Search

The article provides an overview of haemodialysis, a therapy used to treat people with both end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI). Topics discussed include places where haemodialysis is usually performed, process involved in haemodialysis, and options for treatment and alternatives.

Aim: The aim of the study was to diagnose the socioeconomic burden and impact of a diagnosis of cervical cancer in rural women in the context of a low-resourced country, Uganda, through a descriptive qualitative enquiry. Methods: This was a multi-site descriptive qualitative inquiry, conducted at three hospice settings; Mobile Hospice Mbarara in the Southwest, Little Hospice Hoima in Midwest, and Hospice Africa Uganda Kampala in Central Uganda. A purposive sample of women with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer were recruited. Data were collected using open-ended audio-recorded interviews conducted in the native languages of the participants. Interviews were transcribed verbatim in English. Braun and Clarke's (2019) framework of thematic analysis was used. Results: A total of 13 women, with mean age 49.2 years (range 29–71), participated in the study. All participants were of low socioeconomic status. The majority (84.6%) had advanced disease at diagnosis. A detailed reading of transcripts produced three major themes: (1) the impact of cervical cancer on women's relationships (2) the disrupted and impaired activities of daily living (ADLs), and (3) economic disruptions. Conclusions: A diagnosis of cervical cancer introduces significant socioeconomic disruptions in a woman's and her family's life. Cervical cancer causes disability, impairs the woman and her family's productivity and exacerbates levels of poverty in the home. High and expensive out-of-pocket expenditure on investigations, treatments and transport costs further compound the socioeconomic burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the lived experiences of women with advanced incurable cervical cancer attending a palliative care service in Uganda. Methods: This qualitative and exploratory study was conducted at Mobile Hospice Mbarara in South Western Uganda. The target population was a convenience sample of all patients with a confirmed histological diagnosis of advanced cervical cancer; stage 2B to 4B, and clinically advanced disease. Demographic data were collected prior to conducting semi-structured audio-taped interviews. Transcripts were read and re-read, coded and codes were then abstracted into emergent broad-based meaningful themes by consensus. Results: A total of 10 participants, average age of 53.4, age range 40–71, cancer staging 2B to 4 and average duration of illness 3.5 years were interviewed. Six themes emerged from the data: socio-demographic profiles of the women; road to cancer diagnosis; effects of disease on women's quality of life; experiences with main stream medicine; adapting to having cancer and needs of the women. Conclusions: Living with advanced incurable cervical cancer is associated with significant disruptions in all domains of life. Good palliative care enables patients to achieve an optimal quality life. Poverty and a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer among women and health workers are the strongest predictors of a patient receiving a late advanced diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Treatment algorithms for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are determined largely by the Veterans Affairs Lung Cancer Staging Group (VALCSG) staging (limited (LS) versus extensive (ES) stage). Relapse occurs frequently; however, patterns of relapse, in particular the competing risk of thoracic and central nervous system relapse, are not well described. This study describes patterns of relapse in SCLC patients treated at a large tertiary institution in Ontario, Canada. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of SCLC patients treated at the Juravinski Cancer Centre was reviewed. Data were abstracted from the medical record on demographic, disease, treatment and outcome variables. The primary outcome was a description of the patterns of relapse stratified by disease stage. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify prognostic variables for thoracic and CNS relapse. Results: Two hundred and twenty nine patients were treated during the study period (LS--83, ES--146). Relapse occurred in the majority of patients (isolated thoracic--28%, isolated CNS--9%, extrathoracic--9%, thoracic/extrathoracic--14%, systemic and CNS--13%). The median OS was consistent with published data (LS--21.8 months, ES--8.9 months). ES disease and elevated LDH were prognostic for increased thoracic relapse, whereas poor PS and older age were prognostic for lower central nervous system (CNS) relapse. Discussion: Thoracic relapse and CNS relapse represent competing risks for patients with SCLC. Decisions about incorporating thoracic or CNS radiation are complex. More research is needed to incorporate performance status and LDH into treatment algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation of germ cell populations from the soma is part of the evolutionary transition to multicellularity. Only genetic information present in the germ cells will be inherited by future generations, and any molecular processes affecting the germline genome are therefore likely to be passed on. Despite its prevalence across taxonomic kingdoms, we are only starting to understand details of the underlying micro‐evolutionary processes occurring at the germline genome level. These include segregation, recombination, mutation and selection and can occur at any stage during germline differentiation and mitotic germline proliferation to meiosis and post‐meiotic gamete maturation. Selection acting on germ cells at any stage from the diploid germ cell to the haploid gametes may cause significant deviations from Mendelian inheritance and may be more widespread than previously assumed. The mechanisms that affect and potentially alter the genomic sequence and allele frequencies in the germline are pivotal to our understanding of heritability. With the rise of new sequencing technologies, we are now able to address some of these unanswered questions. In this review, we comment on the most recent developments in this field and identify current gaps in our knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specific structural transformation of size-selected Pd nanoclusters, from amorphous to highly symmetrical structures, is observed following catalytic reaction using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM). This surprising behaviour, which occurs concurrently with the alkyne hydrogenation reaction, is clearly size-dependent. [Display omitted] • Observation of transformation of mass-selected Palladium nanoclusters under strictly controlled chemical environment (annealing in inert gas, reduction in hydrogen atmosphere, and 1-pentyne hydrogenation). • Establish what role the reaction itself plays in driving the restructure. • Novel structural transformation on size-selected Pd nanoclusters from amorphous to highly symmetrical structures is observed. • Size-dependent transformation phenomena confirmed between Pd clusters of different size in equal treatment. Nanostructured palladium catalysts are used industrially for selective alkyne hydrogenation reactions. However, structural changes can lead to a loss of performance. In this study, we show the evolution of the atomic structure of monodispersed Pd nanoclusters undergoing a vapour-phase 1-pentyne hydrogenation reaction. A specific structural transformation, from amorphous to highly symmetrical structures, is observed at the atomic level with aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM). This surprising behaviour which occurs concurrently with the alkyne hydrogenation reaction, is clearly size-dependent. The results provide new understanding of the long-term stability of commercial heterogeneous catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard method for identification of male fertility status is a semen analysis. This is performed in fertility and pathology laboratories accredited by different bodies in the UK such as the HFEA or UKAS, and is based on whether they perform licenced clinical treatment or diagnostic testing. The WHO laboratory semen analysis criteria provide the most comprehensive guidance for best practice, yet this is not strictly adhered to. Our objective was to determine any differences in semen analyses between laboratories in the UK, based on the regulatory body they are registered with. A cross-sectional survey was sent to NEQAS for andrology registrants (n = 184 laboratories), HFEA (n = 117 clinics), and individual ARCS members (n = 682). Most ARCS members are associated with NEQAS and/or the HFEA. A ∼50% laboratory response rate (n = 106 included responses) was found. Results were grouped based on accreditation: Group 1, UKAS accredited only (n = 38); Group 2, both UKAS accredited and HFEA licenced (n = 17); Group 3, HFEA licenced only (n = 42); and Group 4, no accreditation (n = 9). Over 85% of UKAS accredited laboratories (Groups 1 and 2) state they perform semen analysis according to WHO 2010 recommendations and adhere to best practice guidelines. A significantly fewer number of HFEA only laboratories (<74% Group 3, p < 0.01) adhere to both guidelines. Non-HFEA laboratories (Groups 1 and 4) are almost all performing sperm counts according to WHO criteria, while <60% HFEA clinics (Groups 2 and 3) perform counts according to regulation (Group 1 vs. Groups 2 and 3: Fixed sperm, p < 0.05 ; Neubauer chamber: p < 0.005). QC is implemented in most laboratories, however there is a significant difference (p < 0.01) between non-UKAS (Groups 3 and 4) and UKAS laboratories (Groups 1 and 2). There is a significant difference in semen analysis performance between UKAS and HFEA laboratories with regards to implementation of best practice guidelines and QC procedures. This may have a detrimental effect on result accuracy and consequently lead to patient misdiagnosis and mismanagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of different types of land tenure in areas with high biodiversity and threats of deforestation remains poorly understood. We apply rigorous quasi-experimental methods and detailed geospatial data to assess the role of tenure regimes—communally held lands (specifically, ejidos), private property, and their impact on the effectiveness of protected areas, in reducing forest loss in a biodiversity hotspot- the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. We find evidence that, while protected areas are effective on average, their impact depends on the underlying type of tenure regime and forest, proxied by biomass levels and biome. Protecting communally held land may reduce deforestation, specifically the loss of medium- and high-biomass forests, compared to forests under private property regimes. Our results have important policy implications for the conservation and climate change mitigation efforts on the Yucatan. However, the high variance in forest loss rates among ejidos indicates that other characteristics of ejidos may be central to understanding community-based forest conservation opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenge in caring for patients in resource-poor settings is the ethical discomfort and discouragement clinicians might experience when they're unable to provide optimal care due to lack of resources. This case, in which a resident is faced with rationalizing substandard care for certain classes of patients, probably represents the top of a slippery slope. This article argues that physicians should identify and advocate for optimal care for each patient. Moreover, physicians should advocate to improve the health system that allows for substandard care. Physicians should disclose to patients all available evaluation and treatment options, even those that seem cost prohibitive or unrealistic for some other reason. Transparency and objectivity in the patient-clinician relationship require good communication skills and are central to avoiding harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stage III nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a heterogeneous group of patients. Many patients are treated with curative intent multimodality therapy, either surgical resection plus systemic therapy or chemoradiation plus immunotherapy. However, many patients are not suitable for curative intent therapy and are treated with palliative systemic therapy or best supportive care. Methods: This paper is a review of recent advances in the management of patients with curative intent disease. Results: There have been significant advances in curative intent therapy for patients with stage III NSCLC in recent years. These include both adjuvant and neoadjuvant systemic therapies. For patients with resectable NSCLC, two trials have demonstrated that adjuvant atezolizumab or pembrolizumab, following chemotherapy, significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS). In patients with tumours harbouring a common mutation of the EGFR gene, adjuvant osimertinib therapy was associated with a large improvement in both DFS and overall survival (OS). Five randomized trials have evaluated chemotherapy plus nivolumab, pembrolizumab, durvalumab, or toripalimab, either as neoadjuvant or perioperative (neoadjuvant plus adjuvant) therapy. All five trials show significant improvements in the rate of pathologic complete response (pCR) and event-free survival (EFS). OS data are currently immature. This would now be considered the standard of care for resectable stage III NSCLC. The addition of durvalumab to chemoradiation has also become the standard of care in unresectable stage III NSCLC. One year of consolidation durvalumab following concurrent chemoradiation has demonstrated significant improvements in both progression-free and overall survival. Conclusions: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become a standard recommendation in curative intent therapy for stage III NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective hydrogenation of alkynes is an important reaction in the synthesis of fine and bulk chemicals. We show that the synthesis of metal nanoparticles in the gas phase, followed by deposition onto conventional support powders results in materials that perform as well as those made by typical methods for making catalysts (impregnation, deposition). The nature of the active sites in these catalysts is explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Via Pathways (clinical pathways for cancer) provide evidence-based guidance for specific patient presentations based on the merit of efficacy, then toxicity, and finally cost (if efficacy and toxicity are comparable). We evaluated the impact of a change to the guidance in the metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) setting across two large, integrated health networks. Methods Cetuximab and panitumumab were determined to have equal efficacy in the treatment of mCRC with no significant difference in toxicity based on recent data from key clinical studies. A cost analysis using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services average sales data determined a cost advantage for panitumumab. A substitution of panitumumab for cetuximab in the clinical pathway for all mCRC lines of therapy was initiated as of August 2014. Results In the preimplementation period, 86 (93.5%) and six (6.5%) treatment selections were for cetuximab and panitumumab, respectively. After the pathway change was implemented, 13 (18.1%) and 59 (81.9%) treatment selections were for cetuximab and panitumumab, respectively. The change in prescribing habits was rapidly altered by the pathway change. The estimated annualized cost savings for the two health networks resulting from the response to the pathway change was $711,021. Conclusion This study demonstrates that clinical pathways can act as a tool to assist oncology practices in decreasing costs and quickly responding to changing treatment paradigms by providing clinicians with consensus-driven treatment recommendations that incorporate the most up-to-date clinical trial results, toxicity considerations, and regimen cost information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum-based doublet chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab is the standard of care for the initial management of advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without a targetable molecular abnormality. However, the majority of patients with NSCLC will ultimately develop resistance to initial platinum-based chemotherapy, and many remain candidates for subsequent lines of therapy. Randomised trials over the past 10-15 years have established pemetrexed (non-squamous histology), docetaxel, erlotinib and gefitinib as approved second-line agents in NSCLC without targetable driver mutations or rearrangements. Trials comparing these agents with other chemotherapy, evaluating the addition of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to chemotherapy or the addition of another targeted agent to erlotinib or gefitinib have all failed to demonstrate an improvement in overall survival for patients with NSCLC. In contrast, recent data comparing therapy with novel monoclonal antibodies against programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or PD ligand (PD-L1) pathway versus standard chemotherapy following platinum failure have demonstrated significant improvements in overall survival. Therapy with nivolumab or pembrolizumab would now be considered standard second-line therapy in patients without contraindication to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Atezolizumab also appears promising in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyzes the spatial patterning of settlement sites in relation to landscape features to determine the factors that influenced settlement location choices for Late Precontact (A.D. 1000–1600) Piedmont Village Tradition (PVT) communities in the Yadkin, Dan, Haw, and Eno river valleys of the Piedmont Southeast. We employ geographic information systems to estimate characteristics of past landscapes, nearest neighbor analysis to describe basic settlement patterns, and discriminant function analysis to determine spatial correlations between settlements and landscape features. We examine the data on three scales and also assess potential changes over time. Results indicate that settlement location choices were broadly similar on the regional scale, but specific influences varied between and within valleys and over time. When examined with current archaeological, ethnohistoric, and linguistic information, the results suggest that PVT communities engaged in regional interaction networks in highly variable ways and that the relationship between subsistence and settlement varied according to settlement size. Using these results, we explore the roles PVT communities played in the formation and maintenance of natural and cultural landscapes in the Late Precontact Southeast. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose Breast cancer diagnostics have the ability to predict disease recurrence and the benefit of chemotherapy. This study measures the use of a diagnostic assay, Oncotype DX, when embedded in a breast cancer decision support algorithm and, on the basis of the assay results, the use of chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Methods UPMC CancerCenter retrospectively reviewed patients with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)Neu-negative disease with zero to three positive nodes navigated in the Via Pathways decision support portal during a 12-month period. The breast algorithm prompted input of the assay recurrence score (RS) and then recommended hormonal therapy alone (HT) for low RS, or chemotherapy followed by HT for high RS. The patient's RS was correlated with the treatment decision. Results During this time period, 643 patients had ER-positive, HER2Neu-negative disease with zero to three positive nodes. Of those, 596 (92.7%) had diagnostic testing to determine chemotherapy plus HT versus HT alone, and 47 had chemotherapy followed by HT without an RS. For node-negative patients classified with low or high RS, pathway treatment adherence rates were 99.7% and 96.6%, respectively; node-positive patients had 95.7% and 87.5% adherence rates, respectively. Conclusion This analysis demonstrates the use of a clinical pathway to measure the adoption of a diagnostic test, the Oncotype DX breast assay, and the use of the appropriate therapy on the basis of the RS. As more diagnostics are established to aid in the personalized treatment of diseases, pathways may be important in maintaining clinician awareness of the appropriate disease presentations where these tests should be used, measuring usage of these tests, and tracking the treatment decisions on the basis of test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Forest conservation efforts are increasingly being implemented at the scale of sub-national jurisdictions in order to mitigate global climate change and provide other ecosystem services. We see an urgent need for robust estimates of historic forest carbon emissions at this scale, as the basis for credible measures of climate and other benefits achieved. Despite the arrival of a new generation of global datasets on forest area change and biomass, confusion remains about how to produce credible jurisdictional estimates of forest emissions. We demonstrate a method for estimating the relevant historic forest carbon fluxes within the Regency of Berau in eastern Borneo, Indonesia. Our method integrates best available global and local datasets, and includes a comprehensive analysis of uncertainty at the regency scale. Principal Findings and Significance: We find that Berau generated 8.91 ± 1.99 million tonnes of net CO2 emissions per year during 2000–2010. Berau is an early frontier landscape where gross emissions are 12 times higher than gross sequestration. Yet most (85%) of Berau’s original forests are still standing. The majority of net emissions were due to conversion of native forests to unspecified agriculture (43% of total), oil palm (28%), and fiber plantations (9%). Most of the remainder was due to legal commercial selective logging (17%). Our overall uncertainty estimate offers an independent basis for assessing three other estimates for Berau. Two other estimates were above the upper end of our uncertainty range. We emphasize the importance of including an uncertainty range for all parameters of the emissions equation to generate a comprehensive uncertainty estimate–which has not been done before. We believe comprehensive estimates of carbon flux uncertainty are increasingly important as national and international institutions are challenged with comparing alternative estimates and identifying a credible range of historic emissions values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking is known to have a deleterious effect on health in general and on wound healing in particular. Poor oxygenation and the impact of the impurities contained in cigarette smoke interfere with wound healing. It is the role of the nurse when caring for a person with a wound to treat them in a holistic manner, which includes encouraging and supporting patients who smoke to stop doing so. This paper looks at the evidence surrounding disrupted wound healing in patients who smoke and identifies why nurses should help them quit. It also identifies some of the strategies nurses might employ to aid smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Dacomitinib is an irreversible pan-HER tyrosine-kinase inhibitor with preclinical and clinical evidence of activity in non-small-cell lung cancer. We designed BR.26 to assess whether dacomitinib improved overall survival in heavily pretreated patients with this disease. Methods In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we enrolled adults (aged ≥18 years) with advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer from 75 centres in 12 countries. Eligible patients had received up to three previous lines of chemotherapy and either gefitinib or erlotinib, and had assessable disease (RECIST 1.1) and tumour tissue samples for translational studies. Patients were stratified according to centre, performance status, tobacco use, best response to previous EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, weight loss within the previous 3 months, and ethnicity, and were then randomly allocated 2:1 to oral dacomitinib 45 mg once-daily or matched placebo centrally via a web-based system. Treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary outcome was overall survival in the intention-to-treat population; secondary outcomes included overall survival in predefined molecular subgroups, progression-free survival, the proportion of patients who achieved an objective response, safety, and quality of life. This study is completed, although follow-up is ongoing for patients on treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01000025 . Findings Between Dec 23, 2009, and June 11, 2013, we randomly assigned 480 patients to dacomitinib and 240 patients to placebo. At the final analysis (January, 2014), median follow-up was 23·4 months (IQR 15·6–29·6) for patients in the dacomitinib group and 24·4 months (11·5–38·9) for those in the placebo group. Dacomitinib did not improve overall survival compared with placebo (median 6·83 months [95% CI 6·08–7·49] for dacomitinib vs 6·31 months [5·32–7·52] for placebo; hazard ratio [HR] 1·00 [95% CI 0·83–1·21]; p=0·506). However, patients in the dacomitinib group had longer progression-free survival than those in the placebo group (median 2·66 months [1·91–3·32] vs 1·38 months [0·99–1·74], respectively; HR 0·66 [95% CI 0·55–0·79]; p<0·0001), and a significantly greater proportion of patients in the dacomitinb group achieved an objective response than in the placebo group (34 [7%] of 480 patients vs three [1%] of 240 patients, respectively; p=0·001). Compared with placebo, the effect of dacomitinib on overall survival seemed similar in patients with EGFR -mutation-positive tumours (HR 0·98, 95% CI 0·67–1·44) and EGFR wild-type tumours (0·93, 0·71–1·21; p interaction =0·69). However, we noted qualitative differences in the effect of dacomitinib on overall survival for patients with KRAS -mutation-positive tumours (2·10, 1·05–4·22) and patients with KRAS wild-type tumours (0·79, 0·61–1·03; p interaction =0·08). Compared with placebo, patients allocated dacomitinib had significantly longer time to deterioration of cough (p<0·0001), dyspnoea (p=0·049), and pain (p=0·041). 185 (39%) of 477 patients who received dacomitinib and 86 (36%) of 239 patients who received placebo had serious adverse events. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were diarrhoea (59 [12%] patients on dacomitinib vs no controls), acneiform rash (48 [10%] vs one [<1%]), oral mucositis (16 [3%] vs none), and fatigue (13 [3%] vs four [2%]). Interpretation Dacomitinib did not increase overall survival and cannot be recommended for treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with chemotherapy and an EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhib [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A waste-to-protein system that integrates a range of waste-to-protein upgrading technologies has the potential to converge innovations on zero-waste and protein security to ensure a sustainable protein future. We present a global overview of food-safe and feed-safe waste resource potential and technologies to sort and transform such waste streams with compositional quality characteristics into food-grade or feed-grade protein. The identified streams are rich in carbon and nutrients and absent of pathogens and hazardous contaminants, including food waste streams, lignocellulosic waste from agricultural residues and forestry, and contaminant-free waste from the food and drink industry. A wide range of chemical, physical, and biological treatments can be applied to extract nutrients and convert waste-carbon to fermentable sugars or other platform chemicals for subsequent conversion to protein. Our quantitative analyses suggest that the waste-to-protein system has the potential to maximise recovery of various low-value resources and catalyse the transformative solutions toward a sustainable protein future. However, novel protein regulation processes remain expensive and resource intensive in many countries, with protracted timelines for approval. This poses a significant barrier to market expansion, despite accelerated research and development in waste-to-protein technologies and novel protein sources. Thus, the waste-to-protein system is an important initiative to promote metabolic health across lifespans and tackle the global hunger crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption of reduced-impact logging ( RIL) methods could reduce CO2 emissions by 30-50% across at least 20% of remaining tropical forests. We developed two cost effective and robust indices for comparing the climate benefits (reduced CO2 emissions) due to RIL. The indices correct for variability in the volume of commercial timber among concessions. We determined that a correction for variability in terrain slope was not needed. We found that concessions certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC, N = 3), when compared with noncertified concessions ( N = 6), did not have lower overall CO2 emissions from logging activity (felling, skidding, and hauling). On the other hand, FSC certified concessions did have lower emissions from one type of logging impact (skidding), and we found evidence of a range of improved practices using other field metrics. One explanation of these results may be that FSC criteria and indicators, and associated RIL practices, were not designed to achieve overall emissions reductions. Also, commonly used field metrics are not reliable proxies for overall logging emissions performance. Furthermore, the simple distinction between certified and noncertified concessions does not fully represent the complex history of investments in improved logging practices. To clarify the relationship between RIL and emissions reductions, we propose the more explicit term ' RIL-C' to refer to the subset of RIL practices that can be defined by quantified thresholds and that result in measurable emissions reductions. If tropical forest certification is to be linked with CO2 emissions reductions, certification standards need to explicitly require RIL-C practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Maternal undernutrition leads to an increased risk of metabolic disorders in offspring including obesity and insulin resistance, thought to be due to a programmed thrifty phenotype which is inappropriate for a subsequent richer nutritional environment. In a rat model, both male and female offspring of undernourished mothers are programmed to become obese, however postnatal leptin treatment gives discordant results between males and females. Leptin treatment is able to rescue the adverse programming effects in the female offspring of undernourished mothers, but not in their male offspring. Additionally, in these rats, postnatal leptin treatment of offspring from normally-nourished mothers programmes their male offspring to develop obesity in later life, while there is no comparable effect in their female offspring. Results We show by microarray analysis of the female liver transcriptome that both maternal undernutrition and postnatal leptin treatment independently induce a similar thrifty transcriptional programme affecting carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism and oxidative stress genes. Paradoxically, however, the combination of both stimuli restores a more normal transcriptional environment. This demonstrates that "leptin reversal" is a global phenomenon affecting all genes involved in fetal programming by maternal undernourishment and leptin treatment. The thrifty transcriptional programme was associated with pro-inflammatory markers and downregulation of adaptive immune mediators, particularly MHC class I genes, suggesting a deficit in antigen presentation in these offspring. Conclusions We propose a revised model of developmental programming reconciling the male and female observations, in which there are two competing programmes which collectively drive liver transcription. The first element is a thrifty metabolic phenotype induced by early life growth restriction independently of leptin levels. The second is a homeostatic set point calibrated in response to postnatal leptin surge, which is able to over-ride the metabolic programme. This "calibration model" for the postnatal leptin surge, if applicable in humans, may have implications for understanding responses to catch-up growth in infants. Additionally, the identification of an antigen presentation deficit associated with metabolic thriftiness may relate to a previously observed correlation between birth season (a proxy for gestational undernutrition) and infectious disease mortality in rural African communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To identify patients' and physicians' perceptions of physician-related verbal and nonverbal facilitators and barriers to patient involvement in treatment decision making (TDM) occurring during clinical encounters for women with early stage breast cancer (ESBC). Methods Eligible women were offered treatment options including surgery and adjuvant therapy. Eligible physicians provided care for women with ESBC in either a teaching hospital or an academic cancer centre. In Phase 1, women were interviewed 1-2 weeks after their initial consultation. In Phase 2, women and their physicians were interviewed separately while watching their own consultation on a digital video disk. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed. Results Forty women with ESBC and six physicians participated. Patients and physicians identified thirteen categories of physician facilitators of women's involvement. Of these, seven categories were frequently identified by women: conveyed a rationale for patient involvement in TDM; explained the risk of cancer recurrence; explained treatment options; enhanced patient understanding of information; gave time for TDM; offered a treatment recommendation; and made women feel comfortable. Physicians described similar information-giving facilitators but less often mentioned other facilitators. Few physician barriers to women's involvement in TDM were identified. Conclusions Women with ESBC and cancer physicians shared some views of how physicians involve patients in TDM, although there were important differences. Physicians may underestimate the importance that women's place on understanding the rationale for their involvement in TDM and on feeling comfortable during the consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the integrated care network program, Via Pathways by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cancer Center which has the size and breadth of 218 academic and treating more than 70,000 patients a year. The Via Pathways program consists of an interactive software tool that allows for real-time decision making based on clinical content developed by the disease committees.

Abstract: Increasing understanding of the molecular abnormalities driving cell growth and proliferation has resulted in extensive research into molecularly targeted therapies. Angiogenesis is an appealing target for the treatment of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is already approved for the treatment of NSCLC. Many other anti-angiogenic agents under development form the focus of this review. A variety of agents, including sorafenib, sunitinib, cediranib, axitinib, motesanib, linifinib and brivanib inhibit VEGF in addition to either platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), or fibroblast derived growth factor (FGF). To date, none of these agents in combination with chemotherapy have resulted in improvements in overall survival for patients with advanced NSCLC. Triple angiokinase inhibitors, which inhibit VEGF, PDGF and FGF, have potential to improve the therapeutic outcomes for patients with NSCLC. However, there is a need for identification of appropriate biomarkers to improve patient selection and identify those patients benefiting from anti-angiogenesis therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study examining the association between β-blocker use and symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue in patients with newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer using Fisher's exact test. The results of multivariate model revealed that a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) contributed to a worse Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) dyspnea score and showed no association between beta-blocker use and dyspnea or fatigue.

Intragenomic conflicts arise when a genetic element favours its own transmission to the detriment of others. Conflicts over sex chromosome transmission are expected to have influenced genome structure, gene regulation, and speciation. In the mouse, the existence of an intragenomic conflict between X- and Y-linked multicopy genes has long been suggested but never demonstrated. The Y-encoded multicopy gene Sly has been shown to have a predominant role in the epigenetic repression of post meiotic sex chromatin (PMSC) and, as such, represses X and Y genes, among which are its X-linked homologs Slx and Slxl1. Here, we produced mice that are deficient for both Sly and Slx/Slxl1 and observed that Slx/Slxl1 has an opposite role to that of Sly, in that it stimulates XY gene expression in spermatids. Slx/Slxl1 deficiency rescues the sperm differentiation defects and near sterility caused by Sly deficiency and vice versa. Slx/Slxl1 deficiency also causes a sex ratio distortion towards the production of male offspring that is corrected by Sly deficiency. All in all, our data show that Slx/Slxl1 and Sly have antagonistic effects during sperm differentiation and are involved in a postmeiotic intragenomic conflict that causes segregation distortion and male sterility. This is undoubtedly what drove the massive gene amplification on the mouse X and Y chromosomes. It may also be at the basis of cases of F1 male hybrid sterility where the balance between Slx/Slxl1 and Sly copy number, and therefore expression, is disrupted. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first demonstration of a competition occurring between X and Y related genes in mammals. It also provides a biological basis for the concept that intragenomic conflict is an important evolutionary force which impacts on gene expression, genome structure, and speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional approach to the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) relied on the uniform use of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Over the last eight years, this paradigm of care has been shifting towards the use of molecularly targeted agents. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have emerged as an important biomarker for these targeted agents and multiple studies have shown that tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that inhibit EGFR are superior to traditional chemotherapy in patients possessing an EGFR mutation. Nationally funded health care systems face a number of challenges in implementing these targeted therapies, most related to the need to test for biomarkers that predict likelihood of benefiting from the drug. These obstacles include the challenge of getting a large enough tissue sample, workload of involved specialists, reliability of subtyping in NSCLC, differences in biomarker tests, and the disconnect between the funding of drugs and the related biomarker test. In order to improve patient outcomes, in a national healthcare system, there is a need for governments to accept the changing paradigm, invest in technology and build capacity for molecular testing to facilitate the implementation of improved patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple and sensitive flow injection (FI) method for the determination of iodate is proposed. The method is based on the reaction of iodate with hydroxylamine in acidic solution. Sulfanilamide is diazotised by the nascent nitrite and the diazonium ion produced is then coupled with N-(1-naphthyl)ethyenediamine in hydrochloric acid medium to form an azo dye which is measured spectrophotometrically. The calibration graph for iodate is linear in the range of 0.1–30mgL−1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9992. The limit of detection and relative standard deviation are 0.02mgL−1 and 1.2% (5mgL−1, n =8). The method has been applied to the determination of iodate in table salts and accuracy was assessed through recovery experiments and independent analysis by a conventional titrimetric method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Second derivative ultra-violet spectrophotometric methods are described for the measurement of nitrate and total nitrogen in freshwaters using flow analysis techniques. A simple flow system consisting of a peristaltic pump and a single-reflection flow-through cell was used for the measurement of nitrate. Quantification of total nitrogen using alkaline peroxodisulfate photo-digestion was achieved by incorporating an ultra-violet photo-reactor, a hollow-fibre filter and a debubbler into the flow system. The nitrate system featured a limit of detection of 0.04mgNL−1, 0.4%RSD (1mgNL−1 as nitrate, n =10), a coefficient of determination (R 2) of 0.9995 over the calibration range 0.0–2.0mgNL−1, and a data acquisition time of 1.5s per spectrum. The total nitrogen system featured a limit of detection of 0.05mgNL−1, 1%RSD (1mgNL−1 as ammonium chloride, n =10), a coefficient of determination of 0.9989 over the calibration range 0.0–2.0mgNL−1, and a throughput of 5sampleh−1 measured in triplicate. Digestions of five model nitrogen compounds returned recoveries of >88%. Determinations carried out using the developed systems show a high degree of agreement with data obtained using reference methods. These methods require no colorimetric reagents and eliminate the requirement for a toxic cadmium reduction column. The overlap of chloride and nitrate spectra in seawater is not eliminated entirely by the use of second derivative spectrophotometry, and consequently the methods are restricted to the analysis of freshwaters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have led to improvements in patient survival and quality of life. It is unclear whether molecular abnormalities associated with NSCLC cell survival, growth and proliferation are useful in predicting treatment benefit. We conducted a systematic review to establish which biomarkers contribute meaningfully to the management of NSCLC. A team of researchers searched PubMed and conference proceedings (ASCO, ESMO, IASLC, USCAP) using MESH terms for NSCLC and randomized trials (RCT), plus keywords for variables of interest. Evidence from multiple RCTs confirmed that histologic subtype is prognostic for survival and predictive of treatment efficacy and/or toxicity in NSCLC. Likewise, activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are associated with benefit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC and should be assessed routinely. No biomarkers to date reliably predict response to anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) therapies. There are inconsistent data on the role of ERCC1, BRCA, Beta tubulin III, RRM1, K-RAS, or TP-53 in treatment decisions. These tests should not be routinely used in selecting treatment at this time, whereas EML4/ALK translocations predict responses to specific targeted agents, the optimal assessment of this molecular abnormality has yet to be established. Personalized care of patients with NSCLC based on biomarkers is increasingly important to both clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A sensitive reagent-injection flow analysis method for the spectrophotometric determination of nitrate in marine, estuarine and fresh water samples is described. The method is based on the reduction of nitrate in a micro column containing zinc granules at pH 6.5. The nitrite formed is reacted with sulfanilamide and N-(1-naphthyl)ethylene diamine (Griess reagent), and the resulting azo compound is quantified spectrophotometrically at 520nm. Water samples in the range of 3–700μgL−1 NO3 −–N can be processed with a throughput of up to 40 samples per hour, a detection limit of 1.3μgL−1 and reproducibility of 1.2% RSD (50μgL−1 NO3 −–N, n =10). The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of nitrate in estuarine waters and the reliability was assessed by the analyses of certified reference materials and recovery experiments. The method is suitable for waters with a wide range of salinities, and was successfully used for more than 3200 underway nitrate measurements aboard SV Pelican1 in the “Two Bays” cruise in January 2010. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Size-controlled, catalytically active PVP-stabilised Pd nanoparticles have been studied by operando liquid phase XAS during the Suzuki cross-coupling of iodonanisole and phenylboronic acid in MeOH–toluene using KOMe base. XAS reveals nanoparticles are stable to metal leaching throughout the reaction, with surface density Pd defect sites directly implicated in the catalytic cycle. The efficacy of popular selective chemical and structural poisons for distinguishing heterogeneous and homogeneous contributions in Pd catalysed cross-couplings is also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development and evaluation of a portable flow analysis system for the in situ determination of total phosphorus is described. The system has been designed with rapid underway monitoring in mind. The system employs an ultra-violet photo-reactor and thermal heating for peroxodisulfate digestion of total phosphorus to orthophosphate, followed by spectrophotometric detection with a multi-reflective flow cell and low-power light emitting diode using the molybdenum blue method. Reagents are stored under gas pressure and delivered using software controlled miniature solenoid valves. The fully automated system has a throughput of 115 measurements per hour, a detection limit of 1μgPL−1, and gives a linear response over the calibration range of 0–200μgPL−1 (r 2 =0.9998), with a precision of 4.6% RSD at 100μgPL−1 (n =10). Field validation of the instrument and method was performed in Port Philip and Western Port Bays in Victoria, SE Australia, where 2499 analyses were performed over a 25h period, over a cruise path of 285km. Good agreement was observed between determinations of samples taken manually and analysed in the laboratory and those measured in situ with the flow analysis system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Various native starch granules were tested as substrates for porcine pancreatic α-amylase and enzyme kinetic parameters obtained from initial rate studies. Surface area per kg weight values and gelatinisation enthalpies (ΔH gel) for the different granules were measured. ΔH gel was used as an indication of the degree of disorder within the starch granules. K m values, that are indicative of starch availability, decreased with the particle size but not in a linear fashion. The catalytic efficiency of amylase and the initial rate of catalysed hydrolysis were both significantly correlated with the surface area. Also, K m, catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) and initial hydrolysis rate were all significantly correlated with ΔH gel. Thus the surface area of granules and the degree of order of starch have important influences on the initial rate at which native starch is digested by amylase. We believe that this is the first systematic report linking kinetic data with surface area and gelatinisation parameters of native starch. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies of mice with Y chromosome long arm deficiencies suggest that the male-specific region (MSYq) encodes information required for sperm differentiation and postmeiotic sex chromatin repression (PSCR). Several genes have been identified on MSYq, but because they are present in more than 40 copies each, their functions cannot be investigated using traditional gene targeting. Here, we generate transgenic mice producing small interfering RNAs that specifically target the transcripts of the MSYq-encoded multicopy gene Sly (Sycp3-like Y-linked). Microarray analyses performed on these Sly-deficient males and on MSYq-deficient males show a remarkable up-regulation of sex chromosome genes in spermatids. SLY protein colocalizes with the X and Y chromatin in spermatids of normal males, and Sly deficiency leads to defective repressive marks on the sex chromatin, such as reduced levels of the heterochromatin protein CBX1 and of histone H3 methylated at lysine 9. Sly-deficient mice, just like MSYq-deficient mice, have severe impairment of sperm differentiation and are near sterile. We propose that their spermiogenesis phenotype is a consequence of the change in spermatid gene expression following Sly deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first successful targeted disruption of the function of a multicopy gene (or of any Y gene). It shows that SLY has a predominant role in PSCR, either via direct interaction with the spermatid sex chromatin or via interaction with sex chromatin protein partners. Sly deficiency is the major underlying cause of the spectrum of anomalies identified 17 y ago in MSYq-deficient males. Our results also suggest that the expansion of sex-linked spermatid-expressed genes in mouse is a consequence of the enhancement of PSCR that accompanies Sly amplification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-functioning urban land and housing markets are critical success factors for achieving robust economic growth. This paper provides an overview of urban land and housing market performance in Punjab Province of Pakistan. It describes the characteristics of well-functioning markets and argues that the Punjab's present markets are not performing adequately. In fact, there exists a range of impediments to efficient urban land and housing market performance: excessive public land ownership, inadequate infrastructure services, weak property rights, pervasive public- and private-sector rent seeking, counter-productive urban planning policies and regulations, costly sub-division and construction regulations, limited financing for property development and acquisition, rent controls and inadequate property-tax-based revenue-generating mechanisms. The paper concludes by suggesting that a prioritised comprehensive reform agenda is needed to improve urban land and housing market performance in Punjab Province. The analytical and conceptual approach used to research this paper is based on standard neo-classical economics. Therefore, the paper does not address broader political economy or structural issues. Consequently, the paper's contribution should be viewed as limited in scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug development is an expensive, long and high-risk business taking 10–15 years and is associated with a high attrition rate. It is driven by medical need, disease prevalence and the likelihood of success. Drug candidate selection is an iterative process between chemistry and biology, refining the molecular properties until a compound suitable for advancing to man is found. Typically, about one in a thousand synthesised compounds is ever selected for progression to the clinic. Prior to administration to humans, the pharmacology and biochemistry of the drug is established using an extensive range of in vitro and in vivo test procedures. It is also a regulatory requirement that the drug is administered to animals to assess its safety. Later-stage animal testing is also required to assess carcinogenicity and effects on the reproductive system. Clinical phases of drug development include phase I in healthy volunteers to assess primarily pharmacokinetics, safety and toleration, phase II in a cohort of patients with the target disease to establish efficacy and dose-response relationship and large-scale phase III studies to confirm safety and efficacy. Experience tells us that approximately only 1 in 10 drugs that start the clinical phase will make it to the market. Each drug must demonstrate safety and efficacy in the intended patient population and its benefits must outweigh its risks before it will be approved by the regulatory agencies. Strict regulatory standards govern the conduct of pre-clinical and clinical trials as well as the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. The assessment of the new medicinal product’s safety continues beyond the initial drug approval through post-marketing monitoring of adverse events. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A total internal reflection (TIR) flow-through cell that is highly tolerant of schlieren effects, has limited hydrodynamic dispersion and does not trap gas bubbles, and which is suitable for sensitive photometric measurements in flow analysis, is described. Light from an optical fibre is introduced into a short length of quartz capillary through the sidewall at an incident angle of ca. 53°. Under this condition, incident light undergoes total internal reflection from the external air–quartz interface and is propagated by successive reflections from the external walls through the aqueous liquid core of the cell. Detection of the transmitted beam is enabled by intentionally introducing an optical coupling medium at a predetermined distance along the capillary wall, which allows the internally reflected light to be captured by a second optical fibre connected to a charge-couple device detector. This configuration embodies a number of the desirable features of a liquid core waveguide cell (i.e. total internal reflection), a multi-reflection (MR) flow cell (i.e. minimum susceptibility to schlieren effects, low hydrodynamic dispersion and little tendency to trap bubbles), and a conventional Z-cell (wide dynamic range). When employed with a flow injection system, a limit of detection of 2.0μgPL−1 was achieved for the determination of reactive phosphate using the TIR cell, compared with LOD values of 3.8μgPL−1 and 4.9μgPL−1 obtained using the MR and Z-cells with same manifold. The combined advantages of schlieren-tolerance and lack of bubble entrapment of the MR cell with the higher S/N ratio and wider dynamic range of a conventional Z-cell, make the TIR cell eminently useful for photometric measurements of samples with widely differing refractive indices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The male-specific region of the Y chromosome is evolutionarily predisposed to accumulate genes important for spermatogenesis. Recent work in this laboratory identified two novel Y-linked transcripts that were upregulated in the testis in response to deletions on the chromosome arm Yq. This article reports the further characterisation of these two transcripts and their comparison to related X and autosomal genes. Both map to chromosome arm Yp, outside the Sxr b deletion interval, both are present in at least two copies on the Y, and both are expressed specifically in spermatids. Given the testicular phenotype of mice with deletions on the Y chromosome, both genes are therefore likely to function in spermatid differentiation. AK006152 is a novel mouse-specific gene with a single potential open reading frame, and it is unusual in that there appears to be no X-linked relative. H2al2y is a novel histone in the H2A superfamily and has multiple X-linked relatives and a single autosomal relative in mouse. The presence of a single X-linked copy in rat suggests that H2al amplification is mouse-specific, with the alternative explanation being an earlier amplification followed by gene loss. A phylogenetic analysis of H2al genes together with other H2A genes indicates that H2al is most closely related to the mammalian-specific H2A.Bbd family of histones. Interestingly, Ka/ Ks analysis indicates that the X and Y members of the H2al family may be under positive selection in mouse, while the autosomal copy is under purifying selection and presumably retains the ancestral function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A summary is presented of the Coroners and Justice Bill, prepared by Great Britain's House of Commons, December 2008.

Abstract: The development and application of a portable, hybrid reagent-injection gas-diffusion flow analysis technique is described for the underway measurement of total alkalinity in estuarine waters. Injection of pH 4.5 buffer into a continuously flowing sample stream produced gaseous CO2 that diffused across a microporous PTFE membrane into a weakly buffered acceptor stream containing bromothymol blue indicator. The resultant change in acceptor stream pH was detected photometrically using a super-bright LED with a multi-reflection flow cell and charge coupled device detector. This method gave a detection limit of 0.5mgCaCO3 L−1, with reproducibility of 1.0% R.S.D. at 160mgCaCO3 L−1, and a measurement rate of 71injectionsh−1. The portable FIA system was used for underway analysis of estuarine waters with salinities ranging from that of freshwater to seawater, and there was close agreement between the results obtained by underway analysis and from a reference titration method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The ability of many water/electrolyte soluble polymers (WSPs), such as guar galactomannan, to form molecular solutions when dispersed in water is important industrially, for example in food applications, and in controlling the release of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. Certain WSPs, including guar, are also referred to generically as ‘soluble fibre’ and some of these fibre preparations are currently available on prescription in the UK and elsewhere. The functional and exploitational properties of such polymers are reliant on the solution viscosity, which is, in turn, dependent on the rate and extent of dissolution in the aqueous solvent. This work extends previous experimental work on the effect of particle size on the dissolution (hydration) rate of guar gum powders over a wide range of particle sizes. In this earlier work, the main experimental variable was the solution viscosity, but we extend this by calculating a new effective concentration from the viscosity and exploring the dissolution rates in terms of this variable. The advantages and limitations of this approach are discussed, and a number of dissolution models, some well known and others novel, are explored. These include t 50, diffusion limited and chemical kinetics models. In view of the results, we suggest because of the particulate size, the model based on chemical kinetics appears the most successful. Aqueous guar gum is a model “entanglement solution” system, so the work should have applicability to many other WSP systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article examines the current property tax system of Punjab, Pakistan. Its legislative and institutional framework were taken into account. Provisions of the Punjab Uniform Immovable Property Tax Act of 1958 were discussed. Information about its tax base, valuation of properties and exemptions is also presented.

Background: The male-specific region of the mouse Y chromosome long arm (MSYq) contains three known highly multi-copy X-Y homologous gene families, Ssty1/2, Sly and Asty. Deletions on MSYq lead to teratozoospermia and subfertility or infertility, with a sex ratio skew in the offspring of subfertile MSYqdel males Results: We report the highly unusual genomic structure of a novel MSYq locus, Orly, and a diverse set of spermatid-specific transcripts arising from copies of this locus. Orly is composed of partial copies of Ssty1, Asty and Sly arranged in sequence. The Ssty1- and Sly-derived segments are in antisense orientation relative to each other, leading to bi-directional transcription of Orly. Genome search and phylogenetic tree analysis is used to determine the order of events in mouse Yq evolution. We find that Orly is the most recent gene to arise on Yq, and that subsequently there was massive expansion in copy number of all Yq-linked genes. Conclusion: Orly has an unprecedented chimeric structure, and generates both "forward" (Orly) and "reverse" (Orlyos) transcripts arising from the promoters at each end of the locus. The region of overlap of known Orly and Orlyos transcripts is homologous to Sly intron 2. We propose that Orly may be involved in an intragenomic conflict between mouse X and Y chromosomes, and that this process underlies the massive expansion in copy number of the genes on MSYq and their X homologues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The functional properties of guar gum, which are of considerable importance in biological, industrial and biotechnology processes, are crucially dependent on the rate and extent of dissolution in an aqueous solvent. This work investigates the effect of particle size on the hydration rate of guar gum powders over a wide range of particle sizes. A logarithmic model described in a previous paper for studying the hydration kinetics of commercial guar flours was not applicable for some of these samples, because they were of a very much larger particle size, outside the usual commercial range. For this reason, a new approach was developed to describe the hydration process of these guar gum granules. It was found to be suitable for describing the hydration process of guar powders with a wide range of particle size, by introducing size-dependent hydration indices. This approach involves the construction of a master plot, but the ‘shift factors’ are related to particle size and the hydration time. This model consequently allows some new physical insights to be developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mammalian sex chromosomes are highly diverged and heteromorphic: a comparatively large and gene-rich X chromosome contrasting with a small, largely heterochromatic and degenerate Y chromosome. Both gonosomes are however uniquely important in male-specific functions such as spermatogenesis. In this review, we examine the evolutionary pressures that have driven the divergence of the sex chromosomes from their ancestral state, and show how these have shaped the gene content of both chromosomes. Their shared history of gene acquisition and loss, differentiation, degeneration and intragenomic warfare has far-reaching consequences for their functionality in spermatogenesis, and may also have potential clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]