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Background:Identification of screening tests for the detection of head and neck cancer (HNC) at an early stage is an important strategy to improving prognosis. Our objective was to identify plasma circulating miRNAs for the diagnosis of HNC (oral and laryngeal subsites), within a multicenter International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology consortium.Methods:A high-throughput screening phase with 754 miRNAs was performed in plasma samples of 88 cases and 88 controls, followed by a validation phase of the differentially expressed miRNAs, identified in the screening, in samples of 396 cases and 396 controls. Comparison of the fold changes (FC) was carried out using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the Dunn multiple comparison test.Results:We identified miR-151-3p (FC = 1.73, P = 0.007) as differentially expressed miRNAs in the screening and validation phase. The miR-151-3p was the only overexpressed miRNA in validation sample of patients with HNC with early stage at diagnosis (FC = 1.81, P = 0.008) and it was confirmed upregulated both in smoker early-stage cases (FC = 3.52, P = 0.024) and in nonsmoker early-stage cases (FC = 1.60, P = 0.025) compared with controls.Conclusions:We identified miR-151-3p as an early marker of HNC. This miRNA was the only upregulated in patients at early stages of the disease, independently of the smoking status.Impact:The prognosis for HNC is still poor. The discovery of a new diagnostic biomarker could lead to an earlier tumor discovery and therefore to an improvement in patient prognosis.

Supplementary Table from Plasma miR-151-3p as a Candidate Diagnostic Biomarker for Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study within the INHANCE Consortium

Background A reduction in non-communicable diseases premature mortality by one-third by 2030 is one of the targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3.4). We examined the mortality profiles in the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union (NIS) and the European Union (EU) and assessed progress in reductions of premature mortality from cancer, as compared to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods We used WHO’s Global Health Estimates and GLOBOCAN 2020 to examine current mortality profiles and computed the unconditional probabilities of dying at ages 30–70 from CVD and cancer for the years 2000–19 in both sexes, using a linear extrapolation of this trend to predict whether the target of a one-third reduction, as set in 2015, would be met in 2030. Results CVD was the main cause of premature death in the NIS (43%), followed by cancer (23%), inversely from the EU with 42% cancer and 24% CVD deaths. The NIS achieved major reductions in premature CVD mortality, although the probabilities of death in 2019 remained about five times higher in the NIS compared to the EU. For cancer, mortality reductions in most NIS were quite modest, other than large declines seen in Kazakhstan (44%) and Kyrgyzstan (30%), with both on course to meet the 2030 target. Conclusions Limited progress in cancer control in the NIS calls for policy action both in terms of structural changes towards universal health coverage, and scaling up of national cancer control plans, including a shift from opportunistic to evidence-based early detection practices.

Supplementary Tables 1-3 from A Sex-Specific Association between a 15q25 Variant and Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers

Background: The increasing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in many developed countries has been attributed to human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infections. Recently, HPV16 E6 serology has been identified as a promising early marker for oropharyngeal cancer. Therefore, characterization of HPV16 E6 seropositivity among individuals without cancer is warranted.Methods: A total of 4,666 controls were pooled from several studies of cancer and HPV seropositivity, all tested within the same laboratory. HPV16 E6 seropositive controls were classified as having (i) moderate [mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) ≥ 484 and Results: Thirty-two (0.7%) HPV16 E6 seropositive controls were identified; 17 (0.4%) with moderate and 15 (0.3%) with high seroreactivity. High HPV16 E6 seroreactivity was associated with former smoking [odds ratio (OR), 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–51.8], and seropositivity against HPV16 L1 (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.3–15.4); E2 (OR, 7.7; 95% CI, 1.4–29.1); multiple HPV16 proteins (OR, 25.3; 95% CI, 2.6–119.6 for three HPV16 proteins beside E6) and HPV33 E6 (OR, 17.7; 95% CI, 1.9–81.8). No associations were observed with moderate HPV16 E6 seroreactivity.Conclusions: High HPV16 E6 seroreactivity is rare among individuals without diagnosed cancer and was not explained by demographic factors.Impact: Some HPV16 E6 seropositive individuals without diagnosed HPV-driven cancer, especially those with seropositivity against other HPV16 proteins, may harbor a biologically relevant HPV16 infection. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(4); 683–9. ©2015 AACR.

Supplemental Table 1. Study-specific definitions for categorization of tobacco and alcohol use.

Background: Sequence variants located at 15q25 have been associated with lung cancer and propensity to smoke. We recently reported an association between rs16969968 and risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and esophagus) in women (OR = 1.24, P = 0.003) with little effect in men (OR = 1.04, P = 0.35).Methods: In a coordinated genotyping study within the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium, we have sought to replicate these findings in an additional 4,604 cases and 6,239 controls from 10 independent UADT cancer case–control studies.Results: rs16969968 was again associated with UADT cancers in women (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.08–1.36, P = 0.001) and a similar lack of observed effect in men [OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.95–1.09, P = 0.66; P-heterogeneity (Phet) = 0.01]. In a pooled analysis of the original and current studies, totaling 8,572 UADT cancer cases and 11,558 controls, the association was observed among females (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.12–1.34, P = 7 × 10−6) but not males (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97–1.08, P = 0.35; Phet = 6 × 10−4). There was little evidence for a sexdifference in the association between this variant and cigarettes smoked per day, with male and female rs16969968 variant carriers smoking approximately the same amount more in the 11,991 ever smokers in the pooled analysis of the 14 studies (Phet = 0.86).Conclusions: This study has confirmed a sex difference in the association between the 15q25 variant rs16969968 and UADT cancers.Impact: Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these observations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(4); 658–64. ©2011 AACR.

Head and neck cancer is often diagnosed late and prognosis for most head and neck cancer patients remains poor. To aid early detection, we developed a risk prediction model based on demographic and lifestyle risk factors, human papillomavirus (HPV) serological markers, and genetic markers. A total of 10,126 head and neck cancer cases and 5,254 controls from 5 North American and European studies were included. HPV serostatus was determined by antibodies for HPV16 early oncoproteins (E6, E7) and regulatory early proteins (E1, E2, E4). The data were split into a training set (70%) for model development and a hold-out testing set (30%) for model performance evaluation, including discriminative ability and calibration. The risk models including demographic, lifestyle risk factors and polygenic risk score showed a reasonable predictive accuracy for head and neck cancer overall. A risk model that also included HPV serology showed substantially improved predictive accuracy for oropharyngeal cancer (AUC=0.94, 95%CI=0.92–0.95 in men and AUC=0.92, 95%CI=0.88–0.95 in women). The 5-year absolute risk estimates showed distinct trajectories by risk factor profiles. Based on the UK Biobank cohort, the risks of developing oropharyngeal cancer among 60 years old and HPV16 seropositive in the next 5 years ranged from 5.8% to 14.9% with an average of 8.1% for men, 1.3% to 4.4% with an average of 2.2% for women. Absolute risk was generally higher among individuals with heavy smoking, heavy drinking, HPV seropositivity, and those with higher polygenic risk score. These risk models may be helpful for identifying people at high risk of developing head and neck cancer.

Ovim radom želi se istražiti utječe li sam jezik kao komunikacijski fokus interesnih skupina na percipiranu vrijednost proizvoda ili usluga te afirmira li to povezanost Hrvatske i zemalja njemačkog područja u društvenom ili ekonomskom smislu. Kad se u obzir uzme duga povijest Hrvatske sa zemljama njemačkog govornog područja, dalo bi se naslutiti da će potrošači u Republici Hrvatskoj češće biti usmjereni prema proizvodima koji potječu iz prethodno spomenutih područja zbog dugogodišnjih teritorijalnih, gospodarskih i kulturnih veza, dosadašnjih pozitivnih iskustava ili pak općih karakteristika percipirane kvalitete vezanih uz imidž tih zemalja. No pitanje je koliko to zapravo utječe na konačnu odluku o kupnji te dovodi li to do znatno drukčije perspektive o asociranim dobrima naspram neoznačenih dobara. Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja je: analizirati, ispitati i utvrditi kako proizvodne marke koncipirane na njemačkom jeziku konstruiraju i mijenjaju percepciju domicilnih kupaca o kvaliteti i validnosti tih predmeta razmjene. U skladu s tim, koncipirani su i sljedeći podciljevi: - Analizirati korelaciju korištenja njemačkog jezika u nazivu proizvoda i pozitivne percepcije potrošača - Istražiti je li zemlja podrijetla proizvoda ključan element u pozitivnoj percepciji istoga - Utvrditi poveznice njemačkih brendova i njihovog imidža u Hrvatskoj. Od pojma promocije, preko percepcije pa sve do razlika u pristupima pri stvaranju i komuniciranju vrijednosti dobara između različitih nacija, ovaj rad će nastojati dati kompaktan odgovor na ranije istaknutu problematiku kako bi na posljetku stvorio podlogu za provođenje daljnjih istraživanja u različitim ekonomskim i kulturnim sferama. The goal of this paper is to determine whether or not a language as a communicatory focal point of interactions between groups of interest alters the perceived value of a product or service, as well as determine if that affirms a societal or economic connection between Croatia and Germany in particular. When the lengthy history between Croatia and German-speaking countries is taken into account, one would think that Croatian consumers would more frequently be driven to purchase products originating from the aforementioned areas, due to a number of reasons like lengthy territorial, economic and cultural relations, positive past experiences or even general characteristics of a perceived quality being linked to the image of those very countries. But the question that remains is how much this actually affects the decision behind a purchase, or if it leads to a distinctly different perspective on the associated goods compared to unmarked ones. The main goal of this research is to: analise, examine and determine how product brands conceived in German construct or alter the perception of native consumers regarding the quality and validity of those products. In accordance to that, the following subgoals were also conceived: - Analise the correlation between the use of the German language in a product name and the positive perception of a consumer - Examine whether or not a product's country of origin plays a crucial role in the positive perception of said product - Determine the correlations between German brands and their image in Croatia. From the concept of advertising, to perception, all the way to the difference in approach in the creation and the process of communicating an item's values across different nations, this paper will strive to offer a concrete answer to the paradigm mentioned earlier so that it could serve as a foundation to conduct further research in different economic and cultural spheres.

Objective:\ud \ud To summarize the latest evidence on head and neck cancer epidemiology from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium.\ud \ud Subjects and Methods:\ud \ud INHANCE was established in 2004 to elucidate the etiology of head and neck cancer through pooled analyses of individual‐level data on a large scale. We summarize results from recent INHANCE‐based publications updating our 2015 overview.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud Seventeen papers were published between 2015 and May 2020. These studies further define the nature of risks associated with tobacco and alcohol, and occupational exposures on head and neck cancer. The beneficial effects on incidence of head and neck cancer were identified for good oral health, endogenous and exogenous hormonal factors, and selected aspects of diet related to fruit and vegetables. INHANCE has begun to develop risk prediction models and to pool follow‐up data on their studies, finding that ~30% of cases had cancer recurrence and 9% second primary cancers, with overall‐ and disease‐specific 5‐year‐survival of 51% and 57%, respectively.\ud \ud Conclusions:\ud \ud The number and importance of INHANCE scientific findings provides further evidence of the advantages of large‐scale internationally collaborative projects and will support the development of prevention strategies.

Procedural techniques are used to generate 3D models, textures, images, and effects. Procedural modelling is widely used in areas such as architecture, archeology, and video games, and is based on a series of rules and algorithms. Computer-generated architecture (CGA) is a set of rules that software uses to automatically generate models. This paper describes the process of creating three models using CGA rules and procedural modelling. The models were created using the free Blender software and the geometry nodes system, which allows the user to procedurally modify geometry based on nodes. The process of modelling parts of the building, the materials, and the process of creating the procedural rules according to which the building models are generated are described in detail. An example of the building model was created, as well as two models based on real objects, the Westin hotel in Zagreb and the Mimara museum. In the end, the possibilities that procedural modelling provides in geodesy are described, such as spatial planning, simulation, facility management

The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused disruptions to national health systems and impacted health outcomes worldwide. However, the extent to which surveillance systems, such as population‐based cancer registration, have been affected was not reported. Here we sought to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on registry operations across different areas and development levels worldwide. We investigated the impact of COVID‐19 on three main areas of cancer registry operations: staffing, financing and data collection. An online survey was administered to 750 member registries of the International Association for Cancer Registries. Among 212 responding registries from 90 countries, 65.6% reported a disruption in operations, ranging between 45% in south‐eastern Asia and 87% in the Latin America and Caribbean. Active data collection was disrupted more than case notifications or hybrid methods. In countries categorized with low Human Development Index (HDI), a greater number of registries reported a negative impact (81.3%) than in very high HDI countries (57.8%). This contrast was highest in term of impact on financing: 9/16 (56%) registries in low HDI countries reported a current or an expected decline in funding, compared to 7/108 (7%) in very high HDI countries. With many cancer registries worldwide reporting disruption to their operations during the early COVID‐19 pandemic, urgent actions are needed to ensure their continuity. Governmental commitment to support future registry operations as an asset to disease control, alongside a move toward electronic reporting systems will help to ensure the sustainability of cancer surveillance worldwide., What's new? The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused disruptions to health systems worldwide. Has it also affected surveillance systems, such as population‐based cancer registries? In this study, the authors found that two‐thirds of analyzed cancer registries reported disruption in staffing, finances, and/or data collection. In countries with a low Human Development Index (HDI), a greater number of registries reported a negative impact (81.3%) than in very high HDI countries (57.8%). These results emphasize the need for actionable, strategic plans to ensure the continuity of registry operations globally.

U radu je opisan problem klasifikacije i odabira značajki (FS) te algoritam diferencijalne evolucije (DE), popularan evolucijski algoritam koji može biti korišten kao omotač za FS. Opisane su tri tehnike diskretizacije rješenja u DE korištenog za FS te oblici pristupa odabira vrijednosti parametara DE. Dan je opis ostvarenog programskog rješenja koje omogućuje izvođenje algoritma DE u svrhu FS s mogućnošću podešavanja parametara DE i korištene tehnike diskretizacije rješenja. Korištenjem ostvarenog programskog rješenja provedena je eksperimentalna analiza na nekoliko često korištenih skupova podataka kojom su uspoređivane tehnike diskretizacije rješenja i pristupi odabira vrijednosti parametara DE u smislu performansi klasifikacije i redukcije broja značajki. Rezultati prikazuju važnost odabira tehnike diskretizacije rješenja, ali i gotovo nepostojeći utjecaj pristupa odabira vrijednosti parametara DE na performanse algoritma The paper describes classification and feature selection (FS), as well as the differential evolution algorithm (DE), a popular evolutionary algorithm that can be used as a wrapper for FS. Three solution discretization techniques used in DE for FS are described, as are types of approaches to parameter value selection in DE. A description is given of the implemented software solution which allows for the execution of the DE algorithm used for FS with the possibility of DE parameter adjustment and the selection of a solution discretization technique. By using the implemented software solution, an experimental analysis was carried out on several frequently used data sets, which compared the solution discretization techniques and approaches to DE parameter value selection based on classification performance and feature reduction. The results show the importance of selecting the solution discretization technique, but also the almost nonexistent influence of the DE parameter value selection approach on the performance of the algorithm

Population-based cancer survival is a key measurement of cancer control performance linked to diagnosis and treatment, but benchmarking studies that include lower-income settings and that link results to health systems and human development are scarce. SURVCAN-3 is an international collaboration of population-based cancer registries that aims to benchmark timely and comparable cancer survival estimates in Africa, central and south America, and Asia.In SURVCAN-3, population-based cancer registries from Africa, central and south America, and Asia were invited to contribute data. Quality control and data checks were carried out in collaboration with population-based cancer registries and, where applicable, active follow-up was performed at the registry. Patient-level data (sex, age at diagnosis, date of diagnosis, morphology and topography, stage, vital status, and date of death or last contact) were included, comprising patients diagnosed between Jan 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2012, and followed up for at least 2 years (until Dec 31, 2014). Age-standardised net survival (survival where cancer was the only possible cause of death), with 95% CIs, at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after diagnosis were calculated using Pohar-Perme estimators for 15 major cancers. 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year net survival estimates were stratified by countries within continents (Africa, central and south America, and Asia), and countries according to the four-tier Human Development Index (HDI; low, medium, high, and very high).1 400 435 cancer cases from 68 population-based cancer registries in 32 countries were included. Net survival varied substantially between countries and world regions, with estimates steadily rising with increasing levels of the HDI. Across the included cancer types, countries within the lowest HDI category (eg, CÔte d'Ivoire) had a maximum 3-year net survival of 54·6% (95% CI 33·3-71·6; prostate cancer), whereas those within the highest HDI categories (eg, Israel) had a maximum survival of 96·8% (96·1-97·3; prostate cancer). Three distinct groups with varying outcomes by country and HDI dependant on cancer type were identified: cancers with low median 3-year net survival (30%) and small differences by HDI category (eg, lung and stomach), cancers with intermediate median 3-year net survival (30-79%) and moderate difference by HDI (eg, cervix and colorectum), and cancers with high median 3-year net survival (≥80%) and large difference by HDI (eg, breast and prostate).Disparities in cancer survival across countries were linked to a country's developmental position, and the availability and efficiency of health services. These data can inform policy makers on priorities in cancer control to reduce apparent inequality in cancer outcome.Tata Memorial Hospital, the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Our study briefly reviews the data sources and methods used in compiling the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN cancer statistics for the year 2020 and summarises the main results. National estimates were calculated based on the best available data on cancer incidence from population-based cancer registries (PBCR) and mortality from the World Health Organization mortality database. Cancer incidence and mortality rates for 2020 by sex and age groups were estimated for 38 cancer sites and 185 countries or territories worldwide. There were an estimated 19.3 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 19.0-19.6 million) new cases of cancer (18.1 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and almost 10.0 million (95% UI: 9.7-10.2 million) deaths from cancer (9.9 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) worldwide in 2020. The most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide were female breast cancer (2.26 million cases), lung (2.21) and prostate cancers (1.41); the most common causes of cancer death were lung (1.79 million deaths), liver (830000) and stomach cancers (769000).

We evaluated the global patterns of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in 2020 using the estimates of NHL incidence and mortality in 185 countries that are part of the GLOBOCAN 2020 database, developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). As well as new cases and deaths of NHL, corresponding age-standardized (world) rates (ASR) of incidence and mortality per 100 000 person-years were derived by country and world region. In 2020, an estimated 544 000 new cases of NHL were diagnosed worldwide, and approximately 260 000 people died from the disease. Eastern Asia accounted for a quarter (24.9%) of all cases, followed by Northern America (15.1%) and South-Central Asia (9.7%). Incidence rates were higher in men than in women, with similar geographical patterns. While the incidence rates were highest in Australia and New Zealand, Northern America, Northern Europe and Western Europe (10/100 000 for both sexes combined), the highest mortality rates (3/100 000) were found in regions in Africa, Western Asia and Oceania. The large variations and the disproportionately higher mortality in low- and middle-income countries can be related to the underlying prevalence and distribution of risk factors, and to the level of access to diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Sa sve širom upotrebom dentalnih implantata u stomatologiji, sve se više javljaju i upalne bolesti tkiva oko implantata. Kroz godine su predlagani razni protokoli u liječenju periimplantatnih bolesti. Danas imamo konsenzus u obliku CIST protokola koji se provodi ovisno o fazi i opsegu bolesti. Cilj je uvijek regeneracija tkiva no ponekad to nije moguće te se pristupa resektivnim metodama. Kod uznapredovalih oblika bolesti sa velikim koštanim defektom dok implantat nije za eksplantaciju postoji metoda koja se pokazala značajnom u smanjivanju znakova upale u tkivu i produljenju vijeka implantata. Implantoplastika je metoda kojom se suprakrestalno izloženi navoji implantata uklanjaju i površina se polira kako bi se smanjilo nakupljanje bakterija i plaka za površinu implantata. Time dolazi do cijeljenja upale u okolnom tkivu te se olakšava održavanje oralne higijene u budućnosti. Resektivni postupci, implantoplastika i osteoplastika nisu preporučljivi u estetskoj zoni da se ne narušava estetika. Samim brušenjem i poliranjem navoja postoji opasnost od oštećenja implantata ili veze između implantata i suprastrukture. Sistematični pregledi istraživanja pokazuju kako pažljivim poliranjem navoja na implantatu preostaje dovoljna debljina stijenke te rizik od pucanja implantata nije značajno uvećan. Kod implantata uskog promjera se ipak ne preporuča raditi implantoplastiku jer dodatno smanjivanje promjera narušava čvrstoću implantata. Osim mehaničkih rizika, implantoplastika nosi i rizik od pregrijavanja tkiva uslijed brušenja. Ponovno, istraživanja pokazuju kako obilno vodeno hlađenje prilikom implantoplastike ne dovodi do povećanja temperature koje bi uzrokovalo oštećenje okolnog tkiva. S druge strane, još uvijek je nedovoljno istražen rizik od djelovanja čestica koje zaostaju nakon brušenja u okolnom tkivu. Considering the increasingly widespread usage of dental implants in dentistry, the number of peri-implant tissue inflammations is also increasing. Regarding with peri-implant diseases, today we have a consensus in the form of a CIST protocol. The goal is always tissue regeneration, but sometimes this is not possible and resective methods are used. In advanced forms of the disease with a large bone defect while the implant is not for explantation, there is a method that has been shown to be significant in reducing the signs of inflammation in the tissue and prolonging the life of the implant. Implantoplasty is a method by which supracrestally exposed threads of implants are removed and the surface is polished to reduce the accumulation of bacteria and plaque on the surface of the implant. This heals the inflammation in the surrounding tissue and makes it easier to maintain oral hygiene in the future. This is not recommended in the aesthetic zone so as not to disturb the aesthetics. There is a risk of damaging the implant or the connection between the implant and the superstructure. Systematic reviews of the research show that careful polishing of the threads on the implant leaves a sufficient wall thickness and the risk of implant cracking is not significantly increased. With narrow diameter implants, however, it is not recommended to do implantoplasty because further reduction of the diameter impairs the strength of the implant. In addition to mechanical risks, implantoplasty also carries the risk of tissue overheating due to grinding. Again, studies show that copious water cooling during implantoplasty does not lead to an increase in temperature that would cause damage to the surrounding tissue. On the other hand, the risk of the action of particles remaining after grinding in the surrounding tissue is still insufficiently investigated.

A severe decline in child births has occurred over the past half century, which will lead to considerable population declines, particularly in industrialized regions. A crucial question is whether this decline can be explained by economic and behavioural factors alone, as suggested by demographic reports, or to what degree biological factors are also involved. Here, we discuss data suggesting that human reproductive health is deteriorating in industrialized regions. Widespread infertility and the need for assisted reproduction due to poor semen quality and/or oocyte failure are now major health issues. Other indicators of declining reproductive health include a worldwide increasing incidence in testicular cancer among young men and alterations in twinning frequency. There is also evidence of a parallel decline in rates of legal abortions, revealing a deterioration in total conception rates. Subtle alterations in fertility rates were already visible around 1900, and most industrialized regions now have rates below levels required to sustain their populations. We hypothesize that these reproductive health problems are partially linked to increasing human exposures to chemicals originating directly or indirectly from fossil fuels. If the current infertility epidemic is indeed linked to such exposures, decisive regulatory action underpinned by unconventional, interdisciplinary research collaborations will be needed to reverse the trends.