The reliability of CPTu and DMT for the mechanical characterisation of soft tailings

Nowadays, the stability and the safe cover and closure of soft tailings has become one of the most challenging topics in geotechnical and environmental engineering. For appropriate analysis and modelling, geotechnical properties of tailings should be well defined. Due to low strength, viscous nature and poor trafficability, as well as due to the specific geometrical properties of fine particles and pore water chemistry in tailings, different test methods and their modification and improvements must be used for valid and reliable characterisation of tailings. This paper analyses and compares the results of different field test methods, piezocone penetration test (CPTu), flat dilatometer test (DMT) and field vane test (FVT), performed on the red gypsum sludge and complementary laboratory tests. CPTu and DMT measurements were evaluated using procedures developed for soils and the obtained mechanical properties were compared with those measured in the laboratory. The significant distinctions between different test methods and different empirical correlations were analysed taking into account differences in index properties of soils and the red gypsum sludge. Based on analysis, some modifications of conventional empirical correlations were proposed for field tests results interpretation and sludge characterisation. The obtained data also show the advantages and limitations of some conventional methods and prove the need for further development in that field of geotechnical investigation.

     

Induced Pluripotency: A Powerful Tool for In Vitro Modeling

One of the greatest breakthroughs of regenerative medicine in this century was the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology in 2006 by Shinya Yamanaka. iPSCs originate from terminally differentiated somatic cells that have newly acquired the developmental capacity of self-renewal and differentiation into any cells of three germ layers. Before iPSCs can be used routinely in clinical practice, their efficacy and safety need to be rigorously tested; however, iPSCs have already become effective and fully-fledged tools for application under in vitro conditions. They are currently routinely used for disease modeling, preparation of difficult-to-access cell lines, monitoring of cellular mechanisms in micro- or macroscopic scales, drug testing and screening, genetic engineering, and many other applications. This review is a brief summary of the reprogramming process and subsequent differentiation and culture of reprogrammed cells into neural precursor cells (NPCs) in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) conditions. NPCs can be used as biomedical models for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), which are currently considered to be one of the major health problems in the human population.     

Visiting the father''s grave

General population data are presented on patterns and predictors of temporal progression of alcohol dependence symptoms in the general population. The data come from the National Comorbidity Survey, a nationally representative general population survey of respondents ages 15-54. Lifetime symptom classes were estimated with latent class analysis (LCA). A 4-class LCA solution, including a 1st asymptomatic class and 3 progressively more serious symptomatic classes, was found to fit the data. Probability of initial symptom onset among drinkers was found to be highest in the 10-24 age range, to be higher among men than women, and to have increased dramatically in the past 4 decades. Age, gender, and cohort effects were less powerful in predicting symptom progression. A narrowing of the gender difference over time was due largely to a convergence in initial symptom onset among men and women ages 10-24. These results suggest that a rise in initial problems was more important than an increase in the transition from problems to dependence in accounting for the growing prevalence of alcohol dependence during the post-World War II years in the United States.     

Genetic Heterogeneity,Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancer is well known at clinical, histopathological, and molecular levels. Genomic instability and greater mutation rates, which may result in the creation of neoantigens and enhanced immunogenicity, are additional characteristics of this breast cancer type. Clinical outcome is poor due to early age of onset, high metastatic potential, and increased likelihood of distant recurrence. Consequently, efforts to elucidate molecular mechanisms of breast cancer development, progression, and metastatic spread have been initiated to improve treatment options and improve outcomes for these patients. The extremely complex and heterogeneous tumor immune microenvironment is made up of several cell types and commonly possesses disorganized gene expression. Altered signaling pathways are mainly associated with mutated genes including p53, PIK3CA, and MAPK, and which are positively correlated with genes regulating immune response. Of note, particular immunity-associated genes could be used in prognostic indexes to assess the most effective management. Recent findings highlight the fact that long non-coding RNAs also play an important role in shaping tumor microenvironment formation, and can mediate tumor immune evasion. Identification of molecular signatures, through the use of multi-omics approaches, and effector pathways that drive early stages of the carcinogenic process are important steps in developing new strategies for targeted cancer treatment and prevention. Advances in immunotherapy by remodeling the host immune system to eradicate tumor cells have great promise to lead to novel therapeutic strategies. Current research is focused on combining immune checkpoint inhibition with chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors, cancer vaccines, or natural killer cell therapy. Targeted therapies may improve therapeutic response, eliminate therapeutic resistance, and improve overall patient survival. In the future, these evolving advancements should be implemented for personalized medicine and state-of-art management of cancer patients.