Adapted Wasserstein distance between the laws of SDEs

We consider the adapted optimal transport problem between the laws of Markovian stochastic differential equations (SDE) and establish the optimality of the synchronous coupling between these laws. The proof of this result is based on time-discretisation and reveals an interesting connection between the synchronous coupling and the celebrated discrete-time Knothe--Rosenblatt rearrangement. We also prove a result on equality of topologies restricted to a certain subset of laws of continuous-time processes.Comment: 30 pages, 2 figures. Additional example adde

Imaging biomarker roadmap for cancer studies.

Imaging biomarkers (IBs) are integral to the routine management of patients with cancer. IBs used daily in oncology include clinical TNM stage, objective response and left ventricular ejection fraction. Other CT, MRI, PET and ultrasonography biomarkers are used extensively in cancer research and drug development. New IBs need to be established either as useful tools for testing research hypotheses in clinical trials and research studies, or as clinical decision-making tools for use in healthcare, by crossing 'translational gaps' through validation and qualification. Important differences exist between IBs and biospecimen-derived biomarkers and, therefore, the development of IBs requires a tailored 'roadmap'. Recognizing this need, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) assembled experts to review, debate and summarize the challenges of IB validation and qualification. This consensus group has produced 14 key recommendations for accelerating the clinical translation of IBs, which highlight the role of parallel (rather than sequential) tracks of technical (assay) validation, biological/clinical validation and assessment of cost-effectiveness; the need for IB standardization and accreditation systems; the need to continually revisit IB precision; an alternative framework for biological/clinical validation of IBs; and the essential requirements for multicentre studies to qualify IBs for clinical use.Development of this roadmap received support from Cancer Research UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant references A/15267, A/16463, A/16464, A/16465, A/16466 and A/18097), the EORTC Cancer Research Fund, and the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (grant agreement number 115151), resources of which are composed of financial contribution from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) companies' in kind contribution

Report from the Annual Meeting of Expert Group Chairs (WGCHAIRS)

The Annual Meeting of ICES Expert Group Chairs (WGCHAIRS) provides an opportunity for chairs of all ICES working groups to share experiences and ideas, co-ordinate work, meet with their steering group, Advisory Committee and Science Committee chairs, and highlight any support they need from the ICES network. The group also provides participants with updates on developments in the network and their implications, as well as opportunities to identify future science priorities and plans for advisory products. This 2023 meeting report contains advice-related, science-related and cross-cutting issues. The meeting in 2023 included an extra day for incoming chairs, covering an introduction on the responsibilities for chairs, an introduction to the guidelines for ICES groups and a forum to express expectations and ask questions for the Chairs of the Advisory and Science Committees. The advice topics that were addressed include conservation aspects in advice, challenges and solutions for advice-based working groups, guidelines for Benchmarks, exploring reference points, the Transparent Assessment Framework (TAF), online advice, and the Workplan for 2023. The science topics that were addressed include how we can make ICES science more visible, implementing the Science Plan, the next steps for the Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Framework, and breakout groups for steering group chair interaction. Cross-cutting topics included an update on the action items from the WGCHAIRS meeting 2022, gender and inclusivity in ICES, the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, developing and implementing methods for the knowledge that flows into advice, ICES Publications and the new ICES library, update from Overviews including the data profiling tool and pipeline, and a presentation and exercise on the role of scientists in ICES, as an applied science organisation Key actions resulting from the meeting are: The Secretariat, ACOM and SCICOM chairs develop an outline for chairs’ training in dialogue with chairs. An additional meeting in 2023 is needed to discuss the future and next steps on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) implementation together with WGCHAIRS. Secretariat, ACOM and SCICOM to work on a communication strategy: what is a feasible and meaningful way of communication and how can we use it most efficiently are the main questions. Communication needs to be focused, separating the signal from the noise. What kind of impact does ICES want to make, and who are the target groups

Inborn errors of immunity: Manifestation, treatment, and outcome—an ESID registry 1994–2024 report on 30,628 patients

The European Society for Immunodeficiencies patient registry (ESID-R), established in 1994, is one of the world’s largest databases on inborn errors of immunity (IEI). IEI are genetic disorders predisposing patients to infections, autoimmunity, inflammation, allergies, and malignancies. Treatments include antimicrobial therapy, immunoglobulin replacement, immune modulation, stem cell transplantation, and gene therapy. Data from 194 centers in 33 countries capture clinical manifestations and treatments from birth onward, with annually expected updates. This report reviews the ESID-R’s structure, data content, and impact. The registry includes 30,628 patient datasets (aged 0–97.9 years; median follow-up: 7.2 years; total 825,568.2 patient-years), with 13,550 cases in 15 sub-studies. It has produced 84 peer-reviewed publications (mean citation rate: 95). Findings include real-world observations of IEI diagnoses, genetic causes, clinical manifestations, treatments, and survival trends. The ESID-R fosters global collaboration, advancing IEI research and patient care. This report highlights the key role of the multinational ESID-R, led by an independent medical society, in evidence-based discovery

Upper Aerodigestive Tract Squamous Dysplasia: Correlation With p16, p53, pRb, and Ki-67 Expression

Abstract Context.—Differential expression of cell cycle–associated proteins may correlate with human papillomavirus status and may help delineate degree of dysplasia in upper aerodigestive tract squamous lesions. Objective.—To determine intraepithelial height of immunohistochemical staining for p16, p53, pRb, and Ki-67 in upper aerodigestive tract lesions with reference to degree of dysplasia. Human papillomavirus status was ascertained to correlate with p16 expression. Design.—Biopsy specimens of 53 squamous dysplastic and 13 keratotic/hyperplastic lesions were immunohistochemically stained for p16, p53, pRb, and Ki-67. Mean height and proportion of positive staining were quantified and compared for keratotic/hyperplastic, mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ. DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded blocks was evaluated for human papillomavirus by polymerase chain reaction amplification using consensus primers for mucosal viral types. Results.—Height of Ki-67 staining within the epithelium increased significantly between mild and moderate and between mild and severe dysplasia, with a trend toward increasing height between moderate and severe dysplasia. The percentage of cases with p16 staining decreased significantly with increasing degree of dysplasia; however, no significant trend in staining height or proportion was observed with p16, p53, or pRb in relation to degree of dysplasia, or between dysplastic and keratotic/hyperplastic lesions. Only 1 of 53 dysplastic lesions was positive for human papillomavirus. Conclusions.—This series of upper airway dysplastic mucosal lesions demonstrated a positive correlation between intraepithelial Ki-67 staining height and degree of dysplasia, offering a diagnostic aid in delineating degree of dysplasia in difficult squamous lesions.</jats:p

Evaluating and Identifying Environmentally Sensitive Roadside Vegetation Management Strategies in the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, Australia

The Atherton Tablelands in the Wet Tropics of Australia is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. In response to the high biodiversity of this area, the Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) has put forth several policies and strategies to protect this area\u27s rich and unique natural assets and mitigate the climate crisis. TRC is creating a Vegetation Management Plan, including a Roadside Vegetation Management (RVM) policy. This project evaluated the current roadside vegetation management practices of TRC, in light of TRC\u27s commitments to climate risk management, to aid in developing the RVM policy. This was done by reviewing literature, conducting informal conversations with community members, TRC workers and council members, as well as visiting several locations being impacted by current vegetation management practices. While visiting these locations, we observed the damage done to vegetation and photographed the damage. The evaluation results identified roadside locations where the current practices are likely to have adverse environmental impacts. Based on an extensive literature review on the economic and ecological aspects of roadside vegetation management practices, it is recommended that grassy vegetation be replaced with native, low growing shrubs or planting a tree alley to shade out current vegetation. Implementing these practices would enable TRC to reach its goals regarding climate change risk responses, emission reductions, and biodiversity protection. These alternatives were selected due to their economic viability and alignment with TRC\u27s existing policies and goals. It is recommended that a future case study area be used to test the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed alternative RVM practices

Amphetamine-induced psychosis - a separate diagnostic entity or primary psychosis triggered in the vulnerable?

Use of amphetamine and methamphetamine is widespread in the general population and common among patients with psychiatric disorders. Amphetamines may induce symptoms of psychosis very similar to those of acute schizophrenia spectrum psychosis. This has been an argument for using amphetamine-induced psychosis as a model for primary psychotic disorders. To distinguish the two types of psychosis on the basis of acute symptoms is difficult. However, acute psychosis induced by amphetamines seems to have a faster recovery and appears to resolve more completely compared to schizophrenic psychosis. The increased vulnerability for acute amphetamine induced psychosis seen among those with schizophrenia, schizotypal personality and, to a certain degree other psychiatric disorders, is also shared by non-psychiatric individuals who previously have experienced amphetamine-induced psychosis. Schizophrenia spectrum disorder and amphetamine-induced psychosis are further linked together by the finding of several susceptibility genes common to both conditions. These genes probably lower the threshold for becoming psychotic and increase the risk for a poorer clinical course of the disease. The complex relationship between amphetamine use and psychosis has received much attention but is still not adequately explored. Our paper reviews the literature in this field and proposes a stress-vulnerability model for understanding the relationship between amphetamine use and psychosis