A practical nomogram and risk stratification system for predicting survival outcomes in neuroblastoma patients: a SEER population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood malignancy with marked heterogeneity, resulting in highly variable outcomes among patients. This study aims to establish a novel nomogram and risk stratification system to predict the overall survival (OS) for patients with NB. METHODS: We analyzed neuroblastoma patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015. The nomogram was constructed using independent risk factors for OS, identified through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The accuracy of this nomogram was evaluated with the concordance index, receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. In addition, we developed a risk stratification system based on the total score of each patient in the nomogram. RESULTS: A total of 2185 patients were randomly assigned to the training group and the testing group. Six risk factors, including age, chemotherapy, brain metastases, primary site, tumor stage, and tumor size, were identified in the training group. Using these factors, a nomogram was constructed to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS of NB patients. This model exhibited superior accuracy in the training and testing groups, exceeding traditional tumor stage prediction. Subgroup analysis suggested worse prognosis for retroperitoneal origin in the intermediate-risk group and adrenal gland origin in the high-risk group compared to other sites. Additionally, the prognosis for high-risk patients significantly improved after surgery. We also developed a web application to make the nomogram more user-friendly in clinical practices. CONCLUSION: This nomogram demonstrates excellent accuracy and reliability, offering more precise personalized prognostic predictions to clinical patients.

Interferon gamma release assays for diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although the Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) is often used to identify latent tuberculosis, it also plays a crucial role in diagnosing active extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Some studies have assessed the use of IGRA as a biomarker for osteoarticular tuberculosis (OATB), which is elevated following TB infection. Still, conclusive results about its effectiveness have not been reported. METHOD: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochran databases. We obtained literature related to the diagnosis of OATB by IGRA, and the retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to June 2021. The bivariate random effect model was used to summarize the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of other indicators in diagnosing OATB by IGRA, and the forest plot and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for testing. RESULTS: We included seven studies involving 643 subjects in diagnosing OATB by IGRA. The comprehensive sensitivity and specificity were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.70-0.92) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66-0.87), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.87. CONCLUSION: In blood samples, the diagnostic accuracy of IGRAS is poor in patients with suspected OAT. We conclude that IGRA may not be appropriate for patients with OATB.

Genome assembly with in vitro proximity ligation data and whole-genome triplication in lettuce.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a major crop and a member of the large, highly successful Compositae family of flowering plants. Here we present a reference assembly for the species and family. This was generated using whole-genome shotgun Illumina reads plus in vitro proximity ligation data to create large superscaffolds; it was validated genetically and superscaffolds were oriented in genetic bins ordered along nine chromosomal pseudomolecules. We identify several genomic features that may have contributed to the success of the family, including genes encoding Cycloidea-like transcription factors, kinases, enzymes involved in rubber biosynthesis and disease resistance proteins that are expanded in the genome. We characterize 21 novel microRNAs, one of which may trigger phasiRNAs from numerous kinase transcripts. We provide evidence for a whole-genome triplication event specific but basal to the Compositae. We detect 26% of the genome in triplicated regions containing 30% of all genes that are enriched for regulatory sequences and depleted for genes involved in defence.