The Beacon Wiki: Mapping oncological information across the European Union

Background: Accessing comprehensive oncological data is essential for efficient and quality healthcare delivery and research. However, obstacles, such as data fragmentation and privacy concerns which may hold back progress in this area, exist. The Cancer Care Beacon project addresses these barriers consolidating oncological information across the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) with the goal of creating a Beacon wiki free data online repository.MethodsThe Cancer Care Beacon project involves thorough data collection from various sources, including hospital websites, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and national health institutions. The main focus of metadata retrieval is placed on descriptive details about data sources, thus warranting compliance with privacy regulations and ethical standards. In addition, manual examination and semi-automated methods are included in the process, enabling a registry of administrative databases, cancer registries, and other relevant databases.ResultsProject findings demonstrate the success in the realisation of a comprehensive repository of oncological data sources across the EU assisting informed decision-making regarding the selection and utilisation of resources. Still, challenges such as limited accessibility and low engagement from database providers persist.ConclusionThe Beacon Wiki represents a significant step in addressing disparities in oncological data access and advancing cancer care and research in Europe. By providing comprehensive metadata on cancer-related data sources, Beacon Wiki empowers stakeholders and promotes collaboration in cancer care and research. Continuous efforts are needed to enhance data accessibility and engagement from database providers, ultimately improving data-driven decision-making and patient outcomes in the EU

A single bout of resistance or high-intensity interval training increases anti-cancer myokines and suppresses cancer cell growth in vitro in survivors of breast cancer

Purpose: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate recurrence and mortality. We examined the effects of a single bout of resistance training (RT) versus high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anti-cancer myokines and in vitro cancer cell suppression. Methods: Thirty-two survivors of breast cancer were randomly allocated to a single bout of RT (n = 16) or HIIT (n = 16). Blood was collected before, immediately post (0P) and 30 min post (30P) exercise. We measured serum levels of decorin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), and oncostatin M (OSM) and cell growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro using real time cellular analysis at each time point. Results: Decorin, IL-6, and SPARC significantly increased (9 to 47%, p < 0.05) from baseline to 0P in both groups. IL-6 remained elevated in both groups at 30 min post-intervention (30P), while OSM levels were elevated only in the RT group at 30P. Between groups, IL-6 was significantly increased in HIIT at 0P (p = 0.001). Cancer cell growth was significantly reduced at 0P and 30P compared to baseline in RT (20 to 21%, p < 0.05) and HIIT (19 to 29%, p < 0.05), with significantly greater effects on MDA-MB-231 cell growth reduction in favour of HIIT at 0P (p = 0.001). Conclusion: A single bout of RT or HIIT can increase levels of anti-cancer myokines and reduce the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro in survivors of breast cancer, potentially contributing to a lower risk of recurrence. This highlights the importance of exercise as a treatment with promising anti-cancer effects

Effects of exercise on inflammation in female survivors of nonmetastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Despite advances in breast cancer treatment, recurrence remains common and contributes to higher mortality risk. Among the potential mechanisms, inflammation plays a key role in recurrence by promoting tumor progression. Exercise provides a wide array of health benefits and may reduce inflammation, potentially reducing mortality risk. However, the effects of exercise, including mode (ie, resistance training [RT], aerobic training [AT], and combined RT and AT) and program duration, on inflammatory biomarkers in breast cancer survivors remain to be elucidated. Methods: A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, SPORTDiscus and CENTRAL in August 2024. Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of exercise on IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and CRP were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was undertaken to quantify the magnitude of change. Results: Twenty-two studies were included (n = 968). Exercise induced small to large significant reductions in IL-6 (SMD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.68 to -0.02; p = .05) and TNF-α (SMD = -0.40; 95% CI = -0.81 to 0.01; p = .05) and a trend for a decrease in CRP. When stratifying by exercise mode, trends toward reduction in IL-6 and TNF-α were observed for combined exercise, whilst changes were not generally affected by exercise program duration. Conclusion: Exercise, especially combined RT and AT, can reduce pro-inflammatory biomarkers, and may be a suitable strategy to reduce inflammation in breast cancer survivors. However, further research is needed to investigate the effects of exercise mode and program duration on markers of inflammation in this survivor group

Cellulose nanowhisker obtained from cotton rejected by textile industry

This study aimed to characterize cellulose nanowhiskers (NWs) extracted from discarded cotton fibers. The nanocellulose was characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The nanocrystals are characterized by a rod-like morphology with sizes between 100 nm and 300 nm. The acidic hydrolyses applied to the extract nanocrystals increased the crystallinity index from 72 to 86%. The average length and diameter obtained were 98.1±4.7 and 8.0±3.4 nm, respectively. The aspect ratio of the fibers, around 12.3, was lower than the values usually reported in the literature. The dynamic light scattering results were in accordance with the nano crystal dimensions showing an average size of 235 nm. Cellulose NWs obtained from cotton rejected by textile industry due to their abundance, low cost, high crystallinity, strength, low weight and biodegradability, are the ideal candidates for the processing of polymer nanocomposites

A control oriented strategy of disruption prediction to avoid the configuration collapse of tokamak reactors

The objective of thermonuclear fusion consists of producing electricity from the coalescence of light nuclei in high temperature plasmas. The most promising route to fusion envisages the confinement of such plasmas with magnetic fields, whose most studied configuration is the tokamak. Disruptions are catastrophic collapses affecting all tokamak devices and one of the main potential showstoppers on the route to a commercial reactor. In this work we report how, deploying innovative analysis methods on thousands of JET experiments covering the isotopic compositions from hydrogen to full tritium and including the major D-T campaign, the nature of the various forms of collapse is investigated in all phases of the discharges. An original approach to proximity detection has been developed, which allows determining both the probability of and the time interval remaining before an incoming disruption, with adaptive, from scratch, real time compatible techniques. The results indicate that physics based prediction and control tools can be developed, to deploy realistic strategies of disruption avoidance and prevention, meeting the requirements of the next generation of devices.Confining plasma and managing disruptions in tokamak devices is a challenge. Here the authors demonstrate a method predicting and possibly preventing disruptions and macroscopic instabilities in tokamak plasma using data from JET

Head and neck cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international, multicenter, observational cohort study

Background: The aims of this study were to provide data on the safety of head and neck cancer surgery currently being undertaken during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This international, observational cohort study comprised 1137 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer undergoing primary surgery with curative intent in 26 countries. Factors associated with severe pulmonary complications in COVID-19–positive patients and infections in the surgical team were determined by univariate analysis. Results: Among the 1137 patients, the commonest sites were the oral cavity (38%) and the thyroid (21%). For oropharynx and larynx tumors, nonsurgical therapy was favored in most cases. There was evidence of surgical de-escalation of neck management and reconstruction. Overall 30-day mortality was 1.2%. Twenty-nine patients (3%) tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within 30 days of surgery; 13 of these patients (44.8%) developed severe respiratory complications, and 3.51 (10.3%) died. There were significant correlations with an advanced tumor stage and admission to critical care. Members of the surgical team tested positive within 30 days of surgery in 40 cases (3%). There were significant associations with operations in which the patients also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 30 days, with a high community incidence of SARS-CoV-2, with screened patients, with oral tumor sites, and with tracheostomy. Conclusions: Head and neck cancer surgery in the COVID-19 era appears safe even when surgery is prolonged and complex. The overlap in COVID-19 between patients and members of the surgical team raises the suspicion of failures in cross-infection measures or the use of personal protective equipment. Lay Summary: Head and neck surgery is safe for patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic even when it is lengthy and complex. This is significant because concerns over patient safety raised in many guidelines appear not to be reflected by outcomes, even for those who have other serious illnesses or require complex reconstructions. Patients subjected to suboptimal or nonstandard treatments should be carefully followed up to optimize their cancer outcomes. The overlap between patients and surgeons testing positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is notable and emphasizes the need for fastidious cross-infection controls and effective personal protective equipment

SEABED MAPPING USING 3D SEISMIC DATA TO INVESTIGATE CONTINENTAL SLOPE MORPHOLOGY AT THE BRAZILIAN EQUATORIAL MARGIN

The Brazilian Equatorial Margin (BEM) is a transform passive margin formed by the Gondwana break-up during the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) (Matos, 1999). Rifting created a series of rift sedimentary basins including the Potiguar Basin (POT) (Fig.1a)-NE Brazil. Despite the continental shelf of the POT had been extensively investigated, studies on the continental slope are still scarce, while they are essential to identify instabilities and their related mechanisms. These investigations can also provide information necessary to map possible geological risk areas and prevent accidents regarding submarine installations. The dataset, conceded by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) is composed of a 3D high-resolution seismic cube of ~1850 Km2 and a velocity analysis cube. The software used to conduct seismic interpretation was Petrel EandP, licensed by Schlumberger. Here we report the very first results of this research which is the seabed mapping and morphological descriptions. The seabed horizon (SBH) was mapped by picking the first reflector with positive amplitude using a combination of manual tracking with 3D automatic tracking. Then, the SBH was used to create a surface (Fig.1b) by the convergent interpolation method. Finally, a velocity model was created using the velocity cube to provide a time-depth converted dataset. Our results (Fig.1b) show that the slope is characterized by canyons/channels, landslides, sediment wave marks, and depressions organized in trails. The presence of these elements indicates that different processes may be shaping the slope. The slope is generally steep and characterized by erosional and depositional features indicating processes that can be related to slope instabilities (e.g., landslides). In addition, we observed trails of elliptical depressions similar to those observed at the Ceara basin (also a BEM basin) by Maestrelli et al., 2020 described as the result of upslope migration of sediment waves supplied by turbiditic flow. These features indicate how gravity-driven processes shape the slope’s morphology. Submarine channels formed between the two walls of some of the canyons (Fig.1b) have different morphologies: some are sinuous (C;J;K;P), other meanderings (D;E), and others rectilinear (F;O). Factors that influence the different shapes of the course of the channels will be fully understood during the next step of this research, which will be supported by sub-bottom seismic interpretation

Structural and Thermal Stability of Graphyne and Graphdiyne Nanoscroll Structures

Graphynes and graphdiynes are generic names for families of two-dimensional carbon allotropes, where acetylenic groups connect benzenoid-like hexagonal rings, with the coexistence of sp and sp² hybridized carbon atoms. The main differences between graphynes and graphdiynes are the number of acetylenic groups (one and two for graphynes and graphdiynes, respectively). Similarly to graphene nanoscrolls, graphyne and graphdiynes nanoscrolls are nanosized membranes rolled into papyrus-like structures. In this work we studied through molecular dynamics simulations, using reactive potentials, the structural and thermal (up to 1000 K) stability of α,β,γ-graphyne and α,β,γ-graphdiyne scrolls. Our results demonstrate that stable nanoscrolls can be created for all the structures studied here, although they are less stable than corresponding graphene scrolls. This can be elucidated as a result of the higher graphyne/graphdiyne structural porosity in relation to graphene, and as a consequence, the π–π stacking interactions decrease