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Cranial radiation therapy is associated with white matter-specific brain injury, cortical volume loss, mineralization, microangiopathy and neurocognitive impairment in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, neurocognitive testing and 3 T brain MRI's were obtained in 101 survivors treated with cranial radiation. Small focal intracerebral hemorrhages only visible on exquisitely sensitive MRI sequences were identified and localized using susceptibility weighted imaging. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess the effect of cranial radiation on cumulative number and location of microbleeds in each brain region, and multiple linear regression was used to evaluate microbleeds on neurocognitive outcomes, adjusting for age at diagnosis and sex. At least one microbleed was present in 85% of survivors, occurring more frequently in frontal lobes. Radiation dose of 24 Gy conveyed a 5-fold greater risk (95% CI 2.57–10.32) of having multiple microbleeds compared to a dose of 18 Gy. No significant difference was found in neurocognitive scores with either the absence or presence of microbleeds or their location. Greater prevalence of microbleeds in our study compared to prior reports is likely related to longer time since treatment, better sensitivity of SWI for detection of microbleeds and the use of a 3 T MRI platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deterioration of Russia-US relations as a consequence of the Ukraine crisis and growing tensions in US-China relations have given rise to the perception that China–-Russia relations are an actual or incipient alliance. However, the alliance elements in China-Russia relations have never been systematically defined and empirically assessed, which makes assessing alliance dynamics in these important bilateral relations difficult. This article develops and applies a set of empirical criteria for an alliance to define how closely the post-Cold War China-Russia military relations have approached the alliance condition. It demonstrates that China and Russia have created strong institutional foundations for an alliance, and now only minor steps are necessary for a formal and functioning military alliance to materialize. However, the occurrence of such steps is not yet guaranteed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) is a hereditary retinal disease characterized by the bilateral accumulation of large egg yolk-like lesions in the sub-retinal and sub-retinal pigment epithelium spaces. Macular degeneration in BVMD can begin in childhood or adulthood. The variation in the age of onset is not clearly understood. The present study characterized the clinical characteristics of two Chinese patients with either juvenile-onset BVMD or adult-onset BVMD and investigated the underlying genetic variations. A 16-year-old male (Patient 1) was diagnosed with juvenile-onset BVMD and a 43-year-old female (Patient 2) was diagnosed with adult-onset BVMD. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed, including best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography imaging and Espion electrophysiology. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes collected from these patients, their family members, and 200 unrelated subjects within in the same population. The 11 exons of the bestrophin-1 (BEST1) gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. Both patients presented lesions in the macular area. In Patient 1, a heterozygous mutation c.903T>G (p.D301E) in exon 8 of the BEST1 gene was identified. This mutation was not present in any of the unaffected family members or the normal controls. Polymorphism phenotyping and the sorting intolerant from tolerant algorithm predicted that the amino acid substitution D301E in bestrophin-1 protein was damaging. In Patient 2, a single nucleotide polymorphism c.1608C>T (p.T536T) in exon 10 of the BEST1 gene was identified. These findings expand the spectrum of BEST1 genetic variation and will be valuable for genetic counseling and the development of therapeutic interventions for patients with BVMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) containing both ductal adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma in the same tumour represents ∼4% of the total incidence. To date, the genomic features of this mixed tumour are still unknown. We analysed the genomes of 17 PASCs and 34 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), and showed that PASC carried highly enriched TP53 mutations and 3p loss as compared with PDAC. We also showed that adenomatous and squamous components of PASC harboured comparable genomic alterations, suggesting that the two cellular components develop from the same progenitor cancer cells. Our study has updated genomic knowledge to help with understanding mixed cancers of the pancreas. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinases (SERKs), a subfamily of receptor-like kinases, showed important roles in plant response to abiotic and biotic stresses in addition to embryogenesis and organogenesis in numerous plant species. In the present study, three orthologs ofSERKgenes (HvSERK1/2/3) were isolated from barley, and their expression patterns duringin vitroculture of microspores as well as their responses to different stresses including salinity and powdery mildew were characterized. Sequence analysis suggested that threeHvSERKgenes were highly conserved in the grass family. Subcellular localization showed the HvSERK1 protein located on the plasma membrane. TheHvSERK1transcript was up-regulated during the microspore culture period, suggesting its roles in microspore embryogenesis.HvSERK1andHvSERK3showed the highest expression level in the leaves; however no difference was detected forHvSERK2expression in different plants’ tissues. Under salt stress, all threeHvSERKgenes were quickly induced in microspore-derived embryogenic calli, whereas onlyHvSERK1was up-regulated in the roots of barley seedlings. Moreover, onlyHvSERK2was induced in the barley leaves upon powdery mildew inoculation. These results suggest that barleySERKgenes may participate in barley microspores’ development and plant response toward salt and fungal stress, and the function of them has some evolutionary changes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Historical distribution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their carriers (i.e., organic matter and mineral particles) in the sediment cores of the Yangtze Estuary were investigated, with emphasis laid on the role of the Yangtze River. Grain size component of sediments (clay, silt, and sand) and organic carbon (black carbon and total organic carbon) in the sediment cores were markedly affected by water flux and sediment discharge of the Yangtze River. Qualitative and quantitative analysis results showed that sands and black carbon acted as the main carriers of PAHs. The sedimentation of two-ring to three-ring PAHs in the estuary had significant correlations with water flux and sediment discharge of the Yangtze River. The relative lower level of the four-ring and five-ring to six-ring PAHs concentrations appeared around the year 2003 and remained for the following several years. This time period accorded well with the water impoundment time of the Three Gorges Reservoir. The decreased level of two-ring to three-ring PAHs occurred in the year 1994, and the peak points around the year 2009 indicated that PAHs sedimentation in the estuary also had close relationship to severe drought and flood in the catchments. The findings presented in this paper could provide references for assessing the impacts of water flux and sediment discharge on the historical deposition of PAHs and their carriers in the Yangtze Estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered DNA methylation in the form of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) patterns is correlated with disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. Therefore, accurate analysis of 5-mC is of great significance for the diagnosis of diseases. Here, an efficient enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor was designed for the quantitative analysis of DNA 5-mC based on a cascaded energy level aligned co-sensitization strategy coupling with the bridged DNA nanoprobe (BDN). Firstly, Au nanoparticle/graphite phase carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (AuNPs/g-C 3 N 4 @TiO 2) nanocomposite was synthesized through in situ growth of AuNPs on g-C 3 N 4 @TiO 2 surface as a matrix to provide a stable background signal. Next, BDN with a high mass transfer rate synthesized from a pair of DNA tetrahedral as nanomechanical handles was used as a capture probe to bind to the target sequence. The polydopamine nanosphere was applied to load with CdTe QDs (PDANS-CdTe QDs) as a photocurrent label of 5-mC antibodies. When the 5-mC existed, a large number of PDANS-Ab-CdTe QDs were introduced to the electrode surface, the formed CdTe QDs/AuNPs/g-C 3 N 4 @TiO 2 co-sensitive structure could effectively enhance the electron transfer capability and photocurrent response rate due to the effective cascade energy level arrangement, leading to a significantly enhanced photocurrent signal. The proposed PEC biosensor manifested a wide range from 10−17 M to 10−7 M and a detection limit of 2.2 aM. Meanwhile, the excellent performance indicated the practicability of the designed strategy, thus being capable of the clinical diagnosis of 5-mC. [Display omitted] • An ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical biosensor for the detection of DNA 5-mC. • Applying bridged DNA nanoprobe to improve the detection performance. • Bioconjugates served as target recognition elements and signal amplification labels. • The biosensing system can be used for the diagnosis of methylation-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successive sediment suspensions often happen in estuary, yet little research has probed into the difference in the release behaviors of organic compounds among different suspensions. This study took polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as typical organic contaminants and investigated the release behaviors between two successive suspensions with a particle entrainment simulator (PES). Results showed that successive sediment suspensions lowered the concentration of dissolved PAHs in the overlying water via facilitating the re-adsorption of dissolved PAHs onto the suspended particles. Fast-release and slow-release periods of PAHs were successively observed in the both suspensions. The concentration changes of dissolved PAHs in the second suspension were generally similar with but hysteretic to those in the first suspension. More vigorous desorption and re-absorption of PAHs were induced in the second suspension. Successive sediment suspensions obviously decreased the concentrations of mineral composition and organic matters in the overlying water, which significantly affects multiphase distribution of PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article lists the authors of the abstracts selected for the 2016 abstract collection of the professional organization American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) along with the abstract pages and numbers, including Marissa Adams, Sandra Blackburn and Julie Cessna.

Among ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation modifications, those of m6A and m5C are the two most abundant forms, and the bias of m6A and m5C modification levels plays an essential role in many biological processes. Therefore, constructing a mechanism that can simultaneously analyze the two modifications would be potentially very significant. Herein, we propose a wavelength-resolved photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor based on cascade signal amplification reactions for m6A-RNA and m5C-RNA analysis on a single interface. First, a target sequence was transformed with antibody-functionalized magnetic beads to obtain the initial sequences, triggering the 3D DNA nanomachine to transform and amplify targets by generating many output sequences. Subsequently, the output sequences were combined with rolling-circle-amplification (RCA) primer scaffolds, and then a DNA origami structure was formed based on RCA. A DNA origami could immobilize many photoelectrochemical mediators to amplify photocurrent responses. As expected, the proposed PEC biosensor exhibited excellent analytical performances for both m6A-RNA and m5C-RNA. The detection limits were as low as 1.96 fM and 7.37 pM, respectively. The successful fabrication of the PEC biosensor opened new possibilities for epigenetic research and the diagnosis and treatment of methylation-related diseases. • A novel wavelength-resolved PEC biosensor was developed for RNA methylation detection. • The cascade signal amplification of 3 D DNA nanomachine and DNA origami was superior to most current methods. • Constructed a specific PEC biosensor for m6A-RNA and m5C-RNA analysis on single interface for the first time. • The new strategy laid the foundation for high sensitivity and specificity detection of RNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility of sodium 3-sulfobenzoate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures was measured at elevated temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K by a steady-state method. The results of these experiments were correlated by a modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution enthalpy and entropy of sodium 3-sulfobenzoate in aqueous solutions of different mole fraction were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debates about whether China's rise poses a threat or an opportunity for Taiwan have settled into a realist assumption that Beijing will continue to upset the balance of power and a liberal approach that believes the benefits of economic interdependence are leading to greater gains. Missing from this debate is a nuanced consideration of how Taiwan's policy elites view themselves and their position in cross-Strait relations. Taiwan's decision makers' views are deeply affected by, and interact with, factors and institutions on and beyond the island. This article offers a model of political processes – the staying power of the status quo and order of movement – as a possible route towards an explanation for Taiwan's position on cross-Strait negotiations. The conclusion is that the status quo position – de facto but not de jure independence – is becoming more entrenched with time. Taiwan's colours of partisanship, Blue and Green, are blending into Aquamarine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The optical model of a Cassegrain optical antenna with a confocal double-parabolic reflector structure has been designed, and the propagation characteristics of a hollow laser beam, which could avoid the loss of energy caused by the subreflector center reflection in the optical antenna, has been researched in this paper. By detailed analysis and numerical calculations of a receiving Cassegrain antenna with different deflection angles, the coupling efficiency curve and 3-D distributions of the receiving light intensity for different inclined angles have been obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on ideas associated with 'two-level games' to focus on the continuing difficulty within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) of reconciling national responsibilities and regional commitments. Using this perspective to examine three areas included in the remit of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community-migrant workers, 'haze', and disaster management-it disaggregates some of the complex domestic and international pressures that can lead to varying regional outcomes. Whereas problems with regional cooperation are often simply laid at the door of recalcitrant governments or inadequate regional institutions, this lens foregrounds a different source of difficulties, in which significant domestic constituencies severely constrain what governments can offer to the region. Conceptualizing the national/regional interface in this way, however, also suggests ways through some of the sticking points. This lens therefore has implications for policy, advocacy, ASEAN's communication efforts, and its routine collaborative undertakings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations and speciation of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediments of the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary, China, were systematically investigated in this study. The concentrations of all heavy metals except Ni in the sediments of the nearshore area were higher than those of the river channel and coastal zones. In the nearshore area, the concentrations of most heavy metals except Hg in the sediments of the southern branch were higher than those of the northern branch because of the import of pollutants from the urban and industrial activities around. When compared with the threshold effect level (TEL) and geochemical background levels, Cr, Ni and As accumulated and posed potential adverse biological effects. The speciation analysis suggested that Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediments of the three zones showed higher bioavailability than the other heavy metals, and thus posed ecological risk. Significant correlations were observed among Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn ( r > 0.77) in the nearshore area, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb ( r > 0.85) in the river channel and Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn ( r > 0.75) in the coastal zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the discharge of unban and industrial sewage, shipping pollution and the properties of the sediments (contents of Fe, Mn, Al, TOC, clay and silt) dominated the distribution of heavy metal in the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to examine whether children with low-grade glioma (LGG) or craniopharyngioma had impaired learning and memory after conformal radiation therapy (CRT). A secondary objective was to determine whether children who received chemotherapy before CRT, a treatment often used to delay radiation therapy in younger children with LGG, received any protective benefit with respect to learning. Methods and Materials: Learning and memory in 57 children with LGG and 44 children with craniopharyngioma were assessed with the California Verbal Learning Test–Children''s Version and the Visual-Auditory Learning tests. Learning measures were administered before CRT, 6 months later, and then yearly for a total of 5 years. Results: No decline in learning scores after CRT was observed when patients were grouped by diagnosis. For children with LGG, chemotherapy before CRT did not provide a protective effect on learning. Multiple regression analyses, which accounted for age and tumor volume and location, found that children treated with chemotherapy before CRT were at greater risk of decline on learning measures than those treated with CRT alone. Variables predictive of learning and memory decline included hydrocephalus, shunt insertion, younger age at time of treatment, female gender, and pre-CRT chemotherapy. Conclusions: This study did not reveal any impairment or decline in learning after CRT in overall aggregate learning scores. However, several important variables were found to have a significant effect on neurocognitive outcome. Specifically, chemotherapy before CRT was predictive of worse outcome on verbal learning in LGG patients. In addition, hydrocephalus and shunt insertion in craniopharyngioma were found to be predictive of worse neurocognitive outcome, suggesting a more aggressive natural history for those patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A correction to the article "Layered microcapsules for Daunorubicin Loading and Release as Well as in Vitro and in Vivo Studies," by Baosan Han and colleagues, that was publshed in the October 12, 2007 issue.

Background: Little information exists regarding pediatric contrast-enhanced US. Objective: To assess the safety and feasibility of contrast-enhanced US of pediatric abdominal and pelvic tumors. Materials and methods: This prospective study included eight boys and five girls (mean age, 10.8 years) with abdominal or pelvic tumors. Cohorts of three subjects underwent US with perflutren contrast agent at escalating dose levels. Neurological and funduscopic examination, electrocardiography and continuous pulse oximetry were performed before and after contrast administration. Three radiologists independently scored six imaging parameters on pre- and postcontrast sonography. Inter-reviewer agreement was measured by the Kappa statistic. Results: No neurological, retinal, electrocardiographical or pulse oximetry changes were attributable to the contrast agent. Two subjects reported minor, transient symptoms. Postcontrast US parameter scores improved slightly in 8 of 12 subjects. Postcontrast ultrasound inter-reviewer agreement improved slightly for detection of tumor margins (precontrast = 0.20, postcontrast = 0.26), local tumor invasion (precontrast = -0.01, postcontrast = 0.10) and adenopathy (precontrast = 0.35, postcontrast = 0.44). Conclusions: Although our sample size is small, perflutren contrast agents appear to be safe and well tolerated in children. Contrast-enhanced sonography of pediatric abdominal and pelvic tumors is feasible, but larger studies are needed to define their safety and efficacy in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The research of optical antenna is of greatest importance in the field of modern optical communication. For optical antenna, alignment of optical system is a significant factor, which influences the transmission quality of optical antenna system. Antenna off-axis is one of the important factors influencing the transmission quality of optical antenna system. In this paper, we analyze and numerically simulate how power attenuation ratio and gain of Cassegrain antenna vary with the antenna deflection angle and the distance that the central axis of receiving antenna deviates from z-axis, when space off-axis happens to the system. Finally, the coupling efficiency of Cassegrain antenna is tested experimentally, and the results show that the coupling efficiency of the Cassegrain antenna dramatically reduces in the case of off-axis. These studies provide a theoretical basis for optical antenna system to achieve accurate alignment in optical communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Russia and China are two big players in the international system, both of which share interests and concerns and compete for preponderance and affirmation at the regional level. As a framework for political-military cooperation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) frames this relationship in an institutional setting that might be understood as a tool for rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing or as a strategic manoeuvre for balancing an unbalanced international order. Thus the following question arises: is Russian-Chinese cooperation discourse mere political rhetoric or does it imply the intentional forging of a goal-orientated partnership? The relationship between Russia and China in political and security terms reveals identifiable common concerns, such as counter-terrorism or the fight against organised crime, while simultaneously masking the underpinning drivers, based on realpolitik dynamics and image construction on both sides (power projection, regional affirmation). This means that the strategic partnership dialogue between Moscow and Beijing is still far from being real. Realpolitik considerations rise above institutional goals, showing the lines of (dis)continuity in discourse and practice in this bilateral relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thuja koraiensis Nakai is a kind of precious economic tree species with fragrance, ornamental and medicinal functions. The essential oil has the satisfactory antibacterial activity. In this paper, the essential oil from the branches and leaves of Thuja koraiensis Nakai was studied by optimization of extraction process, and the optimized parameters mainly include solid-liquid ratio, NaCl concentration, distillation time, storage conditions, etc. Which provided technical scientific basis for the development and utilization of Thuja koraiensis Nakai. The essential oil from the branches and leaves of Thuja koraiensis Nakai was extracted by steam distillation, and the single factor experiment was carried out. The extraction process of the essential oil from the branches and leaves of Thuja koraiensis Nakai was optimized by response surface methodology. The chemical constituents were analyzed by GC–MS. The antibacterial activity of the essential oil was detected by filter paper and plate coating methods. Thuja koraiensis Nakai showed that when the material-to-liquid ratio was 50 g/400 ml, the NaCl concentration was 6.0%, the distillation time was 5 h,the storage condition was dry branch, the oil content was the highest. The response surface optimization method showed that material-to-liquid ratio was 7.8804 ml/g, distillation time was 2.23 h, NaCl concentration was 6.56%, under such condition, the yield was 1.1712%. The chemical constituents of the essential oil were analyzed by GC–MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry), and 45 compounds were detected, accounting for 96.03% of the total number. The bacteriostatic activity was detected by filter paper method. The results showed that the essential oil of Thuja koraiensis Nakai had antibacterial effect on three strains (Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli) , among them, the diameter of bacteriostatic circle against S. aureus , B. subtilis and E. coli was 10.00 mm, 15.20 mm and 9.86 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the branches and leaves of Thuja koraiensis Nakai to S. aureus was 5 μg/ml, to B. subtilis was 0.625 μg/ml and to E. coli was 2.50 μg/ml. The highest extraction yield of essential oil from the branches and leaves of Thuja koraiensis Nakai by steam distillation was 1.30%. A total of 45 compounds were identified from the essential oils of Thuja koraiensis Nakai, among which carverol acetate was the highest. The essential oil from the branches and leaves of Thuja koraiensis Nakai has obvious antibacterial effect and great development potential, for example, making insect repell0ents, fungicides, essential oil soaps, so it is recommended to collect and use it. • The essential oil of Thuja koraiensis Nakai was extracted by steam distillation. • When the material-to-liquid ratio was 50 g/400 ml, the NaCl concentration was 6% AND the distillation time was 5 h. • The highest extraction rate of essential oil was 1.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Therapy for ependymoma includes aggressive surgical intervention and radiotherapy administered by use of methods that keep the risk of side-effects to a minimum. We extended this treatment approach to include children under the age of 3 years with the aim of improving tumour control.Methods: Between July 11, 1997, and Nov 18, 2007, 153 paediatric patients (median age 2.9 years [range 0.9-22.9 months]) with localised ependymoma were treated. 85 patients had anaplastic ependymoma; the tumours of 122 were located in the infratentorial region, and 35 had received previous chemotherapy. Patients received conformal radiotherapy after definitive surgery (125 patients had undergone gross total, 17 near total, and 11 subtotal resection). Doses of 59.4 Gy (n=131) or 54.0 Gy (n=22) were prescribed to a 10 mm margin around the target volume. Disease control, patterns of failure, and complications were recorded for patients followed over 10 years. Overall survival, event-free survival (EFS), cumulative incidence of local recurrences, and cumulative incidence of distant recurrences were assessed. Variables considered included tumour grade, tumour location, ethnic origin, sex, age when undergoing conformal radiotherapy, total radiotherapy dose, number of surgical procedures, surgery extent, and preradiotherapy chemotherapy.Findings: After a median follow-up of 5.3 years (range 0.4-10.4), 23 patients had died and tumour progression noted in 36, including local (n=14), distant (n=15), and combined failure (n=7). 7-year local control, EFS, and overall survival were 87.3% (95% CI 77.5-97.1), 69.1% (56.9-81.3), and 81.0% (71.0-91.0), respectively. The cumulative incidences of local and distant failure were 16.3% (9.6-23.0) and 11.5% (5.9-17.1), respectively. In the 107 patients treated with immediate postoperative conformal radiotherapy (without delay or chemotherapy), 7-year local control, EFS, and overall survival were 88.7% (77.9-99.5), 76.9% (63.4-90.4), and 85.0% (74.2-95.8), respectively; the cumulative incidence of local and distant failure were 12.6% (5.1-20.1), and 8.6% (2.8-14.3), respectively. The incidence of secondary malignant brain tumour at 7 years was 2.3% (0-5.6) and brainstem necrosis 1.6% (0-4.0). Overall survival was affected by tumour grade (anaplastic vs differentiated: HR 3.98 [95% CI 1.51-10.48]; p=0.0052), extent of resection (gross total vs near total or subtotal: 0.16 [0.07-0.37]; p<0.0001), and ethnic origin (non-white vs white: 3.0 [1.21-7.44]; p=0.018). EFS was affected by tumour grade (anaplastic vs differentiated: 2.52 [1.2705.01]; p=0.008), extent of resection (gross total vs near total or subtotal: 0.20 [0.11-0.39]; p<0.0001]), and sex (male vs female: 2.19 [1.03-4.66]; p=0.042). Local failure was affected by extent of resection (gross total vs near total or subtotal: 0.16 [0.067-0.38]; p<0.0001), sex (male vs female: 3.85 [1.10-13.52]; p=0.035), and age (<3 years vs >/=3 years: 3.25 [1.30-8.16]; p=0.012). Distant recurrence was only affected by tumour grade (anaplastic vs differentiated: 4.1 [1.2-14.0]; p=0.017).Interpretation: Treatment of ependymoma should include surgery with the aim of gross-total resection and conformal, high-dose, postoperative irradiation. Future trials might consider treatment stratification based on sex and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, inverse design has been widely used in aerodynamic design. However, the traditional inverse design method is limited to ensure the optimality, accuracy, and reality of the target distribution, which restricts the further development of the inverse design. To address these issues, the framework of nacelle inverse design based on improved Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) is firstly proposed in this paper. The pressure distribution database obtained by CFD is used for training the GAN model, and the well-trained generator producing a large number of samples is employed for searching the optimal pressure distribution. Especially, in order to enhance the optimization ability of the traditional GAN model, an improved GAN model is proposed by modifying the loss function of the generator and discriminator. Pressure distribution-aerodynamic parameters ANN model and pressure distribution-geometry ANN model are established to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of the target distribution and obtain the nacelle geometry corresponding to the target distribution. The inverse design of the nacelle profile is carried out using the traditional GAN model and the improved GAN model and applied for the spin-forming and non-spin-forming nacelles, respectively. The results show that the inverse design framework with the improved GAN model achieves better optimal results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to develop an objective method to stratify cardiovascular risk in hypertension. Stratification for cardiovascular risk is crucial in deciding treatment strategy for hypertension but has yielded undesirable results in clinic due to its low accuracy which is caused by physicians' subjective experience and the uncertainty of patients' statements. Our model proposed herein overcomes these disadvantages by applying artificial neural network based on a classic back propagation net. The model input is derived from the clinical investigation. The target output is the stratification level of total cardiovascular risk, which is learned from the guidelines of hypertension treatment. Study in 348 normotensive and hypertensive subjects showed that the results of model stratification are consistent with the standard stratification suggested by hypertension guidelines in 81.61% cases. The results confirm the accuracy of the model and demonstrate its ability in risk evaluation for hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the author index for the November 3, 2005 issue of "Respirology."

Long-term childhood cancer survivors' (CCS) quality of life can be impacted by late effects such as cognitive difficulties. Especially survivors of CNS tumors are assumed to be at risk, but reports of cognitive tests in CCS with survival times >25 years are scarce. We assessed planning ability, a capacity closely related to fluid intelligence, using the Tower of London. We compared 122 CNS tumor survivors, 829 survivors of other cancers (drawn from a register-based sample of adult long-term CCS), and 215 healthy controls (using sex-specific one-way ANOVAs and t-tests). Associations of CCS' planning ability with medical and psychosocial factors were investigated with a hierarchical linear regression analysis. Mean planning ability did not differ between CCS and controls. However, female CNS tumor survivors performed worse than female survivors of other cancers and female controls. CNS tumor survivors of both sexes had a lower socioeconomic status, and fewer of them had achieved high education than other survivors. In the regression analysis, lower status and anxiety symptoms were associated with poor planning, suggesting possible mediators of effects of disease and treatment. The results indicate the necessity to contextualize test results, and to include cognitive and psychological assessments into aftercare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]