Identifying and measuring agrarian sentiment in regional Australia

In common with much of the Western world, agrarianism—valuing farmers and agricultural activity as intrinsically worthwhile, noble, and contributing to the strength of the national character—runs through Australian culture and politics. Agrarian sentiments and attitudes have been identified through empirical research and by inference from analysis of political debate, policy content, and studies of media and popular culture. Empirical studies have, however, been largely confined to the US, with little in the way of recent re-evaluations of, or developments from, early work. This paper reports on research that seeks quantitative empirical evidence for the existence of agrarianism in the Australian community and seeks to identify its core characteristics. Using a purpose-designed sub-set of items within a large, omnibus-style survey of regional and rural Australia, we demonstrate that agrarianism exists as a scientifically quantifiable concept identifiable through responses to four key propositions: that Australians should support policies aimed at improving the position of the agricultural industries; that working in agriculture and associated industries brings out the best in people; that agricultural producers make a major contribution to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation; and that the development of agriculture in Australia contributed to the development of the national character. We found very little variation in the degree to which different demographic groupings agree with agrarianism. Older people, farmers, and non-Indigenous Australian-born respondents were among those who were statistically significantly more likely to agree with the defining propositions of agrarianism, but their scores were only very slightly higher than those of other sub-populations in the sample

Principles of Radiation Oncology

This chapter in Cancer Concepts: a Guidebook for the Non-Oncologist describes the principles of Radiation Oncology. Radiation Oncology utilizes ionizing radiation to treat cancer (and occasionally a few benign conditions). Radiotherapy or radiation therapy (RT) was initially developed in conjunction with diagnostic radiology, but has evolved into a separate specialty. Currently, more than fifty percent of cancer patients undergo RT at some point during the course of their cancer. Most receive treatment with curative intent (radical therapy); however, patients with incurable disease receive shorter, gentler courses of therapy to relieve cancer-induced symptoms.https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cancer_concepts/1008/thumbnail.jp

Effect of sprouting temperature on selected properties of wheat flour and direct expanded extrudates

The effect of the sprouting temperature on wheat sprouting and on the properties of expanded extrudates produced from sprouted wheat flour was studied. Therefore, wheat was sprouted at five different temperatures and subsequently dried, milled, and the resulting flour was used to produce extrudates using a twin‐screw extruder. In order to understand the sprouting temperature effect, the degree of sprouting (DoS) of the differently sprouted samples and characteristic properties of flour and extrudates were studied and compared. During sprouting of wheat with increasing temperature and time an increase of the α‐amylase activity, the vitamin C and reducing sugar content, and a decrease of the peak viscosity was observed. The greatest effect was found at 20°C. Furthermore, the lowering of the viscosity of the flour suspension results in a reduction of the pressure and temperature in the extruder die. The extrudates of sprouted wheat flour were found to be easier to break, had a lower density, an increased longitudinal expansion index, and an improved cold‐water solubility. A good correlation between the DoS and other properties of flour and extrudates was found, indicating a good predictive power and applicability of the DoS concept for wheat samples and their product development and specification.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel - 202

Metallic nickel nano- and fine particles induce JB6 cell apoptosis through a caspase-8/AIF mediated cytochrome c-independent pathway

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Carcinogenicity of nickel compounds has been well documented. However, the carcinogenic effect of metallic nickel is still unclear. The present study investigates metallic nickel nano- and fine particle-induced apoptosis and the signal pathways involved in this process in JB6 cells. The data obtained from this study will be of benefit for elucidating the pathological and carcinogenic potential of metallic nickel particles.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, we found that metallic nickel nanoparticles exhibited higher cytotoxicity than fine particles. Both metallic nickel nano- and fine particles induced JB6 cell apoptosis. Metallic nickel nanoparticles produced higher apoptotic induction than fine particles. Western-blot analysis showed an activation of proapoptotic factors including Fas (CD95), Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), caspase-8, death receptor 3 (DR3) and BID in apoptotic cells induced by metallic nickel particles. Immunoprecipitation (IP) western blot analysis demonstrated the formation of the Fas-related death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) in the apoptotic process. Furthermore, lamin A and beta-actin were cleaved. Moreover, we found that apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was up-regulated and released from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Interestingly, although an up-regulation of cytochrome <it>c </it>was detected in the mitochondria of metallic nickel particle-treated cells, no cytochrome <it>c </it>release from mitochondria to cytoplasm was found. In addition, activation of antiapoptotic factors including phospho-Akt (protein kinase B) and Bcl-2 was detected. Further studies demonstrated that metallic nickel particles caused no significant changes in the mitochondrial membrane permeability after 24 h treatment.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, metallic nickel nanoparticles caused higher cytotoxicity and apoptotic induction than fine particles in JB6 cells. Apoptotic cell death induced by metallic nickel particles in JB6 cells is through a caspase-8/AIF mediated cytochrome <it>c</it>-independent pathway. Lamin A and beta-actin are involved in the process of apoptosis. Activation of Akt and Bcl-2 may play an important role in preventing cytochrome <it>c </it>release from mitochondria to the cytoplasm and may also be important in the carcinogenicity of metallic nickel particles. In addition, the results may be useful as an important reference when comparing the toxicities of different nickel compounds.</p

A Randomized Trial of Two Print Interventions to Increase Colon Cancer Screening Among First-Degree Relatives

First-degree relatives (FDRs) of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) have a two- to threefold increased risk of developing the same disease. Tailored print interventions based on behavior change theories have demonstrated considerable promise in facilitating health-promoting behaviors. This study compared the impact of two mailed print interventions on CRC screening outcomes among FDRs. Methods This randomized trial compared effects of two mailed print interventions – one tailored and one nontailored – on participation in CRC screening among FDRs of CRC survivors. Data collected via phone interviews from 140 FDRs at baseline, 1 week post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention. Results At 3 months, both the tailored and nontailored interventions yielded modest but statistically insignificant increases in adherence to any CRC screening test (14% vs. 21%, respectively; p = 0.30). While there were no main effects for tailored versus nontailored interventions, there were significant interactions that showed that the tailored print intervention had significantly greater effects on forward stage movement for CRC screening depending on stage of adoption at baseline, race, and objective CRC risk. Receipt of the tailored intervention was 2.5 times more likely to move baseline precontemplators and contemplators forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI: 1.10–5.68) and was three times more likely to move Caucasians forward in stage of adoption for FOBT (95% CI: 1.00–9.07). In addition, the tailored intervention was 7.7 times more likely to move people at average risk forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI: 1.25–47.75). Conclusion The tailored print intervention was more effective at moving Caucasians, those in precontemplation and contemplation at baseline, and those at average risk forward in their stage of adoption for CRC screening. Practice implications Both tailored and nontailored print interventions showed moderate effects for increasing CRC screening participation. Tailored print interventions may be more effective for certain subgroups

Outcomes After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as a Bridging Modality to Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma awaiting liver transplantation (LT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a bridging treatment to ensure patients maintain priority status and eligibility per Milan criteria. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of SBRT in such situations. Methods and Materials: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the outcomes of 27 patients treated with SBRT who were listed for LT at 1 institution. Among these, 20 patients with 26 tumors went on to LT and were the focus of this study. Operative reports and postoperative charts were evaluated for potential radiation-related complications. The explant pathology findings were correlated with equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions and tumor size. Results: Median pretreatment tumor size was 3.05 cm. Median total dose of radiation was 50 Gy delivered in 5 fractions. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 16 tumors (62%). Median interval from end of SBRT to transplant was 287 days. Of the 21 tumors imaged before transplant, 16 or 76% demonstrated a clinical complete response based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. There was no significant correlation between pCR rate and increasing tumor size (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.595-1.53) or pCR rate and equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (OR, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.984-1.07.) No patients experienced radiation-related operative or postoperative complications. Of the 27 patients who were listed for transplant, the dropout rate was 22%. Two of the 5 patients with Child-Pugh score 10 died of liver failure. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that SBRT as a bridging modality is a feasible option, with a pCR rate comparable to that of other bridging modalities and no additional radiation-related operative or postoperative complications. There was no dose dependence nor size dependence for pCR rate, which may indicate that for the tumor sizes in this study, the radiation doses delivered were sufficiently high

Cyanidin-3-Glucoside, A Natural Product Derived From Blackberry, Exhibits Chemopreventive And Chemotherapeutic Activity

Epidemiological data suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower incidence of cancer. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a compound found in blackberry and other food products, was shown to possess chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity in the present study. In cultured JB6 cells, C3G was able to scavenge ultraviolet B-induced *OH and O2-* radicals. In vivo studies indicated that C3G treatment decreased the number of non-malignant and malignant skin tumors per mouse induced by 12-O-tetradecanolyphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin. Pretreatment of JB6 cells with C3G inhibited UVB- and TPA-induced transactivation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These inhibitory effects appear to be mediated through the inhibition of MAPK activity. C3G also blocked TPA-induced neoplastic transformation in JB6 cells. In addition, C3G inhibited proliferation of a human lung carcinoma cell line, A549. Animal studies showed that C3G reduced the size of A549 tumor xenograft growth and significantly inhibited metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that C3G inhibited migration and invasion of A549 tumor cells. These finding demonstrate for the first time that a purified compound of anthocyanin inhibits tumor promoter-induced carcinogenesis and tumor metastasis in vivo

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Child-Pugh B or C Cirrhosis

Purpose: Our purpose was to report outcomes in patients with Child-Pugh B or C (CP B/C) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods and Materials: Patients with HCC suitable for SBRT were prospectively enrolled in the study from 2012 to 2018. Outcomes in patients with CP B/C were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare survival outcomes between baseline CP score and post-SBRT CP score. Results: Twenty-three patients with CP B/C with a total of 29 HCC tumors were treated with SBRT. Eighty-seven percent of patients were CP B8-C10. Median tumor size was 3.1 cm (range, 1-10 cm). Median dose delivered was 40 Gy in a median of 5 fractions. Eighteen of 23 patients (78.3%) had been previously treated with transarterial chemoembolization. Median follow-up was 14.5 months. Rates of 6- and 12-month local control were 100% and 92.3%, respectively. Six- and 12-month survival rates were 73.9% and 56.5%, respectively. Median survival was 14.5 months overall and 9.2, 22.5, 14.5, and 14.4 months for patients with CP B7, B8, B9, and C10, respectively. No patients exhibited symptoms of classic radiation-induced liver disease. However, 10 patients had CP score progression, with 4 patients (17%) having a \u3e /=2-point increase in CP score by 6 months (or time of censor). There were 7 liver-related deaths, and based on independent review by a hepatologist, 1 of these deaths may have been attributable to SBRT-related liver injury. Fifteen of 23 patients were listed for liver transplant (LT) at the time of SBRT and 9 went on to receive LT with a pathologic complete response rate of 63.6%. Median survival, excluding patients who received LT, was 7.3 months. Conclusions: SBRT is a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients with CP B7-C10. In our small cohort, there was no detectable difference between local control or overall survival and baseline CP score