20 research outputs found

    NK-cell and T-cell functions in patients with breast cancer: effects of surgery and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy

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    Breast cancer is globally the most common malignancy in women. Her2-targeted monoclonal antibodies are established treatment modalities, and vaccines are in late-stage clinical testing in patients with breast cancer and known to promote tumour-killing through mechanisms like antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. It is therefore increasingly important to study immunological consequences of conventional treatment strategies. In this study, functional tests and four-colour flow cytometry were used to detect natural killer (NK)-cell functions and receptors as well as T-cell signal transduction molecules and intracellular cytokines in preoperative breast cancer patients, and patients who had received adjuvant radiotherapy or adjuvant combined chemo-radiotherapy as well as in age-matched healthy controls. The absolute number of NK cells, the density of NK receptors as well as in vitro quantitation of functional NK cytotoxicity were significantly higher in preoperative patients than the post-treatments group and controls. A similar pattern was seen with regard to T-cell signalling molecules, and preoperative patients produced significantly higher amounts of cytokines in NK and T cells compared to other groups. The results indicate that functions of NK and T cells are well preserved before surgery but decrease following adjuvant therapy, which may speak in favour of early rather than late use of immunotherapeutic agents such as trastuzumab that may depend on intact immune effector functions

    Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

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    The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range

    A deep dive into the birth process of linking 6G and the UN SDGs

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    Abstract United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are becoming an increasingly important theme for researchers in multiple fields to investigate. In this paper, we look at how a group of 40 experts from academia and the mobile communications industry identified ways in which future 6th generation (6G) mobile communications is linked with the UN SDGs while writing a white paper on the topic. In this paper, building on the methodology of critical participatory action research, we look into the detailed operations of the expert group, offer a new way to look at the 6G development process guided by the UN SDGs and describe the linking process for the UN SDGs and 6G in a way that may guide other researchers in similar endeavors. We also present initial outcomes of the linking process that led to the white paper published in 2020 (Matinmikko-Blue et al., 2020). The aim of this research is to identify and formulate a process to recognise the connection between UN SDGs and 6G

    Linking mobile communications with the united nations sustainable development goals:mapping process

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    Abstract United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are becoming an increasingly important theme for researchers in multiple fields to investigate. In this paper we look at the process of how 6G researchers and other experts identified ways in which mobile communications is linked with the UN SDGs while writing a new 6G white paper on the topic. In a team of around 40 members consisting of representatives of academia, industry, and governmental bodies, we developed a sustainable vision for 6G, identified linkages between 6G mobile communications and the UN SDGs, and came up with a preliminary plan of action for how to reach the set goals, all published in a white paper. It is to be noted that the technological development for 6G is very much in its infancy, thus we concentrated our work on mobile communications in general and looked at the possible linkages between 6G and the UN SDG’s from the perspective of what could be and what should be. In this paper we look into the detailed operations of the expert group and describe the mapping process for finding the linkage between the UN SDGs and 6G in a way that may guide other researchers in related endeavours. The aim of this paper is threefold: 1) to briefly present the relevant linkages between the UN SDGs and mobile communications, 2) to look at the process of identifying the relevant UN SDGs for mobile communications research from a theoretical perspective, and 3) to formulate a working mapping process to be widely adopted. We will describe the background, i.e. the findings of the white paper expert group, and then move on to describing the process itself, and finally present a mapping process to be adopted

    6G and the UN SDGs:where is the connection?

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    Abstract Sustainability has entered all aspects of life, calling for an active approach from the wireless and mobile communications community to help in solving fundamental challenges facing societies. Societal, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability have become increasingly important design criteria in developing future technologies, along with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) framework that sets specific goals and targets to be achieved by 2030. The role of mobile communications is important in supporting nations and organizations in meeting the UN SDGs in a timely manner, but the whole ICT sector itself, with its critical role as the backbone of society, can create a significant sustainability burden. Research on the next-generation mobile communication networks (6G) has started, aiming at first deployments in 2030, in a new era where sustainability defines its development. Therefore, sustainability, especially through the UN SDGs, and the future 6G wireless networks, cannot be treated in isolation, but a clear connection between them is urgently needed. This paper extends from traditional green communications and energy efficiency considerations in wireless communications to establishing a close connection between 6G and the triple bottom line of economic sustainability, societal sustainability, and environmental sustainability. The paper outlines open research challenges for sustainable 6G development and provides a set of research questions encouraging especially the researchers and engineers in the wireless and mobile communications community to address to realize a sustainable future

    White paper on 6G drivers and the UN SDGs

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    Executive summary The commercial launch of 6G communications systems and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are both targeted for 2030. 6G communications are expected to boost global growth and productivity, create new business models and transform many aspects of society. The UN SDGs are a way of framing opportunities and challenges of a desirable future world and cover topics as broad as ending poverty, building gender equality, the fight against climate change and developing smart cities. The relationship between these potentially mutually reinforcing forces is currently under-defined. Building on the vision for 6G, and a review of megatrends, ongoing studies on the relation of mobile communications to the UN SDGs and existing indicators, a novel linkage between 6G and the UN SDGs is proposed. This linkage is via a set of indicators. This white paper also initiates work on a new set of 6G related indicators to guide research on 6G systems. The novel linkage is built on the envisaged three-fold role of 6G as 1) a provider of services to help steer and support communities and countries towards reaching the UN SDGs, 2) a measuring tool for data collection to help the reporting of indicators with hyperlocal granularity, and 3) a reinforcer of new ecosystems based on 6G technology enablers and 6G networks of networks to be developed in line with the UN SDGs which incorporates future mobile communication technologies which will be available in 2030. Related challenges are also identified. An action plan is presented along with prioritized focus areas within the mobile communication sector technology and industry evolution to best support the achievement of the UN SDGs
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