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1.  Proceedings of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons: 69th meeting 
The 69th meeting of the Society was held in Aberdeen on May 22 and 23, 1964. The meetings were held in the University Medical Buildings, Aberdeen, and the President, Mr. G. F. Rowbotham, was in the Chair.
PMCID: PMC495827
2.  Integrated diagnostics: proceedings from the 9th biennial symposium of the International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology 
European Radiology  2012;22(11):2283-2294.
The International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology held its 9th biennial meeting in August 2011. The focus of the programme was integrated diagnostics and massive computing. Participants discussed the opportunities, challenges, and consequences for the discipline of radiology that will likely arise from the integration of diagnostic technologies. Diagnostic technologies are increasing in scope, including advanced imaging techniques, new molecular imaging agents, and sophisticated point-of-use devices. Advanced information technology (IT), which is increasingly influencing the practice of medicine, will aid clinical communication and the development of “population images” that represent the phenotype of particular diseases, which will aid the development of diagnostic algorithms. Integrated diagnostics offer increased operational efficiency and benefits to patients through quicker and more accurate diagnoses. As physicians with the most expertise in IT, radiologists are well placed to take the lead in introducing IT solutions and cloud computing to promote integrated diagnostics. To achieve this, radiologists must adapt to include quantitative data on biomarkers in their reports. Radiologists must also increase their role as participating physicians, collaborating with other medical specialties, not only to avoid being sidelined by other specialties but also to better prepare as leaders in the selection and sequence of diagnostic procedures.
Key Points
• New diagnostic technologies are yielding unprecedented amounts of diagnostic information.
• Advanced IT/cloud computing will aid integration and analysis of diagnostic data.
• Better diagnostic algorithms will lead to faster diagnosis and more rapid treatment.
doi:10.1007/s00330-012-2510-6
PMCID: PMC3472054  PMID: 22699871
Radiology; Diagnostic techniques and procedures; Informatics; Algorithms; Efficiency; Organizational
3.  Can anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody-negative RA be subdivided into clinical subphenotypes? 
Arthritis Research & Therapy  2011;13(5):R180.
Introduction
Studies investigating genetic risk factors for susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) studied anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP)-positive RA more frequently than anti-CCP-negative RA. One of the reasons for this is the perception that anti-CCP-negative RA may include patients that fulfilled criteria for RA but belong to a wide range of diagnoses. We aimed to evaluate the validity of this notion and explored whether clinical subphenotypes can be discerned within anti-CCP-negative RA.
Methods
The 318 patients with anti-CCP-negative RA (1987 ACR criteria), included in the Leiden Early Arthritis Clinic between 1993 and 2006, were studied for baseline characteristics and radiologic progression data during a mean follow-up of 5 years. Grouping was studied both at variable and patient levels. Principal components analysis and partial least-squares regression were applied to study for clustering of variables. A cluster analysis was performed to look for clustering of patients.
Results
The simultaneous presence of patient characteristics at disease presentation was observed for several groups; however, the three largest groups of patients' characteristics explained only 26.5% of the total variance. Plotting the contribution of each patient to these three groups did not reveal clustering of patients. Comparable observations were made when data on progression of joint destruction were studied in relation to baseline clinical data. A cluster analysis, evaluating whether patients resemble each other, revealed no grouping of patients. Altogether, no clinically distinguishable subphenotypes were observed.
Conclusions
The current data provide evidence that, for risk-factor studies, anti-CCP-negative RA patients can be studied as one group.
doi:10.1186/ar3505
PMCID: PMC3308115  PMID: 22032620
4.  From crystal to structure with CCP4 
An introduction to the proceedings of the CCP4 study weekend is given.
doi:10.1107/S0907444911007578
PMCID: PMC3069737  PMID: 21460440
CCP4
5.  Proceedings of tumor board meeting 
The Tumour Board Meeting was held on August 16, 2011, in the Seminar Hall at B.J. Wadia Hospital for children. The panelists of the meeting were Dr. S. Ranganathan, Pediatric Pathologist from Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Dr. Archana Swami, Consultant Pediatric Oncologist at Wadia Children's Hospital; Dr. Sajid Qureshi Onco-surgeon (Pediatric) at Tata Memorial Hospital and Dr. Sushmita Bhatnagar.
doi:10.4103/0971-9261.93976
PMCID: PMC3326832  PMID: 22529558
Solid tumors; children; tumor board meeting; multimodality treatment
6.  Proceedings of the 2011 National Toxicology Program Satellite Symposium 
Toxicologic pathology  2011;40(2):321-344.
The 2011 annual National Toxicology Program (NTP) Satellite Symposium, entitled “Pathology Potpourri,” was held in Denver, Colorado in advance of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology’s 30th Annual Meeting. The goal of the NTP Symposium is to present current diagnostic pathology or nomenclature issues to the toxicologic pathology community. This article presents summaries of the speakers’ presentations, including diagnostic or nomenclature issues that were presented, along with select images that were used for audience voting or discussion. Some lesions and topics covered during the symposium include: proliferative lesions from various fish species including ameloblastoma, gas gland hyperplasia, nodular regenerative hepatocellular hyperplasia, and malignant granulosa cell tumor; spontaneous cystic hyperplasia in the stomach of CD1 mice and histiocytic aggregates in the duodenal villous tips of treated mice; an olfactory neuroblastoma in a cynomolgus monkey; various rodent skin lesions, including follicular parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, adnexal degeneration, and epithelial intracytoplasmic accumulations; oligodendroglioma and microgliomas in rats; a diagnostically challenging microcytic, hypochromic, responsive anemia in rats; a review of microcytes and microcytosis; nasal lesions associated with green tea extract and Ginkgo biloba in rats; corneal dystrophy in Dutch belted rabbits; valvulopathy in rats; and lymphoproliferative disease in a cynomolgus monkey.
doi:10.1177/0192623311427713
PMCID: PMC3490626  PMID: 22089839
NTP Satellite Symposium; ameloblastoma; gas gland hyperplasia; stomach cystic hyperplasia; sodium dichromate dihydrate; olfactory neuroblastoma; cynomolgus monkey; adnexal degeneration; parakeratotic hyperkeratosis; oligodendroglioma; microglioma; microcytic hypochromic anemia; microcytosis; spherocytosis; poikilocytosis; green tea; Ginkgo biloba; corneal dystrophy; Dutch belted rabbit valvulitis; valvulopathy; post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease
7.  PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF BRITISH NEUROLOGICAL SURGEONS: 57th MEETING 
The 57th meeting of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons was held in Holland as a joint meeting with the Netherlands Society of Neurosurgeons. Meetings were held at St. Ursula Clinic, Wassenaar, on May 9, and at the University Neurosurgical Department, Utrecht, on May 10. The two Presidents, W. R. HENDERSON (Leeds) and H. VERBIEST (Utrecht), occupied the chair in rotation.
PMCID: PMC497324
8.  Coming together to document mortality in conflict situations: proceedings of a symposium 
The use of epidemiology in documenting the mortality experience in complex emergencies has become pervasive in humanitarian practice. Recent assessments in Iraq and Darfur have provoked much discussion on the assessment of mortality in scientific and policy spheres. In this context, the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative held an inter-disciplinary symposium to examine the topic among epidemiologists, demographers, forensic scientists and legal and human rights investigators.
We aimed to strengthen the scientific understanding of mortality estimation by reviewing progress across fields and building inter-disciplinary bridges. We report on the presentations and discussions here.
doi:10.1186/1752-1505-3-2
PMCID: PMC2654481  PMID: 19243612
9.  Impact of Managed Care on the Treatment, Costs, and Outcomes of Fee-for-Service Medicare Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction 
Health Services Research  2004;39(1):131-152.
Objective
To examine the effects of market-level managed care activity on the treatment, cost, and outcomes of care for Medicare fee-for-service acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.
Data Sources/Study Setting
Patients from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project (CCP), a sample of Medicare beneficiaries discharged from nonfederal acute-care hospitals with a primary discharge diagnosis of AMI from January 1994 to February 1996.
Study Design
We estimated models of patient treatment, costs, and outcomes using ordinary least squares and logistic regression. The independent variables of primary interest were market-area managed care penetration and competition. The models included controls for patient, hospital, and other market area characteristics.
Data Collection/Extraction Methods
We merged the CCP data with Medicare claims and other data sources. The study sample included CCP patients aged 65 and older who were admitted during 1994 and 1995 with a confirmed AMI to a nonrural hospital.
Principal Findings
Rates of revascularization and cardiac catheterization for Medicare fee-for-service patients with AMI are lower in high-HMO penetration markets than in low-penetration ones. Patients admitted in high-HMO-competition markets, in contrast, are more likely to receive cardiac catheterization for treatment of their AMI and had higher treatment costs than those admitted in low-competition markets.
Conclusions
The level of managed care activity in the health care market affects the process of care for Medicare fee-for-service AMI patients. Spillovers from managed care activity to patients with other types of insurance are more likely when managed care organizations have greater market power.
doi:10.1111/j.1475-6773.2004.00219.x
PMCID: PMC1360998  PMID: 14965081
Managed care penetration; managed care competition; AMI; cost; treatment
10.  Proceedings of the First International Conference on Toxicogenomics Integrated with Environmental Sciences (TIES-2007) 
BMC Proceedings  2009;3(Suppl 2):S1.
The First International Conference on Toxicogenomics Integrated with Environmental Sciences (TIES-2007) was held at the North Carolina State University McKimmon Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 25th and 26th, 2007. Based on the presentations at the conference and the commitment or interest of the presenters to contribute a manuscript of their research, we compiled this collection of articles as proceedings of the conference and an in-depth topical review of the utility of bioinformatics in the fields of toxicogenomics and environmental genomics.
PMCID: PMC2654484  PMID: 19278557
11.  What’s New in Neurofibromatosis? Proceedings From The 2009 NF Conference: New Frontiers 
The NF Conference is the largest annual gathering of researchers and clinicians focused on neurofibromatosis and has been convened by the Children’s Tumor Foundation for over 20 years. The 2009 NF Conference was held in Portland, Oregon from June 13th – June 16th, 2009 and co-chaired by Kathryn North from the University of Sydney and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia; and Joseph Kissil from the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia. The Conference included 80 platform presentations in 9 sessions over 4 days; over 100 abstracts presented as posters; and three Keynote presentations. To date, there have been tremendous advances in basic research in the pathogenesis of neurofibromatosis, and more recently in progress toward identifying effective drug therapies and the commencement of neurofibromatosis clinical trials. The NF Conference attendees have significantly increased (doubling from 140 in 2005 to 280 attending in 2009) with a significant increase in attendance of physicians and clinical researchers. Correspondingly the NF Conference scope has expanded to include translational research, clinical trials and clinical management issues while retaining a core of basic research. These themes are reflected in the highlights from the 2009 NF Conference presented here.
doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.33189
PMCID: PMC2818482  PMID: 20082461
Neurofibromatosis type 1; neurofibromatosis type 2; NF1; NF2; schwannomatosis; tumor suppressor; Ras/MAPK; learning disabilities; bone dysplasia
12.  Proceedings of the Rank Forum on Vitamin D 
The British journal of nutrition  2010;105(1):144-156.
The Rank Forum on Vitamin D was held on 2nd and 3rd July 2009 at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. The workshop consisted of a series of scene-setting presentations to address the current issues and challenges concerning vitamin D and health, and included an open discussion focusing on the identification of the concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (a marker of vitamin D status) that may be regarded as optimal, and the implications this process may have in the setting of future dietary reference values for vitamin D in the UK. The Forum was in agreement with the fact that it is desirable for all of the population to have a serum 25(OH)D concentration above 25 nmol/l, but it discussed some uncertainty about the strength of evidence for the need to aim for substantially higher concentrations (25(OH)D concentrations > 75 nmol/l). Any discussion of ‘optimal’ concentration of serum 25(OH)D needs to define ‘optimal’ with care since it is important to consider the normal distribution of requirements and the vitamin D needs for a wide range of outcomes. Current UK reference values concentrate on the requirements of particular subgroups of the population; this differs from the approaches used in other European countries where a wider range of age groups tend to be covered. With the re-emergence of rickets and the public health burden of low vitamin D status being already apparent, there is a need for urgent action from policy makers and risk managers. The Forum highlighted concerns regarding the failure of implementation of existing strategies in the UK for achieving current vitamin D recommendations.
doi:10.1017/S0007114510002576
PMCID: PMC3408594  PMID: 21134331
Vitamin D; 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Sunlight exposure; Deficiency; Insufficiency; Recommendations
13.  Proceedings of the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group 
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)  2006;40(1):61-65.
This article describes the proceedings of the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG), which was held in Baltimore, Maryland on June 24, 2006. The meeting was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism and was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The 2005–2006 FASDSG officers, Daniel J. Bonthius (president), Heather Carmichael Olson (vice-president), and Jennifer Thomas (secretary-treasurer), organized the meeting. Nationally prominent speakers delivered plenary lectures on topics of newborn screening, ethics, and neuroscience. Selected members of the FASDSG provided brief scientific data (FASt) reports, describing new research findings. Representatives from national agencies involved in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) research, treatment, and prevention provided updates regarding priorities, funding, and agency activities. Presentations were also made by the 2006 Student Merit Award recipient and by the 2006 Rosett Award recipient. The meeting served as a forum for clinicians, neuroscientists, psychologists, social scientists and other professionals to discuss recent advances in FAS research and to identify the most important gaps in the understanding of alcohol-induced teratology.
doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2006.09.003
PMCID: PMC1865502  PMID: 17157721
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Ethanol; Prenatal; Teratology
14.  Introduction to Brain mechanisms of selective perception and action. Proceedings of a Discussion Meeting held at the Royal Society of London on 19 and 20 November 1997. 
Introduction to Brain mechanisms of selective perception and action. Proceedings of a Discussion Meeting held at the Royal Society of London on 19 and 20 November 1997. Organized and edited by G. W. Humphreys, J. Duncan and A. Treisman.
doi:10.1098/rstb.1998.0279
PMCID: PMC1692328
15.  Introduction to What are the parietal and hippocampal contributions to spatial cognition?, the proceedings of a Discussion held at The Royal Society 
Introduction to What are the parietal and hippocampal contributions to spatial cognition?, the proceedings of a Discussion held at The Royal Society on 19 and 20 March 1997. Organized by N. Burgess and J. O'Keefe and edited by N. Burgess, K. J. Jeffery and J. O'Keefe.
doi:10.1098/rstb.1997.0125
PMCID: PMC1692055
Parietal Cortex Hippocampus Spatial Cognition
16.  Genetic markers of rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility in anti-citrullinated peptide antibody negative patients 
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases  2012;71(12):1984-1990.
Introduction
There are now over 30 confirmed loci predisposing to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies have been largely undertaken in patients with anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positive RA, and some genetic associations appear stronger in this subgroup than in anti-CCP negative disease, although few studies have had adequate power to address the question. The authors therefore investigated confirmed RA susceptibility loci in a large cohort of anti-CCP negative RA subjects.
Methods
RA patients and controls, with serological and genetic data, were available from UK Caucasian patients (n=4068 anti-CCP positive, 2040 anti-CCP negative RA) and 13,009 healthy controls. HLA-DRB1 genotypes and 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms were tested for association between controls and anti-CCP positive or negative RA.
Results
The shared epitope (SE) showed a strong association with anti-CCP positive and negative RA, although the effect size was significantly lower in the latter (effect size ratio=3.18, p<1.0E-96). A non-intronic marker at TNFAIP3, GIN1/C5orf30, STAT4, ANKRD55/IL6ST, BLK and PTPN22 showed association with RA susceptibility, irrespective of the serological status, the latter three markers remaining significantly associated with anti-CCP negative RA, after correction for multiple testing. No significant association with anti-CCP negative RA was detected for other markers (eg, AFF3, CD28, intronic marker at TNFAIP3), though the study power for those markers was over 80%.
Discussion
In the largest sample size studied to date, the authors have shown that the strength of association, the effect size and the number of known RA susceptibility loci associated with disease is different in the two disease serotypes, confirming the hypothesis that they might be two genetically different subsets.
doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2011-201225
PMCID: PMC3595982  PMID: 22661644
17.  Proceedings of the 2008 annual meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group 
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)  2009;43(4):333-339.
The annual meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG) was held on June 28, 2008 in Washington DC, as a satellite to the Research Society on Alcoholism meeting. The FASDSG membership includes clinical, basic and social scientists, who meet to discuss recent advances and issues in FASD research. The main theme of the meeting was “Factors that Influence Brain and Behavioral Development: Implications for Prevention and Intervention.” Two keynote speakers, Dr. Stephen Suomi and Dr. Carl Keen addressed how early environment and nutrition may influence outcome following prenatal alcohol exposure. The final keynote speaker, Kathy Mitchell, addressed issues regarding the relationship between scientists and the families with children with FASD. Members of the FASDSG provided updates on new findings through brief (FASt) data reports, and national agency representative provided updates of activities and funding priorities. Presentations were also made by recipients of the Student Research Merit award and Rosett award.
doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2009.04.004
PMCID: PMC2709793  PMID: 19560631
fetal alcohol syndrome; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; teratology; ethanol; prenatal
18.  Proceedings of the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group 
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.y.)  2011;46(1):107-114.
The annual meeting of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG) was held on June 26, 2010 in San Antonio, TX, as a satellite of the Research Society on Alcoholism meeting. The FASDSG membership includes clinical, basic and social scientists who meet to discuss recent advances and issues in FASD research. The central theme of the meeting was “Glia and Neurons: Teamwork in Pathology and Therapy.” Alcohol disruption of neuron development and alcohol-induced neurodegeneration is central to the pathology and clinical expression of FASD. The active role of glia as perpetrator, victim, or bystander in neurotoxicology and neurodegenerative processes has emerged at the forefront of adult CNS disorders and therapy. Glia and neuron-glial interactions hold the potential to elucidate causes and offer treatment of FASD as well. Growing evidence indicates that neurons and glia are direct targets of alcohol, but may also be vulnerable to molecules produced in peripheral systems as a result of alcohol exposure. Diagnostics and therapies can take advantage of these processes and biomarkers, and these may be applicable to CNS pathology in FASD. Two keynote speakers, Howard E. Gendelman, M.D., and Ernest M. Graham, M.D, addressed the role of glia and neuroinflammation in brain development and neurodegeneration. The invited speakers and FASDSG members discussed new paradigms in CNS development and discuss new strategies for understanding and treating neurodegenerative disease. Members of the FASDSG provided updates on new findings through presentation of breaking research in the FASt Data Sessions. Representatives of national agencies provided updates on programs, activities, and funding priorities. The Henry Rosett Award was presented to R. Louise Floyd, R.N., D.S.N. for her career contributions to the field of fetal alcohol research. The Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Research Merit Award was presented to Shonagh O’Leary-Moore, Ph.D. for her contributions to the field as a young investigator.
doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2011.07.004
PMCID: PMC3258329  PMID: 21889288
19.  CcpA-Mediated Repression of Streptolysin S Expression and Virulence in the Group A Streptococcus▿†  
Infection and Immunity  2008;76(8):3451-3463.
CcpA is the global mediator of carbon catabolite repression (CCR) in gram-positive bacteria, and growing evidence from several pathogens, including the group A streptococcus (GAS), suggests that CcpA plays an important role in virulence gene regulation. In this study, a deletion of ccpA in an invasive M1 GAS strain was used to test the contribution of CcpA to pathogenesis in mice. Surprisingly, the ΔccpA mutant exhibited a dramatic “hypervirulent” phenotype compared to the parental MGAS5005 strain, reflected as increased lethality in a model of systemic infection (intraperitoneal administration) and larger lesion size in a model of skin infection (subcutaneous administration). Expression of ccpA in trans from its native promoter was able to complement both phenotypes, suggesting that CcpA acts to repress virulence in GAS. To identify the CcpA-regulated gene(s) involved, a transcriptome analysis was performed on mid-logarithmic-phase cells grown in rich medium. CcpA was found to primarily repress 6% of the GAS genome (124 genes), including genes involved in sugar metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and virulence. Notably, the entire sag operon necessary for streptolysin S (SLS) production was under CcpA-mediated CCR, as was SLS hemolytic activity. Purified CcpA-His bound specifically to a cre within sagAp, demonstrating direct repression of the operon. Finally, SLS activity is required for the increased virulence of a ΔccpA mutant during systemic infection but did not affect virulence in a wild-type background. Thus, CcpA acts to repress SLS activity and virulence during systemic infection in mice, revealing an important link between carbon metabolism and GAS pathogenesis.
doi:10.1128/IAI.00343-08
PMCID: PMC2493232  PMID: 18490461
20.  Salvage radiotherapy following biochemical relapse after radical prostatectomy: proceedings of the Genito-Urinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada consensus meeting 
For patients with recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy, salvage radiotherapy is the only potentially curative treatment option. However, until recently there has been a paucity of data on the effectiveness of this approach. In light of recently published studies, the Genito-Urinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada (GUROC) met and crafted a consensus statement regarding the current place of salvage radiotherapy. GUROC also identified gaps in current knowledge and identified ongoing study protocols that will advance our knowledge in this area.
This report summarizes the main conclusions of the meeting and the commentary provided during the consensus-building process, and outlines the consensus statement that was subsequently adopted.
PMCID: PMC2572238  PMID: 18953445
21.  Internal construct validity of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): a Rasch analysis using data from the Scottish Health Education Population Survey 
Background
The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) was developed to meet demand for instruments to measure mental well-being. It comprises 14 positively phrased Likert-style items and fulfils classic criteria for scale development. We report here the internal construct validity of WEMWBS from the perspective of the Rasch measurement model.
Methods
The model was applied to data collected from 779 respondents in Wave 12 (Autumn 2006) of the Scottish Health Education Population Survey. Respondents were aged 16–74 (average 41.9) yrs.
Results
Initial fit to model expectations was poor. The items 'I've been feeling good about myself', 'I've been interested in new things' and 'I've been feeling cheerful' all showed significant misfit to model expectations, and were deleted. This led to a marginal improvement in fit to the model. After further analysis, more items were deleted and a strict unidimensional seven item scale (the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS)) was resolved. Many items deleted because of misfit with model expectations showed considerable bias for gender. Two retained items also demonstrated bias for gender but, at the scale level, cancelled out. One further retained item 'I've been feeling optimistic about the future' showed bias for age. The correlation between the 14 item and 7 item versions was 0.954.
Given fit to the Rasch model, and strict unidimensionality, SWEMWBS provides an interval scale estimate of mental well-being.
Conclusion
A short 7 item version of WEMWBS was found to satisfy the strict unidimensionality expectations of the Rasch model, and be largely free of bias. This scale, SWEMWBS, provides a raw score-interval scale transformation for use in parametric procedures. In terms of face validity, SWEMWBS presents a more restricted view of mental well-being than the 14 item WEMWBS, with most items representing aspects of psychological and eudemonic well-being, and few covering hedonic well-being or affect. However, robust measurement properties combined with brevity make SWEMWBS preferable to WEMWBS at present for monitoring mental well-being in populations. Where face validity is an issue there remain arguments for continuing to collect data on the full 14 item WEMWBS.
doi:10.1186/1477-7525-7-15
PMCID: PMC2669062  PMID: 19228398
22.  CCP11 Group Meeting—Towards the Functional Analysis of Microarrays 
The CCP11 project [2] aims to foster bioinformatics in the UK through conferences, workshops and the provision of Web resources. In March 2002, CCP11 held a meeting in Manchester, UK, on the functional analysis of microarrays. This was part of Manchester BioinformaticsWeek—three consecutive short bioinformatics meetings held in the attractive setting of the Chancellor's Conference Centre at the University of Manchester. The other meetings in the series were a workshop on ontologies and the 12th Annual MASAMB (Mathematical and Statistical Aspects of Molecular Biology) Conference. Many delegates were able to attend more than one meeting, which led to a useful cross-fertilization of ideas across the bioinformatics community. The CCP11 meeting shared with MASAMB a strong emphasis on the statistical analysis and interpretation of data—most often image intensity data.
doi:10.1002/cfg.201
PMCID: PMC2447340  PMID: 18629056
23.  Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): Validated for teenage school students in England and Scotland. A mixed methods assessment 
BMC Public Health  2011;11:487.
Background
Understanding and measuring mental health and wellbeing amongst teenagers has recently become a priority. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) is validated for measuring mental wellbeing in populations aged 16 years and over in the UK. We report here a study designed to establish the validity and reliability of WEMWBS in teenagers in the UK.
Methods
WEMWBS and comparator scales, together with socio-demographic information and self-reported health, were incorporated into a self-administered questionnaire given to pupils aged 13 to 16 years in six schools in Scotland and England. Psychometric properties including internal consistency, correlations with comparator scales, test-retest stability and unidimensionality were investigated for WEMWBS. Twelve focus groups were undertaken to assess acceptability and comprehensibility of WEMWBS and were taped, transcribed and analysed thematically.
Results
A total of 1,650 teenagers completed the questionnaire (response rate 80.8%). Mean WEMWBS score was 48.8 (SD 6.8; median 49). Response scores covered the full range (from 14 to 70). WEMWBS demonstrated strong internal consistency and a high Cronbach's alpha of 0.87 (95% CI (0.85-0.88), n = 1517). Measures of construct validity gave values as predicted. The correlation coefficient for WEMWBS total score and psychological wellbeing domain of the Kidscreen-27 was 0.59 (95% CI [0.55; 0.62]); for the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) was 0.65, 95% CI [0.62; 0.69]; and for the WHO (WHO-5) Well-being Index 0.57 (95% CI [0.53; 0.61]). The correlation coefficient for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was -0.44 (95% CI [-0.49; -0.40]) and for the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) -0.45 (95% CI [-0.49; -0.40]). Test-retest reliability was acceptable (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.66 (95% CI [0.59; 0.72] n = 212)). Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated one underlying factor.
WEMWBS was significantly associated with the Family Affluence Score (WEMWBS increased with increasing household socio-economic status) and had a positive association with the physical health dimension of the Kidscreen-27, but was unrelated to age, gender or location/school. Eighty students took part in focus groups. In general, although some students considered some items open to misunderstanding or misinterpretation, WEMWBS was received positively and was considered comprehensible, and acceptable.
Conclusions
WEMWBS is a psychometrically strong population measure of mental wellbeing, and can be used for this purpose in teenagers aged 13 and over.
doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-487
PMCID: PMC3141456  PMID: 21693055
24.  An observational study of the proceedings of the All India Ophthalmological Conference, 2000 and subsequent publication in indexed journals 
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology  2008;56(3):189-195.
Aims:
To determine the quality of reporting in the proceedings of the All India Ophthalmological Conference (AIOC) 2000, subsequent rate of publication in an indexed journal and differences between the proceedings and the journal version of these papers.
Design:
Observational study.
Materials and Methods:
All papers presented at the AIOC 2000 were retrieved from the proceedings and assessed for completeness of reporting. To determine the subsequent full publication, a Medline search was performed as of January 2007; consistency between the proceedings paper and the final publication was evaluated. Statistical analysis: Chi square and Fisher′s exact tests were used to compare publication rates based on geographical location, subspecialty and study design; Student′s t-test was used to compare differences based on the number of authors and sample size.
Results:
Two hundred papers were retrieved; many failed to include study dates, design or statistical methods employed. Thirty-three (16.5%) papers were subsequently published in indexed journals by January 2007. The published version differed from the proceedings paper in 27 (81.8%) instances, mostly relating to changes in author name, number or sequence.
Conclusions:
The overall quality of reporting of scientific papers in the proceedings of the AIOC 2000 was inadequate and many did not result in publication in an indexed journal. Differences between the published paper in journals and in proceedings were seen in several instances. Ophthalmologists should be cautious about using the information provided in conference proceedings in their ophthalmic practice.
PMCID: PMC2636100  PMID: 18417818
All India ophthalmological conference proceedings; indexed journal; ophthalmology; publication rates
25.  O. Harold Warwick: Canada’s first medical oncologist 
Current Oncology  2011;18(3):e117-e120.
O. Harold Warwick graduated in medicine from McGill University as a gold medalist and Rhodes Scholar in 1940. After World War II, he started postgraduate training in Montreal, and in 1946, he began studying the newly described drug treatment of cancer in London, England. There he carried out the first study of nitrogen mustard in a group of adult patients with a non-hematologic solid tumour, lung cancer. After a brief period of practice in Montreal, he moved in 1948 to Toronto, where he became executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Simultaneously, he joined the staff of Toronto General Hospital and its Radiotherapy Institute, where he became the first physician–oncologist to provide medical care and administer anticancer drugs in a Canadian cancer centre. In 1958, the new Princess Margaret Hospital opened in Toronto; Warwick became its first chief physician, responsible for clinical drug trials. Here he carried out his best known clinical study—the use of vinblastine sulphate in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. From 1961 to 1971, he served as dean and then vice-president Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario. He returned to the practice of medical oncology from 1972 to 1980 at the London Cancer Clinic, after which he had a long and productive retirement. He died in October 2009. Although the specialty was not named until the latter years of his career, Harold Warwick satisfied all the criteria for and was undoubtedly Canada’s first medical oncologist.
PMCID: PMC3108871  PMID: 21655149
Harold Warwick; history; medical oncology

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