Disparities in Cervical Cancer Characteristics and Survival Between White Hispanics and White Non-Hispanic Women.

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women resulting in nearly 500,000 cases annually. Screening leads to better treatment and survival time. However, human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure, screening, and treatment vary among races and ethnicities in the United States.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Ptychodiscus noctiluca revealed the polyphyletic nature of the order Ptychodiscales (Dinophyceae).

The planktonic dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus noctiluca combined distinctive morphological features such as a disk-shaped anteroposteriorly compressed cell body and an apical carina, together with a flexible and tough cell covering, suggesting intermediate characteristics between thecate and naked dinoflagellates. Ptychodiscus noctiluca was examined by light, epifluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy from specimens collected in the Mediterranean Sea and the North and South Atlantic Ocean. Ptychodiscus noctiluca showed a straight apical groove that bisected the carina, a cell covering with a polygonal surface reticulum, nucleus without capsule, sulcal intrusion in the episome, sulcal ventral flange, and yellowish-green chloroplasts that are shared characters with Brachidinium/Karenia.

A millennial view of cystic fibrosis.

Although only identified as a distinct disease in the 1930s, it was soon apparent that Cystic Fibrosis (CF) had been present, but unrecognised, in European populations for many years - perhaps even centuries [1] . Within a decade of the early descriptions, the autosomal recessive nature of this genetic disease had been clarified, and its clinical features had been expanded. Secondary nutritional deficiencies complicated the underlying condition: the first clear description of CF as "a new disease", which included a speculation about its genetic basis (because there were 2 pairs of sibs in the case series) was published as Vitamin A deficiency in children [2].

MCJ/DnaJC15, an endogenous mitochondrial repressor of the respiratory chain that controls metabolic alterations.

Mitochondria are the main engine that generates ATP through oxidative phosphorylation within the respiratory chain. Mitochondrial respiration is regulated according to the metabolic needs of cells and can be modulated in response to metabolic changes. Little is known about the mechanisms that regulate this process.

Draft consensus guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and bone marrow failure, often associated with neurodevelopmental and skeletal abnormalities. Mutations in the SBDS gene have been shown to cause SDS. The purpose of this document is to provide draft guidelines for diagnosis, evaluation of organ and system abnormalities, and treatment of hematologic, pancreatic, dietary, dental, skeletal, and neurodevelopmental complications.

Simultaneous composition and thickness measurement of paper using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.

We present a noncontact method for quantitative composition and thickness monitoring of flat sheet products using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. We apply the method to obtain simultaneous measurement of thickness and moisture content of paper sheets. The paper is modeled as an effective medium of water mixed with fibers, and model parameters are estimated from fits to the measured transmission amplitude.

An international/multicentre report on patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) over the age of 40 years.

Background: The lifespan of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is increasing significantly. The objective of this international pilot study was to study the characteristics of these long-term survivors.

Methods: Four centres with large CF clinics from London (UK), Minneapolis (USA), Toronto (Canada) and Verona (Italy) identified 366 patients who had survived 40 years and longer.

Predictive medical information and underwriting.

Medical underwriting involves the application of actuarial science by analyzing medical information to predict the future risk of a claim. The objective is that individuals with like risk are treated in a like manner so that the premium paid is proportional to the risk of future claim.

Genetic testing and disability insurance: an alternative opinion.

As members of the Working Group on Genetic Testing in Disability Insurance, the authors of this alternative opinion describe their areas of disagreement with some of the conclusions in the paper written by Susan M. Wolf and Jeffrey P. Kahn.

Accumulation of NFAT mediates IL-2 expression in memory, but not naïve, CD4+ T cells.

In contrast to naïve CD4+ T cells, memory CD4+ T cells rapidly express high levels of effector cytokines in response to antigen stimulation. The molecular mechanism for this specific behavior is not well understood. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors plays an important role in the transcription of many cytokine genes.

Cystic fibrosis: nutritional consequences and management.

Life expectancy for patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has steadily improved during the last three decades, and death in childhood is now uncommon. Nutrition is a critical component of the management of CF, and nutritional status is directly associated with both pulmonary status and survival. Expert dietetic care is necessary, and attention must be given to ensuring an adequate energy intake in the face of demands which may be increased by inadequately controlled malabsorption, chronic broncho-pulmonary colonisation by bacteria and fungi, exacerbations of acute lung infection, impaired lung function, and the need for rehabilitation, repair and growth.