Head and Neck Diseases by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis: 05/05/18

Σάββατο 5 Μαΐου 2018

Motivational interviewing for enhancing engagement in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) treatment: A review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Sara Soleymani, Eileen Britt, Mark Wallace-Bell
Client engagement is an essential component in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) treatment. Engaged clients are more likely to engage with treatment and report a greater degree of treatment satisfaction. Likewise, enhanced engagement is associated with positive treatment outcomes such as session attendance and homework compliance. Only small effect sizes have been reported for reductions in IPV itself, and treatment engagement has been identified as an important factor in this, with studies reporting high rates of non-attendance and drop-out.This article reviews research on the efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) as a pre-treatment intervention to promote treatment engagement for men who have been mandated or self-referred to attend Intimate Partner Violence treatment. Although limited in number (n = 5), these studies revealed a significant improvement in the level of engagement, session attendance and homework compliance following MI. Further research to focus on MI for treatment engagement, specifically, rather than MI for behaviour change is needed.

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A systematic review of the association between rape myth acceptance and male-on-female sexual violence

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Emma J. Yapp, Ethel Quayle
Rape myth acceptance is considered an established risk factor for male-on-female sexual violence, and is therefore the target of a number of primary prevention programmes. However, there is not a clear evidence base substantiating the role of rape myth acceptance in sexual violence, nor any reviews of recent literature. This review systematically searched relevant Psychology and Social Science databases in Autumn 2016, in order to collate cross-sectional and longitudinal research on the association between rape myth acceptance and self-reported sexual violence. The analysis established associations between these variables in all but one study (Warren, Swan, & Allen, 2015), and two longitudinal studies demonstrated that rape myth acceptance differentiates non-perpetrators from those who go on to exhibit sexual violence behaviours. These findings provide support for the targeting of rape myth acceptance in primary prevention strategies. However, a number of failings within this literature were also identified: instruments used to analyse rape myth acceptance were widely varied; the comprehensiveness of study reporting was universally flawed; measures were rarely taken to ensure participants were heterosexual men; and there remains a dearth of longitudinal evidence, as well as a lack of research outside of the United States. Future directions and other limitations are discussed.

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Influence of psychological contract on workplace bullying

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): M. Rajalakshmi, B. Naresh
A few decades back, organizations were very much targeted towards profit, productivity, performance and turnovers. But now some organizations are only concerned about their employee's well-being and satisfaction for better performance in their organization. In this esteem, researchers and organization are considering various factors which improve their employee satisfaction, employee well-being, employee productivity, employee morale, employee performance, employee behavior and attitude in the work environment. To increase this relationship between employee and employer, many scholars and management are focusing on various areas like, organizational justice, career satisfaction, employee Work Performance, employee and employer relationship in workplace, consequences of psychological contract, and effects of psychological contract on job outcomes and violation of psychological contract.Based on the many literature, there is a need for research on workplace bullying especially to know its impact is due to psychological contract violation in industries. Various researchers have undergone to know the behavior outcome of workplace bullying in other sectors like hospitality, service, IT Industry, etc. The purpose of this review research is to look at impact of psychological contract on workplace bullying among employees.

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Hate speech review in the context of online social networks

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Naganna Chetty, Sreejith Alathur
Advances in Internet Technologies (ITs) and online social networks have made more benefits to humanity. At the same time, the dark side of this growth/benefit has led to increased hate speech and terrorism as most common and powerful threats globally. Hate speech is an offensive kind of communication mechanism that expresses an ideology of hate using stereotypes. Hate speech targets different protected characteristics such as gender, religion, race, and disability. Control of hate speech can be made using different national and international legal frameworks. Any intentional act directed against life or related entities causing a common danger is known as terrorism. There is a common practice of discussing or debating hate speech and terrorism separately. In the recent past, most of the research articles have discussed either hate speech or terrorism. Hate speech is a type of terrorism and follows an incident or trigger event of terrorism. Online social networks are the result of ITs and evolved rapidly through the popularity among youth. As both the activities are near to close and makes use of online social networks, the collective discussion is appropriate. Therefore we have a review on hate speech with different classes and terrorism with cyber use in the framework of online social networks. With the help of combined effort from the government, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and online social networks, the proper policies can be framed to counter both hate speech and terrorism efficiently and effectively.

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Consistency of gender differences in bullying in cross-cultural surveys

Publication date: Available online 2 May 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Peter K. Smith, Leticia López-Castro, Susanne Robinson, Anke Görzig
Many studies have reported on gender differences in bully and victim rates, but with the majority of reports from a small number of countries. Here we report on such gender differences from five large cross-national data bases. We report on overall male:female (M:F) ratios, and variations in these by age (or grade), by survey time point, and by offline/online bullying. We also compare consistency of M:F ratios across countries, over the five surveys. The preponderance of male perpetrators of bullying is found consistently across surveys, and survey time point. It is also consistent by age, but HBSC data suggest a curvilinear trend in early adolescence. Males also tend to more frequently be victims of bullying, consistent across age and survey time point, but with variations by survey. There is some indication of a decrease in M:F ratio recently in mid-adolescence, possibly related to online bullying. At least relatively, females are more involved as victims of online than offline bullying. Comparing recent findings on M:F ratio across countries for the five surveys, correlations vary from high to near zero. Implications for the explanation of gender differences in different countries, the comparability of data from different surveys, and for gender-specific interventions, are discussed.

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Cyberhate: A review and content analysis of intervention strategies

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Catherine Blaya
This paper presents a review of intervention programmes against cyberhate. Over the last decade, the preoccupation over the use of electronic means of communication as a tool to convey hate, racist and xenophobic contents rose tremendously. NGOs, legal professionals, private companies, and civil society have developed interventions but little is known about their impact. For this review we followed the method and protocol from the guidelines from the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook for Systematic Reviews and the Campbell Collaboration Crime and Justice guidelines. The review identified three key intervention areas: law, technology and education through the empowerment of the individuals under the form of counter-speech. No specific intervention towards aggressors was found and most projects focus on prevention or victims through confidence building and skills learning to speak out, report and potentially react in an appropriate way. We did not find any rigorously assessed interventions, which highlights a gap in research and stresses the need for this type of studies. The evaluation of effectiveness of interventions needs to be included in the near future research agenda. Up to now, although intentions are good, we have no evidence that the steps that are undertaken are effective in preventing and reducing cyberhate.

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Sex differences in temperament: A partial explanation for the sex difference in the prevalence of serious antisocial behaviors

Publication date: May–June 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 40
Author(s): Robert Eme
Although temperamental traits, which refer to biologically based early-developing behavioral and emotional tendencies, have long been understood to be important constructs for understanding normal and abnormal development, their relevance to criminal justice has only recently been recognized. This paper extended belated recognition to an examination of how the sex difference in three temperamental dimensions contributed to the massive sex difference in the severest forms of antisocial behavior. The dimensions were attention/regulation, activity level, and emotionality. A plausible biological mechanism influencing each of these sex differences was also discussed.

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The enduring effect of maltreatment on antisocial behavior: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

Publication date: May–June 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior, Volume 40
Author(s): Teresa Braga, Olga Cunha, Ângela Maia
The maltreatment-antisocial behavior relationship has been a focus of research for decades. Nevertheless, understanding this association has been largely based on cross-sectional designs and on juvenile antisocial outcomes. The present meta-analysis aimed to extend previous work on the maltreatment-antisocial relation by focusing on prospective longitudinal studies that have followed-up participants into adulthood. General, maltreatment and abusive intimate partner violent behaviors were included as outcomes. A total of 14 studies including 18 independent samples and 20,946 individuals were considered. Our results revealed that maltreated youth are nearly two times as likely to engage in antisocial behaviors in adulthood compared with their non-maltreated peers (OR = 1.96; CI[1.42, 2.71]). The relation between maltreatment and antisocial behavior was stronger when less covariates or the bivariate associations between them were considered, and maltreatment assessed in both childhood and adolescent years was more strongly related to the antisocial outcome. Nevertheless, the maltreatment-antisocial behavior link prevailed in the contrasting conditions, i.e., maltreatment assessed in childhood or in adolescent years, in multivariate analyses. Our results support an enduring effect of maltreatment on subsequent involvement in antisocial behavior, stressing the importance of preventing this victimization experience or, at best, the adverse consequences of maltreatment.

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Sexual abuse and charismatic cults

Publication date: Available online 21 April 2018
Source:Aggression and Violent Behavior
Author(s): Hava Dayan
The article explores the enigmatic yet dire phenomenon of sexual abuse in cultic circumstances. Such a quest into the realm of cults is vital since, "sexual exploitation of women in cults of all types is widespread, and, to date, is possibly the least talked about, and certainly the least researched, aspect of cult life" (Lalich, 1997, pp. 7). Sexual abuse of consenting adults has been examined in circumstances of formal authority (workplace, mental institutions, jailing institutions and even academic institutions), however the study of consenting adults in informal circumstances of authority in general, and of cultic spiritual authority in particular, has hardly been addressed.The article attempts to do so, supported by empirical extrapolations from a recent criminal ruling of the Jerusalem District Court. Are women cult members genuinely capable of exercising their sexual autonomy with their charismatic cult leader? If they are unable to do so in cultic circumstances, does this impair their informed consent to the point of rendering their sexual relations with the cult leader legally abusive and criminal? The answers to these questions have dire consequences for both women cult members and cult leaders. Through a comprehensive review of the legal, criminological and sociological aspects of the case, the article sheds much needed light on one of the most enigmatic and elusive fields: sexual abuse of adults by a spiritual authority.

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Structure, properties and interactions in ionomer/lignin blends

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 152
Author(s): Gábor Szabó, Dávid Kun, Károly Renner, Béla Pukánszky
Blends were prepared from lignin and ionomers, i.e. ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers partially neutralized with inorganic salts for the first time in order to check the possible effect of ionic bonds on the structure and properties of the blends. A low density polyethylene and an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer without any neutralization were used as references. The lignin content of the blends varied between 0 and 60 vol%. The components were homogenized in an internal mixer and the blends were characterized by various methods including dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and tensile testing. The size of dispersed lignin particles was determined from scanning electron micrographs, and component interactions were estimated quantitatively. The properties of ionomer/lignin blends indicated the development of strong interactions between the components. The simultaneous action of hydrogen bonds of non-neutralized methacrylic acid moieties and ionic bonds resulted in the formation of small, dispersed lignin particles of the size of several tenth of a micron. Surprisingly, hydrogen bridges improve interactions and compatibility more than ionic bonds. Contrary to most blends prepared from other polymers, ionomer/lignin blends can be produced with a reasonable combination of properties at moderate lignin contents.

Graphical abstract

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A physically based constitutive model for predicting the surface integrity in machining of Waspaloy

Publication date: 15 August 2018
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 152
Author(s): Stano Imbrogno, Sergio Rinaldi, Domenico Umbrello, Luigino Filice, Rodolfo Franchi, Antonio Del Prete
During machining, surface modifications are directly related to the process dynamic affecting the thermo-mechanical properties of the materials. The physics phenomena (such as dynamic recrystallization, hardening and recovery effects) are difficult to be experimentally evaluated during the cutting operations, therefore the simulations are very important tools to understand their evolution. Orthogonal cutting experiments were conducted on Waspaloy under different cutting parameters and lubri-cooling conditions. The machined surfaces were evaluated via optical microscope and the surface integrity was analysed in terms of microstructural changes and microhardness. The deformation mechanisms that occurred in chip formation and on the machined surface were investigated in order to build-up a physically based constitutive model. Subsequently, the developed material model was implemented via sub-routine in a commercial Finite Element software. The numerical prediction strategy was validated through comparisons with experimental outcomes (cutting forces, temperature and metallurgical changes) and employed to predict the variables of scientific interest (microstructural modifications and microhardness). The overall absolute error in predicting the principal cutting force, feed force and temperature were approximately equal to 5%, 9% and 7% respectively. Furthermore, the developed model permits to explore the metallurgical changes and their evolution during the machining process varying cutting parameters and lubri-cooling conditions.

Graphical abstract

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Underlying Systemic Diseases in Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background

There is little consensus regarding the prevalence and distribution of underlying systemic diseases among patients with pyoderma gangrenosum.

Objective

The objective of this study was to synthesize existing data on the prevalence of associated systemic diseases in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus (1823–2017). The quality of evidence was assessed using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models to estimate pooled prevalence rates with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Twenty-one eligible studies comprising 2611 patients with pyoderma gangrenosum were included in the quantitative synthesis. The overall random-effects pooled prevalence of associated systemic diseases was 56.8% (95% confidence interval 45.5–67.4). The leading underlying disease was inflammatory bowel disease (17.6%; 95% confidence interval 13.0–22.7), followed by arthritis (12.8%; 95% confidence interval 9.2–16.9), hematological malignancies (8.9%; 95% confidence interval 6.5–11.6), and solid malignancies (7.4%; 95% confidence interval 5.8–9.1). In 16.3% (95% confidence interval 7.7–27.1) of cases, the onset of pyoderma gangrenosum was attributed to the pathergy phenomenon.

Conclusions

More than half of patients with pyoderma gangrenosum present with a relevant underlying disease. Inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis are the most frequently associated diseases. Relative to the reported literature, the pooled prevalence of arthritis and hematological malignancies is lower, while the pooled prevalence of solid malignancies is higher. Owing to the high level of heterogeneity among most of the comparisons, results should be interpreted with caution.

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Metabolism as a Target for Modulation in Autoimmune Diseases

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:Trends in Immunology
Author(s): Nick Huang, Andras Perl
Metabolic pathways are now well recognized as important regulators of immune differentiation and activation, and thus influence the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has emerged as a key sensor of metabolic stress and an important mediator of proinflammatory lineage specification. Metabolic pathways control the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), which promote mTOR activation and also modulate the antigenicity of proteins, lipids, and DNA, thus placing ROS at the heart of metabolic disturbances during pathogenesis of SLE. Therefore, we review here the pathways that control ROS production and mTOR activation and identify targets for safe therapeutic modulation of the signaling network that underlies autoimmune diseases, focusing on SLE.

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Measuring Knowledge of Disease Management in Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis: Initial Psychometric Evaluation

Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, Ahead of Print.

https://ift.tt/2wgaJQj

Muscle stem cell intramuscular delivery within hyaluronan methylcellulose improves engraftment efficiency and dispersion

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 173
Author(s): Sadegh Davoudi, Chih-Ying Chin, Michael J. Cooke, Roger Y. Tam, Molly S. Shoichet, Penney M. Gilbert
Adult skeletal muscle tissue harbors the capacity for self-repair due to the presence of tissue resident muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Advances in the area of prospective MuSC isolation demonstrated the potential of cell transplantation therapy as a regenerative medicine strategy to restore strength and long-term regenerative capacity to aged, injured, or diseased skeletal muscle tissue. However, cell loss during ejection, limits to post-injection proliferation, and poor donor cell dispersion distal to the injection site are amongst hurdles to overcome to maximize MuSC transplant impact. Here, we assess a physical blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) as a bioactive, shear thinning hydrogel cell delivery system to improve MuSC transplantation efficiency. Using in vivo transplantation studies, we found that the HAMC delivery system results in a >45% increase in the number of donor-derived fibers as compared to saline delivery. We demonstrate that increases in donor-derived fibers when using HAMC are attributed to increased MuSC proliferation via a CD44-independent mechanism, preventing injected cell active clearance, and supporting in vivo expansion by delaying differentiation. Furthermore, we observed a significant improvement in donor fiber dispersion when MuSCs were delivered in HAMC. Our study results suggest that HAMC is a promising muscle stem cell delivery vehicle.

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Identification of a cell-penetrating peptide applicable to a protein-based transcription activator-like effector expression system for cell engineering

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 173
Author(s): Tomoki Takashina, Takayoshi Koyama, Satoshi Nohara, Masakatsu Hasegawa, Akira Ishiguro, Kenta Iijima, Jun Lu, Mari Shimura, Tadashi Okamura, Tetsushi Sakuma, Takashi Yamamoto, Yukihito Ishizaka
Cellular reprogramming is a promising technology in regenerative medicine, but most studies have been performed by using expression vectors. For future clinical applications, it is necessary to establish a system in which cell engineering can be manipulated without any risk of damaging the genome. Here, we identified a cell-penetrating peptide composed of 10 amino acids (RIFIHFRIGC) with nuclear trafficking activity and found that it was significantly more potent than a Tat-derived peptide or polyarginine peptide (R11). We named the peptide "nuclear trafficking peptide" (NTP) and applied it to a protein-based artificial transcription factor (NTP-ATF), which was composed of a transcription activator-like effector and transcription domain (VP64). An NTP-ATF designed to the proximal promoter region of the microRNA-302/367 cluster efficiently induced endogenous RNA expression at an extremely low concentration (0.25 nM), and repetitive treatment of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with NTP-ATF generated induced pluripotent stem-like cells, which gave chimeric mice. Together with the observation that recombinant NTP-ATF protein did not induce any apparent cytotoxicity, we propose that NTP-ATF is a promising system for cellular reprogramming applicable to regenerative medicine.

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Nanopurpurin-based photodynamic therapy destructs extracellular matrix against intractable tumor metastasis

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 173
Author(s): Di Zhang, Feng Feng, Qilong Li, Xiuyu Wang, Li Yao
Nanomaterials-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used to treat malignant cells. However, the intrinsic impact of nanomaterials-based PDT on mechanical properties of intractable tumor cells is not well understood. Herein, we demonstrated that the mechanical forces of Taxol-resistant tumor cells were decreased by nanopurpurin-based PDT destructing extracellular matrix (ECM), increasing therapy sensitivity and repressing tumor metastasis. Combining FIRMS and general confocal microscope, we observed that the disruption of ECM by photodynamic reaction of P18-nanoconfined liposome (P18⊂L) induced a decrease of adhesion force and biomechanical properties of Taxol-resistant cells through the attenuation of actomyosin-based contractility thereby inhibiting cell migration and metastasis in vivo. Moreover, the destroyed ECM by P18⊂L PDT increased the therapy sensitivity. A clearer understanding of the effect of nanopurpurin-based PDT on mechanical properties and behaviors of intractable tumor cells will provide new and important basis for developing new therapeutic strategies.

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Non-viral delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing: Challenges and opportunities

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 171
Author(s): Ling Li, Shuo Hu, Xiaoyuan Chen
In recent years, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) genome editing systems have become one of the most robust platforms in basic biomedical research and therapeutic applications. To date, efficient in vivo delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to the targeted cells remains a challenge. Although viral vectors have been widely used in the delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in vitro and in vivo, their fundamental shortcomings, such as the risk of carcinogenesis, limited insertion size, immune responses and difficulty in large-scale production, severely limit their further applications. Alternative non-viral delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas9 are urgently needed. With the rapid development of non-viral vectors, lipid- or polymer-based nanocarriers have shown great potential for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. In this review, we analyze the pros and cons of delivering CRISPR/Cas9 systems in the form of plasmid, mRNA, or protein and then discuss the limitations and challenges of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. Furthermore, current non-viral vectors that have been applied for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in vitro and in vivo are outlined in details. Finally, critical obstacles for non-viral delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 system are highlighted and promising strategies to overcome these barriers are proposed.

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Polymeric nano-shielded islets with heparin-polyethylene glycol in a non-human primate model

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 171
Author(s): Hyojun Park, Muhammad R. Haque, Jae Berm Park, Kyo Won Lee, Sanghoon Lee, Yeongbeen Kwon, Han Sin Lee, Geun-Soo Kim, Du Yeon Shin, Sang-Man Jin, Jae Hyeon Kim, Hee Jung Kang, Youngro Byun, Sung Joo Kim
Intraportal pancreatic islet transplantation incurs huge cell losses during its early stages due to instant blood-mediated inflammatory reactions (IBMIRs), which may also drive regulation of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, a method that evades IBMIR will improve clinical islet transplantation. We used a layer-by-layer approach to shield non-human primate (NHP) islets with polyethylene glycol (nano-shielded islets, NSIs) and polyethylene glycol plus heparin (heparin nano-shielded islets; HNSIs). Islets ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 IEQ/kg body weight were transplanted into 19 cynomolgus monkeys (n = 4, control; n = 5, NSI; and n = 10, HNSI). The mean C-peptide positive graft survival times were 68.5, 64 and 108 days for the control, NSI and HNSI groups, respectively (P = 0.012). HNSI also reduced the factors responsible for IBMIR in vitro. Based on these data, HNSIs in conjunction with clinically established immunosuppressive drug regimens will result in superior outcomes compared to those achieved with the current protocol for clinical islet transplantation.

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Humanization of bone and bone marrow in an orthotopic site reveals new potential therapeutic targets in osteosarcoma

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 171
Author(s): Ferdinand Wagner, Boris M. Holzapfel, Jacqui A. McGovern, Abbas Shafiee, Jeremy G. Baldwin, Laure C. Martine, Christoph A. Lahr, Felix M. Wunner, Thor Friis, Onur Bas, Melanie Boxberg, Peter M. Prodinger, Ali Shokoohmand, Davide Moi, Roberta Mazzieri, Daniela Loessner, Dietmar W. Hutmacher
BackgroundExisting preclinical murine models often fail to predict effects of anti-cancer drugs. In order to minimize interspecies-differences between murine hosts and human bone tumors of in vivo xenograft platforms, we tissue-engineered a novel orthotopic humanized bone model.MethodsOrthotopic humanized tissue engineered bone constructs (ohTEBC) were fabricated by 3D printing of medical-grade polycaprolactone scaffolds, which were seeded with human osteoblasts and embedded within polyethylene glycol-based hydrogels containing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Constructs were then implanted at the femur of NOD-scid and NSG mice. NSG mice were then bone marrow transplanted with human CD34 ⁺ cells. Human osteosarcoma (OS) growth was induced within the ohTEBCs by direct injection of Luc-SAOS-2 cells. Tissues were harvested for bone matrix and marrow morphology analysis as well as tumor biology investigations. Tumor marker expression was analyzed in the humanized OS and correlated with the expression in 68 OS patients utilizing tissue micro arrays (TMA).ResultsAfter harvesting the femurs micro computed tomography and immunohistochemical staining showed an organ, which had all features of human bone. Around the original mouse femur new bone trabeculae have formed surrounded by a bone cortex. Staining for human specific (hs) collagen type-I (hs Col-I) showed human extracellular bone matrix production. The presence of nuclei staining positive for human nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (hs NuMa) proved the osteocytes residing within the bone matrix were of human origin. Flow cytometry verified the presence of human hematopoietic cells. After injection of Luc-SAOS-2 cells a primary tumor and lung metastasis developed. After euthanization histological analysis showed pathognomic features of osteoblastic OS. Furthermore, the tumor utilized the previously implanted HUVECS for angiogenesis. Tumor marker expression was similar to human patients. Moreover, the recently discovered musculoskeletal gene C12orf29 was expressed in the most common subtypes of OS patient samples.ConclusionOhTEBCs represent a suitable orthotopic microenvironment for humanized OS growth and offers a new translational direction, as the femur is the most common location of OS. The newly developed and validated preclinical model allows controlled and predictive marker studies of primary bone tumors and other bone malignancies.

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Editorial Board

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 171

https://ift.tt/2JW3Vtf

Far-red light-mediated programmable anti-cancer gene delivery in cooperation with photodynamic therapy

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 171
Author(s): Jinhui Wang, Hua He, Xin Xu, Xiao Wang, Yongbing Chen, Lichen Yin
Effective anti-cancer therapy is hurdled by the complicated extracellular and intracellular barriers, and thus a smart gene vector that can enable programmable gene delivery is highly demanded. Photo-manipulation of gene delivery processes features spatial and temporal precision, while majority of current strategies utilizes short-wavelength UV/visible light with poor tissue penetration or high-power-density near-infrared (NIR) light that would cause undesired heat damage. Herein, an ROS-degradable polycation was designed and co-delivered with a photosensitizer (PS), thus realizing photo-programmable gene delivery using far-red light (661 nm) at low optical power density (down to 5 mW cm⁻²). Thioketal-crosslinked polyethylenimine (TK-PEI) was synthesized to condense p53 gene to form nanocomplexes (NCs), and hyaluronic acid (HA) modified with pheophytin a (Pha) was coated onto NCs to enhance their colloidal stability and enable cancer cell targeting. Short-time (8-min) light irradiation produced non-lethal amount of ROS to disrupt the endosomal membranes and facilitate p53 gene release via degradation of TK-PEI, which collectively enhanced p53 expression levels toward anti-cancer gene therapy. Long-time (30-min) light irradiation at the post-transfection state generated lethal amount of ROS, which cooperatively killed cancer cells to strengthen p53 gene therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first example of an "one stone, three birds" approach to realize cooperative anti-cancer gene therapy using low-power-density, long-wavelength visible light as a single stimulus.

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Highly enhanced cancer immunotherapy by combining nanovaccine with hyaluronidase

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 171
Author(s): Xiuwen Guan, Jie Chen, Yingying Hu, Lin Lin, Pingjie Sun, Huayu Tian, Xuesi Chen
Tumor vaccine has been one of the research hotspots for cancer immunotherapy in recent years. By introducing tumor antigens into the body, the patient's own immune system will be specifically activated to induce effective immune responses for controlling or eliminating the malignant tumor cells. In this study, a simple nanovaccine was developed to induce antigen-specific anti-tumor immune responses. Polycationic polyethylenimine (PEI) was utilized to co-deliver the antigen ovalbumin (OVA) and the adjuvant unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) by electrostatic binding. The positively charged PEI could be beneficial to augment the PEI/CpG/OVA nanovaccine uptake in dendritic cells (DCs) and facilitate the endosomal escape of the nanovaccine for antigen delivering into the cytoplasm. The nanovaccine showed significant stimulation on DCs' maturation in vitro, and it was further applied for in vivo anti-tumor immunotherapy. To enhance the tumor infiltration of the nanovaccine-generated tumor-specific T cells, hyaluronidase (HAase) was employed to increase the permeability of the tumor tissues by breaking down the hyaluronan (HA) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tumors. Highly enhanced in vivo anti-tumor therapeutic efficiency was achieved by combining the PEI/CpG/OVA nanovaccine with HAase, which was attributed to the increased quantity of OVA-specific T cells in tumor tissues. The combination of nanovaccine with HAase has offered a simple and efficient strategy for inducing powerful anti-tumor effect in cancer immunotherapy.

Graphical abstract

Ramucirumab plus docetaxel improved survival in REVEL, a randomized phase 3 trial for patients with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer after standard platinum-based chemotherapy. This exploratory analysis evaluated the exposure–response relationship of ramucirumab from REVEL.

Methods

Patients received ramucirumab (10 mg/kg) or placebo plus docetaxel (75 mg/m²) every 3 weeks. Pharmacokinetic samples were collected. A population pharmacokinetic analysis predicted ramucirumab minimum concentration after first-dose administration (C_min,1) and average concentration at steady state (C_ave,ss). Predicted C_min,1 and C_ave,ss were used to evaluate the relationship between ramucirumab exposure and efficacy and safety, respectively. Exposure–efficacy was assessed by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses; exposure–safety was assessed by ordered categorical analyses.

Results

Analyses included 376 patients treated with ramucirumab plus docetaxel and 366 patients treated with placebo plus docetaxel (364 for safety population). After adjusting for corresponding prognostic factors, the association between overall survival (OS) and C_min,1 was statistically significant (p = 0.0110), although progression-free survival (PFS) showed a marginal association (p = 0.0515). At high ramucirumab exposures (C_min,1), greater improvements (smaller hazard ratios) were seen for OS and PFS when stratified by C_min,1 exposure quartiles. A statistically significant correlation was observed between ramucirumab C_ave,ss and grade ≥ 3 febrile neutropenia and hypertension.

Conclusions

An association was observed between ramucirumab exposure and efficacy. Higher ramucirumab exposure was associated with improved clinical outcomes and increased toxicity in this analysis. Two exposure–response prospective randomized trials are being conducted to address causation (NCT02443883 and NCT02514551), with encouraging preliminary results (Ajani et al. in Ann Oncol 28:abstr 698P, 2017).

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EML4–ALK rearrangement in squamous cell carcinoma shows significant response to anti-ALK inhibitor drugs crizotinib and alectinib

Abstract

EML4–ALK alterations are more common in adenocarcinomas and are rarely found in squamous cell histology. In documented cases, the majority of EML4–ALK translocations are identified in squamous cell histology and occur in patients with no or light smoking history. We report an EML4–ALK4 translocation in a 50-year-old patient with squamous cell carcinoma and an 18 pack-year smoking history. The patient had a near complete response in the CNS to alectinib treatment. Our observation suggests that EML4–ALK genomic testing may be clinically useful in patients with heavy smoking history.

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Shaping a universally broad antibody response to influenza amidst a variable immunoglobulin landscape

Sarah F Andrews | Adrian B McDermott

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Influenza vaccines: ‘tailor-made’ or ‘one fits all’

Giulietta Saletti | Thomas Gerlach | Guus F Rimmelzwaan

https://ift.tt/2HYSL6l

Immune evasion of the CD1d/NKT cell axis

Randy R Brutkiewicz | Laura Yunes-Medina | Jianyun Liu

https://ift.tt/2HXvphm

EGFL7 and RASSF1 promoter hypermethylation in epithelial ovarian cancer

Publication date: August 2018
Source:Cancer Genetics, Volumes 224–225
Author(s): Yanisa Rattanapan, Veerawat Korkiatsakul, Adcharee Kongruang, Takol Chareonsirisuthigul, Budsaba Rerkamnuaychoke, Anna Wongkularb, Sarikapan Wilailak
DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic mechanisms associated with gene expression and plays a key role as in activation and deactivation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively. This study employed DNA methylation array to identify methylated genes which are highly correlated with various phenotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in Thai patients and to quantify promoter CpG-island methylation of candidate genes. Tissues from patients with serous and non-serous EOC showed significantly higher promoter methylation of EGFL7 and RASSF1 compared to benign cases. These results indicate the potential of investigating promoter CpG-island methylation of cancer-associated genes as biomarkers of disease progression and even possibly of early detection.

https://ift.tt/2jwVcSX

Influence of side-effects on early therapy persistence with letrozole in post-menopausal patients with early breast cancer: Results of the prospective EvAluate-TM study

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): N. Nabieva, T. Fehm, L. Häberle, J. de Waal, M. Rezai, B. Baier, G. Baake, H.-C. Kolberg, M. Guggenberger, M. Warm, N. Harbeck, R. Wuerstlein, J.-U. Deuker, P. Dall, B. Richter, G. Wachsmann, C. Brucker, J.W. Siebers, M. Popovic, T. Kuhn, C. Wolf, H.-W. Vollert, G.-P. Breitbach, W. Janni, R. Landthaler, A. Kohls, D. Rezek, T. Noesselt, G. Fischer, S. Henschen, T. Praetz, V. Heyl, T. Kühn, T. Krauss, C. Thomssen, A. Hohn, H. Tesch, C. Mundhenke, A. Hein, C.C. Hack, K. Schmidt, E. Belleville, S.Y. Brucker, S. Kümmel, M.W. Beckmann, D. Wallwiener, P. Hadji, P.A. Fasching
BackgroundEndocrine treatment (ET) with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is the treatment of choice in post-menopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive early breast cancer (EBC). However, adverse events (AEs) often lead to treatment discontinuation. This analysis aimed to identify side-effects that lead to patients failing to persist with letrozole treatment.Patients and methodsPost-menopausal hormone receptor–positive EBC patients starting ET with letrozole were enroled in EvAluate-TM, a non-interventional study. Information regarding treatment compliance and persistence was gathered in months 6 and 12. Persistence was defined as the time from 30 d after the start to the end of treatment. The influence on persistence of musculoskeletal syndrome, menopausal disorder, sleep disorder and other AEs within the first 30 d was analysed using Cox regression analyses.ResultsAmong 3887 patients analysed, the persistence rate after 12 months was >85%. In all, 568 patients (14.6%) discontinued the treatment, 358 of whom (63.0%) did so only because of side-effects. The main AEs influencing persistence were musculoskeletal symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90–3.42), sleep disorders (HR 1.95; 95% CI, 1.41–2.70) and other AEs (HR 2.03; 95% CI, 1.51–2.73). Menopausal disorder was not associated with non-persistence (HR 1.17; 95% CI, 0.74–1.84).ConclusionsThese results suggest that side-effects of AIs such as musculoskeletal syndrome and sleep disorder lead to ET discontinuation within the first treatment year in significant numbers of EBC patients. Compliance programmes adapted for subgroups that are at risk for early non-persistence might help to ensure the recommended therapy duration.Clinical Trials NumberCFEM345DDE19.

https://ift.tt/2rmncMs

A randomised-controlled trial of 1-year adjuvant chemotherapy with oral tegafur–uracil versus surgery alone in stage II colon cancer: SACURA trial

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Chu Matsuda, Megumi Ishiguro, Satoshi Teramukai, Yoshiki Kajiwara, Shoichi Fujii, Yusuke Kinugasa, Yoshihiko Nakamoto, Masanori Kotake, Yoshiyuki Sakamoto, Kiyotaka Kurachi, Atsuyuki Maeda, Koji Komori, Naohiro Tomita, Yasuhiro Shimada, Keiichi Takahashi, Kenjiro Kotake, Masahiko Watanabe, Hidetaka Mochizuki, Yoko Nakagawa, Kenichi Sugihara
BackgroundEfficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II colon cancer is still controversial. The SACURA trial is a randomised-controlled study evaluating the superiority of 1-year adjuvant treatment with oral tegafur–uracil (UFT) to surgery alone for stage II colon cancer.MethodsPatients were randomly assigned to the surgery-alone group or UFT group (UFT at 500–600 mg/day for 5 days, followed by 2-day rest, for 1 year). The primary end-point was disease-free survival (DFS). Target sample size was 2000, determined with one-sided alpha of 0.05, power of 0.9 and assumed hazard ratio (HR) 0.729.ResultsA total of 1982 patients (997 in the surgery-alone group and 985 in the UFT group) were analysed. Median follow-up was 69.5 months, median age was 66 years and for stage IIA/IIB/IIC, the distribution was 84%/13%/3%.The 5-year DFS rate was 78.4% in the surgery-alone group and 80.2% in the UFT group. The HR for DFS was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–1.10; p = 0.31); superiority of UFT was not demonstrated. Approximately 9% of patients experienced second cancers, which consist 40.7% of the DFS events. The 5-year relapse-free and overall survival rates of the surgery-alone and UFT group were 84.6% and 87.2% (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.65–1.04) and 94.3% and 94.5% (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.66–1.31), respectively. Subgroup analysis failed to disclose superiority in prognosis of adding UFT to the patients with risk factors for recurrence.ConclusionsSuperiority of 1-year adjuvant UFT over surgery alone was not demonstrated in stage II colon cancer. Patients with risk factors for recurrence did not benefit from UFT.Trial registrationClinicalTrials. Gov. #NCT00392899.

https://ift.tt/2KDdCxy

Efficacy and safety of single-agent pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) inhibitor dacomitinib in locally advanced unresectable or metastatic skin squamous cell cancer

Publication date: July 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 97
Author(s): S. Cavalieri, F. Perrone, R. Miceli, P.A. Ascierto, L.D. Locati, C. Bergamini, R. Granata, S. Alfieri, C. Resteghini, D. Galbiati, A. Busico, N. Paielli, R. Patuzzo, A. Maurichi, G. Gallino, R. Ruggeri, L. Mariani, M. Palla, L. Licitra, P. Bossi
BackgroundIn recurrent or metastatic (R/M) skin squamous cell cancer (sSCC) not amenable to radiotherapy (RT) or surgery, chemotherapy (CT) has a palliative intent and limited clinical responses. The role of oral pan-HER inhibitor dacomitinib in this setting was investigated within a clinical trial.MethodsPatients with diagnosis of R/M sSCC were treated. Dacomitinib was started at a dose of 30 mg daily (QD) for 15 d, followed by 45 mg QD. Primary end-point was response rate (RR). Tumour samples were analysed through next-generation sequencing using a custom panel targeting 36 genes associated with sSCC.ResultsForty-two patients (33 men; median age 77 years) were treated. Most (86%) received previous treatments consisting in surgery (86%), RT (50%) and CT (14%). RR was 28% (2% complete response; 26% partial response), disease control rate was 86%. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 6 and 11 months, respectively. Most patients (93%) experienced at least one adverse event (AE): diarrhoea, skin rash (71% each), fatigue (36%) and mucositis (31%); AEs grade 3–4 occurred in 36% of pts. In 16% of cases, treatment was discontinued because of drug-related toxicity. TP53, NOTCH1/2, KMT2C/D, FAT1 and HER4 were the most frequently mutated genes. BRAF, NRAS and HRAS mutations were more frequent in non-responders, and KMT2C and CASP8 mutations were restricted to this subgroup.ConclusionsIn sSCC, dacomitinib showed activity similar to what was observed with anti–epidermal growth factor receptor agents, and durable clinical benefit was observed. Safety profile was comparable to previous experiences in other cancers. Molecular pt selection could improve therapeutic ratio.

https://ift.tt/2rphdXv

A new look at the International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant therapy (IDEA) classification—Defining novel predictive and prognostic markers in stage III colon cancer

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Ofer Margalit, Ronac Mamtani, Yu-Xiao Yang, Kim A. Reiss, Talia Golan, Naama Halpern, Dan Aderka, Bruce Giantonio, Einat Shacham-Shmueli, Ben Boursi
BackgroundThe International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant therapy (IDEA) pooled analysis compared 3 to 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer. The overarching goal was to reduce chemotherapy-related toxicity, mainly oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. Patients were classified into low-risk and high-risk groups, suggesting that low-risk patients may be offered only 3 months of treatment. We aimed to evaluate the benefit of monotherapy versus doublet chemotherapy in low and high IDEA risk groups.MethodsUsing the National Cancer Database (2004–2014), we identified 56,728 low-risk and 47,557 high-risk individuals with stage III colon cancer, according to the IDEA classification. We used multivariate Cox regression to evaluate the magnitude of survival differences between IDEA risk groups, according to treatment intensity (doublet versus monotherapy). In a secondary analysis, we examined the prognostic and predictive value of subgroups of age, tumour sidedness and lymph node ratio (LNR).ResultsLow and high IDEA risk groups derived similar benefit from doublet adjuvant chemotherapy as compared with monotherapy, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.86) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.78–0.83), respectively. The only subpopulations that did not benefit from doublet chemotherapy were low-risk patients older than 72 years (HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.90–1.01) and high-risk patients older than 85 years (HR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.77–1.05). LNR and tumour sidedness were shown as additional prognostic, but not predictive, factors within the IDEA risk groups.ConclusionsIDEA risk classification per se does not predict for treatment benefit from doublet chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer. However, omission of oxaliplatin can be considered in IDEA low-risk patients older than 72 years.

https://ift.tt/2KGvY0S

Persisting inequalities in survival patterns of childhood neuroblastoma in Southern and Eastern Europe and the effect of socio-economic development compared with those of the US

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Paraskevi Panagopoulou, Marios K. Georgakis, Margarita Baka, Maria Moschovi, Vassilios Papadakis, Sophia Polychronopoulou, Maria Kourti, Emmanuel Hatzipantelis, Eftichia Stiakaki, Helen Dana, Athanasios Tragiannidis, Evdoxia Bouka, Luis Antunes, Joana Bastos, Daniela Coza, Anna Demetriou, Domenic Agius, Sultan Eser, Raluca Gheorghiu, Mario Šekerija, Maciej Trojanowski, Tina Žagar, Anna Zborovskaya, Anton Ryzhov, Nick Dessypris, Daniel Morgenstern, Eleni Th Petridou
AimNeuroblastoma outcomes vary with disease characteristics, healthcare delivery and socio-economic indicators. We assessed survival patterns and prognostic factors for patients with neuroblastoma in 11 Southern and Eastern European (SEE) countries versus those in the US, including—for the first time—the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumours (NARECHEM-ST)/Greece.MethodsOverall survival (OS) was calculated in 13 collaborating SEE childhood cancer registries (1829 cases, ∼1990–2016) and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER), US (3072 cases, 1990–2012); Kaplan–Meier curves were used along with multivariable Cox regression models assessing the effect of age, gender, primary tumour site, histology, Human Development Index (HDI) and place of residence (urban/rural) on survival.ResultsThe 5-year OS rates varied widely among the SEE countries (Ukraine: 45%, Poland: 81%) with the overall SEE rate (59%) being significantly lower than in SEER (77%; p < 0.001). In the common registration period within SEE (2000–2008), no temporal trend was noted as opposed to a significant increase in SEER. Age >12 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8–4.7 in subsequent age groups), male gender (HR: 1.1), residence in rural areas (HR: 1.3), living in high (HR: 2.2) or medium (HR: 2.4) HDI countries and specific primary tumour location were associated with worse outcome; conversely, ganglioneuroblastoma subtype (HR: 0.28) was associated with higher survival rate.ConclusionsAllowing for the disease profile, children with neuroblastoma in SEE, especially those in rural areas and lower HDI countries, fare worse than patients in the US, mainly during the early years after diagnosis; this may be attributed to presumably modifiable socio-economic and healthcare system performance differentials warranting further research.

https://ift.tt/2rphf1z

Reporting of patient characteristics and stratification factors in phase 3 trials investigating first-line systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: A systematic review

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Kaitlyn K.H. Goey, Remi Mahmoud, Halfdan Sørbye, Bengt Glimelius, Claus-Henning Köhne, Daniel J. Sargent, Cornelis J.A. Punt, Martijn G.H. van Oijen, Miriam Koopman
BackgroundPatient characteristics and stratification factors are important factors influencing trial outcomes. Uniform reporting on these parameters would facilitate cross-study comparisons and extrapolation of trial results to clinical practice. In 2007, standardisation on patient characteristics reporting and stratification in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) trials was proposed. We investigated the reporting of prognostic factors and implementation of this proposal in mCRC trials published from 2005 to 2016.MethodsWe searched PubMed and Embase (January 2005 – June 2016) for first-line phase 3 mCRC trials. Patient characteristics reporting and use of stratification factors were extracted and analysed for adherence to the proposal from 2007.ResultsSixty-seven trials (35,315 patients) were identified, reporting 48 different patient characteristics (median: 9 [range: 5–18] per study). Age, gender, performance status (PS), primary tumour site and adjuvant chemotherapy were frequently reported (87%–100%), in contrast to laboratory values, such as alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and white blood cell count (10%–25%). We identified 29 different stratification factors (median: 3 [range: 1–9] per study). The most common strata were PS and treatment centre (>60%). A median of 8/12 (range: 4–11) of the proposed parameters was reported. Although the percentage of studies reporting each factor slightly increased over time, there was no significant correlation between publication year and adherence to the proposal from 2007.ConclusionsWe observed persistent heterogeneity in the reporting of patient characteristics and use of stratification factors in first-line mCRC trials. The proposal from 2007 has not led to increased uniformity of patient characteristics reporting and use of stratification over time. There is an urgent need to address this issue to improve the interpretation of trial results.

https://ift.tt/2HRaws4

Diagnostic value of 18F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography for patients with brain metastasis from unknown primary site

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Fabian Wolpert, Michael Weller, Anna Sophie Berghoff, Elisabeth Rushing, Lisa Michaela Füreder, Gregory Petyt, Henning Leske, Nicolaus Andratschke, Luca Regli, Marian Christoph Neidert, Roger Stupp, Rolf Stahel, Reinhard Dummer, Thomas Frauenfelder, Patrick Roth, Nicolas Reyns, Philipp Antonio Kaufmann, Matthias Preusser, Emilie Le Rhun
BackgroundIn 30% of patients with brain metastasis (BM), neurological symptoms are the first clinical manifestation of systemic malignancy, referred to as BM from cancer of unknown primary site (BM-CUPS). Here, we define the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the workup of BM-CUPS.MethodsWe screened 565 patients operated for BM at the University Hospital Zurich and identified 64 patients with BM-CUPS with data on both FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced chest/abdomen computed tomography (CT) available at BM diagnosis. A cohort of 125 patients with BM-CUPS from Lille and Vienna was used for validation.ResultsFDG-PET/CT was not superior to chest/abdomen CT in localising the primary lesion in the discovery cohort, presumably because most primary tumours were lung cancers. However, FDG-PET/CT identified additional lesions suspicious of extracranial metastases in 27 of 64 patients (42%). The inclusion of FDG-PET/CT findings shifted the graded prognostic assessment (GPA) score from 3 with CT alone to 2.5 for PET/CT (p = 3.8 × 10⁻⁵, Wilcoxon's test), resulting in a predicted survival of 5.3 versus 3.8 months (p = 6.1 × 10⁻⁵; Wilcoxon's test). All observations were confirmed in the validation cohort.ConclusionsLung cancers are the most common primary tumour in BM-CUPS; accordingly, CT alone shows similar overall sensitivity for detecting the primary tumour as FDG-PET/CT. Yet, FDG-PET/CT improves the accuracy of staging by detecting more metastases, reflected by decreased GPA scores and decreased predicted survival. Therefore, randomised trials on patients with BM should standardise methods of staging, notably when stratifying for GPA.

https://ift.tt/2rneWfj

Comparable results of autologous and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for adults with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in first complete molecular remission: An analysis by the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Sebastian Giebel, Myriam Labopin, Michael Potter, Xavier Poiré, Henrik Sengeloev, Gerard Socié, Anne Huynh, Boris V. Afanasyev, Urs Schanz, Olle Ringden, Peter Kalhs, Dietrich W. Beelen, Antonio M. Campos, Tamás Masszi, Jonathan Canaani, Mohamad Mohty, Arnon Nagler
BackgroundAllogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is considered a standard treatment for patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ ALL) achieving complete remission after induction containing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).MethodsWe retrospectively compared results of myeloablative alloHSCT from either matched sibling donor (MSD) or unrelated donor (URD) with autologous (auto) HSCT for adults with Ph+ ALL in molecular remission, treated between 2007 and 2014.ResultsIn univariate analysis, the incidence of relapse at 2 years was 47% after autoHSCT, 28% after MSD-HSCT and 19% after URD-HSCT (P = 0.0002). Respective rates of non-relapse mortality were 2%, 18%, and 22% (P = 0.001). The probabilities of leukaemia-free survival were 52%, 55% and 60% (P = 0.69), while overall survival rates were 70%, 70% and 69% (P = 0.58), respectively. In multivariate analysis, there was a trend towards increased risk of overall mortality after MSD-HSCT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.5, P = 0.12) and URD-HSCT (HR, 1.6, P = 0.08) when referred to autoHSCT. The use of total body irradiation (TBI)–based regimens was associated with reduced risk of relapse (HR, 0.65, P = 0.02) and overall mortality (HR, 0.67, P = 0.01).ConclusionIn the era of TKIs, outcomes of myeloablative autoHSCT and alloHSCT for patients with Ph+ ALL in first molecular remission are comparable. Therefore, autoHSCT appears to be an attractive treatment option potentially allowing for circumvention of alloHSCT sequelae. Irrespective of the type of donor, TBI-based regimens should be considered the preferable type of conditioning for Ph+ ALL.

https://ift.tt/2HSAETE

Detection of immune-related adverse events by medical imaging in patients treated with anti-programmed cell death 1

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Ahmed Mekki, Laurent Dercle, Philip Lichtenstein, Aurélien Marabelle, Jean-Marie Michot, Olivier Lambotte, Jérôme Le Pavec, Eleonora De Martin, Corinne Balleyguier, Stéphane Champiat, Samy Ammari
BackgroundProgrammed death receptor-1 blocking antibodies (anti-PD1) are a new standard of care in many cancer types. Patients benefit from improved survival but have the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAE). We evaluated if medical imaging procedures, used for anti-tumour response assessment, can detect irAEs.Materials and methodsAll consecutive patients treated with anti-PD1 and with a medical imaging acquisition performed within 2 weeks with irAEs ≥2 were retrospectively included. Data were gathered from June 2014 to February 2017, and a central review was performed. The primary and secondary end-points were i) to evaluate the overall detection rate of irAEs by medical imaging and ii) to provide a comprehensive radiological description of irAEs.ResultsFifty-three patients (31 women, 22 men; average age: 61 years) were included. The primary tumour was melanoma (n = 32), lung cancer (n = 18) and other (n = 3). Patients were treated with nivolumab (n = 27) or pembrolizumab (n = 26). Of 74 medical imaging procedures analysed (ratio = 1.4 medical imaging per patient), 55 irAE were detected. The detection rate was overall: 74% (95 confidence interval: 63–84%), positron emission tomography with 18F-fludeoxyglucose integrated with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT): 83% (n = 10/12), magnetic resonance imaging: 83% (n = 5/6), computed tomography scan: 79% (n = 19/24), ultrasonography: 70% (n = 19/27), standard X-rays: 40% (n = 2/5), lung/mediastinum: 100% (n = 7/7), enterocolitis: 100% (n = 8/8), hypophysitis: 100% (n = 3/3), thyroiditis: 75% (n = 15/20), hepatitis: 67% (n = 2/3), arthralgia or arthritis: 40% (n = 2/5) and pancreas: 28% (n = 2/7).ConclusionMedical imaging detected 74% of irAE in patients treated with anti-PD1. Beyond response assessment, medical imaging can detect irAE and guide towards specific management. We described the most frequent sites and patterns of imaging findings.

https://ift.tt/2rnouqQ

Checkpoint blockade after kidney transplantation

Publication date: June 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 96
Author(s): Mathieu Lesouhaitier, Caroline Dudreuilh, Mathilde Tamain, Nada Kanaan, Elodie Bailly, Delphine Legoupil, Clement Deltombe, Peggy Perrin, Guillaume Manson, Cécile Vigneau, Roch Houot

https://ift.tt/2HSAzzk

Avoidable cancers in the Nordic countries—The impact of alcohol consumption

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): Therese M-L. Andersson, Gerda Engholm, Eero Pukkala, Magnus Stenbeck, Laufey Tryggvadottir, Hans Storm, Elisabete Weiderpass
BackgroundAlcohol consumption is an important and preventable cause of cancer. The aim of this study was to quantify the proportion of the cancer burden in the Nordic countries linked to alcohol and estimate the potential for cancer prevention by changes in alcohol consumption.MethodsUsing the Prevent macro-simulation model, the number of cancer cases in the Nordic countries over a 30-year period (2016–2045) was modelled for six sites, under different scenarios of changing alcohol consumption, and compared to the projected number of cases if constant alcohol consumption prevailed. The studied sites were colorectal, post-menopausal breast, oral cavity and pharynx, liver, larynx as well as oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The alcohol consumption was based on the categories of non-drinkers/occasional drinkers, light drinkers (<=12.5 g alcohol per day), moderate drinkers (>12.5 and ≤ 50 g/day) and heavy drinkers (>50 g/day).ResultsAbout 83,000 cancer cases could be avoided in the Nordic countries in a 30-year period if alcohol consumption was entirely eliminated, which is 5.5% of the expected number of cases for the six alcohol-related cancer types. With a 50% reduction in the proportion with moderate alcohol consumption by year 2025, 21,500 cancer cases could be avoided. The number of avoidable cases was highest for post-menopausal breast and colorectal cancer, but the percentage was highest for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.ConclusionThe results from this study can be used to understand the potential impact and significance of primary prevention programmes targeted towards reducing the alcohol consumption in the Nordic countries.

https://ift.tt/2roPlm6

More is more? Pushing chemoradiotherapy of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma forward

Publication date: Available online 4 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): Florian Lordick

https://ift.tt/2KGcjhG

Letter to the Editor: Central nervous system relapse rate and dose intensification in poor risk metastatic germ cell tumours—A comment on: ‘Patterns of relapse in poor prognosis germ cell tumours in the GETUG-13 trial: Implications for the assessment of brain metastases.’ by Loriot and colleagues

Publication date: May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 95
Author(s): Constantine Alifrangis, Peter Wilson, Jonathan Shamash

https://ift.tt/2rjeLlc

Role of perioperative chemotherapy in soft-tissue sarcomas: It's time to end a never-ending story

Publication date: Available online 3 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): A. Italiano, E. Stoeckle

https://ift.tt/2KD3uFn

Refining the use of cabazitaxel in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer

Publication date: Available online 3 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): Stéphane Culine

https://ift.tt/2rtmZHJ

Most adolescents' melanomas are conventional malignant adult-type melanomas

Publication date: May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 95
Author(s): Klaus Rose, Jane M. Grant-Kels

https://ift.tt/2KF4Krd

Immunotherapy-induced Addison's disease: A rare, persistent and potentially lethal side-effect

Publication date: Available online 3 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): S. Hescot, M. Haissaguerre, P. Pautier, E. Kuhn, M. Schlumberger, A. Berdelou

https://ift.tt/2rodrgP

Low-level postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen improves survival outcomes stratification in patients with stage II colon cancer treated with standard adjuvant treatments

Publication date: Available online 3 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): E. Auclin, T. André, J. Taieb, M. Benetkiewicz, A. de Gramont, D. Vernerey

https://ift.tt/2HVV7qv

The International Cardioncology Society–ONE trial: Not all that glitters is for cardioncologists only

Publication date: Available online 3 May 2018
Source:European Journal of Cancer
Author(s): Giorgio Minotti

https://ift.tt/2rnX6sN

Checkpoints and beyond – Immunotherapy in colorectal cancer

Publication date: Available online 30 April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Tobias Gutting, Elke Burgermeister, Nicolai Härtel, Matthias P. Ebert
Immunotherapy is the latest revolution in cancer therapy. It continues to show impressive results in malignancies like melanoma and others. At least so far, effects are modest in colorectal cancer (CRC) and only a subset of patients benefits from already approved checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we discuss major hurdles of immunotherapy like the immunosuppressive niche and low immunogenicity of CRC next to current achievements of checkpoint inhibitors, interleukin treatment and adoptive cell transfer (dendritic cells/cytokine induced killer cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptor cells, T cell receptor transfer) in pre-clinical models and clinical trials. We intensively examine approaches to overcome low immunogenicity by combination of different therapies and address future strategies of therapy as well as the need of predictive factors in this emerging field of precision medicine.

https://ift.tt/2IkOqxS

Novel role of forkhead box O 4 transcription factor in cancer: Bringing out the good or the bad

Publication date: Available online 30 April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Shuai Jiang, Zhi Yang, Shouyin Di, Wei Hu, Zhiqiang Ma, Fulin Chen, Yang Yang
Forkhead box O (FOXO) family has recently been highlighted as important transcriptional regulators associated with many diverse carcinomas. Although redundant functionality between FOXO family members with cancer is known, regulatory ability of FOXO4 for tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis is still on the way. FOXO4 significantly regulates cell cycle, resists oxidative stress, and responses to hypoxia. FOXO4 alteration is closely linked to the progression of human cancer. In this review, we introduce the regulation of FOXO4 in physiological and pathological conditions. Particularly, the pathophysiological processes and molecular pathways regulated by FOXO4 in the development and progression of cancer are also summarized. Moreover, whether FOXO4 acts as a tumor-suppressor or pro-tumoral factor in tumors and the potential directions of future FOXO4 research are discussed. The information reviewed here may assist in the experimental design and increase the potential of FOXO4 as a therapeutic target for cancer.

https://ift.tt/2HXs7e0

Translational genomics in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A review with re-analysis of TCGA dataset

Publication date: Available online 26 April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Jeffery Ho, Xianchun Li, Lin Zhang, Yonghao Liang, Wei Hu, Johnny C.W. Yau, Hung Chan, Tony Gin, Matthew T.V. Chan, Gary Tse, William K.K. Wu
Malignancy of the pancreas is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with the highest case-fatality of all cancers. Nevertheless, the lack of sensitive biomarkers and presence of biological heterogeneity precludes its early detection and effective treatment. The recent introduction of next-generation sequencing allows characterization of multiple driver mutations at genome- and exome-wide levels. Sequencing of DNA and RNA from circulating tumour cells has also opened an exciting era of non-invasive procedures for tumour detection and prognostication. This massively-parallel sequencing technology has uncovered the previously obscure molecular mechanisms, providing clues for better stratification of patients and identification of druggable targets for the disease. Identification of active oncogenic pathways and gene-gene interactions may reveal oncogene addiction and synthetic lethality. Relevant findings can be extrapolated to develop targeted and personalized therapeutic interventions. In addition to known mutational events, the role of chromosomal rearrangements in pancreatic neoplasms is gradually uncovered. Coupled with bioinformatics pipelines and epidemiological analyses, a better framework for risk stratification and prognostication of pancreatic cancer will be possible in the near future. In this review, we discuss how translational genomic studies facilitate our understanding of pathobiology, and development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with emphases on whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, and liquid biopsies. We have also re-analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset to look for genetic features associated with altered survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

https://ift.tt/2IkOrlq

DNA replication stress and its impact on chromosome segregation and tumorigenesis

Publication date: Available online 23 April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Bi Ning Zhang, Andrés Bueno Venegas, Ian D. Hickson, Wai Kit Chu
Genome instability and cell cycle dysregulation are commonly associated with cancer. DNA replication stress driven by oncogene activation during tumorigenesis is now well established as a source of genome instability. Replication stress generates DNA damage not only during S phase, but also in the subsequent mitosis, where it impacts adversely on chromosome segregation. Some regions of the genome seem particularly sensitive to replication stress-induced instability; most notably, chromosome fragile sites. In this article, we review some of the important issues that have emerged in recent years concerning DNA replication stress and fragile site expression, as well as how chromosome instability is minimized by a family of ring-shaped protein complexes known as SMC proteins. Understanding how replication stress impacts on S phase and mitosis in cancer should provide opportunities for the development of novel and tumour-specific treatments.

https://ift.tt/2wfbAki

Foxo transcription factors in T cell biology and tumor immunity

Publication date: Available online 21 April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Chong T. Luo, Ming O. Li
The evolutionally conserved forkhead box O (Foxo) family of transcription factors is pivotal in the control of nutrient sensing and stress responses. Recent studies have revealed that the Foxo proteins have been rewired to regulate highly specialized T cell activities. Here, we review the latest advances in the understanding of how Foxo transcription factors control T cell biology, including T cell trafficking, naive T cell homeostasis, effector and memory responses, as well as the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells. We also discuss the emerging evidence on Foxo-mediated regulation in antitumor immunity. Future work will further explore how the Foxo-dependent programs in T cells can be exploited for cancer immunotherapy.

https://ift.tt/2Ik3c7V

Statistical methods for genome-wide association studies

Publication date: Available online 1 May 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Maggie Haitian Wang, Heather J. Cordell, Kristel Van Steen
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) detect common genetic variants associated with complex disorders. With their comprehensive coverage of common single nucleotide polymorphisms and comparatively low cost, GWAS are an attractive tool in the clinical and commercial genetic testing. This review introduces the pipeline of statistical methods used in GWAS analysis, from data quality control, association tests, population structure control, interaction effects and results visualization, through to post-GWAS validation methods and related issues.

https://ift.tt/2wcpm72

CRISPR/Cas9 for cancer research and therapy

Publication date: Available online 16 April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology
Author(s): Tianzuo Zhan, Niklas Rindtorff, Johannes Betge, Matthias P. Ebert, Michael Boutros
CRISPR/Cas9 has become a powerful method for making changes to the genome of many organisms. First discovered in bacteria as part of an adaptive immune system, CRISPR/Cas9 and modified versions have found a widespread use to engineer genomes and to activate or to repress the expression of genes. As such, CRISPR/Cas9 promises to accelerate cancer research by providing an efficient technology to dissect mechanisms of tumorigenesis, identify targets for drug development, and possibly arm cells for cell-based therapies. Here, we review current applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology for cancer research and therapy. We describe novel Cas9 variants and how they are used in functional genomics to discover novel cancer-specific vulnerabilities. Furthermore, we highlight the impact of CRISPR/Cas9 in generating organoid and mouse models of cancer. Finally, we provide an overview of the first clinical trials that apply CRISPR/Cas9 as a therapeutic approach against cancer.

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Editorial Board & Publication Information

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology, Volume 49

https://ift.tt/2wf5H6B

EDITORIAL

Publication date: April 2018
Source:Seminars in Cancer Biology, Volume 49
Author(s): Saheem Ahmad, Uzma Shahab, Moinuddin

https://ift.tt/2HPhopU

Nitric Oxide Induced S-Nitrosation Causes Base Excision Repair Imbalance

Publication date: Available online 5 May 2018
Source:DNA Repair
Author(s): Marcus C. Parrish, Isaac A. Chaim, Zachary D. Nagel, Steven R. Tannenbaum, Leona D. Samson, Bevin P. Engelward
Nitric oxide, a reactive nitrogen species released by lymphocytes during inflammation, has been shown to react with DNA, proteins, and cells. Protein S-nitrosation, the process by which nitric oxide reacts with cysteine residues on proteins, has been found to modulate DNA repair. However, relatively little is known about the role of S-nitrosation in the context of repair of alkylation damage by the base excision repair pathway (BER). BER of DNA exposed to a methylating agent, such as methylmethane sulfonate (MMS), is initiated by the Alkyladenine DNA Glycosylase (AAG), which removes damaged bases. Here, we analyzed the effects of the transnitrosating peptide S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on the repair of methylated bases. Through the use of the CometChip, a high-throughput version of the comet assay that measures DNA strand breaks, we observed an AAG-dependent increase in BER intermediates in GSNO-exposed mouse embryonic fibroblasts after MMS challenge. Through the use of the Fluorescence-based Multiplexed Host Cell Reactivation Assay (FM-HCR), a high-throughput assay used to measure DNA repair capacity, GSNO exposure was found to alter the activities of BER proteins and reduce overall BER capacity. Furthermore, cells exposed to both GSNO and MMS displayed reduced viability. Given that unrepaired BER intermediates are toxic, these results suggest that the altered activities of BER proteins following GSNO exposure induces an increase in BER intermediates that leads to increased cell death. Taken together, this study shows the detrimental effects of S-nitrosation on the BER pathway and reveals the deleterious impact of altered BER capacity under conditions of co-exposure to an alkylating agent.

https://ift.tt/2HRGOTV

FDA approves new uses for two drugs administered together for the treatment of BRAF-positive anaplastic thyroid cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and Mekinist (trametinib), administered together, for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and has a type of abnormal gene, BRAF V600E (BRAF V600E mutation-positive). Read the FDA's press release for more information.

The post FDA approves new uses for two drugs administered together for the treatment of BRAF-positive anaplastic thyroid cancer appeared first on American Thyroid Association.

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FDA approves new uses for two drugs administered together for the treatment of BRAF-positive anaplastic thyroid cancer

The post FDA approves new uses for two drugs administered together for the treatment of BRAF-positive anaplastic thyroid cancer appeared first on American Thyroid Association.

https://ift.tt/2JWDGmi

The fish farm of origin is assigned by the element profile of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) scales in a simulated escape event

Publication date: October 2018
Source:Fisheries Research, Volume 206
Author(s): Belinda Flem, Tonje Fagertun Benden, Tor Erik Finne, Vidar Moen, Thor Mikkel Nordahl, Ketil Skår, Øystein Nordgulen, Arne Solli
The Norwegian aquaculture management authorities require that the sea farm of origin for escaped salmon can be identified. As a contribution to develop a reliable and feasible method for tracing escaped salmon to their sea cage of origin the proof-of-concept of the case-based red alert method 'FarmSalmTrack' is demonstrated through a simulated escape event. The 'FarmSalmTrack' method uses the trace element distribution in the scale hydroxyapatite, HAP-layer, to discriminate between groups of salmon. The case-based approach can primarily be used for larger escapes and preferably where the escaped fish are caught relatively soon after the time of escape. The method is dependent on baseline data being available from all sea farm cages potentially responsible for the escape. Classification of the escapees towards the baseline material collected from nearby sea cages holding salmon of same age and size is done in a three-step process; (1) analysis of the Sr/Ba ratio which reveals if seawater or salt are added to the hatchery tanks, (2) analysis of element profiles in the juvenile section of the scale and (3) analysis of trace element profile of the scale HAP-layer formed in seawater. Step (1) reduced the number of suspected sea cages by one half, step (2) identified the escapees' hatchery of origin and step (3) identified the sea cage of origin. The classification was based on the concentration of the elements B, Ba, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, S, Sr, U and Zn along selected sclerites. Barium was the most important element for correct classification using the elemental profile of the juvenile section of the scale, while Zn showed the strongest influence on the classification using the seawater section of the scale. Improved understanding of the incorporation of non-essential life elements and essential life elements into the bio-mineralised structures of the fish scale HAP-layer would be highly beneficial for further development of the 'FarmSalmTrack-method'.

https://ift.tt/2FNAkiY

Multi-element composition of red, white and palhete amphora wines from Alentejo by ICPMS

Publication date: October 2018
Source:Food Control, Volume 92
Author(s): Maria João Cabrita, Nuno Martins, Pedro Barrulas, Raquel Garcia, Cristina Barrocas Dias, Eva P. Pérez-Álvarez, Ana Maria Costa Freitas, Teresa Garde-Cerdán
Amphora wines also known as Vinhos de Talha are typical of Alentejo, in the south of Portugal. Crushed berries are fermented in clay vessels, regardless being white, red or a mixture of both grapes, with a minimalist intervention, resulting in white, red or palhete wines. Due to the technological differences associated to the winemaking process of these wines, the present research aimed to evaluate the mineral characterization of amphora wines with the purpose of ensuring consumer food safety and exploring the possibility of using mineral composition to establish the geographic origin of the wines. Red, white and palhete amphora wines from Vidigueira, Vila Alva, Vila de Frades and Cuba (Alentejo region) were studied. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) was used and the concentration of 30 elements was determined. Data shows differences among red, white and palhete wines regarding the multi-element composition, and linear discriminant analysis allowed a classification according to the wine type and geographic origin. From all samples, only one red wine presented concentrations of Zn higher than the value published by International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV, 2015).

https://ift.tt/2jvOX1H

Ocean acidification modulates the incorporation of radio-labeled heavy metals in the larvae of the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Publication date: October 2018
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volumes 190–191
Author(s): Narimane Dorey, Sophie Martin, François Oberhänsli, Jean-Louis Teyssié, Ross Jeffree, Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe
The marine organisms which inhabit the coastline are exposed to a number of anthropogenic pressures that may interact. For instance, the accumulation of toxic metals present in coastal waters is expected to be modified by ocean acidification through e.g. changes in physiological performance and/or elements availability. Changes in bioaccumulation due to lowering pH are likely to be differently affected depending on the nature (essential vs. non-essential) and speciation of each element. The Mediterranean is of high concern for possible cumulative effects due to strong human influences on the coastline.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ocean acidification (from pH 8.1 down to −1.0 pH units) on the incorporation kinetics of six trace metals (Mn, Co, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Cs) and one radionuclide (²⁴¹Am) in the larvae of an economically- and ecologically-relevant sea urchin of the Mediterranean coastline: Paracentrotus lividus. The radiolabelled metals and radionuclides added in trace concentrations allowed precise tracing of their incorporation in larvae during the first 74 h of their development.Independently of the expected indirect effect of pH on larval size/developmental rates, Paracentrotus lividus larvae exposed to decreasing pHs incorporated significantly more Mn and Ag and slightly less Cd. The incorporation of Co, Cs and ²⁴¹Am was unchanged, and Zn and Se exhibited complex incorporation behaviors. Studies such as this are necessary prerequisites to the implementation of metal toxicity mitigation policies for the future ocean. We discuss possible reasons and mechanisms for the specific effect of pH on each metals.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2FMYpGH

Formation and characterization of one-dimensional ZnS nanowires for ZnS/P3HT hybrid polymer solar cells with improved efficiency

Publication date: 1 September 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 451
Author(s): Katarzyna Matras-Postołek, Adam Żaba, Elżbieta M. Nowak, Paweł Dąbczyński, Jakub Rysz, Jerzy Sanetra
Photovoltaic performance of hybrid devices consisting of zinc sulphide (ZnS) one-dimensional (1D) nanowires and P3HT polymer was studied. As we previously reported, hybrid solar cell architecture based on ZnS, where open circuit voltage reaches high value, deserves special attention. In this work, compared to our previous research, zero-dimensional (0D) ZnS nanoparticles were replaced by one-dimensional (1D) ZnS nanowires synthesized simply with a hot injection method. In order to improve the charge transport in hybrid solar cells, additionally, the initial ligand of octadecylamine (ODA) was partially replaced by the o-phenylenediamine. The as-synthesized products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The performance of the devices significantly depended on the concentration of one-dimensional ZnS nanowires incorporated in the active layer (optimal 10 wt.%) and their morphology. In the presented work, we showed that devices based on 1D ZnS nanowires were distinguished by the high value of Voc parameter (with the maximum achieved value of 0.634 V). Also we investigated the spatial layout of nanocrystals in the device, depending on its post treatment, using atomic force microscopy (AFM), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Our study showed spatial segregation of nanocrystals to both interfaces with electrodes, and also we showed significant changes (0.71 eV at the top) in the PEDOT:PSS work function after mixing with ZnS nanocrystals, which resulted in an increase in the difference in contact potential at respective electrodes, which explained the high value of Voc. In comparison to our previous study, by replacing an active layer of the 0D ZnS nanocrystals with 1D ZnS nanowires, nearly a triple increase of the overall efficiency (maximum of % η of 0.568) of the device was observed.

Graphical abstract

https://ift.tt/2jyNTdo

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Η λίστα ιστολογίων μου

Σάββατο 5 Μαΐου 2018

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