Numerous techniques of management zone delineation have been studied; however, few comparisons between techniques exist in the literature. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine how consistently two management zone delineation techniques (a soilcolor-based management zone [SCMZ] technique and a yield-based management zone [YBMZ] technique) characterize regions of high, medium, and low grain yield; and (ii) to compare the relative accuracies with which the two management zone delineation techniques characterize the grain yield within low, medium, and high productivity potential management zones. This study was conducted for three site years in northeastern Colorado. Management zones were delineated before planting. The SCMZ technique used: (i) bare-soil imagery, (ii) topography, and (iii) farmer's experience. The YBMZ relied on: (i) bare-soil imagery, (ii) soil organic matter, (iii) cation exchange capacity, (iv) soil texture, and (v) the previous season's yield map. Grain yields ranged from 6.9 to 15.5 Mg ha 21 across all site years. Grain yields were significantly different between SCMZ zones for all site years. Grain yield in the SCMZ high zones were up to 1.88 Mg ha 21 higher than YBMZ high zones. Areal agreements for the SCMZ technique were 37, 41, and 45% for Site Years I, II, and III. Based on the approaches used in this study to classify grain yield patterns, the SCMZ technique was found to be relatively better than the YBMZ technique.

Dedifferentiated melanoma (DM) and undifferentiated melanoma (UM) is defined as a primary or metastatic melanoma showing transition between conventional and undifferentiated components (DM) or lacking histologic and immunophenotypic features of melanoma altogether (UM). The latter is impossible to verify as melanoma by conventional diagnostic tools alone. We herein describe our experience with 35 unpublished cases to expand on their morphologic, phenotypic, and genotypic spectrum, along with a review of 50 previously reported cases (total: 85) to establish the diagnostic criteria. By definition, the dedifferentiated/undifferentiated component lacked expression of 5 routinely used melanoma markers (S100, SOX10, Melan-A, HMB45, Pan-melanoma). Initial diagnoses (known in 66 cases) were undifferentiated/unclassified pleomorphic sarcoma (n=30), unclassified epithelioid malignancy (n=7), pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (n=5), other specific sarcoma types (n=6), poorly differentiated carcinoma (n=2), collision tumor (n=2), atypical fibroxanthoma (n=2), and reactive osteochondromatous lesion (n=1). In only 11 cases (16.6%) was a diagnosis of melanoma considered. Three main categories were identified: The largest group (n=56) comprised patients with a history of verified previous melanoma who presented with metastatic DM or UM. Axillary or inguinal lymph nodes, soft tissue, bone, and lung were mainly affected. A melanoma-compatible mutation was detected in 35 of 48 (73%) evaluable cases: BRAF (n=20; 40.8%), and NRAS (n=15; 30.6%). The second group (n=15) had clinicopathologic features similar to group 1, but a melanoma history was lacking. Axillary lymph nodes (n=6) was the major site in this group followed by the lung, soft tissue, and multiple site involvement. For this group, NRAS mutation was much more frequent (n=9; 60%) than BRAF (n=3; 20%) and NF1 (n=1; 6.6%). The third category (n=14) comprised primary DM (12) or UM (2). A melanoma-compatible mutation was detected in only 7 cases: BRAF (n=2), NF1 (n=2), NRAS (n=2), and KIT exon 11 (n=1). This extended follow-up study highlights the high phenotypic plasticity of DM/UM and indicates significant underrecognition of this aggressive disease among general surgical pathologists. The major clues to the diagnosis of DM and UM are: (1) presence of minimal differentiated clone in DM, (2) earlier history of melanoma, (3) undifferentiated histology that does not fit any defined entity, (4) locations at sites that are unusual for undifferentiated/unclassified pleomorphic sarcoma (axilla, inguinal, neck, digestive system, etc.), (5) unusual multifocal disease typical of melanoma spread, (6) detection of a melanoma-compatible gene mutation, and (7) absence of another genuine primary (eg, anaplastic carcinoma) in other organs.

Researchers from Colorado State University, in collaboration with scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), initiated a long-term multidisciplinary study in precision agriculture in 1997. Site-specific management zones (SSMZ) were investigated as a means of improving nitrogen management in irrigated maize cropping systems. The objective was to develop precise nutrient management strategies for semi-arid irrigated cropping systems. This study was conducted in five fields in northeastern Colorado, USA. Two techniques for delineating management zones were developed and compared: SSMZ and yield-based management zones (YBMZ). Nitrogen uptake and grain yield differences among SSMZs were compared as were soil properties. Both management zone techniques were used to divide fields into smaller units that were different with regard to productivity potential (e.g., high zones had high productivity potential while low zones had low productivity potential). Economic analysis was also performed. Based on grain yield productivity, the SSMZs performed better than the YBMZ technique in most cases. Grain yield and N uptake between the low and high productivity management zones were statistically different for most site-years and N fertilizer rates (p \ 0.05). Soil properties helped to explain the productivity potential of the management zones. The low SSMZ was markedly different from the high SSMZ based on bulk density, organic carbon, sand, silt, porosity and soil moisture. Net returns ranged from 188 to 679 USD ha -1 . In two out of three site-years the variable yield goal strategy resulted in the largest net returns. In this study, the SSMZ approach delineates areas of different productivity accurately across the agricultural fields. The SSMZs are different with regard to soil properties as well as grain yield and N uptake. Site-specific management zones are an inexpensive and pragmatic approach to precise N management in irrigated maize.

Major problems of cancer treatment using systemic chemotherapy are severe side effects. Magnetic drug targeting (MDT) employing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) loaded with chemotherapeutic agents may overcome this dilemma by increasing drug accumulation in the tumor and reducing toxic side effects in the healthy tissue. For translation of nanomedicine from bench to bedside, nanoparticle-mediated effects have to be studied carefully. In this study, we compare the effect of SPION, unloaded or loaded with the cytotoxic drug mitoxantrone (MTO) with the effect of free MTO, on the viability and proliferation of HT-29 cells within three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids. herewith proven its effectivity also in complex multicellular tumor structures with its surrounding microenvironment, we conclude that it is a promising candidate for further use in magnetic drug targeting in vivo.

Early detection of melanoma is critical to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of this tumor. Total body photography (TBP) may aid in the early detection of melanoma. To summarize the current evidence on TBP for the early detection of melanoma, we performed a systematic literature search in Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for eligible records up to 6th August 2020. Outcomes of interest included melanoma incidence, incisional and excisional biopsy rates, as well as the Breslow’s index of detected tumors. Results from individual studies were described qualitatively. The risks of bias and applicability of the included studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 checklist. In total, 14 studies published between 1997 and 2020 with an overall sample size of n = 12082 (range 100–4692) were included in the qualitative analysis. Individuals undergoing TBP showed a trend towards a lower Breslow’s thickness and a higher proportion of in situ melanomas compared to those without TBP. The number needed to excise one melanoma varied from 3:1 to 14.3:1 and was better for lesions that arose de novo than for tracked ones. The included studies were judged to be of unclear methodological concern with specific deficiencies in the domains “flow and timing” and “reference standard”. The use of TBP can improve the early detection of melanoma in high-risk populations. Future studies are warranted to reduce the heterogeneity of phenotypic risk factor definition and the technical implementation of TBP. Artificial intelligence-assisted analysis of images derived from 3-D TBP systems and digital dermoscopy may further improve the early detection of melanoma.

Actinic keratoses (AK) are common lesions of the skin that can be effectively treated with several lesion- and field-directed treatments. Clinical practice guidelines assist physicians in choosing the appropriate treatment options for their patients. Here, we aimed to systematically identify and evaluate the methodological quality of currently available guidelines for AK. Guidelines published within the last 5 years were identified in a systematic search of guideline databases, Medline and Embase. Then, six independent reviewers evaluated the methodological quality using the tools “Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation” (AGREE II) and “Recommendation EXcellence” (AGREE-REX). The Kruskal–Wallis (H) test was used to explore differences among subgroups and Spearman’s correlation to examine the relationship between individual domains. Three guidelines developed by consortia from Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom were eligible for the evaluation. The German guideline achieved the highest scores, fulfilling 65 to 92% of the criteria in AGREE II and 67 to 84% in AGREE-REX, whereas the Canadian guideline scored 31 to 71% of the criteria in AGREE II and 33 to 46% in AGREE-REX. The domains “stakeholder involvement“ and “values and preferences“ were identified as methodological weaknesses requiring particular attention and improvement in future guideline efforts.

Actinic keratosis (AK) are precancerous lesions of the skin which may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. However, single lesions may also persist or even regress and heal spontaneously. Until now, evidence on the natural course of AK including spontaneous regression is limited. We aimed to synthesize regression rates of AK. We performed a systematic literature research in Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL for eligible trials until 3rd March 2020. Spontaneous regression rates were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate pooled proportions of participant-specific and lesion-specific complete clearance rates reported for the placebo arms of randomized controlled trials. Subgroup analyses were performed to dissect differences according to the type of placebo, immunocompetence of the participants, and localization of the lesions. Data from 38 records was included. The pooled participant-specific clearance rate was 8% (95% CI 6–10%, I2 = 71%) while the lesion-specific clearance rate was 23% (95% CI 16–31%, I2 = 97%). The highest participant- and lesion-specific clearance rates were achieved 12 weeks after the end of treatment (12% and 33%, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed participant- as well as lesion-specific clearance rates of 0% for organ transplant recipients (OTR). We conclude that only a few participants achieve complete regression of their AK without any active treatment. Besides, the results underline that lesion clearance without active treatment is unlikely in OTR. Thus, early and consequent treatment of AK is recommended. Special attention should be paid when treating AK of OTR.

Superparamagnetische Eisenoxidnanopartikel (SPIONs) bieten vielfältige Anwendungsmöglichkeiten in der Medizin. Toxikologische Untersuchungen, die auf der physikochemischen Charakterisierung der Nanopartikel aufbauen, sind eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für die zukünftige Translation in die klinische Anwendung. Da Nanopartikel mit zahlreichen klassischen toxikologischen Nachweismethoden interferieren, sind Alternativmethoden notwendig. Multiparameterfärbungen für Durchflusszytometrie und Fluoreszenzmikroskopie, markierungsfreie Echtzeitanalysen, 3D‐Zellkultur und Flussmodelle werden diskutiert.