SON-1010: an albumin-binding IL-12 fusion protein that improves cytokine half-life, targets tumors, and enhances therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Cytokines have been promising cancer immunotherapeutics for decades, yet only two are licensed to date. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent regulator of cell-mediated immunity that activates NK cells and interferon-γ (IFNγ) production. It plays a central role in multiple pathways that can enhance cancer cell death and modify the tumor microenvironment (TME).

A phase I trial of SON-1010, a tumor-targeted, interleukin-12-linked, albumin-binding cytokine, shows favorable pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety in healthy volunteers.

Background: The benefits of recombinant interleukin-12 (rIL-12) as a multifunctional cytokine and potential immunotherapy for cancer have been sought for decades based on its efficacy in multiple mouse models. Unexpected toxicity in the first phase 2 study required careful attention to revised dosing strategies. Despite some signs of efficacy since then, most rIL-12 clinical trials have encountered hurdles such as short terminal elimination half-life (T), limited tumor microenvironment targeting, and substantial systemic toxicity.

SON-1210 - a novel bifunctional IL-12 / IL-15 fusion protein that improves cytokine half-life, targets tumors, and enhances therapeutic efficacy.

Background: The potential synergy between interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-15 holds promise for more effective solid tumor immunotherapy. Nevertheless, previous clinical trials involving therapeutic cytokines have encountered obstacles such as short pharmacokinetics, limited tumor microenvironment (TME) targeting, and substantial systemic toxicity.

Methods: To address these challenges, we fused single-chain human IL-12 and native human IL-15 in onto a fully human albumin binding (FAB) domain single-chain antibody fragment (scFv).

Developing faculty EdTech instructional decision-making competence with principles for the integration of EdTech.

Future success for online teaching can be described in terms of competencies, the knowledge, skills, and affect and motivation that as component parts undergird successful performance, or in terms of competence, the behaviors that demonstrate ability to perform in an online setting. Either framing could aid higher education to consider how to foster online teaching excellence. Yet, considering this dichotomy instead as a continuum emphasizes a fruitful point in between to target for faculty professional learning.

Assessing the sustainability capacity of evidence-based programs in community and health settings.

Background: Within many public health settings, there remain large challenges to sustaining evidence-based practices. The Program Sustainability Assessment Tool has been developed and validated to measure sustainability capacity of public health, social service, and educational programs. This paper describes how this tool was utilized between January 2014 and January 2019.

Development and evaluation of an objective laparoscopic assessment tool: LapPass®.

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery is technically challenging and assessment of competency is necessary to ensure patient safety and guide training. We report on the development of LapPass®, an accessible objective simulation assessment tool with credentialing potential. We provide a preliminary evaluation of its usability and aspects of validity.

Providing an acute oncology service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to adaptations being made to all aspects of the NHS, including general practice, acute medical specialties and oncology. This has presented unique challenges to acute oncology services (AOSs) in how to provide continuity of care while maintaining the safety of patients and staff. We describe the experience of the AOS team at Barts Health NHS Trust, working across three acute hospitals in east London.

Carbon ecology of termite gut and phenol degradation by a bacterium isolated from the gut of termite.

Metagenomics and transcriptomics have had some success analyzing community and functional ecology of the termite gut, but carbon utilization ecology and the effect of diet on the gut community are not well understood. This study was done to determine the effect of three hardwood tree types, oak (Quercus spp.), red maple (Acer rubrum), and tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) on the termite species, Reticulitermes flavipes in the family Rhinotermitidae.

Human disturbance impacts the integrity of sacred church forests, Ethiopia.

Land-use change can have profound effects on forest communities, compromising seedling recruitment and growth, and long-term persistence of forests on the landscape. Continued forest conversion to agriculture causes forest fragmentation which decreases forest size, increases edge effects and forest isolation, all of which negatively impact forest health. These fragmentation effects are magnified by human use of forests, which can compromise the continued persistence of species in these forests and the ability of the forests to support the communities that depend on them.

Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes: Outcomes with Expectant Management until 34 versus 35 Weeks.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes with expectant management of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) until 35 weeks versus immediate delivery at ≥34 weeks.

Study Design: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of singletons with preterm PROM at >20 weeks from 2011 through 2017. Groups were defined as expectant management until 35 weeks versus immediate delivery at ≥34 weeks.

Biodegradation of phenol by Acinetobacter tandoii isolated from the gut of the termite.

The diet of wood-feeding termites (WFT) consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose are utilized by symbiotic protozoa as a carbon source. Protozoa produce acetate, which is the carbon source of the termite.

Single-stage conversions from failed gastric band to sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: results from the United Kingdom National Bariatric Surgical Registry.

Background: For patients in whom laparoscopic adjustable gastric band has failed, conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are both options for further surgical treatment. There are limited data comparing these 2 procedures. The National Bariatric Surgery Registry is a comprehensive United Kingdom-wide database of bariatric procedures, in which preoperative demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes are prospectively recorded.

Obesity surgery makes patients healthier and more functional: real world results from the United Kingdom National Bariatric Surgery Registry.

Background: The National Bariatric Surgery Registry (NBSR) is the largest bespoke database in the field in the United Kingdom.

Objectives: Our aim was to analyze the NBSR to determine whether the effects of obesity surgery on associated co-morbidities observed in small randomized controlled clinical trials could be replicated in a "real life" setting within U.K.

Assessment of the Sustainability Capacity of a Coordinated Approach to Chronic Disease Prevention.

Objective: This article outlines some factors that influenced the sustainability capacity of a coordinated approach to chronic disease prevention in state and territory health departments.

Design: This study involved a cross-sectional design and mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected using the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT), a 40-item multiple-choice instrument that assesses 8 domains of sustainability capacity (environmental support, funding stability, partnerships, organizational capacity, program evaluation, program adaptation, communications, and strategic planning).

Surveillance Is Important After Surgical Excision of Giant Fibrovascular Polyps of the Esophagus.

Giant fibrovascular polyps of the esophagus are rare benign tumors arising from the cervical esophagus or hypopharynx. Radiologic and endoscopic investigation may struggle to identify a stalk or to delineate the tumor as luminal or submucosal in origin. Excision is advised, although the diagnosis, and therefore the optimal operative approach, may not be apparent until the time of operation.

Alcoholic Pancreatitis Masquerading as Preeclampsia.

Background: Coexisting medical complications in pregnancy can present in a fashion similar to preeclampsia and can be challenging to differentiate.

Case: We present a patient who, at 27 3/7 weeks of gestation, fulfilled diagnostic criteria for severe preeclampsia, including hypertension, proteinuria, headache, abnormal serum creatinine levels, thrombocytopenia, and liver function abnormalities, but who nevertheless did not have preeclampsia. Instead, she was diagnosed with alcoholic pancreatitis based on a history of heavy alcohol use and elevated amylase and lipase.

Maternal obesity: significance on the preterm neonate.

Background: What is known of neonatal outcomes associated with maternal obesity is limited. The impact on the preterm neonate, delivery room (DR) course and need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission has not been well established.

Methods: A review was done of our 17 county perinatal regions from the New York State Perinatal Data System database over the 3-year period of 1 January 2010-31 December 2012 for mother/baby dyad information for all live births 34-36 6/7 weeks' gestation.

Gastric electrical stimulation for treatment of clinically severe gastroparesis.

Background: Severe, drug-resistant gastroparesis is a debilitating condition. Several, but not all, patients can get significant relief from nausea and vomiting by gastric electrical stimulation (GES). A trial of temporary, endoscopically delivered GES may be of predictive value to select patients for laparoscopic-implantation of a permanent GES device.