Spectral classification of short numerical exon and intron sequences

This research presents three new numerical representations for classifying short exon and intron sequences using discrete Fourier transform period-3 value. Based on the human genome, results indicate that the Complex Twin-Pair representation is attractive compared with other numerical representations and the approach has potential applications in genome annotation and read mapping

Medical Student Knowledge of Oncology and Related Disciplines: a Targeted Needs Assessment

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Despite increasing numbers of cancer survivors, non-oncology physicians report discomfort and little training regarding oncologic and survivorship care. This pilot study assesses medical student comfort with medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, hospice/palliative medicine, and survivorship care. METHODS: A survey was developed with input from specialists in various fields of oncologic care at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. The survey included respondent demographics, reports of experience with oncology, comfort ratings with oncologic care, and five clinical vignettes. Responses were yes/no, multiple choice, Likert scale, or free response. The survey was distributed via email to medical students (MS1-4) at two United States medical schools. RESULTS/FINDINGS: The 105 respondents were 34 MS1s (32%), 15 MS2s and MD/PhDs (14%), 26 MS3s (25%), and 30 MS4s (29%). Medical oncology, surgical oncology, and hospice/palliative medicine demonstrated a significant trend for increased comfort from MS1 to MS4, but radiation oncology and survivorship care did not. MS3s and MS4s reported the least experience with survivorship care and radiation oncology. In the clinical vignettes, students performed the worst on the long-term chemotherapy toxicity and hospice/palliative medicine questions. DISCUSSION: Medical students report learning about components of oncologic care, but lack overall comfort with oncologic care. Medical students also fail to develop an increased self-assessed level of comfort with radiation oncology and survivorship care. These pilot results support development of a formalized multi-disciplinary medical school oncology curriculum at these two institutions. An expanded national survey is being developed to confirm these preliminary findings

Allicin protects rat cardiomyoblasts (H9c2 cells) from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative injury through inhibiting the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species

Oxidative stress is considered an important factor that promotes cell death in response to a variety of pathophysiological conditions. This study investigated the antioxidant properties of allicin, the principle ingredient of garlic, on preventing oxidative stress-induced injury. The antioxidant capacities of allicin were measured by using 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell damage on H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Allicin (0.3–10 μM) pre-incubation could concentration-dependently attenuate the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase induced by H2O2 on H9c2 cells. It could also protect H9c2 cells against H2O2-induced cell damage. However, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of allicin was shown to be low. Therefore, it is believed that the protective effect of allicin on H9c2 cells could inhibit intracellular ROS production instead of scavenging extracellular H2O2 or free radicals. For the observed protective effect on H9c2 cells, allicin might also be effective in reducing free radical-induced myocardial cell death in ischemic condition