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Understanding the underlying principles of statistical techniques and effectively applying statistical methods can be challenging for researchers at all stages of their career. This concise, practical guide uses a simple, engaging approach to take scientists and clinicians working in laboratory-based life science and medical research through the steps of choosing and implementing appropriate statistical methods to analyse results. The author draws on her extensive experience of advising students and researchers over the past 30 years, breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand units. Practical examples using free online statistical tools are included throughout, with illustrations and diagrams employed to keep jargon to a minimum. Sample size calculations and considerations are covered in depth, and the book refers to the types of experiment and data lab-based scientists are likely to encounter. Straightforward, accessible and encouraging throughout, this is a go-to reference for researchers who want to achieve statistical autonomy.

Opiate use is no longer confined to the greater urban context in Ireland, with scant detoxification services present in rural areas (Carew et al, 2009; National Advisory Committee on Drugs, 2008). This exploratory research aimed to yield an illustrative account of opiate users' experiences of self‐detoxification by adopting a grounded theory approach (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Data emerging from 21 in‐depth interviews (n=12 heroin users, n=9 drug service providers: statutory, community and voluntary) were analysed using the constant comparative method. The study generated a substantive theory of self‐detoxification as a subjective process of seeking heroin abstinence. Self‐detoxification emerged as a frequent and reactive or proactive process in collaboration with others (heroin users, family and drug service providers). The study has implications for drug service delivery in rural Ireland in terms of increasing information provision and access to opiate detoxification through the development of low threshold services and community‐based detoxification.

This article discusses the role and aims of physiotherapy in the treatment and management of spasticity. For effective rehabilitation, physiotherapists need to be able to analyse any deviations from normal movement and use a variety of interventions in order to maximise their potential for improvement.

Background: Clofarabine, a second-generation nucleoside analogue, has been shown in prospective studies to have activity in relapsed or refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, there are few data evaluating performance of the drug in populations of patients not enrolled in clinical trials. Methods: We reviewed clinical outcomes for 84 patients treated at our center off-study for relapsed or refractory AML (n=81) or MDS (n=3) with clofarabine as monotherapy (n=19) or in combination with cytarabine (n=65). Almost all patients (n=62) receiving combination therapy were administered cytarabine 1 g/m2/day on days 1-5 and clofarabine 40 mg/m2/day on days 2-6 (Faderl et al Blood 2005; 105:940), while monotherapy dosing ranged from 15-30 mg/m2/day x 5 days. Results: Median age of patients was 51 years; 54% were male. The median prior salvage regimens received was 1 (range, 0-5). Using International Working Group (IWG) response criteria, the overall response rate (ORR) of all treated patients was 21%, with a complete response rate with either complete or incomplete hematopoietic recovery (CRR = CR + CRi) of 14%. For combination therapy, ORR was 22% with CRR of 18%, and monotherapy patients had an ORR of 21% with CRR of 11%. Although limited by small numbers, subgroup analysis did not reveal significant variation in response rates when comparing age, performance status, or prior number of salvage regimens. 30-day mortality or induction death for all patients, combined therapy, and monotherapy was 21%, 23%, and 16% respectively. Overall median survival for all patients was 3 months; a subset of 12 patients who were able to go to allogeneic stem cell transplant had an 18-month median survival. Conclusion: Clofarabine’s efficacy in a "real-world" setting appears to be less than has been reported in clinical trials, and treatment is associated with a high early mortality rate. Clofarabine's utility in relapsed/refractory AML/MDS may be primarily for cytoreduction in patients who have an allogeneic transplant option. Disclosures Off Label Use: Clofarabine- a second-generation nucleoside analogue approved for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia..

Measurements of cortical and subcortical atrophy were made on CT scans of 34 patients with Huntington's disease. Significant correlations were found between the bicaudate ratio (BCR) and an eye movement scale (r = 0.44, p less than 0.01), and activities of daily living scale (r = 0.57, p less than 0.001) and the Mini-Mental State Exam (r = 0.49, p less than 0.01). No correlations were found between BCR values and severity of chorea or voluntary motor impairment. A detailed neuropsychological evaluation of 18 Huntington's disease patients showed significant correlations between the BCR and Symbol Digit Modalities test (r = 0.65, p less than 0.01), and parts A (r = 0.72, p less than 0.001) and B (r = 0.80, p less than 0.0001) of the Trail Making Test. These data support work in primates that demonstrates the role of the caudate nucleus in cognitive and oculomotor functions, but not in motor control (which is governed by putamino-subthalamic systems). The specific cognitive skills correlated with caudate atrophy in Huntington's disease are those reported in primate work to be served by the frontal-caudate loop system: eye movements, conceptual tracking, set shifting and psychomotor speed.