RNAi function, diversity, and loss in the fungal kingdom

RNAi is conserved and has been studied in a broad cross-section of the fungal kingdom, including Neurospora crassa, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Mucor circinelloides. And yet well known species, including the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the plant pathogen Ustilago maydis, have lost RNAi, providing insights and opportunities to illuminate benefits conferred both by the presence of RNAi and its loss. Some of the earliest studies of RNAi were conducted in Neurospora, contemporaneously with the elucidation of RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans. RNAi is a key epigenetic mechanism for maintaining genomic stability and integrity, as well as to defend against viruses, and given its ubiquity was likely present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor. In this review, we describe the diversity of RNAi mechanisms found in the fungi, highlighting recent work in Neurospora, S. pombe, and Cryptococcus. Finally, we consider frequent, independent losses of RNAi in diverse fungal lineages and both review and speculate on evolutionary forces that may drive the losses or result therefrom.     

Cancer Survivors’ Use of Numerous Information Sources for Cancer-Related Information: Does More Matter?

A large proportion of the 14 million cancer survivors in the USA are actively seeking health information. This study builds on the informed- and shared-decision making literature, examining cancer survivors’ health information seeking behaviors to (1) quantify the number of health information sources used; (2) create a demographic profile of patients who report seeking cancer information from numerous sources versus fewer sources in five areas: cancer information overall, disease/treatment, self-care/management, health services, and work/finances; and (3) examine whether seeking cancer information from numerous sources is associated with self-efficacy, fear of recurrence, perceptions of information seeking difficulty, and resultant patient–provider communication. Data came from a survey of post-treatment cancer survivors (N?=?501) who responded to a mailed questionnaire about health information seeking. Participants were divided into two groups using a median split: those who sought health information from more than five sources (numerous source seekers) and those that sought information from less than five sources (fewer source seekers). Multivariable logistic regression was used to model differential information seeking behaviors and outcomes for numerous versus fewer source seekers. On average, survivors sought cancer-related information from five different sources. Numerous source seekers were more likely to be women, have higher levels of education, and report fewer problems with cancer information-seeking. Overall, numerous source seekers were no more or less likely to discuss information with their providers or bring conflicting information to their providers. Understanding the characteristics, behaviors, and experiences of survivors who seek cancer-related information from numerous sources can contribute to informed decision making and patient-centered care.     

Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery

ObjectiveTo provide Canadian gynaecologists with evidence-based direction for female genital cosmetic surgery in response to increasing requests for, and availability of, vaginal and vulvar surgeries that fall well outside the traditional realm of medically-indicated reconstructions.EvidencePublished literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed or MEDLINE, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library in 2011 and 2012 using appropriate controlled vocabulary and key words (female genital cosmetic surgery). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date or language restrictions. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to May 2012. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.ValuesThe quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table).     

Influence of gender,BMI and body shape on theoretical injection outcome at the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to determine the influences of gender, BMI and observed body shape on subcutaneous fat and muscle thicknesses, and theoretical injection outcome, at the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal intramuscular injection sites.

Background

Debate continues as to whether the dorsogluteal or ventrogluteal injection site is more reliable for a successful intramuscular injection outcome. Subcutaneous fat and muscle thicknesses at the injection site are direct determinants of intramuscular injection outcome. BMI and observed body shape influence gluteal subcutaneous fat and muscle thicknesses, and therefore injection outcome, with potentially distinct effects at the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites.

Design

This was a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Demographic data were collected, and subcutaneous fat and muscle thicknesses were quantified bilaterally at the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal injection sites using ultrasound, for 145 participants (57% female).

Results

Subcutaneous fat and muscle were significantly thicker at the dorsogluteal than the ventrogluteal site, and 75% and 86% of participants would receive a successful intramuscular injection at these sites, respectively. There were significant effects of gender, BMI and observed body shape on subcutaneous fat thickness and theoretical injection outcome at both sites. Females, obese individuals and endomorph individuals had thicker subcutaneous fat and were more likely to have a subcutaneous injection outcome.

Conclusions

Gender, BMI and observed body shape could be used to guide site and needle length selection when administering gluteal intramuscular injections to increase the likelihood of a successful intramuscular injection outcome.

Relevance to clinical practice

Both gluteal injection sites should be avoided in obese individuals and endomorph individuals. An intramuscular injection will be successful: using a 32‐mm needle at the ventrogluteal site for all males and normal‐weight females and using a 38‐mm needle for all females at the ventrogluteal site, and for all males and at least 98% of females at the dorsogluteal site.