Flight periodicity and the vertical distribution of high-altitude moth migration over southern Britain.

The continuous operation of insect-monitoring radars in the UK has permitted, for the first time, the characterization of various phenomena associated with high-altitude migration of large insects over this part of northern Europe. Previous studies have taken a case-study approach, concentrating on a small number of nights of particular interest. Here, combining data from two radars, and from an extensive suction- and light-trapping network, we have undertaken a more systematic, longer-term study of diel flight periodicity and vertical distribution of macro-insects in the atmosphere. Firstly, we identify general features of insect abundance and stratification, occurring during the 24-hour cycle, which emerge from four years' aggregated radar data for the summer months in southern Britain. These features include mass emigrations at dusk and, to a lesser extent, at dawn and daytime concentrations associated with thermal convection. We then focus our attention on the well-defined layers of large nocturnal migrants that form in the early evening, usually at heights of 200-500 m above ground. We present evidence from both radar and trap data that these nocturnal layers are composed mainly of noctuid moths, with species such as Noctua pronuba, Autographa gamma, Agrotis exclamationis, A. segetum, Xestia c-nigrum and Phlogophora meticulosa predominating.

DNA ploidy and percent S-phase as prognostic factors in node-positive breast cancer: results from patients enrolled in two prospective randomized trials.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: To help clarify the clinical utility of flow-cytometric parameters, we performed flow cytometry on archival paraffin-embedded primary breast cancers from 502 patients treated on two adjuvant chemotherapy protocols performed by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) and Mayo Clinic. DNA ploidy and percent S-phase (%S) were examined in univariate and Cox model multivariate analyses along with tumor size, menopausal and estrogen receptor status, Quetelet's index (QI), number of positive nodes and nodes examined, and Fisher and nuclear grades. RESULTS: Ploidy analysis showed that 40% of tumors were DNA diploid and 60% were DNA nondiploid (12% tetraploid and 48% aneuploid). There was no difference in relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = .82) or overall survival (OS) (P = .78) between the ploidy groups. Tetraploid patients had the longest RFS and OS of any group, but this did not achieve statistical significance. The %S was computed in 98% of cases and the medians were 9.0% for all patients, 6.4% for diploid patients, and 11.7% for nondiploid patients (P < .0001). By use of a %S greater than 12.3 as a prognostic variable in a univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in the RFS (P = .02) and OS (P = .007) of patients with low- versus high-proliferative tumors. However, when the %S was adjusted for clinical characteristics in the multivariate analysis, it was not a significant factor for RFS (P = .23) or OS (P = .36). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that DNA content and %S measurements by flow cytometry are not clinically useful independent prognostic factors in women with resected node-positive breast cancer administered adjuvant chemotherapy.

Aortitis and large vessel arteritis in a newborn.

Disseminated arteritis with extensive involvement of the aorta, as well as involvement of the arch vessels, coronary arteries, and pulmonary arteries, but not of the arteries within the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other organs, is unusual in a newborn. The presence of both acute and chronic inflammation with fibrosis, as well as calcification and focal ossification in the aorta, would suggest that the process had been present for some time before birth. This lesion should be described rather than designated by an eponym or included with such entities as Takayasu's disease. An additional finding of interest was widespread calcification in Bowman's capsules of numerous glomeruli.

Involvement of the nipple and areola by carcinoma of the breast.

Forty-five surgical mastectomy specimens obtained during resection of carcinoma of the breast were evaluated for involvement of the nipple and/or areola by cancer. Such involvement was found in 11 specimens (25%). Tumor size, relative distance of the tumor from the nipple, and tumor histologic type were investigated and compared with nipple-areolar involvement. The high incidence of nipple involvement found here indicates a definite risk of recurrence for surgical procedures that preserve the nipple.

Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy in newborn siblings with unusual light and electron microscopic manifestations.

We report two cases of idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy (IACI) occurring in newborn siblings. Unusual gross and light microscopic findings included calcification of multiple nonarterial tissues, renal infarction, and macroscopic aortic involvement. One case manifested an extensive acute panarteritis suggesting that IACI may be the result of an inflammatory or infectious process. Ultrastructural examination confirmed that the mineral deposits were hydroxyapatite and also indicated that they contained iron. Calcified tissue components included smooth-muscle cells, fibroblasts, and collagen fibers, as well as elastic fibers. No matrix vesicles or mitochondrial calcifications that may serve as nucleation sites for crystalline calcium phosphate were identified. Thus, the mechanism of calcification in IACI may be unique, and may relate to altered iron metabolism.

Evaluation of the disposable absorption containment trunk for female U-2 and TR-1 pilots.

Female U-2 and TR-1 pilots needed a urine collection device as part of their high flight pressure suit ensembles. The Disposable Absorption Containment Trunk (DACT) had been designed for short term use with the NASA Space Shuttle Program. This study evaluated the DACT for the extended and repetitive use required for integration into the U-2 and TR-1 aircraft. Six female subjects were tested wearing a custom-fit DACT and the 1030 full pressure suit ensemble with torso harness. They were strapped into the U-2 ejection seat with parachute and seat kit for 10 h and 45 min every 3 d for a total of 5 sessions. The DACT was evaluated for absorptive capability and comfort. Subjects were monitored for dermatitis, vaginitis, and urinary tract infections. The DACT reliably absorbed menstrual flow and urinary outputs to 950 cc. Higher urinary outputs resulted in minimal leakage. Dermatitis in the form of mild erythema and chafing was present, but cleared between sessions without medical intervention. Complaints concerning comfort were minor and limited to fit problems. One case of vaginitis developed. There were no cases of urinary tract infection. The DACT was found to be an acceptable method of urine collection for female U-2 and TR-1 pilots. Minor changes in design will enhance the comfort and performance of the DACT.

Wind observations above an urban river using a new lidar technique, scintillometry and anemometry.

Airflow along rivers might provide a key mechanism for ventilation in cities: important for air quality and thermal comfort. Airflow varies in space and time in the vicinity of rivers. Consequently, there is limited utility in point measurements. Ground-based remote sensing offers the opportunity to study 3D airflow in locations which are difficult to observe with conventional approaches. For three months in the winter and spring of 2011, the airflow above the River Thames in central London was observed using a scanning Doppler lidar, a scintillometer and sonic anemometers. First, an inter-comparison showed that lidar-derived mean wind-speed estimates compare almost as well to sonic anemometers (root-mean-square error (rmse) 0.65-0.68 ms(-1)) as comparisons between sonic anemometers (0.35-0.73 ms(-1)). Second, the lidar duo-beam operating strategy provided horizontal transects of wind vectors (comparison with scintillometer rmse 1.12-1.63 ms(-1)) which revealed mean and turbulent airflow across the river and surrounds; in particular, channelled airflow along the river and changes in turbulence quantities consistent with the roughness changes between built and river environments. The results have important consequences for air quality and dispersion around urban rivers, especially given that many cities have high traffic rates on roads located on riverbanks.

Radar studies of the vertical distribution of insects migrating over southern Britain: the influence of temperature inversions on nocturnal layer concentrations.

Insects migrating over two sites in southern UK (Malvern in Worcestershire, and Harpenden in Hertfordshire) have been monitored continuously with nutating vertical-looking radars (VLRs) equipped with powerful control and analysis software. These observations make possible, for the first time, a systematic investigation of the vertical distribution of insect aerial density in the atmosphere, over temporal scales ranging from the short (instantaneous vertical profiles updated every 15 min) to the very long (profiles aggregated over whole seasons or even years). In the present paper, an outline is given of some general features of insect stratification as revealed by the radars, followed by a description of occasions during warm nights in the summer months when intense insect layers developed. Some of these nocturnal layers were due to the insects flying preferentially at the top of strong surface temperature inversions, and in other cases, layering was associated with higher-altitude temperature maxima, such as those due to subsidence inversions. The layers were formed from insects of a great variety of sizes, but peaks in the mass distributions pointed to a preponderance of medium-sized noctuid moths on certain occasions.

A phase III trial on the therapy of advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Evaluations of the Mallinson regimen and combined 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cisplatin.

One hundred eighty-seven patients with histologically proven advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alone, to the Mallinson regimen (combined and sequential 5-FU, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, vincristine, and mitomycin C), or to combined 5-FU, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (FAP). Patients with both measurable and nonmeasurable disease were included and the primary study end point was survival. Among 41 patients with measurable disease, objective response rates were 7% for 5-FU alone, 21% for the Mallinson regimen, and 15% for FAP. The median interval to progression for each of the three regimens was 2.5 months. Survival curves intertwined with the median survival times for 5-FU alone and the Mallinson regimen at 4.5 months and for FAP at 3.5 months. Compared with 5-FU alone, both the Mallinson regimen and FAP produced significantly more toxicity. Neither the Mallinson regimen nor FAP can be recommended as therapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma. Any chemotherapy for this disease should remain an experimental endeavor.

Comparison of cyclophosphamide plus cisplatin versus hexamethylmelamine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in combination as initial chemotherapy for stage III and IV ovarian carcinomas.

Among 187 women with stage III and IV ovarian carcinoma who participated in this comparative clinical trial, 181 were eligible for analysis. Of these patients, 89 received monthly treatment with CP [cyclophosphamide (1 g/m2) plus cisplatin (60 mg/m2)] and 92 received monthly treatment with HCAP [hexamethylmelamine (150 mg/m2/day X 7), cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2), doxorubicin (30 mg/m2), and cisplatin (60 mg/m2)]. All treatments were administered iv on Day 1 of each monthly treatment cycle, except for hexamethylmelamine, which was administered orally on Days 2-8. With a median follow-up time of 30 months, survival curves for the two treatment groups were almost identical, as were their times to progression [estimated median survival, 24.6 months (Kaplan-Meier)]. Patient characteristics which significantly influenced survival were age, degree of histologic differentiation, extent of residual disease, stage of disease, and histologic type. Results of posttreatment laparotomies have been equal for the two treatment groups. Toxic effects of the two regimens have been similar, except for more frequent, more severe, and earlier neurotoxicity among patients treated with HCAP. Of the two regimens, CP has the better therapeutic index.