Ethnic differences in tumor characteristics, treatment and survival in glioma patients

Purpose. A descriptive analysis of glioma patients by race was carried out in order to better elucidate potential differences between races in demographics, treatment, characteristics, prognosis and survival. ^ Patients and Methods. Among 1,967 patients ≥ 18 years diagnosed with glioma seen between July 2000 and September 2006 at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC). Data were collated from the UTMDACC Patient History Database (PHDB) and the UTMDACC Tumor Registry Database (TRDB). Chi-square analysis, uni- /multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling and survival analysis were used to analyze differences by race. ^ Results. Demographic, treatment and histologic differences exist between races. Though risk differences were seen between races, race was not found to be a significant predictor in multivariate regression analysis after accounting for age, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, tumor type as stratified by WHO tumor grade. Age was the most consistent predictor in risk for death. Overall survival by race was significantly different (p=0.0049) only in low-grade gliomas after adjustment for age although survival differences were very slight. ^ Conclusion. Among this cohort of glioma patients, age was the strongest predictor for survival. It is likely that survival is more influenced by age, time to treatment, tumor grade and surgical expertise rather than racial differences. However, age at diagnosis, gender ratios, histology and history of cancer differed significantly between race and genetic differences to this effect cannot be excluded. ^

Factors associated with needle sharing among Black male injection drug users in Harris County, Texas

Background. Injection drug users (IDUs) are at increased risk for HIV transmission due to unique risk behaviors, such as sharing needles. In Houston, IDUs account for 18% of all HIV/AIDS cases among Black males. ^ Objectives. This analysis compared demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics of needle sharing and non-sharing IDUs in a population of Black males in Harris County, Texas. ^ Methods. Data used for this analysis were from the second IDU cycle of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. This dataset included a sample of 288 Black male IDUs. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were performed to determine statistically significant associations of needle sharing in this population and to create a functional model to inform local HIV prevention programs. ^ Results. Half of the participants in this analysis shared needles in the past 12 months. Compared to non-sharers, sharers were more likely to be homeless (OR=3.70, p<0.01) or arrested in the past year (OR=2.31, p<0.01), inject cocaine (OR=2.07, p<0.01), report male-to-male sex in the past year (OR=6.97, p<0.01), and to exchange sex for money or drugs. Sharers were less likely than non-sharers to graduate high school (OR=0.36, p<0.01), earn $5,000 or more a year (OR=1.15, p=0.05), get needles from a medical source (OR=0.59, p=0.03), and ever test for HIV (OR=0.17, p<0.01). Sharers were more likely to report depressive symptoms (OR=3.49, p<0.01), lower scores on the family support scale (mean difference 0.41, p=0.01) and decision-making confidence scale (mean difference 0.38, p<0.01), and greater risk-taking (mean difference -0.49, p<0.01) than non-sharers. In a multivariable logistic regression, sharers were less likely to have graduated high school (OR=0.33, p<0.01) and have been tested for HIV (OR=0.12, p<0.01) and were more likely to have been arrested in the past year (OR=2.3, p<0.01), get needles from a street source (OR=3.87, p<0.01), report male-to-male sex (OR=7.01, p<0.01), and have depressive symptoms (OR=2.36, p=0.02) and increased risk-taking (OR=1.78, p=0.01). ^ Conclusions. IDUs that shared needles are different from those that did not, reporting lower socioeconomic status, increased sexual and risk behaviors, increased depressive symptoms and increased risk-taking. These findings suggest that intervention programs that also address these demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors may be more successful in decreasing needle sharing among this population.^

Genetic epidemiology of gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans and cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase gene sequence variation

Among Mexican Americans, the second largest minority group in the United States, the prevalence of gallbladder disease is markedly elevated. Previous data from both genetic admixture and family studies indicate that there is a genetic component to the occurrence of gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans. However, prior to this thesis no formal genetic analysis of gallbladder disease had been carried out nor had any contributing genes been identified.^ The results of complex segregation analysis in a sample of 232 Mexican American pedigrees documented the existence of a major gene having two alleles with age- and gender-specific effects influencing the occurrence of gallbladder disease. The estimated frequency of the allele increasing susceptibility was 0.39. The lifetime probabilities that an individual will be affected by gallbladder disease were 1.0, 0.54, and 0.00 for females of genotypes "AA", "Aa", and "aa", respectively, and 0.68, 0.30, and 0.00 for males, respectively. This analysis provided the first conclusive evidence for the existence of a common single gene having a large effect on the occurrence of gallbladder disease.^ Human cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid synthesis. The results of an association study in both a random sample and a matched case/control sample showed that there is a significant association between cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase gene variation and the occurrence of gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans males but not in females. These data have implicated a specific gene, 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase, in the etiology of gallbladder disease in this population.^ Finally, I asked whether the inferred major gene from complex segregation analysis is genetically linked to the cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase gene. Three pedigrees predicted to be informative for linkage analysis by virtue of supporting the major gene hypothesis and having parents with informative genotypes and multiple offspring were selected for this linkage analysis. In each of these pedigrees, the recombination fractions maximized at 0 with a positive, albeit low, LOD score. The results of this linkage analysis provide preliminary and suggestive evidence that the cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase gene and the inferred gallbladder disease susceptibility gene are genetically linked. ^

A QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF SOURCE AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FINE PARTICULATE AIR POLLUTION IN HOUSTON (TEXAS)

An investigation was undertaken to determine the chemical characterization of inhalable particulate matter in the Houston area, with special emphasis on source identification and apportionment of outdoor and indoor atmospheric aerosols using multivariate statistical analyses.^ Fine (<2.5 (mu)m) particle aerosol samples were collected by means of dichotomous samplers at two fixed site (Clear Lake and Sunnyside) ambient monitoring stations and one mobile monitoring van in the Houston area during June-October 1981 as part of the Houston Asthma Study. The mobile van allowed particulate sampling to take place both inside and outside of twelve homes.^ The samples collected for 12-h sampling on a 7 AM-7 PM and 7 PM-7 AM (CDT) schedule were analyzed for mass, trace elements, and two anions. Mass was determined gravimetrically. An energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer was used for determination of elemental composition. Ion chromatography (IC) was used to determine sulfate and nitrate.^ Average chemical compositions of fine aerosol at each site were presented. Sulfate was found to be the largest single component in the fine fraction mass, comprising approximately 30% of the fine mass outdoors and 12% indoors, respectively.^ Principal components analysis (PCA) was applied to identify sources of aerosols and to assess the role of meteorological factors on the variation in particulate samples. The results suggested that meteorological parameters were not associated with sources of aerosol samples collected at these Houston sites.^ Source factor contributions to fine mass were calculated using a combination of PCA and stepwise multivariate regression analysis. It was found that much of the total fine mass was apparently contributed by sulfate-related aerosols. The average contributions to the fine mass coming from the sulfate-related aerosols were 56% of the Houston outdoor ambient fine particulate matter and 26% of the indoor fine particulate matter.^ Characterization of indoor aerosol in residential environments was compared with the results for outdoor aerosols. It was suggested that much of the indoor aerosol may be due to outdoor sources, but there may be important contributions from common indoor sources in the home environment such as smoking and gas cooking. ^

(Table 1) Sediment descriptions and age at DSDP Legs 5 and 63 Holes

Sediments from immediately above basalt basement and from between sections of basalt recovered from Deep Sea Drilling Project Legs 5 and 63 were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy for Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Ba. All of these sediments showed enrichment in Fe and Mn over values typical of detritus supplied to the northeastern Pacific Ocean. X-ray diffractometry and differential chemical leaching indicate that up to 50% of the sediment, by weight, is in amorphous phases and that these phases are rich in Mn, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Multivariate statistical analysis and normative partitioning of the chemical data indicate that much of the excess Fe and other transition elements in the sediment originate from hydrothermal sources.

Los estudiantes de la UNLP : Apuntes cuantitativos para una caracterización estructural

En este trabajo se presentan resultados de un relevamiento realizado a los estudiantes de la UNLP a partir de una encuesta por muestreo aleatorio. Se realiza en primer término un análisis descriptivo general sobre las principales características de dicha población, y en segundo lugar un análisis exploratorio que intenta sintetizar perfiles de los estudiantes según algunas dimensiones socio-demográficas, institucionales e ideológicas, mediante la técnica multivariada del análisis de correspondencias múltiples

Los estudiantes de la UNLP : Apuntes cuantitativos para una caracterización estructural

En este trabajo se presentan resultados de un relevamiento realizado a los estudiantes de la UNLP a partir de una encuesta por muestreo aleatorio. Se realiza en primer término un análisis descriptivo general sobre las principales características de dicha población, y en segundo lugar un análisis exploratorio que intenta sintetizar perfiles de los estudiantes según algunas dimensiones socio-demográficas, institucionales e ideológicas, mediante la técnica multivariada del análisis de correspondencias múltiples

Los estudiantes de la UNLP : Apuntes cuantitativos para una caracterización estructural

En este trabajo se presentan resultados de un relevamiento realizado a los estudiantes de la UNLP a partir de una encuesta por muestreo aleatorio. Se realiza en primer término un análisis descriptivo general sobre las principales características de dicha población, y en segundo lugar un análisis exploratorio que intenta sintetizar perfiles de los estudiantes según algunas dimensiones socio-demográficas, institucionales e ideológicas, mediante la técnica multivariada del análisis de correspondencias múltiples

Geochemistry and isotopes at DSDP Leg 80 Holes

Thirty-eight samples from DSDP Sites 549 to 551 were analyzed for major and minor components and trace element abundances. Multivariate statistical analysis of geochemical data groups the samples into two major classes: an organic-carbon- rich group (> 1% TOC) containing high levels of marine organic matter and certain trace elements (Cu, Zn, V, Ni, Co, Ba, and Cr) and an organic-carbon-lean group depleted in these components. The greatest organic and trace metal enrichments occur in the uppermost Albian to Turanian sections of Sites 549 to 551. Carbon-isotopic values of bulk carbonate for the middle Cenomanian section of Site 550 (2.35 to 2.70 per mil) and the upper Cenomanian-Turonian sections of Sites 549 (3.35 to 4.47 per mil) and 551 (3.13 to 3.72 per mil) are similar to coeval values reported elsewhere in the region. The relatively heavy d13C values from Sites 549 and 551 indicate that this interval was deposited during the global "oceanic anoxic event" that occurred at the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary. Variation in the d18O of bulk carbonate for Section 550B-18-1 of middle Cenomanian age suggests that paleosalinity and/or paleotemperature variations may have occurred concurrently with periodic anoxia at this site. Climatically controlled increases in surface-water runoff may have caused surface waters to periodically freshen, resulting in stable salinity stratification

Nematodes and meiofauna in sediments obtained from RRS Charles Darwin cruise CD179, Portuguese continental margin

Samples collected at two different depths (ca. 3200 and ca. 4200 m) in the Setúbal and Cascais canyons off the Portuguese coast, during the HERMES RRS Charles Darwin cruise CD179, were analysed for (1) sediment biogeochemistry (TOC, TN) and (2) composition, and structural and trophic diversity of nematode communities. Multivariate PERMANOVA analysis on the nematode community data revealed differences between sediment layers that were greater than differences between canyons, water depths, and stations. This suggests that biogeochemical gradients along the vertical sediment profile are crucial in determining nematode community structure. The interaction between canyon conditions and the nematode community is illustrated by biogeochemical patterns in the sediment and the prevalence of nematode genera that are able to persist in disturbed sediments. Trophic analysis of the nematode community indicated that non-selective deposit feeders are dominant, presumably because of their non-selective feeding behaviour compared to other feeding types, which gives them a competitive advantage in exploiting lower-quality food resources. This study presents a preliminary conceptual scheme for interactions between canyon conditions and the resident fauna.

Planktic foraminiferal flux and faunal composition of sediment trap L1_K276 in the northeastern Atlantic

Planktic foraminiferal (PF) flux and faunal composition from three sediment trap time series of 2002-2004 in the northeastern Atlantic show pronounced year-to-year variations despite similar sea surface temperature (SST). The averaged fauna of the in 2002/2003 is dominated by the species Globigerinita glutinata, whereas in 2003/2004 the averaged fauna is dominated by Globigerinoides ruber. We show that PF species respond primarily to productivity, triggered by the seasonal dynamics of vertical stratification of the upper water column. Multivariate statistical analysis reveals three distinct species groups, linked to bulk particle flux, to chlorophyll concentrations and to summer/fall oligotrophy with high SST and stratification. We speculate that the distinct nutrition strategies of strictly asymbiontic, facultatively symbiontic, and symbiontic species may play a key role in explaining their abundances and temporal succession. Advection of water masses within the Azores Current and species expatriation result in a highly diverse PF assemblage. The Azores Frontal Zone may have influenced the trap site in 2002, indicated by subsurface water cooling, by highest PF flux and high flux of the deep-dwelling species Globorotalia scitula. Similarity analyses with core top samples from the global ocean including 746 sites from the Atlantic suggest that the trap faunas have only poor analogs in the surface sediments. These differences have to be taken into account when estimating past oceanic properties from sediment PF data in the eastern subtropical North Atlantic.

Neogene palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic events inferred from palynological data: Cape Basin off South Africa, ODP Leg 175

Sites 1085, 1086 and 1087 were drilled off South Africa during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 175 to investigate the Benguela Current System. While previous studies have focused on reconstructing the Neogene palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic history of these sites, palynology has been largely ignored, except for the Late Pliocene and Quaternary. This study presents palynological data from the upper Middle Miocene to lower Upper Pliocene sediments in Holes 1085A, 1086A and 1087C that provide complementary information about the history of the area. Abundant and diverse marine palynomorphs (mainly dinoflagellate cysts), rare spores and pollen, and dispersed organic matter have been recovered. Multivariate statistical analysis of dispersed organic matter identified three palynofacies assemblages (A, B, C) in the most continuous hole (1085A), and they were defined primarily by amorphous organic matter (AOM), and to a lesser extent black debris, structured phytoclasts, degraded phytoclasts, and marine palynomorphs. Ecostratigraphic interpretation based on dinoflagellate cyst, spore-pollen and palynofacies data allowed us to identify several palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic signals. First, the late Middle Miocene was subtropical, and sediments contained the highest percentages of land-derived organic matter, even though they are rich in AOM (palynofacies assemblage A). Second, the Late Miocene was cool-temperate and characterized by periods of intensified upwelling, increase in productivity, abundant and diverse oceanic dinoflagellate cysts, and the highest percentages of AOM (palynofacies assemblage C). Third, the Early to early Late Pliocene was warm-temperate with some dry intervals (increase in grass pollen) and intensified upwelling. Fourth, the Neogene "carbonate crash" identified in other southern oceans was recognized in two palynofacies A samples in Hole 1085A that are nearly barren of dinoflagellate cysts: one Middle Miocene sample (590 mbsf, 13.62 Ma) and one Upper Miocene sample (355 mbsf, 6.5 Ma). Finally, the extremely low percentages of pollen suggest sparse vegetation on the adjacent landmass, and Namib desert conditions were already in existence during the late Middle Miocene.

Environmental conditions and habitats of GOS sites and bottle data of HOT-ALOHA station

The Global Ocean Sampling (GOS) expedition is currently the largest and geographically most comprehensive metagenomic dataset, including samples from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This study makes use of the wide range of environmental conditions and habitats encompassed within the GOS sites in order to investigate the ecological structuring of bacterial and archaeal taxon ranks. Community structures based on taxonomically classified 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene fragments at phylum, class, order, family, and genus rank levels were examined using multivariate statistical analysis, and the results were inspected in the context of oceanographic environmental variables and structured habitat classifications. At all taxon rank levels, community structures of neritic, oceanic, estuarine biomes, as well as other exotic biomes (salt marsh, lake, mangrove), were readily distinguishable from each other. A strong structuring of the communities with chlorophyll a concentration and a weaker yet significant structuring with temperature and salinity were observed. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between community structures and habitat classification. These results were used for further investigation of one-to-one relationships between taxa and environment and provided indications for ecological preferences shaped by primary production for both cultured and uncultured bacterial and archaeal clades.

Estimation Technique of International Input-Output Model by Non-survey Method

The Asian International Input-Output (IO) Table that is compiled by Institute of Developing Economies-JETRO (IDE), was constructed in Isard type form. Thus, it required a lot of time to publish. In order to avoid this time-lag problem and establish a more simple compilation technique, this paper concentrates on verifying the possibility of using the Chenery-Moses type estimation technique. If possible, applying the Chenery-Moses instead of the Isard type would be effective for both impact and linkage analysis (except for some countries such as Malaysia and Singapore and some primary sectors. Using Chenery-Moses estimation method, production of the Asian International IO table can be reduced by two years. And more, this method might have the possibilities to be applied for updating exercise of Asian IO table.

Spatial variability patterns of some Vertisol properties at a field scale using standardized data

Spatial variability of Vertisol properties is relevant for identifying those zones with physical degradation. In this sense, one has to face the problem of identifying the origin and distribution of spatial variability patterns. The objectives of the present work were (i) to quantify the spatial structure of different physical properties collected from a Vertisol, (ii) to search for potential correlations between different spatial patterns and (iii) to identify relevant components through multivariate spatial analysis. The study was conducted on a Vertisol (Typic Hapludert) dedicated to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) production during the last sixty years. We used six soil properties collected from a squared grid (225 points) (penetrometer resistance (PR), total porosity, fragmentation dimension (Df), vertical electrical conductivity (ECv), horizontal electrical conductivity (ECh) and soil water content (WC)). All the original data sets were z-transformed before geostatistical analysis. Three different types of semivariogram models were necessary for fitting individual experimental semivariograms. This suggests the different natures of spatial variability patterns. Soil water content rendered the largest nugget effect (C0 = 0.933) while soil total porosity showed the largest range of spatial correlation (A = 43.92 m). The bivariate geostatistical analysis also rendered significant cross-semivariance between different paired soil properties. However, four different semivariogram models were required in that case. This indicates an underlying co-regionalization between different soil properties, which is of interest for delineating management zones within sugarcane fields. Cross-semivariograms showed larger correlation ranges than individual, univariate, semivariograms (A ≥ 29 m). All the findings were supported by multivariate spatial analysis, which showed the influence of soil tillage operations, harvesting machinery and irrigation water distribution on the status of the investigated area.