Spectroscopic aspects of underwater digital holography of plankton.

Monitoring the parameters and behavior of plankton makes it possible to assess the state of the aquatic ecosystem and detect the beginning of an environmental disaster at an early stage. In this respect, the most informative method for the in situ plankton study is underwater digital holography. This method allows obtaining information on the size, shape, and location of plankton individuals, as well as performing their classification and biotesting according to their behavioral responses using a submersible holographic camera non-invasively, in real time, and in the automatic mode.

Monitoring Bioindication of Plankton through the Analysis of the Fourier Spectra of the Underwater Digital Holographic Sensor Data.

The study presents a bioindication complex and a technology of the experiment based on a submersible digital holographic camera with advanced monitoring capabilities for the study of plankton and its behavioral characteristics in situ. Additional mechanical and software options expand the capabilities of the digital holographic camera, thus making it possible to adapt the depth of the holographing scene to the parameters of the plankton habitat, perform automatic registration of the "zero" frame and automatic calibration, and carry out natural experiments with plankton photostimulation. The paper considers the results of a long-term digital holographic experiment on the biotesting of the water area in Arctic latitudes.

Stage I Breast Cancer in the Modern Era: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 328 Patients Diagnosed from 2002 to 2006 with a 14-Year Median Follow-Up.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of stage I breast cancer (BC) patients diagnosed during the current era of screening mammography, immunohistochemistry receptor testing, and systemic adjuvant therapy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 328 stage I BC patients treated consecutively in a single referral center with a follow-up period of at least 12 years. The primary endpoints were invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and overall survival (OS).

Cooperative Armoring of CAR and TCR T Cells by T Cell-Restricted IL15 and IL21 Universally Enhances Solid Tumor Efficacy.

Purpose: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell therapies are effective in a subset of patients with solid tumors, but new approaches are needed to universally improve patient outcomes. Here, we developed a technology to leverage the cooperative effects of IL15 and IL21, two common cytokine-receptor gamma chain family members with distinct, pleiotropic effects on T cells and other lymphocytes, to enhance the efficacy of adoptive T cells.

Experimental Design: We designed vectors that induce the constitutive expression of either membrane-tethered IL15, IL21, or IL15/IL21.

Features of phototropic response of zooplankton to paired photostimulation under adverse environmental conditions.

Our previous studies showed that the change in the plankton response to light could be an indicator of environmental pollution. This study experimentally reveals that the response of Daphnia magna Straus and Daphnia pulex plankton ensembles to photostimulation depends on the intensity of the attracting light. This makes it difficult to identify the occurrence and change of pollutant concentration.

In Situ Measurements of Plankton Biorhythms Using Submersible Holographic Camera.

The paper presents a diagnostic complex for plankton studies using the miniDHC (digital holographic camera). Its capabilities to study the rhythmic processes in plankton ecosystems were demonstrated using the natural testing in Lake Baikal in summer. The results of in situ measurements of plankton to detect the synchronization of collective biological rhythms with medium parameters are presented and interpreted.

Neoadjuvant therapy with doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide followed by weekly paclitaxel in early breast cancer: a retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive patients treated in a single center with a median follow-up of 9.5 years.

Purpose: We analyzed outcomes of doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by weekly paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer (BC), in an everyday practice with long-term follow-up of patients.

Methods: All patients (n = 200) who received the AC-paclitaxel combination as NAC for BC at the Soroka University Medical Center from 2003 to 2012 were included in this retrospective cohort study. AC was administered on an every 3-week schedule (standard dose) until May, 2007 (n = 99); and subsequently every 2-week dose dense (dd) (n = 101).

Phototropic response features for different systematic groups of mesoplankton under adverse environmental conditions.

Current trends in the application of bioindication methods are related to the use of submersible tools that perform real-time measurements directly in the studied aquatic environment. The methods based on the registration of changes in the behavioral responses of zooplankton, in particular , which make up the vast majority of the biomass in water areas, seem quite promising. However, the multispecies composition of natural planktonic biocenoses poses the need to consider the potential difference in the sensitivity of organisms to pollutants.

Underwater Holographic Sensor for Plankton Studies In Situ including Accompanying Measurements.

The paper presents an underwater holographic sensor to study marine particles-a miniDHC digital holographic camera, which may be used as part of a hydrobiological probe for accompanying (background) measurements. The results of field measurements of plankton are given and interpreted, their verification is performed. Errors of measurements and classification of plankton particles are estimated.

Visualization of volumetric defects and dynamic processes in crystals by digital IR-holography.

The observation and study of defects of single-crystal multicomponent optical material is necessary to determine the qualitative characteristics and optical properties of a material and to diagnose its manufacturing procedures. This paper utilizes the digital IR-holography to measure the geometrical parameters, shape, and location of defects as well as to characterize them. The paper illustrates the examples of physical, chemical, and optical inhomogeneities.

Hemoglobin Levels and Red Blood Cells Distribution Width Highlights Glioblastoma Patients Subgroup With Improved Median Overall Survival.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known for its dismal prognosis, though its dependence on patients' readily available RBCs parameters is not fully established. In this work, 170 GBM patients, diagnosed and treated in Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) over the last 12 years were retrospectively inspected for their survival dependency on pre-operative RBCs parameters. Besides KPS and tumor resection supplemented by oncological treatment, age under 70 (HR = 0.

Epigenetic reprogramming sensitizes immunologically silent EBV+ lymphomas to virus-directed immunotherapy.

Despite advances in T-cell immunotherapy against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-infected lymphomas that express the full EBV latency III program, a critical barrier has been that most EBV+ lymphomas express the latency I program, in which the single Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA1) is produced. EBNA1 is poorly immunogenic, enabling tumors to evade immune responses. Using a high-throughput screen, we identified decitabine as a potent inducer of immunogenic EBV antigens, including LMP1, EBNA2, and EBNA3C.

INTRAMEDULLARY SPINAL CORD METASTASIS AS THE PRESENTING FEATURE OF PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA.

Objective: The objective of this report is to present an unusual case of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) as the presenting feature of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods: The presented case includes clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings as well as surgical and pathology reports. Treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) and the response to this treatment are presented.

Holography of particles for diagnostics tasks [Invited].

The opportunities and special features of using a multi-purpose digital holographic camera (DHC) adapted for particle research for various diagnostic tasks, such as plankton investigation in its habitat, optical glass diagnostics, and study of defects in single crystals, are investigated. Experimental research with the DHC carried out and described in this paper has demonstrated the universality of the DHC measurement technology and its effectiveness for solving a number of diagnostic tasks in the study of small particles of different natures in various media.

Mutation in TDRD9 causes non-obstructive azoospermia in infertile men.

Background: Azoospermia is diagnosed when sperm cells are completely absent in the ejaculate even after centrifugation. It is identified in approximately 1% of all men and in 10%-20% of infertile males. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is characterised by the absence of sperm due to either a Sertoli cell-only pattern, maturation arrest, hypospermatogenesis or mixed patterns.

Expression of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein, and IL-18 receptor by normal and cancerous human ovarian tissues: possible implication of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma.

Proinflammatory cytokine IL-18 has been shown to be elevated in the sera of ovarian carcinoma patients. The aim of the study was to examine the levels and cellular origin of IL-18, IL-18 binding protein, and IL-18 receptor in normal and cancerous ovarian tissues. Ovarian tissue samples were examined by immunohistochemical staining for IL-18, IL-18BP, and IL-18R and mRNA of these cytokines was analyzed with semiquantitative PT-PCR.

Distinct expression and localization of TNF system in ovarian carcinoma tissues: possible involvement of TNF-α in morphological changes of ovarian cancerous cells.

Background/aim: It has been previously shown that epithelial ovarian carcinoma tissues express high levels of tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1α and IL-1β. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the localization of TNF-α and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) in different types of ovarian carcinoma tissues and the possible role of TNF in the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Total RNA was extracted from normal and cancerous ovarian tissues and mRNA was analyzed with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Thalidomide distinctly affected TNF-α, IL-6 and MMP secretion by an ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV-3) and primary ovarian cancer cells.

Background: Thalidomide inhibits TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thalidomide on TNF-α, IL-6 and MMP secretion in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells.

Materials And Methods: SKOV-3 cells and primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of thalidomide.

Differential optical spectropolarimetric imaging system assisted by liquid crystal devices for skin imaging.

Skin cancer diagnosis depends not only on histopathological examination but also on visual inspection before and after the excision of suspected lesion. Neoplasm is accompanied with changes in birefringence of collagen, pleomorphicity, and hyperchromatic state of epithelial nuclei. These phenomena can be measured by spectral and polarization changes of light backscattered by the examined tissue.

Distinct expression of interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in testicular tissues and cells from human biopsies with normal and abnormal histology.

Cytokines are paracrine/autocrine growth factors known to affect testicular cell functions. The cellular origin and expression levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in human normal and pathological testicular biopsies are not yet clear. In the present study, we have investigated the levels and cellular origin of IL-1 family members [IL-1α, IL-β, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)] in human testicular normal and abnormal biopsies with incomplete maturation arrest (IMA) or Sertoli only syndrome (SOS), using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining analysis.

Stage I breast cancer in a regional oncology practice in Israel 2002-2006: clinicopathologic features, risk estimation and planned therapy of 328 consecutive patients.

We present the clinicopathologic features and treatment plans of 328 consecutive stage I (T1N0M0) breast cancer patients seen at a regional medical center in Israel. Predicted 10-year mortality risk was calculated using the Adjuvant! Online website. The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) (OncotypeDx) was obtained on a minority of patients.

Small cell carcinoma of the breast: case report.

Background: Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the breast is a rare tumor with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. The reported age of incidence of mammary small cell carcinoma is similar to that of breast carcinoma of the usual types.

Case: The clinicopathologic findings of a primary mammary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma occurring in a 28-year-old female are presented with a review of pertinent literature.

Deregulation of the carbohydrate (chondroitin 4) sulfotransferase 11 (CHST11) gene in a B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia with a t(12;14)(q23;q32).

The t(12;14)(q23;q32) breakpoints in a case of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) were mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and Southern blot analysis and cloned using an IGH switch-gamma probe. The translocation affected a productively rearranged IGH allele and the carbohydrate (chondroitin 4) sulfotransferase 11 (CHST11) locus at 12q23, with a reciprocal break in intron 2 of the CHST11 gene. CHST11 belongs to the HNK1 family of Golgi-associated sulfotransferases, a group of glycosaminoglycan-modifying enzymes, and is expressed mainly in the hematopoietic lineage.

MUC-1 mucin protein expression in B-cell lymphomas.

We have recently shown that MUC1, mapped to the chromosomal band 1q21, is rearranged or amplified in 15% of B-cell lymphomas and that rearrangement led to over-expression of MUC-1 mucin in a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). To determine the incidence of MUC-1 mucin expression and its clinical significance in B-cell lymphomas, we investigated a panel of 113 cases by immunohistochemistry (IHC). MUC-1 mucin expression was detected in the majority of cases (92.