Multiscale quantification of morphological heterogeneity with creation of a predictor of longer survival in glioblastoma

Intratumor heterogeneity is a main cause of the dismal prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM). Yet, there remains a lack of a uniform assessment of the degree of heterogeneity. With a multiscale approach, we addressed the hypothesis that intratumor heterogeneity exists on different levels comprising traditional regional analyses, but also innovative methods including computer-assisted analysis of tumor morphology combined with epigenomic data. With this aim, 157 biopsies of 37 patients with therapy-naive IDH-wildtype GBM were analyzed regarding the intratumor variance of protein expression of glial marker GFAP, microglia marker Iba1 and proliferation marker Mib1. Hematoxylin and eosin stained slides were evaluated for tumor vascularization. For the estimation of pixel intensity and nuclear profiling, automated analysis was used. Additionally, DNA methylation profiling was conducted separately for the single biopsies. Scoring systems were established to integrate several parameters into one score for the four examined modalities of heterogeneity (regional, cellular, pixel-level and epigenomic). As a result, we could show that heterogeneity was detected in all four modalities. Furthermore, for the regional, cellular and epigenomic level, we confirmed the results of earlier studies stating that a higher degree of heterogeneity is associated with poorer overall survival. To integrate all modalities into one score, we designed a predictor of longer survival, which showed a highly significant separation regarding the OS. In conclusion, multiscale intratumor heterogeneity exists in glioblastoma and its degree has an impact on overall survival. In future studies, the implementation of a broadly feasible heterogeneity index should be considered.     

Treatment effect analysis of curettage for jaw cysts based on volumetric assessment and image registration

The study was conducted to develop a visual and intuitive quantitative evaluation method for maxillary cystic lesions after curettage. Mimics 16.0 and Geomagic Studio 2013 were used to form a precise reconstruction of the cystic lesion morphology of 60 cases; the average reduction rates and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Computed tomography (CT) registration was performed before and after surgery to observe morphology features of the bone regeneration of the cystic area. The average reduction rates (RR) of the cysts after curettage were (43.56 ± 16.79)%, (54.33 ± 17.15)% and (68.53 ± 15.99)% at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, respectively. The average monthly reduction rates (MRR) were (12.07 ± 4.35)%, (8.16 ± 2.84)% and (5.35 ± 1.52)% at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, respectively. Correlation analysis by comparing with each group showed that the effect of sex and age in the 3-month group and the initial size in the 12-month group on RR and MRR were statistically significant. Within the limitations of the study it seems that the chosen approach for quantitative evaluation of the therapeutic effect of curettage for jaw cystic lesions might facilitate visual and quantitative follow-up of cyst curettage and timely detection of recurrence.     

基于移动医疗的妊娠期盆底肌训练对产后尿失禁发生的影响：一项基于随机对照试验设计的探索性研究

背景 孕产妇尿失禁（UI）发病率高，严重影响了女性生活质量。研究表明，盆底肌训练是UI有效的防治手段，本研究前期进行了一项随机对照试验（RCT），结果发现相比于常规宣教，基于移动医疗APP的盆底肌训练并未显现出预防优势，其原因需要进一步深入探讨。 目的 本研究拟对一项基于APP的妊娠期盆底肌训练的干预研究的阴性结果进行探索性分析，旨在探讨产后UI预防效果的影响因素以及获益的亚组人群。 方法 本研究数据来源于前期开展的一项RCT，采用方便抽样法，于2020年6—10月在南方医科大学深圳医院产科门诊招募了126例研究对象，采用随机数字表法分为干预组与对照组，每组各63例。对照组采用常规护理，干预组在此基础上使用"有爱屋"APP进行尿失禁自我管理，干预周期为2个月。产后42 d随访时收集两组产后相关资料，包括产后42 d UI发生情况。以产后是否发生UI为结局指标，将研究对象分为病例组和对照组，采用Logistic回归分析探讨混杂因素及其与干预方式之间的交互作用对产后UI发生的影响。针对Logistic回归分析的结果进行分层分析，探讨是否存在能从APP干预中获益的亚组人群。 结果 病例组和对照组阴道分娩史、入组时存在UI、Broome盆底肌自我效能量表（BPMSES）得分比较，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析结果显示，入组时存在UI是产后发生UI的危险因素〔OR=15.897，95%CI（4.724，53.495），P<0.001〕；BPMSES得分与干预方式的交互作用可影响产后UI的发生〔OR=1.034，95%CI（1.017，1.051），P<0.001〕。分层分析结果显示，入组时存在UI症状的孕妇，干预组产后UI发生率低于对照组（χ2=4.18，P=0.041）；入组时不存在UI症状的孕妇，两组产后UI发生率比较，差异无统计学意义（χ2=1.89，P=0.284）。 结论 推荐有UI症状的孕妇使用"有爱屋"APP或许可预防产后UI的发生。而对于妊娠期没有UI症状的人群使用"有爱屋"APP预防产后UI发生的证据尚不充分。另外，不管有无UI症状，盆底肌训练自我效能高的孕妇有望从APP干预中获益。     

Key Social Determinants to Narrow the Gap between Health-adjusted Life Expectancy and Life Expectancy in Megacities

ObjectiveImprovement in the quality of life is reflected in the narrowing of the gap between health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) and life expectancy (LE). The effect of megacity expansion on narrowing the gap is rarely reported. This study aimed to disclose this potential relationship.MethodsAnnual life tables were constructed from identified death records and population counts from multiple administrative sources in Guangzhou, China, from 2010 to 2020. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate the temporal trend. Generalized principal component analysis and multilevel models were applied to examine the county-level association between the gap and social determinants.ResultsAlthough LE and HALE in megacities are increasing steadily, their gap is widening. Socio-economic and health services are guaranteed to narrow this gap. Increasing personal wealth, a growing number of newborns and healthy immigrants, high urbanization, and healthy aging have helped in narrowing this gap.ConclusionIn megacities, parallel LE and HALE growth should be highly considered to narrow their gap. Multiple social determinants need to be integrated as a whole to formulate public health plans.     

Hepatitis B virus DNA in the fingernails and hair of children with acute hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is detectable in the nails and hair of patients with chronic HBV infection. However, it remains unclear whether HBV DNA can be detectable in the nails and hair of patients with acute HBV infection. We encountered two cases of children with acute HBV infection. HBV DNA in the nails and hair from the two children was evaluated by real-time PCR. To clarify the characteristics of HBV DNA, full-length HBV genome sequencing and phylogenetic tree analysis were performed. The levels of serum HBV DNA in children of cases 1 and 2 at day 0 were 7.6 Log IU/mL and 7.4 Log IU/mL, respectively. Nail HBV DNA was detected in both children (case 1: 4.6 Log IU/mL at day 0, case 2: 5.5 Log IU/mL at day 14). Moreover, hair HBV DNA was detectable in case 2 (4.0 Log IU/mL at day 14). Serum HBV DNA became undetectable within approximately 3–4 months after the first hospital visit. After the resolution of HBV viremia, nail and hair HBV DNA became undetectable. The sequence analysis of serum, nail and hair HBV DNA showed the same HBV genotype in each case (case1: genotype C, case 2: genotype A). In case 1, 3 nucleotides were different in the full-genome HBV sequence between the serum and nails. In case 2, the full-genome HBV sequences were identical among the serum, nails and hair. In conclusion, HBV DNA was detectable in nails and hair of children with acute HBV infection.     

Deepm5C: A deep-learning-based hybrid framework for identifying human RNA N5-methylcytosine sites using a stacking strategy

1. Download : Download high-res image (173KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image