Durable Research Articles

Relationship between Alternative Work Schedules and Work-Family Balance of Managerial and Non-Managerial Employees: An Investigation in Consumer Durable Sector in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Area of the Study This study seeks to explore the relationship between alternative work schedules and workfamily balance of managerial and non-managerial employees of the consumer durable sector in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Problem of the Study There is an empirical knowledge gap in the relationship between alternative work schedules and work-family balance of employees in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to identify the relationship between alternative work schedules and work-family balance of employees in the consumer durable sector in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. Method of the study The data were collected from a sample of 200 employees in two consumer durable companies in Colombo district. A structured questionnaire which consisted 32 items based on alternative work schedules and 21 items for work-family balance with five point Likert scales were used to collect primary data. The analyses were done by using univariate analysis and correlation analysis with the SPSS (16.0 Version). Findings of the Study It was found that alternative work schedules options have a positive relationship with the work-family balance of employees in the consumer durable sector in Sri Lanka. Conclusion of the Study It was found that there is a strong positive correlation between alternative work schedule options and work-family balance except flexplace work. The results of the correlation analysis showed flextime, part-time and shift work have a strong positive correlation and flexplace has a weak positive correlation. Keywords : Work-Family Balance, Flextime, Flexplace, Shift work, Part-time employment

Treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Prognosis for refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients is poor, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is currently the only salvage option with curative potential for these patients. As the outcome of allogeneic HSCT in patients without complete remission (CR) status is unsatisfactory, it is important to attain a second CR before HSCT. An aggressive re-induction therapy for relapsed or refractory AML patients is often accompanied with severe infectious complications due to profound myelosuppression, which makes subsequent HSCT challenging. Furthermore, in AML patients with high-risk clinical features who do not achieve CR after remission induction chemotherapy (CT), allogeneic HSCT, preemptively performed immediately after re-induction CT or without prior CT, may induce durable remission in some patients. Determining the timing of HSCT and selecting a salvage regimen as a bridging therapy to HSCT are essential for avoiding severe treatment-related complications.

Il magistero letterario di Pasolini su Volponi tra 'Officina' e Olivetti e la polemica intorno a Corporale

Pasolini’s literary teachings on Volponi between « Officina » and Olivetti and the diatribe about Corporale · This article reconstructs and examines the debate between Paolo Volponi and Pier Paolo Pasolini around the elaboration and publication of Corporale (1965-1974), and it does so by reconsidering Pasolini’s literary teachings (“magistero letterario”) and Adriano Olivetti’s industrial teachings (“magistero industriale”). On the one hand, the article suggests a more restrictive and specific understanding of the durable influence of Pasolini on Volponi’s work – by highlighting the relevance of the role of the journal « Officina » (1955-1959), and by highlighting the importance of the two authors’ positions in the literary field of the Fifties and the Sixties. On the other hand, the article aims at demonstrating that Volponi purports Olivetti’s democratic model of industry, while that model had already started proving more and more problematic (if not unachievable, unrealistic) and that Corporale is the novel in which the crisis of Olivetti’s utopistic industrial paradigm is more explicit and relevant. Furthermore and conclusively, the article reconsiders Pasolini’s review on Corporale in the light of an unpublished note written by Pasolini, in which he reconsiders Corporale, proposes a brief theory of the novel, and admits his closeness to Volponi’s point of view on the power and on the transformations of the Italian society during the Sixties

PROAPOPTOTIC MARKERS IN DISSEMINATED SCLEROSIS

Aim. To study the quantitative content of blood serum sAPO-1/FAS in patients with disseminated sclerosis (DS) and healthy adults. Materials and methods. The data from 1084 patients with disseminated sclerosis, residents of Perm Krai, were analyzed. Risk factors for the development of this disease were determined on the basis of a large sampling. Emotional status and quantitative sAPO-1/FAS content was studied in the group of patients consisting of 46 persons, who did not differ from a massive sampling by sex, age, disability degree, severity and type of disease course. Results. Disseminated sclerosis prevalence in Perm Krai was 41,2 cases per 100 thousand of the population (01.01.2014). Risk factors for DS development are the following: viral infections as factors “triggering” the onset and exacerbation of DS, chronic tonsillitis and measles in anamnesis, mother’s age ranging 31 to 40 years, contact with dyes and metals after reaching the age of 15, durable work using computer as well residence near chemical plants. Conclusions. Patients with disseminated sclerosis have a high degree of reactive and personal anxiety, comorbid with preclinical stage of depression. A mean content of blood serum sAPO-1/FAS in DS patients exceeds the healthy persons’ parameters and correlates with disability degree by EDSS scale. The obtained data prove participation of proinflammatory reactive factor of sAPO-1/FAS (sCD-95) apoptosis in mechanisms of DS neurodegenerative process.

Commentary on “A chimeric switch-receptor targeting PD1 augments the efficacy of second-generation CAR T cells in advanced solid tumors”

The field of adoptive immunotherapy has grown from the early days of a few academic groups administering cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) or tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), to the use of genetically engineered T cells being developed as drug products by multinational pharmaceutical companies. The first demonstration of the effective use of gene engineered T cells was reported in 2006 when T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered cells were shown to mediate cancer regression in 2 of 13 patients with malignant melanoma (1). In the subsequent years, several groups spearheaded the clinical developed an alternative antigen targeting technology based on chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), which mediate tumor antigen recognition via ligand binding domains (generally antibodies) and bypass the TCR complex by being fusion proteins with T cell signaling domains such as CD3zeta (2-4). CARs based on anti-CD19 mAbs have been shown to mediate durable cancer regression in leukemia and lymphoma in multiple clinical trials and it is these results that most stimulated the excitement of this therapy as a new treatment modality for cancer (5-7).

Predicting the response to anti-PD1 therapy in metastatic melanoma

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy has proven effective in metastatic melanoma and a range of other tumor entities including non-small cell lung carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma. Despite the impressive and often durable induction of tumor regression, 60–70% of patients with metastatic melanoma do not respond to single agent therapy with the anti-programmed death (PD)-1 antibodies pembrolizumab (1) or nivolumab (2). Combination treatment with ipilimumab, an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA)-4 antibody, has resulted in higher response rates of 58%; however, this benefit comes with around 55% grade 3/4 side effects (2).

Program death-1 (PD-1) receptor pathway inhibition in cancer medicine: a perspective on clinical efficacy and associated toxicities

Enlisting the host’s immune system to destroy and eradicate tumors in patients with advanced cancer has long been pursued by researchers and clinicians worldwide. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors—agents targeting co-stimulatory T cell receptors or their ligands—have demonstrated substantial and durable anti-tumor activity in selected patients with different tumor types, renewed our enthusiasm for immunotherapy, and generated large research efforts, establishing Immuno-Oncology as a solid discipline of cancer medicine. The first immune checkpoint inhibitor, ipilimumab—a cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor received FDA approval for patients with melanoma in different stages of disease. PD-1 inhibitors have better efficacy and safety profile than their predecessor. Several agents inhibiting this pathway have completed early stages of drug development (biology, pharmacokinetics, safety, efficacy, etc.) and are rapidly finding their way to the clinic. Of these, three already received FDA approval for different indications: Nivolumab (Bristol Myers Squibb), Pembrolizumab (Merck & Co), and Alemtuzumab (Genentech). As expected, their toxicity profile predominantly includes immune related adverse events. The majority of these adverse events are manageable and grade 3/4 toxicities are only observed in 1–3% of patients. Other aspects of clinical interest include: (I) while toxicities are consistent among different agents, their incidence vary slightly among different tumor types; (II) stabilization of tumor growth is observed in a large number of patients; however, objective responses are still reserved to a minority; (III) PD-L1 expression on tumor cells is the most predictive biomarker. Nonetheless, a considerable number of PD-L1 (−) patients experience objective responses and differences in survival according to PD-L1 status are not uniform; and (IV) when compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy and other targeted therapies, the duration of responses and safety profile seem to be major advantages among responders to this group of novel biologicals.

Trade-in Programs and Product Compatibility in Durable Goods Monopoly with Network Externalities

This paper considers product differentiation in view of a monopolist’s incentive to introduce a new version of his product over time when the monopolist can use trade-in programs in two-period model. Contrary to previous literature, we assume that the upgraded product, which is based on the existing product and forward compatible with the new product, can be provided in the second period. The above assumption reflects on the coexistence of new and upgrade products in the real marketplace. Moreover, we assume that the new product can be either an improved product or a downgraded product compared to the product provided in the first period. The following conclusions come from these assumptions: In case of the improved product, trade-in programs can increase social welfare. However, in case of the downgraded product, trade-in programs can lead to reduced social welfare, which could be avoided by prohibiting them.

Disease-oriented treatment of T/NK-cell lymphomas.

Recent clinical trials for T/NK-cell lymphomas are summarized herein, focusing on ATL and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL). The outcomes of patients with these malignancies were the poorest among various peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) in the International T-Cell Lymphoma Project. JCOG has conducted several clinical trials aimed at improving these poor outcomes. For aggressive ATL, JCOG is conducting a phase II trial of VCAP-AMP-VECP followed by allogeneic SCT. For localized ENKL, concurrent chemoradiotherapy has shown promising and durable efficacy in the phase I/II study. Among various new agents for PTCLs and ATL, mogamulizumab has shown promising efficacy for relapsed ATL. A subsequent phase II study of mogamulizumab using the same dose and schedule for relapsed PTCL/CTCL also showed promising efficacy. To establish a new standard for untreated aggressive ATL, a randomized phase II study of VCAP-AMP-VECP with or without mogamulizumab was conducted. Higher % CR was obtained (52% vs 33%) in the former arm, suggesting that VCAP-AMP-VECP plus mogamulizumab is a reasonable option. Lenalidomide recently showed promising efficacy for ATL in phase I and II studies.

Release brakes: chimeric antigen receptor T cells with PD-1 switch receptor

Adoptive cell therapy chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirected T cells is efficacious in the therapy of hematologic malignancies, however, challenging in the treatment of solid cancer due to massive immune repression within the tumor lesion. Recent reports by Kobold et al . (1) and Liu et al . (2) explored the concept to provide CD28 costimulation by a co-expressed “switch receptor” targeting PD-1 ligands to overcome repression and to make the redirected T cell response more durable in the tumor tissue.

The sustained releasing ability of CEL-PLGA-MS in vitro and its inhibitory effects on experimental choroidal neovascularization after intravitreal injection

Background Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a common pathological basis of many ocular fundus diseases.Some treating methods are proved to be effective on CNV but there exist their own shortages.Celecoxib can inhibit experimental neovescularization.Sustained release drug of celecoxib and application approach can offer a basis for the therapy of CNV. Objective This study was to evaluate the sustained release ability of celecoxib-poly lactide-co-glycolide microsphere (CEL-PLGA-MS) in vitro and its inhibitory ability on experimental CNV in vivo. Methods CEL-PLGA-MS was prepared by Hebei Medical University and examined under the scanning electron microscope.The size of CEL-PLGA-MS was measured by Laser Particle Size Analyzer.The drug-loading in vitro releasing was monitored by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). Experimental CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation of retina in the right eyes of 72 male brown Norway (BN) rats and then were randomized into the CEL-PLGA-MS group, celecoxib group, blank PLGA group and PBS group.CEL-PLGA-MS with 320 μmol/L celecoxib, 80 μmol/L celecoxib, blank PLGA microspheres solution and 0.01 mol/L PBS was intravitreally injected separately according to the grouping.CNV was assessed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) on the 14th day after injection.The fibrovascular proliferation (FVP) thickness at photocoagulation spots was measured by OCT.The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid-sclera sections were prepared for the histopathological examination of FVP.On the 7th and 28th day after intravitreal injection, the relative expression levels of VEGF mRNA and COX-2 mRNA in the photocoagulation area were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The use and feeding of the experimental animals were followed by the ARVO statement. Results CEL-PLGA-MS showed the spherical shape with the mean size of 2 467.9 nm and the drug-loading of 7.77% and the drug-release rate of 80.91% in vitro for 45 days.It presented the controllable release characteristics.CEL-PLGA-MS agglomerated in vitreous body after injection.On the 14th day after intravitreal injection, the mean FVP thicknesses were (94.67±4.64), (98.56±4.72), (71.00±4.77), (50.44±3.01) μm in the blank PLGA microspheres group, PBS group, celecoxib group and CEL-PLGA-MS group, respectively, showing significant increases in mean FVP thickness in the blank PLGA microspheres group and PBS group compared with the celecoxib group and CEL-PLGA-MS group (all at P<0.01), and the CEL-PLGA-MS group appeared a lower mean FVP thickness value than the celecoxib group (P<0.01). FFA revealed a large number of strong hyperfluorescences at the photocoagulation area in the rat eyes of the blank PLGA microspheres group and PBS group; while only weak hyperfluorescences were seen in the celecoxib group and CEL-PLGA-MS group.Histopathological examinations verified the same results in the FVP thickness to OCT image.The relative expression levels of COX-2 mRNA and VEGF mRNA in the RPE-choroid-sclera were all significantly elevated in the blank PLGA microspheres group compared with the celecoxib group and CEL-PLGA-MS group both on the 7th and 28th day after intravitreal injection (all at P<0.01). On the 7th day after injection, the relative expression levels of COX-2 mRNA were lower on the 7th day and the relative expression levels of COX-2 mRNA and VEGF mRNA were higher on the 28th day in the celecoxib group in comparison with the CEL-PLGA-MS group (all at P<0.01). Conclusions CEL-PLGA-MSs are even in size with the spherical shape and controllable release characteristics in vitro. CEL-PLGA-MS can inhibit experimental CNV and was more durable effective than celecoxib after intravitreal injection. Key words: Celecoxib; Poly lactide-co-glycolide; Sustained-release microparticles; Choroidal neovascularization

Clinical application progress of bendamustine in lymphocytic malignancy

Bendamustine hydrochloride is a bifunctional alkylating agent with clinical activity to a number of cancers. Bendamustine, an emerging nitrogen mustards anticancer agent, can improve tolerability without sacrificing clinical activity. Although bendamustine has been used widely for more than 40 years, it was not systematically studied in lymphoproliferative disorders until the 1990s. Bendamustine molecule is more stable than the molecules of other alkylators, and it can cause more extensive and more durable damage to DNA. Unlike other alkylating agents, primary targets of bendamustine are based on excision repair pathways rather than mismatch repair pathways, and it activates DNA damage stress responses, induces apoptosis, inhibits mitotic checkpoints, and induces mitotic catastrophe. This paper will review the role of bendamustine in chronic lymphoblastic leukemia(CLL), indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Key words: Bendamustine; Lymphocytic malignancy

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a potential biomarker for identifying responders to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in lung adenocarcinoma

It is increasingly evident that the immune system plays critical roles in both cancer progression and regression, and it has been a target for anticancer therapies for over a hundred years (1). Until recently, however, attempts at stimulating a de novo immune response against tumor cells have met with limited clinical success largely due to immunoinhibitory pathways that downregulate the host immune response against cancer. The discovery of immune checkpoints revealed one of these key immunoinhibitory mechanisms and has led to the development of therapeutic inhibitors that essentially release the brakes on the immune system. The last 5 years has seen a revolution in the treatment of melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer with the regulatory approval of three immune checkpoint inhibitors, ipilimumab which targets the cytotoxic lymphocyte—associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) pathway, and nivolumab and pembrolizumab which target the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway. Several clinical trials have shown that these immune checkpoint inhibitors can induce a durable long-term response and prolong overall survival (2). In addition, they appear to be more tolerable than traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, these benefits are not without major drawbacks as only 20–26% of patients respond to CTLA-4 targeted therapy and fewer than 40% respond to PD-1 targeted agents (2). Moreover, up to 15% of patients can experience severe dose limiting immune related adverse events (2). Thus, there is a critical need to develop strategies to identify patients who are likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

At 1 Year After Bariatric Surgery, Many Patients Have Less Pain and Better Physical Function

Bariatric surgery generally leads to substantial weight loss that often is maintained. However, whether bariatric surgery is associated with durable

Value of correlative biomarkers in understanding tumor biology

We appreciate the insightful review of our article Batchelor et al . “Improved tumor oxygenation and survival in glioblastoma patients who show increased blood perfusion after cediranib and chemoradiation” by Dr. Burt Nabors (1,2). In his commentary, he skillfully highlights the initial enthusiasm followed by more measured interest for anti-angiogenic agents in glioblastoma (GBM) (1). Based on the robust angiogenesis that characterizes GBM, there exists a strong biological rationale for targeting tumor blood vessels and, fundamentally, blood flow and nutrient delivery are essential to tumor survival. The therapeutic challenge with this class of agents has been identifying those patients likely to benefit and achieve a durable response both clinically and radiographically.

New Approach to Treating Type 1 Diabetes Produces Durable Results in Mice

Using various approaches, glucose-responsive, insulin-producing β cells have been transplanted into patients with type 1 diabetes. But widespread use

Virtual reality for improving body image disorders and weight loss after gastric band surgery: a case series.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) is a common surgery method used to help obese patients to lose weight. However, even if LAGB is able to produce a durable and relevant weight loss, it is less effective in improving body image: as demonstrated by a recent study, obese patients with a body image disorder in the pre-operative stage continue to show this even 13 months after the operation. In this presentation we will discuss the possible role of virtual reality (VR) in addressing this problem within an integrated cognitive behavioral approach. To test this approach, a case series of three LAGB patient who experienced body dissatisfaction even after a &gt;30/40% excess body weight loss, is presented and discussed. At the end of the 6-week protocol the patients experienced a 15%-20% further reduction of their weight. This reduction was also matched by a general improvement of the psychological state. Both the weight loss and the level of well-being were further improved after a three-month follow-up.

Mathematical models of polymer-dentin physicochemical interactions and their biological effects

Dental adhesion is the result of a physicochemical interaction between tooth structure and the adhesive polymeric restorative material. Adhesion involves molecular interactions at the interface between these constituents. Furthermore, mechanical interlocking is a common type of adhesion important in dental materials. This type of bonding involves the penetration of the adhesive into the dental surface and requires different energetic considerations for an optimal interface. An adequate infiltration of adhesive monomers into demineralized dentin depends on several factors that are determined by the atoms on the surface of the structures and the effects of surface energy on the thermodynamic work of adhesion. The polarity, solubility and viscosity of the adhesive system and the surface energy and moisture of dentin tissue are key factors that contribute to adhesion energy. The main goal of dental material adhesion is to produce an interface that is strong and durable. Thus, it is important to optimize the infiltration of adhesive monomers into exposed collagen fiber networks and dentinal tubules in order to increase the strength of the Resin-dentin bonds and produce adequate dentin sealing.

Optimizing radiation for cancer immunotherapy

Various protocols are under investigation for the purpose of optimizing radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Due to recent advances in image guidance and radiation delivery, a new option is to treat tumors with a single intense dose of radiation, 30 Gy or more (1,2). Alternatively, radiation doses can be “fractionated” over multiple treatment periods. Radiotherapy kills tumor cells and their associated stromal and vascular cells, and in some instances can induce T cell-mediated immunity that is effective at killing tumors outside the radiated area, a phenomenon called the “abscopal effect” (3,4). Since complete tumor remission usually depends on an effective anti-tumor immune response, it is important to determine how different radiation regimens influence anti-tumor immune responses. Filatenkov and coworkers (5) investigated the effect of radiation delivery protocols on the numbers and properties of immune cells in the microenvironments of colon cancer cells in mice. Weakly immunogenic ectopic CT26 colon tumors grown in syngeneic Balb/c mice usually responded to a single 30 Gy dose of intense radiation with durable tumor remissions due to T cell-mediated tumor killing. Fractionated radiation regimens were not as effective at stimulating T cells responses or durable remissions. The authors conclude that an examination of the tumor immune response may be useful for optimizing radiation regimens applied to various tumors.

Pediatric ventricular assist devices.

The domain of pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) has recently gained considerable attention. Despite the fact that, historically, the practice of pediatric mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has lagged behind that of adult patients, this gap between the two groups is narrowing. Currently, the Berlin EXCOR VAD is the only pediatric-specific durable VAD approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The prospective Berlin Heart trial demonstrated a successful outcome, either bridge to transplantation (BTT), or in rare instances, bridge to recovery, in approximately 90% of children. Also noted during the trial was, however, a high incidence of adverse events such as embolic stroke, bleeding and infection. This has incentivized some pediatric centers to utilize adult implantable continuous-flow devices, for instance the HeartMate II and HeartWare HVAD, in children. As a result of this paradigm shift, the outlook of pediatric VAD support has dramatically changed: Treatment options previously unavailable to children, including outpatient management and even destination therapy, have now been becoming a reality. The sustained demand for continued device miniaturization and technological refinements is anticipated to extend the range of options available to children-HeartMate 3 and HeartWare MVAD are two examples of next generation VADs with potential pediatric application, both of which are presently undergoing clinical trials. A pediatric-specific continuous-flow device is also on the horizon: the redesigned Infant Jarvik VAD (Jarvik 2015) is undergoing pre-clinical testing, with a randomized clinical trial anticipated to follow thereafter. The era of pediatric VADs has begun. In this article, we discuss several important aspects of contemporary VAD therapy, with a particular focus on challenges unique to the pediatric population.