642 research outputs found
Outcome of ATP-based tumor chemosensitivity assay directed chemotherapy in heavily pre-treated recurrent ovarian carcinoma
BACKGROUND: We wished to evaluate the clinical response following ATP-Tumor Chemosensitivity Assay (ATP-TCA) directed salvage chemotherapy in a series of UK patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The results are compared with that of a similar assay used in a different country in terms of evaluability and clinical endpoints. METHODS: From November 1998 to November 2001, 46 patients with pre-treated, advanced ovarian cancer were given a total of 56 courses of chemotherapy based on in-vitro ATP-TCA responses obtained from fresh tumor samples or ascites. Forty-four patients were evaluable for results. Of these, 18 patients had clinically platinum resistant disease (relapse < 6 months after first course of chemotherapy). There was evidence of cisplatin resistance in 31 patients from their first ATP-TCA. Response to treatment was assessed by radiology, clinical assessment and tumor marker level (CA 125). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 59% (33/56) per course of chemotherapy, including 12 complete responses, 21 partial responses, 6 with stable disease, and 15 with progressive disease. Two patients were not evaluable for response having received just one cycle of chemotherapy: if these were excluded the response rate is 61%. Fifteen patients are still alive. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 6.6 months per course of chemotherapy; median overall survival (OAS) for each patient following the start of TCA-directed therapy was 10.4 months (95% confidence interval 7.9-12.8 months). CONCLUSION: The results show similar response rates to previous studies using ATP-TCA directed therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer. The assay shows high evaluability and this study adds weight to the reproducibility of results from different centre
The perinatal androgen to estrogen ratio and autistic-like traits in the general population: a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study
Ambient Stable Quantitative PCR Reagents for the Detection of Yersinia pestis
Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is one of the oldest and most dangerous diseases in human history, and has claimed millions of lives in the three major historical pandemics. Although panic caused by the Black Death is fading, the threat of the reemergence of plague pandemics still exists, with the additional potential of misuse in biowarfare or bioterrorism. Rapid on-site detection and identification of the pathogen is of paramount significance for timely implementation of effective countermeasures. TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR assays can give quick and accurate identification; however, the need for cold delivery and storage prevents its potential on-site application. The objective of this study was to develop a stable PCR system for easy delivery and storage under room temperature, which is vital for conventional plague surveillance and for preparedness in public health emergencies. We present a solution to this particular issue, hoping that it is helpful to future applications
Measurement of the Dipion Mass Spectrum in X(3872) -> J/Psi Pi+ Pi- Decays
We measure the dipion mass spectrum in X(3872)--> J/Psi Pi+ Pi- decays using
360 pb-1 of pbar-p collisions at 1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector.
The spectrum is fit with predictions for odd C-parity (3S1, 1P1, and 3DJ)
charmonia decaying to J/Psi Pi+ Pi-, as well as even C-parity states in which
the pions are from Rho0 decay. The latter case also encompasses exotic
interpretations, such as a D0-D*0Bar molecule. Only the 3S1 and J/Psi Rho
hypotheses are compatible with our data. Since 3S1 is untenable on other
grounds, decay via J/Psi Rho is favored, which implies C=+1 for the X(3872).
Models for different J/Psi-Rho angular momenta L are considered. Flexibility in
the models, especially the introduction of Rho-Omega interference, enable good
descriptions of our data for both L=0 and 1.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures -- Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
Search for Pair Production of Scalar Top Quarks Decaying to a tau Lepton and a b Quark in ppbar Collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV
We search for pair production of supersymmetric top quarks (~t_1), followed
by R-parity violating decay ~t_1 -> tau b with a branching ratio beta, using
322 pb^-1 of ppbar collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II
detector at Fermilab. Two candidate events pass our final selection criteria,
consistent with the standard model expectation. We set upper limits on the
cross section sigma(~t_1 ~tbar_1)*beta^2 as a function of the stop mass
m(~t_1). Assuming beta=1, we set a 95% confidence level limit m(~t_1)>153
GeV/c^2. The limits are also applicable to the case of a third generation
scalar leptoquark (LQ_3) decaying LQ_3 -> tau b.Comment: 7 pages, 2 eps figure
Search for Higgs Boson Decaying to b-bbar and Produced in Association with W Bosons in p-pbar Collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV
We present a search for Higgs bosons decaying into b-bbar and produced in
association with W bosons in p-pbar collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. This search
uses 320 pb-1 of the dataset accumulated by the upgraded Collider Detector at
Fermilab. Events are selected that have a high-transverse momentum electron or
muon, missing transverse energy, and two jets, one of which is consistent with
a hadronization of a b quark. Both the number of events and the dijet mass
distribution are consistent with standard model background expectations, and we
set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times
branching ratio for the Higgs boson or any new particle with similar decay
kinematics. These upper limits range from 10 pb for mH=110 GeV/c2 to 3 pb for
mH=150 GeV/c2.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures; updated title to published versio
Search for Second-Generation Scalar Leptoquarks in Collisions at =1.96 TeV
Results on a search for pair production of second generation scalar
leptoquark in collisions at =1.96 TeV are reported. The
data analyzed were collected by the CDF detector during the 2002-2003 Tevatron
Run II and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 198 pb. Leptoquarks
(LQ) are sought through their decay into (charged) leptons and quarks, with
final state signatures represented by two muons and jets and one muon, large
transverse missing energy and jets. We observe no evidence for production
and derive 95% C.L. upper limits on the production cross sections as well
as lower limits on their mass as a function of , where is the
branching fraction for .Comment: 9 pages (3 author list) 5 figure
Observation of Bs-Bsbar Oscillations
We report the observation of Bs-Bsbar oscillations from a time-dependent
measurement of the Bs-Bsbar oscillation frequency Delta ms. Using a data sample
of 1 fb^-1 of p-pbar collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II
detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, we find signals of 5600 fully reconstructed
hadronic Bs decays, 3100 partially reconstructed hadronic Bs decays, and 61500
partially reconstructed semileptonic Bs decays. We measure the probability as a
function of proper decay time that the Bs decays with the same, or opposite,
flavor as the flavor at production, and we find a signal for Bs-Bsbar
oscillations. The probability that random fluctuations could produce a
comparable signal is 8 X 10^-8, which exceeds 5 sigma significance. We measure
Delta ms = 17.77 +- 0.10 (stat) +- 0.07 (syst) ps^-1
and extract
|Vtd/Vts| = 0.2060 +- 0.0007 (exp) + 0.0081 - 0.0060 (theor).Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter
Search for anomalous semileptonic decay of heavy flavor hadrons produced in association with a W boson at CDF II
We present a search for anomalous semileptonic decays of heavy flavor hadrons
produced in association with a boson, in proton-antiproton collisions at
sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. We use 162 pb-1 of data collected with the CDF II detector at
the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We select events with one W boson and at least
one jet with an identified secondary vertex. In the jets with a secondary
vertex we look for a semileptonic decay to a muon. We compare the number of
jets with both a secondary vertex and a semileptonic decay, and the kinematic
properties of these jets, with the standard model expectation of W plus heavy
flavor production and decay. No discrepancy is seen between the observation and
the expectation, and we set limits on the production cross section of a B-like
hadron with an anomalously high semileptonic branching ratio.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, submitted to PRD-RC; replaced to adjust the page
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