Systematic pan-cancer analysis of somatic allele frequency

Imbalanced expression of somatic alleles in cancer can suggest functional and selective features, and can therefore indicate possible driving potential of the underlying genetic variants. To explore the correlation between allele frequency of somatic variants and total gene expression of their harboring gene, we used the unique data set of matched tumor and normal RNA and DNA sequencing data of 5523 distinct single nucleotide variants in 381 individuals across 10 cancer types obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We analyzed the allele frequency in the context of the variant and gene functional features and linked it with changes in the total gene expression. We documented higher allele frequency of somatic variants in cancer-implicated genes (Cancer Gene Census, CGC). Furthermore, somatic alleles bearing premature terminating variants (PTVs), when positioned in CGC genes, appeared to be less frequently degraded via nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, indicating possible favoring of truncated proteins by the tumor transcriptome. Among the genes with multiple PTVs with high allele frequency, ARID1, TP53 and NSD1 were known key cancer genes. All together, our analyses suggest that high allele frequency of tumor somatic variants can indicate driving functionality and can serve to identify potential cancer-implicated genes

Resident interest and factors involved in entering a pediatric pulmonary fellowship

BACKGROUND: Relatively little is known about interest in pediatric pulmonology among pediatric residents. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine at this institution: 1) the level of pediatric resident interest in pursuing a pulmonary fellowship, 2) potential factors involved in development of such interest, 3) whether the presence of a pulmonary fellowship program affects such interest. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to all 52 pediatric residents at this institution in 1992 and to all 59 pediatric residents and 14 combined internal medicine/pediatrics residents in 2002, following development of a pulmonary fellowship program. RESULTS: Response rates were 79% in 1992 and 86% in 2002. Eight of the 43 responders in 1992 (19%) had considered doing a pulmonary fellowship compared to 7 of 63 (11%) in 2002. The highest ranked factors given by the residents who had considered a fellowship included wanting to continue one's education after residency, enjoying caring for pulmonary patients, and liking pulmonary physiology and the pulmonary faculty. Major factors listed by residents who had not considered a pulmonary fellowship included not enjoying the tracheostomy/ventilator population and chronic pulmonary patients in general, and a desire to enter general pediatrics or another fellowship. Most residents during both survey periods believed that they would be in non-academic or academic general pediatrics in 5 years. Only 1 of the 106 responding residents (~1%) anticipated becoming a pediatric pulmonologist. CONCLUSIONS: Although many pediatric residents consider enrolling in a pulmonary fellowship (~10–20% here), few (~1% here) will actually pursue a career in pediatric pulmonology. The presence of a pulmonary fellowship program did not significantly alter resident interest, though other confounding factors may be involved

Increasing incidence of skin disorders in children? A comparison between 1987 and 2001

BACKGROUND: The increasing proportion of skin diseases encountered in general practice represents a substantial part of morbidity in children. Only limited information is available about the frequency of specific skin diseases. We aimed to compare incidence rates of skin diseases in children in general practice between 1987 and 2001. METHODS: We used data on all children aged 0–17 years derived from two consecutive surveys performed in Dutch general practice in 1987 and 2001. Both surveys concerned a longitudinal registration of GP consultations over 12 months. Each disease episode was coded according to the International Classification of Primary Care. Incidence rates of separate skin diseases were calculated by dividing all new episodes for each distinct ICPC code by the average study population at risk. Data were stratified for socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The incidence rate of all skin diseases combined in general practice decreased between 1987 and 2001. Among infants the incidence rate increased. Girls presented more skin diseases to the GP. In the southern part of the Netherlands children consulted their GP more often for skin diseases compared to the northern part. Children of non-Western immigrants presented relatively more skin diseases to the GP. In general practice incidence rates of specific skin diseases such as impetigo, dermatophytosis and atopic dermatitis increased in 2001, whereas warts, contact dermatitis and skin injuries decreased. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence rate of all skin diseases combined in general practice decreased whereas the incidence rates of bacterial, mycotic and atopic skin diseases increased

The ENERGY STAR® Plant Label: A Valuable Component of Strategic Corporate Energy Management

ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for energy efficiency and environmental performance recognized by roughly 70% of the American people. In September 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extend the brand to industrial plants by awarding the first ENERGY STAR labels to plants that had demonstrated energy performance in the top quartile of energy efficiency using a sector-specific energy benchmarking and rating tool. Currently, four plant types are eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR: motor vehicle manufacturing, cement, petroleum refining, and wet corn milling. The US EPA has observed that energy performance rating and recognition systems can help to drive the improvement of both facility and sector energy efficiency. This paper describes the rationale for developing a rating and recognition program for industrial facilities, how the EPIs are developed, and process and requirements that have been established for awarding the ENERGY STAR label

\u3ci\u3eMcCabe v. Life-Line Ambulance Service\u3c/i\u3e: Another Extension of the Over-Extended Administrative Search Exception

In McCabe v. Life-Line Ambulance Service, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit extended the administrative search exception to the Fourth Amendment ban on unreasonable searches. The suit alleged a novel violation of the ban in the form of a warrantless involuntary commitment procedure. However, the court found that the procedure fit neatly within the exception and declined to extend Fourth Amendment protection to involuntary commitments

The Role of Benchmarking in Promoting Strong Energy Management Systems

The significance of formalized energy management practices and programs in driving and sustaining energy efficiency improvements within the industrial sector has become more widely recognized over the past several years. The release of the ISO 50001 energy management standard will also further elevate the role of energy management systems. For over the past 10 years, the US EPA's ENERGY STAR Commercial and Industrial program have focused on promoting and supporting the development of strong corporate management programs. A key aspect of facilitating the establishment of energy management programs has been the development of benchmarking tools that help companies evaluate the energy performance and practices. This paper will examine some of the lessons learned in developing both quantitative and qualitative energy management benchmarking tools and the importance of establishing good energy performance indicators. The paper will examine the pros and cons of different types of quantitative energy performance benchmarks. The value of qualitative benchmarking tools to gauge management practices will also be discussed. Lastly, recommendations for how to further the development energy benchmarks shall be presented