Surface activity of cancer cells:The fusion of two cell aggregates

A key feature that distinguishes cancer cells from all other cells is their capability to spread throughout the body.Although how cancer cells collectively migrate by following molecular rules which influence the state of cell-cell adhesion contacts has been comprehensively formulated,the impact of physical interactions on cell spreading remains less understood.Cumulative effects of physical interactions exist as the interplay between various physical parameters such as(1)tissue surface tension,(2)viscoelasticity caused by collective cell migration,and(3)solid stress accumulated in the cell aggregate core region.This review aims to point out the role of these physical parameters in cancer cell spreading by considering and comparing the rearrangement of various mono-cultured cancer and epithelial model systems such as the fusion of two cell aggregates.While epithelial cells undergo volumetric cell rearrangement driven by the tissue surface tension,which directs cell movement from the surface to the core region of two-aggregate systems,cancer cells rather perform surface cell rearrangement.Cancer cells migrate toward the surface of the two-aggregate system driven by the solid stress while the surface tension is significantly reduced.The solid stress,accumulated in the core region of the two-aggregate system,is capable of suppressing the movement of epithelial cells that can undergo the jamming state transition;however,this stress enhances the movement of cancer cells.We have focused here on the multi-scale rheological modeling approaches that aimed at reproducing and understanding these biological systems.

Primary gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: Clinical data predicted treatment outcome

AIM: To determine clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of gastric lymphoma after chemotherapy and immuno-chemotherapy. METHODS: Thirty four patients with primary gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (Ann Arbor stages Ⅰ to Ⅳ) were enrolled. All had upper gastric endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, CT and H pylori status assessment (histology and serology). After anti-H pylori treatment and initial chemotherapy, patients were re-examined every 4 mo. RESULTS: Histological regression of the lymphoma was complete in 22/34 (64.7%) and partial in 9 (26.5%) patients. Median follow up time for these 31 responders was 60 mo (range 48-120). No regression was noted in 3 patients. Among the 25 (73.5%) H pylori positive patients, the eradication rate was 100%.CONCLUSION: Using univariate analysis, predictive factors for overall survival were international prognostic index (IPI) score, hemoglobin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and platelet numbers (P < 0.005). In addition to this, Cox proportion hazard model differentiate IPI score, ESR, and platelets as predictors of survival.

Nitroglycerine effects on portal vein mechanics and oxidative stress in portal hypertension

AIM:Тo examine the effects of nitroglycerine on portal vein haemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients with portal hypertension.METHODS:Thirty healthy controls and 39 patients with clinically verified portal hypertension and increasedvascular resistance participated in the study.Liver di-ameters,portal diameters and portal flow velocities were recorded using color flow imaging/pulsed Doppler detection.Cross-section area,portal flow and index of vascular resistance were calculated.In collected blood samples,superoxide anion radical (O 2-),hydrogen per-oxide (H 2 O 2),index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) as a marker of endothelial response (measured as nitrite-NO 2-) were determined.Time-dependent analysis was performed at basal state and in 10th and 15th min after nitroglycerine (sublingual 0.5 mg) administration.RESULTS:Oxidative stress parameters changed sig-nificantly during the study.H 2 O 2 decreased at the end of study,probably via O 2-mediated disassembling in Haber Weiss and Fenton reaction;O 2-increased signifi-cantly probably due to increased diameter and tension and decreased shear rate level.Consequently O 2-and H 2 O 2 degradation products,like hydroxyl radical,initi-ated lipid peroxidation.Increased blood flow was to some extent lower in patients than in controls due to double paradoxes,flow velocity decreased,shear rate decreased significantly indicating non Newtonian char-acteristics of portal blood flow.CONCLUSION:This pilot study could be a starting point for further investigation and possible implemen-tation of some antioxidants in the treatment of portal hypertension.

Monoclonal immunoscintigraphy for detection of metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer

AIM:To assess the clinical role of monoclonal immunoscintigraphy for the detection of metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer.METHODS:Monoclonal immunoscintigraphy was performed in patients operated on for colorectal adenocar-cinoma suspected of local recurrence and metastatic disease.The results were compared with conventional diagnostics.RESULTS:Immunoscintigraphic investigation was done in 53 patients.Tumor recurrence occurred in 38 patients,and was confirmed by other diagnostic modalities in 35.In 15 patients,immunoscintigraphic findings were negative,and confirmed in 14 with other diagnostic methods.Comparative analysis confirmed good correlation of immunoscintigraphic findings and the results of conventional diagnostics and the level of tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen.Statistical analysis of parameters of radiopharmaceutical groups imacis,indimacis and oncoscint presented homogenous characteristics all of three radiopharmaceuticals.The analysis of immunoscintigraphic target focus was clearly improved using tomography.CONCLUSION:Immunoscintigraphy is highly specific and has a good predictive value in local recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Splenectomy with chemotherapy vs surgery alone as initial treatment for splenic marginal zone lymphoma

AIM： To evaluate the clinical characteristics of splenic marginal-zone lymphoma （SMZL） following antigen expression and the influence of therapeutic approaches on clinical outcome and overall survival （OS）.METHODS： A total of 30 patients with typical histological and immunohistochemical SMZL patterns were examined. Splenectomy plus chemotherapy was applied in 20 patients, while splenectomy as a single treatment-option was performed in 10 patients. Prognostic factor and overall survival rate were analyzed.RESULTS： Complete remission （CR） was achieved in 20 （66.7%）, partial remission （PR） in seven （23.3%）, and lethal outcome due to disease progression occurred in three （10.0%） patients. Median survival of patients with a splenectomy was 93.0 mo and for patients with splenectomy plus chemotherapy it was 207.5 mo （Log rank = 0.056, P 〉 0.05）. Time from onset of first symptoms to the beginning of the treatment （mean 9.4 too） was influenced by spleen dimensions, as measured by computerized tomography and ultra-sound （t = 2.558, P = 0.018）. Strong positivity （＋＋＋） of CD20 antigen expression in splenic tissue had a positive influence on OS （Log rank = 5.244, P 〈 0.05）. The analysis of factors interfering with survival （by the Kaplan-Meier method） revealed that gender, general symptoms, clinical stage, and spleen infiltration type （nodular vs diffuse） had no significant （P 〉 0.05） effects on the OS. The expression of other antigens （immunohistochemistry） also had no effect on survival-rate, as measured by a χ^2 test （P 〉 0.05）.CONCLUSION： Initial splenectomy combined with chemotherapy has been shown to be beneficial due to its advanced remission rate/duration; however, a larger controlled clinical study is required to confirm our findings.

Pearls and pitfalls in magnetic resonance imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common primary hepatic malignancy,which usually arises in cirrhotic liver.When the typical enhancement pattern,consisting of late arterial hyperenhancement followed by washout,is present in nodules larger than 1 cm,HCC can be confidently diagnosed without the need for tissue biopsy.Nevertheless,HCC can display an atypical enhancement pattern,either as iso or hypovascular lesion,or hypervascular lesion without washout.Not only the enhancement pattern of HCC could be atypical,but also a variety of histological types of HCC,such as steatotic,scirrhous,fibrolamellar,or combined hepatocellular-cholangiocellular carcinoma could raise diagnostic dilemmas.In addition,distinct morphological types of HCC or different growth pattern can occur.Awareness of these atypical and rare HCC presentations on magnetic resonance imaging is important for accurate differentiation from other focal liver lesions and timely diagnosis,which allows optimal treatment of patients.

The astronomic theory of climatic changes of Milutin Milankovich

Note： Items in Episodes＇ Classic Paper series normally analyze a single paper of major importance in the history of geosciences. The present contribution examines the book in which Milankovich summed up his life work. One of the few Serbian scientists of worldwide renown, Milutin Milankovich, was professor of applied mathematics at Belgrade University. He was born in 1879 in Dalj, near Osjek （today in Croatia）. He studied construction engineering in Vienna, graduated in 1902 and gained his PhD in 1904. After a brief but successful engineering practice in Vienna, he moved to Belgrade University. During his thirty years of work there he produced： a mathematical theory of the Earth＇s climate （1920）; his astronomic theory of climatic changes （1930, 1938, 1938a）; and his theory of the secular wandering of the Earth＇s poles （1933）. He retired in 1955 and died in Belgrade in 1958.

A model for the chain-to-plane charge transfer in YBa_2Cu_3O_(6+x)

A model for the chain-to-plane charge transfer is proposed to account for the two plateaus, at 60 K and at 90 K, of the Tc（x） characteristics of the YBa2Cu3O6＋x high-Tc superconductor. It is assumed that the number of holes transferred from a CuO chain of length l to two nearby CuO2 sheets is proportional to l （that is, to the number of oxygen atoms in the chain）, if the chain length is greater than, or equal to, a certain critical chain length, lcr, that is required to trigger the charge transfer process. No holes are assumed to have been transferred from chains of length l〈 lcr. The calculated Tc（x） dependence is found to be in excellent agreement with the experimentally reported Tc（x）. The critical chain length parameter is estimated to be equal to lcr = 11 （eleven oxygen atoms in a chain）, which is a greater value than that obtained in the previously proposed model for the chain-to-plane charge transfer （lcr = 4）. The results obtained out of the proposed model are briefly discussed.

Orhan Pamuk＇s Istanbul

The paper is based on the autobiographic-essayistic book Istanbul： Memories of a City written by Orhan Pamuk. lstanbul as a typical old capital shapes the lives of its citizens by its spirit, culture, and imperial past. On the other hand, it is a city that lives with specific sentiments--the sense of defeat and loss, melancholy and pain because of the lost power and glory. The author analyzes Pamuk＇s vision of his native city created on the basis of the real scenes and imaginary, the truly lived experiences and fiction. The paper is also concentrated on the deeds of the Turkish and European writers that had made a great contribution in Pamuk＇s synthesis of the East and the West, the past and the present and authentic permeation of cultures he has achieved writing about Istanbul.

In vivo femtosecond laser nanosurgery of the cell wall enabling patch-clamp measurements on filamentous fungi

Studying the membrane physiology of filamentous fungi is key to understanding their interactions with the environment and crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies for disease-causing pathogens.However,their plasma membrane has been inaccessible for a micron-sized patch-clamp pipette for pA current recordings due to the rigid chitinous cell wall.Here,we report the first femtosecond IR laser nanosurgery of the cell wall of the filamentous fungi,which enabled patch-clamp measurements on protoplasts released from hyphae.A reproducible and highly precise(diffraction-limited,submicron resolution)method for obtaining viable released protoplasts was developed.Protoplast release from the nanosurgery-generated incisions in the cell wall was achieved from different regions of the hyphae.The plasma membrane of the obtained protoplasts formed tight and high-resistance(GΩ)contacts with the recording pipette.The entire nanosurgical procedure followed by the patch-clamp technique could be completed in less than 1 hour.Compared to previous studies using heterologously expressed channels,this technique provides the opportunity to identify new ionic currents and to study the properties of the ion channels in the protoplasts of filamentous fungi in their native environment.

Recent advances in assessment of soil erosion vulnerability in a watershed

Soil erosion is one of the most critical hazards adversely affecting both environment and economy.Assessment of the annual soil erosion rate provides information on soil erosion risk zones indicating the areas with high,severe and low risks.Modelling and prediction of soil erosion has a long history of more than seven decades.It becomes imperative to be familiar with the quantum of studies conducted and methods employed across the world to assess vulnerability of ecosystems to soil erosion to plan strategies for their conservation.There are several methods based on various factors like land use,soil quality,topography etc.available to assess the susceptibility of a region to soil loss.With time the gap in understanding of such models and their use around the world has increased.Numerous models for assessing soil erosion exist but there is a lack of knowledge on spatial distribution of the methods being used.Academic papers related to assessment of soil erosion vulnerability published during the past three decades(1991—2019)were reviewed.Total 160 studies were reviewed to understand advances in the methods used to assess soil erosion vulnerability worldwide,identification of the most popular methods and proportion of studies conducted in the fragile region of Himalayas.The results show that 18 different methods have mainly been used to assess soil erosion risk in different regions.These methods include statistical,physical,process based and empirical models.The use of few physical methods like ANSWERS and SHE has decreased with time while that of physical and process methods like RUSLE,SWAT,WEPP and PESERA has increased with time.The review highlighted that various models being used worldwide are based on their suitability to the region.It also brings to attention that few models like PESERA,EUROSEM and WEPP are mostly being used concentrated in a particular region.Models like PESERA and EPM are mostly used in European region and may be encouraged to estimate soil erosion in Himalayan region.The review also highlights lack of studies with inclusion of water quality as an important parameter while assessing soil erosion vulnerability in the region.The review suggests that in case of lack of data,various statistical methods like PCA,CF,FUZZY etc can be preferred for qualitative assessment over quantitative assessment Considering availability of accurate input,researchers need to attempt more methods and perform comparative studies to attain accurate results for assessing soil erosion vulnerability leading to strategizing soil conservation in fragile regions.

儿童苏醒期谵妄：诸多问题，少有答案

新一代的吸入麻醉药应用于儿童临床麻醉后，导致苏醒期谵妄（emergence delirium，ED）的发生率增高。苏醒期谵妄是一种短暂的临床现象，但其原因不明，而且很难处理。目前认为麻醉、手术、患者和药物等多种医疗相关因素是儿童苏醒期烦躁可能的原因。麻醉苏醒期间的躁动行为不仅让患儿感到不适，而且令护理人员和家长对麻醉复苏的质量感到不满。尽管烦躁的轻重不同，但一般都需要护士格外照顾，还需要追加镇痛、镇静药，进而延长住院时间。为了减少这种不良现象的发生，建议对高危患儿加以辨别，并采取减轻手术前焦虑、缓解手术后疼痛以及保证安静和温馨的麻醉恢复环境等预防性措施。因此有必要开展更多的实验研究来揭示手术后儿童烦躁发生的原因以及提供有效的治疗措施。

SPEEDUP Code for Calculation of Transition Amplitudes via the Effective Action Approach

We present Path Integral Monte Carlo C code for calculation of quantum mechanical transition amplitudes for 1Dmodels.The SPEEDUP C code is based on the use of higher-order short-time effective actions and implemented to themaximal order p=18 in the time of propagation(Monte Carlo time step),which substantially improves the convergence of discretized amplitudes to their exact continuum values.Symbolic derivation of higher-order effective actions is implemented in SPEEDUP Mathematica codes,using the recursive Schrodinger equation approach.In addition to the general 1D quantum theory,developed Mathematica codes are capable of calculating effective actions for specific models,for general 2D and 3D potentials,as well as for a general many-body theory in arbitrary number of spatial dimensions.

Shaped Co^(2+) doped TiO_(2) nanocrystals synthesized from nanotubular precursor: Structure and ferromagnetic behavior

Co2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals were synthetized by a hydrothermal treatment procedure applied to precursor dispersion of titania nanotubes and Co2+ ions. Mixture of polygonal and prolate spheroid-like nanocrystals was obtained. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that resulted nanocrystals retain anatase crystal phase for both dopant concentrations (1.69 and 2.5 at%), but the crystal lattice parameters were affected. Reflection spectra revealed altered optical properties compared to bare TiO2. Room temperature ferromagnetic ordering with saturation magnetic moment in the range of 0.001–0.002 μB /Co was observed for both measured films made of Co2+ doped TiO2 nanocrystals.