Citations

Abstract One of the greatest barriers to curative treatment of neuroblastoma is its frequent metastatic outgrowth prior to diagnosis, especially in cases driven by amplification of the MYCN oncogene. However, only a limited number of regulatory proteins that contribute to this complex MYCN-mediated process have been elucidated. Here we show that the growth arrest-specific 7 (GAS7) gene, located at chromosome band 17p13.1, is preferentially deleted in high-risk MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. GAS7 expression was also suppressed in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma lacking 17p deletion. GAS7 deficiency led to accelerated metastasis in both zebrafish and mammalian models of neuroblastoma with overexpression or amplification of MYCN. Analysis of expression profiles and the ultrastructure of zebrafish neuroblastoma tumors with MYCN overexpression identified that GAS7 deficiency led to (i) downregulation of genes involved in cell–cell interaction, (ii) loss of contact among tumor cells as critical determinants of accelerated metastasis, and (iii) increased levels of MYCN protein. These results provide the first genetic evidence that GAS7 depletion is a critical early step in the cascade of events culminating in neuroblastoma metastasis in the context of MYCN overexpression. Significance: Heterozygous deletion or MYCN-mediated repression of GAS7 in neuroblastoma releases an important brake on tumor cell dispersion and migration to distant sites, providing a novel mechanism underlying tumor metastasis in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma. See related commentary by Menard, p. 2815

AbstractPurposeSevere adverse events (AEs), such as Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) occur rarely after influenza vaccination. We identify highly associated AEs with GBS and develop prediction models for GBS using the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reports following trivalent influenza vaccination (FLU3).MethodsThis study analyzed 80 059 reports from the US VAERS between 1990 and 2017. Several AEs were identified as highly associated with GBS and were used to develop the prediction model. Some common and mild AEs that were suspected to be underreported when GBS occurred simultaneously were removed from the final model. The analyses were validated using European influenza vaccine AEs data from EudraVigilance.ResultsOf the 80 059 reports, 1185 (1.5%) were annotated as GBS related. Twenty‐four AEs were identified as having strong association with GBS. The full prediction model, using age, sex, and all 24 AEs achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 85.4% (90% CI: [83.8%, 86.9%]). After excluding the nine (e.g., pruritus, rash, injection site pain) likely underreported AEs, the final AUC became 77.5% (90% CI: [75.5%, 79.6%]). Two hundred and one (0.25%) reports were predicted as of high risk of GBS (predicted probability >25%) and 84 actually developed GBS.ConclusionThe prediction performance demonstrated the potential of developing risk‐prediction models utilizing the VAERS cohort. Excluding the likely underreported AEs sacrificed some prediction power but made the model more interpretable and feasible. The high absolute risk of even a small number of AE combinations suggests the promise of GBS prediction within the VAERS dataset.

Purpose To determine the accuracy of CT number and calcium score of a kV‐independent technique based on an artificial 120 kV reconstruction, and its potential to reduce radiation dose. Methods Anthropomorphic chest phantoms were scanned on a third‐generation dual‐source CT system equipped with the artificial 120 kV reconstruction. First, a phantom module containing a 20‐mm diameter hydroxyapatite (HA) insert was scanned inside the chest phantoms at different tube potentials (70–140 kV) to evaluate calcium CT number accuracy. Next, three small HA inserts (diameter/length = 5 mm) were inserted into a pork steak and scanned inside the phantoms to evaluate calcium score accuracy at different kVs. Finally, the same setup was scanned using automatic exposure control (AEC) at 120 kV, and then with automatic kV selection (auto‐kV). Phantoms were also scanned at 120 kV using a size‐dependent mA chart. CT numbers of soft tissue and calcium were measured from different kV images. Calcium score of each small HA insert was measured using commercial software. Results The CT number difference from 120 kV was small with tube potentials from 90 to 140 kV for both soft tissue and calcium (maximal difference of 4/5 HU, respectively). Consistent calcium scores were obtained from images of different kVs compared to 120 kV, with a relative difference <8%. Auto‐kV provided a 25–34% dose reduction compared to AEC alone. Conclusion A kV‐independent calcium scoring technique can produce artificial 120 kV images with consistent soft tissue and calcium CT numbers compared to standard 120 kV examinations. When coupled with auto‐kV, this technique can reduce radiation by 25–34% compared to that with AEC alone, while providing consistent calcium scores as that of standard 120 kV examinations.

This work investigates the use of an intelligent and unobstructive sensing technique for maintaining vehicle cabin’s indoor air quality while simultaneously assessing the driver metabolic rate. CO2 accumulation patterns are of great interest because CO2 can have negative cognitive effects at higher concentrations and also since CO2 accumulation rate can potentially be used to determine a person’s metabolic rate. The management of the vehicle’s ventilation system was controlled by periodically alternating the air recirculation mode within the cabin, which was actuated based on the CO2 levels inside the vehicle’s cabin. The CO2 accumulation periods were used to assess the driver’s metabolic rate, using a model that considered the vehicle’s air exchange rate. In the process of the method optimization, it was found that the vehicle’s air exchange rate (λ [h−1]) depends on the vehicle speeds, following the relationship: λ = 0.060 × (speed) − 0.88 when driving faster than 17 MPH. An accuracy level of 95% was found between the new method to assess the driver’s metabolic rate (1620 ± 140 kcal/day) and the reference method of indirect calorimetry (1550 ± 150 kcal/day) for a total of N = 16 metabolic assessments at various vehicle speeds. The new sensing method represents a novel approach for unobstructive assessment of driver metabolic rate while maintaining indoor air quality within the vehicle cabin.

Abstract With the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance, the need to develop antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) technologies is urgent. The current challenge has been to perform the antibiotic susceptibility testing in short time, directly with clinical samples, and with antibiotics over a broad dynamic range of clinically relevant concentrations. Here, a technology for point‐of‐care diagnosis of antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria in urinary tract infections, by imaging the clinical urine samples directly with an innovative large volume solution scattering imaging (LVSi) system and analyzing the image sequences with a single‐cell division tracking method is developed. The high sensitivity of single‐cell division tracking associated with large volume imaging enables rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing directly on the clinical urine samples. The results demonstrate direct detection of bacterial infections in 60 clinical urine samples with a 60 min LVSi video, and digital AST of 30 positive clinical samples with 100% categorical agreement with both the clinical culture results and the on‐site agar plating validation results. This technology provides opportunities for precise antibiotic prescription and proper treatment of the patient within a single clinic visit.

Introduction: MM is an incurable disease with risk categorizations by cytogenetic abnormalities. Prognostic implications of chromosome translocation t(11;14)+ are important to inform development of biomarker-targeted therapies such as the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) pathway inhibitors. This study aims to evaluate MM treatment (Tx) patterns and outcomes of t(11;14)+ compared with other cytogenetic cohorts in US routine clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of the Flatiron Health database, which comprises de-identified electronic health record-derived patient (pt)-level data from over 280 community and academic cancer clinics in the US. Pts aged ≥18 years who received a first-line (1L) induction Tx within ≤60 days of MM diagnosis from 1/1/2011 to 1/31/2020, and were not enrolled in a clinical trial were identified at the start of each Tx line (index date) and followed up (f/u) until 1/31/2020. Only cytogenetic results by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to stratify the cohort into: t(11;14)+; standard risk, excluding t(11;14)+ (SR); and high risk, (HR; del 17p, t(4;14), t(14;16), t(14;20), chromosome 1 abnormalities as a proxy for 1q gain; and t(11;14) where it co-occurs). Descriptive analyses of pt characteristics and Tx were conducted. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to evaluate median time to next treatment (TTNT) and overall survival (OS) with log-rank test for significance. The cohort was stratified by age ≤70/&gt;70 years (yrs) as a proxy for transplant eligibility. Results: Of 10,703 pts with MM in the database, 5982, 3059 and 1595 pts were eligible for 1L, second-line (2L), and third-line (3L) analysis, of which 76%, 84%, and 86%, respectively, had FISH test results before Tx initiation. 14% of pts with FISH test results were t(11;14)+, ~55% SR and ~35% HR. Included pts were predominately male (55%), ~90% treated in the community setting and ~16% African-American. Pts in the 3L cohort were younger at diagnosis with a median age (interquartile range) of 67 (59 ̶ 74) yrs compared with 69 (61 ̶ 76) yrs in both 1L and 2L. The 1L Tx pattern was consistent across cytogenetic cohorts with bortezomib (V), lenalidomide (R), dexamethasone (d) as the most common Tx (&gt;42%). Together, VRd, Rd, Vd, and cyclophosphamide (Cy) in combination with Vd represented ≥90% of 1L Tx (Figure 1). Across 2L cytogenetic cohorts, the most common Tx regimens (≥25%) were VRd and Rd. The use of regimens containing carfilzomib (K) and daratumumab (D) was emerging in 2L: KRd in 8% of t(11;14)+ and HR and 5% in SR; Kd 5% in all groups; DRd in 4% of t(11;14)+ and 3% in SR and HR (Figure 1). 3L Tx pattern was fragmented with different Tx regimens. Rd was the most common 3L Tx option: 9% in t(11;14)+, 10% in SR and 7% in HR (Figure 1). Across all lines of Tx, t(11;14)+ had similar Tx outcomes to SR, and HR had poorest outcomes (Table 1). Pts TTNT shortened as they advanced to later lines of Tx (Table 1). Although TTNT did not differ by age across lines of Tx, OS was superior in pts &lt;70 yrs across all 3 cytogenetic risk cohorts, especially in 1L where transplant in those ≤70 yrs vs &gt;70 yrs at diagnosis was 44% vs 11% for t(11;14)+, 47% vs 10% for SR and 49% vs 9% for HR. Conclusions: This study identified cytogenetic subgroups across 1L to 3L in a predominately community setting in the US. MM t(11;14)+ pts had similar 1L and 2L Tx patterns to SR and HR. Across all lines of Tx, the outcomes of t(11;14)+ and SR pts were comparable and better than HR pts. TTNT was reduced as pts advanced to later lines of Tx. Pts continuing to 3L Tx were younger at diagnosis, but there was not a clear-cut standard of care. While TTNT did not differ by age across lines of Tx, OS was superior in pts &lt;70 yrs across all 3 cytogenetic risk cohorts. This study sets the benchmark for novel treatment options, such as BCL-2 pathway inhibitors, primarily wherever available biomarker-driven therapy is considered appropriate. Disclosures Atrash: Takeda, Amgen, Karyopharm, BMS, Sanofi, Cellactar, Janssen and Celgene: Honoraria; BMS, Jansen oncology, Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Amgen, GSK, Karyopharm.: Research Funding. Flahavan:F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Roche Products Ltd.: Current Employment. Xu:F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Current Employment, Other: All authors received support for third party writing assistance, furnished by Scott Battle, PhD, provided by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland.. Ma:Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Karve:AbbVie: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Hong:F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment. Jirau-Lucca:Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment; AbbVie: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; BMS: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; Celgene: Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months. Nixon:Genentech, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Ailawadhi:Takeda: Honoraria; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Cellectar: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Medimmune: Research Funding; Phosplatin: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding.

PurposeTo develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) that can directly estimate material density distribution from multi‐energy computed tomography (CT) images without performing conventional material decomposition.MethodsThe proposed CNN (denoted as Incept‐net) followed the general framework of encoder–decoder network, with an assumption that local image information was sufficient for modeling the nonlinear physical process of multi‐energy CT. Incept‐net was implemented with a customized loss function, including an in‐house‐designed image‐gradient‐correlation (IGC) regularizer to improve edge preservation. The network consisted of two types of customized multibranch modules exploiting multiscale feature representation to improve the robustness over local image noise and artifacts. Inserts with various densities of different materials [hydroxyapatite (HA), iodine, a blood–iodine mixture, and fat] were scanned using a research photon‐counting detector (PCD) CT with two energy thresholds and multiple radiation dose levels. The network was trained using phantom image patches only, and tested with different‐configurations of full field‐of‐view phantom and in vivo porcine images. Furthermore, the nominal mass densities of insert materials were used as the labels in CNN training, which potentially provided an implicit mass conservation constraint. The Incept‐net performance was evaluated in terms of image noise, detail preservation, and quantitative accuracy. Its performance was also compared to common material decomposition algorithms including least‐square‐based material decomposition (LS‐MD), total‐variation regularized material decomposition (TV‐MD), and U‐net‐based method.ResultsIncept‐net improved accuracy of the predicted mass density of basis materials compared with the U‐net, TV‐MD, and LS‐MD: the mean absolute error (MAE) of iodine was 0.66, 1.0, 1.33, and 1.57 mgI/cc for Incept‐net, U‐net, TV‐MD, and LS‐MD, respectively, across all iodine‐present inserts (2.0–24.0 mgI/cc). With the LS‐MD as the baseline, Incept‐net and U‐net achieved comparable noise reduction (both around 95%), both higher than TV‐MD (85%). The proposed IGC regularizer effectively helped both Incept‐net and U‐net to reduce image artifact. Incept‐net closely conserved the total mass densities (i.e., mass conservation constraint) in porcine images, which heuristically validated the quantitative accuracy of its outputs in anatomical background. In general, Incept‐net performance was less dependent on radiation dose levels than the two conventional methods; with approximately 40% less parameters, the Incept‐net achieved relatively improved performance than the comparator U‐net, indicating that performance gain by Incept‐net was not achieved by simply increasing network learning capacity.ConclusionIncept‐net demonstrated superior qualitative image appearance, quantitative accuracy, and lower noise than the conventional methods and less sensitive to dose change. Incept‐net generalized and performed well with unseen image structures and different material mass densities. This study provided preliminary evidence that the proposed CNN may be used to improve the material decomposition quality in multi‐energy CT.

Abstract Sprouting angiogenesis is a highly coordinately process controlled by vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)‐Notch signaling. Here we investigated whether Tripartite motif‐containing 28 (TRIM28), which is an epigenetic modifier implicated in gene transcription and cell differentiation, is essential to mediate sprouting angiogenesis. We observed that knockdown of TRIM28 ortholog in zebrafish resulted in developmental vascular defect with disorganized and reduced vasculatures. Consistently, TRIM28 knockdown inhibited angiogenic sprouting of cultured endothelial cells (ECs), which exhibited increased mRNA levels of VEGFR1, Delta‐like (DLL) 3, and Notch2 but reduced levels of VEGFR2, DLL1, DLL4, Notch1, Notch3, and Notch4.The regulative effects of TRIM28 on these angiogenic factors were partially mediated by hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 α (HIF‐1α) and recombination signal‐binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJκ). In vitro DNA‐binding assay showed that TRIM28 knockdown increased the association of RBPJκ with DNA sequences containing HIF‐1α‐binding sites. Moreover, the phosphorylation of TRIM28 was controlled by VEGF and Notch1 through a mechanism involving RBPJκ‐dual‐specificity phosphatase (DUSP)‐p38 MAPK, indicating a negative feedback mechanism. These findings established TRIM28 as a crucial regulator of VEGFR‐Notch signaling circuit through HIF‐1α and RBPJκ in EC sprouting angiogenesis.