Remote Cameras Reveal Experimental Artifact in a Study of Seed Predation in a Semi-Arid Shrubland.

Granivorous animals may prefer to predate or cache seed of certain plant species over others. Multiple studies have documented preference for larger, non-native seed by granivores. To accomplish this, researchers have traditionally used indirect inference by relating patterns of seed removal to the species composition of the granivorous animal community. To measure seed removal, researchers present seed to granivorous animals in the field using equipment intended to exclude certain animal taxa while permitting access to others. This approach allows researchers to differentiate patterns of seed removal among various taxa (e.g., birds, small mammals, and insects); however, it is unclear whether the animals of interest are freely using the exclusion devices, which may be a hindrance to discovering the seed dishes. We used video observation to perform a study of seed predation using a custom-built, infrared digital camera and recording system. We presented native and non-native seed mixtures in partitioned Petri dishes both within and outside of exclusion cages. The exclusion cages were intended to allow entrance by rodent taxa while preventing entrance by rabbits and birds. We documented all seed removal visits by granivorous animals, which we identified to the genus level. Genera exhibited varying seed removal patterns based on seed type (native vs. non-native) and dish type (open vs. enclosed). We documented avoidance of the enclosed dishes by all but one rodent taxa, even though these dishes were intended to be used freely by rodents. This suggests that preference for non-native seed occurs differentially among granivorous animals in this system; however, interpretation of these nuanced results would be difficult without the benefit of video observation. When feasible, video observation should accompany studies using in situ equipment to ensure incorrect assumptions do not lead to inappropriate interpretation of results.

Mucocutaneous ulcerations secondary to methotrexate.

Although methotrexate (MTX) is used in several medical specialties including dermatology, rheumatology, and oncology, drug-induced mucocutaneous ulcerations rarely are reported. We present a 36-year-old woman with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis being treated with oral MTX (12.5 mg weekly) and oral methoxsalen plus UVA. Following an increase in MTX dose, she developed erosions and ulcerations on her oral mucosa and within her psoriatic plaques. All erosions and ulcerations healed within 2 weeks upon discontinuation of MTX.

Cost-utility analysis of the GC versus MVAC regimens for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.

A cost-utility analysis was conducted to compare the gemcitabine (Gemzar)/cisplatin and methotrexate/vinblastine(Velban)/doxorubicin (Doxil)/cisplatin regimens in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. The analysis combined the results of a cost analysis of a head-to-head Phase III clinical trial with those from a cross-sectional utility study. The analysis was performed from the perspective of the National Health Service in England and Wales. Medical resource use was obtained from the clinical trial database, from which patient-level cost streams were estimated for each treatment group. Unit costs for each resource utilization component were sought from the latest UK cost sources available at the time of analysis (2001). The distribution of the mean total and incremental costs for each group was simulated via bias-adjusted bootstrapping. Time trade-off utilities were derived from the utility study, which aimed to value the superior toxicity profile associated with gemcitabine/cisplatin, given comparable efficacy, in a discrete choice model assessing toxicity attributes and risks. The mean incremental cost of gemcitabine/cisplatin over methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin was estimated to be approximately pound sterling 2976 per patient, based on a mean of 4.65 cycles per patient treated with gemcitabine/cisplatin compared with a mean of 3.92 cycles per methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin patient. When combined with the utility estimates, this resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of approximately pound sterling 22,925 per quality-adjusted life year gained associated with the choice of gemcitabine/cisplatin over methotrexate/vinblastine/doxorubicin/cisplatin. A 95% confidence interval for the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated to range from pound sterling 12,911 to 33,589 per quality-adjusted life year gained. The incremental cost of gemcitabine/cisplatin is primarily due to the direct costs of chemotherapy given minimal cost offsets. However, an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year ratio in the range of pound sterling 20,000-30,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained suggested that the regimen is reasonable value for money in England and Wales.