3D Superclusters with Hybrid Bioinks for Early Detection in Breast Cancer.

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique has garnered significant interest due to its ultrahigh sensitivity, making it suitable for addressing the growing demand for disease diagnosis. In addition to its sensitivity and uniformity, an ideal SERS platform should possess characteristics such as simplicity in manufacturing and low analyte consumption, enabling practical applications in complex diagnoses including cancer. Furthermore, the integration of machine learning algorithms with SERS can enhance the practical usability of sensing devices by effectively classifying the subtle vibrational fingerprints produced by molecules such as those found in human blood. In this study, we demonstrate an approach for early detection of breast cancer using a bottom-up strategy to construct a flexible and simple three-dimensional (3D) plasmonic cluster SERS platform integrated with a deep learning algorithm. With these advantages of the 3D plasmonic cluster, we demonstrate that the 3D plasmonic cluster (3D-PC) exhibits a significantly enhanced Raman intensity through detection limit down to 10-6 M (femtomole-(10-17 mol)) for p-nitrophenol (PNP) molecules. Afterward, the plasma of cancer subjects and healthy subjects was used to fabricate the bioink to build 3D-PC structures. The collected SERS successfully classified into two clusters of cancer subjects and healthy subjects with high accuracy of up to 93%. These results highlight the potential of the 3D plasmonic cluster SERS platform for early breast cancer detection and open promising avenues for future research in this field.

Graft-recipient-weight ratio and lowered immunosuppression is important for the success of adult liver retransplantation.

This study analyzed the risk of liver retransplantation and factors related to better outcome. Adult liver transplantations performed during 1996-2021 were included. Comparison between first transplantation and retransplantation were performed. Among retransplantation cases, comparison between whole liver and partial liver graft was performed. Multivariable Cox analyses for analyzing risk factors for primary graft and overall patient survival were performed for the entire cohort as well as the subgroup of patients with retransplantation. A total 2237 transplantations from 2135 adults were included and 103 cases were retransplantation. A total of 44 cases (42.7%) were related to acute graft dysfunction while 59 cases (57.3%) were related to subacute or chronic graft dysfunction. Retransplantation was related poor primary graft (HR 3.439, CI 2.230-5.304, P < 0.001) and overall patient survival. (HR 2.905, CI 2.089-4.040, P < 0.001) Among retransplantations, mean serum FK506 trough level ≥ 9 ng/mL was related to poor primary graft (HR 3.692, CI 1.288-10.587, P = 0.015) and overall patient survival. (HR 2.935, CI 1.195-7.211, P = 0.019) Graft-recipient-weight ratio under 1.0% was related to poor overall patient survival in retransplantations. (HR 3.668, CI 1.150-11.698, P = 0.028). Retransplantation can be complicated with poor graft and patient survival compared to first transplantation, especially when the graft size is relatively small. Lowering the FK506 trough level during the first month can be beneficial for outcome.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rapidly progressive hematological syndrome defined by the pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurologic abnormalities, fever and renal dysfunction. TTP has been associated with major surgical procedures and specific medications. However, there is no known previously reported case in which acute TTP occurred after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report a case of TTP after a PCI, that presented with the pentad of symptoms, as well as hepatitis and pancreatitis.

Aberrant p16INK4A RNA transcripts expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines regulate pRb phosphorylation by binding with CDK4, resulting in delayed cell cycle progression.

The inactivation of the p16INK4A (p16) gene by promoter hypermethylation has been reported in many human cancers. We previously reported that aberrant p16 RNA transcripts are expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines having hypermethylated p16 promoters. In this study, we investigated the functional roles of aberrant p16 RNA transcripts in HCC cells to elucidate molecular events underlying hepatocarcinogenesis. The aberrant p16 RNA transcripts encoded key peptides (amino acids 84-103) involved in binding with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4. GST-aberrant p16 fusion proteins were found to interact with endogenous CDK4 in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of these aberrant p16 RNA transcripts resulted in decreased cell proliferation rate, enlargement of cell shape and reduced level of hyperphosphorylated forms of pRb. Overall, our results suggest that the aberrant p16 RNA transcripts have functions similar to those of wild type p16 in controlling cell cycle.