Scheduling Sparse LEO Satellite Transmissions for Remote Water Level Monitoring

This paper explores the use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite links in long-term monitoring of water levels across remote areas. Emerging sparse LEO satellite constellations maintain sporadic connection to the ground station, and transmissions need to be scheduled for satellite overfly periods. For remote sensing, the energy consumption optimization is critical, and we develop a learning approach for scheduling the transmission times from the sensors. Our online learning-based approach combines Monte Carlo and modified k-armed bandit approaches, to produce an inexpensive scheme that is applicable to scheduling any LEO satellite transmissions. We demonstrate its ability to adapt in three common scenarios, to save the transmission energy 20-fold, and provide the means to explore the parameters. The presented study is applicable to wide range of IoT applications in areas with no existing wireless coverages.

The frequency and clinical significance of centromere enumeration probe 17 alterations in HER2 immunohistochemistry-equivocal invasive breast cancer

Background and aims

Chromosome 17 alterations affect the assessment of HER2 gene amplification in breast cancer (BC), but its clinical significance remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of centromere enumeration probe 17 (CEP17) alterations, and its correlation with response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in BC patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) immunohistochemistry‐equivocal score.

Methods and results

A large BC cohort (n = 6049) with HER2 immunohistochemistry score 2+ and florescent in‐situ hybridisation (FISH) results was included to assess the prevalence of CEP17 alterations. Another cohort (n = 885) with available clinicopathological data was used to evaluate the effect of CEP17 in the setting of NAT. HER2‐amplified tumours with monosomy 17 (CEP17 copy number < 1.5 per nucleus), normal 17 (CEP17 1.5–< 3.0) and polysomy 17 (CEP17 ≥ 3.0) were observed in 16, 59 and 25%, respectively, compared with 3, 74 and 23%, respectively, in HER2‐non‐amplified tumours. There was no significant relationship between CEP17 alterations and pathological complete response (pCR) rate in both HER2‐amplified and HER2‐non‐amplified tumours. The independent predictors of pCR were oestrogen (ER) negativity in HER2‐amplified tumours [ER negative versus positive; odds ratio (OR) = 11.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37–102.00; P = 0.02], and histological grade 3 in HER2 non‐amplified tumours (3 versus 1, 2; OR = 5.54; 95% CI = 1.61–19.00; P = 0.007).

Conclusion

The impacts of CEP17 alterations are not as strong as those of HER2/CEP17 ratio and HER2 copy number. The hormonal receptors status and tumour histological grade are more useful to identify BC patients with a HER2 immunohistochemistry‐equivocal score who would benefit from NAT.

Prognostic factors in metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: a multi-institutional study

Background:

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare type of breast cancer that has basal-like characteristics and is perceived to have poorer prognosis when compared with conventional no specific type/ductal carcinomas (ductal/NST). However, current data on MBC are largely derived from small case series or population-based reports. This study aimed to assess the clinicopathological features and outcome of MBC identified through an international multicentre collaboration.

Methods:

A large international multicentre series of MBC (no=405) with histological confirmation and follow-up information has been included in this study. The prognostic value of different variables and outcome has been assessed and compared with grade, nodal status and ER/HER2 receptor-matched ductal/NST breast carcinoma.

Results:

The outcome of MBC diagnosed in Asian countries was more favourable than those in Western countries. The outcome of MBC is not different from matched ductal/NST carcinoma but the performance of the established prognostic variables in MBC is different. Lymph node stage, lymphovascular invasion and histologic subtype are associated with outcome but tumour size and grade are not. Chemotherapy was associated with longer survival, although this effect was limited to early-stage disease. In this study no association between radiotherapy and outcome was identified. Multivariate analysis of MBC shows that histologic subtype is an independent prognostic feature.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that MBC is a heterogeneous disease. Although the outcome of MBC is not different to matched conventional ductal/NST breast carcinoma, its behaviour is dependent on the particular subtype with spindle cell carcinoma in particular has an aggressive biological behaviour. Management of patients with MBC should be based on validated prognostic variables.

Axillary lump: an unusual presentation of fat necrosis in the breast

The clinical presentation of an axillary lump, in majority of cases, raises suspicion of an enlarged lymph node due to malignant causes. In this case report, we established a diagnosis of an axillary lump caused by fat necrosis. We present this case report with review of the literature to familiarize clinicians with this condition.

HighBRAF mutation frequency does not characterize all melanocytic tumor types

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most lethal form of skin cancer. Along with some benign melanocytic tumors, the majority shows BRAF or NRAS mutation, but it is not known whether these are essential to all forms of melanocytic neoplasia. We screened 79 melanocytic tumors of different types for BRAF and NRAS mutations and looked at MAPK pathway activity using immunohistochemistry in a subset. Significant differences in BRAF exon 15 mutation frequency were found: 14/16 (87.5%) in common acquired naevi (CANs), 9/12 (75%) in CMs, 0/26 in Spitz naevi and 3/25 (12%) in blue naevi (p < 0.01). We looked at whether Spitz and blue naevi showed a compensatory increase in BRAF exon 11 and/or NRAS exons 1 and 2 mutations to account for the low BRAF exon 15 mutation frequency. NRAS mutations were found in only 1/16 (6.3%) Spitz naevi and 0/15 blue naevi. In addition, NRAS mutations were found in 2/11 (18.2%) CANs and 3/12 (25%) CMs. None of the tumors showed BRAF exon 11 mutations. Despite their low combined BRAF and NRAS mutation frequency, Spitz naevi showed strong MAPK pathway activation as measured by cytoplasmic expression of dually phosphorylated ERK1/2, while blue naevi had weak pathway activation. We conclude that BRAF and NRAS mutations are not necessary for melanocytic tumor development and that some types of tumor must arise by alternative mechanisms.

Isolated human papillomavirus 18-positive extragenital bowenoid papulosis and idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia

We report a case of isolated extragenital bowenoid papulosis (BP) in a young man with an idiopathic low CD4 count. The lesions occurred on the dorsal aspect of his left middle finger and were not associated with genital involvement. Polymerase chain reaction studies of a biopsy demonstrated human papillomavirus 18. As far as we are aware, this is the first documented case of BP (genital or extragenital) associated with idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia.

Functional assessment of bilateral wrist arthrodeses

We studied the functional results of 18 wrist arthrodeses in nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Objective evaluation included radiographic assessment, goniometer assessment of the upper extremity (UE), range of motion (ROM), grip and pinch strength, and the Jebsen-Taylor function test. Subjective evaluation consisted of a questionnaire that compared the upper extremity function of various activities of daily living preoperatively and postoperatively. The mean total range of motion for all patients was below normal on the dominant and nondominant sides, as was the average grip and pinch strength. Results of the Jebsen-Taylor test, compared with results of normal persons, were normal 38% of the time and abnormal 62% of the time. Subjective evaluation revealed postoperative improvement of the hand function in seven patients, whereas the function in two patients remained the same. Bilateral wrist arthrodeses does not seem to adversely affect function of the upper extremity in spite of abnormal grip strength and upper extremity range of motion.

Some biochemical similarities and differences between two jack mackerel species, Trachurus declivis and T. novaezelandiae

1. Six proteins, haemoglobin (two loci), serum esterase (two loci) and lactate dehydrogenuase (two loci) from two species of jack mackerel, Trachurus declivis and T. novaeselandiae, were compared electrophoretically. All six loci were found to be monomorphic. 2. LDH from red and white skeletal muscle tissue were electrophoretically different, but the red form and the white form were found to be identical in both species. 3. Both species share an electrophoretically identical serum esterase, but each species also has an electrophoretically distinct serum esterase. 4. Both species share an electrophoretically identical haemoglobin, but each species also has an electrophoretically distinct haemoglobin. 5. The otolith iron contents of the two species were compared and found to be identical.