20,283 research outputs found
19 Overall survival after surgical staging by lymph node dissection versus sentinel lymph node biopsy in endometrial cancer: a national cancer database study
No full textObjectives To investigate the association between the type of lymph node (LN) assessment and overall survival (OS) in endometrial cancer (EC). Methods Patients with stage I-III EC who underwent a hyster- ectomy and LN assessment from 2012 to 2015 were identi- fied from the National Cancer Database. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with OS. Results Of 68,614 patients identified, 64,796 underwent lym- phadenectomy (LND) only, 1,777 sentinel lymph node biopsy only (SLN-B), and 2,041 both procedures (SLN-B/LND). On multivariable analysis, SLN-B and SLN-B/LND were not associ- ated with different OS compared to LND (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.92; 95%CI: 0.73–1.17 - HR: 0.91; 95%CI: 0.77–1.07,respectively). Similarly, when stratified by LN status, SLN-B and SLN-B/LND reported similar OS compared to LND, both in negative (HR: 1.03; 95%CI: 0.85–1.26 – HR :0.95; 95% CI: 0.73–1.23, respectively) and positive (HR: 0.92; 95%CI: 0.55–1.54 – HR: 0.76; 95%CI: 0.57–1.03, respectively) LNs. Including only LND with !10 pelvic and !1 para-aortic LNs removed, no difference in OS was observed between LND and SLN-B or SLN-B/LND in the entire cohort, and in nega- tive or positive LNs. In all analyses, older age, Charlson-Deyo Score !2, black race, higher American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pathologic T stage, grade 3, presence of lym- phovascular infiltration, type-2 histology, and absence of che- motherapy or radiation therapy were independently associated with worse OS. Conclusions When compared to SLN-B or SLN-B/LND, LND does not appear to improve OS in EC, even in the presence of LN metastases
The methanol : cytochrome c oxidoreductase of methylobacterium extorquens AM1
No full textThis thesis reports studies of the electron transfer proteins methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and cytochrome cL from the facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 and investigates the interaction of these proteins. The kinetics of electron transfer between them has been studied using native and chemically modified MDH and the binding of MDH and cytochrome was studied by crosslinking of complexes formed by them. MDH was shown to be tetrameric enzyme with an α_2β2 configuration and not to be dimeric as had previously been concluded. The larger subunit (α-subunit) has a molecular weight of 62 kDa and the newly discovered β-subunit 8.5 kDa. Protein sequencing of the N-terminal of α-subunit and β-subunit showed that they corresponded to the moxF and moxI gene products respectively. Characterisation of cytochrome c-553 from the moxD mutant UV9, showed that it was not cytochrome cL with an uncleaved signal peptide but was a distinct cytochrome c. It has a molecular weight of 23 kDa, a midpoint potential of +194 mV (pH 7.0), is CO reactive, and has an α-absorbance maximum at 553 nm in the reduced state. It is not an electron acceptor from MDH or methylamine dehydrogenase, nor is it a substrate for the oxidase of M.extorquens. Its function in M.extorquens is unknown. A new cytochrome-linked assay for MDH was developd which uses cytochrome c_L to mediate electron transfer to an excess of DCPIP. Ammonium salts were required as activators using this assay which gave higher rates of electron transfer compared with other cytochrome-linked assays. Increasing ionic strength inhibited the reaction indicating that the interaction of MDH and cytochrome is primarily electrostatic. Chemical modification studies in which the charge of lysine residues of MDH were modified showed that the maintenance of the positive charge of lysine residues was essential for activity in the cytochrome-linked assay but was not necessary for activity in the PES-linked assay. Crosslinking using lysine specific heterobifunctional reagents which maintained the positive charge on lysine residues resulted in preferential crosslinking to the β-subunit. Crosslinking using carbodiimides and succinimide esters resulted in crosslinking of cytochrome to both the subunits of MDH. The interaction of MDH and cytochrome cL was shown, by means of a 2-stage EDC/sulpho-NHS enhanced crosslinking reaction, to be primarily by lysine residues of MDH interacting with the carboxyl groups of cytochrome cL and not vice versa.</p
How many steps/day are enough? for children and adolescents
No full textWorldwide, public health physical activity guidelines include special emphasis on populations of children (typically 6-11 years) and adolescents (typically 12-19 years). Existing guidelines are commonly expressed in terms of frequency, time, and intensity of behaviour. However, the simple step output from both accelerometers and pedometers is gaining increased credibility in research and practice as a reasonable approximation of daily ambulatory physical activity volume. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review existing child and adolescent objectively monitored step-defined physical activity literature to provide researchers, practitioners, and lay people who use accelerometers and pedometers with evidence-based translations of these public health guidelines in terms of steps/day. In terms of normative data (i.e., expected values), the updated international literature indicates that we can expect 1) among children, boys to average 12,000 to 16,000 steps/day and girls to average 10,000 to 13,000 steps/day; and, 2) adolescents to steadily decrease steps/day until approximately 8,000-9,000 steps/day are observed in 18-year olds. Controlled studies of cadence show that continuous MVPA walking produces 3,300-3,500 steps in 30 minutes or 6,600-7,000 steps in 60 minutes in 10-15 year olds. Limited evidence suggests that a total daily physical activity volume of 10,000-14,000 steps/day is associated with 60-100 minutes of MVPA in preschool children (approximately 4-6 years of age). Across studies, 60 minutes of MVPA in primary/elementary school children appears to be achieved, on average, within a total volume of 13,000 to 15,000 steps/day in boys and 11,000 to 12,000 steps/day in girls. For adolescents (both boys and girls), 10,000 to 11,700 may be associated with 60 minutes of MVPA. Translations of time- and intensity-based guidelines may be higher than existing normative data (e.g., in adolescents) and therefore will be more difficult to achieve (but not impossible nor contraindicated). Recommendations are preliminary and further research is needed to confirm and extend values for measured cadences, associated speeds, and MET values in young people; continue to accumulate normative data (expected values) for both steps/day and MVPA across ages and populations; and, conduct longitudinal and intervention studies in children and adolescents required to inform the shape of step-defined physical activity dose-response curves associated with various health parameters
Proposal of a new model for CL regression or maintenance during pregnancy on the basis of timing of regression of contralateral, accessory CL in pregnant cows
No full textIn bovine pregnancy, regression or maintenance of the corpus luteum (CL) is mediated through local communication pathways between embryo, uterus, and ovary with Days 16 to 25 of pregnancy generally recognized as the pivotal period determining either luteolysis or prevention of luteolysis. To evaluate this concept, accessory CL was generated by treating Holstein lactating dairy cows (n = 718) with GnRH on Day 5 of the first follicular wave to produce an accessory CL on the ovary either contralateral or ipsilateral to the gravid horn. In pregnant cows, 66.2% (86/130) of contralateral CL regressed by Day 75 of pregnancy, whereas few ipsilateral accessory CL regressed (11.9%; 8/67), on the basis of similar criteria (P < 0.0001). As hypothesized, some contralateral CL regressions (22/86 = 25.6%) happened on Days 19 to 25 of pregnancy. However, most contralateral CL regressions (64/86 = 74.4%) happened later than expected, from Days 33 to 60 of pregnancy. Later contralateral CL regression was more common in primiparous (84.3%) than multiparous (60.0%; P = 0.02) cows. Early accessory contralateral CL regression (Days 19–25) may be related to lack of exposure of the contralateral horn to interferon tau from the elongating embryo because pregnant cows without early accessory CL regression had a smaller uterine volume than nonpregnant cows or pregnant cows that had early accessory CL regression (128.4 ± 3.9 vs. 147.0 ± 3.8 vs. 143.6 ± 10.9 mm3, respectively; P = 0.003). These results indicate that there is a second distinct period for CL protection during bovine pregnancy from Days 30 to 60 and implicate local and not systemic pathways in occurrence or prevention of luteolysis during both the early (≤25 days) and later (≥33 days) critical periods since accessory contralateral CL regressed whereas the accessory ipsilateral CL of pregnancy remained
Cost analysis of a thermochemical Cu–Cl pilot plant for nuclear-based hydrogen production
No full textThis article presents an economic analysis of a Cu–Cl pilot plant with an associated parametric study. The analysis takes into account the different types of cost components such as the energy costs, operation, maintenance, fixed charges on capital investment, etc. The cost items with their percentage ranges and factors that affect accuracy and scaling are examined. Through this scaling method, the total capital investment and total cost of a Cu–Cl pilot plant are estimated by scaling against the corresponding costs of an S–I plant as presented by Brown et al. Using a six-tenths-factor rule (scaling method) with a capacity factor of 0.6, the fixed-capital investment and product cost of a Cu–Cl pilot plant are roughly estimated at about US4.6 M for a plant capacity of 5 tons of hydrogen per day, which could be higher due to yet unforeseen factors and costs, not currently available with existing information about the Cu–Cl cycle. The fixed-capital investment and total product cost correspond to the operating and maintenance costs of the plant, respectively. The sensitivity studies show that the costs vary significantly with the size of pilot plant capacity, percentages of cost components and the capacity factor. The parametric studies with variable plant capacities, approximations and capacity factors are performed and results are illustrated in this article. Numerous assumptions and approximations have been used in this paper, in absence of actual equipment cost data for the Cu–Cl cycle. Therefore, the results of this paper cannot be generalized for other specific cases and scenarios.Ontario Research Excellence Fund and Atomic Energy of Canada Limite
A Risk Model to Predict 90-Day Mortality among Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection
No full textBACKGROUND: Reliable criteria to predict mortality after hepatectomy remain poorly defined. We sought to identify factors associated with 90-day mortality, as well as validate the "50-50" and peak bilirubin of >7 mg/dL prediction rules for mortality after liver resection. In addition, we propose a novel integer-based score for 90-day mortality using a large cohort of patients. STUDY DESIGN: Data from 2,056 patients who underwent liver resection at 2 major hepatobiliary centers between 1990 and 2011 were identified. Perioperative laboratory data, as well as surgical and postoperative details, were analyzed to identify factors associated with liver-related 90-day death. RESULTS: Indications for liver resection included colorectal metastasis (39%), hepatocellular carcinoma (19%), benign mass (17%), or noncolorectal metastasis (14%). Most patients had normal underlying liver parenchyma (71%) and resection involved >= 3 segments (36%). Overall morbidity and mortality were 19% and 2%, respectively. Only 1 patient fulfilled the 50-50 criteria; this patient survived and was discharged on day 8. Twenty patients had a peak bilirubin concentration >7 mg/dL and 5 died within 90 days; the sensitivity and specificity of the > 7-mg/dL rule were 25% and 99.3%, respectively, but overall accuracy was poor (area under the curve 0.574). Factors associated with 90-day mortality included international normalized ratio (odds ratio = 11.87), bilirubin (odds ratio = 1.16), and serum creatinine (odds ratio = 1.87) on postoperative day 3, as well as grade of postoperative complications (odds ratio = 5.08; all p = 11 points had a sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 98.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 50-50 and bilirubin > 7-mg/dL rules were not accurate in predicting 90-day mortality. Rather, a composite integer-based risk score based on postoperative day 3 international normalized ratio, bilirubin, creatinine, and complication grade more accurately predicted 90-day mortality after hepatectomy. (J Am Coll Surg 2013; 216: 1049-1056. (C) 2013 by the American College of Surgeons
Open access self-archiving: An author study
No full textThis, our second author international, cross-disciplinary study on open access had 1296 respondents. Its focus was on self-archiving. Almost half (49%) of the respondent population have self-archived at least one article during the last three years. Use of institutional repositories for this purpose has doubled and usage has increased by almost 60% for subject-based repositories. Self-archiving activity is greatest amongst those who publish the largest number of papers. There is still a substantial proportion of authors unaware of the possibility of providing open access to their work by self-archiving. Of the authors who have not yet self-archived any articles, 71% remain unaware of the option. With 49% of the author population having self-archived in some way, this means that 36% of the total author population (71% of the remaining 51%), has not yet been appraised of this way of providing open access. Authors have frequently expressed reluctance to self-archive because of the perceived time required and possible technical difficulties in carrying out this activity, yet findings here show that only 20% of authors found some degree of difficulty with the first act of depositing an article in a repository, and that this dropped to 9% for subsequent deposits. Another author worry is about infringing agreed copyright agreements with publishers, yet only 10% of authors currently know of the SHERPA/RoMEO list of publisher permissions policies with respect to self-archiving, where clear guidance as to what a publisher permits is provided. Where it is not known if permission is required, however, authors are not seeking it and are self-archiving without it. Communicating their results to peers remains the primary reason for scholars publishing their work; in other words,
researchers publish to have an impact on their field. The vast majority of authors (81%) would willingly comply with a mandate from their employer or research funder to deposit copies of their articles in an institutional or subject-based repository. A further 13% would comply reluctantly; 5% would not comply with such a mandate
Clustering of bovine CL DEG on day 4 vs. day 11 using hierarchical clustering performed with Partek Genomics Suite.
No full textThe Hierarchical clustering of 681 expressed genes (fold-change |≥ 2|, FDR of <5%) in day 4 and day 11 CL. Each column represents an Affymetrix chip (n = 10) and each row represents a gene. The deep red color represents relative upregulated expression, while the deep blue color represents relative down regulated expression.</p
Royal Commission on Human Relationships
No full textThis controversial Royal Commission from the 1970s found that many Australian families were failing to protect their most valuable members, and helped change the shape of public discussion around families, gender and sexuality.
This is the first time a digitised version of the Royal Commission on Human Relationships\u27 five-volume final report has been made publically available.
The Royal Commission was initiated in 1974, following a failed attempt by the Whitlam government to reform abortion law. The terms of reference were:
To inquire into and report upon the family, social, educational, legal and sexual aspects of male and female relationships, so far as those matters are relevant to the powers and functions of the Australian Parliament and Government, including powers and functions in relation to the Territories:
To give particular emphasis to the concept of responsible parenthood, to have regard to experience in other countries and to include in your inquiry the following aspects of the said matters:
(a) the extent of relevant existing education programs, including sex education programs, and their effectiveness in promoting responsible sexual behaviour and providing a sound basis in the fundamentals of male and female relationships in the Australian social environment;
(b) the extent of relevant existing programs in medical schools and their adequacy to provide comprehensive medical training in contraceptive techniques, in the physical, psychological and sexual problems experienced by women in adapting to marriage and before, during and after menstruation and in matters relating to pregnancy, fertility control, spontaneous and induced abortions and childbirth and to encourage acceptance by the medical profession of its responsibilities in the field of contraceptive counselling;
(c) the provision, adequacy and effectiveness of existing family planning facilities, educational and activational information on family planning and methods of evaluation of all family planning techniques;
(d) the social, economic, psychological and medical pressures on women in determining whether to proceed with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies, having regard to:
(i) the adequacy of housing, child-minding centres, pre-school centres, domestic assistance for families and working mothers, assistance to single parent families, other forms of assistance for mothers employed in industry, and adoption procedures;
(ii) the disabilities of families with handicapped children; and
(iii) the social status of women in the community; the social, psychological and medical results of termination of, or and failure to terminate such pregnancies;
(e) the adequacy and effectiveness of existing medico-legal determinations in relation to termination of pregnancy, the incidence of such terminations, the factors influencing their occurrence, the adequacy of medical training in an evaluation of methods of termination, consultative rights of the family or other persons concerned and the adequacy and effectiveness of pregnancy support services; and
(f) any other matters in relation to the family, social, educational, legal and sexual aspects of male and female relationships to which the attention of the Commission is directed by the Prime Minister in the course of the inquiry.
To make recommendations as to measures that are desirable with respect to the foregoing matters under existing or future laws of the Australian Parliament or of the Territories (including laws providing for grants to the States) and to indicate whether these measures should be implemented through existing bodies or through government instrumentalities to be created.
The final report, presented to Governor-General John Kerr in 1977, contained over 500 recommendations relating to "contraception (access and use), unwanted pregnancies, childbirth, attitudes to sexuality, sexual knowledge, sex education, domestic violence, rape and the police and courts’ treatment of rape victims, the changing roles of women, child care, child abuse, and homosexuality – especially discrimination faced by gays and lesbians."
The report was highly controversial when released and many of its recommendations were not acted on. However, the Royal Commission had a lasting influence. It was said to have brought taboo topics like abortion, rape and child abuse into public discussion, and to have opened up conversations about private life to this day.
---------------
Part of the Policy History Collection. Digitisation of this report has been supported by the National Library of Australia.
Reproduced with permission of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Progress of international hydrogen production network for the thermochemical Cu–Cl cycle
No full textThis paper presents recent advances by an international team which is developing the thermochemical copper–chlorine (Cu–Cl) cycle for hydrogen production. Development of the Cu–Cl cycle has been pursued by several countries within the framework of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) for hydrogen production with the next generation of nuclear reactors. Due to its lower temperature requirements in comparison with other thermochemical cycles, the Cu–Cl cycle is particularly well matched with Canada's Generation IV reactor, SCWR (Super-Critical Water Reactor), as well as other heat sources such as solar energy or industrial waste heat. In this paper, recent developments of the Cu–Cl cycle are presented, specifically involving unit operation experiments, corrosion resistant materials and system integration.Atomic Energy of Canada LimitedOntario Research Excellence FundNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaUniversity Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE)Canada Research Chairs progra
- …
