Effectiveness of a standardized patient education program on therapy-related side effects and unplanned therapy interruptions in oral cancer therapy: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Purpose: Oral agents for cancer treatment are increasingly prescribed due to their benefits. However, oral cancer medications are difficult to handle and have a considerable potential for side effects. This type of therapy requires a high level of self-management competence by the patient. A standardized patient education program provided by physicians and oncology nurses may positively influence the handling of oral agents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a standardized patient education program provided by specially trained oncology nurses on therapy management regarding side effects and unplanned therapy interruptions. Methods: One hundred sixty-five patients from 28 office-based oncology practices from all over Germany participated in this cluster-randomized controlled study. Patients of both intervention (n = 111) and standard care groups (n = 54) received the usual oncologist counseling; in addition, the patients from the intervention group (k = 17 practices) received an education from specially trained oncology nurses. The time of observation was 3 months per patient. Results: The patients of the intervention group reported fewer side effects (skin rash, pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting). Patients in the standard care group interrupted the therapy more frequently without informing their oncologist, compared to the intervention group. Conclusions: Patients benefit from a standardized patient education program provided by specially trained oncology nurses. They tend to handle side effects and critical situations better

Novel Blood Pressure Locus and Gene Discovery Using Genome-Wide Association Study and Expression Data Sets From Blood and the Kidney.

Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has a substantial genetic contribution. Genetic variation influencing blood pressure has the potential to identify new pharmacological targets for the treatment of hypertension. To discover additional novel blood pressure loci, we used 1000 Genomes Project-based imputation in 150 134 European ancestry individuals and sought significant evidence for independent replication in a further 228 245 individuals. We report 6 new signals of association in or near HSPB7, TNXB, LRP12, LOC283335, SEPT9, and AKT2, and provide new replication evidence for a further 2 signals in EBF2 and NFKBIA Combining large whole-blood gene expression resources totaling 12 607 individuals, we investigated all novel and previously reported signals and identified 48 genes with evidence for involvement in blood pressure regulation that are significant in multiple resources. Three novel kidney-specific signals were also detected. These robustly implicated genes may provide new leads for therapeutic innovation

Synthetic Nanoparticles for Vaccines and Immunotherapy

The immune system plays a critical role in our health. No other component of human physiology plays a decisive role in as diverse an array of maladies, from deadly diseases with which we are all familiar to equally terrible esoteric conditions: HIV, malaria, pneumococcal and influenza infections; cancer; atherosclerosis; autoimmune diseases such as lupus, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. The importance of understanding the function of the immune system and learning how to modulate immunity to protect against or treat disease thus cannot be overstated. Fortunately, we are entering an exciting era where the science of immunology is defining pathways for the rational manipulation of the immune system at the cellular and molecular level, and this understanding is leading to dramatic advances in the clinic that are transforming the future of medicine.1,2 These initial advances are being made primarily through biologic drugs– recombinant proteins (especially antibodies) or patient-derived cell therapies– but exciting data from preclinical studies suggest that a marriage of approaches based in biotechnology with the materials science and chemistry of nanomaterials, especially nanoparticles, could enable more effective and safer immune engineering strategies. This review will examine these nanoparticle-based strategies to immune modulation in detail, and discuss the promise and outstanding challenges facing the field of immune engineering from a chemical biology/materials engineering perspectiveNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grants AI111860, CA174795, CA172164, AI091693, and AI095109)United States. Department of Defense (W911NF-13-D-0001 and Awards W911NF-07-D-0004

Tumor Boards from the Perspective of Ambulant Oncological Care

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Cancer therapy requires the cooperation of physicians from different disciplines. At the core of the collaboration are ‘tumor boards' (also known as ‘multidisciplinary team meetings' and ‘tumor conferences'). However, there is limited health care research that addresses the multiple facets of such meetings. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Material and Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Data were analyzed from 3 routinely conducted surveys comprising information from (i) office-based hematologists and oncologists, (ii) their patients, and (iii) quality indicators. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Most office-based oncologists stated that they participate in tumor boards taking place in hospitals. Although tumor boards are viewed as time intensive and lack financial compensation, they are considered as beneficial for patient care. Less than half of patients knew that their cases were discussed at a tumor board; those who knew rated the collaboration between their treating doctors as more positive, but also experienced slightly higher distress levels. The quality indicators showed that tumor board meetings were documented in three-quarters of the patient charts, but only half included the tumor board's recommendation. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Participation in tumor boards is perceived as beneficial by oncologists and not just considered as a fulfillment of societies' recommendations or guidelines. The higher distress levels in patients who knew that their case was discussed at a tumor board may have occurred because more difficult cases are discussed at tumor boards and since the oncologists spend more time explaining the therapy process in complex cases, including the tumor board results.</jats:p

Experiencias silviculturales en la Estación Experimental Alexander von Humboldt, Amazonia Peruana

En los casi ocho años de trabajo del proyecto se establecieron diversos ensayos de plantaciones forestales con especies nativas y exóticas. Entre las especies nativas destacaron: tornillo ( Cedrelingo cotenoetormis). ishpingo (Amburana cearensis) y marupó (Simarouba omoro): Gmelino orboreo fue la especie exótica más promisorio de las ensayadas.El campo experimental del proyecto se sitúo en un bosque de 1500 ha. en los zonas ecológicas, bosque húmedo tropical. Se trata de un bosque que fue Intervenido en diversos ocasiones para extraer madero de especies comerciales; por eso es recorrido por una carretera afirmada de 20.7 km. actualmente transitables