Significant Differences In Heterogeneity Research Articles

Association between interleukin-6 levels and stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to evaluate the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression levels with stroke. According to the set search strategy, we systematically screened relevant studies using PubMed and extracted study results regarding IL-6 from the literature for comprehensive quantitative analysis to explore the relationship between IL-6 level and stroke risk. This study included 15 publications with a total of 1696 participants, with 975 cases in the case group and 721 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis showed that IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the stroke population than those in the control group (standardized mean difference = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 0.79-1.64). Subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in heterogeneity for IL-6 detection methods between the two groups (I2 = 0, P = 0.47). The difference in heterogeneity test results regarding geographic region was statistically significant (I2 = 89.7%, P < 0.01). The results of heterogeneity testing for mean participant age were also statistically significant (I2 = 84.3%, P = 0.01). The present study results showed that IL-6 may be significantly associated with stroke development.

Methods for quantifying the heterogeneity of psychopathology

ObjectivesSpecifiers for a major depressive disorder (MDE) are supposed to reduce diagnostic heterogeneity. However, recent literature challenges the idea that the atypical and melancholic specifiers identify more homogenous or coherent subgroups. We introduce the usage of distance metrics to characterize symptom heterogeneity. We attempt to replicate prior findings and explore whether symptom heterogeneity is reduced using specifier subgroups.MethodsWe used data derived from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC Wave I; N = 5,749) and the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression study (STAR*D; N = 2,498). We computed Hamming and Manhattan distances from study participants’ unique symptom profiles. Distances were standardized from 0-1 and compared by their within- and between-group similarities to their non-specifier counterparts for the melancholic and atypical specifiers.ResultsThere was no evidence of statistically significant differences in heterogeneity for specifier (i.e., melancholic or atypical) vs. non-specifier designations (i.e., non-melancholic vs. non-atypical).ConclusionReplicating prior work, melancholic and atypical depression specifiers appear to have limited utility in reducing heterogeneity. The current study does not support the claim that specifiers create more coherent subgroups as operationalized by similarity in the number of symptoms and their severity. Distance metrics are useful for quantifying symptom heterogeneity.

A novel diagnostic tool for hyaline vascular Castleman disease versus lymphoma based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography in neck mass.

Castleman disease and lymphoma each have a distinct treatment plan; however, they share the same features on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. To assess the quantitative outcomes of Castleman disease versus lymphoma using contrast-enhanced computed tomography based on Hounsfield units (HU). We retrospectively reviewed eight patients with unicentric Castleman disease and 30 patients with lymphoma based on pathological diagnosis at China Medical University Hospital between 2015 and 2020. Preoperative computed tomography with contrast scans was reviewed, and the HU of each tumor were measured. This study included eight patients with unicentric Castleman disease (four men and four women; mean age, 33 years) and 25 patients with lymphoma (11 men and 14 women; mean age, 53 years). There was no significant difference in heterogeneity between the two diseases (0.161 ± 0.052 vs 0.239 ± 0.063, p = 0.22); however, enhancement in Castleman disease was higher than that in lymphoma (126.40 ± 31.90 vs 74.19 ± 7.11, p < 0.001), providing a very good diagnostic tool (cutoff point at 88.5-91.3, sensitivity 0.86/specificity 0.88). Furthermore, we found a highly linear relationship in Castleman disease, which was not noted in lymphoma. The value of HU provides a good diagnostic tool for the differential diagnosis of Castleman disease versus lymphoma in the neck lymph nodes. Considering the linear relationship in Castleman disease, an increasingly accurate differential diagnosis can be made.

Abstract 1301: Real-time single-cell drug response assay in metastatic breast cancer cell lines using quantitative phase imaging

Abstract Introduction: The ability for oncologists to predict a cancer's response to therapy is limited to a few biomarkers used for histologic diagnosis and targeted therapy. Often, in advanced and metastatic disease these biomarkers provide no alternative options for next step systemic treatments. There is a need in oncology for functional assays that can determine a tumor's response to a drug, regardless of its tissue of origin, previous treatments, or mutation status. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) can measure changes in single cell mass in response to drug treatment in vitro and ex vivo. This platform offers advantages over other functional/metabolic assays in that it monitors changes in real-time and on a single cell basis, revealing heterogeneity in drug response. Methods: Here, we describe the validation of QPI for the measurement of breast cancer cell response to therapy versus CellTiterGlo (CTG), an endpoint ATP assay. We ran a series of 3-day drug response assays using QPI alongside CTG. We used a 96 well plate with a 6-point dose response between 1.6 nM and 20 μM for multiple cell lines spanning a range of receptor statuses (MCF7, MDA-MB-231, BT-474) with two controls in triplicate. We analyzed single-cell data to measure the heterogeneity of response and assessed how cell-to-cell heterogeneity is affected by dose. Our response data were fitted to a four-parameter Hill equation to compute the IC50 and depth of response. Results: We found that QPI can determine IC50s for effective treatments as validated by concordance to CTG. As measured by QPI, doxorubicin has a substantial depth of response, indicating cytotoxic effects. Doxorubicin data also show a tighter range of growth rates at high concentration than control, which implies low heterogeneity of response. As expected, ER positive MCF7 cells responded to hydroxy-tamoxifen. This response shows a similar reduction in heterogeneity to doxorubicin but with a reduced depth of response indicating a cytostatic effect. MDA-MB-231 response to palbociclib exhibits a wide range of growth rates, indicating an increase in heterogeneity as measured by QPI. Fluorouracil response shows no significant difference in heterogeneity from control. Conclusion: In summary, QPI is a useful tool for functional assays that can capture IC50, depth of response, and single-cell heterogeneity of response. In particular, this additional information about single-cell behavior and heterogeneity cannot be measured using a typical endpoint assay. Future work is needed to prove the clinical utility of functional assays from QPI. Citation Format: Tarek E. Moustafa, Edward R. Polanco, Andrew Butterfield, Sandra D. Scherer, Bryan E. Welm, Philip S. Bernard, Thomas A. Zangle. Real-time single-cell drug response assay in metastatic breast cancer cell lines using quantitative phase imaging [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1301.

Rates of treatment-resistant schizophrenia from first-episode cohorts: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is associated with high levels of functional impairment, healthcare usage and societal costs. Cross-sectional studies may overestimate TRS rates because of selection bias. We aimed to quantify TRS rates by using first-episode cohorts to improve resource allocation and clozapine access. We undertook a systematic review of TRS rates among people with first-episode psychosis and schizophrenia, with a minimum follow-up of 8 weeks. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and meta-analysed TRS rates from included studies. Twelve studies were included, totalling 11 958 participants; six studies were of high quality. The rate of TRS was 22.8% (95% CI 19.1-27.0%, P < 0.001) among all first-episode cohorts and 24.4% (95% CI 19.5-30.0%, P < 0.001) among first-episode schizophrenia cohorts. Subgroup sensitivity analyses by location of recruitment, TRS definition, study quality, time of data collection and retrospective versus prospective data collection did not lead to statistically significant differences in heterogeneity. In a meta-regression, duration of follow-up and percentage drop-out did not significantly affect the overall TRS rate. Men were 1.57 times more likely to develop TRS than women (95% CI 1.11-2.21, P = 0.010). Almost a quarter of people with first-episode psychosis or schizophrenia will develop TRS in the early stages of treatment. When including people with schizophrenia who relapse despite initial response and continuous treatment, rates of TRS may be as high as a third. These high rates of TRS highlight the need for improved access to clozapine and psychosocial supports.

Effectiveness and Safety of Trabeculectomy along with Amniotic Membrane Transplantation on Glaucoma: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To determine the effectiveness and safety of trabeculectomy along with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for glaucoma. Methods This systematic review was performed using RevMan 5.3. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library and included studies published until September 2019. The treatment group included patients with AMT and trabeculectomy (group A), and the control group had only trabeculectomy (group B). We only included randomized controlled trials. The outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP), complete success rate, number of antiglaucoma medications, and complications. Results Five studies, including 174 eyes (87 eyes in the AMT group and 87 eyes in the control group), were eligible in this review. The parameters had no significant difference in heterogeneity between the AMT and control groups preoperatively. In the AMT group, the mean IOP was significantly lower at 3 and 12 months after operation (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.02, respectively), while the number of complete successes in the AMT group was significantly higher at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.02 and P = 0.003, respectively) compared with the control group. Complications, including a flat anterior chamber and hyphema, appeared to be decreased in the AMT group compared to the control group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.02, respectively). No differences were observed in the number of antiglaucoma medications, hypotony, encapsulated bleb, or choroidal detachment. Conclusion Compared with only trabeculectomy, it is more efficient and safer to add AMT to trabeculectomy during glaucoma filtering surgery.

Ultrasound combined with biochemical parameters can be used to differentiate parathyroid carcinoma from benign tumors in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) results from excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone from parathyroid tumors. Differentiating parathyroid tumors can be challenging before operation. To differentiate parathyroid carcinoma from benign tumors in patients with PHPT by the application of ultrasound and biochemical parameters. This study is a retrospective study. The study enrolled 17 patients with parathyroid carcinoma (PC) and 57 patients with parathyroid adenoma (PA), confirmed by postoperative pathology, between September 2010 and July 2017. This study retrospectively compared the ultrasonic features of the tumors included echotexture, maximum lesion diameter, shape, margin, blood flow inside the mass, intralesional calcifications, cysts in the mass, and biochemical parameters included serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, gender distribution and age of patients between patients with PC and those with PA. In the US images, the two groups showed significant differences in heterogeneity, the appearance of a taller-than-wide shape, irregular or lobulated margins, and intralesional calcifications (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.05). However, no significant difference was found in echogenicity, maximum lesion diameter, blood flow, and cystic components of the mass (p > #x003E;> #x200A;0.05). The mean PTH levels were significantly different between the two groups (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.05). The PC and PA patients did not differ significantly in terms of mean serum calcium, mean serum phosphorus, and mean ALP levels (p > #x003E;> #x200A;0.05). There were significant differences to distinguish PC from PA in calcifications in mass or/and taller-than-wide shape combine with PTH > #x003E;> #x200A;1000 pg/mL (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.05). Significant difference existed in the age between the two groups (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.001). No significant difference existed in the gender distribution between the two groups (p > #x003E;> #x200A;0.05). Ultrasound features especially intralesional calcifications and taller-than-wide shape combine with an extremely high serum PTH (>1000 pg/mL) are helpful in differentiating between benign and parathyroid tumors in patients with PHPT.

Volume Reduction in Enlarged Kidneys in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) Prior to Renal Transplant with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Symptomatically enlarged kidneys observed in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients can lead to compression symptoms and contraindications to renal transplantation. Surgical nephrectomy can be utilized to increase space in the abdomen prior to renal transplantation; however, not all individuals are appropriate candidates for this procedure. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the renal arteries can provide a noninvasive way to reduce renal volume in ADPKD. We performed a systematic literature review on the usage of TAE to reduce renal volume prior to kidney transplantation and to relief compression symptoms in ADPKD. PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles focused on the usage of TAE to reduce renal volume in symptomatic enlarged kidneys. Renal volume data were compiled, and meta-analysis was performed with three or more studies. Six papers satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Significant renal volume reduction was observed by 12months in all studies. Success of TAE was measured with three clinical outcomes: removal of contraindication for renal transplant, relief of compression symptoms, and pulmonary function test. Proportionality meta-analysis of three studies measuring relief of compression symptoms showed no significant differences in heterogeneity (p=0.4543). Current studies conclude that TAE is an effective and minimally invasive option for reduction in renal volume in order to optimize patient outcome for renal transplantation and for relief of compression symptoms. Further prospective studies involving increased sample size and multiple centers should be pursued to establish evidence-based guidelines.

The effect of early goal-directed therapy on mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock: a meta-analysis

BackgroundThe Surviving Sepsis Campaign has recommended early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) as an essential strategy to decrease mortality among patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. However, three latest multicenter trials failed to show its benefit in the patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. This article was to evaluate the effect of EGDT on the mortality of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. MethodsRelevant studies from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were identified from January 1, 2001 to June 13, 2015. With both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs selected, a meta-analysis on the effects of EGDT on all identified trials was performed. The primary outcome was the inhospital mortality. In subgroup, RCTs and non-RCTs were analyzed, respectively. ResultsA total of five RCTs and 10 non-RCTs involving 3285 patients in EGDT group and 3233 patients in the control group were identified. Pooled analyses of all studies showed significant difference in the inhospital mortality between the EGDT group and the control group (risk ratio [RR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.94; P = 0.003) with substantial heterogeneity (χ2 = 24.93, P = 0.04, I2 = 44%). In subgroup analysis, there were no significant difference in inhospital mortality between the EGDT group and the control group (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.83–1.10; P = 0.51) with no significant difference in heterogeneity (χ2 = 6.62, P = 0.16, I2 = 40%) in RCTs. In non-RCTs, EGDT significantly reduced inhospital mortality (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.65–0.88; P = 0.0003) with no significant difference in heterogeneity (χ2 = 11.96, P = 0.22, I2 = 25%). ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that EGDT can significantly reduce the mortality among patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Possibilities of multiparametric MRI in the differential diagnosis of histological types of cervical cancer in the preoperative period

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sensitive and specific method of study in patients with cervical cancer (CC). A number of studies have demonstrated the possibility to determine histological type (squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma) and the degree of differentiation of this type of tumor by using the apparent diffusion coefficient maps (ADC-map) compiled on the basis of diffusion-weighted images (DWI) (p <0.05). We have tested whether a more accurate assessment of the histological type and tumor grade in the preoperative stage is possible, by using a wide range of MRI techniques. According to multiparametric MRI, which included T2-weighted imaging (WI), DWI with reconstruction of ADC-maps and dynamic MRI with contrast enhancement, performed in 90 patients with histologically verified cervical cancer, it was shown that adenocarcinoma is characterized by a high intensity and less heterogeneity of MRI signal in fat-suppressed T2WI images as compared to squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, patients with adenocarcinomas who underwent dynamic MRI with contrast enhancement had curves with gradually higher change in MRI-signal intensity on T1WI images in 15 seconds after detection of the magnetic resonance contrast agent (MRCA) in tumor, continuous increase in MRI signal intensity (when observing for about 2.5 minutes) after detection of MRCA in tumor, while in case of squamous cell cancer – a lower variation in MRI signal intensity in T1WI mode to 10-20 second after detection of MRCA in the tumor followed by a biphasic course of the curve, dependence of MRI-signal on time and formation of the “plateau” or the same signal decrease down to 125 sec (about 2.5 min) as well as less signal heterogenecity in the period from 10-20 sec to 125 sec (about 2.5 min) after MRCA detection in tumor. The differences were statistically significant (p <0.05), and had sensitivity and specificity up to 0.76 and 0.75, respectively for particular signs. According to binary logistic regression that combines all the relevant parameters in a complex – up to 0.80 and 0.86 or 0.96 and 0.67, respectively. For poorly- and well differentiated adenocarcinomas it was shown significant difference in heterogeneity of MRI signal of the tumor compared to unaffected tissue with the following sensitivity and specificity: ≈1.00; 0.83 (poorly differentiated) and 0.75; 0.96 (well differentiated) respectively.

Abstract 104: Good Collateral Status and Favorable Clinical Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke: First Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Leptomeningeal collaterals preserve ischemic brain beyond an occluded artery until reperfusion is achieved. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to update current state of knowledge on the use of collateral imaging as a prognostic and patient selection tool in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We searched all published studies measuring collateral status in patients with acute ischemic stroke and its association with clinical outcome using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Systematic Review database between Jan 1951- May 2014. Imaging modality, collateral score type, time from stroke onset to evaluation and other parameters that assess study quality were collected. Association between collateral status and clinical outcome was estimated using random effects models. Meta-regression was then used to analyze heterogeneity. Results: Of 2,424 studies reviewed, 10 studies that fulfilled all inclusion/exclusion criteria, had all necessary data elements and reported adjusted point estimates were included in the final meta-analysis. Four studies used DSA to measure collaterals vs. 5 that used CTA and 1 dCTA; 6 studies included patients &lt; 6 hours of symptom onset, 5 studies adjusted for reperfusion status while reporting point estimate while 5 studies used consensus reading. Pooled adjusted odds of good clinical outcome with good collateral status were 4.69 (95% CI 2.73-8.05) (Attached Figure 1). Only 36.3% of the variance in the pooled estimate is attributed to study heterogeneity (Q statistic p value=0.12). Meta-regression did not reveal any statistically significant difference in heterogeneity based on imaging modality (p=0.96), time from symptom onset to imaging (p=0.3), reperfusion status (p=0.82) or consensus reads (p=0.51). Begg’s test and funnel plot for small study effects suggests asymmetry (p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Collateral imaging is a reliable prognostic and patient selection tool in acute ischemic stroke.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) expression is associated with breast cancer tumor phenotype and predicts survival after anthracycline chemotherapy treatment

Abnormal translation of mRNAs frequently occurring during carcinogenesis is among the mechanisms that can affect the expression of proteins involved in tumor development and progression. Eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E is a key regulator of translation of many cancer-related transcripts and its expression is altered in various cancers and has been associated with worse survival. We determined the eIF4E protein levels using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 1,233 breast tumors on tissue microarrays. We analyzed the effects of the IHC expression level on tumor characteristics and patient survival, also with stratification by adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. In 1,085 successfully stained tumors, high level of eIF4E protein expression was associated with features of aggressive tumor phenotype, namely grade, estrogen and progesterone receptor negativity, HER2 receptor positivity, and high expression of p53 and Ki67, and with triple negative subtype (p < 0.001). High eIF4E expression was associated with worse breast cancer-specific survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.99 (95 % CI 1.32-3.00, p = 0.0008) and was in a multivariate analysis an independent prognostic factor. High eIF4E expression was associated with worse outcome also after detection of distant metastasis (HR = 1.88, 95 % CI 1.20-2.94, p = 0.0060). In the subgroup analysis the survival effect was strongest among patients treated with anthracycline chemotherapy (HR = 3.34, 95 % CI 1.72-6.48, p = 0.0002), whereas no such effect was seen among patients who had not received anthracycline with significant difference in heterogeneity between the two groups (p = 0.0358). High expression of eIF4E is associated with adverse tumor characteristics and predicts poor breast cancer-specific survival. This effect is emphasized in patients treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. eIF4E as a treatment predictive factor warrants further studies.

Evaluation of three-dimensional tumor microvascular architecture phenotype heterogeneity in non-small cell carcinoma and its significance

To explore the degree, mechanism and clinical significance of three-dimensional tumor microvascular architecture phenotype heterogeneity (3D-TMAPH) in non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC). Twenty-one samples of solitary pulmonary nodules were collected integrally. To establish two-dimensional tumor microvascular architecture phenotype (2D-TMAP) and three-dimensional tumor microvascular architecture phenotype (3D-TMAP), five layers of each nodule were selected and embedded in paraffin. Test indices included the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), EphB4, ephfinB2 and microvascular density marked by anti-CD34 (CD34-MVD). The degrees of 3D-TMAPH were evaluated by the coefficient of variation and extend of heterogeneity. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationships between 2D-TMAP, 3D-TMAP and clinicopathological features. 3D-TMAPH showed that 2D-TMAP heterogeneity was expressed in the tissues of NSCLC. The heterogeneities in the malignant nodules were significantly higher than those in the active inflammatory nodules and tubercular nodules. In addition, different degrees of heterogeneity of CD34-MVD and PCNA were found in NSCLC tissues. The coefficients of variation of CD34- MVD and PCNA were positively related to the degree of differentiation (all P<0.05), but not related to the P-TNM stages, histological type or lymphatic metastasis (all P>0.05). The level of heterogeneity of various expression indexes (ephrinB2, EphB4, VEGF) in NSCLC tissues were inconsistent, but there were no significant differences in heterogeneity in NSCLC tissues with different histological types (P>0.05). 3D-TMAPH exists widely in the microenvironment during the genesis and development of NSCLC and has a significant impact on its biological complexity.

Quantitative analysis and prediction of regional lymph node status in rectal cancer based on computed tomography imaging

To quantitatively evaluate regional lymph nodes in rectal cancer patients by using an automated, computer-aided approach, and to assess the accuracy of this approach in differentiating benign and malignant lymph nodes. Patients (228) with newly diagnosed rectal cancer, confirmed by biopsy, underwent enhanced computed tomography (CT). Patients were assigned to the benign node or malignant node group according to histopathological analysis of node samples. All CT-detected lymph nodes were segmented using the edge detection method, and seven quantitative parameters of each node were measured. To increase the prediction accuracy, a hierarchical model combining the merits of the support and relevance vector machines was proposed to achieve higher performance. Of the 220 lymph nodes evaluated, 125 were positive and 95 were negative for metastases. Fractal dimension obtained by the Minkowski box-counting approach was higher in malignant nodes than in benign nodes, and there was a significant difference in heterogeneity between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. The overall performance of the proposed model is shown to have accuracy as high as 88% using morphological characterisation of lymph nodes. Computer-aided quantitative analysis can improve the prediction of node status in rectal cancer.

Sex-specific Heterogeneity in Stomatal Distribution and Gas Exchange of Male and Female Populus cathayana Leaves

In this experiment, we investigated sex-related heterogeneity in stomatal distribution and gas exchange on leaves of male and female trees of Populus cathayana using grids measurement and 2-D contour maps. There were significant differences in stomatal length (SL), stomatal width (SW) and stomatal ratio (SR) between leaves of female and male and the significant variations were P=0.000, P=0.000 and P=0.002, respectively. Compared with leaves of male trees, SL and SW in leaves of female trees increased 51.86% and 67.06%, respectively, while SR in which decreased 11.46%. Moreover, the patterns for stomatal density (SD) as middle zonesapical zonesbasal and for SL as zonesmiddle zonesbasal were found in both male and female leaves. The patterns for SW were observed as middle zonesapical zonesbasal in female leaf and zonesmiddle zonesbasal in male leaf. It was also detected that the patterns for SR in female leaf as zonesapical zonesmiddle was opposite to that in male leaf. Significant difference was found in distribution pattern of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) between female and male leaves. Pn of female leaf was lower in base regions (2.00-3.00 μmol m-2 s-1) while higher in front regions (8.00-9.00 μmol m-2 s-1), and increased gradually from basal to apical zones. However, Pn of male leaf didn′t show certein pattern. The transpiration (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) showed significant lower value in basal zones on male leaf comparing with famale leaf. Furthermore, CO2 concentration (Ci) showed pattern as zonesmiddle zonesapical zones, which was opposite to stomatal limiting value (Ls), were observed on female leaf. Only Ls was found increased gradually from apical to basal zones although Ci and Ls varied obviously in each zones. To summarize, our result showed that there were significant differences in heterogeneity of stomatal distribution and gas exchange on male and female Populus cathayana leaves.

Sex-specific Heterogeneity in Stomatal Distribution and Gas Exchange of Male and Female Populus cathayana Leaves

In this experiment, we investigated sex-related heterogeneity in stomatal distribution and gas exchange on leaves of male and female trees of Populus cathayana using grids measurement and 2-D contour maps. There were significant differences in stomatal length (SL), stomatal width (SW) and stomatal ratio (SR) between leaves of female and male and the significant variations were P=0.000, P=0.000 and P=0.002, respectively. Compared with leaves of male trees, SL and SW in leaves of female trees increased 51.86% and 67.06%, respectively, while SR in which decreased 11.46%. Moreover, the patterns for stomatal density (SD) as "middle zonesapical zonesbasal zones" and for SL as "apical zonesmiddle zonesbasal zones" were found in both male and female leaves. The patterns for SW were observed as "middle zonesapical zonesbasal zones" in female leaf and "apical zonesmiddle zonesbasal zones" in male leaf. It was also detected that the patterns for SR in female leaf as "basal zonesapical zonesmiddle zones" was opposite to that in male leaf. Significant difference was found in distribution pattern of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) between female and male leaves. Pn of female leaf was lower in base regions (2.00-3.00 μmol m-2 s-1) while higher in front regions (8.00-9.00 μmol m-2 s-1), and increased gradually from basal to apical zones. However, Pn of male leaf didn′t show certein pattern. The transpiration (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) showed significant lower value in basal zones on male leaf comparing with famale leaf. Furthermore, CO2 concentration (Ci) showed pattern as "basal zonesmiddle zonesapical zones", which was opposite to stomatal limiting value (Ls), were observed on female leaf. Only Ls was found increased gradually from apical to basal zones although Ci and Ls varied obviously in each zones. To summarize, our result showed that there were significant differences in heterogeneity of stomatal distribution and gas exchange on male and female Populus cathayana leaves.

Sex-specific Heterogeneity in Stomatal Distribution and Gas Exchange of Male and Female Populus cathayana Leaves

In this experiment, we investigated sex-related heterogeneity in stomatal distribution and gas exchange on leaves of male and female trees of Populus cathayana using grids measurement and 2-D contour maps. There were significant differences in stomatal length (SL), stomatal width (SW) and stomatal ratio (SR) between leaves of female and male and the significant variations were P=0.000, P=0.000 and P=0.002, respectively. Compared with leaves of male trees, SL and SW in leaves of female trees increased 51.86% and 67.06%, respectively, while SR in which decreased 11.46%. Moreover, the patterns for stomatal density (SD) as "middle zonesapical zonesbasal zones" and for SL as "apical zonesmiddle zonesbasal zones" were found in both male and female leaves. The patterns for SW were observed as "middle zonesapical zonesbasal zones" in female leaf and "apical zonesmiddle zonesbasal zones" in male leaf. It was also detected that the patterns for SR in female leaf as "basal zonesapical zonesmiddle zones" was opposite to that in male leaf. Significant difference was found in distribution pattern of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) between female and male leaves. Pn of female leaf was lower in base regions (2.00-3.00 μmol m-2 s-1) while higher in front regions (8.00-9.00 μmol m-2 s-1), and increased gradually from basal to apical zones. However, Pn of male leaf didn′t show certein pattern. The transpiration (Tr) and stomatal conductance (Gs) showed significant lower value in basal zones on male leaf comparing with famale leaf. Furthermore, CO2 concentration (Ci) showed pattern as "basal zonesmiddle zonesapical zones", which was opposite to stomatal limiting value (Ls), were observed on female leaf. Only Ls was found increased gradually from apical to basal zones although Ci and Ls varied obviously in each zones. To summarize, our result showed that there were significant differences in heterogeneity of stomatal distribution and gas exchange on male and female Populus cathayana leaves.

Systematic review to determine whether participation in a trial influences outcome

Objective To systematically compare the outcomes of participants in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with those in comparable non-participants who received the same or similar treatment.Table 1Summary of studies included in...

Heterogeneity of Human Gallbladder Mucin in Bile

1. Human gallbladder mucin has been implicated to play a role in gallstone disease. In spite of this fact relatively little is known about the structure of human gallbladder mucin. In this study we have investigated the possible heterogeneity of mucin. For this purpose polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against gallbladder mucin were raised. All antibodies reacted primarily with carbohydrate antigenic determinants. With these antibodies the immunoreactivity of gallbladder mucin from 60 patients with cholesterol gallstones and 20 subjects without stones was screened. In addition, reactivity with several lectins was studied. 2. Considerable heterogeneity was found with both antibody and lectin typing, but there was no significant difference in heterogeneity between mucin from patients with gallstones and control subjects. Immunoblotting revealed that there was similarity between the reaction of the polyclonal antibody and the Helix pomatia agglutinin. All mucin preparations reacting with the polyclonal antibody also bound to Helix pomatia agglutinin. Nineteen of the 21 reacting mucins (90%) were from patients with blood group A (18 patients) or AB (one patient) and expression of A antigen could be demonstrated on the mucin of these patients. The resulting two reacting mucins were from patients with type O. However, expression of the blood group antigen could not account for the lack of reactivity of the mucin of other patients. The Helix pomatia agglutinin partially blocked the reactivity of the polyclonal antibody, whereas anti-A antibody did not show inhibition, indicating that more than only blood group A epitopes were recognized by this antibody. 3. We conclude that considerable patient to patient heterogeneity of human gallbladder mucin exists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heterogeneous survival rates of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

We analyzed data of adult mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) banded throughout North America during the past 30 years, using a model developed to estimate heterogeneity in survival rates of marked individuals. The model incorporating heterogeneity in survival rates was often the most parsimonious model for the data sets analyzed, thus constituting an advancement over previous band-recovery models. Likelihood-ratio tests indicated that significant amounts of heterogeneity existed in the data sets analyzed. We were unable to detect significant differences in heterogeneity between sexes or between birds banded prior to the hunting season (July–September) and after the hunting season (January–February) in the same areas. Heterogeneity varied widely among banding areas. Changes in reporting rates confound the estimation of heterogeneity. Adjustment of estimates of heterogeneity for differences in recovery rates in the first year after banding and subsequent years results in lower estimates of heterogeneity for mallards. Coefficients of variation of survival rates for adult mallards, adjusted for variation in recovery rates, varied from 18 to 25%.