148 research outputs found
Primary cutaneous malignancies in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa: A retrospective histopathological review
Background: Excessive sun exposure and high human immunodeficiency virus prevalence increase skin cancer risk in South Africa. Objective: To describe the nature and extent of skin cancers presenting in public and private health sectors of the Northern Cape Province. Methods: A retrospective analysis of histologically-confirmed new primary cutaneous malignancies from 1/1/2008 to 31/12/2012 was conducted using public and private health sector databases. Types, quantity and distribution of common invasive malignancies by population group, age, gender, anatomical site and health sector were explored. One-year cumulative incidence was calculated and logistic regression models were used to analyse incidence and melanoma thickness trends. Results: 4270 biopsies (14 cutaneous malignancies) were identified. Most common were Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma (CMM) and Basosquamous carcinoma. The odds of a White male developing SCC increased by 8% each year (OR: 1.08; CI: 1.01-1.15; p-value: 0.022) whilst the odds of a Black male developing SCC and KS decreased by 9% (OR: 0.91; CI: 0.84-0.99; p-value: 0.033) and 18% (OR: 0.82; CI: 0.70-0.97; p-value: 0.022) each year, respectively. SCC and CMM were diagnosed at more advanced stages within public versus private sectors. CMM is being detected earlier, as indicated by low stage depth increasing by 72% annually (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.04-3.01; p-value: 0.042). Conclusion: Results suggest that reported skin cancer patterns are changing. There is a need for further research and equitable appropriation of financial resources and effort toward developing primary skin cancer prevention initiatives in South Africa
Receipt from New-York House and School of Industry
https://digitalcommons.salve.edu/goelet-personal-expenses/1042/thumbnail.jp
Family and Consumer Sciences Focus on the Human Dimension: The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Example
The history of family and consumer sciences (FCS) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is discussed with an emphasis on the critical importance of the human dimension. EFNEP\u27s focus on people, education for change, accountability, strategic partnerships, and public value are highlighted as an example and model for Extension and FCS programs in general. Future FCS success and sustainability depends on ensuring continued attention to the human dimension, while also addressing workforce, societal, and technological developments.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_pubs/1251/thumbnail.jp
Nickelâs Role in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Potential Involvement of microRNAs
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancer types with a limited overall survival rate due to the asymptomatic progression of symptoms in metastatic stages of the malignancy and the lack of an early reliable diagnostic biomarker. MicroRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) are small (~18â24 nucleotides), endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which are closely linked to the development of numerous malignancies comprising PDAC. Recent studies have described the role of environmental pollutants such as nickel (Ni) in PDAC, but the mechanisms of Ni-mediated toxicity in cancer are still not completely understood. Specifically, Ni has been found to alter the expression and function of miRs in several malignancies, leading to changes in target gene expression. In this study, we found that levels of Ni were significantly higher in cancerous tissue, thus implicating Ni in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Hence, in vitro studies followed by using both normal and pancreatic tumor cell lines and increasing Ni concentration increased lethality. Comparing LC50 values, Ni-acetate groups demonstrated lower values needed than in NiCl2 groups, suggesting greater Ni-acetate. Panc-10.05 cell line appeared the most sensitive to Ni compounds. Exposure to Ni-acetate resulted in an increased phospho-AKT, and decreased FOXO1 expression in Panc-10.05 cells, while NiCl2 also increased PTEN expression in Panc-10.05 cells. Specifically, following NiCl2 exposure to PDAC cells, the expression levels of miR-221 and miR-155 were significantly upregulated, while the expression levels of miR-126 were significantly decreased. Hence, our study has suggested pilot insights to indicate that the environmental pollutant Ni plays an important role in the progression of PDAC by promoting an association between miRs and Ni exposure during PDAC pathogenesis
Rest-Frame Optical Spectra of Three Strongly Lensed Galaxies at z~2
We present Keck II NIRSPEC rest-frame optical spectra for three recently
discovered lensed galaxies: the Cosmic Horseshoe (z = 2.38), the Clone (z =
2.00), and SDSS J090122.37+181432.3 (z = 2.26). The boost in signal-to-noise
ratio (S/N) from gravitational lensing provides an unusually detailed view of
the physical conditions in these objects. A full complement of high S/N
rest-frame optical emission lines is measured, spanning from rest-frame 3600 to
6800AA, including robust detections of fainter lines such as H-gamma,
[SII]6717,6732, and in one instance [NeII]3869. SDSS J090122.37+181432.3 shows
evidence for AGN activity, and therefore we focus our analysis on star-forming
regions in the Cosmic Horseshoe and the Clone. For these two objects, we
estimate a wide range of physical properties, including star-formation rate
(SFR), metallicity, dynamical mass, and dust extinction. In all respects, the
lensed objects appear fairly typical of UV-selected star-forming galaxies at
z~2. The Clone occupies a position on the emission-line diagnostic diagram of
[OIII]/H-beta vs. [NII]/H-alpha that is offset from the locations of z~0
galaxies. Our new NIRSPEC measurements may provide quantitative insights into
why high-redshift objects display such properties. From the [SII] line ratio,
high electron densities (~1000 cm^(-3)) are inferred compared to local
galaxies, and [OIII]/[OII] line ratios indicate higher ionization parameters
compared to the local population. Building on previous similar results at z~2,
these measurements provide further evidence (at high S/N) that star-forming
regions are significantly different in high-redshift galaxies, compared to
their local counterparts (abridged).Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Halpha and 4000 Angstrom Break Measurements for ~3500 K-selected Galaxies at 0.5<z<2.0
We measure spectral features of ~3500 K-selected galaxies at 0.5<z<2.0 from
high quality medium-band photometry using a new technique. First, we divide the
galaxy sample in 32 subsamples based on the similarities between the full
spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the galaxies. For each of these 32
galaxy types we construct a composite SED by de-redshifting and scaling the
observed photometry. This approach increases the signal-to-noise ratio and
sampling of galaxy SEDs and allows for model-independent stellar population
studies. The composite SEDs are of spectroscopic quality, and facilitate -- for
the first time -- Halpha measurement for a large magnitude-limited sample of
distant galaxies. The linewidths indicate a photometric redshift uncertainty of
dz<0.02x(1+z). The composite SEDs also show the Balmer and 4000 Angstrom
breaks, MgII absorption at ~2800 Angstrom, the dust absorption feature at 2175
Angstrom, and blended [OIII]+Hbeta emission. We compare the total equivalent
width of Halpha, [NII], and [SII] (W_Halpha+) with the strength of the 4000
Angstrom break (D(4000)) and the best-fit specific star formation rate, and
find that all these properties are strongly correlated. This is a reassuring
result, as currently most distant stellar population studies are based on just
continuum emission. Furthermore, the relation between W_Halpha+ and Dn(4000)
provides interesting clues to the SFHs of galaxies, as these features are
sensitive to different stellar ages. We find that the correlation between
W_Halpha+ and D(4000) at 0.5<z<2.0 is similar to z~0, and that the suppression
of star formation in galaxies at z<2 is generally not abrupt, but a gradual
process.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; high-resolution version can be
downloaded at https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~mkriek/papers
Galaxy clustering in the NEWFIRM Medium Band Survey: the relationship between stellar mass and dark matter halo mass at 1 < z < 2
We present an analysis of the clustering of galaxies as a function of their
stellar mass at 1 < z < 2 using data from the NEWFIRM Medium Band Survey
(NMBS). The precise photometric redshifts and stellar masses that the NMBS
produces allows us to define a series of mass limited samples of galaxies more
massive than 0.7, 1 and 3x10^10 Msun in redshift intervals centered on z = 1.1,
1.5 and 1.9 respectively. In each redshift interval we show that there exists a
strong dependence of clustering strength on the stellar mass limit of the
sample, with more massive galaxies showing a higher clustering amplitude on all
scales. We further interpret our clustering measurements in the LCDM
cosmological context using the halo model of galaxy clustering. We show that
the typical halo mass of central and satellite galaxies increases with stellar
mass, whereas the satellite fraction decreases with stellar mass, qualitatively
the same as is seen at z < 1. We see little evidence of any redshift dependence
in the stellar mass-to-halo mass relationship over our narrow redshift range.
However, when we compare with similar measurements at z~0, we see clear
evidence for a change in this relation. If we assume a universal baryon
fraction, the ratio of stellar mass to halo mass reveals the fraction of
baryons that have been converted to stars. We see that the peak in this star
formation efficiency for central galaxies shifts to higher halo masses at
higher redshift, moving from ~7x10^11 Msun at z~0 to ~3x10^12 Msun at z~1.5,
revealing evidence of `halo downsizing'. Finally we show that for highly biased
galaxy populations at z > 1 there may be a discrepancy between the measured
space density and clustering and that predicted by the halo model. This could
imply that there is a problem with one or more ingredients of the halo model at
these redshifts, for instance the halo bias relation or the halo profile.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. Correction made to typo in halo
masses in conclusion
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