Enlarged high frequency oscillations of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ObjectiveA large N20 and P25 of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) predicts short survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated whether high frequency oscillations (HFOs) over N20 are enlarged and associated with survival in ALS.MethodsA total of 145 patients with ALS and 57 healthy subjects were studied. We recorded the median nerve SEP and measured the onset-to-peak amplitude of N20 (N20o-p), and peak-to-peak amplitude between N20 and P25 (N20p-P25p). We obtained early and late HFO potentials by filtering SEP between 500 and 1 kHz, and measured the peak-to-peak amplitude. We followed up patients until endpoints (death or tracheostomy) and analyzed the relationship between SEP or HFO amplitudes and survival using a Cox analysis.ResultsPatients showed larger N20o-p, N20p-P25p, and early and late HFO amplitudes than the control values. N20p-P25p was associated with survival periods (p = 0.0004), while early and late HFO amplitudes showed no significant association with survival (p = 0.4307, and p = 0.6858, respectively).ConclusionsThe HFO amplitude in ALS is increased, but does not predict survival.SignificanceThe enlarged HFOs in ALS might be a compensatory phenomenon to the hyperexcitability of the sensory cortex pyramidal neurons.     

嘌呤能受体X1与肺腺癌预后及免疫细胞浸润的相关性研究

目的：探索嘌呤能受体X1(purinergic receptor，P2RX1)与肺腺癌(LUAD)患者预后及免疫细胞浸润的相关性。方法：利用生物信息学技术分析非小细胞肺癌中P2RX1的表达及其甲基化与患者预后的关系，对P2RX1共表达基因进行富集分析并筛选核心基因。利用TIMER 2.0数据库、R软件等分析P2RX1与免疫细胞、免疫检查点、免疫基质评分等的相关性。结果：P2RX1在LUAD中表达下调，低表达P2RX1的患者预后较差(P<0.05)，且P2RX1与肿瘤纯度、分期等临床病理因素有关(P<0.05)。P2RX1的表达与肺鳞癌患者预后无明显相关。Cg06475633等P2RX1 CpG位点甲基化与患者预后相关。P2RX1共表达基因主要富集于免疫细胞活化、分化等通路和生物学进程，核心基因主要包括BTK、IKZF1等。P2RX1的表达与B细胞浸润、免疫/基质评分、PD-1、CTLA-4等多个免疫检查点显著相关(P<0.05)。结论：P2RX1有望成为LUAD诊断和免疫治疗的新靶点。     

“T” is for “transgender”: an analysis of children’s picture books featuring transgender protagonists and narrators

ABSTRACT

This project examined 55 picture books featuring transgender, gender expansive or genderqueer protagonists or narrators published between 2008 and 2018. The purpose of the study was to determine how this genre of children’s literature supports and challenges four gender assumptions: the gender binary, gender essentialism, sex/gender congruency and gender stability. Additionally, this critical analysis explored misgendering within this genre and themes of social rejection and acceptance. Protagonists and narrators were permitted a degree of gender nonconformity, however, the majority of picture books missed opportunities for a more complete exploration of gender possibilities.     

Recent advances in preclinical in vitro approaches towards quantitative prediction of hepatic clearance and drug-drug interactions involving organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B transporters

Hepatic uptake mediated by organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3 can serve as a major elimination pathway for various anionic drugs and as a site of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). This article provides an overview of the in vitro approaches used to predict human hepatic clearance (CL_h) and the risk of DDIs involving OATP1Bs. On the basis of the so-called extended clearance concept, in vitro–in vivo extrapolation methods using human hepatocytes as in vitro systems have been used to predict the CL_h involving OATP1B-mediated hepatic uptake. CL_h can be quantitatively predicted using human donor lots possessing adequate OATP1B activities. The contribution of OATP1Bs to hepatic uptake can be estimated by the relative activity factor, the relative expression factor, or selective inhibitor approaches, which offer generally consistent outcomes. In OATP1B1 inhibition assays, substantial substrate dependency was observed. The time-dependent inhibition of OATP1B1 was also noted and may be a mechanism underlying the in vitro–in vivo differences in the inhibition constant of cyclosporine A. Although it is still challenging to quantitatively predict CL_h and DDIs involving OATP1Bs from only preclinical data, understanding the utility and limitation of the current in vitro methods will pave the way for better prediction.