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Castleman Disease (CD) is a rare entity that typically presents as an enhancing nodal mass in the mediastinum or head and neck region on computed tomography (CT). It may manifest as unicentric or multicentric regions of lymph node enlargement. A key clinical issue in the context of CD is delayed diagnosis, which contributes adversely to patient outcome, given that accurate diagnosis facilitates earlier treatment of this curable disease. This article will address relevant imaging aspects, with reference to typical and atypical imaging features of CD, illustrated using examples from our specialist centre; the imaging journey for patients with CD; and will provide practical pointers to radiologists in differentiating CD from other benign and malignant causes of enhancing lymphadenopathy, including lymphoma and neoplastic adenopathy. We will also review current classification tools and staging challenges with reference to World Health Organization guidelines, International Working Group guidelines as well as the Lugano classification. Finally, we will discuss the potential role of additional imaging techniques in CD, highlighting novel imaging methods and expanded utilities from our specialist centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to improve the tolerability of Codiaeum variegatum plants to transport and postharvest handling by using chitosan. It was conducted at Antoniades Research Branch, during the seasons of 2017 and 2018. Three concentrations of chitosan (0.0, 500 and 750 ppm) were used as a foliar spray on the plants, then packing in carton box and stored at 15.5 ° C and 73%RH for different periods (0-time, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days).The results cleared that the foliar spray of chitosan at 500 ppm recorded the highest decrease in water loss rate (WLR), relative water loss (RWL), intensity of transpiration, leaves drop percentage (LDP), proline and reducing sugars content. Also this treatment gave the highest chlorophyll a and b content. However RWL, LDP and proline content were increased by increasing the storage period. The lowest intensity of transpiration was recorded after the 10th day of storage. Also chlorophyll a and b were decreased by increasing storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) is designed to assess negative thoughts in response to pain. It is composed of three domains: helplessness, rumination, and magnification. We report on the translation, adaptation, and validation of scores on a Malay-speaking version of the PCS, the PCS-MY. Method: Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptations of assessment measures were implemented. A sample of 303 young military recruits participated in the study. Factor structure, reliability, and validity of scores on the PCS-MY were examined. Convergent validity was investigated with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Short-form 12 version 2, and Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale. Results: Most participants were men, ranging in age from 19 to 26. The reliability of the PCS-MY scores was adequate ( α = 0.90; mean inter-item correlation = 0.43). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a modified version of the PCS-MY provided best fit estimates to the sample data. The PCS-MY total score was negatively correlated with mental well-being and positively correlated with negative affect (all ps < 0.001). Conclusion: The PCS-MY was demonstrated to have adequate reliability and validity estimates in the study sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial evidence indicates nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the molecular basis for this anti-tumour activity has not been fully elucidated. We previously reported that aspirin induces signal-specific IkappaBalpha degradation followed by NFkappaB nuclear translocation in CRC cells, and that this mechanism contributes substantially to aspirin-induced apoptosis. We have also reported the relative specificity of this aspirin-induced NFkappaB-dependent apoptotic effect for CRC cells, in comparison to other cancer cell types. It is now important to establish whether there is heterogeneity within CRC, with respect to the effects of aspirin on the NFkappaB pathway and apoptosis. p53 signalling and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) are known to be deranged in CRC and have been reported as potential molecular targets for the anti-tumour activity of NSAIDs. Furthermore, both p53 and MMR dysfunction have been shown to confer resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we set out to determine the p53 and hMLH1 dependency of the effects of aspirin on NFkappaB signalling and apoptosis in CRC. We specifically compared the effects of aspirin treatment on cell viability, apoptosis and NFkappaB signalling in an HCT-116 CRC cell line with the p53 gene homozygously disrupted (HCT-116(p53-/-)) and an HCT-116 cell line rendered MMR proficient by chromosomal transfer (HCT-116(+ch3)), to the parental HCT-116 CRC cell line. We found that aspirin treatment induced apoptosis following IkappaBalpha degradation, NFkappaB nuclear translocation and repression of NFkappaB-driven transcription, irrespective of p53 and DNA MMR status. These findings are relevant for design of both novel chemopreventative agents and chemoprevention trials in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial evidence indicates nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the molecular basis for this anti-tumour activity has not been fully elucidated. We previously reported that aspirin induces signal-specific I?Badegradation followed by NF?B nuclear translocation in CRC cells, and that this mechanism contributes substantially to aspirin-induced apoptosis. We have also reported the relative specificity of this aspirin-induced NF?B-dependent apoptotic effect for CRC cells, in comparison to other cancer cell types. It is now important to establish whether there is heterogeneity within CRC, with respect to the effects of aspirin on the NF?B pathway and apoptosis. p53 signalling and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) are known to be deranged in CRC and have been reported as potential molecular targets for the anti-tumour activity of NSAIDs. Furthermore, both p53 and MMR dysfunction have been shown to confer resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we set out to determine the p53 and hMLH1 dependency of the effects of aspirin on NF?B signalling and apoptosis in CRC. We specifically compared the effects of aspirin treatment on cell viability, apoptosis and NF?B signalling in an HCT-116 CRC cell line with the p53 gene homozygously disrupted (HCT-116p53-/-) and an HCT-116 cell line rendered MMR proficient by chromosomal transfer (HCT-116+ch3), to the parental HCT-116 CRC cell line. We found that aspirin treatment induced apoptosis following I?Badegradation, NF?B nuclear translocation and repression of NF?B-driven transcription, irrespective of p53 and DNA MMR status. These findings are relevant for design of both novel chemopreventative agents and chemoprevention trials in CRC.British Journal of Cancer (2005) 92, 1137-1143. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6602455 www.bjcancer.com Published online 15 March 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological evidence indicates that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protect against colorectal cancer (CRC) to a greater degree than other non-gastrointestinal cancers, but the molecular basis for this difference is unknown. We previously reported that aspirin induces signal-specific I kappa B alpha degradation followed by NF kappa B nuclear translocation in CRC cells, and that this mechanism contributes substantially to aspirin-induced apoptosis. Here, we explored the hypothesis that cell-type specific effects on NF kappa B signalling are responsible for the observed differences in protection by aspirin against CRC compared to breast and gynaecological cancers. We also assessed whether COX-2 expression, mutation status of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), beta-catenin, p53, or DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes in CRC lines influenced aspirin-induced effects. We found that aspirin induced concentration-dependent I kappa B alpha degradation, NF kappa B nuclear translocation and apoptosis in all CRC lines studied. However, there was no such effect on the other cancer cell types, indicating a considerable degree of cell-type specificity. The lack of effect on NF kappa B signalling, paralleled by absence of an apoptotic response to aspirin in non-CRC lines, strongly suggests a molecular rationale for the particular protective effect of NSAIDs against CRC. Effects on NF kappa B and apoptosis were observed irrespective of COX-2 expression, or mutation status in APC, beta-catenin, p53 and DNA MMR genes, underscoring the generality of the aspirin effect on NF kappa B in CRC cells. These findings raise the possibility of cell-type specific targets for the development of novel chemopreventive agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two configurations of closure strips between precast reinforced concrete (RC) slab panels were fabricated and filled with either non-shrink grout or ultrahigh-performance strain-hardening cementitious composite (UHP-SHCC) material. The strips were then strengthened with externally bonded carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets in order to compensate the drawback associated with decreasing the amount of connected steel reinforcing bars required to transfer the bending moment between panels. In total, 12 specimens divided into three groups were cast and tested under short-term non-reversed repeated patch loads simulating wheel load at the central joint. The test results showed that the UHP-SHCC filling material enabled the connected panels to exhibit more ductile behaviour compared with the panels whose closure strips were filled with non-shrink grout. On the other hand, the CFRP strengthening sheets for the first configuration of the closure strip failed to restore the ultimate capacity of the un-strengthened monolithic specimen. However, the second configuration, using UHP-SHCC filling material, enabled the connecting panels to restore lost capacity, with a performance improvement of about 14% compared with the un-strengthened monolithic specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reinforced concrete beam with a recess is an example of a non-prismatic beam, which develops stress concentrations at the corner of the recess owing to the abrupt change in its depth. This entails appropriate detailing of internal reinforcement in order to avoid premature failure. This study presents the load transfer mechanism employing the strut-and-tie model (STM) for four non-prismatic beams with recesses in the shear span zone at both compression and tension sides, tested under a four-point loading scheme. The proposed STMs for the tested beams were developed based on both the cracking patterns near failure of experimentally tested beams and the developed stress contours based on linear static analysis. In addition, a simplified method is proposed to estimate the maximum mid-span deflection of simply supported beams with recesses. The results obtained reveal that the STM gave good predictions, with an average of about 86% of the ultimate experimental loads. Based on the results of the parametric study conducted, it was found that the most significant parameter was the recess depth from the viewpoint of stress concentration factor, cracking load and maximum crack width. Finally, recommendations and guidelines for the design of reinforced concrete beams with recesses are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Faecal immunochemical test (FIT)-directed pathways based on a single test have been implemented for symptomatic patients. However, with a single test, the sensitivity is 87 per cent at 10 µg haemoglobin (Hb) per g faeces. This aims of this study were to define the diagnostic performance of a single FIT, compared with double FIT in symptomatic populations. Methods: Two sequential prospective patient cohorts referred with symptoms from primary care were studied. Patients in cohort 1 were sent a single FIT, and those in cohort 2 received two tests in succession before investigation. All patients were investigated, regardless of having a positive or negative test (threshold 10 µg Hb per g). Results: In cohort 1, 2260 patients completed one FIT and investigation. The sensitivity of single FIT was 84.1 (95 per cent c.i. 73.3 to 91.8) per cent for colorectal cancer and 67.4 (61.0 to 73.4) per cent for significant bowel pathology. In cohort 2, 3426 patients completed at least one FIT, and 2637 completed both FITs and investigation. The sensitivity of double FIT was 96.6 (90.4 to 99.3) per cent for colorectal cancer and 83.0 (77.4 to 87.8) per cent for significant bowel pathology. The second FIT resulted in a 50.0 per cent reduction in cancers missed by the first FIT, and 30.0 per cent for significant bowel pathology. Correlation between faecal Hb level was only modest (rS = 0.58), and 16.8 per cent of double tests were discordant, 11.4 per cent in patients with colorectal cancer and 18.3 per cent in those with significant bowel pathology. Conclusion: FIT in patients with high-risk symptoms twice in succession reduces missed significant colorectal pathology and has an acceptable workload impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frihy, O.E.; Deabes, E.A., and Helmy, E-El.D.F., 2016. Compatibility analysis of dredged sediments from routine pathways and maintenance of harbor's channels for reuse in nearshore nourishment in the Nile Delta, Egypt. Dredged seabed sediments from Nile Delta pathways and maintenance of harbor channels were analyzed for compatibility with samples from five eroding beaches as potential borrow material for nearshore nourishment. Dredging sites were essentially centered at Abu Qir bay, Rosetta estuary, Burullus harbor, the Damietta approach channel, and El Gamil inlet near Port Said. Compatibility analysis of core and seabed samples collected from the dredging areas with the native eroding beaches was performed using multiple methods, including graphical comparison of grain size distributions (scatter plots, cumulative curves, and frequency curves), overfill ( RA), and renourishment ( RJ) factor models, the 'half-life time' of the specified beach fills, and the volume of borrow sediment required to maintain equilibrium in the beach/littoral system. Results indicate that the compatibility of the dredged borrow sediments to the native material varies locally from fairly compatible (Rosetta estuary, Burullus harbor, Damietta approach channel, and El Gamil inlet) to incompatible (Abu Qir bay). Because of the wide range of grain-size distribution of dredged sediment, only 18-51% of the sand fractions evaluated were compatible with native beaches. However, excessive volumes of dredged sediment can compensate for dredging sites with low proportions of sand, estimated between 2.5 and 4.7 times the volume required using compatible materials to maintain the equilibrium profile. Furthermore, the frequency of nourishment operations would be 0.33 to 3.0 times more often than would be required with a fully compatible borrow material. For economic, environmental, and technical considerations, engineering procedures for nearshore nourishment (underwater nourishment) are recommended as an appropriate mitigation to eroding coastlines in the Nile Delta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has posed a global challenge. experts from various branches of science have endeavoured to find solutions to control its spread, one of which has been the quick and precise detection of the virus and its variants in patients. this study aimed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, notably the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, using the spike (S)-gene target failure (SGTF) and S-gene target positive (SGTP) with the principle of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-probe test. Our descriptive experimental approach detected Omicron variants with the SNP-probe technique using samples of SARS-CoV-2 patients and controls. the probes were designed to recognize the nucleotide code of the amino acids in positions 371 and 417 of SARS-CoV-2. the existence of variants was monitored by the presence or absence of a fluorescence signal, which was translated into a sigmoidal graph using a real-time (Rt)-PCR machine. One hundred and twelve samples that had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron variant using a registered commercial kit showed a similar result to our in-house-developed SNP-probe 371 and 417 assays. the results of this study indicate that the SNP-probe we designed can be used in the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk for several common cancers is influenced by the transcriptomic landscape of the respective tissue-of-origin. Vitamin D influences in vitro gene expression and cancer cell growth. We sought to determine whether oral vitamin D induces beneficial gene expression effects in human rectal epithelium and identify biomarkers of response.Methods: Blood and rectal mucosa was sampled from 191 human subjects and mucosa gene expression (HT12) correlated with plasma vitamin D (25-OHD) to identify differentially expressed genes. Fifty subjects were then administered 3200IU/day oral vitamin D3 and matched blood/mucosa resampled after 12 weeks. Transcriptomic changes (HT12/RNAseq) after supplementation were tested against the prioritised genes for gene-set and GO-process enrichment. To identify blood biomarkers of mucosal response, we derived receiver-operator curves and C-statistic (AUC) and tested biomarker reproducibility in an independent Supplementation Trial (BEST-D).Results: Six hundred twenty-nine genes were associated with 25-OHD level (P < 0.01), highlighting 453 GO-term processes (FDR<0.05). In the whole intervention cohort, vitamin D supplementation enriched the prioritised mucosal gene-set (upregulated gene-set P < 1.0E-07; downregulated gene-set P < 2.6E-05) and corresponding GO terms (P = 2.90E-02), highlighting gene expression patterns consistent with anti-tumour effects. However, only 9 individual participants (18%) showed a significant response (NM gene-set enrichment P < 0.001) to supplementation. Expression changes in HIPK2 and PPP1CC expression served as blood biomarkers of mucosal transcriptomic response (AUC=0.84 [95%CI 0.66-1.00]) and replicated in BEST-D trial subjects (HIPK2 AUC=0.83 [95%CI 0.77-0.89]; PPP1CC AUC=0.91 [95%CI 0.86-0.95]).Conclusions: Higher plasma 25-OHD correlates with rectal mucosa gene expression patterns consistent with anti-tumour effects, and this beneficial signature is induced by short-term vitamin D supplementation. Heterogenous gene expression responses to vitamin D may limit the ability of randomised trials to identify beneficial effects of supplementation on CRC risk. However, in the current study blood expression changes in HIPK2 and PPP1CC identify those participants with significant anti-tumour transcriptomic responses to supplementation in the rectum. These data provide compelling rationale for a trial of vitamin D and CRC prevention using easily assayed blood gene expression signatures as intermediate biomarkers of response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Chemotherapeutic drugs cause severe toxicities if administered unprotected, without proper targeting, and controlled release. In this study, we developed topotecan- (TPT-) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for their chemotherapeutic effect against colorectal cancer. The TPT-SLNs were further incorporated into a thermoresponsive hydrogel system (TRHS) (TPT-SLNs-TRHS) to ensure control release and reduce toxicity of the drug. Microemulsion technique and cold method were, respectively, used to develop TPT-SLNs and TPT-SLNs-TRHS. Particle size, polydispersive index (PDI), and incorporation efficiency (IE) of the TPT-SLNs were determined. Similarly, gelation time, gel strength, and bioadhesive force studies of the TPT-SLNs-TRHS were performed. Additionally, in vitro release and pharmacokinetic and antitumour evaluations of the formulation were done. Results. TPT-SLNs have uniformly distributed particles with mean size in nanorange (174 nm) and IE of ~90%. TPT-SLNs-TRHS demonstrated suitable gelation properties upon administration into the rat's rectum. Moreover, drug release was exhibited in a control manner over an extended period of time for the incorporated TPT. Pharmacokinetic studies showed enhanced bioavailability of the TPT with improved plasma concentration and AUC. Further, it showed significantly enhanced antitumour effect in tumour-bearing mice as compared to the test formulations. Conclusion. It can be concluded that SLNs incorporated in TRHS could be a potential source of the antitumour drug delivery with better control of the drug release and no toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Little is known about optimal management strategies for pilonidal sinus disease (PSD). We conducted a mixed‐methods study to understand why patients make, and sometimes regret, treatment decisions. Method: We conducted longitudinal semi‐structured interviews at the time of surgery and 6 months later with 20 patients from 13 UK hospitals. Framework analysis was performed, and themes were mapped to (1) the coping in deliberation framework and (2) an acceptability framework. Results were triangulated with those from structured survey instruments evaluating shared decision‐making (SDM, best = 9) at baseline and decision regret (DR, most regret = 100) at 6 months. Results: Nine of 20 patients were not offered a choice of treatment, but this was not necessarily seen as negative (SDM median 4; range 2–4). Factors that influenced decision‐making included previous experience and anticipated recovery time. Median (range) DR was 5 (0–50). Those with the highest DR (scores 40–50) were, paradoxically, also amongst the highest scores on SDM (scores 4). Burden of wound care and the disparity between anticipated and actual recovery time were the main reasons for decision regret. Conclusion: To minimize regret about surgical decisions, people with PSD need better information about the burden of wound care and the risks of recurrence associated with different surgical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial neural networks, ANNs, can predict the behavior of systems that have common main features. When the problem under consideration contains groups that involve different main features, different ANNs are needed to predict the behavior of each group separately. In this paper, the efficiency of a single ANN to predict the lateral behavior of two-span structures representing a mix of low-, medium- and high-rise buildings in Egypt was investigated. All buildings were first analyzed using nonlinear pushover analysis to obtain their capacity curves, failure loads and displacements. Obtained data were used for training different ANN models. The results indicated the efficiency of a single ANN to predict the behavior of a mix of all buildings under investigation with a confidence level of 99%. The successful network was further utilized to obtain another set of data that were merged with the original data and used to develop a design neural network. The obtained network showed a very good capability to predict design variables which can be a good tool for engineering practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper presents an experimental study in order to verify the flexural performance of a new developed perforated beam system. This system facilitates passing the pipes of utility services through its perforations as well as it has a good-looking appearance. Three main factors were studied; namely, the percentage of mass loss (14% 19% and 26%) due to the provided perforations, the reinforcement configurations around the perforations (orthogonal reinforcement, circular stirrups, and cross-bars) and the perforations shape (circular and oval). Therefore, three perforations sizes were studied having perforation diameter to the beam total depth ratio (D/t) of 0.38, 0.50, and 0.62. Accordingly, six perforated beams along with one solid reference beam were prepared and configured then tested under repeated loading till complete collapse. It could be concluded that the perforated beams of 200 mm perforations diameter (D/t = 0.5) reinforced by circular stirrups and cross-bars showed approximately the same flexural capacity as that of the solid beam but cross-bars stirrups enabled the perforated beam to develop approximately the same ductility as that of the solid beam. While, the beam with circular perforations (D/t = 0.5) provided by orthogonal reinforcement manifested increased flexural capacity by about 31% compared to that of the solid beam, while the developed ductility was lower than that of the solid beam by about 55%. In addition, the ductility could be outperformed by about 21% keeping the same ultimate capacity compared to those of solid beam provided that the mass loss of 14% was achieved as showed by the perforated beam with 150 mm perforations diameter (D/t = 0.38). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an efficient power management interface has been investigated using different green energy sources which are piezoelectric, radio frequency and thermal energy transducers. The piezoelectric transducer drives the rectifier. The radio frequency and thermal energy transducers drive Dickson charge pump and boost converter, and then a high-level voltage level selector circuit is used for the selection of the highest voltage level. Simulation results show that by using an efficient rectifier the efficiency of 80% can be achieved when the piezoelectric source is used. Moreover, the adaptive power management output the highest voltage level when any of the input sources is active. It is simulated using 180 nm CMOS structure and is implemented using discrete components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforced concrete broken slab presents a crucial element that exists in all multi-story buildings. Normally, it can be used as the flight of the stair. In many cases such element is in urgent need for strengthening or upgrading due to change of the usage or any construction errors. The current paper presents three different strengthening strategies for opened-joint broken slabs in the aim of doubling their flexural resistance. The adopted strategies were the application of Externally Bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (EB-CFRP) sheets, adding thin layer of Ultra High-Performance Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (UHP-SHCC), and the application of hybrid system integrated both former techniques. The studied parameters were the anchorage system of the CFRP sheets at the opened-joint as well as the connection between the substrate slab and the UHP-SHCC layer. Based on the overall structural performance and exhibited ductility, the application of properly anchored EB-CFRP sheets on a well-connected UHP-SHCC layer enabled the substrate broken slab to exhibit the most favorable behavior. Finally, a new stitching procedure was proposed in order to construct a precast slab similar to a monolithic one and then strengthened using the same strengthening strategies. Its performance showed comparable results against the results of the monolithic broken slab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]