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01 september 2023, Contains fulltext : 296134.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access), Tumor budding (TB) is a strong biomarker of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer and other solid cancers. TB is defined as isolated single cancer cells or clusters of up to four cancer cells at the invasive tumor front. In areas with a large inflammatory response at the invasive front, single cells and cell clusters surrounding fragmented glands are observed appearing like TB. Occurrence of these small groups is referred to as pseudobudding (PsB), which arises due to external influences such as inflammation and glandular disruption. Using a combination of orthogonal approaches, we show that there are clear biological differences between TB and PsB. TB is representative of active invasion by presenting features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and exhibiting increased deposition of extracellular matrix within the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), whereas PsB represents a reactive response to heavy inflammation where increased levels of granulocytes within the surrounding TME are observed. Our study provides evidence that areas with a strong inflammatory reaction should be avoided in the routine diagnostic assessment of TB. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Goal and theoretical commentary: A number of recent life cycle assessment (LCA) studies have concluded that animal-sourced foods should be restricted—or even avoided—within the human diet due to their relatively high environmental impacts (particularly those from ruminants) compared with other protein-rich foods (mainly protein-rich plant foods). From a nutritional point of view, however, issues such as broad nutrient bioavailability, amino acid balances, digestibility and even non-protein nutrient density (e.g., micronutrients) need to be accounted for before making such recommendations to the global population. This is especially important given the contribution of animal sourced foods to nutrient adequacy in the global South and vulnerable populations of high-income countries (e.g., children, women of reproductive age and elderly). Often, however, LCAs simplify this reality by using ‘protein’ as a functional unit in their models and basing their analyses on generic nutritional requirements. Even if a ‘nutritional functional unit’ (nFU) is utilised, it is unlikely to consider the complexities of amino acid composition and subsequent protein accretion. The discussion herein focuses on nutritional LCA (nLCA), particularly on the usefulness of nFUs such as ‘protein,’ and whether protein quality should be considered when adopting the nutrient as an (n)FU. Further, a novel and informative case study is provided to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of protein-quality adjustment. Case study methods: To complement current discussions, we present an exploratory virtual experiment to determine how Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Scores (DIAAS) might play a role in nLCA development by correcting for amino acid quality and digestibility. DIAAS is a scoring mechanism which considers the limiting indispensable amino acids (IAAs) within an IAA balance of a given food (or meal) and provides a percentage contribution relative to recommended daily intakes for IAA and sub

A recent analysis by Stylianou et al. (2021) estimated the impact of small dietary changes in the consumption of individual foods on human health and the environment, expressed as minutes of healthy life lost or gained daily combined with dietary carbon footprints. While an appealing concept given its simplistic interpretation, we aim to draw the attention of nLCA practitioners and developers to the significant limitations and uncertainties of this analysis, based on existing evidence. Stylianou's approach produces results that fail to recognize the importance of essential nutrient density and the risks associated with ultra-processed foods, added sugar, and refined starches. The novel impact assessment undoubtedly brings a new perspective to the growing field of nutritional Life Cycle Assessment. However, the authors neglect numerous methodological limitations, fail to direct the readers' attention to (mis)interpretation risks, and draw highly definitive recommendations aiming to directly influence consumer choices and policymaking. Due to extensive data limitations and associated uncertainties in extant databases (both environmental and nutritional), we recommend caution in the use of this (or any other) food classification system to inform consumer behavior, front-of-package labelling, policies, and programs. © 2023

Contains fulltext : 283495.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of Immunoscore in patients with stage I-III colon cancer (CC) in the Asian population. These patients were originally included in an international study led by the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) on 2681 patients with AJCC/UICC-TNM stages I-III CC. METHODS: CD3+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocyte densities were quantified in the tumor and invasive margin by digital pathology. The association of Immunoscore with prognosis was evaluated for time to recurrence (TTR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Immunoscore stratified Asian patients (n = 423) into different risk categories and was not impacted by age. Recurrence-free rates at 3 years were 78.5%, 85.2%, and 98.3% for a Low, Intermediate, and High Immunoscore, respectively (HR[Low-vs-High] = 7.26 (95% CI 1.75-30.19); p = 0.0064). A High Immunoscore showed a significant association with prolonged TTR, OS, and DFS (p < 0.05). In Cox multivariable analysis stratified by center, Immunoscore association with TTR was independent (HR[Low-vs-Int+High] = 2.22 (95% CI 1.10-4.55) p = 0.0269) of the patient's gender, T-stage, N-stage, sidedness, and MSI status. A significant association of a High Immunoscore with prolonged TTR was also found among MSS (HR[Low-vs-Int+High] = 4.58 (95% CI 2.27-9.23); p ≤ 0.0001), stage II (HR[Low-vs-Int+High] = 2.72 (95% CI 1.35-5.51); p = 0.0052), low-risk stage-II (HR[Low-vs-Int+High] = 2.62 (95% CI 1.21-5.68); p = 0.0146), and high-risk stage II patients (HR[Low-vs-Int+High] = 3.11 (95% CI 1.39-6.91); p = 0.0055). CONCLUSION: A High Immunoscore is significantly associated with the prolonged survival of CC patients within the Asian population.

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Contains fulltext : 233562.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Contains fulltext : 226789.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access)

Contains fulltext : 207017pub.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)

Objective From a patient-centered perspective, treatment outcome measures in somatoform disorder need to be (1) personalized to the patient, (2) fit core problems that are targeted in therapy, and (3) reflect one's ability to adapt and self-manage anticipated deterioration. The aim of this study was to identify an encompassing set of treatment outcome variables in patients with somatoform disorder. Methods In-depth interviews yielded a comprehensive overview of 60 treatment outcomes that were sorted in a card sorting task according to similarity of meaning by 30 patients. Hierarchical cluster analysis (squared Euclidean distances, Ward's method) was used to obtain a structured overview of treatment outcomes unbiased by subjective interpretations of researchers. Perceived importance and personal change were examined using descriptive statistics. Results The hierarchical structure of treatment outcomes showed seven clusters, classified in two broad categories: self-other relationships (comprising social support, health care use, and self-confidence) and self-management (comprising physical balance, psychological adjustment, symptom acceptance, and resilience). Ratings of the importance of the clusters showed large individual differences. Most participants retrospectively perceived positive personal change. Conclusion The wide variety of treatment outcomes and the observation that patients attach different importance to the outcome measures supports the value of developing new personalized outcome measures for effect studies. In clinical practice, the clusters of outcomes can be used in shared decision making during intake, to define treatment goals, and to map and evaluate change on a personalized set of outcome measures.

Contains fulltext : 169926pub.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), Lynch syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is not clear whether the risk of CRC is even higher for patients with a combination of Lynch syndrome and IBD. We investigated the risk for CRC in this subgroup by establishing a Lynch syndrome cohort from the Radboud University Medical Center (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) and the Academic Medical Center (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Patients with heterozygous germline mutations in MLH1, MSH2 (and EPCAM deletion-mediated MSH2 methylation), MSH6, or PMS2 who were tested and/or treated from 1998 through 2014 were included. Patients who developed IBD were identified by linkage of this cohort to the Dutch nationwide Pathology Registry (PALGA). Subsequently, we compared the risk of CRC between Lynch syndrome patients with IBD and without IBD. Of 1046 patients with Lynch syndrome, 15 developed IBD (1.4%). Patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD were significantly younger (median age, 38.0 y) than patients with Lynch syndrome without IBD (median age, 52.0 y; P = .001). Nevertheless, a similar proportion of patients in each group developed CRC: 4 of the 15 patients (26.7%) with Lynch syndrome and IBD compared with 311 of the 1031 patients (30.2%) with Lynch syndrome without IBD. Patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD developed CRC at a younger age (median age, 36.0 y) than patients with Lynch syndrome without IBD (median age, 46.0 y; P = .045). However, the cumulative incidence of CRC was similar between groups (P = .121). All patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD who developed CRC had ulcerative colitis, producing a higher cumulative incidence of CRC for this IBD subgroup (P < .001). In conclusion, patients with Lynch syndrome and IBD develop CRC risk at a younger age than patients without IBD; patients with ulcerative colitis are at especially high risk.

Background: Fluid therapy remains a cornerstone of therapy in shock states. However, fluid overloading ultimately results in oedema formation which is related to excess morbidity and mortality. Handheld microscopes are now frequently used to study the sublingual microcirculation. As a corollary, these devices measure focal distance, or surface to capillary distance. Physiologically, this could represent a microvascular index of oedema formation and could have the potential to guide fluid therapy. This potential tool should be investigated, especially given the frequently reported lack of coherence between systemic and microvascular parameters in the critically ill. Therefore, we set out to assess the correlation between microvascular focal distance and systemic indices of oedema formation, specifically fluid balance and weight gain. Methods: Following ex vivo testing of focal distance measurement reliability, we conducted a prospective observational cohort study in patients admitted to the intensive care unit of our university teaching hospital. We determined surface to capillary distance using sidestream dark field (SDF) and incident dark field (IDF) imaging by assessing the focal distance point or object distance range at which a sharp recording could be made. Measurements were performed in post-cardiac surgery patients and in patients following emergency admission at two time points separated by at least several hours. Data on fluid balance, weight and weight gain were collected simultaneously. Results: Sixty patients were included. The focal setting, focus point for SDF and the object distance range for IDF did not differ significantly between time points. Focus was not correlated with difference in fluid balance or weight gain. Conclusions: There is a lack of coherence between surface to capillary distance as determined by SDF or IDF imaging and fluid balance or weight gain. Thus, focal distance as a microvascular index of oedema formation cannot currently be u

Background Bacterial habitats, such as soil and the gut, are structured at the micrometer scale. Important aspects of microbial life in such spatial ecosystems are migration and colonization. Here we explore the colonization of a structured ecosystem by two neutrally labeled strains of Escherichia coli. Using time-lapse microscopy we studied the colonization of one-dimensional arrays of habitat patches linked by connectors, which were invaded by the two E. coli strains from opposite sides. Results The two strains colonize a habitat from opposite sides by a series of traveling waves followed by an expansion front. When population waves collide, they branch into a continuing traveling wave, a reflected wave and a stationary population. When the two strains invade the landscape from opposite sides, they remain segregated in space and often one population will displace the other from most of the habitat. However, when the strains are co-cultured before entering the habitats, they colonize the habitat together and do not separate spatially. Using physically separated, but diffusionally coupled, habitats we show that colonization waves and expansion fronts interact trough diffusible molecules, and not by direct competition for space. Furthermore, we found that colonization outcome is influenced by a culture’s history, as the culture with the longest doubling time in bulk conditions tends to take over the largest fraction of the habitat. Finally, we observed that population distributions in parallel habitats located on the same device and inoculated with cells from the same overnight culture are significantly more similar to each other than to patterns in identical habitats located on different devices inoculated with cells from different overnight cultures, even tough all cultures were started from the same ?80°C frozen stock. Conclusions We found that the colonization of spatially structure habitats by two interacting populations can lead to the formation of complex, but, BN/Bionanoscience, Applied Sciences

Contains fulltext : 110384.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: KRAS mutation is a negative predictive factor for treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Novel predictive markers are required to further improve the selection of patients for this treatment. We assessed the influence of modification of KRAS by gene copy number aberration (CNA) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in correlation to clinical outcome in mCRC patients treated with cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab. METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumour tissue was used from 34 mCRC patients in a phase III trial, who were selected based upon their good (n = 17) or poor (n = 17) progression-free survival (PFS) upon treatment with cetuximab in combination with capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and bevacizumab. Gene copy number at the KRAS locus was assessed using high resolution genome-wide array CGH and the expression levels of 17 miRNAs targeting KRAS were determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Copy number loss of the KRAS locus was observed in the tumour of 5 patients who were all good responders including patients with a KRAS mutation. Copy number gains in two wild-type KRAS tumours were associated with a poor PFS. In KRAS mutated tumours increased miR-200b and decreased miR-143 expression were associated with a good PFS. In wild-type KRAS patients, miRNA expression did not correlate with PFS in a multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the assessment of KRAS CNA and miRNAs targeting KRAS might further optimize the selection of mCRC eligible for anti-EGFR therapy.

We present measurements of the quasiparticle relaxation time in Ta superconducting films shaped as planar resonators using the response of the complex conductivity to photon flux. These films have been implanted with magnetic (Mn) as well as non-magnetic atoms (Al). We find a significant decrease of the relaxation time with increasing impurity concentration for both cases, observing a reduction of the low temperature relaxation time, from 25 µs to 10 µs when implanting 100 ppm Mn. This indicates that impurities enhance quasiparticle relaxation in superconductors, regardless of their magnetic moment., Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Applied Sciences

The quasiparticle recombination time in superconducting films, consisting of the standard electron-phonon interaction and a yet to be identified low-temperature process, is studied for different densities of magnetic and nonmagnetic atoms. For both Ta and Al, implanted with Mn, Ta, and Al, we observe an increase in the recombination rate. We conclude that the enhancement of recombination is not due to the magnetic moment, but arises from an enhancement of disorder., Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Applied Sciences