Body Counting Research Articles

Archival records housed at USTUR support radium dial worker dosimetry.

The American radium dial worker (RDW) cohort of over 3,200 persons is being revisited as part of the Million Person Study (MPS) to include a modern approach to RDW dosimetry. An exceptional source of data and contextualization in this project is an extensive collection of electronic records (requiring 43 gigabytes (GB) of storage) digitized from existing microfilm and microfiche housed at the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries (USTUR). Although the type, extent, and quality (e.g., legibility) of record(s) varies between individuals, the remarkable occupational, medical and demographic data include in vivo radiation measurements (e.g., radon breath, whole body counts), autopsy results, medical records (including copies of radiographs), interviews over the years, and correspondence. Of particular dosimetric interest are the details of radiation measurements. For example, there are some instances where hand-written and transcribed values are both available, along with notes providing context for why a particular measurement in a time series of measurements was chosen to assign an intake, or if there were concerns about a particular measurement. Born prior to 1935, RDW have nearly all passed away. Thus, the updated dosimetry, especially for the bone, will allow the correlation of lifetime cumulative dose with radiation risk. Here we review typical information available in this collection of historical records, highlighting some interesting finds, and discuss the relevance to current and ongoing work related to updating the dosimetry of the RDW in the Million Person Study, including providing an example of the usefulness of information contained in these records.

Lamellar Body Count (LBC) in amniotic fluid for prediction of fetal lung maturity

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a disorder due to pulmonary immaturity with a high mortality characterized by low levels of pulmonary surfactant. RDS is one of the important causes of mortality in neonates. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the lamellar body count (LBC) cutoff value for foetal lung maturity and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of LBC in predicting the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and to find if the Measurement of LBC can replace the conventional Lecithin/Sphingomyelin ratio. Methods: This prospective observational study was performed on total 47 pregnant women divided as 19 patients with premature labor and 28 patients with healthy full-term singleton pregnancy as controls, with gestational age between 28 – 41 weeks at Ain Shams university maternity hospital in period between April 2014 and January 2015 with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: RDS was diagnosed in 20 neonates, two neonates in the 1st group (7.1%) While 18 neonates in 2nd (94.7%) showed development of RDS. Mean lamellar body count in newborns with RDS: 39,200 ± 12,438 with median 37,500 and p-value was <0.0001. ROC (receiver operator characteristics) curve showed that by using 51000/µL as a cut-off point for LBC it is a good predictor for fetal lung maturity with sensitivity 95% and specificity 96.3%. There is a direct relationship between the gestational age and the lamellar body count as the lamellar body count increases as long as the gestational age proceeds with a highly significant positive correlation (p value <0.0001). Conclusion: As evident from the current study, LBC count now replacing the conventional Lecithin/Sphingomyelin ratio because the test can be performed with equipment found in most clinical analysis laboratories and is reliable in predicting foetal lung maturity. This study suggests that LBC cutoff value of ≥51,000/µL can predict pulmonary maturity and reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

The relationship between NLR, LDL-C/HDL-C, NHR and coronary artery disease.

Chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia are key risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. We retrospectively explored the association between the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the neutrophil to HDL-C ratio (NHR), and the severity of coronary lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In June 2023, we selected 1210 patients who were diagnosed with ACS based on chest pain from January 2017 to December 2022. Of these, 1100 patients with abnormal coronary angiography were categorized into the experimental group, and 110 patients with normal coronary angiography were classified as the control group. We collected routine blood tests, lipid profiles, and coronary angiography results at admission (before coronary angiography). Patients were then stratified into a control group (Gensini score = 0) and an experimental group (Gensini score = 0) based on the Gensini score. The experimental group was further divided into a low score group (Gensini score < 69) and a high score group (Gensini score ≥ 69). 1. Statistically significant differences were observed between the control and experimental groups in terms of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, smoking history, and counts of neutrophils (NEU), lymphocytes (LYM), monocytes (MON), eosinophils (EOS), red cell distribution width (RDW), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, NLR, LDL-C/HDL-C, and NHR (P&lt;0.05). Furthermore, differences in BMI, hypertension, diabetes, smoking history, NEU, LYM, MON, TC, triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C, NLR, LDL-C/HDL-C, and NHR were significant between the low and high score groups (P&lt;0.05). 2. NEU, LYM, MON, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, NLR, LDL-C/HDL-C, and NHR showed significant correlations with the Gensini score (r>0.2, P<0.05), with NLR and LDL-C/HDL-C showing the strongest correlations (r = 0.822, P = 0.000). 3. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the combination of NLR and LDL-C/HDL-C had superior sensitivity and specificity in predicting the severity of coronary lesions, with a significant difference (P&lt;0.05). The sensitivity was 87.1%, the specificity was 90.9%, and the cut-off point was 2.04. 4. A predictive model was developed based on the ratio of NLR and LDL-C/HDL-C to the Gensini score. The final model score was calculated as 6.803 + 7.029NLR + 13.079LDL-C/HDL-C (R2 = 0.708). Compared to NLR, LDL-C/HDL-C, and NHR, the combined NLR and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is a more accurate marker for assessing the severity of coronary artery disease in ACS patients. Its convenience and effectiveness make it a promising tool for early assessment, timely risk stratification, and appropriate clinical intervention, ultimately improving clinical outcomes for ACS patients.

SVHRSP Alleviates Age-Related Cognitive Deficiency by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation.

Our previous studies have shown that scorpion venom heat-resistant synthesized peptide (SVHRSP) induces a significant extension in lifespan and improvements in age-related physiological functions in worms. However, the mechanism underlying the potential anti-aging effects of SVHRSP in mammals remains elusive. Following SVHRSP treatment in senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) or senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, behavioral tests were conducted and brain tissues were collected for morphological analysis, electrophysiology experiments, flow cytometry, and protein or gene expression. The human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) was subjected to H2O2 treatment in cell experiments, aiming to establish a cytotoxic model that mimics cellular senescence. This model was utilized to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying oxidative stress and neuroinflammation associated with age-related cognitive impairment mediated by SVHRSP. SVHRSP significantly ameliorated age-related cognitive decline, enhanced long-term potentiation, restored synaptic loss, and upregulated the expression of synaptic proteins, therefore indicating an improvement in synaptic plasticity. Moreover, SVHRSP demonstrated a decline in senescent markers, including SA-β-gal enzyme activity, P16, P21, SIRT1, and cell cycle arrest. The underlying mechanisms involve an upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activity and a reduction in oxidative stress-induced damage. Furthermore, SVHRSP regulated the nucleoplasmic distribution of NRF2 through the SIRT1-P53 pathway. Further investigation indicated a reduction in the expression of proinflammatory factors in the brain after SVHRSP treatment. SVHRSP attenuated neuroinflammation by regulating the NF-κB nucleoplasmic distribution and inhibiting microglial and astrocytic activation through the SIRT1-NF-κB pathway. Additionally, SVHRSP significantly augmented Nissl body count while suppressing neuronal loss. SVHRSP could remarkably improve cognitive deficiency by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, thus representing an effective strategy to improve brain health.

Estudio de los factores de riesgo de la presencia de los nevus interdigitales de los pies

Background and objectivesNo studies focused on counting the interdigital acquired melanocytic nevi (AMN) of the foot (IDNf) have ever been conducted. Therefore, our objective was to study the relationship between the presence of IDNf and the total number of AMN in the feet and the rest of the body, the racial phenotypic characteristics, and other risk factors for melanoma. Material and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional observational study with 255 patients ≥18 years old who attended our Dermatology Unit from September 2020 through February 2021, and included all AMN ≥1mm from the feet and ≥2mm from the rest of the bod. The association between the variables was studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. ResultsThe presence of IDNf was significantly and independently associated with the presence of plantar AMN and body counts ≥50 AMN. However, no significant differences were observed regarding sex, age, personal history of melanoma, presence of nevi on the dorsum of the foot, history of sunburn or UV rays, or racial phenotypic characteristics. ConclusionsThe presence of IDNf is associated with a higher count of plantar nevi and total AMN in the body, meaning that interdigital spaces of the foot—anatomical expansions of the sole and other possibly genetic causes—could be responsible for the number of AMN found in this location, as these regions are not photoexposed.

Digestive and Absorptive Properties of the Antarctic Krill Tripeptide Phe-Pro-Phe (FPF) and Its Auxiliary Memory-Enhancing Effect.

Aging and stress have contributed to the development of memory disorders. Phe-Pro-Phe (FPF) was identified with high stability by mass spectrometry from simulated gastrointestinal digestion and everted gut sac products of the Antarctic krill peptide Ser-Ser-Asp-Ala-Phe-Phe-Pro-Phe-Arg (SSDAFFPFR) which was found to have a positive impact on memory enhancement. This study investigated the digestive stability, absorption, and memory-enhancing effects of FPF using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, in vivo fluorescence distribution analysis, mouse behavioral experiments, acetylcholine function, Nissl staining, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. FPF crossed the blood-brain barrier into the brain after digestion, significantly reduced shock time, working memory errors, and reference memory errors, and increased the recognition index. Additionally, FPF elevated ACh content; Nissl body counts; and CREB, SYN, and PSD-95 expression levels, while reducing AChE activity (P < 0.05). This implies that FPF prevents scopolamine-induced memory impairment and provides a basis for future research on memory disorders.

Transcriptional and functional profiling identifies inflammation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition as potential drivers for phenotypic heterogeneity within a cohort of endothelial colony forming cells

BackgroundEndothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) derived from patients can be used to investigate pathogenic mechanisms of vascular diseases like von Willebrand disease. Considerable phenotypic heterogeneity has been observed between ECFC clones derived from healthy donors. This heterogeneity needs to be well understood in order to use ECFCs as endothelial models for disease. ObjectivesTherefore, we aimed to determine phenotypic and gene expression differences between control ECFCs. MethodsA total of 34 ECFC clones derived from 16 healthy controls were analyzed. The transcriptome of a selection of ECFC clones (n = 15) was analyzed by bulk RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis. Gene expression was measured in all ECFC clones by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Phenotypic profiling was performed and migration speed of the ECFCs was measured using confocal microscopy, followed by automated quantification of cell morphometrics and migration speed. ResultsThrough hierarchical clustering of RNA expression profiles, we could distinguish 2 major clusters within the ECFC cohort. Major differences were associated with proliferation and migration in cluster 1 and inflammation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cluster 2. Phenotypic profiling showed significantly more and smaller ECFCs in cluster 1, which contained more and longer Weibel–Palade bodies. Migration speed in cluster 1 was also significantly higher. ConclusionWe observed a range of different RNA expression patterns between ECFC clones, mostly associated with inflammation and clear differences in Weibel–Palade body count and structure. We developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction panel that can be used for the characterization of ECFC clones, which is essential for the correct analysis of pathogenic mechanisms in vascular disorders.

Ecological restoration trajectory of the Taitema Lake wetland in arid northwest China: A 36-year wetland health assessment using Landsat time series data

The Taitema Lake wetland in the lower reaches of the Tarim River (northwest China) is sensitive to hydrological changes and provides necessary ecosystem functions for biodiversity conservation. Monitoring and evaluating the long-term dynamics of the Taitema Lake wetland is essential for conserving and restoring regional wetland ecosystems. This paper used a dense time series of Landsat images from 1986 to 2021 to map the Taitema Lake wetlands. It analyzed the annual and seasonal variations of the wetlands by ten ecological indicators, which include area extent, vegetation, hydrology, and landscape features. A systematic assessment of the ecological quality of the wetlands over the past 36 years, along with their influencing factors, was conducted from the perspective of wetland health. The results showed that (1) the recovered water areas and the wetlands showed a clear trend of ecological restoration since 2000, accompanied by an increased fragmentation. The total wetland area increased from 69.95 km2 in 1986 to 1164.47 km2 in 2021, with a 15.6-fold increase, and the vegetation area increased twentyfold to 639.84 km2. (2) The wetness in the core zone increased consistently across seasons, coupled with a simultaneous vegetation expansion surrounding the core zone. The areas with increasing wetness levels account for 48 % during winter and spring, and the areas with vegetation expansion account for 81 % and 72 % in summer and autumn, respectively. (3) The wetland ecological health status recovered to a “Good” level in 2021 and has not reached the “Excellent” status. The expansion of the water body is the primary driver behind the promotion of wetland ecological recovery. Small water bodies within the area range of 0.05 to 0.1 km2 notably exhibited the most stimulating effects on the wetlands. Thus, increasing the count of smaller water bodies helps rehabilitate vegetation growth and mitigating the water supply’s stress to sustain large lacustrine bodies.

Detection of Barr bodies in exfoliated oral mucosal cells for sex determination using oral rinse-based cytology: A cross-sectional study

Background: Sex determination is essential in forensic science, anthropology, and medical diagnostics. Traditional methods, such as DNA analysis, are resource intensive and time-consuming. This pilot study explores the utility of oral rinse-based cytology for detecting Barr bodies in exfoliated oral mucosal cells from saliva as a more accessible and efficient alternative. Aim: This study aimed to assess the viability of rinse-based cytology in identifying sex through the detection of Barr bodies. Materials and Methods: In the study, 60 participants aged 20–30, free of lesions, and nonsmokers/nondrinkers, were evenly divided into male and female groups. Unstimulated saliva was collected from each participant between 9 and 10 am Participants were instructed to tilt their heads slightly forward to accumulate saliva and then spit into disposable sterile containers. After centrifugation, two smears were prepared and stained with Papanicolaou (PAP) and hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stains. The smears were labeled (single-blinded) and examined for the presence of Barr body by two oral pathologists. Results: H and E stain had a mean Barr body count of 2.38 and a standard deviation of approximately 2.731, whereas PAP stain had a higher mean count of 3.57 with a standard deviation of 3.933. Levene’s test showed significant differences (P = 0.000) in variances between the staining methods (F = 21.001, df = 118, P &lt; 0.001), but the average Barr body count difference of about 1.183 with P = 0.058 was not statistically significant (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Oral rinse-based cytology offers a noninvasive, cost-effective, and time-efficient approach to sex determination. While this pilot study demonstrates its potential, further research involving larger and more diverse populations is required to validate its reliability fully. This innovative approach has the potential to impact various scientific and forensic disciplines, offering a practical alternative to traditional methods.

Phytic Acid Maintains Peripheral Neuron Integrity and Enhances Survivability against Platinum-Induced Degeneration via Reducing Reactive Oxygen Species and Enhancing Mitochondrial Membrane Potential.

Phytic acid (PA) has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are critical for neuroprotection in neuronal disorders. This raises the question of whether PA can effectively protect sensory neurons against chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Peripheral neuropathy is a dose-limiting side effect of chemotherapy treatment often characterized by severe and abnormal pain in hands and feet resulting from peripheral nerve degeneration. Currently, there are no effective treatments available that can prevent or cure peripheral neuropathies other than symptomatic management. Herein, we aim to demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of PA against the neurodegeneration induced by the chemotherapeutics cisplatin (CDDP) and oxaliplatin. Further aims of this study are to provide the proposed mechanism of PA-mediated neuroprotection. The neuronal protection and survivability against CDDP were characterized by axon length measurements and cell body counting of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. A cellular phenotype study was conducted microscopically. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated by fluorogenic probe dichlorofluorescein. Likewise, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by fluorescent MitoTracker Orange CMTMRos. Similarly, the mitochondria-localized superoxide anion radical in response to CDDP with and without PA was evaluated. The culture of primary DRG neurons with CDDP reduced axon length and overall neuronal survival. However, cotreatment with PA demonstrated that axons were completely protected and showed increased stability up to the 45-day test duration, which is comparable to samples treated with PA alone and control. Notably, PA treatment scavenged the mitochondria-specific superoxide radicals and overall intracellular ROS that were largely induced by CDDP and simultaneously restored MMP. These results are credited to the underlying neuroprotection of PA in a platinum-treated condition. The results also exhibited that PA had a synergistic anticancer effect with CDDP in ovarian cancer in vitro models. For the first time, PA's potency against CDDP-induced PN is demonstrated systematically. The overall findings of this study suggest the application of PA in CIPN prevention and therapeutic purposes.

The violent death toll from the Iraq War: 2003-2023.

From the beginning of the Iraq war, in March of 2003, to the present day, controversy has swirled around the death toll of the war. This paper narrows down the range of uncertainty for the numbers and trends in violent deaths in the war. I assemble and appraise all primary sources that cover the period from March of 2003 onwards-six sample surveys plus a casualty recording project (Iraq Body Count [IBC]). Data permitting, I present cumulative monthly figures with, for the surveys, 95% bootstrapped uncertainty intervals. The analysis uncovers a core of high-quality mainstream sources that are highly consistent with each another. In addition, there are three outlier surveys that are compromised by serious flaws and produce estimates far outside the mainstream. Discarding the outlying and flawed surveys reveals a clear picture of the violent death toll from the Iraq war. IBC figures, extended to include combatants, occupy a central position within the mainstream range of estimates. The strong consistency across the high-quality sources provides a rare validation of three war-death-measurement methodologies-household-based surveys, sibling-based surveys, and casualty recording. Methodological success notwithstanding, we must transcend the numbers to truly comprehend the human costs of the war.

Evalution of minimum detection activity in a portable whole body counter using monte carlo method

Evalution of minimum detection activity in a portable whole body counter using monte carlo method

Markedly increased duodenal villous surface apoptosis in patients taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against human immunodeficiency virus.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) consists of combination antiretroviral therapy and is increasingly utilized to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in high-risk populations. Two index cases noted during routine care showed markedly increased duodenal villous surface apoptosis in patients on PrEP. We sought to examine the prevalence of this finding and identify any clinicopathologic correlations. Gastrointestinal biopsy specimens from 23 male patients aged 18-40 years taking PrEP and 23 control patients were reviewed. Patients with HIV, inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, and celiac disease were excluded. Apoptoses were counted on surface epithelium and deep crypts. The highest apoptotic body count per tissue fragment was recorded. Clusters were defined as groups of ≥5 apoptoses. Apoptotic counts between patients taking PrEP and controls were compared using t-tests. In PrEP patients, the median age was 35 years (range 25-40) and 83% (19/23) were white. The control patients were demographically similar (median age: 32 years [range 23-40]; 70% [16/23] white). Duodenal apoptosis in villous surface epithelium was increased in PrEP patients, with 14/23 (60.9%) patients having ≥10 surface apoptoses compared to 2/23 (8.7%) controls (P = 2.1 × 10-3 ) and 14/23 (61%) having clusters compared to 3/23 (13%) controls (P = 2.0 × 10-3 ). There was no significant association between increased surface apoptosis or clusters and clinical symptoms or duration of PrEP use. Markedly increased villous surface apoptosis, particularly in clusters, is often seen in the duodenum of patients taking PrEP. Although the mechanism and significance are unknown, knowledge of this peculiar finding may prevent unnecessary additional testing.

Monte Carlo simulations of a standing geometry whole body counter: Effects of skeletal sampling, age, sex and phantom size on calibration

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) adult and pediatric reference computational phantoms are widely employed to evaluate calibration of in-vivo monitoring systems using Monte Carlo codes. Quick Scan Whole Body Monitor (QSWBM) is an in-vivo monitoring system capable of fast screening subjects in standing linear geometry. In the present study, our objectives include: (1) Monte Carlo estimation of QSWBM counting efficiencies using age and sex specific ICRP computational reference phantoms, (2) understand the effect of skeletal sampling in counting efficiency, (3) comparison of efficiencies for multiple sized voxel phantoms of same age group and sex, and (4) comparison of experimental and numerical calibration. With this study, we have numerically estimated QSWBM counting efficiencies for three important gamma energies, 662 keV from 137Cs and 1173 keV and 1332 keV from 60Co using FLUKA code and a total of fifteen computational phantoms. The results obtained from the present work rule out the necessity of computationally complex skeletal soft tissue sampling in numerical calibration of standing geometry whole body counters for in-vivo detection of uniformly distributed sources in human body. It was also found that the efficiencies were greatly influenced by the physical size of the subjects while the deviation due to sex is not very great. Experimental calibration using Indian Reference Bottle Mannequin ABsorber (BOMAB-I) phantom was compared with modified adult male computational phantom of equivalent physical dimensions to understand the deviations. With this study, QSWBM was numerically calibrated to detect 137Cs and 60Co in diverse subjects of a population.

The Influence of Leri Water Supplementation on the Growth and Production of White Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)

This study aimed to investigate the influence of leri water supplementation on mycelium growth, primordial appearance, fruiting body count, fruit body diameter, and wet weight, as well as the production of white oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). The research employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments: A0 (control without leri water), A1 (20 ml of leri water), A2 (40 ml of leri water), and A3 (60 ml of leri water), with a 95% confidence level F-test. The results revealed that leri water supplementation significantly affected all observed variables. The treatment with 40 ml of leri water (A2) produced the highest mycelium growth with an average weight of 10.45 kg, the earliest primordial appearance, the highest fruiting body count (15.67), and the highest wet weight (372 kg). Meanwhile, the treatment with 60 ml of leri water (A3) resulted in the largest fruit body diameter (17 cm). Among the treatments, A2 with a 40% leri water nutrient supplement in the growing medium outperformed others, as it provided the necessary nutrients for mycelium growth and overall mushroom development.

Prediction of areas with high risk of roadkill wildlife applying maximum entropy approach and environmental features: East Antioquia, Colombia

Linear infrastructures such as roads are known to cause adverse effects on the surrounding ecosystems. Wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVC) are considered to be one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Several studies have demonstrated that WVC occurs on Colombian roads. However, studies have focused on a body count, the most affected species, and places with high mortality rates. We aim to propose a methodology for predicting WVC risk in the east of Antioquia, Colombia employing a machine learning approach to identify road segments with a high risk of WVC. Additionally, we present a novel validation technique for the "MaxEnt" approach. During this investigation, 499 reports were collected through road surveys between 2015 and 2016. We identified 160 road segments with high mortality rates with a 2D Hotspots analysis. 15 environmental descriptors were collected for each road segment. Validation of the predictive capabilities of the algorithm was performed using the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The model achieved a good predictive ability (AUC>0.77). The response curves evidenced that features like distance to forest, land cover, resistance, and land use increase the probability of WVC, specifically, collision risk was higher in zones with high resistance values, crops, and pastures. This methodology has the potential to become an important tool for the prioritization of resources to mitigate WVC.

The German experience with asbestos-related diseases: a failure of compensation due to the manipulation of science

The world pandemic of asbestos-related diseases results from inadequate prevention and late bans on asbestos use. For years in Germany there has been an annual average of about ten thousand new claims. Many countries deny compensation due to unsound diagnostic applications that have entered into the literature and are used to deny compensation. One such well-established incorrect scientific strategy is the use of quantifying asbestos bodies or fibers in lung tissue and setting restrictive thresholds on the findings in tissues of workers who had been exposed primarily to chrysotile which shows low bio-persistence, movement to the pleura, and rarely forms asbestos bodies. The so called one thousand asbestos body hypothesis for the diagnosis of asbestosis, originating from the German Mesothelioma Register run by the employers’ statutory accident insurance institutions, has been applied in Germany and similarly in several other western countries. As opposed to the well-substantiated hit and run phenomena that has been predominantly applied to chrysotile asbestos, low asbestos body or fiber counts in tissue had been systematically misinterpreted. This, combined with restrictive histopathology definitions, have been used for the manipulation not only of diagnostic criteria but also of science and has had an effect on laws governing compensation. The counting of asbestos bodies or fibers in human lungs should under no circumstances invalidate a qualified occupational history of exposure as the hallmark requisite tool for assessing asbestos exposure and acceptance of asbestos-related diseases in compensation schemes. An outcome suggested by this paper is the need to broaden the WHO beneficial initiative to eliminate ARD worldwide by establishment of an international board of independent scientists on remedial action that would recommend standards for acknowledgement and compensation. Such a board should be supported by national legal branches recognizing possible regional differences and initiating compliance with the recommendations.

Морфометрическая характеристика возвратных гибридов калуги Huso dauricus и стерляди Acipenser ruthenius (Acipenseridae)

The sturgeon fish species cultivation is a necessary activity for the preservation of natural populations in critical condition as well as in a market economy, makes it possible to obtain food products with high added value. Hybridization of sturgeon allows you to create promising cultivation facilities, and introduce them into farms in order to increase the yield of marketable products. Due to the heterosis effect the hybrid inherits useful economic characters of the intial species and also repeats them in the external structure. The degree of heritability of traits of parental species can be estimated by the relative values of body parts and counting characteristics. In addition to the degree of similarity and difference of the hybrid between the parent species it is also possible to assess the degree of heritability of economic traits, thereby conducting selection. A comparative analysis of six-year-old hybrids (K × St) × K, (K × St) × St and (St × K) × K was carried out. 21 morphometric indicators were used in the work. The patroclinic nature of inheritance of some traits has been revealed. (K × St) × K significantly differed according to the Student's criterion compared to other hybrids in terms of relative head indicators. The diagnostic characters of the studied hybrids turned out to be relative indicators of the head length and the number of lateral scutes.

The human cell count and size distribution

Cell size and cell count are adaptively regulated and intimately linked to growth and function. Yet, despite their widespread relevance, the relation between cell size and count has never been formally examined over the whole human body. Here, we compile a comprehensive dataset of cell size and count over all major cell types, with data drawn from >1,500 published sources. We consider the body of a representative male (70 kg), which allows further estimates of a female (60 kg) and 10-y-old child (32 kg). We build a hierarchical interface for the cellular organization of the body, giving easy access to data, methods, and sources (https://humancelltreemap.mis.mpg.de/). In total, we estimate total body counts of ≈36 trillion cells in the male, ≈28 trillion in the female, and ≈17 trillion in the child. These data reveal a surprising inverse relation between cell size and count, implying a trade-off between these variables, such that all cells within a given logarithmic size class contribute an equal fraction to the body's total cellular biomass. We also find that the coefficient of variation is approximately independent of mean cell size, implying the existence of cell-size regulation across cell types. Our data serve to establish a holistic quantitative framework for the cells of the human body, and highlight large-scale patterns in cell biology.

Unjust Justice: Repeated Incompetence in Criminal Investigations Involving the Less-Dead as Victims

Acknowledging the less-dead phenomenon - the pattern of lackluster investigations into the disappearances and murders of people from marginalized groups in society who lack prestige and come from a lower socioeconomic class - is an essential step to achieving fair and equal justice. Unfortunately, no previous academic research has attempted to broach this topic. In this paper I aim to highlight the lack of competency in police investigations that is often encountered in cases involving people considered less-dead.&#x0D; I analyzed several serial murder cases that involved the victimization of the less-dead to find and catalog patterns of victim characteristics and police investigation attempts.&#x0D; My research revealed that in many serial murder cases, police investigations into the deaths and disappearances of the less-dead were conducted poorly. Sometimes, cases involving people considered less-dead were deliberately neglected by the authorities. A combination of laziness and contempt for people considered less-dead contributes to the long active periods and high body counts of serial killers in North America.