Expression Analysis of miR-29b in Malignant and Benign Breast Tumors: A Promising Prognostic Biomarker for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma With a Possible Histotype-Related Expression Status

Background

Aberrations in microRNA levels seem to provide valuable information regarding breast cancer prognosis and therapy. In this study, we sought to analyze miR-29b expression in breast tumors and thus explore its clinical value.

Can we HIIT cancer if we attack inflammation?

Physical exercise offers numerous health-related benefits to individuals with cancer. Epidemiologic research has primarily been concerned with conventional exercise training that aligns with the recommendations of 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. These recommendations are safe and effective at improving physical and psychosocial outcomes. Given the extensive evidence for generalized physical activity, researchers have begun to explore novel training regimens that may provide additional health benefits and/or improved adherence. Specifically, exercise at higher intensities may offer more or different benefits than conventional training approaches with potentially profound effects on the tumor microenvironment. This commentary focuses on the physiological effects of high-intensity interval training, also known as “HIIT,” and its potential antineoplastic properties.     

Aerosol Electrostatics I: Properties of Fine Powders Before and After Aerosolization by Dry Powder Inhalers

Purpose. To evaluate the dependence of fine particle dose charge (FPD charge) generated from powder inhalers on physico-chemical properties of the inhalation powder, inhaler type, deaggregation mechanism, dose number and/or retained powder. Methods. Electrostatic charges were determined on micronized powders and aerosolized fine particle doses withdrawn from two, high efficiency, multidose powder inhalers, Turbohalerand prototype Dryhaler. The behavior of terbutaline sulfate, budesonide, albuterol (sulfate and base), beclomethasone dipropionate and lactose was assessed before and after aerosolization. Results. Both inhalers conferred triboelectric FPD charges during aerosolization in the range –400 pC through +200 pC. Specific charges (charge/unit mass) on the fine particle doses of budesonide from Dryhaler were significantly less than those from Turbohaler (p < 0.01). Electrostatic charges on the potentially respirable cloud of terbutaline sulfate generated by Bricanyl Turbohaler were positive and/or negative and unpredictable. With Pulmicort Turbohaler, FPD charges on budesonide were always positive. Dryhaler was used to determine the chemical dependence of fine particle triboelectrification during the aerosolization of pure materials. A triboelectric series was constructed from the Dryhaler results ranking the powders from positive to negative as budesonide > lactose > albuterol sulfate > terbutaline sulfate albuterol beclomethasone dipropionate. Conclusions. While there was no evidence of FPD charge dependence upon dose number with either inhaler, FPD charges were dependent upon the powder under investigation, as well as the construction and deaggregation mechanism of the inhaler. The specific charge on the fine particle dose of budesonide from Turbohaler corresponded to approximately 200 electronic charges per particle, a value which is known to affect both total and regional aerosol deposition in the human lung. Electrostatic charge effects may be important determinants of aerosol behavior and should not be neglected.     

MRI in the investigation of patients with myelopathy thought to be due to multiple sclerosis

The role of cerebral and spinal cord MRI was investigated in 65 patients with myelopathy suspected of having demyelinating disease. Cerebral MRI demonstrated lesions compatible with demyelination in 80% and spinal cord MRI in 68.6%. In 28.5% of our patients brain lesions were present with normal spinal cord images, but in 17% spinal cord lesions were depicted with a normal brain MRI. The combination of the two examinations demonstrated lesions in 97% of the patients. The frequency of coexistent cerebral lesions in patients with spinal cord lesions was over 85% in patients with chronic disease but only 28.5% in patients with acute myelitis.     

Long-term survival after treatment of malignant colonic polyps

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcome and survival of patients treated for malignant colonic polyps. METHODS: A retrospective review of 15,975 cases of colonoscopies with 8,685 endoscopic polypectomies performed between 1972 and 1990 was undertaken. In 65 patients, the polypectomy specimens contained invasive carcinoma. Six patients were excluded (follow-up, <6 months). Polyp data, operative findings, and follow-up on the remaining 59 patients were recorded. RESULTS: Malignant polyps were found in 35 males and 24 females who had an average age of 64 (range, 39–81) years. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 202 (mean, 90) months. Tumor differentiation was poor in one and well or moderately differentiated in 58 patients. Positive or indeterminate margins were found in 13 patients. Thirty-seven (63 percent) patients were managed with polypectomy and surveillance. Four of these (with rectal tumors) also had an additional local excision for questionable margins. One recurrence was noted in a patient who refused surgery, which was recommended because of indeterminate margins. Twenty-two patients (37 percent) underwent colectomy. Indications included Haggitt Level 3 or 4 invasion (19), inadequate margins (7), patient preference (1), and poor differentiation (1). Residual disease was found in colectomy specimens of three patients (14 percent). There were no cancer-related deaths in either treatment group. Life table analysis demonstrated a five-year survival of 82 percent for the colectomy group and 95 percent for the polypectomy group (P=0.15). CONCLUSION: Treatment of patients with malignant polyps must be individualized based on evolving criteria. Patients in whom polypectomy margins are inadequate should undergo colectomy. With appropriate selection criteria, patients selected for colectomy had a five-year survival rate similar to the rate of those treated by polypectomy alone.     

Integrated Data Analysis for Assessing Treatment Effect through Combining Information from All Sources

It is critical to use a precise estimate of treatment effect when drawing conclusions, evaluating benefit/risk, or designing a new study. Using data from all sources in an integrated data analysis/meta-analysis will help us move closer to meeting this need. Depending on the data sources and objectives, there are many approaches for integrated analyses. These include network meta-analysis, multivariate meta-analysis, model-based meta-analysis as well as methods of borrowing historical data. In this article, we discuss these methods with details for implementation and interpretation. In addition, we consider information adaptive repeated cumulative meta-analyses. We also discuss how to apply three approaches that take into account the variability of the overall treatment effect estimate obtained through integrated analysis to determine sample size for a new trial. Some computation and simulation results are provided.     

EEG and behavioral effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in combination with stimulant drugs in rabbits

In rabbits, ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at 0.5 mg/kg, i.v., was challenged with i.v. methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg), cocaine (1 mg/kg), apomorphine (1 mg/kg), or caffeine (12.5 mg/kg), and observations were made on quantified EEG and behavior. Cortical and hippocampal alterations produced by THC were antagonized by methamphetamine, cocaine, and caffeine and only briefly by apomorphine. Postural and activity behaviors were reversed by methamphetamine and caffeine but only briefly by cocaine and apomorphine. Additionally, stereotypy resulted from the combination of THC with methamphetamine, cocaine, or apomorphine. These data indicate that the effects of THC were antagonized by stimulant drugs of which caffeine was the most effective. However, novel toxicity also resulted from the interaction of THC with catecholaminergic drugs.     

Solute Absorption from the Airways of the Isolated Rat Lung. III. Absorption of Several Peptidase-Resistant,Synthetic Polypeptides: Poly-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-Aspartamides

A series of samples of the synthetic polypeptide poly-,-[N(2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide] (PHEA), containing covalently bound fluorophore, ethylcarbonyl-6-aminofluorescein, and exhibiting different molecular weight distributions with weight average molecular weights ranging from approximately 4 to 43 kD, was prepared and characterized. Aqueous solutions of the polymers were administered to the airways of isolated perfused rat lung preparations, and transfer to the perfusate was measured. Polymers administered directly to the perfusate were not degraded during the experiment. Polymer transfer rates were dependent upon starting molecular weight distribution, larger molecules being absorbed more slowly. In the case of a polymer with a median molecular weight of 7.2 kD, the absorbed species appeared to be smaller molecules than those which were originally administered. This was not the case for a 3.98-kD polymer; absorbed material had a gel permeation chromatography elution volume equivalent to that of the administered material. Absorption for the 3.98-kD polymer was found to be dose dependent. Approximately 70% absorption of a 0.2-mg dose occurred in 100 min. Much larger polymers (up to 11.65 kD) were also absorbed at finite rates. Results are discussed in the context of macromolecular delivery to the systemic circulation via the lung.     

A clinical model to predict postoperative improvement in sub-domains of the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score for degenerative cervical myelopathy

Purpose

The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score consists of six sub-domains and is used to quantify the severity of cervical myelopathy. The current study aimed to assess for predictors of postoperative mJOA sub-domains scores following elective surgical management for patients with cervical myelopathy and develop the first clinical prediction model for 12-month mJOA sub-domain scores.Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 1 Given name: [Byron F.] Last name [Stephens], Author 2 Given name: [Lydia J.] Last name [McKeithan], Author 3 Given name: [W. Hunter] Last name [Waddell], Author 4 Given name: [Anthony M.] Last name [Steinle], Author 5 Given name: [Wilson E.] Last name [Vaughan], Author 6 Given name: [Jacquelyn S.] Last name [Pennings], Author 7 Given name: [Jacquelyn S.] Last name [Pennings], Author 8 Given name: [Scott L.] Last name [Zuckerman], Author 9 Given name: [Kristin R.] Last name [Archer], Author 10 Given name: [Amir M.] Last name [Abtahi] Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.Last Author listed should be Kristin R. Archer

Methods

A multivariable proportional odds ordinal regression model was developed for patients with cervical myelopathy. The model included patient demographic, clinical, and surgery covariates along with baseline sub-domain scores. The model was internally validated using bootstrap resampling to estimate the likely performance on a new sample of patients.

Results

The model identified mJOA baseline sub-domains to be the strongest predictors of 12-month scores, with numbness in legs and ability to walk predicting five of the six mJOA items. Additional covariates predicting three or more items included age, preoperative anxiety/depression, gender, race, employment status, duration of symptoms, smoking status, and radiographic presence of listhesis. Surgical approach, presence of motor deficits, number of surgical levels involved, history of diabetes mellitus, workers’ compensation claim, and patient insurance had no impact on 12-month mJOA scores.

Conclusion

Our study developed and validated a clinical prediction model for improvement in mJOA scores at 12 months following surgery. The results highlight the importance of assessing preoperative numbness, walking ability, modifiable variables of anxiety/depression, and smoking status. This model has the potential to assist surgeons, patients, and families when considering surgery for cervical myelopathy.

Level of evidence

Level III.