Prognostic value of NDRG1 and SPARC protein expression in breast cancer patients

An increasing number of studies have shown altered expression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) and N-myc down-regulated gene (NDRG1) in several malignancies, including breast carcinoma; however, the role of these potential biomarkers in tumor development and progression is controversial. In this study, NDRG1 and SPARC protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays containing breast tumor specimens from patients with 10 years of follow-up. NDRG1 and SPARC protein expression was determined in 596 patients along with other prognostic markers, such as ER, PR, and HER2. The status of NDRG1 and SPARC protein expression was correlated with prognostic variables and patient clinical outcome. Immunostaining revealed that 272 of the 596 cases (45.6%) were positive for NDRG1 and 431 (72.3%) were positive for SPARC. Statistically significant differences were found between the presence of SPARC and NDRG1 protein expression and standard clinicopathological variables. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that NDRG1 positivity was directly associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS, P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS, P < 0.001). In contrast, patients expressing low levels of SPARC protein had worse DFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P = 0.001) compared to those expressing high levels. Combined analysis of the two markers indicated that DFS (P < 0.001) and OS rates (P < 0.001) were lowest for patients with NDRG1-positive and SPARC-negative tumors. Furthermore, NDRG1 over-expression and SPARC down-regulation correlated with poor prognosis in patients with luminal A or triple-negative subtype breast cancer. On multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model, NDRG1 and SPARC protein expression were independent prognostic factors for both DFS and OS of breast cancer patients. These data indicate that NDRG1 over-expression and SPARC down-regulation could play important roles in breast cancer progression and serve as useful biomarkers to better define breast cancer prognosis.

DETERMINATION OF ENERGY VALUE OF HAMBURGERS AND MEATBALLS BY DIRECT CALORIMETRY AND FOOD ANALYSIS COMPOSITION. COMPARISON WITH NUTRITION INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON PACKAGES

The nutritional composition found in the laboratory and those present on labels of manufactured foods can differ significantly. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of hamburgers and meatballs and compare them with your labels. The food analysis was performed following the Analytical Standards Institute`s Adolfo Lutz and energy content was determined by bomb calorimetry. Regarding the energy value, all the samples had values less than informed on the label. The content of lipids of hamburgers and meatballs ( except the beef) were lower than those reported on the label. The values of protein for the meatballs and chicken hamburger had lower values than those labels. Thus, the labels may overestimate as underestimate some nutritional values, leading to population erroneous information.

Diagnostic value of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein on early onset bacterial infection in preterm neonates with respiratory distress

Aims: To evaluate the C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as diagnostic tools for early onset infection in preterm infants with early respiratory distress (RD). Methods: CRP and IL-6 were quantified at identification of RD and 24 h after in 186 newborns. Effects of maternal hypertension, mode of delivery, Apgar score, birth weight, gestational age, mechanical ventilation, being small for gestational age (SGA), and the presence of infection were analyzed. Results: Forty-four infants were classified as infected, 42 as possibly infected, and 100 as uninfected. Serum levels of IL-6 (0 h), CRP (0 h), and CRP (24 h), but not IL-6 (24 h) were significantly higher in infected infants compared to the remaining groups. The best test for identification of infection was the combination of IL-6 (0 h) 36 pg/dL and/or CRP (24 h) 0.6 mg/dL, which yielded 93% sensitivity and 37% specificity. The presence of infection and vaginal delivery independently increased IL-6 (0 h), CRP (0 h) and CRP (24 h) levels. Being SGA also increased the CRP (24 h) levels. IL-6 (24 h) was independently increased by mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: The combination of IL-6 (0 h) and/or CRP (24 h) is helpful for excluding early onset infection in preterm infants with RD but the poor specificity limits its potential benefit as a diagnostic tool.

The history and value of the elephant in Sri Lankan society

Reviews the literature to provide an overview of the historical significance of the elephant in Sri Lankan society, an association which dates back more than 4,000 years. The present status of this relationship assessed on the basis of the findings of a recent study undertaken on the total economic value of elephants in Sri Lanka. This paper, first briefly outlines the history, evolution, nature and their distribution of the Asian elephant while providing some insights on the status of the elephant (Elephas maxima maxima) in Sri Lanka. Next, it reviews the literature in order to assess the historical affiliation that the elephant has maintained with the Sri Lankan society, its culture, history, mythology and religion. The empirical evidence on the economic value of conservation of the remaining elephant population in Sri Lanka is reviewed and the Sri Lankan people’s attitudes towards conserving this species of wildlife. Literature reviewed and analysis undertaken indicates that the elephant in Sri Lanka, still, as in the past has a special place in Sri Lankan society, particularly, in its culture, religion and value system. Thus, there is a strong case for ensuring the survival of wild elephant population in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, it also suggests that the community as a whole will experience a net benefit from ensuring the survival of wild elephants in Sri Lanka.

The nutritive value of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) when treated with CaO, NaOH or a microbial inoculant and offered to dairy heifers as big-bale silage

A series of laboratory and animal studies examined the use of chemical and biological agents to enhance the digestibility of Rhodes grass (grass) cut at 60 (young) and 100 (mature) days of regrowth and ensiled as big round bales. The treatments included an untreated control (C), a microbial inoculant (I), NaOH, CaO and NaOH plus inoculant (NaOH + I). Inoculant was grown anaerobically, using a starter culture of rumen fluid from cattle given Rhodes grass. Treatments C, 1, NaOH, NaOH + I, were offered separately to twelve dairy heifers, in a 3 X 4 randomized complete block design, repeated twice for each grass silage. C and I had substantial mould growth, compared with no visible mould in NaOH or NaOH + 1. CaO treatment was effective in preventing mould growth, but had little effect on the chemical composition and in sacco digestibility of mature grass silage. NaOH reduced NDF content and increased in sacco digestibility (P < 0.05) but not the in vivo digestibility (P > 0.05) of both mature- and young-grass silage. The effects of other treatments on nutritive value were non-significant at both stages of maturity. NaOH increased the intake of mature-grass silage by 24-26% (P < 0.05), but had little effect on the intake of young-grass silage (P > 0.05). Treatment I consistently reduced grass silage intake (P < 005) for young-grass silage. The findings of these studies show that treating mature Rhodes grass with NaOH will improve its nutritive value and reduce mould growth in conserved herbage. However none of the treatments in this study had any consistently positive effects on the in vivo nutritive value or storage quality of young-grass silage.

What is the value of firms' prior knowledge? Building organisational knowledge capabilities

A firm's prior knowledge facilitates the absorption of new knowledge, thereby renewing a firm's systematic search, transfer and absorption capabilities. The rapidly expanding field of biotechnology is characterised by the convergence of disparate sciences and technologies. This paper, the shift from proteinbased to DNA-based diagnostic technologies, quantifies the value of a firm's prior knowledge and its relation to future knowledge development. Four dimensions of diagnostic and four dimensions of knowledge in biotechnology firms are analysed. A simple scaled matrix method is developed to quantify the positive and negative heuristic values of prior scientific and technological knowledge that is useful for the acquisition and absorption of new knowledge.

The value of screening in siblings of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a large group of siblings of Australian AAA patients to determine if screening in this group is justified. Methods. 1254 siblings of 400 index AAA patients were identified and offered aortic ultrasound screening. An age and sex matched control group was recruited from patients having abdominal CT scans for non-vascular indications. AAA was defined by an infrarenal aortic diameter of greater than or equal to3 cm or a ratio of the infrarenal to suprarenal aortic diameter of greater than or equal to2.0. A ratio of 1.0-1.5 was considered normal, and a ratio of >1.5 to