Liquid Biopsy Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (LB-RECIST).

Current evaluation of treatment response in solid tumors depends on dynamic changes in tumor diameters as measured by imaging. However, these changes can only be detected when there are enough macroscopic changes in tumor volume, which limits the usability of radiological response criteria in evaluating earlier stages of disease response and necessitates much time to lapse for gross changes to be notable. One promising approach is to incorporate dynamic changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which occur early in the course of therapy and can predict tumor responses weeks before gross size changes manifest. However, several issues need to be addressed before recommending the implementation of ctDNA response criteria in daily clinical practice such as clinical, biological, and regulatory challenges and, most importantly, the need to standardize/harmonize detection methods and ways to define ctDNA response and/or progression for precision oncology. Herein, we review the use of liquid biopsy (LB) to evaluate response in solid tumors and propose a plan toward standardization of LB-RECIST.

Sodium fluoride (Na18F) PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (NAFCIST): a framework for response assessment in bone tumors.

The current Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors for measuring tumor response in osteosarcoma may be sub-optimal, as even responsive bone tumors may show limited change in tumor diameters. This limits the use of traditional imaging assessment tools. Therefore, discerning osteosarcoma response to therapy on magnetic resonance imaging before surgery is often difficult, and it is typically evaluated after surgery by assessing the amount of necrosis in resected surgical specimens. To address these challenges, sodium fluoride (Na18F) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans can be utilized to better image bone response to therapy, as, fluoride is avidly taken up by bone. Na18F Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (NAFCIST) has been developed as a novel method to evaluate treatment response using Na18F PET/CT. Current evidence supporting NAFCIST comes from a pilot study that evaluated alpha particle radium-223 in patients with osteosarcoma. In this review, practical guidance for utilizing NAFCIST in the context of bone tumors is illustrated to aid future studies.

Correct Seatbelt Positioning For Pregnant Car Occupants

@#Correct seatbelt wearing is a prerequisite for the protection of a pregnant woman and her baby in the event of a crash. However, because of discomfort due to large abdomen and wrong belief, pregnant women may avoid using the safety belt or may wear it not according to the correct position as recommended. This research aims to assess the overall prevalence of seatbelt wearing and the proportion of correct seatbelt wearing among pregnant car occupants. A face-to-face interview survey was conducted on 503 pregnant car occupants in Klang Valley who are visiting pregnancy clinics for their monthly check-up. Seatbelt wearing rate among pregnant car occupants was recorded high for front occupant, 90% for driver and 85% for front passenger. However, rear passenger seatbelt compliance was low, only 24% reported always wearing seatbelt when they occupy the rear seats. Despite the high compliance rate of seatbelt usage among pregnant occupants, the correct positioning of the seatbelt was only 29% of overall respondents. The findings of the study suggest low percentage of correct seatbelt usage among pregnant occupants could increase the risk of injury in event of a crash. Thus, awareness and educations needed to advocate pregnant lady on the correct adjustment of seatbelt.

Construction and heterologous expression of a truncated Haemagglutinin (HA) protein from the avian influenza virus H5N1 in Escherichia coli.

Malaysia first reported H5N1 poultry case in 2004 and subsequently outbreak in poultry population in 2007. Here, a recombinant gene encoding of peptide epitopes, consisting fragments of HA1, HA2 and a polybasic cleavage site of H5N1 strain Malaysia, was amplified and cloned into pET-47b(+) bacterial expression vector. DNA sequencing and alignment analysis confirmed that the gene had no alteration and in-frame to the vector. Then, His-tagged truncated HA protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) under 1 mM IPTG induction. The protein expression was optimized under a time-course induction study and further purified using Ni-NTA agarose under reducing condition. Migration size of protein was detected at 15 kDa by Western blot using anti-His tag monoclonal antibody and demonstrated no discrepancy compared to its calculated molecular weight.

Construction and heterologous expression of a truncated Haemagglutinin (HA) protein from the avian influenza virus H5N1 in Escherichia coli

Malaysia first reported H5N1 poultry case in 2004 and subsequently outbreak in poultry population in 2007. Here, a recombinant gene encoding of peptide epitopes, consisting fragments of HA1, HA2 and a polybasic cleavage site of H5N1 strain Malaysia, was amplified and cloned into pET-47b(+) bacterial expression vector. DNA sequencing and alignment analysis confirmed that the gene had no alteration and in-frame to the vector. Then, Histagged truncated HA protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) under 1 mM IPTG induction. The protein expression was optimized under a time-course induction study and further purified using Ni-NTA agarose under reducing condition. Migration size of protein was detected at 15 kDa by Western blot using anti-His tag monoclonal antibody and demonstrated no discrepancy compared to its calculated molecular weight.