Differences In Status Research Articles

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient as Imaging Biomarker for Identifying IDH Mutation, 1p19q Codeletion, and MGMT Promoter Methylation Status in Patients With Glioma.

Glioma genotypes are of importance for clinical decision-making. This data can only be acquired through histopathological analysis based on resection or biopsy. Consequently, there is a need for alternative biomarkers that noninvasively provide reliable information for preoperatively identifying molecular characteristics. To investigate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as imaging biomarker for preoperatively identifying glioma genotypes based on the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Retrospective. One hundred and fifty-nine patients (47.6 ± 14.4 years) diagnosed with WHO grade 2-4 glioma including 93 males and 66 females. A 3 T/spin echo echo planner imaging. The ADC measurements were assessed by two neuroradiologists (both with 6 years of experience). Three different lowest portions inside the tumors without overlap were manually drawn on the ADC maps as regions of interest (ROIs). The mean ADC value of the three ROIs was defined as the minimum ADC value (ADCmin ). An ROI was placed in the contralateral normal appearing white matter (NAWM) to obtain the ADC value (ADCNAWM ). The ADCmin to ADCNAWM ratio (ADCratio ) was calculated. Genetics results were retrospectively recorded from pathologic and genetic test reports. Two-sample independent t-tests, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficient analysis were used. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated glioma showed higher ADCmin and ADCratio than IDH wild-type glioma. Among IDH-mutated glioma, higher ADCmin and ADCratio were found in 1p19q intact glioma than in 1p19q codeletion glioma. ADC parameters enabled differentiation of IDH mutation status with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 and 0.86. ADC has potential discriminative value for IDH mutation and 1p19q codeletion status. 3. Stage 2.

О ВЛИЯНИИ ЦИФРОВЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ НА ПРАВОВОЕ РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЕ ТРУДА И ЗАНЯТОСТИ УЯЗВИМЫХ ГРУПП РАБОТНИКОВ

Introduction: the article is devoted to the current and future impact of digital technologies, thanks to which remote work and location-based platform employment have emerged, and also the impact of artificial intelligence technologies and neurotechnologies on the labor relations that involve vulnerable groups of workers, including legal relations in the field of employment. Purpose: to describe approaches to the understanding of vulnerability in economics, sociology, and legal science, to trace the impact of digi-tal technologies on labor and employment of vulnerable groups, and to identify issues and risks. Methods:the methodological basis of the research consists of universal, general scientific methods as well as some special methods (system-structural, formal-legal, comparative legal methods). Results: vulnerability is correlated with poverty, and both monetary and non-monetary approaches to the phenomenon of po-verty are described; vulnerability is considered in the context of the concept of social exclusion, which fo-cuses on the breakdown of social ties. From a legal perspective, the approach applied in the study is based on the assumption that vulnerability of an individual or social group is associated with a higher (compared to others) risk of becoming a victim of human rights violations, including being limited in the ability to exercise the rights and freedoms guaranteed to everyone. The perceptions of vulnerability de-velop primarily in international law. At the national level, vulnerability of certain social groups is inter-branch in nature, which is manifested in exemptions and preferences established for them by both pri-vate and public branches of law. In Russian labor law, the term ‘vulnerable groups’ is not used, although, in actual fact, it forms the basis for differentiating the legal regulation of labor of certain categories of workers. The differentiation of the legal status of vulnerable groups is associated with the manifestation of the compensatory function of the welfare state. Conclusions: the use of digital technologies does not automatically bring advantages and benefits to vulnerable groups, but in the absence of adequate regu-lation can greatly increase social inequality and discrimination. It is advisable to develop the legal regula-tion of remote work performed by vulnerable groups of workers toward internal differentiation, taking into account their specific needs. Rights and guarantees, at least in the field of occupational safety and health, should be progressively extended to those employed on location-based platforms. It is necessary to include location-based workers in social insurance systems; provide them with an expanded range of rights and guarantees in the world of work. The risks of artificial intelligence, neurotechnologies, and workplace automation being introduced are currently associated with the deepening and scaling of dis-crimination, as well as with an imperceptible replacement of labor relations by precarious employment, which may affect vulnerable groups of workers the most. The paper proposes directions for improving legal regulation in this area. An assumption is made that the mass introduction of neurotechnology in the future will change the understanding of the nature of vulnerability and its criteria.

Civil and Legal Significance of Social Media Accounts

The paper reveals the features and civil legal significance of accounts in social networks. It is proved that an account in a social network is characterized by features of an object of civil rights: the ability to satisfy private property and personal non-property interests of subjects; discreteness; legal binding; the presence of a normative and functional connection with the civil law system. It is shown that the integration of accounts into the civil law system occurs at the following levels: 1) the civil legal personality of the account holder; 2) the civil legal grounds for acquiring the right to an account in a social network; 3) the civil legal essence of actions to use the account, the production of «administrative» acts; 4) the civil legal regime of the results of intellectual activity and means of individualization that arise within the framework of the functioning of the account; 5) the civil consequences of using the account, varying depending on the specifics of the actions of the subject; 6) civil legal ways to protect the rights to the account and to protect the information contained therein; 7) civil liability applied in case of violations of the rights of account holders or their commission of offenses. The author supports the thesis on the application of the principles of civil law in interaction with the principles of information law in the system of legal relations arising from the use of the account. The differentiation of the legal status of the account holder (user) in the context of relative and absolute legal relations is shown. The features of the turnover of the account are determined, the instrumental value of the account as a legal means of achieving the goals of the subjects is revealed. The author identifies some problems of legal guarantee of property and non-property interests of users in the case of application of public law restrictive measures to social networks. The paper raises a question on the need for international legal regulation of relations in the field of cross-border functioning of social networks. The author makes a conclusion about the peculiarities of the civil law regime of accounts in social networks and substantiates the necessity of using contractual instruments to ensure the property and non-property interests of account holders.

Faking it or making it: the politics of consumption and the precariousness of social mobility in South Africa

AbstractThis article critically explores the complex and contradictory meanings attached to conspicuous consumption in an informal settlement on the outskirts of Johannesburg. It examines why un(der)employed young people, especially young Black men, view the trappings of wealth in their midst and dismiss them as ‘fake’. The article shows how the widespread concern with ‘faking it’ indexes the unstable links between consumption, status, and class differentiation in a time of generalized economic insecurity. Accordingly, it maintains that the accusation of ‘fakery’ is not only about jealousy and the dangers of being seen to accumulate money without redistributing it, but also a product of the precariousness that characterizes young people's lives. Ultimately, the article shows how consumption affords a unique window into the values, aspirations, and anxieties of young un(der)employed Black men in a context where ‘proper’ pathways to social mobility are, for most, completely out of reach.

Nilai-nilai Pendidikan Multikultural pada Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Jenjang Sekolah Menengah Pertama

This study aims to describe the results of the analysis of multicultural education values applied in the first junior high school of State 1 Gedangan Sidoarjo. The qualitative research method used in this research is descriptive. Primary data were collected directly from informants by asking questions, while secondary data were obtained from various references relevant to other scientific values from related institutions. Observation, interviews, and documentation were used as data collection strategies. Judging from the description of the results of observations and interviews with respondents, there is a sense of awareness of both teachers as educators and equal treatment of students who have social status and religious differentiation, and diverse thinking abilities. Furthermore, because the concept of multiculturalism education is recognition and mutual acceptance, tolerance, inclusion, harmony, honesty, and mutual respect for differences, the ability and understanding of teachers about multicultural education in Islamic religious education learning at SMP Negeri 1 Gedangan is the key to the success of planting multicultural values in Islamic religious education learning. The results of the study state that the application of multicultural values has gone well. After receiving an understanding of multicultural education, students have a sense of mutual respect for differences. This can be seen from the daily attitudes and behaviors of students who respect each other and never question their differences.

Retinal layer segmentation in a cohort of healthy children via optical coherence tomography.

High-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows the detection of macular pathology and involvement of the optic nerve in a wide spectrum of diseases. For the differentiation of diseased and healthy status, normal values of retinal layer segmentation are critical. Yet, normative values mostly cover adult populations with only sparse data for paediatric cohorts. We present data of retinal layer characteristics via OCT in a healthy paediatric cohort. This prospective cross-sectional study screened 75 healthy children (male = 42, female = 33, range 4-17 years) without visual problems. OCT was performed with a peripapillary ring and macula scan protocol to determine paediatric normative values for routine parameters (peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFL), total macular volume (TMV), macular retinal thickness (RT)). The macula scan (6mm grid) was segmented using the device-inherent automated segmentation software (Heidelberg Eye Explorer) for retinal layers: RNFL, ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) in 9 segments each and mean of the 9 segments. We obtained OCT data of 72 children with mean age 12.49 years (standard deviation, SD, 2.18; minimum 3.93). Mean global pRNFL was 102.20 μm (SD 8.24), mean TMV 8.81 mm3 (0.30) and mean RT (all segments) 318.22 μm (10.19). Segmented macular retinal layer thicknesses (mean of all segments) were: RNFL 27.67 μm (2.14), GCL 41.94 μm (2.50), IPL 34.97 μm (2.10), INL 35.18 μm (2.15), OPL 29.06 μm (2.24), ONL 68.35 μm (6.20). The OCT is a useful non-invasive imaging technique for the examination of the retina in children with short duration, high imaging resolution and no known adverse effects. Normative values may serve as a comparator for different neuropaediatric disorders and are first presented with this study using an up-to-date and standardized OCT imaging technique.

N-Oleoyldopamine promotes the differentiation of mouse trophoblast stem cells into parietal trophoblast giant cells

The placenta plays various roles in a healthy pregnancy, and abnormalities in the placenta result in adverse outcomes. Adequate differentiation of trophoblast subtypes is necessary for placental function, but the molecular mechanisms that determine trophoblast cell fate remain unclear. Here, we screened small molecular compound (SMC) libraries (1904 SMCs) to identify particular SMCs which regulate trophoblast differentiation in mouse trophoblast stem cells (mTSCs) to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate decision in trophoblast cells. The two-step screening revealed a novel effect of N-oleoyldopamine (OLDA), an endogenic vanilloid, to promote differentiation into parietal trophoblast giant cells (P-TGCs) and repress them into spongiotrophoblast cells in mTSCs. Analyses by gene deletion and inhibitor treatments indicated that transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 3 (Trpv3), one of the candidates for targeting by OLDA, was involved in maintaining stem status and P-TGC differentiation in mTSCs. Finally, transcriptome analysis revealed that Fosl1, a key regulatory factor in differentiation into P-TGCs, was upregulated by OLDA treatment, suggesting that OLDA promoted the differentiation of mTSCs into P-TGCs via regulation of Fosl1 expression.

An outline of the trend of change: a case of an indigenous Rabha tribe of India

The unique feature of indigenous Rabha tribal community in West Bengal is somewhat different as regards to the other indigenous tribal community in West Bengal. The Rabha society is of two ecological groups with strange co-existence of two different social systems, like, one group live in the reserve forest, and another group in rural revenue village. These two Rabha groups not only live in two ecological settings, but also there exist positive cultural and linguistic differences between these two groups. The purpose was to accentuate the present trend of changes over years among indigenous matrilineal forest Rabhas of West Bengal, India. The objective was to find out the trend of changes in today’s Rabha society in forest villages. Both the primary and secondary sources of data were used. The quantitative method was adopted. The interview technique was applied for data collection besides observation.They are now experiencing the changing situation of progress, development and modernity. They have adapted to the significant changes in their exposure to the outside world beyond their community and villages; literacy and higher educational attainments; diversified economic activities, traditional cultural pattern, traditional political institution; and also emergence of a subtle differentiation in family status in society.

Relationship between social cohesion and basic public health services utilisation among Chinese internal migrants: a perspective of socioeconomic status differentiation

ABSTRACT Social cohesion and socioeconomic status (SES) have been widely considered important factors influencing health services utilisation, but little is known about the association between social cohesion and health services utilisation across different SES groups. Based on a nationally representative survey, this study explores the influence of social cohesion on basic public health services utilisation in Chinese internal migrants at different SES levels. It is observed that objective and subjective cohesion forms have different effects on health record establishment and health education receipt. The positive effect of objective cohesion on health services utilisation is significantly larger than that of subjective cohesion, but two cohesion forms show similar effect sizes on health services utilisation among poor-SES migrants. With the promotion of SES, the effect size of objective cohesion gradually increases while that of subjective cohesion declines, showing a distribution of ‘scissors gap'. For basic public health services utilisation, migrants not only have the agency to receive but are constrained by their SES. For migrants with poor SES, strong structural constraints hinder the utilisation of basic public health services.

Tuberculosis in free-ranging and captive wild animals: Pathological and molecular diagnosis with histomorphological differentiation of granulomatous lesions

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious zoonotic threat, impacting the human-livestock-wildlife interface globally. Here, we evaluated the status and histomorphological differentiation of TB lesions in 89 morbid cases of wild animals (bovids, cervids, carnivores, non-human primates, and pachyderms) in India. Histomorphological and molecular studies were done using Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas cultural isolation was performed on selected samples. A total of 32 (35.95%) cases were confirmed as TB, comprising of 12 carnivores, 09 bovids, 06 cervids, 04 non-human primates, and a pachyderm. The TB lesions in the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes varied from the large-sized caseous nodules filled with dry cheesy material in bovids and cervids to variable-sized cavitations containing liquefied caseum in carnivores' lungs. The lungs, livers, and spleens of non-human primates exhibited small to medium-sized nodules. Histologically, lesions were divided into four categories (Types I, II, III, and IV) based on the extent of necrosis, the presence of mineralization, giant cells, and fibrous encapsulation. Extensive caseous necrosis with calcification, abundant giant cells, and thick fibroblastic encapsulation were consistent findings in the lungs, livers, and lymph nodes of bovids and cervids, whereas airway impaction with cellular exudate containing a teeming number of acid-fast bacilli and, at times, alveolar rupture leading to cavity formation was present in the lungs of carnivores. Absence of calcification and fibrous encapsulation was recorded in lungs of non-human primates. Immunohistochemical labelling with anti-early secretory antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10) antibodies showed mild, moderate, and intense positive reactions in type II and III, type I, and type IV granulomatous lesions, respectively. Molecular detection by PCR revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (12 carnivores, 02 non-human primates and 01 pachyderm), M. bovis (02 cervids and 01 bovid) and M. orygis (02 cervids and 01 bovid). Cultural isolation confirmed M. tuberculosis in 03 carnivores and M. orygis in 02 cervids and 01 bovid. Our findings imply that TB is quite prevalent in the wildlife of India and there are considerable differences in the histomorphological lesions induced by distinct Mycobacterium species in different wild animals. The circulation of TB organisms in wild animals warrants a strict surveillance programme to identify the carrier status of these animals so that effective TB control strategies can be formulated to prevent spillover and spillback incidences at the human-livestock-wildlife interface.

Civic inclusion for permanent minorities: thinking through the politics of “ghetto” and “separatism” laws

ABSTRACT Over the past twenty years, prominent theorists of citizenship envisaged cosmopolitan openings, the re-making of national identity, and progressive multicultural change. The paper explores perspectives on civic inclusion in Kymlicka's Multicultural Odysseys, Soysal's Limits of Citizenship, and Benhabib's Another Cosmopolitanism. It explores this work in light of two recent political episodes, the formulation of an “anti-separatism” law in France and “anti-ghetto” policies in Denmark. The paper contrast tendencies that theorists of inclusive citizenship envisage with the denial of associational rights in France and the assertion of racial logics in Denmark. It illustrates blinds spots in prominent accounts of civic inclusion, in particular the reliance on a prescriptive account of minority and post-migrant agency, a disembodied logic of human rights, and limited regard for status differentials on the inside of citizenship.

Tacit Knowledge in Low-Status Eldercare Work.

Cultural failure to recognize tacit knowledge that informs eldercare is key to understanding how and why the labor of workers in this area of professional caregiving, especially those earning low wages, is dramatically undervalued in the US health sector. This essay first explains key differences in credential-based knowledge and tacit forms of health knowledge and then considers how status differentiation privileges credential-based knowledge of clinicians of higher status, such as physicians and nurses, who do not perform the hour-to-hour care for most of our country's elders. Finally, this article suggests the ethical and clinical importance of health care organizations' sources of knowledge and roles in equitably valuing labor to promote quality service delivery, better working conditions, and better pay for workers earning low wages.

BHLHE40 promotes osteoclastogenesis and abnormal bone resorption via c-Fos/NFATc1

BackgroundDysregulated osteoclast activity due to altered osteoclast differentiation causes multiple bone diseases. Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells and play a major role in bone absorption. However, the mechanisms underlying the tight regulation of osteoclast differentiation in multiple pathophysiological status remain unknown.ResultsWe showed that Bhlhe40 upregulation is tightly associated with osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis. Functionally, Bhlhe40 promoted osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and Bhlhe40 deficiency led to increased bone mass and decreased osteoclast differentiation in vivo. Moreover, Bhlhe40 deficient mice resisted estrogen deficiency and aging-induced osteoporosis. Mechanism study showed that the increase in bone mass due to Bhlhe40 deficiency was a cell intrinsic defect in osteoclast differentiation in these mice. BHLHE40 upregulated the gene expression of Fos and Nfatc1 by directly binding to their promoter regions. Notably, inhibition of Fos/Nfatc1 abrogated the enhanced osteoclast differentiation induced by BHLHE40 overexpression.ConclusionsOur research reveals a novel Bhlhe40/c-Fos/Nfatc1 axis involved in regulating osteoclastogenesis and shows that osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency and aging can be rescued by regulating Bhlhe40 in mice. This may help in the development of a new strategy for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Reacting to Status Threat? Rank Proximity and Performance in Professional Drag Racing

Abstract: This paper used data from professional drag racing to study how proximity to another competitor in a status ranking affected performance. The one-on-one format of races in National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) tournaments provided a setting to analyze pairs of higher- and lower-ranked drivers when status differentials were either large or small. Based on panel data from the 2009 through 2019 seasons of the NHRA’s Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions, results indicated that rank proximity improved absolute performance on reaction times by higher-ranked drivers. However, this effect only occurred when contiguously ranked opponents were paired together. Lower-ranked drivers, or underdogs, did not experience any improvements in absolute performance due to rank proximity. In the main findings, I observed that a threat of status loss can motivate performance for a focal competitor, but this effect primarily occurred when a status rival was physically present during a task.

Social work ‘voice’ and interprofessional education: factors beyond professional culture

ABSTRACT Interprofessional education (IPE) ideally trains students from various disciplines together. Social work historically has lower status and power in the healthcare hierarchy, and little is known about how status differentials affect ‘social work voice’ during IPE. We explored ‘social work voice’ during an IPE event through social work students’, other disciplines’ students’, and social work faculty perspectives. We share the lessons learned from reflecting on events that occurred during the IPE event and during students’ and facilitators’ debriefing. Surveys were sent to all social work attendees and a random selection of students from other disciplines, with lower response rates than desired. A focus group was conducted with the social work facilitators. IPE attendees valued learning with varied disciplines. The social work contribution was acknowledged as unique and valued by other disciplines, even when social work students did not expect to be valued. Serendipitously, an interaction between social work students illustrated the obvious yet seldom recognized importance of students’ cultural influences. IPE organizers and faculty must attend to cultural and gender inputs when assisting social work (and other) students to find their ‘voice.’

The importance of weight loss during definitive radiotherapy in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic significance of weight loss (WL) on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with locally advanced unresectable laryngeal carcinoma undergoing definitive radiotherapy (RT) or chemo-RT (CRT) in a single institution. One hundred and thirty-two patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma were included in this study retrospectively. All patients were treated with definitive RT or CRT. The tumor and metastatic lymph nodes received 70 Gy. Subclinical disease (low-risk and high-risk area) was irradiated 50-60 Gy prophylactically. Unintentional WL ≥5% was defined as the "critical level." Bodyweight was evaluated on the 1st day of RT and once a week during RT. Caloric needs were calculated as 25-30 kcal/kg/day. Median follow-up was 17.8 months (range: 2.35-85 months). During treatment, there was a statistically significant WL in patients (P = 0.004). WL was ≥5% in 62 (47%) of the patients. There was a statistically significant relationship between WL and tumor differentiation (P = 0.004), completion of treatment (P = 0.004), WHO performance status (P < 0.0001), T stage (P = 0.003), N stage (P = 0.049), and supraglottic tumor location (P = 0.005). In the univariate analysis, WL, WHO performance status, T stage, N stage, tumor localization, and tumor differentiation, were seen to affect OS. Additionally, WL, WHO performance status, N stage, and tumor differentiation were prognostic factors for PFS. In the multivariate analysis, it was observed that only WL and WHO performance status were significant factors for both OS (P = 0.001, and P < 0.01) and PFS (P < 0.001, and P < 0.001), respectively. Three-year OS and PFS was 50.3% and 19.5% for patients with WL versus 77.8% and 49.0% for patients without WL. It is clear that WL has prognostic significance in patients who have undergone definitive RT or CRT due to locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma. In particular, it should be taken into consideration that patients with supraglottic tumor, lymph node involvement, and poor performance status are at greater risk for WL.

Predicting EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma presenting as ground-glass opacity: utilizing radiomics model in clinical translation.

This study aimed to establish a non-invasive radiomics model based on computed tomography (CT), with favorable sensitivity and specificity to predict EGFR mutation status in GGO-featured lung adenocarcinoma subsequently guiding the administration of targeted therapy. Clinical-pathological information and preoperative CT images of 636 lung adenocarcinoma patients (464, 100, and 72 in the training, internal, and external validation sets, respectively) that underwent GGO lesions resection were included. A total of 1476 radiomics features were extracted with gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT). The established radiomics model containing 102 selected features showed an encouraging discrimination performance of EGFR mutation status (mutant or wild type), and the predictive ability was superior to that of the clinical model (AUC: 0.838 vs. 0.674, 0.822 vs. 0.730, and 0.803 vs. 0.746 for the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, respectively). The combined radiomics plus clinical model showed no additional benefit over the radiomics model in predicting EGFR status (AUC: 0.846 vs. 0.838, 0.816 vs. 0.822, and 0.811 vs. 0.803, respectively, in three cohorts). Uniquely, this model was validated in a cohort of lung adenocarcinoma patients who have undertaken adjuvant EGFR-TKI treatment and harbored unresected GGOs during the medication, leading to a significantly improved potency of EGFR-TKIs (response rate: 25.9% vs. 53.8%, p = 0.006; before and after prediction, respectively). This presented radiomics model can be served as a non-invasive and time-saving approach for predicting the EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma presenting as GGO. • We developed a GGO-specific radiomics model containing 102 radiomics features for EGFR mutation status differentiation. • An AUC of 0.822 and 0.803 in the internal and external validation cohorts, respectively, were achieved. • The radiomics model was utilized in clinical translation in an adjuvant EGFR-TKI treatment cohort with unresected GGOs. A significant improvement in the potency of EGFR-TKIs was achieved (response rate: 25.9% vs. 53.8%, p = 0.006; before and after prediction).

Are stress-related pathways of social status differentiation more important determinants of health inequities in countries with higher levels of income inequality?

We explored socioeconomic gradients in self-rated overall health (SROH) using indicators of materialist (educational attainment and perceived income adequacy) and psychosocial perspectives (subjective social status (SSS)) among adults living in countries with varying levels of income inequality, and the importance of psychosocial stress in mediating these associations. If psychosocial processes at the individual and societal levels correspond, associations between SSS and SROH should be higher among adults in countries with higher income inequality, and psychosocial stress should be a more important mediator of these associations. We used multigroup structural equation models to analyse cross-sectional data from the International Food Policy Study of adults (n=22,824) in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK and the United States. Associations between SSS and SROH were not higher in more unequal countries, nor was psychosocial stress a more important mediator of these associations. Inequities in SROH in more unequal countries may not predominantly reflect stress-related pathways of social status differentiation.

Commensalism, Imaginaries and Early Urbanism: A Mezcala Sculpture in the Mixteca Alta, Mexico

Early urban societies feature specialized processes that integrate disparate populations as part of their social construction. One such process is commensalism and the associated display of exotica from interregional interaction. Hosts of a feast between 400 and 300 bce at the early urban centre of Etlatongo, in the Mixteca Alta of Oaxaca, Mexico, displayed pottery that manifested relationships with urban elites at Monte Albán and other regions of Oaxaca, but also expressed connections with something fundamentally different. The hosts sacrificed a greenstone sculpture in the Mezcala style from Guerrero state, located to the west and previously unknown in Oaxaca aesthetics. The discovery of this figure contributes to reassessing the extent of interaction during a time often marked by regionalism in Oaxaca as well as providing information on the little-known Mezcala civilization. A relational ontology explores how the discovery of this agentive object and the alterity of its aesthetics facilitates understanding perceptions of distant others or imaginaries, and how such entanglements facilitated processes of status differentiation for nascent urban elites, particularly their role as mediators.

Prognostic and Predictive Molecular Markers in Cholangiocarcinoma.

Simple SummaryCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a heterogenous and aggressive malignancy of the intra- and extrahepatic biliary tract, marked by a steeply rising incidence on a global scale. While surgery remains the only curative treatment option, most patients present with advanced or unresectable disease, and are, therefore, treated with systemic therapy, albeit with limited benefit. Biomarkers obtained from either the patients’ serum or tumor tissue might facilitate therapy guidance by selecting patients who would benefit the most from surgical and adjuvant treatment strategies, as well as by identifying those with higher risk of disease recurrence. Furthermore, several genetic aberrations in CCA have been linked with improved response upon targeted therapies, thus highlighting their role as predictive biomarkers. In this review we provide an overview of currently known prognostic and predictive biomarkers and discuss their role in CCA.Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer and subsumes a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors arising from the intra- or extrahepatic biliary tract epithelium. A rising mortality from CCA has been reported worldwide during the last decade, despite significant improvement of surgical and palliative treatment. Over 50% of CCAs originate from proximal extrahepatic bile ducts and constitute the most common CCA entity in the Western world. Clinicopathological characteristics such as lymph node status and poor differentiation remain the best-studied, but imperfect prognostic factors. The identification of prognostic molecular markers as an adjunct to traditional staging systems may not only facilitate the selection of patients who would benefit the most from surgical, adjuvant or palliative treatment strategies, but may also be helpful in defining the aggressiveness of the disease and identifying patients at high-risk for tumor recurrence. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of currently known molecular prognostic and predictive markers and their role in CCA.