bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complex sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Verbraecken Johan
Published: September 2013

Complex sleep apnoea syndrome (CompSAS) is a type of central apnoea characterised by the development or persistence of central apnoeas or hypopnoeas during application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP; central apnoea index ≥5 events·h−1). These patients present with predominantly obstructive apnoeas during diagnostic sleep studies. No clinical characteristics have been identified which can distinguish them from patients with a normal response during CPAP titration. Probably, this pattern is provoked by the application of high CPAP pressures in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome patients with enhanced chemoreceptor sensitivity, or in patients with pronounced sleep fragmentation. Negative feedback is sent to the respiratory centre,viathe Hering-Breuer reflex, which can lead to central apnoea. However, these explanations remain hypothetical at present. In a broader perspective, any occurrence of significant central apnoea activity during attempts to restore airway patency could be classified as CompSAS. Treatment modalities consist of prevention on the one hand (avoidance of high pressures and permissive flow limitation), and advanced ventilation techniques (adaptive servo ventilation) on the other hand.
Nitrogen-metabolism related genes in barley - haplotype diversity, linkage mapping and associations with malting and kernel quality parameters
Authors: Matthies Inge E , Weise Stephan , Förster Jutta , Korzun Viktor , Stein Nils , Röder Marion S
Published: September 2013

Background

Several studies report about intra-specific trait variation of nitrogen-metabolism related traits, such as N(itrogen)-use efficiency, protein content, N-storage and remobilization in barley and related grass species. The goal of this study was to assess the intra-specific genetic diversity present in primary N-metabolism genes of barley and to investigate the associations of the detected haplotype diversity with malting and kernel quality related traits.

Results

Partial sequences of five genes related to N-metabolism in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were obtained, i.e. nitrate reductase 1, glutamine synthetase 2, ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase, aspartate aminotransferase and asparaginase. Two to five haplotypes in each gene were discovered in a set of 190 various varieties. The development of 33 SNP markers allowed the genotyping of all these barley varieties consisting of spring and winter types. Furthermore, these markers could be mapped in several doubled haploid populations. Cluster analysis based on haplotypes revealed a more uniform pattern of the spring barleys as compared to the winter barleys. Based on linear model approaches associations to several malting and kernel quality traits including soluble N and protein were identified.

Conclusions

A study was conducted to investigate the presence of sequence variation of several genes related to the primary N-metabolism in barley. The detected diversity could be related to particular phenotypic traits. Specific differences between spring and winter barleys most likely reflect different breeding aims. The developed markers can be used as tool for further genetic studies and marker-assisted selection during breeding of barley.
Molecular cloning and RNA interference-mediated functional characterization of a Halloween gene spook in the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera
Authors: Jia Shuang , Wan Pin-Jun , Zhou Li-Tao , Mu Li-Li , Li Guo-Qing
Published: September 2013

Background

Ecdysteroid hormones ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone play fundamental roles in insect postembryonic development and reproduction. Five cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), encoded by Halloween genes, have been documented to be involved in the ecdysteroidogenesis in insect species of diverse orders such as Diptera, Lepidoptera and Orthoptera. Up to now, however, the involvement of the Halloween genes in ecdysteroid synthesis has not been confirmed in hemipteran insect species.

Results

In the present paper, a Halloween gene spook (Sfspo, Sfcyp307a1) was cloned in the hemipteran Sogatella furcifera. SfSPO has three insect conserved P450 motifs, i.e., Helix-K, PERF and heme-binding motifs. Temporal and spatial expression patterns of Sfspo were evaluated by qPCR. Sfspo showed three expression peaks in late second-, third- and fourth-instar stages. In contrast, the expression levels were lower and formed three troughs in the newly-molted second-, third- and fourth-instar nymphs. On day 3 of the fourth-instar nymphs, Sfspo clearly had a high transcript level in the thorax where PGs were located. Dietary introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) of Sfspo into the second instars successfully knocked down the target gene, and greatly reduced expression level of ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene. Moreover, knockdown of Sfspo caused lethality and delayed development during nymphal stages. Furthermore, application of 20-hydroxyecdysone on Sfspo- dsRNA-exposed nymphs did not increase Sfspo expression, but could almost completely rescue SfEcR expression, and relieved the negative effects on nymphal survival and development.

Conclusion

In S. furcifera, Sfspo was cloned and the conservation of SfSPO is valid. Thus, SfSPO is probably also involved in ecdysteroidogenesis for hemiptera.
Do accurate HIV and antiretroviral therapy knowledge, and previous testing experiences increase the uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing? Results from a cohort study in rural Tanzania
Authors: South Annabelle , Wringe Alison , Kumogola Yusufu , Isingo Raphael , Manyalla Rose , Cawley Caoimhe , Zaba Basia , Todd Jim , Urassa Mark
Published: September 2013

Background

Despite the introduction of free antiretroviral therapy (ART), the use of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services remains persistently low in many African countries. This study investigates how prior experience of HIV and VCT, and knowledge about HIV and ART influence VCT use in rural Tanzania.

Methods

In 2006–7, VCT was offered to study participants during the fifth survey round of an HIV community cohort study that includes HIV testing for research purposes without results disclosure, and a questionnaire covering knowledge, attitudes and practices around HIV infection and HIV services. Categorical variables were created for HIV knowledge and ART knowledge, with “good” HIV and ART knowledge defined as correctly answering at least 4/6 and 5/7 questions about HIV and ART respectively. Experience of HIV was defined as knowing people living with HIV, or having died from AIDS. Logistic regression methods were used to assess how HIV and ART knowledge, and prior experiences of HIV and VCT were associated with VCT uptake, with adjustment for HIV status and socio-demographic confounders.

Results

2,695/3,886 (69%) men and 2,708/5,575 women (49%) had “good” HIV knowledge, while 613/3,886 (16%) men and 585/5575 (10%) women had “good” ART knowledge. Misconceptions about HIV transmission were common, including through kissing (55% of women, 43% of men), or mosquito bites (42% of women, 34% of men).

19% of men and 16% of women used VCT during the survey. After controlling for HIV status and socio-demographic factors, the odds of VCT use were lower among those with poor HIV knowledge (aOR = 0.5; p = 0.01 for men and aOR = 0.6; p < 0.01 for women) and poor ART knowledge (aOR = 0.8; p = 0.06 for men, aOR = 0.8; p < 0.01 for women), and higher among those with HIV experience (aOR = 1.3 for men and aOR = 1.6 for women, p < 0.01) and positive prior VCT experience (aOR = 2.0 for all men and aOR = 2.0 for HIV-negative women only, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Two years after the introduction of free ART in this setting, misconceptions regarding HIV transmission remain rife and knowledge regarding treatment is worryingly poor, especially among women and HIV-positive people. Further HIV-related information, education and communication activities are urgently needed to improve VCT uptake in rural Tanzania.
Bouveret’s syndrome: presentation of two cases with review of the literature and development of a surgical treatment strategy
Authors: Nickel Felix , Müller-Eschner Matthias M , Chu Jackson , von Tengg-Kobligk Hendrik , Müller-Stich Beat P
Published: September 2013

Background

Bouveret’s syndrome causes gastric outlet obstruction when a gallstone is impacted in the duodenum or stomach via a bilioenteric fistula. It is a rare condition that causes significant morbidity and mortality and often occurs in the elderly with significant comorbidities. Individual diagnostic and treatment strategies are required for optimal management and outcome. The purpose of this paper is to develop a surgical strategy for optimized individual treatment of Bouveret’s syndrome based on the available literature and motivated by our own experience.

Case presentation

Two cases of Bouveret’s syndrome are presented with individual management and restrictive surgical approaches tailored to the condition of the patients and intraoperative findings.

Conclusions

Improved diagnostics and restrictive individual surgical approaches have shown to lower the mortality rates of Bouveret’s syndrome. For optimized outcome of the individual patient: The medical and perioperative management and time of surgery are tailored to the condition of the patient. CT-scan is most often required to secure the diagnosis. The surgical approach includes enterolithotomy alone or in combination with simultaneous or subsequent cholecystectomy and fistula repair. Lower overall morbidity and mortality are in favor of restrictive surgical approaches. The surgical strategy is adapted to the intraoperative findings and to the risk for secondary complications vs. the age and comorbidities of the patient.
Analysis of serum exosomal microRNAs and clinicopathologic features of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Que Risheng , Ding Guoping , Chen Jionghuang , Cao Liping
Published: September 2013

Background

Altered expression of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to correlate with carcinogenesis and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC), but descriptions of serum exosomal miRNAs in PC are still lacking. This study was designed to evaluate serum exosomal miRNA levels in PC patients and to investigate their relationships with clinicopathologic features and prognosis.

Methods

Four miRNAs (miR-17-5p, miR-21, miR-155 and miR-196a) related to PC were selected for examination in our research. Serum miRNA was examined by RT-PCR in a group of 49 patients, including 22 with PCs, 6 with benign pancreatic tumors, 7 with ampullary carcinomas, 6 with chronic pancreatitis and 8 healthy participants. The clinicopathologic data were also collected, and PC patients were classified according to the presence of metastasis, tumor differentiation and advanced stage.

Results

There were low expressions of exosomal miR-155 and miR-196a in serum samples of PC patients when U-6 was used as a control. Serum exosomal miR-17-5p was higher in PC patients than in non–PC patients and healthy participants. High levels of miR-17-5p were significantly correlated with metastasis and advanced stage of PC. The serum exosomal miR-21 level in PC was higher than that in the normal and chronic pancreatitis groups, but was not significantly correlated with PC differentiation and tumor stage.

Conclusions

There were high expressions of serum exosomal miR-17-5p and miR-21 in PC patients. Examination of serum exosomal microRNA is a useful serum biomarker for PC diagnosis other than serum-free microRNA. It is postulated that exosomal miR-17-5p participates in the progression of PC.
Promoting universal financial protection: a policy analysis of universal health coverage in Costa Rica (1940–2000)
Authors: Vargas Juan Rafael , Muiser Jorine
Published: September 2013

Background

This paper explores the implementation and sustenance of universal health coverage (UHC) in Costa Rica, discussing the development of a social security scheme that covered 5% of the population in 1940, to one that finances and provides comprehensive healthcare to the whole population today. The scheme is financed by mandatory, tri-partite social insurance contributions complemented by tax funding to cover the poor.

Methods

The analysis takes a historical perspective and explores the policy process including the key actors and their relative influence in decision-making. Data were collected using qualitative research instruments, including a review of literature, institutional and other documents, and in-depth interviews with key informants.

Results

Key lessons to be learned are: i) population health was high on the political agenda in Costa Rica, in particular before the 1980s when UHC was enacted and the transfer of hospitals to the social security institution took place. Opposition to UHC could therefore be contained through negotiation and implemented incrementally despite the absence of real consensus among the policy elite; ii) since the 1960s, the social security institution has been responsible for UHC in Costa Rica. This institution enjoys financial and managerial autonomy relative to the general government, which has also facilitated the UHC policy implementation process; iii) UHC was simultaneously constructed on three pillars that reciprocally strengthened each other: increasing population coverage, increasing availability of financial resources based on solidarity financing mechanisms, and increasing service coverage, ultimately offering comprehensive health services and the same benefits to every resident in the country; iv) particularly before the 1980s, the fruits of economic growth were structurally invested in health and other universal social policies, in particular education and sanitation. The social security institution became a flagship of Costa Rica’s national development strategy which reinforced its political importance and contributed to its longer-term sustainability and that of UHC.

Conclusions

UHC has been achieved in Costa Rica because it was supported at the highest political level within a favourable socio-economic and political context. Once achieved, UHC became an entitlement for the population and now enjoys broad public support.
Design considerations of conventional angle diversity receivers for indoor optical wireless communications
Authors: Rodríguez Pérez Silvestre , Rodríguez Mendoza Beatriz , Pérez Jiménez Rafael , González Hernández Oswaldo , García-Viera Fernández Alberto
Published: September 2013

A conventional angle diversity receiver uses multiple receiving elements that are oriented in different directions, where each element employs its own filter and nonimaging concentrator, such as a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) or hemispheric lens. In this paper, a study of the design of a conventional receiver structure using angle diversity that offers improved performance with respect to the infrared channel characteristics is presented. To this end, a recently proposed model for the effective signal collection area of a conventional angle diversity receiver that more closely approximates real behaviour than the ideal model is used. The inclusion of this model in a Monte Carlo ray-tracing algorithm allows us to investigate the effects of conventional receiver parameters on the main infrared channel parameters, such as path loss and rms delay spread. Furthermore, in order to determine the number of receiver elements, the outage probability and the average error probability are also considered. Based on the results, a conventional angle diversity receiver composed of seven elements is proposed, with one of them oriented towards the ceiling, and six angled at a 56° elevation with a 60° separation in azimuth. For each element, a CPC with a 50° field of view must be used.
Automated identification of animal species in camera trap images
Authors: Yu Xiaoyuan , Wang Jiangping , Kays Roland , Jansen Patrick A , Wang Tianjiang , Huang Thomas
Published: September 2013

Image sensors are increasingly being used in biodiversity monitoring, with each study generating many thousands or millions of pictures. Efficiently identifying the species captured by each image is a critical challenge for the advancement of this field. Here, we present an automated species identification method for wildlife pictures captured by remote camera traps. Our process starts with images that are cropped out of the background. We then use improved sparse coding spatial pyramid matching (ScSPM), which extracts dense SIFT descriptor and cell-structured LBP (cLBP) as the local features, that generates global feature via weighted sparse coding and max pooling using multi-scale pyramid kernel, and classifies the images by a linear support vector machine algorithm. Weighted sparse coding is used to enforce both sparsity and locality of encoding in feature space. We tested the method on a dataset with over 7,000 camera trap images of 18 species from two different field cites, and achieved an average classification accuracy of 82%. Our analysis demonstrates that the combination of SIFT and cLBP can serve as a useful technique for animal species recognition in real, complex scenarios.
At the borders of medical reasoning: aetiological and ontological challenges of medically unexplained symptoms
Authors: Eriksen Thor Eirik , Kerry Roger , Mumford Stephen , Lie Svein Anders Noer , Anjum Rani Lill
Published: September 2013

Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) remain recalcitrant to the medical profession, proving less suitable for homogenic treatment with respect to their aetiology, taxonomy and diagnosis. While the majority of existing medical research methods are designed for large scale population data and sufficiently homogenous groups, MUS are characterised by their heterogenic and complex nature. As a result, MUS seem to resist medical scrutiny in a way that other conditions do not. This paper approaches the problem of MUS from a philosophical point of view. The aim is to first consider the epistemological problem of MUS in a wider ontological and phenomenological context, particularly in relation to causation. Second, the paper links current medical practice to certain ontological assumptions. Finally, the outlines of an alternative ontology of causation are offered which place characteristic features of MUS, such as genuine complexity, context-sensitivity, holism and medical uniqueness at the centre of any causal set-up, and not only for MUS. This alternative ontology provides a framework in which to better understand complex medical conditions in relation to both their nature and their associated research activity.
Hybrid debranching and TEVAR of the aortic arch off-pump, in re-do patients with complicated chronic type-A aortic dissections: a critical report
Authors: Brechtel Klaus , Kalender Günay , Stock Ulrich A , Wildhirt Stephen M
Published: September 2013

Background

Patients suffering from acute type A aortic dissection undergo replacement of the ascending aorta, the proximal hemiarch or complete aortic arch, depending on the extent of the individual pathology. In a subset of these treated patients, secondary pathologies of the distal anastomosis or the remaining distal part of the aorta occur. The treatment of these pathologies is challenging, requiring major surgical re-do procedures with aortic arch replacement under extracorporeal circulation and hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Methods

We report our experience of five patients with complex aortic pathologies after previous aortic surgery treated with a single stage re-do hybrid procedure, consisting of bypass grafting of the supraaortic branches off-pump, stent graft placement for endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and surgical debranching of the aortic arch.

Results

In all patients the surgical vascular grafts and stent grafts were deployed successfully, there were no intraoperative deaths. Four out of five patients were discharged from hospital in good clinical condition. One patient died postoperatively due to cardiac tamponade. In one patient a type I endoleak persisted leading to occlusion of a bypass branch requiring surgical revision at one year after debranching.

Conclusion

We discuss the prerequisites, all steps and potential pitfalls of this hybrid aortic arch replacement. The current procedure avoids cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest, which may benefit early patient outcome; however, patient and device selection plays a key role for immediate success and midterm outcomes. In addition, precise procedural planning and development of customized stents may help to develop this procedure into a true alternative for conventional aortic arch replacement.
Phenylketonuria: reduced tyrosine brain influx relates to reduced cerebral protein synthesis
Authors: de Groot Martijn J , Hoeksma Marieke , Reijngoud Dirk-Jan , de Valk Harold W , Paans Anne MJ , Sauer Pieter JJ , van Spronsen Francjan J
Published: September 2013

Background

In phenylketonuria (PKU), elevated blood phenylalanine (Phe) concentrations are considered to impair transport of large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) from blood to brain. This impairment is believed to underlie cognitive deficits in PKU via different mechanisms, including reduced cerebral protein synthesis. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that impaired LNAA influx relates to reduced cerebral protein synthesis.

Methods

Using positron emission tomography, L-[1-11C]-tyrosine (11C-Tyr) brain influx and incorporation into cerebral protein were studied in 16 PKU patients (median age 24, range 16 – 47 years), most of whom were early and continuously treated. Data were analyzed by regression analyses, using either11C-Tyr brain influx or11C-Tyr cerebral protein incorporation as outcome variable. Predictor variables were baseline plasma Phe concentration, Phe tolerance, age, and11C-Tyr brain efflux. For the modelling of cerebral protein incorporation,11C-Tyr brain influx was added as a predictor variable.

Results

11C-Tyr brain influx was inversely associated with plasma Phe concentrations (median 512, range 233 – 1362 μmol/L; delta adjusted R2=0.571, p=0.013). In addition,11C-Tyr brain influx was positively associated with11C-Tyr brain efflux (delta adjusted R2=0.098, p=0.041). Cerebral protein incorporation was positively associated with11C-Tyr brain influx (adjusted R2=0.567, p<0.001). All additional associations between predictor and outcome variables were statistically nonsignificant.

Conclusions

Our data favour the hypothesis that an elevated concentration of Phe in blood reduces cerebral protein synthesis by impairing LNAA transport from blood to brain. Considering the importance of cerebral protein synthesis for adequate brain development and functioning, our results support the notion that PKU treatment be continued in adulthood. Future studies investigating the effects of impaired LNAA transport on cerebral protein synthesis in more detail are indicated.
Identification of upstream regulators for prognostic expression signature genes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Bae Taejeong , Rho Kyoohyoung , Choi Jin Woo , Horimoto Katsuhisa , Kim Wankyu , Kim Sunghoon
Published: September 2013

Background

Gene expression signatures have been commonly used as diagnostic and prognostic markers for cancer subtyping. However, expression signatures frequently include many passengers, which are not directly related to cancer progression. Their upstream regulators such as transcription factors (TFs) may take a more critical role as drivers or master regulators to provide better clues on the underlying regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic applications.

Results

In order to identify prognostic master regulators, we took the known 85 prognostic signature genes for colorectal cancer and inferred their upstream TFs. To this end, a global transcriptional regulatory network was constructed with total >200,000 TF-target links using the ARACNE algorithm. We selected the top 10 TFs as candidate master regulators to show the highest coverage of the signature genes among the total 846 TF-target sub-networks or regulons. The selected TFs showed a comparable or slightly better prognostic performance than the original 85 signature genes in spite of greatly reduced number of marker genes from 85 to 10. Notably, these TFs were selected solely from inferred regulatory links using gene expression profiles and included many TFs regulating tumorigenic processes such as proliferation, metastasis, and differentiation.

Conclusions

Our network approach leads to the identification of the upstream transcription factors for prognostic signature genes to provide leads to their regulatory mechanisms. We demonstrate that our approach could identify upstream biomarkers for a given set of signature genes with markedly smaller size and comparable performances. The utility of our method may be expandable to other types of signatures such as diagnosis and drug response.
Combined modified atmosphere packaging and low temperature storage delay lignification and improve the defense response of minimally processed water bamboo shoot
Authors: Song Lili , Chen Hangjun , Gao Haiyan , Fang Xiangjun , Mu Honglei , Yuan Ya , Yang Qian , Jiang Yueming
Published: September 2013

Background

Minimally processed water bamboo shoot (WBS) lignifies and deteriorates rapidly at room temperature, which limits greatly its marketability. This study was to investigate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the sensory quality index, lignin formation, production of radical oxygen species (ROS) and activities of scavenging enzymes, membrane integrity and energy status of minimally processed WBS when packaged with or without the sealed low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags, and then stored at 20°C for 9 days or 2°C for 60 days.

Results

The sensory quality of minimally processed WBS decreased quickly after 6 days of storage at 20°C. Low temperature storage maintained a higher sensory quality index within the first 30 days, but exhibited higher contents of lignin and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as compared with non-MAP shoots at 20°C. Combined MAP and low temperature storage not only maintained good sensory quality after 30 days, but also reduced significantly the increases in lignin content, superoxide anion (

O
2
.-

) production rate, H2O2 content and membrane permeability, maintained high activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and reduced the increase in activities of lipase, phospholipase D (PLD) and lipoxygenase (LOX). Furthermore, the minimally processed WBS under MAP condition exhibited higher energy charge (EC) and lower adenosine monophosphate (AMP) content by the end of storage (60 days) at 2°C than those without MAP or stored for 9 days at 20°C.

Conclusion

These results indicated that MAP in combination with low temperature storage reduced lignification of minimally processed WBS, which was closely associated with maintenance of energy status and enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, as well as reduced alleviation of membrane damage caused by ROS.
A potentiated startle study of uncertainty and contextual anxiety in adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Chamberlain Paul D , Rodgers Jacqui , Crowley Michael J , White Sarah E , Freeston Mark H , South Mikle
Published: September 2013

Background

Beyond the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), associated symptoms of anxiety can cause substantial impairment for individuals affected by ASD and those who care for them.

Methods

We utilized a potentiated startle paradigm with a puff of air to the neck as the unconditioned stimulus in order to investigate differences between response to cued fear and contextual anxiety among cognitively able adolescents diagnosed with ASD and an age- and IQ-matched typically developing group.

Results

In a threat-modulated startle paradigm, response patterns to neutral, predictable, and unpredictable conditions were comparable across typically developing and ASD youth in terms of startle response magnitude and latency. However, the ASD group showed significantly greater absolute startle responsivity at baseline and throughout the experiment, suggesting possibly enhanced general sensitivity to threatening contexts. The ASD group, but not the control group, demonstrated moderate to strong negative correlations between psychophysiological response to unpredictable threats (uncertainty) and questionnaire measures of generalized anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and repetitive behavior.

Conclusions

Our data suggest enhanced general reactivity among the ASD group, possibly reflecting greater sensitivity to the threatening context of the startle paradigm. Associations with the response to uncertainty may help explain shared neurobehavioral mechanisms in ASD and anxiety. This task can provide useful targets for future neuroimaging and genetics studies as well as specific avenues for intervention. We emphasize the importance of further basic and clinical research into links among these important constructs.
Rapid growth, early maturation and short generation time in African annual fishes
Authors: Blažek Radim , Polačik Matej , Reichard Martin
Published: September 2013

Background

Extreme environmental conditions can give rise to extreme adaptations. We document growth, sexual maturation and fecundity in two species of African annual fish inhabiting temporary savanna pools.

Results

Nothobranchius kadlecistarted to reproduce at the age of 17 days and size of 31 mm andNothobranchius furzeriat 18 days and 32 mm. All four study populations demonstrated rapid growth rates of up to 2.72 mm/day (23.4% of their total length). Both species may produce diapausing embryos or embryos that are able to hatch in as few as 15 days, resulting in a minimum generation time as short as only one month. Incubation on the surface of damp peat moss results in high embryo survival (73%) and a high proportion of rapidly developing embryos (58%) that skip diapauses and hatch in less than 30 days. We further demonstrated that rapid growth and maturation do not compromise subsequent fecundity.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that both species have the most rapid sexual maturation and minimum generation time of any vertebrate species, and that rapid maturity does not involve paedogenesis.
Rosuvastatin improves impaired endothelial function, lowers high sensitivity CRP, complement and immuncomplex production in patients with systemic sclerosis - a prospective case-series study
Authors: Timár Orsolya , Szekanecz Zoltán , Kerekes György , Végh Judit , Oláh Anna V , Nagy Gábor , Csiki Zoltán , Dankó Katalin , Szamosi Szilvia , Németh Ágnes , Soltész Pál , Szücs Gabriella
Published: September 2013

Introduction

We studied the effect of rosuvastatin on endothelial and macrovascular function, cardiovascular risk factors and the complement pathway in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Altogether 28 patients with SSc underwent laboratory and complex vascular assessments before and after six months of 20 mg rosuvastatin treatment. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, as well as carotid artery intima-media thickness (ccIMT), carotid-femoral and aorto-femoral pulse wave-velocity (PWV) were analyzed by ECG-synchronized ultrasound. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was determined by Doppler, and forearm skin microcirculation was assessed by Laser Doppler perfusion monitoring.

Results

Brachial artery FMD significantly improved upon rosuvastatin therapy (2.2% ± 3.3% before versus 5.7% ± 3.9% after treatment, P = 0.0002). With regard to patient subsets, FMD significantly improved in the 21 lcSSc patients (from 2.1% to 5.6%, P = 0.001). In the seven dcSSc patients, we observed a tendency of improvement in FMD (from 3% to 6%, P = 0.25). Changes in PWV, ccIMT and ABI were not significant. Mean triglyceride (1.7 ± 0.97 versus 1.3 ± 0.46 mmol/l, P = 0.0004), total cholesterol (5.3 ± 1.6 mmol/l versus 4.2 ± 1.3 mmol/l, P = 0.0003), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.0 ± 1.3 versus 2.2 ± 1.0 mmol/l, P = 0.005) and C-reactive protein levels (CRP) (5.1 ± 5.2 versus 3.4 ± 2.7, P = 0.01) levels significantly decreased after rosuvastatin treatment. Mean C3, C4 and IC levels also decreased significantly as compared to pretreatment values.

Conclusions

Six-month rosuvastatin therapy improves endothelial function and lowers CRP, C3, C4 and IC levels indicating possible favourable effects of this statin on the cardiovascular and immune system in SSc.
Cancer stem cell markers are enriched in normal tissue adjacent to triple negative breast cancer and inversely correlated with DNA repair deficiency
Authors: Atkinson Rachel L , Yang Wei T , Rosen Daniel G , Landis Melissa D , Wong Helen , Lewis Michael T , Creighton Chad J , Sexton Krystal R , Hilsenbeck Sue G , Sahin Aysegul A , Brewster Abenaa M , Woodward Wendy A , Chang Jenny C
Published: September 2013

Introduction

We hypothesized that cells present in normal tissue that bear cancer stem cell markers may represent a cancer cell of origin or a microenvironment primed for tumor development, and that their presence may correlate with the clinically defined subtypes of breast cancer that show increased tumorigenicity and stem cell features.

Methods

Normal tissues sampled at least 5 cm from primary tumors (normal adjacent tissue) were obtained from 61 chemotherapy-naive patients with breast cancer treated with mastectomy. Samples were stained simultaneously with immunofluorescence for CD44/CD49f/CD133/2 stem cell markers. We assessed the association between CD44+CD49f+CD133/2+ staining in normal adjacent tissue and breast cancer receptor subtype (defined by the expression of the estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), or human epidermal growth factor-2 (Her2) receptors). We also examined the correlation between CD44+CD49f+CD133/2+ immunofluorescence and each of two previously published gene signatures, one derived from stem-cell enriched tissue and one from BRCA mutated tissue expected to have defective DNA repair.

Results

Patients with triple negative breast cancer (ER–/PR–/HER2–) expressed CD44+CD49f+CD133/2+ in 9 of 9 normal adjacent tissue samples compared with 7 of 52 ER+ and/or Her2+ tumors (P < 0.001). Further, expression of CD44+CD49f+CD133/2+ by normal adjacent tissue correlated positively with a stem cell-derived tumorigenic signature (P <0.001) and inversely with a defective DNA-repair signature (P <0.001).

Conclusion

Normal cells bearing cancer stem cell markers are associated with the triple negative receptor subtype of breast cancer. This study suggests stem cell staining and gene expression signatures from normal breast tissues represent novel tissue-based risk biomarkers for triple negative breast cancer. Validation of these results in additional studies of normal tissue from cancer-free women could lay the foundation for future targeted triple negative breast cancer prevention strategies.
Yield of intermittent versus continuous EEG in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest treated with hypothermia
Authors: Alvarez Vincent , Sierra-Marcos Alba , Oddo Mauro , Rossetti Andrea O
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Electroencephalography (EEG) has a central role in the outcome prognostication in subjects with anoxic/hypoxic encephalopathy following a cardiac arrest (CA). Continuous EEG monitoring (cEEG) has been consistently developed and studied; however, its yield as compared to repeated standard EEG (sEEG) is unknown.

Methods

We studied a prospective cohort of comatose adults treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) after a CA. cEEG data regarding background activity and epileptiform components were compared to two 20-minute sEEGs extracted from the cEEG recording (one during TH, and one in early normothermia).

Results

Thirty-four recordings were studied. During TH, the agreement between cEEG and sEEG was 97.1% (95% CI: 84.6 to 99.9%) for background discontinuity and reactivity evaluation, while it was 94.1% (95% CI 80.3 to 99.2%) regarding epileptiform activity. In early normothermia, we did not find any discrepancies. Thus, concordance results were very good during TH (kappa 0.83), and optimal during normothermia (kappa = 1). The median delay between CA and the first EEG reactivity testing was 18 hours (range: 4.75 to 25) for patients with perfect agreement and 10 hours (range: 5.75 to 10.5) for the three patients with discordant findings (P = 0.02, Wilcoxon).

Conclusions

Standard intermittent EEG has comparable performance with continuous EEG both for variables important for outcome prognostication (EEG reactivity) and identification of epileptiform transients in this relatively small sample of comatose survivors of CA. This finding has an important practical implication, especially for centers where EEG resources are limited.
Six Classroom Exercises to Teach Natural Selection to Undergraduate Biology Students
Authors: Kalinowski Steven T. , Leonard Mary J. , Andrews Tessa M. , Litt Andrea R.
Published: September 2013

Students in introductory biology courses frequently have misconceptions regarding natural selection. In this paper, we describe six activities that biology instructors can use to teach undergraduate students in introductory biology courses how natural selection causes evolution. These activities begin with a lesson introducing students to natural selection and also include discussions on sexual selection, molecular evolution, evolution of complex traits, and the evolution of behavior. The set of six topics gives students the opportunity to see how natural selection operates in a variety of contexts. Pre- and postinstruction testing showed students’ understanding of natural selection increased substantially after completing this series of learning activities. Testing throughout this unit showed steadily increasing student understanding, and surveys indicated students enjoyed the activities.
International Institute for Collaborative Cell Biology and Biochemistry—History and Memoirs from an International Network for Biological Sciences
Authors: Cameron L. C.
Published: September 2013

I was invited to write this essay on the occasion of my selection as the recipient of the 2012 Bruce Alberts Award for Excellence in Science Education from the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB). Receiving this award is an enormous honor. When I read the email announcement for the first time, it was more than a surprise to me, it was unbelievable. I joined ASCB in 1996, when I presented a poster and received a travel award. Since then, I have attended almost every ASCB meeting. I will try to use this essay to share with readers one of the best experiences in my life. Because this is an essay, I take the liberty of mixing some of my thoughts with data in a way that it not usual in scientific writing. I hope that this sacrifice of the format will achieve the goal of conveying what I have learned over the past 20 yr, during which time a group of colleagues and friends created a nexus of knowledge and wisdom. We have worked together to build a network capable of sharing and inspiring science all over the world.
The Median Informs the Message: Accuracy of Individualized Scenarios for Survival Time Based on Oncologists' Estimates
Authors: Kiely Belinda E. , Martin Andrew J. , Tattersall Martin H.N. , Nowak Anna K. , Goldstein David , Wilcken Nicholas R.C. , Wyld David K. , Abdi Ehtesham A. , Glasgow Amanda , Beale Philip J. , Jefford Michael , Glare Paul A. , Stockler Martin R.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

To determine the accuracy and usefulness of oncologists' estimates of survival time in individual patients with advanced cancer.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-one oncologists estimated the “median survival of a group of identical patients” for each of 114 patients with advanced cancer. Accuracy was defined by the proportions of patients with an observed survival time bounded by prespecified multiples of their estimated survival time. We expected 50% to live longer (or shorter) than their oncologist's estimate (calibration), 50% to live from half to double their estimate (typical scenario), 5% to 10% to live ≤ one quarter of their estimate (worst-case scenario), and 5% to 10% to live three or more times their estimate (best-case scenario). Estimates within 0.67 to 1.33 times observed survival were deemed precise. Discriminative value was assessed with Harrell's C-statistic and prognostic significance with proportional hazards regression.

Results

Median survival time was 11 months. Oncologists' estimates were relatively well-calibrated (61% shorter than observed), imprecise (29% from 0.67 to 1.33 times observed), and moderately discriminative (Harrell C-statistic 0.63; P = .001). The proportion of patients with an observed survival half to double their oncologist's estimate was 63%, ≤ one quarter of their oncologist's estimate was 6%, and three or more times their oncologist's estimate was 14%. Independent predictors of observed survival were oncologist's estimate (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.92; P = .004), dry mouth (HR = 5.1; P < .0001), alkaline phosphatase more than 101U/L (HR = 2.8; P = .0002), Karnofsky performance status ≤ 70 (HR = 2.3; P = .007), prostate primary (HR = 0.23; P = .002), and steroid use (HR = 2.4; P = .02).

Conclusion

Oncologists' estimates of survival time were relatively well-calibrated, moderately discriminative, independently associated with observed survival, and a reasonable basis for estimating worst-case, typical, and best-case scenarios for survival.
Identification of Gene Expression–Based Prognostic Markers in the Hematopoietic Stem Cells of Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Pellagatti Andrea , Benner Axel , Mills Ken I. , Cazzola Mario , Giagounidis Aristoteles , Perry Janet , Malcovati Luca , Della Porta Matteo G. , Jädersten Martin , Verma Amit , McDonald Emma-Jane , Killick Sally , Hellström-Lindberg Eva , Bullinger Lars , Wainscoat James S. , Boultwood Jacqueline
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The diagnosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is largely dependent on morphologic examination of bone marrow aspirates. Several criteria that form the basis of the classifications and scoring systems most commonly used in clinical practice are affected by operator-dependent variation. To identify standardized molecular markers that would allow prediction of prognosis, we have used gene expression profiling (GEP) data on CD34+ cells from patients with MDS to determine the relationship between gene expression levels and prognosis.

Patients and Methods

GEP data on CD34+ cells from 125 patients with MDS with a minimum 12-month follow-up since date of bone marrow sample collection were included in this study. Supervised principal components and lasso penalized Cox proportional hazards regression (Coxnet) were used for the analysis.

Results

We identified several genes, the expression of which was significantly associated with survival of patients with MDS, including LEF1, CDH1, WT1, and MN1. The Coxnet predictor, based on expression data on 20 genes, outperformed other predictors, including one that additionally used clinical information. Our Coxnet gene signature based on CD34+ cells significantly identified a separation of patients with good or bad prognosis in an independent GEP data set based on unsorted bone marrow mononuclear cells, demonstrating that our signature is robust and may be applicable to bone marrow cells without the need to isolate CD34+ cells.

Conclusion

We present a new, valuable GEP-based signature for assessing prognosis in MDS. GEP-based signatures correlating with clinical outcome may significantly contribute to a refined risk classification of MDS.
Multicenter Randomized Trial of Centralized Nurse-Led Telephone-Based Care Coordination to Improve Outcomes After Surgical Resection for Colorectal Cancer: The CONNECT Intervention
Authors: Young Jane M. , Butow Phyllis N. , Walsh Jennifer , Durcinoska Ivana , Dobbins Timothy A. , Rodwell Laura , Harrison James D. , White Kate , Gilmore Andrew , Hodge Bruce , Hicks Henry , Smith Stephen , O'Connor Geoff , Byrne Christopher M. , Meagher Alan P. , Jancewicz Stephen , Sutherland Andrew , Ctercteko Grahame , Pathma-Nathan Nimalan , Curtin Austin , Townend David , Abraham Ned S. , Longfield Greg , Rangiah David , Young Christopher J. , Eyers Anthony , Lee Peter , Fisher Dean , Solomon Michael J.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

To investigate the effectiveness of a centralized, nurse-delivered telephone-based service to improve care coordination and patient-reported outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer.

Patients and Methods

Patients with a newly diagnosed colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to the CONNECT intervention or usual care. Intervention-group patients received standardized calls from the centrally based nurse 3 and 10 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge from hospital. Unmet supportive care needs, experience of care coordination, unplanned readmissions, emergency department presentations, distress, and quality of life (QOL) were assessed by questionnaire at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Results

Of 775 patients treated at 23 public and private hospitals in Australia, 387 were randomly assigned to the intervention group and 369 to the control group. There were no significant differences between groups in unmet supportive care needs, but these were consistently low in both groups at both follow-up time points. There were no differences between the groups in emergency department presentations (10.8% v 13.8%; P = .2) or unplanned hospital readmissions (8.6% v 10.5%; P = .4) at 1 month. By 6 months, 25.6% of intervention-group patients had reported an unplanned readmission compared with 27.9% of controls (P = .5). There were no significant differences in experience of care coordination, distress, or QOL between groups at any follow-up time point.

Conclusion

This trial failed to demonstrate substantial benefit of a centralized system to provide standardized, telephone follow-up for postoperative patients with colorectal cancer. Future interventions could investigate a more tailored approach.
Are Needs Assessments Cost Effective in Reducing Distress Among Patients With Cancer? A Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List
Authors: Hollingworth William , Metcalfe Chris , Mancero Susana , Harris Susan , Campbell Rona , Biddle Lucy , McKell-Redwood Denise , Brennan James
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Patients with cancer have a high prevalence of distress. We evaluated whether distress monitoring and needs assessment using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DT&PL) improved patient outcomes.

Patients and Methods

We conducted an unblinded, two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial at two sites among patients starting radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The intervention group completed the DT&PL, rating distress and discussing sources of distress with a trained radiographer/nurse. No specific triage algorithms were followed. The control group received usual care. The main outcome measure was psychological distress (Profile of Mood States [POMS], short form) up to 12 months; secondary outcomes were quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30) and health care costs.

Results

Of 220 patients randomly assigned, 112 patients were allocated to the DT&PL. Ninety-five percent completed the primary outcome at 12 months. The DT&PL took 25 minutes; one third of patients had high levels of distress, and most reported physical (84%) or emotional (56%) problems. There was no evidence of an effect of the DT&PL on adjusted POMS scores over follow-up (difference between groups, −1.84; 95% CI, −5.69 to 2.01; P = .35) or in secondary outcomes. The DT&PL cost £19 ($28) per patient and did not lower subsequent health care costs. Few patients (< 3%) in either arm of the trial were referred to a clinical psychologist.

Conclusion

Patients with cancer have a high prevalence of distress. Needs assessment can be performed quickly and inexpensively. However, the DT&PL was not cost effective in improving patient mood states. It is important to explore the reasons for this so that oncology units can design better services to support patients.