Harvester ant colonies differ in collective behavioural plasticity to regulate water loss.

Collective behavioural plasticity allows ant colonies to adjust to changing conditions. The red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus), a desert seed-eating species, regulates foraging activity in response to water stress. Foraging ants lose water to evaporation. Reducing foraging activity in dry conditions sacrifices food intake but conserves water. Within a year, some colonies tend to reduce foraging on dry days while others do not. We examined whether these differences among colonies in collective behavioural plasticity persist from year to year. Colonies live 20-30 years with a single queen who produces successive cohorts of workers which live only a year. The humidity level at which all colonies tend to reduce foraging varies from year to year. Longitudinal observations of 95 colonies over 5 years between 2016 and 2021 showed that differences among colonies, in how they regulate foraging activity in response to day-to-day changes in humidity, persist across years. Approximately 40% of colonies consistently reduced foraging activity, year after year, on days with low daily maximum relative humidity; approximately 20% of colonies never did, foraging as much or more on dry days as on humid days. This variation among colonies may allow evolutionary rescue from drought due to climate change.

ESTRO-ACROP guideline on surface guided radiation therapy.

Surface guidance systems enable patient positioning and motion monitoring without using ionising radiation. Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) has therefore been widely adopted in radiation therapy in recent years, but guidelines on workflows and specific quality assurance (QA) are lacking. This ESTRO-ACROP guideline aims to give recommendations concerning SGRT roles and responsibilities and highlights common challenges and potential errors. Comprehensive guidelines for procurement, acceptance, commissioning, and QA of SGRT systems installed on computed tomography (CT) simulators, C-arm linacs, closed-bore linacs, and particle therapy treatment systems are presented that will help move to a consensus among SGRT users and facilitate a safe and efficient implementation and clinical application of SGRT.

Surface guided radiation therapy: An international survey on current clinical practice.

Introduction: Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) is being increasingly implemented into clinical practice across a number of techniques and irradiation-sites. This technology, which is provided by different vendors, can be used with most simulation- and delivery-systems. However, limited guidelines and the complexity of clinical settings have led to diverse patterns of operation. With the aim to understand current clinical practice a survey was designed focusing on specifics of the clinical implementation and usage. Materials and methods: A 32-question survey covered: type and number of systems, quality assurance (QA), clinical workflows, and identification of strengths/limitations. Respondents from different professional groups and countries were invited to participate. The survey was distributed internationally via ESTRO-membership, social media and vendors. Results: Of the 278 institutions responding, 172 had at least one SGRT-system and 136 use SGRT clinically. Implementation and QA were primarily based on the vendors' recommendations and phantoms. SGRT was mainly implemented in breast RT (116/136), with strong but diverse representation of other sites. Many (58/135) reported at least partial elimination of skin-marks and a third (43/126) used open-masks. The most common imaging protocol reported included the combination of radiographic imaging with SGRT. Patient positioning (115/136), motion management (104/136) and DIBH (99/136) were the main applications.Main barriers to broader application were cost, system integration issues and lack of demonstrated clinical value. A lack of guidelines in terms of QA of the system was highlighted. Conclusions: This overview of the SGRT status has the potential to support users, vendors and organisations in the development of practices, products and guidelines.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone in surgically treated stage III/N2 non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective single-center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is lack of consensus whether neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CHT/RT) is superior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CHT) alone in patients with potentially resectable stage III/N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated clinical parameters and outcomes in patients with clinical stage III/N2 NSCLC treated with neoadjuvant CHT/RT versus CHT followed by surgery. Nearest-neighbor propensity score (PS) matching was used to correct for pretreatment differences. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were enrolled. Thirty-four (40%) and 50 (60%) patients received CHT/RT or CHT followed by curative-intent surgery, respectively. Overall 90-day mortality and morbidity were 0% versus 0.04% and 21% versus 18%, respectively, with no significant difference between the CHT/RT and the CHT-alone cohorts (P = 0.51 and P = 0.70). In the PS-matched cohort, complete pathological response was recorded in 25% after CHT/RT versus 0% after CHT at the time of surgery. Patients receiving neoadjuvant CHT/RT exhibited significantly better 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) [45% versus 16% CHT group; hazard ratio (HR) 0.43, P = 0.04]; 5-year overall survival (OS) was 75% after CHT/RT and 21% after CHT (HR 0.37, P = 0.001). CHT/RT more often induced pathological mediastinal downstaging (P = 0.007), but CHT/RT remained the only independent factor for DFS and OS and did not depend on mediastinal downstaging. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective PS-matched long-term analysis, neoadjuvant CHT/RT conferred improved DFS and OS compared with CHT alone in stage III/N2 NSCLC. These highly challenging results require confirmation in well-designed randomized controlled trials conducted at highly specialized thoracic oncology centers.

High prevalence of missed information related on bone health in orthogeriatric patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis-an institutional register-based analysis.

This is the first study that highlighted the amount of missed information related on bone health in orthogeriatric patients suffering fragility fractures of the pelvis and also evaluated its prevalence and differing etiology in the assessed patients, regarding osteoporosis and/or osteomalacia, based on laboratory and instrumental measurements. This evaluation should become a standardized procedure in the treatment of orthogeriatric patients presenting with a FFP. INTRODUCTION: Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) are common in orthogeriatric patients. Secondary fracture prevention regarding evaluation and treatment of an underlying osteoporosis or osteomalacia is still often neglected. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of missed information related on bone health in older adult FFP patients, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in assessed patients, and if fracture type-dependent distribution patterns could be observed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of an institutional register was performed. Patients aged 80 years and older (n = 456) admitted with a FFP from 01/2003 until 12/2019 to a level I trauma center were included. RESULTS: In 456 patients, FFP type II were leading (66.7%). Diagnostics were conducted in 37.1% of the patients regarding measurement of vitamin D levels and 21.7% regarding DXA measurements; vitamin D deficiency was observed in 62.7%, indicators for an underlying osteomalacia in 45.8%, and an osteoporosis in 46.5% of the assessed patients. CONCLUSION: Although FFP are common and will increase, there is still a lack of secondary fracture prevention, starting with information related on bone health. In the assessed patients, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was present, but no significant correlation between vitamin D level and type of fracture was observed. Ongoing education for varying etiology and specific treatment of these fractures is necessary, as surgical treatment was unified, but drug therapy remains different.

ITSN1 regulates SAM68 solubility through SH3 domain interactions with SAM68 proline-rich motifs.

SAM68 is an mRNA-binding protein involved in mRNA processing in the nucleus that forms membraneless compartments called SAM68 Nuclear Bodies (SNBs). We found that intersectin 1 (ITSN1), a multidomain scaffold protein harboring five soluble SH3 domains, interacts with SAM68 proline-rich motifs (PRMs) surrounded by self-adhesive low complexity domains. While SAM68 is poorly soluble in vitro, the interaction of ITSN1 SH3 domains and mRNA with SAM68 enhances its solubility. In HeLa cells, the interaction between the first ITSN1 SH3 domain (SH3A) and P0, the N-terminal PRM of SAM68, induces the dissociation of SNBs. In addition, we reveal the ability of another SH3 domain (SH3D) of ITSN1 to bind to mRNAs. ITSN1 and mRNA may thus act in concert to promote SAM68 solubilization, consistent with the absence of mRNA in SNBs in cells. Together, these results support the notion of a specific chaperoning of PRM-rich SAM68 within nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes by ITSN1 that may regulate the processing of a fraction of nuclear mRNAs, notably SAM68-controlled splicing events related to higher neuronal functions or cancer progression. This observation may also serve as a putative model of the interaction between other PRM-rich RBPs and signaling proteins harboring SH3 domains.

[S3 guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma of the endometrium : Requirements for pathology]. / S3-Leitlinie Diagnostik und Therapie des Endometriumkarzinoms : Anforderungen an die Pathologie.

The present article summarises the relevant aspects of the S3 guidelines on endometrioid carcinomas. The recommendations include the processing rules of fractional currettings as well as for hysterectomy specimens and lymph node resections (including sentinel lymph nodes). Besides practical aspects, the guidelines consider the needs of the clinicians for appropriate surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment of the patients. Carcinosarcomas are assigned to the endometrial carcinoma as a special variant. For the first time, an algorithmic approach for evaluation of the tumour tissue for Lynch syndrome is given. Prognostic factors based on morphologic findings are summarised.

ProPSA and the Prostate Health Index as predictive markers for aggressiveness in low-risk prostate cancer-results from an international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: One of the major challenges in prostate cancer (PCa) treatment is distinguishing insignificant PCa from those forms that need active treatment. We evaluated the impact of PSA isoforms on risk stratification in patients with low-risk PCa as well as in active surveillance (AS) candidates who underwent radical prostatectomy. METHODS: A total of 112 patients with biopsy confirmed Gleason score (GS) 6 PCa of four different international institutions were prospectively enrolled in the study. Blood withdrawal was performed the day before radical prostatectomy. In addition, patients were classified according to the EAU and NCCN criteria for AS candidates. PSA, free PSA (fPSA) and proPSA were measured using dual monoclonal antibody sandwich immunoassays. In addition, the Prostate Health Index (PHI=proPSA/fPSA × âˆšPSA) was calculated. Final histology of the radical prostatectomy specimens was correlated to PSA, its isoforms and PHI. RESULTS: Serum proPSA levels were significantly elevated in those patients with an upgrade in final histology (GS⩾7). In addition, higher proPSA levels were predictive for extraprostatic extension (⩾pT3a) as well as for positive surgical margins. Interestingly, PHI had an even higher predictive power when compared with proPSA alone concerning GS upgrading, extraprostatic extension and surgical margins in both the total and the AS patient group. CONCLUSION: We showed in a multicenter study that proPSA is a valuable biomarker to detect patients with aggressive PCa in a cohort of GS 6 patients, who would benefit from active tumor therapy. Combining proPSA with the standard markers PSA and fPSA using PHI further increases the predictive accuracy significantly. Moreover, our data support the use of PHI for monitoring PCa patients under AS.

CD4 T cells are required for both development and maintenance of disease in a new mouse model of reversible colitis.

Current therapies to treat inflammatory bowel diseases have limited efficacy, significant side effects, and often wane over time. Little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms operative in the process of mucosal healing from colitis. To study such events, we developed a new model of reversible colitis in which adoptive transfer of CD4(+)CD45RB(hi) T cells into Helicobacter typhlonius-colonized lymphopenic mice resulted in a rapid onset of colonic inflammation that was reversible through depletion of colitogenic T cells. Remission was associated with an improved clinical and histopathological score, reduced immune cell infiltration to the intestinal mucosa, altered intestinal gene expression profiles, regeneration of the colonic mucus layer, and the restoration of epithelial barrier integrity. Notably, colitogenic T cells were not only critical for induction of colitis but also for maintenance of disease. Depletion of colitogenic T cells resulted in a rapid drop in tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) levels associated with reduced infiltration of inflammatory immune cells to sites of inflammation. Although neutralization of TNFα prevented the onset of colitis, anti-TNFα treatment of mice with established disease failed to resolve colonic inflammation. Collectively, this new model of reversible colitis provides an important research tool to study the dynamics of mucosal healing in chronic intestinal remitting-relapsing disorders.

[Tract sealing techniques in percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy]. / Versiegelungstechniken bei der perkutanen Nephrolitholapaxie.

Since the introduction of the percutanous nephrolitholapaxy (PNL), the instruments as well as the technique have experienced a tremendous modification. The miniaturisation of the instruments has led to a decreased hospital stay, reduced analgetic use as well as an extension of the indication for PNL. A nephrostomy tube was normally inserted to prevent urinoma and to provoke renal haemostasis. In 1997, the necessity for the regular use of a nephrostomy tube was first questioned. In a prospective study, the nephrostomy tube was successfully omitted in 50 selected patients. Since then, increasingly, the nephrostomy tube is omitted. Alternatively, different haemostatic substances are used for renal tract closure. The necessity for the use of these agents is still unclear.

NMR investigation of chloromethane complexes of cryptophane-A and its analogue with butoxy groups.

Host-guest complexes between cryptophane-A as host and dichloromethane and chloroform as guests are investigated using (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, a related cryptophane, with the methoxy groups replaced by butoxy units (cryptophane-But), and its complexes with the same guests were also studied. Variable temperature spectra showed effects of chemical exchange between the free and bound guests, as well as of conformational exchange of the host. The guest exchange was studied quantitatively by exchange spectroscopy or line shape analysis. Extraction of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters led to the characterization of the affinity between guests and hosts. On the other hand, the host exchange was investigated by means of (13)C Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) relaxation dispersion which aims at the determination of the transverse relaxation rate R2, the inverse of the transverse relaxation time T2, as a function of the repetition of the π pulses in a CPMG train. The variation of the measured transverse relaxation rate with the repetition rate νCPMG indicated conformational exchange occurring on the microsecond-millisecond time scale. Structural information was obtained through measurements of cross-relaxation rates, both within the host and between the host and the guest protons. The NMR results were supported by DFT calculations.

[-2]proPSA is an early marker for prostate cancer aggressiveness.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between preoperative [-2]proPSA, the Gleason Score (GS) and the risk of non-organ-confined (NOC) disease in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: Beckman Coulter Access immunoassay was used to study serum specimens of 381 patients enrolled in a prostate cancer (PCa) early detection program. Inclusion criteria were three or more available serum specimens over 4 years before diagnosis. The values obtained were correlated with the GSs and pathological stages of specimens obtained at RP. RESULTS: [-2]proPSA levels were significantly higher in the cancer group (n=208) than in the benign group (n=173). Already 4 years before diagnosis [-2]proPSA differed significantly between PCa and benign prostate in all measured time points, however, highest prediction value was 2 and 1 years before diagnosis (P<0.001). When stratified [-2]proPSA levels according to GS of RP specimens, [-2]proPSA was highest in patients with ≥GS8 and lowest in those with ≤GS6.The difference in [-2]proPSA values between GS≥8 and GS≤7 was highly significant (P<0.01) already 3 years before diagnosis. Investigating the correlation between extraprostatic extension and the preoperative [-2]proPSA levels we found preoperative [-2]proPSA values significantly higher in men with NOC PCa compared with organ-confined (OC) cancers.The highest predictive value of [-2]proPSA to differ between OC and extraprostatic extension was found 3 and 2 years before RP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with high [-2]proPSA levels in the years before cancer diagnosis are at a higher risk of having aggressive PCas. Thus, the [-2]proPSA should be included in the treatment decision-making for managing screen-detected PCa.

Distinct ERG rearrangement prevalence in prostate cancer: higher frequency in young age and in low PSA prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion resulting in ERG overexpression has been found in around 50% of prostate cancers (PCa) and is a very early event in tumorigenesis. Most studies have reported on selected surgical cohorts with inconsistent results. We hypothesized that ERG gene rearrangements impact tumor development and investigated the frequency of ERG overexpression in the context of clinicopathological tumor characteristics. METHODS: ERG overexpression (ERG+ or ERG-) was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 1039 radical prostatectomy (RP) tumors and association with PSA, D'Amico risk score, histopathology, biochemical recurrence, body mass index and age of PCa cases was analyzed. RESULTS: ERG+ was associated with younger age at diagnosis (P<0.0001), lower serum PSA (P=0.002) and lower prostate volume (PV) (P=0.001). It was most frequent in the youngest age quartile (≤55 years, 63.9% ERG+) and decreased constantly with increasing age to 40.8% in the oldest age quartile (≥67 years, P<0.0001). In the PSA range <4 ng ml(-1) the frequency of ERG positivity was 60.2% compared with 47.5 and 49.1% in the PSA ranges 4-10 and ≥10 ng ml(-1), respectively. In the first age quartile, ERG+ patients had lower median serum PSA and fPSA% and smaller PV. In the highest age quartile tumor volume (TV) was increased. Similar differences were observed in the low PSA range. Multivariate analysis identified the first age quartile as a predictor for ERG status (odds ratios (OR) 2.05, P=0.007). No association was found with the D'Amico progression risk score and with biochemical tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: ERG+ tumors manifest clinically at lower PSA levels and their prevalence is age dependent. This suggests acceleration of tumor development by ERG overexpression that results in earlier tumor detection in young patients. Long-term results are warranted to determine the impact of ERG overexpression on disease outcome.

Reference values for blood flow velocity in the uterine artery in normal pregnancies from 18 weeks to 42 weeks of gestation calculated by automatic Doppler waveform analysis.

PURPOSE: The goal of the present study was to establish new Doppler reference ranges for maternal heart rate, intensity-weighted mean blood flow velocities (Vmean) and impedance indices (PI, RI) for the uterine artery by automated waveform analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study of 921 low-risk pregnancies was performed at 18 - 42 weeks of gestation. Uterine blood flow velocities were derived with pulsed-wave color Doppler. Measurements were carried out 1 to 2 cm above the crossing of the uterine and external iliac arteries. Reference ranges for the individual measuring parameters were constructed based on a growth function from a four-parameter class of monotonic continuous functions according to the smallest square principle. RESULTS: A significant increase in intensity-weighted mean uterine blood flow velocities was observed at 18 - 42 weeks of gestation (Vmean = 43 cm/s to 50 cm/s (p < 0.001)). Reference curves for the pulsatility and resistance indices (PI, RI) significantly decreased with progressing gestation (PI: 18 weeks: 0.89; 42 weeks: 0.65 and RI: 18 weeks: 0.45; 42 weeks: 0.35). No significant PI and RI differences were observed when different placental locations were compared. The maternal heart rate decreased from 88 bpm to 77 bpm. CONCLUSION: Normal ranges for blood flow velocities and impedance indices in the uterine artery were established by Doppler ultrasound antenatal examinations of a large population of low-risk pregnancies. The data are proposed as reference curves to allow the early diagnosis of maternal and fetal risks.

p53 is correlated with low BMI negative progesterone receptor status and recurring disease in patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: P53 tumor suppressor gene plays a role in endometrial carcinogenesis. Former studies described correlations between p53 protein overexpression in endometrial cancer and prognostic factors, measured by immunohistochemistry. But data is still controversial. The aim of this study was to measure p53 and phospho-p53 overexpression by Western blot and evaluate correlations between overexpression and prognostic and clinical factors. Phospho-p53 seems to be the functional p53 protein and was examined for the first time in endometrial cancer. METHODS: 40 patients with endometrial cancer were included in the study. A control group of 20 patients with normal endometrial tissue samples was used. Western blot was performed for detection of p53 and phospho-p53. Clinical and pathological parameters were obtained from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the log-rank test, the Mann-Whitney test for two independent groups and the Fisher's exact test for dichotomous groupings. RESULTS: In 17.5% of the patients with endometrial cancer a p53 overexpression could be evaluated. There was a correlation between a p53 overexpression and recurring disease (p: 0.014), a negative progesterone receptor status (p: 0.021) and a low BMI (p: 0.022). Only one of 40 patients had a phospho-p53 expression. CONCLUSION: Western blot is a valid method for the detection of p53 overexpression. As other authors described before, p53 overexpression seems to correlate with negative prognostic factors. The correlation between p53 overexpression and a low BMI may underline the relationship between p53 alterations and biological aggressive endometrial carcinomas.

Transvaginal Ultrasound for Endometrial Carcinoma Screening - Current Evidence-based Data.

The value of transvaginal ultrasound in gynaecological examinations is beyond dispute. But it is of particular forensic importance that the validity of this type of imaging with regard to the reliable detection of early-stage malignancy is properly understood. Vaginal ultrasound screening in asymptomatic patients for the early detection of endometrial carcinoma is not useful from a medical point of view, nor is it cost-efficient. However, even though the validity of transvaginal ultrasound for screening has currently not been proven, the method should still be an integral part of gynaecological examinations.

Morphological and tissue characterization of the medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides by a structural and molecular imaging platform.

In this study the potential of new imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) profiling mass spectrometry ("MALDI Profiling") and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging was evaluated to study morphological and molecular patterns of the potential medicinal fungus Hericium coralloides. For interpretation, the MALDI profiling, FTIR imaging and MRI results were correlated with histological information gained from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscopy (LM). Additionally we tested several evaluation processes and optimized the methodology for use of complex FTIR images to monitor molecular patterns. It is demonstrated that the combination of these spectroscopic methods enables to gain a more distinct picture concerning morphology and distribution of active ingredients. We were able to obtain high quality FTIR imaging and MALDI-profiling results and to distinguish different tissue types with their chemical ingredients. Beside this, we have created a 3-D reconstruction of a mature Hericium basidioma, based on the MRI dataset: analyses allowed, for the first time, a realistic approximation of the "evolutionary effectiveness" of this bizarrely formed basidioma type, concerning the investment of sterile tissue and its reproductive output (production of basidiospores).

Upgrading of Gleason score 6 prostate cancers on biopsy after prostatectomy in the low and intermediate tPSA range.

When offering watchful waiting or active monitoring protocols to prostate cancer (PCa) patients, differentiation between Gleason scores (GS) 6 and 7 at biopsy is important. However, upgrading after prostatectomy is common. We investigated the impact of different PSA levels on misclassification in the PSA range of 2-3.9 and 4-10 ng ml(-1). A total of 448 patients with GS 6 PCa on prostate biopsy were evaluated by comparing biopsy and prostatectomy GS. Possible over diagnosis was defined as GS <7, pathological stage pT2a and negative surgical margins, and possible under diagnosis was defined as pT3a or greater, or positive surgical margins; the percentage of over- or under diagnosis was determined for correctly and upgraded tumors after prostatectomy. A match between biopsy and prostatectomy GS was found in 210 patients (46.9%). Patients in the PSA range of 2.0-3.9 and 4.0-10.0 ng ml(-1) were upgraded in 32.6 and 44.0%, respectively. Over diagnosis was more common than under diagnosis (23.2% vs 15.6%). When upgraded there was a significant increase in under diagnosis. As almost 40% of GS 6 tumors on biopsy are GS 7 or higher after surgery with a significant rise in under diagnosis there is a risk of misclassification and subsequent delayed or even insufficient treatment, when relying on favorable biopsy GS.