The Intratumor Bacterial and Fungal Microbiome Is Characterized by HPV,Smoking, and Alcohol Consumption in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor phenotypes and clinical outcomes are significantly influenced by etiological agents, such as HPV infection, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Accordingly, the intratumor microbiome has been increasingly implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. However, few studies characterize the intratumor microbial landscape of HNSCC with respect to these etiological agents. In this study, we aimed to investigate the bacterial and fungal landscape of HNSCC in association with HPV infection, smoking, and alcohol consumption. RNA-sequencing data were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) regarding 449 tissue samples and 44 normal samples. Pathoscope 2.0 was used to extract the microbial reads. Microbe abundance was compared to clinical variables, oncogenic signatures, and immune-associated pathways. Our results demonstrated that a similar number of dysregulated microbes was overabundant in smokers and nonsmokers, while heavy drinkers were characterized by an underabundance of dysregulated microbes. Conversely, the majority of dysregulated microbes were overabundant in HPV+ tumor samples when compared to HPV- tumor samples. Moreover, we observed that many dysregulated microbes were associated with oncogenic and metastatic pathways, suggesting their roles in influencing carcinogenesis. These microbes provide insights regarding potential mechanisms for tumor pathogenesis and progression with respect to the three etiological agents.     

HER2 c-Terminal Fragments Are Expressed via Internal Translation of the HER2 mRNA

The HER2/neu signaling pathway is one of the most frequently mutated in human cancer. Although therapeutics targeting this pathway have good efficacy, cancer cells frequently develop resistance. The HER2 gene encodes the full-length HER2 protein, as well as smaller c-terminal fragments (CTFs), which have been shown to be a cause of resistance. Here, we show that HER2 CTFs, exclusive from the full-length HER2 protein, are generated via internal translation of the full-length HER2 mRNA and identify regions which are required for this mechanism to occur. These regions of the HER2 mRNA may present novel sites for therapeutic intervention via small molecules or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs).     

The Optimal Concentration of Nanoclay Hydrotalcite for Recovery of Reactive and Direct Textile Colorants

Concerns about the health of the planet have grown dramatically, and the dyeing sector of the textile industry is one of the most polluting of all industries. Nanoclays can clean dyeing wastewater using their adsorption capacities. In this study, as a new finding, it was possible to analyze and quantify the amount of metal ions substituted by anionic dyes when adsorbed, and to determine the optimal amount of nanoclay to be used to adsorb all the dye. The tests demonstrated the specific amount of nanoclay that must be used and how to optimize the subsequent processes of separation and processing of the nanoclay. Hydrotalcite was used as the adsorbent material. Direct dyes were used in this research. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns allowed the shape recovery of the hydrotalcite to be checked and confirmed the adsorption of the dyes. An FTIR analysis was used to check the presence of characteristic groups of the dyes in the resulting hybrids. The thermogravimetric (TGA) tests corroborated the dye adsorption and the thermal fastness improvement. Total solar reflectance (TSR) showed increased radiation protection for UV-VIS-NIR. Through the work carried out, it has been possible to establish the maximum adsorption point of hydrotalcite.     

Molecular Biomarkers in Peri-Implant Health and Disease: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Background: The aim of this feasibility study was to investigate the concentration level of CCL-20/MIP-3α, BAFF/BLyS, IL-23, RANKL, and Osteoprotegerin in the Peri-Implant Crevicular Fluid (PICF), from patients diagnosed with peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, and to compare them with PICF from patients with healthy implants. Methods: Participants with at least one dental implant with healthy peri-implant tissues, peri-implant mucositis, or peri-implantitis were included. PICF was collected using paper strips from healthy and diseased peri-implant sites (n = 19). Biomarker levels were analyzed using a custom Multiplex ELISA Assay Kit. Results: In comparison to peri-implant health, the peri-implant mucositis group showed an increased concentration of CCL-20 MIP-3α, BAFF/BLyS, IL-23, RANKL, and Osteoprotegerin. The peri-implantitis group had the lowest median concentration of Osteoprotegerin (1963 ng/mL); this group had a similar concentration of RANKL (640.84 ng/mL) when compared to the peri-implant health group. BAFF/BLyS (17.06 ng/mL) showed the highest concentration in the peri-implantitis group. Conclusions: This feasibility study suggests that IL-23 and RANKL may help to elucidate the pathogenesis during the conversion from peri-implant health to peri-implantitis. Further research is required in BAFF/BLyS for the early diagnosis of peri-implantitis.     

Color Cherenkov imaging of clinical radiation therapy

Color vision is used throughout medicine to interpret the health and status of tissue. Ionizing radiation used in radiation therapy produces broadband white lig...     

Identifying and characterizing social media communities: a socio-semantic network approach to altmetrics

Scientometrics - Altmetric indicators allow exploring and profiling individuals who discuss and share scientific literature in social media. But it is still a challenge to identify and characterize...     

Mechanisms of passivation and chloride-induced corrosion of mild steel in sulfide-containing alkaline solutions

Journal of Materials Science - The pore fluid within many concretes is highly alkaline and rich in reduced sulfur species, but the influence of such alkaline-sulfide solutions on the surface film...     

The hydrolysis of soap solutions. IV. The composition of acid potassium laurates and acid sodium oleates as determined by conductivity measurements

The effect of excess lauric and oleic acids on the conductivity and on the pH of 0.2–0.02N potassium laurate and 0.1–0.01N sodium oleate systems was observed. The decrease in the specific conductivity corresponded with the formation of the acid soaps, 2KL·HL, KL·HL, 2NaOl·HOl, NaOl·HOl, and the mixed soaps 2KL·HOl and 2NaOl·HL. The mixed soaps resemble the oleates in appearance. All of these systems, even with 100 or 150 moles per cent excess acid, were slightly alkaline.