Unexpected results in the constitution of small supernumerary marker chromosomes

Traditional approaches for the classification of Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosomes (sSMC), mostly based on FISH techniques, are time-consuming and not always sufficient to fully understand the true complexity of this class of rearrangements. We describe four supernumerary marker chromosomes that, after array-CGH, were interpreted rather differently in respect to the early classification made by conventional cytogenetics and FISH investigations, reporting two types of complex markers which DNA content was overlooked by conventional approaches: 1. the sSMC contains non-contiguous regions of the same chromosome and, 2. the sSMC, initially interpreted as a supernumerary del(15), turns out to be a derivative 15 to which the portion of another chromosome was attached. All are likely derived from partial trisomy rescue events, bringing further demonstration that germline chromosomal imbalances are submitted to intense reshuffling during the embryogenesis, leading to unexpected complexity and changing the present ideas on the composition of supernumerary marker chromosomes.     

Expression of the Wnt antagonist DKK3 is frequently suppressed in sporadic epithelial ovarian cancer

Purpose  

The Wnt pathway plays an important role in embryonic development, and defects in this pathway have been implicated in the tumorigenesis. The Dickkopf 3 (DKK3) is a putative Wnt signaling inhibitor that is frequently inactivated in human cancers. However, the expression of DKK3 in ovarian cancer remains unknown.     

Laparoscopic revision of failed antireflux surgery: a systematic review

Background

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is an accepted treatment for persistent gastroesophageal reflux but about 4% of patients will eventually require revision surgery.

Methods

We searched The Cochrane Collaboration, Medline, and EMBASE databases, augmented by Google Scholar and PubMed related articles from January 1, 1990, to November 22, 2010. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 930 surgeries.

Results

The mean surgical duration was 166 minutes and conversion to open revision fundoplication was required in 7% of cases. Complications were reported in 14% of cases and the mean length of stay varied between 1.2 and 6 days. A good to excellent result was reported for 84% of surgeries and 5% of patients required a further revisional procedure.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic revision antireflux surgery appears to be feasible and safe, but subject to somewhat greater risk of conversion, higher morbidity, longer hospital stay, and poorer outcomes than primary laparoscopic fundoplication.     

Using discrete choice experiments to value informal care tasks: exploring preference heterogeneity

While informal care is a significant part of non‐market economic activity, its value is rarely acknowledged, perhaps reflecting a lack of market data. Traditional methods to value such care include opportunity and replacement cost. This study is the first to employ the discrete choice experiment methodology to value informal care tasks. A monetary value is estimated for three tasks (personal care, supervising and household tasks). The relationship between time spent on formal and informal care is also modelled and preference heterogeneity investigated using the Latent Class Model. Complementarity between supervising tasks and formal care is observed. Monetary compensation is important, with willingness to accept per hour values ranging from £0.38 to £0.83 for personal care, £0.75 for supervising and £0.31 to £0.6 for household tasks. Heterogeneity in preferences is observed, with monetary compensation being important for younger people, but insignificant for older individuals. Such heterogeneity is important at the policy level. Values are lower than those generated by opportunity cost and replacement cost methods, perhaps because of the limited ability of revealed preference methods to capture broader aspect of utility. Differences with contingent valuation methods are also observed, suggesting future research should investigate the external validity of the different methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Altitude-dependent Bartonella quintana genotype C in head lice, Ethiopia

To determine the presence of Bartonella quintana in head and body lice from persons in different locations in Ethiopia, we used molecular methods. B. quintana was found in 19 (7%) genotype C head lice and in 76 (18%) genotype A body lice. B. quintana in head lice was positively linked to altitude (p = 0.014).