Radiomics model versus 2017 revised international consensus guidelines for predicting malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a CT-based radiomics model for identifying malignant pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and compare its performance with the 2017 international consensus guidelines (ICGs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively included 194 consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection of pancreatic IPMNs between January 2008 and December 2020. Surgical histopathology was the reference standard for diagnosing malignancy. Using radiomics features from preoperative contrast-enhanced CT, a radiomics model was built with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator by a five-fold cross-validation. CT and MR images were independently reviewed based on the 2017 ICGs by two abdominal radiologists, and the performances of the 2017 ICGs and radiomics model were compared. The areas under the curve (AUCs) were compared using the DeLong method. RESULTS: A total of 194 patients with pancreatic IPMNs (benign, 83 [43%]; malignant, 111 [57%]) were chronologically divided into training (n = 141; age, 65 ± 8.6 years; 88 males) and validation sets (n = 53; age, 66 ± 9.7 years; 31 males). There was no statistically significant difference in the diagnostic performance of the 2017 ICGs between CT and MRI (AUC, 0.71 vs. 0.71; p = 0.93) with excellent intermodality agreement (k = 0.86). In the validation set, the CT radiomics model had higher AUC (0.85 vs. 0.71; p = 0.038), specificity (84.6% vs. 61.5%; p = 0.041), and positive predictive value (84.0% vs. 66.7%; p = 0.044) than the 2017 ICGs. CONCLUSION: The CT radiomics model exhibited better diagnostic performance than the 2017 ICGs in classifying malignant IPMNs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Compared with the radiologists' evaluation based on the 2017 international consensus guidelines, the CT radiomics model exhibited better diagnostic performance in classifying malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. KEY POINTS: • There is a paucity of comparisons between the 2017 international consensus guidelines (ICGs) and radiomics models for malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). • The CT radiomics model developed in this study exhibited better diagnostic performance than the 2017 ICGs in classifying malignant IPMNs. • The radiomics model may serve as a valuable complementary tool to the 2017 ICGs, potentially allowing a more quantitative assessment of IPMNs.

PKM2 enhances cancer invasion via ETS-1-dependent induction of matrix metalloproteinase in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at investigating the molecular mechanism underlying PKM2-mediated cancer invasion. MATERIALS & METHODS: To optimize the investigation of PKM2-specific effects, we used two immortalized oral cell lines. The two cell lines drastically differed in PKM2 expression level, particularly in the level of nuclear PKM2, and subsequently in glucose metabolism and tumorigenicity. RESULTS: Knockdown of PKM2 reduced not only the glucose metabolism but also the invasive activity by curtailing the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP): PKM2 could modulate MMP-9 expression by regulating ETS-1 inside the nucleus. These results were further confirmed in an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line. In correspondence with in vitro findings, clinicopathological data from OSCC patients indicated strong association between PKM2 expression and poor survival rate. Additionally, upon analysis of public database, significant positive correlation was found between PKM2 and ETS-1 in OSCC. CONCLUSION: Collectively, this study unveiled the molecular mechanism underlying PKM2-mediated cancer invasion, thereby providing novel targets for therapeutics development against invasive OSCC.

Maternal immune activation alters brain microRNA expression in mouse offspring.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal immune activation (MIA) is associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. Herein, we investigate the altered expression of microRNAs (miRNA), and that of their target genes, in the brains of MIA mouse offspring. METHODS: To generate MIA model mice, pregnant mice were injected with polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid on embryonic day 12.5. We performed miRNA microarray and mRNA sequencing in order to determine the differential expression of miRNA and mRNA between MIA mice and controls, at 3 weeks of age. We further identified predicted target genes of dysregulated miRNAs, and miRNA-target interactions, based on the inverse correlation of their expression levels. RESULTS: Mice prenatally subjected to MIA exhibited behavioral abnormalities typical of ASD, such as a lack of preference for social novelty and reduced prepulse inhibition. We found 29 differentially expressed miRNAs (8 upregulated and 21 downregulated) and 758 differentially expressed mRNAs (542 upregulated and 216 downregulated) in MIA offspring compared to controls. Based on expression levels of the predicted target genes, 18 downregulated miRNAs (340 target genes) and three upregulated miRNAs (60 target genes) were found to be significantly enriched among the differentially expressed genes. miRNA and target gene interactions were most significant between mmu-miR-466i-3p and Hfm1 (ATP-dependent DNA helicase homolog), and between mmu-miR-877-3p and Aqp6 (aquaporin 6). INTERPRETATION: Our results provide novel information regarding miRNA expression changes and their putative targets in the early postnatal period of brain development. Further studies will be needed to evaluate potential pathogenic roles of the dysregulated miRNAs.

Ataxia-Telangiectasia-Mutated Protein Expression as a Prognostic Marker in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Salivary Glands.

PURPOSE: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a high-grade malignant tumor of the salivary glands, clinically characterized by multiple recurrences and late distant metastasis. Biological markers for assessing the prognosis of ACC have remained elusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the protein expressions of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), p53, and ATM-mediated phosphorylated p53 are related to patient survival in ACC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 48 surgical samples were used to assess the expressions of ATM and its downstream target p53. Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier analysis were conducted to evaluate the role of ATM, p53, and phospho-p53 (S15) protein expressions in predicting patient survival and distant metastasis. RESULTS: Myb expression was positive in 85.4% of ACCs, but did not reflect patient survival rate. In contrast, low expression of ATM in cancer cells was significantly correlated with poor survival rate (p=0.037). Moreover, under positive p53 expression, low expression of ATM was highly predictive of poor survival in ACC (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that combined assessment of ATM and p53 expression can serve as a useful prognostic marker for assessing survival rate in patients with ACC of the salivary glands.

Effect of Immunotherapy on Seizure Outcome in Patients with Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Prospective Observational Registry Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the seizure characteristics and outcome after immunotherapy in adult patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and new-onset seizure. METHODS: Adult (age ≥18 years) patients with AE and new-onset seizure who underwent immunotherapy and were followed-up for at least 6 months were included. Seizure frequency was evaluated at 2-4 weeks and 6 months after the onset of the initial immunotherapy and was categorized as "seizure remission", "> 50% seizure reduction", or "no change" based on the degree of its decrease. RESULTS: Forty-one AE patients who presented with new-onset seizure were analysed. At 2-4 weeks after the initial immunotherapy, 51.2% of the patients were seizure free, and 24.4% had significant seizure reduction. At 6 months, seizure remission was observed in 73.2% of the patients, although four patients died during hospitalization. Rituximab was used as a second-line immunotherapy in 12 patients who continued to have seizures despite the initial immunotherapy, and additional seizure remission was achieved in 66.6% of them. In particular, those who exhibited partial response to the initial immunotherapy had a better seizure outcome after rituximab, with low adverse events. CONCLUSION: AE frequently presented as seizure, but only 18.9% of the living patients suffered from seizure at 6 months after immunotherapy. Aggressive immunotherapy can improve seizure outcome in patients with AE.

Mega-dose phenobarbital therapy for super-refractory status epilepticus.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mega-dose phenobarbital (MDPB; enteral or parenteral phenobarbital >10 mg/kg/day) for treating super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE; continuous or recurrent status epilepticus for ≥24 hours after the onset of continuous anaesthetic treatment) in adult patients. METHODS: Adult patients with SRSE who were treated with MDPB in our institution from March 2005 to September 2014 were reviewed. We collected data on basic demographics, clinical features, functional status, anticonvulsant treatment, and possible adverse events. SRSE outcome was divided into six categories: successful therapy, initial failure, breakthrough seizures, withdrawal seizures, intolerable side effects, and death during treatment. RESULTS: Ten adult patients with SRSE received MDPB. Median age at seizure onset was 38 years (range: 18-59), and half were male. All patients had no history of seizures and had symptoms suggestive of viral encephalitis. Median duration of status epilepticus was 17.5 days (range: 6-60) and anaesthetics were used for a median of 14.0 days (range: 2-54) before MDPB. Successful control of SRSE was achieved in half of the patients, however, only one of ten patients was able to fully recover at discharge. Median duration of the MDPB was 45.5 days and the maximum serum phenobarbital level reached a median of 151.5 µg/ml. Patients with successful MDPB therapy had normal brain imaging (80% vs. 0%; p=0.048) and better functional outcome at discharge and after three months of follow-up. Infection was the most critical complication, along with cardiorespiratory depression. CONCLUSION: MDPB is a therapeutic option for control of SRSE when other choices are exhausted.

Areca nut exposure increases secretion of tumor-promoting cytokines in gingival fibroblasts that trigger DNA damage in oral keratinocytes.

Molecular crosstalk between cancer cells and fibroblasts has been an emerging hot issue in understanding carcinogenesis. As oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is an inflammatory fibrotic disease that can potentially transform into squamous cell carcinoma, OSF has been considered to be an appropriate model for studying the role of fibroblasts during early stage carcinogenesis. In this sense, this study aims at investigating whether areca nut (AN)-exposed fibroblasts cause DNA damage of epithelial cells. For this study, immortalized hNOF (hTERT-hNOF) was used. We found that the levels of GRO-α, IL-6 and IL-8 increased in AN-exposed fibroblasts. Cytokine secretion was reduced by antioxidants in AN-exposed fibroblasts. Increase in DNA double strand breaks (DSB) and 8-oxoG FITC-conjugate was observed in immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOK) after the treatment of cytokines or a conditioned medium derived from AN-exposed fibroblasts. Cytokine expression and DNA damage were also detected in OSF tissues. The DNA damage was reduced by neutralizing cytokines or antioxidant treatment. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage response, triggered by cytokines, were abolished when NADPH oxidase (NOX) 1 and 4 were silenced in IHOK, indicating that cytokine-triggered DNA damage was caused by ROS generation through NOX1 and NOX4. Taken together, this study provided strong evidence that blocking ROS generation might be a rewarding approach for cancer prevention and intervention in OSF.

A distinct role for interleukin-6 as a major mediator of cellular adjustment to an altered culture condition.

Tissue microenvironment adjusts biological properties of different cells by modulating signaling pathways and cell to cell interactions. This study showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/ mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) can be modulated by altering culture conditions. HPV E6/E7-transfected immortalized oral keratinocytes (IHOK) cultured in different media displayed reversible EMT/MET accompanied by changes in cell phenotype, proliferation, gene expression at transcriptional, and translational level, and migratory and invasive activities. Cholera toxin, a major supplement to culture medium, was responsible for inducing the morphological and biological changes of IHOK. Cholera toxin per se induced EMT by triggering the secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6) from IHOK. We found IL-6 to be a central molecule that modulates the reversibility of EMT based not only on the mRNA level but also on the level of secretion. Taken together, our results demonstrate that IL-6, a cytokine whose transcription is activated by alterations in culture conditions, is a key molecule for regulating reversible EMT/MET. This study will contribute to understand one way of cellular adjustment for surviving in unfamiliar conditions.

Dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs in mouse models of localization-related epilepsy.

Genome-wide profiling has revealed that eukaryotic genomes are transcribed into numerous non-coding RNAs. In particular, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in various human diseases due to their biochemical and functional diversity. Epileptic disorders have been characterized by dysregulation of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, and recent studies have identified several lncRNAs involved in neural development and network function. However, comprehensive profiling of lncRNAs implicated in chronic epilepsy has been lacking. In this study, microarray analysis was performed to obtain the expression profile of lncRNAs dysregulated in pilocarpine and kainate models, two models of temporal lobe epilepsy commonly used for studying epileptic mechanisms. Total of 4622 lncRNAs were analyzed: 384 lncRNAs were significantly dysregulated in pilocarpine model, and 279 lncRNAs were significantly dysregulated in kainate model compared with control mice (≥3.0-fold, p < 0.05). Among these, 54 and 14 lncRNAs, respectively, had adjacent protein-coding genes whose expressions were also significantly dysregulated (≥2.0-fold, p < 0.05). Majority of these pairs of lncRNAs and adjacent genes shared the same direction of dysregulation. For the selected adjacent gene-lncRNA pairs, significant Gene Ontology terms were embryonic appendage morphogenesis and neuron differentiation. This was the first study to comprehensively identify dysregulated lncRNAs in two different models of chronic epilepsy and will likely provide a novel insight into developing lncRNA therapeutics.

Clinical manifestations of patients with CASPR2 antibodies.

Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) is one of the target antigens of voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC) complex antibodies. There has been relatively little information in the literature regarding CASPR2 autoimmunity, especially in Asian population. We investigated the presence of CASPR2 antibodies in patients with presumed autoimmune neurological disorders and described the clinical features, laboratory findings, and responses to immunotherapy. Five patients were identified to be positive for CASPR2 antibodies. The results obtained here suggested that CASPR2 antibodies might be the possible cause of epilepsy even in the absence of typical features of limbic encephalitis and that immunotherapy could provide a favorable outcome.

Distinct Expression of Long Non-Coding RNAs in an Alzheimer's Disease Model.

With the recent advancement in transcriptome-wide profiling approach, numerous non-coding transcripts previously unknown have been identified. Among the non-coding transcripts, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have received increasing attention for their capacity to modulate transcriptional regulation. Although alterations in the expressions of non-coding RNAs have been studied in Alzheimer's disease (AD), most research focused on the involvement of microRNAs, and comprehensive expression profiling of lncRNAs in AD has been lacking. In this study, microarray analysis was performed to procure the expression profile of lncRNAs dysregulated in a triple transgenic model of AD (3xTg-AD). A total of 4,622 lncRNAs were analyzed: 205 lncRNAs were significantly dysregulated in 3xTg-AD compared with control mice, and 230 lncRNAs were significantly dysregulated within 3xTg-AD in an age-dependent manner (≥2.0-fold, p < 0.05). Among these, 27 and 15 lncRNAs, respectively, had adjacent protein-coding genes whose expressions were also significantly dysregulated. A majority of these lncRNAs and their adjacent genes shared the same direction of dysregulation. For these pairs of lncRNAs and adjacent genes, significant Gene Ontology terms were DNA-dependent regulation of transcription, transcription regulator activity, and embryonic organ morphogenesis. One of the most highly upregulated lncRNAs had a 395 bp core sequence that overlapped with multiple chromosomal regions. This is the first study that comprehensively identified dysregulated lncRNAs in 3xTg-AD mice and will likely facilitate the development of therapeutics targeting lncRNAs in AD.

RUNX3 confers sensitivity to pheophorbide a-photodynamic therapy in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizer is one of the promising modalities for cancer treatment. For clinical use of PDT, screening process should be preceded to enhance sensitivity to PDT. Thus, we investigated a molecular biomarker to determine the sensitivity to pheophorbide a (Pa)-PDT in immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. Two IHOK and several OSCC cell lines were used. After Pa-PDT, cell viability was reduced by more than 50%, and reactive oxygen species were generated in IHOK and OSCC cell lines. Additionally, apoptosis occurred in PDT-treated cells. IHOK(S) and IHOK(P), the two IHOK cell lines derived from the same source, showed a difference in cytotoxicity after Pa-PDT. To explain this difference in cytotoxicity, we looked at the expression of Wnt signaling-related genes in these two cell lines, for the morphology of IHOK(S) which was spindle like and elongated and distinct from IHOK(P) and the parent cell. Among the relevant genes, runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), an apoptosis-related gene, was selected as a potential marker that confers sensitivity to PDT. We found that the cytotoxicity by Pa-PDT was proportional to RUNX3 expression in OSCC cell lines. Additionally, knockdown of RUNX3 expression reduced cytotoxicity by Pa-PDT, suggesting that RUNX3 might be a biomarker to determine sensitivity to Pa-PDT. This was the first study to find a new target molecule that enhances Pa-PDT effects in IHOK and OSCC cell lines. Hence, the development of a PDT-dependent biomarker could provide a novel approach to improve the effects of PDT on oral precancerous and cancerous lesions.

Reciprocal interaction between carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and squamous carcinoma cells through interleukin-1α induces cancer progression.

Crosstalk between cancer cells and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has earned recognition as an interaction that plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Thus, we attempted to clarify whether increase in the level of CAFs promotes cancer progression by proportionally enhancing the interaction between cancer cells and CAFs. We first analyzed clinical correlation between the levels of fibroblasts and cancer progression and found that the level of CAFs made a noticeable difference on the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In vivo animal study also demonstrated that tumor volume depended on the dose of CAFs that was co-injected with OSCC cells. The same tendency was observed in an in vitro study. We also found that interleukin-1α (IL-1α) secreted from OSCC cells had dual effects on CAFs: IL-1α not only promoted the proliferation of CAFs but also upregulated the secretion of cytokines in CAFs such as CCL7, CXCL1, and IL-8. The induction activity of cytokine secretion by IL-1α surpassed that of proliferation in OSCC cells. In summary, we unraveled an important interactive mechanism of carcinogenesis: IL-1α released from carcinoma stimulates the proliferation of CAFs and the simultaneous increase in cytokine secretion from CAFs promotes cancer progression in human OSCC. On the basis of these findings, we propose that the level of CAFs is eligible for being selected as a prognostic factor that will be useful in routine diagnosis. We also propose that blockage of reciprocal interaction between cancer cells and CAFs will provide an insight for developing novel chemotherapeutic strategy.

Downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 3 is associated with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in cervical cancer.

Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) is a member of the glutathione peroxidase family of selenoproteins and is one of the key defensive enzymes against oxidative damages to host cells. Downregulation of GPX3 due to its promoter hypermethylation has been documented in several different types of cancer, indicating that GPX3 functions as a possible tumor suppressor. In the present study, we showed that GPX3 is also significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues compared to normal cervical tissues by qRT-PCR analyses and immunohistostainings. GPX3 expression was significantly related to lymph node metastasis and prognosis in cervical cancer patients. Treatment of cervical cancer cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored the expression of GPX3 and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) confirmed the CpG methylation of the GPX3 gene. Our results indicate that promoter methylation is one of the major causes of GPX3 downregulation in cervical cancer and GPX3 could serve as a predictive biomarker for lymph node metastasis and prognosis of cervical cancer.

An examination of behavioral antecedents to individuals' participation in a social mentoring network from a protégé's perspective.

The present study seeks to identify the behavioral antecedents to individuals' participation as protégé in a social mentoring network (SMN). It draws on social psychology and vocational literature and applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to understand and predict the specific behavioral context. A SMN was operationally defined as a special case of informal mentoring coupled with a social networking platform. Two additional variables--similarity and self-disclosure--were incorporated into the standard TPB model to improve its predictive power. A total of 376 respondents completed their first- and second wave questionnaires in a 2-week-longitudinal survey design. Two hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to determine the unique contributions made by the extended TPB model to the variance in behavioral intention and behavior. The results indicate that intention was demonstrated as a single significant variable in determining the behavior. Furthermore, intention was significantly influenced by respondents' attitudinal and normative beliefs toward the behavior, weighted by their internal mechanism that establishes the importance of necessary preconditions for the development of successful mentoring relationship. These preconditions include protégés' need for similarity with their mentor as well as willingness to self-disclose themselves to the SMN.

Riedel thyroiditis in a patient with graves disease.

Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare form of infiltrative and inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland and can be associated with systemic fibrotic processes, Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves disease. Riedel thyroiditis in combination with Graves disease however, is very rare. A 57-year-old woman with a past medical history significant for Graves disease diagnosed 30 years ago presented with an enlarging neck mass and voice changes. Due to suspicion of malignancy, thyroidectomy was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed Riedel thyroiditis. To our knowledge, the association of Riedel thyroiditis with Graves disease has not yet been reported in our country. Here we report a patient with Riedel thyroiditis evolved from antecedent Graves disease.

Maspin and p53 protein expression in gastric adenocarcinoma and its clinical applications.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of maspin and p53 expression in the progression of gastric cancer, and its value as a prognostic indicator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of maspin and p53 in 152 cases of gastric cancer was detected by immunohistochemistry and compared with the clinicopathologic tumor parameters. The relationship between maspin and p53 expression was also analyzed in the gastric cancers. RESULTS: The positive expression rates for maspin and p53 in the cancers were 71.7% (109 of 152 cases) and 56.6% (86 of 152 cases), respectively. Two patterns of immunostaining for maspin were seen in the maspin-positive gastric cancer cases: cytoplasm-only staining (67.0%, 73 of 109 cases) and staining of both cytoplasm and nucleus (33.0%, 36 of 109 cases). Maspin expression showed a negative association with histologic grade, depth of invasion, metastasis, and TNM stage (all P<0.05). p53 expression showed an association with node metastasis, and TNM stage (both P<0.05). Maspin expression was negatively correlated with p53 expression (P<0.001, r=-0.291). In univariate log-rank analysis, loss of maspin expression, histologic grade, distant metastasis, and TNM stage were associated with patient survival. Interestingly, patients with nuclear and cytoplasmic maspin expression survived longer than those with only cytoplasmic expression. However, in multivariate analysis TNM stage and regional node metastasis were the only independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Maspin expression might be an important factor in tumor progression and patient prognosis, but is not an independent prognostic factor. Maspin expression is inversely correlated with mutant p53 expression in gastric cancer, which suggests that maspin expression is regulated by the p53 pathway.