Earlier diagnosis of small intestine neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs) through transformation of the South Wales NET service.

Small intestine neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs) are often diagnosed late with a UK median of 3 years and high misdiagnosis rates. Previous studies, largely based on patient surveys, offer little data on improving diagnosis. In 2017, the South Wales NET service underwent a nationally commissioned, systematic transformation, aiming to improve diagnosis through the development of a gastroenterology and surgical referral network, and education of these specialities.

Green steel from red mud through climate-neutral hydrogen plasma reduction.

Red mud is the waste of bauxite refinement into alumina, the feedstock for aluminium production. With about 180 million tonnes produced per year, red mud has amassed to one of the largest environmentally hazardous waste products, with the staggering amount of 4 billion tonnes accumulated on a global scale. Here we present how this red mud can be turned into valuable and sustainable feedstock for ironmaking using fossil-free hydrogen-plasma-based reduction, thus mitigating a part of the steel-related carbon dioxide emissions by making it available for the production of several hundred million tonnes of green steel.

Selective removal of zinc and lead from electric arc furnace dust by chlorination-evaporation reactions.

Re-melting of scrap in an electric arc furnace (EAF) results in the accumulation of filter dust from off-gas treatment that predominantly consists of iron and zinc oxides. Filter dust is classified as hazardous waste due to its high contents of potentially toxic or ecotoxic elements such as Pb, Cr, Cd, and As. A promising processing route for this waste is selective chlorination, in which the non-ferrous metal oxides are chlorinated and selectively evaporated in form of their respective chlorides from the remaining solids via the process gas flow.

The high optical brightness of the BlueWalker 3 satellite.

Large constellations of bright artificial satellites in low Earth orbit pose significant challenges to ground-based astronomy. Current orbiting constellation satellites have brightnesses between apparent magnitudes 4 and 6, whereas in the near-infrared Ks band, they can reach magnitude 2 (ref. ).

4-[(5-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino]-2H-phenyl-1-phthalazinone Inhibits MCPyV T Antigen Expression in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Independent of Aurora Kinase A.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is frequently caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), and MCPyV-positive tumor cells depend on expression of the virus-encoded T antigens (TA). Here, we identify 4-[(5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino]-2H-phenyl-1-phthalazinone (PHT)-a reported inhibitor of Aurora kinase A-as a compound inhibiting growth of MCC cells by repressing noncoding control region (NCCR)-controlled TA transcription. Surprisingly, we find that TA repression is not caused by inhibition of Aurora kinase A.

Sugarcane bagasse ash as fertilizer for soybeans: Effects of added residues on ash composition, mineralogy, phosphorus extractability and plant availability.

Sugarcane bagasse is commonly combusted to generate energy. Unfortunately, recycling strategies rarely consider the resulting ash as a potential fertilizer. To evaluate this recycling strategy for a sustainable circular economy, we characterized bagasse ash as a fertilizer and measured the effects of co-gasification and co-combustion of bagasse with either chicken manure or sewage sludge: on the phosphorus (P) mass fraction, P-extractability, and mineral P phases.

Insights into the Complexation Mechanism of a Promising Lipophilic PyTri Ligand for Actinide Partitioning from Spent Nuclear Fuel.

The challenging issue of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) management is being tackled by developing advanced technologies that point to reduce environmental footprint, long-term radiotoxicity, volumes and residual heat of the final waste, and to increase the proliferation resistance. The advanced recycling strategy provides several promising processes for a safer reprocessing of SNF. Advanced hydrometallurgical processes can extract minor actinides directly from Plutonium and Uranium Reduction Extraction raffinate by using selective hydrophilic and lipophilic ligands.

Variation of the element composition of municipal sewage sludges in the context of new regulations on phosphorus recovery in Germany.

Unlabelled: Phosphorus (P) recovery is obligatory for all sewage sludges with more than 20 g P/kg dry matter (DM) from 2029 in Germany. Nine wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were chosen to investigate variations of phosphorus contents and other parameters in sewage sludge over the year. Monthly sewage sludge samples from each WWTP were analyzed for phosphorus and other matrix elements (C, N, H, Ca, Fe, Al, etc.

Inhibition of T-antigen expression promoting glycogen synthase kinase 3 impairs merkel cell carcinoma cell growth.

Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive skin cancer frequently caused by the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Since proliferation of MCPyV-positive MCC tumor cells strictly depends on expression of the virus-encoded T antigens (TA), these proteins theoretically represent ideal targets for different kinds of therapeutic approaches. Here we developed a cell-based assay to identify compounds which specifically inhibit growth of MCC cells by repressing TA expression.

Phosphorus solubility and dynamics in a tropical soil under sources derived from wastewater and sewage sludge.

Conventional phosphate fertilizers are usually highly water-soluble and rapidly solubilize when moistened by the soil solution. However, if this solubilization is not in alignment with plants demand, P can react with the soil colloidal phase, becoming less available over time. This is more pronounced in acidic, oxidic tropical soils, with high P adsorption capacity, reducing the efficiency of P fertilization.

synchrotron XRD measurements during solidification of a melt in the CaO-SiOsystem using an aerodynamic levitation system.

Phase formation and evolution was investigated in the CaO-SiOsystem in the range of 70-80 mol% CaO. The samples were container-less processed in an aerodynamic levitation system and crystallization was followedby synchrotron x-ray diffraction at the beamline P21.1 at the German electron synchrotron (DESY).

Impact of Solvent Polarity on the Ligand Configuration in Tetravalent Thorium N-Donor Complexes.

A combined NMR spectroscopic and theoretical study on the complexation of diamagnetic Th(IV) with 2,6-bis(5,6-dipropyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (Pr-BTP) was performed. Different ligand configurations were observed for [Th(Pr-BTP)] complexes depending on the solvent's ability to actively form hydrogen bonds. In polar aprotic solvents, a complex is observed, which is isostructural with [M(Pr-BTP)] (M = Am, Ln) complexes studied earlier.

Prediction of lymph node metastases using pre-treatment PET radiomics of the primary tumour in esophageal adenocarcinoma: an external validation study.

Objectives: To improve clinical lymph node staging (cN-stage) in oesophageal adenocarcinoma by developing and externally validating three prediction models; one with clinical variables only, one with positron emission tomography (PET) radiomics only, and a combined clinical and radiomics model.

Methods: Consecutive patients with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid tumours treated with neoadjuvant therapy between 2010 and 2016 in two international centres ( = 130 and = 60, respectively) were included. Four clinical variables (age, gender, clinical T-stage and tumour regression grade) and PET radiomics from the primary tumour were used for model development.

Recycling of blast-furnace sludge by thermochemical treatment with spent iron(II) chloride solution from steel pickling.

One of the typical wastes produced in blast-furnace (BF) ironmaking is BF sludge, which mostly consists of carbon and iron oxides, but also contains toxic trace metals such as Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg that render the material hazardous. Due to the lack of an established recycling process, BF sludges are landfilled, which is ecologically questionable and costly. Here, we investigate selective removal of Zn, Pb, and Cd from BF sludge by chlorination-evaporation reactions using thermodynamic modelling and laboratory-scale experiments.

Prognostic significance of serum inflammatory markers in esophageal cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relative prognostic value of biomarkers to measure the systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and potentially improve prognostic modeling in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EC).

Methods: Consecutive 330 patients undergoing surgery for EC between 2004 and 2018 within a regional UK cancer network were identified. Serum measurements of haemoglobin, C-reactive protein, albumin, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), and differential neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were obtained before surgery, and correlated with histopathological factors and outcomes.

Inventory of Polish municipal sewage sludge ash (SSA) - Mass flows, chemical composition, and phosphorus recovery potential.

This paper presents an inventory of sewage sludge ashes (SSA) generated in the mono-incineration plants for municipal sewage sludge in Poland. This research focused on the detailed study of mass flows, chemical composition, and phosphorus recovery potential. There are currently 11 sludge mono-incineration plants operated with a total capacity of 160,300 Mg dry weight (d.

Efficient Suppression of NRAS-Driven Melanoma by Co-Inhibition of ERK1/2 and ERK5 MAPK Pathways.

Cutaneous melanoma is a highly malignant tumor typically driven by somatic mutation in the oncogenes BRAF or NRAS, leading to uncontrolled activation of the MEK/ERK MAPK pathway. Despite the availability of immunotherapy, MAPK pathway‒targeting regimens are still a valuable treatment option for BRAF-mutant melanoma. Unfortunately, patients with NRAS mutation do not benefit from such therapies owing to the lack of targetable BRAF mutations and a high degree of intrinsic and acquired resistance toward MEK inhibition.

Chromium (VI) in phosphorus fertilizers determined with the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique.

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers from secondary resources became increasingly important in the last years. However, these novel P-fertilizers can also contain toxic pollutants such as chromium in its hexavalent state (Cr(VI)). This hazardous form of chromium is therefore regulated with low limit values for agricultural products even though the correct determination of Cr(VI) in these fertilizers may be hampered by redox processes, leading to false results.

Artesunate Affects T Antigen Expression and Survival of Virus-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinoma.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive skin cancer with frequent viral etiology. Indeed, in about 80% of cases, there is an association with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV); the expression of viral T antigens is crucial for growth of virus-positive tumor cells. Since artesunate-a drug used to treat malaria-has been reported to possess additional anti-tumor as well as anti-viral activity, we sought to evaluate pre-clinically the effect of artesunate on MCC.

Cancer Antigen Discovery Is Enabled by RNA Sequencing of Highly Purified Malignant and Nonmalignant Cells.

Purpose: Broadly expressed, highly differentiated tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can elicit antitumor immunity. However, vaccines targeting TAAs have demonstrated disappointing clinical results, reflecting poor antigen selection and/or immunosuppressive mechanisms.

Experimental Design: Here, a panel of widely expressed, novel colorectal TAAs were identified by performing RNA sequencing of highly purified colorectal tumor cells in comparison with patient-matched colonic epithelial cells; tumor cell purification was essential to reveal these genes.

Effects of a nitrification inhibitor on nitrogen species in the soil and the yield and phosphorus uptake of maize.

Phosphorus (P) resource availability is declining and the efficiency of applied nutrients in agricultural soils is becoming increasingly important. This is especially true for P fertilizers from recycled materials, which often have low plant availability. Specific co-fertilization with ammonium can enhance P plant availability in soils amended with these P fertilizers, and thus the yield of plants.

Retrospective study on mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms from five European centres.

Background: Mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is a rare diagnosis, mainly encountered in the gastro-entero-pancreatic tract. There is limited knowledge of its epidemiology, prognosis and biology, and the best management for affected patients is still to be defined.

Aim: To investigate clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment modalities and survival outcomes of a retrospective cohort of patients with a diagnosis of MiNEN.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Mucocutaneous Ulcers Complicate Colitis Caused by Immune Checkpoint Regulator Therapy and Associate With Colon Perforation.

Background & Aims: Cancer therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause colitis and colon perforation. We investigated whether infection with Epstein Barr virus (EBV) associates with development and severity of colitis in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of fixed colon tissues from 16 patients (12 men, 4 women, median age, 69.