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The 2004 tsunami affected the South Andaman coast, causing it to experience dynamic changes in the coastal geomorphology and making the region vulnerable. We focus on pre-and post-tsunami shoreline and land use–land cover changes from 2004, 2005, and 2022 to analyze the dynamic change in hazard. We used General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean (GEBCO) data to calculate run-up [m], arrival times [min], and inundation [m] at a few locations using three tsunamigenic earthquake source parameters, namely the 2004 Sumatra, 1941 North Andaman, and 1881 Car Nicobar earthquakes. The Digital Shoreline Analysis System is used for the shoreline change estimates. Landsat data are used to calculate shoreline and land use–land cover (LULC) change in five classes, namely built-up areas, forests, inundation areas, croplands, and water bodies during the above period. We examine the correlation between the LULC changes and the dynamic change in shoreline due to population flux, infrastructural growth, and gross state domestic product growth. The Indian industry estimates the Andaman and Nicobar Islands losses exceeded INR 10 billion during 2004, which would today see a 5-fold increase in economic loss due to a doubling of built-up area, a 3-fold increase in tourist inflow, and population density growth. The unsustainable decline in the forest cover, mangroves, and cropland would affect sustainability during a disaster despite coastal safety measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Male breast cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases worldwide. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all patients of invasive male breast cancer treated with curative intent by a trimodality approach via a multidisciplinary team at an academic university hospital in India between 2009 and 2023. Records were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Clinicopathological parameters, treatment details and survival were recorded and analysed. Results: Thirty‐four patients were included. The median (IQR) age was 55(44–63) years. Most patients were overall stage III (74%) and node positive (79%) with Scarff‐Bloom‐Richardson grade II (50%). Twenty‐five patients (73%) were oestrogen receptor (ER) positive. Lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and perineural invasion (PNI) were present in 62% and 21% of patients, respectively. The most common chemotherapy timing was adjuvant (53%) followed by neoadjuvant (41%), and the most commonly used regimen consisted of a combination of doxorubicin‐cyclophosphamide followed by a taxane (53%). Most (85%) patients underwent a mastectomy, five patients underwent breast conservation. All patients received radiotherapy to a dose of 42.6 Gy in 16 fractions, followed by a tumour bed boost for those undergoing breast conservation. At a median follow‐up of 70 months (range 10–159 months), the five and ten‐year overall survival was 91% and 58%, and the five‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) was 67%. The median DFS was 72 months. On univariate analysis, the tumour sub‐type (Luminal versus TNBC) significantly predicted DFS (P = 0.03 log‐rank). Conclusion: Breast cancer in males has a high incidence of node positivity, ER positivity and LVSI. Even with advanced stages at presentation, trimodality therapy in a multidisciplinary setting offers good long‐term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer stem cell biomarkers SRY (sex‐determining region Y)‐box 2 (SOX2) and octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) account for radioresistance in cervical squamous cell cancers (CSCCs). Their clinical implications are limited and contradictory. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we recruited patients with FIGO IB2‐IVA CSCC treated with primary chemoradiotherapy on regular follow‐up. Tissue biopsy specimens were evaluated for SOX2 and Oct4 expression by immunohistochemistry, quantified by a product of proportion and intensity scores. Results: A total of 59 patients were included. Most had a moderately differentiated (81%), keratinizing (59%) CSCC, and ≥FIGO stage IIB disease (95%). SOX2 expression (high:low 21:38 patients) and Oct4 expression (high:low 4:55 patients) had a significant interrelation (p = 0.005, odds ratio (95% CI) − 1.23 (1.004–1.520)). At a median follow‐up of 36 months, the 3‐year overall survival (OS) was 60% and 53% for low and high SOX2 expression (p = 0.856), and 54% and 100% for low and high Oct4 expression (p = 0.114). The 3‐year disease‐frese survival (DFS) was 65% and 50% in the low and high SOX2 expression (p = 0.259), and 59% and 75% for low and high Oct4 expression (p = 0.598). SOX2 expression was the only variable significantly associated with a lower OS and DFS on regression analysis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a trend toward improved OS and DFS with low SOX2 and high Oct4 expression in CSCC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anisotropic polymerization of 5-hydroxy isophthalic acid and isophthalic acid with 2,5-diamino 1,4-benzene dithiol dihydrochloride (DABDT.2 HCl) affords the polymer poly {[benzo (1,2-d: 4,5-d') bisthiazole-2, 6 diyl]-1,3 phenylene} and poly {[benzo (1,2-d: 4,5-d') bisthiazole-2, 6 diyl]-1,3(5-hydroxy phenylene)}. Both the polymers were soluble in methanesulphonic acid and chlorosulphonic acid. The polybenzobisthiazoles do not show any glass transition temperature (Tg) by DSC analysis. The polybenzobisthiazoles were stable up to 400oC in a nitrogen environment, according to thermo gravimetric measurements. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic comparison of the polymers with the appropriate model compounds were used to confirm the polymer structures. The polymers' inherent viscosity reached 4.2 dL/g (methanesulphonic acid, 30oC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]