Systemic Metabolic and Volumetric Assessment via Whole-Body [F]FDG-PET/CT: Pancreas Size Predicts Cachexia in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cancer-associated cachexia in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is challenging to diagnose due to its complex pathophysiology. This study aimed to identify metabolic biomarkers linked to cachexia and survival in HNSCC patients using [F]FDG-PET/CT imaging and machine learning (ML) techniques. We retrospectively analyzed 253 HNSCC patients from Vienna General Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Tanshinone IIA modulates cancer cell morphology and movement via Rho GTPases-mediated actin cytoskeleton remodeling.

Actin filaments form unique structures with robust actin bundles and cytoskeletal networks affixed to the extracellular matrix and interact with neighboring cells, which are crucial structures for cancer cells to acquire a motile phenotype. This study aims to investigate a novel antitumor mechanism by which Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) modulates the morphology and migration of liver cancer cells via actin cytoskeleton regulation. 97H and Huh7 exhibited numerous tentacle-like protrusions that interacted with neighboring cells.

Locating the Mandibular Lingula Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Literature Review.

This study aimed to review the literature on adult mandibular lingula (ML) locations and related distances determined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A search was conducted for studies on CBCT using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The search results were limited to studies published between 1970 and 2021.

A Functional Polymorphism Downstream of Vitamin A Regulator Gene Is Associated with Hand Osteoarthritis.

While genetic analyses have revealed ~100 risk loci associated with osteoarthritis (OA), only eight have been linked to hand OA. Besides, these studies were performed in predominantly European and Caucasian ancestries. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study in the Han Chinese population to identify genetic variations associated with the disease.

Enrichment of Prevotella intermedia in human colorectal cancer and its additive effects with Fusobacterium nucleatum on the malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas.

Background: Owing to the heterogeneity of microbiota among individuals and populations, only Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides fragilis have been reported to be enriched in colorectal cancer (CRC) in multiple studies. Thus, the discovery of additional bacteria contributing to CRC development in various populations can be expected. We aimed to identify bacteria associated with the progression of colorectal adenoma to carcinoma and determine the contribution of these bacteria to malignant transformation in patients of Han Chinese origin.

Delayed inhibition of ERK and p38 attenuates neuropathic pain without affecting motor function recovery after peripheral nerve injury.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) often result in persistent neuropathic pain, seriously affecting quality of life. Existing therapeutic interventions for PNI-induced neuropathic pain are far from satisfactory. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and p38 have been found to participate in triggering and maintaining PNI-induced neuropathic pain.

Postoperative Changes in Tongue Area and Pharyngeal Airway Space following Mandibular Setback Surgery through Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine changes in the tongue area and pharyngeal airway space (PAS) after intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO).

Materials And Methods: Serial lateral cephalograms of 40 patients with mandibular prognathism who underwent IVRO were evaluated before (T1), immediately after (T2), and more than 1 year after (T3) surgery. Paired -tests and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to evaluate the postoperative changes in the mandible, nasopharyngeal airway (NOP), retropalatal pharyngeal airway (RPP), retroglossal pharyngeal airway (RGP), hypopharyngeal airway (HOP), PAS, and tongue area (TA).

Fiber optic nanogold-linked immunosorbent assay for rapid detection of procalcitonin at femtomolar concentration level.

A rapid and ultrasensitive biosensing method based on fiber optic nanogold-linked immunosorbent assay is reported. The method employs an immobilized capture probe on the fiber core surface of an optical fiber and a detection probe conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a solution. Introduction of a sample containing an analyte and the detection probe into a biosensor chip leads to the formation of a sandwich-like complex of capture probe-analyte-detection probe on the fiber core surface, through which nanoplasmonic absorption of the fiber optic evanescent wave occurs.

Overexpression of P2X4 receptor in Schwann cells promotes motor and sensory functional recovery and remyelination via BDNF secretion after nerve injury.

Of the seven P2X receptor subtypes, P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) is widely distributed in the central nervous system, including in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Accumulating evidence supports roles for P2X4R in the central nervous system, including regulating cell excitability, synaptic transmission, and neuropathic pain. However, little information is available about the distribution and function of P2X4R in the peripheral nervous system.

A genome-wide association study identifies a novel susceptibility locus for the immunogenicity of polyethylene glycol.

Conjugation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to therapeutic molecules can improve bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. However, some healthy individuals have pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies and certain patients develop anti-PEG antibody during treatment with PEGylated medicines, suggesting that genetics might play a role in PEG immunogenicity. Here we perform genome-wide association studies for anti-PEG IgM and IgG responses in Han Chinese with 177 and 140 individuals, defined as positive for anti-PEG IgM and IgG responses, respectively, and with 492 subjects without either anti-PEG IgM or IgG as controls.

Autophagy mediates cell cycle response by regulating nucleocytoplasmic transport of PAX6 in limbal stem cells under ultraviolet-A stress.

Limbal stem cells (LSC) account for homeostasis and regeneration of corneal epithelium. Solar ultraviolet A (UVA) is the major source causing oxidative damage in the ocular surface. Autophagy, a lysosomal degradation mechanism, is essential for physiologic function and stress defense of stem cells.

Pharmacogenetic dosing of warfarin in the Han-Chinese population: a randomized trial.

Aim: This study aimed to determine clinical utility of genotype-guided dosing for warfarin in Han-Chinese.

Methods: A total of 320 patients were randomly assigned International Warfarin Pharmacogenetic Consortium algorithm, Taiwan algorithm and optimal clinical care arms. The primary outcome of the study was the percentage of time in the therapeutic range during the first 90 days of treatment.

Tyrosinase-Cre-Mediated Deletion of the Autophagy Gene Atg7 Leads to Accumulation of the RPE65 Variant M450 in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium of C57BL/6 Mice.

Targeted gene knockout mouse models have helped to identify roles of autophagy in many tissues. Here, we investigated the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of Atg7f/f Tyr-Cre mice (on a C57BL/6 background), in which Cre recombinase is expressed under the control of the tyrosinase promoter to delete the autophagy gene Atg7. In line with pigment cell-directed blockade of autophagy, the RPE and the melanocytes of the choroid showed strong accumulation of the autophagy adaptor and substrate, sequestosome 1 (Sqstm1)/p62, relative to the levels in control mice.

[Leaf economics spectrum among different plant functional types in Beijing Botanical Garden, China.].

We measured leaf photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters as well as leaf area, dry biomass, and nitrogen content of different plant functional types (PFTs) at the Beijing Botanical Garden, and analyzed the leaf economics spectrum (LES) among different PFTs. The results showed that the plants with the life form of grasses, those with an annual type of life history, and with a C4 photosynthetic pathway might provide a quick return on investment for the species located at one end of the LES. Similarly, the plants with a life form of trees and shrubs, with a perennial type of life history, and with a C3 photosynthetic pathway might provide a slower return on investment for the species located at the other end of the LES.

Identification of PTCSC3 as a Novel Locus for Large-Vessel Ischemic Stroke: A Genome-Wide Association Study.

Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the world. A major ischemic stroke subtype, large-vessel ischemic stroke (large artery atherosclerosis; LAA), has been shown to have some genetic components in individuals of European ancestry. However, it is not clear whether the genetic predisposition to LAA stroke varies among ethnicities.

The STIM1-Orai1 pathway of store-operated Ca2+ entry controls the checkpoint in cell cycle G1/S transition.

Ca(2+) signaling is important to trigger the cell cycle progression, while it remains elusive in the regulatory mechanisms. Here we show that store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE), mediated by the interaction between STIM1 (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) sensor) and Orai1 (a cell membrane pore structure), controls the specific checkpoint of cell cycle. The fluctuating SOCE activity during cell cycle progression is universal in different cell types, in which SOCE is upregulated in G1/S transition and downregulated from S to G2/M transition.

Direct evidence of mitochondrial G-quadruplex DNA by using fluorescent anti-cancer agents.

G-quadruplex (G4) is a promising target for anti-cancer treatment. In this paper, we provide the first evidence supporting the presence of G4 in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of live cells. The molecular engineering of a fluorescent G4 ligand, 3,6-bis(1-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium) carbazole diiodide (BMVC), can change its major cellular localization from the nucleus to the mitochondria in cancer cells, while remaining primarily in the cytoplasm of normal cells.

Correlation Between Multimodal Microscopy, Tissue Morphology, and Enzymatic Resistance in Riboflavin-UVA Cross-Linked Human Corneas.

Purpose: To explore the utility of multimodal microscopy as a noninvasive tool to assess corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) efficacy, we investigated the correlation between riboflavin (RF) axial profile, second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging, and histological/biochemical changes of human corneas after RF-ultraviolet A (UVA)-catalyzed CXL.

Methods: De-epithelialized human corneoscleral tissues were imaged by confocal and multiphoton microscopy to study RF tissue diffusion profile and SHG-based roughness index (Rq) after CXL. We installed 0.

Pax6 downregulation mediates abnormal lineage commitment of the ocular surface epithelium in aqueous-deficient dry eye disease.

Keratinizing squamous metaplasia (SQM) of the ocular surface is a blinding consequence of systemic autoimmune disease and there is no cure. Ocular SQM is traditionally viewed as an adaptive tissue response during chronic keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) that provokes pathological keratinization of the corneal epithelium and fibrosis of the corneal stroma. Recently, we established the autoimmune regulator-knockout (Aire KO) mouse as a model of autoimmune KCS and identified an essential role for autoreactive CD4+ T cells in SQM pathogenesis.

Topical administration of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist as a therapy for aqueous-deficient dry eye in autoimmune disease.

Purpose: Dry eye is commonly associated with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome (SS), in which exocrinopathy of the lacrimal gland leads to aqueous tear deficiency and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). KCS is among the most common and debilitating clinical manifestations of SS that is often recalcitrant to therapy. We established mice deficient in the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene as a model for autoimmune-mediated aqueous-deficient dry eye.

Microtubule-associated histone deacetylase 6 supports the calcium store sensor STIM1 in mediating malignant cell behaviors.

Stromal-interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) storage sensor that promotes cell growth, migration, and angiogenesis in breast and cervical cancers. Here, we report that the microtubule-associated histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) differentially regulates activation of STIM1-mediated store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) between cervical cancer cells and normal cervical epithelial cells. Confocal microscopy of living cells indicated that microtubule integrity was necessary for STIM1 trafficking to the plasma membrane and interaction with Orai1, an essential pore subunit of SOCE.

Remodeling of calcium signaling in tumor progression.

Intracellular Ca2+ is one of the crucial signalings that modulate various cellular functions. The dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis has been suggested as an important event in driving the expression of the malignant phenotypes, such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Cell migration is an early prerequisite for tumor metastasis that has a significant impact on patient prognosis.