17/52), Z = 4.11, P < 0.001]. When compared with pretreatment levels, serum levels of tumor markers and the percentage of CD8 + cells decreased in both groups after treatment. Notably, the serum levels of tumor markers and the percentage of CD8 + cells were significantly lower in group B compared with group A (all P < 0.05). Moreover, after treatment, the percentage of CD4 + cells, the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + cells, functional subscale, symptom subscale, and total score increased significantly compared with pretreatment levels (all P < 0.05) and were significantly higher in group B compared with those in group A (all P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events in group B was significantly higher than that in group A [44.23% (23/52) vs. 21.15% (11/52), χ2 = 6.29, P = 0.012]. Conclusion:Tirelizumab combined with chemotherapy is effective for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The combined therapy can lower serum levels of tumor markers, restore immune function, and improve overall quality of life.