Relationship Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Severity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Severity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is assessed using Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification is a main prognostic factor of hepatocellular carcinoma. Assessment of the serum level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is considered to reflect the severity of HCC. However, there is still no fundamental basis of the association of severity of HCC with the serum VEGF level. The objective of this study is to know the relationship between serum VEGF levels with the severity of HCC by assessing the average difference of serum VEGF level in various severity of HCC.Method: This study was a cross sectional study to identify the association between serum VEGF levels with the severity of HCC based on BCLC classification. This study was performed in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between January and May 2015. Statistical tests used to evaluate the association between serum VEGF level with BCLC classification was one-way ANOVA analysis, and continued with post hoc Tukey Schaffe analysis.Results: A total of 61 subjects with HCC were included into this study. In this study, we did not find subjects with stage 0 BCLC. The average of serum VEGF level in stage A BCLC was 288.26 ± 156.6 pg/mL; stage B BCLC: 434 ± 164.8 pg/mL; stage C BCLC: 785.57 ± 194.25 pg/mL; stage D BCLC: 1537.97 ± 660.62 pg/mL. One-way ANOVA analysis showed significant difference (P < 0.001) between serum VEGF level and HCC severity based on BCLC classification. Post hoc Tukey Schaffe analysis showed the presence of significant difference between stage A and C BCLC (p < 0.05) and stage A and D BCLC (p < 0.001), stage B and D BCLC (p < 0.001), and stage C and D BCLC (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between stage A and B BCLC, and between stage B and C BCLC.Conclusion: It was found that serum VEGF level increased in accordance to the HCC severity based on BCLC classification, particularly for stage B BCLC and above

Magnetism and stability interplay : Correlations in simple BCC-based Fe intermetallic compounds

In this work, we present an ab initio study of a large set of simple, highly symmetrical ordered Fe-compounds (superlattices of the body-centered cubic structure, BCC), in order to analyze the role of the magnetism in the phase stability of these compounds. Our results, confirm that ferromagnetism and compound stability can be related. That is, the highest magnetic moments are observed for the least stable compounds. We also show that compounds have qualitatively different behavior as regards stability, according to whether their nature is ferromagnetic or non-magnetic.Instituto de Física La PlataDepartamento de Electrotecni

Magnetism and stability interplay : Correlations in simple BCC-based Fe intermetallic compounds

In this work, we present an ab initio study of a large set of simple, highly symmetrical ordered Fe-compounds (superlattices of the body-centered cubic structure, BCC), in order to analyze the role of the magnetism in the phase stability of these compounds. Our results, confirm that ferromagnetism and compound stability can be related. That is, the highest magnetic moments are observed for the least stable compounds. We also show that compounds have qualitatively different behavior as regards stability, according to whether their nature is ferromagnetic or non-magnetic.Instituto de Física La PlataDepartamento de Electrotecni

Magnetism and stability interplay : Correlations in simple BCC-based Fe intermetallic compounds

In this work, we present an ab initio study of a large set of simple, highly symmetrical ordered Fe-compounds (superlattices of the body-centered cubic structure, BCC), in order to analyze the role of the magnetism in the phase stability of these compounds. Our results, confirm that ferromagnetism and compound stability can be related. That is, the highest magnetic moments are observed for the least stable compounds. We also show that compounds have qualitatively different behavior as regards stability, according to whether their nature is ferromagnetic or non-magnetic.Instituto de Física La PlataDepartamento de Electrotecni

3D RECONSTRUCTION AND MODELING OF SUBTERRANEAN LANDSCAPES IN COLLABORATIVE MINING ARCHEOLOGY PROJECTS: TECHNIQUES, APPLICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES

International audienceMining and underground archaeology are two domains of expertise where three-dimensional data take an important part in the associated researches. Up to now, archaeologists study mines and underground networks from line-plot surveys, cross-section of galleries, and from tool marks surveys. All this kind of information can be clearly recorded back from the field from threedimensional models with a more cautious and extensive approach. Besides, the volumes of the underground structures that are very important data to explain the mining activities are difficult to evaluate from "traditional" hand-made recordings. They can now be calculated more accurately from a 3D model. Finally, reconstructed scenes are a powerful tool as thinking aid to look back again to a structure in the office or in future times. And the recorded models, rendered photo-realistically, can also be used for cultural heritage documentation presenting inaccessible and sometimes dangerous places to the public. Nowadays, thanks to modern computer technologies and highly developed software tools paired with sophisticated digital camera equipment, complex photogrammetric processes are available for moderate costs for research teams. Recognizing these advantages the authors develop and utilize image-based workflows in order to document ancient mining monuments and underground sites as a basis for further historical and archaeological researches, performed in collaborative partnership during recent projects on medieval silver mines and preventive excavations of undergrounds in France

The Camargue birds report, 1984-1985

This paper continues the series of publications reporting interesting observations and data collected in the Camargue and neighbouring areas (Crau, Alpilles) since 1930. For several species and groups of birds long-term monitoring is carried out and this is done primarily by ornithologists from the Tour du Valat, the C.N.R.S. Ecology Centre and the National Nature Reserve. From the climatological report it can be seen that there was a severe cold spell in January 1985, with freezing conditions lasting two weeks. Flamingos were severely affected as were several species of ducks (Figure 3), herons and waders. Of the two mainly sedentary warblers Fan-tailed seem to have suffered more than Cetti's. This cold spell caused the sharp decline in the numbers of breeding Little egrets (Table 1) and Cattle egrets though this was probably exacerbated for the former species by the drought which persists in the Sahel where sorne birds winter. In 1985 the numbers of breeding Grey herons (Table Il) were the highest yet recorded, as were the numbers of wintering Great white herons. During the cold spell, this former rarity to the delta outnumbered the Little egret, and in December 1985 an outstanding total of 42 individuals was recorded (Figure 2). On the other band, the breeding population of Purple herons was the lowest recorded (in 1985) for the previous six years. In spite of the cold spell in January 198 5 and the fact that the species also bred in Spain, the number of Flamingos which nested at the Etang du Fangassier was the second highest on record, with 13,500 pairs and 7,800 chicks raised in 1985. An intensive research programme continues on this species based largely on the re-sightings of individually marked birds and a further 1,333 chicks were « Darvic »-ringed in these two years. Even prior to the cold spell the numbers of waterfowl wintering in the delta, or passing through, were lower than usual, and coupled with the effects of the cold weather, the 1984-85 season proved to be the worst in the 21 years since records began. The following winter also revealed low numbers of most species ; all except the Gadwall have gradually decreased in numbers since the index years of 1964-65 to 1966-67. The tendency for birds to concentrate in areas free from hunting is greater now than it was at the end of the 70's . No similar decrease in numbers at the other maj or wintering areas along the same flyway bas been noted and it would therefore appear that it is the Rhone delta which is no longer as attractive to the ducks as it formerly was. This trend could be reversed by an extension of the feeding areas under protection and a lowering of the shooting pressure throughout the region where the annual bag is still around 150,000 ducks. The list of raptors observed in the area is still very impressive, but the populations of two of those which breed give cause for alarm. In spite of conservation actions by several organisations and societies the 15 pairs of Bonelli's eagles under observation in Provence raised only 0.79 and 0.86 chicks per pair on average in 1984 and 1985 respectively, as opposed to an average of 1.03 per year since 1974. Also now a rarity is the Lesser kestrel ; the only place in France where the species still breeds is the Crau with only 2 and 4 prs. respectively in 1984 and 1985. The tenth complete census since 1956 of the waders, gulls and tems breeding in the brackish and saline lagoons of the greater Camargue area was carried out in 1985. Most species maintained their normal population levels although Avocet numbers were low. Herring gull numbers are kept down by culling whilst the scarcer Slender-billed and Mediterranean gulls both maintained a good foothold in the delta, the latter species showing signs of increasing with a record 23 pairs in 1985. Outside the breeding season, there were three records of Terek sandpiper in 1984 and observations the same year of Audouin's and Glaucous gulls, all rarities in the delt

[A pericardial effusion].

International audienc

Influence of the Exchange-Correlation Functional on the Energy of Formation and Magnetic Behavior of Binary D0₃ Intermetallic Compounds FeM₃ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf)

In recent years, ab-initio calculations based on the density functional theory became a commonly used tool in supporting, improving or even refuting experimental results in different research fields. In this work we discuss some accuracy aspects inherent to ab-initio electronic structure calculations regarding the understanding of different structural, electronic and magnetic physical properties. In particular, we discuss the dependence of the magnetic ground-state and the formation energy with the exchange-correlation functional for the binary intermetallic compounds FeTi3, FeZr3 and FeHf3 with D03 crystal structure. All exchange-correlation schemes used were based on the generalized gradient approximation. It is the aim of the present paper to call the attention of the community to some fundamental aspects of the calculations that can influence the final results and the conclusions derives from it.Instituto de Física La PlataGrupo de Estudio de Materiales y Dispositivos Electrónico