The negative hydrogen Penning ion gauge ion source for KIRAMS-13 cyclotron

The cold-cathode-type Penning ion gauge (PIG) ion source for the internal ion source of KIRAMS-13 cyclotron has been used for generation of negative hydrogen ions. The dc H-beam current of 650 microA from the PIG ion source with the Dee voltage of 40 kV and arc current of 1.0 A is extrapolated from the measured dc extraction beam currents at the low extraction dc voltages. The output optimization of PIG ion source in the cyclotron has been carried out by using various chimneys with different sizes of the expansion gap between the plasma boundary and the chimney wall. This paper presents the results of the dc H-extraction measurement and the expansion gap experiment.

Combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and cisplatin in elderly patients (≥65 years) with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer

18135

Background: Combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and cisplatin is one of the standard treatments for patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). In elderly patients, however, its efficacy and toxicity has not been well documented. In this Phase II study, we assessed the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and cisplatin and examined whether advanced age compromises it in elderly patients with previously untreated extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). Methods: In this study, 43 previously untreated elderly patients (65 years or older) with ED-SCLC were given combination chemotherapy consisting of irinotecan 60mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 and cisplatin 60mg/m2 on days 1. The treatment was repeated every four weeks until patients completed the maximum six cycles. Results: Patients consisted of 34 men and 9 women, whose median age was 70 years (range 65 - 81 years). A complete response and a partial response were observed in 23.3% (10/43) and 58.1% (25/43), respectively. The overall response rate was 81.4% (95% C.I; 69.7 - 93.0%). The overall median survival was 10.3 months (range 7.8 - 12.7 months). The 1-year and 2- year survival rates were 31.8% and 3.4%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 8.32 months (range 6.8 - 9.8 months). Major toxicities included neutropenia (grade 3 to 4, 55.9%), leukopenia (grade 3 to 4, 46.5%), infection (grade 3 to 4, 37.3%) and diarrhea (grade 3 to 4, 30.3%). Incidence of febrile neutropenia was significantly higher in patients with ECOG performance status 2 compared with ECOG performance 1 (70.7% vs. 5.2%; p < 0.001). There were two treatment related deaths in patients ECOG performance status 2. Conclusions: Our results indicate that combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and cisplatin is an effective treatment for elderly patients with ED-SCLC. However, physicians should be aware of the mortality and morbidity due to myelosuppression following this treatment in elderly ED-SCLC patients with ECOG performance status 2.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Overexpression of VEGF-C and -D may predict unfavorable outcome in resected non-small cell lung cancer

21114

Background: Correlation of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D and/or VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) with lymphatic spread, tissue invasion and poor clinical outcomes has been observed in various cancers. Nodal metastasis is known to one of poor prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the correlation of VEGF-C,-VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 with clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival in NSCLC. Methods: Using immunohistochemial staining, we analyzed the protein expressions of VEGF-C, VEGFD and VEGFR-3 on the tissue array specimens from 180 patients with completely resected NSCLC. A 0 to +1 immunohistochemical staining (IHCS) of the cancer cell was defined as negative, +2 to +3 IHCS was as positive. Results: The expressions of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR-3 were observed in 28.9%, 32.8% and 30.6% of cases, respectively. In the Cox regression-based multivariate analysis, it was proved that VEGF-C and D proved to be an independent prognostic factors as well as known prognostic factors, such as tumor size and lymph node metastases (VEGF-C, p=0.001; VEGF-D, p=0.014). VEGF-C expression showed statistically significant correlation with the expression of VEGFR-3 (p=0.02). Conclusion: To be taken, the present study revealed that VEGF-C and D expression may predict poor prognosis in resected NSCLC patients. Therefore, these results seems to be worth developing promising targeting inhibitors on lymphangiogenesis which plays major role in locoregional recurrence for surgically NSCLC patinets.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Development of symptom assessment tool for terminal cancer patients

19634

Background: A symptom assessment is important to control the terminal cancer patients’ symptoms successfully and improve their quality of life. Our research team has developed the objective assessment method for the terminal patients’ symptoms and compared the results with the patient self-reported outcomes using Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). Methods: From September in 2004, the 121 inpatients without anti-cancer therapy in terminal stage of cancer were evaluated in Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital. The 17 common symptoms were graded as four categories; none(0), mild(1), moderate(2), and severe(3) with reference to NCI-CTC and WHO toxicity criteria. An attending physician assessed 17 symptoms at the similar hour every day. Among the inpatients, those who had clear consciousness and could communicate normally were investigated every week to evaluate the frequency and severity of common symptoms and their distress degree using MSAS. Results: Only 54 patients (44.6%) could be examined to evaluate the symptoms by MSAS. However, the symptoms estimated by our assessment tool were less serious in the terms of severity and distress degree than that patients felt actually. This tendency was shown more obviously in the mental symptoms; Drowsiness (p=0.0001), Nervousness (p=0.0001), and Anxiety (p=0.005). However, the physical symptoms had no statistical difference between the results from patients and physician. Conclusions: Patient-reported outcomes using MSAS could be obtained from 44.6% of the inpatients with terminal cancer every week. However, the objective assessment tool to evaluate the common symptoms of terminal cancer patients can be applied for all patients including the incommunicable, every day. Furthermore, this assessment tool may be more suitable for examining the physical symptoms of terminal cancer patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Inhibition of cell proliferation by lenalidomide is associated with stimulation of Egr1 transcriptional activity in a chromosome 5 deleted Burkitt’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma cell line

8110

Background: The mechanism by which lenalidomide exerts its anti-proliferative effects in deletion 5q MDS clones or MM cells is not yet fully elucidated. Early growth response (Egr1) gene is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 5q31.1 that encodes a transcription factor involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. We hypothesized that lenalidomide may act by enhancing the expression or activity of Egr1 in sensitive hematopoietic tumor cells, especially those with only a single copy of the Egr1 gene. Methods: Transcriptional activity was measured using luciferase reporter plasmids. Gene knockdown and expression studies used siRNA technology and qRT-PCR, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Results: Lenalidomide stimulated the transcriptional activity of Egr1 in the lenalidomide-sensitive chromosome 5 deleted Burkitt's lymphoma Namalwa CSN.70 and in the MM cell line LP-1. Egr1 siRNA Namalwa cells proliferated more than mock controls, indicating that Egr1 functions as a tumor suppressor in Namalwa cells. Lenalidomide had no effect on expression of Egr1, but augmented Egr1 nuclear transport in a dose-dependent manner. Lenalidomide did not affect expression of the Egr1 downstream effector genes ATF3, fibronectin, p53, PTEN, and TGF-β1, while p21 levels increased. However, lenalidomide-induced p21 expression was not affected in Egr1 siRNA Namalwa cells. Interestingly, lenalidomide’s anti-proliferative potency was greater in Egr1 siRNA Namalwa but not in Egr1 siRNA LP-1 cells. Conclusions: Lenalidomide induces nuclear transport and transcriptional activation of the tumor suppressor Egr1, which may contribute to lenalidomide’s anti-proliferative activity in a non-p21 dependent manner. This activity may be related to the levels of Egr1 expression, explaining why del 5q31 myelodysplastic clones are especially sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of lenalidomide.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The Preliminary Study of Unobtrusive respiratory monitoring for e-health

AIn this study, we developed a wearable physiological measurement device (bioshirt). The developed bioshirt can record ECG (lead I, lead II, V1), blood oxygen saturation, 2-axis acceleration, and skin temperature in mobile environment. Sensors are embedded into the bioshirt. It showed noticeable performance in terms of usability and monitoring. Respiration signal is acquired by inductive plethysmograph (IP). However, acquired IP signal is by the upper body movement like arm or abdomen movement. To get correct respiratory signal, we use both IP and EDR (ECG-derived respiration). EDR is used to supplement the IP that is contaminated by some artifact. As result, it provide suitable respiration rate (RR) although IP is contaminated by some noise.

Development of a wrist-worn integrated health monitoring system

In this paper, we report upon the prototype development of a wrist-worn integrated health monitoring device (WIHMD) with a tele-reporting function. The functional objective of the WIHMD is to provide information concerning clinical state, such as vital biosignals and locational information, to experts at a distance. Thereby, the unit provides the facility for rapid and appropriate directions to be given by experts in emergency situations, and enables the user or the supervisor to manage changes in health condition with helpful treatment.

Synthetic vision and emotion calculation in intelligent virtual human modeling

The virtual human technique can already provide vivid and believable human behaviour in more and more scenarios. Virtual humans are expected to replace real humans in hazardous situations to undertake tests and feed back valuable information. This paper will introduce a virtual human with a novel collision-based synthetic vision, short-term memory model and a capability to implement emotion calculation and decision making. The virtual character based on this model can 'see' what is in its field of view (FOV) and remember those objects. After that, a group of affective computing equations have been introduced. These equations have been implemented into a proposed emotion calculation process to enlighten emotion for virtual intelligent humans.

Observation of B(s)0-->K+ K- and measurements of branching fractions of charmless two-body decays of B0 and B(s)0 mesons in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We search for decays of the type B(s)0-->h+ h'- (where h,h' = K or pi) in 180 pb(-1) of pp collisions collected at the Tevatron by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab. We report the first observation of the new mode B(s)0-->K+ K- with a yield of 236+/-32 events, corresponding to (fs/fd) x B(B(s)0-->K+ K-)/B(B0-->K+ pi-) = 0.46+/-0.08stat+/-0.07syst, where fs/fd is the ratio of production fractions of B(s)0 and B0. We find results in agreement with world averages for the B0 modes, and set the following new limits at 90% C.L.: B(B(s)0-->K- pi+) < 5.6 x 10(-6) and B(B(s)0-->pi+ pi-) < 1.7 x 10(-6).

Search for excited and exotic muons in the mugamma decay channel in p-p collisions at sqrt s =1.96 TeV

We search for excited and exotic muon states mu* using an integrated luminosity of 371 pb(-1) of p[over]p collision data at sqrt[s]=1.96 TeV. We search for associated production of mumu* followed by the decay mu*-->mugamma. We compare the data to model predictions as a function of the mass of the excited muon M(mu*), the compositeness energy scale Lambda, and the gauge coupling factor f. No signal above the standard model expectation is observed. We exclude 107<M(mu*)<853 GeV/c(2) for Lambda=M(mu*) in the contact interaction model, and 100<M(mu*)<410 GeV/c(2) for f/Lambda=10(-2) GeV-1 in the gauge-mediated model, both at the 95% confidence level.

Search for large extra dimensions in the production of jets and missing transverse energy in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for new physics in the jets plus missing transverse energy data sample collected from 368 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We compare the number of events observed in the data with a data-based estimate of the standard model backgrounds contributing to this signature. We observe no significant excess of events, and we interpret this null result in terms of lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale for a large extra dimensions scenario.

Linker-free directed assembly of high-performance integrated devices based on nanotubes and nanowires

Advanced electronic devices based on carbon nanotubes (NTs) and various types of nanowires (NWs) could have a role in next-generation semiconductor architectures. However, the lack of a general fabrication method has held back the development of these devices for practical applications. Here we report an assembly strategy for devices based on NTs and NWs. Inert surface molecular patterns were used to direct the adsorption and alignment of NTs and NWs on bare surfaces to form device structures without the use of linker molecules. Substrate bias further enhanced the amount of NT and NW adsorption. Significantly, as all the processing steps can be performed with conventional microfabrication facilities, our method is readily accessible to the present semiconductor industry. We use this method to demonstrate large-scale assembly of NT- and NW-based integrated devices and their applications. We also provide extensive analysis regarding the reliability of the method.

Measurement of the tt production cross section in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present a measurement of the top quark pair production cross section in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV using 318 pb(-1) of data collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We select tt[over ] decays into the final states enu+jets and mu nu+ jets, in which at least one b quark from the t-quark decays is identified using a secondary vertex-finding algorithm. Assuming a top quark mass of 178 GeV/c2, we measure a cross section of 8.7 +/- 0.9(stat)(-0.9)+1.1(syst) pb. We also report the first observation of tt[over ] with significance greater than 5sigma in the subsample in which both b quarks are identified, corresponding to a cross section of 10.1(-1.4)+1.6(stat)(-1.3)+2.0(syst) pb.

Search for a neutral Higgs boson decaying to a W boson pair in pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV

We present the results of a search for standard model Higgs boson production with decay to WW*, identified through the leptonic final states e+ e- nu nu,+/-mu -/+nu nu and mu+ mu- nu nu. This search uses 360 pb -1 of data collected from pp collisions at square root of s =1.96 TeV by the upgraded Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF II). We observe no signal excess and set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching ratio for the Higgs boson to WW* or any new scalar particle with similar decay products. These upper limits range from 5.5 to 3.2 pb for Higgs boson masses between 120 and 200 GeV/c2.

Measurement of the Bs0-Bs0 oscillation frequency

We present the first precise measurement of the Bs0-Bs0 oscillation frequency Deltams. We use 1 fb-1 of data from pp collisions at sqrts=1.96 TeV collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The sample contains signals of 3600 fully reconstructed hadronic Bs decays and 37,000 partially reconstructed semileptonic Bs decays. We measure the probability as a function of proper decay time that the Bs decays with the same, or opposite, flavor as the flavor at production, and we find a signal consistent with Bs0-Bs0 oscillations. The probability that random fluctuations could produce a comparable signal is 0.2%. Under the hypothesis that the signal is due to Bs0-Bs0 oscillations, we measure Deltams=17.31(-0.18)+0.33(stat)+/-0.07(syst) ps-1 and determine |Vtd/Vts|=0.208(-0.002)+0.001(expt)-0.006(+0.008)(theor).

Search for new physics in lepton+photon+X events with 305 pb(-1) of pp collisions at [square root of s] = 1.96 TeV

We present results of a search for anomalous production of events containing a charged lepton (l, either e or mu) and a photon (gamma), both with high transverse momentum, accompanied by additional signatures X, including missing transverse energy (ET) and additional leptons and photons. We use the same selection criteria as in a previous CDF search but with a substantially larger data set, 305 pb(-1), a pp collision energy of 1.96 TeV, and the CDF II detector. We find 42 lgammaET events versus an expectation of 37.3+/-5.4 events. We observe 31 llgamma+X events versus an expectation of 23.0+/-2.7 events. We find no events similar to the run I eegammagammaET event.

Measurement of the Bc+ meson lifetime using the decay mode Bc+ --> J/Psie+nue

We present a measurement of the Bc+ meson lifetime in the decay mode Bc+ --> J/Psie+nue using the Collider Detector at Fermilab II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. From a sample of about of 360 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of s = 1.96 TeV, we reconstruct J/Psie+ pairs with invariant mass in the kinematically allowed range 4< M(J/Psie) < 6 GeV/c2. A fit to the decay-length distribution of 238 signal events yields a measured Bc+ meson lifetime of 0.463(-0.065)(+0.073)(stat) +/- 0.036(syst) ps.

Death predicictive factor in terminal cancer patients

18627

Background: One of the most important role of a end-of-life care is to control physical symptoms of patients and help them to face comfortable end. In terminally ill cancer patients, accurate prediction of survival is necessary for clinical and ethical reasons, especially in helping to avoid harm, discomfort and inappropriate therapies and in planning specific care strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate prognostic factor of death for the patients with terminal cancer. Methods: We enrolled 121 patients with the terminal cancer of Kangnam St. Mary’s Hospital from September 2004 until their death. We observed symptoms shown in dying patients and assess 17 common symptoms shown in terminally ill cancer patients, performance status, pain and analgesic use. The common symptoms were measured in a score of 0-none, 1-mild, 2-moderate, 3-severe or 4-severe by objective criteria. Results: Mean period from enrollment to death was 34.7days. The most important prognostic factor is performance status (KPS), average KPS at enrollment is 52.2% and at last 48hours is 29.8%. Physical symptoms that have significant prognostic importance are weakness, anorexia, dry mouth, dysphagia, dyspnea. VAS and analgesic use dose not impact on the prognosis. But cognitive impairment and delirium are the reliable prognostic factor. Especially weakness, dry mouth, poor oral intake, drowsiness, edema, dyspnea, ascites, icterua gradually worsened with significance. Dying patients showed markedly decreased blood pressure, cyanosis, cold extremity, death rattle, abnormal respiration frequently at 48hours before death. Conclusions: Terminally ill cancer patients have various prognostic factor and the most important factor is performance status. The death predictive symptoms such as markedly decreased pressure, cyanosis, cold extremity, death rattle, abnormal respiration appeared at last 48hours. If we assess the symptoms more carefully, we can predict the more accurate prognosis. The communication about the prognostic information will influence the personal therapeutic decision and specific care planning.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin followed by concurrent chemoradiation therapy for Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer

17090

Background: We conducted a phase II study of Induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin followed by concurrent chemoradiation in patients with stage IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer to evaluate the response and toxicity profiles. Methods: All enrolled patients were scheduled to receive 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) intravenous infusion on day 1 and cisplatin (75 mg/m2) intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks. All non-progressing patients were subsequently treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Concurrent chemoradiation included paclitaxel (60 mg/m2) plus cisplatin (25 mg/m2) intravenously for 6 weeks on day 43, 50, 57, 71, 78, and 85 and once-daily thoracic irradiation. Results: Between July 2000 and October 2005, 39 patients diagnosed as stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study. Four patients achieved a complete response (10.3%) and 21 patients achieved a partial response (53.8 %), for an overall response rate of 64.1% [95% C.I. (49.4%–79.2 %)]. The 1, 2, and 3 year overall survival rate of all 39 patients were 66.7%, 40.6%, and 27.4% respectively, with a median survival time of 20 months. The median progression free survival was 10.7 months [95% C.I. (4.5%–16.9%)]. Esophagitis was the principal toxicity. Grade 3 or 4 esophagitis occurred in 18 patients (45%). Conclusions: Induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin followed by concurrent chemoradiation for stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer seems to be effective treatment. However, Physicians should also be aware of severe esophagitis to require inpatient parenteral nutrition support and pain control.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Observation of B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi and measurement of the ratio of branching fractions Beta(B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi)/Beta(B(0)(s)-->J/PsiPhi)

We report the first observation of B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi decay in p(p_) collisions at square root of 8=1.96 TeV using 360 pb(-1) of data collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe 20.2 +/- 5.0 and 12.3 +/- 4.1 B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi candidates, in Psi(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-) and Phi(2S)-->J/Phipi(+)pi(-) decay modes, respectively. We present a measurement of the relative branching fraction Beta(B(0)(s)-->Psi(2S)Phi)/Beta(B(0)(s)-->J/PsiPhi)=0.52 +/- 0.13(stat) +/- 0.04(syst) +/- 0.06(BR) using the Psi(2S)-->mu(+)mu(-) decay mode.