Establishment of the Radiologic Tumor Invasion Index Based on Radiomics Splenic Features and Clinical Factors to Predict Serous Invasion of Gastric Cancer

BackgroundCurrently, there are shortcomings in diagnosing gastric cancer with or without serous invasion, making it difficult for patients to receive appropriate treatment. Therefore, we aimed to develop a radiomic nomogram for preoperative identification of serosal invasion.MethodsWe selected 315 patients with gastric cancer, confirmed by pathology, and randomly divided them into two groups: the training group (189 patients) and the verification group (126 patients). We obtained patient splenic imaging data for the training group. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant for features that were selected for lasso regression. Eight features were chosen to construct a serous invasion prediction model. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to the radiologic tumor invasion risk score. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed with other invasion-related factors to establish a visual combined prediction model.ResultsThe diagnostic accuracy of the radiologic tumor invasion score was consistent in the training and verification groups (p<0.001 and p=0.009, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analyses of invasion risk factors revealed that the radiologic tumor invasion index (p=0.002), preoperative hemoglobin <100 (p=0.042), and the platelet and lymphocyte ratio <92.8 (p=0.031) were independent risk factors for serosal invasion in the training cohort. The prediction model based on the three indexes accurately predicted the serosal invasion risk with an area under the curve of 0.884 in the training cohort and 0.837 in the testing cohort.ConclusionsRadiological tumor invasion index based on splenic imaging combined with other factors accurately predicts serosal invasion of gastric cancer, increases diagnostic precision for the most effective treatment, and is time-efficient.

Renal Tumor Invasion Depth and Diameter are the Two Most Accurate Anatomical Features Regarding the Choice of Radical Versus Partial Nephrectomy

Background and Aims: To evaluate simple tumor characteristics (renal tumor diameter and parenchymal invasion depth) compared with more complex classifications, that is, Renal Tumor Invasion Index (RTII) and Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical classification, in predicting the type of nephrectomy (radical vs partial) performed. Material and Methods: A total of 915 patients who had undergone either partial nephrectomy ( n = 388, 42%) or radical nephrectomy ( n = 527, 58%) were identified from the Helsinki University Hospital kidney tumor database between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2014. Tumor maximum diameter and depth of invasion into the parenchyma were estimated from computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging images and compared with Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical and Renal Tumor Invasion Index. Logistic regression and receiver operating curves were used to compare the parameters at predicting the type of nephrectomy. Results and conclusion: All the anatomical variables of receiver operating curve/area under the curve analyses were significant predictors for the type of nephrectomy. Parenchymal invasion (area under the curve 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.93), RTII (area under the curve 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.93), and diameter (area under the curve 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.93) performed significantly better than Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an Anatomical classification (area under the curve 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–0.89). In multivariable analysis, invasion depth was the best predictor of nephrectomy type (percentage correct, 85.6%). Addition of one anatomic parameter into the model of non-anatomical cofactors improved the accuracy of the model significantly, but the addition of more parameters did not. Parenchymal invasion depth and tumor diameter are the most accurate anatomical features for predicting the nephrectomy type. All potential anatomical classification systems should be tested against these two simple characteristics.

Influence of mutation in cj0183 and cj0588 genes for colonization abilities of Campylobacter jejuni in Caco-2 cells using confocal laser scanning microscope

The cj0183 and cj0588 genes identified in the Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 genome encode proteins with homology to virulence factors found in other bacteria. Previous studies showed that single mutation in the cj0183 gene does not affect adhesion of C. jejuni to the Caco-2 cell line whereas protein encoded by cj0588 is involved in adherence to the Caco-2 cells. In the presented study differences in invasion index were observed between mutants in both genes and single mutation of cj0588 in 81116 and 81-176 C. jejuni strains. This fact indicates that Cj0183 protein might play some role in invasion of bacteria into host cells.

Abstract 207: C-Reactive Protein Signaling via Neurokinin B Receptor Contributes to the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia

Introduction: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an important immunomodulatory molecule. Early studies have indicated that CRP is elevated in preeclamptic patient sera, but its function remains unclear. CRP is known to bind with phosphocholine (PC) of bacteria membrane to kill bacteria by triggering innate immune response. Phosphocholination is a post-translational modification mediated by PC transferase, an enzyme reported expressed only in two tissues, including placenta and testis. Recent studies identified that Neurokinin B (NKB), a known, placenta-enriched pathogenic molecule for preeclampsia (PE), is phosphocholinated. This modification increases its stability, preferentially activates NK3 receptor (NK3R) and promotes PE features. Given CRP can bind to PC on bacterial membranes, the role that phosphocholination plays is a mystery. In light of NKB, being phosphocholinated in the endoplasmic reticulum and signals via the NK3R in the pathogenesis of PE, we feel that elevated CRP may be associated with NKB and contributes to the pathophysiology of PE via NK3R activation. Results: ELISA results show that CRP is significantly elevated in PE vs. control sera_65 ug/mL vs. 10 ug/ml; p<0.0001. Western blot analysis reveals that CRP, NKB, and NK3R are significantly increased in PE vs. control placental tissue. Immunohistochemistry studies indicate that all of these three molecules are abundant in syncytiotrophoblast cells. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrates an interaction between CRP and NKB. In vitro , we provide the first evidence that CRP decreased the invasion of trophoblast cells from 0.7 ± 0.06 to 0.06 ± 0.001 invasion index; p<0.005, while treatment with SB222200 ameliorates shallow invasion from 0.28 ± 0.09 to 0.55 ± 0.07 invasion index; p<0.05. Significantly, infusion of CRP into pregnant mice induces hypertension (169.152 ± 14.7 mmHg vs. 141.916 ± 6.93 mmHg; p<0.05) and proteinuria (28.78 ± 13.56 mg albumin/μg Cr vs. 13.87 ± 3.277 mg albumin/μg Cr; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate elevated CRP contributes to PE and NKB/NK3R is a new mechanism underlying CRP-mediated shallow invasion and disease development. These studies suggest novel pathogenic biomarkers and innovative therapies for PE.

The incidence of virulence factors in mesophilicAeromonasspecies isolated from farm animals and their environment

SUMMARYSixty-one isolates ofAeromonasspp. from the faeces of pigs, cows and a variety of associated environmental sources were examined for the characteristics that are reputed to have roles in pathogenicity. Most isolates ofAeromonas hydrophilawere cytotoxic (96·4%) and were capable of producing cell elongation factor (75%) and haemagglutinins (67·9%). In contrast few of theAeromonas caviaeisolates produced these three markers (13·6 %, 27·3% and 36·4% respectively). In general,Aeromonas sobriaoccupied an intermediate position (36·4%, 27·3% and 54·5%), but they did produce the highest mean invasion index for HEp-2 cells. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between the carriage of these factors and it was clear that many isolates of aeromonads from water and animals possessed the full battery of putative virulence factors.

Locomotory invasion of human cervical epithelium and avian fibroblasts by HeLa cells in vitro

The locomotory invasive ability of HeLa cells was tested against: (a) embryonic chick heart fibroblasts (CHF); and (b) normal epithelial cells from human cervix (HCE) in explant confrontations. Data for analyses were obtained from replicate cultures fixed 24 h after junction and from 24-h time-lapse films. The mean invasion index for HeLa versus CHF did not indicate significant obstruction but analyses of hourly radial advance and orientation frequencies showed that obstruction eventually developed as postjunctional incubation time increased. Early contacts between HeLa and CHF demonstrated non-reciprocity of type I contact inhibition of locomotion by the tumour cells, which continued moving in their original direction to underlap contact-inhibited fibroblasts and eventually to occupy spaces vacated by them. When CHF population density increased and free space diminished, HeLa cells displayed directional and probably substrate-dependent contact inhibition. The high invasion index of HeLa versus HCE was largely due to occupation of previous HCE territory by tumour cells and only occasionally to actual infiltration of the epithelial sheet. After contact with HeLa, ruffling substrate-adherent marginal epithelial cells displayed contractile, type I contact inhibition of locomotion. After orientation changes, they gradually retreated. Against HCE, HeLa cells exhibited non-reciprocity of type I contact inhibition and continued radially forward, following the retreating epithelial margin. They did not move onto exposed upper surfaces of epithelial cells and did not underlap marginal cells firmly adherent to the substratum. Invasion of the epithelial sheet was seen only when initial access beneath a cell with a non-adherent margin was available. The contact relationships of isolated invading HeLa cells with their epithelial neighbours suggested successive non-reciprocal contact inhibition reactions.