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Parochial altruism is decomposed in a tendency to benefit the in-group along with a tendency to ignore, derogate, and harm rivaling out-groups. Building off recent work suggesting that decisions to cooperate can be relatively fast and intuitive, we examine parochial altruism in intergroup conflict when cognitive deliberation is rendered difficult or not. Predictions were tested in an experiment using an incentivized Intergroup Prisoner’s Dilemma—Maximizing Differences Game (IPD-MD) with ninety-five subjects classified as either pro-social or pro-self being randomly allocated to high vs. low impulse-control conditions. Results showed, first of all, that decisions to contribute and self-sacrifice were made faster than decisions not to contribute, and that longer decision time associated with less positive expectations of in-group members. Second, we observed that lowering impulse control with a difficult rather than easy Stroop Task increased the amount contributed to a pool that benefited in-group members while harming out-group members; thus reducing deliberation increased parochial altruism. Finally, results replicated earlier work showing that especially pro-social (versus pro-self) individuals contributed more to the in-group and did not lower their contributions to the between-group pool that benefitted their in-group and, simultaneously, hurt the out-group. This pattern emerged independent of their impulse control. Thus, (in-group bounded) cooperation is more prominent among individuals with strong rather than weak other-regarding preferences. Moreover, the intuitive tendency to cooperate may have evolved in the context of intergroup conflict and therefore is sharp-edged—in-group bounded and including willingness to aggress out-groups.

The identification of markers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and improvement of therapeutic options represents an unmet clinical need to increase survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), a neoplasm still characterized by very high incidence and mortality. Here, we investigated whether proline dehydrogenase (PRODH), a mitochondrial flavoenzyme catalyzing the key step in proline degradation, played a role in NSCLC tumorigenesis. PRODH expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry; digital PCR, quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and functional cellular assays were carried out. PRODH expression was found in the majority of lung adenocarcinomas (ADCs). Patients with PRODH-positive tumors had better cancer-free specific and overall survival compared to those with negative tumors. Ectopic modulation of PRODH expression in NCI-H1299 and the other tested lung ADC cell lines decreased cell survival. Moreover, cell proliferation curves showed delayed growth in NCI-H1299, Calu-6 and A549 cell lines when PRODH-expressing clones were compared to control clones. The 3D growth in soft agar was also impaired in the presence of PRODH. PRODH increased reactive oxygen species production and induced cellular senescence in the NCI-H1299 cell line. This study supports a role of PRODH in decreasing survival and growth of lung ADC cells by inducing cellular senescence.

This longitudinal naturalistic study sought to describe parent experiences of ultrasounds during pregnancies with lethal fetal diagnoses (LFDs). We interviewed 16 mothers and 14 partners twice during pregnancy and twice after birth and death of their infant. Parents reported that ultrasound providers had a profound impact on their experiences with LFDs. Within three stages of pregnancy (pre-diagnosis, learning the diagnosis, and living with the diagnosis), themes of optimistic expectation, hearing bad news, need to know , and time with baby emerged. The dynamics of interactions with ultrasound providers included differing goals and expectations , and compatibility of interactions . These interactions were either satisfying or added to parents' burden. Ultrasound providers have the opportunity to share valuable knowledge and facilitate understanding and precious time with the baby. Providers of obstetrical care can improve communication with parents with LFDs at critical time periods by matching their interaction to parents' needs.

Background: Irinotecan (IRI) is a topoisomerase I inhibitor active as first- or second-line chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC). Its combination with fluorouracil (FU) increases the response rate and prolongs survival. In order to identify a new effective and less toxic schedule of administration, we planned this phase II study with weekly IRI and protracted venous infusion of FU (WI-FI regimen). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate. Secondary aims were to detect toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients (pts)., Materials and Methods: On May 2000, a monoinstitutional study commenced with the following schedule of administration: IRI 80 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 plus a 28-day protracted venous infusion of FU 200 mg/m2/day. The treatment was repeated every 35 days. Cycles were administered until a maximum of 6 courses, disease progression or unacceptable toxicity., Results: By March 2005, 52 patients (30 males and 22 females) had entered the study. Their median age was 61.5 years and the median ECOG PS was 1. In total, 223 courses were administered (median 5 cycles/patient). Toxicity was low: neutropenia G3 and asthenia G3 were the most observed toxicities (5 pts each). No other grade 3-4 toxic side-effects were seen. Weekly IRI was interrupted in 11 pts, mostly related to problems with the central venous catheter. Following RECIST criteria, we observed 5 complete responses, 15 partial responses, 17 pts had stable disease, while in 15 disease progressed. The overall response rate was 38.5% and the disease control rate was 71.2%. Thirteen pts underwent surgical resection of their relapsing disease. The median PFS was 8.2 months and the median OS was 16.3 months., Conclusion: The WI-FI regimen is an active treatment with a good safety profile in patients with CRC. The low incidence of grade 3-4 toxicities justifies further evaluation of this combination.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are a precise oncogenetic entity that has started the new era of targeted therapies in solid tumours. GISTs are now a model to understand the role of oncogenic kinase mutation in tumourigenesis, duplication, cell regulation, apoptosis and drug resistance. Ninety-five percent of GISTs have some activacting mutation of c-KIT or PDGFRA tyrosine kinase. The studies of the last two years have found concrete correlations between mutations and anatomical locations of GISTs, prognosis, response to therapy and resistance to therapy. Genotyping has increased of importance in the last years as a new field for translational researches. The important advances made in molecular studies are now a practical tool in diagnosis and therapy of GISTs.