Interactive 3D visualisation of the mammalian circadian system

The daily fluctuations that govern an organism’s physiology and behaviour are referred to as the circadian rhythm. Dramatic changes in our internal or external environment can affect these fluctuations by causing them to shift abnormally. Chronic readjustment in circadian rhythmicity can lead to health defects that extend throughout the organism. These patterns have been known to affect nearly every facet of our health, from our mental state to our physiological wellbeing. Thus, it is important for healthcare professionals from a range of backgrounds to comprehend these connections early on in their education and incorporate this knowledge into patient guidance and treatment. Traditionally, the teaching of the circadian rhythm is undertaken by didactic teaching, 2-dimensional (2D) diagrams, and biochemical processes shown from a fixed perspective. There has been a surge in technologies used to develop educational products, but the field of the circadian rhythm has been lagging behind. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to create an interactive learning application for the end-stage user, incorporating industry standard and widely available software packages. Using a mixture of 3DS Max, Photoshop, MeshLab, Mudbox, Unity and Pro Tools, we created a fully interactive package incorporating educational resources and an interactive self test quiz section. Here, we demonstrate a simple workflow methodology that can be used in the creation of a fully interactive learning application for the circadian rhythm, and its wider effects on the human body. With a small-scale study based on feedback demonstrating positive results, and with limited resources in this field, there is enormous potential for this to be applied in the educational and wider public engagement environment related to the circadian rhythm. Indeed, this also provides an excellent framework and platform for development of educational resources for any type of field that needs modernising and updating with modern technological advances, engaging a wider audience

Epidemiology of invasive aspergillosis and azole resistance in patients with acute leukaemia: the SEPIA Study

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a serious hazard to high-risk haematological patients. There are increasing reports of azole-resistant Aspergillus spp. This study assessed the epidemiology of IA and azoleresistant Aspergillus spp. in patients with acute leukaemia in Germany. A prospective multicentre cohort study was performed in German haematology/oncology centres. The incidence of probable and proven aspergillosis according to the revised EORTC/MSG criteria was assessed for all patients with acute leukaemia [acutemyeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)]. Caseswere documented into a web-based case report form, and centres provided data on standards regarding prophylactic and diagnostic measures. Clinical isolates were screened centrally for azole resistance and, if applicable, underlying resistance mechanisms were analysed. Between September 2011 and December 2013, 179 cases of IA [6 proven (3.4%) and 173 probable (96.6%)] were diagnosed in 3067 patients with acuteleukaemia. The incidence of IA was 6.4% among 2440 AML patients and 3.8% among 627 ALL patients. Mortality at Day 84 was 33.8% (49/145) and attributable mortality was 26.9% (39/145). At Day 84, 53 patients (29.6%) showed a complete response, 25 (14.0%) a partial response and 17 (9.5%) a deterioration or failure. A total of 77 clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolates were collected during the study period. Two episodes of azole-resistant IA (1.1%) were caused by a TR/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene. With only two cases of IA due to azole-resistant A. fumigatus, a change of antifungal treatment practices in Germany does not appear warranted currently. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved