Cervical metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma are associated with increased recurrence. However, their effect on survival remains controversial. This study evaluated literature on the prognostic ...value of lymph node ratio for loco-regional recurrence and survival in metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.
The PubMed database was systematically searched using the terms 'papillary thyroid carcinoma' and 'lymph node ratio'. Articles addressing the association between lymph node ratio and loco-regional recurrence or survival were identified.
Nine retrospective studies were included, comprising 12 400 post-thyroidectomy and neck dissection papillary thyroid carcinoma patients (median age, 48.6 years; 76 per cent females). Lymph node ratio was associated with worse recurrence-free survival in 60 and 75 per cent of studies investigating the effect of central compartment metastases and both central and lateral compartment metastases on recurrence-free survival, respectively. One large population-based study showed an association between lymph node ratio and disease-specific mortality in N1 nodal disease, but failed to maintain the same association when N1b patients were excluded.
Regional lymph node ratio is an independent predictor for loco-regional recurrence in pathologically staged N1 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Patients with a high lymph node ratio should be closely followed up.
Abstract Abruption-induced thrombin generation and inflammation/infection induced cytokine production have both been associated with fetal membrane (FM) weakening and preterm premature rupture of the ...fetal membranes (PPROM). Using our in vitro model system we have demonstrated that thrombin, and separately the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), remodel and weaken full thickness FM. Additionally, we have reported that the anti-oxidant and NFκB inhibitor, alpha-lipoic acid (LA), blocks these thrombin and cytokine induced effects. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether thrombin and cytokines directly weaken the amnion membrane (AM), the major load-bearing component of FM. Isolated AM or full thickness FM fragments from unlabored Cesarean deliveries were incubated with thrombin, TNFα, or IL-1β, for 48 h. Rupture strength (breaking force) of each fragment was thereafter determined using our published methodology. Biochemical evidence of remodeling and apoptosis; immunoreactive Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (C-PARP) levels in tissue extracts, were determined by western blot and densitometry. Thrombin induced a dose-dependent weakening of isolated AM ( P < 0.001) coupled with dose dependent increases in PARP cleavage, and reciprocal increases and decreases, respectively, in MMP9 and TIMP3 protein (all P < 0.01). Thrombin receptor activating peptide-6 (TRAP) also weakened isolated AM. Neither TNFα nor IL-1β weakened isolated AM. However, both cytokines weakened AM when it was incubated together with the choriodecidua as part of full thickness FM ( P < 0.001). Cytokine-conditioned choriodecidua medium also weakened isolated AM ( P < 0.001). Under conditions in which cytokines weakened the AM, the changes in MMP9, TIMP3 and PARP cleavage were consistent with those seen after thrombin incubation. LA blocked the FM weakening and remodeling effects. In summary, thrombin weakens AM directly whereas cytokines weaken AM indirectly by causing the release of soluble intermediates from the choriodecidua.
Premature rupture of the fetal membranes is a major cause of preterm birth and its associated infant morbidity and mortality. Recently, it has become clear that rupture of the fetal membranes, term ...or preterm, is not merely the result of the stretch and shear forces of uterine contractions, but is, in significant part, the consequence of a programmed weakening process. Work in the rat model has demonstrated that collagen remodeling, with activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and apoptosis increase markedly in the amnion at end-gestation, suggesting that these processes are involved in fetal membrane weakening. We have developed fetal membrane strength testing equipment and a systematic tissue sampling methodology that has allowed us to demonstrate that term, non-labored, fetal membranes have a zone of weakness overlying the cervix, which contains biochemical markers of both collagen remodeling and apoptosis. These findings provide strong support for the concept of programmed fetal membrane weakening prior to labor. Our model has also been used to establish the physical properties of individual fetal membrane components (amnion, chorion), determine the sequence of events during the fetal membrane rupture process, and demonstrate that treatment of fetal membranes with TNF or IL-1β, in vitro, induces weakness and the identical biochemical markers of collagen remodeling and apoptosis seen in the physiological weak zone. The ability to simultaneously correlate macroscopic physical properties with histological and biochemical fetal membrane characteristics, presents a unique perspective on the physiology of fetal membrane rupture.
Eyewitness identification experiments typically involve a single trial: A participant views an event and subsequently makes a lineup decision. As compared to this single-trial paradigm, ...multiple-trial designs are more efficient, but significantly reduce ecological validity and may affect the strategies that participants use to make lineup decisions. We examined the effects of a number of forensically relevant variables (i.e., memory strength, type of disguise, degree of disguise, and lineup type) on eyewitness accuracy, choosing, and confidence across 12 target-present and 12 target-absent lineup trials (
N
= 349; 8,376 lineup decisions). The rates of correct rejections and choosing (across both target-present and target-absent lineups) did not vary across the 24 trials, as reflected by main effects or interactions with trial number. Trial number had a significant but trivial quadratic effect on correct identifications (
OR
= 0.99) and interacted significantly, but again trivially, with disguise type (
OR
= 1.00). Trial number did not significantly influence participants’ confidence in correct identifications, confidence in correct rejections, or confidence in target-absent selections. Thus, multiple-trial designs appear to have minimal effects on eyewitness accuracy, choosing, and confidence. Researchers should thus consider using multiple-trial designs for conducting eyewitness identification experiments.
ABSTRACT
We aim to determine the distribution of basaltic asteroids (classified as V-types) based on the spectrophotometric data reported in the MOVIS-C catalogue. A total of 782 asteroids were ...identified. The observations with all four filters (Y, J, H, Ks), available for 297 of these candidates, allow a reliable comparison with the laboratory data of howardite, eucrite, and diogenite meteorites. We found that the majority of the basaltic candidates (≈95${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) are located in the inner main belt, while only 29 (≈4${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) and 8 (≈1${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) are located in the middle (MMB) and outer main belt (OMB), respectively. A fraction of ≈33${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ from the V-type candidates is associated with the Vesta family (with respect to AstDyS). We also identified four MMB V-type candidates belonging to (15) Eunomia family, and another four low inclination ones corresponding to (135) Hertha. We report differences between the colour indices and albedo distributions of the V-type candidates located in the inner main belt compared to those from the MMB and OMB. These results support the hypothesis of a different origin for the basaltic asteroids with a semimajor axis beyond 2.5 au. Furthermore, lithological differences are present between the vestoids and the inner low inclination basaltic asteroids. The data allow us to estimate the unbiased distribution of basaltic asteroids across the main asteroid belt. We highlight that at least 80${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the ejected basaltic material from (4) Vesta is missing or is not yet detected because it is fragmented in sizes smaller than 1 km.
Road transportation worldwide is undergoing a rapid transition to more sustainable alternative fuel vehicle technologies as an effective means of dealing with climate change and related challenges. ...Several well-to-wheel studies have been done in mostly industrialized countries to assess the environmental impacts of these technologies as compared to conventional fuel vehicles. This study is a well-to-wheel assessment for the case of Lebanon and similar fuel-importing countries in the developing world where energy and transportation infrastructure are typically underdeveloped. The study considers the energy use, GHG and criteria pollutant emissions and economic costs for conventional and potentially feasible alternative fuel vehicle pathways for the Lebanese case in order to inform transition strategies to alternative fuels over the near, medium and long-terms. Results show that electric vehicles are beneficial for the long term as they require costly charging infrastructure and a clean electricity mix. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are attractive for the medium term, with gasoline or diesel hybrid electric vehicles the most feasible and beneficial technologies in the short-term. A sensitivity analysis showed that natural gas-based vehicles are competitive at high driving mileage, while locally produced biodiesel from waste cooking oil proved beneficial if emission controls are enforced.
•Study assesses WTW emissions and cost-benefit of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Lebanon.•Policy recommendations provided for phased adoption of Alternative Fuel Vehicles.•HEVs are preferred for the near-term since no new infrastructure is needed.•EV and PHEV are long-term technologies of choice but only on clean electricity mix.•CNG is attractive at high driving mileage, LPG for low infrastructure investment.
Abstract Introduction Inflammation/infection and decidual bleeding/abruption are highly associated with pPROM. As no animal model for pPROM exists, we have developed an in-vitro model system for the ...study of human fetal membrane (FM) weakening/rupture. Using it we have demonstrated that both TNF/IL-1 (modeling inflammation) and thrombin (modeling bleeding) weaken full thickness FM in a dose dependent manner concomitant with inducing biochemical changes similar to those seen in the FM physiological weak zone. Methods As the physiological site of infection and bleeding is the choriodecidua (CD), we modified our model system with full thickness FM tissue mounted on modified Transwell culture inserts to permit directional TNF/thrombin exposure on the decidua only (rather than both sides of the FM). After incubation, medium was sampled separately from the CD facing (maternal side) or from the amnion facing (fetal side) compartments and probed for cytokine release and confirmed with western blots. The FM was strength tested within the insert. Results Full-thickness FM fragments exposed to TNF or thrombin on CD side only showed dose dependent weakening and biochemical changes consistent with previous reports. Concomitantly, GM-CSF increased markedly on the CD but not the amnion side. Numerous proteases including MMP1 and MMP3 also increased on the CD side. Pre-incubation with GM-CSF antibody blocked both thrombin and TNF induced weakening. Finally, GM-CSF weakened FM in a dose dependent manner. Discussion GM-CSF is a critical common intermediate in the thrombin and TNF FM weakening pathways.
Le score du groupe ARNos de dénutrition protéinoénergétique (DPE) (0=sévère à 4=adéquat) dépend de variables disponibles en pratique courante (Alb, IMC, Créat, nPCR). Il prédit la survie en HD. Toute ...augmentation du score est corrélée à une survie allongée. Il permet d’identifier les sous-groupes de patients présentant un risque de mortalité et un besoin de support nutritionnel. Ce travail évalue rétrospectivement si ce score de DPE est applicable en DP.
Au total, 76 patients suivis entre 03/05 et 06/16, dont 58 patients ont des données disponibles. Nous avons identifié 4 groupes : Score DPE=0–1 (Gr. 1 : dénutrition sévère) ; Score=2 (Gr. 2 : dénutrition modérée) ; Score=3 (Gr. 3 : dénutrition légère) et Score=4 (Gr. 4 : normal). Nous avons analysé les associations entre le score de DPE et les résultats biologiques et cliniques.
Le Tableau 1 décrit l’association entre les paramètres clinico-biologiques et le score de DPE. Au total, 34 patients (58 %) présentent une dénutrition modérée et sévère (Gr. 1 et 2). Tous les paramètres sont significativement altérés dans le Gr. 1 contre le Gr. 4, à l’exception de Kt/V.
Le score ARNos est associé aux comorbidités et à la survie. Un suivi plus long et un nombre plus élevé de patients sont nécessaires pour préciser sa place en DP.
Le score ARNos identifie les sous-groupes de patients présentant un risque de mortalité élevé chez lesquels un support nutritionnel est nécessaire.
Higgs boson studies at the Tevatron Agnew, J. P.; Annovi, A.; Bandurin, D. V. ...
Physical review. D, Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology,
09/2013, Letnik:
88, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We combine searches by the CDF and DO Collaborations for the standard model Higgs boson with mass in the range 90- 200 GeV /c super(2) produced in the gluon-gluon fusion, WH, ZH, ttH, and vector ...boson fusion processes, and decaying in the H arrow right bb, H arrow right W super(+)W super(-), H arrow right ZZ, H arrow right tau super(+)tau super(-), and H arrow right gamma gamma modes. The data correspond to integrated luminosities of up to 10 fb super(-1) and were collected at the Fermilab Tevatron in pp collisions at radicals = 1.96 TeV. The searches are also interpreted in the context of fermiophobic and fourth generation models. We observe a significant excess of events in the mass range between 115 and 140 GeV /c super(2). The local significance corresponds to 3.0 standard deviations at mH = 125 GeV /c super(2), consistent with the mass of the Higgs boson observed at the LHC, and we expect a local significance of 1.9 standard deviations. We separately combine searches for H arrow right bb, H arrow right W super(+)W super(-), H arrow right tau super(+)t super(-), and H arrow right gamma gamma . The observed signal strengths in all channels are consistent with the presence of a standard model Higgs boson with a mass of 125 GeV /c super(2).
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