Search Results (24)

This paper examines the use of image-to-image translation models to colorize grayscale satellite images for improved built-up segmentation of Agadir, Morocco, in 1967 and Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, in 1975. The proposed method applies advanced colorization techniques to historical remote sensing data, enhancing the segmentation process compared to using the original grayscale images. In this study, spatial data such as Landsat 5TM satellite images and declassified satellite images were collected and prepared for analysis. The models were trained and validated using Landsat 5TM RGB images and their corresponding grayscale versions. Once trained, these models were applied to colorize the declassified grayscale satellite images. To train the segmentation models, colorized Landsat images were paired with built-up-area masks, allowing the models to learn the relationship between colorized features and built-up regions. The best-performing segmentation model was then used to segment the colorized declassified images into built-up areas. The results demonstrate that the Attention Pix2Pix model successfully learned to colorize grayscale satellite images accurately, improving the PSNR by up to 27.72 and SSIM by 0.96. Furthermore, the results of segmentation were highly satisfactory, with UNet++ identified as the best-performing model with an mIoU of 96.95% in Greater Agadir and 95.42% in Vendée. These findings indicate that the application of the developed method can achieve accurate and reliable results that can be utilized for future LULC change studies. The innovative approach of the study has significant implications for land planning and management, providing accurate LULC information to inform decisions related to zoning, environmental protection, and disaster management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis is a powerful tool for non-invasive monitoring of tumor burden and treatment response. Reliable quantification methods are critical for the effective use of ctDNA as a tumor biomarker. Digital PCR (dPCR) offers high sensitivity and quantification, but requires the prior knowledge of tumor-specific genomic alterations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides a more comprehensive approach but is semi-quantitative, relying on variant allelic fraction (VAF), which can be influenced by non-tumor cell-free DNA. Methods: We developed a novel quantitative NGS (qNGS) method for absolute quantification of nucleotide variants, utilizing unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) and of quantification standards (QSs), short synthetic DNA sequences modified to include characteristic mutations for unique identification in sequencing data. We evaluated the performance of this method using plasma samples spiked with mutated DNA and plasma pools from cancer patients. We further applied our technique to plasma samples from four non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients enrolled in the ELUCID trial. Results: Our qNGS approach demonstrated robust linearity and correlation with dPCR in both spiked and patient-derived plasma samples. Notably, the analysis of clinical samples from the ELUCID trial revealed the ability of our method to simultaneously quantify multiple variants in a single plasma sample. Significant differences in ctDNA levels were observed between baseline and post-treatment samples collected after three weeks of front-line therapy. Conclusions: We introduce a novel qNGS method that enables the absolute quantification of ctDNA, independent of non-tumor circulating DNA variations. This technique was applied for the first time to serial samples from NSCLC patients, demonstrating its ability to simultaneously monitor multiple variants, making it a robust and versatile tool for precision oncology. Full article

Background/Objectives: CAPTRANE evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of high-concentration capsaicin patch (HCCP) vs. oral pregabalin for the treatment of postsurgical neuropathic pain (PSNP) following breast cancer surgery. The study was designed with the aim of demonstrating noninferiority of one HCCP against daily pregabalin. Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, parallel-arm, open-label study conducted across nine centers in France. The primary endpoint was a change from baseline in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score after 2 months. Results: Recruitment challenges resulted in the randomization of 140 patients (versus 644 planned); the per-protocol population comprised 107 patients (HCCP: n = 65; pregabalin: n = 42). Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. In the per-protocol analysis, the mean (standard deviation) change versus baseline in NPRS score was −1.926 (2.554) with HCCP and −1.634 (2.498) with pregabalin. The prespecified analysis showed that HCCP was not inferior to pregabalin: the lower bound of the 90% confidence interval for the between-arm difference was −0.889 and the upper bound was +0.260 (i.e., below the predefined clinical threshold of +0.4). Patient-reported outcomes showed no statistically significant differences between treatments. The painful area size decreased significantly more with HCCP. Tolerability profiles differed, with HCCP mostly causing application-site reactions. While >50% of patients switched from pregabalin to HCCP, none switched from HCCP to pregabalin. Conclusions: This comparative study in PSNP post breast cancer surgery, evaluating a single treatment of HCCP, shows a noninferior reduction in pain intensity, a superior reduction in painful area size, and a patient preference for HCCP compared with pregabalin. Despite limitations, it contributes valuable initial data for PSNP management in breast cancer care. Full article

Background: Several locoregional treatments approaches, including thermoablation, have been tested for the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and have shown encouraging results. However, data are heterogeneous in terms of tumor number, size, and ablation technique. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and prognostic factors in ICC treated by monopolar radiofrequency (RF) or microwave ablation (MW). Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients treated with RF or MW for ICC in six participating centers. DFS and OS were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and prognostic factors by log-rank test and Cox modeling. Results: From January 2015 to October 2023, 24 patients with 31 nodules were treated with RFA or MW. Overall, 70% had chronic liver disease, with 50% at cirrhosis stage. The median size of lesions was 17 mm (6–35 mm). After a median follow-up of 33 months (5–85), the median DFS was 10.5 months. The median OS was 40.8 months. On univariate and multivariate analysis, only lesion size > 17 mm was associated with a poor OS (HR 3.09; IC [1.02; 9.37] (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Monopolar radiofrequency or microwave ablation is an alternative to surgery for small ICCs. Tumors < 17 mm were associated with better OS. Full article

Urbanization and climate change are two major challenges of the 21st century, and the effects of climate change, combined with the urbanization of coastal areas, increase the frequency of coastal flooding and the area exposed to it, resulting in increased risk of flooding and larger numbers of people and properties being vulnerable. An urban growth modeling system was used to simulate future growth scenarios along the coast of the Vendée region in western France, and the potential exposure to flooding with each scenario was evaluated. The model used was an Artificial Neural Network combined with a Markov Chain, using data obtained by the remote sensing and geographic information system techniques to predict three future urban growth scenarios: business as usual, environmental protection, and strategic urban planning. High-risk flood areas and future sea level projections from the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were then used to assess future flood risk under each growth scenario in the study area. According to the results, the different growth scenarios are associated with different development patterns, and the strategic urban planning scenario significantly reduces the risk of flooding compared to the other two scenarios. However, the rise in sea level considerably expands the areas vulnerable to flooding. Finally, the methodology adopted can be used to prepare for the impact of climate change and develop strategies to mitigate the risk of flooding in the future. Full article

In this study, we assessed the influence of area-based socioeconomic deprivation on the incidence of invasive breast cancer (BC) in France, according to stage at diagnosis. All women from six mainland French departments, aged 15+ years, and diagnosed with a primary invasive breast carcinoma between 2008 and 2015 were included (n = 33,298). Area-based socioeconomic deprivation was determined using the French version of the European Deprivation Index. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) by socioeconomic deprivation and stage at diagnosis were compared estimating incidence rate ratios (IRRs) adjusted for age at diagnosis and rurality of residence. Compared to the most affluent areas, significantly lower IRRs were found in the most deprived areas for all-stages (0.85, 95% CI 0.81–0.89), stage I (0.77, 95% CI 0.72–0.82), and stage II (0.84, 95% CI 0.78–0.90). On the contrary, for stages III–IV, significantly higher IRRs (1.18, 95% CI 1.08–1.29) were found in the most deprived areas. These findings provide a possible explanation to similar or higher mortality rates, despite overall lower incidence rates, observed in women living in more deprived areas when compared to their affluent counterparts. Socioeconomic inequalities in access to healthcare services, including screening, could be plausible explanations for this phenomenon, underlying the need for further research. Full article

The common phenomenon observed for concrete in aggressive water is leaching, which involves the dissolution of cement hydration products. Many studies have focused on leaching in demineralised water or acid attacks, but mineral water still deserves further investigation. In most standards, the aggressiveness of a given water body is determined by its pH and not its composition. The effect of the calcium content of the water on degradation is yet to be determined. In this paper, the leaching of Portland cement-based mortar was induced by two types of drinking water with different calcium contents and buffer capacity in controlled conditions. The Langelier saturation index (LSI) was used to describe water aggressiveness based on the calco-carbonic equilibrium. The studied waters had the same pH but LSIs of +0.5 and −1.0 corresponding to scaling with respect to aggressive water; demineralised water was used as a reference. Microstructural damage was checked by TGA and X-ray microtomography. Macroscopic measurements were used to monitor global degradation. The soft water caused a 53% deeper deterioration of the mortar sample than the hard water. Soft water-induced leaching was found to be similar yet slower to leaching via demineralised water (with a mass loss of −2.01% and −2.16% after 200 days, respectively). In contrast, hard water induced strongly time-dependent leaching, and the damage was located close to the surface. The roughness of leached specimens was 18% higher in hard water than in soft water. The formation of calcite on the sample surface not only affects the leaching rate by creating a protective surface layer, but it could also act as a calcium ion pump. Full article

The phytochemical profiles of extracts from closed, semi-opened and opened leaf buds and the summer leaves of Ginkgo biloba were studied. The extraction and purification of bilobalide and ginkgolides, using andrographolide as an internal standard, were optimised. The terpene trilactone concentrations increased with bud development, from 1.07 mg/g dry wt in closed buds to a maximum of 3.75 mg/g dry wt in summer leaves. The major terpene trilactone was bilobalide at all developmental stages. The concentration of flavonol aglycones in hydrolysed extracts was also analysed. The flavonol glycoside concentration increased from the closed bud stage (0.21 ± 0.01% dry wt) to the summer leaf stage (1.15 ± 0.01% dry wt). A linear correlation was observed between the terpene trilactone and flavonoid content during gingko leaf development. Full article

Background: Medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has evolved significantly, and treatment with immunomodulators is recommended. These medications may alter the patient’s immune response and increase the risk of opportunistic infections. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and the incidence of acute or chronic HEV infection in IBD patients under immunomodulatory treatment. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, observational study between 2017 and 2018. IBD outpatients hospitalized for the infusion of immunomodulators were included in 16 French centers. During their daily hospitalization, blood samples were drawn for HEV serology (IgM and IgG) and HEV RNA detection. Results: A total of 488 patients were included, of which 327 (67%) patients had Crohn’s disease and 161 (33%) ulcerative colitis. HEV IgM was detected in 3 patients, but HEV RNA was undetectable in all patients. The HEV IgG seroprevalence rate was 14.2%. IgG-positive patients were older at sampling (p = 0.01) and IBD diagnosis (p = 0.03), had higher seafood consumption (p = 0.01) and higher doses of azathioprine (p = 0.03). Ileal and upper digestive tract involvement was more frequent in IgG-positive patients (p = 0.009), and ileocolic involvement was more frequent in IgG-negative patients (p = 0.01). Under multivariate analysis, age > 50 years [OR: 2.21 (1.26, to 3.85), p = 0.004] was associated with previous HEV infection. Conclusion: Systematic screening for HEV infection is not needed among IBD patients on immunomodulatory medications. However, in the event of abnormal liver test findings, HEV should be part of the classic diagnostic assessment. Full article

Background: In cancer net survival analyses, if life tables (LT) are not stratified based on socio-demographic characteristics, then the social gradient in mortality in the general population is ignored. Consequently, the social gradient estimated on cancer-related excess mortality might be inaccurate. We aimed to evaluate whether the social gradient in cancer net survival observed in France could be attributable to inaccurate LT. Methods: Deprivation-specific LT were simulated, applying the social gradient in the background mortality due to external sources to the original French LT. Cancer registries’ data from a previous French study were re-analyzed using the simulated LT. Deprivation was assessed according to the European Deprivation Index (EDI). Net survival was estimated by the Pohar–Perme method and flexible excess mortality hazard models by using multidimensional penalized splines. Results: A reduction in net survival among patients living in the most-deprived areas was attenuated with simulated LT, but trends in the social gradient remained, except for prostate cancer, for which the social gradient reversed. Flexible modelling additionally showed a loss of effect of EDI upon the excess mortality hazard of esophagus, bladder and kidney cancers in men and bladder cancer in women using simulated LT. Conclusions: For most cancers the results were similar using simulated LT. However, inconsistent results, particularly for prostate cancer, highlight the need for deprivation-specific LT in order to produce accurate results. Full article

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is often painful and can arise during or after the end of oncological treatments. They are mostly induced by platinum salts, taxanes, and immunotherapies. Their incidence is estimated between 19 and 85%. They can require a chemotherapy dose reduction or early termination. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) recommends high-concentration capsaicin patch (HCCP) in second line for the treatment of painful CIPN. This treatment induces a significative pain relief but only shown by low-powered studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of HCCP applications in CIPN. Methods: This monocentric observational retrospective real-world-data study of the CERCAN cohort took place in the Western Cancer Institute’s Anaesthesiology and Pain Department at Angers, France. Independent pain physicians completed the CGIC (Clinician Global Impression of Change) for each patient who benefited from HCCP applications for painful CIPN starting from 1 January 2014 to 22 December 2021, based on the collected data after every patch application. Results: A total of 57 patients (80.7% women) was treated with HCCP for painful CIPN, and 184 applications were realized, consisting of 296 sessions. CGIC found an important or complete pain relief for 61 applications (33.2%, corresponding to 43.9% patients). We found less efficacy for platinum-salts-induced CIPN compared to others (p = 0.0238). The efficacy was significatively higher for repeated applications when HCCP was used in second line compared to third line (p = 0.018). The efficacy of HCCP was significatively higher starting the third application (p = 0.0334). HCCPs were mainly responsible for local adverse events found in 66.6% patients (65.1% burning or painful sensation, 21.1% erythema). Conclusion: HCCP applications in painful CIPN induce an important pain relief with a global satisfying tolerability. Full article

The Vendée Globe is the world’s most famous solo, non-stop, unassisted sailing race. The Institute of Marine Sciences and the Barcelona Ocean Sailing Foundation installed a MicroCAT on the One Ocean One Planet boat. The skipper, Dídac Costa, completed the round trip in 97 days, from 8 November 2020 to 13 February 2021, providing one measurement of temperature and conductivity every 30 s during navigation. More than half of the ship’s route was in the sub-Antarctic zone, between the tropical and polar fronts, and it passed through areas of oceanographic interest such as Southern Patagonia (affected by glacier melting), the Brazil–Malvinas confluence, the Southern Pacific Ocean, and the entire Southern Indian Ocean. This sailing race gave a rare opportunity to measure in-situ sea surface salinity in a region where satellite salinity measurements are not reliable. Due to the decreased sensitivity of brightness temperature to salinity in cold seas, retrieving sea surface salinity at high latitudes remains a major challenge. This paper describes how the data are processed and uses the data to validate satellite salinity products in the sub-Antarctic zone. The sailing race measurements represent surface information (60 cm depth) not available from drifters or Argo floats. Acquiring measurements using round-the-world sailing races would allow us to analyse the evolution of ocean salinity and the impact of changes in the ice extent around Antarctica. Full article

This paper examines the role that two Public Value Capture (PVC) mechanisms could play in providing a source of funding for urban infrastructure in the case of two coastal areas in France and Greece. High development pressures in those areas have been exacerbated in recent times by the growing ‘informality of desire’. Therefore, in a context of climate change the two case study areas face the dual challenge of an increasing ‘investment gap’ and increasing vulnerability. Although the estimated costs are still based on approximate calculations, they are substantive. Using primary and secondary data, as well as analysis of the legal and policy framework, the paper shows that ‘informality of desire’ is not only tolerated but actually incentivised in both countries. This leads to substantial short-term financial benefits for private developers and property owners but also some gains for local authorities and central governments. However, the value captured via the legalisation fees and property taxation is not adequately ringfenced and in any case it is not enough to cover the infrastructure gap and the potential compensation in case of natural disasters. Full article

Social inequalities are an important prognostic factor in cancer survival, but little is known regarding digestive cancers specifically. We aimed to provide in-depth analysis of the contextual social disparities in net survival of patients with digestive cancer in France, using population-based data and relevant modeling. Digestive cancers (n = 54,507) diagnosed between 2006–2009, collected through the French network of cancer registries, were included (end of follow-up 30 June 2013). Social environment was assessed by the European Deprivation Index. Multidimensional penalized splines were used to model excess mortality hazard. We found that net survival was significantly worse for individuals living in a more deprived environment as compared to those living in a less deprived one for esophageal, liver, pancreatic, colon and rectal cancers, and for stomach and bile duct cancers among females. Excess mortality hazard was up to 57% higher among females living in the most deprived areas (vs. least deprived) at 1 year of follow-up for bile duct cancer, and up to 21% higher among males living in the most deprived areas (vs. least deprived) regarding colon cancer. To conclude, we provide a better understanding of how the (contextual) social gradient in survival is constructed, offering new perspectives for tackling social inequalities in digestive cancer survival. Full article