An Algorithm for Strong Stability in the Student-Project Allocation Problem With Ties

We study a variant of the Student-Project Allocation problem with lecturer preferences over Students where ties are allowed in the preference lists of students and lecturers (spa-st). We investigate the concept of strong stability in this context. Informally, a matching is strongly stable if there is no student and lecturer l such that if they decide to form a private arrangement outside of the matching via one of l’s proposed projects, then neither party would be worse off and at least one of them would strictly improve. We describe the first polynomial-time algorithm to find a strongly stable matching or report that no such matching exists, given an instance of spa-st. Our algorithm runs in O(m2) time, where m is the total length of the students’ preference lists

Intrathecal treatment of neoplastic meningitis due to breast cancer with a slow-release formulation of cytarabine

DepoCyte is a slow-release formulation of cytarabine designed for intrathecal administration. The goal of this multi-centre cohort study was to determine the safety and efficacy of DepoCyte for the intrathecal treatment of neoplastic meningitis due to breast cancer. DepoCyte 50 mg was injected once every 2 weeks for one month of induction therapy; responding patients were treated with an additional 3 months of consolidation therapy. All patients had metastatic breast cancer and a positive CSF cytology or neurologic findings characteristic of neoplastic meningitis. The median number of DepoCyte doses was 3, and 85% of patients completed the planned 1 month induction. Median follow up is currently 19 months. The primary endpoint was response, defined as conversion of the CSF cytology from positive to negative at all sites known to be positive, and the absence of neurologic progression at the time the cytologic conversion was documented. The response rate among the 43 evaluable patients was 28% (CI 95%: 14–41%); the intent-to-treat response rate was 21% (CI 95%: 12–34%). Median time to neurologic progression was 49 days (range 1–515(+)); median survival was 88 days (range 1–515(+)), and 1 year survival is projected to be 19%. The major adverse events were headache and arachnoiditis. When drug-related, these were largely of low grade, transient and reversible. Headache occurred on 11% of cycles; 90% were grade 1 or 2. Arachnoiditis occurred on 19% of cycles; 88% were grade 1 or 2. DepoCyte demonstrated activity in neoplastic meningitis due to breast cancer that is comparable to results reported with conventional intrathecal agents. However, this activity was achieved with one fourth as many intrathecal injections as typically required in conventional therapy. The every 2 week dose schedule is a major advantage for both patients and physicians. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Association of sella turcica bridging with palatal canine impaction in skeletal Class I and Class II

Laila Fawzi Baidas,1 Huda Mohammad Al-Kawari,1 Zhara Al-Obaidan,2 Aqeelah Al-Marhoon,2 Sawsan Al-Shahrani2 1Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Purpose: Based on the evidence of the embryonic origin of the sella turcica and the teeth, this retrospective study evaluated the association between sella turcica bridging and palatal canine impaction in skeletal Class I and Class II orthodontic patients.Methods: Sixty-two orthodontic patients with palatally impacted canines and 54 controls with erupted canines (aged 12–25 years) were classified into skeletal Class I and Class II ­(according to ANB angle and Wits analysis). The length, depth, and diameter of the sella turcica were ­measured, and the shape was described. The difference in linear dimensions between the study and control groups was calculated using two-way analysis of variance and Student’s t-test. The ­interrelationship of the variables, subject groups, skeletal type, and age, with the linear ­dimensions of sella turcica, was tested using regression analyses. The association between sella turcica, bridging and palatally impacted canines was determined in skeletal type using a chi-square test.Results: Highly significant differences were found in the length, diameter, and depth of the sella turcica between the study sample and the control (P<0.001, P=0.015, P<0.0001, respectively). There was a highly significant frequency of bridging in cases with palatally impacted canines (P<0.0001). An increasing incidence of bridging was found in subjects with palatally impacted canines and skeletal Class I (P<0.0001) and Class II (P=0.044) relationships. Regression analysis showed that the age was significantly related to a change in length (P=0.025), diameter (P<0.0001), and depth (P<0.0001). The normal sella turcica morphology was present in most subjects (56.4%), and no significant association was found in subjects with palatally impacted canines in terms of the shape of the sella turcica.Conclusion: Sella turcica bridging is frequently seen in patients with impacted canines. The findings suggest that careful monitoring of canine eruption is required in patients diagnosed with sella turcica bridging at an early age. Keywords: sella turcica bridging, sella turcica shape, skeletal type, palatally impacted canin