E2FIF: Push the Limit of Binarized Deep Imagery Super-Resolution Using End-to-End Full-Precision Information Flow.

Binary neural network (BNN) provides a promising solution to deploy parameter-intensive deep single image super-resolution (SISR) models onto real devices with limited storage and computational resources. To achieve comparable performance with the full-precision counterpart, most existing BNNs for SISR mainly focus on compensating for the information loss incurred by binarizing weights and activations in the network through better approximations to the binarized convolution. In this study, we revisit the difference between BNNs and their full-precision counterparts and argue that the key to good generalization performance of BNNs lies on preserving a complete full-precision information flow along with an accurate gradient flow passing through each binarized convolution layer. Inspired by this, we propose to introduce a full-precision skip connection, or a variant thereof, over each binarized convolution layer across the entire network, which can increase the forward expressive capability and the accuracy of back-propagated gradient, thus enhancing the generalization performance. More importantly, such a scheme can be applied to any existing BNN backbones for SISR without introducing any additional computation cost. To validate the efficacy of the proposed approach, we evaluate it using four different backbones for SISR on four benchmark datasets and report obviously superior performance over existing BNNs and even some 4-bit competitors.

LncRNA SNHG22 promotes gastric cancer progression by regulating the miR-101-3p/e2f2 axis.

Gastric cancer (GC) still poses a significant threat to human life. Hence, there is an urgent need to understand the mechanism of GC progression and develop novel therapeutics approach to treating GC. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of the lncRNA SNHG22 in the progression of GC. First, GC data from TCGA were analyzed using GEPIA. After the starbase database was used to predict SNHG22 target miRNA and miR-101-3p target mRNA. The predictions were validated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, biotinylated RNA pull-down assay, and RIP-qRT-PCR. The relative expression of SNHG22, miR-101-3p, and E2F2 was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot (WB) analysis, while the mechanism of GC cell proliferation was elucidated through the colony formation and CCK-8 assay. Our result showed that SNHG22 was upregulated significantly in GC tissue samples from TCGA database, GC cell lines, and clinical tissue samples, and its expression was related to low survival rate of gastric cancer patients. Bioinformatics prediction predicted miR-101-3p as the potential target of SNHG22 and E2F2 genes as miR-101-3p target mRNA. We found that E2F2 expression was negatively associated with overall survival of GC patients. Functional study showed that silencing SNHG22 markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells as well as in vivo tumor growth. This was reversed after inhibiting miR-101-3p or overexpressing E2F2. The lncRNA SNHG22 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells via the miR-101-3p/E2F2 axis. SNHG22 might be a potential prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.

MiR-135a-5p suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating BAG3.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of diverse human cancers. This work aimed to delve into how microRNA-135a-5p (miR-135a-5p) affects the biological behaviors of Breast Cancer (BC) cells. METHODS: Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to analyze the expression differences of miR-135a-5p in cancer tissues of BC patients. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were conducted to detect miR-135a-5p and Bcl-2 Associated Athanogene (BAG3) expression levels in BC tissues and cells, respectively. The proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of BC cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, BrdU assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry. The targeted relationship between miR-135a-5p and BAG3 mRNA 3'UTR predicted by bioinformatics was further testified by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Pearson's correlation analysis was adopted to analyze the correlation between miR-135a-5p expression and BAG3 expression. The downstream pathways of BAG3 were analyzed by the LinkedOmics database. RESULTS: MiR-135a-5p was significantly down-regulated and BAG3 expression was significantly raised in BC tissues. MiR-135a-5p overexpression repressed the viability, migration and invasion of BC cells, and blocked cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase while inhibiting miR-135a-5p worked oppositely. BAG3 was verified as a target of miR-135a-5p. Overexpression of BAG3 reversed the impacts of miR-135a-5p on the malignant biological behaviors of BC cells. The high expression of BAG3 was associated with the activation of the cell cycle, mTOR and TGF-ß signaling pathways. CONCLUSION: MiR-135a-5p regulates BAG3 to repress the growth, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of BC cells.

MiR-135a-5p suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating BAG3

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of diverse human cancers. This work aimed to delve into how microRNA-135a-5p (miR-135a-5p) affects the biological behaviors of Breast Cancer (BC) cells. Methods Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to analyze the expression differences of miR-135a-5p in cancer tissues of BC patients. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were conducted to detect miR-135a-5p and Bcl-2 Associated Athanogene (BAG3) expression levels in BC tissues and cells, respectively. The proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle of BC cells were detected by cell counting kit-8 assay, BrdU assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry. The targeted relationship between miR-135a-5p and BAG3 mRNA 3′UTR predicted by bioinformatics was further testified by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Pearson's correlation analysis was adopted to analyze the correlation between miR-135a-5p expression and BAG3 expression. The downstream pathways of BAG3 were analyzed by the LinkedOmics database. Results MiR-135a-5p was significantly down-regulated and BAG3 expression was significantly raised in BC tissues. MiR-135a-5p overexpression repressed the viability, migration and invasion of BC cells, and blocked cell cycle progression in G0/G1 phase while inhibiting miR-135a-5p worked oppositely. BAG3 was verified as a target of miR-135a-5p. Overexpression of BAG3 reversed the impacts of miR-135a-5p on the malignant biological behaviors of BC cells. The high expression of BAG3 was associated with the activation of the cell cycle, mTOR and TGF-β signaling pathways. Conclusion MiR-135a-5p regulates BAG3 to repress the growth, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of BC cells.

Embarrassingly Simple Binarization for Deep Single Imagery Super-Resolution Networks.

Deep convolutional neural networks (DCCNs) have shown pleasing performance in single image super-resolution (SISR). To deploy them onto real devices with limited storage and computational resources, a promising solution is to binarize the network, i.e., quantize each float-point weight and activation into 1 bit. However, existing works on binarizing DCNNs still suffer from severe performance degradation in SISR. To mitigate this problem, we argue that the performance degradation mainly comes from no appropriate constraint on the network weights, which causes it difficult to sensitively reverse the binarization results of these weights using the backpropagated gradient during training and thus limits the flexibility of network in respect of fitting extensive training samples. Inspired by this, we present an embarrassingly simple but effective binarization scheme for SISR, which can obviously relieve the performance degeneration resulted from network binarization and is applicable to different DCNN architectures. Specifically, we force each weight to follow a compact uniform prior, with which the weight will be given a very small absolute value close to zero and its binarization result can be straightforwardly reversed even by a small backpropagated gradient. By doing this, the flexibility and the generalization performance of the binarized network can be improved. Moreover, such a prior performs much better when introducing real identity shortcuts into the network. In addition, to avoid falling into bad local minima during training, we employ a pixel-wise curriculum learning strategy to learn the constrained weights in an easy-to-hard manner. Experiments on four SISR benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed binarization method in terms of binarizing different SISR network architectures, e.g., it even achieves performance comparable to the baseline with 5 quantization bits.

Prognostic significance of the sub-classification of stage pT3a renal tumors by perinephric and sinus fat invasion.

In the current Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) classification system for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), both perinephric fat invasion (PFI) and renal sinus fat invasion (SFI) are classified at the T3a stage. However, their associated prognoses are clinically controversial. The present study proposes a new sub-classification criterion for pathological T3a (pT3a) RCC with SFI or PFI to resolve this dispute. Data were collected from consecutive records of 2,765 patients with T1a renal cancer, who had undergone partial nephrectomy (PN) between 2001 and 2015 at one of four hospitals. Among these patients, 127 cases were diagnosed with stage pT3a RCC with SFI or PFI, according to final pathological examination. The pathological characteristics, clinical data and follow-up observations were analyzed. Of the 127 patients, with an average follow-up duration of 56 months (range, 15-60 months), 17 cases of tumor recurrence were found. After analysis of the pathological findings, the following new sub-classification criteria was proposed for pT3a RCC with SFI or PFI: i) Type A, renal tumor invades the pseudo-capsule and contacts with the perinephric adipose tissues directly (3 recurrences out of 57 patients); ii) type B, tumor protrudes into the perinephric adipose tissues like a tongue (4 recurrences out of 29 patients); and iii) type C, tumor nodules distribute in perinephric adipose tissues (10 recurrences out of 41 patients). There was statistically significant difference between the three subtypes in terms of recurrence rate (P=0.023). In conclusion, controversies remain in the current TNM classification system for pT3a RCC. The present study added to the available data and found that pT3a RCC with tumor nodules in perinephric adipose or/and with an irregular tumor protruding into adipose tissues showed a higher recurrence rate. Thus, it is recommended that pT3a RCC should be carefully analyzed and should be considered differently to other stages of RCC.

miR­143 acts as a novel Big mitogen­activated protein kinase 1 suppressor and may inhibit invasion of glioma.

Upregulation of the Big mitogen­activated protein kinase (BMK)1 has been reported in glioma and other epithelial tumors. In addition, the decreased expression of BMK1 inhibits tumorigenesis, leading to the broad consensus that it functions as cell­autonomous epithelial tumor promoter. Using two online miRNA target prediction databases, microRNA (miR)­143 was predicted as the potential miRNA regulator of BMK1. RNA immunoprecipitation analysis and Luciferase reporter assay showed that miR­143 binds to the 3' untranslated region of BMK1. Notably, the expression of miR­143 has a strong association with the World Health Organization grade and survival rates in patients with glioma by statistical analysis. Furthermore, miR­143 inhibited glioma cells migration and invasion through cytoskeletal rearrangement in vitro and in vivo through matrigel invasion assay, scratch assay, cellular F­actin measurement, chemotaxis assay and intracranial brain tumor xenografts. Finally, DNA methylation assay showed that the downregulation of miR­143 was due to hypermethylation of its promoter region. These results reveal that miR­143 represents a potential therapeutic target in glioma by modulating BMK1.

Classification of positive surgical margins and tumor recurrence after nephron-sparing surgery for small renal masses.

BACKGROUND: The association of positive margin and local recurrence after nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) remains a notably controversial issue. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between classification of positive surgical margins (PSMs) and tumor recurrence based pathological findings. METHODS: Clinical, pathological, and follow-up data of 600 small renal cancer patients who underwent NSS between November 2007 and November 2017 at four hospitals in China were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 600 reviewed patients, 20 had positive margins. During the follow-up period of 56 months, only three cases of tumor recurrence were identified. Pathological examination was performed, and subsequently a new classification criteria were proposed: 1) False PSMs, which could be further divided into three subtypes: i) no standard processing performed on pathological specimens (seven patients); ii) incidental incision into the tumor during operation, with the tumor bed free of tumor residues (four patients); iii) part of the tumor pseudocapsule was noted to be remained in the tumor bed, with no signs of tumor residue (four patients). 2) True PSMs with two subtypes: i) a large number of residual tumor cells at the surgical margin (three patients); ii) incision of satellite tumor nodules detected around a large tumor (two patients). CONCLUSION: Taken together, PSMs in NSS were rarely found. Based on the pathological examination findings, PSMs can be divided into false positive and true positive. This being said, PSMs were determined to be poor predictors for local recurrence, with no predominant association with true tumor remnants in the majority of our evaluated cases. Through the key findings of our study, we concluded that PSMs should be carefully analyzed and treated on a case-by-case basis.

Adiponectin alleviates blood hypercoagulability via inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in septic rats.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to detect the protective effects of adiponectin on coagulation dysfunction and its mechanism in sepsis of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental samples were composed of sham group, model group that was underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and three adiponectin treatment groups that treated by adiponectin with different dose (72 µg/kg, 96 µg/kg and 120 µg/kg) after CLP. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was measured, respectively, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), tissue factor (TF), activated coagulation factor VIIa and Xa, p-selectin were detected, the histology structure of vascular was observed, the expressions of Caspase 9, Caspase 3, Bax, Bcl-2 and vWF in vascular were measured. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that adiponectin treatment lengthened PT and APTT, reduced the expression of MDA, TF, activated coagulation factor VIIa, Xa and p-selectin in plasma of septic rats. Additionally, adiponectin treatment alleviated endothelial cell apoptosis and oxidative stress, down-regulated the levels of Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Bax, Bcl-2 and vWF in vascular. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that adiponectin treatment might be a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving septic endothelial cell injury and coagulation dysfunction via inhibiting endothelial cell apoptosis in septic rats.

Study of differential gene expression between invasive multifocal/ multicentric and unifocal breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the differential gene expression pattern between invasive multifocal/multicentric (MMBC) and unifocal breast cancer (UFBC) with cDNA array and to discover the potential outlier genes associated with the incidence of MMBC and also to provide a guidance for clinical treatment and prognosis prediction. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the gene expression pattern alteration in breast cancer. We collected 156 MMBC (136 cases with 2 foci, 20 cases with 3 foci) and 130 UFBC samples from patients hospitalized in Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, from January 2005 to December 2015. The outlier genes were screened by cDNA expression microarray and validated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: 18 overexpressed and 22 underexpressed genes were identified in the differential analysis, including family genes ABCC11, ABCB5 and PRODH, PROL1. Noteworthily, ABCC11 was significantly upregulated, while ABCB3 was downregulated, which were confirmed by RT-PCR results. CONCLUSION: The differential expression pattern of ABCC11 and ABCB5 genes may serve as outliers, potentially associated with incidence of MMBS.

Multifocal and Multicentric Breast Carcinoma: A Significantly More Aggressive Tumor than Unifocal Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: There are still many questions that surround multifocal or multicentric breast carcinoma (MMBC). The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of MMBC and provide feasible suggestions for therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 156 cases of MMBC in 3,597 invasive ductal breast carcinomas were collected and reviewed. Some factors related with prognosis such as tumor size, lymph node metastasis and others were assessed in each tumor focus, and mismatches among foci were recorded. RESULTS: The majority of MMBC had aggregate dimensions over 2 cm (85.90%). The rate of axillary lymph node metastasis was 56.41% (88/156) compared to unifocal tumors of 33.01% (1,136/3,441). Most cases had higher Ki-67 proliferative indices (91/156). Mismatches in ER status were present in 6 cases, PR in 4 cases, proliferative index (Ki-67) in 9 cases and HER2-positive status in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: The larger aggregate dimension of tumor, the higher metastatic rate of axillary lymph node and the high Ki-67 proliferative index seen in most cases, suggest that MMBC is biologically more aggressive than unifocal breast cancer. In addition, every focus should be tested owing to the existence of different expressions of immunostaining between foci.

Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychological anxiety disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective therapy for OCD, but the evaluation results from various studies are inconsistent and incomprehensive. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of CBT in treatment of OCD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature search identified 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The efficacy of CBT on OCD was evaluated by comparing post-treatment and pre-treatment Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) scores. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was generated for the statistical evaluation. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 index. RESULTS A decrease in WMD and a statistical significance (p<0.0001) in both CY-BOCS and CGI scores between pre- and post-CBT treatment were observed in both overall database (-11.73) and USA subgroup (-11.371), which indicates a dramatic relief of OCD symptoms after CBT treatment. Heterogeneity was detected in overall database and USA subgroup, which resulted in an application of the random-effects model to both groups. Publication bias was examined by both Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test and no publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that CBT is efficacious in treating children's OCD.

[Matrix-producing metaplastic carcinoma: a clinicopathologic and prognostic analysis of 16 cases with review of literature].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and prognosis of matrix-producing metaplastic carcinoma (MPC). METHODS: Sixteen cases of MPC diagnosed between 2002 and 2012 in West China Hospital were identified. The clinicopathologic features were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin, S-100 protein, CK5/6, HCK, PCK, CK7, CK8, p63, SMA, EMA, CD99, MSA, CK14, EGFR, ER, PR, HER2 and Ki-67 was performed with EnVision method. The clinical outcome was evaluated and compared to matched controls of invasive ductal carcinoma. RESULTS: All patients were women and ranged in age from 29 to 69 years (median age 48 years). The median size of primary tumor was 4 cm. Most of the tumors were well-circumscribed with expansile and multinodular appearance. Histology showed invasive carcinoma with a direct transition from carcinoma to cartilaginous/chondromyxoid matrix without an intervening spindle cell component. Tumor distribution was either nodular or diffuse. The matrix component accounted for 10%-80% of the tumor volume. All the tumors were strongly positive for S-100 protein and basal-like cytokeratin with triple negative phenotype (ER, PR and HER2 negative). Alcian blue stain was positive for the cartilaginous/chondromyxoid matrix. Compared with invasive ductal carcinoma, patients with MPC had increased locoregional recurrence (P = 0.010), increased distant recurrence (P = 0.011) and shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: MPC is a rare variant of mammary metaplastic carcinoma with unique characteristics of morphology and immunohistochemical staining pattern. This subtype seems to have aggressive biologic behavior.

Retroperitoneal composite pheochromocytoma-ganglioneuroma : a case report and review of literature.

Composite pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma is a rare tumor with elements of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma and neurogenic tumor. Most were located in the adrenal glands, and extra-adrenal composite pheochromocytoma is extremely rare. Only 4 cases in the retroperitoneum have been described in the online database PUBMED. Here, we report a case of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal composite pheochromocytoma and review the related literature. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1700539911908679.