Plug-and-Play SQL

We present an efficient model to retrieve data from a database by implementing plug-and-play queries using the query guards. The model is efficient in the sense that it saves time when writing a query and promotes query portability and reuse. A plug-and-play query is a freestanding query that can couple to any data socket and self determine whether it can be evaluated reliably on the data. We use hierarchies to improve SQL querying in a way that eliminates the need to write a view to construct virtual tables or a set of tables to run a query. The hierarchy is a declarative specification of the desired shape of data rather than a description of how the data is organized. The advantage is that the common use of logical or semantic pointers in the SQL queries is eliminated and a natural way to group data for aggregation is provided. The plug-and-play queries have several advantages, they are portable and can be used to evaluate any data source

A cross-sectional study of factors affecting seasonality in bipolar disorder

Background. Researchers have evinced interest in the effect of seasonal variations on mood and behavioural patterns in affective disorders.  Objective. To study seasonality in bipolar disorder (BD) patients and also the factors affecting this seasonality.  Method. Forty-nine patients with BD in euthymic phase were recruited and analysed using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire.  Results. Most of the patients were morning types but chronotype had no influence on seasonality. Age of patient and number of episodes were the most important factors affecting seasonality in BD.  Conclusion. Seasonality and its influencing factors must be considered while managing bipolar disorder

PARTNER: An open-label, randomized, phase 2 study of docetaxel/cisplatin chemotherapy with or without panitumumab as first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Objective: This phase 2 estimation study evaluated docetaxel/cisplatin with/without panitumumab, an anti–epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, as first-line therapy for recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Patients and methods: Randomized patients received docetaxel/cisplatin (75 mg/m2 each) with/without panitumumab (9 mg/kg) in 21-day cycles. Patients randomized to panitumumab + chemotherapy could continue panitumumab monotherapy after completing six chemotherapy cycles without progression; patients randomized to chemotherapy alone could receive second-line panitumumab after progression. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), time to response (TTR), duration of response (DOR), and safety. A protocol amendment limited enrollment to patients <70 years owing to excess toxicity in older patients and added mandatory pegfilgrastim/filgrastim support. Outcomes were also analyzed by human papillomavirus status. Results: 103 of the 113 enrolled patients were evaluable and randomized to receive ⩾1 dose of first-line treatment. Median PFS for panitumumab + chemotherapy was 6.9 (95% CI = 4.7–8.3) months versus 5.5 (95% CI = 4.1–6.8) months for chemotherapy alone (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.629; 95% CI = 0.395–1.002; P = 0.048). ORR for panitumumab + chemotherapy was 44% (95% CI = 31–58%) versus 37% (95% CI = 24–51%) for chemotherapy alone (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37; 95% CI = 0.57–3.33). Median OS for panitumumab + chemotherapy was 12.9 (95% CI = 9.4–18.5) months versus 13.8 (95% CI = 11.8–22.9) months for chemotherapy alone (HR = 1.103; 95% CI = 0.709–1.717). Median TTR for panitumumab + chemotherapy treatment was 6.9 weeks versus 11.0 weeks for chemotherapy alone. Median DOR was 8.0 (95% CI = 5.7–11.1) months with panitumumab + chemotherapy versus 5.1 (95% CI = 4.4–7.2) months with chemotherapy alone. Grade 3/4 adverse event incidence was 73% with panitumumab + chemotherapy versus 56% with chemotherapy alone. 41% and 55% of patients in the panitumumab + chemotherapy and chemotherapy-alone arms, respectively, received panitumumab monotherapy. Conclusion: The addition of panitumumab to docetaxel/cisplatin may improve PFS in recurrent/metastatic SCCHN and has the potential to improve outcomes in these fully, or mostly, active patients