Improving phase II oncology trials using best observed RECIST response as an endpoint by modelling continuous tumour measurements.

In many phase II trials in solid tumours, patients are assessed using endpoints based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) scale. Often, analyses are based on the response rate. This is the proportion of patients who have an observed tumour shrinkage above a predefined level and no new tumour lesions. The augmented binary method has been proposed to improve the precision of the estimator of the response rate. The method involves modelling the tumour shrinkage to avoid dichotomising it. However, in many trials the best observed response is used as the primary outcome. In such trials, patients are followed until progression, and their best observed RECIST outcome is used as the primary endpoint. In this paper, we propose a method that extends the augmented binary method so that it can be used when the outcome is best observed response. We show through simulated data and data from a real phase II cancer trial that this method improves power in both single-arm and randomised trials. The average gain in power compared to the traditional analysis is equivalent to approximately a 35% increase in sample size. A modified version of the method is proposed to reduce the computational effort required. We show this modified method maintains much of the efficiency advantages

Intercomparison of radiocarbon bomb pulse and 210Pb age models. A study in a peat bog core from North Poland

peer reviewedRadiocarbon and 210Pb were measured on the uppermost 40 cm of a Wardenaar peat core retrieved from a Baltic raised bog at Slowinskie Blota (Pomerania, North Poland). This site is the subject of ongoing multiproxy studies covering the last 1300 years. Radiocarbon age model was constructed on the basis of 14 AMS dates obtained on selected Sphagnum spp. fragments, with use of P_Sequence tool. We present here a comparison of this model with the age model obtained using CRS model classically applied to 210Pb measurements

Integrated analysis of the molecular action of Vorinostat identifies epi-sensitised targets for combination therapy

Several histone deacetylase inhibitors including Vorinostat have received FDA approval for the treatment of haematological malignancies. However, data from these trials indicate that Vorinostat has limited efficacy as a monotherapy, prompting the need for rational design of combination therapies. A number of epi-sensitised pathways, including sonic hedgehog (SHH), were identified in AML cells by integration of global patterns of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation with transcriptomic analysis following Vorinostat-treatment. Direct targeting of the SHH pathway with SANT-1, following Vorinostat induced epi-sensitisation, resulted in synergistic cell death of AML cells. In addition, xenograft studies demonstrated that combination therapy induced a marked reduction in leukemic burden compared to control or single agents. Together, the data supports epi-sensitisation as a potential component of the strategy for the rational development of combination therapies in AML

Zajęcia pozalekycjne dla dzieci ze specjalnymi potrzebami edukacyjnymi

Komunikat z badań dotyczących zajęć pozalekcyjnych dla dzieci ze specjalnymi potrzebami edukacyjnymi zamieszkującymi gminę Andrychów. Badania zostały przeprowadzone w 2012 roku.Regina Pazdu

Relationship Between Fat-Free Mass Index, Body Composition, Sports Nutrition Knowledge, and Sleep Quality in Female Soccer Players

Previous research has reported an inverse relationship between body fat percentage (BF%) and sports nutrition knowledge (SNK) in athletes. Fat-free mass index (FFMI) is a related measurement that allows for the normalization of fat-free mass (FFM) by dividing the FFM in kg by height in meters squared. However, it is unknown whether this variable is influenced by an athlete’s SKN and sleep quality. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between FFMI, BF%, total body water (TBW), SNK, and sleep quality score (SQ) in Division II female soccer players. METHODS: Twenty-eight women (Mean + SD: Age = 19.4 ± 1.1 y, Height = 164.3 ± 7.0 cm, Weight = 64.5 ± 7.3 kg, BF% = 29.3 ± 4.2%, FFMI= 16.8 ± 1.1 kg/m2) underwent a bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure FFMI, BF%, and TBW. SNK was measured using the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ) and SQ was measured using the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ). The percentage of questions answered correctly on the ANSKQ and the raw score of the ASSQ were used to run the correlations. RESULTS: No relationships were observed between FFMI and SNK (r = 0.184, p = 0.347), FFMI and SQ (r = -0.266, p = 0.171), BF% and SNK (r = -0.203, p = 0.30), BF% and SQ (r = 0.290, p = 0.134), or BF% and FFMI (r = 0.071, p = 0.719). A moderate correlation was observed between FFMI and TBW (r = 0.529, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Prior research in college athletes indicated they have a low level of SNK that is associated with a higher BF%. Moreover, sleep has been shown to influence fat and muscle mass. Our results show there is no relationship between FFMI and SNK, FFMI and SQ, BF% and SNK, or BF% and SQ in Division II female soccer players. As such, there are other variables that need to be explored to understand the factors that can influence the body composition of this demographic. Future research should continue to explore other variables, as well as additional athletic populations

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Hydration Status in Air Force ROTC Cadets

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program prepares young individuals for their future as officers in the United States Air Force. This is a unique population because these cadets are college students who must maintain physical fitness through regular group exercise training. Previous research has identified that proper hydration is important to optimize training sessions. However, it is unknown whether the body size of this population is connected to their hydration status before and after exercise. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and hydration status and the differences between BMI classifications of AFROTC cadets. METHODS: Eighteen (13 male and 5 female) AFROTC cadets volunteered for this study (mean ± SD; age: 21.4 ± 3.2 y, height: 168.6 ± 6.3 cm, body mass: 67.3 ± 10.3 kg). Before training, height was measured with a stadiometer, and nude body mass was measured with an electronic scale. BMI was expressed as kg·m-2. Hydration status was determined with analysis of urine specific gravity (USG) through a urine sample collected before and after exercise. RESULTS: There was no correlation between BMI and pre-exercise USG (r= -0.116, p= 0.646) and post-exercise USG (r= -0.224, p= 0.372). There was no difference in USG between normal and overweight cadets before exercise (normal weight USG: 1.024 ± 0.007, overweight USG: 1.022 ± 0.004; t(16) = 0.777, p = 0.448) and after exercise (normal weight USG: 1.021 ± 0.007, overweight USG: 1.018 ± 0.004; t(16) = 0.916, p = 0.373). CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between BMI and hydration status. There was also no difference in hydration status between normal and overweight cadets. The normal weight group remained above the 1.020 threshold, while the overweight group dropped below 1.020 suggesting their hydration status may have improved through voluntary fluid intake during exercise. Future research should examine the relationship between BMI and hydration status amongst other BMI categories (as our study excluded underweight & obese groups) and study the drinking behaviors of the differing groups

Relationship Between Exercise Intensity and Voluntary Fluid Intake in Air Force ROTC Cadets

Air Force ROTC cadets are college students simultaneously receiving training to serve as officers in the United States Air Force. Regular group exercise is part of this training program, and good hydration habits would be conducive to optimizing the exercise sessions. However, it is unclear whether exercise intensity might influence this special population\u27s voluntary drinking behaviors in a manner that is sufficient for optimizing exercise training sessions. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between exercise intensity and voluntary fluid intake in Air Force ROTC cadets during a typical training session. METHODS: Nine male and 2 female Air Force ROTC cadets (mean ± SD; age: 22 ± 3 y, height: 170.0 ± 5.1 cm, mass: 71.2 ± 9.5 kg) were fitted with heart rate (HR) monitors prior to exercise. Intensity was expressed as a percentage of HR reserve. A hydration station was set up in the exercise area where water bottles were made readily available. Fluid intake was calculated as the difference in the water bottle mass before and after the exercise session. RESULTS: During the 60-min exercise session, participants exercised at a moderate intensity based on a percentage of HR reserve (50.1 ± 10.2%) with a mean HR of 129 ± 15 beats·min-1. Mean voluntary fluid intake volume was 404.5 ± 168.2 mL. There was no correlation between fluid intake volume and exercise intensity (r = 0.186, p = 0.584). CONCLUSION: It is possible that another mechanism stronger than exercise intensity would stimulate the thirst mechanism to drive voluntary fluid intake. It is also possible the cadets did not have sufficient fluid breaks, although this was not tracked in the current study. This study lends further support of incorporating structured water breaks and individualized hydration strategies during exercise training, especially for cadets training to become tactical operators