Assessment of Copper Total Bioaccumulation and Genotoxicity in Boac River, Marinduque Island, Philippines Two Decades Post-Mining Disaster: Pseudodon sp. as Aquatic Fauna Indicator

In 1996, a mining drainage tunnel burst and released copper wastes into the Boac River—rendering it dead. Two decades after the disaster, the river is now used for aquaculture farming. This study assessed the total bioaccumulation of copper and its genotoxicity in the mussel Pseudodon sp. farmed in the river. A total of 30 Pseudodon sp. were collected randomly from the downstream tributaries of the river in September 2015. Total bioaccumulation in terms of total copper concentrations was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and the genotoxicity by micronucleus cytome assay. The total copper concentrations were present in the soft tissues (Mean + Standard Error of the Mean [SEM] of 0.0550 + 0.0003 ppm). Genotoxic indicators of nuclear alterations showed the formation of micronuclei yielding the highest frequency (Mean + SEM of 10.257 + 0.793 per 1000 cells). Binucleated, nuclear buds, agranular, apoptotic, and necrotic nuclear anomalies were likewise evident. Total copper concentrations and the frequency of the hemocyte micronuclei occurrences showed a significant relationship (r=0.366; p = 0.047) while the other nuclear abnormalities were not significantly related to the total copper concentrations. Continuous biomonitoring of mining-affected areas is necessary to safeguard people’s health from the effects of mining wastes. Keywords: bioaccumulation · copper · energy use · genotoxicity · heavy metal · mining · nuclear abnormalitie

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer with Extrathyroidal Extension: Prognosis and the Role of External Beam Radiotherapy

A study was performed to identify variables that affected cause-specific survival (CSS) and local relapse-free rate (LRFR) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and extrathyroid extension (ETE) and to examine the role of external beam radiotherapy (XRT). Prognostic factors were similar to those found in studies of all patients with DTC. In patients with postoperative gross residual disease treated with radiotherapy, 10-year CSS and LRFR were 48% and 90%. For patients with no residual or microscopic disease, 10-year CSS and LRFR were 92% and 93%. In patients older than 60 years with T3 ETE but no gross residual disease postoperatively there was an improved LRFR at 5 years of 96%, compared to 87.5% without XRT (P = .02). Patients with gross ETE benefit from XRT and there may be a potential benefit in reducing locoregional failure in patients over 60 years with minimal extrathyroidal extension (T3)

Translating '–omics' results into precision medicine for hepatocellular carcinoma

A large-scale comprehensive analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the integration of six distinct data platforms has pinpointed novel oncogenic processes and prognostic subgroups. These findings confirm previously identified molecular subclasses and fuel the need for a clear strategy of precision medicine in HCC

Design and Analysis of a Face Mask Alternative

Due to the recent pandemic that plagued the country, face mask disposal has gained considerable attention. If something similar were to happen again, the creation of an alternative to the medically approved surgical masks is crucial to minimize disease spread induced by improper face mask disposal. This study aims to analyze and determine the proposed output’s effectiveness compared to conventional face masks. The materials for the trilayer output were nylon, paper towel, and cotton. The produced output and the control sample, the standard cloth mask, were sent to a lab for water resistance and absorbency tests. The test results revealed that neither the produced output nor the cloth mask could meet the recommended standards of a good face mask. As such, this research concluded that the production of an alternative face mask using the materials stated above in a manner identical to that of this study is ill-advisable. Additionally, the study affirmed that the standard cloth masks are not suitable as an efficient alternative to surgical masks. Overall, the paper intends to contribute to solving two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which are (3) Good and Health Well-being and (12) Responsible Consumption and Production

A High Diffusive Model for Nanomaterials

Considerable attention is today devoted to the engineering of films widely used in photocatalytic, solar energy converters, photochemical and photoelectrochemical cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), to optimize electronic time response following photogeneration. However, the precise nature of transport processes in these systems has remained unresolved. To investigate such aspects of carrier dynamics, we have suggested a model for the calculation of correlation functions, expressed as the Fourier transform of the frequency-dependent complex conductivity σ(ω). Results are presented for the velocity correlation functions, the mean square deviation of position and the diffusion coefficient in systems, like TiO2 and doped Si, of large interest in present devices. Fast diffusion occurs in short time intervals of the order of few collision times. Consequences for efficiency of this fast response are discussed in relation to nanostructured devices

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 And Aurora Kinase Choreograph Mitotic Storage And Redistribution Of A Growth Factor Receptor

Endosomal trafficking of receptors and associated proteins plays a critical role in signal processing. Until recently, it was thought that trafficking was shut down during cell division. Thus, remarkably, the regulation of trafficking during division remains poorly characterized. Here we delineate the role of mitotic kinases in receptor trafficking during asymmetric division. Targeted perturbations reveal that Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 (CDK1) and Aurora Kinase promote storage of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFRs) by suppressing endosomal degradation and recycling pathways. As cells progress through metaphase, loss of CDK1 activity permits differential degradation and targeted recycling of stored receptors, leading to asymmetric induction. Mitotic receptor storage, as delineated in this study, may facilitate rapid reestablishment of signaling competence in nascent daughter cells. However, mutations that limit or enhance the release of stored signaling components could alter daughter cell fate or behavior thereby promoting oncogenesis

Correlates of Complete Childhood Vaccination in East African Countries.

Despite the benefits of childhood vaccinations, vaccination rates in low-income countries (LICs) vary widely. Increasing coverage of vaccines to 90% in the poorest countries over the next 10 years has been estimated to prevent 426 million cases of illness and avert nearly 6.4 million childhood deaths worldwide. Consequently, we sought to provide a comprehensive examination of contemporary vaccination patterns in East Africa and to identify common and country-specific barriers to complete childhood vaccination. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, we looked at the prevalence of complete vaccination for polio, measles, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and DTwPHibHep (DTP) as recommended by the WHO among children ages 12 to 23 months. We conducted multivariable logistic regression within each country to estimate associations between complete vaccination status and health care access and sociodemographic variables using backwards stepwise regression. Vaccination varied significantly by country. In all countries, the majority of children received at least one dose of a WHO recommended vaccine; however, in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda less than 50% of children received a complete schedule of recommended vaccines. Being delivered in a public or private institution compared with being delivered at home was associated with increased odds of complete vaccination status. Sociodemographic covariates were not consistently associated with complete vaccination status across countries. Although no consistent set of predictors accounted for complete vaccination status, we observed differences based on region and the location of delivery. These differences point to the need to examine the historical, political, and economic context of each country in order to maximize vaccination coverage. Vaccination against these childhood diseases is a critical step towards reaching the Millennium Development Goal of reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds by 2015 and thus should be a global priority

Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan, Disiplin dan Lingkungan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Dengan Motivasi Kerja Sebagai Mediasi (Suatu Kajian Studi Literatur Manajemen Sumber Daya Manusia)

Sumber daya manusia dapat membangkitkan kemampuan potensial pada diri manusia meliputi kemampuan berpikir, berkomunikasi, bertindak maupun bermoral dalam menjalankan suatu aktivitas. Kemampuan yang dimiliki tersebut juga dapat mempengaruhi kepemimpinan, disiplin maupun lingkungan kerja sehingga bisa menciptakan capaian kinerja individu yang diharapkan, maka tujuan perusahaan mampu diwujudkan. Artikel ini bermaksud supaya dapat membuat hipotesis terkait pengaruh antarvariabel supaya bisa dipergunakan untuk artikel ilmiah lain. Hasil kajian ini, yakni: 1) Gaya kepemimpinan memengaruhi kinerja.; 2) Disiplin kerja memengaruhi kinerja; 3) Lingkungan kerja memengaruhi kinerja; 4) Gaya kepemimpinan, disiplin dan lingkungan kerja berakibat ke kinerja; 5) Gaya kepemimpinan berakibat ke motivasi kerja; 6) Disiplin berakibat ke motivasi kerja; 7) Lingkungan memengaruhi motivasi kerja; 8) Gaya kepemimpinan, disiplin maupun lingkungan kerja memengaruhi motivasi kerja; 9) Motivasi kerja memediasi hubungan antara gaya kepemimpinan, disiplin maupun lingkungan kerja

Comparison of Cross-section Profile Designs for Integrated Polarization Mode Controllers

Many laser applications in quantum technology require circularly polarized light at wavelengths accessible only through the GaAs-AlGaAs material system. Two proven designs of polarization mode convertor (PMC) were compared through simulation for a modified commercial 830 nm GaAs-AlGaAs structure. Structure type 1 used a deep-etched ridge waveguide, with a shallow-etched slot placed asymmetrically within the ridge. Structure type 2 also used a deep-etched ridge, but with sides of the ridge etched to different depths. Both structures support zero-order TE and TM modes, with the effective index difference between the modes determining the length of the PMC device. Although a range of dimensions and compositions was investigated, it was found the geometry of the waveguides did not significantly affect the effective index difference. The refractive index of the waveguide core was swept from 3.39 to 3.43, corresponding to Al contents from 0.45 to 0.3 respectively. In both structures, a higher index leads to the mode being concentrated in the core, which may lead to lower losses. As the structures give similar results, the main decider as to which one should be chosen should be the relative simplicity of fabrication