Components of event-related potentials and borderline personality disorder: a meta-analysis

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by symptoms associated with difficulties in emotion regulation, altered self-image, impulsivity, and instability in personal relationships. A relationship has been found between BPD symptoms and altered neuropsychological processes. Studies of event-related potentials (ERP) measured with electroencephalogram (EEG) have found neural correlates related to BPD symptoms. Of note is the P300 component, considered a potential mental health biomarker for trauma-associated disorders. However, no meta-analysis has been found to demonstrate this relationship.Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the P300 component and BPD symptoms. To evaluate the relationship of other ERP components with BPD symptoms.Methods: The method and procedure were adjusted to the PRISMA checklist. The search was performed in three databases: WOS, Scopus and PubMed. A Random Effects Model was used to perform the analysis of the studies. In addition, a meta-regression was performed with % women, Gini and GDP. Finally, a descriptive analysis of the main results found between P300, other ERP components (LPP, P100 and ERN/Ne) and BPD symptoms was performed.Results: From a review of 485 articles, a meta-analysis was performed with six articles that met the inclusion criteria. A moderate, positive relationship was found between the P300 component and BPD symptoms (REM = .489; p < .001). It was not possible to perform meta-analyses for other ERP components (LPP, P100 and ERN/Ne) due to the low number of articles found.Conclusion: The idea that P300 could be considered for use as a biomarker to identify altered neural correlates in BPD is reinforced. In addition, a moderating effect of inequality (Gini) was detected.

The hilum of the lung: two classical radiological signs to decipher it

Assessing the hilum of the lung is a common challenge in daily practice because various structures converge in this complex anatomic region. Because chest X-rays are widely available and deliver relatively low doses of radiation, they continue to be the most common imaging test, although new imaging modalities have decreased the use of chest X-rays for differentiating between true abnormalities and superimposed lung opacities. This article reviews the literature and describes the principal anatomic relations of the lung hilum through illustrative cases to enable the two most important radiologic signs to be identified: "hilum overlay" and "hilum convergence". In the initial imaging evaluation of patients with cardiothoracic disease, knowledge of these basic principles facilitates the three-dimensional location of lesions in a single-plane image, optimizing time and resources.

Review of the effects of protection in marine protected areas: current knowledge and gaps

The effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the conservation of marine environments must be based on reliable information on the quality of the marine environment that can be obtained in a reasonable timeframe. We reviewed studies that evaluated all aspects related to the effectiveness of MPAs in order to describe how the studies were conducted and to detect fields in which research is lacking. Existing parameters used to evaluate the effectiveness of MPAs are summarised. Two-hundred and twenty-two publications were reviewed. We identified the most commonly used study subjects and methodological approaches. Most of the studies concentrated on biological parameters. Peer reviewed studies were based on control vs. impact design. BACI and mBACI designs were used in very few studies. Through this review, we have identified gaps in the objectives assigned to MPAs and the way in which they have been evaluated. We suggest some guidelines aimedat improving the assessment of the effects of protection in MPAs.

In vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Sesamin Isolated from Vismia baccifera var. dealbata Triana & Planch (Guttiferae) Collected from Venezuela

Sesamin extracted from Vismia baccifera var. dealbata was demonstrated to have cytostatic activity on the cancer cell lines tested, particularly the lung cancer cell line, with an IC50 of 1 g/L.

Monitoring of coastal and transitional waters under the E.U. Water Framework Directive

A set of guidelines are presented for the definition of monitoring plans in coastal and transitional (estuarine and lagoonal) systems subject to the European Union Water Framework Directive - WFD (2000/60/EC). General principles of best practice in monitoring are outlined, including (a) the definition of three types of broad management objectives: water quality, conservation, and human use, to which the general public may easily relate. These will define the core and research indicators (WFD quality elements) to be used for monitoring; (b) priorities and optimisation in a (financially and logistically) resource-constrained environment; (c) quality assurance; and (d) assessment of monitoring success: this should focus on the outputs, i.e. the internal audit of the monitoring activity, and on the outcomes. The latter component assesses programme effectiveness, i.e. environmental success based on a set of clearly-defined targets, and informs management action. The second part of this work discusses the approach and actions to be carried out for implementing WFD surveillance, operational and investigative monitoring. Appropriate spatial and temporal scales for surveillance monitoring of different indicators are suggested, and operational monitoring is classified into either screening or verification procedures, with an emphasis on the relationship between drivers, pressure, state and response. WFD investigative monitoring is interpreted as applied research, and thus guidelines cannot be prescriptive, except insofar as to provide examples of currently acceptable approaches. Specific case studies are presented for both operational (coastal eutrophication control) and investigative monitoring (harmful algal blooms), in order to illustrate the practical application of these monitoring guidelines. Further information is available at http://www.monae.org/ .

A phase II study of pemetrexed and doxorubicin in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

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Background: Pemetrexed has a single-agent activity in MBC while doxorubicin is an established agent in breast cancer chemotherapy. This phase II study investigated the combination in patients with advanced or MBC who had not been previously treated with anthracyclines. Primary objective was to evaluate the overall response rate. Methods: Patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 (10-min intravenous infusion) followed by doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 on day 1 of six 21-day cycles. Additional cycles were permitted based upon: absence of progressive disease, adequate cardiac function, and a maximum cumulative limit of doxorubicin 450 mg/m2. Routine folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation was given to all patients. Results: A total of 79 women with advanced or MBC were enrolled at 15 centers in 7 countries. Major racial groups were Caucasians (50.6%) and Hispanics (24.1%). Median age was 55 years (range, 26–79) and most (91.1%) had performance status of 0 or 1. Patients had either metastatic (72.2 %) or locally advanced disease (27.9%). Sixteen (20.3%) patients had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy. A median of 6 cycles (range, 1–9) was delivered. During the 438 cycles, no doses were omitted, and 7 doses were reduced (3 for pemetrexed, 4 for doxorubicin). A total of 129 doses (29.5%) were delayed, primarily due to scheduling conflicts (84 doses) and neutropenia (19 doses). The relative dose intensity for both drugs was 93%. Overall response rate was 60.8% (95% CI, 49.1–71.6) with complete response in 8 patients (10.1%), partial response in 40 patients (50.6%), and stable disease in 20 patients (25.3%). Maximum CTC grade 3 and 4 toxicities observed in >5% patients were neutropenia (19 patients, 24.1%), leukopenia (8 patients, 10.1%), and vomiting (5 patients, 6.3%). Five deaths occurred during study treatment, 2 of which had causes (diarrhea, pneumonia) possibly related to the study drugs. One patient had resting left ventricular ejection fraction decreased to <50% after 6 cycles and did not receive further treatment. Conclusions: The combination of pemetrexed and doxorubicin was well tolerated and had promising response in patients with advanced or MBC. Survival and time-to-event results are forthcoming.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Antibacterial Activity of the Crude Extract and Constituents of Vismia Baccifera Var. Dealbata (Guttiferae) Collected in Venezuela

The antibacterial activities of the crude extract of Vismia baccifera var. dealbata Triana & Planch and of compounds isolated from it (sesamin, friedelin and vismiaquinone) were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25992), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 23357), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) using the disc diffusion agar method. The results obtained have revealed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa, pathogen opportunists that become resistant to the antibiotics frequently used. According to the literature consulted, this is the first report of the antibacterial activity of the crude extract of V. baccifera and its constituents.

Are taxonomic distinctness measures compliant to other ecological indicators in assessing ecological status?

Assessing the ecological status, a concept implemented in the European Water Framework Directive [EC, 2000. Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy PE-CONS 3639/1/00, p. 72], requires the application of methods capable of distinguishing different levels of ecological quality. The Average Taxonomic Distinctness has been used as tool in this context, and we tested the robustness of Taxonomic Distinctness measures applying it in different scenarios (estuarine eutrophication, organic pollution, and re-colonisation after physical disturbance), analysing simultaneously its compliance to other types of ecological indicators. Results show that, in most of the case studies, only Total Taxonomic Distinctness was relatively satisfactory in discriminating between disturbed situations. Other Taxonomic Distinctness measures have not proved to be more sensitive than other ecological indicators (Shannon-Wiener, Margalef, and Eco-Exergy indices). Therefore, this approach does not seem to be particularly helpful in assessing systems' ecological status with regard to the WFD implementation.

Phase III study of gemcitabine plus vinorelbine (VG) versus vinorelbine (V) in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines (A) and taxanes (T). Final results of GEICAM 2000–04 study

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Background: VG has shown to be efficacious and safe in MBC in pts previously treated with AT. This study compared treatment (TT) V with the combination of VG. Primary objective was progression free survival (PFS). Methods: pts previously treated with AT, aged ≥18, ECOG ≤ 2, were randomized to V: 30 mg/m2 day (d) 1, d8, or VG 30/1200 mg/m2 d1, d8, both every 21 days until disease progression. Stratification criteria were previous lines of TT for MBC (0 vs.1 vs.2) and visceral disease (yes vs. no). 126 pts per arm were needed to demonstrate a prolongation in PFS of 2 months (m) (from 3 to 5; HR = 1.67; α and β errors 0.05 and 10). Results: 252 pts (127 V and 125 VG) were recruited between 2001 and 2005. Arms were well balanced: median age was 57 years; median number of metastatic sites 2; visceral disease was present in 75% of pts; 17%, 53% and 29% of pts received study TT as first, second and third line respectively. Median number of cycles were 4 (1–21) in V and 6 (1–26) in VG. Median PFS was 6.3 m (95% CI, 5.3–7.3) for VG and 4.1 m (95% CI, 3.3–4.9) for V (p=0.0011). Objective response rate was 37% (CI 95% 29–46) for VG and 25% (CI 95%: 17–33) for V (p= 0.035). CTC grade 3–4 hematologic toxicity was significantly higher with VG vs. V (65% vs. 43% neutropenia, 33% vs. 17% leucopenia, and 11% vs. 2% thrombocytopenia); febrile neutropenia was present in 10.5% of pts on VG and 6% of pts in V (p=ns). Non-hematological toxicity was low and manageable in both arms. Conclusions: VG demonstrated significant efficacy advantages over V in pts with MBC previously treated with AT, with manageable toxicity. This favorable risk-benefit profile supports the use of this combination in this patient population.

[Table: see text]

Pathological complete response (pCR) in stage II and III breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT): Dose dense ACx4 followed by AT/Tx4 (weekly paclitaxel)

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Background: This is a prospective study of a single Institution to determine the pCR in stage II and II breast cancer patients after dose dense and sequential CT using the most active drugs. Patients and Methods: Between June/2004 and July/2005 we collected 28 patients, they have echocardiogram and needle biopsy for IHC before starting the treatment. All of them received Adriamicin 60mg/m2 in 3hrs infusion and Cyclophosphamide 600mg/m2 x4 in dose dense schedule (every 2 weeks) with G-CSF support and then Adriamicin 60mg/m2 and Taxol 80mg/m2 days 1,8 every 3 weeks. Once the treatment was finished they went to surgery. Results: Six (21%) patients were stage II and 22 (79%) were stage III; 8 (35%) patients achieve pCR, 50% of them had Her2/neu positive and 7/8 (90%) were ER/PR negative; 60% (5) had T more than 5cm and 75% were post menopausal. 12 patients had clinical complete remission. Eight patients had progressive disease with 50% ER/PR negative, 37% Her2/neu positive and all of them with T more than 5cm. 50% were premenopausal. Conclusion: This is one of the highest pCR of the literature (35%) achieved and it is interesting to note that 90% of them were ER/PR negative, so this is a potential target group for CT intensification. There is a group of patients (with progressive disease) that will never respond to CT, and it would be worst in the adjuvant setting (blindly treatment) because the great toxicity. We need more studies to confirm this hypothesis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Are taxonomic distinctness measures compliant to other ecological indicators in assessing ecological status?

Assessing the ecological status, a concept implemented in the European Water Framework Directive [Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy PE-CONS 3639/1/00, 72 p.], requires the application of methods capable of distinguishing different levels of ecological quality. Somerfield and Clarke [Marine Environmental Research 43 (2003) 145-156] proposed Average Taxonomic Distinctness to be used as tool in this context. We tested the robustness of Taxonomic Distinctness measures applying it in different scenarios (estuarine eutrophication, organic pollution, and re-colonisation after physical disturbance), analysing simultaneously its compliance to other types of ecological indicators. Results show that, in most of the case studies, only Total Taxonomic Distinctness was relatively satisfactory in discriminating between disturbed situations. Other Taxonomic Distinctness measures have not proved to be more sensitive than other ecological indicators (Shannon-Wiener, Margalef, and Eco-Exergy indices). Therefore, this approach does not seem to be particularly helpful in assessing systems' ecological status with regard to the WFD implementation.

EpoDB: a prototype database for the analysis of genes expressed during vertebrate erythropoiesis

EpoDB is a database of genes expressed in vertebrate red blood cells. It is also a prototype for the creation of cell and tissue-specific databases from multiple external sources. The information in EpoDB obtained from GenBank, SWISS-PROT, Transfac, TRRD and GERD is curated to provide high quality data for sequence analysis aimed at understanding gene regulation during erythropoiesis. New protocols have been developed for data integration and updating entries. Using a BLAST-based algorithm, we have grouped GenBank entries representing the same gene together. This sequence similarity protocol was also used to identify new entries to be included in EpoDB. We have recently implemented our database in Sybase (relational tables) in addition to SICStus Prolog to provide us with greater flexibility in asking complex queries that utilize information from multiple sources. New additions to the public web site (http://www.cbil.upenn.edu/epodb) for accessing EpoDB are the ability to retrieve groups of entries representing different variants of the same gene and to retrieve gene expression data. The BLAST query has been enhanced by incorporating BLASTView, an interactive and graphical display of BLAST results. We have also enhanced the queries for retrieving sequence from specified genes by the addition of MEME, a motif discovery tool, to the integrated analysis tools which include CLUSTALW and TESS.

EpoDB: a database of genes expressed during vertebrate erythropoiesis

EpoDB is a database designed for the study of gene regulation during differentiation and development of vertebrate red blood cells. In building EpoDB, we have taken the in advance approach to the data integration problem: we have extracted data relevant to red blood cells from GenBank, SWISS-PROT, TRRD (transcriptional regulation data) and GERD (expression levels data) to create a single integrated, highly curated view. Tools have been developed to automate data extraction from online resources, cleanse data of errors, enter information manually from the primary literature, generate a uniform, canonical representation of information and maintain data currency. The database is organized around biological features, e.g., genes, rather than sequences, which are supported by a controlled and consistent vocabulary for gene names and gene family names. Beyond the standard database queries, the functionality of EpoDB includes the ability to extract features and subsequences, display sequences and features graphically using bioWidget viewers and integrated analysis tools. EpoDB may be accessed at: http://cbil.humgen.upenn.edu/epodb/

[The prediction of the degree of metabolic control by minimal technical norms in a diabetes program]

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether scores on the minimum technical norms (MTN) of the diabetes mellitus programme are of use in determining the level of metabolic control achieved.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

Two teaching health centres in the city of Santander.

PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS

204 patients, the total chosen by the Santander area management for the 1994 annual evaluation of the Diabetes programme.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The values reached by the variables of the MTN were measured. For a control criterion we took the value of glycosylated haemoglobin HbA1C or over. 52% of patients fulfilled the criteria of good control, 20% acceptable and 28% bad.

CONCLUSIONS

Scoring on the MTN has little value in predicting lower values of HbA1C and is no use in assessing the level of metabolic control achieved by the Diabetes programme. The evaluation of the programme should include results indicators.

Functional expression of falcipain, a Plasmodium falciparum cysteine proteinase, supports its role as a malarial hemoglobinase

Erythrocytic malaria parasites degrade hemoglobin as a principal source of amino acids for parasite protein synthesis. We have previously shown that a Plasmodium falciparum trophozoite cysteine proteinase, now termed falcipain, is required for hemoglobin degradation, and we have hypothesized that this proteinase is responsible for initial cleavages of hemoglobin. To further evaluate the biological role of falcipain, we expressed the enzyme in bacterial and viral expression systems. After expression in the baculovirus system, falcipain was enzymatically active and had biochemical properties very similar to those of the native proteinase. Recombinant falcipain rapidly hydrolyzed both denatured and native hemoglobin. Hemoglobin hydrolysis was blocked by cysteine proteinase inhibitors but not by inhibitors of other classes of proteinases. Our results support our hypothesis that falcipain is a critical malarial hemoglobinase that is responsible for both initial cleavages of hemoglobin and the subsequent hydrolysis of globin into small peptides.

Epstein Barr virus/complement C3d receptor is an interferon alpha receptor

Interferon alpha contains a sequence motif similar to the complement receptor type two (CR2/CD21) binding site on complement fragment C3d. Antibodies against a peptide with the CR2 binding sequence on C3d react with a peptide carrying the IFN alpha CR2 binding motif (residues 92-99) and with recombinant IFN alpha. The IFN alpha-derived peptide, as well as recombinant IFN alpha, inhibits C3bi/C3d interaction with CR2 on the Burkitt lymphoma Raji. The direct interaction of IFN alpha and CR2 is inhibited by polyclonal anti-IFN alpha, anti-CR2 and anti-C3d peptide antibodies as well as by C3bi/C3d, EBV coat protein gp350/220 and IFN but not by IFN gamma. [125I]IFN alpha binding to Raji cells is inhibited by polyclonal anti-IFN alpha and anti-CR2 antibodies, by peptides with the CR2 binding motif and partially by C3bi/C3d. Monoclonal anti-CR2 antibody HB5, but not OKB-7, blocks IFN alpha binding to Raji cells. CR2 or CR2-like molecules may therefore be the major IFN alpha receptors on B lymphocytes.

Transcripts of the Drosophila blastoderm-specific locus, terminus, are concentrated posteriorly and encode a potential DNA-binding finger

The commitment of cells to specific fates, as well as the transitions in the cell cycle and transcription that occur at the cellular blastoderm stage of Drosophila embryogenesis, suggest that there are genes with unique functions expressed specifically at this stage. In an attempt to identify such genes, we used molecular screening to isolate several loci which encode blastoderm-specific transcripts (Roark et al., (1985). Dev. Biol. 109, 476-488). We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of one of these genes, terminus (ter), which maps to 75C1,2. The predicted ter protein possesses a transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA)-like putative Zn-binding, DNA-binding finger. The ter RNA, detected by in situ hybridization, is distributed uniformly in the embryo during the syncytial blastoderm stage, and then becomes more concentrated in the posterior during the late cellular blastoderm stage. During gastrulation, the RNA is most concentrated in the amnioproctodeal invagination; it is also found at a lower concentration in the ventral furrow and in the anterodorsal neurogenic region. By the end of germ band extension, ter RNA is no longer detected.

Intermittent continuous iv infusion of high-dose cyclophosphamide for remission induction in acute lymphocytic leukemia

Cyclophosphamide was administered to 42 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) as a daily continuous iv infusion at a dose of 400 mg/m2/day x 5 days; the courses of treatment were repeated every 3 weeks. Of the 42 patients entered, 21 achieved a complete response, two achieved a partial response, 12 failed to respond, and seven were considered to have early deaths. The response rate was 69.5% if only patients who received adequate trials are considered; mean duration of response was 18.5 weeks and mean survival time was 24.2 weeks. Twenty-three patients had relapsed after previous chemotherapy, and 19 patients were untreated for advanced high-risk cases of ALL; no difference was found in the response rates, durations of response, and survival times between these groups. No significant genitourinary toxicity occurred. Myelosuppression became the dose-limiting toxic effect. Continuous infusion of cyclophosphamide is a clinically effective method of ALL treatment and may have a role in the initial combination regimens for this hematologic malignancy.