The product of gene P of coliphage λ

The product of gene P of phage λ was identified. The P protein has an apparent molecular weight of 23,000 as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The phage λimmP22c2ts 30 which carries gene 12 of phage P22 in place of the λ P gene, is unable to synthesize the 23,000-molecular weight protein band. This phage synthesizes a protein of molecular weight 50,000.     

The effects of early pregnancy loss on health outcomes and health care utilization and costs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of early pregnancy loss on subsequent health care use and costs.Data SourcesLinked administrative health databases from Manitoba, Canada.Study DesignThis was a population‐based cohort study. The exposure of interest was first recorded ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage (EPM). Outcomes included visits to all ambulatory care providers, family physicians (FPs), specialists, and hospitals, as well as the costs associated with these visits. We also assessed the impact of EPM on a global measure of health service utilization and the incidence and costs of psychotropic medications.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe identified women who experienced their first recorded loss (EPM) from 2003–2012 and created a propensity score model to match these women to women who experienced a live birth, with outcome measures available through 31 December 2014. We used a difference in differences approach with multivariable negative binomial models and generalized estimating equations (GEE) to assess the impact of EPM on the aforementioned health care utilization indicators.Principal FindingsEPM was associated with a short‐term increase in visits to, and costs associated with, certain ambulatory care providers. These findings were driven in large part by increased visits/costs to FPs (rate difference [RD]: $19.92 [95% CI: $16.33, $23.51]) and obstetrician‐gynecologists (OB‐GYNs) (RD $9.41 [95% CI: $8.42, $10.40]) in the year immediately following the loss, excluding care associated with the loss itself. We also detected an increase in hospital stays and costs and a decrease in the use of psychotropic medications relative to matched controls.ConclusionPregnancy loss may lead to subsequent increases in certain types of health care utilization. While the absolute costs associated with post‐EPM care are relatively small, the observed patterns of service utilization are informative for providers and policy makers seeking to support women following a loss.     

21-gene recurrence score testing in the older population with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Introduction

The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) (Oncotype Dx, Genomic Health, Redwood City Ca) has not been validated in an older cohort with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate RS validity in a group of older women with ER-positive breast cancer.

Griscelli Syndrome Type 3: Two New Cases and Review of the Literature

A 3‐year‐old Arab boy with a history of hypoplastic left heart syndrome was referred to the pediatric dermatology clinic at Sheba Medical Center for evaluation of hypomelanosis, manifested by fair skin pigmentation and silvery‐grey hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes. The child had one older brother with similar hypopigmentation and another older brother who had died of congenital heart disease. The child had no history of neurologic deficits or immunodeficiency and no additional findings on clinical evaluation.     

The importance of spatial scale in determining illusions of orientation

The twisted-cord illusion is a powerful demonstration of interaction between 1st-order (luminance-defined) and 2nd-order (contrast-defined) orientation processing. The perceived orientation of contrast-defined objects is pulled towards their 1st-order orientation content when the difference in orientation is small (Fraser effect), yet is pushed away from the 1st-order content at large orientation differences (Z?llner effect). Here we show that the relative spatial scale of carrier and envelope represents a decisive factor in determining the magnitude and direction of such interactions. We conclude that the perceived 2nd-order structure of a stimulus is biased by the properties of the 1st-order structure in a manner that depends on relative, rather than absolute spatial scale.