Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in the Staging of Bronchogenic Carcinoma

To evaluate the usefulness of transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (TBNA) for the diagnosis of mediastinal involvement, we have prospectively examined 316 patients with morphologically verified bronchogenic carcinoma. The percentage of positive aspirations (149 of 316) from the three basic lymph node groups in the mediastinum was not significantly different. Tumor cells were aspirated from the mediastinum in 75 of 112 patients with radiologically positive findings and in patients with 74 of 204 radiologically negative findings. Mediastinal involvement was verified even in 61 of 196 patients with a normal endoscopic picture. Metastases were proved in 14 of 39 patients with peripheral versus 135 of 277 patients with central carcinoma. Tumor cells were aspirated in 47 of 76 patients with undifferentiated small cell carcinoma, 92 of 227 patients with squamous cell carcinoma, and 10 of 13 patients with adenocarcinoma. Our results suggest that TBNA being a highly diagnostic and less invasive method, will prove its clinical importance

Drone-based Monitoring of Sunflower Crops

Remote monitoring and utilization of digital technologies is essential for the application of the precision farming approach, which contributes significantly to the improved quality of agricultural products. The paper compares the data for six vegetation indices when observing the sunflower vegetation in South Dobrudzha in 2021. Images with RGB and digital NIR camera were obtained via a remotely piloted quadcopter. The flight plan specifies speed 8 m/s, altitude 100 m and shooting overlapping images of 80%. Six vegetation indices: NDVI, EVI2, SAVI, CVI, MGVRI and MPRI were calculated from the images obtained during the flight. The calculation of the indices takes into account the intensity of solar radiation and the parameters of the meteorological situation at the time of shooting. The findings obtained reveal a stable trend of change of the vegetation indices, thus, establishing accurate and reliable results as for the monitoring of agricultural areas with unmanned aerial vehicles

Sublethal Photodynamic Treatment Does Not Lead to Development of Resistance

A promising new alternative approach for eradication of antibiotic-resistant strains is to expose microbes to photosensitizers, which upon illumination generate reactive oxygen species. Among the requirements for a potent, medically applicable photosensitizer, are high efficacy in killing microbes and low toxicity to the host. Since photodynamic treatment is based on production of reactive species which are potentially DNA damaging and mutagenic, it might be expected that under selective pressure, microbes would develop resistance. The aim of this study was to determine if antibacterial photodynamic treatment with a highly photoefficient photosensitizer, Zn(II) meso-tetrakis(N-n-hexylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin would lead to development of resistance. To answer that question, bacterial cultures were subjected to multiple cycles of sublethal photodynamic stress and regrowth, and to continuous growth under photodynamic exposure. Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli clinical isolates were also tested for susceptibility to photodynamic inactivation and for development of resistance. Results demonstrated that multiple photodynamic exposures and regrowth of surviving cells or continuous growth under sublethal photodynamic conditions, did not lead to development of resistance to photosensitizers or to antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant E. coli and S. aureus were as sensitive to photodynamic killing as were their antibiotic-sensitive counterparts and no changes in their sensitivity to antibiotics or to photodynamic inactivation after multiple cycles of photodynamic treatment and regrowth were observed. In conclusion, photosensitizers with high photodynamic antimicrobial efficiency can be used successfully for eradication of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains without causing development of resistance

Integrating depth of invasion in T classification improves the prognostic performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer primary tumor staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND: The last revision of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual included a specific system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) of the head and neck. Here, we assessed the prognostic performance of six candidate modified T-classification models in head and neck CSCC patients. METHODS: Analysis of 916 patients with head and neck CSCC given treatment with curative intent at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1995 and 2019 was performed. The main outcome was disease-specific survival (DSS), and the impact of depth of invasion (DOI) was analyzed using multivariable regression models. Candidate models were developed using the optimal DOI cut points for each AJCC T classification based on goodness of fit of the model and the simplicity of the model. Staging systems were compared using Harrell\u27s concordance index. RESULTS: Median age was 70 years (range, 19-97years) and median follow-up time of 22 months (range, 1-250months). The median DOI was 6.0 mm (range, 0.1-70.0 mm). The five-year DSS rate was 80.7% (95%CI, 77.4-83.7%). We found significant association between DOI (hazard ratio, 1.21 [95%CI: 1.01-1.43]) and DSS on multivariable analysis. Based on a low Akaike information criterion score, improvement in the concordance index, and Kaplan-Meier curves, model 6 surpassed the AJCC staging system. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of DOI in the current AJCC staging system improves discrimination of T classifications in head and neck CSCC patients. LAY SUMMARY: The current staging system for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma demonstrates wide prognostic variability and provides suboptimal risk stratification. Incorporation of depth of invasion in the T-classification system improves risk prediction and patient counseling. PRECIS: We propose improved head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma T staging that will include depth of invasion and should be considered in future versions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer after external validation

Strong influence of the ancillary ligand over the photodynamic anticancer properties of neutral biscyclometalated IrIII complexes bearing 2‐benzoazole‐phenolates

In this paper, the synthesis, comprehensive characterization and biological and photocatalytic properties of two series of neutral IrIII biscyclometalated complexes of general formula [Ir(C^N)2(N^O)], where the N^O ligands are 2‐(benzimidazolyl)phenolate‐N,O (L1, series a) and 2‐(benzothiazolyl)phenolate‐N,O (L2, series b), and the C^N ligands are 2‐(phenyl)pyridinate or its derivatives, are described,. Complexes of types a and b exhibit dissimilar photophysical and biological properties. In vitro cytotoxicity tests conclusively prove that derivatives of series a are harmless in the dark against SW480 cancer cells (colon adenocarcinoma), but express enhanced cytotoxicity versus the same cells after stimulation with UV or blue light. In contrast, complexes of type b show a very high cytotoxic activity in the dark, but low photosensitizing ability. Thus, the ancillary N^O ligand is the main factor in terms of cytotoxic activity both in the dark and upon irradiation. However, the C^N ligands play a key role regarding cellular uptake. In particular, the complex of formula [Ir(dfppy)2(L1)] (dfppy=2‐(4,6‐difluorophenyl)pyridinate) [3 a] has been identified as both an efficient photosensitizer for 1O2 generation and a potential agent for photodynamic therapy. These capabilities are probably related to a combination of its notable cellular internalization, remarkable photostability, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and long triplet excited‐state lifetime. Both types of complexes exhibit notable catalytic activity in the photooxidation of thioanisole and S‐containing aminoacids with full selectivity.SpanishMinisteriode Econom&ayCompetitividad-FEDER(CTQ2014-58812-C2-1-Rand CTQ2014-58812-C2-2-R,CTQ2015-70371-REDT,CTQ2015-71353-R,CTQ2015-71154-P,and Unidadde Excelencia Mar&adeMaeztuMDM-2015-0538),the Conseje-r&adeEducacijn-Juntade CastillayLejn-FEDER(BU299A12-1,BU042U16and BU051U16).The Generalitat Valenciana(Prome-teo2016/135),andthe “la Caixa”Foundation(LCF/PR/PR12/11070003

Curcumin supplementation could improve diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction associated with decreased vascular superoxide production and PKC inhibition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Curcumin, an Asian spice and food-coloring agent, is known for its anti-oxidant properties. We propose that curcumin can improve diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction through superoxide reduction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Diabetes (DM) was induced in rats by streptozotocin (STZ). Daily curcumin oral feeding was started six weeks after the STZ injection. Twelve weeks after STZ injection, mesenteric arteriolar responses were recorded in real time using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy. Superoxide and vascular protein kinase C (PKC-βII) were examined by hydroethidine and immunofluorescence, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The dilatory response to acetylcholine (ACh) significantly decreased in DM arterioles as compared to control arterioles. There was no difference among groups when sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used. ACh responses were significantly improved by both low and high doses (30 and 300 mg/kg, respectively) of curcumin supplementation. An oxygen radical-sensitive fluorescent probe, hydroethidine, was used to detect intracellular superoxide anion (O₂^●-) production. O₂^●-production was markedly increased in DM arterioles, but it was significantly reduced by supplementation of either low or high doses of curcumin. In addition, with a high dose of curcumin, diabetes-induced vascular PKC-βII expression was diminished.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Therefore, it is suggested that curcumin supplementation could improve diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction significantly in relation to its potential to decrease superoxide production and PKC inhibition.</p

Each to their own: skeletal muscles of different function use different biochemical strategies during aestivation at high temperature

Preservation of muscle morphology depends on a continuing regulatory balance between molecules that protect and molecules that damage muscle structural integrity. Excessive disruption of the biochemical balance that favours reactive oxygen species (ROS) in disused muscles may lead to oxidative stress, which in turn is associated with increased atrophic or apoptotic signalling and/or oxidative damage to the muscle and thus muscle disuse atrophy. Increases in the rate of oxygen consumption likely increase the overall generation of ROS in vivo. Temperature-induced increases in oxygen consumption rate occur in some muscles of ectotherms undergoing prolonged muscular disuse during aestivation. In the green-striped burrowing frog, Cyclorana alboguttata, both large jumping and small non-jumping muscles undergo atrophy seemingly commensurate with their rate of oxygen consumption during aestivation. However, because the extent of atrophy in these muscles is not enhanced at higher temperatures, despite a temperature-sensitive rate of oxygen consumption in the jumping muscle, we proposed that muscles are protected by biochemical means that, when mobilised at higher temperatures, inhibit atrophy. We proposed that the biochemical response to temperature would be muscle-specific. We examined the effect of temperature on the antioxidant and heat shock protein systems and determined the extent of oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in two functionally different skeletal muscles, the gastrocnemius (jumping muscle) and the iliofibularis (non-jumping muscle), by aestivating frogs at 24 and 30 degrees C for 6. months. We assayed small molecule antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial and cytosolic superoxide dismutase activities and Hsp70 concentrations to show that protective mechanisms in disused muscles are differentially regulated with respect to both temperature and aestivation. High aestivation temperature results in an antioxidant response in the metabolically temperature-sensitive jumping muscle. We assayed lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation to show that oxidative damage is apparent during aestivation and its pattern is muscle-specific, but unaffected by temperature. Consideration is given to how the complex responses of muscle biochemistry inform the different strategies muscles may use in regulating their oxidative environment during extended disuse and disuse at high temperature