The impact of histopathology and NAB2-STAT6 fusion subtype in classification and grading of meningeal solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma.

Meningeal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT)/hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare tumor with propensity for recurrence and metastasis. Although multiple classification schemes have been proposed, optimal risk stratification remains unclear, and the prognostic impact of fusion status is uncertain. We compared the 2016 WHO CNS tumor grading scheme (CNS-G), a three-tier system based on histopathologic phenotype and mitotic count, to the 2013 WHO soft-tissue counterpart (ST-G), a two-tier system based on mitotic count alone, in a cohort of 133 patients [59 female, 74 male; mean age 54 years (range 20-87)] with meningeal SFT/HPC. Tumors were pathologically confirmed through review of the first tumor resection (n = 97), local recurrence (n = 35), or distant metastasis (n = 1). A STAT6 immunostain showed nuclear expression in 132 cases. NAB2-STAT6 fusion was detected in 99 of 111 successfully tested tumors (89%) including the single STAT6 immunonegative tumor. Tumors were classified by CNS-G as grade 1 (n = 43), 2 (n = 41), or 3 (n = 49), and by ST-G as SFT (n = 84) or malignant SFT (n = 49). Necrosis was present in 16 cases (12%). On follow-up, 42 patients had at least one subsequent recurrence or metastasis (7 metastasis only, 33 recurrence only, 2 patients had both). Twenty-nine patients died. On univariate analysis, necrosis (p = 0.002), CNS-G (p = 0.01), and ST-G (p = 0.004) were associated with recurrence-free (RFS) but not overall survival (OS). NAB2-STAT6 fusion type was not significantly associated with RFS or OS, but was associated with phenotype. A modified ST-G incorporating necrosis showed higher correlation with RFS (p = 0.0006) and remained significant (p = 0.02) when considering only the primary tumors. From our data, mitotic rate and necrosis appear to stratify this family of tumors most accurately and could be incorporated in a future grading scheme

Differences in pollination syndromes and the frequency of autonomous delayed selfing between co-flowering hibiscus aponeurus (sprague and hutch) and h. Flavifolius (ulbr) from Kenya.

Delayed autonomous selfing offers a mechanism for seed production when pollination levels are low or unpredictable. At Mpala Research Centre (MRC) in Kenya, we examined the relationships between floral attraction, insect visitation, and delayed autonomous selfing through backwards stylar curvature in the co-flowering Hibiscus aponeurus and H. flavifolius. Despite producing similar pollen and nectar rewards, visitation rates and the composition of floral visitor guilds varied significantly between these species. Across four years of observations, floral visitation in H. flavifolius was dominated by bees, and in H. aponeurus by a mixture of bees, butterflies and beetles. Visitation rates to H. flavifolius flowers (range 0.17 - 2.1 visits flr-1hr-1) were two times greater than to H. aponeurus flowers (range 0 - 2.7 visits flr-1hr-1), which resulted in significantly higher pollen deposition and removal rates in H. flavifolius than in H. aponeurus. Field crosses demonstrated little pollen limitation in either species. In open-pollinated flowers, H. aponeurus displayed significantly greater stylar curvature and apparent self-pollination than did H. flavifolius. Floral attributes in H. aponeurus, such as a smaller corolla size and a downwards orientation of the stylar column, also suggest that delayed selfing is a more important mechanism of reproductive assurance in this species than in H. flavifolius. Determining whether these differences in insect visitation and stylar curvature are characteristic for these species or are unique to MRC will require comparison with populations located in other parts of the ranges, genetic tests of selfing rates, and chemical analyses of nectar, pollen, and floral volatiles

Rockport Comprehensive Plan

This document was developed and prepared by Texas Target Communities (TxTC) at Texas A&M University in partnership with the City of Rockport, Texas Sea Grant, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University - School of Law and Texas Tech University.Founded in 1871, the City of Rockport aims to continue growing economically and sustainably. Rockport is a resilient community dedicated to sustainable growth and attracting businesses to the area. Rockport is a charming town that offers a close-knit community feel and is a popular tourist destination for marine recreation, fairs, and exhibitions throughout the year. The Comprehensive Plan 2020-2040 is designed to guide the city of Rockport for its future growth. The guiding principles for this planning process were Rockport's vision statement and its corresponding goals, which were crafted by the task force. The goals focus on factors of growth and development including public participation, development considerations, transportation, community facilities, economic development, parks, and housing and social vulnerability

“Man\u27s Inhumanity to Man: Mexican-American Prison Memoirs and the Law

Recording from Dr. Guajardo: https://youtu.be/a9FAz7Ae9Aw Recording from Paul A. Guajardo: https://youtu.be/uqeNOWnCxxE This panel focuses on Latino prison memoirs and the law. 2.3 million people in the US are incarcerated, and proportionally, minorities are the bulk of the population in prison—many are from low-income and single-parent homes. Is the primary purpose of prison to punish, to reform, or to produce a profit? Prisons are called “correctional” facilities, yet too often instead of rehabilitation, there is inhumanity and abuse. Prison has been called graduate school for criminals, but jails should be places of reformation and education. Instead, we learn, for example, that more men are raped in the U.S. than women (when we account for prisoners). The US accounts for around 5% of the world’s population but we have 25% of its inmates. President Obama visited a federal prison in Oklahoma highlighting the need for reform. President Trump attended a graduation ceremony for former prisoners also acknowledging the limitations of our carceral system

A Canadian Survey of Research on HIV-1 Latency—Where Are We Now and Where Are We Heading?

Worldwide, almost 40 million people are currently living with HIV-1. The implementation of cART inhibits HIV-1 replication and reduces viremia but fails to eliminate HIV-1 from latently infected cells. These cells are considered viral reservoirs from which HIV-1 rebounds if cART is interrupted. Several efforts have been made to identify these cells and their niches. There has been little success in diminishing the pool of latently infected cells, underscoring the urgency to continue efforts to fully understand how HIV-1 establishes and maintains a latent state. Reactivating HIV-1 expression in these cells using latency-reversing agents (LRAs) has been successful, but only in vitro. This review aims to provide a broad view of HIV-1 latency, highlighting Canadian contributions toward these aims. We will summarize the research efforts conducted in Canadian labs to understand the establishment of latently infected cells and how this informs curative strategies, by reviewing how HIV latency is established, which cells are latently infected, what methodologies have been developed to characterize them, how new compounds are discovered and evaluated as potential LRAs, and what clinical trials aim to reverse latency in people living with HIV (PLWH)

Prophylactic Perigraft Arterial Sac Embolization During EVAR: Minimizing Type II Endoleaks and Improving Sac Regression

BackgroundType II endoleaks (ELII) are the most common complication following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Persistent ELII require continual surveillance and have been shown to increase the risk of Type I and III endoleaks, sac growth, need for intervention, conversion to open or even rupture, directly or indirectly. These are often difficult to treat following EVAR, and there are limited data regarding the effectiveness of prophylactic treatment of ELII. The aim of this study is to report the midterm outcomes of prophylactic perigraft arterial sac embolization (pPASE) performed in patients undergoing EVAR.MethodsThis is a comparison of 2 elective cohorts of those undergoing EVAR using the Ovation stent graft with and without prophylactic branch vessel and sac embolization. Patients who underwent pPASE at our institution had their data collected in a prospective, institutional review board-approved database. These were compared against the core lab-adjudicated data from the Ovation Investigational Device Exemption trial. Prophylactic PASE was performed at the time of EVAR with thrombin, contrast, and Gelfoam if the lumbar or mesenteric arteries were patent. Endpoints included freedom from ELII, reintervention, sac growth, all-cause mortality, and aneurysm-related mortality.ResultsThirty-six patients (13.1%) underwent pPASE, while 238 patients (86.9%) had standard EVAR. Median follow-up was 56 months (33-60 months). The 4-year freedom from ELII estimates were 84% for the pPASE versus 50.7% for the standard EVAR group (P = 0.0002). All aneurysms in the pPASE group remained stable in size or demonstrated regression, whereas aneurysm sac expansion was seen in 10.9% of the standard EVAR group, P = 0.03. At 4 years, mean AAA diameter decreased by 11 mm (95% CI 8-15) in the pPASE group versus 5 mm (95% CI 4-6) for the standard EVAR group, P = 0.0005. There were no differences in the 4-year freedom from all-cause mortality and aneurysm-related mortality. However, the difference in reintervention for ELII trended toward significance (0.0% vs. 10.7%, P = 0.1). On multivariable analysis, pPASE was associated with a 76% reduction in ELII [(95% CI): 0.24 (0.08-0.65), P = 0.005].ConclusionsThese results suggest that pPASE in those undergoing EVAR is safe and effective in the prevention of ELII and significantly improves sac regression over standard EVAR while minimizing the need for reintervention

Translating evidence-based practice for managing comorbid substance use and mental illness using a multimodal training package

Objective: Comorbid mental health and substance use problems are highly prevalent in substance use treatment settings and generally lead to poorer treatment outcomes. Pathways to Comorbidity Care (PCC) is a multimodal training program developed to encourage an integrated service approach to improve clinicians capacity to identify and manage comorbid substance use and mental health outcomes within public drug and alcohol treatment settings. Methods: In this paper we describe the concepts underlying the PCC package and the use of implementation science to assess and overcome potential barriers, including clinicians preferences, knowledge about best practice, and professional culture. Results: The training components include didactic seminars, group workshops run by a local clinical champion on relevant subjects such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy, individual clinical consultation, and feedback with a senior clinical psychologist. The PCC also includes an online portal containing comorbidity resources including manuals, guidelines, and booster webinars. Finally, we describe the evaluation of PCC implementation. Conclusions: Drug and alcohol services need to be equipped to treat the majority of comorbid mental health conditions in their clients. We anticipate that this multimodal training package, which applies the principles of implementation science, will facilitate effective and integrated care for these vulnerable clients