From Synaptic Interactions to Collective Dynamics in Random Neuronal Networks Models: Critical Role of Eigenvectors and Transient Behavior.

The study of neuronal interactions is at the center of several big collaborative neuroscience projects (including the Human Connectome Project, the Blue Brain Project, and the Brainome) that attempt to obtain a detailed map of the entire brain. Under certain constraints, mathematical theory can advance predictions of the expected neural dynamics based solely on the statistical properties of the synaptic interaction matrix. This work explores the application of free random variables to the study of large synaptic interaction matrices. Besides recovering in a straightforward way known results on eigenspectra in types of models of neural networks proposed by Rajan and Abbott (2006), we extend them to heavy-tailed distributions of interactions. More important, we analytically derive the behavior of eigenvector overlaps, which determine the stability of the spectra. We observe that on imposing the neuronal excitation/inhibition balance, despite the eigenvalues remaining unchanged, their stability dramatically decreases due to the strong nonorthogonality of associated eigenvectors. This leads us to the conclusion that understanding the temporal evolution of asymmetric neural networks requires considering the entangled dynamics of both eigenvectors and eigenvalues, which might bear consequences for learning and memory processes in these models. Considering the success of free random variables theory in a wide variety of disciplines, we hope that the results presented here foster the additional application of these ideas in the area of brain sciences.

Vesicle shrinkage in hydrous phonolitic melt during cooling.

The ascent of hydrous magma prior to volcanic eruptions is largely driven by the formation of H2O vesicles and their subsequent growth upon further decompression. Porosity controls buoyancy as well as vesicle coalescence and percolation, and is important when identifying the differences between equilibrium or disequilibrium degassing from textural analysis of eruptive products. Decompression experiments are routinely used to simulate magma ascent. Samples exposed to high temperature (T) and pressure (P) are decompressed and rapidly cooled to ambient T for analysis. During cooling, fluid vesicles may shrink due to decrease of the molar volume of H2O and by resorption of H2O back into the melt driven by solubility increase with decreasing T at P < 300 MPa. Here, we quantify the extent to which vesicles shrink during cooling, using a series of decompression experiments with hydrous phonolitic melt (5.3-3.3 wt% H2O, T between 1323 and 1373 K, decompressed from 200 to 110-20 MPa). Most samples degassed at near-equilibrium conditions during decompression. However, the porosities of quenched samples are significantly lower than expected equilibrium porosities prior to cooling. At a cooling rate of 44 K·s-1, the fictive temperature T f, where vesicle shrinkage stops, is up to 200 K above the glass transition temperature (T g), Furthermore, decreasing cooling rate enhances vesicles shrinkage. We assess the implications of these findings on previous experimental degassing studies using phonolitic melt, and highlight the importance of correctly interpreting experimental porosity data, before any comparison to natural volcanic ejecta can be attempted.

4DCT-based evaluation of lung tumour motion during the breathing cycle.

The aim of this work was to quantify the variability in pre-treatment lung tumor motion during a single breathing period for 55 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) targets. The influence of breathing on the volume and position of lung tumor was examined by comparing the information about tumor from respiratory-correlated four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) and three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) obtained without respiratory monitoring. The impact of age, gender, lung volume changes and immobilization device on tumor respiratory motion was evaluated. Based on the performed analysis, the significant differences were found between tumor volumes on 3DCT and 4DCT, although the comparison of volumes between 4DCT bins showed no statistically significant dependency. The significant differences between tumor centre of mass coordinates in the cranial-caudal (CC) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were found. According to the results of statistical testing, there was no impact of gender and immobilization device on detected tumor respiratory motion. The impact was found for patient's age, lung volume changes, tumor volume and its location in different lung segments. The dominant lung cancer motion was observed for smaller tumors (up to 20 cc) located in posterior, caudal segments. This effect was also associated with a large variation in the lung volume during one respiratory cycle, observed for older patients. The important finding of the study is connected with the description of different patterns of tumor motion in AP and CC directions.

Dramatic slowing down of the conformational equilibrium in the silyl derivative of glucose in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature.

The vitrification process is usually preceded by a significant change (around 6-8 decades) in the viscosity, structural relaxation times, or diffusion that occurs in a relatively small range of temperatures in fragile liquids. Along with this phenomenon, conformations of the molecules vary as well. In fact, this process is studied in bulk polymers and high molecular weight materials deposited in the form of thin films. On the other hand, spatial rearrangement of small glass formers in the supercooled liquid state has not been intensively investigated, so far. Herein, data obtained from measurements carried out using various experimental techniques on supercooled 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-(trimethylsilyl)-d-glucopyranose (S-GLU) have revealed that rotations of silyl moieties along with the deformation in the saccharide ring are significantly slowed down in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature (Tg). These intramolecular reorganizations affect the structural relaxation time, atomic pair distribution function, integrated intensity, as well as a number of bands and signals observed, respectively, in the Raman and NMR spectra. Data reported herein offer a better understanding of the conformational variation and time scale of this process in the complex and flexible molecules around the Tg.

Immunization Coverage in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are at increased risk of infections, mainly due to immunosuppressive treatment. Moreover, infections may cause flares of IBD. Vaccination is the most effective way of preventing many infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vaccination status of Polish children with IBD. Individual immunization cards of children with IBD and healthy controls were reviewed. Demographic data such as age, sex, and IBD history, including therapy type, were collected. We enrolled 267 children into the study, including 214 children with IBD and 53 controls. None of the children had completed the full up-to-date routine childhood immunization schedule recommended in Poland. Controls were more than 4 times more likely to be vaccinated than the IBD patients, with the vaccines that enjoy the insurance reimbursed (OR 4.1, 95% CI 2.2-7.9). In conclusion, the study demonstrates a poor vaccination status in children suffering from IBD.

[Patient endangerment due to device diversity? : Discussion of a risk factor based on the results of two surveys of German hospitals]. / Patientengefährdung durch Gerätediversität? : Diskussion eines Risikofaktors anhand der Ergebnisse zweier Befragungen an deutschen Kliniken.

BACKGROUND: The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) was notified of an event in which it was not possible to sufficiently ventilate a patient suffering a severe asthma attack. It turned out that the ventilation pressures used by the device for pressure-controlled ventilation were below the values set by the user, which the user was not aware of. The ventilation pressures chosen by the user exceeded the preset alarm limits of the ventilator. This pressure and alarm management significantly differed from that of other ventilators used in the hospital. This and similar incident reports suggest that safely operating medical devices for anesthesia and intensive care may be impaired when different models of a device are used within a hospital. If different models are used, more device information needs to be stored in memory. Existing knowledge on human memory suggests that the more individual memory items (e. g. different operating rules) are stored, the greater the risk of memory interference and hence of impaired retrieval, particularly if the different items are associated with overlapping retrieval cues. This is the case when different devices are used for a single functional purpose under identical or similar circumstances. OBJECTIVE: Based on individual incident reports and theoretical knowledge on an association between device diversity and use problems, this study aimed to determine the organizational conditions regarding device diversity that prevail in German hospitals. Additionally, the anesthetists' perspectives and experiences in defined clinical settings were investigated. METHODS: For selected groups of medical devices, the biomedical engineers of German hospitals were surveyed about the different makes used in their hospital. Additionally, questionnaires were sent to a department of anesthesiology of a large University Hospital to investigate the personal experiences of working with different makes and models of a device. RESULTS: Using devices by different manufacturers was particularly frequent for ventilators, but there were also a considerable number of hospitals with syringe pumps and patient monitoring systems from different manufacturers. Almost all participants stated that they work or have worked with different models of a device. The majority of respondents had encountered problems or errors, which they ascribed to the requirement to learn a different method of operation for each device; however, they also listed various benefits, for instance the possibility to optimally address the requirements of specific situations or patient groups. Both biomedical engineers and anesthetists suggested a homogeneous device pool within the hospital and regular and repeated training sessions for each device model used. DISCUSSION: Using different device models for anesthesia and intensive care seems to be common in many German hospitals, particularly for ventilators. An association between device diversity and problems operating a device is plausible, given the functioning of human memory. This topic should be investigated by future studies in order to identify factors that may contribute to such problems and possible solutions for clinical settings. Likewise, the potential benefits of having different device models at one's disposal should be evaluated. To pinpoint the measures that will be most effective given the specific settings of the individual hospital, all underlying clinical and economic considerations must be carefully balanced against the associated potential risks.

MULTIDIRECTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF BONE STRUCTURE INCLUDING RADIOISOTOPIC ANALYSIS IN PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN.

OBJECTIVE: In postmenopausal period, changes in bone turnover markers (BTM), vitamin D3, cytokines and parathyroid hormone (PTH) are frequently observed. The study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism index (IBM) in the perimenopausal women. DESIGN YEARS: 2013-2014. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirteen women were divided into four groups: group I (35 not menstruating 50 - 60 years old with osteoporosis), II (23 not menstruating 50 - 60 years old without osteoporosis), III (30 menstruating 40 - 49 years old with osteoporosis), IV (25 menstruating 40 - 49 years old without osteoporosis). The following parameters were measured: IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, hormone oestradiol (E2), PTH, FSH, TSH, calcium (Ca2+), phosphates (P), alkaline phosphatase (bALP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen alpha 1 chain (α1CTX), osteocalcin (OC), BMD, IBM. RESULTS: IBM and BMD were significantly lower in premenopausal than in postmenopausal women. The concentration of OC, CTX, 25OH D3 and PTH levels differed significantly between group I vs. II, group I vs. III and group II vs. IV. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of BTM, D3, PTH differed significantly between groups. This study demonstrated that bone metabolism depended mainly on processes related with menopause state and changes in D3, PTH and cytokines levels.

Microaerophilic Fe(II)-Oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria Isolated from Low-Fe Marine Coastal Sediments: Physiology and Composition of Their Twisted Stalks.

Microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers are commonly found in habitats containing elevated Fe(II) and low O2 concentrations and often produce characteristic Fe mineral structures, so-called twisted stalks or tubular sheaths. Isolates originating from freshwater habitats are all members of the Betaproteobacteria, while isolates from marine habitats belong almost exclusively to the Zetaproteobacteria So far, only a few isolates of marine microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers have been described, all of which are obligate microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers and have been thought to be restricted to Fe-rich systems. Here, we present two new isolates of marine microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria that originate from typical coastal marine sediments containing only low Fe concentrations (2 to 11 mg of total Fe/g of sediment [dry weight]; 70 to 100 µM dissolved Fe2+ in the porewater). The two novel Zetaproteobacteria share characteristic physiological properties of the Zetaproteobacteria group, even though they come from low-Fe environments: the isolates are obligate microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers and, like most isolated Zetaproteobacteria, they produce twisted stalks. We found a low organic carbon content in the stalks (∼0.3 wt%), with mostly polysaccharides and saturated aliphatic chains (most likely lipids). The Fe minerals in the stalks were identified as lepidocrocite and possibly ferrihydrite. Immobilization experiments with Ni2+ showed that the stalks can function as a sink for trace metals. Our findings show that obligate microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers belonging to the Zetaproteobacteria group are not restricted to Fe-rich environments but can also be found in low-Fe marine environments, which increases their overall importance for the global biogeochemical Fe cycle.IMPORTANCE So far, only a few isolates of benthic marine microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers belonging to the Zetaproteobacteria exist, and most isolates were obtained from habitats containing elevated Fe concentrations. Consequently, it was thought that these microorganisms are important mainly in habitats with high Fe concentrations. The two novel isolates of Zetaproteobacteria that are presented in the present study were isolated from typical coastal marine sediments that do not contain elevated Fe concentrations. This increases the knowledge about possible habitats in which Zetaproteobacteria can exist. Furthermore, we show that the physiology and the typical organo-mineral structures (twisted stalks) that are produced by the isolates do not notably differ from the physiology and the cell-mineral structures of isolates from environments with high Fe concentrations. We also showed that the organo-mineral structures can function as a sink for trace metals.

Expression of aquaporin 4 in the chicken ovary in relation to follicle development.

In the mammalian ovary, aquaporins (AQPs) are thought to be involved in the regulation of fluid transport within the follicular wall and antrum formation. Data concerning the AQPs in the avian ovary is very limited. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine whether the AQP4 is present in the chicken ovary, and if so, what is its distribution in the ovarian compartment of the laying hen. Localization of AQP4 in the ovarian follicles at different stage of development was also investigated. After decapitation of hens the stroma with primordial follicles and white (1-4 mm), yellowish (4-8 mm), small yellow and the three largest yellow pre-ovulatory follicles F3-F1 (F3 < F2 < F1; 20-36 mm) were isolated from the ovary. The granulosa and theca layers were separated from the pre-ovulatory follicles. The AQP4 mRNA and protein were detected in all examined ovarian compartments by the real-time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. The relative expression of AQP4 was depended on follicular size and the layer of follicular wall. It was the lowest in the granulosa layer of pre-ovulatory follicles and the highest in the ovarian stroma as well as white and yellowish follicles. Along with approaching of the largest follicle to ovulation the gradual decrease in AQP4 protein level in the granulosa layer was observed. Immunoreactivity for AQP4 was present in the granulosa and theca cells (theca interna ≥ theca externa > granulosa). The obtained results suggest that AQP4 may take part in the regulation of water transport required for follicle development in the chicken ovary.

Infections in the tissue material and their impact on the loss of transplants in the Laboratory of in vitro Cell and Tissue Culture with Tissue Bank in the years 2011-2015.

Radiation sterilization eliminates microbiological infections but causes the degradation of the cell factor. The negative result of microbiological examination for tissue transplants is one of the conditions for approval for distribution in patients. The study attempts to verify impact of the presence of microbes onto material for transplant loss. In the 2011-2015 period, we analyzed 293 donors of skin and amnion. Microbiological sampling was performed. The total of 21 strains of bacteria, molds and fungi was identified in collected tissue. The widest spectrum of strains was found in skin (17), followed by amnia (8). The total number of positive findings was 147 and was again highest in skin (129), while the number of positive findings in amnia was 18 only. The general percentage of fungal infections was very low. The presence of fungal strains was only observed in allogeneic skin (2%). Large number of microorganisms isolated from the skin before sterilization was observed, so it seems impossible to use allogeneic intravital skin. However, the intravital application of allogeneic amnion obtained from cesarean section remains to be considered.

An immunohistochemical analysis of lymphocytic infiltrations in canine skin cancers.

Lymphocytic infiltrations located in the extracellular matrix often accompany canine skin cancer. They can be characterised as an inflammatory infiltration and/or a second tumour - lymphoma. The aim of this study was an immunohistochemical analysis of a lymphocytic infiltration which accompanies spontaneous skin cancer. Twenty basal cell carcinoma, 20 non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma, 20 keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma and 8 sebaceous gland carcinoma samples which were accompanied by a lymphocytic infiltration and/or secondary lymphatic follicles were verified histopathologically. The expression of bcl-2, CD3, CD79α, Ki-67, MCM-3 and MCM-7 in the lymphocytic infiltration was evaluated. Four types of lymphocytic infiltrations were found: I - diffuse bcl-2+, II - diffuse bcl-2-, III - follicular bcl-2+/- where the centre was bcl-2-, and the marginal zone of the follicles and the extrafollicular area were bcl-2+ and IV - aggregated bcl-2+, where the centre and periphery were bcl-2+. The I and IV type corresponds to lymphoma, II type is non-neoplastic immune response and III type suggest reactive follicular hyperplasia. The proliferation of lymphocytes which demonstrated the expression of neoplastic markers (I and IV), suggests preneoplastic phase (pseudolymphoma) or lymphoma - the second independent tumour. A high proliferative index of the follicular blc-2+/- follicular infiltration indicates an increased immunological response of the host against skin cancer.

Adenocarcinoma of the posterior segment of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs - clinical, endoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.

Of all the tumours in dogs, three percent are located in the intestines, and 36-60% of those tumours affect the large intestine. Adenocarcinomas of the intestines account for 20-35% of the gastrointestinal tumours and for almost 60% of the large intestine tumours. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical disorders and endoscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in colorectal adenocarcinomas in dogs with the use of the E-cadherin, ß-catenin, cytokeratin 20 (CK20), Ki-67 and minichromosome maintenance 3 (MCM-3). The study comprised 11 dogs of both genders and of different breeds diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the large intestine. They were from 4 to 11 years old. The large intestine adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in all the patients. 72.7% cases were diagnosed with a rectal adenocarcinoma, and 27.3% were found to have a colonic adenocarcinoma. All the studied proteins were expressed at different levels and, together with the histological findings, indicated different levels of malignancy (G). The statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the expression of E-cadherin and ß-catenin in the studied tissues (p=0.79) and between the expression of Ki-67 andMCM-3 (p=0.39). A strong positive correlation was found between the expression of E-cadherin and ß-catenin (r=0.86; p<0.05). The diagnosis of adenocarcinomas of the large intestine may be facilitated by the introduction of immunohistochemical studies using appropriate cell markers. They may also aid in the accurate evaluation of the biological character of the tumours, their origin, the connections between tumour cells and the mitotic index. That, in turn, may help determine the malignancy and the choice of treatment.

Serum concentrations of HGF and IL-8 in patients with active Graves' orbitopathy before and after methylprednisolone therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, and orbitopathy is the most frequent extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to evaluate the serum concentration of HGF and IL-8 in the blood of newly diagnosed Graves' disease patients with the first episode of active GO and healthy controls; (2) to estimate the influence of the thyroid function (euthyreosis vs. hyperthyreosis) on HGF and IL-8 blood levels in patients with active GO; (3) to evaluate the influence of intravenous (i.v.) methylprednisolone (MP) pulse therapy and additional oral MP treatment on HGF and IL-8 blood levels in patients with active GO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine Graves' disease patients with the first episode of clinically active GO (Group A) were enrolled in the study. To estimate the influence of the thyroid function on serum concentrations of the studied proangiogenic factors, Group A was divided into Group A I (n = 18) in euthyroid and Group A II (n = 21) in hyperthyroid stage of Graves' disease in moderate-to-severe stage of GO. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers age- and sex-matched to the GO group. Concentrations of the studied proangiogenic factors in serum samples were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before (Group A) and after (Group A1) intensive pulse i.v.MP treatment and 1 month after the end of additional oral MP treatment (Group A2). RESULTS: We found a significant increase in serum concentrations of studied factors in the GO group before immunosuppressive therapy when compared with the control group and decrease after i.v.MP treatment. One month after the end of additional oral MP treatment (Group A2), serum concentrations of HGF and IL-8 still decreased and no significant difference was observed in HGF and IL-8 concentrations when compared with the control group. We did not find the difference in serum concentration of the studied proangiogenic factors between patients in euthyroid and hyperthyroid stage of Graves' disease before MP therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HGF and IL-8 concentrations are elevated in Graves' disease patients with active Graves' orbitopathy as compared to the healthy control group. Successful management of active Graves' orbitopathy with glucocorticoids is associated with a decrease in HGF and IL-8 serum concentrations.

Prevalence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) in Poland from 2010-2014.

This study investigated the prevalence of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) infections during the past five years (2010-2014) in broiler chicken flocks in Poland. The diagnosis of IBH was based on anatomopathological investigations and histopathological analyzes. IBH was the most prevalent disease in broiler flocks in Poland (10.4%) during this time period, and occurred as a primary infection. The fewest cases of IBH occurred in the summer, suggesting that the temperature may have been a possible stressor that increased susceptibility to IBH. However, over the last 5 years the occurrence of clinical IBH cases in Poland has systematically decreased.

Incidence of Circulating Antibodies Against Hemagglutinin of Influenza Viruses in the Epidemic Season 2013/2014 in Poland.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in the sera of people in different age groups in the epidemic season 2013/2014 in Poland. The level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies was determined by hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI). A total number of 1,050 randomly selected sera was tested in seven age groups. The level of antibodies against influenza viruses was very low, which indicates that the people have not been vaccinated against influenza in the epidemic season 2013/2014. The value of protection rate against influenza in the Polish population is very low. These results are worrying, because complications of influenza may be harmful to health and even life-threatening to persons who are not vaccinated. Furthermore, these results confirm the circulation of three antigenically different influenza virus strains, two subtypes of influenza A virus--A/California/7/2009/(H1N1)pdm09 and A/Victoria/361/2011(H3N2)--and B/Massachusetts/2/2012.

Computed Tomography of the Prostate Gland in Healthy Intact Dogs and Dogs with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

To date, there is only scarce data on the evaluation of the prostate gland in dogs using computed tomography (CT). The aims of our study were to describe CT features of BPH in dogs and to determine the size of the prostate gland in healthy male dogs and dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through CT. Additionally, we aimed to compare and establish the most useful parameters for CT measurements of the prostate in patients with BPH. The study population consisted of 20 healthy intact male dogs and 20 male intact dogs with confirmed BPH. Pre- and post-contrast CT studies were evaluated. The most common CT features in dogs with recognized BPH were symmetrical prostatomegaly and heterogeneity of the prostatic parenchyma. The mean prostatic density (D) was 56HU (±4.39) in pre-contrast CT images and 84HU (±8) in post-contrast images in dogs with BPH. The mean prostatic length (L) was 43.87 mm (±11), the mean width (W) amounted to 48.95 mm (±8.76) and the mean height (H) reached 44.9 mm (±9.48) in clinically affected patients. The mean ratios were: rL - 2,12 (±0.5); rW - 2.39 (±0.53) and rH - 2.16 (±0.39) in the BPH group. The prostate should be considered to be enlarged when rL exceeds 3.05; rW exceeds 3.38 and rH exceeds 2.94. Our findings indicated that CT is a useful tool in diagnosing prostate disorders, including BPH. The heterogeneity, density and ratios of prostatic length, width and height can be useful parameters in the diagnosis of BPH.

Comparative analysis of markers of cell proliferation in canine mast cell tumours according to current classifications.

The study aimed at immunohistochemical analysis of various markers of cell proliferation and comparison of the results with canine mast cell tumours grading systems according to the Patnaik and Kiupel. Tissue sections were stained using classical technique with haematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical studies were performed with Ki-67, PCNA and MCM-3 antibodies. Additionally the mitotic index was assessed. Statistical analysis including rank correlation Spearman's and ANOVA Friedman analysis was performed. The significance was set at p<0.05. Expression of all examined antigens was detected. The results obtained allow concluding that there is a strong relationship between all the cell markers. However, due to the very strong response and positive reaction in the majority of tumours PCNA is not recommended as a prognostic indicator. Ki-67 and MCM-3 can be successfully used in the evaluation of canine mast cell tumours.

The founding of Mauritian endemic coffee trees by a synchronous long-distance dispersal event.

The stochastic process of long-distance dispersal is the exclusive means by which plants colonize oceanic islands. Baker's rule posits that self-incompatible plant lineages are unlikely to successfully colonize oceanic islands because they must achieve a coordinated long-distance dispersal of sufficiently numerous individuals to establish an outcrossing founder population. Here, we show for the first time that Mauritian Coffea species are self-incompatible and thus represent an exception to Baker's rule. The genus Coffea (Rubiaceae) is composed of approximately 124 species with a paleotropical distribution. Phylogenetic evidence strongly supports a single colonization of the oceanic island of Mauritius from either Madagascar or Africa. We employ Bayesian divergence time analyses to show that the colonization of Mauritius was not a recent event. We genotype S-RNase alleles from Mauritian endemic Coffea, and using S-allele gene genealogies, we show that the Mauritian allelic diversity is confined to just seven deeply divergent Coffea S-RNase allelic lineages. Based on these data, we developed an individual-based model and performed a simulation study to estimate the most likely number of founding individuals involved in the colonization of Mauritius. Our simulations show that to explain the observed S-RNase allelic diversity, the founding population was likely composed of fewer than 31 seeds that were likely synchronously dispersed from an ancestral mainland species.

The relationship between ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and objectively measured personal UVR exposure dose is modified by season and latitude.

Despite the widespread use of ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) as a proxy measure of personal exposure to UVR, the relationship between the two is not well-defined. This paper examines the effects of season and latitude on the relationship between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure. We used data from the AusD Study, a multi-centre cross-sectional study among Australian adults (18-75 years), where personal UVR exposure was objectively measured using polysulphone dosimeters. Data were analysed for 991 participants from 4 Australian cities of different latitude: Townsville (19.3°S), Brisbane (27.5°S), Canberra (35.3°S) and Hobart (42.8°S). Daily personal UVR exposure varied from 0.01 to 21 Standard Erythemal Doses (median = 1.1, IQR: 0.5-2.1), on average accounting for 5% of the total available ambient dose. There was an overall positive correlation between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). However, the correlations varied according to season and study location: from strong correlations in winter (r = 0.50) and at high latitudes (Hobart, r = 0.50; Canberra, r = 0.39), to null or even slightly negative correlations, in summer (r = 0.01) and at low latitudes (Townsville, r = -0.06; Brisbane, r = -0.16). Multiple regression models showed significant effect modification by season and location. Personal exposure fraction of total available ambient dose was highest in winter (7%) and amongst Hobart participants (7%) and lowest in summer (1%) and in Townsville (4%). These results suggest season and latitude modify the relationship between ambient UVR and personal UVR exposure. Ambient UVR may not be a good indicator for personal exposure dose under some circumstances.

Validation of the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 module for the assessment of health-related quality of life in women with cervical cancer.

The aim of our study was to undertake a prospective validation study of the Polish version of the EORTC cervical cancer (EORTC QLQ-CX24) module used alongside the EORTC core measure. The translated module was pilot-tested according to the established EORTC guidelines. Patients with histological confirmation of cervical cancer were eligible for the study. All patients filled out the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 module in addition to EORTC QLQ-C30 and a demographic questionnaire. Standardised validity and reliability analyses were performed. One hundred and seventy-one patients were enrolled into the study, mean age ± SD: 52.1 ± 9.6. Cronbach alpha coefficients, range 0.81-0.88, showed positive internal consistency. Re-test was undertaken with 40 patients (23.4%). Interclass correlations for the EORTC QLQ-CX24 ranged from 0.85 to 0.89 and proved appropriate test-retest reliability. Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen. Concluding, the Polish version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 module is a reliable and valid tool for measuring HRQoL in patients with cervical cancer. It can be fully recommended for use in clinical and epidemiological settings in the Polish population.