Clinical implication of the serum galectin-1 expression in epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Background

galectin-1 has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis and is frequently over-expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but its potential as a biomarker remains unclear. In this novel study, we have explored the possible use of galectin-1 as a biomarker for EOC.

Methods

galectin-1 in sera was evaluated by ELISA in a pilot panel of EOC patients, healthy volunteers, patients with benign gynecologic tumors or other gynecologic malignancies. We examined galectin-1 expression in EOC tumor samples by Western Blot, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In vitro experiments were conducted to elucidate the biologic role of galectin-1 in EOC progression using over-expression of galectin-1 in OVCAR-3 cells. We also looked for the association of galectin-1 expression with clinic pathological variables and survival outcomes in EOC.

Results

A significant difference was detected in serum galectin-1 between EOC patients with non-metastatic and those with metastatic disease, but not between EOC patients and healthy volunteers. It increased in recurrent cases and decreased after debulking surgery. Both of galectin-1 mRNA and protein levels were increased in 90 % of the examined EOC tissue samples, compared with a wedge resection of a normal ovary. High galectin-1 in peritumor stroma was primarily detected in advanced stages of EOC. Over expression of galectin-1 significantly increased the ability of OVCAR-3 cells’ migration and invasion.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that galectin-1 might play a role in tumor progression and be associated with poor outcome in EOC. It could be a novel prognostic and progression biomarker in EOC patients.

     

Nanocomposite Foams of Polypropylene and Carbon Nanotubes: Preparation,Characterization, and Evaluation of their Performance as EMI Absorbers

Highly expanded nanocomposite foams of polypropylene and carbon nanotubes (PP/CNT) are formed using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) technology. The foaming parameters (temperature, pressure) are investigated to establish their influence on the morphology of the resulting foams and their impact on the electrical conductivity. As promising electromagnetic‐interference (EMI) absorbers, the EMI shielding performance of the foams is determined, and a preliminary relationship is established between foam morphology and the EMI shielding performance. The best candidates are highly expanded foams with a volume expansion of >25, containing 0.1 vol% CNTs; they are able to absorb more than 90% of the incident radiation between 25 and 40 GHz.

     

De Novo Mutations in the Motor Domain of KIF1A Cause Cognitive Impairment,Spastic Paraparesis,Axonal Neuropathy,and Cerebellar Atrophy

KIF1A is a neuron‐specific motor protein that plays important roles in cargo transport along neurites. Recessive mutations in KIF1A were previously described in families with spastic paraparesis or sensory and autonomic neuropathy type‐2. Here, we report 11 heterozygous de novo missense mutations (p.S58L, p.T99M, p.G102D, p.V144F, p.R167C, p.A202P, p.S215R, p.R216P, p.L249Q, p.E253K, and p.R316W) in KIF1A in 14 individuals, including two monozygotic twins. Two mutations (p.T99M and p.E253K) were recurrent, each being found in unrelated cases. All these de novo mutations are located in the motor domain (MD) of KIF1A. Structural modeling revealed that they alter conserved residues that are critical for the structure and function of the MD. Transfection studies suggested that at least five of these mutations affect the transport of the MD along axons. Individuals with de novo mutations in KIF1A display a phenotype characterized by cognitive impairment and variable presence of cerebellar atrophy, spastic paraparesis, optic nerve atrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and epilepsy. Our findings thus indicate that de novo missense mutations in the MD of KIF1A cause a phenotype that overlaps with, while being more severe, than that associated with recessive mutations in the same gene.     

信息化在规范护理敏感质量指标提取中的应用

目的 利用信息系统规范护理敏感质量指标的提取。 方法 分别通过完善及应用护理质量管理系统、医院信息网络系统(hospital information system, HIS)、蓝蜻蜓系统、“问卷星”在线调查工具4个信息系统采集变量,采集过程中进行质量控制。 结果 得出不同指标提取的相应信息渠道,规范各指标获取方法。 结论 利用信息系统进行护理敏感质量指标变量采集,保证了指标的可测量性、客观性、有效性和及时性。     

The impact of test loads on the accuracy of 1RM prediction using the load-velocity relationship

Background

Numerous methods have been proposed that use submaximal loads to predict one repetition maximum (1RM). One common method applies standard linear regression equations to load and average vertical lifting velocity (V_mean) data developed during squat jumps or three bench press throw (BP-T). The main aim of this project was to determine which combination of three submaximal loads during BP-T result in the most accurate prediction of 1RM Smith Machine bench press strength in healthy individuals.

Methods

In this study combinations of three BP-T loads were used to predict 1RM Smith Machine bench press strength. Additionally, we examined whether regression models developed using peak vertical bar velocity (V_peak), rather than V_mean, provide the most accurate prediction of Smith Machine bench press 1RM. 1RM Smith Machine bench press strength was measured directly in 12 healthy regular weight trainers (body mass?=?80.8?±?5.7 kg). Two to three days later a linear position transducer attached to the collars on a Smith Machine was used to record V_mean and V_peak during BP-T between 30 and 70% of 1RM (10% increments).

Results

Repeated measures analysis of variance testing showed that the mean values for slope and ordinate intercept for the regression models at each of the load ranges differed significantly depending on whether V_mean or V_peak were used in the prediction models (P?<?0.001). Conversely, the abscissa intercept did not differ significantly between either measure of vertical bar velocity at each load range. The key finding in this study was that 1RM Smith Machine bench press strength can be determined with high relative accuracy by examining V_mean and V_peak during BP-T over three loads, with the most precise models using V_peak during loads representing 30, 40 and 50% of 1RM (R ² ?=?0.96, SSE?=?4.2 kg).

Conclusions

These preliminary findings indicate that exercise programmers working with normal healthy populations can accurately predict Smith Machine 1RM bench press strength using relatively light load Smith Machine BP-T testing, avoiding the need to expose their clients to potentially injurious loads.

     

Characterization of costal cartilage and its suitability as a cell source for articular cartilage tissue engineering

Costal cartilage is a promising donor source of chondrocytes to alleviate cell scarcity in articular cartilage tissue engineering. Limited knowledge exists, however, on costal cartilage characteristics. This study describes the characterization of costal cartilage and articular cartilage properties and compares neocartilage engineered with costal chondrocytes to native articular cartilage, all within a sheep model. Specifically, we (a) quantitatively characterized the properties of costal cartilage in comparison to patellofemoral articular cartilage, and (b) evaluated the quality of neocartilage derived from costal chondrocytes for potential use in articular cartilage regeneration. Ovine costal and articular cartilages from various topographical locations were characterized mechanically, biochemically, and histologically. Costal cartilage was stiffer in compression but softer and weaker in tension than articular cartilage. These differences were attributed to high amounts of glycosaminoglycans and mineralization and a low amount of collagen in costal cartilage. Compared to articular cartilage, costal cartilage was more densely populated with chondrocytes, rendering it an excellent chondrocyte source. In terms of tissue engineering, using the self‐assembling process, costal chondrocytes formed articular cartilage‐like neocartilage. Quantitatively compared via a functionality index, neocartilage achieved 55% of the medial condyle cartilage mechanical and biochemical properties. This characterization study highlighted the differences between costal and articular cartilages in native forms and demonstrated that costal cartilage is a valuable source of chondrocytes suitable for articular cartilage regeneration strategies.     

ADARRI: a novel method to detect spurious R-peaks in the electrocardiogram for heart rate variability analysis in the intensive care unit

We developed a simple and fully automated method for detecting artifacts in the R-R interval (RRI) time series of the ECG that is tailored to the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. From ECG recordings of 50 adult ICU-subjects we selected 60 epochs with valid R-peak detections and 60 epochs containing artifacts leading to missed or false positive R-peak detections. Next, we calculated the absolute value of the difference between two adjacent RRIs (adRRI), and obtained the empirical probability distributions of adRRI values for valid R-peaks and artifacts. From these, we calculated an optimal threshold for separating adRRI values arising from artifact versus non-artefactual data. We compared the performance of our method with the methods of Berntson and Clifford on the same data. We identified 257,458 R-peak detections, of which 235,644 (91.5%) were true detections and 21,814 (8.5%) arose from artifacts. Our method showed superior performance for detecting artifacts with sensitivity 100%, specificity 99%, precision 99%, positive likelihood ratio of 100 and negative likelihood ratio <0.001 compared to Berntson’s and Clifford’s method with a sensitivity, specificity, precision and positive and negative likelihood ratio of 99%, 78%, 82%, 4.5, 0.013 for Berntson’s method and 55%, 98%, 96%, 27.5, 0.460 for Clifford’s method, respectively. A novel algorithm using a patient-independent threshold derived from the distribution of adRRI values in ICU ECG data identifies artifacts accurately, and outperforms two other methods in common use. Furthermore, the threshold was calculated based on real data from critically ill patients and the algorithm is easy to implement.     

Lung real time three-dimensional imaging in critically ill ventilated patients: a global diagnosis concordance study

Lung ultrasound (LUS) increases clinical diagnosis performance in intensive care unit (ICU). Real-time three-dimensional (3-D) imaging was compared with two-dimensional (2-D) LUS by assessing the global diagnosis concordance. In this single center, prospective, observational, pilot study, one trained operator performed a 3-D LUS immediately after a 2-D LUS in eight areas of interest on the same areas in 16 ventilated critically ill patients. All cine loops were recorded on a computer without visible link between 2-D and 3-D exams. Two experts blindly reviewed cine loops. Four main diagnoses were proposed: normal lung, consolidation, pleural effusion and interstitial syndrome. Fleiss κ and Cohen’s κ values were calculated. In 252 LUS cine loops, the concordance between 2-D and 3-D exams was 83.3% (105/126), 77.6% (99/126) and 80.2% (101/126) for the trained operator and the experts respectively. The Cohen’s κ coefficient value was 0.69 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.58–0.80] for expert 1 meaning a substantial agreement. The inter-rater reliability was very good (Fleiss’ κ value?=?0.94 [95% CI 0.87–1.0]) for 3-D exams. The Cohen’s κ was excellent for pleural effusion (κ=?0.93 [95% CI 0.76–1.0]), substantial for normal lung diagnosis (κ?=?0.68 [95% CI 0.51–0.86]) and interstitial syndrome (κ?=?0.62 [95% CI 0.45–0.80]) and fair for consolidation diagnoses (κ?=?0.47 [95% CI 0.30–0.64]). In ICU ventilated patients, there was a substantial concordance between 2-D and 3-D LUS with a good inter-rater reliability. However, the diagnosis concordance for lung consolidation is poor.