Immunocytochemically detected free peritoneal tumour cells (FPTC) are a strong prognostic factor in gastric carcinoma

We prospectively investigated the prognostic significance of free peritoneal tumour cells (FPTC) in a series of 118 patients with completely resected gastric carcinoma. Immunocytochemistry with the monoclonal antibody Ber-Ep4 was performed on cytospins from intraoperative peritoneal lavage specimens. Twenty-three patients (20%) had FPTC which was significantly correlated with pT and pN categories, stage, tumour size, lymphatic invasion, Laurèn and WHO classifications and perigastric adipose tissue metastases. The median survival time for all FPTC positive compared with negative patients was significantly shorter (11 compared with > 72 months), with estimated 5-year survival rates of 8% vs. 60%. None of the patients with FPTC had an early gastric cancer. In advanced tumour subgroups without and with serosal invasion (n = 59 and 35), there were 19% and 34% with FPTC. Multivariate survival analysis showed nodal status, FPTC, mesenteric lymphangiosis, and lymph node metastasis to the compartment III to be independent prognostic factors with relative risks of 6.6, 4.5, 2.9 and 2.2 respectively. Recurrent disease occurred in 91% of FPTC-positive and in 38% of FPTC-negative patients. FPTC had a positive predictive value of 91% and a specificity of 97% for tumour recurrence. FPTC is a strong negative, independent prognostic indicator for survival in gastric carcinoma. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Behavioral and psychological aspects of cluster headache: an overview

This paper overviews available literature addressing behavioral and psychological aspects of cluster headache. Behavioral correlates of sleep and drug use are explored, as are the psychological correlates pertaining to psychopathology and cognitive functioning. We conclude with a review of the few investigations addressing adjunctive behavioral treatments for cluster headache, and provide suggestions for possible ways to enhance effects of behavioral interventions for this painful and difficult to treat headache disorder

Psychosocial and demographic factors influencing pain scores of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Pain levels in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee are commonly assessed by using a numeric scoring system, but results may be influenced by factors other than the patient's actual physical discomfort or disease severity, including psychosocial and demographic variables. We examined the possible relation between knee-pain scores and several psychosocial, sociodemographic, disease, and treatment variables in 355 patients with knee OA.The pain-evaluation instrument was a 0- to 10-point rating scale. Data obtained retrospectively from the patients' medical records were demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), concomitant disorders, illicit and prescription drug use, alcohol use, smoking, knee OA treatment, and severity of knee OA indicated by Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) radiographic grade. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine whether these variables correlated with reported pain scores.On univariate analysis, higher pain scores were significantly associated with Native American or Hispanic ethnicity; a higher BMI; current prescription for an opioid, antidepressant, or gabapentinoid medication; depression; diabetes mellitus; fibromyalgia; illicit drug use; lack of health insurance; smoking; previous knee injection; and recommendation by the clinician that the patient undergo knee surgery. Neither the patient's sex nor the KL grade showed a correlation. On multivariate analysis, depression, current opioid prescription, and Native American or Hispanic ethnicity retained a significant association with higher pain scores.Our results in a large, ethnically diverse group of patients with knee OA suggest that psychosocial and sociodemographic factors may be important determinants of pain levels reported by patients with knee OA

Embedded nanolamps in electrospun nanofibers enabling online monitoring and ratiometric measurements

A multifunctional composite nanomaterial based on nanofiber embedding upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) is designed to address the common limitations of bioanalysis including the colloidal stability of nanoparticles, high background signals and small sample volumes. We fabricate thin and uniform electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers with a diameter of 170 +/- 80 nm, containing up to 254 +/- 9 mg mL(-1) of non-agglomerated UCNPs. On distributing these nanofibers in a microfluidic channel a 50-fold increase in luminescence over dispersed particles can be obtained. A versatile miniaturized platform is created to work with small sample volumes by transferring the upconversion nanofibers into microfluidic channels. Fast and reproducible analytical signal response to their environment is demonstrated by taking advantage of the isotope effect between H2O and D2O upon 980 nm excitation. Furthermore, relevance to analytical applications employing energy transfer was confirmed using the spectral overlap of the green UCNP emission with the absorption spectra of a dye. At minute optical path lengths (e.g. 50 mu m) the luminescence properties of the UCNPs help in avoiding the most disturbing light scattering effects of the excitation source and channel geometries. This new nanomaterial platform enables rapid, simple and reliable online monitoring in microfluidic systems, medical applications (e.g. in-tissue, in vivo) and anti-counterfeiting in contrast to solution-based UCNP applications

The relaxation zone: Initial analysis of stress management services for university students

Objective: We evaluated the Relaxation Zone (RZ), a room with “relaxation stations” designed to reduce stress in college students. Participants: Participants (N = 997) were enrolled during the 2019 calendar year. Most participants were female (62.8%), freshmen (59.2%), and African American (44.9%). Methods: Students visiting the RZ completed a brief pretest and posttest that measured self-reported stress. Results: Paired sample t-tests across class groups (e.g., freshman, sophomore) revealed a significant reduction in stress from pretest (M pooled = 6.0) to posttest (M pooled = 4.5), with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d ranging from 0.53 to 0.88) during their first visit. For students having at least two visits (N = 368), an exploratory dose-response analysis demonstrated that an optimal dose of self-guided relaxation ranged from two to eight visits. Conclusions: These findings provide initial evidence that programs like the RZ can reduce student stress within a few visits

Psychosocial and Demographic Factors Influencing Pain Scores of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: Noted levels of pain in patients with diagnosed osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee are commonly assessed by using a numeric scoring system. However, the results of pain levels in patients with knee OA may be influenced by factors other than the patient’s actual physical discomfort or disease severity, including demographic and psychosocial variables. We retrospectively examined 355 patients with knee OA who had reported associated pain levels using a 0- to 10-point rating scale. Methods: Data obtained from the medical records of patients were Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade, demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), concomitant disorders, drug use, alcohol use, smoking, health insurance status, knee OA treatment, and knee-surgery recommendation. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined correlation with reported pain scores. Results: KL grade showed no correlation with pain scores (P = 0.2). Younger age, ethnicity, and higher BMI were significantly associated with higher scores (P = 0.03, P \u3c 0.001, and P \u3c 0.001, respectively). Native American or Hispanic ethnicity remained significant on multivariate analysis (P \u3c 0.001). All psychosocial factors and other categories showed correlation, excluding diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (P = 0.2); current opioid prescription and depression retained significance with higher pain scores (P \u3c 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: To provide more effective care, clinicians should be aware that demographic and psychosocial factors may be important determinants of pain levels reported by patients