An archaeobotanical perspective on Holocene plant-use practices in lowland northern New Guinea

Existing archaeobotanical and palynological records of plant use in the northern New Guinea lowlands are reviewed in light of recent work at Kuk and theoretical refocusing on plant use practice. A practice-based approach is supported as the most useful way of investigating the highly problematical area of tropical plant food production. The existing direct record of past plant use in lowland New Guinea is considered woefully inadequate to achieve this task, as is that in Near Oceania and Island Southeast Asia. Archaeobotanical methods exist to fill the void, but full implementation requires a change in general archaeological and palaeoecological practice.

Population-based mammography screening and breast cancer incidence in New South Wales, Australia

To analyse breast cancer incidence trends in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in relation to population-based mammography screening targeting women aged 50 to 69 years. Trends in age-specific incidence of invasive breast cancers in NSW women aged >= 40 years were examined in relation to mammography screening rates and screening cancer detection rates. Incidence of invasive breast cancer in NSW women increased in all age-groups over 1972 to 2002. The incidence trend for women aged 50 to 69 years showed that the steepest rise was associated with increased participation in population-based mammography screening, which was implemented from 1988 and achieved state-wide coverage in 1995. The elevated incidence of invasive cancer significantly exceeded pre-screening levels, and persisted after rates of initial screens declined. This elevated incidence was sustained by the contribution of cancers diagnosed through subsequent screening, and resulted from increased cancer detection rates in subsequent screens. The recent increase in invasive breast cancer incidence in NSW is associated with mammography screening, and occurred mostly in the target age-group women. Persistence of higher incidence after 1994 was not explicable by inflation of cancer incidence due to detection of prevalent screen cases, but was associated with a trend of increased cancer detection rates in subsequent screening rounds, probably consequent to quality improvements in mammography screening diagnosis.

Unusual manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis in AIDS patients from the New World

Comorbidity from tegumentary leishmaniasis and AIDS is poorly characterized. To describe a series of patients coinfected with Leishmania and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Clinical records from patients were analysed by demographic data, clinical manifestations, diagnoses, treatments and outcomes. Fifteen cases of AIDS/tegumentary leishmaniasis were found. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was confirmed by the detection of Leishmania amastigotes or antigens from the cutaneous or mucosal lesions. The mean CD4+ T-cell count was 84 cells mm(-3) (range 8-258) and all patients were classified as having AIDS according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A wide range of manifestations was found, varying from a single ulcer to multiple and polymorphic lesions. Mucosal lesions were present in 80% and cutaneous lesions in 73% of patients (53% with mucocutaneous form), disseminated lesions in 60% and genital lesions in 27% of patients. All patients received anti-Leishmania therapy and 53% showed relapses. Sixty-seven per cent received highly active antiretroviral therapy but showed no difference in outcomes and relapses compared with those not using medication. Forty per cent died during the study period. In these patients, the anti-Leishmania antibody and Montenegro skin test were useful in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, probably because leishmaniasis preceded immunosuppression due to HIV infection. Clinical manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients are diverse. Our data emphasize possible unusual manifestations of this disease in HIV-infected patients, particularly in severely immunosuppressed cases (< 200 CD4+ cells mm(-3)).

Pectinase production by solid fermentation from Aspergillus niger by a new prescription experiment

The Ordos Plateau in China is covered with up to 300,000 ha of peashrub (Caragana) which is the dominant natural vegetation and ideal for fodder production. To exploit peashrub fodder, it is crucially important to optimize the culture conditions, especially culture substrate to produce pectinase complex. In this study, a new prescription process was developed. The process, based on a uniform experimental design, first optimizes the solid substrate and second, after incubation, applies two different temperature treatments (30 degrees C for the first 30 h and 23 degrees C for the second 42 h) in the fermentation process. A multivariate regression analysis is applied to a number of independent variables (water, wheat bran, rice dextrose, ammonium sulfate, and Tween 80) to develop a predictive model of pectinase activity. A second-degree polynomial model is developed which accounts for an excellent proportion of the explained variation (R-2 = 97.7%). Using unconstrained mathematical programming, an optimized substrate prescription for pectinase production is subsequently developed. The mathematical analysis revealed that the optimal formula for pectinase production from Aspergillus niger by solid fermentation under the conditions of natural aeration, natural substrate pH (about 6.5), and environmental humidity of 60% is rice dextrose 8%, wheat bran 24%, ammonium sulfate ((NH4)(2)SO4) 6%, and water 61%. Tween 80 was found to have a negative effect on the production of pectinase in solid substrate. With this substrate prescription, pectinase produced by solid fermentation of A. niger reached 36.3IU/(gDM). Goats fed on the pectinase complex obtain an incremental increase of 0.47 kg day(-1) during the initial 25 days of feeding, which is a very promising new feeding prospect for the local peashrub. It is concluded that the new formula may be very useful for the sustainable development of and and semiarid pastures such as those of the Ordos Plateau. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of air pollution on hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease in elderly people in Australian and New Zealand cities

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to estimate the associations between outdoor air pollution and cardiovascular hospital admissions for the elderly. DESIGN: Associations were assessed using the case-crossover method for seven cities: Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand; and Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney Australia. Results were combined across cities using a random-effects meta-analysis and stratified for two adult age groups: 15-64 years and >= 65 years of age (elderly). Pollutants considered were nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, daily measures of particulate matter (PM) and ozone. Where multiple pollutant associations were found, a matched case-control analysis was used to identify the most consistent association. RESULTS: In the elderly, all pollutants except 03 were significantly associated with five categories or cardiovascular disease admissions. No associations were found for arrhythmia and stroke. For a 0.9-ppm increase in CO, there were significant increases in elderly hospital admissions for total cardiovascular disease (2.2%), all cardiac disease (2.8%), cardiac failure (6.0%), ischemic heart disease (2.3%), and myocardial infarction (2.9%). There was some heterogeneity between cities, possibly due to differences in humidity and the percentage of elderly people. In matched analyses, CO had the most consistent association. CONCLUSIONS. The results suggest that air pollution arising from common emission sources for CO, NO2, and PM (e.g., motor vehicle exhausts) has significant associations with adult cardiovascular hospital admissions, especially in the elderly, at air pollution concentrations below normal health guidelines. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Elderly populations in Australia need to be protected from air pollution arising from outdoor sources to reduce cardiovascular disease.

A new algorithm and refined bounds for extended gcd computation

Extended gcd computation is interesting itself. It also plays a fundamental role in other calculations. We present a new algorithm for solving the extended gcd problem. This algorithm has a particularly simple description and is practical. It also provides refined bounds on the size of the multipliers obtained.

2-perfect directed m-cycle systems can be equationally defined for m=3,4, and 5 only

It is shown that quasigroups constructed using the standard construction from 2-perfect directed m-cycle systems are precisely the finite members of a variety if and only if m=3, 4 or 5.

New chromenols from a southern Australian tunicate, Aplidium solidum

Two new chromenols, namely (R)-2-methyl-2-(4-methylpenta-1,3-dienyl)-2H-chromen-6-ol (7) and 1-[(R)-6-hydroxy-2-methyl-2H-chromen-2-yl]-4-methylpentan-2-one (8), have been isolated from a southern Australian tunicate, Aplidium solidum. The structures of (7) and (8) were assigned by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute stereochemistry of (7) by chemical degradation.

PVALB, a New Hurthle Adenoma Diagnostic Marker Identified through Gene Expression

Context: A better means to accurately identify malignant thyroid nodules and to distinguish them from benign tumors is needed. We previously identified markers for detecting thyroid malignancy, with sensitivity estimated at or close to 100%. One lingering problem with these markers was that false positives occurred with Hurthle cell adenomas (HCA) which lowered test specificity. Methods: To locate accurate diagnostic markers, we profiled in depth the transcripts of a HCA and a Hurthle cell carcinoma (HCC). From 1146 differentially expressed genes, 18 transcripts specifically expressed in HCA were tested by quantitative PCR in a wide range of thyroid tumors (n = 76). Sensibility and specificity were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Selected markers were further validated in an independent set of thyroid tumors (n = 82) by immunohistochemistry. To define the panel that would yield best diagnostic accuracy, these markers were tested in combination with our previous identified markers. Results: Seventeen of the 18 genes showed statistical significance based on a mean relative level of expression (P < 0.05). KLK1 (sensitivity = 0.97) and PVALB (sensitivity = 0.94) were the best candidate markers. The combination of PVALB and C1orf24 increased specificity to > 97% and maintained sensitivity for detection of carcinoma. Conclusion: We identified tumor markers that can be used in combination for a more accurate preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules and for postoperative diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma in tumor sections. This improved test would help physicians rapidly focus treatment on true malignancies and avoid unnecessary treatment of benign tumors, simultaneously improving medical care and reducing costs. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96: E151-E160, 2011)

The interaction between N-category and N-ratio as a new tool to improve lymph node metastasis staging in gastric cancer: Results of a single cancer center in Brazil

Background: Depth of tumor invasion (T-category) and the number of metastatic lymph nodes (N-category) are the most important prognostic factors in patients with gastric cancer. Recently, the ratio between metastatic and dissected lymph nodes (N-ratio) has been established as one. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of N-ratio and its interaction with N-category as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective study in which we reviewed clinical and pathological data of 165 patients who had undergone curative surgery at our institution through a 9-year period. The exclusion criteria included metastases, gastric stump tumors and gastrectomy with less than 15 lymph nodes dissected. Results: The median age of the patients was 63 years and most of them were male. Total gastrectomy was the most common procedure and 92.1% of the patients had a D2-lymphadenectomy. Their 5-year overall survival was 57.7%. T-category, N-category, extended gastrectomy, and N-ratio were prognostic factors in overall and disease-free survival in accordance with univariate analysis. In accordance with TNM staging, N1 patients who have had NR1 had 5-year survival in 75.5% whereas in the NR2 group only 33% of the cases had 5-year survival. In the multivariate analysis, the interaction between N-category and N-ratio was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the role of N-ratio as prognostic factor of survival in patients with gastric cancer surgically treated with at least 15 lymph nodes dissected. The relationship between N-category and N-ratio is a better predictor than lymph node metastasis staging. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.