bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changing prognosis of renal cell carcinoma: a single-centre experience over 25 years
Authors: Charlesworth Philip JS , Sullivan Mark E , Protheroe Andrew , Turner Gareth DH , Roberts Ian SD , Kilbey Neviana , Harris Adrian L , Cranston David
Published: February 2013

Objective:

The objective of this research is to examine renal cancer nephrectomies over 25 years in our centre and the factors underlying changes in disease-specific survival.

Patients and methods:

Retrospective data analysis was performed on all patients undergoing nephrectomies at our institution for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from 1983 to 2007. Data extracted from the Cancer Research Uro-Oncology Database (CRUD©) provided survival, clinical and prognostic information including tumour diameter, Fuhrman grade, WHO staging and age.

Results:

Analysis of 664 RCCs demonstrated a clear change in kidney cancer-specific survival over the past 25 years, with five-year survival improving from 42% (1983–1986) to 73% (1999–2002). The number of RCC nephrectomies has increased 10 fold. There was no significant change in operative mortality, age, grade, stage or mean tumour size. However, there was a five-fold increase in tumours <6 cm, corresponding to an equal-fold decrease in tumours 6–8 cm, but no change in tumours >8 cm. Tumour size >8 cm was a significant adverse prognostic marker.

Conclusions:

A 30% improvement in RCC cancer-specific survival has been seen in our centre over the last 25 years. This change relates to a shift to smaller tumours, lower histological grades and a higher volume of cases.
Asthma in Older Adults
Authors: Evers Uwana , Jones Sandra C. , Caputi Peter , Iverson Don
Published: February 2013

Asthma is a serious health issue for older adults. Among Australians aged 55 years and older, asthma prevalence, morbidity, and mortality are relatively high by international comparison and compared to other age groups. As people age, the diagnosis of asthma becomes more complicated, primarily due to comorbid conditions. Treatment and self-management are also more difficult in this age group due to the different medications prescribed for multiple conditions. At the same time, older adults do not perceive that they are susceptible to developing asthma, and they do not consider asthma to be a particularly serious disease, especially compared to other diseases. Therefore, the consequences and impacts of asthma on older people are underestimated by the older adults themselves. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness among older adults that certain symptoms could be indicative of asthma. In many countries, there has been a strong emphasis on asthma promotion directed at children or parents. Overall, these interventions have been effective and have contributed to the decline in asthma mortality and morbidity in children and adolescents. Many of these effective interventions have utilized a social marketing framework in combination with behavioral theories and other health promotion strategies. Recent social marketing interventions targeting other health behaviors among older adults have been effective in changing health behaviors, leading to improved health outcomes. Thus, we argue that the social marketing framework should be utilized to develop asthma initiatives to increase asthma knowledge and encourage older adults to take control of their respiratory symptoms.
RNAi screening uncovers Dhx9 as a modifier of ABT-737 resistance in an Eμ-myc/Bcl-2 mouse model
Authors: Mills John R. , Malina Abba , Lee Teresa , Di Paola Domenic , Larsson Ola , Miething Cornelius , Grosse Frank , Tang Hengli , Zannis-Hadjopoulos Maria , Lowe Scott W. , Pelletier Jerry
Published: February 2013

Key Points

A focused RNAi screen identifies Dhx9 as a regulator of ABT-737 sensitivity in Eµ-myc/Bcl-2 lymphomas. Dhx9 suppression activates an apoptotic signal through the Chk1/p53 replicative stress pathway in Myc-driven cells.
De novo assembly and characterization of transcriptome using Illumina paired-end sequencing and identification of CesA gene in ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud)
Authors: Liu Touming , Zhu Siyuan , Tang Qingming , Chen Ping , Yu Yongting , Tang Shouwei
Published: February 2013

Background

Ramie fiber, extracted from vegetative organ stem bast, is one of the most important natural fibers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the vegetative growth of the ramie and the formation and development of bast fiber is essential for improving the yield and quality of the ramie fiber. However, only 418 expressed tag sequences (ESTs) of ramie deposited in public databases are far from sufficient to understand the molecular mechanisms. Thus, high-throughput transcriptome sequencing is essential to generate enormous ramie transcript sequences for the purpose of gene discovery, especially genes such as the cellulose synthase (CesA) gene.

Results

Using Illumina paired-end sequencing, about 53 million sequencing reads were generated. De novo assembly yielded 43,990 unigenes with an average length of 824 bp. By sequence similarity searching for known proteins, a total of 34,192 (77.7%) genes were annotated for their function. Out of these annotated unigenes, 16,050 and 13,042 unigenes were assigned to gene ontology and clusters of orthologous group, respectively. Searching against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database (KEGG) indicated that 19,846 unigenes were mapped to 126 KEGG pathways, and 565 genes were assigned to http://starch and sucrose metabolic pathway which was related with cellulose biosynthesis. Additionally, 51 CesA genes involved in cellulose biosynthesis were identified. Analysis of tissue-specific expression pattern of the 51 CesA genes revealed that there were 36 genes with a relatively high expression levels in the stem bark, which suggests that they are most likely responsible for the biosynthesis of bast fiber.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to characterize the ramie transcriptome and the substantial amount of transcripts obtained will accelerate the understanding of the ramie vegetative growth and development mechanism. Moreover, discovery of the 36 CesA genes with relatively high expression levels in the stem bark will present an opportunity to understand the ramie bast fiber formation and development mechanisms.
Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial of the effect of retinol and vitamin D supplementation on treatment in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients with diabetes
Authors: Wang Qiuzhen , Ma Aiguo , Bygbjerg Ib Christian , Han Xiuxia , Liu Yufeng , Zhao Shanliang , Cai Jing
Published: February 2013

Background

The association between pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been previously attracted much attention. Diabetes alters immunity to tuberculosis, leading to more frequent treatment failure in TB patients with DM. Moreover, TB and DM often coincide with micronutrients deficiencies, such as retinol and vitamin D, which are especially important to immunity of the body and may influence pancreas β-cell function. However, the effects of retinol and vitamin D supplementation in active TB patients with diabetes on treatment outcomes, immune and nutrition state are still uncertain. We are conducting a randomized controlled trial of vitamin A and/or D in active PTB patients with DM in a network of 4 TB treatment clinics to determine whether the supplementation could improve the outcome in the patients.

Methods/design

This is a 2×2 factorial trial. We plan to enroll 400 active PTB patients with DM, and randomize them to VA (2000 IU daily retinol); VD (400 IU daily cholecalciferol); VAD (2000 IU daily retinol plus 400 IU cholecalciferol) or control (placebo) group. Our primary outcome measure is the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis treatment and ameliorating of glucose metabolism, and the secondary outcome measure being immune and nutrition status of the subjects. Of the first 37 subjects enrolled: 8 have been randomized to VA, 10 to VD, 9 to VAD and 10 to control. To date, the sample is 97.3% Han Chinese and 91.9% female. The average fasting plasma glucose level is 12.19 mmol/L.

Discussion

This paper describes the design and rationale of a randomized clinical trial comparing VA and/or VD supplementation to active pulmonary TB patients with DM. Our trial will allow rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of the supplementation to active TB and DM therapy for improving clinical outcomes and immunological condition. This detailed description of trial methodology can serve as a template for the development of future treatment scheme for active TB patient with DM.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-TRC-12002546
Antibacterial effects of silver diamine fluoride on multi-species cariogenic biofilm on caries
Authors: Mei May Lei , Li Quan-li , Chu Chun-Hung , Lo EdwardChin-Man , Samaranayake Lakshman Perera
Published: February 2013

Backgrounds

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has clinical success in arresting dentin caries, this study aimed to investigate its mechanism of action.

Methods

Using a computer-controlled artificial mouth, we studied the effect of 38% SDF on cariogenic biofilms and dentin carious lesions. We used five common cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Actinomyces naeslundii) to form a cariogenic biofilm that generated carious lesions with a depth of approximately 70 um on human dentin blocks. We applied 38% SDF to the lesions in the test group and water to those in the control group. The blocks were incubated in the artificial mouth for 21 days before evaluation. Microbial kinetics, architecture, viability and distribution were evaluated every 7 days using colony forming unit (CFU), scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The physical properties of the carious lesions were evaluated with microhardness testing, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR).

Results

The CFU results revealed fewer colony forming units in the test group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy showed less bacterial growth in the test group, and confluent cariogenic biofilm in the control group (p < 0.01). The microhardness and weight percentages of calcium and phosphorus in the test group from the outermost 50mum were higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). EDS showed that calcium and phosphous were higher in outer 50 mum in test groups than in the control FTIR revealed less exposed collagen I in the test lesions compared with the control group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

38% SDF inhibits multi-species cariogenic biofilm formation on dentin carious lesions and reduces the demineralization process.
Psychometric validation of the Self-Care Inventory-Revised (SCI-R) in UK adults with type 2 diabetes using data from the AT.LANTUS Follow-on study
Authors: Khagram Leena , Martin Colin R , Davies Melanie J , Speight Jane
Published: February 2013

Background

Achieving optimal outcomes in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) involves several demanding self-care behaviours, e.g. managing diet, activity, medications, monitoring glucose levels, footcare. The Self-Care Inventory-Revised (SCI-R) is valid for use in people with T2DM in the US. Our aim was to determine its suitability for use in the UK.

Methods

353 people with T2DM participated in the AT.LANTUS Follow-on study, completing measures of diabetes self-care (SCI-R), generic and diabetes-specific well-being (W-BQ28), and diabetes treatment satisfaction (DTSQ). Statistical analyses were conducted to explore structure, reliability, and validity of the SCI-R.

Results

Principal components analysis indicated a 13-item scale (items loading >0.39) with satisfactory internal consistency reliability (α = 0.77), although neither this model nor any alternatives were confirmed in the confirmatory factor analysis. Acceptability was high (>95% completion for all but one item); ceiling effects were demonstrated for six items. As expected, convergent validity (correlations between self-care behaviours) was found for few items. Divergent validity was supported by expected low correlations between SCI-R total and well-being (rs = 0.02-0.21) and treatment satisfaction (rs = 0.29). Known-groups validity was partially supported with significant differences in SCI-R total by HbA1c (≤7.5% (58 mmol/mol): 72 ± 11, >7.5% (58 mmol/mol): 68 ± 14, p < 0.05) and diabetes duration (≤16 years: 67 ± 13, >16 years: 71 ± 12, p < 0.001) but not by presence/absence of complications or by insulin treatment algorithm.

Conclusions

The SCI-R is a brief, valid and reliable measure of self-care in people with T2DM in the UK. However, ceiling effects raise concerns about its potential for responsiveness in clinical trials. Individual items may be more useful clinically than the total score.
Invasive colon cancer, but not non-invasive adenomas induce a gradient effect of Wnt pathway receptor frizzled 1 (Fz1) expression in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Planutis Kestutis , Planutiene Marina , Nguyen Anthony V , Moyer Mary Pat , Holcombe Randall F
Published: February 2013

Background

Wnt signaling in the colon cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) may affect cancer biologic properties including invasion and metastatic dissemination. Prior reports have suggested that the expression of select frizzled (Fz) receptors may be altered in cancers and in the TME.

Methods

Colon cancer, colonic adenoma and normal colonic mucosal specimens were obtained under institutional review board approval and analyzed for the expression of Fz1 and Fz2 by confocal fluorescent immunohistochemistry and Wnt-specific membrane array. In vitro, the effect of Wnt3a on Fz1 expression was examined in normal-derived NCM460 cells by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Fz1 was expressed in colon cancer and villous adenomas but not in more benign tubular adenomas. Fz1 expression was seen in normal colonic mucosa in close proximity to colon cancer, but not villous or tubular adenomas. Normal colonic mucosa distant from colon cancer did not express Fz1. Fz2 was expressed ubiquitously in cancer, adenomas and normal colonic mucosa. Fz1 expression was induced by Wnt3a in a normal colon mucosa-derived cell line in vitro.

Conclusions

Fz1 is a Wnt responsive gene in colon-derived tissues. Fz1 expression exhibited increased expression in normal mucosa only in close proximity to colon cancer. This field effect was not seen with pre-malignant adenomas and may be due to Wnt/β-catenin signaling within the TME. Fz1 may represent a new TME-directed therapeutic target for patients with colon cancer.
Reference-based fair MAC algorithm in Wi-Fi WLANs with capture effect
Authors: Jeong Jiwoong , Choi Sunwoong , Yoo Joon
Published: February 2013

The widespread deployment of infrastructure WLANs has made Wi-Fi an integral part of today’s Internet access technology. Due to the inherent characteristics of the wireless medium in WLAN systems, the capture effect significantly affects the system performance; a receiver can successfully decode a collided frame given that its signal-to-interference and noise ratio is sufficiently high enough, but results in an unfair channel access share among the wireless nodes. In this article, we propose fair capture effect aware MAC (FC-MAC) algorithm, which achieves channel access fairness using a feedback control mechanism. We determine the average waiting time as a common control reference, which provides fair channel access even when the capture effect is present. In result, the algorithm enables each node to converge to a fair channel access share. Among multiple points that yields fair channel access, we determine the optimal target reference that maximizes the aggregate throughput. Through both dynamic system modeling and extensive simulation studies, we show that the FC-MAC algorithm is stable and achieves fairness while improving the aggregate throughput.
Correction: A fixed point theorem for cyclic generalized contractions in metric spaces. Fixed Point Theory and Applications 2012, 2012:122
Authors: Alghamdi Maryam A , Petruşel Adrian , Shahzad Naseer
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this short note is to present some corrections and clarifications concerning the proof of the main result given in the above mentioned paper.
Association of fascin-1 with mortality, disease progression and metastasis in carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tan Vanessa Y , Lewis Sarah J , Adams Josephine C , Martin Richard M
Published: February 2013

Background

Fascin-1 is an actin-bundling protein expressed in many human carcinomas, although absent from most normal epithelia. Fascin-1 promotes filopodia formation, migration and invasion in carcinoma cells; in mouse xenograft tumor models it contributes to metastasis. Fascin-1 is an interesting candidate biomarker for aggressive, metastatic carcinomas but data from individual studies of human tumors have not yet been pooled systematically.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, using fixed and random effects models, as appropriate, to undertake meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 26 immunohistochemical studies of 5 prevalent human carcinomas were identified for meta-analysis. Fascin-1 was associated with increased risk of mortality for breast (pooled hazard ratio, (HR) = 2.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48 to 4.52;P= 0.001), colorectal (HR = 1.60 (1.37 to 1.86;P<0.001) and esophageal carcinomas (HR = 1.35; CI 1.13 to 1.60;P= 0.001). There was no evidence of association of fascin-1 with mortality in gastric and lung carcinomas. Fascin-1 was associated with increased risk of disease progression in breast (HR = 2.48; CI 1.38 to 4.46;P= 0.002) and colorectal carcinomas (HR = 2.12; CI 1.00 to 4.47;P= 0.05), but not with progression of lung carcinomas (HR = 0.95; CI 0.49 to 1.85;P= 0.9). Fascin-1 was associated with increased risk of lymph node metastasis in colorectal (pooled risk ratio (RR) = 1.47; CI 1.26 to 1.71;P<0.001) and gastric carcinomas (RR = 1.43; CI 1.21 to 1.70;P<0.001). There was no evidence of association of fascin-1 with lymph node metastasis in lung or esophageal carcinomas. Fascin-1 was associated with increased risk of distant metastasis in colorectal (RR = 1.70; CI 1.18 to 2.45;P= 0.004) and gastric carcinomas (RR = 1.93; CI 1.21 to 3.33;P= 0.02). No association with distant metastasis in esophageal carcinomas was observed. Pooling across all the carcinomas provided strong evidence for association of fascin-1 with increased risk of mortality (HR = 1.44; CI 1.24 to 1.68;P<0.001; n = 3,645), lymph node metastasis (RR = 1.36; CI 1.18 to 1.55;P<0.001; n = 2,906) and distant metastasis (1.76; 1.34 to 2.32;P<0.001; n = 1,514).

Conclusions

Fascin-1 is associated consistently with increased risk of mortality in breast, colorectal and esophageal carcinomas and with metastasis in colorectal and gastric carcinomas. The results were stable to various sensitivity analyses and did not vary by predefined subgroups. These data will assist rational decision making for focusing investigations of fascin-1 as a biomarker or therapeutic target onto the most relevant carcinomas.
Efficacy and toxicity of thirteen plant leaf acetone extracts used in ethnoveterinary medicine in South Africa on egg hatching and larval development of Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Adamu Mathew , Naidoo Vinasan , Eloff Jacobus N
Published: February 2013

Background

Helminthiasis is a major limitation to the livestock industry in Africa. Haemonchus contortus is the singular most important helminth responsible for major economic losses in small ruminants. The high cost of anthelmintics to small farmers, resistance to available anthelmintics and residue problems in meat and milk consumed by humans further complicates matters. The use of plants and plant extracts as a possible source of new anthelmintics has received more interest in the last decade. Our aim was not to confirm the traditional use, but rather to determine activity of extracts.

Based on our past experience acetone was used as extractant. Because it is cheaper and more reproducible to evaluate the activity of plant extracts, than doing animal studies, the activity of acetone leaf extracts of thirteen plant species used traditionally in ethnoveterinary medicine in South Africa were determined using the egg hatch assay and the larval development test. Cytotoxicity of these extracts was also evaluated using the MTT cellular assay.

Results

Extracts of three plant species i.e. Heteromorpha trifoliata, Maesa lanceolata and Leucosidea sericea had EC50 values of 0.62 mg/ml, 0.72 mg/ml and 1.08 mg/ml respectively for the egg hatch assay. Clausena anisata; (1.08 mg/ml) and Clerodendrum glabrum; (1.48 mg/ml) extracts were also active. In the larval development assay the H. trifoliata extract was the most effective with an EC50 of 0.64 mg/ml followed by L. sericea (1.27 mg/ml). The activities in the larval development test were generally lower in most plant species than the egg hatch assay. Based on the cytotoxicity results C. anisata was the least toxic with an LC50 of 0.17 mg/ml, while Cyathea dregei was the most toxic plant with an LC50 of 0.003 mg/ml. The C. anisata extract had the best selectivity index with a value of 0.10 and 0.08 for the two assays, followed by H. trifoliata and L. sericea with values of 0.07, 0.07 and 0.05, 0.04. The C. dregei extract had the worst selectivity index with a value of 0.00019 for both assays.

Conclusion

The result of this study indicates which species should be further investigated in depth for isolation of compounds.
Morphological and acrosomal changes of canine spermatozoa during epididymal transit
Authors: Varesi Sara , Vernocchi Valentina , Faustini Massimo , Luvoni Gaia Cecilia
Published: February 2013

Background

During epididymal transit, functional and structural modifications leading to full maturation enable male gametes to reach, recognize and fertilize the oocytes. In dogs, little is known on the modifications of spermatozoa during the passage in the epididymis. The aim of this study was to describe the motility, morphology and acrosomal patterns of canine spermatozoa retrieved from the epididymis caput, corpus and cauda.

Results

After the dilution required for the collection of epididymal content, sperm motility was significantly higher (P<0.0001) in the cauda compared to corpus and caput.

Proportions of spermatozoa with normal morphology were significantly higher in corpus (P=0.02) and cauda (P<0.0001) compared to caput. Overall morphological abnormalities of the head and neck/midpiece were similar in the three different epididymal regions. A significantly increased prevalence of tail defects, mainly represented by single bent tails, was observed in the corpus compared to caput (P<0.0001) and cauda (P=0.006).

Numbers of immature sperm with cytoplasmic droplets decreased from the proximal to the distal region of the epididymis. Particularly, proximal cytoplasmic droplets were more frequently found in spermatozoa collected from the caput epididymis than in the corpus (P<0.0001) and in the cauda (P<0.0001), whereas the occurrence of distal cytoplasmic droplets was higher in the corpus than in the caput (P=0.0003) and in the cauda (P<0.05).

Significantly higher proportions of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes were retrieved from the cauda epididymis than from the caput (P=0.03) and the corpus (P=0.008). This difference was mainly due to a lower proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal acrosomes (mainly swollen acrosomes) rather than with absent acrosomes.

Conclusions

Canine spermatozoa undergo several modifications in the epididymis. The acquisition of progressive motility, migration of the cytoplasmic droplet and acrosomal reshaping lead to mature spermatozoa which are then stored in the cauda epididymis. From this site, spermatozoa can be retrieved and used in assisted reproductive techniques as a valuable tool for propagating genetic traits of high value individuals that dies accidentally or undergoes orchiectomy for medical purposes. Further investigations should be also focused on the potential use of spermatozoa recovered from other epididymal regions.
Surgical vs ultrasound-guided drainage of deep neck space abscesses: a randomized controlled trial: Surgical vs ultrasound drainage
Authors: Biron Vincent L , Kurien George , Dziegielewski Peter , Barber Brittany , Seikaly Hadi
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Deep neck space abscesses (DNAs) are relatively common otolaryngology-head and neck surgery emergencies and can result in significant morbidity with potential mortality. Traditionally, surgical incision and drainage (I&D) with antibiotics has been the mainstay of treatment. Some reports have suggested that ultrasound-guided drainage (USD) is a less invasive and effective alternative in select cases.

Objectives

To compare I&D vs USD of well-defined DNAs, using a randomized controlled clinical trial design. The primary outcome measure was effectiveness (length of hospital stay (LOHS) and safety), and the secondary outcome measure was overall cost to the healthcare system.

Methods

Patients presenting to the University of Alberta Emergency Department with a well-defined deep neck space abscess were recruited in the study. Patients were randomized to surgical or US-guided drainage, placed on intravenous antibiotics and admitted with airway precautions. Following drainage with either intervention, abscess collections were cultured and drains were left in place until discharge.

Results

Seventeen patients were recruited in the study. We found a significant difference in mean LOHS between patients who underwent USD (3.1 days) vs I&D (5.2 days). We identified significant cost savings associated with USD with a 41% cost reduction in comparison to I&D.

Conclusions

USD drainage of deep neck space abscesses in a certain patient population is effective, safe, and results in a significant cost savings to the healthcare system.
Mammary gland growth and vascularity at parturition and during lactation in primiparous ewes fed differing levels of selenium and nutritional plane during gestation
Authors: Neville Tammi L , Meyer Allison M , Reyaz Arshi , Borowicz Pawel B , Redmer Dale A , Reynolds Lawrence P , Caton Joel S , Vonnahme Kimberly A
Published: February 2013

Background

Objectives were to examine the effects of selenium (Se) supply and maternal nutritional plane during gestation on mammary gland growth, cellular proliferation, and vascularity at parturition and d 20 of lactation. Rambouillet primiparous ewes (n = 84) were allocated to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial. Factors were dietary Se (adequate Se [ASe, 11.5 μg/kg BW] or high Se [HSe, 77.0 μg/kg BW]) and nutritional plane (60% [RES], 100% [CON], or 140% [EXC]). At parturition, lambs were removed and 42 ewes (7/treatment) were necropsied. Remaining ewes were fed a common diet meeting requirements for lactation and mechanically milked twice daily until necropsy on d 20. At both necropsy periods, mammary glands were dissected and tissues harvested. Samples were analyzed for RNA, DNA, and protein content, cell proliferation, and vascularity. Where interactions were present (P ≤ 0.05), least squares means from the highest-order interaction are presented.

Results

Final body weight of ewes was least (P ≤ 0.002) in RES, intermediate for CON, and greatest for EXC, regardless of stage of the ewe at necropsy (parturition or d 20 of lactation). In ewes necropsied at parturition, mammary glands were heavier (P = 0.02) in EXC compared to RES, with CON intermediate. Concentration of RNA (mg/g) was decreased (P = 0.01) in EXC compared to CON at parturition. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) for a Se by nutrition interaction in percentage of cells proliferating where ASe-EXC ewes had greater (P ≤ 0.02) number of proliferating cells then all other treatments. Mammary vascular area tended (P = 0.08) to be affected by a Se by nutrition interaction where ASe-CON had less (P = 0.007) vascular area than HSe-CON ewes. In ewes necropsied at d 20 of lactation, the number of alveoli per area was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in RES compared to CON and EXC-fed ewes.

Conclusions

Results of this study indicate that proper maternal nutritional plane during gestation is important for mammary gland development, even out to d 20 of lactation.
Curability of Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Who Did Not Undergo Transplantation in First Remission
Authors: Burnett Alan K. , Goldstone Anthony , Hills Robert K. , Milligan Donald , Prentice Archie , Yin John , Wheatley Keith , Hunter Ann , Russell Nigel
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The aims of this study were to quantify the prospects of salvage treatment of patients who did not undergo transplantation in first complete remission (CR1) and to assess the contribution of allograft in second complete remission (CR2) with respect to major risk groups. This evaluation can inform the decision whether to offer a transplant in CR1.

Patients and Methods

Of 8,909 patients who entered the Medical Research Council AML10, AML12, and AML15 trials, 1,271 of 3,919 patients age 16 to 49 years who did not receive a transplant in CR1 relapsed. Of these patients, 19% are alive beyond 5 years compared with 7% of patients who relapsed after an allograft in CR1. Overall survival and the contribution of a transplant in CR2 were assessed overall and by cytogenetic risk group by using Mantel-Byar analysis.

Results

Fifty-five percent of patients who relapsed entered CR2. This percentage varied by risk group as follows: favorable (82%), intermediate (54%), adverse (27%), and unknown (53%), which resulted in 5-year survivals of 32%, 17%, 7%, and 23%, respectively. Sixty-seven percent of remitters received an allotransplant that delivered superior survival compared with patients who did not receive a stem-cell transplant (42% v 16%). A more-stringent assessment of a transplant by using delayed-entry (Mantel-Byar) analysis confirmed the benefit of transplant overall and within intermediate and adverse risk groups but not the favorable subgroup.

Conclusion

Successful salvage treatment of patients who do not undergo transplantation in CR1 and relapse can be achieved in 19% of patients, which is improved by a transplant except in favorable risk disease. This result suggests that, for intermediate-risk patients in particular, equivalent overall survival can be achieved by delaying transplantation until after relapse, which would require many fewer transplants.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia in First Remission: To Choose Transplantation or Not?
Authors: Stone Richard M.
Published: February 2013

A 42-year-old woman presented with bruising and fatigue. Her WBC count was 10,370/μL, with a differential showing 5% polys, 5% monos, 10% lymphocytes, and 80% myeloid-appearing blasts, some of which contained Auer rods (Fig 1). Bone marrow examination revealed 90% infiltration with myeloid-appearing blasts, and flow cytometry analysis confirmed the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with expression of CD33, CD13, and CD117. Cytogenetics revealed a normal female karyotype; molecular testing for NPM1, FLT3-ITD, and CEBPαmutations revealed wild-type status for each gene. The patient received induction therapy with daunorubicin 90 mg/m2 per day for 3 days and continuous-infusion cytarabine 100 mg/m2 per day for 7 days. After an induction course complicated by Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, her counts recovered by day 32, and bone marrow examination 6 weeks after diagnosis showed a complete remission. One week later she feels well and has normal physical and laboratory examinations. She is an only child (but has a common HLA type) and presents for discussion of postremission therapy options.
Identification of SHRUBBY, a SHORT-ROOT and SCARECROW interacting protein that controls root growth and radial patterning
Authors: Koizumi Koji , Gallagher Kimberly L.
Published: February 2013

The timing and extent of cell division is particularly important for the growth and development of multicellular organisms. Roots of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana have been widely studied as a paradigm for organ development in plants. In the Arabidopsis root, the plant-specific GRAS family transcription factors SHORT-ROOT (SHR) and SCARECROW (SCR) are key regulators of root growth and of the asymmetric cell divisions that separate the ground tissue into two separate layers: the endodermis and cortex. To elucidate the role of SHR in root development, we identified 17 SHR-interacting proteins. Among those isolated was At5g24740, which we named SHRUBBY (SHBY). SHBY is a vacuolar sorting protein with similarity to the gene responsible for Cohen syndrome in humans. Hypomorphic alleles of shby caused poor root growth, decreased meristematic activity and defects in radial patterning that are characterized by an increase in the number of cell divisions in the ground tissue that lead to extra cells in the cortex and endodermis, as well as additional cell layers. Analysis of genetic and molecular markers indicates that SHBY acts in a pathway that partially overlaps with SHR, SCR, PLETHORA1 and PLETHORA2 (PLT1 and PLT2). The shby-1 root phenotype was partially phenocopied by treatment of wild-type roots with the proteosome inhibitor MG132 or the gibberellic acid (GA) synthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PAC). Our results indicate that SHBY controls root growth downstream of GA in part through the regulation of SHR and SCR.
HIV seroconversion in the third trimester of pregnancy: using raltegravir to prevent mother-to-child transmission
Authors: Hegazi A , Hay P
Published: February 2013

We describe a case of acute HIV infection in the third trimester of pregnancy associated with an extremely high viral load and the use of raltegravir to prevent HIV mother-to-child transmission.
Reverse Subclavian Flap Repair and Maintenance of Antegrade Blood Flow within the Left Subclavian Artery in Neonates with Aortic Coarctation and Distal Arch Hypoplasia
Authors: Sinelnikov Yuri S. , Gorbatyh A. V. , Ivantsov S. M. , Strelnikova M. S. , Kornilov I. A. , Gorbatyh Y. N.
Published: February 2013

Surgical palliation for aortic coarctation with aortic arch hypoplasia in neonates and infants has been used in the clinic as the most beneficial treatment for this disorder. This technique allows the correction of aortic coarctation by the use of "extended" anastomosis without cardiopulmonary bypass, which expands the hypoplastic distal aortic arch via the use of a reverse subclavian flap repair. This technique maintains antegrade blood flow within the left subclavian artery.
Left Ventricular Myxoma Producing Cardiac Failure
Authors: Simsek Erdal , Durdu Serkan , Hodo Bledar , Yazicioglu Levent , Uysalel Adnan
Published: February 2013

Introduction: Seventy-five percent of primary cardiac tumors are benign, and most are myxomas. Seventy-five percent of myxomas originate from the left atrium, and 2.5% arise from the left ventricle. Heart failure is a rare complication of myxoma.

Case: A 54-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to the pulmonology department with a diagnosis of pneumonia and congestive heart failure during hospitalization. An echocardiography evaluation revealed a mobile mass (3.3 cm X 1.2 cm) in the left ventricle. The measured ejection fraction was 22%. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations confirmed the presence of a myxoma in the left ventricle. The myxoma was a hanging mass with a stalk on the interventricular septum near the anterior mitral valve annulus. We visualized the gelatinous fragile mass on the septum; we then extracted the myxoma via a transaortic approach with the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient was discharged 10 days after surgery.

Discussion: Myxoma is treated by early surgical resection because of the potential for serious complications. Left ventricular myxomas have been reported to lead to a silent heart failure. This case is important because of its location and the patient's resultant heart failure.
Influence of Type of Aortic Valve Prosthesis on Coronary Blood Flow Velocity
Authors: Jelenc Matija , Juvan Katja Ažman , Ružič Medvešček Nadja Tatjana , Geršak Borut
Published: February 2013

Background: Severe aortic valve stenosis is associated with high resting and reduced hyperemic coronary blood flow. Coronary blood flow increases after aortic valve replacement (AVR); however, the increase depends on the type of prosthesis used. The present study investigates the influence of type of aortic valve prosthesis on coronary blood flow velocity.
Methods: The blood flow velocity in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the right coronary artery (RCA) was measured intraoperatively before and after AVR with a stentless bioprosthesis (Sorin Freedom Solo; n = 11) or a bileaflet mechanical prosthesis (St. Jude Medical Regent; n = 11). Measurements were made with an X-Plore epicardial Doppler probe (Medistim, Oslo, Norway) following induction of hyperemia with an adenosine infusion. Preoperative and postoperative echocardiography evaluations were used to assess valvular and ventricular function. Velocity time integrals (VTI) were measured from the Doppler signals and used to calculate the proportion of systolic VTI (SF), diastolic VTI (DF), and normalized systolic coronary blood flow velocities (NSF) and normalized diastolic coronary blood flow velocities (NDF).
Results: The systolic proportion of the LAD VTI increased after AVR with the St. Jude Medical Regent prosthesis, which produced higher LAD SF and NSF values than the Sorin Freedom Solo prosthesis (SF, 0.41 ± 0.09 versus 0.29 ± 0.13 [P = .04]; NSF, 0.88 ± 0.24 versus 0.55 ± 0.17 [P = .01]). No significant changes in the LAD velocity profile were noted after valve replacement with the Sorin Freedom Solo, despite a significant reduction in transvalvular gradient and an increase in the effective orifice area. AVR had no effect on the RCA flow velocity profile.
Conclusion: The coronary flow velocity profile in the LAD was significantly influenced by the type of aortic valve prosthesis used. The differences in the LAD velocity profile probably reflect differences in valve design and the systolic transvalvular flow pattern.
Occupational Exposure to Organophosphate and Carbamate Pesticides Affects Sperm Chromatin Integrity and Reproductive Hormone Levels among Venezuelan Farm Workers
Authors: Miranda‐Contreras Leticia , Gómez‐Pérez Roald , Rojas Gerardo , Cruz Ibis , Berrueta Lisbeth , Salmen Siham , Colmenares Melisa , Barreto Silvio , Balza Alirio , Zavala Leisalba , Morales Yasmin , Molina Yuri , Valeri Lenin , Contreras Carlos A. , Osuna Jesús A.
Published: February 2013

Occupational Exposure to Organophosphate and Carbamate Pesticides Affects Sperm Chromatin Integrity and Reproductive Hormone Levels among Venezuelan Farm Workers: Leticia MIRANDA‐CONTRERAS, et al. Electron Microscopy Center “Dr. Ernesto Palacios Prü”, University of Los Andes, Venezuela—

Objectives

Several reports suggest that chronic pesticide exposure may affect semen quality and male fertility in humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CB) pesticides and semen quality, as well as levels of reproductive and thyroid hormones of Venezuelan farm workers.

Methods

Thirty‐five healthy men (unexposed group) and 64 male agricultural workers (exposed group) were recruited for clinical evaluation of fertility status. Fresh semen samples were evaluated for sperm quality and analyzed for DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by flow cytometry. Pesticide exposure was assessed by measuring erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) with a Test‐mate ChE field kit. Serum levels of total testosterone (Tt), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were analyzed using enzyme immunoassay kits.

Results

Evidence of pesticide exposure was found in 87.5% of farmers based on AChE and BuChE inhibition. Significant increments were observed in sperm DFI with significant decreases in some semen parameters. DFI was negatively correlated with BuChE, sperm concentration, morphology and vitality in these workers. The levels of Tt, PRL, FT4 and TSH appeared to be normal; however, there was a tendency for increased LH and FSH levels in exposed workers.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the potential impact of chronic occupational exposure to OP/CB pesticides on male reproductive function, which may cause damage to sperm chromatin, decrease semen quality and produce alterations in reproductive hormones, leading to adverse reproductive health outcomes.
Low-Dose Heparin Use and the Patency of Peripheral IV Catheters in Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Vandermeer Ben , Bassler Dirk , Mansoor Nadia
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To assess evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of low-dose heparin for prolonging patency of peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters in the pediatric population.

METHODS:

We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies up to June 6, 2012. Additional citations were retrieved from the bibliography of selected articles. The eligible studies were RCTs of low-dose heparin used in PIV catheters as compared with control and measured any one of the following outcomes: duration of catheter patency, infusion failure rates, or phlebitis. Data were extracted by 1 reviewer by using a standardized form and checked for accuracy by a second reviewer. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus.

RESULTS:

Thirteen RCTs were identified (3 RCTs of continuous infusion and 10 RCTs of intermittent flush). Catheters using heparin had longer patency (mean difference [95% confidence interval]: 26.51 hours [2.37 to 50.65], P < .001, for the infusion studies and 2.82 hours [−0.04 to 5.67], P = .05, for intermittent flush studies). Heparin usage also resulted in a lower rate of infusion failure (rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.78 [0.62 to 0.99], P = .04, for the infusion studies and 0.88 [0.72 to 1.09], P = .25, for intermittent flush studies). Lower phlebitis rates were also observed with heparin usage; however, the results did not reach significance. There was no increase in heparin-related side effects noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Low-dose heparin as continuous infusion in PIV catheters resulted in clinically significant benefits in terms of catheter patency and fewer episodes of infusion failures. Heparin’s use in intermittent flush solutions showed minimal benefits.
Screening for Hypertension in Children and Adolescents to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Thompson Matthew , Dana Tracy , Bougatsos Christina , Blazina Ian , Norris Susan L.
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in children, and may persist into adulthood. This systematic review was conducted for the US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation on the effectiveness of screening asymptomatic children and adolescents for hypertension in order to prevent cardiovascular disease.

METHODS:

Eligible studies were identified from Medline and the Cochrane Library (through July 2012). We included trials and controlled observational studies in asymptomatic children and adolescents on the effectiveness and harms of screening and treatment, as well as accuracy of blood pressure measurement. One author extracted study characteristics and results, which were checked for accuracy by a second author.

RESULTS:

No studies evaluated the effects of screening for hypertension on health outcomes. Two studies of screening tests for elevated blood pressure reported moderate sensitivities (0.65, 0.72) and specificities (0.75, 0.92). Sensitivities and specificities of child hypertension for the later presence of adult hypertension (7 studies) were wide ranging (0–0.63 and 0.77–1.0, respectively), and associations between child hypertension and carotid intima media thickening and proteinuria in young adults (3 studies) were inconsistent. Seven studies reported that drug interventions effectively lowered blood pressure in adolescents over short follow-up periods. No serious treatment-related adverse effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is no direct evidence that screening for hypertension in children and adolescents reduces adverse cardiovascular outcomes in adults. Additional studies are needed to improve diagnosis and risk stratification of children with elevated blood pressure and to quantify risks and benefits of interventions.
‘Undertakers’ for the purposes of the Reservoirs Act 1975
Authors: Lewis Roger I. , Rundle Simon
Published: February 2013

As the enforcement authority for the Reservoirs Act 1975 in England and Wales, the Environment Agency has a legal duty to secure that the ‘undertakers’ of large raised reservoirs observe and comply with the requirements of the Act. To assist in performing its duty, the Environment Agency has sought and obtained external legal advice from counsel on the meaning of ‘undertakers’ for the purposes of the Act. This paper summarises that advice.
Technical visit: BDS conference 2012 – tour of the Holme valley
Authors: Welbank Julian
Published: February 2013

One of the four tours on the second day of the British Dam Society conference in Leeds in September 2012 visited three dams in the Holme valley: Brownhill, Ramsden and Riding Wood.
Technical visit: BDS conference 2012 – tour of Agden and Dale Dike
Authors: Rigby Pamela , Harvey Kevin
Published: February 2013

One of the four tours on the second day of the British Dam Society conference in Leeds in September 2012 visited Agden and Dale Dike dams.
News: BDS 11th supervising engineers’ forum, 2013
Authors: Down Peter D.
Published: February 2013

The British Dam Society’s 11th supervising engineers’ forum is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 17 April 2013 and will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull, Birmingham, UK.
Long‐term decline of the western Pacific leatherback,Dermochelys coriacea: a globally important sea turtle population
Authors: Tapilatu Ricardo F. , Dutton Peter H. , Tiwari Manjula , Wibbels Thane , Ferdinandus Hadi V. , Iwanggin William G. , Nugroho Barakhiel H.
Published: February 2013

The leatherbacks nesting at Bird's Head Peninsula, Papua Barat, Indonesia, account for 75% of the total leatherback nesting in the western Pacific and represent the last sizeable nesting population in the entire Pacific. Sporadic nest counts at Jamursba Medi Beach at Bird's Head have indicated a declining trend from the 1980s through 2004, although a relatively high amount of nesting has recently been documented at Wermon Beach, located 30 km east of Jamursba Medi. We used expanded year‐round nesting surveys from 2005 to 2011 at these two primary nesting beaches to obtain more robust estimates of the nesting population size and to evaluate long‐term nesting trends. We found a 29% decline in nesting at Jamursba Medi and a 52% decline at Wermon from 2005 through 2011. We found that the estimated annual number of nests at Jamursba Medi has declined 78.3% over the past 27 years (5.5% annual rate of decline) from 14,522 in 1984 to 1,596 in 2011. Nesting at Wermon has been monitored since 2002 and has declined 62.8% (11.6% annual rate of decline) from 2,994 nests in 2002 to 1,096 in 2011. Collectively, our findings indicate a continual and significant long term nesting decline of 5.9% per year at these primary western Pacific beaches since 1984. Mark‐recapture with PIT tags, initiated in 2003, resulted in the tagging of 1,371 individual nesting females as of March 2012. Observed clutch frequencies ranged from 3‐10 per season with a mean of 5.5 ± 1.6 and, based on nest counts, provide an estimate of approximately 489 females nesting in 2011. The persistent and long term decline we report for the Bird's Head leatherback population follows other dramatic declines and extinctions of leatherback populations throughout the Pacific over the last 30 years. These findings highlight the urgent need for continued and enhanced conservation and management efforts to prevent the collapse of what might be the last remaining stronghold for leatherbacks in the Pacific.