IL-6 production in ovarian carcinoma is associated with histiotype and biological characteristics of the tumour and influences local immunity

The presence of interleukin (IL)-6 in peritoneal carcinomatous fluid (PCF) and its effect on immune cells composition in PCF in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma was studied. In 21 out of 30 ovarian carcinoma patients, PCF IL-6 levels were found to exceed those seen in PCFs of patients with gastrointestinal cancer. IL-6 activity was higher in serous/mucinous than in endometrioid and undifferentiated ovarian carcinoma PCF (P = 0.05). Ovarian carcinoma PCF IL-6 activities were correlated with serum C-reactive protein levels (r = 0.65, P = 0.0000, n = 25). Ovarian carcinoma PCF leucocyte profile differed from that in blood with respect to: (i) lower percentage of NK and CD8+and (ii) higher percentage of B and CD45RO+, CD14+and HLA-DR+cells. The proportions of CD45RO+in blood were correlated with IL-6 levels in PCF. Corresponding to PCF ovarian carcinoma tumours were stained for the presence of Ki-67 antigen and p53. The highest proportions of Ki-67+cells and cells showing accumulation of p53 were seen in undifferentiated tumours. A low grade of p53 staining was seen in tumours associated with high IL-6 levels in PCF. It was evident that IL-6 production (i) depended on the histiotype of the tumour, (ii) influenced the local immune system in favour of accumulation of B, and T memory cells, and (iii) was higher in patients lacking p53 accumulation. © 2000 CancerResearch Campaig

Comparison of machine learning algorithms used to classify the asteroids observed by all-sky surveys

Context. Multifilter photometry from large sky surveys is commonly used to assign asteroid taxonomic types and study various problems in planetary science. To maximize the science output of those surveys, it is important to use methods that best link the spectro-photometric measurements to asteroid taxonomy. Aims. We aim to determine which machine learning methods are the most suitable for the taxonomic classification for various sky surveys. Methods. We utilized five machine learning supervised classifiers: logistic regression, naive Bayes, support vector machines (SVMs), gradient boosting, and MultiLayer Perceptrons (MLPs). Those methods were found to reproduce the Bus-DeMeo taxonomy at various rates depending on the set of filters used by each survey. We report several evaluation metrics for a comprehensive comparison (prediction accuracy, balanced accuracy, F1 score, and the Matthews correlation coefficient) for 11 surveys and space missions. Results. Among the methods analyzed, multilayer perception and gradient boosting achieved the highest accuracy and naive Bayes achieved the lowest accuracy in taxonomic prediction across all surveys. We found that selecting the right machine learning algorithm can improve the success rate by a factor of >2. The best balanced accuracy (similar to 85% for a taxonomic type prediction) was found for the Visible and Infrared Survey telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) and the ESA Euclid mission surveys where broadband filters best map the 1 mu m and 2 mu m olivine and pyroxene absorption bands. Conclusions. To achieve the highest accuracy in the taxonomic type prediction based on multifilter photometric measurements, we recommend the use of gradient boosting and MLP optimized for each survey. This can improve the overall success rate even when compared with naive Bayes. A merger of different datasets can further boost the prediction accuracy. For the combination of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time and VISTA survey, we achieved 90% for the taxonomic type prediction.Peer reviewe

Period doubling eigenstates in a fiber laser mode-locked by nonlinear polarization rotation

Due to the weak birefringence of single mode fibers, solitons generated in fiber lasers are indeed vector pulses and exhibit periodic parameter change including polarization evolution even when there is a polarizer inside the cavity. Period doubling eigenstates of solitons generated in a fiber laser mode-locked by the nonlinear polarization rotation, i.e., period doubling of polarization components of the soliton, are numerically explored in detail. We found that, apart from the synchronous evolution between the two polarization components, there exists asynchronous development depending on the detailed operation conditions. In addition, period doubling of one polarization component together with period-one of another polarization component can be achieved. When the period tripling window is obtained, much complexed dynamics on the two polarization components could be observed.Comment: 6 page

Allogeneic bone marrow (BM) peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) transplantations in two cases prepared with the use of total body irradiation (TBI)

The main aims for preparative regimens in BMT/PBPCT are malignant cell eradication and/or immunosupresion to facilitate engraftment. TBI is used in concert with cyclophospamide (Cy) to increase activity.In our Unit two TBI + Cy conditioned allotransplantations – (1) BMT and (2) PBPCT – have been performed. Patients – (1) 7 years and (2) 10 years old, males, suffering from: (1) ALL – second and (2) ALL – fourth remission, received transplant material from HLA identical siblings. Transplant preparative regimens consisted of TBI (Co-60 + electrons 6 and 9 MeV: 12–16 Gy. performed in Greatpoland Cancer Centre, Poznań) and Cy (200 mg/kg bw). Patients received routine decontamination for infection prevention. Heparine for VOD and Cyclosporine + MTX for GvHD prophylaxis. Treatment related toxicity was judged accordind to WHO scale, standard criteria were used for GvHD grading.Both patients were Hepatitis B virus positive, patient (2) was also HCV + before treatment. Hematological recovery was observed in both patient (1) 13 and (2) 10 days after transplantation. Toxicity in patient (1) was WHO-1 for the liver and WHO-1 for kidneys. There was no skin or mucosal toxicity. Patient (2) had WHO-2 GIT mucosa and WHO-3 liver toxicities on day +15. No skin toxicity was observed. On day +16 patient(2) rapidly developed signs of pulmonary complications further followed by CNS involvement. He required artificial ventilation. No aGvHD observed. Patient died on day +31. Patient (1) is alive and well +36 days after transplantation. aGvHD grade I (skin) was observed on day +25 after transplantation and responded well to glukokorticosteroid therapy (2mg/kg for 5 days).The post-transplant history of these two cases reflects on possible complications of BMT/PBPCT with TBI

An Assemblage of Lava Flow Features on Mercury

In contrast to other terrestrial planets, Mercury does not possess a great variety of volcanic features, its history of volcanism instead largely manifest by expansive smooth plains. However, a set of landforms at high northern latitudes on Mercury resembles surface flow features documented on Earth, the Moon, Mars, and Venus. The most striking of such landforms are broad channels that host streamlined islands and that cut through the surrounding intercrater plains. Together with narrower, more sinuous channels, coalesced depressions, evidence for local flooding of intercrater plains by lavas, and a first-order analysis of lava flow rates, the broad channels define an assemblage of flow features formed by the overland flow of, and erosion by, voluminous, high-temperature, low-viscosity lavas. This interpretation is consistent with compositional data suggesting that substantial portions of Mercury's crust are composed of magnesian, iron-poor lithologies. Moreover, the proximity of this partially flooded assemblage to extensive volcanic plains raises the possibility that the formation of these flow features may preface total inundation of an area by lavas emplaced in a flood mode and that they escaped complete burial only due to a waning magmatic supply. Finally, that these broad channels on Mercury are volcanic in nature yet resemble outflow channels on Mars, which are commonly attributed to catastrophic water floods, implies that aqueous activity is not a prerequisite for the formation of such distinctive landforms on any planetary body

Period doubling of multiple dissipative-soliton-resonance pulses in a fibre laser

We report on the experimental observation of the period doubling of multiple dissipative-soliton-resonance (DSR) pulses in an all-normal-dispersion fibre laser, based on a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror. By increasing the pump power, the transition from a single DSR pulse to multiple DSR pulses was observed, in addition to the typical linear pulse broadening, under a fixed pulse peak power. During this process, period doubling appeared because the DSR pulses can exhibit the characteristics of period doubling in a multi-pulse state. The typical DSR performance of a linear pulse duration change, versus the variation of pump power, can be maintained when the period doubling of multiple DSR pulses appears

Insights into the subsurface structure of the Caloris basin, Mercury, from assessments of mechanical layering and changes in long-wavelength topography

The volcanic plains that fill the Caloris basin, the largest recognized impact basin on Mercury, are deformed by many graben and wrinkle ridges, among which the multitude of radial graben of Pantheon Fossae allow us to resolve variations in the depth extent of associated faulting. Displacement profiles and displacement-to-length scaling both indicate that faults near the basin center are confined to a ~ 4-km-thick mechanical layer, whereas faults far from the center penetrate more deeply. The fault scaling also indicates that the graben formed in mechanically strong material, which we identify with dry basalt-like plains. These plains were also affected by changes in long-wavelength topography, including undulations with wavelengths of up to 1300 km and amplitudes of 2.5 to 3 km. Geographic correlation of the depth extent of faulting with topographic variations allows a first-order interpretation of the subsurface structure and mechanical stratigraphy in the basin. Further, crosscutting and superposition relationships among plains, faults, craters, and topography indicate that development of long-wavelength topographic variations followed plains emplacement, faulting, and much of the cratering within the Caloris basin. As several examples of these topographic undulations are also found outside the basin, our results on the scale, structural style, and relative timing of the topographic changes have regional applicability and may be the surface expression of global-scale interior processes on Mercury

Insights into the subsurface structure of the Caloris basin, Mercury, from assessments of mechanical layering and changes in long-wavelength topography

The volcanic plains that fill the Caloris basin, the largest recognized impact basin on Mercury, are deformed by many graben and wrinkle ridges, among which the multitude of radial graben of Pantheon Fossae allow us to resolve variations in the depth extent of associated faulting. Displacement profiles and displacement-to-length scaling both indicate that faults near the basin center are confined to a ~ 4-km-thick mechanical layer, whereas faults far from the center penetrate more deeply. The fault scaling also indicates that the graben formed in mechanically strong material, which we identify with dry basalt-like plains. These plains were also affected by changes in long-wavelength topography, including undulations with wavelengths of up to 1300 km and amplitudes of 2.5 to 3 km. Geographic correlation of the depth extent of faulting with topographic variations allows a first-order interpretation of the subsurface structure and mechanical stratigraphy in the basin. Further, crosscutting and superposition relationships among plains, faults, craters, and topography indicate that development of long-wavelength topographic variations followed plains emplacement, faulting, and much of the cratering within the Caloris basin. As several examples of these topographic undulations are also found outside the basin, our results on the scale, structural style, and relative timing of the topographic changes have regional applicability and may be the surface expression of global-scale interior processes on Mercury