Bachgravgaard6851

Primary platinum-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains the treatment of choice for nonresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Immune-checkpoint modulators are used as palliative therapy and studied in combination with definitive CRT. However, the immunological changes by CRT need yet to be understood.

A cohort consisting of 67 paired tissue biopsies (N = 134) of HNSCC patients before and after CRT was created. The expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and CD27 of tumor and immune cells by immunohistochemistry was evaluated.

PD-L1 expression on immune cells of non-responders was significantly lower before CRT (P = .008). CD27 was expressed only on immune cells and not on cancer cells. A significant lower CD27-expression score was observed following CRT (P = .019).

Conventional CRT changes the expression of CD27 in the tumor microenvironment. Whether this is due to a loss of expression or a reduction of CD27+ cells must be evaluated in further analyses.

Conventional CRT changes the expression of CD27 in the tumor microenvironment. Whether this is due to a loss of expression or a reduction of CD27+ cells must be evaluated in further analyses.Basket stars, that is, Ophiuroidea in Echinodermata, exhibit distinctive morphological characteristics with their complicatedly branched arms that can regenerate immediately after mutilation. Although, in brittle stars, that is, ophiuroids with nonbranched arms, the arm regeneration process following accidental trauma or autotomy have been morphologically and histologically observed in several species, few studies have so far been carried out on the regeneration of branched arms in basket stars. In this study, the developmental and morphological features of arm regeneration in Astrocladus dofleini (Gorgonocephalidae, Euryalida, Euryophiurida), one of the most common basket star species in Japanese waters, was anatomically and histologically investigated. Results clearly showed the following phases during the arm regeneration (a) repair phase, (b) early regenerative phase, (c) intermediate regenerative phase, (d) advanced regenerative Phase I, and (e) advanced regenerative Phase II. Gefitinib inhibitor The morphogenetic process during the arm regeneration in the basket star showed similar patterns to those of nonbranched arms observed in other ophiuroids. However, differences were also seen between the two ophiuroid types, that is, there were some developmental features specific to the basket star. In the early regenerative phase, branching of coelomic cavities was observed prior to the formation of other tissues, probably inducing the later morphogenesis of branched arms. In addition, hard skeletal ossicles form rapidly at the advanced regenerative Phase II. These developmental features may have led the evolution of bizarre morphologies seen in basket stars, probably contributing to the adaptation to shallow waters from deep-sea habitats.The effects of plants on the biosphere, atmosphere and geosphere are key determinants of terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding plant belowground components, we are still only beginning to explore the complex relationships between root traits and functions. Drawing on the literature in plant physiology, ecophysiology, ecology, agronomy and soil science, we reviewed 24 aspects of plant and ecosystem functioning and their relationships with a number of root system traits, including aspects of architecture, physiology, morphology, anatomy, chemistry, biomechanics and biotic interactions. Based on this assessment, we critically evaluated the current strengths and gaps in our knowledge, and identify future research challenges in the field of root ecology. Most importantly, we found that belowground traits with the broadest importance in plant and ecosystem functioning are not those most commonly measured. Also, the estimation of trait relative importance for functioning requires us to consider a more comprehensive range of functionally relevant traits from a diverse range of species, across environments and over time series. We also advocate that establishing causal hierarchical links among root traits will provide a hypothesis-based framework to identify the most parsimonious sets of traits with the strongest links on functions, and to link genotypes to plant and ecosystem functioning.This study aimed to explore the competencies of health care practitioners who promote shared decision-making (SDM)-based care for women facing an unplanned pregnancy in Japan. We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 care providers who are pioneers in care for women facing an unplanned pregnancy and adopted a modified grounded theory approach for data analysis. A three-step model for shared decision making in practice (team talk, option talk, and decision talk) was used as a reference. The answers given by the care providers were analyzed to identify the competencies involved in shared decision making. We identified three stages (i) building trust and promoting women's expression; (ii) discussing women's real needs; and (iii) exploring the intentions and goals expressed by women and finding the best choices while promoting women's autonomy in decision-making. The coordination between the support of partners, families, and professionals, and the care provided to strengthen women's identities facilitated shared decision making. Women facing an unplanned pregnancy can benefit from interventions designed to improve shared decision making. A key component of shared decision making-based care relates to practitioners' raised awareness toward their roles and responsibilities developing good communication skills and fostering collaboration between all stakeholders.Assessing the pattern of nuclear chromatin is essential for pathological investigations. However, the interpretation of nuclear pattern is subjective. In this study, we performed the texture analysis of nuclear chromatin in breast cancer samples to determine the nuclear pleomorphism score thereof. We used three different algorithms for extracting high-level texture features the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM), and gray-level size zone matrix (GLSZM). Using these algorithms, 12 GLCM, 11 GLRLM, and 16 GLSZM features were extracted from three scores of breast carcinoma (Scores 1-3). Classification accuracy was assessed using the support vector machine (SVM) and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classification models. Three features of GLCM, 11 of GLRLM, and 12 of GLSZM were consistent across the three nuclear pleomorphism scores of breast cancer. Comparing Scores 1 and 3, the GLSZM feature large zone high gray-level emphasis showed the largest difference among breast cancer nuclear scores among all features of the three algorithms.