Long-term survival of patients with prostate cancer in Martinique: Results of a population-based study

BackgroundMartinique has one of the highest incidences of prostate cancer (PCa) worldwide. We analysed overall survival (OS) among patients with PCa in Martinique, using data from a population-based cancer registry between 2005 and 2014.MethodsThe log-rank test was used to assess the statistical differences between survival curves according to age at diagnosis, risk of disease progression including Gleason score, stage at diagnosis and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). A multivariable Cox model was constructed to identify independent prognostic factors for OS.ResultsA total of 5045 patients were included with a mean age at diagnosis of 68.1±9.0 years [36.0 – 98.0 years]. Clinical stage was analysed in 4999 (99.1% of overall), 19.5% were at low risk, 34.7% intermediate and 36.9% at high risk. In our study, 8.9% of patients with available stage at diagnosis, were regional/metastatic cancers. Median PSA level at diagnosis was 10.4 ng/mL. High-risk PCa was more frequent in patients aged 65-74 and ≥75 years as compared to those aged <65 years (36.6% and 48.8% versus 28.7% respectively; p<0.0001). One-year OS was 96.3%, 5-year OS was 83.4 and 10-year OS was 65.0%. Median survival was not reached in the whole cohort. High-risk PCa (HR=2.32; p<0.0001), regional/metastatic stage (HR= 9.51; p<0.0001) and older age (65-74 and ≥75 years - respectively HR=1.70; and HR=3.38), were independent prognostic factors for OS (p<0.0001).ConclusionThis study provides long term data that may be useful in making cancer management decisions for patients with PCa in Martinique.     

Timing and ecdysteroid regulation of the molt in last instar greenhouse whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)

A system of markers has been devised to track the development of 3rd and 4th instar/pharate adult greenhouse whiteflies. Instars were identified based on measurements of body width and body length. Depending upon the host plant, the product of the two measurements was exceptionally useful in distinguishing between instars. Body depth was used to divide the 3rd instar into eight stages and body depth and color and appearance of the developing adult eye were used to divide the 4th instar/pharate adult into nine stages. Under conditions of L:D 16:8 and a temperature of 26±2°C, the body depth of 3rd instars reared on greenbean increased from 0.025 (stage 1) to 0.2 mm (stage 8) and the instar duration was approximately 3 days. The body depth of 4th instars increased from approximately 0.1±0.02 (Stage 1) to 0.3±0.03 mm (Stage 5) and then remained constant or decreased slightly during adult development. Ecdysteroid titers peaked at approximately 120 fg/μg protein during Stages 3 through 6 of the 4th instar. Based on an external examination of developing 4th instars and the fluctuations in ecdysteroid titer, it appears that adult development is initiated in Stage 4 or 5 4th instars. Results from histological studies support this view. In Stage 4 nymphs, a subtle change was observed in the corneagenous cells of the eye. However, most Stage 4 4th instars possessed wing development characteristic of earlier, immature stages. In all Stage 5 insects, wing development had been initiated and the corneagenous cells had become quite distinct. In Stage 6 whiteflies, the wing buds were deeply folded and by Stage 7, spines were observed on the new cuticle, indicating that the adult cuticle was well-formed by this stage. Our study is the first to investigate the timing and regulation of the molt, to monitor ecdysteroid titers in precisely staged 4th instar whiteflies and to examine the internal anatomical changes associated with metamorphosis in these tiny homopteran insects.     

Apparent annual survival of staging ruffs during a period of population decline: insights from sex and site-use related differences

The ruff Philomachus pugnax, a lekking shorebird wintering in Africa and breeding across northern Eurasia, declined severely in its western range. Based on a capture-mark-resighting programme (2004–2011) in the westernmost staging area in Friesland (the Netherlands), we investigated changes in apparent annual survival in relation to age and sex to explore potential causes of decline. We also related temporal variation in apparent survival to environmental factors. We used the Capture-Mark-Recapture multievent statistical framework to overcome biases in survival estimates after testing for hidden heterogeneity of detection. This enabled the estimation of the probability to belong to high or low detectability classes. Apparent survival varied between years but was not related to weather patterns along the flyway, or to flood levels in the Sahel. Over time, a decline in apparent survival is suggested. Due to a short data series and flag loss in the last period this cannot be verified. Nevertheless, the patterns in sex-specific detectability and survival lead to new biological insights. Among highly detectable birds, supposedly most reliant on Friesland, males survived better than females ( = 0.74, range 0.51–0.93; = 0.51, range 0.24–0.81). Among low detectable birds, the pattern is reversed ( = 0.64, range 0.37–0.89; = 0.73, range 0.48–0.93). Probably the staging population contains a mixture of sex-specific migration strategies. A loss of staging females could greatly affect the dynamics of the western ruff population. Further unravelling of these population processes requires geographically extended demographic monitoring and the use of tracking devices.     

International importance of the eastern Chukchi Sea as a staging area for migrating king eiders

The evaluation of habitats used by arctic birds on migration is crucial for their conservation. We explored the importance of the eastern Chukchi Sea (ECS) as a staging area for king eiders (Somateria spectabilis) migrating between breeding areas in Siberia and western North America and wintering areas in the Bering Sea. We tracked 190 king eiders with satellite transmitters between 1997 and 2007. In late summer, 74% of satellite-tracked king eiders migrating south staged in the ECS for 13 ± 13 (SD) days between late June and early November. During spring migration, king eiders staged in the ECS between mid-April and early June for 21 ± 10 days. All instrumented birds migrating to breeding grounds in western North America (n = 62), and 6 of 11 males migrating to breeding grounds in Siberia, used this area for at least 1 week during spring migration. The importance of this staging area renders it possible that industrial development could adversely affect king eider populations in both Siberia and North America.     

增强CT和18F-FDG PET/CT在胃癌术前分期评估中的临床价值比较

目的:对比评估增强计算机断层扫描(contrast enhancement computed tomography,CECT)和~(18)F-FDG正电子发射计算机断层扫描(positron emission tomography/computed tomography,PET/CT)在胃癌术前分期中的临床应用价值。方法:回顾性分析经病理证实的胃癌患者的术前CECT(27例)及~(18)F-FDG PET/CT(39例)图像,于两种影像学手段下,双盲法判定每位患者胃癌的TNM分期,然后分别计算每种影像学方法在胃癌术前分期中的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确性。两种影像学方法的差异比较采用Pearson卡方检验。结果:CECT和~(18)F-FDG PET/CT诊断胃癌T分期的敏感性、阳性预测值和准确性分别是100.00%、72.73%、59.26%和100.00%、90.91%、76.92%;CECT和~(18)F-FDG PET/CT诊断胃癌N分期的敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确性分别是75.00%、71.43%、88.24%、50.00%、74.07%和42.86%、92.00%、75.00%、74.19%、35.90%。结论:CECT和~(18)F-FDG PET/CT均可用于胃癌术前分期的预估,尤其在N分期方面,CECT的敏感性和准确性高于~(18)F-FDG PET/CT。     

Ecology of spring-migrating Anatidae: a review

Spring migration is generally considered as a crucial period of the year for many birds, not the least due to its supposed importance for subsequent breeding success. By reviewing the existing literature for Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans), we show that little is known about their ecology in spring, although some goose species are exceptions. Another general pattern is that the ecology of Anatidae at staging sites is particularly neglected. Existing studies tend to focus on questions dealing with acquisition of nutrient reserves, whereas almost nothing has been published about stopover habitats, time use, microhabitat use, foraging behaviour, food availability, food limitation, diet selection, and interspecific relationships. Besides summarising present knowledge, we identify taxonomic groups and topics for which gaps of knowledge appear the most evident, thereby also highlighting research needs for the future.     

CT增强在结肠癌分期中的应用及联合血清CEA、CA199、 CA724及microRNA-21对良恶性病变的诊断价值

摘要 目的：探讨CT增强在结肠癌分期中的应用及联合血清CEA、CA199、 CA724及microRNA-21对良恶性病变的诊断价值。方法：将我院2018年3月至2022年3月确诊的85例结肠癌患者纳入观察组,选取同期85例结肠良性肿瘤患者纳入对照组。以病理结果为金标准,分析CT增强分期对结肠癌患者T、N、M分期的诊断价值,并比较两组的血清CEA、CA199、 CA724、microRNA-21水平,同时评估CT增强及血清CEA、CA199、CA724、microRNA-21单独及联合诊断结肠癌良恶性病变价值。结果：CT增强T分期准确率为88.2%,一致性较高（Kappa值=0.812）;CT增强N分期准确率为63.5% ,一致性一般（Kappa值=0.449）;CT增强M分期准确率为90.6%,一致性较高（Kappa值=0.739）。观察组血清CEA、CA199、CA724、microRNA-21水平均高于对照组（P<0.05）。受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析结果显示：CT增强及血清CEA、CA199、CA724、microRNA-21单独及联合诊断结肠癌良恶性病变的ROC曲线下的面积（AUC）（0.95CI）分别为0.783、0.722（0.497～0.944）、0.694（0.475～0.916）、0.704（0.434～0.977）、0.687（0.393～0.967）、0.917（0.829～0.982）。CT增强及联合血清CEA、CA199、CA724、microRNA-21检查恶性结肠癌患者75例,诊断灵敏度88.2%,特异性90.6%,准确性89.4%。结论：CT增强可以应用于结肠癌分期,并且CT增强结合血清CEA、CA199、CA724及microRNA-21可以有效、准确地判断结肠癌的良恶性病变情况,对提高结肠癌的诊断具有重要临床意义。     

Rotating biological contactors: a review on main factors affecting performance

Rotating biological contactors (RBCs) constitute a very unique and superior alternative for biodegradable matter and nitrogen removal on account of their feasibility, simplicity of design and operation, short start-up, low land area requirement, low energy consumption, low operating and maintenance cost and treatment efficiency. The present review of RBCs focus on parameters that affect performance like rotational speed, organic and hydraulic loading rates, retention time, biofilm support media, staging, temperature, influent wastewater characteristics, biofilm characteristics, dissolved oxygen levels, effluent and solids recirculation, step-feeding and medium submergence. Some RBCs scale-up and design considerations, operational problems and comparison with other wastewater treatment systems are also reported.     

一期外固定联合锁定钢板内固定术治疗 C 型 pilon 骨折的临床疗效

摘要 目的： 探讨外固定架联合锁定钢板分期治疗 C 型 pilon 骨折的临床疗效。 方法： 选取 2010 年 3 月至 2011 年 4 月在我院接受 治疗的 C 型 pilon 骨折患者 17 例。按照分期治疗的原则, 先行一期外固定架固定术, 待局部软组织恢复后切开复位, 再行锁定钢 板内固定术进行治疗, 术后对患者进行一年的随访, 定期检查患者的踝关节功能, 并借助影像学资料对临床疗效进行评价。结果： 全部患者获得随访, 平均愈合时间为(4.1± 1.6)月;平均 AOFAS 评分为(83.1± 12.4)分, 其中优 6 例(35.2 %), 良 8 例(47.1 %),一般 2 例(11.8 %), 差 1 例(5.9 %), 优良率为 82.4%; 术后 4 例患者出现出现轻度感染, 通过局部换药、 抗生素和钉道护理得到控制。结 论： 采用一期外固定联合锁定钢板内固定术分期治疗 C 型 pilon 骨折, 可以有效地提高治疗效果, 值得临床推广。     

The binary presence or absence of lymph node metastasis or extrathyroidal extension is not associated with survival in papillary thyroid cancers: Implications for staging systems

BackgroundThe characteristics of diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) have changed over time with the increasing trend of early diagnosis, and the survival impact of conventional prognostic factors such as lymph node metastasis (LNM) and extrathyroidal extension (ETE) is controversial. We investigated PTC prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS), focusing on LNM, ETE, and their implications for PTC staging systems.MethodsWe assessed prognostic factors for OS and DSS in a nationwide sample of Korean PTC patients (N = 5192, median follow-up 121 months) using Cox regression. The binary presence or absence of LNM and ETE, as well as other measures of LNM and ETE, were examined for their survival impact. We also evaluated the relative performance of PTC staging systems before and after revising the staging criteria for LNM and ETE.ResultsThe binary presence of LNM or ETE was not a prognostic factor for OS or DSS, nor were other various measures of LNM. However, the extent of ETE as none, microscopic, or gross independently influenced survival (OS hazard ratio for gross vs. none: 3.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.97–5.46; DSS hazard ratio for gross vs. none: 3.75, 95% CI 1.59–8.81). The performance of PTC staging systems improved when the extent of ETE and/or location of LNM were used as staging components.ConclusionThe extent of ETE and/or location of LNM may be better survival indicators than their binary presence or absence, and we propose staging criteria revisions to pertinent staging systems to better reflect the contemporary PTC population.