A novel hydrogeochemical approach to delineate the origin of potentially toxic elements in groundwater: Sophisticated molar ratios as environmental tracers.

The occurrence, mobilization, and origin of Potentially Toxic Eelements (PTEs) in the environment is always a difficult research question that has not been fully addressed to date; solving this problem would be a major achievement for environmental science and pollution research, a significant scientific breakthrough, and an important contribution to environmental analysis and monitoring. The lack of a holistic methodology that uses chemical analysis to determine the origin of each PTE in the environment is the main motivation for this project. Therefore, the hypothesis tested here is to develop a scientific approach applied to each PTE to determine whether its origin is geogenic (i.

Objective Response to First-Line Treatment as a Predictor of Overall Survival in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis from Two Centers over a 25-Year Period.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to study the efficacy of subsequent treatment lines for metastatic breast cancer (MBC), as well as the association between radiologic objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS).

Methods: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients treated for MBC in two centers in Greece from January 1, 1992, to December 31, 2016, were identified and clinicopathologic data regarding tumor characteristics and administered treatments were collected. The efficacy per treatment line in terms of ORR, progression-free survival (PFS) and OS, as well as the prognostic value of ORR at first line were investigated.

Expounding the origin of chromium in groundwater of the Sarigkiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece: a cohesive statistical approach and hydrochemical study.

The aim of this paper is to provide a methodology including statistical tools and spatial techniques, in order to identify the various potential sources of chromium (Cr) in the Sarigkiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece, where elevated concentrations of Cr in groundwater have been recorded since 1996. Integrated hydrochemical approach and statistical analyses including Pearson's correlation coefficient, multivariate statistical analyses (factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis), and spatial techniques (Moran's I spatial autocorrelation index and bivariate local indicator spatial association cluster map) were applied to evaluate the chemical analyses of 73 water samples, from irrigation wells, natural springs, and surface water. Both natural and anthropogenic sources of Cr were recorded; the first (ultramafic-dominated environment) is strongly depicted on the natural spring water, in which Cr concentrations as high as ~ 130 μg/L were recorded, whereas the second (agricultural activities) acts synergistically in the irrigation wells of the Sarigkiol basin, in which strong correlations of Cr, P, and NO were defined.

The synergistic role of agricultural activities in groundwater quality in ultramafic environments: the case of the Psachna basin, central Euboea, Greece.

In the present study, we approach the geochemical processes affecting the hydrochemistry and resulting in elevated concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr) in groundwater of the Psachna basin, central Euboea, Greece. Sixty-five groundwater samples and 16 topsoil (5-20 cm) samples were studied in order to examine groundwater and soil quality in relation to geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities. Specifically, the origin of Cr and Cr in groundwater was investigated by co-evaluating (a) hydrochemical cross plots of major ions; (b) spatial distribution maps of Cl, Mg, NO, and Cr; (c) multivariate statistical analyses such as factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of groundwater geochemistry; (d) chemical analyses of soil samples; and (e) chemical analyses of fertilizers.

A Comparison of Three Methods for the Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Early and Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Background: We directly compared CTC detection rates and prognostic significance, using three different methods in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Methods: Early (n=200) and metastatic (n=164) patients were evaluated before initiating adjuvant or first-line chemotherapy, using the CellSearchTM System, an RT-qPCR for CK-19 mRNA detection and by double immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy using A45-B/B3 and CD45 antibodies.

Results: Using the CellSearchTM System, 37% and 16.

Prognostic value of chemotherapy-resistant CK19mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells in patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is of prognostic significance in several tumor types. The present study evaluated the detection and the clinical relevance of CK19mRNA(+) CTCs in patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer before and after front-line chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 642 patients with treatment-naïve unresectable stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer and from 455 patients after the completion of 1st line chemotherapy.

Effect of front-line chemotherapy on circulating CK-19 mRNA-positive cells in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of front-line chemotherapy on CK-19mRNA+ circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their relevance in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients And Methods: The presence of CK-19mRNA+ CTCs was assessed using a real-time RT-PCR assay in 298 previously untreated patients with MBC before and after the administration of front-line chemotherapy.

Results: CK-19mRNA+ CTCs were detected in the blood of 199 (66.

Detection of circulating cytokeratin-19 mRNA-positive cells in the blood and the mitotic index of the primary tumor have independent prognostic value in early breast cancer.

Background: Previous studies showed that molecular detection of CK-19 mRNA in peripheral blood and the mitotic index of primary tumors have prognostic value in early breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the association between these variables.

Patients And Methods: The primary tumors of 223 operable breast cancer patients (92 premenopausal and 131 postmenopausal) were evaluated for the MAI classified as either ≤ 5 per 10, 6 to 10 per 10 and > 10 per 10 or < 10 per 10 and ≥ 10 per 10 mitoses per high power field using a standardized protocol previously reported.

Differential effect of adjuvant taxane-based and taxane-free chemotherapy regimens on the CK-19 mRNA-positive circulating tumour cells in patients with early breast cancer.

Background: To determine the effect of adjuvant taxane-free and taxane-based chemotherapy regimens on the elimination of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in patients with early breast cancer.

Methods: The presence of CK-19 mRNA-positive CTCs in the peripheral blood was evaluated before and after chemotherapy, using a real-time RT-PCR assay, in a historical comparison of two cohorts of women with stage I-III breast cancer treated with adjuvant taxane-free (N=211; FE(75)C or E(75)C) and taxane-based (N=334; T/E(75)C or T/E(75)) chemotherapy.

Results: Taxane-based chemotherapy resulted in a higher incidence of CTCs' elimination than taxane-free regimens since 49.

Clinical relevance of circulating CK-19mRNA-positive tumour cells before front-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Background: To investigate the clinical relevance of CK-19mRNA-positive circulating tumour cells (CTCs) detected before the initiation of front-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Methods: The presence of CTCs was detected in 298 patients with MBC using a real-time PCR (RT-PCR assay. In 44 patients, the detection of CTCs was evaluated by both the CellSearch and the RT-PCR assay.

Trastuzumab decreases the incidence of clinical relapses in patients with early breast cancer presenting chemotherapy-resistant CK-19mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells: results of a randomized phase II study.

Background: Since the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) which express HER2 is an adverse prognostic factor in early breast cancer patients, we investigated the effect of trastuzumab on patients' clinical outcome.

Patients And Methods: Seventy five women with HER2 (-) breast cancer and detectable CK19 mRNA-positive CTCs before and after adjuvant chemotherapy, were randomized to receive either trastuzumab (n=36) or observation (n=39). CK19 mRNA-positive CTCs were detected by RT-PCR and double stained CK(+)/HER2(+) cells by immunofluorescence.

Synthesis of TiO2 nano-powders prepared from purified sulphate leach liquor of red mud.

The research work presented in this paper is focused on the development of a purification process of red mud sulphate leach liquor for the recovery of titanium oxide (TiO(2)) nano-powders in the form of anatase. Initially, titanium was extracted over iron and aluminium from the leach liquor by solvent extraction using Cyanex 272 in toluene, at pH: 0.3 and T: 25°C, with 40% extractant concentration.

Cytokeratin-19 mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells during follow-up of patients with operable breast cancer: prognostic relevance for late relapse.

Background: The detection of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells (CTC) before and/or after adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with operable breast cancer is associated with poor clinical outcome. Reliable prognostic markers for late disease relapse are not available. In this study we investigated the value of CTC detection during the first five years of follow-up in predicting late disease relapse.

Brown diamonds from an eclogite xenolith from Udachnaya kimberlite, Yakutia, Russia.

We have performed petrographic and spectroscopic studies of brown diamonds from an eclogite xenolith from the Udachnaya pipe (Yakutia, Russia). Brown diamonds are randomly intermixed with colorless ones in the rock and often located at the grain boundaries of clinopyroxene and garnet. Brown diamonds can be characterized by a set of defects (H4, N2D and a line at 490.

First findings of monocrystalline aragonite inclusions in garnet from diamond-grade UHPM rocks (Kokchetav Massif, Northern Kazakhstan).

The presence of aragonite inclusions in garnet from diamond-grade metamorphic rocks from the Kokchetav Massif, Northern Kazakhstan was identified for the first time by means of Raman analyses and mapping. Aragonite appears within the inclusions up to 50 μm in size as a single crystal. These inclusions have rounded shape.

Prognostic significance of the detection of peripheral blood CEACAM5mRNA-positive cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction in operable colorectal cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical relevance of circulating CEACAM5mRNA-positive cells in patients with operable colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 265 patients with operable CRC before the initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy from 96 normal donors and RNA prepared from the Lovo and ARH-77 CRC and leukemic cell lines, respectively, was used as positive and negative controls. The detection of CEACAM5mRNA-positive cells was done using a real-time PCR assay.

Detection of cytokeratin-19 mRNA-positive cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients with operable breast cancer.

Background: To compare detection rates and evaluate the clinical relevance of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) mRNA-positive cells in the peripheral blood (circulating tumour cells, CTCs) and bone marrow (disseminated tumour cells; DTCs) of patients with early breast cancer.

Methods: Paired samples of peripheral blood and bone marrow were obtained from 165 patients with stage I-II breast cancer before the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy. In 84 patients, paired blood and bone marrow samples were also available after chemotherapy.

Cytokeratin-19 mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells after adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic significance of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood of women with early-stage breast cancer after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Blood was obtained from 437 patients with early breast cancer before the start and after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, and the presence of CK-19 mRNA-positive CTCs was assessed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Interaction with known prognostic factors and association of CTCs with clinical outcome were investigated.

Single and multiphase inclusions in metapelitic garnets of the Rhodope Metamorphic Province, NE Greece.

Single and multiphase inclusions in garnet porphyroblasts from the diamond-bearing pelitic gneisses were studied by means of combined Raman Spectroscopy and Electron Scanning Microscopy (SEM/EDX). They are either randomly distributed or with preferred orientation within the garnet host and their dimensions vary from less than 5 up to 60 microm. In the single-phase inclusions quartz, rutile, kyanite and graphite dominate.

Detection of occult HER2 mRNA-positive tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with operable breast cancer: evaluation of their prognostic relevance.

To evaluate whether HER2 mRNA could be used as a marker of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in women with operable breast cancer. A nested RT-PCR assay was developed and used for the detection of HER2 mRNA-positive CTCs. Blood from 216 women with early breast cancer obtained before adjuvant treatment was tested for HER2 mRNA-positive cells to assess their prognostic value.

Prognostic value of the molecular detection of circulating tumor cells using a multimarker reverse transcription-PCR assay for cytokeratin 19, mammaglobin A, and HER2 in early breast cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the prognostic value of the molecular detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using three markers [cytokeratin 19 (CK19), mammaglobin A (MGB1), and HER2] in early breast cancer.

Experimental Design: CK19mRNA+, MGB1mRNA+, and HER2mRNA+ cells were detected using real-time (CK19) and nested (MGB1 and HER2) reverse transcription-PCR in the peripheral blood of 175 women with stage I to III breast cancer before the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy. The detection of CTCs was correlated with clinical outcome.

Molecular detection and prognostic value of circulating cytokeratin-19 messenger RNA-positive and HER2 messenger RNA-positive cells in the peripheral blood of women with early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of the simultaneous detection of cytokeratin (CK)-19 messenger RNA (mRNA)- and HER2 mRNA-positive cells in peripheral blood of women with early-stage breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: CK-19 mRNA- and HER2 mRNA-positive cells were detected using a real-time and a nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay, respectively, in a cohort of 185 women with early-stage breast cancer before the initiation of any adjuvant systemic treatment. Detection of CK-19 mRNA- and HER2 mRNA-positive cells in the peripheral blood was correlated with clinical outcome.

Different prognostic value of cytokeratin-19 mRNA positive circulating tumor cells according to estrogen receptor and HER2 status in early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose: To examine the prognostic value of cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) mRNA-positive circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in early-stage breast cancer patients focusing on clinically relevant subgroups based on estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 expression.

Patients And Methods: CK-19 mRNA-positive CTCs were detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in the blood of 444 consecutive, stage I-III, breast cancer patients before initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy. The association between detection of CK-19 mRNA-positive CTCs and clinical outcome was analyzed for patients with ER-positive, ER-negative, triple-negative, HER2-positive, and ER-positive/HER2-negative tumors.

The luminescent carbon-bearing microinclusion enigma in the Kimi Unit, Rhodope, Greece: Raman microscopic point analyses and mapping with different lasers.

The Kimi Unit of the Rhodope Metamorphic Province (RMP), NE Greece, experienced ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism (UHPM), as documented by the unequivocal presence of diamond microinclusions in metapelitic garnet porphyroblasts. Certain peculiar lozenge-shaped 2-8 microm sized inclusions in diamond-bearing garnets reveal a broad composite and asymmetric triplet band (phase XXX) at approximately 1331 cm(-1) in their Raman spectra acquired with a 632.8 nm He-Ne laser, initially attributed to an sp(3)-hybridized C-polymorph.