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This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of two manufacturing scenarios for a camera housing: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) using polyamide 12 (PA-12) and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining using aluminum, for a cradle-to-gate boundary. The selected impact categories were cumulative energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP). The key findings indicate that the PA-12 PBF part outperformed the aluminum CNC machining one in terms of environmental and energy performance, showing a significant reduction of approximately 90% in equivalent carbon emissions and 84% in cumulative energy demand. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the PBF process was highly sensitive to changes in the proportion of virgin/recycled material for the printing process, variations in the life cycle inventory (LCI) data sources for PA-12 powder production, and changes in the transportation system for imported materials, as is the case for the main input in the process (PA-12 powder). Sensitivity analysis also showed less impact for the PBF camera housing even considering a lifespan of one-fifth that of the aluminum for the impact categories considered. However, it should be noted that this analysis did not include considerations for the usage and end-of-life phases, which may have significant contributions to the overall environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Prohibitin (PHB) is a multifunctional protein that is localized in different intracellular sites. PHB may exert different roles in tumorigenesis, having either a permissive action on tumor growth or an oncosuppressor role, depending on the cellular context. The objective of this study was to evaluate PHB expression in normal thyroid tissues, thyroid follicular adenomas (FAs), and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).Methods:PHB expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transfections in the BCPAP and TPC-1 thyroid cancer cell lines were used to evaluate the PHB promoter activity.Results:In terms of protein and mRNA levels, normal tissues from patients with serum thyrotropin (TSH) values >0.8 mU/L had PHB levels that were significantly reduced compared to specimens from patients with serum TSH values <0.5 mU/L, suggesting that TSH exerts an inhibitory effect on PHB expression. Consistent with this was the finding that the presence of TSH was associated with low PHB levels in normal FRTL5 thyroid cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed relatively low and high PHB expression in FAs and PTCs, respectively. PHB mRNA and protein overexpression, as assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, was noted only in PTCs bearing the BRAFV600Emutation. Notably, cell transfection experiments suggested that presence of the BRAFV600Emutation may be associated to increase of the PHB promoter activity.Conclusions:PHB is overexpressed in PTCs bearing the BRAFV600Emutation. We postulate that the presence of the BRAFV600Emutation increases PHB promoter activity and therefore potentially mediates effects of this mutation on the behavior of BRAFV600Epositive PTCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Thyrogobulin (Tg) assay of material from fine-needle aspiration of neck masses can help distinguish neck masses of thyroid origin from other masses. We describe its utility in a patient with an unusual constellation of findings, a neck lump identified as a lymph node metastasis from a contralateral occult papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Summary:A 56-year-old woman was referred to our center for evaluation of a 15-mm right lateral cervical neck mass which was strongly hypoechoic, not homogenous and contained several microcalcifications. There was no family history of thyroid disease, the patient was euthyroid and was not taking medications for thyroid disorders. On physical examination the thyroid was slightly enlarged and was normal on ultrasound except for a 1 × 3 mm hypoechoic nodule in the middle of the left lobe. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the right lateral cervical mass was performed with the Tg concentration of the FNAB washout liquid being >300 ng/mL and the cytology showing lymphoid elements mixed with polymorphous epithelial cells with atypical nuclei, suggesting lymph node metastasis from a cancer of epithelial origin. A lymph node metastasis from a papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (micro-PTC) was the presumptive diagnosis with the preoperative staging being Tx N1b. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral lymph node dissection. At pathology, the right cervical mass was confirmed as lymph node metastasis of a PTC, and a unifocal micro-PTC was found in the middle left lobe. The patient was readmitted for a therapeutic 131I dose (4810 MBq). At the time of 131I administration, the whole-body scan showed only minimal thyroid bed uptake and serum Tg was <1 ng/mL. She was maintained on l-thyroxine treatment (150 μg/d). Five year later she did not have evidence of recurrent or residual PTC.Conclusions:We describe the first case of contralateral lymph node metastasis from a unifocal micro-PTC identified by the detection of high Tg levels in the wash-out liquid of FNAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrasonic inspection of thick-walled welded joint with austenitic weld metal has proven to be a challenge due to its anisotropic microstructure that can promote ultrasonic waves attenuation. This work aimed to optimize the phased array ultrasonic inspection of the thick-walled joint of a 9% Ni steel pipe welded with Ni-based superalloy 625. The development was carried out by CIVA numeric simulation to preview the beam behavior during the inspection of GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding)/SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) joint with anisotropic weld metal. To validate the simulation results, experimental tests were performed with a phased array transducer using longitudinal waves on a calibration block withdrawn from the joint. The configuration of low frequency (2.25 MHz), 16 active elements and a scanning angle of 48° ensured the inspection of the entire joint and the computational simulation proved to be essential for the success of the inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Radioiodine uptake is rarely observed in normal non-lactating breast tissue. Investigation of the in vivoregulation of iodide uptake in breast tissue may be useful for the induction of radioiodine uptake in breast cancer tissue for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Case reports: We report the cases of two post-menopausal women who underwent radioiodine therapy for papillary thyroid carcinoma and in whom breast uptake of radioiodine on post-therapy whole body scan (WBS) was observed. Methods and results: In both patients, elevated serum prolactin levels (123 ng/mL in patient 1 and 48 ng/mL in patient 2) were documented at the time when radioiodine uptake in the breast was observed. The hyperprolactinemia was due to prolonged treatment with the anti-dopaminergic neuroleptic risperidone in Case 1, and chronic renal failure in Case 2. When prolactin levels were normalized (by withdrawal of risperidone in Case 1 and with cabergoline in Case 2), breast tissue uptake was no longer evident on WBS. Conclusion: These cases provide the first documented correlation between serum levels of endogenous prolactin and radioiodine uptake by involuted breast tissue in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]