Numerical Distribution of Lymphoid Nodules in the Human Sigmoid Colon, Rectosigmoidal Junction, Rectum, and Anal Canal

There is little information on the numerical distribution of lymphoid nodules (LN) in distal segments of the human large bowel. A novel approach was therefore developed to assess the number of LN in the sigmoid colon, the rectosigmoid segment, the rectum, and the anal canal in humans. The distal large bowel from five cadavers was selected for quantitative study. The number of LN was scored macroscopically from the proximal sigmoid colon to the distal anal canal. A numerical distribution, previously unreported, consisting of two circular bands of LN was observed in each of the five cadavers. One band was located 3 cm proximal from the pectinate line and the other was located at the rectosigmoid segment. Significantly more LN occurred 3–5 cm proximal to the pectinate line compared to areas distal or proximal to this band of LN. This band of LN has not been reported previously in humans

The effect of combination treatment with aliskiren and blockers of the renin-angiotensin system on hyperkalaemia and acute kidney injury: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To examine the safety of using aliskiren combined with agents used to block the renin-angiotensin system

Ovarian Cyst Fluid of Serous Ovarian Tumors Contains Large Quantities of the Brain Amino Acid N-acetylaspartate

BACKGROUND: In humans, N-acetyl L-aspartate (NAA) has not been detected in other tissues than the brain. The physiological function of NAA is yet undefined. Recently, it has been suggested that NAA may function as a molecular water pump, responsible for the removal of large amounts of water from the human brain. Ovarian tumors typically present as large cystic masses with considerable fluid accumulation. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, we demonstrated that NAA was present in a high micromolar concentration in oCF of epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs) of serous histology, sometimes in the same range as found in the extracellular space of the human brain. In contrast, oCF of EOTs with a mucinous, endometrioid and clear cell histological subtype contained a low micromolar concentration of NAA. Serous EOTs have a cellular differentiation pattern which resembles the lining of the fallopian tube and differs from the other histological subtypes. The NAA concentration in two samples of fluid accumulation in the fallopian tube (hydrosalpinx) was in the same ranges as NAA found in oCF of serous EOTs. The NAA concentration in oCF of patients with serous EOTs was mostly 10 to 50 fold higher than their normal serum NAA concentration, whereas in patients with other EOT subtypes, serum and cyst fluid NAA concentration was comparable. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The high concentration of NAA in cyst fluid of serous EOTs and low serum concentrations of NAA in these patients, suggest a local production of NAA in serous EOTs. Our findings provide the first identification of NAA concentrations high enough to suggest local production outside the human brain. Our findings contribute to the ongoing research understanding the physiological function of NAA in the human body

Molecular and biogeochemical evidence for methane cycling beneath the western margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet

Microbial processes that mineralize organic carbon and enhance solute production at the bed of polar ice sheets could be of a magnitude sufficient to affect global elemental cycles. To investigate the biogeochemistry of a polar subglacial microbial ecosystem, we analyzed water discharged during the summer of 2012 and 2013 from Russell Glacier, a land-terminating outlet glacier at the western margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The molecular data implied that the most abundant and active component of the subglacial microbial community at these marginal locations were bacteria within the order Methylococcales (59–100% of reverse transcribed (RT)-rRNA sequences). mRNA transcripts of the particulate methane monooxygenase (pmoA) from these taxa were also detected, confirming that methanotrophic bacteria were functional members of this subglacial ecosystem. Dissolved methane ranged between 2.7 and 83 μM in the subglacial waters analyzed, and the concentration was inversely correlated with dissolved oxygen while positively correlated with electrical conductivity. Subglacial microbial methane production was supported by δ(13)C-CH(4) values between −64‰ and −62‰ together with the recovery of RT-rRNA sequences that classified within the Methanosarcinales and Methanomicrobiales. Under aerobic conditions, >98% of the methane in the subglacial water was consumed over ∼30 days incubation at ∼4 °C and rates of methane oxidation were estimated at 0.32 μM per day. Our results support the occurrence of active methane cycling beneath this region of the Greenland Ice Sheet, where microbial communities poised in oxygenated subglacial drainage channels could serve as significant methane sinks

The Grizzly, October 13, 2011

UCARE Draws More Blood, Donors • Ursinus is Talking About Author Speaks on Novel • Annual Security and Fire Safety Report Released • Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations Rise, Confuse Administration • Berman Exhibit Honors Muhlenberg Family • Ursinus GSA Provides Genuine Acceptance for All • UC\u27s Dr. Clouser Lectures on Birds\u27 Habitats • Renaissance Band Takes Students Back in Time • Opinion: New Law in Alabama Intrudes on Citizens; Tips to Avoiding the Feared Freshman 15 • UC Water Polo Stresses Fun Over Seriousness • Men\u27s Soccer Gears Up for the Stretch Run • UC Rugby Making Bigger Commitmenthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1843/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 10, 2011

Dean Judith Levy Announces Retirement • Faculty to Challenge Students in Charity Game • Students Offered Working World Experience • Student Spearheads Peer Advocacy Program • Which Fork? Prepares Students • Senior Spends Summer Interning at Arts Center • Committee Kicks Off Preparation for 29th Annual Airband Event • UC Junior Wins Miss NJ Most Photogenic • Best Buddies Forms Lasting Bonds • Opinion: Graduation Date Change Helps More Than Hurts; Bring Back Baby Bio for Non-Science Majors • Men\u27s Basketball is Young, but Well-Prepared • Women\u27s Basketball Turns to Senior Leadership • Women\u27s Track & Field Ready for Championship Runhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1846/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 15, 2011

New CAB Events Coming This Fall • UC Commemorates 9/11 • CAB Hosts Activities Fair in Zack\u27s • GSA Welcomes New Board • Tips to Assist with Time Management • New Math Professor Brings Biostatistics Expertise • Peer Docent Program Returns to Berman • Senior Reminisces on Semester Spent Abroad • Opinions: Updated Sexual Assault Policy Needs Awareness; Libya Should Look to Spain When Rebuilding Government • Fast Start has Volleyball on Track for the Playoffs • Cross Country Eyes Continued Improvement in 2011 • Men\u27s Basketball Team Goes Abroadhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1839/thumbnail.jp

Managerial Work in a Practice-Embodying Institution - The role of calling, the virtue of constancy

What can be learned from a small scale study of managerial work in a highly marginal and under-researched working community? This paper uses the ‘goods-virtues-practices-institutions’ framework to examine the managerial work of owner-directors of traditional circuses. Inspired by MacIntyre’s arguments for the necessity of a narrative understanding of the virtues, interviews explored how British and Irish circus directors accounted for their working lives. A purposive sample was used to select subjects who had owned and managed traditional touring circuses for at least 15 years, a period in which the economic and reputational fortunes of traditional circuses have suffered badly. This sample enabled the research to examine the self-understanding of people who had, at least on the face of it, exhibited the virtue of constancy. The research contributes to our understanding of the role of the virtues in organizations by presenting evidence of an intimate relationship between the virtue of constancy and a ‘calling’ work orientation. This enhances our understanding of the virtues that are required if management is exercised as a domain-related practice

The efficacy and safety of enzalutamide with trastuzumab in patients with HER2+ and androgen receptor-positive metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer

Purpose: Androgen receptor (AR) expression occurs in up to 86% of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers. In vitro, AR inhibitors enhance antitumor activity of trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 antibody, in trastuzumab-resistant HER2+ cell lines. This open-label, single-arm, phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of enzalutamide, an AR-signaling inhibitor, in patients with advanced HER2+ AR+ breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab. Methods: Eligible patients had measurable or non-measurable evaluable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status 64 1, no history of brain metastases, and previously received 65 1 anti-HER2 regimen for advanced disease. Patients received 160\ua0mg oral enzalutamide daily and 6\ua0mg/kg intravenous trastuzumab every 21\ua0days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary end point was clinical benefit rate at 24\ua0weeks (CBR24); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. Results: Overall, 103\ua0women were enrolled [median age 60\ua0years (range 34\u201383)]; 62% had received 65 3\ua0lines of prior anti-HER2 therapy. CBR24, comprising patients with confirmed partial responses (5%) and durable stable disease at 24\ua0weeks (19%), was 24% in the efficacy evaluable set (n = 89). CBR24 did not seem related to AR-expression levels or hormone receptor status. Median PFS was 3.4\ua0months (95% confidence interval 2.0\u20133.8). Overall, 97 (94%) patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), with fatigue most common (34%). Dyspnea (4%) and malignant neoplasm progression (3%) were the only TEAEs grade 65 3 reported in 65 3\ua0patients. 22 patients (21%) reported serious TEAEs. Four patients (4%) experienced fatal, non-drug-related TEAEs. Conclusions: Enzalutamide plus trastuzumab was well tolerated, and a subset of patients in this heavily pretreated population had durable disease control. Determination of biomarkers is needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from this combination. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT0209196