Herceptin functionalized microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane devices for the capture of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive circulating breast cancer cells

Building on recent breakthroughs in the field of microfluidic-based capture of rare cancer cells circulating in the blood, the present article reports on the use of Herceptin functionalized PDMS devices designed to efficiently capture from blood cancer cells, overexpressing the tyrosine kinase human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2). The identification of patients overexpressing HER2 is critical as it typically associates with an aggressive disease course in breast cancer and poor prognosis. Importantly, HER2 positive patients have been found to significantly benefit from Herceptin (Trastuzumab), a humanized monoclonal antibody (MAb) against HER2. Disposable PDMS devices prepared using standard soft lithography were functionalized by the plasma polymerization of an epoxy-containing monomer. The epoxy-rich thin film (AGEpp) thus created could be conjugated with Herceptin either directly or through a polyethylene glycol interlayer. The properties and reactivity toward the monoclonal antibody conjugation of these coatings were determined using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; direct conjugation provided a good compromise in reactivity and resistance to biologically nonspecific fouling and was selected. Using the breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 as a model for cells overexpressing HER2, the immunocapture efficacy of the Herceptin functionalized PDMS was demonstrated in model studies. Validation studies confirmed the ability of the device to efficiently capture (～80% capture yield) HER2 positive cells from full blood.     

IQ and neuropsychological predictors of academic achievement

Word reading and math computation scores were predicted from Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence Full Scale IQ, 10 neuropsychological tests, and parent attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ratings in 214 general population elementary school children. IQ was the best single predictor of achievement. In addition, Digit Span contributed significantly to reading prediction, and the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) and Coding contributed to math prediction. The remaining neuropsychological test scores did not significantly improve achievement prediction. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a general ability factor (comprising the four IQ subtests, Digit Span, VMI, reading, and math), five factors made up solely of subtests from single measures (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Color and Word Test, Gordon Diagnostic System, California Verbal Learning Test, and ADHD ratings), a factor consisting of Grooved Pegboard Test and Coding, and a factor consisting of Symbol Search and Animal Naming Test.     

Writing and Reading Subjects: Fixing and Unfixing Identity through Close Literary Practices

For a number of years, Rebecca Luce‐Kapler and Dennis Sumara have been investigating the ways in which literary practices of close reading can help change how we think and how we remember. They have also considered how such practices might help make us more critical of normative representations of remembered experience. More recently, they have been joined by Claire Robson, who works with and investigates memoir writing. In 2009, Robson and Sumara were joined by their six older lesbian research participants at a conference held at the University of British Columbia entitled ‘Queerly Canadian: Changing Narratives’. The six women performed extracts from memoirs they had written as part of the research data and joined the researchers in offering theories and insights about the writing processes in which the group had engaged. That presentation and this paper represent the evolution of a two‐year collaboration between these researchers and the six women, who are listed as co‐authors on both the presentation and this paper.     

The effective teaching of comparing Orff music method with traditional music approach for music reading and melodic patterns singing for 3rd grade elementary students in Taiwan

The Orff music method has been internationally practiced and recognized as one of the leading music methods in the past fifty years. The success of this approach is that this method encourages all students participating in the designed music activities in the music class to interact with the teacher and other classmates using the Orff approach rather than the traditional one-way music learning approach in the traditional music classroom in Asia. While the children are situated within an environment where music activities and bodily movements are stimulated, the children＇s aesthetic music knowledge can be influenced significantly （Carlson, 1990）. In this study, there were a total number of 180 3rd graders from three elementary schools in Taiwan who participated in this research. The control group which consisted of three classes with a total number of 90 students was the class using the traditional music method taught by a regular classroom teacher, while the experimental group, which consisted of another three classes with a total number of 90 students, was the class taught using the Orff music method by the researcher. The study was controlled in the sense that the six music classes were ascertained to be of equal ability in their understanding of music before the experimental factor was applied. As well, there were no significant differences in age or mental capacity, while the difference in genders was only minimal. The results of this research revealed that not only did the students who had the Orff music method training perform better than the traditional music method on both melodic patterns dictation and music reading tests, but the Orff training also helped the experimental students to have a solid understanding of rhythmic structures and basic music knowledge.     

Comment on ‘Ventilation and blood lactate increase exponentially during incremental exercise’ : A reply

Oar force and oar angle data resulting from a 6‐min maximal rowing ergometer test undertaken by novice (n = 9), good (n ‐ 23) and national (n = 9) level male rowers, were used to identify biomechanical performance variables which accurately discriminated between rowers of differing ability levels. The variables included two work capacity measures, mean propulsive power output per kilogram of body mass (W kg^‐1) and propulsive work consistency (%), and two skill variables, stroke‐to‐stroke consistency (%) and stroke smoothness (%). Discriminant function analysis indicated the presence of two functions, both of which clearly indicated the importance of mean propulsive power output per kilogram of body mass as a discriminating variable. Function 2 gave greater weight to stroke‐to‐stroke consistency and stroke smoothness than function 1; however, function 1 was the most powerful discriminator. Classification procedures were used to predict the ability level to which a rower most likely belonged and involved defining the ‘distance’ between each rower and each ability level centroid, with the rower being classified into the ‘nearest’ ability level. These procedures indicated that 100% of the elite, 73.9% of the good, 88.9% of the novice and 82.9% of all rowers were correctly classified into their respective skill levels. Stepwise discriminant analysis included the variables in the following order: mean propulsive power output per kilogram of body mass, stroke‐to‐stroke consistency, stroke smoothness and propulsive work consistency (P < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that biomechanical performance variables related to rowing capacity and skill may be identified and used to discriminate accurately between rowers of differing skill levels, and that, of these variables, propulsive work consistency is the least effective discriminator.     

Cardiac Structure and Function in Women Basketball Athletes: Seasonal Variation and Comparisons with Nonathletic Controls

Abstract

To characterize hypertrophy and quantify seasonal changes in cardiac structure and function of women collegiate basketball (BB) athletes (n = 15), echocardiography (echo) measurements were made in the fall (FALL₁), winter (WIN), and spring (SPR), then again during the subsequent fall (FALL₂; n = 10). Comparisons were made to age-matched nonathletes (NA) measured during FALL₁ (n = 22) and SPR (n = 5). Left ventricular (LV) internal dimension–diastole (LVIDd), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume (SV), LV mass (LVM), septal thickness (IVS), LV posterior wall thickness (LVPW), right ventricular (RV) internal dimension-diastole (RVIDd), and aortic root diameter (AOD) were significantly larger (12–70%) in the athletes; RVIDd-, LVEDV-, SV-, and LVM-index were also significantly greater (8–46%). From FALL₁ to SPR measurement periods, LVWd, RVWd, LVEDV, SV, IVS, and LVM-index increased significantly (7–18%) in the athletes. Over the same period of time, LVIDd, LAD, AOD, LVEDV, and SV measured in the five NA subjects increased significantly. In the athletes, LVIDs, RVIDd, IVS, LVPW, and LVM decreased significantly (5–30%) from the SPR to FALL₂ measurement period. These data characterize the general nature of the cardiac hypertrophy noted in women BB athletes compared to NA controls and show that distinct changes in heart structure corresponding to different periods of the competitive season can occur in these athletes.