Phenotypic effects induced by knock-down of the period clock gene in Bombyx mori.

SummaryThe lepidopteranBombyx moriis an insect of considerable scientific and economic importance. Recently, theB. moricircadian clock geneperiodhas been molecularly characterized. We have transformed aB. moristrain with a construct encoding aperioddouble-strand RNA in order to knock-downperiodgene expression. We observe that this post-transcriptional silencing produces a small but detectable disruption in the egg-hatching rhythm, as well as a reduction in egg-to-adult developmental time, without altering silk production parameters. Thus we show that both circadian and non-circadian phenotypes can be altered by changingperexpression, and, at a practical level, these results suggest thatperknock-down may provide a suitable strategy for improving the efficiency of rearing, without affecting silk productivity

A Serum Metabolomic Signature for the Detection and Grading of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer has a high incidence and is marked by high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is still challenging. The objective of this study was to create a metabolomics-based profile of bladder cancer in order to provide a novel approach for disease screening and stratification. Moreover, the study characterized the metabolic changes associated with the disease. Serum metabolomic profiles were obtained from 149 bladder cancer patients and 81 healthy controls. Different ensemble machine learning models were built in order to: (1) differentiate cancer patients from controls; (2) stratify cancer patients according to grading; (3) stratify patients according to cancer muscle invasiveness. Ensemble machine learning models were able to discriminate well between cancer patients and controls, between high grade (G3) and low grade (G1-2) cancers and between different degrees of muscle invasivity; ensemble model accuracies were ≥80%. Relevant metabolites, selected using the partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) algorithm, were included in a metabolite-set enrichment analysis, showing perturbations primarily associated with cell glucose metabolism. The metabolomic approach may be useful as a non-invasive screening tool for bladder cancer. Furthermore, metabolic pathway analysis can increase understanding of cancer pathophysiology. Studies conducted on larger cohorts, and including blind trials, are needed to validate results

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

INTEGRAÇÃO METODOLÓGICA ENTRE GRUPO DE DISCUSSÃO E ANÁLISE SOCIOLÓGICA DO DISCURSO: UM CASO EXEMPLIFICADOR SOBRE CONSUMO DA BELEZA NO DISCURSO FEMININO

As temáticas e problemas do cotidiano organizacional emergente vêm exigindo práticas – tanto de coleta quanto de análise de material empírico – originárias e construídas no interior da sociologia. Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir, de forma integrada, práticas metodológicas originárias da Tradição Espanhola de Pesquisa Social Qualitativa e, que nos Estudos Organizacionais brasileiros já tem seu espaço desde meados do ano 2000 – especificamente a Análise Sociológica do Discurso e o Grupo de Discussão. Tais metodologias já foram teorizadas e praticadas em nosso campo, porém ainda não haviam sido aplicadas de forma associada. Para contribuir para ampliação das práticas e auxiliar a utilização dos métodos por partes dos pesquisadores interessados, este artigo traz, ao final, um caso exemplificador de aplicação das metodologias em um estudo mais amplo acerca do discurso feminino sobre o consumo da beleza. O estudo exemplificador teve como objetivo, portanto, compreender o discurso das mulheres de duas instituições de ensino no sul do Brasil, no que tange às práticas de consumo de beleza materializadas em produtos estéticos, bem como as origens das crenças incorporadas de padrões culturais de beleza que induzem a estas práticas de consumo. Entender o fenômeno do consumo de beleza através do discurso feminino exigiu, inicialmente, a compreensão do conceito de consumo pós-moderno na sociedade contemporânea

Malignant Mesothelioma of Spermatic Cord in an Elderly Man With a History of Asbestos Exposure

We report a case of malignant mesothelioma of the spermatic cord in 80-year-old man presented with retained testis, hydrocele, and right inguinal mass. The patient had a long history of asbestos exposure as a railway worker. The patient was submitted to inguinal radical orchiectomy. One year after surgery, the patient is alive without signs of disease. Malignant mesothelioma of spermatic cord is a very rare disease, but this diagnosis should be suspected in patient with a history of asbestos exposure

ML Models Built Using Clinical Parameters and Radiomic Features Extracted from 18F-Choline PET/CT for the Prediction of Biochemical Recurrence after Metastasis-Directed Therapy in Patients with Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

Oligometastatic patients at [F-18]F-Fluorocholine (F-18-choline) PET/CT may be treated with metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). The aim of this study was to combine radiomic parameters extracted from F-18-choline PET/CT and clinical data to build machine learning (ML) models able to predict MDT efficacy. Methods: Oligorecurrent patients (<= 5 lesions) at F-18-choline PET/CT and treated with MDT were collected. A per-patient and per-lesion analysis was performed, using 2-year biochemical recurrence (BCR) after MDT as the standard of reference. Clinical parameters and radiomic features (RFts) extracted from F-18-choline PET/CT were used for training five ML Models for both CT and PET images. The performance metrics were calculated (i.e., Area Under the Curve-AUC; Classification Accuracy-CA). Results: A total of 46 metastases were selected and segmented in 29 patients. BCR after MDT occurred in 20 (69%) patients after 2 years of follow-up. In total, 73 and 33 robust RFTs were selected from CT and PET datasets, respectively. PET ML Models showed better performances than CT Models for discriminating BCR after MDT, with Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) being the best model (AUC = 0.95; CA = 0.90). Conclusion: ML Models built using clinical parameters and CT and PET RFts extracted via F-18-choline PET/CT can accurately predict BCR after MDT in oligorecurrent PCa patients. If validated externally, ML Models could improve the selection of oligorecurrent PCa patients for treatment with MDT

Dosimetric characterization of a mobile accelerator dedicated for intraoperative radiation therapy: Monte Carlo simulations and experimental validation

Purpose: This Technical Note validates previously published data about the dosimetry of the electron beams produced by a mobile accelerator dedicated for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). The evaluation of the directional response of a PTW microDiamond detector is presented together with a detailed analysis of the output factors (OFs) for bevelled applicators. Methods: The OFs of the 6, 8, 10 and 12 MeV electron beams produced by a light intraoperative accelerator (LIAC, SIT, Italy) were measured in a commercial water phantom using the microDiamond. A set of flat and bevelled applicators with sizes ranging from 4 to 10 cm was characterized. For bevelled applicators, a correction for the angular dependence of the microDiamond was calculated using a home-made spherical phantom. Correction factors were obtained through measurements performed rotating the accelerator treatment head at 0°, 15°, 30° and 45°. Results: For flat applicators, the average deviation between measured and simulated OFs was (-1.1 ± 0.7)%. The microDiamond showed a higher angular dependence for the 6 MeV beam (∼8% for angles up to 45°, range 92 % ÷ 100 %), while the variations for 8, 10 and 12 MeV beams were ∼ 4 % (range 97 % ÷ 101 %). Correcting for this dependence, the average deviation of the OFs for bevelled applicators was (-0.9 ± 1.6)%. Conclusions: The presented results were in very good agreement with those reported in literature. Very similar deviations were found between flat and bevelled applicators confirming the suitability of our method to determine the angular dependence correction factors of the microDiamond detector

Full-Dose Intraoperative Electron Radiotherapy for Early Breast Cancer: Evidence from a Single Center’s Experience

To evaluate the clinical response rate and cosmetic outcome after full-dose intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) in early breast cancer (BC) treated with conserving surgery. Inclusion criteria were: >60 years old, clinical tumor size ≤2 cm, luminal A carcinoma, patological negative lymph nodes, excluded lobular carcinoma histology. IOERT was delivered with a dose of 21 Gy at 90% isodose. Clinical, cosmetic and/or instrumental follow-up were performed 45 days after IOERT, 6 months after the first check, and every 12 months thereafter. Acute and late toxicities were assessed with the CTCAE v.4.03 and EORTC-RTOG scales, respectively. Cosmetic outcome was evaluated using the Harvard/NSABO/RTOG Breast Cosmesis Grading Scale. Overall, 162 consecutive patients were included in this analysis (median follow-up: 54 months, range: 1–98 months). The overall response rate was 97.5% (CI 95%: 0.93–0.99%). Locoragional relapse occurred in 2.5% of patients. No patient showed distant metastases. No patient showed radiation-related acute complications, with 3.7% showing late G2–3 toxicity. Only 3.7% of patients showed poor cosmetic results. Our data confirmed that IOERT is a feasible and valid therapeutic option in low-risk BC patients treated with lumpectomy. A low local recurrence rate combined with good cosmetic results validates the settings of our operative method in routinely clinical practice

Xanthine-Catechin Mixture Enhances Lithium-Induced Anti-Inflammatory Response in Activated Macrophages In Vitro

Lithium (Li) is a chemical element used for treating and preventing bipolar disorder (BD) and exerts positive effects such as anti-inflammatory effects as well as undesirable side effects. These effects of Li can be influenced by interaction with some nutritional elements. Therefore, we investigated the potential effects of xanthine (caffeine and theobromine) and catechin molecules present in some food beverages broadly consumed worldwide, such as coffee and tea, on Li-induced anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we concomitantly exposed RAW 264.7 macrophages to Li, isolated xanthine and catechin molecules, and a xanthine-catechin mixture (XC mixture). We evaluated the effects of these treatments on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, oxidative and antioxidant marker expression, cytokine levels, gene expression, and GSK-3β enzyme expression. Treatment with the XC mixture potentialized Li-induced anti-inflammatory effects by intensification of the following: GSK-3β inhibitory action, lowering effect on proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα), and increase in the levels of IL-10 that is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Despite the controversial nature of caffeine consumption by BD patients, these results suggested that consumption of caffeine, in low concentrations, mixed with other bioactive molecules along with Li may be safe

Xanthine-Catechin Mixture Enhances Lithium-Induced Anti-Inflammatory Response in Activated Macrophages In Vitro

Lithium (Li) is a chemical element used for treating and preventing bipolar disorder (BD) and exerts positive effects such as anti-inflammatory effects as well as undesirable side effects. These effects of Li can be influenced by interaction with some nutritional elements. Therefore, we investigated the potential effects of xanthine (caffeine and theobromine) and catechin molecules present in some food beverages broadly consumed worldwide, such as coffee and tea, on Li-induced anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we concomitantly exposed RAW 264.7 macrophages to Li, isolated xanthine and catechin molecules, and a xanthine-catechin mixture (XC mixture). We evaluated the effects of these treatments on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, oxidative and antioxidant marker expression, cytokine levels, gene expression, and GSK-3β enzyme expression. Treatment with the XC mixture potentialized Li-induced anti-inflammatory effects by intensification of the following: GSK-3β inhibitory action, lowering effect on proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα), and increase in the levels of IL-10 that is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Despite the controversial nature of caffeine consumption by BD patients, these results suggested that consumption of caffeine, in low concentrations, mixed with other bioactive molecules along with Li may be safe