Socioeconomic and Demographic Correlates of Sex Offender Residency in Massachusetts

In states with sex offender residency restrictions, sex offenders have been found to cluster in areas that are poorer, less white, and generally less advantaged, but little research has been done on whether these patterns exist without residency restrictions in place (Tewksbury & Mustaine, 2008). All cities and towns in the state of Massachusetts eliminated residency restrictions for sex offenders in 2015 by way of court order. This policy shift provides a unique opportunity to study sex offender residency patterns that are not constrained to certain geographic areas. Using publicly available data, multivariate regression was used to examine correlates of sex offender residency. Specifically, the relationships between median household income, percent white, violent and property crime rates, and unemployment rate and sex offender residence rate in fifty-seven Massachusetts cities and towns were explored. Significant positive relationships were found between violent crime rate and sex offender residence rate and unemployment rate and sex offender residence rate. Marginally significant negative relationships were found between property crime rate and sex offender residence rate and median household income range and sex offender residence rate. The relationships between percent U.S. citizen and sex offender residence rate and percent white and sex offender residence rate were not found to be significant. Implications and areas for future research are discussed. Keywords: sex offender residences, Massachusetts, social disorder, sex offender residency restriction

Characterization of the Molecular Mechanism of the Tissue-Specific and Developmentally Regulated Alternative Splicing of <i>SCN9A</i> Exon 5

The voltage-gated sodium channel Nav 1.7, encoded by SCN9A gene, is expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and in sympathetic ganglia and it is considered to be one of the major player in the regulation of pain perception. The linkage to several human pain disorders confirms its pivotal role in pain pathway. The gene contains an exon 5 pair, 5N and 5A, that are mutually exclusive spliced. These exons encode part of the voltage sensor of the channel; although the alternative splice variants differ by only two amino acids, they differentially affect the amplitude of the currents generated and the excitability of nociceptive neurons. In this study I mapped some of the splicing regulatory elements that determine SCN9A exon 5 developmentally regulated mutually exclusive splicing. In the first stages of development, characterized by a major inclusion of the neonatal form, ETR3 plays an essential role acting on both sides, favouring 5N and inhibiting 5A inclusion. For the switching towards a major inclusion of exon 5A some elements have been identified. Fox1 helps the recognition of the weak 5A 5' splice site, interacting with four cis-acting elements downstream of exon 5A. Furthermore an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE), bound by SRSF1 and SRSF6, improves the usage of 5A weak 3' splice site. At the same time 5N inclusion is inhibited by the presence of two silencers, one exonic recognized by PTB and one intronic close to 5N 5' splice site. The duplication of this exon is well conserved in six out of nine voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) genes and some elements mapped for SCN9A gene display a great homology in other family members. The investigation of possible common factors reveals some interesting results: for example the ESE in the adult form is present in at least other three VGSCs

Uniformisation des taux de profit et hypothèse sectorielle

The hypothesis of an equalization of sectorial rates of profit has an important role to play in the economic theory. Though it has been formulated a long time ago (A. Smith, D. Ricardo…), now as a definite principle (with its mechanism) and now as a postulate, it is however contradicted by statistical observation. There have been various answers to this problem. We propose to study it in a new light, emphasizing that the formulation of this "law" as well as its empirical evidence are registered within the traditional framework of activity sector. Then, we have to think about the latter as it has a fundamental role to play. But the activity sector is no longer a homogeneous category, for firms can considerably differentiate the conditions (technological and financial ones) of capital allowance, independently of any reference to the notion of product. Then, we must think over this problem, no longer wondering where this allowance of the capital is produced, but how. This brings us to propose the elaboration of a new classification of the firms, that leads to an analysis at an "intermediary level" other than the insufficient level that results from the division of the economy into activity sectors.

A Tutela Jurídica do Patrimônio Cultural Brasileiro

O presente estudo visa a analisar os diversos conceitos de Patrimônio Cultural e a proteção jurídica a ele concedida. Quanto ao primeiro aspecto, tem-se por base o disposto no artigo 216 da Constituição Federal, que considera o patrimônio cultural como os bens de natureza material e imaterial essenciais ao registro da memória e identidade dos diferentes grupos formadores da sociedade brasileira. No que tange à proteção jurídica a eles destinada, esta será explicitada principalmente sob o ângulo dos instrumentos legais concedidos para realizar tal proteção, quais sejam: tombamento, inventário, desapropriação, etc. Trata-se, no estudo em tela, em que pese haja visões contrárias na doutrina, do patrimônio cultural visto como parte integrante do todo formado pelos bens ambientais, merecendo então, tal e qual este, proteção constitucional e infraconstitucional específica, com ênfase na lei 9.605/98, que define os crimes ambientais

Interpretação judicial criativa: análise teórica e jurisprudencial

O presente trabalho divide-se em duas partes. Na primeira, visa a analisar o instituto da interpretação judicial criativa em matéria penal, contextualizando o fenômeno dentro da ordem jurídica brasileira. Em um segundo momento, busca analisar a decisão proferida no processo judicial n. 70051788081, julgado pelo Tribunal de Justiça do estado do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 2013, a qual bem exemplifica, de forma concreta, a teoria exposta na primeira parte do artigo

Delayed Effect of Dendritic Cells Vaccination on Survival in Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Background: Dendritic cell vaccination (DCV) strategies, thanks to a complex immune response, may flare tumor regression and improve patients’ long‐term survival. This meta‐analysis aims to assess the efficacy of DCV for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients in clinical trials. Meth-ods: The study databases, including PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane, were searched by two blinded investigators considering eligible studies based on the following keywords: “glioblastoma multiforme”, “dendritic cell”, “vaccination”, “immunother-apy”, “immune system”, “immune response”, “chemotherapy”, “recurrence”, and “te-mozolomide”. Among the 157 screened, only 15 articles were eligible for the final analysis. Results: Regimens including DCV showed no effect on 6‐month progression‐free survival (PFS, HR = 1.385, 95% CI: 0.822–2.335, p = 0.673) or on 6‐month overall survival (OS, HR = 1.408, 95% CI: 0.882–2.248, p = 0.754). In contrast, DCV led to significantly longer 1‐year OS (HR = 1.936, 95% CI: 1.396–2.85, p = 0.001) and longer 2‐year OS (HR = 3.670, 95% CI: 2.291–5.879, p = 0.001) versus control groups. Hence, introducing DCV could lead to increased 1 and 2‐year survival of patients by 1.9 and 3.6 times, respectively. Conclusion: Antitumor regimens including DCV can effectively improve mid-term survival in patients suffering glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), but its impact emerges only after one year from vaccination. These data indicate the need for more time to achieve an anti‐GBM immune response and suggest additional therapeutics, such as checkpoint inhibitors, to empower an earlier DCV action in patients affected by a very poor prognosis

A 3D Platform to Investigate Dynamic Cell-to-Cell Interactions Between Tumor Cells and Mesenchymal Progenitors

We here investigated the dynamic cell-to-cell interactions between tumor and mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) by the novel VITVOⓇ 3D bioreactor that was customized to develop in vivo-like metastatic nodules of Ewing’s sarcoma (ES). MSCs are known to contribute to tumor microenvironment as cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) precursors and, for this reason, they have also been used as anti-cancer tools. Using dynamic conditions, the process of tissue colonization and formation of metastatic niches was recreated through tumor cell migration aiming to mimic ES development in patients. ES is an aggressive tumor representing the second most common malignant bone cancer in children and young adults. An urgent and unmet need exists for the development of novel treatment strategies to improve the outcomes of metastatic ES. The tumor-tropic ability of MSCs offers an alternative approach, in which these cells can be used as vehicles for the delivery of antitumor molecules, such as the proapoptotic TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL). However, the therapeutic targeting of metastases remains challenging and the interaction occurring between tumor cells and MSCs has not yet been deeply investigated. Setting up in vitro and in vivo models to study this interaction is a prerequisite for novel approaches where MSCs affinity for tumor is optimized to ultimately increase their therapeutic efficacy. Here, VITVOⓇ integrating a customized scaffold with an increased inter-fiber distance (VITVO50) was used to develop a dynamic model where MSCs and tumor nodules were evaluated under flow conditions. Colonization and interaction between cell populations were explored by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). VITVO50 findings were then applied in vivo. An ES metastatic model was established in NSG mice and biodistribution of TRAIL-expressing MSCs in mice organs affected by metastases was investigated using a 4-plex ddPCR assay. VITVOⓇ proved to be an easy handling and versatile bioreactor to develop in vivo-like tumor nodules and investigate dynamic cell-to-cell interactions with MSCs. The proposed fluidic system promises to facilitate the understanding of tumor-stroma interaction for the development of novel tumor targeting strategies, simplifying the analysis of in vivo data, and ultimately accelerating the progress towards the early clinical phase

Amyloidosis: an unusual cause of portal hypertension

Amyloidosis comprises a group of diseases that occurs in five to nine cases per million patients per year worldwide irrespective of its classification. Although the hepatic involvement in primary amyloidosis is frequent, the clinical manifestations of liver amyloidosis are mild or even absent. The authors report the case of an aged man who complained of diffuse abdominal pain and marked weight loss and presented clinical signs of hepatopathy. Clinical workup revealed portal hypertension with ascites, hemorrhoids, and esophageal varices. The laboratory tests showed the cholestatic pattern of liver enzymes, hyperbilirubinemia, renal insufficiency and massive proteinuria accompanied by the presence of serum pike of monoclonal lambda light chain protein. The outcome was unfavorable, and the patient died. The autopsy findings revealed the diagnosis of amyloidosis predominantly involving the liver and kidneys. The bone marrow examination demonstrated the deposition of amyloid material associated with clonal plasma cells infiltration. The authors call attention to portal hypertension as a rare manifestation of primary amyloidosis. Meanwhile, this diagnosis should be taken into account whenever the hepatopathy is accompanied by laboratory abnormalities consistent with hepatic space-occupying lesions concomitantly with other organs involvement. In the case reported herein, kidney involvement was also present with renal failure, massive proteinuria with monoclonal serum gammopathy, what reinforced the diagnostic possibility of primary amyloidosi

SODIUM BICARBONATE VERSUS SODIUM CHLORIDE FOR PREVENTING CONTRAST-ASSOCIATED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL – HYDRAREA STUDY

Introdução: A nefropatia por contraste é a terceira principal causa de injuria renal aguda em ambiente de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). As diretrizes atuais são controversas quanto a forma de prevenção de nefropatia por contraste. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as soluções de bicarbonato de sódio (NaBIC) e cloreto de sódio (NaCl) na prevenção de nefropatia induzida por contraste. Métodos: Ensaio clinico randomizado conduzido em 3 UTIs na França. Os pacientes foram randomizados em 2 grupos, o primeiro utilizando bicarbonato de sódio e o segundo utilizando cloreto de sódio. O desfecho primário foi o desenvolvimento de injuria renal aguda. Resultados: 307 pacientes foram randomizados. Dos 156 pacientes que receberam cloreto de sódio, 52 (33,3%) evoluíram com IRA-pós contraste e dos 151 que receberam bicarbonato de sódio, 53 (35,1%) apresentaram IRA, sem diferença significativa entre os grupos (p=0,81). Discussão e conclusão: Algumas meta-análises anteriores mostraram uma menor incidência de IRA pós-contraste quando utilizadas soluções de NaBic. Contudo esses estudos apresentavam heterogeneidade metodológica importante. Neste ensaio clínico randomizado, não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos.Introduction: Contrast-associated acute kidney injury is the third leading cause of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Current guidelines are controversial as to how to prevent this disease. The aim of the present study was to compare sodium bicarbonate (NaBIC) and sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. Methods: Randomized clinical trial conducted at 3 ICUs in France. Patients were randomized into two groups, the first using sodium bicarbonate and the second using sodium chloride. The primary outcome was the development of acute kidney injury. Results: 307 patients were randomized. Of the 156 patients who received sodium chloride, 52 (33.3%) developed ARF-contrast and 151 (35.1%) of the patients who received sodium bicarbonate presented ARF, with no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.81). Discussion and conclusion: Some previous meta-analyzes have shown a lower incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury when using NaBic solutions. However, these studies had important methodological heterogeneity. In this randomized clinical trial, there was no significant difference between the two groups