Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the West of Scotland: a cohort study.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic had an undoubted impact on the provision of elective and emergency cancer care, including the diagnosis and management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim was to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with HCC in the West of Scotland.

Design: This was a retrospective audit of a prospectively collated database of patients presented to the West of Scotland Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) between April and October 2020 (during the pandemic), comparing baseline demographics, characteristics of disease at presentation, diagnostic workup, treatment and outcomes with patients from April to October 2019 (pre pandemic).

Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives.

Invasive freshwater mussels, such as the zebra (), quagga (), and golden () mussel have spread outside their native ranges throughout many regions of the North American, South American, and European continents in recent decades, damaging infrastructure and the environment. This review describes ongoing efforts by multiple groups to develop genetic biocontrol methods for invasive mussels. First, we provide an overview of genetic biocontrol strategies that have been applied in other invasive or pest species.

Liver, visceral and subcutaneous fat in men and women of South Asian and white European descent: a systematic review and meta-analysis of new and published data.

Aims/hypothesis: South Asians have a two- to fivefold higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those of white European descent. Greater central adiposity and storage of fat in deeper or ectopic depots are potential contributing mechanisms. We collated existing and new data on the amount of subcutaneous (SAT), visceral (VAT) and liver fat in adults of South Asian and white European descent to provide a robust assessment of potential ethnic differences in these factors.

DRD4 Allele Frequency as a Lab Exercise in Neuroscience and Genetics Courses.

DNA segments with variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) serve as a model for students to learn DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in biology laboratory courses from the high school to the graduate level. Because of a growing interest in the neurosciences among undergraduates, we have developed a PCR exercise with a focus on the nervous system and behavior, with the aim of inspiring students from all aspects of the neurosciences to appreciate the central dogma and neurogenetics. DRD4 was a good candidate to provide a lab exercise that would be more engaging than VNTR analysis of a non-coding segment.

Effect of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Programmes on Overall Survival in a Mixed Cirrhotic UK Population: A Prospective, Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Introduction: Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recommended by national and international guidelines. However, there are no trial data on whether surveillance improves clinical outcomes in a UK cirrhosis population of mixed aetiology. Our aim was to determine the impact of, and adherence to, surveillance on overall survival.