A Novel Mathematical Equation for a Noninvasive Determination of the Number of Alveoli of the Human Lung

Background: There had always been a spirited effort in understanding the transport of air or molecular oxygen plus other gases from alveolar air space into the pulmonary capillaries and from the latter back into the former using mathematical models; the determination of the number of alveoli using cadaver and invasive and partially noninvasive methods have been made. There is a need for a noninvasive method of mathematical nature, with evaluative, diagnostic, and prognostic application. Objectives: The objectives of this research were to derive a mathematical equation for the noninvasive determination of the number of alveoli during rest and physical activity and elucidate the usefulness and advantage of the model over known methods. Methods: Theoretical and computational (calculational) methods; data in the literature were substituted into the model mathematical equation for the computation of the number of alveoli in the human lungs. Results and Discussion: The computed number (Nalv) of alveoli differed from one country or subcontinental region to another. The Nalv for the male were expectedly larger than for the female subjects. Conclusion: The mathematical equation for totally noninvasive determination by computation is derivable and was derived. The total number (Nalv) of alveoli mobilised for function is a function of the width (d) of the nares (d 22/15), rate (Rv) of gas flow , and radius (ralv) of a functional alveolus . The equation has the potential to be of diagnostic, evaluative and prognostic value in medical practice. This new computational approach could be faster than other known approaches for the determination of the Nalv. A noninvasive approach by computation, relying on other noninvasively determined respiratory parameters, can eliminate the possibility of tissue damage.

Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic application in cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis and the development of a prognosis is important for management or secondary prevention of the disease. In the past few decades, various biomarkers have been identified for improved risk assessment, more accurate diagnosis and prognosis, and a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology in CVD. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are thought to be important to cell-to-cell communication in the heart, and EV counts, cellular origin, and EV content have been related to CVD. This review examines current evidence for the potential application of EVs as a new class of biomarkers in CVD. Keywords: extracellular vesicles, biomarker, liquid biopsy, cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension

BIRC7 and STC2 expression are associated with tumorigenesis and poor outcome in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) is a highly aggressive epithelial malignancy and has a poor prognosis for the insensitivity to therapies and difficulty in detection. Novel targets and biomarkers are urgently needed to develop for functional, diagnostic and prognostic application on EHCC.Methods: Immunohistochemical staining technique using the EnVision antibody complex was performed on the samples obtained from 100 EHCC，30 peritumoral extrahepatic biliary tract (EHBT), 10 EHBT adenomas and 15 normal EHBT tissues.Results: The positive rates of BIRC7 and STC2 expression in tissues obtained from peritumoral EHBT, EHBT adenomas and normal EHBT were significantly lower than those in EHCC tissues. BIRC7 and STC2 proteins were expressed at significantly higher levels in patients with lymph node metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissues, and higher TNM stage (III and/or IV) and unable to undergo resection (biopsy only). Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that significantly decreased overall survival rate in patients with positive-BIRC7 or positive-STC2 expression compared with patients of negative-BIRC7 or negative-STC2 expression, respectively. Cox-proportional regression analysis demonstrated that positive-BIRC7 and positive-STC2 expression, along with poor differentiation of EHCC, tumor size >3cm, lymph node metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissues and unable to undergo resection are independent prognostic factors of EHCC patients.Conclusions：The levels of BIRC7 and STC2 expression were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of EHCC, and positive expression of BIRC7 and STC2 are associated with progression and poor clinical outcomes of EHCC. BIRC7 and STC2 might be a potential biomarker for EHCC diagnosis and prognosis.

BIRC7 and STC2 expression is associated with tumorigenesis and poor outcome in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) is a highly aggressive epithelial malignancy and has a poor prognosis for their insensitivity to therapies and difficulty in detection. Novel targets and biomarkers are urgently needed to develop for functional, diagnostic and prognostic application on EHCC. Methods: 100 EHCC tissues，30 peritumoral tissues, 10 adenoma and 15 normal biliary tract tissues were assayed using EnVision immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of BIRC7 and STC2 proteins were higher in EHCC tissues than those in peritumoral tissues, adenoma and normal biliary tract tissues. The positive rates of BIRC7 and STC2 expression were significantly higher in cases with lymph node metastasis, invasion to surrounding tissues/organs, and TNM stage III and/or IV and unable to undergo resection (biopsy only). Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that the overall survival of positive-BIRC7 or positive-STC2 patients was significantly lower than those of negative-BIRC7 or negative-STC2, respectively. Cox-proportional regression analysis demonstrated that positive-BIRC7 and positive-STC2 expression, along with poor differentiation of EHCC, tumor size >3cm, lymph node metastasis, invasion to surrounding tissues/organs and unable to undergo resection are independent prognostic factors of EHCC patients. Conclusions: BIRC7 and STC2 are involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of EHCC, and positive expression of BIRC7 and STC2 are associated with poor prognosis in patients with EHCC. BIRC7 and STC2 might be a potential tumor biomarker for EHCC diagnosis and prognosis.

BIRC7 and STC2 Expression Are Associated With Tumorigenesis and Poor Outcome in Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EHCC) is a highly aggressive epithelial malignancy and has a poor prognosis for the insensitivity to therapies and difficulty in detection. Novel targets and biomarkers are urgently needed to develop for functional, diagnostic and prognostic application on EHCC. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining technique using the EnVision antibody complex was performed on the samples obtained from 100 EHCC, 30 peritumoral extrahepatic biliary tract (EHBT), 10 EHBT adenomas and 15 normal EHBT tissues. Results: The positive rates of BIRC7 and STC2 expression in tissues obtained from peritumoral EHBT, EHBT adenomas and normal EHBT were significantly lower than those in EHCC tissues. BIRC7 and STC2 proteins were expressed at significantly higher levels in patients with lymph node metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissues, and higher TNM stage (III and/or IV) and unable to undergo resection (biopsy only). Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that significantly decreased overall survival rate in patients with positive-BIRC7 or positive-STC2 expression compared with patients of negative-BIRC7 or negative-STC2 expression, respectively. Cox-proportional regression analysis demonstrated that positive-BIRC7 and positive-STC2 expression, along with poor differentiation of EHCC, tumor size >3 cm, lymph node metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissues and unable to undergo resection are independent prognostic factors of EHCC patients. Conclusions: The levels of BIRC7 and STC2 expression were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of EHCC, and positive expression of BIRC7 and STC2 are associated with progression and poor clinical outcomes of EHCC. BIRC7 and STC2 might be a potential biomarker for EHCC in clinic.