35 research outputs found
High activity Rhenium-186 HEDP with autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue: a phase I study in progressive hormone refractory prostate cancer metastatic to bone
We tested the feasibility and toxicity of high activities Rhenium-186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate, with peripheral blood stem cell rescue in patients with progressive hormone refractory prostate cancer metastatic to bone. Twenty-five patients received between 2500 and 5000 MBq of Rhenium-186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate followed 14 days later by the return of peripheral blood peripheral blood stem cells. Activity limiting toxicity was defined as grade III haematological toxicity, lasting at least 7 days, or grade IV haematological toxicity of any duration or any serious unexpected toxicity. Activity limiting toxicity occurred in two of six who received activities of 5000 MBq and maximum tolerated activity was defined at this activity level. Prostate specific antigen reductions of 50% or more lasting at least 4 weeks were seen in five of the 25 patients (20%) all of whom received more than 3500 MBq of Rhenium-186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate. The actuarial survival at 1 year is 54%. Administered activities of 5000 MBq of Rhenium-186 hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate are feasible using autologous peripheral blood peripheral blood stem cell rescue in patients with progressive hormone refractory prostate cancer metastatic to bone. The main toxicity is thrombocytopaenia, which is short lasting. A statistically significant activity/prostate specific antigen response was seen. We have now commenced a Phase II trial to further evaluate response rates
Brachydactyly
Brachydactyly ("short digits") is a general term that refers to disproportionately short fingers and toes, and forms part of the group of limb malformations characterized by bone dysostosis. The various types of isolated brachydactyly are rare, except for types A3 and D. Brachydactyly can occur either as an isolated malformation or as a part of a complex malformation syndrome. To date, many different forms of brachydactyly have been identified. Some forms also result in short stature. In isolated brachydactyly, subtle changes elsewhere may be present. Brachydactyly may also be accompanied by other hand malformations, such as syndactyly, polydactyly, reduction defects, or symphalangism
Radio & Optical Interferometry: Basic Observing Techniques and Data Analysis
Astronomers usually need the highest angular resolution possible, but the
blurring effect of diffraction imposes a fundamental limit on the image quality
from any single telescope. Interferometry allows light collected at
widely-separated telescopes to be combined in order to synthesize an aperture
much larger than an individual telescope thereby improving angular resolution
by orders of magnitude. Radio and millimeter wave astronomers depend on
interferometry to achieve image quality on par with conventional visible and
infrared telescopes. Interferometers at visible and infrared wavelengths extend
angular resolution below the milli-arcsecond level to open up unique research
areas in imaging stellar surfaces and circumstellar environments.
In this chapter the basic principles of interferometry are reviewed with an
emphasis on the common features for radio and optical observing. While many
techniques are common to interferometers of all wavelengths, crucial
differences are identified that will help new practitioners avoid unnecessary
confusion and common pitfalls. Concepts essential for writing observing
proposals and for planning observations are described, depending on the science
wavelength, angular resolution, and field of view required. Atmospheric and
ionospheric turbulence degrades the longest-baseline observations by
significantly reducing the stability of interference fringes. Such
instabilities represent a persistent challenge, and the basic techniques of
phase-referencing and phase closure have been developed to deal with them.
Synthesis imaging with large observing datasets has become a routine and
straightforward process at radio observatories, but remains challenging for
optical facilities. In this context the commonly-used image reconstruction
algorithms CLEAN and MEM are presented. Lastly, a concise overview of current
facilities is included as an appendix.Comment: 45 pages, 14 Figures; an abridged version of a chapter to appear in
Volume 2 of Planets, Stars and Stellar Systems, to be published in 2011 by
Springe
The contribution of dynamic stromal remodeling during mammary development to breast carcinogenesis
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease whose prognosis varies depending upon the developmental stage of the breast tissue at diagnosis. Notably, breast cancers associated with pregnancy exhibit increased rates of metastasis and poorer long-term survival compared to those diagnosed after menopause. However, postmenopausal breast cancers associated with obesity exhibit a more aggressive behavior and confer decreased overall patient survival compared to those diagnosed in non-obese individuals. Since the mammary gland is a dynamic tissue that undergoes significant changes throughout a woman's lifetime, especially during pregnancy and following menopause, we present evidence to support the notion that changes occurring throughout development within the mammary stromal compartment may account for some of the biological differences in breast cancer subtypes and behaviors