Biomarkers of basal cell carcinoma resistance to methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background Methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) is an excellent option for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, up to 25% of cases are resistant to this treatment modality. Objective The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers of BCC response to MAL-PDT. Material and methods Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical (p53, Ki-67, CD-31, COX2, β-catenin, EGFR, and survivin) variables were analyzed in a retrospective study of consecutive BCC patients treated with MAL-PDT at the San Jorge Hospital, Huesca, Spain between January 2006 and December 2015. To deepen on these markers, the effects on p53 and cyclin D1 expression, in vitro response to MAL-PDT of 2 murine BCC cell lines (ASZ and BSZ), was also evaluated. Results The retrospective study examined the response to MAL-PDT of 390 BCCs from 182 patients. The overall clinical response rate was 82.8%, with a mean follow-up time of 35.96 months (SD = 23.46). Immunohistochemistry revealed positive p53 in 84.6% of responders but only 15.4% of nonresponsive tumors (p = 0.011). Tumors with increased peripheral palisading of basal cell islands to immunostaining β-catenin responded poorly to PDT (p = 0.01). In line with our findings in patients, in vitro studies revealed a better response to PDT in the p53-positive ASZ cell line than the p53-negative BSZ cell line (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that the following variables were significantly associated with response to PDT: age, nBCC, presence of peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate, and p53 immunopositivity. Patients with positive p53 immunostaining were 68.54 times more likely to achieve cure than p53-negative patients (CI95% 2.94–159.8) Conclusion Our finding suggest that certain clinicopathological and immunohistochemical variables, particularly p53 expression, may serve as indicators of BCC response to MAL-PDT, and thus facilitate the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from this therapyThis project received support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Fondos Feder Europeos, MINECO (FIS PI15/00974). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscrip

Anotaciones sobre el Ph, Herbivoria y Apertura Estomática en las Hojas de Rhizophora Harrisonii en Dos Zonas del Golfo de Guayaqul

Rhizophora harrisonii foliar damage was assessed in the Trinitarian and Chupador Chico Islands of the Gulf of Guayaquil, during the dry and rainy seasons, 2016-2017 using the Creative Cloud software of the Adobe Photoshop Extended program for the measurement of foliar damage by necrosis, chlorosis and browsing caused by Thyrinteina arnobia Stoll. As well as the stomatic index, and the pH. Simple one-way ANOVA was used and they were validated with the Kruskal Wallis test for non-parametric samples. It was found that 40% of the samples collected on the Trinitarian Island are affected, but not the mangrove of Chupador Chico, where the presence of Thyrinteina was not found. Temporary differences on leaf damage intensify during the dry season, its presence is considered to have responded to a pest behavior, which was triggered by the anormal environmental conditions that occurred at that time.Se avaluó el daño foliar de Rhizophora harrisonii en las Islas Trinitaria y Chupador Chico del Golfo de Guayaquil, durante las épocas: seca y lluviosa, 2016- 2017 usando el software Creative Cloud del programa Adobe Photoshop Extended para la medición del daño foliar por necrosis, clorosis y ramoneo provocado por Thyrinteina arnobia Stoll. Así como también el índice estomático, y el pH. Se empleó ANOVA simple de una vía y se validaron con el test de Kruskal Wallis para muestras no paramétricas. Se encontró que el 40% de las muestras colectadas en la Isla Trinitaria están afectadas, no así el manglar de Chupador Chico, donde no se encontró la presencia de Thyrinteina. Las diferencias temporales sobre los daños foliares se intensifican durante la época seca, se considera que su presencia respondió a un comportamiento de plaga, que se disparó por las condiciones ambientales anormales que se presentaron en esa época

Использование растровых графических редакторов для обработки археологических материалов

В данной работе предлагается к рассмотрению компьютерная графика в качестве инструмента для создания стратиграфических чертежей и приводится краткое описание технологии, которая сегодня широко используется при составлении отчетов многих археологических экспедиций в Крыму

Uncovering Ultrastructural Defences in Daphnia magna — An Interdisciplinary Approach to Assess the Predator-Induced Fortification of the Carapace

The development of structural defences, such as the fortification of shells or exoskeletons, is a widespread strategy to reduce predator attack efficiency. In unpredictable environments these defences may be more pronounced in the presence of a predator. The cladoceran Daphnia magna (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Cladocera) has been shown to develop a bulky morphotype as an effective inducible morphological defence against the predatory tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Notostraca). Mediated by kairomones, the daphnids express an increased body length, width and an elongated tail spine. Here we examined whether these large scale morphological defences are accompanied by additional ultrastructural defences, i.e. a fortification of the exoskeleton. We employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanoindentation experiments to assess the cuticle hardness along with tapping mode AFM imaging to visualise the surface morphology for predator exposed and non-predator exposed daphnids. We used semi-thin sections of the carapace to measure the cuticle thickness, and finally, we used fluorescence microscopy to analyse the diameter of the pillars connecting the two carapace layers. We found that D. magna indeed expresses ultrastructural defences against Triops predation. The cuticle in predator exposed individuals is approximately five times harder and two times thicker than in control daphnids. Moreover, the pillar diameter is significantly increased in predator exposed daphnids. These predator-cue induced changes in the carapace architecture should provide effective protection against being crushed by the predator's mouthparts and may add to the protective effect of bulkiness. This study highlights the potential of interdisciplinary studies to uncover new and relevant aspects even in extensively studied fields of research

Numerical model for light propagation and light intensity distribution inside coated fused silica capillaries

Numerical simulations of light propagation through capillaries have been reported to a limited extent in the literature for uses such as flow-cell design. These have been restricted to prediction of light path for very specific cases to date. In this paper, a new numerical model of light propagation through multi-walled cylindrical systems, to represent coated and uncoated capillaries is presented. This model allows for light ray paths and light intensity distribution within the capillary to be predicted. Macro-scale (using PMMA and PC cylinders) and micro-scale (using PTFE coated fused silica capillaries) experiments were conducted to validate the model's accuracy. These experimental validations have shown encouragingly good agreement between theoretical predictions and measured results, which could allow for optimisation of associated regions for monolith synthesis and use in fluidic chromatography, optical detection systems and flow cells for capillary electrophoresis and flow injection analysis

Pengembangan Video Pembelajaran Materi Teknik Pemijahan Ikan secara Buatan

The objective of this research and development were 1) to describe the conditions and the potential for developing the instructional video material of artificial spawning techniques; 2) to describe the development of instructional video procedures; 3) to analyze instructional video effectiveness. Research and development design was used on this study. Research was conducted at SMK Negeri 1 Padang Cermin and SMK Negeri 6 Bandar Lampung. Conclusions on the research are 1) the initial conditions and potentials were possible and supported the development of instructional video; 2) the development of instructional video were conducted through five stages of development process, namely, preliminary studies, instructional design, media design and development, testing and revision of the product, and the final product; 3) instructional video specification was easy to operate based on the complement and supplement.Tujuan penelitian dan pengembangan ini adalah 1) mendeskripsikan kondisi dan potensi untuk mengembangkan video pembelajaran materi teknik pemijahan ikan secara buatan; 2) mendeskripsikan prosedur pengembangan video pembelajaran; 3) menganalisis efektifitas video pembelajaran.Penelitian menggunakan desain penelitian dan pengembangan. Penelitian dilaksanakan di SMK Negeri 1 Padang Cermin dan SMK Negeri 6 Bandar Lampung. Kesimpulan pada penelitian adalah 1) kondisi dan potensi awal sangat memungkinkan dan mendukung dilakukan pengembangan video pembelajaran; 2) proses pengembangan video pembelajaran melalui lima tahap pengembangan yaitu, studi pendahuluan, desain pembelajaran, desain dan pengembangan media, ujicoba dan revisi produk, dan produk akhir; 3) spesifikasi video pembelajaran, mudah dioperasikan, bersifat komplemen dan suplemen

The Guardian, January 6, 2010

Twelve page issue of The Guardian, the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. The Guardian has been published regularly since March of 1965.https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/guardian/2693/thumbnail.jp

Eucalypt plantations reduce the diversity of macroinvertebrates in small forested streams

Las plantaciones de eucaliptos reducen la diversidad de macroinvertebrados en pequeños arroyos forestales Los usos del suelo de una cuenca hidrológica ejercen un efecto importante en la estructura y el funcionamiento de sus ecosistemas fluviales. Los cambios en la composición de las comunidades de plantas ripícolas modifican la cantidad, calidad y estacionalidad de las entradas de materia y energía a los ríos, lo que afecta a la colonización y actividad de sus comunidades de macroinvertebrados. El principal objetivo de este estudio es analizar los efectos de los cambios en el uso del suelo y, en particular, de las plantaciones de eucalipto, en las comunidades de macroinvertebrados de 16 arroyos de cabecera. Se contaron macroinvertebrados y se identificaron hasta el nivel de familia. Los usos del suelo se clasificaron en cinco categorías utilizando fotografías aéreas: bosque autóctono, eucaliptal, zona agrícola, matorral y zona urbana. Observamos que la diversidad de macroinvertebrados aumentó con el tamaño de la cuenca y con la proporción de superficie de la cuenca cubierta por bosque autóctono, lo cual resultó estar inversamente correlacionado con la superficie ocupada por eucaliptales. La riqueza de macroinvertebrados disminuyó a medida que aumentaba el suelo ocupado por eucaliptales y se produjo una tendencia similar con la diversidad. Además, nuestras observaciones indican que los arroyos cuyas áreas de captación están cubiertas principalmente por eucaliptales presentan una mayor probabilidad de secarse completamente en verano. Esta observación añade un nuevo indicio concordante con otros estudios que concluyen que las plantaciones de árboles de rápido crecimiento afectan a los recursos hídricos, que constituyen un servicio ecosistémico importante en el contexto del calentamiento de la Tierra. Con vistas a minimizar los efectos de la silvicultura industrial, se sugiere que mantener o recuperar bosques ribereños podría mitigar las repercusiones de los monocultivos intensivos de eucaliptos.Land use patterns of a river basin have a significant effect on the structure and function of river ecosystems. Changes in the composition of riparian plant communities modify the quantity, quality and seasonality of leaf–litter inputs, determining changes in macroinvertebrate colonization and activity. The main goal of this study was to test the effect of land–use modifications, and particularly the impact of eucalypt plantations, on the macroinvertebrate communities of sixteen headwater streams. Macroinvertebrates were counted and identified to family level. Land uses were classified in five categories using aerial photography: native forest, eucalypt plantations, agricultural land, shrubland, and urban areas. We found that macroinvertebrate diversity increased with basin size and with the proportion of basin covered by native forest. This variable correlated negatively with the land occupied by eucalypt plantations. Macroinvertebrate richness diminished with the increase of land surface covered by eucalypt plantations, and a similar tendency was observed with diversity. Furthermore, streams whose drainage basin was mainly covered by Eucalyptus were more likely to dry up in summer. This observation adds to evidence from previous studies that concluded that fast–growing tree plantations affect hydric resources, an important ecosystem service in the context of global warming. To minimize the impact of industrial sylviculture, we suggest that maintaining and/or restoring riparian forests could mitigate the effects of intensive eucalypt monocultures.Las plantaciones de eucaliptos reducen la diversidad de macroinvertebrados en pequeños arroyos forestales Los usos del suelo de una cuenca hidrológica ejercen un efecto importante en la estructura y el funcionamiento de sus ecosistemas fluviales. Los cambios en la composición de las comunidades de plantas ripícolas modifican la cantidad, calidad y estacionalidad de las entradas de materia y energía a los ríos, lo que afecta a la colonización y actividad de sus comunidades de macroinvertebrados. El principal objetivo de este estudio es analizar los efectos de los cambios en el uso del suelo y, en particular, de las plantaciones de eucalipto, en las comunidades de macroinvertebrados de 16 arroyos de cabecera. Se contaron macroinvertebrados y se identificaron hasta el nivel de familia. Los usos del suelo se clasificaron en cinco categorías utilizando fotografías aéreas: bosque autóctono, eucaliptal, zona agrícola, matorral y zona urbana. Observamos que la diversidad de macroinvertebrados aumentó con el tamaño de la cuenca y con la proporción de superficie de la cuenca cubierta por bosque autóctono, lo cual resultó estar inversamente correlacionado con la superficie ocupada por eucaliptales. La riqueza de macroinvertebrados disminuyó a medida que aumentaba el suelo ocupado por eucaliptales y se produjo una tendencia similar con la diversidad. Además, nuestras observaciones indican que los arroyos cuyas áreas de captación están cubiertas principalmente por eucaliptales presentan una mayor probabilidad de secarse completamente en verano. Esta observación añade un nuevo indicio concordante con otros estudios que concluyen que las plantaciones de árboles de rápido crecimiento afectan a los recursos hídricos, que constituyen un servicio ecosistémico importante en el contexto del calentamiento de la Tierra. Con vistas a minimizar los efectos de la silvicultura industrial, se sugiere que mantener o recuperar bosques ribereños podría mitigar las repercusiones de los monocultivos intensivos de eucaliptos

Accuracy Verification of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology for Lower-Limb Prosthetic Research: Utilising Animal Soft Tissue Specimen and Common Socket Casting Materials

Lower limb prosthetic socket shape and volume consistency can be quantified using MRI technology. Additionally, MRI images of the residual limb could be used as an input data for CAD-CAM technology and finite element studies. However, the accuracy of MRI when socket casting materials are used has to be defined. A number of six, 46 mm thick, cross-sections of an animal leg were used. Three specimens were wrapped with Plaster of Paris (POP) and the other three with commercially available silicone interface liner. Data was obtained by utilising MRI technology and then the segmented images compared to corresponding calliper measurement, photographic imaging, and water suspension techniques. The MRI measurement results were strongly correlated with actual diameter, surface area, and volume measurements. The results show that the selected scanning parameters and the semiautomatic segmentation method are adequate enough, considering the limit of clinical meaningful shape and volume fluctuation, for residual limb volume and the cross-sectional surface area measurements