Cost-effective low-coverage whole-genome sequencing assay for the risk stratification of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC), a multifactorial disease, is caused by pathogens, such as Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) and Epstein-Barr virus(EBV), and genetic components.AIM To investigate microbiomes and host genome instability by cost-effective,low-coverage wholegenome sequencing,as biomarkers for GC subtyping.METHODS Samples from 40 GC patients were collected from Taizhou Hospital,Zhejiang Province,affiliated with Wenzhou Medical University.DNA from the samples was subjected to low-coverage wholegenome sequencing with a median genome coverage of 1.86×(range:1.03×to 3.17×) by Illumina×10,followed by copy number analyses using a customized bioinformatics workflow ultrasensitive chromosomal aneuploidy detector.RESULTS Of the 40 GC samples,20 (50%) were found to be enriched with microbiomes.EBV DNA was detected in 5 GC patients (12.5%).H.pylori DNA was found in 15 (37.5%) patients.The other 20(50%) patients were found to have relatively higher genomic instability.Copy number amplifications of the oncogenes,ERBB2 and KRAS,were found in 9 (22.5%) and 7 (17.5%) of the GC samples,respectively.EBV enrichment was found to be associated with tumors in the gastric cardia and fundus.H.pylori enrichment was found to be associated with tumors in the pylorus and antrum.Tumors with elevated genomic instability showed no localization and could be observed in any location.Additionally,H.pylori-enriched GC was found to be associated with the Borrmann type Ⅱ/Ⅲ and gastritis history.EBV-enriched GC was not associated with gastritis.No statistically significant correlation was observed between genomic instability and gastritis.Furthermore,these three different molecular subtypes showed distinct survival outcomes (P=0.019).EBV-positive tumors had the best prognosis,whereas patients with high genomic instability (CIN+) showed the worst survival.Patients with H.pylori infection showed intermediate prognosis compared with the other two subtypes.CONCLUSION Thus,using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing,GC can be classified into three categories based on disease etiology;this classification may prove useful for GC diagnosis and precision medicine.

Combined use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with interventional surgery for acute pancreatitis with pulmonary embolism: A case report

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP) is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas characterized by self-digestion of pancreatic tissue, which can trigger a systemic inflammatory response. Venous thrombosis, resulting from a hypercoagulable state, is a vascular complication of AP. AP complicated by pulmonary embolism(PE) is very rare, and the combined use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) with a vascular interventional procedure for AP complicated by PE is even rarer.CASE SUMMARY A 32-year-old man with a history of obesity developed rapidly worsening AP secondary to hypertriglyceridemia. During treatment, the patient developed chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cardiac arrest. Computed tomography(CT) scans of his upper abdomen were consistent with pancreatitis. PE was identified by chest CT angiography involving the right main pulmonary artery and multiple lobar pulmonary arteries. The patient’s D-dime level was significantly elevated(> 20 mg/L). The patient received high-frequency oxygen inhalation, continuous renal replacement therapies, anti-infective therapy, inhibition of pancreatic secretion, emergent endotracheal intubation, and advanced cardiac life support with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Following both ECMO and a vascular interventional procedure, the patient recovered and was discharged.CONCLUSION PE is a rare but potentially lethal complication of AP. The early diagnosis of PE is important because an accurate diagnosis and timely interventional procedures can reduce mortality. The combined use of ECMO with a vascular interventional procedure for AP complicated by PE can be considered a feasible treatment method. A collaborative effort between multiple teams is also vital.