Cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in human breast cancer

Expression of the inducible isoform of the cyclooxygenase gene (PGHS-2, COX-2) which codes for the enzyme that catalyzes formation of prostaglandins, was detected in 13/13 human breast tumors of high grade but not in samples of normal breast tissue. There was a statistically significant linear association between COX-2 gene expression and high (>50%) tumor cell density (p<0.01), with COX-2 protein localized to tumor cells. These results indicate that COX-2 gene expression may be useful as a molecular biomarker for human breast tumors and may also predict sensitivity to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Inverse expression of neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors at the invasion front of human-melanoma brain metastases

Neurotrophins (NT), such as nerve growth factor (NGF), stimulate the growth and differentiation of several neuronal subpopulations in a distinct yet overlapping manner. Brain-metastatic human melanoma cells overexpress p75(NTR), the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor, and treatment of brain-metastatic cells with NGF stimulates extracellular matrix invasion and production of degradative enzymes in relation to the cellular expression of p75(NTR) Although human melanoma cells express high affinity neurotrophin receptors, such as TrkC (the putative receptor for NT-3), they do not express TrkA, the high-affinity NGF receptor. Using digoxigenin-labeled sense/antisense riboprobes against human p75(NTR) and NGF for in situ hybridization, we determined whether the expression of p75(NTR) and NGF mRNAs are related to brain metastasis of human melanoma. We detected p75(NTR) mRNA at the invasion front of human melanoma brain metastases, whereas p75(NTR) expression was not found in adjacent tissues. In contrast, human NGF mRNA levels were increased in tissues surrounding the melanoma lesions, supporting the notion that NGF and NT are important in determining melanoma brain-metastatic microenvironment. Using antibodies specific to p75(NTR), TrkC, NGF and related NT we found high but heterogeneous levels of p75(NTR) and TrkC expression in malignant melanomas metastatic to the brain. Lower levels of expression were found in primary melanomas or in metastatic melanomas to sites other than brain. Additionally, we found elevated levels of synthesis of NGF and NT-3 but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or NT-4/5 in the brain tissues surrounding melanoma lesions. These studies support a role for NT and their receptors in the progression of melanomas to the brain-metastatic phenotype.

Sexual asymmetry in hermaphroditic plants

Populations of hermaphroditic plants show variation in ovule and pollen production, so that the implicit assumption that hermaphrodite individuals function half as male and half as female is not valid. Such variation in gamete production results in sexual asymmetry, defined as nonconstant ratios of pollen to ovule production among plants of a population. This article reviews (1) some of the considerable amount of recent evidence for sexual asymmetry and non-equal malelfemale sex functioning in hermaphroditic seed plants, and (2) some models of asymmetry and sex functioning, with emphasis on their biological and evolutionary relevance.

Features for Suitable Problems

One cannot be a problem solver without deep understanding of what constitutes a problem. Failing to recognise and define problems presents obstacles in constructing and applying knowledge in problem solving. This has been the motivation for the authors to re-examine in the context of IT (Information Technology) the concept, nature and types of a problem. The most and least important features of a problem are scrutinized, considering the problem-based learning experts’ opinions and a collection of IT students’ viewpoints. The authors (i) identify and critically comment on the features of a problem that are still needed in problem-based learning, and (ii) provide insights and guidelines on the position and use of problems for IT curriculum designers and IT professionals in problem-focused higher education.

Preventing recurrence of radioulnar synostosis with pedicled adipofascial flaps

The surgical treatment of post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis is difficult. Recurrence after resection alone is a concern with poor long-term maintenance of forearm rotation. We report on the use of pedicled adipofascial flaps to prevent recurrence and facilitate maintenance of movement in six adult patients with radioulnar synostosis. Five involved the proximal radioulnar joint and one the distal radioulnar joint. In four the flap was based on the radial artery and in two on the posterior interosseous artery. Mean intraoperative supination was 78° and pronation was 76°. Mean follow up was 32 months. At follow-up, mean supination was 71° and pronation was 70°. No patient had radiological recurrence of synostosis. The only complication was a transient posterior interosseous nerve palsy. Pedicled adipofascial flaps are a safe addition to resection alone which may prevent recurrence and maintain the range of forearm rotation achieved at operation.

Engaging the Students in Activity Based Learning for Future Employability

The paper discusses the introduction of Activity Based Learning for professional issues for undergraduate students in the School of Computing and Communications at Southampton Solent University. Its aim is to assist the students with their final year project and future employability. The use of the university’s learning environment, based on the Moodle open source software as a key component of the Activity Based Learning, the preparation by the students prior to the tutorials, and the group work within the tutorials are described. The views of the students on this approach are discussed. The paper describes how the students become more self reliant and self motivated in their learning approach. This will be of direct benefit to them in maintaining lifelong learning in their future profession.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility in Raising Awareness of Green Issues through Developing Tertiary Academic Provision

While it is important to promote sustainability throughout ICT-related education, there is a need for individuals who can deliver in the short term. One way to achieve this is the taught Master of Science course, such as Leeds Metropolitan University’s Green Computing MSc, believed to be the first to commence in the UK. Glyndwr and Southampton Solent Universities have developed awareness of sustainability across the broader curriculum, primarily using professionalism and social responsibility. This paper describes the experiences and thinking behind these developments and offers some suggestions for further development to secure sustainability within the IT education sphere.

Problem-Focused Higher Education for Shaping the Knowledge Society

Higher education (HE) has not efficiently targeted a knowledge-shaped economy and has not kept up with the knowledge and IT skills demanded to resolve the problems from social- and work- exclusion. While recently unemployed knowledge workers are searching for new jobs, re-educating policies and career development options have not kept pace with work changes. There is an urgent need for a HE reform in order to address the current socio-economic and work-life crises. For this reform, the authors compare and contrast three promising learning approaches: problem-based learning PBL, work-based learning WBL and problem-focused education PFE. While in PBL and WBL work- and problem-related knowledge is transferred sufficiently, PFE seems to outperform. The paper points to an effective re-organisation of HE by (1) investing in PFE as the means to achieve quality in the learning process and its outcomes and (2) identifying ICT quality features for supporting the PFE learning process.

Phase II screening trial of lithium carbonate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: examining a more efficient trial design

OBJECTIVE

To use a historical placebo control design to determine whether lithium carbonate slows progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

METHODS

A phase II trial was conducted at 10 sites in the Western ALS Study Group using similar dosages (300-450 mg/day), target blood levels (0.3-0.8 mEq/L), outcome measures, and trial duration (13 months) as the positive trial. However, taking riluzole was not a requirement for study entry. Placebo outcomes in patients matched for baseline features from a large database of recent clinical trials, showing stable rates of decline over the past 9 years, were used as historical controls.

RESULTS

The mean rate of decline of the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised was greater in 107 patients taking lithium carbonate (-1.20/month, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.41 to -0.98) than that in 249 control patients (-1.01/month, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.92, p = 0.04). There were no differences in secondary outcome measures (forced vital capacity, time to failure, and quality of life), but there were more adverse events in the treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of therapeutic benefit and safety concerns, taken together with similar results from 2 other recent trials, weighs against the use of lithium carbonate in patients with ALS. The absence of drift over time and the availability of a large database of patients for selecting a matched historical control group suggest that use of historical controls may result in more efficient phase II trials for screening putative ALS therapeutic agents.

CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE

This study provided Class IV evidence that lithium carbonate does not slow the rate of decline of function in patients with ALS over 13 months.

Disease dynamics of Montipora white syndrome within Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii: distribution, seasonality, virulence, and transmissibility

We report on an investigation of Montipora white syndrome (MWS), which is a coral disease reported from Hawaii, U.S.A., that results in tissue loss. Disease surveys of Montipora capitata within Kaneohe Bay (Oahu) found colonies that were affected by MWS on 9 reefs within 3 regions of Kaneohe Bay (south, central, north). Mean MWS prevalence ranged from 0.02 to 0.87% and average number of MWS cases per survey site ranged from 1 to 28 colonies. MWS prevalence and number of cases were significantly lower in the central region as compared to those in the north and south regions of Kaneohe Bay. There was a positive relationship between host abundance and MWS prevalence, and differences in host abundance between sites explained approximately 27% of the variation in MWS prevalence. Reefs in central Kaneohe Bay had lower M. capitata cover and lower MWS levels. MWS prevalence on reefs was neither significantly different between seasons (spring versus fall) nor among 57 tagged colonies that were monitored through time. MWS is a chronic and progressive disease causing M. capitata colonies to lose an average of 3.1% of live tissue mo(-1). Case fatality rate was 28% after 2 yr but recovery occurred in some colonies (32%). Manipulative experiments showed that the disease is acquired through direct contact. This is the first study to examine the dynamics of MWS within Hawaii, and our findings suggest that MWS has the potential to degrade Hawaii's reefs through time.

Hydrogen-helium mixtures at megabar pressures: implications for jupiter and saturn

Models of Jupiter and Saturn postulate a central rock core surrounded by a fluid mixture of hydrogen and helium. These models suggest that the mixture is undergoing phase separation in Saturn but not Jupiter. State-of-the-art total energy calculations of the enthalpy of mixing for ordered alloys of hydrogen and helium confirm that at least partial phase separation has occurred in Saturn and predict that this process has also begun in Jupiter.