Assessing the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating CD57+ cells in advanced stage head and neck cancer using QuPath digital image analysis

This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of intratumoral CD57+ cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to examine the reproducibility of these analyses using QuPath. Pretreatment biopsies of 159 patients with HPV-negative, stage III/IV HNSCC treated with chemoradiotherapy were immunohistochemically stained for CD57. The number of CD57+ cells per mm2 tumor epithelium was quantified by two independent observers and by QuPath, software for digital pathology image analysis. Concordance between the observers and QuPath was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The correlation between CD57 and clinicopathological characteristics was assessed; associations with clinical outcome were estimated using Cox proportional hazard analysis and visualized using Kaplan-Meier curves. The patient cohort had a 3-year OS of 65.8% with a median follow-up of 54 months. The number of CD57+ cells/mm2 tumor tissue did not correlate to OS, DFS, or LRC. N stage predicted prognosis (OS: HR 0.43, p = 0.008; DFS: HR 0.41, p = 0.003; LRC: HR 0.24, p = 0.007), as did WHO performance state (OS: HR 0.48, p = 0.028; LRC: 0.33, p = 0.039). Quantification by QuPath showed moderate to good concordance with two human observers (ICCs 0.836, CI 0.805–0.863, and 0.741, CI 0.692–0.783, respectively). In conclusion, the presence of CD57+ TILs did not correlate to prognosis in advanced stage, HPV-negative HNSCC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Substantial concordance between human observers and QuPath was found, confirming a promising future role for digital, algorithm driven image analysis

Seafloor spreading pattern of the North Atlantic between 10⁰ and 40⁰ N: a reconstruction based on shipborne measurements and satellite altimeter data

The history of the relative motion between North America and Africa is recorded in the floor of the central North Atlantic Ocean. The resulting pattern of magnetic anomalies and fracture zones in the area between 10° and 40° N was analysed using shipborne measurements and Seasat altimeter data. This analysis led to the reconstruction of the spreading history since magnetic anomaly MO. The reconstruction differs in the first place from earlier reconstructions in the fact that it makes use of both the fracture zone traces and the magnetic lineations on both the African and the American plate. Secondly, the large amount of data used allows a better precision than could be achieved before. The study means to provide an answer to the questions formulated in Chapter 1. One of these questions concerns the nature of the fanning of transform fault directions. The evolution of the plate boundary between North and South America forms a second aspect. Another question is related to the origin of different seamount complexes in this part of the ocean

Seafloor spreading pattern of the North Atlantic between 10o and 40o N : a reconstruction based on shipborne measurements and satellite altimeter data

The history of the relative motion between North America and Africa is recorded in the floor of the central North Atlantic Ocean. The resulting pattern of magnetic anomalies and fracture zones in the area between 10° and 40° N was analysed using shipborne measurements and Seasat altimeter data. This analysis led to the reconstruction of the spreading history since magnetic anomaly MO. The reconstruction differs in the first place from earlier reconstructions in the fact that it makes use of both the fracture zone traces and the magnetic lineations on both the African and the American plate. Secondly, the large amount of data used allows a better precision than could be achieved before. The study means to provide an answer to the questions formulated in Chapter 1. One of these questions concerns the nature of the fanning of transform fault directions. The evolution of the plate boundary between North and South America forms a second aspect. Another question is related to the origin of different seamount complexes in this part of the ocea

Magnetic anomalies in the canary basin and the Mesozoic evolution of the central North Atlantic

23 pages, 16 figures, 1 tableThe data from a recent magnetic compilation by Verhoef et al. (1991) off west Africa were used in combination with data in the western Atlantic to review the Mesozoic plate kinematic evolution of the central North Atlantic. The magnetic profile data were analyzed to identify the M-series sea floor spreading anomalies on the African plate. Oceanic fracture zones were identified from magnetic anomalies and seismic and gravity measurements. The identified sea floor spreading anomalies on the African plate were combined with those on the North American plate to calculate reconstruction poles for this part of the central Atlantic. The total separation poles derived in this paper describe a smooth curve, suggesting that the motion of the pole through time was continuous. Although the new sea floor spreading history differs only slightly from the one presented by Klitgord and Schouten (1986), it predicts smoother flowlines. On the other hand, the sea floor spreading history as depicted by the flowlines for the eastern central Atlantic deviates substantially from that of Sundvik and Larson (1988). A revised spreading history is also presented for the Cretaceous Magnetic Quiet Zone, where large changes in spreading direction occurred, that can not be resolved when fitting magnetic isochrons only, but which are evident from fracture zone traces and directions of sea floor spreading topography. © 1992 Kluwer Academic Publisher

Magnetic anomalies off West-Africa (20-38° N)

This paper describes a compilation of magnetic data collected off West Africa during the period 1961-1988. The internal accuracy of the total data set was assessed using a crossover analysis and the cleaned profile data were gridded to produce, among other things, a colour display of the magnetic anomalies which is presented here. The magnetic anomalies were differentially reduced to the pole using a technique that takes into account variations in the directions of the geomagnetic field and of the magnetization over a study area. A brief description of the magnetic field and its relation to bathymetric features is given. Several sea floor spreading anomalies and fracture zones were identified from the magnetic data and a general flowline pattern of the region is presented. © 1991 Kluwer Academic Publishers20 pages, 13 figure

Slope Instability on the French Guiana Transform Margin from Swath-Bathymetry and 3.5 kHz Echograms

Although transform margins represent ~30% of rifted margins around the world, few studies have investigated mass-movement processes in such areas and their links with this specific structural context. The French Guiana transform margin and adjacent Demerara abyssal plain have been surveyed during the GUYAPLAC cruise, collecting multibeam bathymetric data, backscatter imagery, 3.5 kHz echograms and 6-channel seismic profiles. The study area is divided into three domains: the shallow Demerara plateau, the Guiana slope and rise, and the Demerara abyssal plain. The Demerara plateau displays multi-scale slope instabilities from huge deep-seated collapses of the whole margin to surficial creeping folds and recent slumps. Giant elongated pockmarks have been also observed for the first time in this area. Fluid escape is common everywhere on the plateau and probably enhances slope instability. On the Guiana slope and rise, large stacked lobate masses have been identified testifying to repetitive failure events. Fluid escape is also ubiquitous there, suggesting a dewatering of debris flows due to sediment loading. Two main types of sedimentary structures are observed on the Demerara Abyssal Plain: small meandering channels of the Amazon Fan at its eastern edge and sediment waves at its western edge, along the foot of Demerara continental slope

Geodynamic of the SouthWest Pacific: a brief review and relations to New Caledonia geology

The SW Pacific region consists of a succession of ridges and basins that were created by the fragmentation of Gondwana and the evolution of subduction zones since Mesozoic times. This complex geodynamic evolution shaped the geology of New Caledonia, which lies in the northern part of the Zealandia continent. Alternative tectonic models have been postulated. Most models agree that New Caledonia was situated on an active plate margin of eastern Gondwana during the Mesozoic. Extension affected the region from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleocene and models for this period vary in the location and nature of the plate boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates. Eocene regional tectonic contraction included the obduction of a mantle-derived Peridotite Nappe in New Caledonia. In one class of model, this contractional phase was controlled by an east-dipping subduction zone into which the Norfolk Ridge jammed, whereas and in a second class of model this phase corresponds to the initiation of the west-dipping Tonga–Kermadec subduction zone. Neogene tectonics of the region near New Caledonia was dominated by the eastwards retreat of Tonga–Kermadec subduction, leading to the opening of a back-arc basin east of New Caledonia, and the initiation and southwestwards advance of the New Hebrides–Vanuatu subduction zone towards New Caledonia

Transform marginal plateaus

International audienceNumerous submarine plateaus form highstanding bathymetric highs at continent to ocean transitions. Due to their proximity to continents, they have been frequently labelled “marginal plateaus”, although this term has not been clearly defined or associated with a specific geology or geodynamic process. Until now, these elevations have been interpreted as submerged thinned continental fragments detached from continents, basaltic buildups formed by hotspots, volcanic margins or oceanic plateaus. Many of these plateaus formed at transform margins connecting oceanic basins of contrasted ages. We propose for the first time to define and review a class of marginal plateaus related to a specific tectonic setting: “Transform Marginal Plateaus” (TMPs). Based on a compilation of 20 TMPs around the world, we show that most of them have a polyphased history and have undergone at least one major volcanic phase. Our review highlights in particular a hitherto unrecognized close link between hotspots, volcanic activity and transform margins. We also propose that, due to their polyphased history, TMPs may contain several successive basins and overlooked long-lived sedimentary archives. We finally highlight that, because these TMPs were transform plate boundaries perpendicular or oblique to surrounding rifts, many of them were close to last-contact points during final continental breakup and may have formed land bridges or bathymetric highs between continents. Therefore, we discuss broader scientific issues, such as the interest of TMPs in recording and studying the onset and variations of oceanic currents or past biodiversity growth, bio-connectivity and lineage evolution