EFRC Bulletin 81 December 2005

EFRC's regular Bulletin with updates from the Organic Advisory Servic

Site-Specific Effects of PECAM-1 on Atherosclerosis in LDL Receptor-Deficient Mice

Objective—Atherosclerosis is a vascular disease that involves lesion formation at sites of disturbed flow under the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Endothelial expression of adhesion molecules that enable infiltration of immune cells is important for lesion development. Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1; CD31) is an adhesion and signaling receptor expressed by many cells involved in atherosclerotic lesion development. PECAM-1 transduces signals required for proinflammatory adhesion molecule expression at atherosusceptible sites; thus, it is predicted to be proatherosclerotic. PECAM-1 also inhibits inflammatory responses, on which basis it is predicted to be atheroprotective. Methods and Results—We evaluated herein the effect of PECAM-1 deficiency on development of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor– deficient mice. We found that PECAM-1 has both proatherosclerotic and atheroprotective effects, but that the former dominate in the inner curvature of the aortic arch whereas the latter dominate in the aortic sinus, branching arteries, and descending aorta. Endothelial cell expression of PECAM-1 was sufficient for its atheroprotective effects in the aortic sinus but not in the descending aorta, where the atheroprotective effects of PECAM-1 also required its expression on bone marrow–derived cells. Conclusion—We conclude that PECAM-1 influences initiation and progression of atherosclerosis both positively and negatively, and that it does so in a site-specific manner. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2008;28:1996-2002

The Relationship Between Maternal Self-Concept and Demonstration of Adaptive Behavior

The study examined whether adaptive maternal behaviors correlated with a positive self-concept measurement. The adaptive behaviors observed were those which the literature suggested indicate a positive response to the changes of the puerperium. The study aimed at assisting the nurse in assessing the self-concept level of clients. The researcher also hoped to contribute to the continued development of nursing theories and the application of the theories to the arena of clinical practice

Geometric singular perturbation theory for stochastic differential equations

We consider slow-fast systems of differential equations, in which both the slow and fast variables are perturbed by noise. When the deterministic system admits a uniformly asymptotically stable slow manifold, we show that the sample paths of the stochastic system are concentrated in a neighbourhood of the slow manifold, which we construct explicitly. Depending on the dynamics of the reduced system, the results cover time spans which can be exponentially long in the noise intensity squared (that is, up to Kramers' time). We obtain exponentially small upper and lower bounds on the probability of exceptional paths. If the slow manifold contains bifurcation points, we show similar concentration properties for the fast variables corresponding to non-bifurcating modes. We also give conditions under which the system can be approximated by a lower-dimensional one, in which the fast variables contain only bifurcating modes.Comment: 43 pages. Published version. Remarks added, minor correction

Exploring HE retention and drop-out - a European biographical research approach

This symposium is based on the developing work of the research project ‘Access and Retention: Experiences of Non-Traditional Learners in HE’, funded by the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme under Key Activity 1 “Policy Co-operation and Innovation” of the Transversal programme. (Project number: 135230-LLP-1-2007-1-UK-KA1-KA1SCR). The project has eight partners from seven different countries: England, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Spain and Sweden and runs from 2008 to 2010. The overall aim of the project is to examine issues of access, retention and non-completion in relation to ‘non-traditional’ undergraduate students (young people and adults across a wide age range) in higher education on a comparative European basis

Changes in work habits of lifeguards in relation to Florida red tide

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2010. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Harmful Algae 9 (2010): 419-425, doi:10.1016/j.hal.2010.02.005.The marine dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, is responsible for Florida red tides. Brevetoxins, the neurotoxins produced by K. brevis blooms, can cause fish kills, contaminate shellfish, and lead to respiratory illness in humans. Although several studies have assessed different economic impacts from Florida red tide blooms, no studies to date have considered the impact on beach lifeguard work performance. Sarasota County experiences frequent Florida red tides and staffs lifeguards at its beaches 365 days a year. This study examined lifeguard attendance records during the time periods of March 1 to September 30 in 2004 (no bloom) and March 1 to September 30 in 2005 (bloom). The lifeguard attendance data demonstrated statistically significant absenteeism during a Florida red tide bloom. The potential economic costs resulting from red tide blooms were comprised of both lifeguard absenteeism and presenteeism. Our estimate of the costs of absenteeism due to the 2005 red tide in Sarasota County is about $3,000. On average, the capitalized costs of lifeguard absenteeism in Sarasota County may be on the order of$100,000 at Sarasota County beaches alone. When surveyed, lifeguards reported not only that they experienced adverse health effects of exposure to Florida red tide but also that their attentiveness and abilities to take preventative actions decrease when they worked during a bloom, implying presenteeism effects. The costs of presenteeism, which imply increased risks to beachgoers, arguably could exceed those of absenteeism by an order of magnitude. Due to the lack of data, however, we are unable to provide credible estimates of the costs of presenteeism or the potential increased risks to bathers.This research was supported by the National Science Foundation under The Research Experience for Undergraduate Program, grant number 0453955; the P01 ES 10594, DHHS NIH of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; the Center for Oceans and Human Health at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution [National Science Foundation (NSF) OCE-0430724; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) P50 ES012742]; and the Ocean and Human Health Center at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School (NSF 0CE0432368; NIEHS 1 P50 ES12736)

Non-equivalence of anti-Müllerian hormone automated assays—clinical implications for use as a companion diagnostic for individualised gonadotrophin dosing

STUDY QUESTION Can anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) automated immunoassays (Elecsys® and Access) be used interchangeably as a companion diagnostic for individualisation of follitropin delta dosing? SUMMARY ANSWER The Access assay gives systematically higher AMH values than the Elecsys® assay which results in over 29% of women being misclassified to a different follitropin delta dose. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Follitropin delta is the first gonadotrophin to be licenced with a companion diagnostic, the Roche Elecsys® AMH Plus assay. Alternative automated AMH assays including the Beckman Coulter Access immunoassay are considered to provide similar results, but clarification of their suitability as an off-licence companion diagnostic for follitropin delta is required. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We systematically searched the existing literature for studies that had measured AMH using both automated assays in the same cohort of women. Individual paired patient data were acquired from each author and combined with unpublished data. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We identified five eligible prospective published studies and one additional unpublished study. A 100% response from the authors was achieved. We collected paired AMH data on samples from 848 women. Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plots were used to compare the analytical performance of the two assays. The degree of misclassification to different treatment categories was estimated should the Access AMH be used as a companion diagnostic instead of the Elecsys AMH in determining the dosing of follitropin delta. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The Passing–Bablok regression shows a linear relationship (Access = −0.05 + 1.10 × Elecsys). The Access assay systematically gave higher values by an average of 10% compared with the Elecsys assay (slope = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.12). The average of the difference between the two assays was 2.7 pmol/l. The 95% limits of agreement were −11.7 to 6.3. Overall 253 (29.3%) women would have received an inappropriate follitropin delta dose if the Beckman Coulter Access assay was used. Specifically, a substantial proportion of women (ranging from 49% to 90% depending on the AMH category) would receive a lower dose of follitropin delta based on the Access AMH assay. Up to 10% (ranging from 2.5% to 10%) of women with high ovarian reserve would have been misclassified to a greater dose of follitropin delta based on the Access AMH assay. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION We compared the values of the two principal automated assays, extrapolation of our findings to other automated AMH assays would require similar comprehensive examination. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS An international standard for the calibration of the automated AMH assays is warranted to facilitate efficient use of AMH as a companion diagnostic. The variable calibration of alternative automated AMH assays may adversely impact on the performance of the follitropin delta dosing algorithm. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No formal funding has been received for this study. SI is funded by a UK Medical Research Council skills development fellowship (MR/N015177/1). SMN has received speakers fees, travel to meetings and participated in advisory Boards for Beckman Coulter, IBSA, Ferring Pharmaecuticals, Finox, Merck Serono, Merck and Roche Diagnostics. SMN has received research support from Ansh laboratories, Beckman Coulter, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Roche Diagnostics

Prospectus, November 22, 1977

NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING: PLATO STAYS \u27TIL AUGUST; Senate votes tomorrow: More $$$ for Parkland; Pssst!! Here\u27s a hot tip for making lettuce; Who\u27s Who in American Junior Colleges: More PC students listed in college directory; Staff editorial: Has PLATO become just a PLAy TOy???; Letters to the editors: Let\u27s try it one more time: Ax; Canteen defended; Cycle schedule is now available; Administration posture on Canteen is one of \u27Let them eat cake\u27; Decision workshop given by counseling; Bio instructors sound off on DES reply; Special to Prospectus: Calculator gives interview; Beach Boys revisited; Poet\u27s Corner; Grid great grabs freight: \u27Picnic\u27 keeps the audience laughing; News in Brief: Volunteers are needed for programs; Lems performs here November 29; LWV will cater fancy goodies; Classifieds; Thanks, but no thanks: PC students reflect on holiday season; Chris tells Spaniards, \u27Turkeys is peacocks\u27; Freddy is loser in contest finale; second year in a row: K-Action takes football crown; Win opener, 86-59: Cobras fry Lynx; Molesters stampede Bulls in IM opener; Two local teams still running for state; Cobras take on Millikin tonight in home opener; Bills vs. Oui; Pool wizard here Tues.https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1977/1003/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, December 1, 1977

STU-GO: STU-GO VOTES AGAINST DELAY SYSTEM, WILL BUY \u27TOYS FOR TOTS\u27; Toys for Tots; Woods offers nice winter get-away; Vets should give notice if planning to move; PFW Christmas party tonight; Corbin speaks on Animal Biology; Parkland Events; Hymn and carol sing in PC gym; Canteen committee member castigates \u27cake\u27 communique; New agribusiness course announced; Vet Techs Week; Wide-screen TV; League seeking more bowlers; \u27Masters-piece\u27 presented here by senior group; The Better Information Project, also known as BIPPIE awards; SWAMP sponsors info fair here; Poet\u27s Corner; Monday set as interview night for real-estaters; Women gather in Houston: Was IWY meeting effective?; Author here Monday; Devices help the visually impaired; Old-fashioned Christmas at New Salem; Special Notice; Journ club meets; Silver cue sparkles in exhibition: White conjures and captures crowd; Classifieds; Bouncing Bob takes over; Eureka JV\u27s remain question for Cobra squad; Cobras drop first game to fired-up Springfield quintet; Hopes are high: indoor track; Larson, Adams represent PC at nationals in Tuscon; M-S best 2-A team; High school roundballers groom for March Madness; Men\u27s basketball: Home opener features convincing win; Can women repeat success?: Freshmen lead women cagers, Perfection hard to improve upon, Parkland Women\u27s Basketball Team, Parkland Women\u27s Basketball Schedulehttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1977/1002/thumbnail.jp