Carotenoids dispersed in gypsum rock as a result of algae adaptation to the extreme conditions of the Atacama Desert.

The high-altitude pre-Andean region of the Atacama Desert is characterized by its stark volcanic rock formations and unique hydrothermal gypsum outcrops (gypcrete) that it hosts. This study delves into the biomolecular composition of the endolithic phototrophic microbes that thrive within these gypcretes. Using advanced Raman spectroscopy techniques, including Raman imaging (complemented by microscopic and 3D microscopic observations), herein we unveil new insights into the adaptive strategies of these gypsum-inhabiting algae.

Microbial colonization of gypsum: from the fossil record to the present day.

Microorganisms inhabiting gypsum have been observed in environments that differ greatly in water availability. Gypsum colonized by microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, eukaryotic algae, and diverse heterotrophic communities, occurs in hot, arid or even hyperarid environments, in cold environments of the Antarctic and Arctic zones, and in saline and hypersaline lakes and ponds where gypsum precipitates. Fossilized microbial remnants preserved in gypsum were also reported.

Anorectal hemangioma, a rare cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, treated with selective embolization: A case report.

Background: Anorectal hemangioma is a rare and frequently misdiagnosed cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Here, we present a minimally invasive therapy with selective embolization.

Case Summary: A 21-year-old male patient experienced painless rectal bleeding since childhood and was treated for ulcerative colitis.

Proton pencil beam scanning radiotherapy in the postoperative treatment of p16 positive squamous cell tonsillar cancer - evaluation of toxicity and effectivity.

Purpose: Patients with p16 positive tonsillar cancer (p16 + TC) have an excellent prognosis and long-life expectancy. Deintensification of therapy is a prevalent topic of discussion. Proton radiotherapy is one way to reduce radiation exposure and thus reduce acute and late toxicity.

Towards a European prospective data registry for particle therapy.

The evidence for the value of particle therapy (PT) is still sparse. While randomized trials remain a cornerstone for robust comparisons with photon-based radiotherapy, data registries collecting real-world data can play a crucial role in building evidence for new developments. This Perspective describes how the European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) is actively working on establishing a prospective data registry encompassing all patients undergoing PT in European centers.

5-Years Analysis of Effectivity and Toxicity of Ultra-Hypofractionated Proton Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer-A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: We retrospectively analyzed the 5-year biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) and occurrence of late toxicity in prostate cancer patients treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiotherapy.

Methodology: In the period from January 2013 to June 2018, 853 patients with prostate cancer were treated with an ultra-hypofractionated schedule (36.25 GyE/five fractions).

EUS-guided transluminal drainage using lumen-apposing metal stents with or without coaxial plastic stents for treatment of walled-off necrotizing pancreatitis: a prospective bicentric randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) have proven to be effective for drainage of pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON), although associated adverse events (AEs) have been reported. Anchoring coaxial double-pigtail plastic stents (DPSs) within LAMSs have been proposed to prevent LAMS-related AEs but have not been assessed in prospective studies. We aimed to evaluate the utility of such measures with a randomized controlled trial.

Raman imaging monitors the time-resolved response of A. thaliana to the artificial inhibition of PSII.

The short-term (0-96 h) response of A. thaliana to the oxidative stress induced by PSII inhibitor metribuzin was examined using Raman spectroscopy. Whole leaves of wildtype (WT, Col-0) and ros1 mutant were scanned and changes in carotenoids were examined.

Endoscopic treatment of pancreatic fluid collection in gastric heterotopic pancreas. A case report.

Background: Heterotopic pancreas is defined as pancreatic tissue located outside the pancreatic parenchyma that lacks an anatomic or vascular connection to the normal pancreas. Symptomatic gastric heterotopic pancreas is a rare condition that can manifest as acute or chronic pancreatitis. Asymptomatic heterotopic pancreas does not require treatment, while symptomatic lesions should be resected.

Experimental Investigation of Cohesion between UHPC and NSC Utilising Interface Protrusions.

The interaction of ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) and normal-strength concrete (NSC) is one of the main issues for strengthening conventional concrete structures or other applications where NSC and UHPC are interrelated. UHPC stands out for its strength and durability, while NSC is significantly inexpensive and easier to work with. Efficiently designed structures can exploit the advantages of both mixtures.

Non-destructive insights into photosynthetic and photoprotective mechanisms in Arabidopsis thaliana grown under two light regimes.

Probing insights into understanding photosynthetic processes via non-invasive means has an added advantage when used in phenotyping or precision agriculture. We employed Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence-based methods to investigate both the changes in the photosynthetic processes and the underlying protective mechanisms on Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type (WT), and ros1, which is a mutant of a repressor of transcriptional gene silencing, both grown under low light (LL: 100 μmol ms) and high light (HL: 400 μmol ms) regimes. Raman imaging detected a lower carotenoid intensity after two weeks in those plants grown under HL, compared to those grown under the LL regime; we interpret this as the result of oxidative damage of β-carotene molecules.

The European Particle Therapy Network (EPTN) consensus on the follow-up of adult patients with brain and skull base tumours treated with photon or proton irradiation.

Purpose: Treatment-related toxicity after irradiation of brain tumours has been underreported in the literature. Furthermore, there is considerable heterogeneity on how and when toxicity is evaluated. The aim of this European Particle Network (EPTN) collaborative project is to develop recommendations for uniform follow-up and toxicity scoring of adult brain tumour patients treated with radiotherapy.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin treated by cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy at the Bulovka University Hospital.

Introduction: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PK) of colorectal origin is a malignant tumour of the peritoneum caused by spreading of colorectal carcinoma (KRK) over the peritoneal surface of the abdominal cavity and its organs. PK occurs as a synchronous tumour in 1520% of patients, and as metachronous disease in 2550% of patients.

Methods: A group of 66 patients operated on for PK was retrospectively evaluated; 18 patients were excluded due to insufficient data.

Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) Chemoradiotherapy for Anal Canal Cancer-Single Institution Experience.

A favourable dose distribution has been described for proton beam therapy (PBT) of anal cancer in dosimetric studies. The relationship between dosimetric parameters in bone marrow and haematologic toxicity, treatment interruptions, and treatment efficacy has also been documented. There are only few references on clinical results of PBT for anal cancer.

[Religiosity and spirituality as ressources for head neck cancer patients].

Objective: Spiritual Care is a well established part of palliative medicine. Are religiosity / spirituality also ressources of patients during the early phases of a head neck cancer (HNC) disease?

Material And Methods: We included 113 HNC patients (27 women, 84 men, 2 divers) to a prospective study using questionnaires focused on actual burden (NRS), spirituality as ressource (SpREUK-15, spiritual needs (SpNQ-20), interpretation of illness (IIQ), and life satisfaction of patients (BMLSS-10, BMLSS-Support, WHO-5). 39 patients were still under therapy, 74 participants were cancer-survivors.

Update of the EPTN atlas for CT- and MR-based contouring in Neuro-Oncology.

Background And Purpose: To update the digital online atlas for organs at risk (OARs) delineation in neuro-oncology based on high-quality computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with new OARs.

Materials And Methods: In this planned update of the neurological contouring atlas published in 2018, ten new clinically relevant OARs were included, after thorough discussion between experienced neuro-radiation oncologists (RTOs) representing 30 European radiotherapy-oncology institutes. Inclusion was based on daily practice and research requirements.

Genotype and soil substrate effects on the wood quality of poplar grown in a reclaimed lignite-mining area.

An understanding of the structural organisation and chemistry of the cell walls in woody tissues is crucial from the perspective of plant mechanical strength, water transportability, as well as subsequent commercial utilisation of the wood. Poplar trees (Populus sp.), grown on two reclamation substrates ("Humus" and "Sand") under the extreme soil conditions of an external coal mining spoil heap of the lignite mine in Bełchatów (Central Poland), were examined.

Ultrahypofractionated Proton Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Low and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer-5-Year Outcomes.

Purpose: To analyze the 5-year biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) and late toxicity profile in patients with prostate cancer treated with pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton radiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: Between January 2013 and March 2016, 284 patients with prostate cancer were treated using intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), with an ultrahypofractionated schedule (36.25 GyE in 5 fractions).

Correlation between ADR of screening and all colonoscopies.

Background And Aims: Colonoscopy with polypectomy are associated with a reduction in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as mortality, secondary to CRC. Because of the variation in physicians' performance and the risk of interval CRC after a colonoscopy, several quality indicators have been established. ADR (adenoma detection rate) is a generally accepted quality indicator.

[Oncology Services for Patients with Head Neck Cancer during Corona-Times - Patients' Perspective].

Objective: COVID-19 pandemic has impact on the oncology service system for tumor patients. What is the view of head and neck cancer patients (HNC) on this situation and which coping strategies were developed?

Material & Methods: In study 1 PRIO asked 433 tumor patients regarding their impressions/fears during the lockdown between April 15 and May 15, 2020 (online, standardized questionnaire). In 2 study 292 tumor patients reported their pandemic-induced perceived changes and coping strategies by established questionnaires (WHO-5, MLQ, GrAw-7).

Norepinephrine transporter-derived homing peptides enable rapid endocytosis of drug delivery nanovehicles into neuroblastoma cells.

Background: Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of neuroblastomas-the most frequent solid tumors in children-exploit the norepinephrine transporter (hNET) via radiolabeled norepinephrine analogs. We aim to develop a nanomedicine-based strategy towards precision therapy by targeting hNET cell-surface protein with hNET-derived homing peptides.

Results: The peptides (seq.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) and its therapy - 20 years experience of a single surgical department.

Introduction: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare malignant disease with various grades of malignancy, producing mucinous and gelatinous masses. The origin of PMP is usually connected with the rupture of appendiceal mucinous tumours, other mucinous tumours of the gastrointestinal tract or of the ovary. The staging of this disease is determined by the PCI score (peritoneal cancer index), and the efficiency of surgical procedure by the CC score.