FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations are key to defining the genetic risk profile of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to assess the prognostic features of the FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations in old and/or ...unfit individuals with AML treated with non-intensive therapies in the era before azacitidine-venetoclax approbation. The results of various non-intensive regimens were also compared. We conducted a retrospective analysis that included patients treated with different non-intensive regimens, between 2007 and 2020 from PETHEMA AML registry. We compiled 707 patients with a median age of 74 years and median follow-up time of 37.7 months. FLT3-ITD patients (N = 98) showed a non-significant difference in overall survival (OS) compared to FLT3-ITD negative-patients (N = 608) (P = 0.17, median OS was 5 vs 7.3 months respectively). NPM1-mutated patients (N = 144) also showed a non-significant difference with NPM1 wild type (N = 519) patients (P = 0.25, median OS 7.2 vs 6.8 respectively). In the Cox regression analysis neither NPM1 nor FLT3-ITD nor age were significant prognostic variables for OS prediction. Abnormal karyotype and a high leukocyte count showed a statistically significant deleterious effect. Azacitidine also showed better survival compared to FLUGA (low dose cytarabine plus fludarabine). NPM1 and FLT3-ITD seem to lack prognostic value in older/unfit AML patients treated with non-intensive regimens other than azacitidine-venetoclax combination.
The high carotenoid content and distinctive carotenoid profile of tritordeum are conferred by its wild progenitor,
Hordeum chilense
. Genetic studies on this wild barley could exploit the knowledge ...gained in
Hordeum vulgare
L. if the synteny between
H. vulgare
and
H. chilense
is established. DArTSeq markers were aligned to barley genome and used to inspect
H. chilense
-barley synteny. All chromosome pairs showed a good degree of collinearity with the exception of 7Hv–7Hch, where a reciprocal translocation in 7Hch was identified. Carotenoid analyses revealed a high diversity for total carotenoids, free and esterified lutein in a collection of
H. chilense
. Population structure analyses revealed the existence of two subgroups contrasting for total carotenoids, free lutein and esterified lutein in seeds. Lutein esters were produced with palmitic and linoleic acids as happens in tritordeum. However, tritordeum prefer palmitic acid for the synthesis of lutein esters but this preference is not maintained in
H. chilense.
This indicates the existence of diversity in the enzymes involved in the esterification which could be useful in tritordeum breeding. Furthermore, several accessions produced lutein monoesters but they lacked diesters which suggests that esterification is controlled by more than one enzyme in
H. chilense.
A total of 91 marker-trait associations were identified for carotenoid content and profile. These associations constitute a good starting point for future genetic analyses for the identification of candidate genes from
H. vulgare
genome.
The CdS/PbS and CdS:Al/PbS thin film solar cells were fabricated using chemical bath deposition (CBD) process. The CdS thin film was deposited onto the ITO/glass substrate with different aluminum ...dopant concentration, whereas PbS layer was deposited over CdS thin film with different solution pH. The deposited CdS, CdS:Al and PbS thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Xray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Rutherford Backscattered Spectroscopy (RBS) and Hall effect measurements. The results indicated that the aluminum concentration in CdS films reduces the crystallite size and increases the band gap and film resistivity. From PbS film characterization, it was obtained that increasing the solution pH the crystallite size augmented, meanwhile the band gap and electrical resistivity decreased.
Photovoltaic characteristic performed to the different thin films solar cells, revealed that the highest conversion efficiency (ɳ %) 1.45% was observed in the bilayer system composed by a CdS layer doped with 9% of Al, and a PbS film grown at pH 10. Interestingly, CdS film with the highest resistivity and PbS with a medium band gap (1.48 eV) resulted in the highest conversion efficiency. Characterization of CdS, PbS and CdS/PbS samples suggested that the crystallite size, band gap and electrical resistivity were easily tuned with the help of CBD process that enhanced photo-conversion efficiency of the solar cells.
Introduction Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) often fails to achieve successful reperfusion in up to 20% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) 1, 2. Rescue strategies ...options, including balloon angioplasty alone, rescue stenting (RS) alone, or stent with balloon angioplasty, have shown promise in observational studies and meta‐analyses 3, 4. We aimed to evaluate the association between RS with functional outcomes compared to medical management (MM) in anterior circulation LVO‐AIS patients who underwent failed MT. Methods This retrospective cohort study utilized prospectively collected data from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) Registry, including adult patients with AIS who experienced a failed MT at 14 comprehensive stroke centers. A failed MT was defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) score of 0 to 2a after multiple attempts to clot retrieval. The patients were divided into two groups: those who received RS and those who only received MM. The primary efficacy outcome was the shift in the degree of disability, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 90 days. Additional outcomes included functional independence (defined as a 90‐day mRS score of 0‐2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality at 90 days. These outcomes were assessed using uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression models. Results A total of 642 patients were included in the analysis. The RS group consisted of 294 (45.8%) patients, while the MM group comprised 348 (54.2%) patients. A mTICI score of 2b‐3 was achieved in 242/293 (82.6%) patients in the RS group. Compared to the MM group, the RS showed a favorable shift in the overall 90‐day mRS distribution (adjusted common odds ratio OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.36–2.85, p=<0.001), higher rates of functional independence (RS: 30.7% vs. MM: 12%, adjusted OR aOR=2.39, 95% CI 1.34‐4.26, p=0.003), lower rates of sICH (RS: 2.7% vs. MM: 9%, aOR=0.32, 95% CI 0.14‐0.71, p=0.005), and lower 90‐day mortality (RS: 29.5% vs. MM: 49.7%, aOR=0.49, 95% CI 0.33‐0.74, p=<0.001). Conclusion RS showed promising functional outcomes compared to MM. RS was associated with improved functional independence, reduced sICH rates, and lower 90‐day mortality. The RS group exhibited a favorable shift in the 90‐day mRS distribution, indicating better overall functional outcomes. These findings support RS as a potential rescue strategy for AIS patients with failed MT, with implications for clinical decision‐making. However, further prospective studies are needed to validate these observations and optimize outcomes.
During the process by which the number of actors was increased manifold as a result of the development of civil society, the fisher community has lost prominence and importance, fading into the wide ...spectrum of interests with which it is competing to make its voice heard in decision-making bodies and in the media. This results in what could be termed the participation paradox—the greater the number of actors, the smaller the role each plays, and the lesser the importance of traditional sectors. Participation and devolution do not bear a linear relationship; greater devolution does not necessarily result in greater participation, a claim that has contributed to the processes of devolution being overvalued. Governance, as interaction between State, civil society and the market, paradoxically might not strengthen the most traditional of the interest groups.
The collection of used beverage cans is limited in countries where they are not fabricated; their low value does not justify the extra charge of exporting them for further processing. To address this ...increasingly serious problem, here we optimize the properties of an aluminum metal matrix composite (Al-MMC) obtained through direct fusion of beverage cans by using the slag generated in the melting process as reinforcement. This method consists of a modified rheocasting process followed by thixoforming. Our main operational variable is the shear rate applied to a semi-solid bath, subsequent to which a suitable heat treatment (T8) is proposed to improve the mechanical properties. The microstructure, the phases obtained and their effect on composite mechanical properties are analyzed. The composite material produced has, under the best conditions, a yield stress of 175MPa and a tensile strength of 273MPa. These results demonstrate that the proposed process does indeed transform the used beverage cans into promising composite materials, e.g., for structural applications.
Myelofibrosis (MF) occurs as part of the natural history of polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), and remarkably shortens survival. Although JAK2V617F and CALR allele burden are ...the main transformation risk factors, inflammation plays a critical role by driving clonal expansion toward end-stage disease. NF-κB is a key mediator of inflammation-induced carcinogenesis. Here, we explored the involvement of miR-146a, a brake in NF-κB signaling, in MPN susceptibility and progression. rs2910164 and rs2431697, that affect miR-146a expression, were analyzed in 967 MPN (320 PV/333 ET/314 MF) patients and 600 controls. We found that rs2431697 TT genotype was associated with MF, particularly with post-PV/ET MF (HR = 1.5; p < 0.05). Among 232 PV/ET patients (follow-up time=8.5 years), 18 (7.8%) progressed to MF, being MF-free-survival shorter for rs2431697 TT than CC + CT patients (p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis identified TT genotype as independent predictor of MF progression. In addition, TT (vs. CC + CT) patients showed increased plasma inflammatory cytokines. Finally, miR-146a
mice showed significantly higher Stat3 activity with aging, parallel to the development of the MF-like phenotype. In conclusion, we demonstrated that rs2431697 TT genotype is an early predictor of MF progression independent of the JAK2V617F allele burden. Low levels of miR-146a contribute to the MF phenotype by increasing Stat3 signaling.
Cell differentiation depends on the proper and sequential expression of key genes required for morphogenesis. Several aspects of control are required for this which include: chromatin modifications, ...DNA methylation, correct amount of particular transcription factors, proper nuclear arrangement, etc. During the last few years the homeobox transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) has been shown to cause dedifferentiation when expressed on somatic cells followed by a production of new stem cells that can lead to somatic embryogenesis or organogenesis. We found that expression of WUS in coffee plants can induce calli formation as well as a 400% increase somatic embryo production. The results show that transgenic expression of the transcription factor WUS can be useful to increase somatic embryogenesis in heterologous systems. However, a critical developmental stage and additional hormonal requirements are required for the induction of embryogenesis by WUS in
Coffea canephora
.
Lead and chromium contamination represents one of the most serious problems in the aquatic environments. The aim of this work was to develop and validate an accurate, sensitivity, and rapid method ...for the simultaneous determination of Pb and Cr at trace levels in tissues and fat of marine organisms such as turtle (Chelonia mydas), shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae), and dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), utilizing the total reflection X-Ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy. Working solutions were prepared in 10 mL of a solution 0.005 mol·L−1 EDTA and 1 mol·L−1 HNO3. In order to correct possible instrument drifts, 20 μg·L−1 of gallium was used as internal standard (IS). The results showed that TXRF method was linear over the concentration ranges of 5.242–100 μg·L−1 for Pb and 2.363–100 μg·L−1 for Cr. Limits of detection (LOD) achieved were 1.573 and 0.709 μg·L−1 for Pb and Cr, respectively, while limits of quantification achieved were 5.242 μg·L−1 for Pb and 2.363 μg·L−1 for Cr. The validated method was accurate and precise enough for determination of these heavy metals in samples of marine organisms as indicated by acceptable values of recovery between 90–101%. In addition, a certified reference material (BCR-279, sea lettuce) and a Centrum tablet were satisfactory analyzed, and the T-test for comparison of means revealed that there were no significant differences at the 95% confidence level between the values obtained with the proposed TXRF method and the certificated values. The repeatability of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), was 5.1% and 4%, for Pb and Cr, respectively. In addition, other features of the developed method were a low sample volume of 10 μL, and the sample frequency achieved was 20 h−1.
To evaluate the outcome of patients with hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (I-CC) on pathological examination after liver transplantation for HCC.
...Information on the outcome of cirrhotic patients undergoing a transplant for HCC and with a diagnosis of HCC-CC or I-CC by pathological study is limited.
Multicenter, retrospective, matched cohort 1:2 study.
42 patients undergoing a transplant for HCC and with a diagnosis of HCC-CC or I-CC by pathological study; and control group: 84 patients with a diagnosis of HCC. I-CC subgroup: 27 patients compared with 54 controls; HCC-CC subgroup: 15 patients compared with 30 controls. Patients were also divided according to the preoperative tumor size and number: uninodular tumors 2 cm or smaller and multinodular or uninodular tumors 2 cm or larger. Median follow-up: 51 (range, 3-142) months.
The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rate differed between the study and control groups (83%, 70%, and 60% vs 99%, 94%, and 89%, respectively; P < 0.001). Differences were found in 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates between the I-CC subgroup and their controls (78%, 66%, and 51% vs 100%, 98%, and 93%; P < 0.001), but no differences were observed between the HCC-CC subgroup and their controls (93%, 78%, and 78% vs 97%, 86%, and 86%; P = 0.9). Patients with uninodular tumors 2 cm or smaller in the study and control groups had similar 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate (92%, 83%, 62% vs 100%, 80%, 80%; P = 0.4). In contrast, patients in the study group with multinodular or uninodular tumors larger than 2 cm had worse 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates than their controls (80%, 66%, and 61% vs 99%, 96%, and 90%; P < 0.001).
Patients with HCC-CC have similar survival to patients undergoing a transplant for HCC. Preoperative diagnosis of HCC-CC should not prompt the exclusion of these patients from transplant option.
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