25-Hydroxy vitamin-D, obesity, and associated variables as predictors of breast cancer risk and tamoxifen benefit in NSABP-P1.

Observational studies suggest that host factors are associated with breast cancer risk. The influence of obesity, vitamin-D status, insulin resistance, inflammation, and elevated adipocytokines in women at high risk of breast cancer is unknown. The NSABP-P1 trial population was used for a nested case-control study. Cases were drawn from those who developed invasive breast cancer and controls selected from unaffected participants (≤4 per case) matched for age, race, 5 year Gail score, and geographic location of clinical center as a surrogate for latitude. Fasting serum banked at trial enrolment was assayed for 25-hydroxy vitamin-D (25OHD), insulin, leptin (adipocytokine), and C-reactive protein (CRP, marker of inflammation). Logistic regression was used to test for associations between study variables and the risk of invasive breast cancer. Two hundred and thirty-one cases were matched with 856 controls. Mean age was 54, and 49% were premenopausal. There were negative correlations for 25OHD with body mass index (BMI), insulin, CRP, and leptin. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) was associated with higher breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] 1.45, p = 0.02) and tamoxifen treatment was associated with lower risk (OR = 0.44, p < 0.001). Suboptimal 25OHD (<72 nmol/l) did not influence breast cancer risk (OR = 1.06, p = 0.76). When evaluated as continuous variables, 25OHD, insulin, CRP, and leptin levels were not associated with breast cancer risk (all p > 0.34). In this high risk population, higher BMI was associated with a greater breast cancer risk. Serum levels of 25OHD, insulin, CRP, and leptin were not independent predictors of either breast cancer risk or tamoxifen benefit

Water quality management in aquaculture

In aquaculture, water quality is one of the prime factors that determines the success of that particular culture. Primarily the water quality parameters are divided into three major categories, physical, chemical and biological. But a slight change in some of the parameters especially pH,temperature,DO will lead to stress in the organism and it may be of physiological or behavioral. Deteriorated or changed water quality will affect growth,reproductive capacity. Susceptibility to diseases is also more in such environment. Water qualitymanagement measures aim at improving water quality. Aquaculture entrepreneurs should know the basics of water quality management measures in aquaculture to reduce the problems related with water quality so as to utilize the of water body with viable profit as well as environmental sustainabilit

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among non-refugees and refugees in Kenya

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (which we define as refusal to be vaccinated when asked, resulting in delayed or non- vaccination) are poorly studied in sub-Saharan Africa and among refugees, particularly in Kenya. Using survey data from wave five (March to June 2021) of the Kenya Rapid Response Phone Survey (RRPS), a household survey representative of the population of Kenya, we estimated the self-reported rates and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among non-refugees and refugees in Kenya. Non-refugee households were recruited through sampling of the 2015/16 Kenya Household Budget Survey and random digit dialing. Refugee households were recruited through random sampling of registered refugees. Binary response questions on misinformation and information were transformed into a scale. We performed a weighted (to be representative of the overall population of Kenya) multivariable logistic regression including interactions for refugee status, with the main outcome being if the respondent self-reported that they would not take the COVID-19 vaccine if available at no cost. We calculated the marginal effects of the various factors in the model. The weighted univariate analysis estimated that 18.0% of non-refugees and 7.0% of refugees surveyed in Kenya would not take the COVID-19 vaccine if offered at no cost. Adjusted, refugee status was associated with a -13.1[95%CI:-17.5,-8.7] percentage point difference (ppd) in vaccine hesitancy. For the both refugees and non-refugees, having education beyond the primary level, having symptoms of COVID-19, avoiding handshakes, and washing hands more often were also associated with a reduction in vaccine hesitancy. Also for both, having used the internet in the past three months was associated with a 8.1[1.4,14.7] ppd increase in vaccine hesitancy; and disagreeing that the government could be trusted in responding to COVID-19 was associated with a 25.9[14.2,37.5]ppd increase in vaccine hesitancy. There were significant interactions between refugee status and some variables (geography, food security, trust in the Kenyan government’s response to COVID-19, knowing somebody with COVID-19, internet use, and TV ownership). These relationships between refugee status and certain variables suggest that programming between refugees and non-refugees be differentiated and specific to the contextual needs of each group

दक्षिणी अरब सागर में नोक्टिलूका सिन्टिलन्स के प्रस्‍फुटन से मात्स्यिकी और जलराशि की में प्रभाव

केन्द्रीय समुद्री मात्स्यिकी अनुसंधान संस्‍थान (सी एम एफ आर आइ) द्वारा दिनक 20 नवंबर, 2020 को एफ वी सिल्वर पोम्‍पानो में आयोजित समुद्री पर्यटन के दौरान दक्षिणी अरब सागर की ऊपरी परतों में 20 और 30 मीटर के स्टेशन पर एक हल्का हरा रंग देखा गया (चित्र 1)। सूक्ष्‍मदर्शी द्वारा जांच करने पर व्‍यक्त हुआ कि पानी का हरा रंग डाइनो फ्लाजेल्‍लेट नोक् टिलूका सि न्टिलन् स (मकार्टन), जि सका औसत कोशिका घनत्व 3.12 x 105 सेल L-1 और आकार 554.62–885.57 μm (चित्र 2) है, के प्रस्‍फुटन से होता है

First report of a rare bloom of Ornithocercus magnificus, Stein 1883 along the coastal waters of Kochi; A possible indicator of increasing sea surface temperature

A bloom of the planktonic dinoflagellate, Ornithocercus magnificus was reported for the first time in the surface waters of the off Kochi coastal region with an evidently higher density of 1.7 x 106 cells L-1 on 18.12.2019. No conspicuous colouration of the surface waters was noticed even with the higher abundance of (1.7 x 106 cells L-1) observed near the barmouth area (6-7 m). The tracking on the occurrence of this genus in this region from 2013 to 2019 revealed their occurrence only during three times over the six years, i.e. the post monsoon season of 2013 and 2014 and during pre-monsoon of 2016. The SST of the three stations of the post monsoon season was compared for the last three years from 2017 to 2019, and an evident variation in the SST distribution was noticed in this region. The SST in 2019 was 2.1°C higher than that observed during 2017. The occurrence of Ornithocercus magnificus showed a positive correlation with SST (rs =0.425, p<0.05). It was also noted that the occurrence of this species was observed during the El Nino years. The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) also positively correlated with the SST during the period (rs =0.432, p<0.05). The higher abundance of this species in 2019 when warmer SST was observed and their positive correlation with SST indicates the preferences of O.magnificus to warmer waters. The Shannon and Weiner diversity index (H’) ranged from 2.87-3.29 and the water quality index (WQI) remained good during the bloom. As Ornithocercus magnificus did occur during higher SST, this genus can be used as a proxy of climate change and hence has a strong potential to be used as indicator species of higher SST variation if found in novel environments

Long-term outcomes of pediatric infections: from traditional infectious diseases to long covid

: There is limited evidence available on the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. In this article, the authors&nbsp;analyze the&nbsp;recent evidence on pediatric long covid and lessons learnt from a pediatric post-covid unit in Rome, Italy. To gain a better understanding of the concerns raised by parents and physicians in relation to the potential long-term consequences of this novel infection, it is important to recognize that long-term effect&nbsp;of a&nbsp;post-infectious disease is not a new phenomenon

Report on egg mass of Hound needle fish Tylosurus crocodilus

During an oceanographic cruise of ICAR-CMFRI on board FV Silver Pompano on November 2021, a bunch of pale-yellow spherical egg consisting of about thousand numbers connected by strong filaments on the chorion were obtained while undertaking experimental trawling in off Kochi region at 20-meter depth (Fig 1). After taking photographs and enumeration of the egg bunch, a small sub sample was taken for further analysis and the remaining eggs were released back into the sea immediately. The collected egg samples were preserved in 95% ethanol and brought to lab for further analysis. Preserved eggs were observed and photographed in the lab by Nikon SMZ 25 stereo zoom microscope

Web-based cardiac REhabilitatioN alternative for those declining or dropping out of conventional rehabilitation : results of the WREN feasibility randomised controlled trial

Introduction Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is typically delivered in hospital-based classes and is recommended to help people reduce their risk of further cardiac events. However, many eligible people are not completing the programme. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of delivering a web-based CR intervention for those who decline/drop out from usual CR. Intervention A web-based CR programme for 6 months, facilitated with remote support. Methods Two-centre, randomised controlled feasibility trial. Patients were randomly allocated to web-based CR/usual care for 6 months. Data were collected to inform the design of a larger study: recruitment rates, quality of life (MacNew), exercise capacity (incremental shuttle walk test) and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Feasibility of health utility collection was also evaluated. Results 60 patients were randomised (90% male, mean age 62±9 years, 26% of those eligible). 82% completed all three assessment visits. 78% of the web group completed the programme. Quality of life improved in the web group by a clinically meaningful amount (0.5±1.1 units vs 0.2±0.7 units: control). Exercise capacity improved in both groups but mood did not change in either group. It was feasible to collect health utility data. Conclusions It was feasible to recruit and retention to the end of the study was good. The web group reported important improvements in quality of life. This intervention has the opportunity to increase access to CR for patients who would otherwise not attend. Promising outcomes and recruitment suggest feasibility for a full-scale trial. Trial registration number 1072679

The Restyled Federal Rules of Evidence

A lightly edited transcript of the Symposium held at the William & Mary School of Law on October 28, 2011

The Restyled Federal Rules of Evidence

A lightly edited transcript of the Symposium held at the William & Mary School of Law on October 28, 2011