Topological correlations in soap froths

Correlation in two-dimensional soap froth is analysed with an effective potential for the first time. Cells with equal number of sides repel (with linear correlation) while cells with different number of sides attract (with NON-bilinear) for nearest neighbours, which cannot be explained by the maximum entropy argument. Also, the analysis indicates that froth is correlated up to the third shell neighbours at least, contradicting the conventional ideas that froth is not strongly correlated.Comment: 10 Pages LaTeX, 6 Postscript figure

[Randomised phase II study evaluating oral combination chemotherapy (CCNU, cyclophosphamide, etoposide) and intravenous chemotherapy as second-line treatment for relapsed small cell bronchial carcinoma (Trial GFPC0501)].

International audienceBACKGROUND: There is no standard second-line treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The prognosis of these patients is poor and special attention should be paid to both quality of life and economic factors. METHODS: The aim of this phase II randomised trial (GFPC0501) is to compare, in patients with progressive SCLC after first-line platinum based chemotherapy, oral multi drug chemotherapy (CCNU, cyclophosphamide, etoposide) and classical intravenous chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine (CAV) in terms of tolerability, efficacy (response rate, median one year survival and overall survival), quality of life and consumption of health care resources. Based on a two-stage Bryant and Day approach, this study will require a total of 138 patients with an interim analysis of the first 38. EXPECTED RESULTS: This trial will provide information on several aspects of second-line chemotherapy for patients with SCLC. Thirty six patients have been enrolled in 16 centres by December 2006 and the results of the interim analysis will be available in June 2007

[Comprehensive geriatric assessment and complications after resection for lung cancer].

International audienceBACKGROUND: With the expanding elderly population comes an increasing prevalence of lung cancer. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Standard treatment strategies have mostly been validated in young adults. Curative resection is feasible in older patients but careful preoperative evaluation is needed, taking into account the physiologic changes that occur with ageing. A tool used by geriatricians, a comprehensive geriatric assessment, can contribute to our understanding of physiologic age through an evaluation of prognostic factors that are independent predictors of morbidity. PATIENTS: Study 08-05 of the French Lung Oncology Group is a prospective, national, multicentre study. All patients aged over 70 years with a suspicion of lung cancer, receiving curative lung resection, will be included. After inclusion, a comprehensive geriatric assessment (evaluating such diverse areas as functional status, nutritional status, cognition, psychological functioning, and social support) will be performed. The primary outcome is the value of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in predicting the risk of post-operative complications after lung resection for cancer. Post-operative morbidity at 30-days after pulmonary resection will be graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. The follow-up period is one year. EXPECTED RESULTS: This global assessment may help to initiate specific care plans for the management of lung cancer in the elderly

Reaction mechanisms in talc under ionizing radiation : evidence of a high stability of H-center dot atoms

The reactivity under ionizing radiation of synthetic and natural talc was studied. The two samples were chosen as models of nonswelling clays. H-2 production measurements evidenced that the H-2 yield in synthetic talc was of the same order of magnitude as in water, implying a very efficient production, and then recombination, of hydrogen atoms arising from the lysis of structural -OH groups. This yield was 30 times smaller in natural talc. The discrepancy between synthetic and natural talc is most likely related to transition elements cationic impurities in the latter. Even if they are present in very small amounts, they are able to efficiently scavenge the electrons and/or the hydrogen atoms. The produced defects in irradiated synthetic talc were investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, which enabled proposing reaction mechanisms. Lastly, the EPR spectra evidenced the presence, at 298 K, of hydrogen atoms, which were detected few days after irradiation in both types of talc. This surprisingly high stability was mainly attributed to the absence of water molecules. It is proposed that the hydrogen atoms are stabilized in octahedra between two tetraedra sheets

Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Harbouring a BRAF Mutation: A Multicentre Study Exploring Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes in a Real-Life Setting: EXPLORE GFPC 02-14

Background: Mutations in BRAF are rare oncogene mutations, found in 2% of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCS). Little information is available about the management of patients with BRAF-mutated nsclc, except for those included in clinical trials. We undertook the present study to assess the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of those patients in a real-life setting. Methods: This retrospective multicentre observational study included all patients with BRAF-mutated nsclc diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2014. Results: Patients (n = 59) from 24 centres were included: 57.6% men; mean age: 64.5 ± 14.5 years; 82% with a performance status of 0–1 at diagnosis; smoking status: 40.3% current, 32.6% former; 93% with adenocarcinoma histology; 75% stage iv; 78% with V600E mutations; 2 with EGFR and 2 with ALK co-mutations. Of the stage iv patients, 79% received first-line therapy (14.2% anti-BRAF), and 48% received second-line treatment (23.8% anti-BRAF). Response rate and progression-free survival were, respectively, 51.7% and 8.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4 months to 15.2 months] for first-line therapy and 35.3% and 4.1 months (95% CI: 2 months to 10.9 months) for second-line treatments. The 2-year overall survival was 58.5% (95% CI: 45.8% to 74.8%). Outcomes in patients with stage iv nsclc harbouring BRAF V600E mutations (n = 32) did not differ significantly from those of patients with other BRAF mutations. Conclusions: In this real-world analysis, most nsclc patients with a BRAF mutation were men and current or former smokers. Survival appears to be better in these BRAF-mutated patients than in nsclc patients without an oncogenic driver