Developing a nomogram based on SEER database for predicting prognosis in choroid plexus tumors.

Choroid plexus tumors (CPT) are rare and highly vascularized neoplasms that have three histologically confirmed diagnoses, including choroid plexus papilloma, atypical choroid plexus papilloma, and choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC). This study aimed to determine the epidemiology and survival of patients with CPTs and develop a nomogram to quantify the prognosis of the patients with CPT. Data of 808 patients who were diagnosed as CPT between 2000 and 2020 was obtained from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the distribution and tumor-related characteristics of the patients with CPT. Independent prognostic factors for patients with CPT were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The nomogram was established and evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), calibration curves. The independent prognostic factors for patients with CPT are age, tumor size, surgery, chemotherapy, tumor number, pathologies, and race. For the prognostic nomogram, the area under the curve (AUC) of 60-, 120-, and 180-months were 0.855, 0.869 and 0.857 in the training set and 0.836, 0.864 and 0.922 in the test set. The DCA and calibration curve indicated the good performance of the nomogram. Patients with CPTs can be diagnosed at any age. Among the three histopathological tumors, patients with CPC had the worst prognosis. The nomogram was established to predict the prognosis of patients with CPT, which had satisfactory accuracy, and clinical utility may benefit for clinical decision-making.

Semiconducting polymer dots for multifunctional integrated nanomedicine carriers.

The expansion applications of semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) among optical nanomaterial field have long posed a challenge for researchers, promoting their intelligent application in multifunctional nano-imaging systems and integrated nanomedicine carriers for diagnosis and treatment. Despite notable progress, several inadequacies still persist in the field of Pdots, including the development of simplified near-infrared (NIR) optical nanoprobes, elucidation of their inherent biological behavior, and integration of information processing and nanotechnology into biomedical applications. This review aims to comprehensively elucidate the current status of Pdots as a classical nanophotonic material by discussing its advantages and limitations in terms of biocompatibility, adaptability to microenvironments in vivo, etc. Multifunctional integration and surface chemistry play crucial roles in realizing the intelligent application of Pdots. Information visualization based on their optical and physicochemical properties is pivotal for achieving detection, sensing, and labeling probes. Therefore, we have refined the underlying mechanisms and constructed multiple comprehensive original mechanism summaries to establish a benchmark. Additionally, we have explored the cross-linking interactions between Pdots and nanomedicine, potential yet complete biological metabolic pathways, future research directions, and innovative solutions for integrating diagnosis and treatment strategies. This review presents the possible expectations and valuable insights for advancing Pdots, specifically from chemical, medical, and photophysical practitioners' standpoints.

Epidemiology and risk stratification of low-grade gliomas in the United States, 2004-2019: A competing-risk regression model for survival analysis.

Background: Understanding the epidemiology and prognostic factors of low-grade gliomas (LGGs) can help estimate the public health impact and optimize risk stratification and treatment strategies. Methods: 3 337 patients diagnosed with LGGs were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset, 2004-2019. The incidence trends of LGGs were analyzed by patient demographics (sex, age, race, and ethnicity). In addition, a competing risk regression model was used to explore the prognostic factors of LGGs by patient demographics, tumor characteristics (histological subtypes, invasiveness, and size), treatment modality, and molecular markers (IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion). Results: LGGs occurred more frequently in male, non-Hispanic, and White populations. The incidence rate of mixed gliomas was stable from 2004 to 2013 and decreased dramatically to nearly zero until 2019. The risk of death increased 1.99 times for every 20-year increase in patient age, and 60 years is a predictive cut-off age for risk stratification of LGGs. Male patients showed poorer LGG-specific survival. Among the different subtypes, astrocytoma has the worst prognosis, followed by mixed glioma and oligodendroglioma. Tumors with larger size (≥5 cm) and invasive behavior tended to have poorer survival. Patients who underwent gross total resection had better survival rates than those who underwent subtotal resection. Among the different treatment modalities, surgery alone had the best survival, followed by surgery + radiotherapy + chemotherapy, but chemotherapy alone had a higher death risk than no treatment. Furthermore, age, invasiveness, and molecular markers were the most robust prognostic factors. Conclusion: This study reviewed the incidence trends and identified several prognostic factors that help clinicians identify high-risk patients and determine the need for postoperative treatment according to guidelines.

Anticancer effects of OSW-1 on glioma cells via regulation of the PI3K/AKT signal pathway: A network pharmacology approach and experimental validation in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Gliomas are the most common primary intracranial malignant tumors with poor prognosis, despite the remarkable advances in medical technology that have been made. OSW-1, isolated from Ornithogalum saundersiae, possesses anticancer activity against various malignant cancer cells. However, the effects of OSW-1 on gliomas and its potential mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Network pharmacology was employed for predicting potential key targets and mechanisms of the anticancer effects of OSW-1 on glioma. Experiments, including the Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and flow cytometry, were performed to investigate how OSW-1 affects the biological behavior of glioma cells in vitro. Western blotting was used to detect changes in related proteins, such as those involved in the cell cycle, apoptosis, and signaling pathways. The nude mouse xenograft model was used to detect the effect of OSW-1 on inhibiting the proliferation of glioma cells in vivo. Results: An "OSW-1-Targets-Glioma" intersection network consisting of 151 intersecting genes was acquired to construct a "Protein-Protein Interaction network" and predict the top 10 core targets. According to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was the top 3-ranked pathway, with 38 enriched intersecting genes. The glioma T98G and LN18 cell lines were used to verify the predictions. OSW-1 significantly inhibited the viability and proliferation of glioma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry showed that OSW-1 arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and the apoptotic ratio of glioma cells increased significantly with increasing concentrations. Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT1 in glioma cells treated with OSW-1 were significantly lower than those in the controls; however, 740Y-P, a PI3K activator, significantly reversed the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway caused by OSW-1. Furthermore, the mouse xenograft model confirmed the suppressive effect of OSW-1 on tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: OSW-1 is a promising anti-glioma chemotherapeutic drug owing to its anticancer effects via downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. However, OSW-1 still has a long way to go to become a real anti-glioma drug.

Berberine inhibits glioma cell migration and invasion by suppressing TGF-ß1/COL11A1 pathway.

Glioma is a clinically heterogeneous disease with a poor prognosis. Berberine (BBR), as a multi-target anti-tumor alkaloid, has the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and shows cytotoxicity to glioma cells. In previous studies, we demonstrated that berberine inhibits glioma cell proliferation by inhibiting mutant p53 protein and promoting mitochondrial damage. In addition, berberine has been shown to reduce collagen accumulation in pulmonary fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy and arthritis. However, its effect on collagen in cancer needs to be further elucidated. In this study, we proved that the collagen XI alpha 1 chain (COL11A1) is highly expressed in glioma cell lines and associated with migration and invasion of glioma cells. Knocking down COL11A1 caused decreased expression of MMPs. Berberine could inhibit the migration and invasion of glioma cells by suppressing the TGF-ß1/COL11A1 pathway and changes actin cytoskeleton arrangement. Nude mouse subcutaneous xenografts model also showed that berberine inhibited the expression of COL11A1 in vivo. Collectively, berberine that targets COL11A1 to inhibit glioma migration and invasion, may serve as a promising candidate for the development of anti-glioma drugs in the future.

Incidence and survival of benign, borderline, and malignant meningioma patients in the United States from 2004 to 2018.

Meningioma is the most common primary central nervous system tumor, and its incidence is increasing. A systematic epidemiological and clinical analysis is required to better estimate its public health impact and understand its prognostic factors. Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2018 for all types of meningiomas without an age restriction. Age-adjusted incidence rates (IRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated according to sex, age, race, ethnicity, and tumor location. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the overall survival (OS). The competing risk regression model of Fine-Gray was used to analyze cause-specific survival. Data from a total of 109 660 meningioma patients were analyzed. A majority of patients were older than 60 years, and only 0.41% of patients were 0-19 years. The meningioma IRs were higher in females, Black, and non-Hispanic patients than in males, White, and Hispanic patients, respectively, and IRs increased with age. The ratio of IRs for females to males was 2.1 and also increased with age, peaking at 3.6 in the 45-49-year-old group. Older and male patients with all types of meningiomas, Black patients with benign and borderline meningiomas, and patients with larger borderline and malignant meningiomas showed poorer prognosis. For all meningioma types, surgical resection improved survival. The reported incidence rates and survival trends covered all demographics and subtypes of meningiomas. Older age, male sex, Black race, and tumor size may be important prognostic factors for meningioma cases, and tumor resection can substantially improve survival among meningioma patients.

How molecular interactions tune the characteristic time of nanocomposite colloidal sensors.

HYPOTHESIS: Mass transport critically controls the performance of colloidal metal-polymer sensors. We hypothesize that molecular-level pair interactions, such as electric, steric, and specific binding effects, govern the mass transport and, in return, the characteristic time of these sensors. THEORY: Here we present a simple theory guided by experimental data to examine the sensing performance of two usually encountered archetypal metal-polymer sensors, namely (1) core-shell and (2) yolk-shell architectures. For this purpose, we use the static reactive density functional theory framework, determining how (i) charge, (ii) size, and (iii) non-covalent binding factors modulate the characteristic time. FINDINGS: We show how an interplay between diffusivity and partitioning governs the sensing time of the sensors, where an anti-correlation cancellation between them renders the time non-trivial. Our study demonstrates that the convoluted substrate-hydrogel shell interaction controls the characteristic time of these colloidal sensors, especially when the sensors are in a collapsed state. Notably, the substrates with a high dipole moment tend to equilibrate greatly, but undesirably, at the shell-solution interface. With this, we encourage the formation of a metastable sorption state.

Anticancer Effects and Mechanisms of OSW-1 Isolated From Ornithogalum saundersiae: A Review.

For centuries, cancer has been a lingering dark cloud floating on people's heads. With rapid population growth and aging worldwide, cancer incidence and mortality are growing rapidly. Despite major advances in oncotherapy including surgery, radiation and chemical therapy, as well as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, cancer is expected be the leading cause of premature death in this century. Nowadays, natural compounds with potential anticancer effects have become an indispensable natural treasure for discovering clinically useful agents and made remarkable achievements in cancer chemotherapy. In this regards, OSW-1, which was isolated from the bulbs of Ornithogalum saundersiae in 1992, has exhibited powerful anticancer activities in various cancers. However, after almost three decades, OSW-1 is still far from becoming a real anticancer agent for its anticancer mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, in this review we summarize the available evidence on the anticancer effects and mechanisms of OSW-1 in vitro and in vivo, and some insights for researchers who are interested in OSW-1 as a potential anticancer drug. We conclude that OSW-1 is a potential candidate for anticancer drugs and deserves further study.

Mechanisms involved in the anti-tumor effects of Toosendanin in glioma cells.

BACKGROUND: Toosendanin (TSN) is a triterpenoid compound mainly used as an ascaris repellant. Recent studies have shown that it possesses antitumor effects in many types of tumor cells. However, the effects of TSN on glioma cells have rarely been reported. METHODS: Different assays were performed to investigate the effects of TSN on the different glioma cell lines including U87MG and LN18. The assays included colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays. Furthermore, Hoechst 33342 staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting analysis were performed to investigate the apoptotic activities of TSN. Finally, the results were confirmed using a xenograft tumor model that comprised of nude mice. RESULTS: In vitro, the CCK-8 and colony formation assays showed that TSN effectively inhibited glioma cell proliferation. Moreover, the inhibitory effects on glioma cell migration and invasion were demonstrated through the wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. Hoechst 33342 staining, flow cytometry, and western blotting assays demonstrated the significant effect of TSN in the apoptosis induction of glioma cells. Furthermore, the anti-glioma effect of TSN was exerted through the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways as demonstrated by western blotting analysis. In addition, the effects of TSN on glioma cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, migration, and invasion were reversed by 740Y-P, a PI3K activator. Finally, the mouse xenograft model confirmed the suppressive effect of TSN on tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TSN is a promising chemotherapeutic drug for patients with glioma.

Neurofibroma and Meningioma within a Single Dumbbell-Shaped Tumor at the Same Cervical Level without Neurofibromatosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Cases of multiple intracranial tumors are common; however, cases of multiple intraspinal tumors are rare. Except for cases of neurofibromatosis, it is very rare for tumors of different pathological types to exist concurrently at the same spinal level. Only 9 cases have been reported to date, with meningioma found with schwannoma in 7 cases and with neurofibroma in 2 cases. CASE DESCRIPTION: We have reported another rare case in which neurofibroma and meningioma were identified within a single dumbbell-shaped tumor at the same cervical level without neurofibromatosis. The preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings indicated a single extra- and intradural extramedullary dumbbell-shaped neurogenic tumor on the left ventral side of the cervical spine. Intraoperatively, we found that the mass consisted of 2 pathologically different tumors. The results of surgical resection were mostly satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first reported case of intradural neurofibroma (not meningioma) and extradural meningioma growing mixed together at the same spinal level without neurofibromatosis. The precise mechanism underlying the formation of the tumor is unknown, and multidirectional differentiation of a common progenitor cell is one possibility. Intra- and extradural exploration and component biopsies are useful for treatment planning, especially when the magnetic resonance imaging is not sufficiently sensitive for the diagnosis of coexisting tumor types.

Alternative splicing of human telomerase reverse transcriptase in gliomas and its modulation mediated by CX-5461.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is a heterogeneous, invasive primary brain tumor with a wide range of patient survival and a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been reported in the presence of multiple transcripts in various tumor systems. The biological function and precise regulatory mechanisms of hTERT transcripts remain uncertain. METHODS: Alternative splicing of hTERT and telomerase activity were examined in 96 glioma specimens, including 38 glioblastomas (GBMs), 23 oligodendrogliomas (ODMs), and 35 oligoastrocytomas (OAMs). The correlation between telomerase activity or hTERT transcripts and patient clinical characteristics was investigated. We examined the regulation of alternative splicing of hTERT and telomerase activity by G-quadruplex stabilizer CX-5461 in GBM cells. The biological effects of CX-5461 on GBM cell lines, including inhibition of cell proliferation, effects on cell cycle/apoptosis, and telomere DNA damage were further explored. RESULTS: The ß splicing was verified in human gliomas and hTERT+ß was significantly correlated with higher telomerase activity, higher KPS, larger tumor size, and higher tumor grades. Meanwhile, glioma patients lacking hTERT+ß expression or telomerase activity showed a significant survival benefit. Notably, CX-5461 altered hTERT splicing patterns, leading to an increase of hTERT-ß transcript and a decrease of hTERT+ß transcript expression, which inhibits telomerase activity. In addition, CX-5461 had cytotoxic effects on GBM cells and caused telomere DNA damage response, induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The hTERT+ß is verified to be correlated with clinical parameters in gliomas, and could serve as a prognostic marker or possibly therapeutic target for gliomas. CX-5461 can regulate the splicing pattern of hTERT, inhibit telomerase activity, and kill GBM cells.