Significant Change In Survival Rate Research Articles

Effects of Different Intensities and Wavelengths of Light on the Growth of Juvenile Tridacna noae

ABSTRACT Giant clams play a vital role in the preservation of coral reef ecosystems; however, the population of juvenile Tridacna sp. has experienced a decline primarily attributed to low survival rates, overfishing, marine pollution and the effects of climate change. Light intensity reportedly influences the growth and survival of giant clams. They possess the ability to thrive in oligotrophic tropical marine environments by utilising photosynthates from symbiotic zooxanthellae (Symbiodiniaeae). This study assessed the impact of different light intensities and wavelengths on growth rate (GR) and survival rate (SR) of juvenile T. noae. GRs of juvenile T. noae cultivated under 12,500 (518 ± 69%) and 20,000 lx (541 ± 40%) were significantly higher compared to those grown in 5,000 lx (271 ± 17%) (P < 0.05). Additionally, juvenile T. noae cultivated under white (662 ± 142%) or red light (554 ± 135%) exhibited lower growth rate than blue light (BL, 727 ± 146%). However, no significant change in SR was observed among experimental groups (P > 0.05). This study emphasised the significance of light intensity and wavelength in captive rearing of giant clams, contributing to the sustainable production of cultured organisms for research and conservation purposes.

Nationwide trends and outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer – an analysis of the Swedish national pancreatic cancer registry

Objectives During the last decade, neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for pancreatic cancer has become more frequent. Pathological response and overall survival are promising; however, various post-operative complications have been reported. Our primary aim was to compare the complication scenario of patients receiving NAT in borderline resectable and locally advanced disease with those who had upfront pancreatic surgery (UFS) for primarily resectable cancer. Methods From the Swedish National Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancer Registry, patients resected for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) between 2010 and 2018 were identified. Data on patient characteristics, neoadjuvant therapy, post-operative complications and survival were obtained. Comparisons between groups as well as survival analysis were performed. Results Within the total cohort of 13,948 patients, 1894 (median age 69 years, 51% men) were resected for PDAC. Among these, 112 (5.9%) patients received NAT followed by surgery. The patients who received NAT were younger (67 vs 70 years, p < .001), had a lower level of CA19-9 (47 vs 108, p = .001) and had to a larger extent vascular resection (58.9 vs 26.9%, p < .001) and total pancreatectomy performed (23.2 vs 9.1%, p < .001). No difference was found for major post-operative complications and there was no significant change in survival rate between the NAT and UFS groups (median 28 vs 26 months, p = .122). Conclusions When analyzing data from a national registry, no difference in post-operative complications was found between resected patients receiving UFS and NAT for PDAC. Also, the survival was equal between groups. NAT is a feasible treatment option for patients with potentially curable pancreatic cancer.

The effectiveness of short‐term fox control in protecting a seasonally vulnerable species, the Eastern Long‐necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

SummaryReducing predation by introduced predators on seasonally vulnerable prey is of interest to biodiversity and game managers around the world. In Australia, the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a significant predator of freshwater turtle nests, destroying up to 93% of nests. We used a nonrandomized intervention study to assess the effectiveness of a short‐term (3‐week) but broad‐scale baiting operation in reducing the level of nest predation on artificial turtle nests around a complex lake system during a major flooding event in north‐western Victoria. Estimates of fox occupancy declined from 0.58 (0.44–0.70 95% CI) to 0.34 (0.21–0.46 95% CI) following fox control. Modelling of nest‐survival rates indicated there was no significant change in survival rates. Effective short‐term predator control to protect seasonally vulnerable prey is desirable and achievable. Knowledge of underlying predator density, predator–bait encounter and consumption rates, and the optimal duration of short‐term control is needed to reduce the risk to prey.

Pathophysiology and treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn infants

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn(PPHN) is a life-threatening condition which occurs at a rate of 2/1 000-6/1 000.The etiology of PPHN is still unknown and its treatment remains a major challenge for neonatologist.Impaired pulmonary artery relaxation, reduced blood vessel density and pulmonary vascular remodeling are the main pathological changes in PPHN.The general managements include mechanical ventilation, sedation, surfactant and hemodynamic support.Inhaled nitric oxide is the main vasorelaxant used in the treatment of PPHN.Several other vasorelaxants have been studied such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, prostacyclin, endothelin-1 inhibitors.Even with the introduction of several new therapeutic modalities there has been no significant change in survival rate. Key words: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn; Pathophysiology; Treatment

Highly Purified Biocompatible Gold Nanorods for Contrasted Optoacoustic Imaging of Small Animal Models

We developed a methodology for high yield synthesis of gold nanorods (GNR) with narrow band optical absorption centered at 760 nm. GNR were purified from hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The molar ratio between GNR and PEG (1÷50000) was optimized to make the conjugate a biocompatible PEG-GNR contrast agent for optoacoustic (OA) imaging. In vitro toxicity studies showed no significant change in survival rates of cultured normal (IEC-6, MDCK) and cancer (SKBR3 and HEPG2) cells after they were incubated with 0.125 to 1.25 nM PEG-GNR solutions. In vivo toxicity studies in nude mice showed no pathological changes in liver after the IV injection of GNR. Significant enhancements of OA contrast in comparison to images of untreated mice were observed 1 hour after the GNR injection in a dose of 20 mg gold per kg of body mass.

Cardiac arrest survival did not increase in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium after implementation of the 2005 AHA CPR and ECC guidelines

Introduction We examined the effect of the 2005 American Heart Association guidelines on survival in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) Cardiac Arrest Epistry. Methods We surveyed 174 EMS agencies from 8 of 10 ROC sites to determine 2005 AHA guideline implementation, or crossover, date. Two sites with 2005 compatible treatment algorithms prior to guideline release, and agencies that did not adopt the new guidelines during the study period were excluded. Non-traumatic adult cardiac arrests that were not witnessed by EMS, and did not have do not resuscitate orders were included. A linear mixed effects model was applied for survival controlling for time and agency. The “crossover” date was added to the model to determine the effect of the 2005 guidelines. Results Of 174 agencies, 85 contributed cases to both cohorts during the 18 month period between 2005/12/01 and 2007/05/31. Of 7779 cases, 5054 occurred during the 13 month (median) interval before crossover and 2725 occurred in the five month (median) interval after crossover. The overall survival rate was 6.1%; 5.8% in the old cohort vs. 6.5%, p = 0.23. For VF/VT patients, survival was 14.6% vs. 18.0%, p = 0.063. Our model estimated no increase in survival over time (monthly OR 1.014, 95% CI 0.988, 1.041, p = 0.28). Conclusion This study found no significant change in survival rate over time in the early months after implementation. Further longitudinal study is needed to determine the full impact of the guidelines on survival and methods to translate knowledge quickly and effectively in EMS.

Lipopolysaccharide induced protection against sulfur mustard cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells through generation of TNF-.ALPHA.

Sulfur mustard (HD), a very potent alkylating agent and lipopolysacchride (LPS), are both well characterized inflammatory factors. We have found that concomitant exposure of murine macrophage cells (RAW264.7) to LPS and HD induced protection against HD induced cytotoxicity. Both HD and LPS induce release of inflammatory markers in RAW264.7 cells. However, there are marked differences in the repertoire of inflammatory factors released by the two toxins: While exposure to HD, induced a dose-dependant death of these cells, no significant change in survival rate was observed following LPS (1-100 ng/ml) exposure. Additionally, LPS elicited a robust nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-alpha secretion whereas HD was practically ineffective. Both toxins increased PGE(2) secretion in a concentration dependent manner. Treatment of HD-exposed RAW264.7 cells with anti-inflammatory drugs such as dexamethazone (5 muM), voltaren (diclofenac) (8 muM) or doxycycline (5 muM), decreased the release of cytokines but had no effect on cell viability. Simultaneous application of LPS (100 ng/ml) and HD (20-100 muM) resulted in an amelioration of HD cytotoxicity. Adding the NO generator S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) or inhibiting NO production using L-N(G)-monomethyl Arginine, had no effect on cell viability. Moreover, addition of PGE(2) (20 ng/ml) failed to induce any changes in cell viability under basal or HD-induced toxicity. In contrast, TNF-alpha (20 ng/ml) provided remarkable protection against HD-induced cell death. These findings strongly suggest that LPS exerts its protective action against HD toxicity through the generation of TNF-alpha and may provide better understanding of the mechanism of cytoprotection.

Starvation resistance and metabolic response to food deprivation and recovery feeding in Fenneropenaeus chinensis juveniles

Starvation resistance in the juveniles of Chinese shrimp, Fenneropenaeus chinensis Osbeck, was studied by point-of-no-return (PNR) and point-of-reserve-saturation (PRS) experiments. Changes in oxygen consumption rate, ammonia-N excretion rate, and oxygen consumed to nitrogen excreted (O:N) ratio were investigated immediately before and after the period of recovery feeding for each regime to assess metabolic response during starvation and refeeding. There was a significant change in survival rate and wet weight of test shrimp throughout the PNR and PRS experiments (P < 0.05). The estimated PNR and PRS for F. chinensis juveniles could be directly calculated from the selected equations as PNR50 = 7.86 days, PNR100 = 21.42 days, PRS0 = 1.16 days, and PRS50 = 11.75 days. A decrease in metabolic rate during starvation as a means of conserving energy was found in F. chinensis juveniles. Furthermore, although F. chinensis juveniles only utilized protein as an energy source during starvation, they showed a shift from pure protein during starvation to an equal utilization of protein and lipid or a lipid-carbohydrate mixture during later satiate feeding. The results in the present study indicate that F. chinensis juveniles have the ability to withstand and recover from relatively prolonged starvation after longer initial feeding periods. The knowledge derived from the understanding of starvation resistance and the corresponding metabolic response of F. chinensis juveniles will be useful in the design of feeding regimes in this species.

Intravenous Administration of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase-Plasmid Liposomes (MnSOD-PL) in a Mouse Model Protects Against Whole Body Irradiation.

Organ specific localized administration of manganese superoxide dismutase plasmid/liposome complexes (MnSOD-PL) confers protection of the rodent lung, esophagus, oral cavity, intestine and bladder from single fraction and fractionated ionizing irradiation by a mechanism dependent upon mitochondrial localized antioxidant effects. Intravenous injection of MnSOD-PL significantly increased survival of both male and female C57BL/6NHsd mice from the LD 50/30 whole body irradiation dose of 9.5 Gy (p = 0.0001 or 0.0059, respectively). To determine if systemic MnSOD-PL mediated improved survival at the expense of a deleterious delayed increase in development of cancer, life shortening, or neurodegenerative disease we followed all survivors. Fifty male and female C57BL/6NHsd mice per group were injected intravenously with MnSOD-PL (100 μg plasmid DNA in 0.1 ml) and irradiated with control mice to 0, 1 or 9.5 Gy whole body irradiation 24 hrs later. Moribund or dying mice were sacrificed, examined for tumors and bone marrow isolated stained with Wright Geimsa, and examined for abnormal hemogram. Small intestine was fixed in formalin, sectioned and examined for intestinal changes. Female mice pretreated with MnSOD-PL prior to 9.5 Gy (LD 50/30) had an increased survival over the first 30 days which is the time frame for death due to hematopoietic or intestinal damage with 90% survival compared to 58% for the control irradiated mice (p = 0.0059). Between 30 and 530 days there was no significant change in survival rate between MnSOD-PL treated and control irradiated 9.5 Gy or 1.0 Gy groups. Beginning at day 400, all groups have a similar death rate which can be attributed of the age of the mice. Male mice pretreated with MnSOD-PL and irradiated to 9.5 Gy had 75% survival after 30 days compared to 25% for the control mice (p < 0.0001). Between 30 and 375 days after irradiation, there was no significant change in survival rate between MnSOD-PL treated compared to control irradiated 9.5 or 1.0 Gy groups. There was no detectable difference in the incidence of deaths associated with tumor (thymoma), marrow, or intestinal damage. All mice are being followed until they become moribund as a result of irradiation or old age. The data indicate, at this time, that systemic MnSOD-PL treatment is not detectably harmful to surviving total body irradiated mice.

Safety of conservative management and fertility outcome in women with borderline tumors of the ovary

Objective To assess the safety of fertility-sparing treatment and the remaining chance of childbearing after surgery. Design Retrospective clinical study. Setting Gynecology department of a university teaching hospital. Patient(s) Seventy-five women underwent surgical management in our institution between 1986 and 2001 for borderline tumors of the ovary. Intervention(s) Fifty-nine patients were treated by radical, fertility-compromising surgery. The remaining 16 patients underwent conservative surgery, preserving the uterus and at least some functional ovarian tissue. Seven unilateral adnexectomies, one simple cystectomy, and two adnexectomies associated with contralateral cystectomy were performed. Main outcome measure(s) Recurrence, survival, and pregnancy rates. Result(s) The observed recurrence rates after radical and conservative surgery were 0.0% and 18.7%, respectively. No disease-related deaths occurred in any group; there is no significant difference in survival rates. We can report 12 pregnancies in 7 of 11 women who underwent fertility-sparing management and who wished to become pregnant. Conclusion(s) In certain circumstances, conservative management offers a safe solution for borderline tumors of the ovary. Recurrence is noted significantly more often after this type of treatment, but all cases of recurrent disease can be detected with close follow-up and can be treated accordingly. No significant change in survival rates was found. Moreover, the pregnancy rate in women desiring pregnancy, those treated conservatively, was as high as 63.6%.

Suppression of lung metastasis by aspirin but not indomethacin in an in vivo model of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

To examine the effect of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on metastasis formation, aspirin (ASP, 0.5% in diet) and indomethacin (IM, 0.005% in drinking water) were applied to an in vivo highly metastatic rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in F344 male rats. Administration for 8 weeks after induction of highly metastatic HCC by sequential treatment with diethylnitrosamine and N‐nitrosomorpholine did not cause any significant change in survival rate or body weight. Multiplicity of HCC in the liver increased during ASP or IM treatment without any significant histological alteration. Although absent in the rats killed at the end of the period of carcinogen exposure, lung metastasis at the end of the experiment was found in 100%, 89% and 100% of rats in the control, ASP and IM groups, respectively. Degree of metastasis was classified into three groups according to the number of metastatic nodules, i.e., slight (1–5 nodules), moderate (6–50) and severe (more than 51), which amounted to 0%, 43% and 57% in the control group. ASP significantly reduced the degree of metastasis, the incidences being 33%, 44%, and 11%, respectively, whereas IM was without significant influence. Both agents suppressed cell proliferation in HCCs, without any alteration of pan‐cadherin expression. However, expression in HCC of mRNAs for intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, both of which are considered to play key roles in attachment of cancer cells to the endothelium, was significantly suppressed by ASP. Thus, the present study demonstrated that ASP, but not IM, has the potential to inhibit lung metastasis of rat HCC in vivo, possibly via reduced attachment of tumor cells to the vascular endothelium. Moreover, these data indicate this in vivo model for induction of rat highly metastatic HCC to be a useful tool for the assessment of the efficacy of therapeutic treatments to block metastasis formation.

Impact of prescribed burning on the survival rates of the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

Abstract Prescribed burning is now widely used in ecosystems in Mediterranean regions as an efficient management practice to reduce both the quantities of fuel biomass and the fire frequency, seasonality, intensity and size. The regime of prescribed burning should be adapted to maintain the biological diversity and impact on population dynamics must be determined. We studied the effect of prescribed burning on the capture and survival rates of a population of small mammals, the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in the Mediterranean region of Torderes, France. To this end, we used a rectangular trapping quadrat measuring 300 × 225 m2, in which 1366 individuals were captured and marked over a total of 18 trapping sessions (May 1991–June 1996). Several prescribed fires were ignited between the fifth and sixth trapping sessions. These multiple fires resulted in a partial burning of the study site, which left a number of small patches of vegetation intact. To estimate the influence of this prescribed burning on capture and survival rates of the wood mouse, the Cormack–Jolly–Seber model was fitted. Likelihood ratio test and AIC criterion allowed us to select the most parsimonious model for our survival data, the additive model Φs + t. This model did not demonstrate any significant change in survival rates after the prescribed fires, probably because the fire left behind small patches of vegetation and the wood mouse can quickly recolonize the study site. Our result is in accordance with other studies, which found little impact of prescribed burning on survival rates and abundance in animal populations.

Heart failure between 1986 and 1994: Temporal trends in drug-prescribing practices, hospital readmissions, and survival at an academic medical center

Since 1987, publications in widely circulated medical journals have reported improved survival and lower hospital readmission rates when patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction are treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. We describe changes in ACE inhibitor use among patients hospitalized with heart failure between 1986 and 1993. Simultaneous trends in readmissions and survival rates are reported. Subjects were 612 consecutive patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of heart failure at an academic medical center during the period of Sept. 1, 1986, to Dec. 31, 1987 (interval I) or during the period Aug. 1, 1992, to Nov. 30, 1993 (interval II). Medical records were reviewed for 434 patients, consisting of all patients hospitalized with heart failure during interval II and a randomly selected 50% subset of patients hospitalized during interval I. Among 145 patients with systolic dysfunction whose medical records were reviewed, ACE inhibitor prescriptions significantly increased between interval I and interval II (43% vs 71%, p < 0.01, odds ratio 3.22, 95% confidence interval 1.62 to 6.42). Prescriptions of ACE inhibitors combined with digoxin and a diuretic also increased (37% vs 56%, p = 0.02, odds ratio 2.22, 95% confidence interval 1.14 to 4.32). Among all 612 patients, 6-month heart failure readmission rates increased from 13% to 21% (p = 0.02, odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.82). There was no significant change in survival rate between interval I and interval II, however, survival rate was marginally significantly improved among patients with systolic dysfunction. Our results suggest that drug-prescribing practices have significantly changed between 1986 and 1993. The absence of observed improvement in outcomes may result from changes in hospital admission criteria for heart failure.

Chronic L-lysine develops anti-pentylenetetrazol tolerance and reduces synaptic GABAergic sensitivity

L-Lysine 10 mmol/kg given to mice for 1 to 10 days significantly increased clonic and tonic seizure latencies caused by 60 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). On day 1 the clonic and tonic seizure latencies were increased from 160.4 ± 26.3 and 828.6 ± 230.8 s to 287.1 ± 103.3 and 982.3 ± 98.6 s, respectively. Both clonic and tonic seizure latencies increased steadily with additional L-lysine treatment without significant change in survival rate. On day 10, the anticonvulsant effect reached its highest level with a block of tonic seizures and a survival rate of 100% without tolerance developing. Acute L-lysine treatment significantly increased the mean clonic latency from 85.8 ± 5.24 to 128.2 ± 9.0 s and the mean tonic seizure latency from 287.2 ± 58.7 to 313.5 ± 42.2 s with 80 mg/kg PTZ. On the day 10 of treatment, the anticonvulsant effect of L-lysine was highest, with a significant increase of 155 and 184% in clonic and tonic latencies over the control, respectively. After 15- and 20-day treatment, clonic and tonic seizure latencies and survival rate decreased, suggesting development of tolerance. Brain membranes from tolerant mice showed decreased enhancement by γ-aminobutyric acid of specific [ 3H]flunitrazepam binding from 210 ± 8 to 169 ± 5% with EC 50 values of 4.1 ± 1.4 and 7.8 ± 1.5 μM, respectively. Scatchard analysis of [ 3H] flunitrazepam binding showed no significant change of apparent binding affinity (K D) or binding density (B max) after chronic L-lysine exposure. L-Lysine enhanced the specific [ 35S]tert-butyl bicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) binding in brain membranes dose dependently. This enhancement was reduced from 38 to 10% in tolerant mouse brain membranes. The brain levels of L-lysine in the chronically L-lysine-treated mice did not vary significantly compared to those in animals before treatment.

Survival prospects of extremely preterm infants: a 10-year experience in a single perinatal center.

During a 10-year period, 1977 to 1986, 233 (53%) of 442 inborn live births between 23 and 28 weeks' gestation survived; their 1-year survival rate was 7% at 23 weeks, 30% at 24 weeks, 31% at 25 weeks, 55% at 26 weeks, 67% at 27 weeks, and 71% at 28 weeks. No significant change in survival rate was observed over the years. Twelve percent of pregnancies and 20% of infants were multiple gestations. Singleton births had significantly higher survival rates compared with multiple births (58% versus 41%). The obstetric intervention rate, as measured by the frequency of cesarean section, increased significantly over the years: from 15% in 1977-1978 to 33% in 1985-1986. The neonatal intervention rate, as measured by the frequency of live births offered neonatal intensive care, remained unchanged. Ten percent were not treated: 4% had major malformations and 6% were considered "nonviable." Active perinatal management, which assumed fetal-neonatal viability, accounted for better survival rates compared with centers with a more passive management policy. Information on survival based on gestational cohorts plays an important role in helping obstetricians, neonatologists, and parents make appropriate management decisions.

Detecting variability and selecting for pesticide resistance in two species of phytoseiid mites

Methods used for evaluating the effects of pesticides and selecting for pesticide resistance in phytoseiid mites are reviewed from recent literature. In particular slide dip, leaf dip, and leaf disc spray methods are compared. The selection of predatory mites (Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten andPhytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot) for resistance to 3 synthetic pyrethroids (SP-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and fenvalerate) is described. Tolerance of field populations to all 3 SP was low inP. persimilis but moderate inT. pyri. Field samples of both mite species on leaf discs were sprayed and the survivors were reared in laboratory and/or glasshouse cultures. These cultures were sprayed with repeated doses of SP; initiallyT. pyri was selected with cypermethrin andP. persimilis with fenvalerate. The survival rate ofT. pyri increased at each selection. After 6 selections the survival rate of the laboratory culture was 10 times that of the original field samples. Tests indicated crossresistance inT. pyri to fenvalerate and deltamethrin. Selection with cypermethrin is continuing. In the first 12 months repeated selections ofP. persimilis with fenvalerate gave no significant change in survival rate.

Combined Anesthesia and Hyperimmune Serum Therapy in the Treatment of Experimental Western Equine Encephalomyelitis

SummaryEither intraperitoneal injection of hyperimmune rabbit serum or deep ether anesthesia administered beginning 18 hours following intracerebral inoculation of virus effects a significant change in survival rate among Swiss mice infected with western equine encephalomyelitis. A combination of the two methods is more effective than either method alone.