Enhancing Socio-cultural Interaction Through Development of Travel Packages

The purpose of this research was to study the needs and desires of Americans who are interested in socio-cultural aspects of travel. In this study we analyzed interest in Finnish Spas and Finland. Qualitative research was conducted using focus groups. After identifying four market segments who were interested in socio-cultural travel, travel packages were specifically designed and tested for each market segment. Ultimately, our goals were to tailor-make travel packages to meet the needs of each specific market segment. To encourage discussion regarding inter-cultural travel to Finland, background information was provided on this country, emphasizing its uniqueness as a cultural crossroad between East and West. A video tape showing Finnish people, food, history, natural and scenic beauty were used to initiate the discussions. Slides depicting activities available to the traveler were shown. The research process by which socio-cultural travel packages can be designed will be reported together with key findings

Spas: Redefining the Market

Spas have long been a part of the American hospitality scene. The definition of exactly what constitutes a spa has changed considerably in recent years--and so has the potential market

Skin cancer precursor immunotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma prevention

BACKGROUND: Topical calcipotriol plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination is an effective immunotherapy against actinic keratosis (AK), which is a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, the long-term effectiveness of calcipotriol plus 5-FU treatment for SCC prevention is unknown. METHODS: We performed a blinded prospective cohort study on participants of a randomized double-blind clinical trial in which a 4-day course of topical calcipotriol plus 5-FU combination was compared to Vaseline plus 5-FU (control) for AK treatment. SCC and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidences were assessed at 1, 2, and 3 years after trial. Tissues were analyzed for calcipotriol plus 5-FU-induced T cell immunity in the skin. RESULTS: Calcipotriol plus 5-FU-induced tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cell formation in face and scalp skin associated with significantly higher erythema scores compared with control (P \u3c 0.01). Importantly, more participants in the test cohort remained SCC-free over the more than 1,500-day follow-up period (P = 0.0765), and significantly fewer developed SCC on the treated face and scalp within 3 years (2 of 30 [7%] versus 11 of 40 [28%] in control group, hazard ratio 0.215 [95% CI: 0.048-0.972], P = 0.032). Accordingly, significantly more epidermal Trm cells persisted in the calcipotriol plus 5-FU-treated face and scalp skin compared with control (P = 0.0028). There was no significant difference in BCC incidence between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: A short course of calcipotriol plus 5-FU treatment on the face and scalp is associated with induction of robust T cell immunity and Trm formation against AKs and significantly lowers the risk of SCC development within 3 years of treatment. FUNDING: This research was supported by internal academic funds and by grants from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Sidney Kimmel Foundation, Cancer Research Institute, and NIH

Randomized trial of calcipotriol combined with 5-fluorouracil for skin cancer precursor immunotherapy

BACKGROUND. Actinic keratosis is a precursor to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Long treatment durations and severe side effects have limited the efficacy of current actinic keratosis treatments. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelium-derived cytokine that induces a robust antitumor immunity in barrier-defective skin. Here, we investigated the efficacy of calcipotriol, a topical TSLP inducer, in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as an immunotherapy for actinic keratosis. METHODS. The mechanism of calcipotriol action against skin carcinogenesis was examined in genetically engineered mouse models. The efficacy and safety of 0.005% calcipotriol ointment combined with 5% 5-FU cream were compared with Vaseline plus 5-FU for the field treatment of actinic keratosis in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 131 participants. The assigned treatment was self-applied to the entirety of the qualified anatomical sites (face, scalp, and upper extremities) twice daily for 4 consecutive days. The percentage of reduction in the number of actinic keratoses (primary outcome), local skin reactions, and immune activation parameters were assessed. RESULTS. Calcipotriol suppressed skin cancer development in mice in a TSLP-dependent manner. Four-day application of calcipotriol plus 5-FU versus Vaseline plus 5-FU led to an 87.8% versus 26.3% mean reduction in the number of actinic keratoses in participants (P < 0.0001). Importantly, calcipotriol plus 5-FU treatment induced TSLP, HLA class II, and natural killer cell group 2D (NKG2D) ligand expression in the lesional keratinocytes associated with a marked CD4(+) T cell infiltration, which peaked on days 10–11 after treatment, without pain, crusting, or ulceration. CONCLUSION. Our findings demonstrate the synergistic effects of calcipotriol and 5-FU treatment in optimally activating a CD4(+) T cell–mediated immunity against actinic keratoses and, potentially, cancers of the skin and other organs. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02019355. FUNDING. Not applicable (investigator-initiated clinical trial)

INFLUENCE OF DIET AND ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES ON PLASMA AND HEPATIC LIPIDS AND ON BLOOD CLOTTING PROPERTIES IN THE RAT

Abstract not availabl

Differential Production of Phytotoxins from Phomopsis sp. from Grapevine Plants Showing Esca Symptoms

Nine strains of the fungus Phomopsis spp. were isolated from a vineyard showing decline from the disease esca. Strains were screened for their ability to produce secondary metabolites showing chemical diversity. The culture extracts of each strain were analyzed by liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–diode array detection–mass spectrometry. Three strains were selected for the isolation and characterization of eight of the major metabolites. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional NMR and mass spectrometry and by comparison to literature data. Among the isolated metabolites were the known phomopsolide B (<b>1</b>), sydowinin A (<b>6</b>), sydowinol (<b>7</b>), cytosporone B (<b>8</b>), and four new furanones named phomopsolidones A–D (<b>2</b>–<b>5</b>). The fungal strains were identified as Phomopsis sp., Phomopsis viticola Sacc and, Phomopsis viticola complex. Biological assays on Vitis vinifera leaves and callus tissue, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities were evaluated. The results revealed variability regarding secondary metabolites with species of Phomopsis sp. associated with grapevine, raising the question of cultivar-driven strain selection and phytotoxins biosynthesis in grapevine plants