Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Dismal pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in stage III breast cancer patients in Tanzania: A retrospective review
Response to neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer has been associated with good oncological outcomes. In Tanzania, a majority of breast cancer patients are diagnosed at stage III; hence, they almost always require neoadjuvant therapy. However, the response to neoadjuvant therapy in these patients remains unknown. This study examined the pathological responses in women with stage III breast cancer who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and identified sociodemographic and clinical predictors of the pathological response in this cohort. This hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted between December 2021 and April 2022. It included women with breast cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy and underwent surgery for breast cancer at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania, from January 2018 through December 2021. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. A complete pathological response was identified upon pathological review of the mastectomy specimen. Chi-square tests and Fischer’s exact tests were used to evaluate the factors associated with a complete pathological response, with a p value of less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Ethical approval was obtained from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Institutional Review Board. The study complied with the Helsinki Declaration on studies involving human subjects. A total of 181 breast cancer patients were recruited for the study, with a mean age of 51±12.6 (28–89) years. A complete pathological response to neoadjuvant therapy was observed in 40 (22.1%) patients which is relatively lower compared to studies from Western countries. Disease stage at diagnosis was associated with response to neoadjuvant therapy, with those at stage IIIA showing better complete response than those at stages IIIB and IIIC indicating a need to improve diagnostic strategies to capture patients in the earlier stages to improve outcomes.
The influence of hydrometeorological factors on tree growth in mountainous watersheds of the Qilian mountains in China
Cell death and antioxidant responses in Mytilus galloprovincialis under heat stress: Evidence of genetic loci potentially associated with thermal resilience
The global seawater temperature is expected to further rise in the following years. While species have historically adapted to climatic variations, the current pace of climate change may exceed their ability to adapt. The abnormally increased seawater temperatures occasionally lead to high mortalities of marine bivalve mollusks, threatening the productivity of aquaculture and the sustainability of wild populations. This study investigates the antioxidant and cell death mechanisms of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis during a 25-day exposure to temperatures of 24°C, 26°C, and 28°C, by analyzing the transcription of key genes and assessing the oxidative damage on days 1, 3, 12, and 25. In addition, individuals resilient (survived at 28°C until day 30) and susceptible (died early at 26°C and 28°C) to thermal stress were collected to investigate potential polymorphisms in associated genes. The results showed increased transcription of antioxidant genes at higher temperatures. Elevated pro-apoptotic indices were initially observed at 26°C and a higher mortality than at 28°C. However, final mortality was much higher at 28°C. At 26°C, mussels exhibited the highest oxidative damage and pro-apoptotic indices after 25 days. At 28°C, although oxidative damage occurred after 24 hours, survivors maintained a prolonged activated antioxidant defense and increased lc3b transcription, which likely contributed to the observed reduction of pro-apoptotic and oxidative damage metrics on day 25, compared to 26°C. Further, the coding sequences of catalase, intracellular Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn sod), and fas-associated protein with death domain (fadd) from heat-resilient and heat-susceptible mussels were analyzed. Based on statistical correlation of nucleotide and genotype frequencies with resilience phenotypes, two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Cu-Zn sod and one in fadd were detected, potentially correlating with thermal stress resilience. These findings offer valuable insights into the physiological and genetic adaptations of M. galloprovincialis to rising temperatures and highlight loci potentially linking to thermal resilience.
The sphenomandibularis shown on P45 sheet plastination and dissection
“The only friend I had was my gun”: A mixed-methods study of gun culture in school shootings
Firearms are the leading cause of death for minors in the United States and US gun culture is often discussed as a reason behind the prevalence of school shootings. Yet, few studies systematically analyze if there is a connection between the two: Do school shooters show a distinct gun culture? This article studies gun culture in action in school shootings. It studies if school shooters show distinct meanings and practices around firearms prior to the shooting, as well as patterns in access to firearms. To do so, I analyze a full sample of US school shootings. Relying on publicly available court, police, and media data, I combine qualitative in-depth analyses with cross-case comparisons and descriptive statistics. Findings suggest most school shooters come from a social setting in which firearms are a crucial leisure activity and hold meanings of affection, friendship, and bonding. These meanings translate into practices: all school shooters had easy access to the firearms they used for the shooting. Findings contribute to research on firearms and youth violence, public health, as well as the sociology of culture.
Prediction and evaluation of environmental quality for nursing sow buildings via multisource sensor information fusion
Study on surface deformation induced by shield excavation due to coarse particle content in strongly weathered rock layers
Currently, there is limited research focusing on the surface deformation caused by shield excavation in strongly weathered rock formations with significant coarse particle content. This study, based on the shield tunnel project of the Pearl River Delta Intercity Pazhou Branch Line, investigates the influence of coarse particle content in strongly weathered rock layers on their mechanical properties, as well as its effect on surface subsidence during tunnel shield excavation. By comparing Peck’s formula with random medium theory, the study expands the application of random medium theory in engineering, converting many of Peck’s empirical parameters into corresponding parameters within the random medium framework. Additionally, Peck’s formula is modified to account for the coarse particle content in strongly weathered rock layers. The results show that as the coarse particle content increases, the force transmission mechanism in the strongly weathered rock shifts from compressive deformation typical of fine-grained soils to point-contact force transmission between coarse particles. Furthermore, as the coarse particle content rises, the strata loss rate tends to decrease gradually. The final settlement curve, calculated using the method that considers changes in coarse particle content, is closer to the measured values. This study’s calculation method more accurately reflects the surface deformation behavior caused by shield tunnel construction in strongly weathered rock layers, particularly when coarse particle content is taken into account. It also provides a better understanding of the combined impact of various construction parameters as the coarse particle content changes during the excavation process.
Author Correction: Blockchain-integrated IoT device for advanced inspection of casting defects
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 and long-term risk of progression and treatment
Background Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1) is often managed by active surveillance, as the risk of progression to high grade lesions is reported to be low, but long-term data is sparse. To inform management of CIN1, we estimated risk of progression and occurrence of treatment in women attending a cervical cancer screening program. Methods We used nationwide, registry data on all women aged 25–69 years attending the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Program in 2002–2019. The eligible source population was women with at least one cytology registration (n = 1,771,876). Women with a histologically confirmed, first CIN1 diagnosis were included (n = 26,130) and followed for detection of CIN2+, defined as histologically confirmed CIN2, CIN3, adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), or cervical cancer. CIN3+ was defined as CIN3, AIS, or cervical cancer. Treatment included both excision and ablation. Results Overall, the cumulative incidence of CIN2+ increased to 9.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 8.8 to 9.5) during the first year and to 19.0% (95% CI, 18.4–19.5) during the first five years. For women with high-grade cytology, 5-year cumulative incidence reached 26.0% (95% CI, 25.0–27.0), whereas for women with normal or low-grade cytology, but HPV16 and/or HPV18 positive status, the corresponding estimate was 25.0% (95% CI, 23.3–26.8). Other high-risk HPV genotypes and HPV negative status were associated with lower risks (5-year cumulative incidence 15.5% (95% CI, 14.5–16.6) and 8.2% (95% CI, 7.1–9.5), respectively). Detection of CIN3+ was substantial (cumulative incidence 5.7% (95% CI, 5.4–6.0) and 12.7% (95% CI, 12.2–13.1) after 1 and 5 years, respectively), and overall, cumulative incidence of treatment was 15.2% (95% CI, 14.7–15.7) after 5 years, following similar patterns as observed for CIN2+. Conclusions A differentiation of follow-up guidelines by index cytology and HPV16/18 status for women diagnosed with CIN1, might be warranted.
A fast secure and more reliable underwater communication system based on light fidelity technology
Abstract Underwater communication is essential for industries such as marine research, offshore exploration, defense, and telecommunications. Traditional methods, including acoustic and radio waves, suffer from bandwidth limitations, high latency, and interference. Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technology presents a promising alternative, offering high bandwidth and reduced interference. However, challenges such as signal attenuation, environmental obstacles, and security vulnerabilities must be addressed to ensure reliable and secure communication. This paper proposes a Li-Fi-based underwater communication system that enhances data reliability through deterministic Line-of-Sight transmission and minimal external interference. Security is reinforced using the Advanced Encryption Standard and reliability is ensured through the Cyclic Redundancy Check algorithm. The system successfully transmits various data formats, including text, images, and GIFs. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of Li-Fi for underwater applications, highlighting its adaptability and potential to overcome existing communication challenges. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the underlying principles of Li-Fi technology and its adaptability to the challenges posed by underwater communication environments.
Human cytomegalovirus infection induces L1 expression through UL38-dependent mTOR-KAP1 pathway
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and LINE-1 (L1) can co-inhabit a common host and closely interact with each other within a single cell. We have previously shown that HCMV exploits this opportunistic interaction by upregulating L1 expression that promotes its own productive life cycle by facilitating HCMV DNA replication. However, the mechanism by which HCMV increases L1 expression remains unknown. Here, we report that HCMV infection functionally inactivates KRAB-associated protein 1 (KAP1), a key epigenetic repressor of L1, through phosphorylation. HCMV infection of cells activates mTOR kinase that phosphorylates S824 residue of KAP1 and reduces its epigenetic repressive function, leading to increased chromatin accessibility of L1 promoter region. Treatment of potent mTOR inhibitor to the HCMV-infected cells was sufficient to reduce KAP1 phosphorylation and block L1 expression. Furthermore, cells infected with a mutant virus lacking UL38, an HCMV mTOR pathway activator, showed reduced KAP1 S824 phosphorylation and abolished L1 expression. Our results highlight the synergistic interaction between HCMV and L1 where HCMV UL38 serves as a primary viral regulator of L1 expression by upregulating the mTOR-KAP1 pathway.
Role of peripheral cytokines and orbitofrontal cortex subregion structure in schizophrenia agitation
Estimating setback distances for a threatened, cryptic, data-sparse migratory shorebird
Cryptic fauna species using highly modified habitats face many conservation challenges, with disturbance from human use being an ongoing issue across many global settings. Setbacks or buffers are a key planning tool for protecting habitat, and are often specified under law. However, for many species using modified and urban habitats there are no published data on how wide setbacks should be. Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) is a case in point. It is a threatened, cryptic, migratory shorebird that breeds in Japan and spends its non-breeding season almost entirely in Australian wetlands and grasslands. Many sites used by snipe are within urban areas, potentially triggering protections under national law and there is an urgent need for information on setbacks to inform planning and conservation management. The aim of this project was to derive transparent, scientifically-derived buffer recommendations for mitigating disturbance to Latham’s Snipe, by estimating Alert Distances (AD; the first sign of behavioural disruption associated with human proximity) from measures of flush distances (FIDs; the distance at which flight occurs). ADs are almost impossible to observe in this cryptic species which uses dense habitat. We used 1529 FIDs to estimate AD from: (1) a within-species regression of FID against the few available ADs for this species (n = 8), and (2) cross-species associations between AD and FID of Scolopacidae from analysis of an unpublished dataset. FIDs varied between site and observers, so we resampled using bootstrapping to account for this variation and produce estimates of AD. Based on these estimates, we recommend minimum buffer widths between 75 - 110 m, which would prevent 80 - 95% of vigilance responses by Latham’s Snipe, respectively. The methods we employ may be useful in determining appropriate buffer widths for other cryptic fauna species. These buffers should be monitored for effectiveness and adapted as required.
Cardiorespiratory fitness in stroke patients with different activities of daily living levels: a cross-sectional study
The relationship between body condition, body composition, and growth in amphibians
Body condition of animals is often assumed to reflect advantages in survival or reproduction, but body condition indices may not reflect body composition, or condition may be unrelated to fitness-associated traits. The relationship between body condition indices and composition has rarely been quantified in amphibians, and body condition has not previously been related to growth in adult amphibians. We used laboratory (quantitative magnetic resonance) and field methods to evaluate the relationship between body composition and the four common body condition indices for wildlife studies (body mass index, Fulton’s index, scaled mass index, and residual index) in two frog and one salamander species in Montana, USA. We then assessed the relationship between body condition and summertime somatic growth during a 3-yr mark-recapture study of one of our study species (Columbia spotted frogs, Rana luteiventris). Correlation of body condition indices with fat and lean mass differed across species, sexes, and whether components were represented as percentages or were scaled based on size. Scaled mass index, residual index, and Fulton’s index were most often well correlated (r > 0.6) with scaled body components, but Fulton’s index was strongly correlated with body length. Scaled mass and residual indices predicted scaled fat relatively well and were uncorrelated with body length. Heavier condition predicted higher growth rates of Columbia spotted frogs, regardless of the index used. Frogs of heavy body condition (90th percentile residual index) grew 0.04 and 0.05 mm/day greater than frogs of light condition (10th percentile) for average length males and females, respectively. Frogs of short body length (10th percentile) grew 0.11 and 0.19 mm/day more than long (90th percentile) males and females, respectively. By examining the relationship between body condition indices and body composition and revealing a link between condition and future growth, our results provide an empirical basis for choosing the most appropriate condition index, as well as a potential link to fitness-related traits.