Choosing treatment for localised prostate cancer: A patient-conducted-interview study

Objectives: Treatment choice can be particularly difficult in localised prostate cancer because of the uncertainty involved. Indeed, some men prefer maintaining their masculine identity and quality of life to potentially securing longer-term survival through surgery or radiotherapy. UK health services are now obliged to leave the choice of treatment to the patient and the aim of this study is to improve understanding of patients’ experiences of choosing treatment. Methods: A one-day participative workshop where men of six months post-diagnosis design and conduct audio and video interviews on each other about their experiences of choosing treatment. Results: The findings show that treatment choice is a complex process combining emotional and rational elements. Information gathering and delegation to professional expertise were two key themes that emerged. Conclusions: The findings emphasise that treatment choice for localised prostate cancer is little like the traditional notions of consumerism from which it is derived. Importantly, the results illustrate, from a patient perspective, how health professionals can engage in their roles as information providers and as experts

Topoisomerase activity assays in Neurospora

DNA topoisomerases are enzymes capable of altering the topological conformation of DNA by inducing transient single (Topoisomerase I) and double strand (Topoisomerase II) breaks

A SCN9A gene-encoded dorsal root ganglia sodium channel polymorphism associated with severe fibromyalgia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A consistent line of investigation suggests that autonomic nervous system dysfunction may explain the multi-system features of fibromyalgia (FM); and that FM is a sympathetically maintained neuropathic pain syndrome. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are key sympathetic-nociceptive short-circuit sites. Sodium channels located in DRG (particularly Nav1.7) act as molecular gatekeepers for pain detection. Nav1.7 is encoded in gene SCN9A of chromosome 2q24.3 and is predominantly expressed in the DRG pain-sensing neurons and sympathetic ganglia neurons. Several SCN9A sodium channelopathies have been recognized as the cause of rare painful dysautonomic syndromes such as paroxysmal extreme pain disorder and primary erythromelalgia. The aim of this study was to search for an association between fibromyalgia and several SCN9A sodium channels gene polymorphisms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied 73 Mexican women suffering from FM and 48 age-matched women who considered themselves healthy. All participants filled out the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Genomic DNA from whole blood containing EDTA was extracted by standard techniques. The following SCN9A single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were determined by 5' exonuclease TaqMan assays: rs4371369; rs4387806; rs4453709; rs4597545; rs6746030; rs6754031; rs7607967; rs12620053; rs12994338; and rs13017637.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of the rs6754031 polymorphism was significantly different in both groups (<it>P </it>= 0.036) mostly due to an absence of the GG genotype in controls. Interestingly; patients with this rs6754031 GG genotype had higher FIQ scores (median = 80; percentile 25/75 = 69/88) than patients with the GT genotype (median = 63; percentile 25/75 = 58/73; <it>P </it>= 0.002) and the TT genotype (median = 71; percentile 25/75 = 64/77; <it>P </it>= 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this ethnic group; a disabling form of FM is associated to a particular SCN9A sodium channel gene variant. These preliminary results raise the possibility that some patients with severe FM may have a dorsal root ganglia sodium channelopathy.</p

Norepinephrine-evoked pain in fibromyalgia. A randomized pilot study [ISRCTN70707830]

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome displays sympathetically maintained pain features such as frequent post-traumatic onset and stimuli-independent pain accompanied by allodynia and paresthesias. Heart rate variability studies showed that fibromyalgia patients have changes consistent with ongoing sympathetic hyperactivity. Norepinephrine-evoked pain test is used to assess sympathetically maintained pain syndromes. Our objective was to define if fibromyalgia patients have norepinephrine-evoked pain. METHODS: Prospective double blind controlled study. Participants: Twenty FM patients, and two age/sex matched control groups; 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 20 healthy controls. Ten micrograms of norepinephrine diluted in 0.1 ml of saline solution were injected in a forearm. The contrasting substance, 0.1 ml of saline solution alone, was injected in the opposite forearm. Maximum local pain elicited during the 5 minutes post-injection was graded on a visual analog scale (VAS). Norepinephrine-evoked pain was diagnosed when norepinephrine injection induced greater pain than placebo injection. Intensity of norepinephrine-evoked pain was calculated as the difference between norepinephrine minus placebo-induced VAS scores. RESULTS: Norepinephrine-evoked pain was seen in 80 % of FM patients (95% confidence intervals 56.3 – 94.3%), in 30 % of rheumatoid arthritis patients and in 30 % of healthy controls (95% confidence intervals 11.9 – 54.3) (p < 0.05). Intensity of norepinephrine-evoked pain was greater in FM patients (mean ± SD 2.5 ± 2.5) when compared to rheumatoid arthritis patients (0.3 ± 0.7), and healthy controls (0.3 ± 0.8) p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: Fibromyalgia patients have norepinephrine-evoked pain. This finding supports the hypothesis that fibromyalgia may be a sympathetically maintained pain syndrome

Service evaluation of weight outcomes as a function of initial BMI in 34,271 adults referred to a primary care/commercial weight management partnership scheme

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Radiosensitive melanoma cell line with mutation of the gene for ataxia telangiectasia.

The human melanoma cell lines MM96L, A2058 and HT144 were examined for sensitivity to ionizing radiation and UVB radiation. HT144 demonstrated a significant increase in sensitivity to ionizing and UVB radiation compared with the MM96L and A2058 cells. Sensitivity to both agents was associated with susceptibility to apoptosis. Using a protein truncation assay, a mutation for the gene for ataxia telangiectasia (ATM) was identified in HT144 cells. This was confirmed to be a homozygous mutation by subsequent sequencing of the abnormal region. Protein truncation assay of the other two cell lines showed no abnormality. The results suggest that somatic mutation of the A-T gene may be important in determining tumour radiosensitivity

Density, species, and size distribution of groupers (Serranidae) in three habitats at Elbow Reef, Florida Keys

We examined the density, size and species distribution of groupers in three habitats on an inshore-to-offshore transect across Elbow Reef, Florida Keys: high-relief spur-and-groove (4–9 m depth), relict spur-and-groove (10–20 m), and deep fore reef slope (21–30 m). Physical relief was greatest in the high-relief spur-and-groove (up to 3 m), lowest in the relict spur-and-groove habitat (30%). There were significant differences in the density, size, and species distribution of groupers among the three habitats. Graysby, Epinephelus cruentatus, was numerically dominant, constituting 82–91% of individual observed. Black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci, and Nassau grouper, E. striatus, were more abundant in high to moderate relief habitats, whereas red hind, E. guttatus, was more abundant in the low-relief habitat. The size distribution was shifted towards smaller sizes in lowest relief habitat and towards larger sizes in areas with greater (\u3e0.5 m) vertical relief. We suggest that fishing pressure in the Florida Keys has resulted in an offshore grouper assemblage dominated by graysby, a small grouper species (length) which is not targeted by fishermen, and that habitat selection and biological interactions have significantly influenced the ecological structure of the grouper assemblage of this coral reef

The Effect of Child Abuse on University Student’s Psychological Status A Retrospective study

Child abuse commonly underpins adult depression. Child abuse is classified into four categories; physical, sexual, mental and neglect. This paper will study and discuss the rate of depression caused by child abuse at the time of the abuse, the data collected from the first section of the survey, which consisted of two categorical questions. There are two questions that this research will try to answer; have more females experienced one or multiple types of abuse during their childhood compared to male? And have the ones who have experienced abuse suffered from a degree of depression at the time of the abuse. The depression test that consisted of four questions that determined the participant’s depression percentage The result and tables have been duplicated from the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP), 21 females and 36 males participated in the survey. In total 57 students answered the questions that were sent through email.  73% of the participants said that they were not abused as a child in any of the forms. 27% of the participants have been abused in one or more of the ways as a child., further, 71.4% of the abuse were physical followed by mental and neglect (28%. 28%, respectively). Likely there were zero records of sexual abuse.  Most of the abuse was happening around age 1-5  years and less likely on age 1-5 and above. Females become more depressed than males. 57.2% of the abused children were suffering from anxiety followed by an interruption in their relationship and low self esteem It can be concluded that more female were abused as a child. We can see that the constant (Male) is 49.29 and the female participants are 26.34 more than the constant. This proves that females become more depressed than men. Therefore, much work will need to Protect the children from harm

Stryd 25 vs. Stryd 27: Comparing Running Metrics Between a Predecessor and “The Next Gen Stryd”

Wearable technology has claimed the top spot in the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends in all but two years since 2016. A popular wearable among runners is the Stryd power meter. The company markets its latest model, the Stryd 27, as 5x more responsive in measuring running power. Yet, it is unclear whether the new model performs differently than its predecessor. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare running metrics of the Stryd 25 and Stryd 27 in self-paced and interval runs. METHODS: Participants consented (N = 16; 50% female; height = 174.1 ± 8.1 centimeters [cm]; mass = 73.0 ± 12.4 kilograms) and were equipped with the Stryd 25 and Stryd 27, attached randomly to the left and right shoelaces. Each Stryd was paired with a separate mobile device using the Stryd app. Researchers started and stopped recording on each Stryd simultaneously. Participants ran for 10 minutes at a self-selected pace counterclockwise around an indoor track (10 laps/mile) before resting for five minutes. Then participants ran 10 more minutes, alternating between fast and slow intervals: 120 seconds (s) × 2, 60 s × 2, 30 s × 4, and 15 s × 8. Fast and slow intervals were 20% faster and 20% slower, respectively, than the participant’s mean pace of the first run. The Stryd app recorded power in watts (W), cadence in steps per minute (spm), vertical oscillation (VO) in cm, and stride length in meters (m). Four independent t-tests were run to compare these measurements between the two Stryd models for the self-paced and interval runs. The alpha level was .05, and the effect size was Cohen’s d (0.2 small, 0.5 medium, 0.8 large). RESULTS: See Table 1. CONCLUSION: Four running metrics were statistically similar between the Stryd 25 and Stryd 27 during two indoor runs. Runners using the predecessor indoors can be confident it returns similar data to the newest model