Generation of super-resolution images from barcode-based spatial transcriptomics by deep image prior.

Spatially resolved transcriptomics (ST) has revolutionized the field of biology by providing a powerful tool for analyzing gene expression in situ. However, current ST methods, particularly barcode-based methods, have limitations in reconstructing high-resolution images from barcodes sparsely distributed in slides. Here, we present SuperST, an algorithm that enables the reconstruction of dense matrices (higher-resolution and non-zero-inflated matrices) from low-resolution ST libraries.

RETRACTION: Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Promotes Catabolism via FGFR1-Ras-Raf-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 Axis That Coordinates With the PKCδ Pathway in Human Articular Chondrocytes.

D. Yan, D. Chen, and H.

RETRACTION: Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Accelerates Matrix Degradation via a Neuro-endocrine Pathway in Human Adult Articular Chondrocytes.

H.-J. Im, X.

RETRACTION: Environmental Disruption of Circadian Rhythm Predisposes Mice to Osteoarthritis-Like Changes in Knee Joint.

R. Kc, X. Li, R.

RETRACTION: Development of an Experimental Animal Model for Lower Back Pain by Percutaneous Injury-Induced Lumbar Facet Joint Osteoarthritis.

J.-S. Kim, K.

A Prospective Multi-Institutional Study Comparing the Brain Development in the Third Trimester between Opioid-Exposed and Nonexposed Fetuses Using Advanced Fetal MR Imaging Techniques.

Background And Purpose: While the adverse neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal opioid exposure on infants and children in the United States are well described, the underlying causative mechanisms have yet to be fully understood. This study aims to compare quantitative volumetric and surface-based features of the fetal brain between opioid-exposed fetuses and unexposed controls by using advanced MR imaging processing techniques.

Materials And Methods: This is a multi-institutional IRB-approved study in which pregnant women with and without opioid use during the current pregnancy were prospectively recruited to undergo fetal MR imaging.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder and Its Possible Prodromes in General Population: Prevalence, Polysomnography Findings, and Associated Factors.

Background And Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and its possible prodromal conditions, isolated dream enactment behavior (DEB) and isolated REM without atonia (RWA), in a general population sample, and the factors associated with diagnosis and symptom frequency.

Methods: From a population-based prospective cohort in Korea, 1,075 participants (age 60.1 ± 7.

A programmable encapsulation system improves delivery of therapeutic bacteria in mice.

Living bacteria therapies have been proposed as an alternative approach to treating a broad array of cancers. In this study, we developed a genetically encoded microbial encapsulation system with tunable and dynamic expression of surface capsular polysaccharides that enhances systemic delivery. Based on a small RNA screen of capsular biosynthesis pathways, we constructed inducible synthetic gene circuits that regulate bacterial encapsulation in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917.

Structural specificities of cell surface β-glucan polysaccharides determine commensal yeast mediated immuno-modulatory activities.

Yeast is an integral part of mammalian microbiome, and like commensal bacteria, has the potential of being harnessed to influence immunity in clinical settings. However, functional specificities of yeast-derived immunoregulatory molecules remain elusive. Here we find that while under steady state, β-1,3-glucan-containing polysaccharides potentiate pro-inflammatory properties, a relatively less abundant class of cell surface polysaccharides, dubbed mannan/β-1,6-glucan-containing polysaccharides (MGCP), is capable of exerting potent anti-inflammatory effects to the immune system.

Patient-Reported Outcomes of Palbociclib Plus Exemestane with GnRH Agonist versus Capecitabine in Premenopausal Women with Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized Phase ll Trial (KCSG-BR 15-10).

In the era of CDK4/6 inhibitors in hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, few trials have been specifically studied to compare quality of life between palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) and cytotoxic chemotherapy exclusively in premenopausal women. We aimed to evaluate differences of patient report outcomes (PROs) between palbociclib plus ET and capecitabine. PROs were assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline, every 6 weeks, and the end of treatment.

Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer.

Background: An earlier analysis of this phase 3 trial showed that the addition of a cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor to endocrine therapy provided a greater benefit with regard to progression-free survival than endocrine therapy alone in premenopausal or perimenopausal patients with advanced hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. Here we report the results of a protocol-specified interim analysis of the key secondary end point of overall survival.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients to receive either ribociclib or placebo in addition to endocrine therapy (goserelin and either a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen).

Prognostic Value of Metabolic and Volumetric Parameters of FDG PET in Pediatric Osteosarcoma: A Hypothesis-generating Study.

Purpose To preliminarily assess the potential prognostic value of various fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) parameters before, during, and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). Materials and Methods Thirty-four patients with osteosarcoma were enrolled prospectively from 2008 to 2012 and underwent FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging before (baseline scan), during (interim scan) and after NCT (posttherapy scan). The study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was received from patients.

Utility of Dual-Energy CT-based Monochromatic Imaging in the Assessment of Myocardial Delayed Enhancement in Patients with Cardiomyopathy.

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic utility of dual-energy computed tomography (CT)-based monochromatic imaging for myocardial delayed enhancement (MDE) assessment in patients with cardiomyopathy. Materials and Methods The institutional review board approved this prospective study, and informed consent was obtained from all participants who were enrolled in the study. Forty patients (27 men and 13 women; mean age, 56 years ± 15 [standard deviation]; age range, 22-81 years) with cardiomyopathy underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and dual-energy CT.

Myocardial Extracellular Volume Fraction with Dual-Energy Equilibrium Contrast-enhanced Cardiac CT in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy: A Prospective Comparison with Cardiac MR Imaging.

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of equilibrium contrast material-enhanced dual-energy cardiac computed tomography (CT) to determine extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) compared with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Materials and Methods This study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was obtained. Seven healthy subjects and 23 patients (six with hypertrophic CMP, nine with dilated CMP, four with amyloidosis, and four with sarcoidosis) (mean age ± standard deviation, 57.

Assessment of Mitral Paravalvular Leakage After Mitral Valve Replacement Using Cardiac Computed Tomography: Comparison With Surgical Findings.

Background: The diagnostic performance of cardiac computed tomography (CT) for detection of paravalvular leakage (PVL) after mitral valve replacement has not been investigated in a large population. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of CT for diagnosis of mitral PVL using surgical findings as the standard reference and to compare the diagnostic performance of CT with those of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Methods And Results: A total of 204 patients with previous mitral valve replacement who underwent cardiac CT were retrospectively included.

Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 (GPR120) Stimulates Bone Formation and Suppresses Bone Resorption in the Presence of Elevated n-3 Fatty Acid Levels.

Free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFA4) has been reported to be a receptor for n-3 fatty acids (FAs). Although n-3 FAs are beneficial for bone health, a role of FFA4 in bone metabolism has been rarely investigated. We noted that FFA4 was more abundantly expressed in both mature osteoclasts and osteoblasts than their respective precursors and that it was activated by docosahexaenoic acid.

Early- vs late-onset subcortical vascular cognitive impairment.

Objective: To evaluate the differences between early-onset subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (EO-SVCI) and late-onset subcortical vascular cognitive impairment (LO-SVCI) with regard to pathologic burden, structural changes, and cognitive function.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 142 patients from a single referral center. Patients were divided into EO-SVCI (n = 30, age at onset <65 years) and LO-SVCI (n = 112, age at onset ≥ 65 years) groups.

Possible Role of Phthalate in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis: In Vitro, Animal, and Human Data.

Context: Although phthalates were shown to have several negative effects on reproductive function in animals, its role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains to be elucidated.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and to compare the urinary levels of several phthalate metabolites between women with and without endometriosis.

Design: For experimental studies, we used endometrial cell culture and nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mouse models.

Clinical effect of white matter network disruption related to amyloid and small vessel disease.

Background: We tested our hypothesis that the white matter network might mediate the effect of amyloid and small vessel disease (SVD) on cortical thickness and/or cognition.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 232 patients with cognitive impairment. Amyloid was assessed using Pittsburgh compound B-PET.

Predictors of Recurrent Stroke in Patients with Ischemic Stroke: Comparison Study between Transesophageal Echocardiography and Cardiac CT.

Purpose: To investigate cardiac computed tomographic (CT) findings predictive of recurrent stroke in patients with ischemic stroke and determine the incremental risk stratification benefit of cardiac CT findings compared with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) findings in patients with ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: This single-center prospective study protocol was approved by the institutional review boards, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Among 548 consecutive patients, 374 patients with ischemic stroke (254 men and 120 women, with a mean age of 63.

Sequential morphological changes in follow-up CT of pulmonary mucormycosis.

Purpose: We aimed to describe the computed tomography (CT) features of pulmonary mucormycosis including sequential changes between follow-ups.

Materials And Methods: Between June 2001 and May 2011, five patients (three males and two females; median age, 43 years; age range, 13-73 years) who had been pathologically diagnosed with pulmonary mucormycosis constituted our study population. Their clinical and CT features including sequential changes over follow-ups were evaluated retrospectively.