The "Gent" consensus on perforator flap terminology: preliminary definitions

Due to its increasing popularity, more and more articles on the use of perforator flaps have been reported in the literature during the past few years. Because the area of perforator flaps is new and rapidly evolving, there are no definitions and standard rules on terminology and nomenclature, which creates confusion when surgeons try to communicate and compare surgical techniques. This article attempts to represent the opinion of a group of pioneers in the field of perforator flap surgery. This consensus was reached after a terminology consensus meeting held during the Fifth International Course on Perforator Flaps in Gent, Belgium, on September 29, 2001. It stipulates not only the definitions of perforator vessels and perforator flaps but also the correct nomenclature for different perforator flaps. The authors believe that this consensus is a foundation that will stimulate further discussion and encourage further refinements in the future.     

Guidelines for the naming of genes, gene products, and mutants in the opportunistic protists

The opportunistic protists encompass a wide diversity of organisms including Pneumocystis, Toxoplasma, cryptosporidia, microsporidia, and related genera. Recent advances in the molecular biology and cellular biochemistry of these organisms have led to the identification of an ever growing numbers of key genes and their cognate proteins. Until now, these molecules have not been designated using any consistent nomenclature system, leading to considerable confusion. The participants of the 11th International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists met on August 3, 2010 to reach consensus of a nomenclature system for genes, gene products, and mutants in the opportunistic protists. The following summary reports the consensus agreement to move toward a unified nomenclature system for these organisms. The system is adapted from that used for Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease after Cancer Nephrectomy in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

BackgroundThe conclusions of population-based studies examining the risk of developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after nephrectomy among patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain inconclusive. In this study, we sought to examine whether patients with RCC undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) have higher risk of ESRD compared to those undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN).MethodsNationwide population-based retrospective cohort of 7670 patients with RCC who underwent RN or PN between 2000 and 2011 as recorded in the Taiwan National Health Insurance in-patient claims data were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was the occurrence of ESRD requiring regular renal hemodialysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was performed to assess the risk.FindingsThe median follow-up for the post-propensity matched cohort (1212 PN and 2424 RN) was 48 months. Seventy patients (2.9%) developed ESRD among those who underwent RN, for an incidence rate of 6.9 cases per 1000 person-years. In contrast, only 23 patients (1.9%) developed ESRD among patients who underwent PN, for an incidence rate of 5.5 cases per 1000 person-years. Despite the higher incidence rate of ESRD among RN, the aIRR (RN/PN) was 1.26 (95% CI 0.78-2.01), which was not statistically significant.ConclusionsThis Taiwan nationwide population-based study suggests that patients with RCC undergoing RN do not have significantly higher risk of developing ESRD compared to those undergoing PN.     

Partial nephrectomy margin imaging using structured illumination microscopy

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the recommended procedure over radical nephrectomy (RN) for patients with renal masses less than 4 cm in diameter (Stage T1a). Patients with less than 4 cm renal masses can also be treated with PN, but have a higher risk for positive surgical margins (PSM). PSM, when present, are indicative of poor clinical outcomes. The current gold‐standard histopathology method is not well‐suited for the identification of PSM intraoperatively due to processing time and destructive nature. Here, video‐rate structured illumination microscopy (VR‐SIM) was investigated as a potential tool for PSM detection during PN. A clinical image atlas assembled from ex vivo renal biopsies provided diagnostically useful images of benign and malignant kidney, similar to permanent histopathology. VR‐SIM was then used to image entire parenchymal margins of tumor resection covering up to >1800× more margin surface area than standard histology. Aided by the image atlas, the study pathologist correctly classified all parenchymal margins as negative for PSM with VR‐SIM, compared to standard postoperative pathology. The ability to evaluate large surgical margins in a short time frame with VR‐SIM may allow it to be used intraoperatively as a “safety net” for PSM detection, allowing more patients to undergo PN over RN.      

Guidelines for the nomenclature of the human heat shock proteins

The expanding number of members in the various human heat shock protein (HSP) families and the inconsistencies in their nomenclature have often led to confusion. Here, we propose new guidelines for the nomenclature of the human HSP families, HSPH (HSP110), HSPC (HSP90), HSPA (HSP70), DNAJ (HSP40), and HSPB (small HSP) as well as for the human chaperonin families HSPD/E (HSP60/HSP10) and CCT (TRiC). The nomenclature is based largely on the more consistent nomenclature assigned by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee and used in the National Center of Biotechnology Information Entrez Gene database for the heat shock genes. In addition to this nomenclature, we provide a list of the human Entrez Gene IDs and the corresponding Entrez Gene IDs for the mouse orthologs.     

A Perspective on Protistan Nomenclature

ABSTRACT. The nomenclature of protists is more complicated than that of plants or animals because more than one code of nomenclature applies (i.e. the taxa may be ambiregnal), because of the frequent absence of type material, and because of changing perspectives of the phylogenetic relationships of various groups of protists. These factors often lead to uncertainty over the meaning of names of taxa. If nomenclatural instability is to be avoided, some changes in current practices are required. The nature of the problems and some possible changes are discussed.     

Inconsistent use of terminology in animal developmental toxicology studies: a discussion

The usage and meaning of terminology in teratology studies varies from laboratory to laboratory. This variability often causes confusion on the part of those reading and attempting to interpret the results published in papers and technical reports. Terms often used to categorize individual findings include embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, teratogenicity, and maternal toxicity. One reason for the variability in the meaning of these words may be the inconsistency in the categorization of data leading up to the interpretation of the results. A more standardized use of these terms would allow more consistent interpretation and comparison of the data presented in teratology reports. This communication discusses some of these inconsistencies and offers suggestions that might help improve the situation.     

International Code of Area Nomenclature

Biogeography needs a standard, coherent nomenclature. Currently, in biogeography, the same name is used for different areas of biological endemism, and one area of endemism is known by more than one name, which leads to conflict and confusion. The name 'Mediterranean', for example, may mean different things to different people – all or part of the sea, or the land in and around it. This results in ambiguity concerning the meaning of names and, more importantly, may lead to conflicts between inferences based on different aspects of a given name. We propose the International Code of Area Nomenclature (ICAN), a naming system that can be used to classify newly coined or existing names based on a standard. When fully implemented, the ICAN will improve communication among biogeographers, systematists, ecologists and conservation biologists.     

Unifying nomenclature for the isoforms of the lysosomal membrane protein LAMP-2

The present nomenclature of the splice variants of the lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2 (LAMP-2) is confusing. The LAMP-2a isoform is uniformly named in human, chicken, and mouse, but the LAMP-2b and LAMP-2c isoforms are switched in human as compared with mouse and chicken. We propose to change the nomenclature of the chicken and mouse b and c isoforms to agree with that currently used for the human isoforms. To avoid confusion in the literature, we further propose to adopt the use of capital letters for the updated nomenclature of all the isoforms in all three species: LAMP-2A, LAMP-2B, and LAMP-2C.     

Recommendations for a nomenclature system for reporting methylation aberrations in imprinted domains

The analysis of DNA methylation has become routine in the pipeline for diagnosis of imprinting disorders, with many publications reporting aberrant methylation associated with imprinted differentially methylated regions (DMRs). However, comparisons between these studies are routinely hampered by the lack of consistency in reporting sites of methylation evaluated. To avoid confusion surrounding nomenclature, special care is needed to communicate results accurately, especially between scientists and other health care professionals. Within the European Network for Human Congenital Imprinting Disorders we have discussed these issues and designed a nomenclature for naming imprinted DMRs as well as for reporting methylation values. We apply these recommendations for imprinted DMRs that are commonly assayed in clinical laboratories and show how they support standardized database submission. The recommendations are in line with existing recommendations, most importantly the Human Genome Variation Society nomenclature, and should facilitate accurate reporting and data exchange among laboratories and thereby help to avoid future confusion.     

Different terms used to describe "red tides"

An event characterized by sudden increase in phytoplankton population, in the sea or aqueous environment, is often designated by different Spanish terms that attempt to describe the nature, aspect, characteristics, and/or properties of such phenomena. In this communication, we discuss the convenience of reaching an agreement among the Spanish-speaking scientific community to use a simple Spanish term that could be much more informative and accurate when referring to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), in general. Summarizing the different Spanish terms historically employed to describe the proliferation of noxious phytoplankton in the sea, we propose "Proliferación Microalgal Nociva" (PMN = HAB) as a term that, on the basis of its etymological meaning could be considered correct. Its use could help to avoid the prevailing confusion in our language caused by different misleading terms now employed when referring to a Harmful Algal Bloom event.     

寒冷刺激对孕鼠子代生长发育的影响

目的：探讨寒冷刺激对孕鼠子代生长发育的影响。方法：将孕鼠分为正常妊娠组和冷激妊娠组,正常妊娠组25℃饲养,冷激妊娠组每日8：00—12：00置于（4±2）℃环境下寒冷刺激。18d后测量孕鼠血压,剖宫记录胎鼠、胎盘、羊水重量,测量初生仔鼠、内脏器官重及内脏器官与体重比值,绘制1—44d的生长曲线、每日增重率曲线,测量出生8周后子代的血压。结果：冷激妊娠组孕鼠血压高于正常妊娠组（P〈0．05）,胎鼠、胎盘、羊水重量显著低于正常妊娠组（P〈0．01）,冷激妊娠组仔鼠内脏器官重显著低于正常妊娠组（P〈0．05）,两组内脏器官与体重比值比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。1～44d的生长曲线表明直到性成熟冷激妊娠组子代的体重仍没有追上正常妊娠组,但两组每日增重率曲线基本吻合。冷激妊娠组子代的血压显著高于正常妊娠组（P〈0．05）。结论：寒冷刺激严重影响子代的生长和发育。     

Genetic polymorphism of alpha 2HS-glycoprotein in a French population. Description of two new rare variants

A French population was investigated for genetic polymorphism of alpha 2HS-glycoprotein (A2HS; nomenclature according to Human Gene Mapping 7, Los Angeles, 1983) using isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting. Three variants were observed together with two common alleles A2HS 1 and A2HS 2, whose frequencies were significantly different from the data in Canadians and Egyptians. An anodal variant to A2HS 1 was identical to a variant with two different nomenclatures reported by three different groups, indicating that there is a confusion in the A2HS nomenclature. The others were new variants with cathodal isoelectric points to A2HS 2 in the native state.     

Patient Safety in Medication Nomenclature: Orthographic and Semantic Properties of International Nonproprietary Names

Background

Confusion between look-alike and sound-alike (LASA) medication names (such as mercaptamine and mercaptopurine) accounts for up to one in four medication errors, threatening patient safety. Error reduction strategies include computerized physician order entry interventions, and ‘Tall Man’ lettering. The purpose of this study is to explore the medication name designation process, to elucidate properties that may prime the risk of confusion.

Methods and Findings

We analysed the formal and semantic properties of 7,987 International Non-proprietary Names (INNs), in relation to naming guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) INN programme, and have identified potential for errors. We explored: their linguistic properties, the underlying taxonomy of stems to indicate pharmacological interrelationships, and similarities between INNs. We used Microsoft Excel for analysis, including calculation of Levenshtein edit distance (LED). Compliance with WHO naming guidelines was inconsistent. Since the 1970s there has been a trend towards compliance in formal properties, such as word length, but longer names published in the 1950s and 1960s are still in use. The stems used to show pharmacological interrelationships are not spelled consistently and the guidelines do not impose an unequivocal order on them, making the meanings of INNs difficult to understand. Pairs of INNs sharing a stem (appropriately or not) often have high levels of similarity (<5 LED), and thus have greater potential for confusion.

Conclusions

We have revealed a tension between WHO guidelines stipulating use of stems to denote meaning, and the aim of reducing similarities in nomenclature. To mitigate this tension and reduce the risk of confusion, the stem system should be made clear and well ordered, so as to avoid compounding the risk of confusion at the clinical level. The interplay between the different WHO INN naming principles should be further examined, to better understand their implications for the problem of LASA errors.     

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement: Addressing Stigma and Bias in the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Obesity/Adiposity-Based Chronic Disease and Assessing Bias and Stigmatization as Determinants of Disease Severity

ObjectiveTo focus on the intersection of perception, diagnosis, stigma, and weight bias in the management of obesity and obtain consensus on actionable steps to improve care provided for persons with obesity.MethodsThe American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) convened a consensus conference of interdisciplinary health care professionals to discuss the interplay between the diagnosis of obesity using adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) nomenclature and staging, weight stigma, and internalized weight bias (IWB) with development of actionable guidance to aid clinicians in mitigating IWB and stigma in that context.ResultsThe following affirmed and emergent concepts were proposed: (1) obesity is ABCD, and these terms can be used in differing ways to communicate; (2) classification categories of obesity should have improved nomenclature across the spectrum of body mass index (BMI) using ethnic-specific BMI ranges and waist circumference (WC); (3) staging the clinical severity of obesity based on the presence and severity of ABCD complications may reduce weight-centric contribution to weight stigma and IWB; (4) weight stigma and internalized bias are both drivers and complications of ABCD and can impair quality of life, predispose to psychological disorders, and compromise the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions; (5) the presence and of stigmatization and IWB should be assessed in all patients and be incorporated into the staging of ABCD severity; and (6) optimal care will necessitate increased awareness and the development of educational and interventional tools for health care professionals that address IWB and stigma.ConclusionsThe consensus panel has proposed an approach for integrating bias and stigmatization, psychological health, and social determinants of health in a staging system for ABCD severity as an aid to patient management. To effectively address stigma and IWB within a chronic care model for patients with obesity, there is a need for health care systems that are prepared to provide evidence-based, person-centered treatments; patients who understand that obesity is a chronic disease and are empowered to seek care and participate in behavioral therapy; and societies that promote policies and infrastructure for bias-free compassionate care, access to evidence-based interventions, and disease prevention.     

Coactivators and corepressors: what's in a name?

Nuclear receptor coregulators are molecules required for efficient function of nuclear receptors. The field of nuclear receptor coregulators has experienced remarkably rapid growth since its inception in the mid-1990s. With this growth has emerged a complex and often redundant nomenclature, which, although relatively familiar to those within the immediate field, has the potential to generate confusion as coactivators and corepressors come under increasing scrutiny in other, less familiar disciplines. We discuss this issue with reference to some specific examples and proffer some guidelines to the community for identifying these molecules.     

The need for a more effective biological nomenclature for the 21st century

HAWKSWORTH, D. L., 1992. The need for a more effective biological nomenclature for the 21st century. The procedures of biological nomenclature are now under immense pressure to change. Users are frustrated by the instability of names and lack of consensus, and increasingly undertake work previously the province of taxonomists; data are presented to show they tend to ignore unwelcome changes. Taxonomists themselves are deflected from both systematic and phylogenetic investigations, and documenting the world's biodiversity, by nomenclatural matters. A survey of 60 U.K. botanical taxonomists revealed that about half spent 10–75% of their research time on nomenclatural matters; extrapolated to the U.K. as a whole, botanical nomenclature could occupy up to 52 full-time posts at a cost of £ 1.3 million. Further, an analysis of 15 monographs of fungal genera showed that overall 85% of the names investigated were not accepted. The major problems to confront relate to concepts of priority, effective and valid publication, illegitimacy, types, ambiregnal organisms and the decision-making bodies. While most of these issues have been overcome by bacteriologists, only now are those concerned with botanical and zoological nomenclature starting to tackle them in earnest. A more effective biological nomenclature could be produced by extending the concept of lists of nomenclaturally protected names. This would resolve questions of effective and valid publication, priority, and application. Such lists would primarily assist taxonomists by dealing with much of the nomenclatural ‘noise’ of the past. Registration procedures are needed to complement such lists for names introduced in the future. The need for standard names and classifications fixed for limited periods is increasingly being met by specialist user groups and also concerns some taxonomists, but is best handled outside formal systems by appropriate specialist bodies. Increased harmonization of the Codes is possible when facing common problems and essential to resolve the difficulties posed by ambiregnal organisms. The image of taxonomy is adversely affected by unsatisfactory nomenclatural systems. Taxonomists should be responsible and refrain from changing names only for nomenclatural reasons while these matters are in discussion. Users and taxonomists need to work with nomenclaturalists to improve the effectiveness of biological nomenclature, if they are to ensure that it will fulfil both their requirements in the 21st century. The prospects for systematics are bleak if it fails to consummate the dual responsibilities of scientific endeavour and user requirements