Unit Interval Editing is Fixed-Parameter Tractable

Given a graph~$G$ and integers $k_1$, $k_2$, and~$k_3$, the unit interval editing problem asks whether $G$ can be transformed into a unit interval graph by at most $k_1$ vertex deletions, $k_2$ edge deletions, and $k_3$ edge additions. We give an algorithm solving this problem in time $2^{O(k\log k)}\cdot (n+m)$, where $k := k_1 + k_2 + k_3$, and $n, m$ denote respectively the numbers of vertices and edges of $G$. Therefore, it is fixed-parameter tractable parameterized by the total number of allowed operations. Our algorithm implies the fixed-parameter tractability of the unit interval edge deletion problem, for which we also present a more efficient algorithm running in time $O(4^k \cdot (n + m))$. Another result is an $O(6^k \cdot (n + m))$-time algorithm for the unit interval vertex deletion problem, significantly improving the algorithm of van 't Hof and Villanger, which runs in time $O(6^k \cdot n^6)$.Comment: An extended abstract of this paper has appeared in the proceedings of ICALP 2015. Update: The proof of Lemma 4.2 has been completely rewritten; an appendix is provided for a brief overview of related graph classe

Targeted inhibition of aggrecanases prevents articular cartilage degradation and augments bone mass in the STR/Ort spontaneous model of osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND:Cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis (OA) is mediated mainly by MMPs and ADAMTSs. The therapeutic candidature of targeting aggrecanases has not yet been defined in joints where spontaneous OA arises due to genetic susceptibility, without a traumatic or load- induced aetiology such as the STR/Ort mouse. Nor do we know the long-term effect of aggrecanase inhibition on bone. METHODS:Using the STR/Ort spontaneously OA background, we have generated transgenic mice that overexpress [-1A]TIMP-3, either ubiquitously or conditionally in chondrocytes. [-1A]TIMP-3 is a variant of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) that has an extra alanine at the N- terminus that selectively inhibits ADAMTSs, but not MMPs. We analysed a range of OA-related measures in all mice at 40 weeks of age. RESULTS:Mice expressing high [-1A]TIMP-3 levels were protected against the development of the OA whilst low expressers were not. Interestingly, we also found that high levels of [-1A]TIMP-3 transgene overexpression resulted in raised bone mass particularly in females. This regulation of bone mass is, at least, partly direct as primary adult osteoblasts infected with [-1A]TIMP-3 in vitro show elevated rates of mineralisation. CONCLUSIONS:The results provide evidence that [-1A]TIMP-3-mediated inhibition of aggrecanases can protect from cartilage degradation in naturally occurring OA mouse model and highlight a novel role that aggrecanases' inhibition may play in increased bone mass. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

A self-help intervention for reducing time to diagnosis in Indonesian women with breast cancer symptoms

Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of a self-help intervention named PERANTARA, which aims to improve adherence to diagnostic procedures among women with breast cancer (BC) symptoms to reduce the time to a definitive diagnosis. Methods: With a cluster randomized crossover design across four hospitals, PERANTARA and treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU only was provided at successive periods in a randomly determined order. The main outcome was the time between the first medical consultation and the definitive diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were BC knowledge, measured by the Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (BCKT); symptoms of anxiety and depression, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); quality of life, measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF); and health status, measured by the EQ-5D-5L. A linear mixed model analysis was conducted to analyse the outcomes. Results: We recruited 132 women with BC symptoms from four hospitals; 67 participants were in the intervention group, and 65 participants were in the control group. PERANTARA reduced the time to definitive diagnosis by 13.3 days (M [SD]: 25.90 [23.20] in the intervention group vs 39.29 [35.10] in the control group

Caries trends 1996-2002 among 6- and 12-year-old children and erosive wear prevalence among 12-year-old children in The Hague.

Item does not contain fulltextIn 2002 a dental survey amongst 6- and 12-year-old schoolchildren (n = 832) in The Hague was carried out. The caries findings were compared with findings from earlier studies in The Hague. Caries prevalence (% of caries-free children) and caries experience (mean dmfs scores) among 6-year-old children had not changed significantly in the period 1996-2002. However, a significant increase of caries-free 12-year-old children of low socio-economic status was found in the period 1996-2002. The proportions of caries-free 12-year-old Dutch, Turkish and Moroccan children of low socio-economic status were 88, 69 and 78%, respectively, in 2002. The average DMFT score of 12-year-olds reached a minimum of 0.2. In 2002, 24% of the 12-year-olds exhibited signs of erosion, indicating that the presence of erosive wear was high among youngsters in The Hague

A self-help intervention for reducing time to diagnosis in Indonesian women with breast cancer symptoms

Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of a self-help intervention named PERANTARA, which aims to improve adherence to diagnostic procedures among women with breast cancer (BC) symptoms to reduce the time to a definitive diagnosis. Methods: With a cluster randomized crossover design across four hospitals, PERANTARA and treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU only was provided at successive periods in a randomly determined order. The main outcome was the time between the first medical consultation and the definitive diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were BC knowledge, measured by the Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (BCKT); symptoms of anxiety and depression, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); quality of life, measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF); and health status, measured by the EQ-5D-5L. A linear mixed model analysis was conducted to analyse the outcomes. Results: We recruited 132 women with BC symptoms from four hospitals; 67 participants were in the intervention group, and 65 participants were in the control group. PERANTARA reduced the time to definitive diagnosis by 13.3 days (M [SD]: 25.90 [23.20] in the intervention group vs 39.29 [35.10] in the control group; mean difference = −13.26, 95% CI = −24.51 to −2.00, P =.02). No significant difference was found between the groups in BC knowledge, symptoms of anxiety, depression, quality of life, or health status. Conclusions: PERANTARA reduced the time to definitive diagnosis among Indonesian women with BC symptoms. Psychoeducation may be an important addition to regular BC care to prevent undue delays in diagnostic procedures