Acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab as frontline treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a single-arm, open-label, phase 2 study.

Background: Both continuous therapy with acalabrutinib and fixed-duration therapy with venetoclax-obinutuzumab are effective for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. We hypothesised that frontline time-limited, minimal residual disease (MRD)-guided triplet therapy with acalabrutinib, venetoclax, and obinutuzumab would induce deep (ie, more patients with undetectable MRD) and durable remissions.

Methods: In this open-label, single-arm, investigator-sponsored, phase 2 study, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma were recruited from two academic hospitals in Boston, MA, USA.

Predictors of disease-free survival in rectal cancer patients undergoing curative proctectomy.

Objective: To identify the factors that affect the disease-free survival (DFS) of rectal cancer patients.

Method: Patients from an IRB approved rectal cancer database were reviewed (1990-2000). All patients underwent either abdominoperineal resection or low anterior resection using total mesorectal excision with curative intent.

Colorectal lymphoma.

Lymphoma involving the colon and rectum is rare and can occur either as primary colorectal lymphoma or as a manifestation of systemic disease. Most patients with primary colorectal lymphoma present with abdominal pain, and obstruction is unusual. Although lesions may be evident on radiographic studies, the findings are generally nonspecific.

FDG-PET/CT in the evaluation of anal carcinoma.

Purpose: Surgical staging and treatment of anal carcinoma has been replaced by noninvasive staging studies and combined modality therapy. In this study, we compare computed tomography (CT) and physical examination to [(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the staging of carcinoma of the anal canal, with special emphasis on determination of spread to inguinal lymph nodes.

Methods And Materials: Between July 2003 and July 2005, 41 consecutive patients with biopsy-proved anal carcinoma underwent a complete staging evaluation including physical examination, CT, and 2-FDG-PET/CT.

Is there any difference in recurrence rates in laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease compared with conventional surgery? A long-term, follow-up study.

Purpose: The long-term outcome of laparoscopic ileocolic resection in patients with Crohn's disease is not well defined. This study was designed to define the surgical recurrence rate after laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease and to compare it with that seen after open ileocolic resection.

Methods: A retrospective review of 113 records of patients who underwent index ileocolic resection for terminal ileal Crohn's disease was performed (1987-2003).

Retrorectal tumors: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Purpose: Tumors occurring in the retrorectal space are heterogeneous and uncommon. The utility of newer imaging techniques has not been extensively described, and operative approach is variable. This study examined the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of retrorectal tumors at a tertiary referral center.

The role of interferon regulatory factor-1 and interferon regulatory factor-2 in IFN-gamma growth inhibition of human breast carcinoma cell lines.

Interferon (IFN) regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and IRF-2 play opposing roles in the regulation of many IFN-gamma-inducible genes. To investigate the signal transduction pathway in response to IFN-gamma in light of differences in growth effects, we selected four human breast carcinoma cell lines based on a spectrum of growth inhibition by IFN-gamma. MDA468 growth was markedly inhibited by IFN-gamma, and it showed substantial induction of IRF-1 mRNA but little IRF-2 induction.

Randomized, clinical trial of Ligasure vs conventional diathermy in hemorrhoidectomy.

Purpose: Hemorrhoidectomy is frequently associated with significant postoperative pain, and new techniques to reduce this pain are constantly under evaluation. The present study was conducted to determine the usefulness of the Ligasure system and compare it with conventional diathermy for hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients with Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids requiring surgery were recruited and randomized into two groups by preoperative assignment of sealed envelopes.

Two-dimensional simulation and modeling in scanning electron microscope imaging and metrology research.

Traditional Monte Carlo modeling of the electron beam-specimen interactions in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) produces information about electron beam penetration and output signal generation at either a single beam-landing location, or multiple landing positions. If the multiple landings lie on a line, the results can be graphed in a line scan-like format. Monte Carlo results formatted as line scans have proven useful in providing one-dimensional information about the sample (e.

Application of the low-loss scanning electron microscope image to integrated circuit technology. Part 1--Applications to accurate dimension measurements.

Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) are the most extensively used tools for dimensional metrology and defect inspection for integrated circuit technologies with 180 nm and smaller features. Currently, almost all SEMs are designed to collect as many secondary and backscattered electrons as possible. These signals are mainly secondary electrons (SE1, SE2, and SE3) detected with various detection schemes.

Interferon regulatory factor expression in human breast cancer.

Objective: To investigate the expression of interferon regulatory factors 1 and 2 (IRF-1 and IRF-2) in human breast cancer.

Summary Background Data: Interferon regulatory factors 1 and 2 are transcription factors in the interferon gamma signal transduction pathway. IRF-1 acts as the effector arm of the interferon gamma response; IRF-2 binds to the same DNA consensus sequence and opposes IRF-1 activity.

Minimal incision parathyroidectomy: cure, cosmesis, and cost.

The goals of operative treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism are (1) cure; (2) minimal invasion; and (3) cost-effectiveness. The optimal strategy is controversial. Retrospective review of was undertaken 66 previously unoperated patients having minimal-incision, full-neck exploration by one surgeon over 29 months.

Interferon regulatory factor-1 and -2 expression in human melanoma specimens.

Background: Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and IRF-2 are nuclear transcription factors that respond to interferon-gamma. IRF-1 acts as the effector arm of the interferon-gamma response in tumor cells, whereas IRF-2 binds to the same DNA consensus sequence and opposes IRF-1 activity. This effect is intact in human and murine tumor models, including melanomas; previous work in our laboratory demonstrated the tumor-suppressing activity of IRF-1 expression in in vivo models and the opposing effect of IRF-2.

Enhancing in vivo tumorigenicity of B16 melanoma by overexpressing interferon regulatory factor-2: resistance to endogenous IFN-gamma.

We investigated the role of interferon (IFN) regulatory factor-2 (IRF-2) as an oncoprotein in vivo, opposing endogenous IFN-gamma suppression of tumor growth. Using syngeneic IFN-gamma knockout mice, we show that endogenous IFN-gamma slows growth of the mouse melanoma cell line B16-F10 in immunocompetent mice, suggesting that tumor cell resistance to IFN-gamma may lead to greater tumorigenicity. IRF-2 is a nuclear transcription factor induced by IFN-gamma that represses numerous IFN-inducible genes, including genes that regulate cell growth, in opposition to the transcriptional activator IRF-1.

Pancreatic islet cell tumor metastasis in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: correlation with primary tumor size.

Background: Islet cell tumor (ICT) metastasis is one of the potentially lethal outcomes of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). Management of ICT in patients with MEN 1 is controversial; some advocate resection based on biochemical evidence of progression, whereas others use tumor size to predict the risk of metastasis and the need for resection. This study correlates the size of primary ICT with the presence of metastases.

Orthodontic forces increase tumor necrosis factor alpha in the human gingival sulcus.

The production of cytokines has been associated with the biology of tooth movement in animal populations. The purpose of this study was to measure tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) directly in the human gingival sulcus before and after the application of an orthodontic force. To recover TNF from the sulcus, paramagnetic beads, coated with monoclonal antibodies for TNF, were introduced into the gingival sulcus of 50 teeth undergoing orthodontic tooth movement (by two force systems) in 20 patients.

X-Ray Lithography Mask Metrology: Use of Transmitted Electrons in an SEM for Linewidth Measurement.

X-ray masks present a measurement object that is different from most other objects used in semiconductor processing because the support membrane is, by design, x-ray transparent. This characteristic can be used as an advantage in electron beam-based x-ray mask metrology since, depending upon the incident electron beam energies, substrate composition and substrate thickness, the membrane can also be essentially electron transparent. The areas of the mask where the absorber structures are located are essentially x-ray opaque, as well as electron opaque.

Endoscopic treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. Therapeutic, economic and social benefits.

In this report on the therapeutic results in patients with moderate and severe endometriosis treated by operative laser laparoscopy, we also present a comparative analysis of cost and duration of hospitalization and of convalescence in comparable patients treated by laparoscopy versus laparotomy. Sixty patients treated by the same surgeon with operative laser laparoscopy were followed for a period of at least one year to calculate cumulative pregnancy rates, monthly fecundity rates, and monthly probability of pregnancy. The mean duration of hospitalization and incapacitation as well as physician and hospital costs incurred by the laparoscopy treated patients were compared with those incurred by 60 patients with similar degrees of endometriosis but treated by microsurgery at laparotomy.

Correspondence between attitudes and drinking and drug behavior: youth subculture over time.

In a longitudinal study, the researcher utilized both nonparticipant observational data and quantified interview data to analyze the correspondence between attitudes of the "youth subculture" theories and overt behavioral patterns. The data were collected in an upper-middle-class, predominantly white, Southern California beach community. An initial cohort of 23 males was followed from 1971 through 1981.