A Comprehensive Anatomical Characterization and Radiographic Study of Stage III Testicular Cancer in a 31-Year-Old Male Patient

Presented as a poster at 2020 IUSM Education Day.The purpose of this investigation was to characterize an unusual case of stage III testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) in a 31-year-old male with metastases to nodes, bone, viscera and brain, and to understand all possible routes of metastatic disease. Testicular cancer (TC) has an increasing incidence worldwide, and its etiology, risk factors and pathogenesis are not completely understood. Medical records were reviewed, and the cadaveric specimen evaluated by physical examination and gross dissection. Paraffin embedded tissue sections of the primary tumor were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) for histological study. To examine metastatic spread, pre- and post-mortem digital radiologic image acquisition was done using x-ray films, and high-resolution CT Scans and MRI Scans. Image analysis, multi-planar reformatting, and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction were done on radiographic series. Dissection showed masses bilaterally from the apex through the lung base; masses on the internal thoracic wall, and hepatomegaly and splenomegaly with multiple tumor masses. Testicular parenchyma was composed of primitive germ cells that formed glomeruloid or embryonal-like structures, as well as areas with a micro-cystic histologic pattern and areas of fibrous dysplasia. Medical imaging 3-D video radiographic dissection was notable for a 38.45 mm diameter, mid-brain tumor; extreme hepatomegaly with numerous tumors, a large penetrating tumor of the left ilium, and multiple tumors throughout both lungs and the thoracolumbar spine (T5-S1). This study provides insight into the histology and metastatic spread of TGCT that is essential for clinicians to understand in the evaluation and treatment of TC patients

H2 oxidation versus organic substrate oxidation in non-heme iron mediated reactions with H2O2

Herein we show that species generated upon reaction of α-[Fe(CF3SO3)2(BPMCN)] (BPMCN = N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) with H2O2 (putatively [FeV(O)(OH)(BPMCN)]) is able to efficiently oxidize H2 to H2O even in the presence of organic substrates, while species formed in the presence of acetic acid (putatively [FeV(O)(OAc)(BPMCN)]) prefer organic substrate oxidation over H2 activation. Mechanistic implications have been analysed with the aid of computational methodsThis work was supported by Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (CTQ2012-37420-C02-02 and 01) European Research Council (StG 239910), and Generalitat de Catalunya (2014 SGR 862 and ICREA Academia award to MC). J.Ll.-F. thanks the CELLEX foundation for the starting career program for financial suppor

Untargeted Metabolomics of Rind Essential Oils Allowed to Differentiate Two Closely Related Clementine Varieties

Chemical characterization of clementine varieties (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.) essential oils (EO) can lead to variety identification and valorization of their potential use in food and aroma industries. The goal of this study was the chemometric discrimination between two very closely related and morphologically identical clementine varieties, Clemenules (NL) and Clemenpons (PO), based on their rind EO, to identify the differential volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to determine their antioxidant capacity. EO rind volatile profile was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in Citrus fruit at different ripening stages grown two independent years in two different locations. Untargeted metabolomics and multivariate data analysis showed an evolution of EO volatile profiles markedly parallel in both varieties. Although EO qualitative composition was identical in both varieties, PLS-DA allowed the identification of characteristic VOCs, quantitatively discriminating them along all the ripening process. PO showed higher accumulation of several mono- and sesquiterpene compounds such as trans-carveol, while NL showed higher levels of aldehyde and alcohol non-terpenoids like dodecanal. Both varieties evinced identical EO antioxidant activities, indicating a similar value for food preservation. Hence, untargeted metabolomics approach based on rind EO volatiles was revealed as a powerful technique able to differentiate between morphologically undistinguishable Citrus varieties

Genetic inhibition of hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity increases liver fat and alters global protein acetylationa

Lipid deposition in the liver is associated with metabolic disorders including fatty liver disease, type II diabetes, and hepatocellular cancer. The enzymes acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and ACC2 are powerful regulators of hepatic fat storage; therefore, their inhibition is expected to prevent the development of fatty liver. In this study we generated liver-specific ACC1 and ACC2 double knockout (LDKO) mice to determine how the loss of ACC activity affects liver fat metabolism and whole-body physiology. Characterization of LDKO mice revealed unexpected phenotypes of increased hepatic triglyceride and decreased fat oxidation. We also observed that chronic ACC inhibition led to hyper-acetylation of proteins in the extra-mitochondrial space. In sum, these data reveal the existence of a compensatory pathway that protects hepatic fat stores when ACC enzymes are inhibited. Furthermore, we identified an important role for ACC enzymes in the regulation of protein acetylation in the extra-mitochondrial space

Satisfaction survey with DNA cards method to collect genetic samples for pharmacogenetics studies

BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenetic studies are essential in understanding the interindividual variability of drug responses. DNA sample collection for genotyping is a critical step in genetic studies. A method using dried blood samples from finger-puncture, collected on DNA-cards, has been described as an alternative to the usual venepuncture technique. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the implementation of the DNA cards method in a multicentre clinical trial, and to assess the degree of investigators' satisfaction and the acceptance of the patients perceived by the investigators. METHODS: Blood samples were collected on DNA-cards. The quality and quantity of DNA recovered were analyzed. Investigators were questioned regarding their general interest, previous experience, safety issues, preferences and perceived patient satisfaction. RESULTS: 151 patients' blood samples were collected. Genotyping of GST polymorphisms was achieved in all samples (100%). 28 investigators completed the survey. Investigators perceived patient satisfaction as very good (60.7%) or good (39.3%), without reluctance to finger puncture. Investigators preferred this method, which was considered safer and better than the usual methods. All investigators would recommend using it in future genetic studies. CONCLUSION: Within the clinical trial setting, the DNA-cards method was very well accepted by investigators and patients (in perception of investigators), and was preferred to conventional methods due to its ease of use and safety

The role of a firm's absorptive capacity and the technology transfer process in clusters: How effective are technology centres in low-tech clusters?

This paper analyses how the internal resources of small- and medium-sized enterprises determine access (learning processes) to technology centres (TCs) or industrial research institutes (innovation infrastructure) in traditional low-tech clusters. These interactions basically represent traded (market-based) transactions, which constitute important sources of knowledge in clusters. The paper addresses the role of TCs in low-tech clusters, and uses semi-structured interviews with 80 firms in a manufacturing cluster. The results point out that producer–user interactions are the most frequent; thus, the higher the sector knowledge-intensive base, the more likely the utilization of the available research infrastructure becomes. Conversely, the sectors with less knowledge-intensive structures, i.e. less absorptive capacity (AC), present weak linkages to TCs, as they frequently prefer to interact with suppliers, who act as transceivers of knowledge. Therefore, not all the firms in a cluster can fully exploit the available research infrastructure, and their AC moderates this engagement. In addition, the existence of TCs is not sufficient since the active role of a firm's search strategies to undertake interactions and conduct openness to available sources of knowledge is also needed. The study has implications for policymakers and academia

Quantitative Analysis Procedure for Building Materials in Historic Buildings by Applying Infrared Thermography

[EN] Historic buildings have a great cultural and architectural value. It is necessary to analyze their state of conservation, but sometimes it is difficult to perform laboratory tests without damaging this heritage. In the field of architecture, infrared thermography is usually used to provide descriptive information about the surface temperature of building materials. This current research presents a methodology widely applicable to historic buildings. As an example of application, the study is focused in the Seminary-School of Corpus Christi of Valencia (Spain), a very outstanding building from the 16th Century. This research presents an analytical study to be able to differentiate the temperature distribution of all pixels of a thermographic image. Thermal images are a matrix of data and their study helps us in decision-making based on objective data.Lerma Elvira, C.; Mas Tomas, MDLA.; Gil Benso, E.; Vercher Sanchis, JM.; Torner-Feltrer, MEM. (2018). Quantitative Analysis Procedure for Building Materials in Historic Buildings by Applying Infrared Thermography. Russian Journal of Nondestructive Testing. 54(8):601-609. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061830918080065S601609548Avdelidis, N.P. and Moropoulou, A., Applications of infrared thermography for the investigation of historic structures, J. Cult. Heritage, 2004, no. 5, pp. 119–127. doi 10.1016/j.culher.2003.07.002Barreira, E. and Freitas, V., Evaluation of building materials using infrared thermography, Constr. Build. Mater., 2007, vol. 21, pp. 218–224. doi 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.06.049Bauer, E., Pavón, E., Barreira, E., and Kraus, E., Analysis of building façade defects using infrared thermography: Laboratory studies, J. Build. Eng., 2016, no. 6, pp. 93–104. doi /doi 10.1016/j.jobe.2016.02.012Binda, L., Cardani, G., and Zanzi, L., Nondestructive testing evaluation of drying process in flooded full-scale masonry walls, J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 2010, pp. 473–483. doi 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000097Cañas, I., Martín, S., and González, I., Thermal-physical aspects of materials used for the construction of rural buildings in Soria (Spain), Construct. Build. Mater., 2005, vol. 19, pp. 197–211. doi 10.1016/j.conbuildmat. 2004.05.016Carlomagno, G.M., Maio, R., Fedi, M., Meola, C., Integration of infrared thermography and high-frequency electromagnetic methods in archaeological surveys, J. Geophys. Eng., 2011, vol. 8, pp. 93–105. doi 10.1088/1742-2132/8/3/S09Cerdeira, F., Vázquez, ME, Collado, J., and Granada, E., Applicability of infrared thermography to the study of the behavior of Stone panels as building envelopes, Energy Build., 2011, vol. 43, pp. 1845–1851. doi 10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.03.029EN 13187:1998. Thermal performance of buildings. Qualitative detection of thermal irregularities in building envelopes. Infrared method (ISO 6781:1983 modified).Galarza Tortajada, M., La tapia valenciana: una técnica constructiva poco conocida, Proc. First Natl. Congr. Construct. Hist., Madrid, 1996.Grinzato, E., Bison, P.G., and Marinetti, S., Monitoring of ancient buildings by the thermal method, J. Cult. Heritage, 2002, vol. 3, pp. 21–29. doi 10.1016/S1296-2074(02)01159-7Ibarra-Castanedo C., Sfarra, S., Ambrosini, D., Paoletti, D., Bendada, A, and Maldague, X., Diagnostics of panel paintings using holographic interferometry and pulsed thermography, Quant. Infrared Thermogr. J., 2010, vol. 7, no. 1. doi 10.3166/qirt.7.85-114Lagüela, S., Martínez, J., Armesto, J., and Arias, P., Energy efficiency studies through 3D laser scanning and thermographic technologies, Energy Build., 2011, vol. 43, pp. 1216–1221. doi 10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.12.031Lerma, C., Mas, Á., Gil, E., and Galiana, M., An analytical procedure for the study of the documented construction process of the Seminary-School of Corpus Christi in Valencia (Spain), Inf. Constr., 2014, vol. 66 (533), e007. doi 10.3989/ic.12.117Lerma, C., Mas, A., Gil, E., Vercher, J., and Penalver, M.J., Pathology of building materials in historic buildings. Relationship between laboratory testing and infrared thermography, Mater. Constr., 2014, vol. 64 (313), e009. doi 10.3989/mc.2013.06612Lerma, J.L., Cabrelles, M., and Portalés, C., Multitemporal thermal analysis to detect moisture on a building façade, Construct. Build. Mater., 2011, vol. 25, pp. 2190–2197. doi 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.10.007Madruga, F.J., Ibarra-Castanedo, C., Conde, O., López-Higuera, J.M., and Maldague, X., Infrared thermography processing based on higher-order statistics, NDT&E Int., 2010, vol. 43, pp. 661–666. doi 10.1016/j.ndteint.2010.07.002Meola, C., Infrared thermography of masonry structures, Infrared Phys. Technol., 2007, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 228–33. doi 10.1016/j.infraredPosta, J., Dolejs, J., Non-destructive assessment of timber elements with an emphasis on radiometry., Intern. J. Arch. Herit., 2015, vol. 9, no.6.Válek, J., Kruschwitz, S., Wöstmann, J., Kind, T., Valach, J., Köpp, C., and Lesák, J., Nondestructive investigation of wet building material: Multimethodological approach, J. of performance of Constructed Facilities, pp. 462–472. doi 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.000005

The Fourteenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey and from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment

The fourth generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) has been in operation since July 2014. This paper describes the second data release from this phase, and the fourteenth from SDSS overall (making this, Data Release Fourteen or DR14). This release makes public data taken by SDSS-IV in its first two years of operation (July 2014-2016). Like all previous SDSS releases, DR14 is cumulative, including the most recent reductions and calibrations of all data taken by SDSS since the first phase began operations in 2000. New in DR14 is the first public release of data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS); the first data from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory (APO) Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE-2), including stellar parameter estimates from an innovative data driven machine learning algorithm known as "The Cannon"; and almost twice as many data cubes from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA) survey as were in the previous release (N = 2812 in total). This paper describes the location and format of the publicly available data from SDSS-IV surveys. We provide references to the important technical papers describing how these data have been taken (both targeting and observation details) and processed for scientific use. The SDSS website (www.sdss.org) has been updated for this release, and provides links to data downloads, as well as tutorials and examples of data use. SDSS-IV is planning to continue to collect astronomical data until 2020, and will be followed by SDSS-V.Comment: SDSS-IV collaboration alphabetical author data release paper. DR14 happened on 31st July 2017. 19 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by ApJS on 28th Nov 2017 (this is the "post-print" and "post-proofs" version; minor corrections only from v1, and most of errors found in proofs corrected