Interfacial Properties of Fluids Exhibiting Liquid Polyamorphism and Water-Like Anomalies.

It has been hypothesized that liquid polyamorphism, the existence of multiple amorphous states in a single-component substance, may be caused by molecular or supramolecular interconversion. A simple microscopic model [Caupin and Anisimov, , , 185701] introduces interconversion in a compressible binary lattice to generate various thermodynamic scenarios for fluids that exhibit liquid polyamorphism and/or water-like anomalies. Using this model, we demonstrate the dramatic effects of interconversion on the interfacial properties.

Micromagnetic and morphological characterization of heteropolymer human ferritin cores.

The physical properties of iron-reconstituted and genetically engineered human heteropolymer ferritins were investigated. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), and Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy were employed to ascertain (1) the microstructural, electronic, and micromagnetic properties of the nanosized iron cores, and (2) the effect of the H and L ferritin subunit ratios on these properties. Mössbauer spectroscopic signatures indicate that all iron within the core is in the high spin ferric state.

Formation of dissipative structures in microscopic models of mixtures with species interconversion.

The separation of substances into different phases is ubiquitous in nature and important scientifically and technologically. This phenomenon may become drastically different if the species involved, whether molecules or supramolecular assemblies, interconvert. In the presence of an external force large enough to overcome energetic differences between the interconvertible species (forced interconversion), the two alternative species will be present in equal amounts, and the striking phenomenon of steady-state, restricted phase separation into mesoscales is observed.

Thermodynamic modeling of fluid polyamorphism in hydrogen at extreme conditions.

Fluid polyamorphism, the existence of multiple amorphous fluid states in a single-component system, has been observed or predicted in a variety of substances. A remarkable example of this phenomenon is the fluid-fluid phase transition (FFPT) in high-pressure hydrogen between insulating and conducting high-density fluids. This transition is induced by the reversible dimerization/dissociation of the molecular and atomistic states of hydrogen.

Modeling fluid polyamorphism through a maximum-valence approach.

We suggest a simple model to describe polyamorphism in single-component fluids using a maximum-valence approach. The model contains three types of interactions: (i) Atoms attract each other by van der Waals forces that generate a liquid-gas transition at low pressures, (ii) atoms may form covalent bonds that induce association, and (iii) atoms with maximal valence attract or repel each other stronger than other atoms, thus generating liquid-liquid separation. As an example, we qualitatively compare this model with the behavior of liquid sulfur and show that condition (iii) generates a liquid-liquid phase transition in addition to the liquid-gas phase transition.

Phase transitions affected by natural and forceful molecular interconversion.

If a binary liquid mixture, composed of two alternative species with equal amounts, is quenched from a high temperature to a low temperature, below the critical point of demixing, then the mixture will phase separate through a process known as spinodal decomposition. However, if the two alternative species are allowed to interconvert, either naturally (e.g.

Interconversion-controlled liquid-liquid phase separation in a molecular chiral model.

Liquid-liquid phase separation of fluids exhibiting interconversion between alternative states has been proposed as an underlying mechanism for fluid polyamorphism and may be of relevance to the protein function and intracellular organization. However, molecular-level insight into the interplay between competing forces that can drive or restrict phase separation in interconverting fluids remains elusive. Here, we utilize an off-lattice model of enantiomers with tunable chiral interconversion and interaction properties to elucidate the physics underlying the stabilization and tunability of phase separation in fluids with interconverting states.

Phase amplification in spinodal decomposition of immiscible fluids with interconversion of species.

A fluid composed of two molecular species may undergo phase segregation via spinodal decomposition. However, if the two molecular species can interconvert, e.g.

Safety and efficacy of intravesical chemotherapy and hyperthermia in the bladder: results of a porcine study.

Background: Hyperthermia (heating to 43 °C) activates the innate immune system and improves bladder cancer chemosensitivity.

Objective: To evaluate the tissue penetration and safety of convective hyperthermia combined with intravesical mitomycin C (MMC) pharmacokinetics in live porcine bladder models using the Combat bladder recirculation system (BRS).

Methods: Forty 60 kg-female swine were anesthetized and catheterized with a 3-way, 16 F catheter.

N-H Bond Formation at a Diiron Bridging Nitride.

Despite their connection to ammonia synthesis, little is known about the ability of iron-bound, bridging nitrides to form N-H bonds. Herein we report a linear diiron bridging nitride complex supported by a redox-active macrocycle. The unique ability of the ligand scaffold to adapt to the geometric preference of the bridging species was found to facilitate the formation of N-H bonds via proton-coupled electron transfer to generate a μ-amide product.

Bone scan positivity in non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer: external validation study.

Introduction: Tables predicting the probability of a positive bone scan in men with non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer have recently been reported. We performed an external validation study of these bone scan positivity tables.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients seen at a tertiary care medical center (1996-2012) to select patients with non-metastatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer.

Testicular Cancer, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

Testicular cancer is relatively uncommon and accounts for <1% of all male tumors. However, it is the most common solid tumor in men between the ages of 20 and 34 years, and the global incidence has been steadily rising over the past several decades. Several risk factors for testicular cancer have been identified, including personal or family history of testicular cancer and cryptorchidism.

Heated Intravesical Chemotherapy: Biology and Clinical Utility.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer can be a challenging disease to manage. In recent years, hyperthermia therapy in conjunction with intravesical therapy has been gaining traction as a treatment option for bladder cancer, especially if Bacillus Calmette-Guerin might not be available. Trials of intravesical chemotherapy with heat are few and there has been considerable heterogeneity between studies.

Dietary patterns and health-related quality of life in bladder cancer survivors.

Purpose: A nutritious diet has been associated with better health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a variety of cancer survivors. However, little is known about dietary habits and its association with HRQOL in bladder cancer survivors. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to describe dietary intake patterns and its relationship to HRQOL in a large cohort of bladder cancer survivors.

Over half of contemporary clinical Gleason 8 on prostate biopsy are downgraded at radical prostatectomy.

Introduction: Contemporary clinical guidelines utilize the highest Gleason sum (HGS) in any one core on prostate biopsy to determine prostate cancer treatment. Here, we present a large discrepancy between prostate cancer risk stratified as high risk on biopsy and their pathology after radical prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1424 men who underwent either open or robotic-assisted prostatectomy between 2004 and 2015.

Physical activity patterns and associations with health-related quality of life in bladder cancer survivors.

Introduction: Physical activity has been shown to significantly improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and survivorship in a variety of patients with cancer . However, little is known about the physical activity patterns of bladder cancer survivors and how these are related to HRQOL in the United States. Our objective was to describe self-reported physical activity patterns and HRQOL and examine the association between these measures in a large cohort of bladder cancer survivors.

Body mass index and the clinicopathological characteristics of clinically localized renal masses-An international retrospective review.

Objectives: To investigate the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and clinicopathological features of clinically localized renal masses.

Materials And Methods: An international, multi-institutional retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery for clinically localized renal masses between 2000 and 2010 was undertaken after an institutional review board approval. Patients were divided into 4 absolute BMI groups based on the entire cohort׳s percentiles and 4 relative BMI groups based on their respective population (American or Italian).

Urinary NID2 and TWIST1 methylation to augment conventional urine cytology for the detection of bladder cancer.

Background: Abnormal methylation of urinary TWIST1 and NID2 conferred high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of urothelial carcinoma.

Objective: We examine the performance of the urine-based TWIST1/NID2 methylation assay with the addition of urine cytology for the detection of urothelial carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: A prospective multi-institutional study was conducted to assess the performance of a methylation assay for patients with hematuria or under surveillance for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Anticipatory Positive Urine Tests for Bladder Cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish the criteria defining an anticipatory positive test for bladder cancer.

Methods: We reviewed all patients at our institution who underwent urine cytology or UroVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and cystoscopy from 2003 to 2012. Test performance and cancer anticipation was assessed using generalized linear mixed models, mixed-effects proportional hazards models, and cumulative incidence curves using tests performed within 30 days of each other as well as within a lag time of 1 year.

Atezolizumab: A PD-L1-Blocking Antibody for Bladder Cancer.

Atezolizumab (Tecentriq, MPDL3280A; Genentech/Roche) is an FcγR binding-deficient, fully humanized IgG1 mAb designed to interfere with the binding of PD-L1 ligand to its two receptors, PD-1 and B7.1. By blocking the PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint, atezolizumab reduces immunosuppressive signals found within the tumor microenvironment and, consequently, increases T-cell-mediated immunity against the tumor.

Targeted Exome Sequencing of the Cancer Genome in Patients with Very High-risk Bladder Cancer.

Unlabelled: We completed targeted exome sequencing of the tumors of 50 patients with pTis-pT4b bladder cancer. Mutations were categorized by type, stratified against previously identified cancer loci in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases, and evaluated in pathway analysis and comutation plots. We analyzed mutation associations with receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, nodal involvement, metastatic disease development, and survival.

The diagnostic accuracy of urine-based tests for bladder cancer varies greatly by patient.

Background: Spectrum effects refer to the phenomenon that test performance varies across subgroups of a population. When spectrum effects occur during diagnostic testing for cancer, difficult patient misdiagnoses can occur. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of test indication, age, gender, race, and smoking status on the performance characteristics of two commonly used diagnostic tests for bladder cancer, urine cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

A systematic review of regional hyperthermia therapy in bladder cancer.

Context: Bladder cancer therapy remains suboptimal as morbidity and mortality remain high amongst those with non-muscle-invasive and muscle-invasive disease. Regional hyperthermia therapy (RHT) is a promising adjunctive therapy being tested in multiple clinical contexts.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the efficacy and toxicity of RHT.

Lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life in bladder cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Purpose: Diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation are modifiable lifestyle factors that have been shown to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in many cancer survivors. Our objective was to systematically review the literature on the associations between lifestyle factors, namely diet, physical activity, smoking status, and HRQOL in bladder cancer survivors.

Methods: We queried PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries.