239 research outputs found
Cross-validation for change-point regression: Pitfalls and solutions
Cross-validation is the standard approach for tuning parameter selection in many non-parametric regression problems. However its use is less common in change-point regression, perhaps as its prediction error-based criterion may appear to permit small spurious changes and hence be less well-suited to estimation of the number and location of change-points. We show that in fact the problems of cross-validation with squared error loss are more severe and can lead to systematic under- or over-estimation of the number of change-points, and highly suboptimal estimation of the mean function in simple settings where changes are easily detectable. We propose two simple approaches to remedy these issues, the first involving the use of absolute error rather than squared error loss, and the second involving modifying the holdout sets used. For the latter, we provide conditions that permit consistent estimation of the number of change-points for a general change-point estimation procedure. We show these conditions are satisfied for optimal partitioning using new results on its performance when supplied with the incorrect number of change-points. Numerical experiments show that the absolute error approach in particular is competitive with common change-point methods using classical tuning parameter choices when error distributions are well-specified, but can substantially outperform these in misspecified models. An implementation of our methodology is available in the R package crossvalidationCP on CRAN
Phase I trial and pharmacological study of a 3-hour paclitaxel infusion in children with refractory solid tumours: a SFOP study
The maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel administered by 24-hour continuous infusion in children is known. Short infusion might offer equivalent antitumour efficacy and reduced haematological toxicity, without increasing the allergic risk. Our aims were to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel in children when administered in 3-h infusion every 3 weeks. Patients older than 6 months, younger than 20 years with refractory malignant solid tumours were eligible when they satisfied standard haematological, renal, hepatic and cardiologic inclusion criteria with life expectancy exceeding 8 weeks. Paclitaxel was administered as a 3-hour infusion after premedication (dexamethasone, dexchlorpheniramine). Pharmacokinetic analysis and solvent assays (ethanol, cremophor) were performed during the first course. 20 courses were studied in 17 patients; 4 dosage levels were investigated (240 to 420 mg/m2). No dose-limiting haematological toxicity was observed. Severe acute neurological and allergic toxicity was encountered. One treatment-related death occurred just after the infusion at the highest dosage. Delayed peripheral neurotoxicity and moderate allergic reactions were also encountered. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed dose-dependent clearance of paclitaxel and elevated blood ethanol and Cremophor EL levels. Although no limiting haematological toxicity was reached, we do not recommend this paclitaxel schedule in children because of its acute neurological toxicity. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co
High-Resolution Surface Analysis on Aluminum Oxide-Coated LiMnNiCoO with Improved Capacity Retention
European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI)-Formulating Ideas for Better Medicines for Children.
© American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists 2016, published by Springer US, available online at doi: https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-016-0584-1The European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI), founded in 2007, aims to promote and facilitate the preparation of better and safe medicines for children through linking research and information dissemination. It brings together the capabilities of the industry, academics, hospitals, and regulators within a common platform in order to scope the solid understanding of the major issues, which will underpin the progress towards the future of paediatric medicines we want.The EuPFI was formed in parallel to the adoption of regulations within the EU and USA and has served as a community that drives research and dissemination through publications and the organisation of annual conferences. The membership and reach of this group have grown since its inception in 2007 and continue to develop and evolve to meet the continuing needs and ambitions of research into and development of age appropriate medicines. Five diverse workstreams (age-appropriate medicines, Biopharmaceutics, Administration Devices, Excipients and Taste Assessment & Taste Masking (TATM)) direct specific workpackages on behalf of the EuPFI. Furthermore, EuPFI interacts with multiple diverse professional groups across the globe to ensure efficient working in the area of paediatric medicines. Strong commitment and active involvement of all EuPFI stakeholders have proved to be vital to effectively address knowledge gaps related to paediatric medicines, discuss potential areas for further research and identify issues that need more attention and analysis in the future.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
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LNK suppresses interferon signaling in melanoma.
LNK (SH2B3) is a key negative regulator of JAK-STAT signaling which has been extensively studied in malignant hematopoietic diseases. We found that LNK is significantly elevated in cutaneous melanoma; this elevation is correlated with hyperactive signaling of the RAS-RAF-MEK pathway. Elevated LNK enhances cell growth and survival in adverse conditions. Forced expression of LNK inhibits signaling by interferon-STAT1 and suppresses interferon (IFN) induced cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. In contrast, silencing LNK expression by either shRNA or CRISPR-Cas9 potentiates the killing effect of IFN. The IFN-LNK signaling is tightly regulated by a negative feedback mechanism; melanoma cells exposed to IFN upregulate expression of LNK to prevent overactivation of this signaling pathway. Our study reveals an unappreciated function of LNK in melanoma and highlights the critical role of the IFN-STAT1-LNK signaling axis in this potentially devastating disease. LNK may be further explored as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma immunotherapy
A phase I study of intravenous liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in paediatric patients with relapsed or resistant solid tumours
Anthracyclines are widely used in paediatric oncology, but their use is limited by the risk of cumulative cardiac toxicity. Encapsulating anthracyclines in liposomes may reduce cardiac toxicity and possibly increase drug availability to tumours. A phase I study in paediatric patients was designed to establish the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) after a single course of liposomal daunorubicin, ‘DaunoXome', as a 1 h infusion on day 1 of a 21 day cycle. Patients were stratified into two groups according to prior treatment: Group A (conventional) and group B (heavily pretreated patients). Dose limiting toxicity was expected to be haematological, and a two-step escalation was planned, with and without G-CSF support. Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in parallel. In all, 48 patients aged from 1 to 18 years were treated. Dose limiting toxicity was neutropenia for both groups. Maximum tolerated dose was defined as 155 mg m−2 for Group A and 100 mg m−2 for Group B. The second phase with G-CSF was interrupted because of evidence of cumulative cardiac toxicity. Cardiac toxicity was reported in a total of 15 patients in this study. DaunoXome shares the early cardiotoxicity of conventional anthracyclines in paediatric oncology. This study has successfully defined a haematological MTD for DaunoXome, but the significance of this is limited given the concerns of delayed cardiac toxicity. The importance of longer-term follow-up in patients enrolled into phase I studies has been underestimated previously, and may lead to an under-recognition of important adverse events
First principles investigation of exchange interactions in quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet CaV2O4
The effect of orbital degrees of freedom on the exchange interactions in the
spin-1 quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet CaV2O4 is systematically studied.
For this purpose a realistic low-energy model with the parameters derived from
the first-principles calculations is constructed. The exchange interactions are
calculated using both the theory of infinitesimal spin rotations near the
mean-field ground state and the superexchange model, which provide a consistent
description. The obtained behaviour of exchange interactions substantially
differs from the previously proposed phenomenological picture based on the
magnetic measurements and structural considerations, namely: (i) Despite
quasi-one-dimensional character of the crystal structure, consisting of the
zigzag chains of edge-sharing VO6 octahedra, the electronic structure is
essentially three-dimensional, that leads to finite interactions between the
chains; (ii) The exchange interactions along the legs of the chains appear to
dominate; and (iii) There is a substantial difference of exchange interactions
in two crystallographically inequivalent chains. The combination of these three
factors successfully reproduces the behaviour of experimental magnetic
susceptibility.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, supplementary materia
Lactobacillus GG in inducing and maintaining remission of Crohn's disease
BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have shown that luminal antigens are involved in chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Alteration of the intestinal microflora by antibiotic or probiotic therapy may induce and maintain remission. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to determine the effect of oral Lactobacillus GG (L. GG) to induce or maintain medically induced remission. METHODS: Eleven patients with moderate to active Crohn's disease were enrolled in this trial to receive either L. GG (2 × 10(9 )CFU/day) or placebo for six months. All patients were started on a tapering steroid regime and received antibiotics for the week before the probiotic/placebo medication was initiated. The primary end point was sustained remission, defined as freedom from relapse at the 6 months follow-up visit. Relapse was defined as an increase in CDAI of >100 points. RESULTS: 5/11 patients finished the study, with 2 patients in each group in sustained remission. The median time to relapse was 16 ± 4 weeks in the L. GG group and 12 ± 4.3 weeks in the placebo group (p = 0.5). CONCLUSION: In this study we could not demonstrate a benefit of L. GG in inducing or maintaining medically induced remission in CD
Late cardiotoxicity after low dose of anthracycline therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood
Introduction Late cardiotoxicity is a known complication of anthracycline therapy but the long-term effects of low cumulative doses are not well documented. We studied late cardiotoxicity in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with low anthracycline doses 10 to 20 years earlier.
Methods Seventy-seven ALL survivors who received a cumulative anthracycline dose <250 mg/m(2) and were at least 10 years after treatment were evaluated for signs of clinical heart failure. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography including tissue Doppler measurements of the septal mitral annulus in 37 ALL survivors 10.6-18.3 years (median 13.3 years) after anthracycline treatment with cumulative doses of 180 (n=19) or 240 mg/m(2) (n=18). The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, BSA, and BMI.
Results No clinical relevant cardiotoxicity was found. Left ventricular shortening fraction (SF) was significantly reduced in male ALL survivors. Three of the 19 male ALL survivors had an SF below 30%. Male ALL survivors showed a significantly lower early filling velocity to atrial contraction velocity ratio but myocardial velocity during early filling was comparable between patients and controls. ALL survivors had a significantly longer isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT). Thirty percent of the ALL survivors have an abnormal IVRT compared to the normal range of the controls.
Conclusion and implications for cancer survivors At a median of 13.3 years after exposure to cumulative doses of anthracyclines of 180 or 240 mg/m(2), no clinical relevant cardiotoxicity was found but subclinical cardiac abnormalities were present in 30% of the patients
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