Oncofetal gene SALL4 in aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the heterogeneous group of hepatocellular carcinomas, those with characteristics of embryonic stem-cell and progenitor-cell gene expression are associated with the worst prognosis. The oncofetal gene SALL4, a marker of a subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma with progenitor-like features, is associated with a poor prognosis and is a potential target for treatment.

Alpha emitter radium-223 and survival in metastatic prostate cancer

Radium-223 dichloride (radium-223), an alpha emitter, selectively targets bone metastases with alpha particles. We assessed the efficacy and safety of radium-223 as compared with placebo, in addition to the best standard of care, in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases.

Intensive diabetes therapy and glomerular filtration rate in type 1 diabetes

An impaired glomerular filtration rate (GFR) leads to end-stage renal disease and increases the risks of cardiovascular disease and death. Persons with type 1 diabetes are at high risk for kidney disease, but there are no interventions that have been proved to prevent impairment of the GFR in this population.

Strategies for multivessel revascularization in patients with diabetes

In some randomized trials comparing revascularization strategies for patients with diabetes, coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) has had a better outcome than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to discover whether aggressive medical therapy and the use of drug-eluting stents could alter the revascularization approach for patients with diabetes and multivessel coronary artery disease.

Impact of Wind Generation Mix on Transient Stability for an Interconnected Power System

The rapid growth of wind generation in many European countries is pushing power systems into
uncharted territory. As additional wind generators are installed, the changing generation mix may
impact on power system stability. This paper adopts the New England 39 bus system as a test
system for transient stability analysis. Thermal generator models are based on a likely future plant
mix for existing systems, while varying capacities of fixed-speed induction generators (FSIG) and
doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) are considered. The main emphasis here has been placed
on the impact of wind technology mix on inter-area oscillations following transient grid
disturbances. In addition, both rotor angle stability and transient voltage stability are examined, and
results are compared with current grid code requirements and standards. Results have shown that
FSIGs can reduce tie-line oscillations and improve damping following a transient disturbance, but
they also cause voltage stability and rotor angle stability problems at high wind penetrations. In
contrast, DFIGs can improve both voltage and rotor angle stability, but their power output
noticeably oscillates during disturbances.

Revascularization versus medical therapy for renal-artery stenosis

Percutaneous revascularization of the renal arteries improves patency in atherosclerotic renovascular disease, yet evidence of a clinical benefit is limited.

Tolvaptan in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

The course of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is often associated with pain, hypertension, and kidney failure. Preclinical studies indicated that vasopressin V(2)-receptor antagonists inhibit cyst growth and slow the decline of kidney function.

Our Construct or Theirs?

Identity is relational and a construct, and is expressed in a myriad of ways. For example, material culture and its pluralist meanings have been readily manipulated by humans in a prehistoric context in order to construct personal and group identities. Artefacts were often from or reminiscent of far-flung places and were used to demonstrate membership of an (imagined) regional, or European community. Earthworks frequently archive maximum visual impact through elaborate ramparts and entrances with the minimum amount of effort, indicating that the construction of identities were as much in the eye of the perceivor, as of the perceived. Variations in domestic architectural style also demonstrate the malleability of identity, and the prolonged, intermittent use of particular places for specific functions indicates that the identity of place is just as important in our archaeological understanding as the identity of people. By using a wide range of case studies, both temporally and spatially, these thought processes may be explored further and diachronic and geographic patterns in expressions of identity investigated.

Clothing and Colonialism: The Dungiven costume and the fashioning of early modern identities

The entanglement of identity and personal attire in colonial settings is explored through consideration of a tattered set of clothes from late sixteenth-early seventeenth-century Ireland incorporating elements of Irish, English, and Scots fashion. Reconsideration of the clothing, recovered from a bog, provides a rare opportunity to explore the physical manifestations of processes of hybridity and mimesis, as well as the pragmatic accommodations of impoverishment and displacement in colonial settings. In addition to considering the role of material culture in colonial identity formation and negotiation, examination of what has become known as the Dungiven costume also speaks to the ongoing legacy of early modern colonial encounters, as the cultural associations of the garments, and by extension their past wearer(s), continue to be subjected to the politically charged nature of identity politics in contemporary Northern Ireland.

Simvastatin in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Background

Studies in animals and in vitro and phase 2 studies in humans suggest that statins may be beneficial in the treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study tested the hypothesis that treatment with simvastatin would improve clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS.

Methods

In this multicenter, double-blind clinical trial, we randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) patients with an onset of ARDS within the previous 48 hours to receive enteral simvastatin at a dose of 80 mg or placebo once daily for a maximum of 28 days. The primary outcome was the number of ventilator-free days to day 28. Secondary outcomes included the number of days free of nonpulmonary organ failure to day 28, mortality at 28 days, and safety.

Results

The study recruited 540 patients, with 259 patients assigned to simvastatin and 281 to placebo. The groups were well matched with respect to demographic and baseline physiological variables. There was no significant difference between the study groups in the mean (±SD) number of ventilator-free days (12.6±9.9 with simvastatin and 11.5±10.4 with placebo, P=0.21) or days free of nonpulmonary organ failure (19.4±11.1 and 17.8±11.7, respectively; P=0.11) or in mortality at 28 days (22.0% and 26.8%, respectively; P=0.23). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of serious adverse events related to the study drug.

Conclusions

Simvastatin therapy, although safe and associated with minimal adverse effects, did not improve clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS. (Funded by the U.K. National Institute for Health Research Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme and others; HARP-2 Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN88244364.)

Tiotropium Respimat inhaler and the risk of death in COPD

Tiotropium delivered at a dose of 5 μg with the Respimat inhaler showed efficacy similar to that of 18 μg of tiotropium delivered with the HandiHaler inhalation device in placebo-controlled trials involving patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although tiotropium HandiHaler was associated with reduced mortality, as compared with placebo, more deaths were reported with tiotropium Respimat than with placebo.

FE Simulation of Viscoplastic Consistency Model

Finite element (FE) simulations provides an inexpensive alternative for material testingof new metal alloys. Carrying out experimental testing is expensive. Nanoindentation is particularly costly due to the equipment needed to work on such a scale. FE simulations provide an inexpensive means of material testing if accurately carried out. This paper will demonstrate the applicability and accuracy of using FE modelling for basic material tests and will propose that the viscoplastic model may be used for nanoindentation testing. The simulations will test the Young’s modulus of materials during analysis when an Abaqus VUMAT is used. The viscoplastic model is incorporated into a subroutine and is tested at the macroscopic scale against previous published results.