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Improved Selection (improved + selection)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

One-year survey of carcinoma of the oesophagus and stomach in Wales

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 2 2001
J. K. Pye
Background: The aim of the study was to identify all patients who presented with oesophagogastric malignancy within a single National Health Service region (Wales) over 1 year, and to follow the cohort for 5 years. Management and outcome were analysed to identify current practice and draft guidelines for Wales. Methods: Patients were identified from hospital records. Details were recorded in structured format for analysis. Results: Analysable data were obtained for 910 of 916 patients. The overall incidence was 31·4 per 100 000 population. Treatment was by resection 298 (33 per cent), palliation 397 (44 per cent) or no treatment 215 (24 per cent). The 30-day mortality rate was 12 per cent and the in-hospital mortality rate was 13 per cent. Some 226 patients (25 per cent) were alive at 2 years. Resection conferred a significant survival advantage over palliation (P < 0·001) and no treatment. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 16 patients (5 per cent), of whom eight died in hospital. ,Open and close' operations were common (23 per cent), laparoscopy was infrequent (16 per cent), and many surgeons undertook small caseloads. Operating on fewer than six patients per year increased the mortality rate after partial gastrectomy (P < 0·05) and was associated with a trend to a higher mortality rate after mediastinal and cardia surgery. Operating on more than 70 per cent of patients seen resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate (P < 0·01) irrespective of case volume. Conclusion: Tumour resection conferred a survival advantage. Wider use of laparoscopy is advocated. Improved selection for surgery should result in a lower mortality rate. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]

Optimising codend configuration in a multispecies demersal trawl fishery

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
M. K. BROADHURST
Abstract, The relative efficiencies and selectivities of conventional and modified codends were examined in a demersal trawl fishery targeting several species, including eastern king prawns, Penaeus plebejus (Hess), whiting, Sillago spp. and cephalopods. The modifications to codends included: (i) reducing the circumference; (ii) increasing the mesh size in conventional diamond-mesh designs; and (iii) orientating meshes on the bar so that they were square shaped. The codends were tested against a fine-meshed control in paired comparisons onboard three commercial trawlers. The conventional codend comprised 41-mm diamond-shaped mesh attached to an anterior extension section at a ratio of 150 to 100 meshes and was demonstrated to be non-selective for the targeted species. Reducing codend circumference to 100 meshes and increasing the size of mesh to 45 mm both improved selection for eastern king prawns, but the lateral mesh openings were estimated to be insufficient to allow juveniles of the other key species to escape. By contrast, codends made from 35- and 41-mm mesh hung on the bar improved the size selection for eastern king prawns and selected stout whiting, Sillago robusta (Stead) (the smallest commercial-sized fish) across narrow selection ranges and at 50% sizes of retention (L50s) that were closely correlated to the transverse morphology of fish and the maximum mesh opening. With the exception of a reduction in catches of octopus, Octopus spp., by the 41-square codend, there were no other impacts on commercial catches by the square-mesh designs. It was concluded that diamond-mesh codends are inappropriate for use throughout this multispecies fishery and that a modified design comprising at least 35-mm mesh hung on the bar is required to minimise the fishing mortality of unwanted sizes of the key target species. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of these types of modifications for closely regulating selection in penaeid-shrimp trawls. [source]

Particle beam radiotherapy for head and neck tumors: Radiobiological basis and clinical experience

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2006
Barbara Alicja Jereczek-Fossa MD
Abstract Background. Head and neck tumors are often located near critical organs, making it impossible to deliver a dose of conventional radiotherapy high enough to eradicate the disease. Our aim was to review the potential benefits and available clinical experience of particle beam therapy (hadrontherapy) in the treatment of these tumors. Methods. A review of the literature was carried out through a MEDLINE search (publications between 1980 and 2005). Results. A review of the available clinical data shows that particle beam therapy can offer several radiobiological and physical advantages over conventional photon radiotherapy: improved dose distribution permits dose escalation within the target and optimal sparing of normal tissue. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that there may be benefits to using hadrontherapy for tumors characterized by poor radiosensitivity and critical location. At present, the most used hadrons are protons and, as yet on an experimental basis, carbon ions. It is now well accepted that there are certain indications for using proton therapy for skull base tumors (chordoma and chondrosarcoma), paranasal sinus carcinomas, selected nasopharyngeal tumors, and neutron/ion therapy for salivary gland carcinomas (in particular, adenoid cystic tumors). Its viability in other cases, such as locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and bone sarcoma, is still under investigation. Conclusions. Hadrontherapy can be beneficial in the treatment of tumors characterized by poor radiosensitivity and critical location. Further clinical and radiobiological studies are warranted for improved selection of patient population. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006 [source]

Quantitative trait loci with additive effects on palatability and fatty acid composition of meat in a Wagyu,Limousin F2 population

ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2007
L. J. Alexander
Summary A whole-genome scan was conducted on 328 F2 progeny in a Wagyu × Limousin cross to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting palatability and fatty acid composition of beef at an age-constant endpoint. We have identified seven QTL on five chromosomes involved in lipid metabolism and tenderness. None of the genes encoding major enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism, such as fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter) member 4 (SLC2A4), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and genes encoding the subunits of fatty acid elongase, was located in these QTL regions. The present study may lead to a better-tasting and healthier product for consumers through improved selection for palatability and lipid content of beef. [source]