Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer that is oestrogen receptor (ER) negative, progesterone receptor (PR) negative, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) ...negative, has a poor prognosis. Although a correlation between E-cadherin expression level and outcome has been demonstrated among all types of breast cancer, little is known about the significance of E-cadherin expression levels in TNBC.
A total of 574 patients who had undergone a resection of a primary breast cancer except for invasive lobular carcinomas were enrolled in this study. Expressions of ER, PR, HER2, and E-cadherin were assessed by immunohistochemistry. We examined the association between TNBC and other clinicopathological variables and evaluated the significance of the E-cadherin expression.
Among the 574 breast cancer cases, 123 (21.4%) revealed a triple-negative phenotype. Patients with TNBC experienced more frequent lymph node metastasis (P=0.024) and a poorer prognosis (P<0.001) in comparison with non-TNBC patients. Triple-negative breast cancer was an independent prognostic factor. Reduced levels of E-cadherin were observed in 238 (41.5%) of the 574 breast cancer cases. E-cadherin reduction was significantly frequent in cases of TNBC (P<0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.032). Furthermore, in the 123 TNBC cases, the prognosis of patients with an E-cadherin-negative expression was significantly worse than that of E-cadherin-positive patients (P=0.0265), especially for those in clinical stage II (P=0.002). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a reduction of the E-cadherin expression to be an independent prognostic factor (P=0.046).
E-cadherin expression may be a useful prognostic marker for classifying subgroups of TNBC.
Sensing self-nucleic acids through toll-like receptors in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), and the dysregulated type I IFN production, represent pathogenic events in the development of the ...autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Production of high-mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) promotes type I IFN response in pDCs. To better understand the active pathogenic mechanism of SLE, we measured serum levels of HMGB1, thrombomodulin, and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17F, IFNα, IFNγ, TNFα) in 35 patients with SLE. Serum HMGB1 and IFNα were significantly higher in patients with active SLE (SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score ≥ 6) compared with healthy donors or patients with inactive SLE. Furthermore, the HMGB1 levels were significantly correlated with IFNα levels. By qualitative analysis, the detection of serum IFNα or HMGB1 suggests active SLE and the presence of SLE-related arthritis, fever, and urinary abnormality out of SLEDAI manifestations. Collectively, HMGB1 and IFNα levels are biomarkers reflecting disease activity, and qualitative analysis of IFNα or HMGB1 is a useful screening test to estimate SLE severity and manifestations. Our results suggest the clinical significance of type I IFNs and HMGB1 as key molecules promoting the autoimmune process in SLE.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•We develop a method to evaluate CDF considering failure correlation at multi units.•We develop a procedure to evaluate correlation coefficient between multi components.•We evaluate CDF at two ...different BWR units using correlation coefficients.•We confirm the validity of method and correlation coefficient through the evaluation.
The Tohoku earthquake (Mw9.0) occurred on March 11, 2011 and caused a large tsunami. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant with six units were overwhelmed by the tsunami and core damage occurred. Authors proposed the concept and method for evaluating core damage frequency (CDF) considering failure correlation at the multi units and sites. Based on the above method, one of authors developed the procedure for evaluating the failure correlation coefficient and response correlation coefficient between the multi components under the strong seismic motion. These method and failure correlation coefficients were applied to two different BWR units and their CDF was evaluated by seismic probabilistic risk assessment technology. Through this quantitative evaluation, the validity of the method and failure correlation coefficient was confirmed.
The Japanese prime minister declared a state of emergency on April 7 2020 to combat the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This declaration was unique in the sense that it was ...essentially driven by the voluntary restraint of the residents. We examined the change of the infection route by investigating contact experiences with COVID-19–positive cases.
This study is a population-level questionnaire-based study using a social networking service (SNS).
To assess the impact of the declaration, this study used population-level questionnaire data collected from an SNS with 121,375 respondents (between March 27 and May 5) to assess the change in transmission routes over the study period, which was measured by investigating the association between COVID-19–related symptoms and (self-reported) contact with COVID-19–infected individuals.
The results of this study show that the declaration prevented infections in the workplace, but increased domestic infections as people stayed at home. However, after April 24, workplace infections started to increase again, driven by the increase in community-acquired infections.
While careful interpretation is necessary because our data are self-reported from voluntary SNS users, these findings indicate the impact of the declaration on the change in transmission routes of COVID-19 over time in Japan.
•After a weak lockdown, the transmission route of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related symptoms changed.•COVID-19 monitoring responses from more than 120,000 social networking service users in Japan were used for analysis.•The emergency declaration prevented infections in the workplace and increased domestic infections.•Even lockdown with limited enforcement may prevent the spread of infection.
Protonic conducting membrane can be used in many energy technological applications such as fuel cells, water electrolysis, hydrogen separation, sensors and other electrochemical devices. However, ...polymer electrolyte membrane usually lack thermal stability, resulting in narrow operational temperature windows. So, a new class of polymer membrane with high temperature stability and protonic conductivity is desired for many industrial applications. In this paper, new synthetic routes have been investigated for organic/inorganic nanocomposites hybrid polymer membranes of SiO
2/polymer (polyethylene oxides (PEO); polypropylene oxide (PPO); polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO)). Novel protonic conducting properties have also been investigated. The materials have been synthesized through sol–gel processes in flexible, ductile free-standing thin membrane form. The hybrid membrane has been found to be thermally stable up to 250°C and possess protonic conductivities of approximately 10
−4
S/cm at temperature windows from room temperature to 160°C and relative humidity.
The COVID-19 pandemic placed an enormous strain on healthcare systems and raised concerns for delays in the management of patients with acute cerebrovascular events. In this study, we investigated ...cerebrovascular excess deaths in Japan.
Vital mortality statistics from January 2012 to May 2022 were obtained from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Using quasi-Poisson regression models, we estimated the expected weekly number of cerebrovascular deaths in Japan from January 2020 through May 2022 by place of death. Estimates were calculated for deaths in all locations, as well as for deaths in hospitals, in geriatric health service facilities, and at home. The age subgroups of ≥75 and <75 years were also considered. Weeks with a statistically significant excess of cerebrovascular deaths were determined when the weekly number of observed deaths exceeded the upper bound of 97.5% prediction interval.
Excess deaths were noted in June 2021 and became more pronounced from February 2022 onward. The trend was notable among those aged ≥75 years and for those who died in hospitals. With respect to the location of deaths, the excess was significant in geriatric health services facilities from April 2020 to June 2021, whereas no evidence of excess hospital deaths was observed during the same period.
Beginning in the late 2021, excess cerebrovascular deaths coincided with the spread of the Omicron variant and may be associated with increased healthcare burden. In 2020, COVID-19 altered the geography of cerebrovascular deaths, with fewer people dying in hospitals and more dying in geriatric health service facilities and at home.
The Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plant workers experienced multiple stressors as both victims and onsite workers after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent nuclear ...accidents. Previous studies found that disaster-related exposures, including discrimination/slurs, were associated with their mental health. Their long-term impact has yet to be investigated.
A total of 968 plant workers (Daiichi, n = 571; Daini, n = 397) completed self-written questionnaires 2-3 months (time 1) and 14-15 months (time 2) after the disaster (response rate 55.0%). Sociodemographics, disaster-related experiences, and peritraumatic distress were assessed at time 1. At time 1 and time 2, general psychological distress (GPD) and post-traumatic stress response (PTSR) were measured, respectively, using the K6 scale and Impact of Event Scale Revised. We examined multivariate covariates of time 2 GPD and PTSR, adjusting for autocorrelations in the hierarchical multiple regression analyses.
Higher GPD at time 2 was predicted by higher GPD at time 1 (β = 0.491, p < 0.001) and discrimination/slurs experiences at time 1 (β = 0.065, p = 0.025, adjusted R 2 = 0.24). Higher PTSR at time 2 was predicted with higher PTSR at time 1 (β = 0.548, p < 0.001), higher age (β = 0.085, p = 0.005), and discrimination/slurs experiences at time 1 (β = 0.079, p = 0.003, adjusted R 2 = 0.36).
Higher GPD at time 2 was predicted by higher GPD and discrimination/slurs experience at time 1. Higher PTSR at time 2 was predicted by higher PTSR, higher age, and discrimination/slurs experience at time 1.
Summary
Transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) is believed to have advantages for mediastinal lymphadenectomy in the treatment of resectable esophageal cancer despite its association with a greater ...incidence of pulmonary complications and postoperative mortality. Transhiatal esophagectomy is regarded as less invasive, though insufficient in terms of lymph node dissection. With the aim of achieving lymph dissection equivalent to that of TTE, we have developed a nontransthoracic esophagectomy (NTTE) procedure combining a video‐assisted cervical approach for the upper mediastinum and a robot‐assisted transhiatal approach for the middle and lower mediastinum. We prospectively studied 22 accumulated cases of NTTE and verified feasibility by analyzing perioperative and histopathological outcomes. We compared this group's short‐term outcomes with outcomes of 139 equivalent esophageal cancer cases operated on at our institution by conventional TTE (TTE group). In the NTTE group, there were no procedure‐related events and no midway conversions to the conventional surgery; the mean operation time was longer (median, 524 vs. 428 minutes); estimated blood loss did not differ significantly between the two groups (median, 385 mL vs. 490 mL); in the NTTE group, the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (median, 18 days vs. 24 days). No postoperative pneumonia occurred in the NTTE group. The frequencies of other major postoperative complications did not differ significantly, nor were there differences in the numbers of harvested mediastinal lymph nodes (median, 30 vs. 29) or in other histopathology findings. NTTE offers a new radical procedure for resection of esophageal cancer combining a cervical video‐assisted approach and a transhiatal robotic approach. Although further accumulation of surgical cases is needed to corroborate these results, NTTE promises better prevention of pulmonary complications in the management of esophageal cancer.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A previous study developed a simplified grinding model (SGM) to gain a solution of batch milling although it included an unspecified function of the particle size x, FR(x). The present study analyzes ...the properties of the ball mill grindability (BMG) to specify the form of FR(x) and discusses the usefulness of the SGM. The BMG test, the locked-cycle grinding with a batch mill and a sieve classifier, measures the mass rate of the finished product per mill revolution at equilibrium, denoted as Gb. The power laws are exhibited by the data of Gb in relation to each of the classifier cut size xc and the product particle size 80% passing xp80. The theoretical Gb is found to be related to each of xc and xp80 only via the unspecified function FR(x). This implies the form of FR(x) to be the same power law, the validity of which is examined with reported data. Then, the SGM with the specified FR(x) predicts the trends of Gb to vary with the mass fraction oversize 74 μm of the finished product, which are confirmed with reported data. In addition, the BMG data are shown to be available for evaluating the material constants used in the SGM.
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•The simplified grinding model (SGM) studies the ball mill grindability (BMG).•The unknown function assumed in SGM is specified based on BMG data.•Properties of BMG are predicted by SGM and confirmed with data.•The material constants used in SGM are evaluated from BMG data.
The direct analysis of high silicon content samples by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometry (LIBS) is a good alternative, since the decomposition of samples with refractory characteristics is not an ...easy task. However, poor precision and difficulty in performing quantitative analysis due to particle size effects, heterogeneity and matrix effects are challenges which need to be overcome. An interesting approach to overcome these issues enabling quantitative measurements of Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Si and Ti in a variety of samples by LIBS is the use of the borate fusion process for sample preparation. Results for fused glass beads were compared to those obtained for samples pressed into pellets, which is the most common sample preparation procedure for analysis by LIBS. The linearity of calibration curves (
R
2
) using different certified reference materials (CRM) pressed into pellets was worse (
R
2
= 0.2105-0.9276) than that observed for those fused into glass beads (
R
2
= 0.5640-0.9778), but this still shows a lack of linearity. To minimize strong absorption effects caused by the matrix composition and improve the linearity, accuracy and precision of results for fused glass beads, B and Li, present in the flux, were used as internal standards. Better results were achieved for Fe, Mg and Si when the B emission line was used as an internal standard, while the Li emission line worked better for the measurement of Al, Ca and Ti. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by analyzing a CRM of soil (NIST SRM 2711) and relative errors of around 8% were found, indicating that internal standardization enables quantitative measurement by LIBS in those matrices.
The direct analysis of high silicon content samples by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometry (LIBS) is a good alternative, since the decomposition of samples with refractory characteristics is not an easy task.
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