Monoclonal antibodies directed to fucoidan preparations from brown algae

Cell walls of the brown algae contain a diverse range of polysaccharides with useful bioactivities. The precise structures of the sulfated fucan/fucoidan group of polysaccharides and their roles in generating cell wall architectures and cell properties are not known in detail. Four rat monoclonal antibodies, BAM1 to BAM4, directed to sulfated fucan preparations, have been generated and used to dissect the heterogeneity of brown algal cell wall polysaccharides. BAM1 and BAM4, respectively, bind to a non-sulfated epitope and a sulfated epitope present in the sulfated fucan preparations. BAM2 and BAM3 identified additional distinct epitopes present in the fucoidan preparations. All four epitopes, not yet fully characterised, occur widely within the major brown algal taxonomic groups and show divergent distribution patterns in tissues. The analysis of cell wall extractions and fluorescence imaging reveal differences in the occurrence of the BAM1 to BAM4 epitopes in various tissues of Fucus vesiculosus. In Ectocarpus subulatus, a species closely related to the brown algal model Ectocarpus siliculosus, the BAM4 sulfated epitope was modulated in relation to salinity levels. This new set of monoclonal antibodies will be useful for the dissection of the highly complex and yet poorly resolved sulfated polysaccharides in the brown algae in relation to their ecological and economic significance

PenQuest Volume 4, Number 1

Table of Contents for this Volume: Poetry by Brad Ross Untitled by Bruce Abbey it\u27s back by Leslie M. Brown De-thinging the Thingumbob by Michael R. McMahon Untitled by Mark Davis Fractures by Peggy De Broux Until I Knew by Lori Loper Untitled by Mark Davis The Local Art of Darkness by Michael R. McMahon Home by Peggy de Broux Untitled by Bruce Abbey Hooked by Robert M. Hart Parable of the Balloon (Demonstrated by the Poet to his Dog) by Michael R. McMahon Flight by Brad Ross The Stucco Room by Peggy de Broux Growing Up In America by E. R. Sukovich I Hear Them Scratching by Brad Ross It\u27s In The Bag by Susan Torode Untitled by Mark Davis Lawrence at Seventeen Coming Home by Brad Ross Untitled by Brad Ross Jere\u27s Antiques by Susan Torode Untitled by Bruce Abbey Simpson\u27s, for lunch, of course by Joni E. Dooley Untitled by Mark Davis Moments For an autobiography by Jocelyn W. Griffo Untitled by Bruce Abbe

ARCHERY: a prospective observational study of artificial intelligence-based radiotherapy treatment planning for cervical, head and neck and prostate cancer - study protocol

Introduction Fifty per cent of patients with cancer require radiotherapy during their disease course, however, only 10%-40% of patients in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) have access to it. A shortfall in specialised workforce has been identified as the most significant barrier to expanding radiotherapy capacity. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based software has been developed to automate both the delineation of anatomical target structures and the definition of the position, size and shape of the radiation beams. Proposed advantages include improved treatment accuracy, as well as a reduction in the time (from weeks to minutes) and human resources needed to deliver radiotherapy. Methods ARCHERY is a non-randomised prospective study to evaluate the quality and economic impact of AI-based automated radiotherapy treatment planning for cervical, head and neck, and prostate cancers, which are endemic in LMICs, and for which radiotherapy is the primary curative treatment modality. The sample size of 990 patients (330 for each cancer type) has been calculated based on an estimated 95% treatment plan acceptability rate. Time and cost savings will be analysed as secondary outcome measures using the time-driven activity-based costing model. The 48-month study will take place in six public sector cancer hospitals in India (n=2), Jordan (n=1), Malaysia (n=1) and South Africa (n=2) to support implementation of the software in LMICs. Ethics and dissemination The study has received ethical approval from University College London (UCL) and each of the six study sites. If the study objectives are met, the AI-based software will be offered as a not-for-profit web service to public sector state hospitals in LMICs to support expansion of high quality radiotherapy capacity, improving access to and affordability of this key modality of cancer cure and control. Public and policy engagement plans will involve patients as key partners

Ten Years of the International Cancer Control Partnership: Promoting National Cancer Control Plans to Shape the Health System Response for Cancer Control

Growing premature mortality because of cancer is an increasing public health concern in all countries. This article reviews 10 years of the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP) considering the themes of National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) support, technical assistance, governance, and the renewed momentum of global calls to action. ICCP has provided key resources for the cancer community by hosting a portal with national cancer control and noncommunicable disease (NCD) plans, strategies, guidelines, and key implementation guides for a growing community of best practices. ICCP partners have responded to the changing needs of country planners, adjusting technical guidance as needs evolve from planning to implementation at the national level with an associated shift to peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange. The ICCP offer to assist countries in cancer planning continues to be relevant as countries focus on implementation of global initiatives for breast, cervical, and childhood cancers. These initiatives are important to drive priority actions and a systems approach in the emerging road map on NCDs—a message that will be supported by a second global review of NCCPs in 2023. This is critical for driving national action in all countries on cancer and other NCDs in line with global health commitments made for 2030 and adopted by the United Nations General Assemblies. ICCP sees robust systems and financial planning for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of NCCPs and protection from cancer-related catastrophic expenditure, as critical to longer-term sustainability and success. ICCP calls for national policymakers to prioritize integration of cancer prevention and control into emerging universal health care approaches, including pandemic preparedness/health system resilience and calls for an equity focus in new NCCPs. </jats:p

The Natural History of Scoliosis in Females with Rett Syndrome

STUDY DESIGN.: Population-based longitudinal observational study. OBJECTIVES.: To describe the prevalence of scoliosis in Rett syndrome, structural characteristics and progression, taking into account the influences of age, genotype and ambulatory status. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Scoliosis is the most common orthopaedic comorbidity in Rett syndrome yet very little is known about its natural history and influencing factors such as age, genotype and ambulatory status. METHODS.: The infrastructure of the Australian Rett Syndrome Database was used to identify all cases with confirmed Rett syndrome in Australia and collect data on genotype and walking status. We identified radiological records and described the Cobb angle of each curve. Time to event analysis was used to estimate the median age of onset of scoliosis and the log rank test to compare by mutation type. Latent class group analysis was used to identify groups for the trajectory of walking status over time and a multilevel linear model used to assess trajectories of scoliosis development by mutation type and walking status. We used a logistic regression model to estimate the probability of developing a scoliosis with a Cobb angle &gt;60° at 16 years in relation to Cobb angle and walking status at 10 years of age. RESULTS.: The median age of scoliosis onset was 11 years with earliest onset in those with a p.Arg255 mutation or large deletion. Scoliosis was progressive for all mutation types except for those with the p.Arg306Cys mutation. Scoliosis progression was reduced when there was capacity to walk independently or with assistance. Cobb angle and walking ability at age 10 can be reliably used to identify those who will develop a very severe scoliosis by age 16. CONCLUSIONS.: These data on prognosis of scoliosis inform clinical decision-making about the likelihood of progression to very severe scoliosis and the need for surgical management

Surgical fusion of early onset severe scoliosis increases survival in Rett syndrome: a cohort study

Scoliosis is a common comorbidity in Rett syndrome and spinal fusion may be recommended if severe. We investigated the impact of spinal fusion on survival and risk of severe lower respiratory tract infection in Rett syndrome.Data were ascertained from hospital medical records, the Australian Rett Syndrome Database, a longitudinal and population-based registry, and from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Death Index database. Cox regression and generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the effects of spinal surgery on survival and severe respiratory infection respectively in 140 females who developed severe scoliosis (Cobb angle ≥45°) before adulthood.After adjusting for mutation type and age of scoliosis onset, the rate of death was lower in the surgery group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.74; p=0.009) compared to those without surgery. Rate of death was particularly reduced for those with early onset scoliosis (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.52; p=0.002). There was some evidence to suggest that spinal fusion was associated with a reduction in risk of severe respiratory infection among those with early onset scoliosis (risk ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.16-1.03; p=0.06).With appropriate cautions, spinal fusion confers an advantage to life expectancy in Rett syndrome.Jenny Downs, Ian Torode, Kingsley Wong, Carolyn Ellaway, Elizabeth J Elliott ... Peter Cundy ... et al. (On behalf of the Rett syndrome spinal fusion group