Distinct Clinical and Pathological Features Are Associated with the BRAFT1799A(V600E) Mutation in Primary Melanoma

The BRAFT1799A mutation encodes BRAFV600E that leads to activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. This study aimed to assess the clinico-pathological features of primary invasive melanomas containing the BRAFT1799A mutation. Patients (n=251) with invasive primary melanomas from Australia were interviewed and examined with respect to their melanoma characteristics and risk factors. Independent review of pathology, allele-specific PCR for the BRAFT1799A mutation, immunohistochemical staining with Ki67, and phospho-histone-H3 (PH3) were performed. The BRAFT1799A mutation was found in 112 (45%) of the primary melanomas. Associations with the BRAFT1799A mutation (P<0.05) were as follows: low tumor thickness (odds ratio (OR)=3.3); low mitotic rate (OR=2.0); low Ki67 score (OR=5.0); low PH3 score (OR=3.3); superficial spreading melanoma (OR=10.0); pigmented melanoma (OR=3.7); a lack of history of solar keratoses (OR=2.7); a location on the trunk (OR=3.4) or extremity (OR=2.0); a high level of self-reported childhood sun exposure (OR=2.0); ≤50 years of age (OR=2.5); and fewer freckles (OR=2.5). We conclude that the BRAFT1799A mutation has associations with host phenotype, tumor location, and pigmentation. Although implicated in the control of the cell cycle, the BRAFT1799A mutation is associated with a lower rate of tumor proliferation

‘Why haven’t I got one of those?’ A consideration regarding the need to protect non-participant children in early years research

It is widely documented that young children participating in research should be protected from harm and that ethical considerations should be applied throughout a research project. What this paper strives to assert, however, is that protecting these participants is insufficient. A research project into children’s speech and language development, using audio–-visual methods, highlighted that children who are non-participants, those on the periphery of research, can also be affected by the research process. It is acknowledged throughout this paper that although ethical procedures were adhered to whilst undertaking a specific research project, this was insufficient. It is therefore argued that all children within a research environment, whether participatory or not, should be given equal consideration with regards to ethical protection when undertaking research. It is asserted that ‘“why haven’t I got one of those’”, or the equivalent, is a phrase to be avoided at all costs when undertaking research with children

Improved Respiratory Outcomes for X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy (XLMTM) with Gene Replacement Therapy, Resamirigene Bilparvovec (ASPIRO): Preliminary Results from ASPIRO, a Phase 1/2/3 Study

Astelas Gene Therapies

Marketing Actions and the Value of Customer Assets: A Framework for Customer Asset Management

This article develops a framework for assessing how marketing actions affect customers’lifetime value to the firm. The framework is organized around four critical actions that firms must take to effectively manage the asset value of the customer base: database creation, market segmentation, forecasting customer purchase behavior, and resource allocation. In this framework, customer lifetime value is treated as a dynamic construct, that is, it influences the eventual allocation of marketing resources but is also influenced by that allocation. By viewing customers as assets and systematically managing these assets, a firm can identify the most appropriate marketing actions to acquire, maintain, and enhance customer assets and thereby maximize financial returns. The article discusses in detail how to assess customer lifetime value and manage customers as assets. Then, it identifies key research challenges in studying customer asset management and the managerial challenges associated with implementing effective customer asset management practices.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Are social innovation paradigms incommensurable?

This paper calls attention to the problematic use of the concept of social innovation which remains undefined despite its proliferation throughout academic and policy discourses. Extant research has thus far failed to capture the socio-political contentions which surround social innovation. This paper therefore draws upon the work of Thomas Kuhn and conducts a paradigmatic analysis of the field of social innovation which identifies two emerging schools: one technocratic, the other democratic. The paper identifies some of the key thinkers in each paradigm and explains how the struggle between these two paradigms reveals itself to be part of a broader conflict between neoliberalism and it opponents and concludes by arguing that future research focused upon local contextualised struggles will reveal which paradigm is in the ascendancy

Animal models for COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the aetiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an emerging respiratory infection caused by the introduction of a novel coronavirus into humans late in 2019 (frst detected in Hubei province, China). As of 18 September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread to 215 countries, has infected more than 30 million people and has caused more than 950,000 deaths. As humans do not have pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic agents and vaccines to mitigate the current pandemic and to prevent the re-emergence of COVID-19. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) assembled an international panel to develop animal models for COVID-19 to accelerate the testing of vaccines and therapeutic agents. Here we summarize the fndings to date and provides relevant information for preclinical testing of vaccine candidates and therapeutic agents for COVID-19.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

HIV Risk Behavior Self-Report Reliability at Different Recall Periods

Few studies have investigated the optimal length of recall period for self-report of sex and drug-use behaviors. This meta-analysis of 28 studies examined the test-retest reliability of three commonly used recall periods: 1, 3, and 6 months. All three recall periods demonstrated acceptable test-retest reliability, with the exception of recall of needle sharing behaviors and 6-months recall of some sex behaviors. For most sex behaviors, a recall period of 3 months was found to produce the most reliable data; however, 6 months was best for recalling number of sex partners. Overall, shorter periods were found to be more reliable for recall of drug-use behaviors, though the most reliable length of recall period varied for different types of drugs. Implications of the findings and future directions for research are discussed