Community health coalitions in context: associations between geographic context, member type and length of membership with coalition functions

The coalition literature recognizes context (geography, demographics and history) as a variable of interest, yet few coalition evaluation studies have focused on it. This study explores the association between geographic context and structures (e.g. member type) with functional characteristics (e.g. decision making or levels of conflict) in a statewide system of community health councils (coalitions). The study was part of a multiyear, statewide evaluation of New Mexico's health councils' contributions to systems-level changes. We adapted the Coalition Self-Assessment Survey (CSAS) for all county health council members and paid council coordinators. Both multilevel univariate and multivariate procedures were used to compare index scores, summaries of CSAS questions used to characterize council functions, with selected demographic variables and region. Member type was associated with decision making and policy capacity; paid staff expressed higher levels of agreement than voting members for both items. Length of membership was associated with decision making, positive leadership and shared vision. Results indicated that geographic context was significantly associated with many functional characteristics. The study highlights the idea that geographic context may influence coalition functioning. Understanding how geographic context influences coalition planning and actions may help explain differences among coalitions that on the surface share common organizational characteristics and external goals.

Developing web-based Triple P 'Positive Parenting Programme' for families of children with asthma

BACKGROUND

We examined the feasibility of self-directed Triple P 'Positive Parenting Programme' for optimizing parents' management of childhood asthma and behaviour.

METHODS

Eligible families were invited to access asthma-specific web-based Triple P as part of a preliminary randomized controlled study.

RESULTS

Initial study information and introductory website pages received considerable interest but intervention uptake was poor with high rates of attrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Although parents of children with asthma show willingness to access web-based parenting support, further work is necessary to develop engaging websites and determine barriers to uptake, and adherence to online parenting interventions with this population.

Heterologous screening of hybridomas for the development of broad-specific monoclonal antibodies against deoxynivalenol and its analogues

Hapten heterology was introduced into the steps of hybridoma selection for the development of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against deoxynivalenol (DON). Firstly, a novel heterologous DON hapten was synthesised and covalently coupled to proteins (i.e. bovine serum albumin (BSA), ovalbumin and horseradish peroxidase) using the linkage of cyanuric chloride (CC). After immunisation, antisera from different DON immunogens were checked for the presence of useful antibodies. Next, both homologous and heterologous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were conducted to screen for hybridomas. It was found that heterologous screening could significantly reduce the proportion of false positives and appeared to be an efficient approach for selecting hybridomas of interest. This strategy resulted in two kinds of broad-selective MAbs against DON and its analogues. They were quite distinct from other reported DON-antibodies in their cross-reactivity profiles. A unique MAb 13H1 derived from DON-CC-BSA immunogen could recognise DON and its analogues in the order of HT-2 toxin ≯ 15-acetyl-DON ≯ DON ≯ nivalenol, with IC50 ranging from 1.14 to 7.69 μg/ml. Another preferable MAb 10H10 generated from DON-BSA immunogen manifested relatively similar affinity to DON, 3-acetyl-DON and 15-acetyl-DON, with IC50 values of 22, 15 and 34 ng/ml, respectively. This is the first broad-specific MAb against DON and its two acetylated forms and thus it can be used for simultaneous detection of the three mycotoxins.

Deoxynivalenol content in wheat dust versus wheat grain: a comparative study

The present study, set up in the growing season 2011-2012, was designed to obtain quantitative data on the occurrence of deoxynivalenol in wheat grain and the corresponding wheat dust. The field experiment consisted of a complete randomised block design with five wheat varieties sown on a field on which maize was grown in the previous season. The impact of the tillage method and the influence of the wheat variety resistance on the deoxynivalenol content of wheat and wheat dust were investigated. The accumulation of deoxynivalenol in wheat dust was confirmed and a sigmoidal relationship between the deoxynivalenol content in wheat dust versus wheat grain was determined. Deoxynivalenol reduction was obtained by ploughing and by sowing moderately resistant wheat varieties. As wheat dust provides equal results and solves the problem of heterogeneity during sampling of conventional wheat matrix, the sampling of wheat dust can be considered as a promising alternative.

Anti-androgens act jointly in suppressing spiggin concentrations in androgen-primed female three-spined sticklebacks - prediction of combined effects by concentration addition

Increasing attention is being directed at the role played by anti-androgenic chemicals in endocrine disruption of wildlife within the aquatic environment. The co-occurrence of multiple contaminants with anti-androgenic activity highlights a need for the predictive assessment of combined effects, but information about anti-androgen mixture effects on wildlife is lacking. This study evaluated the suitability of the androgenised female stickleback screen (AFSS), in which inhibition of androgen-induced spiggin production provides a quantitative assessment of anti-androgenic activity, for predicting the effect of a four component mixture of anti-androgens. The anti-androgenic activity of four known anti-androgens (vinclozolin, fenitrothion, flutamide, linuron) was evaluated from individual concentration-response data and used to design a mixture containing each chemical at equipotent concentrations. Across a 100-fold concentration range, a concentration addition approach was used to predict the response of fish to the mixture. Two studies were conducted independently at each of two laboratories. By using a novel method to adjust for differences between nominal and measured concentrations, good agreement was obtained between the actual outcome of the mixture exposure and the predicted outcome. This demonstrated for the first time that androgen receptor antagonists act in concert in an additive fashion in fish and that existing mixture methodology is effective in predicting the outcome, based on concentration-response data for individual chemicals. The sensitivity range of the AFSS assay lies within the range of anti-androgenicity reported in rivers across many locations internationally. The approach taken in our study lays the foundations for understanding how androgen receptor antagonists work together in fish and is essential in informing risk assessment methods for complex anti-androgenic mixtures in the aquatic environment.

Targeted trapping surveys shed new light on the distribution and habitat characteristics of the Carpentarian pseudantechinus (Pseudantechinus mimulus), a threatened dasyurid marsupial

Through a targeted trapping survey we provide important new records and habitat descriptions for the Carpentarian pseudantechinus (Pseudantechinus mimulus) on mainland Australia, including the first records from landscapes dominated by rocks other than sandstone. We hypothesise that continued invasion by an introduced pasture grass may constitute an emerging threatening process to this rare species.

Prediction of postharvest firmness of apple using biological switch model

In this paper we present a model that predicts the softening of apple during ripening in the postharvest phase. Apple ripening starts with an autocatalytic production of ethylene, which triggers a multitude of biochemical processes like the degradation of cell wall material. This triggering of the ripening process has been modelled as a biological switch-using the activator-depleted substrate model, which is proposed earlier by Meinhardt in the field of developmental biology. The model has been calibrated using storage experiments using various apple cultivars. Furthermore, the model is proven to be valid using independent experimental data of Elstar apple under dynamic storage conditions.

SU-E-T-588: A Treatment Planning Comparison of Dual-Arc VMAT Vs. Helical Tomotherapy for Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To investigate the feasibility of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and to compare dual- arc VMAT treatment plans to helical tomotherapy (HT) plans on the basis of dosimetric quality, radiobiological calculations and delivery efficiency.

METHODS

Dual-arc VMAT and HT treatment plans were created for fifteen patients previously treated at our clinic. Planning target volumes (PTV) included the chest wall (CW) and regional lymph nodes. The following metrics were used to compare treatment plans for each patient: dose homogeneity index (DHI) and conformity index (CI); coverage of the PTV; dose to organs at risk (OAR); tumor control probability (TCP), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and secondary cancer complication probability (SCCP); and treatment delivery time. Differences between treatment plans were tested for significance using the paired Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Both modalities produced clinically acceptable PMRT plans. VMAT plans showed better CI (p < 0.01), and better OAR sparing at low doses than HT plans. For example, VMAT plans showed a 26% (p < 0.01) and 9% (p < 0.01) decrease in V5Gy in the lungs and heart respectively. On the other hand, HT plans showed better DHI (p < 0.01) and PTV coverage (p < 0.01). HT plans also showed slightly better OAR sparing at higher doses, including 8% (p < 0.01) and 9% (p < 0.01) lower maximum doses to the lungs and heart, respectively. Both modalities achieved nearly 100% tumor control and approximately 1% NTCP in the lungs and heart, with VMAT showing lower SCCP (p < 0.01). VMAT plans also required 66.2% less time to deliver.

CONCLUSIONS

Both VMAT and HT are suitable treatment options for PMRT. Our study showed that VMAT"'in addition to being significantly faster'"achieved better CI and low dose OAR sparing while HT achieved better DHI. This work was supported in part by a research support from Elekta, Ltd. However, Elekta, Ltd., did not participate in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit.

P1-07-19: Analysis of HER2−Status in Breast Cancer by Mass Spectrometry in Archival, Formalin-Fixed Tissues

HER2 (ERBB2) is overexpressed in about 25% of breast cancers and predicts clinical benefit from trastuzumab, as well as response to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to detect HER2 gene copy number and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect HER2 protein levels are approved by the FDA to identify HER2−positive (H2) tumors. However, the 2007 ASCO/CAP report concluded that approximately 20% of HER2 testing may be inaccurate. Further, the available data did not clearly demonstrate clear superiority of either IHC or FISH as a predictor of benefit from anti-HER2 therapy. Discordance between these methods is as high as 5%. Thus, novel complementary quantitative methods for interrogating HER2 expression in tumors are needed.

Targeted protein analysis by multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS) offers a powerful approach to configure assays for specific proteins without using antibodies. Our studies using this platform have demonstrated applicability to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. In the current studies, we used this approach to measure signals from two tryptic peptides specific to HER2, one each from the extracellular and intracellular domains, selected from among 28 candidates based on their signal intensity and sharpness of their chromatographic profiles. Preliminary studies with a HER2−overexpressing BT474 xenograft in mice demonstrated quantitation and detected previously reported HER2 ectodomain shedding. Subsequent analysis of FFPE tissue from five H2 and five triple-negative (TN) tumors yielded measurement of at least 1 femptomole of receptor for H2 tumors and less than 0.2 femptomole of receptor for TN tumors per microgram of digest analyzed. If we assume 200 picograms of protein per cell, the results suggest 110,00 to 468,000 receptors per cell in the H2 tumors and only 2,000 to 14,000 receptors per cell in the TN tumors. Despite significant biological variability in receptor levels measured among the specimens of each type, a clear separation of the H2 and TN tumors was achieved based on the peptide quantitation. This preliminary study demonstrates the potential of MRM-MS in FFPE tissue to provide an alternate approach to IHC-based protein analysis. MRM-MS offers the potential for more, accurate and robust HER2 quantification in clinical breast cancer tissues. The next phase of this work will encompass a larger sample set, including tumors with equivocal and negative FISH and/or IHC test results. Correlation with response to anti-Her2 therapy will be performed in samples with available follow-up data.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-07-19.

Association between placental mineral deposition, villous architecture and fetal aneuploidy

We retrospectively evaluated the relationship between fetal aneuploidy and placental mineral deposits and villous architecture in 2nd trimester placentas of mid-trimester pregnancy terminations for fetal anomaly. Study cases were aneuploid and matched with euploid controls. Six slides per case were histologically evaluated. Our findings showed significantly increased subtrophoblastic mineral depositions in aneuploidy placentas; also, villous architecture changes between study and control cases were significant for multifocal/extensive villous scalloping and syncytial budding. Our conclusion was that placental histological findings of extensive subtrophoblastic mineral deposition, multifocal/extensive villous scalloping and syncytial budding may suggest aneuploidy.

STUDIES IN RODENT POLIOMYELITIS : II. CULTIVATION OF THE MURINE STRAIN OF SK POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS

1. The murine virus may be grown in embryonic mouse brain-serum ultrafiltrate cultures. The virus fails to grow in embryonic chick tissue cultures or in fertilized egg preparations. 2. Some relationship can be demonstrated between the amount of nervous tissue and the infectivity of the culture. 3. Optimum titers of virus potency (10^–6) can be obtained by adjusting the pH of the growing culture at 7.3 to 7.6. 4. A simple pH inactivation curve for virus alone and for virus when actively growing in tissue culture has been obtained. 5. The rate of virus propagation, as determined by potency tests in mice, has been established for cultures which were seeded with large or small amounts of virus. The murine virus "grows" relatively fast. The optimum titer for a large inoculum was reached in 19 hours, for a small inoculum in 72 hours. 6. With extended subcultivation in vitro the cultured virus shows a loss of infectivity for mice by peripheral injection. However, potency as determined by intracerebral injection remains constant. 7. Mice surviving inoculation of culture virus by routes other than intracerebral acquire a relative resistance to reinfection with mouse passage virus. 8. The murine culture virus passes without difficulty through collodion membranes with an A.P.D. of 30 mµ. Its particle size may therefore be estimated as lying between 10 to 15 mµ. 9. On a basis of in vitro activity and cross infection, the murine culture virus is distinct from the virus of lymphocytic choriomeningitis. 10. Murine culture virus may be used as an interfering agent to block infection with poliomyelitis virus in monkeys. The interaction between the two viruses seems to be quantitatively limited. Such interference, with the present potency of culture virus, operates effectively only against comparatively small doses of monkey virus.

STUDIES IN RODENT POLIOMYELITIS : I. FURTHER EXPERIMENTS WITH THE MURINE STRAIN OF SK POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS

1. SK murine virus maintained over more than 200 serial mouse passages increased in virulence for mice from an initial intracerebral titer of about 1:1 million to a maximum titer of not less than 1:1 billion dilution activity. 2. Following intracerebral injection with murine virus of remote mouse passages, 5 of 13 rhesus monkeys developed a characteristic encephalitic syndrome. Repeated intravenous injection of massive doses of virus caused localized flaccid paralysis in 2 of 14 monkeys. 3. Intracerebral injection of graded doses of murine virus into mice of different age groups caused fatal paralysis in young and old animals alike. Infection with small doses of virus by peripheral routes, while uniformly fatal to young mice, was followed by survival of almost half of the old mice. 4. The incubation period of the disease in young mice infected intracerebrally with a standard dose of murine virus, when studied throughout the period of 1 year, was found considerably lengthened during the summer months. 5. Cross neutralization tests furnished no evidence for any serological relationship between SK murine virus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Theiler's virus was found to be neutralizable by antimurine horse serum and, to a lesser extent, by concentrated antipoliomyelitis horse serum; however, such inactivation, in both cases, was distinctly inferior to that occurring with SK murine virus. On the other hand, no neutralization whatsoever was obtained between SK murine virus and normal adult mouse serum, whereas the same serum completely neutralized Theiler's virus. Mice surviving infection with Theiler's virus, though acquiring immunity to this virus, remained fully susceptible to reinfection with SK murine virus. 6. Neutralization tests with SK murine virus against poliomyelitis-convalescent monkey sera gave irregular results, but neutralization of murine virus occurred regularly with a hyperimmune antipoliomyelitis horse serum. Hyperimmune antimurine horse and rabbit sera, on the other hand, failed to inactivate three strains of monkey poliomyelitis virus (SK, RMV, Aycock) by intracerebral tests in monkeys. The same sera inactivated murine virus in mice by intraperitoneal, but not by intracerebral injection of virus-serum mixtures. 7. The identity of SK murine virus and its relation to other rodent strains of poliomyelitis virus is discussed on the basis of the available data.

STUDIES OF A MURINE STRAIN OF POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS IN COTTON RATS AND WHITE MICE

1. A neurotropic murine virus was isolated by passing poliomyelitis virus (SK strain) from the monkey to cotton rats and white mice. 2. The murine virus has been grown in tissue culture consisting of embryonic mouse brain in ox serum ultrafiltrate. 3. The symptoms and lesions produced by the murine infection compare in all respects with those of poliomyelitis in monkey and man. 4. The murine virus, while highly pathogenic for mice and cotton rats, is non-pathogenic for albino rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. It possesses limited pathogenicity for rhesus monkeys. 5. Although producing no paralysis in the above mentioned refractory animals, the murine virus may be recovered in active form from neural and extraneural sites of infected albino rats, guinea pigs, and monkeys, but not from rabbits. 6. The identity of the murine and monkey virus is further suggested by cross-neutralization between the murine virus and homologous (SK) and related (Aycock) antipoliomyelitis sera, as well as between homologous and related monkey poliomyelitis virus and antimurine virus sera. 7. Immunization of monkeys with live murine virus, in the form of mouse brain or tissue culture, seems to confer some degree of resistance against subsequent infection with the homologous poliomyelitis monkey virus. 8. The presence of the murine virus in the central nervous system of infected monkeys appears to interfere with the propagation of SK and Aycock poliomyelitis monkey virus in the same animal.