7 research outputs found
Duodeno-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
Duodeno-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (DP-ETs) are increasingly diagnosed today due to the widespread use of modern imaging methods. Duodeno-pancreatic endocrine tumours should be treated by radical surgical resection, which offers a high chance for cure when the disease is localized. A high index of suspicion is required in these patients for the presence of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type syndrome. We present four patients with DP-ET surgically treated at our department between 2000 and 2004. Histological/immunohistochemical diagnosis was somatostatin-producing tumour in the first patient, oncocytic endocrine tumour positive for neurone-specific enolase and focally for chromogranin in the second patient, glucagonoma and pancreatic polypeptide-producing endocrine pancreatic tumour in the third patient, and gastrin, somatostatin, calcitonin, insulin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing tumour in the fourth. The second patient died 6.5 years following surgery due to disseminated disease. © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Morphometric microvascular characteristics in the prognosis of pancreatic and ampullary carcinoma
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate multiple morphometric microvascular characteristics in addition to microvascular density (MVD) in pancreatic ductal and ampullary adenocarcinomas and provide a better approach in examining the relationship among angiogenesis, several clinicopathologic parameters, and prognosis. METHODS: Histological sections from 32 pancreatic ductal and 17 ampullary adenocarcinomas, immunostained with CD34, were evaluated by image analysis for the quantification of MVD, total vascular area, and microvascular branching, as well as several morphometric parameters related to the vessel size and shape factor. RESULTS: In pancreatic ductal carcinoma, higher levels of MVD, total vascular area, branching, and shape factor were related to N1 tumors. Moreover, MVD, shape factor, and minor axis length were identified as independent prognostic factors of survival. In the ampullary carcinoma group, higher shape factor values were observed in well-differentiated tumors. CONCLUSIONS: In pancreatic ductal carcinoma patients, the assessment of MVD and several morphometric microvascular characteristics provides significant prognostic information. The biologic behavior of the ampullary carcinomas does not seem to be dependent on any of the above mentioned factors of angiogenesis. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc
Sensing cognitive multitasking for a brain-based adaptive user interface
Multitasking has become an integral part of work environments, even though people are not well-equipped cognitive-ly to handle numerous concurrent tasks effectively. Systems that support such multitasking may produce better performance and less frustration. However, without understanding the user's internal processes, it is difficult to determine optimal strategies for adapting interfaces, since all multitasking activity is not identical. We describe two experiments leading toward a system that detects cognitive multitasking processes and uses this information as input to an adaptive interface. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy sensors, we differentiate four cognitive multitasking processes. These states cannot readily be distinguished using behavioral measures such as response time, accuracy, keystrokes or screen contents. We then present our human-robot system as a proof-of-concept that uses real-time cognitive state information as input and adapts in response. This prototype system serves as a platform to study interfaces that enable better task switching, interruption management, and multitasking. Copyright 2011 ACM
Anticancer Potential of 3-(Arylideneamino)-2- Phenylquinazoline-4(3H)-One Derivatives
Different quinazoline derivatives have showed wide
spectrum of pharmacological activities. Some 3-
(arylideneamino)-phenylquinazoline-4(3H)-ones have
been reported to possess antimicrobial activity. The
present study has been undertaken to evaluate the
anticancer effect of these quinazolinone derivatives.
The quinazolinone derivatives were synthesized as
reported earlier. Compounds containing NO2, OH,
OCH3, or OH and OCH3 as substituent(s) on the
arylideneamino group were named as P(3a), P(3b),
P(3c), and P(3d) respectively. Out of these, P(3a)
and P(3d) showed better cytotoxic activity than P(3b)
and P(3c) on a panel of six cancer cell lines of different
origin, namely, B16F10, MiaPaCa-2, HCT116, HeLa,
MCF7, and HepG2, though the effect was higher in
B16F10, HCT116, and MCF7 cells. P(3a) and P(3d)
induced death of B16F10 and HCT116 cells was
associated with characteristic apoptotic changes like
cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, DNA
fragmentation, and annexin V binding. Also, cell cycle
arrest at G1 phase, alteration of caspase-3, caspase-
9, Bcl-2 and PARP levels, loss of mitochondrial
membrane potential, and enhanced level of cytosolic
cytochrome c were observed in treated B16F10 cells.
Treatment with multiple doses of P(3a) significantly
increased the survival rate of B16F10 tumor bearing
BALB/c mice by suppressing the volume of tumor
while decreasing microvascular density and mitotic
index of the tumor cells