Sorafenib Effectiveness in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Phase III trials show sorafenib improves survival in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of narrow trial eligibility, results may not be generalizable to a broader HCC population. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of initial sorafenib versus no treatment among Medicare beneficiaries with advanced HCC

Exploring the use of new school buildings through post-occupancy evaluation and participatory action research

This paper presents the results of the development and testing of an integrated post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach for teachers, staff, pupils and community members using newly constructed school buildings. It focusses on three cases of UK secondary schools, demonstrating how users can be inspired to engage with the problems of school design and energy use awareness. The cases provided new insights into the engagement of school teachers, staff and young people regarding issues of sustainability, management, functional performance and comfort. The integrative approach adopted in these cases provided a more holistic understanding of these buildings’ performance than could have been achieved by either observational or more traditional questionnaire-based methods. Moreover, the whole-school approach, involving children in POE, provided researchers with highly contextualised information about how a school is used, how to improve the quality of school experiences (both socially and educationally) and how the school community is contributing to the building's energy performance. These POE methods also provided unique opportunities for children to examine the social and cultural factors impeding the adoption of energy-conscious and sustainable behaviours

Tools for the co-designing of housing transformations: A study on interaction and visualization modes

In this paper we present and assess tools for visualizing architectonic modifications of existing housing in co-design projects with inhabitants. These tools should enable inhabitants to explore and understand design variations of alterations of their houses. This contribution is part of ongoing research on the use of artificial realities for supporting the transformations of existing housing in architectonically responsible ways. Such transformations may be needed after the delivery of housing, say after five years or later, due to changed regulation, the need of updates or changed living conditions of inhabitants. For arriving at architectonically responsible transformations, we use shape grammar system for defining possible modifications of the housing. For empowering inhabitants to understand and explore these modifications to their housing, we develop a transformation grammar tool—MyChanges—to visualize the modifications by three visualization modes, from fully immersive to non-immersive. Interviews and tests with real inhabitants were performed, and preliminary conclusions show that a tool like the MyChanges would have a good acceptance among inhabitants.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Everolimus and pasireotide for advanced and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma

Few treatment options are available for patients with advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Based on preclinical and early clinical efficacy signals and lack of overlapping toxicity, we undertook this multicenter phase II trial to estimate efficacy and safety of everolimus and pasireotide in advanced HCC

NCCTG Study N9741: Leveraging Learning from an NCI Cooperative Group Phase III Trial

N9741 is a clinical trial in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that was originally written in 1997 and completed patient accrual in 2004. One thousand seven hundred thirty-one patients were enrolled in the study. During the conduct of the trial, N9741 was repeatedly modified to adapt to toxicity findings, to add evaluation of oxaliplatin to what was originally a trial examining various schedules of irinotecan-based therapy, and to ask evolving questions. The trial led to a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration indication for 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin as indicated for the treatment of previously untreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and helped to change the standard of care for the disease in the U.S. and worldwide. The data from the trial have been used to study multiple regimens, pharmacogenetics, and quality of life issues, to correlate plasma protein levels with outcomes, to inform trial methodology, and to perform economic analyses. To date nearly 30 papers and an even larger number of abstracts have been based upon data arising from the study. The history of the trial and the major findings are summarized in this review

Manipulating Permeability as a Process for Controlling Crime: Balancing Security and Sustainability in Local Contexts

In response to the sustainability agenda, planning policy in the UK, USA and Australia has shifted to promote compact, high-density, mixed-used residential developments in walkable and permeable street networks close to public transport (Commonwealth of Australia, 1995; DETR, 1998; American Planning Association, 2007). This is to encourage walking and the use of public transport and to reduce car-use, energy use, pollution, congestion and urban sprawl. However, although permeability is assumed to represent a positive built environment feature which reduces crime by promoting more "eyes on the street" (Jacobs, 1961), a significant body of research in the field of environmental criminology challenges this assumptions. This paper reviews the theories and evidence associated with permeability and crime.Pedestrian access ways (PAWs) are often associated with crime and this paper discusses research which was directed at providing practical guidance to local governments on how they could better manage existing PAWs in Western Australia (WA). A morphological analysis of existing PAWs was undertaken which analysed the purposes, roles, functionality, users and dynamics of PAWs in a variety of different settings. In addition to crime (which had commonly be used as an excuse to close PAWs), the research considered issues such as amenity, walkability, equity and sustainability. A suite of five tools for assessing and reducing crime risk were developed, which attempt to balance security and sustainability issues. Contrary to assumptions, most PAWs were not subject to high levels of crime and many were vital to the community. Intriguingly, findings indicated that neighbourhood permeability can potentially be manipulated (via the management, closure or construction of new PAWs) to achieve the desired outcomes of reducing crime and of enhancing walkability, liveability and ultimately, the sustainability and well-being of communities

Age is not a limiting factor for brachytherapy for carcinoma of the node negative oral tongue in patients aged eighty or older

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To examine the role of brachytherapy for aged patients 80 or more in the trend of rapidly increasing number.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the outcomes for elderly patients with node negative oral tongue cancer (T1-3N0M0) treated with brachytherapy. The 21 patients (2 T1, 14 T2, and 5 T3 cases) ranged in age from 80 to 89 years (median 81), and their cancer was pathologically confirmed. All patients underwent definitive radiation therapy, with low dose rate (LDR) Ra-226 brachytherapy (n = 4; median 70Gy), with Ir-192 (n = 12; 70Gy), with Au-198 (n = 1) or with high dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 brachytherapy (n = 4; 60 Gy). Eight patients also underwent external radiotherapy (median 30 Gy). The period of observation ranged from 13 months to 14 years (median 2.5 years). We selected 226 population matched younger counterpart from our medical chart.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Definitive radiation therapy was completed for all 21 patients (100%), and acute grade 2-3 mucositis related to the therapy was tolerable. Local control (initial complete response) was attained in 19 of 21 patients (90%). The 2-year and 5-year local control rates were 91%, (100% for T1, 83% for T2 and 80% for T3 tumors after 2 years). These figures was not inferior to that of younger counterpart (82% at 5-year, n.s.). The cause-specific survival rate was 83% and the regional control rate 84% at the 2-years follow-up. However, 12 patients died because of intercurrent diseases or senility, resulting in overall survival rates of 55% at 2 years and 34% at 5 years.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Age is not a limiting factor for brachytherapy for appropriately selected elderly patients, and brachytherapy achieved good local control with acceptable morbidity.</p