Electromagnetic Wave Theory and Applications

Contains table of contents for Section 3, reports on three research projects and a list of publications.California Institute of Technology/Jet Propulsion Laboratory Contract 959548National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NAGW-1617National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant Contract 958461U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-92-J-1616U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-92-J-4098Digital Equipment Corporation AGMT DTD 11/16/93Joint Services Electronics Program Contract DAAL03-92-C-0001Joint Services Electronics Program Grant DAAH04-95-1-0038MIT Lincoln Laboratory P.O. No. BX-5424U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-90-J-1002U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research Grant N00014-89-J-1019DEMACO Agreement 11/15/93Federal Aviation Administration Grant 94-G-007U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Contract DACA89-93-K-000

The Somatic Genomic Landscape of Glioblastoma

We describe the landscape of somatic genomic alterations based on multi-dimensional and comprehensive characterization of more than 500 glioblastoma tumors (GBMs). We identify several novel mutated genes as well as complex rearrangements of signature receptors including EGFR and PDGFRA. TERT promoter mutations are shown to correlate with elevated mRNA expression, supporting a role in telomerase reactivation. Correlative analyses confirm that the survival advantage of the proneural subtype is conferred by the G-CIMP phenotype, and MGMT DNA methylation may be a predictive biomarker for treatment response only in classical subtype GBM. Integrative analysis of genomic and proteomic profiles challenges the notion of therapeutic inhibition of a pathway as an alternative to inhibition of the target itself. These data will facilitate the discovery of therapeutic and diagnostic target candidates, the validation of research and clinical observations and the generation of unanticipated hypotheses that can advance our molecular understanding of this lethal cancer

Huge Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Mimicking a Breast Malignant Tumor with Abscess

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon skin cancer that most commonly occurs on the trunk and extremities. DFSP of the breast has rarely been reported, and then is almost always of small size. We report a case of rapid-growing DFSP of the breast with abscess formation mimicking breast cancer, and also make a review of related literature

Evaluation of a Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis leuD mutant as a vaccine candidate against challenge in a caprine model

Johne's disease (JD) is prevalent worldwide and has a significant impact on the global agricultural economy. In the present study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a leuD (Δleud) mutant and gained insight into differential immune responses after challenge with virulent M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in a caprine colonization model. The immune response and protective efficacy were compared with those of the killed vaccine Mycopar. In vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with johnin purified protein derivative showed that Mycopar and ΔleuD generated similar levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) but significantly higher levels than unvaccinated and challenged phosphate-buffered saline controls. However, only with ΔleuD was the IFN-γ response maintained. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the increase in IFN-γ correlated with proliferation and activation (increased expression of CD25) of CD4, CD8, and γδT cells, but this response was significantly higher in ΔleuD-vaccinated animals at some time points after challenge. Both Mycopar and ΔleuD vaccines upregulated Th1/proinflammatory and Th17 cytokines and downregulated Th2/anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines at similar levels at almost all time points. However, significantly higher levels of IFN-γ (at weeks 26 and 30), interleukin-2 (IL-2; week 18), IL-1b (weeks 14 and 22), IL-17 (weeks 18 and 22), and IL-23 (week 18) and a significantly lower level of IL-10 (weeks 14 and 18) and transforming growth factor β (week 18) were detected in the ΔleuD-vaccinated group. Most importantly, ΔleuD elicited an immune response that significantly limited colonization of tissues compared to Mycopar upon challenge with wild-type M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. In conclusion, the ΔleuD mutant is a promising vaccine candidate for development of a live attenuated vaccine for JD in ruminants

Cost effectiveness of cancer treatment in Taiwan

This study aims to examine the cost effectiveness of treating major cancers compared with other major illnesses in Taiwan. Methods: We collected data on 395,330 patients with cancer, 125,277 patients with end-stage renal disease, and 50,481 patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation during 1998–2007. They were followed for 10–13 years to estimate lifetime survival functions using a semiparametric method. EuroQol five-dimension was used to measure the quality of life for 6189 cancer patients and 1401 patients with other illnesses. The mean utility values and healthcare costs reimbursed by the National Health Insurance were multiplied with the corresponding survival probabilities to estimate quality-adjusted life expectancies and lifetime costs, respectively. Data of 22,344 cancer patients under hospice care (considered as a comparison group) were used to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by assuming patients without treatment survived for 2 years with a quality of life value of 0.5. Results: The costs of care for patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation and those with end-stage renal disease were US$41,780–53,708 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and US$18,222–18,465 per QALY, respectively, which are equivalent to 2.17–2.79 gross domestic product (GDP) per capita per QALY and 1.18–1.25 GDP per capita per QALY. The costs of care for the nine different cancers were less than 1 GDP per capita per QALY, with those of lung, esophagus, and liver cancers being the highest. Sensitivity analysis showed the same conclusion. Lifetime risks of six out of nine cancer sites show an increased trend. Conclusion: Cancer care in Taiwan seemed cost effective compared with that of other illnesses, but prevention is necessary to make the National Health Insurance more sustainable