Identifying the subtypes of cancer-related fatigue: results from the population-based PROFILES registry

Purpose: Little research has been done to identify possible cancer-related fatigue (CRF) subtypes and to classify cancer survivors accordingly. We aimed to identify CRF subtypes in a large population-based sample of (long term) stage I–III colorectal cancer survivors. We also identified factors associated with the CRF subtypes. Methods: Respondents completed the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and other validated questionnaires on anxiety and reduced positive affect (anhedonia), sleep quality, and lifestyle factors (body mass index and physical activity). Latent class analysis was used to derive the CRF subtypes. Factors associated with the derived CRF subtypes were determined with multinomial logistic regression. Results: Three CRF classes were identified: class 1 (no fatigue and distress, n = 644, 56%), class 2 (low f

Force spectroscopy of a single artificial biomolecule bond : The Kramers' high-barrier limit holds close to the critical force

We use a minimal system with a single micron-size bead trapped with optical tweezers to investigate the kinetics of escape under force. Surprisingly, the exponential decay of the off rate with the barrier energy is still valid close to the critical force. Hence, the high viscosity approximation derived by Kramers in the case of a high energy barrier holds even for an energy barrier close to the thermal energy. Several recent models describe a single biomolecule bond by a smooth single-barrier energy profile. When this approach is accurate enough, our result justifies the use of Kramers' approximation in the high-force regime, close to the critical force of the system, as done in recent single biomolecule bond studies

Force-generation and dynamic instability of microtubule bundles

Individual dynamic microtubules can generate pushing or pulling forces when their growing or shrinking ends are in contact with cellular objects such as the cortex or chromosomes. These microtubules can operate in parallel bundles, for example when interacting with mitotic chromosomes. Here, we investigate the force-generating capabilities of a bundle of growing microtubules and study the effect that force has on the cooperative dynamics of such a bundle. We used an optical tweezers setup to study microtubule bundles growing against a microfabricated rigid barrier in vitro. We show that multiple microtubules can generate a pushing force that increases linearly with the number of microtubules present. In addition, the bundle can cooperatively switch to a shrinking state, due to a force-induced coupling of the dynamic instability of single microtubules. In the presence of GMPCPP, bundle catastrophes no longer occur, and high bundle forces are reached more effectively. We reproduce the observed behavior with a simple simulation of microtubule bundle dynamics that takes into account previously measured force effects on single microtubules. Using this simulation, we also show that a constant compressive force on a growing bundle leads to oscillations in bundle length that are of potential relevance for chromosome oscillations observed in living cells

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after different axillary treatments in women with breast cancer:a 1-year longitudinal cohort study

Purpose: As life expectancy continues to rise, post-treatment health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer patients becomes increasingly important. This study examined the one-year longitudinal relation between axillary treatments and physical, psychosocial, and sexual wellbeing and arm symptoms. Methods: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who received different axillary treatments being axilla preserving surgery (APS) with or without axillary radiotherapy or full axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with or without axillary radiotherapy were included. HRQoL was assessed at baseline, 6- and 12-months postoperatively using the BREAST-Q and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). Mixed regression models were constructed to assess the impact of axillary treatment on HRQoL. HRQoL at baseline was compared to HRQoL at 6- and at 12-months postoperatively. Results: In total, 552 patients were included in the mixed regressions models. Except for ALND with axillary radiotherapy, no significant differences in physical and psychosocial wellbeing were found. Physical wellbeing decreased significantly between baseline and 6- and 12-months postoperatively (p &lt; 0.001, p = 0.035) and psychosocial wellbeing decreased significantly between baseline and 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.028) for ALND with axillary radiotherapy compared to APS alone. Arm symptoms increased significantly between baseline and 6 months and between baseline and 12 months postoperatively for APS with radiotherapy (12.71, 13.73) and for ALND with radiotherapy (13.93, 16.14), with the lowest increase in arm symptoms for ALND without radiotherapy (6.85, 7.66), compared to APS alone (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Physical and psychosocial wellbeing decreased significantly for ALND with radiotherapy compared to APS alone. Shared decision making and expectation management pre-treatment could be strengthened by discussing arm symptoms per axillary treatment with the patient.</p

Proton irradiation of CVD diamond detectors for high-luminosity experiments at the LHC

CVD diamond shows promising properties for use as a position sensitive detector for experiments in the highest radiation areas at the Large Hadron Collider. In order to study the radiation hardn ess of diamond we exposed CVD diamond detector samples to 24~GeV/$c$ and 500~MeV protons up to a fluence of $5\times 10^{15}~p/{\rm cm^2}$. We measured the charge collection distance, the ave rage distance electron hole pairs move apart in an external electric field, and leakage currents before, during, and after irradiation. The charge collection distance remains unchanged up to $1\ times 10^{15}~p/{\rm cm^2}$ and decreases by $\approx$40~\% at $5\times 10^{15}~p/{\rm cm^2}$. Leakage currents of diamond samples were below 1~pA before and after irradiation. The particle indu ced currents during irradiation correlate well with the proton flux. In contrast to diamond, a silicon diode, which was irradiated for comparison, shows the known large increase in leakage curren t. We conclude that CVD diamond detectors are radiation hard to 24~GeV/$c$ and 500~MeV protons up to at least $1\times 10^{15}~p/{\rm cm^2}$ without signal loss

Perceived care and well-being of patients with cancer and matched norm participants in the COVID-19 crisis:Results of a survey of participants in the Dutch PROFILES registry

Importance As the resolution of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis is unforeseeable, and/or a second wave of infections may arrive in the fall of 2020, it is important to evaluate patients’ perspectives to learn from this. Oblective To assess how Dutch patients with cancer perceive cancer treatment and follow-up care (including experiences with telephone and video consultations [TC/VC]) and patients’ well-being in comparison with a norm population during the COVID-19 crisis. Design, setting, and participants Cross-sectional study of patients participating in the Dutch Patient Reported Outcomes Following Initial Treatment and Long-term Evaluation of Survivorship (PROFILES) registry and a norm population who completed a questionnaire from April to May 2020. Main outcomes and measures Logistic regression analysis assessed factors associated with changes in cancer care (treatment or follow-up appointment postponed/canceled or changed to TC/VC). Differences in quality of life, anxiety/depression, and loneliness between patients and age-matched and sex-matched norm participants were evaluated with regression models. Results The online questionnaire was completed by 4094 patients (48.6% response), of whom most were male (2493 [60.9%]) and had a mean (SD) age of 63.0 (11.1) years. Of these respondents, 886 (21.7%) patients received treatment; 2725 (55.6%) received follow-up care. Treatment or follow-up appointments were canceled for 390 (10.8%) patients, whereas 160 of 886 (18.1%) in treatment and 234 of 2725 (8.6%) in follow-up had it replaced by a TC/VC. Systemic therapy, active surveillance, or surgery were associated with cancellation of treatment or follow-up appointment. Younger age, female sex, comorbidities, metastasized cancer, being worried about getting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and receiving supportive care were associated with replacement of a consultation with a TC/VC. Patients and norm participants reported that the COVID-19 crisis made them contact their general practitioner (852 of 4068 [20.9%] and 218 of 979 [22.3%]) or medical specialist/nurse (585 of 4068 [14.4%] and 144 of 979 [14.7%]) less quickly when they had physical complaints or concerns. Most patients who had a TC/VC preferred a face-to-face consultation, but 151 of 394 (38.3%) were willing to use a TC/VC again. Patients with cancer were more worried about getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with the 977 norm participants (917 of 4094 [22.4%] vs 175 of 977 [17.9%]). Quality of life, anxiety, and depression were comparable, but norm participants more often reported loneliness (114 of 977 [11.7%] vs 287 of 4094 [7.0%]) than patients with cancer (P = .009). Conclusions and relevance Among patients with cancer in the Netherlands, 1 in 3 reported changes in cancer care in the first weeks of the COVID-19 crisis. Long-term outcomes need to be monitored. The crisis may affect the mental well-being of the general population relatively more than that of patients with cancer

Notes on the genus Pseudocheirus Ogilby (Mammalia, Marsupialia) from New Guinea

The present study is mainly based on material collected during the 19391940 Dutch New Guinea Expedition of the "Koninklijk Nederlandsch Aardrijkskundig Genootschap" (the Royal Netherlands Geographic Society) to the region of the Wissel Lakes in central West New Guinea. Professor Dr. H. Boschma, who was the zoologist of the expedition, then obtained 753 specimens of mammals. These specimens were mainly brought together by the natives of the region, who belong to the Kepaukoe tribe. In the period from 25 September to 20 November 1939 213 marsupials, 70 bats, 465 rodents, 2 New Guinea dogs and 3 skulls of the domestic New Guinea pig were collected in the neighbourhood of Enarotali and the Araboe bivouac. Enarotali, on Paniai Lake at 3º 55' 40" S I36° 22' 6" E, was the headquarters of the zoologist of the expedition; this village is situated on the eastbank of the lake, at an altitude of 1765 m. Araboe bivouac is a bivouac on the Araboe River which empties in the N.E. angle of Paniai Lake, at an altitude of 1750 m. Because most of the material was brought in by natives, the biotopes as a rule are not known (cf. Boschma, 1943). The genus Pseudocheirus is represented in this material by two species, viz. P. corinnae Thomas and P. mayeri Rothschild & Dollman. A very fine series of 105 specimens of the latter species was obtained, which proves that it must be very abundant in the Wissel Lakes region. Also the material of P. mayeri collected by the 1938-1939 Archbold Expedition to the central part of West New Guinea could be studied. This material consists of 41 skins with skulls obtained in the central mountain range between Mt. Wilhelmina and the Idenburg River (see Archbold, Rand & Brass, 1942, map 1). Through the kindness of the late Dr. G. H. H. Tat

Het determineren van schedelresten van zoogdieren in braakballen van uilen

INHOUD Inleiding.................... 3 Het analyseren van braakballen.............. 7 Het instrumentarium................. 11 Het opmeten van de zoogdierschedel............. 13 Tabellen voor het determineren van de schedelresten........ 24 a. Tabel voor het onderscheiden van bovenkaken......... 25 b. Tabel voor het onderscheiden van onderkaken......... 30 Systematisch overzicht van de in braakballen aangetroffen zoogdieren .... 36 Samenvatting in het Engels (Summary)............ 55 Tabellen van schedelmaten................ 57-58 Geciteerde literatuur................. 59 Register op de zoogdiernamen.............. 62 INLEIDING Het is ruim dertig jaar geleden dat Schreuder (1931, pp. 179-182) in het tijdschrift „De Levende Natuur" haar „Tabel tot het bepalen van de soorten der muisachtigen (Muridae) voorkomend in uileballen" publiceerde. Twee jaar later verscheen in hetzelfde tijdschrift de „Tabel tot het bepalen van de insecteneters voorkomende in uileballen" samengesteld door [Böhmers en] Van Bemmel (1933, pp. 312-314). Beide tabellen werden door IJsseling en Scheygrond (1943, pp. 150-152; 157-16o; 1950, pp. 148-150; 155-157) in de twee edities van hun boek „De zoogdieren van Nederland" overgenomen. Het is onbetwistbaar dat deze tabellen van grote betekenis zijn; zij hebben er niet alleen veel toe bijgedragen om de aandacht te vestigen op het belang van het analyseren van braakballen voor de zoogdierfaunistiek van ons land