A scoping review on tools and methods for trait prioritization in crop breeding programmes

Trait prioritization studies have guided research, development and investment decisions for public-sector crop breeding programmes since the 1970s, but the research design, methods and tools underpinning these studies are not well understood. We used PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) to evaluate research on trait ranking for major crops over the past 40 years (1980-2023). Data extraction and descriptive analysis on 657 papers show uneven attention to crops, lack of systematic sex disaggregation and regional bias. The lack of standardized trait data taxonomy across studies, and inconsistent research design and data collection practices make cross-comparison of findings impossible. In addition, network mapping of authors and donors shows patterns of concentration and the presence of silos within research areas. This study contributes to the next generation of innovation in trait preference studies to produce more inclusive, demand-driven varietal design that moves beyond trait prioritization focused on productivity and yield.

O-306 LINZAGOLIX FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS-ASSOCIATED PAIN: SAFETY RESULTS FROM EDELWEISS 3, A PHASE 3, RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Study question

Is once-daily linzagolix treatment for women with moderate to severe endometriosis-associated pain (EAP) safe for use for up to 6 months of treatment?

Summary answer

Both doses of linzagolix were well-tolerated with minimal BMD decrease and few TEAEs >5% in either linzagolix arm.

What is known already

Linzagolix (LGX) is an investigational once-daily oral GnRH receptor antagonist that reduces serum estradiol in a dose-dependent manner and is being developed in two dosages for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain (EAP): 75 mg, and 200 mg dose with hormonal add-back therapy (ABT). 

Study design, size, duration

EDELWEISS 3 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter Phase 3 trial of linzagolix in women with moderate to severe EAP. The trial includes 3 treatment arms: 75 mg LGX, 200 mg LGX with ABT (E2 1 mg/ NETA 0.5 mg), or placebo. Here we present safety results up to 6 months (24 weeks) of treatment.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Eligible reproductive-aged women with moderate-to-severe EAP were randomized and treated (n = 484) for 6 months with 75 mg LGX, 200 mg LGX with ABT (E2 1 mg/ NETA 0.5 mg), or placebo. Safety and tolerability objectives reported here include 6-month results for treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs), assessment of mean percent change from baseline (CfB) in lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) and Z-scores.

The safety analysis set included 484 subjects across the 3 treatment groups.

Main results and the role of chance

The overall incidence of TEAEs was similar between the placebo and LGX 75 mg group (46.9%) and slightly higher (56.8%) in the LGX 200 mg + ABT group. There were few (3) serious TEAEs, and none were related to LGX. TEAEs that occurred in over 5% of patients in either active treatment arm included headache (10.5%, 8.1%, and 8.0%), hot flush (6.8%, 7.5%, and 2.5%), and fatigue (6.8%, 3.8%, and 2.5%) for the 200 mg LGX with ABT, 75 mg LGX, and placebo groups, respectively. Mean percent CfB (95% CI) in LS BMD was -0.79% (-1.15,  -0.43%), -0.89% (-1.31, -0.47%), and +0.78% (0.41, 1.15%) for the 200 mg LGX with ABT, 75 mg LGX, and placebo groups, respectively. Z-scores at 6 months remained within the same range as baseline in all groups.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Additional efficacy and safety results from the trial's 24 weeks (6 mo) extension phase are pending. (Edelweiss 6 protocol: NCT04335591)

Wider implications of the findings

These results support further development of ABT and non-ABT doses of linzagolix that have potential to provide flexibility and choice for women seeking treatment for EAP. A non-ABT option is important for women who have a contraindication to, are at increased risk for complications, or prefer not to use ABT.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02778399

Understanding the pathways to women's empowerment in Northern Ghana and the relationship with small-scale irrigation

Women's empowerment is often an important goal of development interventions. This paper explores local perceptions of empowerment in the Upper East Region of Ghana and the pathways through which small-scale irrigation intervention targeted to men and women farmers contributes to women's empowerment. Using qualitative data collected with 144 farmers and traders through 28 individual interviews and 16 focus group discussions, this paper innovates a framework to integrate the linkages between small-scale irrigation and three dimensions of women's empowerment: resources, agency, and achievements. The relationship between the components of empowerment and small-scale irrigation are placed within a larger context of social change underlying these relationships. This shows that many women face serious constraints to participating in and benefitting from small-scale irrigation, including difficulties accessing land and water and gender norms that limit women's ability to control farm assets. Despite these constraints, many women do benefit from participating in irrigated farming activities leading to an increase in their agency and well-being achievements. For some women, these benefits are indirect-these women allocate their time to more preferred activities when the household gains access to modern irrigation technology. The result is a new approach to understanding women's empowerment in relation to irrigation technology.

Beyond “Women's Traits”: Exploring How Gender, Social Difference, and Household Characteristics Influence Trait Preferences

Demand-led breeding strategies are gaining importance in public sector breeding globally. While borrowing approaches from the private sector, public sector programs remain mainly focused on food security and social impact related outcomes. This necessitates information on specific user groups and their preferences to build targeted customer and product profiles for informed breeding decisions. A variety of studies have identified gendered trait preferences, but do not systematically analyze differences related to or interactions of gender with other social dimensions, household characteristics, and geographic factors. This study integrates 1000minds survey trait trade-off analysis with the Rural Household Multi-Indicator Survey to study cassava trait preferences in Nigeria related to a major food product, gari. Results build on earlier research demonstrating that women prioritize food product quality traits while men prioritize agronomic traits. We show that food product quality traits are more important for members from food insecure households and gender differences between men and women increase among the food insecure. Furthermore, respondents from poorer households prioritize traits similar to respondents in non-poor households but there are notable trait differences between men and women in poor households. Women in female headed household prioritized quality traits more than women living with a spouse. Important regional differences in trait preferences were also observed. In the South East region, where household use of cassava is important, and connection to larger markets is less developed, quality traits and in ground storability were prioritized more than in other states. These results reinforce the importance of recognizing social difference and the heterogeneity among men and women, and how individual and household characteristics interact to reveal trait preference variability. This information can inform trait prioritization and guide development of breeding products that have higher social impact, which may ultimately serve the more vulnerable and align with development goals.

UK and Ireland survey of MPharm student and staff experiences of mental health curricula, with a focus on Mental Health First Aid

Background

One in four people experience a mental health problem every year and improving mental health care is an international priority. In the course of their work, pharmacists frequently encounter people with mental health problems. The experience of mental health teaching, including Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, in undergraduate pharmacy (MPharm) students in the UK and Ireland is not well documented. Students’ viewpoints, contextualised with curricular overviews provided by staff, were analysed to understand their experience.

Methods

An anonymous, online questionnaire was distributed to MPharm students and staff in the UK and Ireland. Students were asked closed questions regarding their course and exposure to MHFA, which were analysed using descriptive statistics. Open questions were included to enable explanations and these data were used to contextualise the quantitative findings. One member of staff from each university was invited to answer a modified staff version of the questionnaire, to provide a curriculum overview and staff perspective.

Results

232 students and 13 staff, from 22 universities, responded. Three-quarters of students did not agree with the statement that ‘mental health was embedded throughout the MPharm’. Most students (80.6%) stated that they were taught neuropharmacology whilst 44.8% stated that their course included communicating with people about their mental health. One-third (33.2%) of students stated that their degree ‘adequately prepared them to help people with their mental health’. Twenty-six students (11.6%) had completed MHFA training of which 89% would endorse inclusion of this within the MPharm. Of those who had not completed the training, 81% expressed a desire to do so. Those who completed MHFA training self-reported greater preparedness than those who did not, but student numbers were small.

Conclusions

Mental health teaching for pharmacy undergraduates is more focussed on theoretical aspects rather than applied skills. MHFA was viewed by students as one way to enhance skill application. The association of the increased self-reported preparedness of those who completed MHFA could be confounded by a positive environmental cultural. MPharm programmes need sufficient focus on real-world skills such as communication and crisis response, to complement the fundamental science.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40545-021-00364-1.

O-135 Long term secondary efficacy of linzagolix for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) due to uterine fibroids (UF): 52-week results from two placebo-controlled, randomized, phase 3 trials

Study question

Are symptomatic improvements in women with UF observed after 24 weeks of linzagolix treatment with or without add-back therapy (ABT) maintained over 52 weeks?

Summary answer

Improvements in anemia, pain and quality of life previously reported at 24 weeks were maintained at 52 weeks.

What is known already

We previously reported that partial or full suppression of estradiol (E2) with once daily doses of either 100 or 200 mg linzagolix for 24 weeks, with or without ABT, were effective in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids, improving other symptoms such as pain and anemia and improving quality of life. Here we report the maintenance of effect on secondary endpoints after 52 weeks of treatment.

Study design, size, duration

Linzagolix is an investigational, oral GnRH antagonist being developed to treat HMB due to UF. PRIMROSE 1 (P1, USA, NCT03070899) and PRIMROSE 2 (P2, Europe and USA, NCT03070951) are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials, with essentially identical design, investigating the efficacy and safety of linzagolix with and without hormonal add-back therapy (ABT: 1 mg estradiol/0.5 mg norethindrone acetate) once daily for 52 weeks.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Participants had HMB due to UF (>80mL menstrual blood loss (MBL)/cycle) and were equally randomized to: placebo, linzagolix 100mg, linzagolix 100mg+ABT, linzagolix 200mg, or linzagolix 200mg+ABT. After 24 weeks, subjects originally randomized to placebo or linzagolix 200mg were switched to linzagolix 200mg+ABT except in P1 where 50% placebo subjects continued placebo until 52 weeks. Secondary efficacy assessments included hemoglobin, pain (0–10 numeric rating scale) and health related quality of life (HRQL) on the UF-QoL questionnaire.

Main results and the role of chance

P1 trial subjects (n = 526) had a mean age of 42 years, pain score of 6.6 and HRQL total score (0–100) of 36.4 and 63% were Black. P2 trial subjects (n = 511) had a mean age of 43 years, pain score 4.8 and HRQL total score of 46.1 and 5% were Black. Mean baseline MBL was about 200 mL per cycle in both studies. In both trials, significant improvements compared to placebo observed at week 24 for secondary endpoints, including pain, anemia and QoL in all linzagolix treatment groups were maintained at 52 weeks.

Mean±SD hemoglobin levels in anemic patients (<12 g/dL) increased from baseline by 1.7±1.9, 1.9±1.7, 2.2±2.4, 2.7±1.9 in P1 and 1.2±1.9, 2.9±1.8, 2.4±2.1, 3.0±1.4 in P2 in the 100mg, 100mg+ABT, 200mg/200mg+ABT, 200mg+ABT groups, respectively, compared to 0.6±1.8 with placebo (P1).

Mean±SD change from baseline in pain scores were -3.3±3.1, -2.7±3.2, -2.6±3.0, -3.9±3.2 in P1 and -2.6±3.1, -2.6±2.8, -3.0±2.6, -2.8±3.0 in P2 in the 100mg, 100mg+ABT, 200mg/200mg+ABT, 200mg+ABT groups, respectively, compared to -0.4±2.5 with placebo (P1).

Mean±SD change in HRQL total scores were 25.0±26.2, 34.2±30.1, 29.7±29.2, 38.3±29.2 in P1 and 16.8±24.0, 29.6±23.2, 31.9±26.8, 30.7±26.0 in P2 in the 100mg, 100mg+ABT, 200mg/200mg+ABT, 200mg+ABT groups, respectively, compared to 14.6±23.9 with placebo (P1).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Here we report data in both trials up to 52 weeks of treatment. No statistical comparisons were done at 52 weeks (the primary analysis was done after 24 weeks treatment). Post-treatment follow-up will provide more information in symptom recurrence after stopping treatment.

Wider implications of the findings

All linzagolix treatments provided sustained benefit. Two regimens previously identified for potential long-term treatment, 200mg with ABT and 100mg without ABT, provided sustained improvements of anemia, pain and associated quality of life. These different treatment regimens could be important to address the diverse needs of women suffering from uterine fibroids.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03070899, NCT03070951

Effect of the oxytocin receptor antagonist nolasiban on pregnancy rates in women undergoing embryo transfer following IVF: analysis of three randomised clinical trials

STUDY QUESTION

Does a single oral dose of nolasiban 900 mg administered 4 h before embryo transfer (ET) increase pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF?

SUMMARY ANSWER

In an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of three clinical trials, a single oral dose of nolasiban 900 mg was associated with an increased ongoing pregnancy rate of an absolute 5% (relative 15%).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Several clinical studies have shown that blocking activation of oxytocin receptors by an oxytocin receptor (OTR) antagonist has the potential to decrease uterine contractions, increase endometrial perfusion and enhance endometrial decidualisation and other parameters of endometrial receptivity. It has been hypothesised that antagonism of oxytocin receptors could improve the likelihood of successful embryo implantation and thus increase pregnancy and live birth rates following ET.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This is an analysis of three randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, which randomised 1836 subjects between 2015 and 2019. We describe the results of a meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) from all three trials and the pre-specified analyses of each individual trial.

PARTICIPANT/MATERIAL, SETTING, METHODS

Participants were patients undergoing ET following IVF/ICSI in 60 fertility centres in 11 European countries. Study subjects were below 38 years old and had no more than one previously failed cycle. They were randomised to a single oral dose of nolasiban 900 mg (n = 846) or placebo (n = 864). In IMPLANT 1, additional participants were also randomised to nolasiban 100 mg (n = 62) or 300 mg (n = 60). Fresh ET of one good quality embryo (except in IMPLANT 1 where transfer of two embryos was allowed) was performed on Day 3 or Day 5 after oocyte retrieval, approximately 4 h after receiving the study treatment. Serum hCG levels were collected at 14 days post oocyte retrieval (Week 2) and for women with a positive hCG result, ultrasound was performed at Week 6 post-ET (clinical pregnancy) and at Week 10 post-ET (ongoing pregnancy). Pregnant patients were followed for maternal (adverse events), obstetric (live birth, gestational age at delivery, type of delivery, incidence of twins) and neonatal (sex, weight, height, head circumference, Apgar scores, congenital anomalies, breast feeding, admission to intensive care and specific morbidities e.g. jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome) outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In an IPD meta-analysis of the clinical trials, a single oral dose of nolasiban 900 mg was associated with an absolute increase of 5.0% (95% CI 0.5, 9.6) in ongoing pregnancy rate and a corresponding increase of 4.4% (95% CI -0.10, 8.93) in live birth rate compared to placebo. Similar magnitude increases were observed for D3 or D5 transfers but were not significantly different from the placebo. Population pharmacokinetics (PK) demonstrated a correlation between higher exposures and pregnancy.

LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION

The meta-analysis was not a pre-specified analysis. While the individual trials did not show a consistent significant effect, they were not powered based on an absolute increase of 5% in ongoing pregnancy rate. Only a single dose of up to 900 mg nolasiban was administered in the clinical trials; higher doses or extended regimens have not been tested. Only fresh ET has been assessed in the clinical trials to date.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The finding support the hypothesis that oxytocin receptor antagonism at the time of ET can increase pregnancy rates following IVF. The overall clinical and population PK data support future evaluation of higher doses and/or alternate regimens of nolasiban in women undergoing ET following IVF.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

The trials were designed, conducted and funded by ObsEva SA. A.H., O.P., E.G., E.L. are employees and stockholders of ObsEva SA. E.L. is a board member of ObsEva SA. G.G. reports honoraria and/or non-financial support from ObsEva, Merck, MSD, Ferring, Abbott, Gedeon-Richter, Theramex, Guerbet, Finox, Biosilu, Preglem and ReprodWissen GmbH. C.B. reports grants and honoraria from ObsEva, Ferring, Abbott, Gedeon Richter and MSD. P.P. reports consulting fees from ObsEva. H.T. reports grants and or fees from ObsEva, Research Fund of Flanders, Cook, MSD, Roche, Gedeon Richter, Abbott, Theramex and Ferring. H.V. reports grants from ObsEva and non-financial support from Ferring. P.T. is an employee of Cytel Inc., who provides statistical services to ObsEva. J.D. reports consulting fees and other payments from ObsEva and, Scientific Advisory Board membership of ObsEva.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02310802, NCT03081208, NCT03758885.

TRIAL REGISTRATION DATES

December 2014 (NCT02310802), March 2017 (NCT03081208), November 2018 (NCT03758885).

FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT

January 2015 (NCT02310802), March 2017 (NCT03081208), November 2018 (NCT03758885).

Mental health curricula and Mental Health First Aid in the MPharm

Introduction

Improving mental health care is an international priority, and one that is championed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. (1) In the course of their work, pharmacists frequently encounter people with mental health problems. The extent to which mental health is taught on the undergraduate pharmacy degree in the UK and Ireland, and the inclusion of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, has not be described recently.

Aim

We aimed to determine how mental health teaching is embedded into the MPharm and students’ perception of their own preparedness to help people with their mental health. We explored if and how MHFA training is included, and students’ experience of, or desire to complete this.

Methods

We conducted an anonymous, online questionnaire of UK and Ireland MPharm students, distributed via networks and social media. Students were asked a series of closed questions about mental health teaching in the MPharm, and exposure to MHFA. We analysed answers using descriptive statistics. We included some open-ended questions to enable students to expand on their answers. We used this qualitative data to contextualize findings. We invited one member of staff from each university to answer a modified staff version of the questionnaire, in order to provide a curriculum overview and staff perspective on MHFA provision.

Results

232 students and 13 staff responded, from 22 universities in total. Eighty percent of student participants were female and 70% were in the third or final year of study. Three-quarters of students felt that mental health was not embedded throughout the MPharm. Eighty-percent of students stated that they were taught about neuropharmacology and 44.8% stated that their course included communicating with people about their mental health. One third of students felt that their degree adequately prepared them to help people with their mental health. Twenty-six students (11.6%) had completed MHFA training of which 89% would endorse inclusion of this within the MPharm. Of those who had not completed the training, 81% expressed a desire to do so. Those who completed MHFA training self-reported more preparedness than those who did not, but student numbers were small.

Conclusion

Mental health teaching remains focused on theoretical aspects, such as pharmacology, with less emphasis on practical skills, such as communication skills that might support interactions about mental health. MHFA was viewed by students as one way to enhance this. Of the small number of students who had completed MHFA, they displayed an increased self-reported preparedness. This could, however, be linked to the environmental culture of the programme rather than the training per se. MPharm programmes need sufficient focus on skills including communication and crisis response that may be required by pharmacists, alongside the fundamental scientific knowledge relating to mental health.

References

1. Royal Pharmaceutical Society. No health without mental health: How can pharmacy support people with mental health problems? London: RPS; 2018.

Run-off studies demonstrate parallel transport behaviour for a marker of poultry fecal contamination and Staphylococcus aureus

AIMS

To determine whether poultry litter marker gene LA35 is correlated with pathogens and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in run-off from poultry litter-amended plots.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A rainfall simulator with various vegetative filter strip lengths was employed to evaluate the correlation of a microbial source tracking (MST) marker for poultry feces/litter (the 16S rRNA gene of Brevibacterium sp. LA35 [LA35] measured by quantitative PCR) with pathogens and FIB in run-off. LA35 was correlated with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp. and Bacteroidales levels. Salmonella was present at low concentration in litter, but became undetectable by qPCR in run-off. Escherichia coli, LA35 and Staph. aureus exhibited mass-based first flush behaviour in the run-off.

CONCLUSIONS

Correlation of LA35 with FIB and pathogens in run-off from poultry litter-amended fields suggest comparable transport mechanisms and that LA35 is a useful tracer for harmful bacteria in the environment released from poultry litter.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

To protect human health, an effective marker for poultry fecal contamination should exhibit similar fate and transport characteristics compared to pathogens. This study is among the first to demonstrate such a relationship in run-off for a MST marker.

Changes in mental state associated with prison environments: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To develop an understanding of the stability of mental health during imprisonment through review of existing research evidence relating physical prison environment to mental state changes in prisoners.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted looking at changes in mental state and how this related to various aspects of imprisonment and the prison environment.

RESULTS

Fifteen longitudinal studies were found, and from these, three broad themes were delineated: being imprisoned and aspects of the prison regime; stage of imprisonment and duration of sentence; and social density. Reception into prison results in higher levels of psychiatric symptoms that seem to improve over time; otherwise, duration of imprisonment appears to have no significant impact on mental health. Regardless of social density, larger prisons are associated with poorer mental state, as are extremes of social density.

CONCLUSION

There are large gaps in the literature relating prison environments to changes in mental state; in particular, high-quality longitudinal studies are needed. Existing research suggests that although entry to prison may be associated with deterioration in mental state, it tends to improve with time. Furthermore, overcrowding, ever more likely as prison populations rise, is likely to place a particular burden on mental health services.

Considerations for the use of plasma cytokeratin 18 as a biomarker in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Enzyme-linked immunoassays of full-length (M65) and/or caspase-cleaved (M30) cytokeratin 18 (CK18) released from epithelial cells undergoing necrosis and/or apoptosis, respectively, may have prognostic or predictive biomarker utility in a range of solid tumour types. Characterisation of baseline levels of circulating full length and cleaved CK18 specifically in patients with pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

Plasma samples from 103 patients with pancreatic cancer stored at -80 degrees C were assayed for M65 and M30 levels. The median (inter-quartile range (IQR)) duration of plasma storage was 34 (23-57) months. Patients with metastatic disease (n=19) were found to have greater median (IQR) M65 levels (1145 (739-1698) U l(-1)) compared with the locally advanced (n=20; 748 (406-1150) U l(-1)) and resected (n=64; 612 (331-987) U l(-1)) patients (P=0.002). Elevated M65 levels were associated with poorer overall survival on univariate (P<0.001) but not multivariate (P=0.202) analysis. M65 concentrations also exhibited significant associations with concurrent serum-bilirubin levels (P<0.001) and the duration of plasma storage (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline plasma CK18 levels in pancreatic cancer are affected by the presence of obstructive jaundice and prolonged plasma storage. Clinical biomarker studies utilising serial CK18 levels are warranted in pancreatic cancer, provided consideration is given to these potentially confounding factors.

Radial transformation-associated recombination cloning from the mouse genome: isolation of Tg.AC transgene with flanking DNAs

Transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning allows entire genes and large chromosomal regions to be specifically, accurately, and quickly isolated from total genomic DNA. We report the first example of radial TAR cloning from the mouse genome. Tg.AC mice carry a zeta-globin promoter/v-Ha-ras transgene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization localized the transgene integrant as a single site proximal to the centromere of chromosome 11. Radial TAR cloning in yeast was utilized to create orientation-specific yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) to explore the possibility that cis-flanking regions were involved in transgene expression. YACs containing variable lengths of 5' or 3' flanking chromosome 11 DNA and the Tg.AC transgene were specifically chosen, converted to bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), and assayed for their ability to promote transcription of the transgene following transfection into an FVB/N carcinoma cell line. A transgene-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay was utilized to examine RNA transcripts from stably transfected clones. All Tg.AC BACs expressed the transgene in this in vitro system. This report describes the cloning of the v-Ha-ras transgene and suggests that transcriptional activity may not require cis elements flanking the transgene's integration site.

Viscoelastic dissipation in compact bone: implications for stress-induced fluid flow in bone

Viscoelastic properties of wet and dry human compact bone were studied in torsion and in bending for both the longitudinal and transverse directions at frequencies from 5 mHz to 5 kHz in bending to more than 50 kHz in torsion. Two series of tests were done for different longitudinal and transverse specimens from a human tibia. Wet bone exhibited a larger viscoelastic damping tan delta (phase between stress and strain sinusoids) than dry bone over a broad range of frequency. All the results had in common a relative minimum in tan delta over a frequency range, 1 to 100 Hz, which is predominantly contained in normal activities. This behavior is inconsistent with an optimal "design" for bone as a shock absorber. There was no definitive damping peak in the range of frequencies explored, which could be attributed to fluid flow in the porosity of bone.

Protein disorder and the evolution of molecular recognition: theory, predictions and observations

Observations going back more than 20 years show that regions in proteins with disordered backbones can play roles in their binding to other molecules; typically, the disordered regions become ordered upon complex formation. Thought-experiments with Schulz Diagrams, which are defined herein, suggest that disorder-to-order transitions are required for natural selection to operate separately on affinity and specificity. Separation of affinity and specificity may be essential for fine-tuning the molecular interaction networks that comprise the living state. For low affinity, high specificity interactions, our analysis suggests that natural selection would parse the amino acids conferring flexibility in the unbound state from those conferring specificity in the bound state. For high affinity, low specificity or for high affinity, multiple specificity interactions, our analysis suggests that the disorder-to-order transitions enable alternative packing interactions between side chains to accommodate the different binding targets. Disorder-to-order transitions upon binding also have significant kinetic implications as well, by having complex effects on both on- and off-rates. Current data are insufficient to decide on these proposals, but sequence and structure analysis on two examples support further investigations of the role of disorder-to-order transitions upon binding.

Thousands of proteins likely to have long disordered regions

Neural network predictors of protein disorder using primary sequence information were developed and applied to the Swiss Protein Database. More than 15,000 proteins were predicted to contain disordered regions of at least 40 consecutive amino acids, with more than 1,000 having especially high scores indicating disorder. These results support proposals that consideration of structure-activity relationships in proteins need to be broadened to include unfolded or disordered protein.

Designing an evaluation for a multiple-strategy community intervention: the North Coast Stay on Your Feet program

Evaluation of the North Coast Stay on Your Feet falls prevention program is described as a case study of a comprehensive evaluation design for multi-strategic community interventions. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate the program at formative, process and outcome levels. Formative evaluation used literature review, focus groups, mail-out and telephone survey methods to gather evidence from publications, older people, health workers, local business, media and government bodies. It included an analysis of demographic and hospital databases and identified incidence, causal pathways, knowledge, attitudes, behaviour, consequences and effectiveness of potential strategies. Process evaluation employed auditing, monitoring and telephone surveys to maintain an inventory of intervention activities and to track the reach of the program. Outcome evaluation involved a longitudinal study of intervention and control cohorts, surveyed before, during and after the intervention by telephone to monitor changes in knowledge, attitudes, risk and falls incidence. The survey instrument was designed for both formative and outcome evaluation, and analysis reflected the research design by incorporating repeat measures and adjusting for bias and confounding. Outcome validity was cross-checked via hospital admission rates. A novel, integrated framework for presenting inputs, activities and outcomes from all stages of the program is described. This framework facilitated feedback to stakeholders and enabled subsequent rapid adjustment of the intervention. Rigorous evaluation combined with clear presentation of findings helped to engender intersectoral support and obtain funding grants for extended implementation and evaluation. It also helped Stay on Your Feet to become a model for other falls prevention programs within Australia and internationally.

The significance of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) before operative treatment of hypernephroma in a horseshoe kidney

A case of hypernephroma in a horseshoe kidney is reported in a patient with total situs inversus organorum. The diagnostic procedures are discussed, and the significance of digital subtraction angiography for both diagnosis and treatment is emphasized, as the presentation of the arterial and venous supplies is of great value for guidance in the surgical intervention, particularly when congenital malformations are present.