Mechanisms of Corrosion-Induced Cracks in Concrete

Corrosion-induced cracks was simulated in expansion tests.   Kinematical mechanisms of micro-cracks were identified by theSiGMA analysis of acoustic emission (AE).   By applying the boundary element method (BEM), extension of the corrosion-induced crack in an arbitrary direction was analyzed.   It is demonstrated that extension of the corrosion-induced crack is governed by the mode-I failure, although all kinds of micro-cracks are observed  in results of AE analysis

A Phase II Trial of Combined Treatment of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and Chemoradiotherapy for Clinical Stage I Esophageal Carcinoma: Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG0508

Standard treatment for clinical stage I esophageal cancer with submucosal invasion (T1b) has been surgical resection. We conducted a Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of combined treatment of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and chemoradiotherapy for clinical stage I (T1b) esophageal cancer. Patients diagnosed as having clinical stage I (T1b) esophageal cancer which is considered to be resectable by EMR are eligible. When pathological examination of the EMR specimen confirms T1b tumor with negative or positive resection margin, the patient undergoes chemoradiotherapy. The study continues until 82 patients with T1b tumor with negative resection margin are enrolled from 20 institutions. The primary endpoint is 3-year overall survival (OS) in pT1b cases with negative resection margin. The secondary endpoints are 3-year OS and progression-free survival in all eligible cases, OS in pT1a-MM cases with margin-negative, complications of EMR and adverse events of chemoradiotherapy. The data from this trial will be expected to provide a non-surgical treatment option to the patients with clinical stage I (T1b) esophageal cancer

Phase II study of S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine derivative, in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma

This study set out to evaluate, in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma, the efficacy and toxicity of S-1, which contains tegafur, 5-chloro-2,4-dihydroxypyridine (CDHP) and potassium oxonate, based on a biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) targeted at inhibition of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). Sixty-three patients with measurable metastatic colorectal carcinoma were enrolled into the study. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy except for adjuvant setting. S-1 was administered orally twice daily at a standard dose of 80 mg m–2day–1for 28 days followed by a 14-day rest. This agent is continued until disease progression, unaccepted toxicity, or patient refusal. Twenty-two (35%) of the 62 eligible patients achieved PR with a 95% confidence interval of 25–48%. Five of the 10 patients with a history of adjuvant chemotherapy achieved partial remission. The median survival time was 12 months. Major adverse reactions included myelosuppressive and gastrointestinal toxicities, though their incidence of grade 3 or 4 being 13% in neutropenia and less than 10% in the others. None of the 53 patients treated as outpatients required hospitalization due to adverse reactions: These results suggest that S-1 achieves similar responses to those of infusional 5-FU plus leucovorin and shows the potential of another biochemical modulation with easily manageable toxicity. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Experimental Study of Photonuclear Reactions of ^4He below Pion Threshold(I. Nuclear Physics)

An experimental method for the precise measurement of the photonuclear reactions of ^4He below the pion threshold has been tested. We used a tagged photon beam and a time projection chamber containing helium gas, which served as an active target. It was proved that the chamber could successfully detect the tracks of the charged particles from the photonuclear reactions in a high radiation level due to the irradiation of a high-intensity photon beam. It was found that the background was mainly due to the noise of the chamber, and could be suppressed by taking coincidence of the signals from the chamber and the tagging counter

Clinical significance of VEGF-A, -C and -D expression in esophageal malignancies

Vascular endothelial growth factors ( VEGF)- A, - C and - D are members of the proangiogenic VEGF family of glycoproteins. VEGF-A is known to be the most important angiogenic factor under physiological and pathological conditions, while VEGF-C and VEGF-D are implicated in the development and sprouting of lymphatic vessels, so called lymphangiogenesis. Local tumor progression, lymph node metastases and hematogenous tumor spread are important prognostic factors for esophageal carcinoma ( EC), one of the most lethal malignancies throughout the world. We found solid evidence in the literature that VEGF expression contributes to tumor angiogenesis, tumor progression and lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC), and many authors could show a prognostic value for VEGF-assessment. In adenocarcinoma (AC) of the esophagus angiogenic properties are acquired in early stages, particularly in precancerous lesions like Barrett's dysplasia. However, VEGF expression fails to give prognostic information in AC of the esophagus. VEGF-C and VEGF-D were detected in SCC and dysplastic lesions, but not in normal mucosa of the esophagus. VEGF-C expression might be associated with lymphatic tumor invasion, lymph node metastases and advanced disease in esophageal SCC and AC. Therapeutic interference with VEGF signaling may prove to be a promising way of anti-angiogenic co-treatment in esophageal carcinoma. However, concrete clinical data are still pending

Interdisciplinary Training in Mathematical Biology through Team-based Undergraduate Research and Courses

Inspired by BIO2010 and leveraging institutional and external funding, Truman State University built an undergraduate program in mathematical biology with high-quality, faculty-mentored interdisciplinary research experiences at its core. These experiences taught faculty and students to bridge the epistemological gap between the mathematical and life sciences. Together they created the infrastructure that currently supports several interdisciplinary courses, an innovative minor degree, and long-term interdepartmental research collaborations. This article describes how the program was built with support from the National Science Foundation's Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biology and Mathematics program, and it shares lessons learned that will help other undergraduate institutions build their own program