No abstract

High-impact load exercises have a beneficial effect on bone mass in male adolescents. There is also a positive correlation of weight and body composition with BMD. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to determine whether there is a delay in bone growth acquisition among adolescents involved in a nonweight-bearing exercise regimen and its association with sex hormones.

Considering that mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (hsp65) gene transfer can elicit a profound antitumoral effect, this study aimed to establish the safety, maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and preliminary efficacy of DNA-hsp65 immunotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). For this purpose, 21 patients with unresectable and recurrent HNSCC were studied. Each patient received three ultrasound-guided injections at 21-day intervals of: 150, 600 or 400 mg of DNA-hsp65. Toxicity was graded according to CTCAE directions. Tumor volume was measured before and after treatment using computed tomography scan. The evaluation included tumor mass variation, delayed-type hypersensitivity response and spontaneous peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation before and after treatment. The MTD was 400 mg per dose. DNAhsp65 immunotherapy was well tolerated with moderate pain, edema and infections as the most frequent adverse effects. None of the patients showed clinical or laboratory alterations compatible with autoimmune reactions. Partial response was observed in 4 out of 14 patients who completed treatment, 2 of which are still alive more than 3 years after the completion of the trial. Therefore, DNA-hsp65 immunotherapy is a feasible and safe approach at the dose of 400 mg per injection in patients with HNSCC refractory to standard treatment. Further studies in a larger number of patients are needed to confirm the efficacy of this novel strategy.

This study aims to analyze the impact of the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the predictive quality of accounting information in Brazil. In particular, the study investigates the impact of the IFRS adoption on i) the accuracy of the profit forecasting by market analysts, and ii) the dispersion of these estimates, besides verifying the forecast bias. The data was extracted from the base of Institutional Brokers Estimate System (I\/B\E\S) and from the forms of companies, on the website of Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM) between 2006 and 2012. The empirical strategy employed involves the analysis of panel data and estimation of fixed-effects and random-effects models, considering control variables commonly found in international literature and specific variables for Brazilian reality. The results indicate that IFRS adoption in Brazil has not contributed to improve the predictive quality of accounting information, although the forecast bias has decreased. The forecasts accuracy decreases during the period of partial adoption of IFRS in Brazil and, for the period of mandatory adoption, this study has not found conclusive evidences about accuracy of analysts' forecasts. Moreover, the dispersion of estimates has increased in the period of partial adoption of IFRS, however no evidence was found for the mandatory adoption period. These results are contrary to the evidences for the European and Australian cases, which suggest improvement of accounting information. Nevertheless, the results resemble the evidences encountered in Germany, particularly for the initial period of IFRS adoption. The results provided might be related (i) to the method of adoption in Brazil-which includes partial and mandatory adoption periods; and (ii) need for a time of learning period for companies and market analysts, considering the requirements are still recent. We believe that this study contributes to the literature that analyzes the impact of IFRS on the predictive quality of accounting information in Brazil. Also, might contribute to the standard-setting decisions on future changes in Brazilian accounting standards and assist the decisions of investors and research analysts.