Decrease of Pro-Angiogenic Monocytes Predicts Clinical Response to Anti-Angiogenic Treatment in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

The modulation of subpopulations of pro-angiogenic monocytes (VEGFR-1+CD14 and Tie2+CD14) was analyzed in an ancillary study from the prospective PazopanIb versus Sunitinib patient preferenCE Study (PISCES) (NCT01064310), where metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients were treated with two anti-angiogenic drugs, either sunitinib or pazopanib. Blood samples from 86 patients were collected prospectively at baseline (T1), and at 10 weeks (T2) and 20 weeks (T3) after starting anti-angiogenic therapy. Various subpopulations of myeloid cells (monocytes, VEGFR-1+CD14 and Tie2+CD14 cells) decreased during treatment. When patients were divided into two subgroups with a decrease (defined as a >20% reduction from baseline value) (group 1) or not (group 2) at T3 for VEGFR-1+CD14 cells, group 1 patients presented a median PFS and OS of 24 months and 37 months, respectively, compared with a median PFS of 9 months (p = 0.032) and a median OS of 16 months (p = 0.033) in group 2 patients. The reduction in Tie2+CD14 at T3 predicted a benefit in OS at 18 months after therapy (p = 0.04). In conclusion, in this prospective clinical trial, a significant decrease in subpopulations of pro-angiogenic monocytes was associated with clinical response to anti-angiogenic drugs in patients with mRCC.

Exploring the potential of Urban Leftover Spaces

<p>A city’s spatial environment emerges from the ongoing negotiation between the constructed environment, urban processes, and bodily experience. Many spaces do not represent a static notion but are continually challenged and reconstituted, including spaces that appear to be ‘leftover’. The ability to recognise leftover spaces in the urban context is an integral part of the urban redevelopment process, where structured and layered approaches become useful in understanding how to transform these spaces into places. Consequently, leftover spaces in the urban fabric can be seen both as having potential and as threatening. Researchers have pointed out the issues, conditions, and importance of the positive utilisation of leftover spaces. These spaces can be designed, transformed, and integrated into the main urban fabric to achieve environmental and social gains. Creative and flexible design should lead to psychologically healthy places by improving the image of a city from within. However, there is insufficient information available on how to go about designing such spaces. The revitalisation and aesthetic quality of leftover spaces could expand the dynamism of a city through strategic design interventions. This study explores how the visual perception of leftover spaces in Wellington City that influences both personal experiences and their potential usage could be enhanced. The research aims to investigate the potential of different types of urban leftover spaces, which could be used in a more effective way than they are present. The mixed methodology undertaken in this study seeks to inform planning initiatives by knowing what people feel about leftover spaces and their aspects that need improvement. This research, therefore, examines how such leftover spaces are defined and can be redesigned to become part of a built environment. The research thus consists of three studies starting with an initial visual preference study to understand human perceptions that could lead to better design solutions. The second study explored the differences in design preferences among participants coming from different fields of study, forming the main visual preference study. Visual preferences can guide behaviour and the emotional responses of different users in the redesign of such spaces and their essential attributes. Lastly, focus group discussions were held with built and non-built environment participants. To sum up, the results revealed that providing more vegetation is a critical design attribute for such spaces. The study contradicts theories that hold there are differences in the ways built and non-built environment experts perceive the environment.</p>

Exploring the potential of Urban Leftover Spaces

<p>A city’s spatial environment emerges from the ongoing negotiation between the constructed environment, urban processes, and bodily experience. Many spaces do not represent a static notion but are continually challenged and reconstituted, including spaces that appear to be ‘leftover’. The ability to recognise leftover spaces in the urban context is an integral part of the urban redevelopment process, where structured and layered approaches become useful in understanding how to transform these spaces into places. Consequently, leftover spaces in the urban fabric can be seen both as having potential and as threatening. Researchers have pointed out the issues, conditions, and importance of the positive utilisation of leftover spaces. These spaces can be designed, transformed, and integrated into the main urban fabric to achieve environmental and social gains. Creative and flexible design should lead to psychologically healthy places by improving the image of a city from within. However, there is insufficient information available on how to go about designing such spaces. The revitalisation and aesthetic quality of leftover spaces could expand the dynamism of a city through strategic design interventions. This study explores how the visual perception of leftover spaces in Wellington City that influences both personal experiences and their potential usage could be enhanced. The research aims to investigate the potential of different types of urban leftover spaces, which could be used in a more effective way than they are present. The mixed methodology undertaken in this study seeks to inform planning initiatives by knowing what people feel about leftover spaces and their aspects that need improvement. This research, therefore, examines how such leftover spaces are defined and can be redesigned to become part of a built environment. The research thus consists of three studies starting with an initial visual preference study to understand human perceptions that could lead to better design solutions. The second study explored the differences in design preferences among participants coming from different fields of study, forming the main visual preference study. Visual preferences can guide behaviour and the emotional responses of different users in the redesign of such spaces and their essential attributes. Lastly, focus group discussions were held with built and non-built environment participants. To sum up, the results revealed that providing more vegetation is a critical design attribute for such spaces. The study contradicts theories that hold there are differences in the ways built and non-built environment experts perceive the environment.</p>

Outlining Smart Kampung Indicators: Preference Study in Kampung Terban Yogyakarta

Kampung, as a form of Indonesia’s informal urbanism, requires special attention in terms of urban development. Efforts to manage the quality of kampung space have become very important, including planning and development through smart system applications. However, the culture of the community living in kampung in accepting a new system has not been well-mapped. This research aimed to be the beginning of the development of smart kampung system that focuses on identifying the community’s preferences for the concept of this novel system. The research was conducted by a case study in Terban Subdistrict, Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta using Analytical Hierarchy Process methods. Initial findings indicate that Terban community’s preference for the concept of kampung is based on the concept of providing alternative energy and water quality. The research also shows that of smart city projects in the future should include community participation to ensure its applicability, acceptance, and sustainability.

361 Methods for Identification and Classification of Phenylthiocarbamide Sensitivity in Mature Rams

Rams exhibit varying levels of sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), which has been correlated with the ability to perceive bitter-tasting foods. Previously, the only procedure for measuring PTC-sensitivity in rams involved a 9-d test phase with 5 PTC concentrations. The objective of this experiment was to develop a more streamlined approach for identifying and classifying rams on extreme ends of the bitter-tasting spectrum. Mature Targhee, Rambouillet, Polypay, and Composite-breed rams (n = 44), housed in three separate barns, and subjected to 4-d acclimation, 2-d sham, and 2-d testing phases. The 2-d sham phase was conducted to determine if ethanol-spiked water (delivery vehicle for PTC) influenced voluntary fluid intake; no effect (P = 0.16) was observed. The 2-d test phase was a side-by-side preference study between water (control; 3.0 kg) and 1 of 2 concentrations (0.2 and 2.0 mM) of PTC solution (3.0 kg) delivered on alternate days. Average consumption of PTC as a percentage of total test fluid intake was used determine taster status. No PTC-treatment effect (P ≥ 0.23) was observed, but within each treatment level, PTC intake was less (P &lt; 0.001) than water intake. Classification levels of PTC consumption were determined by ± 1.0 standard deviation of the mean and used to classify rams into non- (n = 9; 61.5 ± 3.9%), intermediate- (n = 29; 40.7 ± 1.8%), or super- (n = 6; 15.6 ± 3.3%) PTC tasting groups, which were different (P &lt; 0.001) from each other. Likewise, water consumption intakes were different (P&lt; 0.001) between the non- (38.5 ± 3.9%), intermediate- (59.3 ± 1.8%), and super- (84.4 ± 3.3%) PTC tasting groups. The methods outlined in this study will facilitate further research focused on the influence of bitter tasting sensitivities on the dietary preferences of sheep.

Pulse Dosing of 10 kHz Paresthesia-Independent Spinal Cord Stimulation Provides Same Efficacy with Substantial Reduction of Device Recharge Time

Objective This study was designed to assess whether using pulse dosing (PD: regularly-cycled intermittent stimulation) of high-frequency 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation (10kHzSCS) can reduce device recharge time while maintaining efficacy in patients with chronic intractable back pain with/without leg pain. Design Prospective, multi-center, observational study Methods Patients successfully using 10kHzSCS at 100%ON (no PD) for &gt;3-months were consecutively enrolled. After a 1-week Baseline period of documenting their pain twice-daily using a 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS) using 100%ON of their “favorite” program, all subjects were reprogrammed to 14%PD for 10–14 days. If subjects preferred 14%PD to 100%ON, they were programmed to 3%PD; otherwise, they were programmed to 50%PD. Subjects used this next program for another 10–14 days. Subjects then entered a 3-month observational period where they were requested but not limited to use their most preferred %PD program. Towards the end of 3-months, subjects completed a 7-day NRS diary and indicated a final %PD program preference. Study endpoints included %PD preference, mean diary NRS by %PD, and daily minutes and patterns of charging. Results Of 31 subjects completing the study, 81% preferred less than 100%ON. Preferences: 39% subjects preferred 3%PD, 32% preferred 14%PD, 10% preferred 50%PD, and 19% preferred 100%ON. Average daily charge durations: 3%PD = 8.3 ± 3.1 min, 14%PD = 13.9 ± 4.9 min, 50% PD = 26.2 ± 7.4 min, 100%ON = 43.8 ± 10.9 min. Regression modeling suggested pain relief was weighted more than twice as influential as charging in preference for reduced %PD. Conclusions This prospective study suggests that 10kHzSCS therapy with PD may be successfully employed in a large majority of 10kHzSCS responders, maintaining efficacy while reducing device charging time by nearly two-thirds.