Pretreatment prognostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging vascular, texture, shape, and size parameters compared with traditional survival indicators obtained from locally advanced breast cancer patients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if associations exist between pretreatment dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based metrics (vascular kinetics, texture, shape, size) and survival intervals. Furthermore, the aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of DCE-MRI parameters against traditional pretreatment survival indicators. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken. Approval had previously been granted for the retrospective use of such data, and the need for informed consent was waived. Prognostic value of pretreatment DCE-MRI parameters and clinical data was assessed via Cox proportional hazards models. The variables retained by the final overall survival Cox proportional hazards model were utilized to stratify risk of death within 5 years. Results: One hundred twelve subjects were entered into the analysis. Regarding disease-free survival-negative estrogen receptor status, T3 or higher clinical tumor stage, large ( > 9.8 cm 3 ) MR tumor volume, higher 95th percentile ( > 79%) percentage enhancement, and reduced ( > 0.22) circularity represented the retained model variables. Similar results were noted for the overall survival with negative estrogen receptor status, T3 or higher clinical tumor stage, and large ( > 9.8 cm 3 ) MR tumor volume, again all been retained by the model in addition to higher ( > 0.71) 25th percentile area under the enhancement curve. Accuracy of risk stratification based on either traditional (59%) or DCEMRI (65%) survival indicators performed to a similar level. However, combined traditional and MR risk stratification resulted in the highest accuracy (86%). Conclusions: Multivariate survival analysis has revealed thatmodel-retained DCEMRI variables provide independent prognostic information complementing traditional survival indicators and as such could help to appropriately stratify treatment

Estudio experimental de la reproducción en las especies anuales europeas del género Hippocrepis L.

En este trabajo se estudian diversos aspectos de la biología de la reproducción de algunas especies del género Hippocrepis L., estableciéndose que las especies H. biflora, H. ciliata, H. multisiliquosa e H. unisiliquosa son regularmente autofecundadas como consecuencia de una autopolinización precoz que precede a la antesis; H. salzmanni aunque es autocompatible no es automáticamente autopolinizada. Se han realizado cruzamientos interespecíficos artificiales comprobando que excepto entre los taxones H. ciliata e H. multisiliquosa hay mecanismos de aislamiento postzigóticos que producen el aborto de las semillas, limitando la hibridación interespecífica.The reproductive biology and interespecific crossing relationships of a taxones H. ciliata e H. multisiliquosa are regurlarly self-fertilising as a consequence of precocious self-pollination prior to anthesis. The species H. salzmanni is distinct in that it is self-compatible but not automatically self-pollinating. Controlled inter-specific pollinations indicate that there are post-zygotic barriers wich cause seed abhortion and so limit the potential for interspecific hybridisation except between the taxa H. ciliata and H. unisiliquosa

Inbreeding In Darwin’S Medium Ground Finches (Geospiza Fortis)

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137549/1/evo02574.pd

Wearable Conductive Fiber Sensors for Multi-Axis Human Joint Angle Measurements

BACKGROUND: The practice of continuous, long-term monitoring of human joint motion is one that finds many applications, especially in the medical and rehabilitation fields. There is a lack of acceptable devices available to perform such measurements in the field in a reliable and non-intrusive way over a long period of time. The purpose of this study was therefore to develop such a wearable joint monitoring sensor capable of continuous, day-to-day monitoring. METHODS: A novel technique of incorporating conductive fibers into flexible, skin-tight fabrics surrounding a joint is developed. Resistance changes across these conductive fibers are measured, and directly related to specific single or multi-axis joint angles through the use of a non-linear predictor after an initial, one-time calibration. Because these sensors are intended for multiple uses, an automated registration algorithm has been devised using a sensitivity template matched to an array of sensors spanning the joints of interest. In this way, a sensor array can be taken off and put back on an individual for multiple uses, with the sensors automatically calibrating themselves each time. RESULTS: The wearable sensors designed are comfortable, and acceptable for long-term wear in everyday settings. Results have shown the feasibility of this type of sensor, with accurate measurements of joint motion for both a single-axis knee joint and a double axis hip joint when compared to a standard goniometer used to measure joint angles. Self-registration of the sensors was found to be possible with only a few simple motions by the patient. CONCLUSION: After preliminary experiments involving a pants sensing garment for lower body monitoring, it has been seen that this methodology is effective for monitoring joint motion of the hip and knee. This design therefore produces a robust, comfortable, truly wearable joint monitoring device

Minkowski functionals: An MRI texture analysis tool for determination of the aggressiveness of breast cancer

Purpose: This work aims to see whether Minkowski Functionals can be used to distinguish between cancer types before chemotherapy treatment has begun, and whether a response to treatment can be predicted by an initial scan alone. Methods: Fat-nulled T1w 3T DCE-MRI scans were taken of 100 cases of biopsy confirmed breast cancer and a series of binary images created on lesion containing slices. Minkowski Functionals were calculated for each binary image and the change in these values as the binary threshold was raised was described using 6th order polynomials. These polynomials were used to compare between patient sub-groups, for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) status, chemotherapy response, biopsy grade, nodal status, and lymphovascular invasion status. Results: When using Minkowski Functionals statistically significant (p<0.05) differences were found between TNBC status, biopsy grade, and lymphovascular invasion status sub-groups for all methodologies. The analysis performance did not appear to be affected by the number of threshold steps used. Most notably, very strong differences (p≤0.01) were found between TNBC and other intrinsic subtype patients. When analysed with a binary logistic regression model, an AUC value of 0.917 (0.846 – 0.987, 95% CI) for TNBC classification was found. Conclusion: The method of texture analysis presented here provides a novel way to characterise tumours, and demonstrates clear differences between cancer groups which are detectable before treatment begins, and can help with treatment planning as a valuable prognosis tool

Do s genes or deleterious recessives control late-acting self-incompatibility in Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Bignoniaceae)? A diallel study with four full sib progeny arrays

MBB thanks the Consejo de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario (CIUNR) for financial support.Background and Aims Genetically controlled self-incompatibility (SI) mechanisms constrain selfing and thus have contributed to the evolutionary diversity of flowering plants. In homomorphic gametophytic SI (GSI) and homomorphic sporophytic SI (SSI), genetic control is usually by a single multi-allelic locus S. Both GSI and SSI prevent self pollen tubes reaching the ovary and so are pre-zygotic in action. In contrast, in taxa with late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI), rejection is often post-zygotic, since self-pollen tubes grow to the ovary where fertilization may occur prior to floral abscission. Alternatively, lack of self fruit set could be due to early-acting inbreeding depression (EID). The aim of our study was to investigate mechanisms underlying lack of selfed fruit set in Handroanthus heptaphyllus in order to assess the likelihood of LSI versus EID. Methods We employed four full sib diallels to study the genetic control of LSI in Handroanthus heptaphyllus using a precociously flowering variant. We also used fluorescence microscopy to study the incidence of ovule penetration by pollen tubes in pistils that abscised following pollination or initiated fruits. Key Results All diallels showed reciprocally cross-incompatible full-sibs (RCI), reciprocally cross compatible full-sibs (RCC), and non-reciprocally compatible full-sibs (NRC) in almost equal proportions. There was no significant difference between the incidence of ovule penetrations in abscised pistils following self- and cross-incompatible pollinations, but those in successful cross pollinations were around twofold greater. Conclusions A genetic model postulating a single S locus with four s alleles, one of which, in the maternal parent, is dominant to the other three, will produce RCI, RCC and NRC situations each at 33 %, consistent with our diallel results. We favour this simple genetic control over an early-acting inbreeding depression (EID) explanation since none of our pollinations, successful or unsuccessful, resulted in partial embryo development, as would be expected under a whole genome EID effect.PostprintPeer reviewe

Test of classical nucleation theory on deeply supercooled high-pressure simulated silica

We test classical nucleation theory (CNT) in the case of simulations of deeply supercooled, high density liquid silica, as modelled by the BKS potential. We find that at density $\rho=4.38$~g/cm$^3$, spontaneous nucleation of crystalline stishovite occurs in conventional molecular dynamics simulations at temperature T=3000 K, and we evaluate the nucleation rate J directly at this T via "brute force" sampling of nucleation events. We then use parallel, constrained Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate $\Delta G(n)$, the free energy to form a crystalline embryo containing n silicon atoms, at T=3000, 3100, 3200 and 3300 K. We find that the prediction of CNT for the n-dependence of $\Delta G(n)$ fits reasonably well to the data at all T studied, and at 3300 K yields a chemical potential difference between liquid and stishovite that matches independent calculation. We find that $n^*$, the size of the critical nucleus, is approximately 10 silicon atoms at T=3300 K. At 3000 K, $n^*$ decreases to approximately 3, and at such small sizes methodological challenges arise in the evaluation of $\Delta G(n)$ when using standard techniques; indeed even the thermodynamic stability of the supercooled liquid comes into question under these conditions. We therefore present a modified approach that permits an estimation of $\Delta G(n)$ at 3000 K. Finally, we directly evaluate at T=3000 K the kinetic prefactors in the CNT expression for J, and find physically reasonable values; e.g. the diffusion length that Si atoms must travel in order to move from the liquid to the crystal embryo is approximately 0.2 nm. We are thereby able to compare the results for J at 3000 K obtained both directly and based on CNT, and find that they agree within an order of magnitude.Comment: corrected calculation, new figure, accepted in JC

Biliverdin Reductase: More than a Namesake – The Reductase, Its Peptide Fragments, and Biliverdin Regulate Activity of the Three Classes of Protein Kinase C

The expanse of human biliverdin reductase (hBVR) functions in the cells is arguably unmatched by any single protein. hBVR is a Ser/Thr/Tyr-kinase, a scaffold protein, a transcription factor, and an intracellular transporter of gene regulators. hBVR is an upstream activator of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway and of protein kinase C (PKC) kinases in the two major arms of the pathway. In addition, it is the sole means for generating the antioxidant bilirubin-IXα. hBVR is essential for activation of ERK1/2 kinases by upstream MAPKK-MEK and by PKCδ, as well as the nuclear import and export of ERK1/2. Small fragments of hBVR are potent activators and inhibitors of the ERK kinases and PKCs: as such, they suggest the potential application of BVR-based technology in therapeutic settings. Presently, we have reviewed the function of hBVR in cell signaling with an emphasis on regulation of PKCδ activity

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guideline implementation is improved by nurse directed feedback and audit

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health and financial burden. VTE impacts health outcomes in surgical and non-surgical patients. VTE prophylaxis is underutilized, particularly amongst high risk medical patients. We conducted a multicentre clinical audit to determine the extent to which appropriate VTE prophylaxis in acutely ill hospitalized medical patients could be improved via implementation of a multifaceted nurse facilitated educational program.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This multicentre clinical audit of 15 Australian hospitals was conducted in 2007-208. The program incorporated a baseline audit to determine the proportion of patients receiving appropriate VTE prophylaxis according to best practice recommendations issued by the Australian and New Zealand Working Party on the Management and Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (ANZ-WP recommendations), followed by a 4-month education intervention program and a post intervention audit. The primary endpoint was to compare the proportion of patients being appropriately managed based on their risk profile between the two audits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 8774 patients (audit 1; 4399 and audit 2; 4375) were included in the study, most (82.2% audit 1; and 81.0% audit 2) were high risk based on ANZ-WP recommendations. At baseline 37.9% of high risk patients were receiving appropriate thromboprophylaxis. This increased to 54.1% in the post intervention audit (absolute improvement 16%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 11.7%, 20.5%). As a result of the nurse educator program, the likelihood of high risk patients being treated according to ANZ-WP recommendations increased significantly (OR 1.96; 1.62, 2.37).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Utilization of VTE prophylaxis amongst hospitalized medical patients can be significantly improved by implementation of a multifaceted educational program coordinated by a dedicated nurse practitioner.</p

Carbonate : an alternative dopant to stabilize new perovskite phases ; synthesis and structure of Ba3Yb2O5CO3 and related isostructural phases Ba3Ln2O5CO3 (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu)

In this paper we report the synthesis of the new layered perovskite oxide carbonate, Ba3Yb2O5CO3. This phase is formed when 3BaCO(3):1Yb(2)O(3) mixtures are heated in air at temperatures 1000 degrees C, while above this temperature the carbonate is lost and the simple oxide phase Ba3Yb4O9 is observed. The structure of Ba3Yb2O5CO3 was determined from neutron diffraction studies and consists of a tripled perovskite with double Yb-O layers separated by carbonate layers, the first example of a material with such a structure. Further studies showed that analogous Ba(3)Ln(2)O(5)CO(3) phases could be formed for other rare earths (Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Lu). The results highlight the ability of the perovskite structure to accommodate carbonate groups, and emphasise the need to consider their potential presence particularly for perovskite systems prepared in lower temperature synthesis routes