Interview of Noyma Appelbaum, Ed.D.

Noyma Appelbaum was born in 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was born to immigrant parents, his father being Lithuanian and his mother Ukrainian. Mr. Appelbaum’s parents were politically radical and had involvement in the labor union movement of the early 20th century. His mother, Esther Kaminsky, was involved in the organizing of workers in the textile industries of New York City and Philadelphia. His father, Meyer Appelbaum was pivotal in organizing workers in Philadelphia’s auto industry and, according to the interviewee, was a founding member of Philadelphia’s Communist Party. Noyma Appelbaum was heavily influenced by his parents’ involvement in leftist politics. In his youth he participated in protests and became a member of the Young Pioneers, a youth communist group similar to the Boy Scouts of America in organization but not ideology. He attended Philadelphia schools and eventually went to Temple University with the help of scholarships. During his work there on a journalism degree he worked for the Philadelphia edition of The Daily Worker, a Communist Party supported newspaper. Mr. Appelbaum spent his post college years working in industrial Philadelphia in an attempt to organize factory workers. A major political shift occurred for Mr. Appelbaum in 1956 as Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev exposed the atrocities of the heavy handed rule of former Premier Josef Stalin. His disenchantment with communist policies matched that of many Communist Party members. Mr. Appelbaum returned to Temple University in an effort to receive a teaching degree. He goes on to work for many years in Philadelphia area education and eventually works toward his doctorate in education. He and his wife have lived in the East Oak Lane of Philadelphia for over 40 years

Primera cita del pez Indo-Pacífico Terapon jarbua (Osteichthyes: Terapontidae) en el Mediterráneo con comentarios sobre la amplia distribución de esta especie

The Indo-Pacific fish Terapon jarbua is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean. This record is evidentially the result of T. jarbua entering the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal (Lessepsian migration). The present record increases the total number of known Lessepsian fish to 74. A comparison of Mediterranean and Red Sea specimens of T. jarbua with specimens from the Far East suggests the necessity for genetic studies in order to clarify the unity of this taxon.El pez indo-pacífico Terapon jarbua se ha recolectado por primera vez en el Mediterráneo. Este registro es evidentemente el resultado de la entrada de T. jarbua en el Mediterráneo vía el Canal de Suez (migración Lessepsiana). El presenta registro incrementa el número total de peces Lessepsianos a 74. La comparación de especímenes de T. jarbua mediterráneos y del mar Rojo de los de zona lejanas del Este sugiere la necesidad de estudios genéticos para poder clarificar la unidad de este taxon

Arnoglossus nigrofilamentosus n. sp., una nueva especie de platija (Teleostei: Bothidae) de las costas mediterráneas de Israel, probablemente un nuevo caso de migración lessepsiana

The filamentous flounder Arnoglossus nigrofilamentosus n. sp. is described from four specimens collected in the southeastern Mediterranean near Tel-Aviv, Israel on 5 May 2017. The new species is characterized as follows: second to sixth dorsal-fin rays elongate and filamentous, dorsal-fin rays 78-84, anal-fin rays 61-66, pectoral-fin rays on ocular side 12-13, on blind side 7-9, caudal-fin rays iii,11,iii , lateral-line scales 52-54, gill rakers 0 + 4-5, not serrated, interorbital a narrow bony ridge without scales in the middle, interorbital width 11% to 16% of upper orbit diameter, no enlarged teeth anteriorly in upper jaw, and prevomer small, not enlarged, weakly projecting into mouth cavity; body in fresh specimens pale (may have been dark before the epidermis was abrased), head, peritoneum and vertical fins black. The new species is described and compared with similar species. Though the species has not yet been observed in the northern Red Sea, it probably originates from the Gulf of Suez, so this finding represents a probable new case of Lessepsian migration.Se describe una nueva especie de platija filamentosa Arnoglossus nigrofilamentosus n. sp. A partir de 4 ejemplares capturados en el SE Mediterráneo cerca de Tel-Aviv, Israel, el 5 de mayo del 2017. La nueva especie se caracteriza por los radios dorsales 2 a 6, largos y filamentosos, 78-84 radios dorsales, 61-66 radios anales, 12-13 radios pectorales en el lado ocular y 7-9 en el lado ciego, iii+11+iii radios caudales, linea lateral con 52-54 escamas, 0+4-5 arcos branquiales, no serrados, una estrecha cresta interorbital, sin escamas en medio, anchura interorbitaria 11-16% el diámetro superior de la órbita, mandibular superior sin dientes alargados anteriormente, y prevomer pequeño, no alargado, débilmente proyectado en la cavidad bucal. En ejemplares frescos, el cuerpo es pálido (quizás oscuro antes de la abrasion de la piel durante la pesca), cabeza, peritoneo y aletas verticales negras. Se describe la nueva especie y se compara con especies próximas. Aunque la especie no se ha observado todavía en el Mar Rojo, probablemente es originaria del Golfo de Suez, lo que supondría un nuevo caso de migración lessepsiana

Scorpaena decemradiata nueva especie (Teleostei: Scorpaenidae) del golfo de Aqaba, mar Rojo del norte, una especie distinta de Scorpaena porcus

The scorpionfish Scorpaena decemradiata n. sp. is described from off the coast of Israel in the Gulf of Aqaba, northern Red Sea. The new species is similar to S. porcus Linnaeus, 1758, but is characterized by dorsal fin spines XII, soft dorsal fin rays 10 (the last divided at base); pectoral fin rays 16, uppermost branched pectoral fin ray is the second; lacrimal with 2 spines over maxilla that point at nearly right angle from each other, the posterior pointing ventrally and slightly anteriorly; occipital pit well developed; anteriormost mandibular lateral-line pores small, separated; scales ctenoid; 59-62 scale rows in longitudinal series; scales absent on chest and pectoral fin base; and cirri developed over entire head and body, but no cirri on lower jaw. An updated checklist of the species of the genus Scorpaena Linnaeus, 1758 and a key to the species of the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea are presented.En este trabajo se describe el escorpeniforme Scorpaena decemradiata n. sp. de la costa de Israel, golfo de Aqaba, norte del mar Rojo. La nueva especie es similar a S. porcus Linnaeus, 1758, pero se caracteriza por la presencia de XII espinas y 10 radios blandos (el último dividido en la base) en la aleta dorsal; 16 radios en la aleta pectoral, el radio ramificado más superior es el segundo; lacrimal con 2 espinas sobre el maxilar que apuntan casi en ángulo recto, la posterior apuntando ventralmente y ligeramente en dirección anterior; fosa occipital bien desarrollada; los poros más anteriores de la línea lateral mandibular son pequeños y separados; escamas ctenoides; de 59 a 62 filas de escamas en series longitudinales; escamas ausentes en el torax y la base de la aleta pectoral; y cirros desarrollados sobre toda la cabeza y el cuerpo, pero no en la mandíbula inferior. Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies del género Scorpaena Linnaeus, 1758, y una clave para las especies del Atlántico este, mar Mediterráneo y mar Rojo

Real Voices, Real Questions, Real Engagement: VCU Speaker Series

You come here for something more than schooling. You come here for deep education and deep education is about learning how to die so that you learn how to live because when you examine certain assumptions that you have, certain presuppositions that you’re holding on to, when you let them go, that’s a form of death. And there’s no growth, there’s no development, there’s no maturation without learning how to die and giving up certain dogma, giving up certain doctrine. - Cornel West, Ph.D., VCU Siegel Center, Fall 2015 VCU is a large, public, urban research university situated in the middle of a capital city. Its faculty, staff, student body, alumni, and the surrounding community are remarkably diverse as are the academic offerings. It is, and should be viewed as, the intellectual and cultural engine of the region. Our project proposes the creation of a large-scale, high-profile speaker series designed to highlight emerging trends and provide students, faculty, staff, alumni and the Richmond community with a forum for conversation. The speaker series will cover topics that are critically engaging, have national relevance, and introduce ideas that propel the next generation of leaders. In addition to a large speaking engagement, the speaker series will also incorporate other activities to cultivate interactions and build relationships such as classroom lectures, book signings, and a dinner through the development office. The speaker series will host at least one speaker annually, with the addition of a second speaker as the event builds momentum. At least one of the lectures will occur at the beginning of the traditional academic semester, allowing for the greatest opportunity for participation across VCU and Richmond. Internal support from VCU students, faculty, staff, and colleges will ensure that the project is connected to the mission, vision, goals, and pursuits of VCU. A speaker series committee will help sustain and coordinate efforts across the university and community. Committee members will include stakeholders that require buy-in and cooperation for activities that complement the speaker series (e.g., other lectures, panel discussions, classroom activities). A survey will be used to gain insights into topics and speakers of interest. The committee will review the survey responses in order to make informed decisions during the planning process. The ongoing presence of hosting influential speakers will allow VCU to emerge into the national spotlight as thought-leaders. This speaker series will serve many purposes. First, the series will serve to inspire VCU students, faculty, staff, and the Richmond. Through frank and open conversations attendees will be exposed to new concepts and ideas. Second, the series will unite the diverse groups that make up VCU and the Richmond community. The lecture series will expose attendees to new ideas and open doors for possible opportunities for collaboration through classroom and community engagement activities related to the topics discussed. Third, the series will serve as a cultural conduit, solidly connecting the VCU and Richmond communities around engaging ideas of importance. Opening a new market-place of ideas will ensure that the students of VCU interact with new information in exciting and transformative ways

Clinical Trials and Medical Care: Defining the Therapeutic Misconception

A key component of informed consent to participate in medical research includes understanding that research is not the same as treatment

Computer‐assisted Curie scoring for metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans in patients with neuroblastoma

BackgroundRadiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is sensitive and specific for detecting neuroblastoma. The extent of MIBG‐avid disease is assessed using Curie scores. Although Curie scoring is prognostic in patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma, there is no standardized method to assess the response of specific sites of disease over time. The goal of this study was to develop approaches for Curie scoring to facilitate the calculation of scores and comparison of specific sites on serial scans.ProcedureWe designed three semiautomated methods for determining Curie scores, each with increasing degrees of computer assistance. Method A was based on visual assessment and tallying of MIBG‐avid lesions. For method B, scores were tabulated from a schematic that associated anatomic regions to MIBG‐positive lesions. For method C, an anatomic mesh was used to mark MIBG‐positive lesions with automatic assignment and tallying of scores. Five imaging physicians experienced in MIBG interpretation scored 38 scans using each method, and the feasibility and utility of the methods were assessed using surveys.ResultsThere was good reliability between methods and observers. The user‐interface methods required 57 to 110 seconds longer than the visual method. Imaging physicians indicated that it was useful that methods B and C enabled tracking of lesions. Imaging physicians preferred method B to method C because of its efficiency.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the feasibility of semiautomated approaches for Curie score calculation. Although more time was needed for strategies B and C, the ability to track and document individual MIBG‐positive lesions over time is a strength of these methods.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146464/1/pbc27417.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146464/2/pbc27417_am.pd

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective clinical trials.

The optimal treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR1) is uncertain. Current consensus, based on cytogenetic risk, recommends myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for poor-risk but not for good-risk AML. Allogeneic SCT, autologous transplantation, and consolidation chemotherapy are considered of equivalent benefit for intermediate-risk AML

FDG-PET as a predictive biomarker for therapy with everolimus in metastatic renal cell cancer

AbstractThe mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor, everolimus, affects tumor growth by targeting cellular metabolic proliferation pathways and delays renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression. Preclinical evidence suggests that baseline elevated tumor glucose metabolism as quantified by FDG-PET ([18F] fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography) may predict antitumor activity. Metastatic RCC (mRCC) patients refractory to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway inhibition were treated with standard dose everolimus. FDG-PET scans were obtained at baseline and 2weeks; serial computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained at baseline and every 8weeks. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the most FDG avid lesion, average SUVmax of all measured lesions and their corresponding 2-week relative changes were examined for association with 8-week change in tumor size. A total of 63 patients were enrolled; 50 were evaluable for the primary endpoint of which 48 had both PET scans. Patient characteristics included the following: 36 (72%) clear cell histology and median age 59 (range: 37–80). Median pre- and 2-week treatment average SUVmax were 6.6 (1–17.9) and 4.2 (1–13.9), respectively. Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-based measurements demonstrated an average change in tumor burden of 0.2% (−32.7% to 35.9%) at 8weeks. Relative change in average SUVmax was the best predictor of change in tumor burden (all evaluable P=0.01; clear cell subtype P=0.02), with modest correlation. Baseline average SUVmax was correlated with overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) (P=0.023; 0.020), but not with change in tumor burden. Everolimus therapy decreased SUVs on follow-up PET scans in mRCC patients, but changes were only modestly correlated with changes in tumor size. Thus, clinical use of FDG-PET-based biomarkers is challenged by high variability.In this phase II trial, FDG-PET was explored as a predictive biomarker for response to everolimus (mTOR inhibition) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Everolimus therapy decreased SUVs on follow-up FDG-PET scans in these patients. SUV changes were modestly correlated with changes in tumor size and baseline average SUVmax values were correlated with overall survival