Stathmin and phospho-stathmin protein signature is associated with survival outcomes of breast cancer patients

Currently, Stathmin1 (STMN1) and phospho-STMN1 levels in breast cancers and their clinical implications are unknown. We examined the expression of STMN1 and its serine phospho-site (Ser16, Ser25, Ser38, and Ser63) status by immunohistochemistry. Using Cox regression analysis, a STMN1 expression signature and phosphorylation profile plus clinicopathological characteristics (STMN1-E/P/C) was developed in the training set (n = 204) and applied to the validation set (n = 106). This tool enabled us to separate breast cancer patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different disease-free survival (DFS) rates (P < 0.001). Importantly, this STMN1-E/P/C model had a greater prognostic value than the traditional TNM classifier, especially in luminal subtype breast cancer (P = 0.002). Further analysis showed that patients in the low-risk group would benefit more from adjuvant paclitaxel-based chemotherapy (P = 0.002). In conclusion, the STMN1-E/P/C signature is a reliable prognostic indicator for luminal subtype breast cancer and may predict the therapeutic response to paclitaxel-based treatments, potentially facilitating individualized management.     

Outcome prediction for Bonebridge candidates based on audiological indication criteria

ObjectiveTo re-evaluate current indication criteria and to estimate the audiological outcomes of patients with Bonebridge bone conduction implants based on preoperative bone conduction thresholds.MethodsWe assessed the outcome of 28 subjects with either conductive or mixed hearing loss (CMHL) or single-sided deafness (SSD) who were undergoing a Bonebridge implantation. We used linear regression to evaluate the influence of preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the better/poorer ear, indication group, and language (German- and French-speaking patients) on aided sound field thresholds. In addition, aided word recognition scores at 65 dB sound pressure level were fit with a logistic model that included preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the better/poorer ear, indication group, and language as effects.ResultsWe found that both aided sound field thresholds and word recognition were correlated with the preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the better hearing ear. No correlation between audiological outcomes and the preoperative bone conduction thresholds of the poorer ear, language, or indication group was found.ConclusionBone conduction thresholds of the better hearing ear should be used to estimate the outcome of patients undergoing Bonebridge implantation. We suggest the indication criteria for Bonebridge candidates considering maximal bone conduction thresholds of the better ear at 38 dB HL to achieve an aided sound field threshold of at least 30 dB hearing level and an aided word recognition score of at least 75% for monosyllabic words.     

Number of Segments Within Musculoskeletal Foot Models Influences Ankle Kinematics and Strains of Ligaments and Muscles

Multi‐segment foot models (MFMs) are becoming a common tool in musculoskeletal research on the ankle‐foot complex. The purpose of this study was to compare ankle joint kinematics as well as ligament and muscle strains that result from MFM with a different number of segments during vertical hopping. Ten participants were recruited and performed double‐limb vertical hops. Marker positions and ground reaction forces were collected. Two‐segment (2MFM), three‐segment (3MFM), and five‐segment MFM (5MFM) were used to calculate ankle kinematics and the strains of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments and of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Ranges of motion and peak strains were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis and post hoc tests, whereas the time‐series of the ankle kinematics and ligament and muscle strains were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping. There were significant main effects for MFM in the talocrural joint range of motion and peak strains of ligaments and muscles. In addition, there were significant main effects for MFM in time‐series data of the talocrural joint angle as well as for ligament and muscle strains. In all cases, the post hoc analyses showed that the 2MFM consistently overestimated the range of motion and tissue strains compared to the 3MFM and 5MFM, while 3MFM and 5MFM did not differ from each other in the most variables. This study showed that the number of segments in MFM significantly affects the biomechanical estimates of joint kinematics and tissue strains during hopping. Clinical significance: MFM that combine all foot structures beyond the talus into one segment likely overestimate ankle joint biomechanics. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2231–2240, 2019     

DVH预测模型在VMAT计划培训中的应用

目的:以宫颈癌为例，探索使用剂量体积直方图（DVH）预测模型培训放疗物理师容积旋转调强（VMAT）计划设计的可行性及其效果。方法:随机选取20例宫颈癌测试病例对3名见习物理师进行两个阶段培训（第一阶段15例，第二阶段5例）。每位物理师分别采用两种方法设计VMAT计划:传统人工计划（MP）和基于DVH预测模型引导的自动计划（KBP）。对比不同阶段两种计划靶区和危及器官的各种剂量学参数，并做相应统计分析。结果:与人工计划相比，自动计划在明显提高PGTV靶区V60覆盖（P<0.001），改善高剂量控制（V66）（P=0.027）的情况下，显著降低膀胱（P<0.001）、直肠（P<0.001）、左右肾（P=0.001和P<0.001）以及左右侧股骨头（P<0.001和P<0.001）等绝大部分正常组织器官的受照剂量。在提高计划合格率的同时，亦减小了计划者间的质量差异。结论:DVH预测模型有助于深化物理师对VMAT初始优化参数设置的理解，加快培训进度，提升VMAT计划设计水平。     

Relation between the development of osteoporosis and osteonecrosis following glucocorticoid in a rabbit model

Background:There has been a recent increase in the number of patients suffering from bone and joint diseases, as a consequence of corticosteroids administration. There are more patients treated with low dose of GCs under long-term conditions in clinical, such as effect of GCs on Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn''s disease and Asthma patients. Hence, it was difficult for doctor to determine which problem occur first – OP or ON; however, there was no clinical report previously in the literature, and there was no effective animal model of OP and ON about low dose GCs. This study was conducted to develop rabbit models of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced femoral head ON and OP and to investigate the temporal relationship between the occurrence of the two events following administration of glucocorticoids.Results:At 4 weeks in the GC group, the BMD of the femur reduced 33% and 22% in the femoral head and shaft; there was irregular intermediate to high T2-weighted images signals; μ-CT showed microfractures and cystic changes in the femoral head and L4 at 4 weeks. At 8 weeks in the GC group, the classical “line-like sign” indicating ON of the femoral head was observed in 64.3% of the rabbits.Conclusion:A rabbit model of GC-induced OP and ON was developed by repetitive injection with small doses of GCs in the gluteal region. OP was observed at 4 weeks while ON developed at 8 weeks and followed a clear temporal pattern.