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At least 667 records · Page 37

Correlation Between the Severity of Cetuximab-Induced Skin Rash and Clinical Outcome for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: The RTOG Experience

Purpose: To evaluate the severity of cetuximab-induced skin rash and its correlation with clinical outcome and late skin toxicity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiation therapy and cetuximab. Methods and Materials: Analysis included patients who received loading dose and ≥1 cetuximab dose concurrent with definitive chemoradiation therapy (70 Gy + cisplatin) or postoperative chemoradiation therapy (60-66 Gy + docetaxel or cisplatin). Results: Six hundred two patients were analyzed; 383 (63.6%) developed grade 2 to 4 cetuximab rash. Patients manifesting grade 2 to 4 rash had younger age (P<.001), fewer pack-years smoking history (P<.001), were more likely to be males (P=.04), and had p16-negative (P=.04) oropharyngeal tumors (P=.003). In univariate analysis, grade 2 to 4 rash was associated with better overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.58, P<.001) and progression-free survival (HR 0.75, P=.02), and reduced distant metastasis rate (HR 0.61, P=.03), but not local-regional failure (HR 0.79, P=.16) relative to grade 0 to 1 rash. In multivariable analysis, HRs for overall survival, progression-free survival, distant metastasis, and local-regional failure were, respectively, 0.68 (P=.008), 0.85 (P=.21), 0.64 (P=.06), and 0.89 (P=.48). Grade ≥2 rash was associated with improved survival in p16-negative patients (HR 0.28 [95% confidence interval 0.11-0.74]) but not in p16-positive patients (HR 1.10 [0.42-2.89]) (P=.05 for interaction). Twenty-five percent of patients with grade 2 to 4 acute in-field radiation dermatitis experienced grade 2 to 4 late skin fibrosis, versus 14% of patients with grade 0 to 1 acute in-field radiation dermatitis (P=.002). Conclusion: Grade 2 to 4 cetuximab rash was associated with better survival, possibly due to reduction of distant metastasis. This observation was noted mainly in p16-negative patients. Grade 2 to 4 acute in-field radiation dermatitis was associated with higher rate of late grade 2 to 4 skin fibrosis.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Combined Plasmonic Au-nanoparticle and Conducting Metal Oxide High-temperature Optical Sensing with LSTO

<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.79); font-family: &quot;Source Sans Pro&quot;, source-sans-pro, museo_sans300, museo-sans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Fiber optic sensor technology offers several advantages for harsh-environment applications. However, the development of optical gas sensing layers that are stable under harsh environmental conditions is an ongoing research challenge. In this work, electronically conducting metal oxide lanthanum-doped strontium titanate (LSTO) films embedded with gold nanoparticles are examined as a sensing layer for application in reducing gas flows at high temperature (600–800 °C). A strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based response to hydrogen is demonstrated in the visible region of the spectrum, while a Drude free electron-based response is observed in the near-IR. Characteristics of these responses are studied both on planar glass substrates and on silica fibers. Charge transfer between the oxide film and the gold nanoparticles is explored as a possible mechanism governing the Au LSPR response and is considered in terms of the corresponding properties of the conducting metal oxide-based matrix phase. Principal component analysis is applied to the combined plasmonic and free-carrier based response over a range of temperatures and hydrogen concentrations. It is demonstrated that the combined visible and near-IR response of these films provides improved versatility for multiwavelength interrogation, as well as improved discrimination of important process parameters (concentration and temperature) through application of multivariate analysis techniques.</span>

Wuenschell, Jeffrey K.↗

Can MRI be used to diagnose histologic grade in T1a (< 4 cm) clear cell renal cell carcinomas?

Objective: To assess whether MRI can differentiate low-grade from high-grade T1a cc-RCC. Materials and methods: With IRB approval, 49 consecutive solid < 4 cm cc-RCC (low grade [Grade 1 or 2] N = 38, high grade [Grade 3] N = 11) with pre-operative MRI before nephrectomy were identified between 2013 and 2018. Tumor size, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis, enhancement wash-in and wash-out rates, and chemical shift signal intensity index (SI index) were assessed by a blinded radiologist. Subjectively, two blinded Radiologists also assessed for (1) microscopic fat, (2) homogeneity (5-point Likert scale), and (3) ADC signal (relative to renal cortex); discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Outcomes were studied using Chi square, multivariate analysis, logistic regression modeling, and ROC. Inter-observer agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappa. Results: Tumor size was 24 ± 7 (13–39) mm with no association to grade (p = 0.45). Among quantitative features studied, corticomedullary phase wash-in index (p = 0.015), SI index (p = 0.137), and tenth-centile ADC (p = 0.049) were higher in low-grade tumors. 36.8% (14/38) low-grade tumors versus zero high-grade tumors demonstrated microscopic fat (p = 0.015; Kappa = 0.67). Microscopic fat was specific for low-grade disease (100.0% [71.5–100.0]) with low sensitivity (36.8% [21.8–54.6]). Other subjective features did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). A logistic regression model combining microscopic fat + wash-in index + tenth-centile-ADC yielded area under ROC curve 0.98 (Confidence Intervals 0.94–1.0) with sensitivity/specificity 87.5%/100%. Conclusion: The combination of microscopic fat, higher corticomedullary phase wash-in and higher tenth-centile ADC is highly accurate for diagnosis of low-grade disease among T1a clear cell RCC.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Molecular Structural Changes in Alfalfa Detected by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy in Response to Silencing of TT8 and HB12 Genes

This study investigated the spectral changes in alfalfa molecular structures induced by silencing of Transparent Testa 8 ( TT8 ) and Homeobox 12 ( HB12 ) genes with univariate and multivariate analyses. TT8 -silenced (TT8i), HB12-silenced (HB12i) and wild type (WT) alfalfa were grown in a greenhouse under normal conditions and were harvested at early-to-mid vegetative stage. Samples were free-dried and grounded through 0.02 mm sieve for spectra collections with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Afterwards, both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on amide, carbohydrate and lipid regions. Univariate results showed that silencing of TT8 and HB12 genes affected peak heights of most total carbohydrate (TC) and structural carbohydrate (STC), and structural carbohydrate area (STCA) in carbohydrate regions; and β-sheet height, amide areas, and ratios of amide I/II and α-helix/β-sheet in amide region; and symmetric CH2 (SyCH2), asymmetric CH2 (AsCH2) and (a)symmetric CH2 and CH3 area (ASCCA) in the lipid region. Multivariate analysis showed that both hierarchy cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) clearly separated WT from transgenic plants in all carbohydrate regions and (a)symmetric CH2 and CH3 (ASCC) lipid region. In the amide region, PCA separated WT, TT8i and HB12i into different groups, while HCA clustered WT into a separate group. In conclusion, silencing of TT8 and HB12 affected intrinsic molecular structures of both amide and carbohydrate profiles in alfalfa, and multivariate analyses successfully distinguished gene-silenced alfalfa from its parental WT control.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗

Digital image processing for information extraction.

The modern digital computer has made practical image processing techniques for handling nonlinear operations in both the geometrical and the intensity domains, various types of nonuniform noise cleanup, and the numerical analysis of pictures. An initial requirement is that a number of anomalies caused by the camera (e.g., geometric distortion, MTF roll-off, vignetting, and nonuniform intensity response) must be taken into account or removed to avoid their interference with the information extraction process. Examples illustrating these operations are discussed along with computer techniques used to emphasize details, perform analyses, classify materials by multivariate analysis, detect temporal differences, and aid in human interpretation of photos.

Billingsley, F. C.↗

Measurement of the top quark pole mass using $ \textrm{t}\overline{\textrm{t}} $+jet events in the dilepton final state in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV

A measurement of the top quark pole mass $\mathcal{m}^\text{pole}_\text{t}$ in events where a top quark-antiquark pair ($\text{t}\bar{\text{t}}$) is produced in association with at least one additional jet ($\text{t}\bar{\text{t}}$ +jet) is presented. This analysis is performed using proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 36.3 fb -1 . Events with two opposite-sign leptons in the final state (e + e – , μ + μ – , e ± μ ∓ ) are analyzed. The reconstruction of the main observable and the event classification are optimized using multivariate analysis techniques based on machine learning. The production cross section is measured as a function of the inverse of the invariant mass of the $\text{t}\bar{\text{t}}$ +jet system at the parton level using a maximum likelihood unfolding. Given a reference parton distribution function (PDF), the top quark pole mass is extracted using the theoretical predictions at next-to-leading order. For the ABMP16NLO PDF, this results in $\mathcal{m}^\text{pole}_\text{t}$ = 172.93 ± 1.36 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

Background: Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer. Local recurrence represents the majority of treatment failures and overall survival (OS) outcomes remain dismal. Adding locoregional treatment with radiotherapy after surgical resection has been considered but its role remains uncertain. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods: The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried (2004–2013) for patients with malignant mesothelioma. Patients were divided into three groups: observation, surgery alone, and surgery followed by adjuvant RT. Statistics included Fisher’s exact or Chi square tests to analyze categorical proportions between groups, Kaplan–Meier analysis to evaluate OS, and Cox proportional hazards modeling to determine variables associated with OS. Propensity matching was performed to make comparisons between homogenous groups. Results: Overall, the surgery plus radiotherapy group had a higher median survival (21.4 months) compared with surgery alone (16.59 months) [p < 0.001]. RT was more likely to be delivered after extrapleural pneumonectomy than with lung-sparing surgical approaches. On multivariable analysis, receipt of surgery plus radiotherapy, chemotherapy administration, and higher socioeconomic status were associated with improved OS (p < 0.0001). After propensity matching, receipt of surgery plus radiotherapy and chemotherapy administration were still associated with improved OS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, adjuvant radiotherapy after surgical intervention was associated with improved OS. This study is the largest study of adjuvant radiotherapy to date, and our findings highlight the need for additional prospective data.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Dose to the Bladder Neck Is the Most Important Predictor for Acute and Late Toxicity After Low-Dose-Rate Prostate Brachytherapy: Implications for Establishing New Dose Constraints for Treatment Planning

Purpose: To identify an anatomic structure predictive for acute (AUT) and late (LUT) urinary toxicity in patients with prostate cancer treated with low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR) with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Methods and Materials: From July 2002 to January 2013, 927 patients with prostate cancer (median age, 66 years) underwent LDR brachytherapy with Iodine 125 (n=753) or Palladium 103 (n=174) as definitive treatment (n=478) and as a boost (n=449) followed by supplemental EBRT (median dose, 50.4 Gy). Structures contoured on the computed tomographic (CT) scan on day 0 after implantation included prostate, urethra, bladder, and the bladder neck, defined as 5 mm around the urethra between the catheter balloon and the prostatic urethra. AUT and LUT were assessed with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version4. Clinical and dosimetric factors associated with AUT and LUT were analyzed with Cox regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis to calculate area under the receiver operator curve (ROC) (AUC). Results: Grade ≥2 AUT and grade ≥2 LUT occurred in 520 patients (56%) and 154 patients (20%), respectively. No grade 4 toxicities were observed. Bladder neck D2cc retained a significant association with AUT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.04; P<.0001) and LUT (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P=.014) on multivariable analysis. In a comparison of bladder neck with the standard dosimetric variables by use of ROC analysis (prostate V100 >90%, D90 >100%, V150 >60%, urethra D20 >130%), bladder neck D2cc >50% was shown to have the strongest prognostic power for AUT (AUC, 0.697; P<.0001) and LUT (AUC, 0.620; P<.001). Conclusions: Bladder neck D2cc >50% was the strongest predictor for grade ≥2 AUT and LUT in patients treated with LDR brachytherapy. These data support inclusion of bladder neck constraints into brachytherapy planning to decrease urinary toxicity.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Dosimetric Inhomogeneity Predicts for Long-Term Breast Pain After Breast-Conserving Therapy

Purpose: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to characterize long-term breast pain in patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery and radiation (BCT) and to identify predictors of this pain. Methods and Materials: We identified 355 eligible patients with Tis-T2N0M0 breast cancer who underwent BCT in 2007 to 2011, without recurrent disease. A questionnaire derived from the Late Effects Normal Tissue Task Force (LENT) Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic (SOMA) scale was mailed with 7 items detailing the severity, frequency, duration, and impact of ipsilateral breast pain over the previous 2 weeks. A logistic regression model identified predictors of long-term breast pain based on questionnaire responses and patient, disease, and treatment characteristics. Results: The questionnaire response rate was 80% (n=285). One hundred thirty-five patients (47%) reported pain in the treated breast, with 19 (14%) having pain constantly or at least daily; 15 (11%) had intense pain. The pain interfered with daily activities in 11 patients (8%). Six patients (4%) took analgesics for breast pain. Fourteen (10%) thought that the pain affected their quality of life. On univariable analysis, volume of breast tissue treated to ≥105% of the prescribed dose (odds ratio [OR] 1.001 per cc, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000-1.002; P=.045), volume treated to ≥110% (OR 1.009 per cc, 95% CI 1.002-1.016; P=.012), hormone therapy use (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.12-3.39; P=.02), and other sites of pain (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.05-3.07; P=.03) predicted for long-term breast pain. On multivariable analysis, volume ≥110% (OR 1.01 per cc, 95% CI 1.003-1.017; P=.007), shorter time since treatment (OR 0.98 per month, 95% CI 0.96-0.998; P=.03), and hormone therapy (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.05-3.25; P=.03) were independent predictors of pain. Conclusion: Long-term breast pain was common after BCT. Although nearly half of patients had pain, most considered it tolerable. Dosimetric inhomogeneity independently predicted for pain and should be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Individualized treatment of head neck squamous cell carcinoma patients aged 70 or older with radiotherapy alone or associated to cisplatin or cetuximab: impact of weekly radiation dose on loco-regional control

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if, in elderly HNC patients, loco-regional control (LRC) is influenced by average weekly radiation dose (AWD). From 2009 to 2017, 150 consecutive HNC elderly patients were analyzed. AWD was calculated by dividing total dose in Gray by overall treatment time in weeks. Patients were divided in 2 groups: Group 1 (70–75 years) and Group 2 (> 75 years). Primary endpoint was LRC; secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and compliance to treatment. The median age was 76 years (range 70–92), the distribution of patients by age was 72 and 78 patients in Group 1 and in Group 2, respectively; overall median follow-up was 23 months. Optimal cut-off of AWD for LRC was 9.236 (p = 0.018). Median OS was 73 months. In univariate survival analysis low PS (p = 0.005), T3–T4 (p = 0.021), Stage III–IV (p = 0.046) and AWD{sup Low} (< 9.236) (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with lower LRC; low PS (p < 0.001) and Group 2 (p = 0.006) were also associated with lower OS. Considering patients treated with radiotherapy alone AWD{sup Low} was significantly associated with lower LRC (p = 0.04) whereas among patient treated with chemoradiotherapy AWD did not affected LRC (p = 0.18). The multivariate analysis confirmed the significant value of PS for the prediction of LRC and OS (p = 0.035 and p < 0.001, respectively). In elderly patients an AWD of > 9.236 Gy was found to be beneficial for RT alone regimen. When radiotherapy alone is indicated in elderly patients an effort should be made to maintain an increased AWD in order to improve LRC.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Placental biomarkers of PAH exposure and glutathione-S-transferase biotransformation enzymes in an obstetric population from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Environmental exposures along the US-Mexico border have the potential to adversely affect the maternal-fetal environment. The purpose of this study was to assess placental biomarkers of environmental exposures in an obstetric population at the California-Baja California border in relation to detoxifying enzymes in the placenta and nutritional status. This study was conducted on consenting, full-term, obstetric patients (n=54), delivering in a hospital in Tijuana, Baja California (BC), Mexico. Placental polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adducts were measured in addition to placental glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity and genotype, maternal serum folate, and maternal and umbilical cord blood lead and cadmium levels. A questionnaire was administered to the mothers to determine maternal occupation in a maquiladora, other exposures, and obstetric indicators. In univariate analysis, maternal serum folate levels were inversely correlated with total PAH-DNA adducts (rho=−0.375, p=0.007); adduct #1 (rho=−0.388, p=0.005); and adduct #3 (rho =−0.430, p=0.002). Maternal lead levels were significantly positively correlated with cord blood lead levels (rho=0.512, p<0.001). Cadmium levels were generally very low but significantly higher in mothers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (either at work or at home, n=10). In multivariate analysis, only maternal serum folate levels remained as a significant negative predictor of total DNA-PAH adducts levels in placenta. These findings affirm that placental tissue is a valuable and readily available source of human tissue for biomonitoring; and indicate that further study of the role of nutrition in detoxification and mitigation of environmental exposures in pregnant women is warranted. - Highlights: • Maternal-fetal environment susceptible to toxic exposures at US-Mexico border. • Lower serum folate was correlated with higher PAH-DNA adduct levels at birth. • Placental DNA adducts in GST mu (-) cord blood were higher than GST(+) genotype. • Blood lead levels in Mexican women were higher than reported to NHANES. • Cadmium levels in mothers exposed to ETS correlated with total PAH-DNA adducts.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DNA Ploidy Measured on Archived Pretreatment Biopsy Material May Correlate With Prostate-Specific Antigen Recurrence After Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: To explore whether DNA ploidy of prostate cancer cells determined from archived transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy specimens correlates with disease-free survival. Methods and Materials: Forty-seven failures and 47 controls were selected from 1006 consecutive low- and intermediate-risk patients treated with prostate {sup 125}I brachytherapy (July 1998-October 2003). Median follow-up was 7.5 years. Ten-year actuarial disease-free survival was 94.1%. Controls were matched using age, initial prostate-specific antigen level, clinical stage, Gleason score, use of hormone therapy, and follow-up (all P nonsignificant). Seventy-eight specimens were successfully processed; 27 control and 20 failure specimens contained more than 100 tumor cells were used for the final analysis. The Feulgen-Thionin stained cytology samples from archived paraffin blocks were used to determine the DNA ploidy of each tumor by measuring integrated optical densities. Results: The samples were divided into diploid and aneuploid tumors. Aneuploid tumors were found in 16 of 20 of the failures (80%) and 8 of 27 controls (30%). Diploid DNA patients had a significantly lower rate of disease recurrence (P=.0086) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.256). On multivariable analysis, patients with aneuploid tumors had a higher prostate-specific antigen failure rate (HR 5.13). Additionally, those with “excellent” dosimetry (V100 >90%; D90 >144 Gy) had a significantly lower recurrence rate (HR 0.25). All patients with aneuploid tumors and dosimetry classified as “nonexcellent” (V100 <90%; D90 <144 Gy) (5 of 5) had disease recurrence, compared with 40% of patients with aneuploid tumors and “excellent” dosimetry (8 of 15). In contrast, dosimetry did not affect the outcome for diploid patients. Conclusions: Using core biopsy material from archived paraffin blocks, DNA ploidy correctly classified the majority of failures and nonfailures in this study. The results suggest that DNA ploidy can be used as a useful marker for aggressiveness of localized prostate cancer. A larger study will be necessary to further confirm our hypothesis.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Measurement report: Extreme heat and wildfire emissions enhance volatile organic compounds in a temperate forest

Climate extremes are projected to cause unprecedented deviations in the emission and transformation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which trigger feedback mechanisms that will impact the atmospheric oxidation and formation of aerosols and clouds. However, the response of VOCs to future conditions such as extreme heat and wildfire events is still uncertain. This study explored the modification of the mixing ratio and distribution of several anthropogenic and biogenic VOCs in a temperate oak–hickory–juniper forest as a response to increased temperature and transported biomass burning plumes. A chemical ionization mass spectrometer was deployed on a tower at a height of 32 m in rural central Missouri, United States, for the continuous and in situ measurement of VOCs from June to August of 2023. The maximum observed temperature in the region was 38 °C, and during multiple episodes the temperature remained above 32 °C for several hours. Biogenic VOCs such as isoprene and monoterpene followed closely the temperature daily profile but at varying rates, whereas anthropogenic VOCs were insensitive to elevated temperature. During the measurement period, wildfire emissions were transported to the site and substantially increased the mixing ratios of acetonitrile and benzene, which are produced from burning of biomass. An in-depth analysis of the mass spectra revealed more than 250 minor compounds, such as formamide and methylglyoxal. Extreme heat and presence of wildfire plumes modified the overall volatility, reactivity, O : C, and H : C ratios of the extended list of VOCs. The calculated OH reactivities during extreme temperature condition and transport of biomass burning plumes were 106.37±4.27 and 106.22±5.15 s −1 , respectively, which are substantially higher than background level of 98.78±1.16 s −1 . Multivariate analysis also clustered the compounds into five factors, which highlighted the sources of the unaccounted-for VOCs. Ultimately, results here underscore the effect of extreme heat and wildfire emissions on the overall chemical properties VOC in a temperate forest.

Salvador, Christian Mark [Oak Ridge National Labor↗

Microbial community diversity changes during voltage reversal repair in a 12-unit microbial fuel cell

Microbial fuel cell stacks (MFC-Stack) are often confronted with voltage reversals, likely due to an interplay between microbial community dynamics and insufficient electric circuit balancing. Herein, we provide new insight into voltage reversals by examining the microbiomes of twelve MFC units of a 12-liter Pilot-MFC-Stack during repair. Different biofilm repair methods (self-healing, electrostimulation, and re-acclimatization upon cross-inoculation) were used to evaluate the microbial community response. In addition, MFC-Stack simulation was performed based on Kirchhoff’s Second Law to predict values for source potentials and post-evaluate internal resistances. Analysis of the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data suggests that the biofilm repair methods could slowly heal damaged biofilms. Notably, severely voltage reversed MFC units had low electrogen relative abundances (18%) and positive anode potentials, while strong bioanodes and contained more than 50% electrogens and had negative anode potentials. Between-community analyses (beta diversity ordination and multinomial regression) of the voltage reversed MFC units revealed differences among biofilms in contrast to healthy/strong MFC units. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) confirmed that reversed biofilms were, indeed, significantly (p < 0.05) different from stronger ones. Overall, these analyses demonstrated the utility of combining electrotechnical and microbial community analyses, especially beta diversity ordination and multinomial regression, to understand problematic MFC units and the potential success of a biofilm repair method. Finally, thicker biofilms were usually healthier and stronger, although thickness was no guarantee for proper structure and power function as all factors were interdependent. There was an evolutionary trend that strong anodes became stronger/healthier and others weaker. This spontaneous trend has to be considered to avoid irreversible voltage reversals and to repair electrogenic biofilms in an MFC-Stack.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Increased Expression of DNAJC12 is Associated with Aggressive Phenotype of Gastric Cancer

Background: Identification of gastric cancer-related molecules is necessary to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of this heterogeneous disease. The purpose of this study was to identify novel genes associated with aggressive phenotypes of gastric cancer. Methods: Global expression profiling was conducted using tissues from four patients with metastatic gastric cancer to identify genes overexpressed in gastric cancer. Fifteen gastric cell lines and 262 pairs of surgically resected gastric tissues were subjected to mRNA expression analysis. The contribution of the candidate gene on gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasion, adhesion, and migration were evaluated using small interfering RNA. Results: DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member C12 (DNAJC12) was identified as a candidate gene by transcriptome analysis. In clinical samples, DNAJC12 mRNA levels were higher in gastric cancer tissues compared with normal adjacent tissues. Patients with high DNAJC12 expression showed significantly shorter overall survival in our cohort and in the extra-validation cohort analyzed by a published microarray dataset. High DNAJC12 expression in gastric cancer tissues was significantly associated with lymphatic involvement, infiltrative growth type, lymph node metastasis, and advanced stage and was identified as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in multivariable analysis. Increased expression of DNAJC12 was found in 12 of 14 examined gastric cancer cell lines. Knockdown of DNAJC12 expression significantly decreased the proliferation and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells. Conclusions: Our findings support DNAJC12 as a candidate gene associated with aggressive phenotypes of gastric cancer.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Aluminum hydroxide, bayerite, boehmite, and gibbsite ToF-SIMS spectra in the negative ion mode. I

We report time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was performed for boehmite (AOH-60) and its potential products of oxidation including pseudo-boehmite (AOH-180), α- and γ-Al 2 O 3 , and α- and γ-Al(OH) 3 . Since boehmite is often incorporated on cladding materials to prevent corrosion, surface analysis techniques are performed to determine the amount of oxidation present. This ToF-SIMS spectral library is of significance because it includes boehmite and its potential oxidation products (i.e., aluminum oxide and hydroxide), which can be used to compare to spectra obtained for real-world samples containing boehmite. Furthermore, ToF-SIMS is often used as a complementary technique to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy due to its surface sensitivity and ability to compare spectra via a multivariate analysis, therefore establishing that the molecular signatures of boehmite and relevant compounds are essential for peak identification. The SIMS spectra shown are acquired from commercially available powders, which were deposited onto a silicon wafer substrate via liquid slurry drop casting. This library of SIMS mass spectra will serve as a comparison of boehmite [γ-AlO(OH)], pseudo-boehmite [AlOOH∙nH 2 O], α- and γ-Al 2 O 3 aluminum oxide, and α- and γ-Al 2 O 3 aluminum hydroxide in the negative ion mode, which compliments those reported in the positive ion mode.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Aluminum hydroxide, bayerite, boehmite, and gibbsite ToF-SIMS spectra in the positive ion mode. II

We report time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was performed for boehmite (AOH-60) and its potential products of oxidation including pseudo-boehmite (AOH-180), α- and γ-Al 2 O 3 , and α- and γ-Al(OH) 3 . Since boehmite often forms on the cladding materials to prevent corrosion, surface analysis techniques are performed to determine the amount of oxidation present. This ToF-SIMS spectral library is of significance because it includes boehmite and its potential oxidation products (i.e., aluminum oxide and hydroxide), which can be used to compare to spectra obtained for real-world samples containing boehmite. Furthermore, ToF-SIMS is often used as a complementary technique to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) due to its surface sensitivity and ability to compare spectra via multivariate analysis, therefore establishing the molecular signatures of boehmite and relevant compounds are essential for peak identification. The SIMS spectra shown are acquired from commercially available powders, which were deposited onto a Si wafer substrate via liquid slurry drop casting. This library of SIMS mass spectra will serve as a comparison of boehmite [γ-AlO(OH)], pseudo-boehmite [AlOOH∙nH 2 O], α- and γ-Al 2 O 3 aluminum oxide, and α- and γ-Al 2 O 3 aluminum hydroxide in the positive ion mode, which compliments those reported in the negative ion mode (Part 1).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Radiation Dose Escalation in Esophageal Cancer Revisited: A Contemporary Analysis of the National Cancer Data Base, 2004 to 2012

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of radiation dose escalation on overall survival (OS) for patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer treated with concurrent radiation and chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: Patients diagnosed with stage I to III esophageal cancer treated from 2004 to 2012 were identified from the National Cancer Data Base. Patients who received concurrent radiation and chemotherapy with radiation doses of ≥50 Gy and did not undergo surgery were included. OS was compared using Cox proportional hazards regression and propensity score matching. Results: A total of 6854 patients were included; 3821 (55.7%) received 50 to 50.4 Gy and 3033 (44.3%) received doses >50.4 Gy. Univariate analysis revealed no significant difference in OS between patients receiving 50 to 50.4 Gy and those receiving >50.4 Gy (P=.53). The dose analysis, binned as 50 to 50.4, 51 to 54, 55 to 60, and >60 Gy, revealed no appreciable difference in OS within any group compared with 50 to 50.4 Gy. Subgroup analyses investigating the effect of dose escalation by histologic type and in the setting of intensity modulated radiation therapy also failed to reveal a benefit. Propensity score matching confirmed the absence of a statistically significant difference in OS among the dose levels. The factors associated with improved OS on multivariable analysis included female sex, lower Charlson-Deyo comorbidity score, private insurance, cervical/upper esophagus location, squamous cell histologic type, lower T stage, and node-negative status (P<.01 for all analyses). Conclusions: In this large national cohort, dose escalation >50.4 Gy did not result in improved OS among patients with stage I to III esophageal cancer treated with definitive concurrent radiation and chemotherapy. These data suggest that despite advanced contemporary treatment techniques, OS for patients with esophageal cancer remains unaltered by escalation of radiation dose >50.4 Gy, consistent with the results of the INT-0123 trial. Furthermore, these data highlight that many radiation oncologists have not embraced the concept that dose escalation does not improve OS. Although local control, not investigated in the present study, might benefit from dose escalation, novel therapies are needed to improve the OS of patients with esophageal cancer.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗