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A tissue section-based mid-infrared spectroscopical analysis of salivary gland tumors based on enzymatic deglycosylation
No full textBackground/Objectives: Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are a rare and histologically heterogeneous group of neoplasms that are challenging to diagnose due to phenotypic heterogeneity and overlapping histomorphological markers. Accurate diagnosis is required for clinical management, particularly in unusual subtypes. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, in combination with enzymatic deglycosylation, would be useful in SGT classification by detecting glycosylation-related metabolic variations. Methods: 155 tissue sections, consisting of 80 SGTs and 75 controls, were analyzed. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to record the mid-infrared (MIR) spectra (4000-400 cm-1) of enzymatically untreated and deglycosylated samples. Spectral data were preprocessed and analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Enzymatic deglycosylation focused on sialic acid and fucose residues with alpha 2-3,6,8 neuraminidase, alpha 1-2,4,6 fucosidase O, and alpha 1-3,4 fucosidase. Results: Tumor and control samples were discriminated with an OPLS-DA model, achieving an accuracy of 81.9% (78.7% for controls and 85.0% for tumors), especially in the glycosylation-relevant spectral range (850-1250 cm-1). Classification between benign and malignant tumors was more challenging, with an accuracy of 70.0% (72.5% for benign and 67.5% for malignant cases). Enzymatic deglycosylation resulted in detectable changes in the MIR spectra, confirming the contribution of glycosylation to tumor-specific signatures. Benign vs. malignant tumor discrimination was still poor and was not much enhanced in the sense of incorporating glycosylation-specific regions. Conclusions: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with enzymatic deglycosylation can distinguish tumor and control tissues based on glycan-associated spectral differences. Application of the technique to benign/malignant SGT discrimination is hampered by spectral overlap and tumor heterogeneity. Further research will be necessary to explore other clustering algorithms and larger and more homogeneous datasets for improved diagnostic accuracy.Background/Objectives: Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are a rare and histologically heterogeneous group of neoplasms that are challenging to diagnose due to phenotypic heterogeneity and overlapping histomorphological markers. Accurate diagnosis is required for clinical management, particularly in unusual subtypes. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, in combination with enzymatic deglycosylation, would be useful in SGT classification by detecting glycosylation-related metabolic variations. Methods: 155 tissue sections, consisting of 80 SGTs and 75 controls, were analyzed. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to record the mid-infrared (MIR) spectra (4000-400 cm-1) of enzymatically untreated and deglycosylated samples. Spectral data were preprocessed and analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Enzymatic deglycosylation focused on sialic acid and fucose residues with alpha 2-3,6,8 neuraminidase, alpha 1-2,4,6 fucosidase O, and alpha 1-3,4 fucosidase. Results: Tumor and control samples were discriminated with an OPLS-DA model, achieving an accuracy of 81.9% (78.7% for controls and 85.0% for tumors), especially in the glycosylation-relevant spectral range (850-1250 cm-1). Classification between benign and malignant tumors was more challenging, with an accuracy of 70.0% (72.5% for benign and 67.5% for malignant cases). Enzymatic deglycosylation resulted in detectable changes in the MIR spectra, confirming the contribution of glycosylation to tumor-specific signatures. Benign vs. malignant tumor discrimination was still poor and was not much enhanced in the sense of incorporating glycosylation-specific regions. Conclusions: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with enzymatic deglycosylation can distinguish tumor and control tissues based on glycan-associated spectral differences. Application of the technique to benign/malignant SGT discrimination is hampered by spectral overlap and tumor heterogeneity. Further research will be necessary to explore other clustering algorithms and larger and more homogeneous datasets for improved diagnostic accuracy.A
Biopsychosocial profile of community-dwelling older adults at risk for direct and indirect self-harm
No full textObjectives A biopsychosocial model of self-harm risk factors in older adults was explored, distinguishing between direct and indirect self-harm. Methods A cross-sectional, matched pair sample was drawn from a community-dwelling sample of 625 adults aged 60 years and over, including 44 participants with and 44 without self-harm. Mean age was 68.7 years (age range = 60-91). Data were gathered using a survey composed of validated instruments and additional self-developed items. Results From our total sample, 8.2% had engaged in self-harm at age 60 and over. Indirect methods (e.g. substance misuse, not eating) were most common. The presence of a mental disorder, emotional loneliness, cognitive and physical frailty, and a lack of resilience were identified as potential risk factors. Those who have engaged in direct or both types of self-harm exhibit higher levels of these factors. A stepwise regression model showed that only emotional loneliness and mental disorder(s) were significantly associated with self-harm in old age. Conclusions Investigating self-harm (subtypes) among community-dwelling older adults is vital, especially in those with a mental disorder and emotional loneliness. Clinical Implications Clinicians should be vigilant for self-harm in older adults, particularly for indirect methods and among those with a mental disorder and who experience emotional loneliness.Objectives A biopsychosocial model of self-harm risk factors in older adults was explored, distinguishing between direct and indirect self-harm. Methods A cross-sectional, matched pair sample was drawn from a community-dwelling sample of 625 adults aged 60 years and over, including 44 participants with and 44 without self-harm. Mean age was 68.7 years (age range = 60-91). Data were gathered using a survey composed of validated instruments and additional self-developed items. Results From our total sample, 8.2% had engaged in self-harm at age 60 and over. Indirect methods (e.g. substance misuse, not eating) were most common. The presence of a mental disorder, emotional loneliness, cognitive and physical frailty, and a lack of resilience were identified as potential risk factors. Those who have engaged in direct or both types of self-harm exhibit higher levels of these factors. A stepwise regression model showed that only emotional loneliness and mental disorder(s) were significantly associated with self-harm in old age. Conclusions Investigating self-harm (subtypes) among community-dwelling older adults is vital, especially in those with a mental disorder and emotional loneliness. Clinical Implications Clinicians should be vigilant for self-harm in older adults, particularly for indirect methods and among those with a mental disorder and who experience emotional loneliness.A
“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”: Decolonial memory activists and the duty to remember in postcolonial Belgium (2010–present)
No full textThe duty to remember and its promises are increasingly challenged. Following the “activist turn” in memory studies, this article analyzes how memory activists internally discuss the idea of the duty to remember. Since 2010, Afrodescendant memory activists play a pivotal role in raising public awareness about colonialism and its legacies in contemporary Belgian society. First, I show how a group of decolonial memory activists has embraced the duty to remember in their counter-memory campaigns and political lobbying. Second, I analyze the resistance of some activists to the framing of their decolonial demands in these terms. I demonstrate that how memory activists view the duty to remember is not only related to what they believe but is also shaped by processes of (self-)presentation in relation to outsiders, state actors, and each other. Here, socio-economic backgrounds, gender, but also personalities play a key role.The duty to remember and its promises are increasingly challenged. Following the “activist turn” in memory studies, this article analyzes how memory activists internally discuss the idea of the duty to remember. Since 2010, Afrodescendant memory activists play a pivotal role in raising public awareness about colonialism and its legacies in contemporary Belgian society. First, I show how a group of decolonial memory activists has embraced the duty to remember in their counter-memory campaigns and political lobbying. Second, I analyze the resistance of some activists to the framing of their decolonial demands in these terms. I demonstrate that how memory activists view the duty to remember is not only related to what they believe but is also shaped by processes of (self-)presentation in relation to outsiders, state actors, and each other. Here, socio-economic backgrounds, gender, but also personalities play a key role.
Reliability-based determination of allowable corrosion degree to define the end of lifetime of concrete elements in bending
No full textThe assessment of reinforcement corrosion of a concrete structure is challenging due to all the uncertainties regarding the corrosion process itself and subsequent effects on the structural capacity. In this work, a proxy criterium for the determination of a structural capacity-based end of lifetime is proposed, expressed as the allowable corrosion degree. This value can be compared with the predicted corrosion degree over time to detect the time instant where structural interventions are needed. The criterium is based on the allowable level of corrosion by lowering the target reliability level for a structure from the design to the assessment phase. The advantage of this criterium is that it can be used to have a prior assessment of the need for a maintenance strategy in absence of more detailed investigations by either predicting the corrosion degree over time or by determining the corrosion degree in situ. It is shown that the critical corrosion degree mainly depends on the type of variable loading and the load ratio describing the ratio of variable over total loading. Moreover, the critical corrosion degree is significantly lower for structures subjected to traffic loads compared to other load cases such as wind, snow or other imposed loads.The assessment of reinforcement corrosion of a concrete structure is challenging due to all the uncertainties regarding the corrosion process itself and subsequent effects on the structural capacity. In this work, a proxy criterium for the determination of a structural capacity-based end of lifetime is proposed, expressed as the allowable corrosion degree. This value can be compared with the predicted corrosion degree over time to detect the time instant where structural interventions are needed. The criterium is based on the allowable level of corrosion by lowering the target reliability level for a structure from the design to the assessment phase. The advantage of this criterium is that it can be used to have a prior assessment of the need for a maintenance strategy in absence of more detailed investigations by either predicting the corrosion degree over time or by determining the corrosion degree in situ. It is shown that the critical corrosion degree mainly depends on the type of variable loading and the load ratio describing the ratio of variable over total loading. Moreover, the critical corrosion degree is significantly lower for structures subjected to traffic loads compared to other load cases such as wind, snow or other imposed loads.A
High-performance shape-stabilized phase change material modified by bio-based nano porous graphene for electro-to-thermal and solar-to-thermal conversion and storage
No full textTissue engineering in the agri-food industry : current status, socio-economic overview and regulatory compliance
No full textThe growing global demand for sustainable and safe food is a major challenge that increases the need for advanced alternatives such as tissue engineering (TE). TE offers promising solutions by improving yields, nutritional value and resilience of crops while also producing cultivated meat that reduces the environmental impact of livestock farming. The market potential for TE in meat production is considerable, and significant growth is expected. However, the regulatory framework for these innovations is developing slowly, and approval procedures vary across regions. This overview critically assesses the current applications of TE in the agri-food sector, their socio-economic potential and the regulatory challenges. It emphasises the need for harmonised, flexible and adaptive policies to effectively integrate engineered foods into the market.The growing global demand for sustainable and safe food is a major challenge that increases the need for advanced alternatives such as tissue engineering (TE). TE offers promising solutions by improving yields, nutritional value and resilience of crops while also producing cultivated meat that reduces the environmental impact of livestock farming. The market potential for TE in meat production is considerable, and significant growth is expected. However, the regulatory framework for these innovations is developing slowly, and approval procedures vary across regions. This overview critically assesses the current applications of TE in the agri-food sector, their socio-economic potential and the regulatory challenges. It emphasises the need for harmonised, flexible and adaptive policies to effectively integrate engineered foods into the market.A
Classification of collagens via peptide ambiguation, in a paleoproteomic LC-MS/MS-based taxonomic pipeline
No full textLiquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) extends the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) Zooarcheology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) “mass fingerprinting” approach to species identification by providing fragmentation spectra for each peptide. However, ancient bone samples generate sparse data containing only a few collagen proteins, rendering target–decoy strategies unusable and increasing uncertainty in peptide annotation. To ameliorate this issue, we present a ZooMS/MS data pipeline that builds on a manually curated Collagen database and comprises two novel algorithms: isoBLAST and ClassiCOL. isoBLAST first extends peptide ambiguity by generating all “potential peptide candidates” isobaric to the annotated precursor. The exhaustive set of candidates created is then used to retain or reject different potential paths at each taxonomic branching point from superkingdom to species, until the greatest possible specificity is reached. Uniquely, ClassiCOL allows for the identification of taxonomic mixtures, including contaminated samples, as well as suggesting taxonomies not represented in sequence databases, including extinct taxa. All considered ambiguity is then graphically represented with clear prioritization of the potential taxa in the sample. Using public as well as in-house data acquired on different instruments, we demonstrate the performance of this universal postprocessing and explore the identification of both genetic and sample mixtures. Diet reconstruction from 40,000-year-old cave hyena coprolites illustrates the exciting potential of this approach.Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) extends the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) Zooarcheology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) “mass fingerprinting” approach to species identification by providing fragmentation spectra for each peptide. However, ancient bone samples generate sparse data containing only a few collagen proteins, rendering target–decoy strategies unusable and increasing uncertainty in peptide annotation. To ameliorate this issue, we present a ZooMS/MS data pipeline that builds on a manually curated Collagen database and comprises two novel algorithms: isoBLAST and ClassiCOL. isoBLAST first extends peptide ambiguity by generating all “potential peptide candidates” isobaric to the annotated precursor. The exhaustive set of candidates created is then used to retain or reject different potential paths at each taxonomic branching point from superkingdom to species, until the greatest possible specificity is reached. Uniquely, ClassiCOL allows for the identification of taxonomic mixtures, including contaminated samples, as well as suggesting taxonomies not represented in sequence databases, including extinct taxa. All considered ambiguity is then graphically represented with clear prioritization of the potential taxa in the sample. Using public as well as in-house data acquired on different instruments, we demonstrate the performance of this universal postprocessing and explore the identification of both genetic and sample mixtures. Diet reconstruction from 40,000-year-old cave hyena coprolites illustrates the exciting potential of this approach.A
Longing and belonging : Jews in the modern Islamic world /
No full text"Longing and Belonging investigates the histories of Jews living among Muslims in the modern era, both inside and outside the Ottoman Empire and after its demise. Here, modern Jewish protagonists are revealed as active participants in an expansive Islamic civilization, reflecting a mutuality and cross fertilization in the region that raises new lines of inquiry and which offers enduring lessons for the world today. This collection both foregrounds the experiences of Jewish communities that have long been relegated to the margins of historical and literary studies, and critically, uses these experiences to complicate prevailing narratives from both Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies. By following communities from the coffeeshops of Cairo to the villages of Yemen, from the local marriage market in Izmir to the global commerce of the Sassoons, readers gain intimate insight into a world that complicates our understanding of the modern Islamic world and of the history of Judaism. Just as much as the Sephardi and Mizrahi experience complicates prevailing paradigms in the study of Jewish modernity, so too does it enrich understandings of modernity across Muslim societies. The collection tells a story of longing, belonging, and longing to belong, of multiple affinities in a world that no longer exists"-- Provided by publisher.Includes bibliographical references and index.Introduction / Nancy E. Berg and Dina Danon -- Family archives in writing the history of Arab Jews : the case of the Sassoons / Joseph Sassoon -- Inside Coffeehouse al-Sharq and the Lemon Gardens : Jews and Muslims in public spaces in twentieth-century Cairo / Alon Tam -- The capital bride : dowries, trousseaus, and modernity in the Eastern Sephardi diaspora / Dina Danon -- The laws of women and the insecurities of men : regulating modern Jewish gender performance in Baghdad / Annie Greene -- Assessing Western impact on Middle Eastern Jewish modernity : the case of the travels of Ḥayyim Ḥabshūsh and Joseph Halévy / Alan Verskin -- Nationalism, anti-Zionism, and Ta'ayush : the victorious vision of Simon Lévy, Moroccan Jewish patriot / Alma Rachel Heckman -- The predicament of rabbinical Haskalah in the Islamic world : the case of Rabbi Sliman Mani / Keren Dotan -- A murder ballad between Yemen and Israel : the mystery of the DawdaḥīGirl / Mark Wagner -- Sanctity and celebrity : the musical journey of Rabbi David Buzaglo from Casablanca to Kiryat Yam / Edwin Seroussi -- Intergenerational memories of Sabbatian women's private sphere in the late Ottoman era : Sabiha and Yıldız Sertel's memoirs / Hadar Feldman Samet and Esra Almas -- Literary afterlife : narratives of childhood by writers from Egypt and Iraq / Nancy E. Berg."Longing and Belonging investigates the histories of Jews living among Muslims in the modern era, both inside and outside the Ottoman Empire and after its demise. Here, modern Jewish protagonists are revealed as active participants in an expansive Islamic civilization, reflecting a mutuality and cross fertilization in the region that raises new lines of inquiry and which offers enduring lessons for the world today. This collection both foregrounds the experiences of Jewish communities that have long been relegated to the margins of historical and literary studies, and critically, uses these experiences to complicate prevailing narratives from both Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies. By following communities from the coffeeshops of Cairo to the villages of Yemen, from the local marriage market in Izmir to the global commerce of the Sassoons, readers gain intimate insight into a world that complicates our understanding of the modern Islamic world and of the history of Judaism. Just as much as the Sephardi and Mizrahi experience complicates prevailing paradigms in the study of Jewish modernity, so too does it enrich understandings of modernity across Muslim societies. The collection tells a story of longing, belonging, and longing to belong, of multiple affinities in a world that no longer exists"-- Provided by publisher
