Search

Here, we describe the full-length genome sequence of a novel potyvirus, tentatively named “Miscanthus sinensis mosaic virus” (MsiMV), isolated from Miscanthus sinensis (silver grass) held in a post-entry quarantine facility after being imported into Western Australia, Australia. The MsiMV genome is 9604 nucleotides (nt) in length, encoding a 3071-amino-acid (aa) polyprotein with conserved sequence motifs. The MsiMV genome is most closely related to that of sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV), with 74% nt and 78.5% aa sequence identity to the SrMV polyprotein region. Phylogenetic analysis based on the polyprotein grouped MsiMV with SrMV, sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), and maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV). This is the first report of a novel monopartite ssRNA virus in Miscanthus sinensis related to members of the genus Potyvirus in the family Potyviridae.

Oesophageal and gastric adenocarcinoma (OGA) treatment remains challenging. Improvements in early diagnosis, staging and management might have contributed to survival prolongation. To examine this hypothesis, we assessed outcomes of resected OGA patients in our institution over 10 years, comparing two time periods, 2001–2005 and 2006–2010. Records from patients who had undergone surgery with radical intent and follow-up for OGA were retrospectively reviewed. Patients followed up at hospitals other than the Royal Marsden Hospital were excluded. Two different cohorts were identified: patients with oesophageal and type I or type II oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) tumours, and patients with gastric and type III OGJ tumours. We identified 360 patients: 147 from 2001–2005 and 213 from 2006–2010. The characteristics were comparable across the two time periods. Between 2001–2005 and 2006–2010, the percentage of R0 resections increased (from 67.1 to 81.1 % for proximal tumours and from 76.3 to 95.9 % for gastric and type III OGJ tumours). The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved increased over time. The 5-year overall survival rate increased significantly from 42.3 to 56.6 % for proximal tumours and from 38.8 to 55.3 % for gastric and type III OGJ tumours. Similarly, the disease-free survival rate significantly increased from 34.6 to 53.5 % for proximal tumours and from 35.9 to 51.1 % for gastric and type III OGJ tumours. This study comprehensively describes the improvement in survival outcomes in a major UK referral centre over a 10-year period, identifying potentially relevant factors such as increased number of R0 resections and higher lymph node yield.

Preoperative cisplatin/fluorouracil is used for the treatment of localised oesophageal carcinoma. This phase II study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of administering preoperative epirubicin/cisplatin/capecitabine (ECX). Patients with stage II or III oesophageal/gastro-oesophageal junctional adenocarcinoma from one institution received 4 cycles of ECX (epirubicin 50 mg m(-2) day 1, cisplatin 60 mg m(-2) day 1, capecitabine 625 mg m(-2) b.i.d. daily) followed by surgery. The primary end point was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate based on a Simon two-stage design. Secondary end points included overall and progression-free survival (OS/PFS). Thirty-four patients were recruited: median age 60 years (range 41-81), 91% male, 97% PS 0/1, 80% T3, 68% N1. Thirty-one patients completed four ECX cycles. Grade 3/4 toxicitiesor=5% included neutropenia (62%), hand-foot syndrome (15%) and nausea/vomiting (9%). Thirteen out of 28 (46%) evaluable patients responded to chemotherapy by EUS (or=30% reduction in maximal tumour thickness). Twenty-six out of 34 (76%) patients underwent resection (R0=73%, R1=27%). Post-operatively, two patients died within 60 days of surgery. The pCR rate was 5.9% (95% CI 0-14%) in the intent-to-treat population. According to the statistical design, this prompted early study termination. However, with a median follow-up of 34 months the median OS and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 17 months, 67 and 39% respectively. Median PFS was 13 months. Of the 14 relapsed patients, 10 presented with distant metastases. Preoperative ECX is feasible and well tolerated. Although associated with a low pCR rate, survival with ECX was comparable with published studies suggesting that pCR may not correlate with satisfactory outcome from preoperative chemotherapy for localised oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Currently, there are concerns about access restrictions to bouldering, a form of rock climbing, and other outdoor activities practiced at the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve located near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The Niagara Parks Commission is currently in the process of exploring ways to balance protection of the natural area with sustainable recreational use. The purpose of this study was to describe setting perceptions of a husband and wife climbing partnership toward the Niagara Glen using a case study approach. This approach was used to analyze the couple's experiences and reflections using a place-based conceptual lens to highlight interactions with the Niagara Glen over 12 years. Four major themes were identified with respect to setting perception including: 1) Specific rock memories, 2) Community and friendship, 3) Setting location and 4) Environmental degradation. Implications for environmental perspectives and policy are discussed. Restrictions to access at a number of rock climbing areas in southern Ontario, Canada are due to negative environmental impacts, plant and animal protection, and recreational overuse associated with the recreational activity of rock climbing (Leung & Marion, 2000; McMillan, Nekola, & Larson, 2003; Monz, Smith, & Knickerboxer, 2005; Roth, 2007; Siderelis & Attarian, 2004). The negative impacts to these environments are not only detrimental to the physical landscapes and their ecosystems, but they also impact the experiences and perceptions of all recreation participants (Monz et al., 2005). There is, however, some debate that outdoor recreation activities, such as rock climbing and bouldering, can be sustainable at popular sites if participants are taught proper techniques, such as minimum impact practices (Marion & Reid, 2001). Additionally, some suggest while the environmental impacts at such areas are of high concern, the areas have already been impacted and may avoid spreading problems associated with overuse to other areas by concentrating recreationists at particular sites (Leung & Marion, 2000; Watson, 2000). The purpose of this study was to explore setting perceptions from two stakeholders who have devoted a large part of their lives and values to the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve through the activity of bouldering. Specifically, this study was guided by two primary research questions: 1) What are the perceptions of boulderers toward the Niagara Glen? 2) How can perceptions of boulderers be used to inform environmental policy? The authors hope to use this exploratory study to guide another study, which will explore the perceptions of boulderers, other user groups, and park managers toward the Niagara Glen. Potential access restrictions, area closures, and changes in environmental policy at sites like the Niagara Glen are results of a complex intersection of management strategy, people, fragile environments, and human behaviours (Ritchie, 2002). There has been research conducted on the environmental impacts of rock climbing and bouldering from a variety of perspectives with varying results, some which call for management policy to restrict recreational rock climbing activities along the Niagara Escarpment (McMillan et al., 2003). Other studies have shown that specific styles of climbing along the Niagara Escarpment (such as advanced sport climbing) do not necessarily adversely affect cliff-face vegetation, rather, the sites chosen for this style of climbing have natural characteristics that tend to support less vegetation (Kuntz & Larson, 2006). Measuring the impact of rock climbing activities is still evolving and will affect environmental management policy in the future at sites like the Niagara Glen (Ritchie, 2002). The focus of this paper, however, is on the human dimensions of boulderers. While there has been research conducted on other outdoor recreation user groups and the environmental impacts of rock climbing activities, there has been very little research conducted on the environmental perspectives of boulderers. …

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a benign, nonmetastasizing proliferation of myofibroblasts with a potential for local infiltration, recurrence and persistent local growth. We report a case of a 51 year-old female, who had excision of a gallbladder tumour. Histopathology showed it to be IMT of the gallbladder. The approach to these tumours should be primarily surgical resection to obtain a definitive diagnosis and relieve symptoms. IMT has a potential for local infiltration, recurrence and persistent local growth.

Type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable penetrance; approximately 50% of cases present as new mutations We report a case of a 56 year-old man with Von Recklinghausen's disease, carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater and incidental benign gastrointestinal stromal tumours of the jejunum. Coexistence between ampullary carcinoid, ectopic pancreatic tissue in the jejunum and neurofibroma of the jejunum in NF-1 has been previously described however; the association of synchronous carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater and gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the jejunum in NF-1 has not been previously reported.