Blood cancer journal

BACKGROUND: Gait impairments increase with advancing age and can lead to falls and loss of independence. Brain atrophy also occurs in older age and may contribute to gait decline. We aimed to investigate global and regional relationships of cerebral gray and white matter volumes with gait speed, and its determinants step length and cadence, in older people. METHODS: In a population-based study, participants aged >60 years without Parkinson's disease or brain infarcts underwent magnetic resonance imaging and gait measurements using a computerized walkway. Linear regression was used to study associations of total gray and white matter volumes with gait, adjusting for each other, age, sex, height and white matter hyperintensity volume. Other covariates considered in analyses included weight and vascular disease history. Voxel-based morphometry was used to study regional relationships of gray and white matter with gait. RESULTS: There were 305 participants, mean age 71.4 (6.9) years, 54% male, mean gait speed 1.16 (0.22) m/s. Smaller total gray matter volume was independently associated with poorer gait speed (p = 0.001) and step length (p<0.001), but not cadence. Smaller volumes of cortical and subcortical gray matter in bilateral regions important for motor control, vision, perception and memory were independently associated with slower gait speed and shorter steps. No global or regional associations were observed between white matter volume and gait independent of gray matter volume, white matter hyperintensity volume and other covariates. CONCLUSION: Smaller gray matter volume in bilaterally distributed brain networks serving motor control was associated with slower gait speed and step length, but not cadence

Magnetic and Magnetotransport Properties of La0.7ca0.3mn1-x(zn,cu)xo3

Magnetic and magnetotransport properties of two perovskite manganite samples of La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.9Zn0.1O3 and La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.95Cu0.05O3 prepared by conventional solid-state reaction have been studied in detail. Experimental results revealed that the temperature dependences of magnetization and resistance varied strongly around the phase-transition temperature. Maximum magnetoresistance (MR) values of La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.9Zn0.1O3 and La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.95Cu0.05O3 under an applied field of 400 Oe were about 21.4 % and 11.0 %, respectively. The maximum magnetic-entropy change (ΔSM) was 2.73 J/kg.K for La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.9Zn0.1O3, and 3.34 J/kg.K for La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.95Cu0.05O3 when the applied field was 45 kOe. Both the MR and ΔSM values obtained from two samples were smaller than those of the parent compound La0.7Ca0.3MnO3. This was due to the change in the Mn3+/Mn4+ ratio caused by Zn and Cu dopants, which led to a change in the type of the ferromagneticparamagnetic phase transition

Improving Automatic Melanoma Diagnosis using Deep Learning-Based Segmentation of Irregular Networks

Deep Learning Has Achieved Significant Success in Malignant Melanoma Diagnosis. These Diagnostic Models Are Undergoing a Transition into Clinical Use. However, with Melanoma Diagnostic Accuracy in the Range of Ninety Percent, a Significant Minority of Melanomas Are Missed by Deep Learning. Many of the Melanomas Missed Have Irregular Pigment Networks Visible using Dermoscopy. This Research Presents an Annotated Irregular Network Database and Develops a Classification Pipeline that Fuses Deep Learning Image-Level Results with Conventional Hand-Crafted Features from Irregular Pigment Networks. We Identified and Annotated 487 Unique Dermoscopic Melanoma Lesions from Images in the ISIC 2019 Dermoscopic Dataset to Create a Ground-Truth Irregular Pigment Network Dataset. We Trained Multiple Transfer Learned Segmentation Models to Detect Irregular Networks in This Training Set. a Separate, Mutually Exclusive Subset of the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) 2019 Dataset with 500 Melanomas and 500 Benign Lesions Was Used for Training and Testing Deep Learning Models for the Binary Classification of Melanoma Versus Benign. the Best Segmentation Model, U-Net++, Generated Irregular Network Masks on the 1000-Image Dataset. Other Classical Color, Texture, and Shape Features Were Calculated for the Irregular Network Areas. We Achieved an Increase in the Recall of Melanoma Versus Benign of 11% and in Accuracy of 2% over DL-Only Models using Conventional Classifiers in a Sequential Pipeline based on the Cascade Generalization Framework, with the Highest Increase in Recall Accompanying the Use of the Random Forest Algorithm. the Proposed Approach Facilitates Leveraging the Strengths of Both Deep Learning and Conventional Image Processing Techniques to Improve the Accuracy of Melanoma Diagnosis. Further Research Combining Deep Learning with Conventional Image Processing on Automatically Detected Dermoscopic Features is Warranted

Seasonal variation of phytoplankton in My Thanh River, Mekong delta, Vietnam

A study on the seasonal variation of phytoplankton composition was conducted at the upper, middle, and lower parts of the My Thanh River, which supplies an important source of water for aquaculture. Qualitative and quantitative samples of phytoplankton were collected monthly at both high and low tide. The results showed that a total of 171 phytoplankton (algae) species were recorded, belonging to 59 genera and 5 phyla. Diatoms were the most abundant group with the highest species number, followed by green algae. The other phyla possessed a lower number of species. The species composition was more diverse in the rainy season and at high tide at most of the sampling sites. The mean density of algae varied from 30,900-43,521 ind.L^-1^. The density of diatoms was higher in the middle and lower parts. At the same time, euglenoids displayed the highest density in the upper part, showing a difference in the dominant algae group under the influence of salinity. Salinity was found to be significantly positively correlated (p<0.01) with diatoms, whereas it was negatively correlated (p<0.05) with blue-green algae and euglenoids. The algae composition was quite diverse, with the H' index ranging from 2.0-3.3, showing the water quality was slightly to moderately polluted

Untersuchungen zur Stabilisierung der frühen postnatalen Adaptationsvorgänge bei Kälbern in Mutterkuhhaltung - ein Beitrag zur Charakterisierung postnataler Anpassungsreaktionen

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die sensible Phase der ersten und frühen zweiten Adaptationsphase, von der Geburt bis zur 72. Lebensstunde, bei Kälbern fleischbetonter Rassen in einem geschlossenen Mutterkuhbestand zu untersuchen, um daraus folgend einen Beitrag zur Erstellung von nicht parametrischen Referenzbereichen für klinische und labordiagnostische Parameter für diese Zeitspanne zu leisten. Korrelationen zwischen klinischen und labordiagnostischen Parametern sollten aufgedeckt werden, um so klinisch relevante Beziehungen herstellen zu können Eine Einschätzung der Vitalität anhand leicht zu erhebender ethologischer Befunde, wie erstes Kopfheben post natum, erstes sicheres Stehen und erste Kolostrumaufnahme wurde durchgeführt. Als Probanden standen insgesamt 115 mature Kälber verschiedener Rassen aus einem geschlossenen Mutterkuhbestand zur Verfügung. Die Untersuchung erstreckte sich von der Geburt bis zu 72 Stunden p. n.. Folgende 20 Parameter kamen dabei zur Auswertung: pH, Base Excess, Kohlendioxidpartialdruck, Hä­¡tokrit, Gesamtprotein, Glukose, Triglyzeride, Cholesterin, Harnstoff, Kreatinin, Natrium, Kalium, Chlorid, Magnesium, AST, ALT, AP, GGT, GLDH und CK. Die statistische Auswertung der Ergebnisse wurde unter Berücksichtigung der Faktoren Alter, Rasse, Geschlecht und Geburtsart der Kälber sowie Geburtsziffer des Muttertieres vorgenommen. Die einzelnen Messgrössen bis auf das Plasmachlorid wurden über den Untersuchungszeitraum hochsignifikant (p < 0,001) durch das Alter beeinflusst. Einflí²í³¥ der Rasse zeigten sich im Verlauf des Blut-pH-Wertes (p <= 0,01), des Base Excess (p <= 0,05) sowie der Enzyme ALT (p <= 0,05) und GLDH (p <= 0,05). Das erste sichere Stehen post natum wurde schwach signifikant durch das Geschlecht (p <= 0,05) beeinflusst. Die Parameter pH-Wert (p <= 0,05) und Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (p <= 0,01) im venösen Blut sowie die Blutglukose (p <= 0,01) zeigten bis zum dritten Lebenstag ebenfalls Einflüsse durch das Geschlecht der Kälber. Die Geburtsart übte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die ethologischen Parameter des ersten Stehens (p <= 0,01) und des ersten Saugens post natum (p <= 0,01) aus, die Einstufung nach APGAR wurde sogar hoch signifikant (p <= 0,001) durch die Geburtsart beeinflusst. Labordiagnostisch konnte ein signifikanter Einfluss auf die CK-Aktivität (p <= 0,01) ermittelt werden. pH-Wert, Kaliumkonzentration und AST-Aktivität erfuhren schwach signifikante (p <= 0,05) Beeinflussungen durch die Art der Geburt. Die Parität der Muttertiere, beeinflusste die Geburtsart signifikant (p <= 0,01). Ebenso wiesen die Serumspiegel des Gesamtproteins (p <= 0,05), von Harnstoff (p <= 0,01), Kalium (p <= 0,05), ALT (p <= 0,05) und GLDH (p <= 0,05) Einflüsse der die Geburtsziffer auf. Im Verlauf der AP-Aktivitäten zeigten sich hoch signifikante Wechselwirkungen (p <= 0,001) mit den verschiedenen Rassen. Das Geschlecht der Kälber wies ebenso hoch signifikante Wechselwirkungen (p <= 0,001) zur GLDH-Aktivität auf. Wechselwirkungen der Geburtsart und der Zeit waren bei den Messgrössen pH-Wert (p <= 0,001), Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (p <= 0,01), Base Excess (p <= 0,001), Hämatokrit (p <= 0,001), Harnstoff (p <= 0,05) und AST-Aktivität (p <= 0,05) statistisch nachweisbar. Auf die Parameter Harnstoff (p <= 0,001), Natrium (p <= 0,05), Kalium (p <= 0,05), Chlorid (p <= 0,05) und ALT-Aktivität (p <= 0,05) waren Wechselwirkungen der Geburtsziffer der Muttertiere von der Geburt bis zur 72. Lebensstunde darstellbar. Die Körpertemperatur der Kälber korrelierte unmittelbar nach der Geburt signifikant (p <= 0,01) mit dem Blut-pH-Wert (r = -0,283) und dem Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (r = +0,284). Zum Base Excess bestand postnatal eine schwach signifikante (p <= 0,05) Korrelation (r = -0,193). Die Blutglukosewerte korrelierten unmittelbar post natum schwach signifikant (p <= 0,05) mit dem Blut-pH (r = -0,207), dem Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (r = +0,089) und dem Base Excess (r = 0,210). Das erste Kopfheben post natum stand in hoch signifikantem (p <= 0,001) Zusammenhang mit der Vitalitätseinschätzung nach APGAR. Das erste Stehen zeigte einen signifikante (p <= 0,01) und der Zeitpunkt der ersten Kolostrumaufnahme noch einen schwach signifikanten (p <= 0,05) Zusammenhang. Zur exakten Einschätzung der labordiagnostisch ermittelten Blutwerte bei neugeborenen Kälbern ist eine vom genauen Alter abhängige Erstellung von Referenzbereichen unter Berücksichtigung nicht parametrischer Referenzbereiche notwendig.The aim of the present study was to illustrate the sensitive time of the first and the early second adaptation period from birth to the 72. hour of life in different races of beef cattle in one herd. Furthermore non parametric reference values for clinical and laboratory diagnostic parameters for this period of adaptation were described. Another aim was to find correlations between clinical and laboratory parameters to show relations of clinical relevance. Ethological findings such as: first raising of the head post natum, first firm standing and colostrum intake were evaluated. For tests, a total of 115 mature calves of different races out of a close suckler cow management system herd was available. The evaluation was made from immediately after birth to 72 hours p. n.. The following 20 parameters were evaluated: pH, base excess, carbondioxide partial pressure, hematocrit, total protein, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, uric acid, creatinin, sodium, calium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, AST, ALT, AP, GGT, GLDH and CK. When doing the statistical evaluation of the results factors such as: age, race, sex, kind of birth of the calves as well as the number of births given by the mother cow were considered. The development of the single values over the time period of the research was highly influenced by the age (p <= 0.001). Influence of the race was found during the course of the blood-pH-value (p <= 0.01), of the base excess (p <= 0.05) and also of the enzymes ALT (p <= 0.05) and GLDH (p <= 0.05). The time of first firm standing post natum as a qualifying factor was only weak significantly (p <= 0.05) influenced by the sex. The parameter blood-pH (p <= 0.05), blood glycose (p <= 0.01) and carbondioxide partial pressure (p <= 0.01) also proved influence of the sex of the calves during the first 3 days after birth. The kind of birth had a significant influence on the ethological parameter of the first standing (p <= 0.01) and the first suckling post natum (p <= 0.01). When judging according to APGAR the correlation was even highly significant (p <= 0.001). In the laboratory diagnostics a significant influence on the CK-activity (p <= 0.01) could be found. pH-value, potassium concentration and AST-activity were weak significantly influenced (p <= 0.05) by the kind of birth. The kind of birth was significantly influenced (p <= 0.01) by the fact how often a mother cow already had given birth to calves. The serum level of the total protein (p <= 0.05), of the uric acid (p <= 0.01), potassium (p <=0.05), ALT (p <= 0.05) and GLDH (p <= 0.05) also showed their correlation to the number of birth. During the course of the AP activities of the different races significant interactions became obvious (p <= 0.001). The sex of the calves also showed highly significant interactions (p <= 0.001) towards the GLDH activity. Interactions of the kind and time of birth could also statistically be proven for the parameters: pH value (p <= 0.001), carbondioxide partial pressure (p <= 0.01), base excess (p <= 0.001), hematocrit (p <= 0.001), uric acid (p <= 0.05) and AST activity (p <= 0.05). For the parameters uric acid (p <= 0.001), sodium (p <= 0.05), potassium (p <= 0.05), chloride (p <= 0.05) and AST activity (p <= 0.05), an interaction could be found to the number of births given by the mother cow from the date of birth till the 72nd hour after birth. Correlation was discovered between body temprature and blood glycose to pH, carbondioxide partial pressure and base excess. The body temperature of the calves correlated after birth directly and significantly (p <= 0.01) with the blood-pH-value (r = -0.283) and the carbondioxide partial pressure (r = +0.284). There existed a slightly significant (p <= 0.05) correlation (r = -0.193) to the base excess. The blood glycose values correlated directly post natum slightly significantly (p <= 0.05) with the blood-pH (r = -0.207) with the carbondioxide partial pressure (r = +0.089) and with the base excess (r = 0.210). The first raising of the head post natum was in a highly significant connection (p <= 0.001) with the judgement of the vitality by APGAR. The first standing up showed a significant (p <= 0.01) and the time of first intake of cholostrum still a weak significant (p <=0.05) correlation. For the exact evaluation of the blood values derived from laboratory diagnostics for newly born calves, a table with values referring to the exact age and also considering the non-parameter values must be created

Moving beyond size and phosphatidylserine exposure: evidence for a diversity of apoptotic cell-derived extracellular vesicles in vitro

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs throughout life as part of normal development as well as pathologic processes including chronic inflammation and infection. Although the death of a cell is often considered as the only biological outcome of a cell committed to apoptosis, it is becoming increasingly clear that the dying cell can actively communicate with other cells via soluble factors as well as membrane-bound extracellular vesicles (EVs) to regulate processes including cell clearance, immunity and tissue repair. Compared to EVs generated from viable cells such as exosomes and microvesicles, apoptotic cell-derived EVs (ApoEVs) are less well defined and the basic criteria for ApoEV characterization have not been established in the field. In this study, we will examine the current understanding of ApoEVs, in particular, the ApoEV subtype called apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs). We described that a subset of ApoBDs can be larger than 5 μm and smaller than 1 μm based on flow cytometry and live time-lapse microscopy analysis, respectively. We also described that a subset of ApoBDs can expose a relatively low level of phosphatidylserine on its surface based on annexin A5 staining. Furthermore, we characterized the presence of caspase-cleaved proteins (in particular plasma membrane-associated or cytoplasmic proteins) in samples enriched in ApoBDs. Lastly, using a combination of biochemical-, live imaging- and flow cytometry-based approaches, we characterized the progressive lysis of ApoBDs. Taken together, these results extended our understanding of ApoBDs

Applied bioinformatics tools for analysis of Microrna-214 expression and prediction of its potential targets genes in Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

miRNA (microRNA) are short RNA molecules in length from 20 to 24 nucleotides that have been shown to play an important role in regulating gene expression in many different types of human cancer. Meanwhile, miRNA-214 is one of the known miRNAs involved in the formation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) through overexpression that promotes proliferation and development of cancer cells. However, in Vietnam, the study of miR-214 related to NPC has not been conducted yet. With the aims to develop the further studies of miR-214 on NPC in Vietnamese patients, in this initial study, we conducted the analysis of miR-214 expression in previous publications, as well as the prediction of miR-214 potential target genes, which involved in many cellular pathways. Here we applied bioinformatics tools to predict miRNAs and their targets, and discuss the role of miR-214 in the context of human cancers. As the results, miR-214 acted as the oncogenic roles in NPC, relevanted to many pathways, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and invasion through the its target genes LTF, Bim, Bax, LINC0086, etc. In conclusion, the use of computional approaches facilitate the further experimental validation of miRNAs in general, particularly miR-214, in Vietnamese NPC patients

Gasdermin E Does Not Limit Apoptotic Cell Disassembly by Promoting Early Onset of Secondary Necrosis in Jurkat T Cells and THP-1 Monocytes

During the progression of necroptosis and pyroptosis, the plasma membrane will become permeabilized through the activation of mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase (MLKL) or gasdermin D (GSDMD), respectively. Recently, the progression of apoptotic cells into secondary necrotic cells following membrane lysis was shown to be regulated by gasdermin E (GSDME, or DFNA5), a process dependent on caspase 3-mediated cleavage of GSDME. Notably, GSDME was also proposed to negatively regulate the disassembly of apoptotic cells into smaller membrane-bound vesicles known as apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs) by promoting earlier onset of membrane permeabilisation. The presence of a process downstream of caspase 3 that would actively drive cell lysis and limit cell disassembly during apoptosis is somewhat surprising as this could favor the release of proinflammatory intracellular contents and hinder efficient clearance of apoptotic materials. In contrast to the latter studies, we present here that GSDME is not involved in regulating secondary necrosis in human T cells and monocytes, and also unlikely in epithelial cells. Furthermore, GSDME is evidently not a negative regulator of apoptotic cell disassembly in our cell models. Thus, the function of GSDME in regulating membrane permeabilization and cell disassembly during apoptosis may be more limited