To compare the DELFIA Xpress and Quantikine ELISA placental growth factor (PlGF) immunoassay platforms by analysing the same set of early first-trimester maternal serum samples from cases with ...trisomy 21 and euploid controls.
Thirty-seven trisomy 21 cases and 243 euploid control serum samples, drawn at 8(+0) to 10(+6) weeks of gestation, were reanalysed by Quantikine PlGF ELISA following original analysis on the DELFIA Xpress platform.
PlGF levels increased with gestation in the euploid controls when measured on both platforms, although raw levels were in general lower on the DELFIA Xpress. After conversion to multiples of the median (MoMs), PlGF was increased in trisomy 21 cases when measured on the DELFIA Xpress platform (euploid: 1.00 MoM, trisomy 21: 1.32 MoM, p < 0.0001) but unchanged when measured on the Quantikine ELISA (euploid: 1.01 MoM, trisomy 21: 1.06 MoM, p = 0.84).
Discrepancies exist in the measurement of PlGF when performed on these different platforms, which may to some extent contribute to the inconsistencies found in the literature with regard to PlGF in trisomy 21 pregnancies.
A peptide derived from A beta 17-36 crystallizes to form trimers that further associate to form higher-order oligomers. The trimers consist of three highly twisted beta -hairpins in a triangular ...arrangement. Two trimers associate face-to-face in the crystal lattice to form a hexamer; four trimers in a tetrahedral arrangement about a central cavity form a dodecamer. These structures provide a working model for the structures of oligomers associated with neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the commonest site for malignancy in Europe. The Commissioner for Health wishes to promote screening for colorectal, breast and cervical cancer in Europe. The aim of this ...study was to assess public knowledge of CRC in Europe and likely take up of free screening. To this end 20 710 members of the public from 21 European countries were interviewed by means of a regular survey amongst consumers (Omnibus survey) using 13 stem questions. Forty-eight per cent thought the population were at equal risk of CRC, only 57% were aware of age and 54% of family history as risk factors. Although 70% were aware of dietary factors, only 30% knew that lack of exercise might be a risk factor. Only 51% had knowledge of CRC screening but 75% were 'very', or 1 'quite interested', in taking up faecal occult blood (FOB) screening if offered free. Barriers to screening were lack of awareness of risk (31%), youth (22%) and an un-anaesthetic test (19%). There was a big cultural difference in willingness of the public to discuss bowel symptoms: there was a major barrier in Finland (91%), Britain (84%), Luxembourg (82%), Poland (81%) and Portugal (80%); less of a barrier in Spain (49%), Italy (44%) and Iceland (39%). In conclusion, the challenge of achieving high compliance for CRC screening must be a major objective amongst EU member states and non-aligned countries of Europe in the next decade, because it is known that the non-compliant group are those at greatest risk of death from CRC. This study has shown that awareness of CRC is low in Europe and that an educational programme will be essential to achieve high compliance for CRC screening as a means of reducing deaths from bowel cancer.
Competitive interactions between coyotes (Canis latrans) and federally endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) were investigated at the Naval Petroleum Reserves in California (NPRC) ...during 1984-1995. Coyotes and kit foxes used similar food items, indicating the potential for exploitative competition. Leporids were the primary prey for coyotes in all years, but small rodents were the primary prey for kit foxes in most years, although leporids were primary prey in other years. Coyotes were the main cause of mortality to kit foxes at NPRC, indicating that interference competition may be occurring. Population trends of kit foxes appeared to be strongly influenced by food availability, but competition from coyotes also may have affected population dynamics of kit foxes. Mechanisms employed by kit foxes, such as resource partitioning, greater dietary breadth, and year-round den use, may facilitate coexistence with coyotes. However, use of anthropogenic food sources by coyotes may intensify competitive interactions during periods of low prey availability.
This manuscript examines the state-of-the-state of mental health care for rural veterans through a systematic literature review. Descriptive analysis is presented regarding the quantity and quality ...of the current literature base including the number of articles by year published, definitions of rurality, rural subpopulations of focus, and treatment modalities. Current findings are discussed including delivery of intervention services via telehealth, emphasis on the study of specific mental health disorders, and inconsistency regarding reporting of rural definition. Areas for future research including suicide/suicide prevention, nonprescription opioid use, and web-based/online treatment modalities are discussed. Finally, a call to action is made for rural practitioners to collaborate with specialized veteran researchers and/or universities to increase targeted, prospective research.
Municipal fluoridation was a mid-twentieth century innovation based on the medical hypothesis that consuming low doses of fluoride when young provided protection against cavities with only a small ...risk of mild dental fluorosis, a cosmetic effect. In the 21st century, more than half of American teens are afflicted by dental fluorosis with approximately one in five having moderate to severe dental fluorosis in at least two teeth. Scientific literature since the 1990s has found that even low doses of fluoride adversely affect cognitive-behavioral development and that deficits are correlated with the severity of dental fluorosis in afflicted individuals. Evidence of neurotoxic impact from low dose systemic exposure to fluoride prompted an investigation by a branch of the governmental agency that has promoted fluoridation policy since its 1940's inception. This review identifies ten significant flaws in the design of an animal experiment conducted by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as part of that investigation into the neurotoxic impact of systemic prenatal and postnatal fluoride exposure. The authors hypothesize that organizational bias can and does compromise the integrity of fluoride research.
The prognostic and predictive value of multiple serum biomarkers was evaluated using samples from a randomised phase III study (HORIZON II) investigating chemotherapy with or without cediranib in ...metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Baseline levels of 207 protein markers were measured in serum samples from 582 HORIZON II (FOLFOX/XELOX plus cediranib 20 mg (n=330) or placebo (n=252)) patients. Median baseline values of each biomarker were used to categorise patients as high or low. Markers were then assessed for their association with efficacy, defined by progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A generalised boosted regression model identified markers of particular interest.
Correlation of protein levels with PFS and OS suggested that multiple factors had a prognostic value, independent of treatment arm, including IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein (CRP), ICAM-1 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Among the angiogenesis regulators, low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-D, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-3, NRP1 and Tie-2 correlated with better outcome.
This large data set generated using serum samples from mCRC patients treated with chemotherapy and VEGF inhibitors, defines baseline characteristics for 207 serum proteins. Multiple prognostic factors were identified that could be disease related or predict which patients derive most benefit from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy, meriting further exploration in prospective studies.
All that fails to abduct may not be an abducens palsy Agnihotri, Kriti; Spencer, Sascha K. R.; Wong, Elizabeth L. S. ...
Clinical & experimental ophthalmology,
November 2019, 2019-11-00, 20191101, Letnik:
47, Številka:
8
Journal Article
PDF
