Spatial Transcriptomic Profiling to Characterize the Nature of Peripheral- Versus Transition-zone Prostate Cancer.

Background And Objective: Prostate cancer (PC) in the transition zone (TZ) has better prognosis than peripheral-zone (PZ) PC despite higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with TZ tumors. Our aim was to characterize molecular differences between TZ and PZ tumors and their clinical implications.

Methods: We performed spatial whole-transcriptome analyses of 50 regions of interest (ROIs) from three patients with PZ and/or TZ PC.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma.

Renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) comprises over 75% of all renal tumors and arises in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule. Molecularly ccRCC is characterized by copy number alterations (CNAs) such as the loss of chromosome 3p and inactivation. Additional driver mutations (, , , and others) promote genomic instability and tumor cell metastasis through the dysregulation of various metabolic and immune-response pathways.

Use of a glycomics array to establish the anti-carbohydrate antibody repertoire in type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies to protein and non-protein antigens. Here we report the identification of specific anti-carbohydrate antibodies (ACAs) that are associated with pathogenesis and progression to T1D. We compare circulatory levels of ACAs against 202 glycans in a cross-sectional cohort of T1D patients (n = 278) and healthy controls (n = 298), as well as in a longitudinal cohort (n = 112).

Oncocytoma-Related Gene Signature to Differentiate Chromophobe Renal Cancer and Oncocytoma Using Machine Learning.

Publicly available gene expression datasets were analyzed to develop a chromophobe and oncocytoma related gene signature (COGS) to distinguish chRCC from RO. The datasets GSE11151, GSE19982, GSE2109, GSE8271 and GSE11024 were combined into a discovery dataset. The transcriptomic differences were identified with unsupervised learning in the discovery dataset (97.

T1DMicro: A Clinical Risk Calculator for Type 1 Diabetes Related Microvascular Complications.

Development of complications in type 1 diabetes patients can be reduced by modifying risk factors. We used a cross-sectional cohort of 1646 patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to develop a clinical risk score for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), autonomic neuropathy (AN), retinopathy (DR), and nephropathy (DN). Of these patients, 199 (12.

Applying Artificial Intelligence to Gynecologic Oncology: A Review.

Importance: Artificial intelligence (AI) will play an increasing role in health care. In gynecologic oncology, it can advance tailored screening, precision surgery, and personalized targeted therapies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the role of AI in gynecologic oncology.

Serum Levels of Inflammatory Proteins Are Associated With Peripheral Neuropathy in a Cross-Sectional Type-1 Diabetes Cohort.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of type-1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications. In this cross-section study design, we investigated association between serum levels of soluble cytokine receptors with presence of peripheral neuropathy in 694 type-1 diabetes patients. Sex, age, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol intake, HbA1c and lipid profile, presence of DPN (peripheral and autonomic), retinopathy and nephropathy was obtained from patient's chart.

Tumor-intrinsic and -extrinsic (immune) gene signatures robustly predict overall survival and treatment response in high grade serous ovarian cancer patients.

In the present study, we developed a transcriptomic signature capable of predicting prognosis and response to primary therapy in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Proportional hazard analysis was performed on individual genes in the TCGA RNAseq data set containing 229 HGSOC patients. Ridge regression analysis was performed to select genes and develop multigenic models.

Binding of FliW Adjacent to the CsrA RNA-Binding Pockets Modulates CsrA Regulatory Activity.

CsrA is an mRNA-binding, post-transcriptional regulator that controls many metabolic- and virulence-related characteristics of this important pathogen. In contrast to CsrA, whose activity is modulated by binding to small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs), CsrA activity is controlled by binding to the CsrA antagonist FliW. In this study, we identified the FliW binding site on CsrA.

Comparative analysis of transcriptomic profile, histology, and IDH mutation for classification of gliomas.

Gliomas are currently classified through integration of histology and mutation information, with new developments in DNA methylation classification. However, discrepancies exist amongst the major classification methods. This study sought to compare transcriptome-based classification to the established methods.

Are There Survival Differences Between Women with Equivalent Residual Disease After Interval Cytoreductive Surgery Compared with Primary Cytoreductive Surgery for Advanced Ovarian and Peritoneal Cancer?

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate survival differences between equivalent residual disease [complete gross resection (CGR), minimal residual disease (MRD), suboptimal] at the time of primary debulking surgery (PDS) and interval debulking surgery (IDS).

Methods: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients from 2010 to 2015 with stage IIIC/IV primary peritoneal or ovarian cancer who had residual disease recorded. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to correct for differences in characteristics between the PDS and IDS groups.

Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype Determines Survival and Therapeutic Response in Cervical Cancer.

Molecular biomarkers that can predict survival and therapeutic outcome are still lacking for cervical cancer. Here we measured a panel of 19 serum proteins in sera from 565 patients with stage II or III cervical cancer and identified 10 proteins that have an impact on disease specific survival (DSS) (Hazzard's ratio; HR = 1.51-2.

Identification of a transcriptomic signature with excellent survival prediction for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Survival for patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer has not significantly improved over the past several decades. We sought to identify a clinically relevant set of prognostic genes for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCCC), the most common cervical cancer subtype. Using RNA-sequencing data and survival data from 203 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we conducted a series of analyses using different decile cutoffs for gene expression to identify genes that could indicate large and consistent survival differences across different decile cutoffs of gene expression.

A 73-gene proliferative transcriptomic signature predicts uterine serous carcinoma patient survival and response to primary therapy.

Objectives: To develop a transcriptomic signature capable of predicting overall survival (OS) for uterine serous carcinoma (USC).

Methods: RNAseq data for 58 USC patients were obtained from TCGA. Expression of 73 candidate genes was measured for 67 Augusta University (AU) samples using NanoString technology.

Better survival is observed in cervical cancer patients positive for specific anti-glycan antibodies and receiving brachytherapy.

Objective: To measure anti-glycan antibodies (AGA) in cervical cancer (CC) patient sera and assess their effect on therapeutic outcome.

Patients And Methods: Serum AGA was measured in 276 stage II and 292 stage III Peruvian CC patients using a high content and throughput Luminex multiplex glycan array (LMGA) containing 177 glycans. Association with disease-specific survival (DSS) and progression free survival (PFS) were analyzed using Cox regression.

A combined score of clinical factors and serum proteins can predict time to recurrence in high grade serous ovarian cancer.

Objective: To investigate the utility of a combined panel of protein biomarkers and clinical factors to predict recurrence in serous ovarian cancer patients.

Methods: Women at Augusta University diagnosed with ovarian cancer were enrolled between 2005 and 2015 (n = 71). Blood was drawn at enrollment and follow-up visits.

Uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Hong Kong: Facilitators and barriers among adolescent girls and their parents.

The present study is aimed at assessing the feasibility of delivering the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to girls through a school-based program in Hong Kong, as well as to examine the facilitators and barriers associated with their participation. We approached 1,229 eligible girls aged 9 to 14 at eight schools in Hong Kong to join the program and then delivered the bivalent HPV vaccine at 0 and 6 months over the course of one school year. The students and their parents completed separate questionnaires to indicate their decision on whether or not to participate, and to assess their knowledge of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine.

A lost tribe in the city: health status and needs of African asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong.

Background: Hong Kong's resistance to be a signatory of the 1951 Geneva Convention and lack of domestic policies in this area has resulted in restrictions on access to healthcare amongst asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs). Using social determinants of health framework this study sought to identify health practices, problems and needs of African ASRs in Hong Kong.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey comprising of six domains including health status, health-seeking behaviour and social experience targeted at adult African ASRs in Hong Kong was conducted through three local non-governmental organisations between February and April 2013.

Psychological health and HIV transmission among female sex workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Current HIV prevention interventions for female sex workers (FSWs) have tended to target the cognitive factors in changing their behaviors, yet little attention has been paid to the psychological factors that influence the behavior of women in sex work. This review aimed to explore the associations between the psychological health of FSWs and HIV risk. A total of eight studies published in English before July 2013 were identified and reviewed.

Bacterial diversity and Clostridia abundance decrease with increasing severity of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating neonatal gastrointestinal disease that primarily affects premature infants. It is characterized by bowel inflammation and necrosis. In spite of extensive research, there has been little progress in decreasing the incidence or mortality of NEC over the past three decades.

Effect of Crop Volume on Contraction Rate in Adult House Fly.

The functional aspects of the adult house fly crop have not been studied even though various human and domestic animal pathogens have been discovered within the crop lumen. The average volume consumed (midgut and crop) by flies starved for 24 h was 3.88 μl by feeding both sexes on a sucrose phosphate glutamate buffer.

Histamine-2 receptor blockers alter the fecal microbiota in premature infants.

Objectives: Bacterial colonization is considered a major risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that histamine-2 receptor (H2-) blockers alter colonic bacterial colonization by analyzing and comparing the fecal microbiota in premature infants with and without H2-blocker therapy using sensitive molecular biological techniques.

Methods: Seventy-six premature infants ≤1500 g or <34 weeks gestation were enrolled in this case-controlled, cross-sectional study.

Necrotizing enterocolitis and cytomegalovirus infection in a premature infant.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in neonates. The etiology is considered multifactorial. Risk factors include prematurity, enteral feeding, hypoxia, and bacterial colonization.

Molecular mechanism of hepcidin-mediated ferroportin internalization requires ferroportin lysines, not tyrosines or JAK-STAT.

Ferroportin is the primary means of cellular iron efflux and a key component of iron metabolism. Hepcidin regulates Fpn activity by inducing its internalization and degradation. The mechanism of internalization is reported to require JAK2 activation, phosphorylation of Fpn tyrosine residues 302 and 303, and initiation of transcription through STAT3 phosphorylation.