The Developing Human Connectome Project Neonatal Data Release

The Developing Human Connectome Project has created a large open science resource which provides researchers with data for investigating typical and atypical brain development across the perinatal period. It has collected 1228 multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain datasets from 1173 fetal and/or neonatal participants, together with collateral demographic, clinical, family, neurocognitive and genomic data from 1173 participants, together with collateral demographic, clinical, family, neurocognitive and genomic data. All subjects were studied in utero and/or soon after birth on a single MRI scanner using specially developed scanning sequences which included novel motion-tolerant imaging methods. Imaging data are complemented by rich demographic, clinical, neurodevelopmental, and genomic information. The project is now releasing a large set of neonatal data; fetal data will be described and released separately. This release includes scans from 783 infants of whom: 583 were healthy infants born at term; as well as preterm infants; and infants at high risk of atypical neurocognitive development. Many infants were imaged more than once to provide longitudinal data, and the total number of datasets being released is 887. We now describe the dHCP image acquisition and processing protocols, summarize the available imaging and collateral data, and provide information on how the data can be accessed

A novel role for IRF-1 as a suppressor of apoptosis

The tumour suppressor IRF-1 is a transcription factor involved in the induction of apoptosis in several in vitro systems. Post-lactational involution of the mammary gland is characterized by extensive apoptosis of the epithelial cells. We have previously shown that signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 3 drives apoptosis and involution in the mouse mammary gland. Since one of the downstream targets of the Stat signalling pathway is IRF-1, we have used IRF-1 knockout mice to address the potential role of this transcription factor in involution. Surprisingly, in the absence of IRF-1 significantly higher numbers of apoptotic cells were found in involuting glands at 48 h compared to control glands. In addition, the alveolar structure in IRF-1 null mammary glands had collapsed whereas in control glands the alveoli remained intact and distended. However, by 72 h control and null glands were morphologically similar suggesting that IRF-1 suppresses apoptosis only during the early, reversible, stage of involution. This suggests a survival role for IRF-1 in mammary epithelia and demonstrates a novel role for IRF-1 in vivo - suppression of premature epithelial apoptosis during mammary gland involution

Students' participation in collaborative research should be recognised

Letter to the editor

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care