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Immersive virtual reality (VR) is recently being explored as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of amblyopia. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the preliminary efficacy, safety, usability and satisfaction obtained with the use of a novel VR system (NEIVATECH) to provide binocular vision training in previously treated older amblyopic children with non-compliance or non-response to patching. A prospective, multicentre, open-label, single-arm, pilot study was conducted in which the intervention under study was 9 h of therapy with the NEIVATECH system, distributed in 18 half-hour sessions spread over 1 month. A comprehensive visual assessment was conducted before and after the intervention, and at the end of the intervention the safety and usability of the system and patient satisfaction were evaluated. After therapy, statistically significant differences were observed in the near best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the dominant (p = 0.022) and non-dominant (p = 0.022) eye, in stereopsis based on the Binocular Function Score (p = 0.045) and in the break (p = 0.012) and recovery (p = 0.009) points of negative fusional vergence for distance vision. The safety and usability of the system and patient satisfaction with the therapy were adequate. These findings support further investigation of this treatment option in future studies incorporating a control group with which to compare the results obtained. Trial registration: NCT04819386. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β3-Adrenergic receptor (β3AR) agonists have been shown to protect against ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). Since β3ARs are present both in cardiomyocytes and in endothelial cells, the cellular compartment responsible for this protection has remained unknown. Using transgenic mice constitutively expressing the human β3AR (hβ3AR) in cardiomyocytes or in the endothelium on a genetic background of null endogenous β3AR expression, we show that only cardiomyocyte expression protects against IRI (45 min ischemia followed by reperfusion over 24 h). Infarct size was also limited after ischemia–reperfusion in mice with cardiomyocyte hβ3AR overexpression on top of endogenous β3AR expression. hβ3AR overexpression in these mice reduced IRI-induced cardiac fibrosis and improved long-term left ventricular systolic function. Cardiomyocyte-specific β3AR overexpression resulted in a baseline remodeling of the mitochondrial network, characterized by upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis and a downregulation of mitochondrial quality control (mitophagy), resulting in elevated numbers of small mitochondria with a depressed capacity for the generation of reactive oxygen species but improved capacity for ATP generation. These processes precondition cardiomyocyte mitochondria to be more resistant to IRI. Upon reperfusion, hearts with hβ3AR overexpression display a restoration in the mitochondrial quality control and a rapid activation of antioxidant responses. Strong protection against IRI was also observed in mice infected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding hβ3AR under a cardiomyocyte-specific promoter. These results confirm the translational potential of increased cardiomyocyte β3AR expression, achieved either naturally through exercise or artificially through gene therapy approaches, to precondition the cardiomyocyte mitochondrial network to withstand future insults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: RAS (KRAS/NRAS) mutational status on a tumor biopsy is mandatory to guide the best treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Determining the RAS mutational status by tumor-tissue biopsy is essential in guiding the optimal treatment decision for mCRC. RAS mutations are negative predictive factors for the use of EGFR monoclonal antibodies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis enables minimally invasive monitoring of tumor evolution. Methods/patients: PERSEIDA was an observational, prospective study assessing cfDNA RAS, BRAF and EGFR mutations (using Idylla™) in first-line mCRC, RAS wild-type (baseline tumor-tissue biopsy) patients (cohort 2). Plasma samples were collected before first-line treatment, after 20 ± 2 weeks, and at disease progression. Results: 117 patients were included (103 received panitumumab + chemotherapy as first-line treatment). At baseline, 7 (6.8%) patients had RAS mutations, 4 (3.9%) BRAF mutations and no EGFR mutations were detected (cfDNA, panitumumab + chemotherapy subpopulation [panitumumab + Ch]). The baseline RAS mutational status concordance between tissue and liquid biopsies was 94.0% (93.2%, panitumumab + Ch). At 20 weeks, only one patient in the study (included in the panitumumab + Ch) had an emerging cfDNA RAS mutation. No emerging BRAF or EGFR mutations were reported. At disease progression, 6 patients had emergent mutations not present at baseline (RAS conversion rate: 13.3% [6/45]; 15.0% [6/40], panitumumab + Ch). Conclusions: The concordance rate between liquid and solid biopsies at baseline was very high, as previously reported, while our results suggest a considerable emergence of RAS mutations during disease progression. Thus, the dynamics of the genomic landscape in ctDNA may provide relevant information for the management of mCRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this survey we recognize Enrique Arrondo's contributions over the whole of his career, recalling his professional history and collecting the results of his mathematical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal chemotherapy backbone for HER2-negative advanced esophagogastric cancer, either in combination with targeted therapies or as a comparator in clinical trials, is uncertain. The subtle yet crucial differences in platinum-based regimens' safety and synergy with combination treatments need consideration. Methods: We analyzed cases from the AGAMENON–SEOM Spanish registry of HER2-negative advanced esophagogastric adenocarcinoma treated with platinum and fluoropyrimidine from 2008 to 2021. This study focused exclusively on patients receiving one of the four regimens: FOLFOX (5-FU and oxaliplatin), CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin), CP (capecitabine and cisplatin) and FP (5-FU and cisplatin). The aim was to determine the most effective and tolerable platinum and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy regimen and to identify any prognostic factors. Results: Among 1293 patients, 36% received either FOLFOX (n = 468) or CAPOX (n = 466), 20% CP (n = 252), and 8% FP (n = 107). FOLFOX significantly increased PFS (progression free survival) compared to CP, with a hazard ratio of 0.73 (95% CI 0.58–0.92, p = 0.009). The duration of treatment was similar across all groups. Survival outcomes among regimens were similar, but analysis revealed worse ECOG–PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group–Performance Status), > 2 metastatic sites, bone metastases, hypoalbuminemia, higher NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), and CP regimen as predictors of poor PFS. Fatigue was common in all treatments, with the highest incidence in FOLFOX (77%), followed by FP (72%), CAPOX (68%), and CP (60%). Other notable toxicities included neuropathy (FOLFOX 69%, CAPOX 62%), neutropenia (FOLFOX 52%, FP 55%), hand–foot syndrome in CP (46%), and thromboembolic events (FP 12%, CP 11%). Conclusions: FOLFOX shown better PFS than CP. Adverse effects varied: neuropathy was more common with oxaliplatin, while thromboembolism was more frequent with cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Clinical practice guidelines recommend that all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) should be tested for mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). We aimed to describe the dMMR/MSI-H testing practice in patients with mCRC in Spanish centers. Methods: Multicenter, observational retrospective study that included patients newly diagnosed with mCRC or who progressed to a metastatic stage from early/localized stages. Results: Three hundred patients were included in the study from May 2020 through May 2021, with a median age of 68 years, and two hundred twenty-five (75%) had stage IV disease at initial diagnosis; two hundred eighty-four patients received first-line treatment, and dMMR/MSI-H testing was performed in two hundred fifty-one (84%) patients. The results of the dMMR/MSI-H tests were available in 61 (24%) of 251 patients before the diagnosis of metastatic disease and in 191 (81%) of 236 evaluable patients for this outcome before the initiation of first-line treatment. Among the 244 patients who were tested for dMMR/MSI-H with IHC or PCR, 14 (6%) were MMR deficient. The most frequent type of first-line treatment was the combination of chemotherapy and biological agent, that was received by 71% and 50% of patients with MMR proficient and deficient tumors, respectively, followed by chemotherapy alone, received in over 20% of patients in each subgroup. Only 29% of dMMR/MSI-H tumors received first-line immunotherapy. Conclusion: Our study suggests that a high proportion of patients with mCRC are currently tested for dMMR/MSI-H in tertiary hospitals across Spain. However, there is still room for improvement until universal testing is achieved. Trial registration: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma in young adults (GCYA) counts for 10–15% of diagnoses. Previous studies have mainly focused on surgical outcomes in patients with resectable tumors; however, systemic therapy for advanced GCYA remains under-evaluated. This study aims to assess the efficacy-related outcomes and safety of first-line chemotherapy (CT) in younger versus older patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods: Patients with advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry treated with first-line polychemotherapy between January 2008 and October 2022 were included. We compared clinicopathological features, therapies received, efficacy-related outcomes, and toxicity between individuals aged < and ≥ 45 years. Results: Out of 3386 patients, 263 (7.8%) were < 45 years. Young patients exhibited a higher proportion of females affected, lower ECOG-PS ≥ 2, fewer comorbidities, and more aggressive disease-related features, such as higher proportion of diffuse subtype, signet-ring cells, plastic linitis, grade 3, peritoneal metastases and metastatic disease at diagnosis. They received more triple-agent combinations and underwent more surgeries in metastatic setting. No significant differences were observed between groups in overall response rate (53.1% vs. 52.3% in < and ≥ 45 years, respectively, p = 0.579), progression-free survival (6.1 vs. 6.83 months, p = 0.158) and overall survival (11.07 vs. 10.81 months, p = 0.82), even after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Grade 3–4 adverse events were comparable in both groups, although toxicity leading to treatment discontinuation was more frequent in older patients. Conclusions: In the AGAMENON-SEOM registry, younger patients with GCYA exhibited more aggressive clinicopathological features, and despite receiving more aggressive treatments, similar efficacy outcomes and toxicity profiles were achieved compared to their older counterparts. In the AGAMENON-SEOM registry, GEAC in < 45 years showed more aggressive clinicopathological features and, although treated with more intense first-line CT regimens, similar efficacy outcomes and toxicity were achieved compared to older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse the ocularist's perspective on the management of the anophthalmic socket and external ocular prosthesis (EOP). Methods: Ocularists from two countries were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. Data were collected on demographics, anophthalmic socket and EOP management (manufacturing, use, cleaning), complications, follow-up visits and multidisciplinary care. The frequency and proportions of the responses were statistically analysed. Results: The questionnaire was addressed to 20 Brazilian and 17 Spanish ocularists, obtaining a response rate of 65% and 64.7%, respectively. 62.5% of respondents were men. The most common cause of anophthalmia in Brazil (69.2%) and Spain (36.4%) is an eye disease (chi square: p = 0.188). Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used material in EOP manufacture (chi square: p = 0.448), and 70.8% reported using customized EOPs (chi square: p = 0.069). Deposits are frequently observed in both countries (chi square: p = 0.157). Changing the prosthesis is recommended after 5 to 10 years by Brazilian ocularists, and after less than 5 years of use by Spanish ocularists (81.8%) (chi square: p = 0.041). Annual follow-up is recommended by Spanish ocularists (45.5%), while semestral (38.5%) and case-dependent (38.5%) follow-up is recommended by Brazilian ocularists (chi square: p = 0.267). Daily cleaning is advocated by 61.5% of Brazilian ocularists and once a month by 45.5% of Spanish ocularists (chi square: p = 0.098), with 75% of ocularists from both countries not recommending EOP removal at night (Fisher´s exact test: p = 0.166). Good communication between ocularists and ophthalmologists was reported by 87.5% of our responders (chi square: p = 0.642). Conclusion: Although there are no unified protocols on the management of EOPs, Brazilian and Spanish ocularists follow similar guidelines. Differences between countries were the patients´ referral and the prosthesis´ useful life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mean-square stability analysis of linear stochastic differential systems obtained perturbing ordinary systems by linear terms driven by independent Wiener processes is investigated. The so obtained stochastic regions are contractions of the asymptotic stability domain of the linear ordinary system. In this work, the mean-square stability regions exact shape is provided by means of necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the eigenvalues of the drift and the intensities of the noises. Special attention is paid to how different structures of the perturbation affect the mean-square stability of systems with non-normal drifts. In each case, the obtained explicit stability condition reveals the role played by the parameter that controls the non-normality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to compare ramucirumab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy in second-line (2L) advanced gastroesophageal cancer (aGEC) based on HER2 status and analyze prognostic factors. Methods: The study includes patients from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry with aGEC and known HER2 status who received 2L between 2016 and 2021. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and multivariable Cox regression analysis was done to adjust for confounding variables. Results: Of the 552 patients who met the selection criteria, 149 (26.9%) had HER2-positive aGEC, 89 were treated with chemotherapy, and 60 with ramucirumab-paclitaxel, and 403 had an HER2-negative aGEC, 259 were treated with chemotherapy, and 144 with ramucirumab-paclitaxel. In the whole sample, 2L PFS was 3.0 months (95% CI 2.8–3.2), 2L OS, 5.7 months (5.2–6.3), and ramucirumab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy was associated with increased PFS (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53–0.78, p < 0.0001) and OS (HR 0.68, 0.55–0.83, p = 0.0002). Median PFS of ramucirumab- paclitaxel versus chemotherapy was 3.5 vs 2.8 months (HR 0.67, 0.54–0.83, p = 0.0004) in HER2-negative, and 4.7 vs 2.7 months (HR 0.57, 0.40–0.82, p = 0.0031) in HER2-positive aGEC, respectively. Median OS for ramucirumab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy was 6.6 vs 5 months (HR 0.67, 0.53–0.85, p = 0.0007) in HER2-negative, and 7.4 vs 5.6 months (HR 0.70, 0.53–1.04, p = 0.083) in HER2-positive aGEC, respectively. ECOG-PS, tumor burden, Lauren subtype, and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio were prognostic factors. Conclusions: In patients with an aGEC from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry, 2L treatment with ramucirumab-paclitaxel was superior to chemotherapy in PFS, OS and response rate, independent of HER2 status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogeneous and heterogeneous U1-xCexO2 (with 0≤ x≤ 0.25) materials were prepared via wet and dry chemistry routes, respectively before being submitted to dynamic leaching experiments. The feeding solution containing 0.20 mmol.L−1 H2O2 was kept under air and renewed to guarantee the stability of H2O2 during the experiment. Normalized alteration rates were determined from U concentration in the leachates. For homogeneous (U,Ce)O2 materials, the dissolution rate was divided by a factor of 3 when increasing the Ce content from 0.08 to 0.25. Surface characterizations revealed that studtite precipitated all over UO2 pellet surface and only on the UO2 grains of heterogeneous U0.92Ce0.08O2 samples. The behaviour of this heterogeneous material was similar to that observed for (U,Pu)O2 in the same conditions, which revealed the reliability of cerium as a plutonium analogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The starting point of this work is the fact that the class of evolution algebras over a fixed field is closed under tensor product. We prove that, under certain conditions, the tensor product is an evolution algebra if and only if every factor is an evolution algebra. Another issue arises about the inheritance of properties from the tensor product to the factors and conversely. For instance, nondegeneracy, irreducibility, perfectness and simplicity are investigated. The four-dimensional case is illustrative and useful to contrast conjectures, so we achieve a complete classification of four-dimensional perfect evolution algebras emerging as tensor product of two-dimensional ones. We find that there are four-dimensional evolution algebras that are the tensor product of two nonevolution algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is generally treated similarly to advanced gastroesophageal junction (GEJ-AC) and gastric (GAC) adenocarcinomas, although GAC clinical trials rarely include EAC. This work sought to compare clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of advanced EAC with those of GEJ-AC and GAC and examine prognostic factors. Patients and methods: Participants comprised patients with advanced EAC, intestinal GEJ-AC, and GAC treated with platin and fluoropyrimidine (plus trastuzumab when HER2 status was positive). Overall and progression-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression gauged the prognostic value of the AGAMENON model. Results: Between 2008 and 2019, 971 participants from the AGAMENON-SEOM registry were recruited at 35 centers. The sample included 67.3% GAC, 13.3% GEJ-AC, and 19.4% EAC. Pulmonary metastases were most common in EAC and peritoneal metastases in GAC. Median PFS and OS were 7.7 (95% CI 7.3–8.0) and 13.9 months (12.9–14.7). There was no difference in PFS or OS between HER2− and HER2+ tumors from the three locations (p > 0.05). Five covariates were found to be prognostic for the entire sample: ECOG-PS, histological grade, number of metastatic sites, NLR, and HER2+ tumors treated with trastuzumab. In EAC, the same variables were prognostic except for grade. The favorable prognosis for HER2+ cancers treated with trastuzumab was homogenous for all three subgroups (p = 0.351) and, after adjusting for the remaining covariates, no evidence supported primary tumor localization as a prognostic factor (p = 0.331). Conclusion: Our study supports the hypothesis that EAC exhibits clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes comparable to intestinal GEJ-AC and GAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of monitoring programs in the marine environment is often limited by the scarcity of information concerning medium/long-term time series observations (years-decades) in complex and variable systems. Marine submerged caves, in particular, have received relatively low research effort, as they are confined and difficult to access ecosystems. In this study, we describe the spatio-temporal variations of sessile benthic assemblages along the exterior-interior axis of the Cerro-Gordo submarine cave (Granada, Spain), from 2007 to 2016 using taxonomic (e.g., major taxonomic groups) and morphological (i.e., growth forms) descriptors. In contrast to our initial expectations (higher stability in the inner cave sector), significant temporal variations of sessile community structure and morphology occurred in both external and internal cave sectors. In addition, higher spatial differences were encountered among opposite cave walls in the inner dark sector, which is probably explained by small-scale variability in topography and siltation rate. In the outer semi-dark sector, community structure was more heterogeneous, although generally similar between opposite walls. Among the descriptors used, the morphological one was able to detect greater spatio-temporal variation in the outer semi-dark sector, while the taxonomic descriptor was more suitable in the inner dark sector. These results could provide a basis for future monitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the tensor space $${{\mathrm {Sym}}}^d \mathbb {R}^2$$ of binary forms we study the best rank k approximation problem. The critical points of the best rank 1 approximation problem are the eigenvectors and it is known that they span a hyperplane. We prove that the critical points of the best rank k approximation problem lie in the same hyperplane. As a consequence, every binary form may be written as linear combination of its critical rank 1 tensors, which extends the Spectral Theorem from quadratic forms to binary forms of any degree. In the same vein, also the best rank k approximation may be written as a linear combination of the critical rank 1 tensors, which extends the Eckart-Young theorem from matrices to binary forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general class of linear two-step schemes for solving stochastic differential equations is presented. Necessary and sufficient conditions on its parameters to obtain mean square order 1.5 are derived. Then the linear stability of the schemes is investigated. In particular, among others, the stability regions of generalizations of the classical two-step schemes Adams-Bashford, Adams-Moulton, and BDF are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored the amphipod communities associated with the dominant host invertebrates inhabiting a marine cave of South Spain in order to describe their species composition and distribution patterns. Although they play a key role in the structure of mobile epifaunal communities inhabiting most rocky reef ecosystems, this component of marine caves communities has often been overlooked. Colonies of six sessile species were collected: Astroides calycularis, Parazoanthus axinellae, Pentapora fascialis, Aldeonella calveti, Filograna implexa, and Ircinia fasciculata. In each sample the mobile epifaunal community (mainly focusing on the amphipod group) was characterized, with Arthropoda and Amphipoda being the dominant phylum and order, respectively. Among amphipods, the gammarid Lembos websteri and the caprellids Phtisica marina and Pseudoprotella phasma were the most abundant species. The endangered coral Astroides calycularis showed the most distinctive amphipod community and multivariate analysis highlighted the existence of significant differences in the amphipod assemblages among invertebrate hosts in the cave. However, no host-specific species were found. Benthic hosts inside the cave are mainly used as a refuge by amphipods and all the sessile species studied seem to play an equivalent facilitation role. To what extent changes in the composition of sessile species may affect other associated species was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of conditions on the parameters of stochastic linear two-step schemes for their order 1.0 mean-square convergence are established. Then two-step Milstein schemes are defined and necessary and sufficient conditions for their MS-stability are given. Regions of MS-stability are determined and plotted for Adams-Bashforth, Adams-Moulton and BDF Milstein schemes. Numerical experiments confirming the theoretical results are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years several numerical methods to solve a linear stochastic oscillator with one additive noise have been proposed. The usual aim of these approaches was to preserve different long time properties of the oscillator solution. In this work we collect these properties, namely, symplecticity, linear growth of its second moment and asymptotic oscillation around zero. We show that these features can be studied in terms of the coefficients of the matrices that appear in the linear recurrence obtained when the schemes are applied to the oscillator. We use this study to compare the numerical schemes as well as to propose new schemes improving some properties of classical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous work, the shape of Arabidopsis seed was described as a cardioid modified by a factor of Phi. In addition, J index was defined as the similarity of the seed (in an orthogonal, bi-dimensional image) to a cardioid, thus allowing the quantitative comparison of seed shape in seeds of varieties and mutants at different stages of development. Here, J index is used for modeling changes in seed morphology during the dynamic process of seed imbibition before germination. The analysis was carried out by means of a general linear model with two fixed factors (genotype and time) applied to two Arabidopsis varieties: Columbia and Wassilewskija and two mutants in cellulose synthesis: prc1- 1 (CESA6 in Columbia) and kor1- 1 (in Wassilewskija). Equations representing the changes in seed form during imbibition are given. The analysis of changes in seed shape by this procedure provides (1) a quantitative method to record changes in seed shape and to compare between genotypes or treatments showing the time points with maximum differences, and (2) the observation of remarkable differences between wild-type seeds and mutants in cellulose biosynthesis, indicating new phenotypic characteristics previously unknown in the latter. While wild-type seeds increase their J index values during imbibition, in the cellulose mutants J index values decrease. In addition, shape comparisons were done with other mutants. Seeds of ga1- 1 mutants behave like cellulose mutants, whereas different ethylene mutants present varied responses. Quantitative analysis of seed morphology is a new basis for the record of differences between wild-type and mutants as well as for phenotypic characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nomograms are used to predict the involvement of non-sentinel nodes (nSN) in breast cancer. This study attempts to externally validate two of the more commonly used nomograms (MSKCC and Stanford University). Materials and methods: Five hundred and one cases of positive SNB with posterior axillary lymphadenectomy from 11 Spanish hospitals with widespread experience of the technique were studied. In all cases, an estimate of the probability of nSN involvement was made using the MSKCC and the Stanford University nomograms. Discrimination was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. To assess the calibration of the nomogram, observed probability was plotted against the nomogram-calculated predicted probability. Results: The overall predictive accuracy of the MSKCC nomogram was 0.684 (95 % confidence interval, 0.635-0.732), while in the case of that from Stanford the predictive accuracy was 0.658 (95 % confidence interval 0.607-0.709). The mean predicted probability of nSN metastases in each group of patients was correlated with the observed probability with an acceptable concordance ( r = 0.820; p < 0.004 in MSKCC nomogram and r = 0.888; p < 0.001 in Stanford nomogram). Conclusion: These nomograms can be useful tools in the evaluation of patients with breast cancer and positive sentinel nodes but other factors, including a comprehensive clinical assessment, must be used to decide the most appropriate surgical approach for an individual patient, especially with regard to avoiding unnecessary lymphadenectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2008 and 2009, an epidemic affected sponges of the genus Ircinia in the Western Mediterranean. Investigations at a site on the European coast (6º43′08.80′′N; 3º43′52.20′′W) and another on the African coast (35º10′51.00′′N; 2º25′33.00′′W) revealed healthier African populations. The disease started with small pustules on the sponge surface, which subsequently coalesced forming larger, extensive lesions. An ultrastructural study suggested that a twisted rod is the etiological agent. It infected the sponges from the outside, initially killing the cells below the ectosome and then penetrating deeper into the body. The sponges responded to the bacterial progression by secreting concentric barriers of collagen and concentrating phagocytic cells at the diseased zones. This primitive immune system successfully resisted the disease in many instances, although mortality reached 27% in the studied populations. Epidemic outbreaks recur each year in September through November, arguably favored by abnormally high seawater temperatures in August. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the numerical solution of stochastic differential equations is presented. The method has mean-square order equal to 1/2 when it is applied to a general stochastic differential equation and equal to 1 if the equation has additive noise. In addition, it is shown that the method captures some long-time properties of a linear stochastic oscillator: It reproduces exactly the growth rate of the second moment and the oscillation property of the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook this project to integrate context sensitive computer-based educational and decision making aids into the film interpretation and reporting process, and to determine the clinical utility of this method as a guide for further system development. An image database of 347 digital mammography images was assembled and image features were coded. An interface was developed to a computerized speech recognition radiology reporting system which was modified to translate reported findings into database search terms. These observations were used to formulate database search strategies which not only retrieved similar cases from the image database, but also other cases that were related to the index case in different ways. The search results were organized into image sets intended to address common questions that arise during image interpretation. An evaluation of the clinical utility of this method was performed as a guide for further system development. We found that voice dictation of prototypical mammographic cases resulted in automatic retrieval of reference images. The retrieved images were organized into sets matching findings, diagnostic hypotheses, diagnosis, spectrum of findings or diagnoses, closest match to dictated case, or user specified parameters. Two mammographers graded the clinical utility of each form of system output. We concluded that case specific and problem specific image sets may be automatically generated from spoken case dictation. A potentially large number of retrieved images may be divided into subsets which anticipate common clinical problems. This automatic method of context sensitive image retrieval may provide a “continuous’; form of education integrated into routine case interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a tensor f in a Euclidean tensor space, we are interested in the critical points of the distance function from f to the set of tensors of rank at most k, which we call the critical rank-at-most-k tensors for f. When f is a matrix, the critical rank-one matrices for f correspond to the singular pairs of f. The critical rank-one tensors for f lie in a linear subspace Hf, the critical space of f. Our main result is that, for any k, the critical rank-at-most-k tensors for a sufficiently general f also lie in the critical space Hf. This is the part of Eckart-Young Theorem that generalizes from matrices to tensors. Moreover, we show that when the tensor format satisfies the triangle inequalities, the critical space Hf is spanned by the complex critical rank-one tensors. Since f itself belongs to Hf, we deduce that also f itself is a linear combination of its critical rank-one tensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]