What drives smallholder farmers' willingness to pay for a new farm technology? Evidence from an experimental auction in Kenya.

We use an incentive compatible experimental auction to measure demand for a new agricultural technology, a triple layered hermetic storage bag. When used properly, the bag creates an airtight seal that reduces storage loss from insect pests and neutralizes aflatoxin contamination in stored grain. We find that demand for this new technology is highly elastic (4.3) and that the wholesaler could increase profit by lowering the price. We also find that farmers' valuation for the bag is not significantly different based on the medium through which information about it is communicated to them, either text, audio or video messages. This suggests that practitioners should use the cheapest option for disseminating information, which is text messaging in this context. In addition, we find that farmers who have prior awareness of the bag are willing to pay 20% more on average than those previously unaware of it. In total, the highly elastic demand for the improved bags, along with the fact that prior awareness of the bag leads to higher willingness to pay, suggests that a one-time price subsidy for the new technology could spur demand and increase future adoption.

HER2/neu, p53, MIB1 and PAX8 immunoexpression in Primary Serous Fallopian Tube Carcinomas / Determinación inmunohistoquímica de HER2/neu, p53, MIB1 y PAX8 en el Carcinoma Seroso Primario de la Trompa Uterina

Background. Carcinoma of the fallopian tube is a rare gynecological malignancy. A previous review of Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma (PFTC) from a multi-institutional study identified several poor prognosis indicators, including the depth of invasion, advanced stage disease, tumor grade and the presence of lymph node metastases. The detection of the malignant lesion at an early stage and the identification of biomarkers with prognostic significance are the major concerns of recent studies. Aims. In this study, we have investigated the immunohistochemical expression of 4 proteins in cases of low-grade (n:5) and high-grade (n:65) serous PFTC to determine their role in PFTC prognosis. Material and methods. HER2/neu, p53, PAX8 and MIB-1 were evaluated using immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray of 70 serous PFTC and the expression was correlated to the following clinico-pathologic variants: age, grade, lymph node metastases, stage and survival. Results. HER2/neu oncoprotein overexpression was demonstrated in 20 of 65 (31%) high-grade serous fallopian tube carcinomas. p53 was demonstrated in more than 50% (3+) of the tumor in 59 (90.7%) high-grade serous FTCs, while eight cases (12%) were moderate or weakly positive (2+). The expression of PAX8 was positive in 55 (78.5%) cases, the remaining 15 (21%) cases being negative. The outcome of the disease for patients with tumors showing HER2/neu overexpression was worse (p:0.0001). p53, MIB-1 or PAX8 failed to have a predictive value in disease outcome. Conclusion. The potential prognostic relevance of HER2/neu in tubal cancer and its potential role in the selection of patients for targeted therapy should be investigated further (AU)

Introducción. El carcinoma de la trompa uterina (TU) es una neoplasia poco frecuente del tracto ginecológico. Una revisión previa de los carcinomas primarios de la TU, en un estudio multiinstitucional, identificó varios factores de mal pronóstico, incluyendo profundidad de invasión, estadio avanzado, grado histológico y presencia de ganglios linfáticos metastásicos. Detectar esta neoplasia en estadios tempranos e identificar biomarcadores con significado pronóstico ha sido el objetivo de los últimos estudios. Objetivos. En este estudio investigamos la expresión de 4 proteínas a través de inmunohistoquímica en 70 casos de carcinomas serosos de la TU (CSTU) (5 de bajo grado [BG], y 65 de alto grado [AG]) para determinar su papel pronóstico. Material y métodos. Se evaluó el estado de HER2/neu, p53, PAX8 y MIB-1 en matrices de tejidos, y se correlacionó con las siguientes variantes clinicopatológicas: edad, grado, metástasis ganglionares, estadio y supervivencia. Resultados. Demostramos la sobreexpresión de la oncoproteína HER2/neu en 20 de 65 (31%) CSTU AG. p53 se expresó en más de 50% (3+) del tumor en 59 (90,7%) casos, mientras que en 8 casos (12%), la expresión fue moderada o débil (2+). El PAX8 se expresó en 55 (78,5%) casos, y los otros 15 casos (21%) fueron negativos. El pronóstico de las pacientes cuyos tumores sobreexpresaron el HER2/neu fue más adverso (p=0,0001). p53, MIB-1 o PAX-8 no tuvieron un papel predictivo en el pronóstico de la enfermedad. Conclusiones. La relevancia del papel pronóstico de la sobreexpresión del HER2/neu en el CSTU, así como la posibilidad de seleccionar pacientes para recibir terapias dirigidas deben ser investigadas en más estudios (AU)

Thymopoietin Beta and Gamma Isoforms as a Potential Diagnostic Molecular Marker for Breast Cancer: Preliminary Data.

Thymopoietin (TMPO) is an inner nuclear membrane protein, the coding gene named equally, can give arise to six isoforms by alternative splicing. This gene has been found up regulated in several types of cancer. At present work, we evaluated the TMPO isoforms generated by alternative splicing as well as the protein signal detection in breast cancer samples. TMPO expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray containing 46 breast tissue samples including normal (n = 6), benign lesions (n = 18) (fibroadenomas (n = 6), fibrocystic changes (n = 6), ductal hyperplasias (n = 6)) and breast carcinoma (n = 22). Isoforms -α, -ß and -γ of TMPO were evaluated using RT-PCR; clinical-pathological correlation analysis were done by mean of X(2). Neither the normal nor the benign lesions of the breast showed positive TMPO immunodetection, whilst 45 % of the breast carcinomas were immunopositive (p = 0.000), nine of ten positives carcinomas correspond to the Luminal A subtype. Further, alpha isoform was present in all breast samples analyzed; however, beta and gamma isoforms were only present in ten (p = 0.003) and 17 (p = 0.000), respectively, in the breast cancer samples. According with the present data, we suggest that TMPOß and -γ isoforms could provide a potential reliable diagnostic marker for breast cancer.

Hox B4 as potential marker of non-differentiated cells in human cervical cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) is a common malignancy in women worldwide. Cervical tumorigenesis involves a multistep process in which accumulations of genetic alterations are present. Homeotic genes, such as HOX gene re-expression, have been reported in a wide variety of tumors. METHODS: In order to know the role of HOX B4 gene expression in CC, in the present study, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, and time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used for differential screening of protein expression in CC. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the cervical tissue microarray (TMA) to detect the Hox B4 protein. RESULTS: Hox B4 peptide was detected among 15 increased spots differentially observed in CC. Using TMA, Hox B4 protein was also immunodetected in the nuclei of cervical epithelial tumor cells, while in normal cervical epithelium, it was absent. Interestingly, it was possible to detect the Hox B4 protein in the precursor lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Hox B4 protein is present in the precursor lesions as CC cells, suggesting that Hox B4 could be a protein related to the neoplastic state (non-differentiated cells) of human cervical epithelium.

Absence of human papillomavirus sequences in epithelial breast cancer in a Mexican female population.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer is controversial. We evaluated 118 breast carcinomas and two paraffin-embedded tissues of lesions of the nipple of Mexican patients for HPV sequences. No carcinoma sample exhibited koilocytosis, in contrast to lesions of the nipple. We subjected purified DNAs to PCR employing two HPV16/E6 or GP5/6 primer set oligonucleotides. Results showed that HPV DNA sequences were absent in the breast tissues. Absence of HPV in breast carcinoma failed to support an association between HPV infection and this carcinoma.

Practices and opinions of Connecticut general dentists regarding dental treatment during pregnancy.

This study aimed to evaluate the opinions and practices of general dentists in Connecticut regarding dental care during pregnancy. A survey was mailed to Connecticut general dentists to acquire data regarding age, gender, training, type of practice, years in practice, payment types accepted, procedures provided for pregnant women according to trimester, provider comfort level with treating pregnant patients, reasons for not treating pregnant patients, and provider opinions about dental care during pregnancy. The response rate was 42%, yielding a sample of 116 dentists. The majority of respondents (97%) reported treating pregnant patients; however, only 45% felt "very comfortable" treating these patients. All dentists in the sample agreed that physicians need to include an oral health evaluation and appropriate referral for patients' prenatal care. However, 70% of respondents had never received a dental referral for a pregnant patient. The majority of dentists favored providing dental treatment during the second trimester of pregnancy. Most dentists (77%) would take a radiograph for a patient 10 weeks into the pregnancy seeking treatment for dental pain, but only 2% would take routine radiographs regardless of the pregnancy trimester. There was a lack of consensus about medications dentists reported acceptable to prescribe for pregnant patients, and female dentists were significantly less likely than males to prescribe ibuprofen (P < 0.05). At least half of the respondents reported not being completely comfortable treating pregnant patients. Further, many dentists appear to not follow medication prescribing guidelines for this population. While additional research is needed, these initial results indicate that additional education regarding the treatment of pregnant patients would be a beneficial addition to dental school and continued education course curricula.

The Year's New Drugs & Biologics - 2009.

This annual article presents new drugs and biologics that were launched or approved for the first time during the previous year. In 2009, 51 new medicines and vaccines reached their first markets. Line extensions (new indications, new formulations and new combinations of previously marketed products) accounted for more than 30% of the new products launched in 2009. In addition to providing an overview of all drugs and biologics launched or approved for the first time ever in the previous year, this article will also review in further depth the first-in-class drugs launched for the first time last year, providing a better understanding of their novel mechanisms of action; an analysis of the discovery and development periods for the year's new products; and a comprehensive overview of drug repositioning as a strategy for extending the life spans of medicines. We also provide a brief glimpse at selected drugs and biologics which could reach their first markets in the foreseeable future.

Increased expression of cellular retinol-binding protein 1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the genomic alterations in larynx carcinomas (LaCa) tissues and its prognostics values in predicting survival. METHODS: To analyse the aberrations in the genome of LaCa patients, we used array comparative genomic hybridization in 19 human laryngeal tumour samples. DNA samples were also subjected to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Copy number gain was confirmed by real-time PCR. The cellular retinol-binding protein 1 (CRBP-1) gene expression was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry assay on LaCa tissues. To identify prognostic feature, CRBP-1 gene gain was correlated to patient survival. RESULTS: The most common gains were detected for CRBP-1 and EGFR genes, while DNA lost in RAF-1 gene. Immunohistochemistry assay was revealed strong expression of CRBP1 protein in those cases with CRBP-1 gene gain. The CRBP-1 gene gain and its expression correlated significantly with survival (P = 0.003). Cox regression analysis indicated that CRBP-1 expression level was a factor of survival (P = 0.008). HPV sequences were detected in 42% of the samples, and did not show any relationship with specific gene alterations. CONCLUSION: Our data shows that CRBP-1 gene gain can be determined by immunohistochemistry on routinely processed tissue specimens, and could support as a potential novel marker for long-term survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Gene identification by cDNA arrays in HPV-positive cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: One of the most frequent malignancies in women worldwide is carcinoma of the uterine cervix. High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered the most important etiological factor of uterine cervical cancer. Our aim was to identify novel cellular genes that could potentially act as predictive molecular markers for human cervical cancer by means of cDNA arrays. METHODS: We used cDNA arrays to examine the expression profiles of six cell lines derived from human cervical cancer, three HPV+ tumor samples and three normal (HPV-) epithelium tissues. Data normalization was performed and the top overexpressed genes were obtained. Hierarchical cluster was performed and, to validate some of the differentially expressed genes between normal and carcinogenic samples, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed in tissue samples. RESULTS: Four genes were demonstrated to be consistently overexpressed in invasive cervical cancer biopsies; three novel genes not previously related to cervical cancer: MMP10, Lamc2 and Claudin 1. Moreover, overexpression of IL6 and VEGF was corroborated. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of characteristic molecular changes in cervical cells by carcinogenesis and HPV infection can lead to a better understanding of cervical cancer. cDNA arrays are beginning to provide new possible molecular markers for prognosis and diagnosis. This technology could eventually help to elucidate the biological differences of the particular mechanisms associated with each different HPV-type infection and those with a poor prognosis.

Microarray comparative genomic hybridization detection of chromosomal imbalances in uterine cervix carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) has been applied to all stages of cervical carcinoma progression, defining a specific pattern of chromosomal imbalances in this tumor. However, given its limited spatial resolution, chromosomal CGH has offered only general information regarding the possible genetic targets of DNA copy number changes. METHODS: In order to further define specific DNA copy number changes in cervical cancer, we analyzed 20 cervical samples (3 pre-malignant lesions, 10 invasive tumors, and 7 cell lines), using the GenoSensor microarray CGH system to define particular genetic targets that suffer copy number changes. RESULTS: The most common DNA gains detected by array CGH in the invasive samples were located at the RBP1-RBP2 (3q21-q22) genes, the sub-telomeric clone C84C11/T3 (5ptel), D5S23 (5p15.2) and the DAB2 gene (5p13) in 58.8% of the samples. The most common losses were found at the FHIT gene (3p14.2) in 47% of the samples, followed by deletions at D8S504 (8p23.3), CTDP1-SHGC- 145820 (18qtel), KIT (4q11-q12), D1S427-FAF1 (1p32.3), D9S325 (9qtel), EIF4E (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E, 4q24), RB1 (13q14), and DXS7132 (Xq12) present in 5/17 (29.4%) of the samples. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the presence of a specific pattern of chromosomal imbalances in cervical carcinoma and define specific targets that are suffering DNA copy number changes in this neoplasm.

Validación del contenido diagnóstico de la etiqueta diagnóstica enfermera "sedentarismo" / The validation of the diagnostic content of the diagnostic label "Nursing sedentarism"

Para la enfermera comunitaria se hace necesaria la descripción de una etiqueta diagnóstica que se refiera al estilo de vida caracterizado por una actividad física baja. Para ello, partiendo de la definición de una etiqueta diagnóstica se consensúa mediante panel de expertos y técnica Delphi su denominación y realizamos la validación del contenido diagnóstico (VCD) de una nueva etiqueta siguiendo el método descrito por Fehring (1986).La denominación de la etiqueta fue "sedentarismo" y se describieron dos características definitorias de carácter crítico con un índice de VCD superior a 0,80 y dos con un índice de VCD entre 0,75 y 0,80. El índice de validez de contenido global para la etiqueta diagnóstica fue de 0,84 (AU)