We have investigated the magnitude of diurnal variation in back squat and bench press performance using the MuscleLab force velocity transducer. Thirty resistance-trained males (mean ± SD: age ...21.7 ± 1.4 years; body mass 80.5 ± 4.5 kg; height 1.79 ± 0.06 m) underwent two sessions at different times of day: morning (M, 07:30 h) and evening (E, 17:30 h). Each session included a period when rectal temperature (T
) was measured at rest, a 5-min standardized 150 W warm-up on a cycle ergometer, then defined programme of bench press (at 20, 40 and 60 kg) and back squat (at 30, 50 and 70 kg) exercises. A linear encoder was attached to an Olympic bar used for the exercises and average force (AF), peak velocity (PV) and time-to-peak velocity (tPV) were measured (MuscleLab software; MuscleLab Technology, Langesund, Norway) during the concentric phase of the movements. Values for T
at rest were higher in the evening compared to morning values (0.48°C, P < 0.0005). Daily variations were apparent for both bench press and back squat performance for AF (1.9 and 2.5%), PV (8.3 and 12.7%) and tPV (-16.6 and -9.8%; where a negative number indicates a decrease in the variable from morning to evening). There was a main effect for load where AF and tPV increased and PV decreased from the lightest load to the heaviest for both bench press and back squat (47.1 and 80.2%; 31.7 and 57.7%; -42.1 and -73.9%; P < 0.0005 where a negative number indicates a decrease in the variable with increasing load). An interaction was found only for tPV, such that the tPV occurs earlier in the evening than the morning at the highest loads (60 and 70 kg) for both bench press and back squat, respectively (mean difference of 0.32 and 0.62 s). In summary, diurnal variation in back squat and bench press was shown; and the tPV in complex multi-joint movements occurs earlier during the concentric phase of exercise when back squat or bench press is performed in the evening compared to the morning. This difference can be detected using a low cost, portable and widely available commercial instrument and enables translation of past laboratory/tightly controlled experimental research in to main-stream coaching practice.
To identify patterns of metastasis in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. The influence of the route of chemotherapy administration and sequence of agents on those patterns is also examined.
A ...total of 233 women were treated for primary and secondary recurrences after a diagnosis of stage III ovarian cancer. As initial treatment, all underwent optimal debulking surgery followed by combined intraperitoneal/intravenous (IP) chemotherapy with cisplatin/paclitaxel (99 of the 233 women) or intravenous (IV) carboplatin/paclitaxel (134 of the 233 women). Recurrent disease was then treated with either carboplatin with or without liposomal doxorubicin (CLD) or bevacizumab (BEV). The data were reviewed and the types of treatment, sites of metastasis, and timing of recurrence are described.
Thirty-five subjects developed extraperitoneal recurrent ovarian cancer, with 26 subjects (74%) after IP treatment, and 9 subjects (26%) after IV treatment. Of these extraperitoneal recurrences, 26 were in the thoracic/pulmonary cavity, 7 were within the central nervous system (CNS), and 2 were in the cutaneous tissues. The CNS and cutaneous lesions were secondary recurrences, and all occurred in subjects who had initially received IP cisplatin/paclitaxel followed by IV BEV for recurrent disease.
Extraperitoneal recurrences were more common in women treated with IP chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Specifically, women treated with IV BEV as secondary therapy after IP were at particularly high risk of extraperitoneal metastases, including in the CNS and cutaneous tissues. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of unusual metastases after the combination of IP chemotherapy and BEV, and future prospective studies of this population should carefully evaluate recurrence site patterns.
This manuscript (i) presents the Chemical Concepts Inventory (CCI), an inventory that faculty can use to judge for themselves the extent of several common alternate conceptions among their students; ...(ii) demonstrates that students come to general chemistry with a variety of the alternate conceptions described in the chemical and science education research literature; and (iii) shows that a traditional general chemistry course results in only modest improvements in understanding of basic concepts. The incorrect concepts include inappropriate ideas about atoms and molecules, microscopic behavior, heat and temperature, chemical formulas, gases, and other qualitative concepts—concepts that form the foundation of several topics of first-semester college chemistry.The inventory is a multiple choice instrument composed of one- and two-tiered nonmathematical questions based on alternate conceptions reported in the science education literature. Administration of the inventory before the first semester of a two-semester general chemistry course for science and engineering majors confirmed that students hold many alternate conceptions in diverse areas of chemistry prior to the course. An administration of the inventory at the beginning of the second semester indicated that these students retained many of their alternate conceptions through a semester of instruction.
The use of intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy as treatment for ovarian cancer has been demonstrated to result in improved survival. However, it is associated with significant toxicity, resulting in ...the early discontinuation of therapy in many cases. This report quantifies and analyzes the reasons why patients discontinue therapy before completion and discusses strategies for improvement.
One hundred seventy-seven women with ovarian cancer who received IP chemotherapy for a 10-year period at a regional cancer center were followed, and demographic and treatment data were collected. SigmaStat (v2.0) was used to make statistical calculations regarding the data.
One hundred seventy-seven subjects received 915 cycles of IP therapy. One hundred forty subjects received IP chemotherapy as initial treatment. Ninety-five (68%) of the 140 subjects completed 6 planned cycles. Thirty-seven subjects received IP for recurrent disease. Only 14 (38%) of the 37 subjects completed 6 cycles (P = 0.001). The most common reason for noncompletion of IP therapy was port occlusion (39/68 of the patients, 57%). Very few subjects refused treatment (9/68 of the patients, 13%). The rate of completion of therapy improved over time in this program (2001, 36%; 2009, 75%).
The rate of completion of IP chemotherapy was higher in this institution than in other reports, including randomized multicenter trials. Port occlusion was the most common reason why IP chemotherapy was not completed. Subjective reasons for stopping therapy were rare. The establishment of a comprehensive, coordinated IP administration program is likely to result in improved completion rates. Completion rates within an institution improve with experience as well.
Purpose: We sought to test the hypothesis that the presence of telomerase activity in peritoneal washings of patients treated for
ovarian carcinoma is a sensitive and specific indicator of the ...presence of residual disease. We hypothesized that this test,
if added to second-look procedure protocols, could help determine whether residual disease is present or not in patients who
have completed their adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma.
Experimental Design: Peritoneal washings were obtained from 100 consecutive patients undergoing a second-look procedure after treatment for ovarian
carcinoma (cases) and from 100 patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions (controls). The washings were
assayed for telomerase activity using the telomerase repeat amplification protocol. The results were compared to the histological
and cytological findings.
Results: Among our 100 cases, 82 (82%) had either positive second-look procedures or expressed telomerase in their peritoneal washings.
Fifty-three (53%) had positive second-look procedures, whereas 66 (66%) tested positive for telomerase. Twenty-nine of the
47 patients (62%) with negative second-look procedures tested positive for telomerase. Of the 53 patients with positive second-look
procedures, 37 (70%) tested positive for telomerase. None of the 100 controls (0%) expressed telomerase in their peritoneal
washings.
Conclusions: Telomerase activity in peritoneal washings of patients treated for ovarian carcinoma and undergoing a second-look procedure
may provide a means of increasing the sensitivity of such procedures for the detection of residual disease while maintaining
a high level of specificity.
Chemistry : Atoms First Robinson, William R; Neth, Edward J; Flowers, Paul ...
07/2016
eBook
Odprti dostop
Chemistry: Atoms First is a peer-reviewed, openly licensed introductory textbook produced through a collaborative publishing partnership between OpenStax and the University of Connecticut and UConn ...Undergraduate Student Government Association. This title is an adaptation of the OpenStax Chemistry text and covers scope and sequence requirements of the two-semester general chemistry course. Reordered to fit an atoms first approach, this title introduces atomic and molecular structure much earlier than the traditional approach, delaying the introduction of more abstract material so students have time to acclimate to the study of chemistry. Chemistry: Atoms First also provides a basis for understanding the application of quantitative principles to the chemistry that underlies the entire course.
This article summarizes a paper by Yehudit J. Dori and Mira Hameiri, "Multidimensional Analysis System for Quantitative Chemistry Problems: Symbol, Macro, Micro, and Process Aspects" (J. Res. Sci. ...Teach. 2003, 40, 278-333), which describes the Multidimensional Analysis System (MAS), an approach to constructing, classifying, and analyzing introductory stoichiometry problems. In a comparison study the research population used the MAS problem solving approach for nine weeks on a particular topic; the control group studied the same topic for the same duration using a traditional instructional approach. Experimental group students scored significantly higher on an exit examination than their control group peers on the same examination. Students who had mathematics skills at the basic level benefited significantly more from MAS-based teaching than those whose mathematics level was more advanced.
To determine the effect of participation in clinical trials on survival of women with ovarian cancer. Disease-specific factors and demographics were also examined.
A total of 158 women were treated ...for ovarian cancer at a regional cancer center. All patients were offered treatment with surgery/chemotherapy and were screened at diagnosis for participation in clinical research. Progression-free and overall survival, as well as demographic- and treatment-related data, were recorded.
Fifty-three participated in clinical trials and 105 did not. On-study versus off-study subjects were similar in age (64.1 vs 63.5 years), ethnicity (87% vs 85% white), performance status (100% 0-1 Gynecologic Oncology Group scale), and urban versus rural lifestyle (58% vs 55% urban). Stage of disease, histologic subtype, and type/amount of therapy were also similar. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed superior overall survival for on-study subjects (median, 46 vs 25 months, 95% confidence interval, 1.0299-2.1505 months, P = 0.0343). A trend toward improved progression-free survival approached significance for on-study subjects (median, 23 vs 9 months, 95% confidence interval, 0.9545-2.0022 months, P = 0.0866).
Women with ovarian cancer who participate in clinical trials at this institution have improved survival compared with those who are treated with standard therapies. No other factors examined were associated with treatment completion or survival. Further, participation in clinical research does not vary by age, ethnicity, urban versus rural lifestyle, or cancer stage or histologic subtype. However, disclosure of this information to potential clinical trial participants may represent an ethical conflict and should be carefully considered in light of existing ethical guidelines for human subject research.
The purpose of this study compared 7-12 student achievement scores in Nebraska School Districts which expend funds for one-to-one technology with 7-12 student achievement scores in Nebraska School ...Districts that do not expend funds for one-to-one technology. The study specifically examined Nebraska financial and achievement data from the following sources: (1) Technology and staff development costs from Nebraska State expenditure codes 1100-400 (regular instruction technology) and 1100-300 (regular instruction staff development/training). (2) Composite district achievement data from Nebraska State Assessment (NeSA) data in the areas of Math, Reading, Science and Writing; Four year graduation rates and American College Testing (ACT) composite scores. The study used a quantitative data collection system of public K-12 Nebraska school districts, which allowed the researcher to create an overview of one-to-one instructional technology expenditures effect on core achievement, as well as other key components that measure school success. The K-12 districts studied were public school districts within the state of Nebraska. Overall, the study provided valuable information for a variety of stakeholders in any school system which may be currently asking the question about the cost vs. outcomes of using learning technologies in their system. This type of information provides research to help justify decisions made in the strategic planning of budgets, specifically with implementation or continued support of one-to-one initiatives.
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