A genome-wide association study of marginal zone lymphoma shows association to the HLA region

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is the third most common subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Here we perform a two-stage GWAS of 1,281 MZL cases and 7,127 controls of European ancestry and identify two independent loci near BTNL2 (rs9461741, P=3.95 × 10−15) and HLA-B (rs2922994, P=2.43 × 10−9) in the HLA region significantly associated with MZL risk. This is the first evidence that genetic variation in the major histocompatibility complex influences MZL susceptibility

Scale effect in Turkish manufacturing industry: stochastic metafrontier analysis

© 2016, Hajihassaniasl and Kök.Economic theories explain the economic growth affected by accumulation of production factors and increase in productivity and efficiency. Traditional growth theories focus on the first factor where in developing countries, and especially due to the low input of capital, serious problems arise in the growth process. Accordingly, in these countries, increase in the productivity and efficiency and use of the excess capacity has focused. Therefore, the efficiency analysis of economic sectors of these countries, and especially the manufacturing sector and the factors that affect it, is very important to study. The main purpose of this study with respect to the indicators of efficiency of firms operating in Turkey manufacturing industry is to analyze the impact of scale differences on firm performance. The database used in this study is provided from the survey results (2006) belongs to Istanbul OSB, from the balance sheets and income statements of firms registered in IMKB, which operate in Turkey manufacturing industry for the 2006. Furthermore, the database for descriptive analyses was obtained from Statistics Department of Turkey (TUIK) and Turkey’s Development Bank. As the analyzing method, the stochastic frontier is used as well as the metafrontier. According to the frontier function scores in the subsectors, in small-scale firms MP, FDT and MEMSAS subsectors and in medium- and large-scale firms OCP, FDT and TSL subsectors are the most efficient subsectors. Also, according to the metafrontier function scores in the subsectors, in small-scale firms MP, MMR and OCP subsectors and in medium- and large-scale firms MP, TSL and OCP subsectors are the most efficient subsectors. Some of the results of this study reveal that, except of food stuffs and drinks (FDT) oil, chemistry, petrochemical and its derivatives (OCP) subsectors, the production inefficiency which occurs in other subsectors due to conditions of increasing return to scale is significantly caused by the operation carried out below the optimal production scale. In addition, except BMI subsector, in all other subsectors, it is seen that production scale has large impact on the efficiency of the firm and also the average efficiency of medium- and large-scale firms in each subsector is higher than the average efficiency of small-scale firms of same subsector

Phase 1b trial of proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib with irinotecan in lung cancer and other irinotecan-sensitive malignancies that have progressed on prior therapy (Onyx IST reference number: CAR-IST-553)

Introduction Proteasome inhibition is an established therapy for many malignancies. Carfilzomib, a novel proteasome inhibitor, was combined with irinotecan to provide a synergistic approach in relapsed, irinotecan-sensitive cancers. Materials and Methods Patients with relapsed irinotecan-sensitive cancers received carfilzomib (Day 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16) at three dose levels (20/27 mg/m2, 20/36 mg/m2 and 20/45 mg/m2/day) in combination with irinotecan (Days 1, 8 and 15) at 125 mg/m2/day. Key eligibility criteria included measurable disease, a Zubrod PS of 0 or 1, and acceptable organ function. Patients with stable asymptomatic brain metastases were eligible. Dose escalation utilized a standard 3 + 3 design. Results Overall, 16 patients were enrolled to three dose levels, with four patients replaced. Three patients experienced dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was exceeded in Cohort 3. The RP2 dose was carfilzomib 20/36 mg/m2 (given on Days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16) and irinotecan 125 mg/m2 (Days 1, 8 and 15). Common Grade (Gr) 3 and 4 toxicities included fatigue (19%), thrombocytopenia (19%), and diarrhea (13%). Conclusions Irinotecan and carfilzomib were well tolerated, with common toxicities of fatigue, thrombocytopenia and neutropenic fever. Objective clinical response was 19% (one confirmed partial response (PR) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and two unconfirmed); stable disease (SD) was 6% for a disease control rate (DCR) of 25%. The recommended phase II dose was carfilzomib 20/36 mg/m2 and irinotecan125 mg/m2. The phase II evaluation is ongoing in relapsed small cell lung cancer

Acetabular revisions using a cementless oblong cup: five to ten year results

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the results of acetabular revisions with the use of an oblong revision cup that is designed with its longitudinal diameter elongated relative to its transverse diameter. Between 1996 and 2001, 62 hips in 60 patients underwent an acetabular revision with the insertion of a LOR acetabular component. Seven hips were lost to follow-up or the patients died; the remaining 55 hips (53 patients) remained in follow-up for an average of 7.2 years (range: 5.0–10.1 years). One socket was revised for aseptic loosening, and another was operated on for a late polyethylene liner dissociation. The average Harris hip score (HHS) improved from 34 to 79. Results were rated as excellent in 16 hips, good in 28, fair in six and poor in three. Radiographic analysis demonstrated an improvement in the average vertical displacement of the hip centre: 49 hips had a well-fixed, bone-ingrown cup and four had a stable fibrous union. For large superolateral acetabular bone deficiencies, this implant facilitated a complex reconstruction without the need for bulk structural acetabular bone grafts, provided good clinical results and showed satisfactory stability at the midterm follow-up