Immunochemical analysis of cathepsin B in lung tumours: an independent prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma patients

In order to evaluate the possible role of the proteolytic enzyme cathepsin B (cath B) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) we examined cath B concentrations (cath Bc) and activities (cath BA) in homogenates of 127 pairs of lung tumour tissues and corresponding non-tumourous lung parenchyma. Total cath B activity (cath BAT) and enzymatic activity of the fraction of cath B, which is stable and active at pH 7.5 (cath BA7.5) were determined by a fluorogenic assay using synthetic substrate Z-Arg-Arg-AMC. The immunostaining pattern of cath B was determined in 239 lung tumour tissue sections, showing the presence of the enzyme in tumour cells (cath BT-I) and in tumour-associated histiocytes (cath BH-I). The median levels of cath BAT, cath BA7.5 and cath BC were 5.6-, 3.2- and 9.1-fold higher (P < 0.001), respectively, in tumour tissue than in non-tumourous lung parenchyma. Out of 131 tissue sections from patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 59.5% immunostained positively for cath B, while among the 108 adenocarcinoma (AC) patients 48.2% of tumours showed a positive reaction. There was a strong relationship between the levels of cath BAT, cath BA7.5, cath BC and cath BT-I in the primary tumours and the presence of lymph node metastases. Significant correlation with overall survival was observed for cath BT-I and cath BA7.5 (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) in patients suffering from SCC. In these patients positive cath B in tumour cells (cath BT-I) and negative cath B in histiocytes (cath BH-I) indicated significantly shorter survival rate compared with patients with negative cath BT-I and positive cath BH-I (P < 0.0001). In contrast, in AC patients, both, positive cath BT-I and positive cath BH-I, indicated poor survival probability (P < 0.014). From these results we conclude that the proteolytic enzyme cath B is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of patients suffering from SCC of the lung. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Subjectivity in a context of environmental change: opening new dialogues in mental health research

In a period of unstable experimentation with challenges of globalization of associated risks, and disenchantment with ‘enduring injustice’, we bring forward a consideration of subjectivity to the study of environmental change and mental health. We begin by identifying how mainstream climate change and mental health studies are unable to explain the emergent and co-evolutionary pathways of agency. As a means of freeing these studies of their objective dimensions of linear-causation, we argue in favour of a re-positioning of subjectivity within an appreciation of recognition conflicts and beyond the over-deterministic interpretations of power centres—state, market or religion. We draw on one example of scientific research that was conducted in a region undergoing strong environmental, social and cultural changes, in the state of São Paulo/Brazil, with the aim to open mental health research to new dialogues, to which we contribute with the notion of the ‘pluriversal subject’

Subjectivity 2.0 : digital technologies, participatory media and communicative capitalism

Drawing on observations and focus group material from pervasive drama project, The Memory Dealer, this article explores both the dynamics and the limitations of existing models of digital subjectivity. It interrogates, in particular, constructions of the digital subject within critical internet studies, focusing on the work of Jodi Dean. This model of subjectivity argues that participatory digital media are a conduit through which the subject is ‘captured’ and shaped to suit the needs of capital. It is suggested here, however, that framing subjective engagements with technology as inevitably being relations of capture, is dangerous in foreclosing scope for resistance and inter-subjective political action. The article ultimately argues that there is a need to reconceptualise the digital subject away from models of capture and towards a more situated, material analysis of the affordances enabled by subjective entanglements with technology

Calculated neutron response of a Bonner sphere spectrometer with ³He counter.

The neutron response matrix for a Bonner sphere spectrometric system with a 3.2 cm diameter 3He proportional counter is calculated applying the MCNP Monte Carlo code. The effects of variations in density of the polyethylene moderators and in gas pressure of the 3He counter are also discussed

Neutron response of etched track detectors in the light of a multilaboratory experiment.

A joint Eurados-Cendos sponsored experiment was performed in order to study the neutron response characteristics of proton sensitive polymers, especially CR_39. 13 institutes reported the results of a number of more than 20 different combinations of plastic materials, processing methods and counting techniques. The reported results are analyzed with respect to neutron detection quality, i.e. apparent background reading and linearity of reading with dose

Sources of neutrons, characteristic fields and spectra.

A review is given of neutron sources used in science, medicine and industry. The principal physical production processes are briefly desscribed, and typical examples are given of neutron spectra met in beam applications, slowing down radiation fields, natural background and for calibration purposes