Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic modeling of the pyrolysis of different biomass types by means of model-fitting, model-free and network modeling approaches.

This work aims at comparing the ability of 7 modeling approaches to simulate the pyrolysis kinetics of spruce wood, wheat straw, swine manure, miscanthus and switchgrass. Measurements were taken using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) with 4 heating rates comprised between 5 and 30 K min. The obtained results were processed using 3 isoconversional methods (Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) and Friedman), 1-step and 3-step Kissinger models, as well as an advanced fitting method recently proposed by Bondarchuk et al.

Pancreatic cancer liver metastasis mimicking focal nodular hyperplasia. A case report.

Metastases to the liver from gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are varied in their presentation and echogenicity on ultrasound. We present a case of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with sporadic neuroendocrine differentiation and metastasis to the liver, referred for inclusion in a clinical study. Standard ultrasound showed two hypoechoic focal liver lesions.

The Role of Luminescent Coupling in Monolithic Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells.

Luminescent coupling (LC) is a key phenomenon in monolithic tandem solar cells. This study presents a nondestructive technique to quantitatively evaluate the LC effect, addressing a gap in the existing predictions made by optical modeling. The method involves measuring the ratio of photons emitted from the high bandgap top cell that escape through the rear, contributing additional current to the bottom cell, and to those escaping from the front side of top cell.

Correction: NGS read classification using AI.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

NSCLC: from tumorigenesis, immune checkpoint misuse to current and future targeted therapy.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is largely promoted by a multistep tumorigenesis process involving various genetic and epigenetic alterations, which essentially contribute to the high incidence of mortality among patients with NSCLC. Clinical observations revealed that NSCLC also co-opts a multifaceted immune checkpoint dysregulation as an important driving factor in NSCLC progression and development. For example, a deregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway has been noticed in 50-70% of NSCLC cases, primarily modulated by mutations in key oncogenes such as ALK, EGFR, KRAS, and others.

Bridging the multicultural orientation framework with sexual and gender minority psychotherapy: A mixed studies systematic review.

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experience higher rates of psychological distress and seek psychotherapy at higher rates compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. However, few therapists are trained on how to provide effective psychotherapy with SGM clients. The multicultural orientation (MCO) framework, which has been linked to improved therapeutic processes and outcomes, may be a valuable tool for working with SGM clients.

Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nares of ruminants.

Aims: To examine the diversity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from nasal swabs of ruminants in Rwanda.

Methods And Results: A total of 454 nasal swabs from 203 cows, 170 goats, and 81 sheep were examined for the presence of S. aureus, and 30 S.

"I tried to appreciate it in a different way": Older lesbian, bisexual, and queer women's body image and embodiment across the life course.

We examined the life histories of older lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, focusing on the stories they told about their bodies and sexuality from early to later life. Guided by a narrative constructionist approach, a series of two life history interviews were conducted with 17 lesbian, bisexual, and queer women aged 65-86. Two themes were constructed through a narrative thematic analysis: Queering the Corset: Negotiating Gender Expression and (Aspirational) Aging Body Acceptance.

The lingering symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition (long-COVID): a prospective cohort study.

Background: Longer-term symptoms (long COVID) may be present in seemingly recovered patients for several months and can be debilitating.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and type of symptoms in those with a prior COVID-19 diagnosis.

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal observational study commenced in July 2020 investigating the longer-term health impacts of COVID-19.

Effectiveness of first-line anticancer treatment may predict treatment response in further lines in stage III/IV patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate if therapeutic success in the first-line of anticancer treatments in patients with NSCLC may predict treatment success in the following lines.

Methods: We analyzed the data of patients with NSCLC stage III/IV from the TULUNG registry separately for chemotherapy, TKIs, ALK inhibitors, and immunotherapy in the first line during the years 2011-2019. "Succesful treatment " was defined as PFS ≥ 6 months, a "good responder " was a patient with ˃50% of "successful treatment " lines.

Postural threat increases sample entropy of postural control.

Introduction: Postural threat elicits modifications to standing balance. However, the underlying neural mechanism(s) responsible remain unclear. Shifts in attention focus including directing more attention to balance when threatened may contribute to the balance changes.

Investigation of semi- and self-supervised learning methods in the histopathological domain.

Training models with semi- or self-supervised learning methods is one way to reduce annotation effort since they rely on unlabeled or sparsely labeled datasets. Such approaches are particularly promising for domains with a time-consuming annotation process requiring specialized expertise and where high-quality labeled machine learning datasets are scarce, like in computational pathology. Even though some of these methods have been used in the histopathological domain, there is, so far, no comprehensive study comparing different approaches.

Catheter ablation of coronary sinus accessory pathways in the young.

Background: Accessory atrioventricular pathways (APs) are the most common tachycardia substrate for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in the young. Endocardial catheter ablation of AP may be unsuccessful in up to 5% of patients because of a coronary sinus location.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to obtain data on ablation of accessory pathways within the coronary venous system (CVS) in the young.

A novel class of sulphonamides potently block malaria transmission by targeting a Plasmodium vacuole membrane protein.

Phenotypic cell-based screens are critical tools for discovering candidate drugs for development, yet identification of the cellular target and mode of action of a candidate drug is often lacking. Using an imaging-based screen, we recently discovered an N-[(4-hydroxychroman-4-yl)methyl]-sulphonamide (N-4HCS) compound, DDD01035881, that blocks male gamete formation in the malaria parasite life cycle and subsequent transmission of the parasite to the mosquito with nanomolar activity. To identify the target(s) of DDD01035881, and of the N-4HCS class of compounds more broadly, we synthesised a photoactivatable derivative, probe 2.

Sex Disparity for Patients with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Systematic Review.

The incidence of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) is unevenly distributed between men and women. At present, the mechanism behind this disparity remains elusive. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of proportions to investigate the disparity between sexes for patients with HNcSCC.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Muscarinergic M Receptor Ligands Linked to Fluorescent Dyes.

Through the linkage of two muscarinergic M receptor ligands to fluorescent tetramethylrhodamine- and cyanine-5-type dyes, two novel tool compounds, OFH5503 and OFH611, have been developed. Based on the suitable binding properties and kinetics related to the M subtype, both ligand-dye conjugates were found to be useful tools to determine binding affinities via flow cytometric measurements. In addition, confocal microscopy underlined the comparably low unspecific binding and the applicability for studying M receptor expression in cells.

Comedication with corticosteroids and nonsteroidal antiphlogistics does not affect PD-L1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is a standard predictor in the selection of immunotherapy for locally advanced/advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, comedication with corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may influence the effectiveness of this treatment as documented in several previous studies. Due to certain molecular linkages between PD-L1 and corticosteroids or NSAIDs, we therefore addressed the question of whether there is a relationship between PD-L1 expression in NSCLC and the use of this comedication.

Worse Prognosis in the Symptomatic Patients With Lung Cancer - Czech Multicentric Study.

Background/aim: This study aimed at contributing to a better diagnosis of lung cancer by analyzing the patient's symptoms and their linkage to other characteristics.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the data of 3,322 patients from LUCAS (LUngCAncerfocuS) National Registry of the Czech Republic. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Can Previous Chemotherapy Affect the Outcome of Nivolumab Treatment in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

Aim: This study compared the results of nivolumab treatment in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinomas based upon previous chemotherapeutic regimens.

Patients And Methods: The data source for this retrospective study was the Czech VILP registry of patients with nivolumab-treated adenocarcinomas in second and higher lines of treatment. In relation to objective response rate, progression-free interval, and overall survival, three comparisons of patient were made: A: Those treated in first line with cisplatin and pemetrexed versus carboplatin with paclitaxel or vinorelbine; B: treatment with cisplatin and pemetrexed versus carboplatin with paclitaxel/vinorelbine and bevacizumab; and C: treatment in previous lines with pemetrexed (first-line cisplatin and pemetrexed plus those treated in second line with pemetrexed) versus treatment with taxane (first-line carboplatin and paclitaxel only plus those treated with second-line docetaxel).

Laboratory Parameters Associated With Inflammation Do Not Affect PD-L1 Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background/aim: Due to some interconnectedness at the molecular level, this study assessed the possible influence of laboratory parameters associated with systemic inflammatory environment on programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: We assessed effects of c-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, haemoglobin, neutrophil, and lymphocyte levels on PD-L1 expression in NSCLC. Patient data were obtained retrospectively from LUCAS, the Czech registry of patients with lung carcinomas.