55 research outputs found
Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae)
Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene
Corrigenda: Daniel CA, Midgley JM, Villet MH (2017) Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae). African Invertebrates 58(2): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.58.12966
After the publication of this article, it was brought to our attention that there was an error in the caption for Figure 2. The caption should read: Figure 2: Right mandible in dorsal view and mesothoracic spiracle of mature Afrotropical Thanatophilus larvae. The arrows indicate species-specific diagnostic characteristics: T. micans has two ventrolateral mandibular setae and two spiracular setae, while T. mutilatus has three ventrolateral mandibular setae and one spiracular seta
Rofecoxib and cardiovascular adverse events in adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer
Background
Selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors may retard the progression of cancer, but they
have enhanced thrombotic potential. We report on cardiovascular adverse events in
patients receiving rofecoxib to reduce rates of recurrence of colorectal cancer.
Methods
All serious adverse events that were cardiovascular thrombotic events were reviewed
in 2434 patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer participating in a randomized,
placebo-controlled trial of rofecoxib, 25 mg daily, started after potentially curative
tumor resection and chemotherapy or radiotherapy as indicated. The trial was terminated
prematurely owing to worldwide withdrawal of rofecoxib. To examine possible
persistent risks, we examined cardiovascular thrombotic events reported up to 24
months after the trial was closed.
Results
The median duration of active treatment was 7.4 months. The 1167 patients receiving
rofecoxib and the 1160 patients receiving placebo were well matched, with a median
follow-up period of 33.0 months (interquartile range, 27.6 to 40.1) and 33.4 months
(27.7 to 40.4), respectively. Of the 23 confirmed cardiovascular thrombotic events,
16 occurred in the rofecoxib group during or within 14 days after the treatment
period, with an estimated relative risk of 2.66 (from the Cox proportional-hazards
model; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 6.86; P = 0.04). Analysis of the Antiplatelet
Trialistsâ Collaboration end point (the combined incidence of death from
cardiovascular, hemorrhagic, and unknown causes; of nonfatal myocardial infarction;
and of nonfatal ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) gave an unadjusted relative
risk of 1.60 (95% CI, 0.57 to 4.51; P = 0.37). Fourteen more cardiovascular thrombotic
events, six in the rofecoxib group, were reported within the 2 years after trial
closure, with an overall unadjusted relative risk of 1.50 (95% CI, 0.76 to 2.94;
P = 0.24). Four patients in the rofecoxib group and two in the placebo group died
from thrombotic causes during or within 14 days after the treatment period, and
during the follow-up period, one patient in the rofecoxib group and five patients in
the placebo group died from cardiovascular causes.
Conclusions
Rofecoxib therapy was associated with an increased frequency of adverse cardiovascular
events among patients with a median study treatment of 7.4 monthsâ duration.
(Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN98278138.
Common variation near CDKN1A, POLD3 and SHROOM2 influences colorectal cancer risk
We performed a meta-analysis of five genome-wide association studies to identify common variants influencing colorectal cancer (CRC) risk comprising 8,682 cases and 9,649 controls. Replication analysis was performed in case-control sets totaling 21,096 cases and 19,555 controls. We identified three new CRC risk loci at 6p21 (rs1321311, near CDKN1A; P = 1.14 Ă 10(-10)), 11q13.4 (rs3824999, intronic to POLD3; P = 3.65 Ă 10(-10)) and Xp22.2 (rs5934683, near SHROOM2; P = 7.30 Ă 10(-10)) This brings the number of independent loci associated with CRC risk to 20 and provides further insight into the genetic architecture of inherited susceptibility to CRC.Swedish Research Council et al.Manuscrip
Treatments for people who use anabolic androgenic steroids: a scoping review.
BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are used globally by a diverse population with varying motivations. Evidence has increased greatly in recent years to support understanding of this form of substance use and the associated health harms, but there remains little evidence regarding interventions to support cessation and treat the consequences of use. In this scoping review, we identify and describe what is known about interventions that aim to support and achieve cessation of AAS, and treat and prevent associated health problems. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was developed in four bibliographic databases, supported by an iterative citation searching process to identify eligible studies. Studies of any psychological or medical treatment interventions delivered in response to non-prescribed use of AAS or an associated harm in any setting were eligible. RESULTS: In total, 109 eligible studies were identified, which included case reports representing a diverse range of disciplines and sources. Studies predominantly focussed on treatments for harms associated with AAS use, with scant evidence on interventions to support cessation of AAS use or responding to dependence. The types of conditions requiring treatment included psychiatric, neuroendocrine, hepatic, kidney, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and infectious. There was limited evidence of engagement with users or delivery of psychosocial interventions as part of treatment for any condition, and of harm reduction interventions initiated alongside, or following, treatment. Findings were limited throughout by the case report study designs and limited information was provided. CONCLUSION: This scoping review indicates that while a range of case reports describe treatments provided to AAS users, there is scarce evidence on treating dependence, managing withdrawal, or initiating behaviour change in users in any settings. Evidence is urgently required to support the development of effective services for users and of evidence-based guidance and interventions to respond to users in a range of healthcare settings. More consistent reporting in articles of whether engagement or assessment relating to AAS was initiated, and publication within broader health- or drug-related journals, will support development of the evidence base
When Every Day is a High School Reunion: Social Media Comparisons and Self-esteem
Although past research has shown that social comparisons made through social media contribute to negative outcomes, little is known about the nature of these comparisons (e.g., domains, direction, and extremity), variables that determine the outcomes of these comparisons (e.g., post valence, perceiverâs self-esteem), and how these comparisons differ from those made in other contexts (e.g. while texting or interacting face to face). In five studies (N=900), I provide the first comprehensive analysis of how individuals make and respond to social comparisons on two different social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), using comparisons made in real-time while participants browsed their own social media news feeds (Studies 1 and 3), experimenter-generated social media content (Study 2), and reports of comparisons made in various contexts, including social media (Studies 4 and 5). I found that individuals made frequent upward comparisons on social media. Further, social media comparisons were more likely to be upward than downward, and making more frequent and more extreme upward comparisons on social media resulted in greater declines in self-evaluations, mood, and life satisfaction. In addition, individuals with lower self-esteem made more frequent and extreme upward comparisons while browsing social media, resulting in even steeper declines in self-evaluations. Finally, compared to upward comparisons in other contexts, those made on social media were more often to distant (vs. close) targets, more likely to be image-based, and resulted in greater declines in self-evaluations. Together, these studies provide the first insights into the cumulative impact of multiple social comparisons, demonstrate the unique nature of social comparisons made on social media, and clarify the role of self-esteem in online social comparison processes.Ph.D
Keeping in Touch or Keeping Score? Social Comparisons on Facebook
In face-to-face contexts, individuals typically make one social comparison per day and make more self-enhancing downward comparisons (to worse-off others) than potentially threatening upward comparisons (to better-off others). However, online social networks such as Facebook may be radically altering these standards. In two studies, I examined the frequency, direction, and impact of social comparisons on Facebook, and investigated potential moderating factors, including self-esteem. Participants reported making more upward than downward Facebook comparisons (Studies 1 and 2) and made an average of four comparisons in a 20-minute Facebook session (Study 2). Both low self-esteem and being motivated to log onto Facebook to get information with others predict making more comparisons on Facebook (Study 1) and participants with lower self-esteem may feel worse about themselves after making both upward and downward Facebook comparisons compared to their higher self-esteem peers (Study 2).MAS
Determination of species and instars of the larvae of the Afrotropical species of Thanatophilus Leach, 1817 (Coleoptera, Silphidae)
Thanatophilus micans and T. mutilatus have significance for forensic entomology. Their larvae are therefore described and a key is provided for identifying the larvae of Afrotropical Silphidae based on morphological characters. It is shown that seven common species of Thanatophilus can be distinguished by a 360 bp mtDNA sequence from the cytochrome oxidase I gene
- âŠ