A Consensus Definitive Classification of Scavenger Receptors and Their Roles in Health and Disease

Scavenger receptors constitute a large family of proteins that are structurally diverse and participate in a wide range of biological functions. These receptors are expressed predominantly by myeloid cells and recognize a diverse variety of ligands including endogenous and modified host-derived molecules and microbial pathogens. There are currently eight classes of scavenger receptors, many of which have multiple names, leading to inconsistencies and confusion in the literature. To address this problem, a workshop was organized by theUnited StatesNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, to help develop a clear definition of scavenger receptors and a standardized nomenclature based on that definition. Fifteen experts in the scavenger receptor field attended the workshop and, after extensive discussion, reached a consensus regarding the definition of scavenger receptors and a proposed scavenger receptor nomenclature. Scavenger receptors were defined as cell surface receptors that typically bind multiple ligands and promote the removal of nonself or altered-self targets. They often function by mechanisms that include endocytosis, phagocytosis, adhesion, and signaling that ultimately lead to the elimination of degraded or harmful substances. Based on this definition, nomenclature and classification of these receptors into 10 classes were proposed. This classification was discussed at three national meetings and input from participants at these meetings was requested. The following manuscript is a consensus statement that combines the recommendations of the initial workshop and incorporates the input received from the participants at the three national meetings

Weight gain on androgen deprivation therapy: which patients are at highest risk?

Abstract not availableDaniel M. Seible, Xiangmei Gu, Andrew S. Hyatt, Clair J. Beard, Toni K. Choueiri, Jason A.Efstathiou, David T.Miyamoto, TimurMitin, Neil E.Martin, Christopher J.Sweeney, Quoc-Dien Trinh, Joshua A. Beckman, Shehzad Basaria, and Paul L. Nguye

Strength and Deformability of Concrete Members Wrapped with Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composites with a Large Rupture Strain

Recently, a new category of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has emerged as a potential alternative to conventional FRPs, whose reinforcing fibres are usually made of carbon, glass or aramid. These new FRP composites are made of Polyacetal fibres (PAF), Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) fibres, or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fibres, which are characterised by a large tensile rupture strain (LRS) (usually larger than 5%) and a relatively low elastic modulus. Compared to conventional FRPs, LRS FRPs are much cheaper and more environmentally friendly since they can be made of recycled plastics (e.g. PET bottles). This paper presents a summary of several completed/on-going research projects conducted in the authors’ research groups on the structural performance of concrete members wrapped with LRS FRP composites, including the compressive behaviour of LRS FRP-confined concrete, the deformability of RC columns confined or internally shear-reinforced with LRS FRP composites under seismic loading, and the shear strengthening of RC members with LRS FRP composites. It is demonstrated that, despite their relatively low elastic modulus, LRS FRP composites can become a very attractive option particularly for the seismic retrofit of RC columns. Besides, LRS FRP composites also have a good potential to be used as the internal shear reinforcement in RC members since their use can lead to a ­ductile shear failure.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineerin

The Influence of Patient–Provider Language Concordance in Cancer Care: Results of the Hispanic Outcomes by Language Approach (HOLA) Randomized Trial

PurposeDelivering linguistically competent care is critical to serving patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and represents a key national strategy to help reduce health disparities. Current acceptable standards of communication with patients who have LEP include providers communicating through professional interpretive services or bilingual providers speaking the patients' preferred language directly. This randomized clinical trial tests the effect of patient-provider language concordance on patient satisfaction.Methods and materialsEighty-three adult Spanish-speaking patients with cancer were randomly assigned to receive care from either (1) 1 of 2 bilingual physicians speaking to the patient directly in Spanish or (2) the same physicians speaking English and using a professional interpreter service. Validated questionnaires were administered to assess patient-reported satisfaction with both provider communication and overall care. Transcripts of initial consultations were analyzed for content variations.ResultsCompared with patients receiving care through professional interpretive services, patients cared for in direct Spanish reported significantly improved general satisfaction, technical quality of care (mean composite score [MCS], 4.41 vs 4.06; P = .005), care team interpersonal manner (MCS, 4.37 vs 3.88; P = .004), communication (MCS, 4.50 vs 4.25; P = .018), and time spent with patient,(MCS, 4.30 vs 3.92; P = .028). Specific to physician communication, patients rated direct-Spanish care more highly in perceived opportunity to disclose concerns (MCS 4.91 vs 4.62; P = .001), physician empathy (MCS, 4.94 vs 4.59; P <.001), confidence in physician abilities (MCS, 4.84 vs 4.51; P = .001), and general satisfaction with their physician (MCS, 4.88 vs 4.59; P <.001). Analyzing the content of consultation encounters revealed differences between study arms, with the direct-Spanish arm having more physician speech related to patient history verification (mean number of utterances, 13 vs 9; P = .01) and partnering activities (mean utterances, 16 vs 5; P <.001). Additionally, patients in the direct-Spanish arm were more likely to initiate unprompted speech (mean utterances, 11 vs 3; P <.001) and asked their providers more questions (mean utterances, 11 vs 4; P = .007).ConclusionsThis study shows improved patient-reported satisfaction among patients with cancer who had LEP and were cared for in direct Spanish compared with interpreter-based communication. Further research into interventions to mitigate the patient-provider language barrier is necessary to optimize care for this population