Leishmaniasis in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Leishmaniasis occurs in <1% of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients in endemic countries in which transplants are performed. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) makes up the bulk of reported cases. The onset generally occurs months after transplantation and the mode of acquisition is often impossible to determine, but de novo vector‐borne infection and reactivation of inapparent infection are thought to be the principal means. The potential role of clinically inapparent donor infection is uncertain and screening is not currently recommended, nor is it recommended for recipients from endemic areas, some of whom may have detectable circulating protozoan nucleic acid. While transplant recipients with VL often present with the non‐specific findings of fever and cytopenia, the additional presence of hepatosplenomegaly in patients from endemic areas should lead to a directed diagnostic evaluation with bone marrow examination and PCR testing of marrow and peripheral blood having a high yield. Management may often be complicated by the presence of concomitant infections. A lipid formulation of amphotericin B is the preferred treatment, especially for VL, but the relapse rate in transplant recipients is approximately 25%. PCR monitoring of blood for either secondary prophylaxis or preemptive therapy requires further study.     

Empowerment for Healthy Cities and Communities in Korea

The Healthy Cities project started in 1998 in Korea. Around the world, public health and healthy cities are becoming bigger and bigger priorities. Capacity mapping is an important tool for improving a country’s health status. This study aims to review the initiation of the Korean “Healthy City” project. Korea follows a bottom-up approach for the development of Healthy City policies and has implemented plans accordingly. Korea has created a unique program through Healthy Cities; it has developed a Healthy City act, indicators for evaluating the program, a health impact assessment program, an award system, and a domestic networking system.     

Long-term durability and ecotoxicity of biocomposites in marine environments: a review

There is a growing interest in replacing fossil-based polymers and composites with more sustainable and renewable fully biobased composite materials in automotive, aerospace and marine applications. There is an effort to develop components with a reduced carbon footprint and environmental impact, and materials based on biocomposites could provide such solutions. Structural components can be subjected to different marine conditions, therefore assessment of their long-term durability according to their marine applications is necessary, highlighting related degradation mechanisms. Through an up-to-date review, this work critically discusses relevant literature on the long-term durability of biocomposites specific for marine environments. Importantly, in this review we report the effects of abiotic parameters, such as the influence of hygrothermal exposures (temperatures and UV radiation) on physical, mechanical and thermal characteristics of biocomposites. Furthermore, we identify and discuss the potential ecotoxicological effects of leaching substances and microplastics derived from biocomposites, as well as the change in mechanical, physical and thermal behaviours correlated to degradation in the fibre matrix interface, surface defects and overall deterioration of the composite''s properties. Finally, the combined effects of various environmental exposures on the long-term durability of the biocomposites are critically reviewed.

Long term durability and moisture ingress effects on the mechanical property is highlighted where tensile strength is reduced as the moisture immersion time increases showing weak fibre matrix interfaces evidenced from SEM micrograph.     

Trends in mortality from cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, esophagus, and stomach in East Asia: role of nutrition transition

Although substantial nutrition transition, characterized by an increased intake of energy, animal fat, and red meats, has occurred during the last several decades in East Asia, few studies have systematically evaluated temporal trends in cancer incidence or mortality among populations in this area. Therefore, we sought to investigate this question with tremendous public health implications. Data on mortality rates of cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, esophagus, and stomach for China (1988-2000), Hong Kong (1960-2006), Japan (1950-2006), Korea (1985-2006), and Singapore (1963-2006) were obtained from WHO. Joinpoint regression was used to investigate trends in mortality of these cancers. A remarkable increase in mortality rates of breast, colon, and prostate cancers and a precipitous decrease in those of esophageal and stomach cancers have been observed in selected countries (except breast cancer in Hong Kong) during the study periods. For example, the annual percentage increase in breast cancer mortality was 5.5% (95% confidence interval: 3.8, 7.3%) for the period 1985-1993 in Korea, and mortality rates for prostate cancer significantly increased by 3.2% (95% confidence interval: 3.0, 3.3%) per year from 1958 to 1993 in Japan. These changes in cancer mortality lagged ～ 10 years behind the inception of the nutrition transition toward a westernized diet in selected countries or regions. There have been striking changes in mortality rates of breast, colon, prostate, esophageal, and stomach cancers in East Asia during the last several decades, which may be at least in part attributable to the concurrent nutrition transition.     

Efficacy of Palbociclib Combinations in Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients After Prior Everolimus Treatment

Purpose

Outcome data on hormone receptor positive (HR⁺), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) nonamplified (HER2^?) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with palbociclib after treatment with everolimus are lacking. The PALOMA-3 trial, showing benefit of palbociclib plus fulvestrant compared to fulvestrant alone in HR⁺HER2^? MBC after progression while receiving endocrine therapy excluded women previously treated with everolimus. The objective of this study was to examine outcomes of HR⁺HER2^? MBC with prior exposure to everolimus while receiving palbociclib-based therapy.