Brass Happenings

Presenting a student recital for brass students in USU\u27s Music Department.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/music_programs/1107/thumbnail.jp

Genetics of Dispersal

Dispersal is a process of central importance for the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations and communities, because of its diverse consequences for gene flow and demography. It is subject to evolutionary change, which begs the question, what is the genetic basis of this potentially complex trait? To address this question, we (i) review the empirical literature on the genetic basis of dispersal, (ii) explore how theoretical investigations of the evolution of dispersal have represented the genetics of dispersal, and (iii) discuss how the genetic basis of dispersal influences theoretical predictions of the evolution of dispersal and potential consequences. Dispersal has a detectable genetic basis in many organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals. Generally, there is evidence for significant genetic variation for dispersal or dispersal-related phenotypes or evidence for the micro-evolution of dispersal in natural populations. Dispersal is typically the outcome of several interacting traits, and this complexity is reflected in its genetic architecture: while some genes of moderate to large effect can influence certain aspects of dispersal, dispersal traits are typically polygenic. Correlations among dispersal traits as well as between dispersal traits and other traits under selection are common, and the genetic basis of dispersal can be highly environment-dependent. By contrast, models have historically considered a highly simplified genetic architecture of dispersal. It is only recently that models have started to consider multiple loci influencing dispersal, as well as non-additive effects such as dominance and epistasis, showing that the genetic basis of dispersal can influence evolutionary rates and outcomes, especially under non-equilibrium conditions. For example, the number of loci controlling dispersal can influence projected rates of dispersal evolution during range shifts and corresponding demographic impacts. Incorporating more realism in the genetic architecture of dispersal is thus necessary to enable models to move beyond the purely theoretical towards making more useful predictions of evolutionary and ecological dynamics under current and future environmental conditions. To inform these advances, empirical studies need to answer outstanding questions concerning whether specific genes underlie dispersal variation, the genetic architecture of context-dependent dispersal phenotypes and behaviours, and correlations among dispersal and other traits.Peer reviewe

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

The Influence of Baroque Dance Rhythms in Ewazen\u27s Cumberland Suite

Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue. How do these Baroque court dances influence the rhythmic elements of Eric Ewazen\u27s Cumberland Suite? “The element of motion runs as a rhythmical undercurrent through all the Arts from architecture to music,” (Fleming). Following the Renaissance period, the Baroque period could be thought of as a continuation of Renaissance ideals and the broadening of musical thoughts and horizons. This included the development of traditional dance styles accompanied by a variety of musical colors. One of the musical thoughts developed from the Baroque period is the Suite. “Based on the traditional pairing of dances…the suite was the first multi-movement work for instruments,” (Music of the Baroque). Composers throughout time have use contrasting motions, instruments, and forms (such as different dance styles) to convey emotion, mood, and tone. Additionally, “to many baroque composers, the different dances embodied specific characters,” (Music of the Baroque). These Baroque origins give strong impressions of motion and dance playing a vital role in Ewazen’s Cumberland Suite. In this musical performance we will discuss the traditional rhythms and tempi associated with each movement and perform selections. Fleming, William. The Element of Motion in Baroque Art and Music. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 5, no. 2 (1946): 121-28. doi:10.2307/425800. What is Baroque Music? What is Baroque Music? - Music of the Baroque. https://www.baroque.org/baroque/whatis

The Influence of Baroque Dance Rhythms in Ewazen\u27s Cumberland Suite

Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue. How do these Baroque court dances influence the rhythmic elements of Eric Ewazen\u27s Cumberland Suite? “The element of motion runs as a rhythmical undercurrent through all the Arts from architecture to music,” (Fleming). Following the Renaissance period, the Baroque period could be thought of as a continuation of Renaissance ideals and the broadening of musical thoughts and horizons. This included the development of traditional dance styles accompanied by a variety of musical colors. One of the musical thoughts developed from the Baroque period is the Suite. “Based on the traditional pairing of dances…the suite was the first multi-movement work for instruments,” (Music of the Baroque). Composers throughout time have use contrasting motions, instruments, and forms (such as different dance styles) to convey emotion, mood, and tone. Additionally, “to many baroque composers, the different dances embodied specific characters,” (Music of the Baroque). These Baroque origins give strong impressions of motion and dance playing a vital role in Ewazen’s Cumberland Suite. In this musical performance we will discuss the traditional rhythms and tempi associated with each movement and perform selections. Fleming, William. The Element of Motion in Baroque Art and Music. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 5, no. 2 (1946): 121-28. doi:10.2307/425800. What is Baroque Music? What is Baroque Music? - Music of the Baroque. https://www.baroque.org/baroque/whatis

Evaluation of abnormal gallbladder imaging findings: Surgical management and pathologic correlations in early‐stage gallbladder cancer

Abstract Gallbladder cancer is a rare but potentially fatal disease. It is often asymptomatic in early stages and is frequently found incidentally or during the workup for benign biliary disease. We present two patients who each had suspicious gallbladder imaging findings and highlight their differences on radiologic and pathologic examination

Prehospital Stroke Triage to Route Patients Directly to a Thrombectomy Center: New York City First‐Year Experience

Background New York City Emergency Medical Services implemented a prehospital triage protocol using a modified Speech–Los Angeles Motor Scale to identify patients with large‐vessel occlusion. Patients with Speech–Los Angeles Motor Scale ≥4 and last known well within 5 hours were routed to the nearest thrombectomy‐capable stroke center. Our aim was to describe the Speech–Los Angeles Motor Scale Triage Positive (STP) cohort and compare to a cohort that ultimately underwent endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) but were missed by the protocol (not triaged as Speech–Los Angeles Motor Scale positive [NSTP]). Methods A prospectively collected database identified patients arriving within 5 hours from last known well between April 2019 and March 2020. STP patients (N=145) were assessed for medical history, acute stroke time metrics, and clinical accuracy. NSTP (N=65) was subdivided into those who arrived directly to a thrombectomy‐capable stroke center (direct NSTP, N=30), and those transferred to a thrombectomy‐capable stroke center (transferred NSTP, N=35). Comparisons were made between the cohorts that underwent EVT. Results In the STP cohort, stroke was diagnosed in 110 of 145 (75.9%) patients: 31 hemorrhagic, 79 ischemic. There were 45 patients (31.0%) with large vessel occlusion and 34 (23.4%) underwent EVT. STP and NSTP subgroups had no difference in first medical contact‐to‐intravenous thrombolysis (≈90 minutes) despite STP patients taking 5 minutes longer to arrive. Ambulance travel times were similar (11 minutes). First medical contact‐to‐arterial access was similar in STP (137.9 minutes) and direct NSTP (137.9 minutes) groups but significantly shorter against transferred NSTP (252.1 minutes; P<0.01). Conclusion Through the protocol, a high percentage of identified patients with large‐vessel occlusion undergo EVT with no sacrifice to intravenous thrombolysis. The increased ambulance travel time has minimal effect. As more than half the NSTP cohort required transfer for EVT, these patients would have reaped the greatest benefit. Appropriate implementation that maintains the score specificity would prevent patients with high large‐vessel occlusion likelihood from delayed thrombectomy