A low-cost, do-it-yourself data-logging system to record animal activity in laboratory and small-enclosure experiments

With the increasing cost of prepackaged research equipment and restrictions on research budgets, there is a growing need for inexpensive solutions for data collection in laboratory and small enclosures across a range of research topics investigating responses of animals to experimental parameters. We present here a low-cost, modular passive infrared sensor and data-logging system for use in experiments evaluating animal activity and behaviour, easily assembled in a laboratory setting. This system comprises accessible kit-based components purchased from popular electronics suppliers. We present the hardware configuration, software coding, build of materials, circuit diagram and a sample dataset demonstrating that the system collects reliable data that is easily downloaded either through any terminal program, directly from the unit or via an SD card. It is hoped that this ‘freeware’ approach to activity-monitoring equipment will enable laboratory and enclosure-based research to be undertaken more cost-effectively.

Comparing hospital and telephone follow-up for patients treated for stage-I endometrial cancer (ENDCAT trial): a randomised, multicentre, non-inferiority trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led telephone follow-up (TFU) for patients with stage-I endometrial cancer.

DESIGN

Multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

SETTING

Five centres in the North West of England.

SAMPLE

A cohort of 259 women treated for stage-I endometrial cancer attending hospital outpatient clinics for routine follow-up.

METHODS

Participants were randomly allocated to receive traditional hospital based follow-up (HFU) or nurse-led TFU.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcomes were psychological morbidity (State Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI-S) and patient satisfaction with the information provided. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction with service, quality of life, and time to detection of recurrence.

RESULTS

The STAI-S scores post-randomisation were similar between groups [mean (SD): TFU 33.0 (11.0); HFU 35.5 (13.0)]. The estimated between-group difference in STAI-S was 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI -1.9 to 3.3); the confidence interval lies above the non-inferiority limit (-3.5), indicating the non-inferiority of TFU. There was no significant difference between groups in reported satisfaction with information (odds ratio, OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-2.1; P = 0.83). Women in the HFU group were more likely to report being kept waiting for their appointment (P = 0.001), that they did not need any information (P = 0.003), and were less likely to report that the nurse knew about their particular case and situation (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The TFU provides an effective alternative to HFU for patients with stage-I endometrial cancer, with no reported physical or psychological detriment. Patient satisfaction with information was high, with similar levels between groups.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

ENDCAT trial shows effectiveness of nurse-led telephone follow-up for patients with stage-I endometrial cancer.

Impact of the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 on platelet dense granule biogenesis and secretion

BACKGROUND

Platelet secretion is critical to development of acute thrombotic occlusion. Platelet dense granules contain a variety of important hemostatically active substances. Nevertheless, biogenesis of platelet granules is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) has been shown to be highly expressed in platelets and megakaryocytes, but its role in the regulation of platelet granule biogenesis and its impact on thrombosis has not been investigated so far.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Electron microscopy analysis of the platelet ultrastructure revealed a significant reduction in the number and packing of dense granules in platelets lacking SGK1 (sgk1(-/-) ). In sgk1(-/-) platelets serotonin content was significantly reduced and activation-dependent secretion of ATP, serotonin and CD63 significantly impaired. In vivo adhesion after carotis ligation was significantly decreased in platelets lacking SGK1 and occlusive thrombus formation after FeCl3 -induced vascular injury was significantly diminished in sgk1(-/-) mice. Transcript levels and protein abundance of dense granule biogenesis regulating GTPase Rab27b were significantly reduced in sgk1(-/-) platelets without affecting Rab27b mRNA stability. In MEG-01 cells transfection with constitutively active (S422) (D) SGK1 but not with inactive (K127) (N) SGK1 significantly enhanced Rab27b mRNA levels. Sgk1(-/-) megakaryocytes show significantly reduced expression of Rab27b and serotonin/CD63 levels compared with sgk1(+/+) megakaryocytes. Proteome analysis identified nine further vesicular transport proteins regulated by SGK1, which may have an impact on impaired platelet granule biogenesis in sgk1(-/-) platelets independent of Rab27b.

CONCLUSIONS

The present observations identify SGK1 as a novel powerful regulator of platelet dense granule biogenesis, platelet secretion and thrombus formation. SGK1 is at least partially effective because it regulates transcription of Rab27b in megakaryocytes.

Sweet's syndrome in a patient with haemophilia, HIV and hepatitis C infection

Sweet's syndrome is a rare skin condition associated with both drug treatment and a number of different disease processes including haematological malignancies, inflammatory conditions and HIV infection. In this case report, we present a patient with HIV, haemophilia and hepatitis C who presented to our team with significant thrombocytopaenia and Sweet's syndrome. We discuss the difficulties with diagnosis and management in the context of multiple co-morbidities and suggest that both hepatitis C and HIV may have been aetiologically involved by suppressing platelet production and also causing bone marrow-driven neutrophilic disease.