Vaccinia-based oncolytic immunotherapy Pexastimogene Devacirepvec in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after sorafenib failure: a randomized multicenter Phase IIb trial (TRAVERSE)

Pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) is a vaccinia virus-based oncolytic immunotherapy designed to preferentially replicate in and destroy tumor cells while stimulating anti-tumor immunity by expressing GM-CSF. An earlier randomized Phase IIa trial in predominantly sorafenib-naïve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit. This randomized, open-label Phase IIb trial investigated whether Pexa-Vec plus Best Supportive Care (BSC) improved OS over BSC alone in HCC patients who failed sorafenib therapy (TRAVERSE).

129 patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to Pexa-Vec plus BSC vs. BSC alone. Pexa-Vec was given as a single intravenous (IV) infusion followed by up to 5 IT injections. The primary endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (RR), time to progression (TTP) and safety.

A high drop-out rate in the control arm (63%) confounded assessment of response-based endpoints. Median OS (ITT) for Pexa-Vec plus BSC vs. BSC alone was 4.2 and 4.4 months, respectively (HR, 1.19, 95% CI: 0.78–1.80; p = .428). There was no difference between the two treatment arms in RR or TTP. Pexa-Vec was generally well-tolerated. The most frequent Grade 3 included pyrexia (8%) and hypotension (8%). Induction of immune responses to vaccinia antigens and HCC associated antigens were observed.

Despite a tolerable safety profile and induction of T cell responses, Pexa-Vec did not improve OS as second-line therapy after sorafenib failure. The true potential of oncolytic viruses may lie in the treatment of patients with earlier disease stages which should be addressed in future studies.

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01387555

Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo

P1 Impact of antioxidant-enriched nutrient bar supplementation on the serum antioxidant markers and physical fitness components of track and field athletes

Lalitha Ramaswamy, Supriya Velraja

P2 The effects of phosphatidic acid supplementation on fitness levels in resistance trained women

Guillermo Escalante, Phil Harvey, Michelle Alencar, Bryan Haddock

P3 The effects of phosphatidic acid supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in resistance trained men

Phil Harvey, Guillermo Escalante, Michelle Alencar, Bryan Haddock

P4 The efficacy of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on physical capacity and selected biochemical markers in elite wrestlers

Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski, Jan Jeszka, Bogna Zawieja, Tomasz Podgórski

P5 Effects of different nutritional strategies in hydration and physical performance in healthy well-trained males

Ana Paula Trussardi Fayh, Alexandre Hideki Okano, Amanda Maria de Jesus Ferreira

P6 Reduction of plasma creatine concentrations as an indicator of improved bioavailability

Ralf Jäger, Martin Purpura, Roger C Harris

P7 Effect of three different breakfast meals on energy intake and nutritional status in college-age women

Molly M. Krause, Kiley A. Lavanger, Nina O. Allen, Allison E. Lieb, Katie A. Mullen, Joan M. Eckerson

P8 Accuracy of the ASA24® Dietary Recall system for assessing actual dietary intake in normal weight college-age women.

Kiley A. Lavanger, Molly M. Krause, Nina O. Allen, Allison E. Lieb, Katie A. Mullen, Joan M. Eckerson

P9 β-aminoisobutyric acid does not regulate exercise induced UCP-3 expression in skeletal muscle

Elisa Morales, Jeffrey Forsse, Thomas Andre, Sarah McKinley, Paul Hwang, Grant Tinsley, Mike Spillane, Peter Grandjean, Darryn Willoughby

P10 The ability of collegiate football athletes to adhere to sport-specific nutritional recommendations

A. Jagim, G. Wright, J. Kisiolek, M. Meinking, J. Ochsenwald, M. Andre, M.T. Jones, J. M. Oliver

P11 A single session of low-volume high intensity interval exercise improves appetite regulation in overweight men

Victor Araújo Ferreira, Daniel Costa de Souza, Victor Oliveira Albuquerque dos Santos, Rodrigo Alberto Vieira Browne, Eduardo Caldas Costa, Ana Paula Trussardi Fayh

P12 Acute effects of oral peppermint oil ingestion on exercise performance in moderately-active college students

Suresh T. Mathews, Haley D. Bishop, Clara R. Bowen, Yishan Liang, Emily A. West, Rebecca R. Rogers, Mallory R. Marshall, John K. Petrella

P13 Associations in body fat and liver triglyceride content with serum health markers in sedentary and exercised rats fed a ketogenic diet, Western diet or standard chow over a 6-week period

A. Maleah Holland, Wesley C. Kephart, Petey W. Mumford, C. Brooks Mobley, Ryan P. Lowery, Jacob M. Wilson, Michael D. Roberts

P14 Physiological changes following competition in male and female physique athletes: A pilot study

Eric T. Trexler, Katie R. Hirsch, Bill I. Campbell, Meredith G. Mock, Abbie E. Smith-Ryan

P15 Relationship between cognition and hydration status in college students at a large Southwestern university

Kate Zemek, Carol Johnston

P16 Whey protein-derived exosomes increase protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes

C. Brooks Mobley, Petey W. Mumford, David D. Pascoe, Christopher M. Lockwood, Michael E. Miller, Michael D. Roberts

P17 The effect of three different energy drinks on 1.5-mile running performance, oxygen consumption, and perceived exertion

Gabriel J. Sanders, Willard Peveler, Brooke Warning, Corey A. Peacock

P18 The Ketogenic diet improves rotarod performance in young and older rats

Wesley C. Kephart, Petey W. Mumford, Ryan P. Lowery, Michael D. Roberts, Jacob M. Wilson

P19 Absorption of bonded arginine silicate compared to individual arginine and silicon components

David Sandler, Sara Perez Ojalvo, James Komorowski

P20 Effects of a high (2.4 g/kg) vs. low/moderate (1.2 g/kg) protein intake on body composition in aspiring female physique athletes engaging in an 8-week resistance training program

Bill I. Campbell, Danielle Aguilar, Andres Vargas, Laurin Conlin, Amey Sanders, Paola Fink-Irizarry, Layne Norton, Ross Perry, Ryley McCallum, Matthew R. Wynn, Jack Lenton

P21 Effects of a high (2.4 g/kg) vs. low/moderate (1.2 g/kg) protein intake on maximal strength in aspiring female physique athletes engaging in an 8-week resistance training program

Bill I. Campbell, Chris Gai, Seth Donelson, Shiva Best, Daniel Bove, Kaylee Couvillion, Jeff Dolan, Dante Xing, Kyshia Chernesky, Michael Pawela, Andres D. Toledo, Rachel Jimenez

P22 Monitoring of female collegiate athletes over a competitive season reveals changes in nutritional biomarkers

M. Rabideau, A. Walker, J. Pellegrino, M. Hofacker, B. McFadden, S. Conway, C. Ordway, D. Sanders, R. Monaco, M. S. Fragala, S. M. Arent

P23 Comparison of prediction equations to indirect calorimetry in men and women athletes

Jason D. Stone, Andreas Kreutzer, Jonathan M. Oliver, Jacob Kisiolek, Andrew R. Jagim

P24 Regional variations in sweat-based electrolyte loss and changes in plasma electrolyte content in Division I female athletes over the course of a competitive season

M. Hofacker, A. Walker, J. Pellegrino, M. Rabideau, B. McFadden, S. Conway, D. Sanders, C. Ordway, R. Monaco, M. S. Fragala, S. M. Arent

P25 In-season changes in plasma amino acid levels in Division I NCAA female athletes

Ozlem Tok, Joseph K. Pellegrino, Alan J. Walker, David J. Sanders, Bridget A. McFadden, Meaghan M. Rabideau, Sean P. Conway, Chris E. Ordway, Marissa Bello, Morgan L. Hofacker, Nick S. Mackowski, Anthony J. Poyssick, Eddie Capone, Robert M. Monaco, Maren S. Fragala, Shawn M. Arent

P26 Effects of a ketogenic diet with exercise on serum markers of bone metabolism, IGF-1 and femoral bone mass in rats

Petey W. Mumford, A. Maleah Holland, Wesley C. Kephart, Ryan P. Lowery, C. Brooks Mobley, Romil K. Patel, Annie Newton, Darren T. Beck, Michael D. Roberts, Jacob M. Wilson, Kaelin C. Young

P27 Casein supplementation in trained men and women: morning versus evening

Tobin Silver, Anya Ellerbroek, Richard Buehn, Leo Vargas, Armando Tamayo, Corey Peacock, Jose Antonio

P28 A high protein diet has no harmful effects: a one-year crossover study in resistance-trained males

Anya Ellerbroek, Tobin Silver, Richard Buehn, Leo Vargas, Armando Tamayo, Corey Peacock, Jose Antonio

P29 SUP (Stand-up Paddling) athletes: nutritional intake and body composition

Adam Pollock, Anya Ellerbroek, Tobin Silver, Corey Peacock, Jose Antonio

P30 The effects of 8 weeks of colostrum and bio-active peptide supplementation on body composition in recreational male weight lifters

A. Kreutzer, P. Zavala, S. Fleming, M. Jones, J. M. Oliver, A. Jagim

P31 Effects of a Popular Women’s Thermogenic Supplement During an Energy-Restricted High Protein Diet on Changes in Body Composition and Clinical Safety Markers

Cody T. Haun, Petey W. Mumford, Parker N. Hyde, Ciaran M. Fairman, Wesley C. Kephart, Darren T. Beck, Jordan R. Moon, Michael D. Roberts, Kristina L. Kendall, Kaelin C. Young

P32 Three days of caffeine consumption following caffeine withdrawal yields small strength increase in knee flexors

Geoffrey M Hudson, Tara Hannings, Kyle Sprow, Loretta DiPietro

P33 Comparison of cellular nitric oxide production from various sports nutrition ingredients

Doug Kalman, Sara Perez Ojalvo, James Komorowski

P34 The effects of 8 weeks of bio-active peptide supplementation on training adaptations in recreational male weight lifters

P. Zavala, S. Fleming, M. Jones, J. Oliver, A. Jagim

P35 Effects of MusclePharm Assault Black^TM on lower extremity spinal excitability and postactivation potentiation: A pilot study

Brian Wallace, Haley Bergstrom, Kelly Wallace

P36 Effects of four weeks of Ketogenic Diet alone and combined with High intensity Interval Training or Continuous-Moderate intensity on body composition, lipid profile and physical performance on healthy males

Matias Monsalves-Alvarez, Sebastian Oyharçabal, Victoria Espinoza

P37 Effect of branched-chain amino acid supplementation on creatine kinase, muscular performance, and perceived muscle soreness following acute eccentric exercise

Trisha A. VanDusseldorp, Kurt A. Escobar, Kelly E. Johnson, Nathan Cole, Terence Moriarty, Matthew Stratton, Marvin R. Endito, Christine M. Mermier, Chad M. Kerksick

P38 Effects of endurance training on markers of ribosome biogenesis in rodents fed a high fat diet

Matthew A. Romero, C. Brooks Mobley, Melissa Linden, Grace Margaret-Eleanor Meers, R. Scott Rector, Michael D. Roberts

P39 The effects of acute citrulline-malate on lower-body isokinetic performance in recreationally active individuals

Joshua L Gills, Hocheng Lu, Kimberly Parker, Chris Dobbins, Joshua N Guillory, Braden Romer, David Szymanski, Jordan Glenn

P40 The effect pre-ingested L-isoleucine and L-leucine on blood glucose responses and glycemic hormones in healthy inactive adults: Preliminary data.

Daniel E. Newmire, Eric Rivas, Sarah E. Deemer, Robert Wildman, Victor Ben-Ezra

P41 Does protein and source impact substrate oxidation and energy expenditure during and after moderate intensity treadmill exercise?

C Kerksick, B Gieske, R Stecker, C Smith, K Witherbee

P42 Effects of a pre-workout supplement on peak power and power maintenance during lower and upper body testing

Michael T. Lane, M. Travis Byrd, Zachary Bell, Emily Frith, Lauren M.C. Lane

P43 Effects of a pre-workout supplement on peak power production during lower and upper body testing in college-age females

Michael T. Lane, M. Travis Byrd, Zachary Bell, Emily Frith, Lauren M.C. Lane

P44 A comparison of whey versus casein protein supplementation on resting metabolic rate and body composition: a pilot study

Corey A. Peacock, Tobin A. Silver, Megan Colas, Mauricio Mena, Winter Rodriguez, Gabriel J. Sanders, Jose Antonio

P45 A novel mixed-tocotrienol intervention enhances recovery after eccentric exercise: preliminary findings

Andrea Vansickle, Brittany DiFiore, Stephanie Stepp, Grant Slack, Bridget Smith, Kayla Ruffner, Ronald Mendel, Lonnie Lowery

P46 The effects of post-exercise ingestion of a high molecular weight glucose on cycle performance in female cyclists

Katie R. Hirsch, Meredith G. Mock, Malia M.N. Blue, Eric T. Trexler, Erica J. Roelofs, Abbie E. Smith-Ryan

P47 Inclusive vs. exclusive dieting and the effects on body composition in resistance trained individuals

Laurin Conlin, Danielle Aguilar, Bill I. Campbell, Layne Norton, Katie Coles, Eric T. Trexler, Nic Martinez

P48 A whey protein hydrolysate may positively augment resting metabolism compared to intact whey protein

Jordan M. Joy, Roxanne M. Vogel, Thomas H. Hoover, K. Shane Broughton

P49 Seven days of high and low dose creatine nitrate supplementation I: hepatorenal, glucose and muscle enzyme function

R Dalton, R Sowinski, T Grubic, PB Collins, A Colletta, A Reyes, B Sanchez, M Kozehchain, YP Jung, C Rasmussen, P Murano, CP Earnest, M Greenwood, RB Kreider

P50 Seven days of high and low dose creatine nitrate supplementation II: performance

T Grubic, R Dalton, R Sowinski, PB Collins, A Colletta, A Reyes, B Sanchez, M Kozehchain, YP Jung, C Rasmussen, P Murano, CP Earnest, M Greenwood, RB Kreider

P51 Seven days of high and low dose creatine nitrate supplementation III: hemodynamics

R Sowinski, R Dalton, T Grubic, PB Collins, A Colletta, A Reyes, B Sanchez, M Kozehchain, YP Jung, C Rasmussen, P Murano, CP Earnest, M Greenwood, RB Kreider

P52 The efficacy of a β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate supplementation on physical capacity, body composition and biochemical markers in highly-trained combat sports athletes

Krzysztof Durkalec-Michalski, Jan Jeszka, Tomasz Podgórski

P53 Does protein and source impact substrate oxidation and energy expenditure during and after moderate intensity treadmill exercise?

C Kerksick, B Gieske, R Stecker, C Smith, K Witherbee

P54 Effects of 30 days of Cleanse™ supplementation on measure of body composition, waist circumference, and markers of gastrointestinal distress in females

Stacie Urbina, Emily Santos, Katelyn Villa, Alyssa Olivencia, Haley Bennett, Marissa Lara, Cliffa Foster, Colin Wilborn, Lem Taylor

P55 The effects of moderate- versus high-load training on body composition, muscle growth, and performance in college aged females

Jason M Cholewa, Amy Hewins, Samantha Gallo, Ashley Micensky, Christian De Angelis, Christopher Carney, Bill Campbell, Laurin Conlin, Layne Norton, Fabricio Rossi

P56 Effect of a multi-ingredient preworkout supplement on cognitive function and perceptions of readiness to perform

MS Koozehchian, PB Collins, R Sowinski, T Grubic, R Dalton, A O’Connor, SY Shin, Y Peter Jung, BK Sanchez, A Coletta, M Cho, A Reyes, C Rasmussen, CP Earnest, PS Murano, M Greenwood, RB Kreider

In vitro replication of cyanobacterial plasmids from Synechocystis PCC 6803

Little knowledge of DNA replication in cyanobacteria is available. In this study, we report the development and characterization of an in vitro system for studies of replication of the endogenous plasmids from the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. This system (fraction III) was isolated at high salt concentrations and partially purified on a heparin-agarose column. DNA polymerases in Synechocystis 6803 appeared to be associated with membranes and could be released by the addition of ammonium sulfate to 20% saturation. DNA synthesis in fraction III was dependent on the addition of cyanobacterial plasmids isolated from the same strain. The in vitro replication products consist mostly of the supercoiled form of the plasmids. Unlike replication of many Escherichia coli plasmids, replication of cyanobacterial plasmids did not require added ATP, was not inhibited by omission of the ribonucleotides, and was insensitive to the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampicin and the gyrase inhibitor novobiocin, but was inhibited by ethidium bromide. These data suggest that RNA may not be involved in the initiation of replication of cyanobacterial plasmids from Synechocystis 6803. In addition, intermediates of replication have been detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Density labeling experiments also indicate that cyanobacterial plasmid synthesis in vitro occurs by a semiconservative replication.

Quality control for chest radiography

A quality Control Program for Chest Radiography was established in a six room Radiology Department. After a preliminary educational session on the definition of a "good" chest film, and the factors which affect the image quality, a "Chest Team" was established. The technologists were divided into three groups: Standard Chest Group, Consistency Group and Monitoring Group. Each group served as a control for the other, resulting in standardization of all methods, techniques, and acceptance criteria in the department. A random inspection of chest radiographs, both before and after the project, showed significant improvement in the overall quality of chest films in the department over a three month period. Follow-up confirmed that the established standard was maintained with minimal effort.

Principles of radiographic exposure a new approach

Radiographic technique charts have traditionally been established by the empirical method. A precisely calculated chart based on the effective energy of the spectrum and the output of the equipment will give more consistent results of density and contrast as well as repeatability of these results from patient to patient. A better understanding of patient attenuation and screen energy sensitivity will enable the radiographer to logically adjust technical factors to change density or contrast scales as required.