Biology and population studies of two endemic Nematoceras (orchid) species on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island

Two endemic orchid species, Nematoceras dienemum and N. sulcatum, are known from sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Several additional orchid populations on the island are reported and deistogamy is documented in N. dienemum for the first time. The known population sizes, habitats and locations for both orchid species are documented here, and new information on their biology and population ecology is provided

USG-guided excision biopsy in case of ambiguous breast USG images

In 2003-2006 1068 excision biopsies (USG-, MGR- guided anchor biopsies) were performed in OCCD. In 182 patients (17%), USG-guided biopsies were performed. The youngest patient was 22 years old, the oldest 84, the mean age in the group was 53 years. The group consisted of 77 premenopausal patients (42%) and 105 (58%) postmenopausal ones. The family histories of 32 patients (17.5%) were positive. 169 (93%) had undergone mammography, including 115, for whom it was the first examination of that type in their life. The lesions were located most frequently in the upper lateral quadrant of the mammary gland (89 patients - 49%). In 5 patients, the lesions were of multifocal character. In 29 (16%), MGR revealed microcalcifications. All the patients underwent USG of the breasts. In 122 (68.5%), the lesions visualized by USG were hypoechogenic. Only in 4 (2%), the lesions revealed by USG were suspicious of cancer. The mean lesion size was 13 mm (range 4-60 mm). All the patients underwent surgical treatment. Partial resection of breast tissue localized by means of a USG-guided needle was performed. The results of histopathological investigations of the surgical material were as follows: 43 patients (23.5%) were diagnosed with malignant tumors, 139 (76.5%) - with benign ones. Among the benign tumors, adenofibroma was predominant (72 patients - 52%), among the malignant ones - carcinoma infiltrans (35 patients - 81.4%). After ultimate histopathology results were obtained, 17 patients underwent BCT, 17 - Madden mastectomy, 2 - simple mastectomy, and 3 patients developed tumors in the other breast which was operated on by Madden mastectomy. The following conclusions, based on the analysis of own material, were drawn: 1. USG-guided excision biopsy on case of ambiguous findings in breast USG is an effective method, both in diagnostics and in therapy. 2. In the OCCD material, 23.5% of patients with ambiguous USG findings were diagnosed histopathologically with malignant tumors, which confirms the necessity to perform excision biopsies. 3. Only good cooperation between the radiologist and the surgeon guarantees the success of this method

Recurrent mutations of BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 in the population of breast and ovarian cancer patients in Southern Poland

Background Mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 genes are well-established risk factors for the development of breast and/or ovarian cancer. The frequency and spectrum of mutations in these genes has not yet been examined in the population of Southern Poland. Methods We examined the entire coding sequences of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and genotyped a recurrent mutation of the PALB2 gene (c.509_510delGA) in 121 women with familial and/or early-onset breast or ovarian cancer from Southern Poland. Results A BRCA1 mutation was identified in 11 of 121 patients (9.1 %) and a BRCA2 mutation was identified in 10 of 121 patients (8.3 %). Two founder mutations of BRCA1 accounted for 91 % of all BRCA1 mutation carriers (c.5266dupC was identified in six patients and c.181 T > G was identified in four patients). Three of the seven different BRCA2 mutations were detected in two patients each (c.9371A > T, c.9403delC and c.1310_1313delAAGA). Three mutations have not been previously reported in the Polish population (BRCA1 c.3531delT, BRCA2 c.1310_1313delAAGA and BRCA2 c.9027delT). The recurrent PALB2 mutation c.509_510delGA was identified in two patients (1.7 %). Conclusions The standard panel of BRCA1 founder mutations is sufficiently sensitive for the identification of BRCA1 mutation carriers in Southern Poland. The BRCA2 mutations c.9371A > T and c.9403delC as well as the PALB2 mutation c.509_510delGA should be included in the testing panel for this population

Gate and drain low frequency noise in HfO 2 NMOSFETs

Abstract. Gate and drain current noise investigations are performed on nMOS transistors with HfO 2 gate oxides. The drain noise magnitude allows extraction of the slow oxide trap density N t (E F ) ranging from 3 to 7 10 19 eV -1 cm -3 . These values are about 50 times higher than for SiO 2 dielectrics. The 1/f gate current noise component is a quadratic function of the gate leakage current. The gate noise parameter K GC is about 2 10 -17 m 2 , whereas, for SiO 2 dielectrics this gate noise figure of merit is about 10 -19 m 2

Differential effects of ketoconazole on exposure to temsirolimus following intravenous infusion of temsirolimus

Intravenous (i.v.) temsirolimus, a novel inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, is approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma and is being studied in patients with mantle cell lymphoma. Because temsirolimus and its primary metabolite, sirolimus, are metabolised by the cytochrome P450 3A4 pathway (CYP3A4), the potential exists for pharmacokinetic (PK) drug interactions with the numerous agents that modulate CYP3A4 isozyme activity. We investigated the effects of ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, on the PK profile of i.v. temsirolimus in healthy adults. Coadministration of 400 mg oral ketoconazole with 5 mg i.v. temsirolimus had no significant effect on temsirolimus maximum concentration (Cmax) or area under the concentration curve (AUC). However, mean AUC increased 3.1-fold and AUCsum (sum of temsirolimus plus sirolimus AUCs) increased 2.3-fold compared with temsirolimus alone. A single 5-mg dose of temsirolimus with ketoconazole was well tolerated, and there were no unexpected safety results. Therefore, in cancer patients receiving 25 mg i.v. temsirolimus, concomitant treatment with agents that have strong CYP3A4 inhibition potential should be avoided. If a concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitor is necessary, a temsirolimus dose reduction to 12.5 mg weekly should be considered