Cancer burden among HIV-positive persons in Nigeria: preliminary findings from the Nigerian AIDS-cancer match study

Background: Although Nigeria has a large HIV epidemic, the impact of HIV on cancer in Nigerians is unknown. Methods: We conducted a registry linkage study using a probabilistic matching algorithm among a cohort of HIV positive persons registered at health facilities where the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) provides HIV prevention and treatment services. Their data was linked to data from 2009 to 2012 in the Abuja Cancer Registry. Match compatible files with first name, last name, sex, date of birth and unique HIV cohort identification numbers were provided by each registry and used for the linkage analysis. We describe demographic characteristics of the HIV clients and compute Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) to evaluate the association of various cancers with HIV infection. Results: Between 2005 and 2012, 17,826 persons living with HIV (PLWA) were registered at IHVN. Their median age (Interquartile range (IQR)) was 33 (27–40) years; 41% (7246/17826) were men and 59% (10580/17826) were women. From 2009 to 2012, 2,029 clients with invasive cancers were registered at the Abuja Cancer Registry. The median age (IQR) of the cancer clients was 45 (35–68) years. Among PLWA, 39 cancer cases were identified, 69% (27/39) were incident cancers and 31% (12/39) were prevalent cancers. The SIR (95% CI) for the AIDS Defining Cancers were 5.7 (4.1, 7.2) and 2.0 (0.4, 3.5), for Kaposi Sarcoma and Cervical Cancer respectively. Conclusion: The risk of Kaposi Sarcoma but not Cervical Cancer or Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, was significantly increased among HIV positive persons, compared to the general population in Nigeria

On the Feasibility of Imaging Carbonatite-Hosted Rare Earth Element Deposits Using Remote Sensing

Rare earth elements (REEs) generate characteristic absorption features in visible to shortwave infrared (VNIR-SWIR) reflectance spectra. Neodymium (Nd) has among the most prominent absorption features of the REEs and thus represents a key pathfinder element for the REEs as a whole. Given that the world’s largest REE deposits are associated with carbonatites, we present spectral, petrographic, and geochemical data from a predominantly carbonatitic suite of rocks that we use to assess the feasibility of imaging REE deposits using remote sensing. Samples were selected to cover a wide range of extents and styles of REE mineralization, and encompass calcio-, ferro- and magnesio-carbonatites. REE ores from the Bayan Obo (China) and Mountain Pass (United States) mines, as well as REE-rich alkaline rocks from the Motzfeldt and Ilímaussaq intrusions in Greenland, were also included in the sample suite. The depth and area of Nd absorption features in spectra collected under laboratory conditions correlate positively with the Nd content of whole-rock samples. The wavelength of Nd absorption features is predominantly independent of sample lithology and mineralogy. Correlations are most reliable for the two absorption features centered at ~744 and ~802 nm that can be observed in samples containing as little as ~1,000 ppm Nd. By convolving laboratory spectra to the spectral response functions of a variety of remote sensing instruments we demonstrate that hyperspectral instruments with capabilities equivalent to the operational Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and planned Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) systems have the spectral resolutions necessary to detect Nd absorption features, especially in high-grade samples with economically relevant REE accumulations (Nd > 30,000 ppm). Adding synthetic noise to convolved spectra indicates that correlations between Nd absorption area and whole-rock Nd content only remain robust when spectra have signal-to-noise ratios in excess of ~250:1. Although atmospheric interferences are modest across the wavelength intervals relevant for Nd detection, most REE-rich outcrops are too small to be detectable using satellite-based platforms with >30-m spatial resolutions. However, our results indicate that Nd absorption features should be identifiable in high-quality, airborne, hyperspectral datasets collected at meter-scale spatial resolutions. Future deployment of hyperspectral instruments on unmanned aerial vehicles could enable REE grade to be mapped at the centimeter scale across whole deposits

Evaluating the Foundation Phase : final report

The Foundation Phase (introduced in 2008) provides a developmentally appropriate experiential curriculum for children aged 3-7 in Wales. The Welsh Government commissioned independent evaluation (led by WISERD) aims to evaluate how well it is being implemented, what impact it has had, and ways in which it can be improved. The three-year evaluation utilises a range of mixed methods at a national and local scale

Cardiac protein kinases: the cardiomyocyte kinome and differential kinase expression in human failing hearts

Aims. Protein kinases are potential therapeutic targets for heart failure, but most studies of cardiac protein kinases derive from other systems, an approach that fails to account for specific kinases expressed in the heart and the contractile cardiomyocytes. We aimed to define the cardiomyocyte kinome (i.e. the protein kinases expressed in cardiomyocytes) and identify kinases with altered expression in human failing hearts. Methods and Results. Expression profiling (Affymetrix microarrays) detected >400 protein kinase mRNAs in rat neonatal ventricular myocytes (NVMs) and/or adult ventricular myocytes (AVMs), 32 and 93 of which were significantly upregulated or downregulated (>2-fold), respectively, in AVMs. Data for AGC family members were validated by qPCR. Proteomics analysis identified >180 cardiomyocyte protein kinases, with high relative expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades and other known cardiomyocyte kinases (e.g. CAMKs, cAMP-dependent protein kinase). Other kinases are poorly-investigated (e.g. Slk, Stk24, Oxsr1). Expression of Akt1/2/3, BRaf, ERK1/2, Map2k1, Map3k8, Map4k4, MST1/3, p38-MAPK, PKCδ, Pkn2, Ripk1/2, Tnni3k and Zak was confirmed by immunoblotting. Relative to total protein, Map3k8 and Tnni3k were upregulated in AVMs vs NVMs. Microarray data for human hearts demonstrated variation in kinome expression that may influence responses to kinase inhibitor therapies. Furthermore, some kinases were upregulated (e.g. NRK, JAK2, STK38L) or downregulated (e.g. MAP2K1, IRAK1, STK40) in human failing hearts. Conclusions. This characterization of the spectrum of kinases expressed in cardiomyocytes and the heart (cardiomyocyte and cardiac kinomes) identified novel kinases, some of which are differentially expressed in failing human hearts and could serve as potential therapeutic targets

Predictive validity of the CriSTAL tool for short-term mortality in older people presenting at Emergency Departments: a prospective study

Abstract: To determine the validity of the Australian clinical prediction tool Criteria for Screening and Triaging to Appropriate aLternative care (CRISTAL) based on objective clinical criteria to accurately identify risk of death within 3 months of admission among older patients. Methods: Prospective study of ≥ 65 year-olds presenting at emergency departments in five Australian (Aus) and four Danish (DK) hospitals. Logistic regression analysis was used to model factors for death prediction; Sensitivity, specificity, area under the ROC curve and calibration with bootstrapping techniques were used to describe predictive accuracy. Results: 2493 patients, with median age 78–80 years (DK–Aus). The deceased had significantly higher mean CriSTAL with Australian mean of 8.1 (95% CI 7.7–8.6 vs. 5.8 95% CI 5.6–5.9) and Danish mean 7.1 (95% CI 6.6–7.5 vs. 5.5 95% CI 5.4–5.6). The model with Fried Frailty score was optimal for the Australian cohort but prediction with the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was also good (AUROC 0.825 and 0.81, respectively). Values for the Danish cohort were AUROC 0.764 with Fried and 0.794 using CFS. The most significant independent predictors of short-term death in both cohorts were advanced malignancy, frailty, male gender and advanced age. CriSTAL’s accuracy was only modest for in-hospital death prediction in either setting. Conclusions: The modified CriSTAL tool (with CFS instead of Fried’s frailty instrument) has good discriminant power to improve prognostic certainty of short-term mortality for ED physicians in both health systems. This shows promise in enhancing clinician’s confidence in initiating earlier end-of-life discussions.</p

Native MS Analysis of Encapsulated Ferritin from Rhodospirillum rubrum

This dataset contains native MS analysis of the Encapsulated Ferritin (EncFtn, Rru_A0973) from Rhodospirillum rubrum. Included are ion-mobility mass spectra of apo- and Fe-bound EncFtn, mass spectral data showing the gas phase disassembly of Fe-bound EncFtn; and native mass spectra of point mutants of EncFtn. N.B. Datasets archived as .raw files (Waters data file extension; can be viewed using MassLynx).Datasets archived as .raw files (Waters data file extension; can be viewed using MassLynx). 1. Native Ion-mobility Mass Spectrometry datasets for Fe-bound and apo-EncFtnsH - EncFtn_Fe_IMMS.raw - Enc_Ftn_apo_IMMS.raw 2. Gas Phase Dissociated of Fe-bound EncFtn decameric complex, which results in both monomer and dimer subcomplexes. - EncFtn_Fe_GasPhaseDissociation.raw 3. Native MS analysis of EncFtn single point mutants (E32A, E62A, H65A). - EncFtn_E32A.raw - EncFtn_E62A.raw - EncFtn_H65A.ra

First‐trimester biomarkers of gestational diabetes mellitus: A scoping review

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects approximately 14% of pregnancies globally, with rising incidence depending on the diagnostic criteria used. In the UK, screening relies on risk factors at booking, followed by a diagnosis via an oral glucose tolerance test in the second trimester. This approach may lack sensitivity and has poor tolerability. Emerging evidence suggests that GDM pathophysiology begins in the first trimester, with biomarkers showing potential for early prediction. Identifying these could enable earlier risk stratification, improved diagnostic pathways, and better maternal–fetal outcomes. This scoping review maps the existing literature on first‐trimester biomarkers of GDM to evaluate their clinical utility and integration into predictive models. A literature search was conducted using Medline, Embase, and PubMed to identify studies on first‐trimester biomarkers of GDM. Inclusion criteria included (1) studies investigating biomarkers at <15 weeks' gestation; (2) studies that diagnosed GDM using an OGTT with recognized diagnostic guidelines or clearly stated glucose thresholds. A total of 133 studies were included, reporting a wide range of biomarkers (145 in total). PAPP‐A was generally lower in GDM, with mixed findings for β‐hCG and PlGF. Metabolic markers, including lipid profiles, fasting glucose, and HbA1c, were often elevated. Inflammatory markers, such as WCC, neutrophils, and CRP, were higher in those later diagnosed with GDM. First‐trimester biomarkers highlight GDM's complex pathophysiology. PAPP‐A shows predictive potential, while metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers suggest early systemic dysfunction. Emerging tools like 3D ultrasonography indicate placental structural changes. Larger studies are needed to validate these biomarkers and integrate them into predictive models to improve maternal–fetal outcomes

Wildlife Activity Patterns at a Constructed Wetland Based On Trail Cam Monitoring

Wetland habitats fill vital environmental roles because they potentially increase wildlife diversity and provide important ecosystem services. During 2015, the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) in Holland began reconstructing a wetland from an agricultural field, hoping to improve wildlife diversity. However, this site is near a regional airport, which raised some concern regarding the potential for increased aviation collision risk. In order to evaluate the success of the wetland in attracting wildlife and the potential wildlife hazard to aviation, we analyzed over 600,000 trail cam photos from 4 camera stations operating continuously through the 2015 wetland construction, and for 2 years thereafter. The most common species captured in photos were White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys, ducks and geese, a variety of small bird species, and small mammals such as coyotes. Each trail camera took both motion-activated photos and timed photos (taken every 5 minutes regardless of animals present from sunrise to sunset). Motion-activated photos provide important insights into the activity patterns of larger animals, especially at night, whereas timed photos have allowed us to discern distinct seasonal patterns in the abundance of large flocks of potentially “hazardous” animals such as Canada Geese. Results thus far suggest that wildlife has flourished in the new wetland; we have documented 13 species of mammals and 27 species of birds, as well as a few reptiles and amphibians, through trail cam photos. In addition, the camera trap project has provided unique glimpses into the activity patterns of various species. Our wildlife census information has been used to advise wildlife management decisions, and can be used in the future to alert airport personnel to dates and times of potentially heightened risk

Material Metabolism:Reducing Risk through Flexible Formwork Substitution

For this special issue, sustainability and safety are discussed through the tropes of both material and work process substitution. As an architecture and industrial design team, we examine the potential of William McDonough’s and Michael Braungart’s “cradle to cradle” material methodology, and David Pye’s “the workmanship of certainty” as relevant to the construction industry. Locating and revisiting the tenets of Gottfried Semper’s Stoffwechseltheorie, alongside contemporary critiques, demonstrates that if historically, material and technique substitution led to architectural innovation, the same conditions exist today. To demonstrate a contemporary Stoffwechsel (material substitution) a formwork prototype was constructed at the University of Canberra’sWorkshop 7, by substituting timber with plastic, and 3D-printing the formwork. This prototype demonstrates a type of “technical nutrient” that is both recyclable as plastic, and reusable as formwork. This reveals the potential of substituting materials and processes not only to achieve material recovery, but rather, aiming for material recycling, reuse, or upcycling, therefore reducing socio-environmental risks in construction