bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract B147: Randomized phase II trial of a DNA vaccine encoding prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in patients with recurrent prostate cancer (NCT01341652)
Authors: McNeel Douglas G. , Fong Lawrence , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Liu Glenn
Published: May 2016

Background: Patients with rapidly rising PSA alone after definitive therapy for prostate cancer are at high risk for metastatic progression and ultimately death from prostate cancer. This is a stage of disease for which there are no standard therapies, although androgen deprivation is often used. We have previously reported that a DNA vaccine encoding PAP (pTVG-HP) was safe and could elicit antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in this population (NCT00582140). Patients who developed persistent Th1-type immunity tended to have favorable changes in serum PSA doubling time. The safety, immunological activity, and changes in PSA doubling time were observed in a second pilot clinical trial evaluating different schedules of administration (NCT00849121).

Methods: 106 patients with high-risk PSA-recurrent prostate cancer, PSA doubling time < 12 months, and no metastases by standard radiographic imaging, are being randomized to DNA vaccine with GM-CSF adjuvant versus GM-CSF adjuvant alone in this multicenter trial (NCT01341652). The primary endpoint is 2-year radiographic progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary and exploratory endpoints include median PFS, predictive and early response immune biomarkers, association of T-cell immunity with PFS, and change in tumor growth rates as measured by PSA and quantitative bone imaging using NaF PET imaging.

Results: To our knowledge, this is the first randomized, phase II trial using an anti-tumor DNA vaccine. Enrollment is ongoing, but expected to be complete in 2015. The clinical and biomarker plan of evaluation will be presented, as well as descriptions of other pilot clinical trials ongoing with this DNA vaccine.

Citation Format: Douglas G. McNeel, Lawrence Fong, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, Glenn Liu. Randomized phase II trial of a DNA vaccine encoding prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) in patients with recurrent prostate cancer (NCT01341652). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B147.
Abstract B156: Tumor high endothelial venules (HEVs), specialized blood vessels which recruit lymphocytes to limit tumor progression
Authors: Laffont Robin , Lafouresse Fanny , Girard Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2016

We discovered that some blood vessels present within the tumor microenvironment can be associated with favorable prognosis by contributing to tumor suppression rather than tumor growth (Martinet and Girard, Cancer Res 2011). These specialized blood vessels, designated high endothelial venules (HEVs), are normally found in lymph nodes where they mediate lymphocyte entry (Girard et al., Nat Rev Immunol 2012). A high density of tumor HEVs in human tumors was associated with high levels of cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration, indicating that HEVs may contribute to the eradication of tumors by facilitating access of ‘killer’ lymphocytes into tumor tissues. It is thus important to better define the mechanisms regulating HEV formation. Our previous data have revealed a critical role for dendritic cells (Moussion and Girard, Nature 2011). Here, we will present our most recent results indicating that tumor HEVs may be central to the control of tumor growth in mouse tumor models.

Citation Format: Robin Laffont, Fanny Lafouresse, Jean-Philippe Girard. Tumor high endothelial venules (HEVs), specialized blood vessels which recruit lymphocytes to limit tumor progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B156.
Abstract IA01: T cells as a drug for the personalized immunotherapy of cancer
Authors: Rosenberg Steven
Published: May 2016

Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) immunotherapy using T lymphocytes with antitumor activity is a living therapy that can be highly effective in patients with a variety of metastatic cancers. Naturally occurring tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) expanded in vitro and administered following a lymphodepleting preparative regimen mediated objective regression of metastatic melanoma in 56% of 194 patients including complete regressions in 20% of patients who remain ongoing disease-free 3 to 10 years later. Recent studies have shown that TIL recognized random somatic mutations that served as the targets resulting in complete cancer regressions. To extend ACT immunotherapy to additional patients we developed an approach based on deep exomic sequencing and immunologic testing to generate T cells that recognized immunogenic mutations in a variety of human cancer types including esophageal, colorectal, bile duct, gastric, pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer. Targeting these unique mutations opens the possibility of using ACT to treat patients with common epithelial cancers. We used this approach to treat a patient with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma using autologous mutation-reactive T cells and mediated regression of lung and liver metastases ongoing at two years. In addition to the use of naturally occurring mutation-reactive cells, we have genetically engineered autologous lymphocytes to express antitumor T-cell receptors (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for use in ACT immunotherapy. These cells can mediate durable cancer regressions in heavily pretreated patients with refractory lymphomas, sarcomas, and melanoma. Thus autologous T cells can be used to provide a highly personalized therapy for cancer patients refractory to conventional cancer treatments.

Citation Format: Steven Rosenberg. T cells as a drug for the personalized immunotherapy of cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA01.
Abstract IA02: Biology of the PD-1 pathway
Authors: Sharpe Arlene H.
Published: May 2016

The PD-1 co-inhibitory pathway is a key regulator of the critical balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals needed for effective immune responses to microbes and tumors, as well as self-tolerance. This pathway consists of the inhibitory Programmed Death (PD)-1 receptor and its two ligands, PD-L1 (B7-H1; CD274) and PD-L2 (B7-DC; CD273). PD-1 is inducibly expressed on T cells, and its ligands have distinct expression patterns. PD-L1 is broadly expressed on hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells, whereas PD-L2 is inducibly expressed primarily on DCs and macrophages. In this talk, mechanisms by which the PD-1:PD-L pathway regulates optimal immune homeostasis and tolerance will be discussed. In addition, the functions of the PD-1 pathway in controlling humoral immune responses will be discussed, and compared to the functions of CTLA-4 in regulating humoral immunity.

Citation Format: Arlene H. Sharpe. Biology of the PD-1 pathway. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA02.
Abstract IA13: Engineered T cells for cancer therapy
Authors: June Carl
Published: May 2016

Patients with multiply relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have a limited survival. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells targeting CD19 may overcome the limitation of low complete response rates with conventional therapies with the potential to induce sustained remissions in patients with refractory B-cell malignancies. We previously reported preliminary results on three patients with refractory CLL. Here we report the mature results from our initial trial using CAR modified T cells to treat 14 patients with relapsed and refractory CLL (1). Autologous T cells transduced with a CD19-directed CAR (CTL019) lentiviral vector were infused into patients with relapsed/refractory CLL at doses of 0.14–11 ×108 CTL019 cells (median 1.6 x 108 cells). Patients were monitored for toxicity, response, expansion and persistence of circulating CTL019 T cells. The overall response rate in these heavily pretreated CLL patients was 8/14 (57%), with 4 complete remissions (CR), and 4 partial remissions (PR). The in vivo expansion of the CAR T cells correlated with clinical responses, and CAR T cells have persisted and remain functional beyond 4 years in the first two patients achieving CR; no patient in CR has relapsed. All responding patients have developed B cell aplasia and experienced cytokine release syndrome, coincident with T cell proliferation. Minimal residual disease is not detectable in patients who achieved CR, suggesting that disease eradication may be possible in some patients with advanced CLL.

In separate studies we have asked whether the same CD19 CAR may have activity in tumors that do not express CD19. A patient with refractory multiple myeloma was treated with CTL019 cells, a cellular therapy consisting of autologous T cells transduced with an anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor, following myeloablative chemotherapy (melphalan 140 mg/m2) and autologous stem cell transplantation (2). Four years earlier, autologous transplantation with a higher melphalan dose (200 mg/m2) had induced only a partial, transient response. Autologous transplantation followed by CTL019 cells led to a complete response with no evidence of progression and no measurable serum or urine monoclonal protein at last evaluation, 12 months after treatment. This response was achieved despite absence of CD19 expression in 99.95% of this patient's neoplastic plasma cells.

References:

1. Porter DL, et al. Science Transl Med, 2015 (in press)

2. Garfall A, et al. N Engl J Med, 2015 (in press)

Citation Format: Carl June. Engineered T cells for cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.
Abstract IA14: Engaging T cells against cancer: BLINCYTO® and beyond – the BiTE® platform
Authors: Nagorsen Dirk
Published: May 2016

T-cell-based cancer immunotherapies are at the forefront of a new era in cancer treatment. Engaging T cells through BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) antibody constructs is one of the most advanced immunotherapeutic approaches.

BiTE® antibody constructs have a unique design and mechanism of action. They are constructed by genetically linking the minimal binding domains of monoclonal antibodies for a tumor-associated surface antigen and for the T-cell receptor-associated molecule CD3 onto a single polypeptide chain. Concurrent engagement of the target cell antigen and CD3 leads to activation of polyclonal cytotoxic T-cells, resulting in target cell lysis.

The first BiTE®, blinatumomab, targeting CD19 and CD3, is being investigated in a broad range of B-cell malignancies and has recently received an accelerated approval by the US FDA for Philadelphia chromosome-negative relapsed/refractory B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia under the trade name BLINCYTO®. In addition, several BiTE® antibody constructs targeting other tumor antigens have entered the clinical stage of development. Most recent updates about the BiTE® platform will be presented.

Citation Format: Dirk Nagorsen. Engaging T cells against cancer: BLINCYTO® and beyond – the BiTE® platform. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA14.
Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Pulmonary Hypertension and Changes during Therapy
Authors: Somaini Gina , Hasler Elisabeth D. , Saxer Stéphanie , Huber Lars C. , Lichtblau Mona , Speich Rudolf , Bloch Konrad E. , Ulrich Silvia
Published: May 2016

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) leads to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective: To investigate the prevalence and course of anxiety and depression and their association with HRQoL, disease severity and survival in PH. Methods: 131 PH patients (91 pulmonary arterial, 30 chronic thromboembolic, 10 due to lung disease; 84 female, 47 male) had repeated assessments with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), HRQoL, six-minute walk distance and WHO functional class during a mean course of 16 ± 12 months. Results: Among the 49 incident and 82 prevalent PH patients, the HADS score was positive in 53%/21% (depression), 51%/24% (anxiety) and 63%/26% (total score) (all p < 0.05). The HADS score was improved at the second assessment in incident patients. The HADS score correlated with HRQoL at all consecutive assessments and with functional class until the third assessment, but not with baseline hemodynamics, age or gender. Conclusion: Mood disorders remain underdiagnosed in PH. The higher prevalence of anxiety/depression in incident versus prevalent patients and the improvement over time may indicate an amelioration of mood disorders after PH diagnosis and treatment.
Early Stage Blood Purification for Paraquat Poisoning: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Li An , Li Wenxiong , Hao Fengtong , Wang Haishi
Published: May 2016

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment vs. hemoperfusion (HP) vs. HP + continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) for acute Paraquat (PQ) poisoning. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study of patients with PQ poisoning between January 2013 and June 2014. Clinical data and PQ serum levels were collected at baseline and after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment. Results: Seventy-five, 65, and 43 underwent conservative treatment only (conservative treatment group), conservative treatment + HP (HP group), and conservative treatment + HP + CVVH (HP + CVVH group), respectively. PQ serum levels decreased in all groups after 72 h of treatment (p < 0.001); meanwhile, these values decreased faster in the HP and HP + CVVH groups compared with the conservative treatment group. More importantly, PQ blood levels were significantly lower in the HP + CVVH group compared with the HP group at 24 h (p < 0.05). Sequential organ failure assessment (ΔSOFA) values in the HP and HP + CVVH groups were significantly lower compared with that obtained for the conservative treatment group (p < 0.05). The 60-day survival rates were 21.3, 43.1 and 46.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, PQ dose, admission PQ levels, and admission SOFA score were independently associated with mortality. HP and HP + CVVH were protective factors. Conclusion: Early HP or HP + CVVH after PQ poisoning could decrease PQ blood levels, alleviate organ damage, and increase survival.
Clinicopathological Features of Colorectal Cancer Patients Under the Age of 50: Recent Experience and Case-Control Study of Prognosis in a Japanese Cohort
Authors: Nagai Yuzo , Hata Keisuke , Kawai Kazushige , Murono Koji , Yasuda Koji , Otani Kensuke , Nishikawa Takeshi , Tanaka Toshiaki , Kiyomatsu Tomomichi , Nozawa Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Hironori , Ishihara Soichiro , Watanabe Toshiaki
Published: May 2016

Background/Aims: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in young people is increasing, indicating an urgent need for understanding young-onset CRC. This study serves to clarify the characteristics and prognosis of young CRC patients. Methods: Using a detailed database, various clinicopathological findings including symptoms, family history and prognosis of 70 young CRC patients under 50 years who underwent surgical resection between 2005 and 2011 were compared to 786 old CRC patients over 50 years. For the comparison of prognosis, a matched 1:4 case-control study adjusting for gender, tumor location, tumor differentiation type, and Union For International Cancer Control stage was conducted. Results: The young group had a higher proportion of rectal cancer (51.4 vs. 36.4%, p = 0.004) and a higher positive rate for the Amsterdam criteria II (7.1 vs. 1.9%, p = 0.02) than the old group. There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) or cancer-specific survival (CSS) between the young and old groups (5-year OS: 84.7 vs. 76.9%, p = 0.18; 5-year CSS: 84.7 vs. 82.8%, p = 0.55). Conclusion: This study may add a new perspective to understanding young-onset CRC. The prognosis of young CRC patients was equivalent to that of old CRC patients.
Bosentan Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Comparison of Dried Blood Spot and Plasma Analysis
Authors: Géhin Martine , Sidharta Patricia N. , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: May 2016

FUTURE-3, a phase III pediatric pharmacokinetic (PK) trial conducted to compare 2 bosentan dosing regimens in 64 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, offered the opportunity to compare dried blood spot (DBS)-derived data to plasma data. Bosentan PK parameters obtained with both methods were compared by the geometric mean ratio (GMR; DBS/plasma) and its 90% CI after correction for the blood-to-plasma partition ratio (0.6). Bosentan GMRs were 1.10 (1.03, 1.16) and 1.12 (1.04, 1.20) for AUCτ and Cmax, respectively. Bosentan concentrations measured by DBS were therefore good estimations of bosentan plasma concentrations. DBS can be considered a valid alternative to bosentan assessed in plasma.
Reassessing the Stroke Belt
Authors: Karp David N. , Wolff Catherine S. , Wiebe Douglas J. , Branas Charles C. , Carr Brendan G. , Mullen Michael T.
Published: May 2016

Background and Purpose—

The stroke belt is described as an 8-state region with high stroke mortality across the southeastern United States. Using spatial statistics, we identified clusters of high stroke mortality (hot spots) and adjacent areas of low stroke mortality (cool spots) for US counties and evaluated for regional differences in county-level risk factors.

Methods—

A cross-sectional study of stroke mortality was conducted using Multiple Cause of Death data (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to compute age-adjusted adult stroke mortality rates for US counties. Local indicators of spatial association statistics were used for hot-spot mapping. County-level variables were compared between hot and cool spots.

Results—

Between 2008 and 2010, there were 393 121 stroke-related deaths. Median age-adjusted adult stroke mortality was 61.7 per 100 000 persons (interquartile range=51.4–74.7). We identified 705 hot-spot counties (22.4%) and 234 cool-spot counties (7.5%); 44.5% of hot-spot counties were located outside of the stroke belt. Hot spots had greater proportions of black residents, higher rates of unemployment, chronic disease, and healthcare utilization, and lower median income and educational attainment.

Conclusions—

Clusters of high stroke mortality exist beyond the 8-state stroke belt, and variation exists within the stroke belt. Reconsideration of the stroke belt definition and increased attention to local determinants of health underlying small area regional variability could inform targeted healthcare interventions.
School Children's Attributions of Intentions for Parental Behaviors
Authors: Zhang Lufei , Wan Wendy W. N. , Luk Chung-Leung , Tam Vicky C. W. , Wu Peiguan
Published: May 2016

The present study developed a new scale to measure children's attributions of intentions for parental behaviors. The scale has 180 items (18 intentions that children may use to explain why parents perform each of 10 parental behaviors), and was administered to 1973 Chinese students (age range = 9–16 years; M = 12.5, SD = 1.70; 1024 boys and 949 girls). Using half of the sample, 10 exploratory factor analyses were conducted (variance accounted for ranged from 64.24% to 73.32%, M = 69.9%), each on the 18 items associated with one of the 10 parental behaviors. Four factors with eigenvalues over one emerged. The items associated with two of the 10 stimulus behaviors were selected to form a short version. Using the other half of the sample, confirmatory factor analyses on the short version were conducted and provided further support for the four-factor structure. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlations with parental psychological and behavioral control, and gender, age, and grade of the respondents. Test–retest reliability was assessed among 159 of the respondents over a one-month separation.
Black Girls and School Discipline: The Complexities of Being Overrepresented and Understudied
Authors: Annamma Subini Ancy , Anyon Yolanda , Joseph Nicole M. , Farrar Jordan , Greer Eldridge , Downing Barbara , Simmons John
Published: May 2016

Using Critical Race Theory and Critical Race Feminism as guiding conceptual frameworks, this mixed-methods empirical study examines Black girls’ exclusionary discipline outcomes. First, we examined disciplinary data from a large urban school district to assess racial group differences in office referral reasons and disparities for Black girls in out-of-school suspensions, law enforcement referrals, and expulsions. Next, we used a multivariate analysis to determine whether these patterns held after accounting for other identity markers. Finally, we used Critical Discourse Analysis to consider whether office referrals for Black girls were for subjective or objective behaviors and whether they aligned with dominant narratives.
Pathways to flourishing of athletes: the role of team and individual strength use
Authors: Stander Frederick , Rothmann Sebastiaan , Botha Elrie
Published: May 2016

Information is needed regarding the antecedents and outcomes of flourishing, particularly in sports contexts, where the study of this optimal well-being state has remained largely unexplored. This study examined the role of strength use to facilitate flourishing, enhance team embeddedness, and counter withdrawal behaviour of athletes. It further investigated the role of flourishing to retain athletes to their sport and teams and examined the role of team embeddedness in this relationship. A cross-sectional research design was utilised with structural equation modelling to assess model fit and examine postulated relationships. The sample comprised 235 student athletes. The results suggested that team strength use predicts flourishing. It further revealed positive paths to team embeddedness from both individual and team strength use. Flourishing was also positively related to team embeddedness. Lastly, a negative association was found between team embeddedness and withdrawal behaviour among the athletes.
Hamstring Reinjuries Occur at the Same Location and Early After Return to Sport
Authors: Wangensteen Arnlaug , Tol Johannes L. , Witvrouw Erik , Van Linschoten Robbart , Almusa Emad , Hamilton Bruce , Bahr Roald
Published: May 2016

Background:

Despite relatively high reinjury rates after acute hamstring injuries, there is a lack of detailed knowledge about where and when hamstring reinjuries occur, and studies including imaging-confirmed reinjuries are scarce.

Purpose:

To investigate the location, radiological severity, and timing of reinjuries on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared with the index injury.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A MRI scan was obtained ≤5 days after an acute hamstring index injury in 180 athletes, and time to return to sport (RTS) was registered. Athletes with an MRI-confirmed reinjury in the same leg ≤365 days after RTS were included. Categorical grading and standardized MRI parameters of the index injury and reinjury were scored by a single radiologist (with excellent intraobserver reliability). To determine the location of the reinjury, axial and coronal views of the index injury and reinjury were directly compared on proton density–weighted fat-suppressed images.

Results:

In the 19 athletes included with reinjury, 79% of these reinjuries occurred in the same location within the muscle as the index injury. The median time to RTS after the index injury was 19 days (range, 5-37 days; interquartile range [IQR], 15 days). The median time between the index injury and reinjury was 60 days (range, 20-316 days; IQR, 131 days) and the median time between RTS after the index injury and the reinjury was 24 days (range, 4-311 days; IQR, 140 days). More than 50% of reinjuries occurred within 25 days (4 weeks) after RTS from the index injury and 50% occurred within 50 days after the index injury. All reinjuries with more severe radiological grading occurred in the same location as the index injury.

Conclusion:

The majority of the hamstring reinjuries occurred in the same location as the index injury, early after RTS and with a radiologically greater extent, suggesting incomplete biological and/or functional healing of the index injury. Specific exercise programs focusing on reinjury prevention initiated after RTS from the index injury are highly recommended.
Lean Principles in an Operating Room Environment
Authors: Matos Ivo Alexandre , Alves Anabela Carvalho , Tereso Anabela Pereira
Published: May 2016

This article presents the implementation of lean principles using action research, in a health-care environment, focused on the operating room. Lean production has been successively adopted in the services sector because its implementation improves process efficiency and resources management. Additionally, a culture of continuous improvement search is created in the organization, a culture focused on the client (patient) that creates value for the client. This implies a change of the paradigm that prevails in some countries where the doctor is viewed as the ‘client’. The action research described in this article promoted lean principles in an operating room and support warehouses. The results were as follows: stocks management improved, warehouse spaces reduced by 20 to 25 per cent, operating room areas were better organized, equipment and obsolete surgical material were eliminated, equipment management was improved and operating times were reduced. Furthermore, it was necessary to create productivity indicators for the operating room to improve visual management and train staff for adopting a lean behaviour and attitude. This action research describes a trend in health care that implies an organizational change of culture and paradigm.
Outcome Evaluation of Family Eats
Authors: Cullen Karen Weber , Thompson Debbe , Chen Tzu-An
Published: May 2016

This article presents the results of a randomized clinical trial evaluating the eight-session Family Eats web-based intervention promoting healthy home food environments for African American families. African American families ( n = 126) with 8- to 12-year-old children completed online baseline questionnaires and were randomized into intervention or control groups. Data collection occurred at baseline, immediately postintervention (Post 1), and 4 months later (Post 2), for parents and children, separately. There were two group by time intervention effects: Control group parents reported a significantly greater frequency of drinking 100% fruit juice at Post 1 compared with intervention group parents. Parent menu planning skills were significantly higher at Post 2 for the intervention group compared with the control group. Significant positive changes overtime were noted for both groups for home fruit/vegetable availability, food preparation practices, and healthy restaurant selection. Intervention group children reported a significant increase in home juice availability at Post 1 compared with the control group; home fruit availability improved for both groups. There was no difference in log on rates by group: 84% and 86% for those who completed Post 1 and Post 2 measurements, respectively. Sixty-four participants completed the evaluation survey: 17 control (50%) and 47 intervention (51%) participants. All participants reported liking the program components; all but one gave it an A or B grade. An Internet-delivered nutrition intervention for families was successful in achieving change in some mediating variables, with good log on rates. Future research with Family Eats should include larger sample sizes, with longer follow-up and a more objective measure of diet.
Interfraction Anatomical Variability Can Lead to Significantly Increased Rectal Dose for Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wahl Michael , Descovich Martina , Shugard Erin , Pinnaduwage Dilini , Sudhyadhom Atchar , Chang Albert , Roach Mack , Gottschalk Alexander , Chen Josephine
Published: May 2016

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for prostate cancer is rapidly growing in popularity. Stereotactic body radiotherapy plans mimic those of high-dose rate brachytherapy, with tight margins and inhomogeneous dose distributions. The impact of interfraction anatomical changes on the dose received by organs at risk under these conditions has not been well documented. To estimate anatomical variation during stereotactic body radiotherapy, 10 patients were identified who received a prostate boost using robotic stereotactic body radiotherapy after completing 25 fractions of pelvic radiotherapy with daily megavoltage computed tomography. Rectal and bladder volumes were delineated on each megavoltage computed tomography, and the stereotactic body radiotherapy boost plan was registered to each megavoltage computed tomography image using a point-based rigid registration with 3 fiducial markers placed in the prostate. The volume of rectum and bladder receiving 75% of the prescription dose (V75%) was measured for each megavoltage computed tomography. The rectal V75% from the daily megavoltage computed tomographies was significantly greater than the planned V75% (median increase of 0.93 cm3, P < .001), whereas the bladder V75% on megavoltage computed tomography was not significantly changed (median decrease of −0.12 cm3, P = .57). Although daily prostate rotation was significantly correlated with bladder V75% (Spearman ρ = .21, P = .023), there was no association between rotation and rectal V75% or between prostate deformation and either rectal or bladder V75%. Planning organ-at-risk volume-based replanning techniques using either a 6-mm isotropic expansion of the plan rectal contour or a 1-cm expansion from the planning target volume in the superior and posterior directions demonstrated significantly improved rectal V75% on daily megavoltage computed tomographies compared to the original stereotactic body radiotherapy plan, without compromising plan quality. Thus, despite tight margins and full translational and rotational corrections provided by robotic stereotactic body radiotherapy, we find that interfraction anatomical variations can lead to a substantial increase in delivered rectal doses during prostate stereotactic body radiotherapy. A planning organ-at-risk volume-based approach to treatment planning may help mitigate the impact of daily organ motion and reduce the risk of rectal toxicity.
Health monitoring and diagnosis system for heavy roll grinding machine
Authors: Miao Zhonghua , Zou Zhaoguang , Gao Zhiyuan , Li Nan , Liu Chengliang
Published: May 2016

A health monitoring and diagnosis system for heavy roll grinding machine is reported in this article. It consists of field monitoring system, remote service system, and collaborative management system. The architecture of the health monitoring and diagnosis system is discussed in detail including placement of the vibration sensors, system configuration of the monitoring and diagnostic instrument, and the implementation process of the health monitoring and diagnosis system. The test results show that the reported health monitoring and diagnosis system for heavy roll grinding machine is effective and abnormal status identification is achieved.
William Thomas Moncrieff
Authors: Bratton Jacky
Published: May 2016

This article argues for a more sympathetic and indeed admiring evaluation of the adaptations William Moncrieff made for the early nineteenth-century stage from the novels, operas and popular songs of the period. His reputation had been fatally tarnished by the abuse of Charles Dickens, who resented his successful adaptations of Dickens's own work; but I argue, from a reading of Moncrieff's correspondence, his autobiography and the surviving manuscripts of his successful plays, that his practice as an adaptor and playwright – eclectic, wide-ranging, syncretic, serving many different artistic and performance purposes – should be revisited. It may be read as part of a richer genealogy for the modern musical theatre, as well as valued for its own successes, founded upon adaptability as well as adaptation.
Forever young: Childhoods, fairy tales and philosophy
Authors: Tesar Marek , Kupferman David W , Rodriguez Sophia , Arndt Sonja
Published: May 2016

Fairy tales play a substantial role in the shaping of childhoods. Developed into stories and played out in picture books, films and tales, they are powerful instruments that influence conceptions and treatments of the child and childhoods. This article argues that traditional fairy tales and contemporary stories derived from them use complex means to mould the ways that children live and experience their childhoods. This argument is illustrated through representations of childhoods and children in a selection of stories and an analysis of the ways they act on and produce the child subjects and childhoods they convey. The selected stories are examined through different philosophical lenses, utilizing Foucault, Lyotard and Rousseau. By problematizing these selected stories, the article analyses what lies beneath the surface of the obvious meanings of the text and enticing pictures in stories, as published or performed. Finally, this article argues for a careful recognition of the complexities of stories used in early childhood settings and their powerful and multifaceted influences on children and childhoods.
First-Year Teachers’ Uphill Struggle to Implement Inquiry Instruction
Authors: Chichekian Tanya , Shore Bruce M. , Tabatabai Diana
Published: May 2016

This longitudinal study of six first-year teachers focused on conceptualizations of inquiry-based pedagogy, self-efficacy for inquiry-based teaching, and its actual enactment. Data included a self-report survey of self-efficacy for inquiry-based instruction, individual interviews at the beginning and end of the year, and five distributed classroom observations. At year’s end, self-efficacy for inquiry teaching declined, as did frequencies of concepts teachers used to describe inquiry enactment. Inquiry descriptions reflected a set of interrelated procedures more than inquiry as conceptual knowledge. Novice teachers were observed least enacting pedagogical actions that required enabling students to communicate findings and the most in student engagement; however, over time frequencies of student engagement declined. Consistent patterns were observed between shifts in self-efficacy and inquiry enactment and shifts between self-efficacy and conceptualizations of inquiry enactment. We found beginning steps toward links between teacher’s conceptualizations and classroom practice.
Brazil as an Emerging Donor in Africa’s Agricultural Sector: Comparing Two Projects
Authors: Cesarino Letícia
Published: May 2016

This article approaches the recent phenomenon of South–South cooperation with a focus on Brazil’s recent interventions in the agricultural sector. It reports on the case of Brazil as a provider of technical cooperation for the African continent, based on the experience of its national agricultural research institute, best known by its acronym Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). The first section provides a historical genealogy of South–South cooperation and the experience of Brazil. The second compares two projects that EMBRAPA is currently implementing in Africa. Based on this historical and comparative discussion, it concludes by assessing the potential of South–South cooperation for re-politicizing international development.
Comparison of Indiana High School Football Injury Rates by Inclusion of the USA Football “Heads Up Football” Player Safety Coach
Authors: Kerr Zachary Y. , Dalton Sara L. , Roos Karen G. , Djoko Aristarque , Phelps Jennifer , Dompier Thomas P.
Published: May 2016

Background:

In Indiana, high school football coaches are required to complete a coaching education course with material related to concussion awareness, equipment fitting, heat emergency preparedness, and proper technique. Some high schools have also opted to implement a player safety coach (PSC). The PSC, an integral component of USA Football’s Heads Up Football (HUF) program, is a coach whose primary responsibility is to ensure that other coaches are implementing proper tackling and blocking techniques alongside other components of the HUF program.

Purpose:

To compare injury rates in Indiana high school football teams by their usage of a PSC or online coaching education only.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Athletic trainers (ATs) evaluated and tracked injuries at each practice and game during the 2015 high school football season. Players were drawn from 6 teams in Indiana. The PSC group, which used the PSC component, was comprised of 204 players from 3 teams. The “education only” group (EDU), which utilized coaching education only, was composed of 186 players from 3 teams. Injury rates and injury rate ratios (IRRs) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results:

During 25,938 athlete-exposures (AEs), a total of 149 injuries were reported, of which 54 (36.2%) and 95 (63.8%) originated from the PSC and EDU groups, respectively. The practice injury rate was lower in the PSC group than the EDU group (2.99 vs 4.83/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.95). The game injury rate was also lower in the PSC group than the EDU group (11.37 vs 26.37/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25-0.74). When restricted to concussions only, the rate was lower in the PSC group (0.09 vs 0.73/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01-0.94), although only 1 concussion was reported in the PSC group. No differences were found in game concussion rates (0.60 vs 4.39/1000 AEs; IRR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02-1.11).

Conclusion:

Findings support the PSC as an effective method of injury mitigation in high school football. Future research should seek to replicate this study using larger samples from additional states.
Trends in Income-Related Gaps in Enrollment in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Magnuson Katherine , Waldfogel Jane
Published: May 2016

We use data from the 1968–2013 October Current Population Survey to document trends in 3- and 4-year-old children’s enrollment in center-based early childhood education, focusing on gaps in enrollment among children from low-, middle-, and high-income families. We find that income-related gaps in enrollment widened in the 1970s and 1980s but appear to have plateaued or narrowed for succeeding cohorts. These patterns are consistent with recent trends in income-related gaps in school achievement.
3D seismic edge detection using magic squares and cubes
Authors: Adetokunbo Peter , Al-Shuhail Abdullatif A. , Al-Dossary Saleh
Published: May 2016

Edge detection is a category of geometric seismic attributes that has the capability to delineate vital information from seismic reflection data that can be used to aid qualitative and quantitative interpretation. We have evaluated a new method for geologic interpretation based on templates derived from magic squares and cubes. These are discrete differential operators that approximately calculate the spatial derivative of seismic amplitude through 2D and 3D convolution to locate edges and/or geologic features in seismic data. The new operator benefits from multidirectional scanning leading to efficient detection of different edge locations and their respective orientations. We have tested the new operators against the commonly used Sobel filter using two 3D seismic data volumes. Results of the [Formula: see text] magic cube operators provided better definition of seismic features than the [Formula: see text] magic cube operators. The overall results compared favorably with the Sobel operator, which suggests that the method can serve as a complementary tool to other existing seismic attributes.
Chronic Pain Without Clear Etiology in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review
Authors: Jackson Tracy , Thomas Sarah , Stabile Victoria , Han Xue , Shotwell Matthew , McQueen K. A. Kelly
Published: May 2016

Globally, 8 of the top 12 disabling conditions are related either to chronic pain or to the psychological conditions strongly associated with persistent pain. In this narrative review, we explore the demographic and psychosocial associations with chronic pain exclusively from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and compare them with current global data. One hundred nineteen publications in 28 LMICs were identified for review; associations with depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, insomnia, disability, gender, age, rural/urban location, education level, income, and additional sites of pain were analyzed for each type of chronic pain without clear etiology. Of the 119 publications reviewed, pain was described in association with disability in 50 publications, female gender in 40 publications, older age in 34 publications, depression in 36 publications, anxiety in 19 publications, and multiple somatic complaints in 13 publications. Women, elderly patients, and workers, especially in low-income and low-education subgroups, were more likely to have pain in multiple sites, mood disorders, and disabilities. In high-income countries, multisite pain without etiology, female gender, and association with mood disturbance and disability may be suggestive of a central sensitization syndrome (CSS). Because each type of prevalent chronic pain without known etiology reviewed had similar associations in LMICs, strategies for assessment and treatment of chronic pain worldwide should consider the possibility of prevalent CSS. Recognition is especially critical in resource-poor areas, because treatment of CSS is vastly different than localized chronic pain.
Perioperative Supplemental Oxygen Does Not Worsen Long-Term Mortality of Colorectal Surgery Patients
Authors: Podolyak Attila , Sessler Daniel I. , Reiterer Christian , Fleischmann Edith , Akça Ozan , Mascha Edward J. , Greif Robert , Kurz Andrea
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND:

A follow-up analysis from a large trial of oxygen and surgical-site infections reported increased long-term mortality among patients receiving supplemental oxygen, especially those having cancer surgery. Although concerning, there is no obvious mechanism linking oxygen to long-term mortality. We thus tested the hypothesis that supplemental oxygen does not increase long-term mortality in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Secondarily, we evaluated whether the effect of supplemental oxygen on mortality depended on cancer status.

METHODS:

Mortality data were obtained for 927 patients who participated in 2 randomized trials evaluating the effect of supplemental oxygen on wound infection. We assessed the effect of 80% vs 30% oxygen on long-term mortality across 4 clinical sites in the 2 trials using a Cox proportional hazards regression model stratified by study and site. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated for each trial. Finally, we report site-stratified hazard ratios for patients with and without cancer at baseline.

RESULTS:

There was no effect of 80% vs 30% oxygen on mortality, with an overall site-stratified hazard ratio of 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72–1.20; P = 0.57). The treatment effect was consistent across the 2 original studies (interaction P = 0.88) and across the 4 sites (P = 0.84). There was no difference between patients with (n = 451) and without (n = 450) cancer (interaction P = 0.51), with hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.64–1.1) for cancer patients and 0.97 (0.53–1.8) for noncancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

In contrast to the only previous publication, we found that supplemental oxygen had no influence on long-term mortality in the overall surgical population or in patients having cancer surgery.
T cell adhesion triggers an early signaling pole distal to the immune synapse
Authors: Guedj Chloé , Abraham Nicolas , Jullié Damien , Randriamampita Clotilde
Published: May 2016

The immunological synapse forms at the interface between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell after foreign antigen recognition. The immunological synapse is considered to be the site where the signaling cascade leading to T lymphocyte activation is triggered. Here, we show that another signaling region can be detected before formation of the synapse at the opposite pole of the T cell. This structure appears during the first minute after the contact forms, is transient and contains all the classic components that have been previously described at the immunological synapse. Its formation is independent of antigen recognition but is driven by adhesion itself. It constitutes a reservoir of signaling molecules that are potentially ready to be sent to the immunological synapse through a microtubule-dependent pathway. The antisynapse can thus be considered as a pre-synapse that is triggered independently of antigen recognition.
Cdk-dependent phosphorylation regulates TRF1 recruitment to PML bodies and promotes C-circle production in ALT cells
Authors: Wilson Florence R. , Ho Angus , Walker John R. , Zhu Xu-Dong
Published: May 2016

TRF1, a duplex telomeric DNA binding protein, is implicated in homologous-recombination-based alternative lengthening of telomeres, known as ALT. However, how TRF1 promotes ALT activity has yet to be fully characterized. Here we report that Cdk-dependent TRF1 phosphorylation on T371 acts as a switch to create a pool of TRF1, referred to as (pT371)TRF1, which is recruited to ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs) in S and G2 phases independently of its binding to telomeric DNA. We find that phosphorylation of T371 is essential for APB formation and C-circle production, both of which are hallmarks of ALT. We show that the interaction of (pT371)TRF1 with APBs is dependent upon ATM and homologous-recombination-promoting factors Mre11 and BRCA1. In addition, (pT371)TRF1 interaction with APBs is sensitive to transcription inhibition, which also reduces DNA damage at telomeres. Furthermore, overexpression of RNaseH1 impairs (pT371)TRF1 recruitment to APBs in the presence of campothecin, an inhibitor that prevents topoisomerase I from resolving RNA–DNA hybrids. These results suggest that transcription-associated DNA damage, perhaps arising from processing RNA–DNA hybrids at telomeres, triggers (pT371)TRF1 recruitment to APBs to facilitate ALT activity.
Spectrophotometer Ageing and Prediction of Fruit Attributes
Authors: Acharya Umesh K. , Walsh Kerry B. , Hayes Clinton , Subedi Phul P.
Published: May 2016

Deterioration of lamp output quality over time and degradation of detector signal-to-noise ratio are issues associated with ageing of a spectrophotometer. To document the effect of instrument ageing on short wavelength near infrared spectroscopy-based assessment of internal attributes of fruit quality prediction (total soluble solids, TSS, of juice), an assessment was conducted of several handheld photodiode array-based spectrophotometers over several years, with repeated spectra of a reference Teflon (PTFE) tile and spectra of 20 apple fruit acquired at yearly intervals. The repeatability of each instrument was assessed as the standard deviation of absorbance of repeated measures of a reference, typically around 0.2 mAbs. Instrument changes were identified in performance and in principal components analysis plots, but performance (apple TSS model) was not related to instrument repeatability. A piecewise direct standardisation method is recommended to maintain a multivariate calibration model across spectrometers.
The itch that's less than sweet
Authors: Clarke Anna
Published: May 2016

Redwings' equine veterinary nurse Anna Clarke discusses the problems caused by sweet itch and other seasonal skin irritations