Nested Patterns Research Articles

Low grade oncocytic renal tumor (LOT): Clinicopathological characterization of 13 cases

ContextLow grade oncocytic tumor (LOT) is a recently recognized renal oncocytic neoplasm with unique morphologic and immunohistochemical pattern (CK7 +, CD117 -) that differentiates them from oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChrRCC). ObjectiveTo further evaluate the histomorphological characteristics as well as the clinical outcome of low grade oncocytic tumors, retrospectively. DesignThirteen cases of LOT were identified from 463 cases of renal oncocytic neoplasm in our pathology archive. All tumors were immunostained with CK7, CD117 and other relevant markers. The pathohistological features and follow up data of these cases were recorded. ResultsMedian age of patients was 76 years old (range from 36 to 86), with male to female ratio of 2:11. None of the patients had a syndromic association/hereditary condition. Eleven tumors were unifocal in each affected kidney, and two were multifocal with 2 and 3 separated tumors, respectively. On microscopic examination, tumors show variety of growth patterns, namely solid, compact nested, focal tubular/tubuloreticular and trabecular patterns. The stroma can be hypocellular and edematous where the tumor cells are loosely arranged exhibiting cords and scattered single cell arrangement. Immunohistochemically, all thirteen cases displayed strong and diffuse CK7 positivity in tumor cells. Eleven cases were CD117 negative and the other two showed focal and weak CD117 positivity (< 5% of tumor cells). Uniform tumor cell positivity was found for AE1/3, EMA, PAX8, and e-cadherin. Negative staining results include CAIX, AMACR, CD10 and vimentin. All cases in our cohort demonstrate indolent behavior and show no evidence of disease recurrence, progression, or metastases during the follow-up period up to 96 months. ConclusionLOT is an emerging new entity of renal oncocytic neoplasm and demonstrates indolent clinical behavior. Its unique morphologic features and immunohistochemical patterns (CK7 +, CD117 -) set them apart from oncocytoma and ChrRCC.

Beta diversity patterns in Andean rodents: current and historical factors as drivers of turnover and nestedness

Abstract The Andes are known to be one of the most species-rich regions on Earth, with their origination promoting formation of new habitats and acting as climatic barriers. This orogenic event was structured latitudinally with 3 major segments having different formation times and with different environmental and historical conditions. The Andean region has been historically important in the evolutionary history of small mammals and is considered the region of Earth with the highest values of rodent species richness and turnover. Therefore, the region provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate mechanisms involved in structuring rodent assemblages and beta diversity patterns. Here, we assessed spatial patterns of rodent beta diversity along the Andes Mountains, with specific goals of examining patterns of turnover and nestedness as 2 recognized processes that drive species composition. We explored the role of spatial, climate, and historical factors on beta diversity patterns using geographic range maps for 432 rodent species to construct a species presence–absence matrix. We used piecewise regressions to identify latitudinal breakpoints in turnover and nestedness, and conducted multiple regressions and variation-partitioning approaches to assess the contribution of each set of postulated drivers in shaping beta diversity patterns. Beta diversity decreases from north to south. The highest turnover was located at the Northern Andes (5°N and 10°S) and western-central Andes (20°S and 35°S). Nestedness was higher below 40°S and in some areas of the western-central Andes between 15° and 20°S. Turnover and nestedness registered breakpoints coincident with the Central and Southern Andes limit. Turnover explained most of the beta diversity for all segments, although within the Southern Andes there was also some contribution of nestedness. In all segments, beta diversity was mainly explained by spatial factors with minor contributions from spatially structured climate (Northern Andes), interaction of all factors (Central Andes), and the interaction between current climate and history (Southern Andes).

Biotic and abiotic factors affecting Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata) spatiotemporal activity at an important shorebird nesting site in Virginia.

Atlantic ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) are predators of beach-nesting shorebird nests and chicks on the United States' Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Ghost crabs may also disturb birds, altering foraging, habitat use, or nest and brood attendance patterns. Shorebird conservation strategies often involve predator and disturbance management to improve reproductive success, but efforts rarely target ghost crabs. Despite the threat to shorebird reproductive success, ghost crabs are a poorly understood part of the beach ecosystem and additional knowledge about ghost crab habitat selection is needed to inform shorebird conservation. We monitored ghost crab activity, defined as burrow abundance, throughout the shorebird breeding season on Metompkin Island, Virginia, an important breeding site for piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus). We counted burrows at shorebird nests and random locations throughout the breeding season and investigated whether ghost crab activity was greater at nest sites relative to random locations without shorebird nests. While we observed burrows at all nest sites (n = 63 nests), we found that burrow counts were lower at piping plover nests with shell cover, relative to random locations with no shell cover. Ghost crabs may avoid piping plover nest sites due to anti-predator behaviors from incubating adults or differences in microhabitat characteristics selected by piping plovers. We also investigated the effects of habitat type, date, and air temperature on the abundance of ghost crab burrows. We found that while crab burrows were present across the barrier island landscape, there were more burrows in sandy, undisturbed habitats behind the dunes, relative to wave-disturbed beach. Additionally, ghost crab activity increased later in the shorebird breeding season. Understanding when and where ghost crabs are most likely to be active in the landscape can aid decision-making to benefit imperiled shorebird populations.

Abundance and composition of invertebrate-feeding leeches in relation to fish status in ponds

Leeches feeding on invertebrates are an important component of freshwater communities, including those dominated by fish, but the effects of fish on their abundance and distribution are not well explored. The relative densities and assemblage structure of two leech families, Erpobdellidae and Glossiphoniidae, were studied from May to August 2014 in ponds stocked with low biomass densities of young common carp Cyprinus carpio, too small to prey on leeches (low-fish ponds), and in ponds containing high biomass densities of large (one- or two-year-old) carp (high-fish ponds), using two types of activity traps (placed either on the bottom or near the water surface). The most common and numerous species were Erpobdella octoculata, Helobdella stagnalis, and Erpobdella nigricollis. The traps near the water surface captured relatively small numbers of leeches, yet the catches showed that in summer some of the leeches moved to the upper layers of the water column, which was free of macrophytes. No differences in leech species richness or diversity were found with respect to fish status of ponds; however, bottom erpobdellids were more abundant in high-fish ponds. Redundancy analysis identified the fish status of the ponds and total nitrogen concentration in water as the only significant variables explaining the distribution of leeches among ponds. Species distribution was nested, but the nestedness pattern was not affected by the fish status of the pond. While fish are generally believed to adversely affect macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance, our study shows that some predatory leech species can persist in the presence of fish and possibly indirectly benefit from it.

Evidence for a selective link between cooperation and individual recognition

The ability to recognize others is a frequent assumption of models of the evolution of cooperation. At the same time, cooperative behavior has been proposed as a selective agent favoring the evolution of individual recognition abilities. Although theory predicts that recognition and cooperation may co-evolve, data linking recognition abilities and cooperative behavior with evidence of selection are elusive. Here, we provide evidence of a selective link between individual recognition and cooperation in the paper wasp Polistes fuscatus through a combination of clinal, common garden, and population genomics analyses. We identified latitudinal clines in both rates of cooperative nesting and color pattern diversity, consistent with a selective link between recognition and cooperation. In behavioral experiments, we replicated previous results demonstrating individual recognition in cooperative and phenotypically diverse P.fuscatus from New York. In contrast, wasps from a less cooperative and phenotypically uniform Louisiana population showed no evidence of individual recognition. In a common garden experiment, groups of wasps from northern populations formed more stable and individually biased associations, indicating that recognition facilitates group stability. The strength of recent positive selection on cognition-associated loci likely to mediate individual recognition is substantially greater in northern compared with southern P.fuscatus populations. Collectively, these data suggest that individual recognition and cooperative nesting behavior have co-evolved in P.fuscatus because recognition helps stabilize social groups. This work provides evidence of a specific cognitive phenotype under selection because of social interactions, supporting the idea that social behavior can be a key driver of cognitive evolution.

Prognosis and Clinicopathological Characters of Adult TFEB-Altered Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Single Center Experience of 18 Cases

IntroductionTFEB-altered renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare entity characterized by the rearrangement of the TFEB gene or TFEB amplified. The therapeutic implications and long-term survival of TFEB-altered RCC remain unclear, especially for metastatic cases. Materials and MethodsThe current study initially enrolled 7604 consecutive RCC patients at our center and a total of 248 patients were selected for FISH and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Eventually, eighteen TFEB-altered RCC patients were identified. We then reported the clinical, morphological, IHC, and radiological features of these cases. ResultsThe median age at initial diagnosis was 45 years, ranging from 18 years to 66 years. The majority of the TFEB-altered RCC patients were male (61.1%), with localized disease (T1-2N0M0, 77.8%). The median split TFEB fluorescent signal was 24%, ranging from 15%-80%. The morphological characteristics of TFEB-altered RCC were variable, with acinar, papillary, solid, or nest patterns. IHC and magnetic resonance imaging features of TFEB-altered RCC were nonspecific. Nine patients with localized disease received partial nephrectomy and five patients with localized disease received radical nephrectomy. During the median follow-up of 67 months, no signs of recurrence or metastasis were found in these patients. Two patients had distant metastasis and received axitinib plus PD-1 immunotherapy. One of them died at 40-month follow-up and another still alive at 88-month follow-up. ConclusionTFEB-altered RCC is an extremely rare variant, exhibited mixed morphological characteristics. The radiological feature lack specificity, resembling clear cell RCC or papillary RCC. Genetic analyses including FISH analysis is crucial in the diagnosis of TFEB-altered RCC. For localized TFEB-altered RCC, both radical nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy conferred satisfactory prognosis. For metastatic TFEB-altered RCC, immunotherapy-based drug combinations could be a promising treatment strategy.

Regional β-Diversity of Stream Insects in Coastal Alabama Is Correlated with Stream Conditions, Not Distance among Sites.

β-diversity is often measured over both spatial and temporal gradients of elevation, latitude, and environmental conditions. It is of particular interest to ecologists, as it provides opportunities to test and infer potential causal mechanisms determining local species assemblages. However, studies of invertebrate β-diversity, especially aquatic insects, have lagged far behind other biota. Using partial Mantel tests, we explored the associations between β-diversity of insects found in the coastal streams of Alabama, USA, and stream conditions and distances among sites. β-diversity was expressed using the Sørensen index, βSor, stream conditions were expressed as principal components (PCs), and distances as Euclidean distances (km) among sites. We also investigated the impact of seasonality (fall, summer) and taxonomic resolution (genus, species) on βSor. Regardless of season, βSor was significantly correlated (p < 0.01; r > 0.44) with stream conditions (stream size and water chemistry), while taxonomic resolution had minimal effect on associations between βSor and stream conditions. Distance was never correlated with changes in βSor (p > 0.05). We extended the use of the Sørensen pair-wise index to a multiple-site dissimilarity, βMult, which was partitioned into patterns of spatial turnover (βTurn) and nestedness (βNest). Changes in βMult were driven mostly by turnover rather than nestedness.

Distinct diversity patterns and assembly mechanisms of prokaryotic microbial sub-community in the water column of deep-sea cold seeps

Methane leakage from deep-sea cold seeps has a major impact on marine ecosystems. Microbes sequester methane in the water column of cold seeps and can be divided into abundant and rare groups. Both abundant and rare groups play an important role in cold seep ecosystems, and the environmental heterogeneity in cold seeps may enhance conversion between taxa with different abundances. Yet, the environmental stratification and assembly mechanisms of these microbial sub-communities remain unclear. We investigated the diversities and assembly mechanisms in microbial sub-communities with distinct abundance in the deep-sea cold seep water column, from 400 m to 1400 m. We found that bacterial β-diversity, as measured by Sørensen dissimilarities, exhibited a significant species turnover pattern that was influenced by several environmental factors including depth, temperature, SiO32−, and salinity. In contrast, archaeal β-diversity showed a relatively high percentage of nestedness pattern, which was driven by the levels of soluble reactive phosphate and SiO32−. During the abundance dependency test, abundant taxa of both bacteria and archaea showed a significant species turnover, while the rare taxa possessed a higher percentage of nestedness. Stochastic processes were prominent in shaping the prokaryotic community, but deterministic processes were more pronounced for the abundant taxa than rare ones. Furthermore, the metagenomics results revealed that the abundances of methane oxidation, sulfur oxidation, and nitrogen fixation-related genes and related microbial groups were significantly higher in the bottom water. Our results implied that the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles were potentially strongly coupled in the bottom water. Overall, the results obtained in this study highlight taxonomic and abundance-dependent microbial community diversity patterns and assembly mechanisms in the water column of cold seeps, which will help understand the impacts of fluid seepage from the sea floor on the microbial community in the water column and further provide guidance for the management of cold seep ecosystem under future environmental pressures.

Multidimensional beta-diversity across local and regional scales in a Chinese subtropical forest: The role of forest structure.

Beta-diversity, or the spatio-temporal variation in community composition, can be partitioned into turnover and nestedness components in a multidimensional framework. Forest structure, including comprehensive characteristics of vertical and horizontal complexity, strongly affects species composition and its spatial variation. However, the effects of forest structure on beta-diversity patterns in multidimensional and multiple-scale contexts are poorly understood. Here, we assessed beta-diversity at local (a 20-ha forest dynamics plot) and regional (a plot network composed of 19 1-ha plots) scales in a Chinese subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest. We then evaluated the relative importance of forest structure, topography, and spatial structure on beta-diversity and its turnover and nestedness components in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions at local and regional scales. We derived forest structural parameters from both unmanned aerial vehicle light detection and ranging (UAV LiDAR) data and plot inventory data. Turnover component dominated total beta-diversity for all dimensions at the two scales. With the exception of some components (taxonomic and functional turnover at the local scale; functional nestedness at the regional scale), environmental factors (i.e., topography and forest structure) contributed more than pure spatial variation. Explanations of forest structure for beta-diversity and its component patterns at the local scale were higher than those at the regional scale. The joint effects of spatial structure and forest structure influenced component patterns in all dimensions (except for functional turnover) to some extent at the local scale, while pure forest structure influenced taxonomic and phylogenetic nestedness patterns to some extent at the regional scale. Our results highlight the importance and scale dependence of forest structure in shaping multidimensional beta-diversity and its component patterns. Clearly, further studies need to link forest structure directly to ecological processes (e.g., asymmetric light competition and disturbance dynamics) and explore its roles in biodiversity maintenance.

Salivary Gland Neoplasms With a Unique Trabecular Histology and MAML2 Translocation : A Trabecular Variant of a Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma.

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) are the most common salivary gland malignancy and have a diverse histology. Many histologic variants of MEC have now been confirmed with characteristic molecular alterations involving CRTC1::MAML2 or CRTC1::MAML3 translocations. We here report a series of 7 trabecular variants of MEC which showed a predominant trabecular or nested pattern with either focal glandular differentiation or clear cell change and keloid-like fibrosis in the background. In addition, these tumors were either negative or showed only focal positivity for p63. Such features are not characteristic of known disease entities and resulted in an initial misdiagnosis of adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified, or low-grade to intermediate-grade MEC with uncertainty. The patients' ages in our cohort ranged from 26 to 55 years with a female predominance (5/7). The tumors were located in the parotid gland (n=3), base of tongue (n=2), hard palate (n=1), and parapharyngeal space (n=1), with a median size of 1.5cm. All 7 cases showed an MAML2 split pattern on fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, and both RNA and whole-genome sequencing presented CRTC1::MAML2 translocation. All 7 cases showed a solid-predominant histology, and 3 cases displayed extracapsular extension. There were no other signs of high-grade histology and no recurrences or deaths occurred over a follow-up period of up to 79 months. We thus propose a unique trabecular variant of MEC that has atypical histologic and immunohistochemical features.

Morphological characteristics of beak-like tooth in spotted knifejaw (Oplegnathus punctatus) and mechanisms of dental development regulation by the Wnt, BMP, FGF and SHH signalling pathways

Oplegnathus punctatus is a fish species with beak-like tooth that feeds on algae, oysters, sea urchins, and other organisms attached to rocks. Currently, there are no research reports on the development and regulatory mechanisms of O. punctatus beak-like tooth. This present study firstly elucidated the nesting structure pattern of the beak-like tooth with dental formula (4, 15–16, 10–1) for O. punctatus. Four critical periods during early beak-like tooth development (28dph, 40dph, 50dph, 60dph) were also identified. In addition, 11 key genes (bmp2, bmpr2, smad1, wnt5a, msx, axin2, fgfr1a, fgfr2, pitx2, ptch1, cyp27a1) closely related to the development of beak-like tooth were discovered, with the highest expression levels in the initial stages of functional teeth and replacement teeth development, and expression in the mesenchymal and epithelial tissues of the teeth. Further research found that the cyp27a1 gene, related to vitamin D metabolism and calcium accumulation, was expressed in the maxilla and base of the tooth in O. punctatus. This study provides support for the biological theory of tooth development and healing and provides a reference for the adaptive evolution of tooth healing in special habitats.

The spatial distribution of insect communities of a mountaintop forest archipelago is not correlated with landscape structure: A multitaxa approach

Abstract Understanding community assembly in habitat patches requires an integrative approach, considering the potential role of local and regional factors and organisms' dispersal abilities among patches. For this, assessing the degree of species overlap between patches (nestedness) can be particularly informative, especially regarding different taxa and distinct patch properties. We assessed the potential role of landscape‐patch structure in shaping the nestedness patterns of five taxonomic groups with distinct dispersal abilities (ants, bees, dung beetles, fruit‐feeding butterflies and aculeate wasps). We collected insects from 11 forest patches in the Espinhaço mountain range in southeast Brazil. We assessed the potential contribution of three forest island attributes (size, distance and shape) to the nestedness of insect communities and then tested if metacommunities were significantly nested with respect to habitat (forest islands). Finally, we evaluated how species of each taxonomic group contribute to metacommunity nestedness. While there was a substantial variation in the contribution to the nested pattern within each taxon, all taxa studied exhibited a significantly nested pattern of species distribution. The landscape‐patch structure and the vagility of the different taxa did not influence the contribution of sites to the metacommunity nested pattern. Our integrative approach provides critical data on the role of different factors in shaping species distribution in natural patches. Species with different dispersal abilities and patches with distinct landscape properties contributed similarly to nestedness, indicating the potential role of the vegetation matrix permeability in shaping the distribution of organisms in the studied forest archipelago.

Powerline pylons: an unusual nesting success of White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster (Gmelin, 1788) (Aves: Accipitriformes: Accipitridae) from Ramanathapuram, southeastern coast of India

A new nesting success record of the White-Bellied Sea Eagle (WBSE), Haliaeetus leucogaster, a resident raptor belonging to the family Accipitridae is reported from a powerline pylon in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. This four-month observation on a non tree nesting study recorded two chicks and false nesting pattern too.

Considering dispersal costs to understand fish community dissimilarity in a high‐gradient basin of North America

AbstractFreshwater fish metacommunities are best understood when considering the dendritic structure of riverine networks. The dendritic structure imposes restrictions to dispersal associated with the connectivity. Many structures restrict the movement of fish even more, such as dams and the terrain slope (dispersal costs). We investigated the influence of environmental predictors and dispersal costs on the beta diversity of freshwater fishes from the Upper Tennessee River using Generalised Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM). In addition, we tested the effects of asymmetrical dispersal costs (high costs for upstream dispersal) on the nestedness of native and non‐native fishes. Environmental predictors were more important than dispersal costs for explaining the overall fish dissimilarity in the GDM models, with the turnover capturing most of the explanation compared to the species richness difference. Dam heights were the most important dispersal cost variable in the GDM, mainly for species turnover. Overall dissimilarity of the native fish subset was better explained by environmental and dispersal variables than non‐native fish (20.03% vs. 8.41%). Considering the native species assemblage subset, dispersal cost related to maximum channel slope between pairs of sites and watercourse distance increased the nestedness of adjacent upstream–downstream sites, whereas those attributed to dams reduced the nestedness. The results support that dams increase overall dissimilarity in the native fish metacommunity of the Upper Tennessee basin, but also reduce the nestedness of adjacent sites. Our findings improve the knowledge on how mechanisms and processes associated with dispersal costs in watersheds under the effects of dams create patterns of dissimilarity and nestedness.

Nestedness Patterns of Amphibian Assemblages in Northwestern Iberia along an Altitudinal Gradient: Implications for Conservation

Nestedness Patterns of Amphibian Assemblages in Northwestern Iberia along an Altitudinal Gradient: Implications for Conservation

Study on the Vulnerability of Municipal Solid Waste Resource Symbiosis Network—A Case Study Based on the Construction of Zero Waste City in Panjin

Building zero-waste cities is an important initiative. It helps China to meet the challenges of climate change, build an ecological civilization, and build a beautiful and high-quality China. Through the recycling and safe disposal of waste, the ultimate goal of the construction of zero-waste cities is to minimize the amount of solid waste. Municipal Solid Waste Resource Symbiosis Network (MSWRSN) is the best way to achieve zero-waste cities. However, this system is vulnerable to many factors. These factors will restrict the construction and development of zero-waste cities. This study proposes a vulnerability measurement method of MSWRSN based on energy exchange. Panjin, a city in Liaoning Province, is used as an example to simulate it. The vulnerability measurement method of MSWRSN is composed of three parts. First, the study adopts a directional weighting approach to design the topologic structure of MSWRSN. Second, Dijkstra’s algorithm is used to analyze two topological parameters, node mesonumber and edge mesonumber. It also focuses on single-node failure mode and edge failure mode. Finally, the study uses a functional measure function to calculate the vulnerability of each node and each edge in symbiotic networks. The results of the study show that (1) MSWRSN in Panjin has not yet formed a nested pattern. The symbiotic patterns of different industrial chains are also different. (2) Node failure has a greater impact on MSWRSN. (3) There are differences in the vulnerability of the industry chain in the network. Based on the findings of the study, this study advises managing the vulnerability of MSWRSN from the following aspects. It includes increasing the diversity of symbiotic units, promoting the development of symbiotic networks to nested types, and strengthening risk monitoring and management of core enterprises.

The integration of the small‐island effect and nestedness pattern

AbstractAimThe small‐island effect (SIE) and nestedness are two important patterns in the fields of island biogeography and community ecology. However, to date, no study has tried to integrate the SIE and nestedness pattern. Therefore, the aim of this study was to integrate these two biogeographical patterns by proposing a new integrative hypothesis. The integrative hypothesis posits that the degree of nestedness of the large island matrix will be larger than that of the small island matrix split by the threshold of the SIE.LocationGlobal.TaxonPlants, invertebrates and vertebrates.MethodsWe compiled 219 global datasets with both the presence‐absence matrices and the variables of area and species richness. We also collected six island characteristics influencing the SIE and nestedness patterns, that is island type, taxonomic group, area range, the number of islands, species range and matrix fill. We applied breakpoint regressions to detect SIEs and used the metric NODF (Nestedness metric based on Overlap and Decreasing Fill) to quantify nestedness. We then employed logistic regressions and an information‐theoretic approach to determine which combination of island characteristics was important in determining whether the integrative hypothesis was supported.ResultsAmong the 92 datasets in which SIEs were unambiguously detected, nestedness analyses showed that in 64 cases (69.6%) the values of NODFc (nestedness among sites) for the large island matrices were larger than those of the small island matrices. Matrix fill and area range were substantially important in determining whether the integrative hypothesis was supported. By contrast, island type, taxonomic group, the number of islands and species range received considerably less support.Main ConclusionsOur study was the first to integrate the SIE and nestedness pattern. Overall, we found prevalent support for our integrative hypothesis. The integration of the SIE and nestedness provides new and interesting insights into these two biogeographical patterns.

MP08-13 PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF MICROMETRIC SUBSTAGING IN pT1 BLADDER CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH EN BLOC TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP08-13 PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF MICROMETRIC SUBSTAGING IN pT1 BLADDER CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH EN BLOC TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION Takafumi Yanagisawa, Shun Sato, Yasushi Hayashida, Yohei Okada, Akihiro Matsukawa, Kosuke Iwatani, Masayuki Shimoda, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Takahiro Kimura, Shahrokh F. Shariat, and Jun Miki Takafumi YanagisawaTakafumi Yanagisawa More articles by this author , Shun SatoShun Sato More articles by this author , Yasushi HayashidaYasushi Hayashida More articles by this author , Yohei OkadaYohei Okada More articles by this author , Akihiro MatsukawaAkihiro Matsukawa More articles by this author , Kosuke IwataniKosuke Iwatani More articles by this author , Masayuki ShimodaMasayuki Shimoda More articles by this author , Hiroyuki TakahashiHiroyuki Takahashi More articles by this author , Takahiro KimuraTakahiro Kimura More articles by this author , Shahrokh F. ShariatShahrokh F. Shariat More articles by this author , and Jun MikiJun Miki More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003223.13AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the oncologic impact of micrometric extent of invasion in patients with pT1 bladder cancer who underwent en bloc resection for bladder tumor (ERBT). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records and specimens of 106 pT1 high-grade bladder cancer patients who underwent ERBT at multiple institutions. The extent of invasion such as depth from basal membrane, number of invasive foci, maximum width of invasive focus, muscularis mucosae invasion, and infiltration pattern were evaluated by a single genitourinary pathologist. For classification of infiltration pattern, we defined solid sheet-like, nodular or nested growth pattern as pattern A, and trabecular, small cluster or single cell pattern as pattern B. The endpoints were recurrence-free (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) stratified by invasion degrees. RESULTS: Overall, 24 patients (23%) had depth from basal membrane ≧1.3mm, 15 patients (14%) had maximum width of invasive focus ≧4mm, 32 patients (30%) had invasion into or beyond muscularis mucosae (MM), and 85 patients (80%) had infiltration pattern B. Within a median follow-up of 23 months, overall, 36 patients experienced disease recurrence and 13 patients experienced disease progression. The 2-year PFS significantly differed depending on depth from basal membrane (<1.3 mm: 94.8% vs. ≧1.3 mm: 65.2%, p=0.005), maximum width of invasive focus (<4 mm: 91.7% vs. ≧4 mm: 62.3%, p<0.001), MM invasion (above MM: 96.1% vs. into or beyond MM: 64.8%, p=0.002), and infiltration pattern (pattern A: 100% vs. pattern B: 83.3%, p=0.037). In a multivariable analysis that adjusted for the effects of standard predictors, MM invasion was an independent prognostic factor of progression (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-16.5). The maximum width of invasive focus ≧4mm was an independent prognostic factor of both recurrence (HR: 3.04, 95%CI: 1.40-6.58) and progression (HR: 4.79, 95%CI: 1.25-16.5). CONCLUSIONS: For T1 high-grade bladder cancer, MM invasion is a strong predictor of disease progression, while maximum width of invasion focus, reflecting the invasive volume, predicts both disease recurrence and progression. These two pathologic features could be used to further risk-stratify the heterogenous group of T1 bladder cancers. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e99 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Takafumi Yanagisawa More articles by this author Shun Sato More articles by this author Yasushi Hayashida More articles by this author Yohei Okada More articles by this author Akihiro Matsukawa More articles by this author Kosuke Iwatani More articles by this author Masayuki Shimoda More articles by this author Hiroyuki Takahashi More articles by this author Takahiro Kimura More articles by this author Shahrokh F. Shariat More articles by this author Jun Miki More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Eco-friendly wood plastic composites with biomass-activated carbon-based form-stable phase change material for building energy conversion

Phase change materials (PCM) can store heat energy through the process of phase change and keep the ambient temperature in a comfortable range, thus reaching the aim of energy conservation and emission reduction. To improve the latent heat capacity, activated carbon (AC) with a dendritic pore structure was used as the carrier, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was loaded by vacuum adsorption method. A dendritic pore structure with a nesting pattern of macropores, mesopores, and micropores was formed through the steam activation process of waste wood chips, leading to a high load capacity (70%) and uniform distribution, which showed high heat storage performance (ΔHm reached 116 J/g). Then the form-stable phase change material with satisfactory performance (AC/PEG-70) was combined with wood flour/ high-density polyethylene (WF/HDPE) through blending and hot pressing to fabricate phase change heat storage wood-plastic composite material (A-WPC). When the AC/PEG-70 content was 50%, the elongation at break increased by 167% (20%), and the rigidity of the material enhanced. ΔHm of A-WPC-50 was 19 J/g, undoubtedly at this point, achieving the expected thermal performance. Thus, we prepared an eco-friendly wood-plastic composite with high latent heat capacity and high stability by using the dendritic pore structure of biomass activated carbon-based form-stable PCM, which has great significance in promoting energy conservation and emission reduction, responding to green technological innovation and promoting the development of the green and low-carbon industry.

Studi Arsitektur Sarang Rayap Macrotermes gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae) di Bumi Agung, Way Kanan, Lampung

The subterranean termite Macrotermes gilvus Hagen is a species of termite that can build solid nests on the ground. Its model and architecture are said to have an intricate design and a good air conditioning system. The unique architecture of the nest can attract writers to conduct detailed research. Study on the nest of M. gilvus Hagen (Isoptera: Termitidae) was conducted by observing the longitudinal and transverse slices of the nest. Nest patterns were identified based on three categories, namely small, medium and large nests. The results show that the shape and architecture of the nest is an adaptation of the termite nest to the living environment. Nest components found include nest wall, vent, nest center, mushroom comb, soil slab, queen chamber, burrow and nest platform.