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Associative thickeners are commonly used to thicken water-based coatings. Their mechanism of action is based on the hydrophobic interaction between the hydrophobic polymer groups as well as with the surface [...]

IMPORTANCE: Asymmetric oropharynx uptake on positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is a common incidental finding and often prompts otolaryngology referral to rule out malignancy; however, the true risk of malignancy based on this finding is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence of oropharynx cancer in patients with incidental asymmetric oropharynx PET uptake. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients 18 years and older undergoing PET/CT scans at Mayo Clinic between January 2001 and December 2018 were included. Patients with a history or pretest suspicion of oropharynx cancer were excluded. Data were analyzed from March 2021 to December 2023. EXPOSURE: Blinded radiologic review of imaging studies, including measurement of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the ipsilateral side of concern and contralateral side. Retrospective medical record review for associated clinical data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary study outcome was the incidence of oropharynx cancer diagnosis in patients with asymmetric oropharynx PET uptake. The primary outcome was formulated before data collection. RESULTS: Of the 1854 patients identified with asymmetric oropharynx PET uptake, 327 (17.6%) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 173 (52.9%) were male, and the median (range) age was 65.0 (24.8-90.7) years. The mean (SD) follow-up interval was 52.1 (43.4) months. A total of 18 of 327 patients (5.5%) were newly diagnosed with oropharynx cancer. The most common diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 9), followed by lymphoma (n = 8), and sarcoma (n = 1). Patients with an incidental diagnosis of oropharynx cancer had higher mean (SD) ipsilateral SUVmax (8.7 [3.7] vs 5.3 [1.9]) and SUVmax ratio (3.0 [1.6] vs 1.6 [0.6]) compared with patients with normal examination findings. SUVmax ratio and difference were found to be good discriminators of oropharynx cancer, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 86.3% (95% CI, 76.4-94.6) and 85.8% (95% CI, 74.8-94.6), respectively. Patients with a new diagnosis of oropharynx cancer were more likely to have a corresponding CT abnormality than those with normal examination findings (6 of 18 [33%] vs 24 of 295 [8.1%]). Patients with concerning lesions on oropharynx palpation by an otolaryngology health care professional were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with oropharynx cancer compared with patients with normal examination findings (odds ratio, 28.4; 95% CI, 6.6-145.8). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, while incidental asymmetric oropharynx PET uptake was common, a new diagnosis of oropharynx cancer was not and potentially results in a large volume of unnecessary referrals and work-up. Using SUVmax ratio, SUVmax difference, and CT correlation may increase the benefit of referral. Patients with a palpable oropharynx lesion and asymmetric oropharynx PET uptake should undergo confirmatory biopsy.

Today, many coatings producers are increasingly focusing their production towards water-based coatings and are moving away from solvent-based formulations. This is to reduce the VOC content of their formulations, not [...]

The aim of this paper is to describe a technique that can be utilised for the targeted correction of the Whistle Deformity and accompanying upper lip subunits. All patients were post-primary cleft lip repair, either unilateral or bilateral cleft lips, with a resulting Whistle Deformity post-operatively. They all elected to undergo surgical correction of the Whistle Deformity using bilateral philtral dermofascial flaps to correct their Whistle Deformity. Post-operative clinical photographs demonstrate the results of the technique. We assessed for the resolution of the Whistle Deformity and improvement of the appearance of the upper lip subunits, including; philtral, columella, and nostril sill elements. The patients treated with this technique, with Whistle Deformities following unilateral and bilateral cleft lip repair, had satisfactory results from the procedure and recovered with no complications. We propose this is an effective method for treating up to moderate-severe Whistle deformities following both unilateral and bilateral primary cleft lip repairs.

Approximately 30% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cases present with de novo metastatic disease, while 20% to 30% of those with localized disease will develop metastases following surgical resection. Various drug classes have been investigated to treat RCC, including cytokine-based therapies, small molecule Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and antibody-based therapies. Up to 58% of patients fail to respond to primary immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, and nearly all initial responders experience disease progression due to the development of secondary resistance. Consequently, novel treatment options are being investigated. Review the rapidly evolving ADC therapeutic landscape in metastatic RCC including recent trials, emerging ADCs targets, and future directions for ADCs in the treatment of advanced RCC. Literature review using the MEDLINE database on important trials and presentations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conferences. Key words used included “renal cell carcinoma,” “RCC,” “metastatic RCC,” “advanced RCC,” “antibody-based therapies,” “immunotherapy,” “clinical trials,” and “emerging drugs.” Specifically for review of ADCs in RCC, the following search string was used with additional review of bibliographies from retrieved papers: “((antibody drug conjugate) OR (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) OR (chimeric antigen receptor)) AND ((kidney cancer) OR (renal cell carcinoma))”. Several promising targets including MMP14, EGFR, MCT4, CA9, MET, CDH13, B7-H3, and PSMA were identified with relevant preclinical and clinical studies reviewed. While ADCs therapeutics have not shown benefit to date for renal cell carcinoma, there are ample promising candidates and targets for future research.

It is widely documented that emotions play an important role in product marketing and branding. The current study explores the role that a human brand association can play in eliciting emotional responses and attachments from consumers that drive their subsequent behaviour. The human-centred Jordan Brandwas examined because it uses the likeness/image of Michael Jordan. The study revealed the impact of consumer responses and decision-making through survey analysis (N = 1,133) at two Jordan Brand partner university's athletic events. The results demonstrate that the partnership between the university athletic department and Jordan Brand elicits strong emotional responses, the propensity to donate to the university, and increased consumer willingness to pay for merchandise bearing the human brand's likeness. The findings are useful for both scholars and practitioners as evidence that strategies designed to elicit emotional responses can yield positive results in consumer perception of the brand and financial success.

ABSTRACTThe CLAVATA pathway plays a key role in the regulation of multicellular shoot and root meristems in flowering plants. In Arabidopsis, CLAVATA 3-like signaling peptides (CLEs) act via receptor-like kinases CLAVATA 1 and CRINKLY 4 (CR4). In the moss Physcomitrium patens, PpCLAVATA and PpCR4 were previously studied independently and shown to play conserved roles in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The plant calpain DEFECTIVE KERNEL 1 (DEK1) has been identified as another key regulator of cell division and cell fate in vascular plants and bryophytes. The functional interaction between CLAVATA, CR4, and DEK1 remains unknown. Here, we show that P. patens crinkly4and dek1mutants respond differently to CLE peptide treatments suggesting their distinct roles in the CLAVATA pathway. Reduced CLAVATA-mediated suppression of leafy shoot growth in Δcr4mutants indicates that PpCR4 is involved in CLV3p perception, most likely as a receptor. The CLV3p strongly suppressed leaf vein development in Δcr4mutants, suggesting that other receptors are involved in these processes and indicating a potential role of PpCR4 in organ sensitization to CLEs.

Purpose: A perceived misalignment between socially responsible fans and football club management has recently led to a major crisis during the annual meeting in 2021 of Bayern Munich, one of the largest professional football teams in Europe. In an unprecedented scenario, Bayern Munich fans demanded that management drop one of its largest sponsors due to alleged violation of human rights. The goal of this paper is to examine this particular phenomenon, as it not only demonstrates a discrepancy between the social organizational identity and its image, but more importantly, how it impacts legitimation strategies and the fans' loyalty attitudes towards the club. Design/methodology/approach: Using the underlying concepts of legitimacy and loyalty, this conceptual model paper proposes two frameworks for social responsibility in professional football clubs: (1) analyzing how the (mis-)alignment between organizational identity and image impacts fan loyalty and (2) depicting four different types of social responsibility strategies to align organizational identity and image. Findings: The authors identify various theoretical concepts that influence organizational identity and image in and for social responsibility and combine the two critical concepts of legitimacy and loyalty to categorize the social responsibility strategies for professional football clubs. Originality/value: Both frameworks advance the understanding of the decision-making behind social responsibility strategies and also synthesize the current literature to offer conceptual clarity regarding the varied implications and outcomes linked to the misalignment between organizational identity and image.

ABSTRACTIntroductionRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of serious lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and young children. Palivizumab is an RSV-specific prophylactic for use in high-risk infants but treatment requires monthly injections and only modestly reduces hospitalization. Thus, new immunoprophylactic candidates are under development. Nirsevimab (MEDI8897) is a monoclonal antibody with an extended half-life developed to protect infants for an entire RSV season with a single dose.Areas CoveredThis review summarizes clinical trial data on nirsevimab. The authors introduce RSV and surface viral proteins involved in infection, then discuss the development and achievements of nirsevimab in clinical trials concluding with expert opinion. Information was compiled from PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, and press releases from AstraZeneca and Sanofi.Expert opinionNirsevimab (MEDI8897) is an RSV F protein monoclonal antibody and the next-generation RSV medicine having an extended half-life developed for the prevention of LRTI caused by RSV. Nirsevimab will supplant the current standard of care for RSV prevention. Importantly, nirsevimab requires a single dose to last the entire RSV season and may be given to term, preterm, and high-risk infants. However, even with nirsevimab approval there remains a need for an efficacious RSV vaccine and treatments.