Transcriptomic convergence despite genomic divergence drive field cancerization in synchronous squamous tumors

IntroductionField cancerization is suggested to arise from imbalanced differentiation in individual basal progenitor cells leading to clonal expansion of mutant cells that eventually replace the epithelium, although without evidence.MethodsWe performed deep sequencing analyses to characterize the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of field change in two patients with synchronous aerodigestive tract tumors.ResultsOur data support the emergence of numerous genetic alterations in cancer-associated genes but refutes the hypothesis that founder mutation(s) underpin this phenomenon. Mutational signature analysis identified defective homologous recombination as a common underlying mutational process unique to synchronous tumors.DiscussionOur analyses suggest a common etiologic factor defined by mutational signatures and/or transcriptomic convergence, which could provide a therapeutic opportunity

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Systematic Approaches for Signal Processing of Soil Shaking Table Test

Selecting an appropriate methodology in signal processing of shaking table test is of fundamental importance for evaluating the soil dynamic parameters. This paper presents the systematic approaches in selecting an appropriate signal processing method for a soil shaking table test. A soil model of 150 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height was tested on a 1g shaking table. The soil model was instrumented with accelerometers to measure the resultant accelerations under different shaking motions. Under normal data processing practices, the acceleration data was adjusted and numerically integrated to obtain the linear displacement data. However, the accuracy and reliability of the computed displacement data and the adopted adjustment technique often raise arguments. In the present study, the acceleration data was subjected to two baseline correction schemes and one method of digital band-pass filtering. The results from the three signal processing methods were compared with the actual displacement data obtained from a direct measurement using laser displacement sensor. Bandpass filtering method was found to be a more reliable data processing method in this particular study. The use of laser displacement sensor can serve as a useful reference when choosing an appropriate adjustment scheme in data processing

Systematic Approaches for Signal Processing of Soil Shaking Table Test

Selecting an appropriate methodology in signal processing of shaking table test is of fundamental importance for evaluating the soil dynamic parameters. This paper presents the systematic approaches in selecting an appropriate signal processing method for a soil shaking table test. A soil model of 150 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height was tested on a 1g shaking table. The soil model was instrumented with accelerometers to measure the resultant accelerations under different shaking motions. Under normal data processing practices, the acceleration data was adjusted and numerically integrated to obtain the linear displacement data. However, the accuracy and reliability of the computed displacement data and the adopted adjustment technique often raise arguments. In the present study, the acceleration data was subjected to two baseline correction schemes and one method of digital band-pass filtering. The results from the three signal processing methods were compared with the actual displacement data obtained from a direct measurement using laser displacement sensor. Bandpass filtering method was found to be a more reliable data processing method in this particular study. The use of laser displacement sensor can serve as a useful reference when choosing an appropriate adjustment scheme in data processing

Use of extracorporeal blood purification therapy (ECBPT) as an adjuvant to high-dose corticosteroids in a severely ill COVID-19 patient with concomitant bacterial infection

COVID-19 presents with a spectrum of severity, ranging from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to those with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Corticosteroids are widely used for their efficacy in reducing inflammatory responses. However, its use may be limited to patients with immunosuppression. An adjunct therapy for cytokine storm in COVID- 19 is extracorporeal blood purification therapies using high adsorptive filters, such as oXiris, to remove cytokines. We share our experience in using continuous renal replacement therapy with oXiris haemofilter as a temporising measure to high- dose corticosteroids in managing cytokine storm in a deteriorating COVID- 19 patient with concomitant bacterial infection

Challenges in managing a critically ill patient with decompensated Eisenmenger syndrome

Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is the most severe form of pulmonary arterial hypertension and is associated with congenital heart disease. ES itself is a challenging condition to manage, further compounded if the patient is critically ill and acutely decompensated. We share our experience of managing a critically ill adult patient with ES who presented with acute decompensation due to sepsis

An inquiry into post-competition performance of business plan competition teams.

A common aim of a business plan competition (BPC) is to develop essential entrepreneurial skills in the participants and eventually aid them in creating sustainable businesses. The ability to nurture sustainable businesses has since been a key outcome of many BPCs. Despite that, little research has studied the relationship between the participating teams’ performance at BPC and their business survival after the competition. Our study seeks to study this relationship, specifically, whether teams that performed well at BPC could perform well thereafter, and the reasons for such performance after BPC. Correlation analyses performed on 193 teams from the United States (US) and Singapore BPCs showed that performance at BPC was positively correlated to performance after the competition. Interviews conducted with four teams from the Singapore BPC revealed the four broad categories of factors that enabled businesses to survive after the competition, namely the human, intellectual, social, and financial capital. As the factors derived from the BPC were not the differentiating factors between the teams that survived and teams that did not survive, this showed that BPC had partial effect on the performance of teams after BPC.BUSINES

Anisotropically Consolidated Undrained Compression Test on Residual Soil

In Malaysia, the shear strength and corresponding deformation characteristics of residual soils are normally investigated by isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) triaxial test. In the present study, anisotropically consolidated undrained compression (CAU) tests were carried out and explored in an attempt to facilitate understanding on the fundamental behaviours of a selected residual soil. A triaxial apparatus setup which was capable of performing the CAU test was first developed. Through a monotonic strain-controlled triaxial test apparatus, soil properties and stress paths could be obtained experimentally. It was confirmed that the newly fabricated triaxial apparatus could provide reasonable experimental results. As distinguished from the isotropically consolidated undrained compression (CIU) test, anisotropic stresses were induced in the stress path test. It follows that the soil responses were different between the CIU and CAU tests. The coefficient of earth pressure at rest (Ko) values as obtained in the present experiment showed a good agreement with the values estimated using equation reported by Jaky (1948)

Anisotropically Consolidated Undrained Compression Test on Residual Soil

In Malaysia, the shear strength and corresponding deformation characteristics of residual soils are normally investigated by isotropically consolidated undrained (CIU) triaxial test. In the present study, anisotropically consolidated undrained compression (CAU) tests were carried out and explored in an attempt to facilitate understanding on the fundamental behaviours of a selected residual soil. A triaxial apparatus setup which was capable of performing the CAU test was first developed. Through a monotonic strain-controlled triaxial test apparatus, soil properties and stress paths could be obtained experimentally. It was confirmed that the newly fabricated triaxial apparatus could provide reasonable experimental results. As distinguished from the isotropically consolidated undrained compression (CIU) test, anisotropic stresses were induced in the stress path test. It follows that the soil responses were different between the CIU and CAU tests. The coefficient of earth pressure at rest (Ko) values as obtained in the present experiment showed a good agreement with the values estimated using equation reported by Jaky (1948)

to Film a Film

Hoping to challenge the notion of 'art for art's sake' on another level, a new director navigates the Singaporean film industry in an attempt to fuse her filmmaking dreams with her heart for social impact.Bachelor of Communication Studie