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Predict which patients are at high risk of recurrence to improve outcomes

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Lung cancer is accountable for more deaths than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined.

As lung cancer screening advances, it is predicted that more patients will probably be diagnosed at earlier stages, enabling them to undergo surgery, the first treatment for early-stage patients.

However, in a big proportion of patients after resection (surgery to remove the tumor), the cancer will come back. Unfortunately, current clinical guidelines cannot help predict which patients are at risk. Better knowledge of who’s at risk has essential implications for choosing systemic therapies, akin to chemotherapy, for early-stage lung cancer patients after surgery.

To find an answer to this problem, our research group at McGill University launched a project in collaboration with Université Laval. Preliminary results were published in . In our work, we found that the use of recent imaging technology combined with artificial intelligence can improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.

Too much or too little intervention

This clinical dilemma has essential implications for the selection of treatment akin to chemotherapy. For example, lung cancer patients who were cured by surgery could avoid the toxicity of chemotherapy. Patients at risk of cancer recurrence may gain advantage from additional therapeutic interventions.

The challenge of predicting recurrence in patients with early-stage lung cancer has essential implications for the 31,000 Canadians who are diagnosed with this terrible disease annually.

Mass cytometry imaging

To address this clinical problem, we used imaging mass cytometry (IMC), a brand new technology enabling comprehensive characterization of the tumor microenvironment.

The tumor microenvironment is a fancy ecosystem composed of interactions between tumor cells, immune cells, and various structural cells. IMC will be used to visualize up to 50 markers on the cell surface, which is far more than was previously possible.

This technology makes it possible to discover differing kinds of cells and determine their spatial organization, i.e. the way in which they interact with one another. IMC generates images that will be analyzed to determine the frequency of cell subpopulations, their activation states, the opposite cell types with which they interact, and their organization in cell communities.

The results of our study, published in , reveal that different cell types can interact in cell communities and that communities composed of B cells are strongly related to prolonged survival in lung cancer patients. Our study highlights that beyond cellular frequency, cellular interactions and spatial organization also strongly correlate with essential clinical outcomes akin to survival.

Using artificial intelligence to create higher forecasts

Based on our preliminary results, we hypothesized that essential spatial features embedded in IMC images, akin to cellular interactions, could also be essential in predicting clinical outcomes.

Our dataset of 416 patients and over 1.6 million cells provided enough power to make predictions using AI. We sought to predict which patients with early-stage lung cancer would experience tumor recurrence after surgery.

Using 1 mm2 tumor samples, material available from surgical resections or biopsies, we used artificial intelligence algorithms together with IMC images to make our predictions. Our algorithm was able to predict with 95% accuracy which patient would experience a cancer recurrence using the spatial information contained in the photographs.

Six markers could make a difference

One of the challenges of applying our results to the clinical setting is that IMC isn’t available. Clinical pathologists typically use less complex technologies akin to immunofluorescence, which are often limited to three or fewer markers.

Immunofluorescence image of a tumor treated with immunotherapy. This technology is commonly limited to using three or fewer tags at a time.
(Shutterstock)

To address this challenge, we sought to determine the minimum number of markers needed to obtain meaningful predictions of disease recurrence in lung cancer patients after surgery. Using six markers, we achieved an accuracy of 93%, which is close to the 95% accuracy achieved using 35 markers.

These results suggest that by harnessing the ability of artificial intelligence with existing technologies available in hospitals, we may give you the option to improve postoperative clinical management of patients with early-stage lung cancer. Our ultimate goal is to increase cure rates in people at high risk of cancer recurrence while minimizing toxicity in individuals who will be cured surgically.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Bovaer is added to cow feed to reduce methane emissions. Does it pass into milk and meat? And is it harmful to humans?

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There are growing concerns in regards to the use of feed supplements, Bowar 10to reduce methane production in cows.

Bovaer 10 consists of silicon dioxide (mainly sand), propylene glycol (food stabilizer approved by Food Safety Australia New Zealand) and lively substance 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP).

There has been an enormous amount of misinformation in regards to the safety of 3-NOP, with some milk from herds fed this additive being labeled “Frankenmilk”. Others feared it could get to humans through beef.

The most significant thing is that 3-NOP is secure. Let’s clear up some major misconceptions.

Why do we want to limit methane production?

In our attempts to limit global warming, we’ve placed the best emphasis on CO₂ because the major man-made greenhouse gas. But methane is also a greenhouse gas, and although we produce less of it, it is: a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO₂.

Agriculture is the largest a man-made source of methane. As cattle herds expand to meet our growing demand for meat and milk, reducing methane production from cows is a vital way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are several ways to do that. Stopping bacteria within the stomachs of cows that produce methane one approach is to produce methane.

The methane produced by cows and sheep doesn’t come from the animals themselves, but from the microbes living of their digestive systems. 3-NO stop the enzymes that perform the last step of methane synthesis in these microorganisms.

3-NOP is not the one compound tested as a feed additive. Australian product based on seaweed, Rumin8for instance, it is also in development. Saponins, soap-like chemicals present in plants, and essential oils as well has been examined.

However, 3-NOP is currently one of the popular effective treatments.

Nitrooxypropanol structure: red balls are oxygen, gray carbon, blue nitrogen and white hydrogen.
PubChem

But is not it poison?

There are concerns on social media that Bovaer is “poisoning our food.”

But, as we are saying in toxicology, it’s the dose that makes the poison. For example, arsenic is deadly 2–20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

In contrast, 3-NOP was not lethal on the doses utilized in safety studies, up to 600 mg 3-NOP per kg body weight. At a dose of 100 mg per kg body weight in rats, it didn’t cause any adversarial effects.

What about reproductive issues?

The effect of 3-NOP on the reproductive organs has generated numerous commentary.

Studies in rats and cows showed that doses of 300–500 mg per kg body weight caused: contraction of the ovaries and testicles.

In comparison, to achieve the identical exposure in humans, a 70 kg human would want to eat 21–35 grams (about 2 tablespoons) of pure 3-NOP every day for a lot of weeks to see this effect.

No human will likely be exposed to this amount because 3-NOP doesn’t pass into milk – is fully metabolized within the cow’s intestines.

No cow will likely be exposed to these levels either.

The cow licks itself
Cows will not be exposed to levels tested on animals in laboratory studies.
Ground photo/Shutterstock

What about cancer?

3-NOP is not genotoxic or mutagenicwhich implies it cannot damage DNA. Thus, the results of 3-NOP are dose-limited, meaning that small doses will not be harmful, while very high doses are (unlike radiation where there is no secure dose).

Scientists found that at a dose of 300 mg per kilogram of body weight benign tumors of the small intestine of female ratsbut not male rats, after 2 years of every day consumption. At a dose of 100 mg 3-NOP per kg body weight, no tumors were observed.

Cows eat lower than 2 grams of Bovaer 10 per day (of which only 10% or 0.2 grams is 3-NOP). This is about 1,000 times lower than the appropriate every day intake 1 mg 3-NOP per kg body weight per day for a cow weighing 450 kg.

This level of consumption will likely be not the result in cancer or any of them other adversarial effects.

So how much are people exposed to?

Milk and meat consumers will likely be exposed to zero 3-NOP. 3-NOP doesn’t penetrate milk and meat: is completely metabolized within the cow’s intestines.

Farmers could also be exposed to small amounts of the feed additive, and industrial employees producing 3-NOP will potentially be exposed to larger amounts. Farmers and industrial employees already wear personal protective equipment to reduce exposure to other agricultural chemicals – and it is advisable to do that with Bovear 10 as well.

Milk
3-NOP doesn’t penetrate milk and meat.
Shutterstock

How widely has it been tested?

3-NOP has been in development for 15 years and has been subject to multiple reviews by European Food Safety Authority, UK Food Safety Authority AND others.

It has been extensively tested over months of exposure to cattle and has produced no unintended effects. Some studies actually say so improves the standard of milk and meat.

Bovaer was approved for use in dairy cattle by the European Union from 2022 and Japan in 2024. It is also utilized in many other countries, including: in beef products, amongst others Australia.

A really small amount of 3-NOP enters the environment (lower than 0.2% of the dose taken), no accumulates and is easily decomposed subsequently, it doesn’t pose a threat to the environment.

Since humans will not be exposed to 3-NOP through milk and meat, long-term exposure is not an issue.

What does Bill Gates have to do with this?

Bill Gates has invested in a distinct feed processing method for methane, Australian seaweed-based Rumin8. But he has nothing to do with Bovaer 10.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded research grants to the corporate producing 3-NOP for malaria control researchnot for 3-NOP.

The bottom line is that adding 3-NOP to animal feed doesn’t pose any risk to consumers, animals or the environment.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Meet Aura By Jewel A whimsical line of earrings from Brooklyn – Essence

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Aura by Jewel

Born from the expansive mind of designer Jewel Williams, Aura by Jewel is an exercise in creative self-discovery, richly packaged as an homage to Black women. In 2019, Williams reconsidered how she saw herself in stillness. The former biology student has at all times tapped right into a deep creative power and desired to discover recent ways to make use of her talents. With the pandemic still occurring, she had loads of time and much more emotions to get through. So, attempting to channel her energy into something tangible, she took up the method of formation and transferred her knowledge of organic matter right into a meditation on space, color and, ultimately, sculpture. After experimenting with different materials, she finally found her strategy to polymer clay, which today is the source material of her mixed media sculptures that live in the shape of wearable art.

“I have always been a person who likes declarations,” Williams tells ESSENCE.com. “I desired to create something that I could wear to remind myself of the space I used to be in after I constructed this piece, and to reflect on the transference energy I felt to release, to maneuver into energy into something I could see daily “. Each Aura by Jewel piece is hand made by Williams herself. The process is in some ways a form of therapy, offering her an area to channel her emotional care right into a deliberately slow artistic practice. Art is her way of traveling along with her audience, requiring a certain intimacy when creating deeply intentional accessories.

Polymer’s tactical flexibility allows Williams to explore ever-expanding ranges of motion of their designs, hence the “whimsical” motif that provides them their name. A diverse range of colours highlights the wavy base of the earrings and makes them an attention-grabbing addition to any styling. With comparisons to resin and multimodal sculptural works by artists reminiscent of Gaetano Pescethe works consistently attract clients in editorial offices and on catwalks, in addition to private buyers. Recently, Whimsical earrings adorned the ears of a similarly esoteric artist – Kelela. The moving, emotive singer wore custom Aura by Jewel pieces, styled by Mario Hornein promotional photos for her upcoming album, which was released earlier this month. In her celebratory caption, Jewel thanked the artist for heeding her invitation to feel, calling her a “true interpreter of emotions.” It is befitting that an independent, deeply intentional label refers to a project symbolizing rebirth, renewal and release.

Each Whimsical custom earring is expertly handcrafted to order, leading to slight variations in color and tone, although generally consistent in structure. The ordering process is a dialogue with the artist, as intentional because the execution itself. “Initially I said that if I was going to share pieces with other people and be there for them, it was very important that I understood what it was and who it was intended to serve.” And who he intends to serve, Williams makes very clear: black women. “I decided to create the pillars of what is now called Aura by Jewel. So basically, it’s about affirming the humanity of Black women, moving us to rest and know that we too can feel and experience a full range of emotions.” Jewel cites how the Strong Black Woman stereotype and general societal projection have deprived Black women of the power to outwardly express deep feelings without being misinterpreted. By her own admission, Jewel feels this deeply, and particularly after witnessing the fruits of her self-expression, she intends to repeatedly use her art to ask women like her to freely feel what they’ve been forced to rule and suppress.

This practice of feeling and discovering the unknown is reflected in the event of the brand. She is a one-woman band operating out of her personal jazz studio in Brooklyn, New York, where she has optimized focus and leisure. “Jazz is a big part of my process,” he says. “For me, it is the language of feelings that I cannot express in words. It is a form of music that brings a lot of spontaneity in sound. It’s very innovative and it’s not the same every time you hear it.” The continuity of the artistic process allows Williams to search out the boundaries between genre and her work. The worlds not only fit together, but are interdependent, representing a symbiotic relationship between art practitioners and consumers or listeners. Her songs, like jazz, are born from a process of intention that manifests itself in works which might be each personal and edgy, political and timeless.

Meet Aura By Jewel A whimsical line of earrings from Brooklyn
Courtesy of Aura by Jewel

Over the past 12 months, the brand has gained greater visibility as more fashion insiders – from content creators to other designers and stylists – have supported the brand of their work. The brand is growing and Jewel is doing it herself. In addition to creating earrings, Jewel also manages all promotions, partnerships and marketing. It’s been a natural progression to this point, and continued growth has allowed her to consider carefully in regards to the forms she wants Aura by Jewel to operate in the longer term. Like every thing else, this answer begins with self-reflection. In fact, it is important to her that her work reflects who she is, and that may complicate the problem of involving more hands. It is actually open to the concept of partners, especially on the operational side of the business, and this process would require a fantastic deal of trust. More conceptually, nevertheless, Jewel Williams looks on the art world, exploring the curatorial partnerships that allow her to exhibit in museums and galleries. These types of projects signal a move towards even greater intimacy, allowing for more thoughtful reflection on the sentiments behind the work.

“I just want to invite more conversations about what it’s like to be someone who exists and feels deeply. I know it’s very vulnerable and I would love to see that, most importantly for black women.” The next phase is to peel back the layers, abandoning traditional patterns of artistic practice in an industry context and as a substitute initiating a personalised exchange between artist and user. As a craftswoman drawing her art from a source of tenderness, Jewel Williams prioritizes preserving the conditions that allowed for the efficiency and clarity that facilitated this journey in the primary place. It creates and feels deeply and invites anyone who enters the Aura orbit through the Gem to do the identical.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Black athletes are five times more likely to be at risk of cardiac arrest

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A recent data review published and led by Emory University Atlanta sports cardiologist Jonathan Kim highlights a disturbing trend of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Black athletes.

According to a knowledge review, Black athletes are five times more likelyy as white athletes experienced SCA and SCD.

According to , a study by Kim and his colleagues at the University Hospital of Laussane, Morristown Medical, Massachusetts General Hospital and other institutions also found significant racial differences in electrocardiographic (ECG) readings taken of competitive athletes.

According to Kim, it can be crucial to consider social determinants of health in any future research on ways to reduce risk for competitive athletes.

“To truly address these disparities, it is not enough to simply detect potential problems,” Kim said. “It is important to understand how to address the underlying social determinants of health that put athletes at greater risk,” Kim said in a press release.

Kim continued: “We have to look for potential underlying health conditions. We also need to take into account all the environmental stressors that young people have to deal with, as well as the place in which they grow up. “I doubt that even five to 10 years ago, many people were thinking about the social determinants of health and their impact on young athletes.”

According to the study, “Performance differences between black and white athletes also exist without explanation. The causes of sudden cardiac arrest and death vary by age, with genetic heart disease and unexplained cases (i.e. normal autopsy) predominating amongst younger athletes and coronary artery disease amongst master veterans.

in February drew attention to the story of Omar CarterNBA player who, at the age of 25, suffered a cardiac arrest on the court during a Pro-Am game in 2013.

According to Carter, he doesn’t fully remember what happened to him, but he knows his experiences were nothing like those dramatized in movies or TV shows. “I (vaguely) remember trying to catch myself, which was a little weird,” Carter, now 36, said.

“I’ve watched other cardiac arrest videos where they just go down; It was almost like I was conscious.” Carter continued: “(I was told) I brought this dramatic cinematic breath back to life.” Even after Carter was hospitalized at Carolina Medical Center and placed in a medically induced coma, he woke up still occupied with basketball.

“My first three questions were: ‘Did we pray?’ “What day is it?” and “Can I still play basketball?” – Carter recalls.

According to Merije T. Chukumerije, director of sports cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Group and team cardiologist for the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Clippers: “It definitely has something to do with social determinants of health, (and) psychosocial stressors, in including racism and discrimination.”

Jonathan Drezner, M.D. and director of the UW Center for Sports Cardiology, agrees with Chukumerije, saying, “Our research has shown that black athletes with SCA come from neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic deprivation than white athletes with SCA, however the mechanisms that lead to higher risk, needs to be clarified,” said Drezner, who’s a specialist in corresponding creator on one other study of sudden cardiac arrest amongst Black athletes published in 2020.

Drezner concluded: “These may include greater access to health care, higher quality screening, greater attention to cardiovascular symptoms or a family history of heart disease – all of which could lead to early detection of conditions at risk of SCA.”


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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