A Versatile Platform for Sensitive and Label-Free Identification of Biomarkers through an Exo-III-Assisted Cascade Signal Amplification Strategy.

The development of a versatile and sensitive analytical biomarker detection platform is important for both early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In the present study, we propose a novel fluorescence-based, ultrasensitive, and label-free biomarker detection platform. This platform relies on a flexible probe design compatible for multiple biomarker identification and Exo-III enzyme-triggered cascade signal amplification. We have validated that this label-free platform exhibits high sensitivity and specificity. Indeed, this platform exhibited brilliant analytical performance in qualifying a carcinoembryonic antigen and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). It also shows excellent capability in multiplexing mapping of surface proteins of various cancer-derived sEVs. Therefore, we believe that the proposed sensing platform has great potential for clinical diagnosis and anticancer drug development.

An Improved Surgical Technique to Increase Neck Width of Elastase-Induced Aneurysm Model in Rabbits: A Prospective Study.

Background: Rabbit elastase-induced aneurysms have widely been used to test various endovascular materials over the past two decades. However, wide-necked aneurysms cannot be stably constructed. Objective: The purpose of the study was to increase the neck width of the elastase-induced aneurysm model in rabbits via an improved surgical technique with two temporary clips. Materials and Methods: Fifty-four elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits were successfully created. Group 1 was (n = 34) composed of cases in which two temporary aneurysm clips were placed closely medially and laterally to the origin of the right common carotid artery (RCCA), respectively. Group 2 (n = 20) included cases in which a single temporary aneurysm clip was placed crossed the origin of RCCA. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed before and immediately after elastase incubation and 3 weeks later. The diameter of the origin of RCCA before and immediately after elastase incubation and aneurysm sizes of the two groups were measured and compared. Moreover, the correlation analysis was performed between the diameter of the origin of RCCA immediately after elastase incubation and aneurysm neck width. Results: The mean aneurysm neck and dome width of group 1 were both significantly larger than that of group 2 (p-value < 0.001 and p-value = 0.005, respectively). Moreover, the proportion of wide-necked aneurysms (neck width ≥4 mm) in group 1 was significantly larger than that in group 2 (p-value = 0.004) and the mean dome to neck ratio (D/N) of group 1 was smaller than that of group 2 (p-value = 0.008). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the diameter of the origin of RCCA immediately after elastase incubation and aneurysm neck width. Conclusion: The improved surgical technique with two temporary clips, focusing on the direct contact of elastase with the origin of RCCA, could increase the neck width of elastase-induced aneurysm models in rabbits.

NF2/Merlin suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Merlin ((Moesin-ezrin-radixin-like protein, also known as schwannomin) is a tumor suppressor protein which is encoded by the neurofibromatosis type 2 gene, NF2. Loss of function mutations or deletions in NF2 which normally restrains tumor growth, leads to the formation of multiple tumors including schwannoma, meningioma and ependymoma. We tested whether NF2/Merlin is expressed and exerts similar control on proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and modulates the rate of their apoptosis. Expression of NF2/Merlin was reduced in colorectal cancer cells as compared with adjacent non-cancerous cells. Overexpression of NF2 inhibited colony formation by tumor cells and inhibited proliferation of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The rate of apoptosis was also increased in colorectal cancer cells by overexpression of NF2. These findings show that NF2/Merlin is also reduced in tumors that do not arise in the context of neurofibromatosis and that induction of its expression might be used to control tumor growth.