Arlis/ANZ 2.0

We've all been hearing about Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 lately. But just what are they all about, and is there anything there that Arlis/ANZ can take advantage of in order to better go about its business? Can there, should there, be an Arlis/ANZ 2.0? Arlis/ANZ, the Arts Libraries Society of Australia and New Zealand, is preparing to review it's online prescence. The Arlis/ANZ website is now three years old, and has been well maintained during that time. However it has not yet been systematically reviewed in terms of content, functionality, and strategic direction. The Arlis/ANZ Website version 'One' will be redeveloped into Arlis/ANZ Website version 'Two'. Although much of that review will concentrate on the structure, look and feel of the site, the review process offers an opportunity to incorporate Web 2.0 developments. By incorporating that 'best' of Web 2.0 in a strategic manner, Arlis/ANZ 2.0 - the website - has powerful potential to contribute toward the strength, cohesion and ongoing development of Arlis/ANZ 2.0 - the Society

Bayesian estimation of diagnostic accuracy of fecal culture and PCR-based tests for the detection of Salmonella enterica in California cull dairy cattle.

Epidemiological studies of low prevalence disease problems are often hindered by the high cost of diagnostic testing. The objective of this study was to evaluate PCR screening of both individual and pooled fecal samples from culled dairy cows for the invA gene of Salmonella followed by culture to determine if the sensitivity and specificity were comparable to the results from traditional culture methods applied to individual samples. Cows from six different dairies were sampled in all four seasons. A total of 240 individual cow fecal samples, 24 fecal pools and 24 pools of 24-hour tetrathionate enrichment broth were tested. Diagnostic sensitivity of PCR screening followed by culture of PCR positive or indeterminate samples (i.e PCR-CUL method) was lower than that of culture (CUL) when applied to individual fecal samples (94.8%, 99.5%), however the specificity was comparable (99.6% and 97.7% respectively). For pools of five fecal samples and pools of five, 24 h tetrathionate broth samples, the specificity of both tests were comparable (∼98%); however, their sensitivity was only comparable in pooled fecal samples (∼93%) but greater for culture compared to PCR-CUL in pooled broth samples (∼99% versus ∼93%). Compared to culture results from testing of individual fecal samples, testing pooled fecal samples by culture had a relative sensitivity of 74% and relative specificity of 96%, testing pooled fecal samples by PCR-CUL resulted in relative sensitivity of 90% and relative specificity of 96%. Testing of pooled 24-hour enrichment broth by PCR-CUL increased the relative sensitivity and specificity to 100%. PCR testing followed by culture of positive or indeterminate samples is a time saving alternative to traditional methods. In addition, pooling of samples may be a useful method for decreasing cost if study aims can accommodate a moderate loss of relative sensitivity

Peritoneal carcinosis of ovarian origin

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the second most common genital malignancy in women and is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with an estimated five-year survival rate of 39%. Despite efforts to develop an effective ovarian cancer screening method, 60% of patients still present with advanced disease. Comprehensive management using surgical cytoreduction to decrease the tumor load to a minimum, and intraperitoneal chemotherapy to eliminate microscopic disease on peritoneal surface, has the potential to greatly improve quality of life and to have an impact on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Despite achieving clinical remission after completion of initial treatment, most patients (60%) with advanced EOC will ultimately develop recurrent disease or show drug resistance; the eventual rate of curability is less than 30%. Given the poor outcome of women with advanced EOC, it is imperative to continue to explore novel therapies.

HCI at the boundary of work and life

The idea behind this Special Issue originates in a workshop on HCI and CSCW research related to work and non-work-life balance organized in conjunction with the ECSCW 2013 conference by the issue co-editors. Fifteen papers were originally submitted for possible inclusion in this Special Issue, and four papers were finally accepted for publication after two rounds of rigorous peer review. The four accepted papers explore, in different ways, HCI at the boundary of work and life. In this editorial, we offer a description of the overall theme and rationale for the Special Issue, including an introduction on the topic relevance and background, and a reflection on how the four accepted papers further current research and debate on the topic

Much Ado about N...atrium: modelling tissuesodium as a highly sensitive marker of subclinicaland localized oedema

Hypertonic Na+ accumulation in peripheral tissues is a recently described phenomenon: it has been associated with ageing, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and heart failure, but its clinical meaning has yet to be determined. This concept conflicts with the classic physiological paradigm of constant balance between salt intake and excretion, and its water-independent nature is still a matter of debate. We developed a theoretical model explaining changes in the chemical composition of tissues as a function of extracellular volume fraction and excess extracellular fluid, i.e. oedema. The model suggests that the proportional increase in absolute Na+ content and concentration due to different degrees of oedema is higher than the parallel increase in water content, thus making Na+ a more sensitive index to detect this oedema. Our model would explain some of the recent findings of high tissue Na+ content in pathological conditions. More importantly, it prompts the reappraisal of tissue Na+ analysis from being a topic of niche interest to a potential diagnostic tool with broad applicability in the investigation of subclinical systemic and localized oedema

Sodium, Interstitium, Lymphatics and Hypertension-A Tale of Hydraulics

: Blood pressure is regulated by vascular resistance and intravascular volume. However, exchanges of electrolytes and water between intra and extracellular spaces and filtration of fluid and solutes in the capillary beds blur the separation between intravascular, interstitial and intracellular compartments. Contemporary paradigms of microvascular exchange posit filtration of fluids and solutes along the whole capillary bed and a prominent role of lymphatic vessels, rather than its venous end, for their reabsorption. In the last decade, these concepts have stimulated greater interest in and better understanding of the lymphatic system as one of the master regulators of interstitial volume homeostasis. Here, we describe the anatomy and function of the lymphatic system and focus on its plasticity in relation to the accumulation of interstitial sodium in hypertension. The pathophysiological relevance of the lymphatic system is exemplified in the kidneys, which are crucially involved in the control of blood pressure, but also hypertension-mediated cardiac damage. Preclinical modulation of the lymphatic reserve for tissue drainage has demonstrated promise, but has also generated conflicting results. A better understanding of the hydraulic element of hypertension and the role of lymphatics in maintaining fluid balance can open new approaches to prevent and treat hypertension and its consequences, such as heart failure

Practice Recommendations for Diagnosis and Treatment of the Most Common Forms of Secondary Hypertension

The vast majority of hypertensive patients are never sought for a cause of their high blood pressure, i.e. for a \u2018secondary\u2019 form of arterial hypertension. This under detection explains why only a tiny percentage of hypertensive patients are ultimately diagnosed with a secondary form of arterial hypertension. The prevalence of these forms is, therefore, markedly underestimated, although, they can involve as many as one-third of the cases among referred patients and up to half of those with difficult to treat hypertension. The early detection of a secondary form is crucial, because if diagnosed in a timely manner, these forms can be cured at long-term, and even when cure cannot be achieved, their diagnosis provides a better control of high blood pressure, and allows prevention of hypertension-mediated organ damage, and related cardiovascular complications. Enormous progress has been made in the understanding, diagnostic\ua0work-up, and management of secondary hypertension in the last decades. The\ua0aim of this minireview is, therefore, to provide updated concise information on the screening, diagnosis, and management of the most common forms, including primary aldosteronism, renovascular hypertension, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, Cushing\u2019s syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea

The video endoscopy inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulvar cancer: A pilot study

Objective This prospective pilot study aims to validate feasibility, efficacy and safeness of the innovative technique of video endoscopy inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) and compare it to open inguinal lymphadenectomy (OIL) in the staging and treatment of vulvar cancer (VC). Material and methods All patients affected by VC suitable for bilateral inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy were prospectively enrolled and submitted to VEIL on one side and OIL contralaterally, sparing the saphenous vein. The surgical and post-surgical data were collected. Univariate analysis included chi square analysis or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate for categorical variables, and the Student t test and Mann–Whitney test when appropriate for continuous variables. Results Between October 2014 and June 2015 fifteen patients were valuable for the study. Although nodal retrieval was comparable for both procedures, operative time was higher after VEIL. No intraoperative complications were observed in both techniques. Postoperative complications were observed in 3 and 2 cases for OIL and VEIL respectively. One patient needed reoperation after OIL for wound necrosis and infection. According to Campisi's stage, lymphedema resulted significantly to be lower after VEIL (p = 0.024). Conclusions Waiting for larger series and longer follow-up data, the VEIL seems to be feasible allowing a radical removal of inguinal lymph nodes as well as OIL with lower morbidity