varDB: a database of antigenic variant sequences--current status and future prospects.

Antigenic variation is a common mechanism employed by many pathogenic organisms to avoid recognition of surface proteins by the host immune system. The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, among many others, exploits this mechanism and manages to survive in an otherwise hostile environment. Although similarities in the mechanisms used among different species to generate antigenic variation are broadly recognized, there is a lack of studies using cross-species data.

Carotid endarterectomy performed in the morning is associated with increased cerebral microembolization.

Objectives: Platelet function exhibits circadian variation with highest levels of activity in the morning and plays a central role in arterial thrombotic events, including thrombotic stroke following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Prior to the platelet-rich thrombus occluding the carotid artery, multiple embolic signals are detected in the middle cerebral artery using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. We hypothesized that patients undergoing CEA early in the day may be at an increased stroke risk and this would manifest as an increased postoperative embolic count.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-detected low-volume ascites as a predictor of inoperability for oesophagogastric cancer.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can detect low-volume ascites (LVA) not apparent on computed tomography. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of LVA for management of patients with oesophagogastric (OG) cancer.

Methods: Patients with LVA were identified from a prospective OG cancer unit database between January 2002 and January 2006.

Spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus in a single centre.

Methods: Between October 1993 and May 2007, 51 consecutive patients with spontaneous oesophageal rupture were evaluated with contrast radiology and flexible endoscopy. Patients with limited contamination who fulfilled specific criteria were managed by a non-operative approach, whereas the remainder underwent thoracotomy.

Prospective study of bone scintigraphy as a staging investigation for oesophageal carcinoma.

Background: About 10 per cent of patients undergoing radical oesophagectomy for transmural (T3) carcinoma with lymph node involvement (N1) develop symptomatic bone metastases within 12 months of surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the introduction of targeted preoperative bone scintigraphy.

Methods: Of 790 patients with oesophageal carcinoma staged between December 2000 and December 2004, 189 were eligible for potentially curative treatment.

Uranyl-specific binding at a functionalised interface: a chemophotonic fibre optic sensor platform.

Detection of radiological materials in the solution phase is restricted by conventional radiation-counting techniques owing to extreme attenuation. Chemical sensing of the resultant radiological species such as uranyl UO(2)(2+) is possible on the surface of a plastic or glass fibre optic. A dihydroxy isoamethryin complex is tethered to the fibre surface which has a large extinction coefficient (119 000 M(-1) cm(-1) at lambda = 439 nm) and changes colour upon binding UO(2)(2+).

The neuregulin family of genes and their multiple splice variants in breast cancer.

The neuregulin family consists of four genes, NRG1-4 which can each encode products containing a domain related to the epidermal growth factor family of ligands. Each gene is subject to complex control of transcription and to splicing of their mRNA product to give many variant proteins. These do not contain secretory sequences but some, through their transmembrane sequence, are routed via the Golgi where they are glycosylated, to the cell surface.

Radiation, retardation and the developing brain: time is the crucial variable.

Background: Widespread radiation is a threat unique to the modern world. A recent report reveals that sub-clinical damage to human foetuses between 8 and 25 weeks of gestation can result in cognitive deficits still manifest 16-18 years after birth. These previously unrecognised, long-term effects are apparently produced by a relatively short pulse of exposure to radioactive fallout at levels that were previously thought not to be deleterious.

On the campaign trail.

My concern about the present dignity campaign is that it is minimising the complexity of the problem, and frontline staff are suffering the backlash for everything that is wrong in the system without a genuine review of why there is such a problem in the first place.

Leadership role of Consultant Nurses working with Older People: a co-operative inquiry.

Aims: The aim of the co-operative enquiry undertaken was to explore how the leadership component of the Consultant Nurse for Older People role was reflected in day-to-day working.

Background: Leadership is one of the four key elements of the Consultant Nurse role and is the key mechanism for achieving and embedding transformation in practice. However, within the role of the Consultant Nurse this area has not been explored in detail.

Specialist nurses for older people.

The profession needs to identify where specialist nursing expertise fits in In the JAN article, Dr Jan Reed Professor of Health Care for Older People at Northumbria University, and colleagues argue that the everyday activities of specialist nurses for older people seem to be driven by policies, resources and the personal characteristics of the individual nurse, rather than ideas of universal service user needs or wishes. They struggle to fit existing posts with theories about nursing older people, and the implications for education and training.

The new national framework for NHS continuing care.

The National Framework is set in a perfect world where comprehensive old age assessment appears to be universally available. I suspect that many care home residents experience would show otherwise. Let me explain: I think it is important that we are clear about what the Framework is intended to achieve.

Timing of removal of pacing wires following paediatric cardiac surgery.

Background: Temporary percutaneous epicardial pacing wires are routinely placed in children following cardiac surgery. There is uncertainty in clinical practice about the optimum timing for their removal, and practice varies widely both within and between different institutions.

Aim: The aim of our study was to describe the use of temporary pacing in children undergoing cardiac surgery.