Blood-based markers of efficacy and resistance to cetuximab treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer: results from CALGB 80203 (Alliance).

Circulating protein markers were assessed in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with cetuximab in CALGB 80203 to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic CRC received FOLFOX or FOLFIRI chemotherapy (chemo) or chemo in combination with cetuximab. Baseline plasma samples from 152 patients were analyzed for six candidate markers [epidermal growth factor (EGF), heparin-binding EGF (HBEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, HER3, and CD73].

The production, separation, and use of 67Cu for radioimmunotherapy: a review.

A review of the literature pertaining to the production and separation of (67)Cu. This isotope is useful from both therapeutic and diagnostic standpoints due to its medium energy beta particle, gamma emissions, and 2.6-day half-life.

The effects of thermal equilibrium and contrast in LWIR polarimetric images.

Long-wave infrared (LWIR) polarimetric signatures provide the potential for day-night detection and identification of objects in remotely sensed imagery. The source of optical energy in the LWIR is usually due to thermal emission from the object in question, which makes the signature dependent primarily on the target and not on the external environment. In this paper we explore the impact of thermal equilibrium and the temperature of (unseen) background objects on LWIR polarimetric signatures.

Dead pixel replacement in LWIR microgrid polarimeters.

LWIR imaging arrays are often affected by nonresponsive pixels, or "dead pixels." These dead pixels can severely degrade the quality of imagery and often have to be replaced before subsequent image processing and display of the imagery data. For LWIR arrays that are integrated with arrays of micropolarizers, the problem of dead pixels is amplified.

The 44Ti(alpha,p) reaction and its implication on the 44Ti yield in supernovae.

Cross sections for the 44Ti(alpha,p)47V reaction which significantly affects the yield of 44Ti in supernovae were measured in the energy range 5.7 MeV View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Differential diagnosis of prostatism: A 12-year retrospective analysis of symptoms, urodynamics and satisfaction with therapy.

Purpose: We determined the incidence of voiding symptoms, urodynamic etiology and satisfaction with therapy in a large cohort of men with prostatism during a 12-year period.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 2,845 consecutive men who underwent urodynamic evaluation between January 1982 and December 1994. Patients were divided into groups 1 and 2 according to the years of study (between 1982 and 1988, and between 1989 and 1994, respectively).

A preoperative assessment and education program: implementation and outcomes.

A preoperative program was initiated by the nursing staff of an orthopaedic unit to prepare patients and their families by providing information about every aspect of hospitalization for total joint replacement in order to decrease length of stay (LOS) and improve patient satisfaction. This included steps to minimize complications, teaching exercises that would increase post operative function, and quality discharge planning. The program is coordinated by the Patient Care Managers (PCM) and is offered to 4 patients twice weekly.

Renal hemangiopericytoma. Case report and review of the literature.

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an uncommon tumor which was first described in 1942. There are no unique radiological or clinical identifiers that can reliably aid in preoperative diagnosis. Surgery is the only reliable therapy as both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have proven ineffective in several series.

Clinical applications of the threshold tracking pacemaker.

The concept of automatic threshold tracking is the most recent adaptation of artificial cardiac pacemakers to physiologic needs. Earlier pacemaker innovations were primarily in the area of timing of impulse delivery, whereas more recent changes have focused on alteration of the amplitude and duration of the pacemaker stimulus. Matching of this stimulus to the cardiac excitation threshold is important because a stimulus greater than necessary is wasteful of battery energy and may produce arrhythmias, whereas a stimulus of less than threshold intensity fails to pace the heart.