Anisotropic and long-range vortex interactions in two-dimensional dipolar Bose gases

We perform a theoretical study into how dipole-dipole interactions modify the properties of superfluid vortices within the context of a two-dimensional atomic Bose gas of co-oriented dipoles. The reduced density at a vortex acts like a giant anti-dipole, changing the density profile and generating an effective dipolar potential centred at the vortex core whose most slowly decaying terms go as $1/\rho^2$ and $\ln(\rho)/\rho^3$. These effects modify the vortex-vortex interaction which, in particular, becomes anisotropic for dipoles polarized in the plane. Striking modifications to vortex-vortex dynamics are demonstrated, i.e. anisotropic co-rotation dynamics and the suppression of vortex annihilation.Comment: PRL accepted, 6 pages, 5 figure

Integrating Palliative Care Into the Care of Neurocritically Ill Patients: A Report From the Improving Palliative Care in the ICU Project Advisory Board and the Center to Advance Palliative Care.

OBJECTIVES: To describe unique features of neurocritical illness that are relevant to provision of high-quality palliative care; to discuss key prognostic aids and their limitations for neurocritical illnesses; to review challenges and strategies for establishing realistic goals of care for patients in the neuro-ICU; and to describe elements of best practice concerning symptom management, limitation of life support, and organ donation for the neurocritically ill. DATA SOURCES: A search of PubMed and MEDLINE was conducted from inception through January 2015 for all English-language articles using the term palliative care, supportive care, end-of-life care, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy, limitation of life support, prognosis, or goals of care together with neurocritical care, neurointensive care, neurological, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, or brain injury. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: We reviewed the existing literature on delivery of palliative care in the neurointensive care unit setting, focusing on challenges and strategies for establishing realistic and appropriate goals of care, symptom management, organ donation, and other considerations related to use and limitation of life-sustaining therapies for neurocritically ill patients. Based on review of these articles and the experiences of our interdisciplinary/interprofessional expert advisory board, this report was prepared to guide critical care staff, palliative care specialists, and others who practice in this setting. CONCLUSIONS: Most neurocritically ill patients and their families face the sudden onset of devastating cognitive and functional changes that challenge clinicians to provide patient-centered palliative care within a complex and often uncertain prognostic environment. Application of palliative care principles concerning symptom relief, goal setting, and family emotional support will provide clinicians a framework to address decision making at a time of crisis that enhances patient/family autonomy and clinician professionalism

A phase I trial of CEP-701 + gemcitabine in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas

Current standard therapy for advanced pancreas cancer includes the use of gemcitabine or a gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimen. Based on pre-clinical data, the combination of CEP-701, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases including Flt-3, TRK-A/B and JCK-2, with gemcitabine appeared promising. Two clinical sites were chosen for this phase I trial, one scheduled to start gemcitabine prior to CEP-701 and one scheduled to start CEP-701 prior to gemcitabine. Gemcitabine was given at a dose of 1,000 mg/m2 over 30 min each week for 3 weeks in a row followed by 1 week off. CEP 701 was taken orally twice daily at doses ranging from 20 mg bid to 40 mg bid. Pharmacokinetics of both drugs were determined to assess for any drug-drug interactions. Eighteen patients were enrolled and 17 received at least one dose of study drug. Nine patients experienced serious adverse events, but only one patient's toxicity was attributed as possibly secondary to study drug. No radiologic responses were seen. No significant pharmacokinetic interactions were observed between gemcitabine and CEP 701. The combination was well-tolerated, and the MTD was not reached in this study. No unexpected toxicities were seen for this combination. Although too few patients were enrolled to fully evaluate efficacy, there was not significant evidence for pursuing this combination further in pancreas cancer. The maximum tolerated dose of the combination was not determined secondary to the early termination of the study