Towards homeostatic architecture: simulation of the generative process of a termite mound construction

This report sets out to the theme of the generation of a ‘living’, homeostatic and self-organizing architectural structure. The main research question this project addresses is what innovative techniques of design, construction and materials could prospectively be developed and eventually applied to create and sustain human-made buildings which are mostly adaptive, self-controlled and self-functioning, without option to a vast supply of materials and peripheral services. The hypothesis is that through the implementation of the biological building behaviour of termites, in terms of collective construction mechanisms that are based on environmental stimuli, we could achieve a simulation of the generative process of their adaptive structures, capable to inform in many ways human construction. The essay explicates the development of the 3-dimensional, agent-based simulation of the termite collective construction and analyzes the results, which involve besides physical modelling of the evolved structures. It finally elucidates the potential of this emerging and adaptive architectural performance to be translated to human practice and thus enlighten new ecological engineering and design methodologies

Targeting cancer metabolism: a therapeutic window opens

Genetic events in cancer activate signalling pathways that alter cell metabolism. Clinical evidence has linked cell metabolism with cancer outcomes. Together, these observations have raised interest in targeting metabolic enzymes for cancer therapy, but they have also raised concerns that these therapies would have unacceptable effects on normal cells. However, some of the first cancer therapies that were developed target the specific metabolic needs of cancer cells and remain effective agents in the clinic today. Research into how changes in cell metabolism promote tumour growth has accelerated in recent years. This has refocused efforts to target metabolic dependencies of cancer cells as a selective anticancer strategy.Burroughs Wellcome FundSmith Family FoundationStarr Cancer ConsortiumDamon Runyon Cancer Research FoundationNational Institutes of Health (U.S.

Mapping and visualising digital presence

Considering the complexity of the urban context and the forms of communication that take place in it, this article discusses the experience of latent intelligent environments which are generated through the use of new technologies in the city field. We will report briefly on a pilot study (Bath, UK) in which we investigate how digital presence affects social communication. We conclude by considering (a) whether the individuals’ behaviour and the city organism were affected or re-formed by the exposure of information that referred to their characteristics and activities, and (b) the ways in which the received raw data can be transformed into a meaningful form of information that can be embedded in intelligent environments

The use of crevicular fluid to assess markers of inflammation and angiogenesis, IL-17 and VEGF, in patients with solid tumors receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab

Purpose: Crevicular fluid was used to assess interleukin-17 (IL-17) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab. The markers were also assessed in the serum. Methods: Twenty-five patients were included and comprised three groups: patients who received zoledronic acid (n = 9), patients who received bevacizumab (n = 9), and patients who received zoledronic acid combined with bevacizumab (n = 5). One patient received zoledronic acid and everolimus and another received zoledronic acid, bevacizumab, and temsirolimus. IL-17 and VEGF were measured by standard quantitative ELISA kits and assessed in two study points. Results: Twenty-four patients maintained good periodontal health; one had asymptomatic osteonecrosis of the jaw. First assessment: 44 samples were collected; 21 from serum and 23 from crevicular fluid. Second assessment, 6 months later: 11 samples were collected; 6 from serum and 5 from crevicular fluid. IL-17 was detected in all samples, in serum and crevicular fluid, and remained unchanged at both time points. Serum VEGF in patients with bevacizumab alone or combined with zoledronic acid was significantly lower compared with that of patients who received zoledronic acid alone. VEGF was not detected in the crevicular fluid. Conclusions: Crevicular fluid might be an easy, non-invasive means to assess IL-17. The stable values of IL-17 in crevicular fluid and serum and the lack of VEGF in the crevicular fluid could be related to the good periodontal health of our patients. Further studies are needed to assess IL-17 and VEGF in the crevicular fluid in patients with and without periodontal disease. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

First-Line Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Versus Chemotherapy in Advanced NSCLC With 1% or Greater Tumor PD-L1 Expression: Patient-Reported Outcomes From CheckMate 227 Part 1

Introduction: In CheckMate 227 (NCT02477826), patients with treatment-naive stage IV or recurrent NSCLC and 1% or greater tumor programmed death ligand 1 expression had significantly improved overall survival with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy. We present the patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods: Patients (N = 1189) were randomized to nivolumab plus ipilimumab, nivolumab, or chemotherapy. PROs were exploratory. Changes in Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) average symptom burden index, LCSS 3-item global index, EQ-5D visual analog scale (VAS), and EQ-5D utility index were analyzed descriptively. Mixed-effect model repeated measures and time-to-first deterioration and improvement analyses were conducted. Results: PRO completion rates were generally greater than 80%. On-treatment improvements from baseline in LCSS measures of symptom burden and global health status with nivolumab plus ipilimumab generally met or exceeded the minimal important difference (smallest clinically meaningful change) from weeks 24 and 30, respectively; improvements with chemotherapy generally remained below the minimal important difference. Mean on-treatment EQ-5D VAS scores for both treatments approached the U.K. population norm at week 24, remaining so throughout the treatment period. Mixed-effect model repeated measures analyses revealed numerically greater improvements from baseline with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus chemotherapy across LCSS average symptom burden index and 3-item global index, and EQ-5D VAS and utility index. Nivolumab plus ipilimumab had delayed time-to-first deterioration (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.74 [0.56 to 0.98]) and a trend for more rapid time-to-first improvement (1.24 [0.98 to 1.59]) versus chemotherapy. Conclusions: Nivolumab plus ipilimumab revealed delayed deterioration and numerical improvement in symptoms and health-related quality of life versus chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC and 1% or greater programmed death ligand 1 expression. © 2021 International Association for the Study of Lung Cance