An assessment of candidate genes to assist prognosis in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth commonest cancer worldwide, with the second highest mortality rate. Its poor mortality is linked to delayed presentation. There is a drive towards non-invasive biomarker screening and monitoring of many different types of cancer, although with limited success so far. We aimed to determine if any genes from a 32-gene panel could be used to determine GC prognosis. We carried out a retrospective study on the expression of 32 genes, selected for their proven or potential links to GC, on historic formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) GC specimens from our unit. Gene expression was measured using quantitative nuclease protection assays (qNPA) technology. Following statistical analysis of the results, immunohistochemical staining for eight genes, both discriminating and non-discriminating, was conducted in seven age and sex matched non-metastatic: metastatic GC pairings. The stained samples were reviewed by two blinded consultant histopathologists. Multivariate Cox analysis of the gene expression data revealed metastatic status, age, sex and five genes appeared to influence GC survival. Genes negatively influencing survival included and (relative risks 2.20, 3.73 and 7.53 respectively). Genes conveying survival benefit included and (relative risks 0.10 and 0.24 respectively). Immunohistochemical staining of seven age and sex matched non-metastatic: metastatic pairs revealed no association between gene expression and protein expression. Our study found several genes whose expression may affect GC prognosis. However, immunohistochemical analysis revealed no association between gene expression and protein expression. It remains to be determined whether gene expression or protein expression are reliable means of assessing GC prognosis

Microplankton changes through the early Silurian Ireviken extinction event on Gotland, Sweden

This thesis documents and analyses the extinction and origination patterns of acritarchs and prasinophyte algae at the Llandovery/Wenlock boundary in the Lower Silurian on the island of Gotland, Sweden. Closely spaced samples were collected from two sections: Lusklint 1 and Lickershamn 2, spanning the upper part of the Lower Visby Beds and almost all of the Upper Visby Beds. Errors associated with the palynological processing technique have been assessed and a new photographic technique has been developed. Five new species are described.;At least eight extinctions affecting the conodont record have been reported at this level (named the Ireviken Extinction Event (Aldridge et al. 1993, Jeppsson 1997)). The Ireviken Event has been interpreted as an example of the change from a P to an S climate state (Jeppsson 1993).;The data show a significant turnover in the phytoplankton at this time, with most of the extinctions at the end of the event (86.3% in the top four metres of the Lusklint 1 section), after many of the conodont extinctions had already taken place. The originations are more numerous than the extinctions (54 species originate at Lusklint 1 as opposed to 44 that became extinct) and they are distributed through the whole of the Ireviken event. There is an uneven distribution across the event with more originations in the Lower Visby Beds forming a convex pattern.;The two section analysed were compared using graphic correlation, but palynomorph range end data show considerable scatter. Peaks in the number of palynomorphs per gram of sediment suggest that the two sections completely overlap. Deposition of the thickest bentonite produced a marked drop in the number of palynomorphs per gram of sediment, but a marked rise in numbers in the following few centimetres, probably caused by a fertilization effect. d13C values at Lusklint 1 remain stable in the Lower Visby Beds, but show a marked gradual rise in the Upper Visby Beds. The d18O values for the same interval vary little.;The P and S model does not successfully explain all the changes recorded, but is the most comprehensive model available at this time. Additions to the model, incorporating planktonic dimenthyl sulphide production and iron fertilization are presented

Reconstructing the environmental conditions around the Silurian Ireviken Event using the carbon isotope composition of bulk and palynomorph organic matter

The carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of bulk organic matter and two palynomorph groups (scolecodonts and chitinozoans) from the Llandovery-Wenlock strata of Gotland (E Sweden) are compared to gain knowledge about carbon cycling in the Silurian (sub)tropical shelf environment. The δ13C values of the palynomorphs are mostly lower than the δ13C values of the bulk organic matter, and the δ13C values of the benthic scolecodonts are lower than those of the planktonic chitinozoans. While the difference between bulk and palynomorph δ13C may be in part a function of trophic state, the lower values of the scolecodonts relative to those of chitinozoans, which are assumed to live in the well-mixed water column, might imply an infaunal mode of life for the polychaetes that carried the scolecodonts. Lower δ13C for the scolecodonts in the middle of the section may represent variations in primary marine productivity (supported by acritarch abundance data), oxidation of organic matter in the bottom waters, or genera effects. In general, however, trends between the three data sets are parallel, indicating similarities in the low frequency, environmentally forced controls. The δ13C data show a decreasing trend from the base of the section, up to a horizon well below the base of the Upper Visby Formation. At this level, and therefore probably several 10 kyr before the δ13C increase in the carbonates, the δ13C organic values increase by ~1‰. This perhaps is an expression of a changed composition of the bulk organic matter associated with the extinction events prior to the Llandovery-Wenlock boundary

(Table 2) δ¹³C from the Lusklint section

The carbon isotope composition (d13C) of bulk organic matter and two palynomorph groups (scolecodonts and chitinozoans) from the Llandovery-Wenlock strata of Gotland (E Sweden) are compared to gain knowledge about carbon cycling in the Silurian (sub)tropical shelf environment. The d13C values of the palynomorphs are mostly lower than the d13C values of the bulk organic matter, and the d13C values of the benthic scolecodonts are lower than those of the planktonic chitinozoans. While the difference between bulk and palynomorph d13C may be in part a function of trophic state, the lower values of the scolecodonts relative to those of chitinozoans, which are assumed to live in the well-mixed water column, might imply an infaunal mode of life for the polychaetes that carried the scolecodonts. Lower d13C for the scolecodonts in the middle of the section may represent variations in primary marine productivity (supported by acritarch abundance data), oxidation of organic matter in the bottom waters, or genera effects. In general, however, trends between the three data sets are parallel, indicating similarities in the low frequency, environmentally forced controls. The d13C data show a decreasing trend from the base of the section, up to a horizon well below the base of the Upper Visby Formation. At this level, and therefore probably several 10 kyr before the d13C increase in the carbonates, the d13C organic values increase by ~1 per mil. This perhaps is an expression of a changed composition of the bulk organic matter associated with the extinction events prior to the Llandovery-Wenlock boundary

Young offenders: children in need of protection

The Institute of Public Policy Research recommended that the government in England and Wales should establish a unified youth justice system, based on the Scottish Reporter system, for assessing the nature of intervention needed by young offenders. This article examines the Scottish youth justice system, the French youth justice systems and the youth justice system in England and Wales. The article contends that in England and Wales there already exists an agency and a legislative framework, similar to the Scottish and French examples, which has the power to assess the nature of intervention needed by young offenders and which has the authority to require that appropriate welfare or support services be provided. Therefore a new legislative framework is unnecessary; instead attention should be paid to the proper resourcing of the current system