Isolation and Characterization of a ssDNA Aptamer against Major Soluble Antigen of .

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) is a major health problem of salmonids, affecting both wild and cultured salmon. The disease is caused by (Rs), a fastidious, slow-growing and strongly Gram-positive diplobacillus that produces chronic, systemic infection characterized by granulomatous lesions in the kidney and other organs, often resulting in death. Fast detection of the pathogen is important to limit the spread of the disease, particularly in hatcheries or aquaculture facilities.

Current clinical applications of antimullerian hormone.

Purpose Of Review: Determine if literature supports the use of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a useful biomarker of reproductive potential when cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) per retrieval are used as the outcome variable.

Recent Findings: Advances in technology used in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) permit the use of single embryo transfer to achieve expected pregnancy success rates. Many IVF cycles result in the creation of more than a single embryo suitable for transfer per oocyte retrieval.

Phase II randomized trial of carboplatin and gemcitabine with or without dexamethasone pre-treatment in patients with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Pre-clinical and early-phase clinical studies have demonstrated that dexamethasone (DEX) administration prior to chemotherapy reduces toxicity and enhances efficacy in the treatment of cancer. We undertook a randomized, phase II multi-institutional trial to evaluate these effects in patients with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: Patients were treated with carboplatin on day 1 and gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 every 21 days, for up to 6 cycles.

Early PET/CT scans for assessing treatment responses of non-small cell lung cancer for SBRT boost: what to do with scans from multiple scanners.

Chemoradiation remains the standard of care for the nonsurgical treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but local recurrence rates of 30-40% are documented. We examined the early PET/CT responses of NSCLC treated with standard chemoradiation in a prospective single institutional trial of early F-2-deoxy-D-glucose-PET/CT scans to help define patients appropriate for dose escalation with SBRT. 48 patients with stage IIA, IIB or IIIA-B NSCLC with no or non-bulky ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Risk for fatal pulmonary hemorrhage does not appear to be increased following dose escalation using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Purpose: A prospective single institution study evaluating the feasibility of conventional chemoradiation (CRT) followed by SBRT as a means of dose escalation for patients with stage II-III NSCLC with residual disease recently completed accrual. Two patients enrolled developed unexpected fatal pulmonary hemorrhages. A post-hoc analysis was performed to evaluate for an association between protocol therapy and this grade 5 toxicity.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy can be used safely to boost residual disease in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective study.

Purpose: To report the results of a prospective, single-institution study evaluating the feasibility of conventional chemoradiation (CRT) followed by stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as a means of dose escalation for patients with stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with residual disease.

Methods And Materials: Patients without metastatic disease and with radiologic evidence of limited residual disease (≤5 cm) within the site of the primary tumor and good or complete nodal responses after standard CRT to a target dose of 60 Gy were considered eligible. The SBRT boost was done to achieve a total combined dose biological equivalent dose >100 Gy to the residual primary tumor, consisting of 10 Gy × 2 fractions (20 Gy total) for peripheral tumors, and 6.

A search to identify genetic risk factors for endometriosis.

Problem: To search for molecular markers of endometriosis the following polymorphisms: p53 codon 72 Pro (apoptosis), TNF alpha-308 (inflammation), VEGF-1164AA (angiogenesis), and SOD2 (oxidative stress) were investigated.

Method Of Study: Forty-two women-24 with surgically proven endometriosis and 18 with no endometriosis found at the time of laparoscopy-had buccal swabs taken for DNA analyses of 4 gene polymorphisms including p53codon72, TNF-308 G/A, VEGF-1154G/A, SOD Ala16Val DNA. The frequencies of genotypes and alleles of these polymorphisms were compared between women with and without endometriosis.

Carboxylesterase-triggered hydrolysis of nanoparticle PEGylating agents.

Despite the importance of PEGylation in achieving long nanoparticle circulation times, many nanoparticles are coated with PEGylating agents susceptible to enzymatic degradation. In this study, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) prepared with ester-containing compounds were evaluated for their stability in the presence of carboxylesterase. SLN suspensions became turbid within 30 min of enzymatic exposure, indicating possible disassociation of a portion of the nanoparticles.

High payload dual therapeutic-imaging nanocarriers for triggered tumor delivery.

The in vitro and in vivo characterization of an optimized formulation of nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with a high content of dexamethasone palmitate (DEX-P), a chemotherapeutic adjuvant that decreases interstitial fluid pressure in tumors, and (111) In, a signaling agent, is described. These NPs are uniform in size and composition. Single photon emission computed tomography imaging demonstrates significant tumor uptake of (111) In-labeled DEX-P NPs in tumor-bearing mice.

Exploring geographic variation in lung cancer incidence in Kentucky using a spatial scan statistic: elevated risk in the Appalachian coal-mining region.

Objectives: We examined geographic patterns of lung cancer incidence in Kentucky. Recent research has suggested that the coal-mining industry contributes to lung cancer risk in Appalachia. We focused on the southeastern portion of the state, which has some of the highest lung cancer rates in the nation.

Physicochemical characterization of nanotemplate engineered solid lipid nanoparticles.

As the physicochemical characteristics of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) play a critical role in their success, it is important to understand how the materials and process used in their preparation affect these properties. In this study, two stearyl alcohol-based formulations were prepared using nanotemplate engineering technology and characterized. Both formulations were of a small particle size (<100 nm), ellipsoidal shape, and low polydispersity.

Uniformity of drug payload and its effect on stability of solid lipid nanoparticles containing an ester prodrug.

Nanocarrier systems are frequently characterized by their size distribution, while drug encapsulation in nanocarriers is generally characterized in terms of an entire population, assuming that drug distribution is uniform. Careful characterization of nanocarriers and assessment of their behavior in biological environments are essential for adequate prediction of the fate of the nanoparticles in vivo. Solid lipid nanoparticles containing [(3)H]-dexamethasone palmitate (an ester prodrug) and [(14)C]-stearyl alcohol (a component of the nanoparticle matrix) were prepared using the nanotemplate engineering method for bioresponsive tumor delivery to overcome interstitial fluid pressure gradients, a physiological barrier to tumor uptake of chemotherapeutic agents.

Historical demography and phylogeography of a specialist bark beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins (Curculionidae: Scolytinae).

Contemporary distribution of North American species has been shaped by past glaciation events during the Quaternary period. However, their effects were not as severe in the southern Rocky Mountains and Northern Mexico as elsewhere in North America. In this context, we test hypotheses about the historical demography of Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, based on 136 haplotypes of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I.

Phase I pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of the oral MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor PD-0325901 in patients with advanced cancers.

Purpose: To determine tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PD-0325901, a highly potent, selective, oral mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase 1/2 inhibitor in advanced cancer patients.

Experimental Design: Sixty-six patients received PD-0325901 at doses from 1 mg once daily to 30 mg twice daily (BID). Cycles were 28 days; three administration schedules were evaluated.

A phase I study of 7-t-butyldimethylsilyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin in adult patients with refractory or metastatic solid malignancies.

Purpose: 7-t-Butyldimethylsilyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (AR-67) is a novel third generation camptothecin selected for development based on the blood stability of its pharmacologically active lactone form and its high potency in preclinical models. Here, we report the initial phase I experience with i.v.

Effect of geographic isolation on genetic differentiation in Dendroctonus pseudotsugae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Genetic structure of phytophagous insects has been widely studied, however, relative influence of the effect of geographic isolation, the host plant or both has been subject of considerable debate. Several studies carried out on bark beetles in the genus Dendroctonus evaluated these factors; nonetheless, recent evidence has shown that genetic structuring is a more complex process. Our goal was to examine the effect of geographic isolation on genetic structure of the Douglas-fir beetle Dendroctonus pseudotsugae.

Intensive anti-inflammatory therapy with dexamethasone in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: effect on chemotherapy toxicity and efficacy.

Background: Our preclinical and clinical data suggest that pretreatment with dexamethasone 4 days prior to chemotherapy increased the efficacy and decreased the toxicity of carboplatin and gemcitabine. To translate these findings to patients, we have undertaken a Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

Methods: Thirty patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received gemcitabine, 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, and carboplatin, AUC 5.

Nanoparticles containing anti-inflammatory agents as chemotherapy adjuvants: optimization and in vitro characterization.

The pre-administration of dexamethasone (DEX) has previously been shown to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. The delivery of anti-inflammatory agents specifically to tumors via nanoparticle carriers is expected to promote the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents while avoiding systemic toxicities. The process for preparing solid lipid nanoparticles containing anti-inflammatory agents using the nanotemplate engineering method was optimized.

Recurrent implantation failure: definition.

Purpose: An attempt to define recurrent implantation failure.

Methods: Literature review.

Results: Numerous definitions of recurrent implantation failure exist.

Dexamethasone as a chemosensitizer for breast cancer chemotherapy: potentiation of the antitumor activity of adriamycin, modulation of cytokine expression, and pharmacokinetics.

Dexamethasone (DEX) is mainly used as an anti-emetic agent in cancer therapy. We have recently demonstrated that DEX pretreatment increases the antitumor activity of the cancer chemotherapeutic agents carboplatin and gemcitabine, and decreases host toxicity in nude mouse xenograft models of human cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.

Having a child to save a sibling: reassessing risks and benefits of creating stem cell donors.

This manuscript assesses the risks, benefits, and ethical concerns regarding the use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) to create a new donor for stem cell transplantation. We address ethical literature, the medical and psychosocial impact on patient, donor, family, and medical caregivers, and the appropriate decision-making process. We conclude that the use of ART to create a stem cell donor can be ethically acceptable.

Effect of docetaxel chemotherapy on the activity of a gonadotropin releasing hormone vaccine in patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Background: Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-DT vaccine elicits antibody that may inhibit prostate cancers indirectly by blocking GnRH induced gonadotropin release, and consequent androgen synthesis, and directly by immune effector and antiproliferative mechanisms. A pilot study was performed to determine how to best combine GnRH-DT vaccine with potentially immunosuppressive chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer were randomized into either a concurrent cohort, in which they received docetaxel on day 1 of weeks 1, 4, 7, and 10 and GnRH-DT vaccine on day 2 of weeks 1, 3, and 7 or a sequential cohort, in which they received GnRH-DT vaccine on weeks 1, 3, and 7 before beginning docetaxel on week 10.

Neoadjuvant and concomitant chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with advanced head and neck carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Our study evaluated the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy with radiotherapy compared to standard surgery and radiation therapy in patients with resectable stage III/IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Forty-two eligible patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin 100 mg/m2 intravenously day 1, and 5-fluorouracil 1 g/m2 /day continuous infusion days 1-5 every 3 weeks for 3 courses) followed by radiotherapy (65-70 Gy in 32-39 fractions to the primary site and lymph nodes; 50 Gy in 25-28 fractions to areas at risk) and concomitant chemotherapy (cisplatin 80 mg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks starting on day 1 of radiotherapy). Neoadjuvant therapy induced grade 4 cytopenias (12/42 patients) and grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicities (7/42 patients).

Multicenter phase II study of the oral MEK inhibitor, CI-1040, in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung, breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: This multicenter, open-label, phase II study was undertaken to assess the antitumor activity and safety of the oral mitogen-activated extracellular signal regulated kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, CI-1040, in breast cancer, colon cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and pancreatic cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with advanced colorectal, NSCLC, breast, or pancreatic cancer received oral CI-1040 continuously at 800 mg bid. All patients had measurable disease at baseline, a performance status of 2 or less, and adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal function.