1,646 research outputs found
Prime Submodules And A Sheaf On The Prime Spectra Of Modules
We define and investigate a sheaf of modules on the prime spectra of modules
and it is shown that there is an isomorphism between the sections of this sheaf
and the ideal transform module
Localized modes in defective multilayer structures
In this paper, the localized surface modes in a defective multilayer
structure has been investigated. It is shown that the defective multilayer
structures can support two different kind of localized modes depending on the
position and the thickness of the defect layer. One of these modes is localized
at the interface between the multilayer structure and a homogeneous medium (the
so-called surface mode) and the other one is localized at the defect layer
(defect localized mode). We reveal that the presence of defect layer pushes the
dispersion curve of surface modes to the lower or the upper edge of the
photonic bandgap depending on the homogeneous medium is a left-handed or
right-handed medium (e.g. vacuum), respectively. So, the existence region of
the surface modes restricted. Moreover, the effect of defect on the energy flow
velocity of the surface modes is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure
Phase II study of TP300 in patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Background:
TP300, a recently developed synthetic camptothecin analogue, is a highly selective topoisomerase I inhibitor. A phase I study showed good safety and tolerability. As camptothecins have proven active in oesophago-gastric adenocarcinomas, in this phase II study we assessed the efficacy and safety of TP300 in patients with gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) adenocarcinomas.
Methods:
Eligible patients had metastatic or locally advanced gastric or Siewert Types II or III GOJ inoperable adenocarcinoma. Patients were chemotherapy naïve unless this had been administered in the perioperative setting.
TP300 was administered as a 1-h intravenous infusion every 3 weeks (a cycle) for up to 6 cycles at a starting dose of 8 mg/m2 with intra-patient escalation to 10 mg/m2 from cycle 2 in the absence of dose-limiting toxicity. Tumour responses (RECIST 1.1) were assessed every 6 weeks. Toxicity was recorded by NCI-CTCAE version 3.0. Using a modified two-stage Simon design (Stage I and II), a total of 43 patients were to be included providing there were 3 of 18 patients with objective response in Stage I of the study.
Results:
In Stage I of the study 20 patients (14 males, 6 females), median age 67 years (range 40 − 82), performance status ECOG 0/1, with GC [14] or GOJ carcinoma [6] were enrolled. Of the 16 evaluable patients, 11 received the planned dose increase to 10 mg/m2 at cycle 2, 2 decreased to 6 mg/m2, and 3 continued on 8 mg/m2. There were no objective responses after 2 cycles of treatment. Twelve patients had stable disease for 1 − 5 months and 4 had progressive disease. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 4.1 months (CI [1.6 − 4.9]), median time to progression (TTP) was 2.9 months (CI [1.4 − 4.2]). Grade 3/4 toxicities (worst grade all cycles) included 7 patients (35 %) with neutropenia, 4 patients (20 %) with anaemia, 2 patients (10 %) with thrombocytopenia, and 3 patients (15 %) with fatigue.
This study was terminated at the end of Stage I due to a lack of the required (3/18) responders.
Conclusions:
This study of TP300 showed good drug tolerability but it failed to demonstrate sufficient efficacy as measured by radiological response
Human keratinocytes have two interconvertible modes of proliferation.
Single stem cells, including those in human epidermis, have a remarkable ability to reconstitute tissues in vitro, but the cellular mechanisms that enable this are ill-defined. Here we used live imaging to track the outcome of thousands of divisions in clonal cultures of primary human epidermal keratinocytes. Two modes of proliferation were seen. In 'balanced' mode, similar proportions of proliferating and differentiating cells were generated, achieving the 'population asymmetry' that sustains epidermal homeostasis in vivo. In 'expanding' mode, an excess of cycling cells was produced, generating large expanding colonies. Cells in expanding mode switched their behaviour to balanced mode once local confluence was attained. However, when a confluent area was wounded in a scratch assay, cells near the scratch switched back to expanding mode until the defect was closed. We conclude that the ability of a single epidermal stem cell to reconstitute an epithelium is explained by two interconvertible modes of proliferation regulated by confluence.The initial association of holoclone and paraclone type behaviour in clonal cultures of NFSK with stem and balanced progenitor dynamics was due to BDS working in collaboration with PHJ, VN-N, David Doupé and Allon Klein, based on the quantitative analysis of published and unpublished colony size distributions6 . We thank Gözde Akdeniz & David Doupé for experimental work that led up to the project that was analysed by Allon Klein and Genneth Zhang, Patrick Lombard at the Wellcome TrustMedical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute for Bioinformatics analysis and Esther Choolun for technical assistance. We acknowledge the support of the Wellcome Trust, Cambridge Cancer Centre, Medical Research Council, the NC3Rs (National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research) and Cancer Research UK (Programme grant C609/A17257).This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from NPG via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncb328
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CNTRICS Final Task Selection: Long-term Memory
Long-term memory (LTM) is a multifactorial construct, composed of different stages of information processing and different cognitive operations that are mediated by distinct neural systems, some of which may be more responsible for the marked memory problems that limit the daily function of individuals with schizophrenia. From the outset of the CNTRICS initiative, this multidimensionality was appreciated, and an effort was made to identify the specific memory constructs and task paradigms that hold the most promise for immediate translational development. During the second CNTRICS meeting, the LTM group identified item encoding and retrieval and relational encoding and retrieval as key constructs. This article describes the process that the LTM group went through in the third and final CNTRICS meeting to select nominated tasks within the 2 LTM constructs and within a reinforcement learning construct that were judged most promising for immediate development. This discussion is followed by each nominating authors' description of their selected task paradigm, ending with some thoughts about future directions.Psycholog
Descriptions of memory rehabilitation group interventions for neurological conditions: a systematic review
Objective: To establish what aspects of group-based cognitive rehabilitation for memory problems are reported, and to develop a checklist for authors, which may to improve reporting of these interventions in future studies.
Data sources: A systematic search was conducted on Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE and PsycINFO electronic databases (last search: 01/05/2015).
Review methods: Articles were included if the sample were adults with a neurological disorder, the intervention was group-based cognitive rehabilitation for memory problems, and if the study was a randomised controlled trial. Articles were independently screened for inclusion and data extracted by two researchers, with the third researcher arbitrating any disputes.
Results: Fourteen studies were included in this review. The reporting of certain aspects of an intervention was found to be poor, particularly in relation to: duration of the programme (6 of 14 studies did not report), the development of the intervention (7 of 14 studies did not discuss), and the content and structure of intervention (7 of the 14 studies did not provide details).
Conclusion: This review found that the overall reporting of memory rehabilitation content and format is poor. Refinement and adaption of pre-existing checklists to capture aspects of cognitive rehabilitation programmes may help authors when reporting complex interventions. A draft checklist is provided that could be refined and validated in further research
Classical Euclidean wormhole solutions in Palatini cosmology
We study the classical Euclidean wormholes in the context of extended
theories of gravity. With no loss of generality, we use the dynamical
equivalence between gravity and scalar-tensor theories to
construct a point-like Lagrangian in the flat FRW space time. We first show the
dynamical equivalence between Palatini gravity and the
Brans-Dicke theory with self-interacting potential, and then show the dynamical
equivalence between the Brans-Dicke theory with self-interacting potential and
the minimally coupled O'Hanlon theory. We show the existence of new Euclidean
wormhole solutions for this O'Hanlon theory and, for an special case, find out
the corresponding form of having wormhole solution. For small
values of the Ricci scalar, this is in agreement with the
wormhole solution obtained for higher order gravity theory .Comment: 11 page
"They think we're OK and we know we're not". A qualitative study of asylum seekers' access, knowledge and views to health care in the UK
<i>Background</i>:
The provision of healthcare for asylum seekers is a global issue. Providing appropriate and culturally sensitive services requires us to understand the barriers facing asylum seekers and the facilitators that help them access health care. Here, we report on two linked studies exploring these issues, along with the health care needs and beliefs of asylum seekers living in the UK.
<i>Methods</i>:
Two qualitative methods were employed: focus groups facilitated by members of the asylum seeking community and interviews, either one-to-one or in a group, conducted through an interpreter. Analysis was facilitated using the Framework method.
<i>Results</i>:
Most asylum seekers were registered with a GP, facilitated for some by an Asylum Support nurse. Many experienced difficulty getting timely appointments with their doctor, especially for self-limiting symptoms that they felt could become more serious, especially in children. Most were positive about the health care they received, although some commented on the lack of continuity. However, there was surprise and disappointment at the length of waiting times both for hospital appointments and when attending accident and emergency departments. Most had attended a dentist, but usually only when there was a clinical need. The provision of interpreters in primary care was generally good, although there was a tension between interpreters translating verbatim and acting as patient advocates. Access to interpreters in other settings, e.g. in-patient hospital stays, was problematic. Barriers included the cost of over-the-counter medication, e.g. children's paracetamol; knowledge of out-of-hours medical care; and access to specialists in secondary care. Most respondents came from countries with no system of primary medical care, which impacted on their expectations of the UK system.
<i>Conclusion</i>:
Most asylum seekers were positive about their experiences of health care. However, we have identified issues regarding their understanding of how the UK system works, in particular the role of general practitioners and referral to hospital specialists. The provision of an Asylum Support nurse was clearly a facilitator to accessing primary medical care. Initiatives to increase their awareness and understanding of the UK system would be beneficial. Interpreting services also need to be developed, in particular their role in secondary care and the development of the role of interpreter as patient advocate
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