Prognostic and predictive factors for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide of which approximately 30% of cases are localized in the rectum. Rectal cancer accounts for around 700, 000 cases and 310, 000 deaths annually across the world with a global distribution that varies due to different lifestyles. Treatment of rectal cancer has evolved significantly during the past few decades, from being treated with surgery only to a multidisciplinary multimodal complex treatment plan with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Consequently, a major improvement in oncologic outcomes has been witnessed with dramatically reduced local recurrence (LR) rates from more than 30%-40% 40 years ago to today’s level of 5%-6%. Study I aimed to find natural products in the NCI (National Cancer Institute, US) database with selective antitumoural effects towards cancer cells with a mutated p53 gene. For this purpose, we performed a screen of the NCI bank of natural extracts for substances with potential selective effects on cancer cells harbouring a mutated p53 gene. Only one of several selected natural extracts, N37063 demonstrated this selectivity towards p53 in our in vitro assay in several cancer cell lines. Two substances were purified from the extract which harboured most of the preferential cytotoxic effect in p53-mutated cancer cells. Study II aimed to examine the spectrum of tumours in Swedish Lynch syndrome families. Lynch syndrome is characterized by hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) that emerges at a young age. These patients experience colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer in their 40s and are predisposed to other malignant diseases that affect these individuals more than the general population. In this study, we demonstrated that urothelial cell cancer is the most common malignancy in the Swedish Lynch population after CRC and endometrial cancer. Furthermore, an increased proportion of gastric cancer, small bowel cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and ovarian cancer were observed. Study III aimed to identify clinical parameters which could potentially predict a pathologic complete response (pCR) in preoperatively treated rectal cancers. Clinical parameters consisted of baseline imaging parameters of the rectal tumour and baseline pretreatment clinical and laboratory parameters before the start of oncologic treatment. We identified associations between pCR and preoperative treatment, low carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), non-elevated leucocytes, cT (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]-defined Tstage), and MRI-estimated tumour length. A predictive model based on significant parameters was proposed. Study IV aimed to examine the value of the neoadjuvant rectal score (NAR score) as a short-term surrogate endpoint for oncological outcomes, including time to recurrence (TTR), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS), in rectal cancer patients treated preoperatively with short course radiotherapy (scRT), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), or one of these schedules in combination with systemic chemotherapy (scRT/CRT+CTX). We investigated correlations between NAR score for outcomes for all patients and in different treatment cohorts. A statistically significant correlation between NAR score and TTR, CSS, and OS outcomes in a treatment-dependent manner was observed. The prognostic value of NAR could be improved by combining pathological extramural vascular invasion and perineural invasion

Detecting circular shapes from areal images using median filter and CHT

One of the challenging topics in image processing is extracting the shapes from noisy backgrounds. There are some methods for doing it from different kinds of noisy backgrounds. In this paper, we are going to introduce another method by using 4 steps to extract circular shapes from impulse noisy backgrounds. First step is applying median filter to disappear "salt and pepper" noise. This step causes edge smoothing. So, as the second step, a laplacian sharpening spatial filter should be applied. It highlights fine details and enhances the blurred edges. Using these two steps sequentially causes noise reduction in an impressive way. Third step is using Canny edge detection for segmenting the image. Its algorithm is talked during the paper. Finally, forth step is applying Circular Hough Transform (CHT) for detecting the circles in image. At the end of paper different use cases of this method is investigated

THE INFLUENCE OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TRUST ON PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE IN POLITICS IN JAHROM CITY, IRAN

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to examine the implications of political and social trust for the political participation of people in Jahrom City, Iran. And also, this study tries to assess the effect of social media on people's trust, which can affect their political participation in the society of Iran. Methodology: The researcher-made questionnaire was used by experts to determine its validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to evaluate its reliability for all variables. Regression coefficient, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for data analysis and hypotheses testing. The sample size was calculated by the Cochran formula, and 383 individuals were selected by using simple random multi-stage cluster sampling. Main Findings: The regression results indicate that the generalized social and political trust could determine 9% and 11%, respectively of changes independent variable, which was the political participation of citizens in Jahrom City. The theoretical foundations of the research are based on the theories of Robert Putnam, Gabriel Mandel, Francis Fukuyama, Nicholas Luhmann, Jürgen Habermas, Martin Lipset, and Robert Dose. Applications of this study: The present study is an applied study in terms of purpose, a practical-field study in terms of data collection, a large-scale study in terms of scale, and a short-term cross-sectional study in terms of time. The statistical population of this research comprises the holders of voting rights, those aged 18 years or more living in Jahrom city. Novelty/Originality of this study: The contextual factors such as gender, marital status, income, job, and social class did not show a significant relationship with political participation, which may be due to the homogeneity of political behavior in cities due to the lack of individual characteristics and, consequently, the weakness of individualism in smaller social settings

Fopid Controller Design for Robust Performance Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Mathematics Subject Classification: 26A33; 93C15, 93C55, 93B36, 93B35, 93B51; 03B42; 70Q05; 49N05This paper proposes a novel method to design an H∞ -optimal fractional order PID (FOPID) controller with ability to control the transient, steady-state response and stability margins characteristics. The method uses particle swarm optimization algorithm and operates based on minimizing a general cost function. Minimization of the cost function is carried out subject to the H∞ -norm; this norm is also included in the cost function to achieve its lower value. The method is applied to a phase-locked-loop motor speed system and an electromagnetic suspension system as two examples to illustrate the design procedure and verify performance of the proposed controller. The results show that the proposed method is capable of improving system responses as compared to the conventional H∞ -optimal controller while still maintains the H∞ -optimality of the solutions

Production, purification and titration of a lentivirus-based vector for gene delivery purposes

Viral vectors are valuable tools to deliver genetic materials into cells. Vectors derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 are being widely used for gene delivery, mainly because they are able to transduce both dividing and non-dividing cells which leads to stable and long term gene expression. In addition, these types of vectors are safe, with low toxicity, high stability and cell type specificity. Therefore, this work was aimed to produce lentivirus-based vector using a three-plasmid system. To produce this system, the eGFP marker gene was cloned into the plasmid pWPXLd. Subsequently, this vector plasmid, along with packaging plasmids, psPAX2 and envelope plasmid, pMD2.G, was co-transfected into packaging cell line (293T) using calcium phosphate method. 48 h post transfection, the constructed viral vector was harvested, purified and concentrated and stored at −80 °C for next experiments. The titration of the vector was carried out, using ELISA, flowcytometry, and fluorescent microscopy. Finally, transduction of HEK-293T, CHO, HepG2, MCF-7, MEFs and Jurkat cell lines was carried out with indicated cell numbers and multiplicities of infections of the vector in the presence of polybrene. Using this system, high titer lentivirus at titers of up to 2 × 108 transducing units/ml (TU/ml) was successfully generated and its transduction efficacy was improved by seven to over 20-fold in various cell types. We demonstrate the applicability of this vector for the efficient transduction of dividing and non-dividing cells, including HEK-293T, CHO, HepG2, MCF-7, MEFs and Jurkat cell line. Transduction efficiency yielded titers of (6.3 ± 1.2) 105 TU/ml. Furthermore, lentivirus transferred transgene was expressed at high level in the target cells and expression was followed until 90 days after transduction. Thus, the vector generated in this work, might be able to deliver the transgene into a wide range of mammalian cells. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Evaluation of Central Corneal Thickness after Cataract Surgery in Eyes with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness after phacoemulsification in patients with and without pseudoexfoliation syndrome.Patients and Methods: A total of 130 eyes who were candidates for phacoemulsification (60 eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and 70 eyes without pseudoexfoliation syndrome) in Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran were included in this prospective study. Before the surgery and one day postoperatively CCT were measured in all eyes using Lenstar LS 900 biometer (Haag-Streit(®)) and compared between the case and control groups. Results: Central corneal thickness before surgery was not significantly different between two groups (509 ± 29.28 µm in study group and 516 ± 32.11 µm in the control group, P = 0.27). Postoperatively, CCT in pseudoexfoliation group (589 ± 36.91 µm) was significantly higher than the control group (553 ± 32.77 µm) (P ˂ 0.001).  Conclusion: The mean central corneal thickness was significantly higher in patients with pseudoexfoliation compared to patients without pseudoexfoliation after cataract surgery. We suggest that phacoemulsification in cataract surgery candidates with pseudoexfoliation should be performed more carefully and with special considerations

Semi-Quantitative Dermal Exposure Assessment of Lead with DREAM Model in a Lead Mine in Iran

Occupational exposure to toxic substances occurs in a variety of ways. The DREAM model is suggested for assessing skin exposure using preset values. The purpose of this study is to investigate the exposure of lead in workers at a mine lead using the DREAM model. This research was done in several steps. First, collect information about people and the work environment. Then design the model in Excel2016 by the authors. This research was descriptive-analytic research and included 46 miners. The DREAM model has a total of 33 variables included. In the DREAM model, exposure assessment was performed for 9 body parts at task level 2. The DREAM model was completed for 5 jobs. Jobs were in the lab, tunnel-74, tunnel-34, entrance to the tunnel and flotation workshop. The results were calculated for each of the 9 parts of the site for propagation, transfer, deposition, and potential and actual exposures, and eventually total exposures. The DREAM model, in comparison with similar methods, estimates the skin exposure level in a semi-quantitative fashion. This method has been used to estimate skin exposure in a variety of industries. This method was used to assess the skin exposure of workers in a mine, which resulted in training workers and providing personal protective equipment appropriate to the environment

Bilateral Primary Intraocular Lymphoma

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral primary intraocular lymphoma. Case report: A 33-year-old man presented with bilateral blurred vision since two years ago. Examination revealed large keratic precipitates, anterior chamber reaction, posterior subcapsular cataracts, and vitreous infiltration. After a short trial of topical and periocular steroids, diagnostic 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy was performed and cytologic evaluation of the aspirate confirmed a diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma. The patient was subsequently managed with intravitreal methotrexate in both eyes and responded favorably. Central nervous system workup for lymphoma was negative. Conclusion: Primary intraocular lymphoma should be considered in young adults suffering from chronic recalcitrant panuveitis

Material and solar cell research in high efficiency micromorph tandem solar cell

“Micromorph” tandem solar cells consisting of a microcrystalline silicon bottom cell and an amorphous silicon top cell are considered as one of the most promising new thin-film silicon solar-cell concepts. Their promise lies in the hope of simultaneously achieving high conversion efficiencies at relatively low manufacturing costs. The concept was introduced by IMT Neuchâtel, based on the VHF-GD (very high frequency glow discharge) deposition method. The key element of the micromorph cell is the hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon bottom cell that opens new perspectives for low-temperature thin-film crystalline silicon technology. This paper describes the use, within p–i–n- and n–i–p-type solar cells, of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (_c-Si:H) thin films (layers), both deposited at low temperatures (200_C) by plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), from a mixture of silane and hydrogen. Optical and electrical properties of the i-layers are described. Finally, present performances and future perspectives for a high efficiency ‘micromorph’ (mc-Si:Hya-Si:H) tandem solar cells are discussed