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Migration is not a new phenomenon and current migration affects practically all countries and individuals in some way. For vulnerable people, the decision to leave home is almost always multi-causal, highly complex, and often involves many stops and hazards along the way. Large numbers of people leave their country of birth, fleeing from war, famine, and persecution, or seeking to improve their economic and professional prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early epidemic reports have linked low average 25(OH) vitamin D levels with increased COVID-19 mortality. However, there has been limited updated research on 25(OH) vitamin D and its impact on COVID-19 mortality. This study aimed to update the initial report studying the link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 mortality by using multi-country data in 19 European countries up to the middle of June 2023. COVID-19 data for 19 European countries included in this study were downloaded from Our World in Data from 1 March 2020, to 14 June 2023, and were included in the statistical analysis. The 25(OH) vitamin D average data were collected by conducting a literature review. A generalized estimation equation model was used to model the data. Compared to European countries with 25(OH) vitamin D levels of ≤50 nmol/L, European countries with 25(OH) vitamin D average levels greater than 50 nmol/L had lower COVID-19 mortality rates (RR = 0.794, 95% CI: 0.662–0.953). A statistically significant negative Spearman rank correlation was observed between 25(OH) vitamin D average levels and COVID-19 mortality. We also found significantly lower COVID-19 mortality rates in countries with high average 25(OH) vitamin D levels. Randomized trials on vitamin D supplementation are needed. In the meantime, the issue of vitamin D use should be debated in relation to the ongoing discussions of national post-COVID-19 resilience against future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Docetaxel improves overall survival (OS) in castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa) (CRPC) and metastatic hormone-sensitive PCa (mHSPC). However, not all patients respond due to inherent and/or acquired resistance. There remains an unmet clinical need for a robust predictive test to stratify patients for treatment. Liquid biopsy of circulating tumour cell (CTCs) is minimally invasive, can provide real-time information of the heterogeneous tumour and therefore may be a potentially ideal docetaxel response prediction biomarker. Objective: In this study we investigate the potential of using CTCs and their gene expression to predict post-docetaxel tumour response, OS and progression free survival (PFS). Methods: Peripheral blood was sampled from 18 mCRPC and 43 mHSPC patients, pre-docetaxel treatment, for CTC investigation. CTCs were isolated ® using the epitope independent Parsortix system and gene expression was determined by multiplex RT-qPCR. We evaluated CTC measurements for post-docetaxel outcome prediction using receiver operating characteristics and Kaplan Meier analysis. Results: Detection of CTCs pre-docetaxel was associated with poor patient outcome post-docetaxel treatment. Combining total-CTC number with PSA and ALP predicted lack of partial response (PR) with an AUC of 0.90, p= 0.037 in mCRPC. A significantly shorter median OS was seen in mCRPC patients with positive CTC-score (12.80 vs. 37.33 months, HR= 5.08, p= 0.0005), ≥3 total-CTCs/7.5mL (12.80 vs. 37.33 months, HR= 3.84, p= 0.0053), ≥1 epithelial-CTCs/7.5mL (14.30 vs. 37.33 months, HR= 3.89, p= 0.0041) or epithelial to mesenchymal transitioning (EMTing)-CTCs/7.5mL (11.32 vs. 32.37 months, HR= 6.73, p= 0.0001). Significantly shorter PFS was observed in patients with ≥2 epithelial-CTCs/7.5mL (7.52 vs. 18.83 months, HR= 3.93, p= 0.0058). mHSPC patients with ≥5 CTCs/7.5mL had significantly shorter median OS (24.57 vs undefined months, HR= 4.14, p= 0.0097). In mHSPC patients, expression of KLK2, KLK4, ADAMTS1, ZEB1 and SNAI1 was significantly associated with shorter OS and/or PFS. Importantly, combining CTC measurements with clinical biomarkers increased sensitivity and specificity for prediction of patient outcome. Conclusion: While it is clear that CTC numbers and gene expression were prognostic for PCa post-docetaxel treatment, and CTC subtype analysis may have additional value, their potential predictive value for docetaxel chemotherapy response needs to be further investigated in large patient cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apply a coded aperture snapshot spectral imager (CASSI) to fluorescence microscopy. CASSI records a two-dimensional (2D) spectrally filtered projection of a three-dimensional (3D) spectral data cube. We minimize a convex quadratic function with total variation (TV) constraints for data cube estimation from the 2D snapshot. We adapt the TV minimization algorithm for direct fluorescent bead identification from CASSI measurements by combining a priori knowledge of the spectra associated with each bead type. Our proposed method creates a 2D bead identity image. Simulated fluorescence CASSI measurements are used to evaluate the behavior of the algorithm. We also record real CASSI measurements of a ten bead type fluorescence scene and create a 2D bead identity map. A baseline image from filtered-array imaging system verifies CASSI's 2D bead identity map. OCIS codes: 100.3010, 100.3190, 110.0180, 110.1758, 110.4234, 180.2520.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.12.006 Byline: Maxwell C. Eblaghie (a), Mary Reedy (a), Tim Oliver (a), Yuji Mishina (b), Brigid L.M. Hogan (a) Keywords: Bmpr1a; Alk3; Bmp4; Sftpc; Conditional mutant; Mouse embryo; Lung; Epithelium; Proliferation; Survival Abstract: Lung development requires reciprocal epithelial/mesenchymal interactions, mediated by signaling factors such as Bmps made in both cell populations. To address the role of Bmp signaling in the epithelium, we have exploited the fact that Bmp receptor type Ia (Alk3) is expressed in the epithelium during branching morphogenesis. Deletion of Bmpr1a in the epithelium with an Sftpc-cre transgene leads to dramatic defects in lung development. There is reduced epithelial proliferation, extensive apoptosis, changes in cell morphology and extrusion of cells into the lumen. By E18.5, there are fewer Type II cells than normal, and the lung contains large fluid-filled spaces. If cell death is prevented by making embryos homozygous null for the proapoptotic gene, Bax, the epithelial cells that are rescued can apparently differentiate, but normal morphogenesis is not restored. To determine whether Bmps made by the epithelium can function in an autocrine manner, mesenchyme-free endoderm was cultured in Matrigelacents with Fgfs. Under these conditions, the mutant epithelium fails to undergo secondary budding. Abnormal development was also seen when Bmp4 was specifically deleted in the epithelium using the Sftpc-cre transgene. Our results support a model in which Bmp signaling primarily regulates the proliferation, survival and morphogenetic behavior of distal lung epithelial cells. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA (b) Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA Article History: Received 24 August 2005; Revised 22 November 2005; Accepted 1 December 2005

Because the success of labor-intensive hand crosses by breeders is dependent upon pollen viability, quick, simple, and inexpensive methods for viability assessment are of interest. Four such cotton pollen viability assays were compared to determine differences in viability estimates, and relative accuracy by correlation to seed set. The methods compared were Brewbaker & Kwack (B & K) medium, B & K medium plus aniline blue, a fluorochromatic reaction method (FCR), and Alexander's stain. Additionally, digital images of germinated pollen grains were analyzed by means of morphometry software to quantify pollen tube area per pollen grain, as a proposed additional method of assessing viability. Pollen from conventional, nontreated glyphosate-resistant (GR) and glypbosate-treated GR cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants was tested by each method. Glyphosate treatments to GR cotton reduced pollen viability and corresponding seed set in all methods tested. Pollen germination measured by the B & K method was most closely related to seed set per boll, while Alexander's stain gave the highest estimates of viability. The FCR method indicated that many pollen grains from glyphosate-treated GR cotton were irregularly shaped and only partially flourescein diacetate (FD) stained. AH methods tested showed similar high correlation (0.7-0.8) of pollen viability to seed set. Morphometric analysis of digital images of germinated pollen found the greatest pollen tube area to pollen grain ratio with B & K medium + 30 mM sucrose. Because the B & K method most closely predicted the linear magnitude of seed set reduction to reduced pollen viability, allowed the use of morphometry software analysis, and was one of the simplest and least equipment-demanding methods, it may provide broad utility for those assessing cotton pollen viability., BREEDERS, as well as growers, are often interested in the pollen viability status of their crops. Hand crosses made by breeders are expensive and time consuming to conduct. Often pollen [...]