234 research outputs found
Updated recommendations for HER2 testing in the UK
This paper serves to update previously published guidance on rationale and methodology for HER2 laboratory testing following the recommendation for the use of HER2 targeted treatment in the management of advanced breast cancer in the UK. Emphasis is placed on the standardisation of methodology and assessment and strategies to achieve high quality performance. A two phase testing algorithm based on first line immunocytochemistry evaluation and second line fluorescence in situ hybridisation assessment of borderline cases is recommended. To ensure maintenance of expertise, an annual caseload volume of at least 250 cases is recommended for laboratories providing a testing service
Monitoring Uranium Mining and Milling using Commercial Observation Satellites
All the states that have signed the Additional Protocol to their Safeguards Agreements with the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) will need to submit description and information
specifying the location of their nuclear fuel cycle activities,
including their operational and shut down uranium mines. While satellite imagery is useful for monitoring changes
in the declared nuclear facilities, there has not been much discussion of using this imagery to monitor the early part of the nuclear fuel cycle namely uranium mining and milling.The availability of satellite data cost free on the Google Earth web site and commercially from various imagery providers makes it possible for analysts to make assessments concerning
the nuclear fuel cycle activities of various countries of interest. The mining of uranium and its conversion through a milling process into U3O8 (yellowcake) is the first step of a complex conversion cycle that determines how the mined material will be used
Identification of Uranium Mill Sites from Open Source Satellite Images (NIAS Report No. R34-2015)
Openly available satellite imagery now provides a possible way to monitor nuclear fuel cycle activities.
The early detection of new Uranium mining and milling operations and the routine monitoring of existing
mines and mills using such imagery could make a valuable contribution to the oversight and monitoring
function of organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
A review of the existing literature suggests that Uranium mines do not offer special spectral or spatial
signatures that uniquely identify them in a satellite image. However the various processes involved in the
conversion of Uranium ore into yellowcake, offers interesting possibilities for the use of satellite imagery.
A sample set of 13 mills across the world were selected for investigation. For each of the mill sites detailed
process flow sheets were built up using information available in the public domain.
Satellite imagery especially Google Earth (GE) Images were then studied to generate a set of interpretation
keys. These keys link the operations in the mill sites to the observables in the satellite image. The shapes
and sizes of the features seen and their position in the process chain provided a set of signatures that
could be used to identify a Uranium mill
Fatty acid desaturase-2 (ahFAD2) mutant alleles in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) pre-breeding lines: an insight into the source, features, discourse, and selection of novel pre-breeding lines
High oleic peanuts and derived food
products offer longer shelf life benefits to the food
processing industry in addition to multiple health
benefits to the consumers. The two mutant alleles,
ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B control composition of oleic,
linoleic and palmitic acid content in peanut. A total of
563 peanut pre-breeding lines were tested for the
presence ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B mutant alleles
using allele specific markers. The ahFAD2A mutant
allele was present in 82 lines, while none of these lines
had ahFAD2B mutant allele. Among botanical types,
ahFAD2A mutant allele was more frequent in lines
with Virginia growth habit than Spanish bunch
although no correlation of ahFAD2A mutant allele
with high oleic acid content and growth habit could be
established. Oleic and linoleic acid content in 82 prebreeding
lines ranged from 39.70 to 62.70% and 17.76 to 31.95%, respectively, with maximum oleic to
linoleic acid ratio of 4. Oleic acid was found to be
negatively correlated with linoleic and palmitic acid.
Further, pre-breeding lines with ahFAD2A mutant
allele, high oleic content and high oleic to linoleic
ratio were investigated and novel lines were identified
for resistance to late leaf spot, short duration, higher
pod yield and other yield related traits. These novel
pre-breeding lines can be used as a potential donor in
peanut improvement programme and to diversify the
primary gene pool including initiating further research
on induction of fresh ahFAD2B mutant allele
Critical research gaps and translational priorities for the successful prevention and treatment of breast cancer
INTRODUCTION
Breast cancer remains a significant scientific, clinical and societal challenge. This gap analysis has reviewed and critically assessed enduring issues and new challenges emerging from recent research, and proposes strategies for translating solutions into practice.
METHODS
More than 100 internationally recognised specialist breast cancer scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals collaborated to address nine thematic areas: genetics, epigenetics and epidemiology; molecular pathology and cell biology; hormonal influences and endocrine therapy; imaging, detection and screening; current/novel therapies and biomarkers; drug resistance; metastasis, angiogenesis, circulating tumour cells, cancer 'stem' cells; risk and prevention; living with and managing breast cancer and its treatment. The groups developed summary papers through an iterative process which, following further appraisal from experts and patients, were melded into this summary account.
RESULTS
The 10 major gaps identified were: (1) understanding the functions and contextual interactions of genetic and epigenetic changes in normal breast development and during malignant transformation; (2) how to implement sustainable lifestyle changes (diet, exercise and weight) and chemopreventive strategies; (3) the need for tailored screening approaches including clinically actionable tests; (4) enhancing knowledge of molecular drivers behind breast cancer subtypes, progression and metastasis; (5) understanding the molecular mechanisms of tumour heterogeneity, dormancy, de novo or acquired resistance and how to target key nodes in these dynamic processes; (6) developing validated markers for chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity; (7) understanding the optimal duration, sequencing and rational combinations of treatment for improved personalised therapy; (8) validating multimodality imaging biomarkers for minimally invasive diagnosis and monitoring of responses in primary and metastatic disease; (9) developing interventions and support to improve the survivorship experience; (10) a continuing need for clinical material for translational research derived from normal breast, blood, primary, relapsed, metastatic and drug-resistant cancers with expert bioinformatics support to maximise its utility. The proposed infrastructural enablers include enhanced resources to support clinically relevant in vitro and in vivo tumour models; improved access to appropriate, fully annotated clinical samples; extended biomarker discovery, validation and standardisation; and facilitated cross-discipline working.
CONCLUSIONS
With resources to conduct further high-quality targeted research focusing on the gaps identified, increased knowledge translating into improved clinical care should be achievable within five years
EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE-GAMMA RAYS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF DIFFERENT ANIMAL MODELS OF DISEASE
We reviewed the beneficial or harmful effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on several diseases based on a search of the literature. The attenuation of autoimmune manifestations in animal disease models irradiated with low-dose γ-rays was previously reported by several research groups, whereas the exacerbation of allergic manifestations was described by others. Based on a detailed examination of the literature, we divided animal disease models into two groups: one group consisting of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), experimental encephalomyelitis (EAE), and systemic lupus erythematosus, the pathologies of which were attenuated by low-dose irradiation, and another group consisting of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the pathologies of which were exacerbated by low-dose irradiation. The same biological indicators, such as cytokine levels and Tcell subpopulations, were examined in these studies. Low-dose irradiation reduced interferon (IFN)-gamma (γ) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels and increased IL-5 levels and the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in almost all immunological disease cases examined. Variations in these biological indicators were attributed to the attenuation or exacerbation of the disease’s manifestation. We concluded that autoimmune diseases caused by autoantibodies were attenuated by low-dose irradiation, whereas diseases caused by antibodies against external antigens, such as atopic dermatitis, were exacerbated
Embedded Vision Systems: A Review of the Literature
Over the past two decades, the use of low power Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) for the acceleration of various vision systems mainly on embedded devices have become widespread. The reconfigurable and parallel nature of the FPGA opens up new opportunities to speed-up computationally intensive vision and neural algorithms on embedded and portable devices. This paper presents a comprehensive review of embedded vision algorithms and applications over the past decade. The review will discuss vision based systems and approaches, and how they have been implemented on embedded devices. Topics covered include image acquisition, preprocessing, object detection and tracking, recognition as well as high-level classification. This is followed by an outline of the advantages and disadvantages of the various embedded implementations. Finally, an overview of the challenges in the field and future research trends are presented. This review is expected to serve as a tutorial and reference source for embedded computer vision systems
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