Classroom aerosol dispersion modeling: experimental assessment of a low-cost flow simulation tool

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of a low-cost flow simulation tool for an indoor air modeling application by comparing its outputs with the results of a physical experiment, as well as those from a more advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package. Five aerosol dispersion tests were performed in two different classrooms by releasing a CO2 tracer gas from six student locations. Resultant steady-state concentrations were monitored at 13 locations around the periphery of the room. Subsequently, the experiments were modeled using both a low-cost tool (SolidWorks Flow Simulation) and a more sophisticated tool (STAR-CCM+). Models were evaluated based on their ability to predict the experimentally measured concentrations at the 13 monitoring locations by calculating four performance parameters commonly used in the evaluation of dispersion models: fractional mean bias (FB), normalized mean-square error (NMSE), fraction of predicted value within a factor of two (FAC2), and normalized absolute difference (NAD). The more sophisticated model performed better in 15 of the 20 possible cases (five tests at four parameters each), with parameters meeting acceptance criteria in 19 of 20 cases. However, the lower-cost tool was only slightly worse, with parameters meeting acceptance criteria in 18 of 20 cases, and it performed better than the other tool in 3 of 20 cases. Because it provides useful results at a fraction of the monetary and training cost and is already widely accessible to many institutions, such a tool may be worthwhile for many indoor aerosol dispersion applications, especially for students or researchers just beginning CFD modeling.

Optically Activated 3D Thin-Shell TiO2 for Super-Sensitive Chemoresistive Responses: Toward Visible Light Activation

One of the well-known strategies for achieving high-performance light-activated gas sensors is to design a nanostructure for effective surface responses with its geometric advances. However, no study has gone beyond the benefits of the large surface area and provided fundamental strategies to offer a rational structure for increasing their optical and chemical performances. Here, a new class of UV-activated sensing nanoarchitecture made of highly periodic 3D TiO2, which facilitates 55 times enhanced light absorption by confining the incident light in the nanostructure, is prepared as an active gas channel. The key parameters, such as the total 3D TiO2 film and thin-shell thicknesses, are precisely optimized by finite element analysis. Collectively, this fundamental design leads to ultrahigh chemoresistive response to NO2 with a theoretical detection limit of ≈200 ppt. The demonstration of high responses with visible light illumination proposes a future perspective for light-activated gas sensors based on semiconducting oxides.

High-Contrast Optical Modulation from Strain-Induced Nanogaps at 3D Heterogeneous Interfaces

The realization of high-contrast modulation in optically transparent media is of great significance for emerging mechano-responsive smart windows. However, no study has provided fundamental strategies for maximizing light scattering during mechanical deformations. Here, a new type of 3D nanocomposite film consisting of an ultrathin (≈60 nm) Al2O3 nanoshell inserted between the elastomers in a periodic 3D nanonetwork is proposed. Regardless of the stretching direction, numerous light-scattering nanogaps (corresponding to the porosity of up to ≈37.4 vol%) form at the interfaces of Al2O3 and the elastomers under stretching. This results in the gradual modulation of transmission from ≈90% to 16% at visible wavelengths and does not degrade with repeated stretching/releasing over more than 10 000 cycles. The underlying physics is precisely predicted by finite element analysis of the unit cells. As a proof of concept, a mobile-app-enabled smart window device for Internet of Things applications is realized using the proposed 3D nanocomposite with successful expansion to the 3 × 3 in. scale.

Eruption guidance of horizontally angulated, distally displaced mandibular second premolars: Three case reports

AIM

An improperly positioned tooth germ can lead to tooth impaction, damage to adjacent teeth, and loss of arch integrity. This report describes three cases of eruption guidance of developing mandibular second premolars (MnP2) that were horizontally angulated and displaced to the distal side of the roots of the second primary molars.

CASE REPORT

The primary second molars were extracted when root formation of the succeeding premolar began. Surgical exposure was performed to accelerate eruption. These two procedures led to spontaneous eruption of all premolars. In the last case, however, a displaced second premolar disturbed the eruption of the first molar into the occlusal plane.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors should be considered for an optimal treatment approach, including the clinical eruption status, development of the root MnP2, and effect on the mandibular first molar.

Beam Energy and Centrality Dependence of Direct-Photon Emission from Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum (0.4<p_{T}<3  GeV/c) direct-photon yields from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable dN_{ch}/dη reveals that the low-momentum (>1  GeV/c) direct-photon yield dN_{γ}^{dir}/dη is a smooth function of dN_{ch}/dη and can be well described as proportional to (dN_{ch}/dη)^{α} with α≈1.25. This scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different A+A collision systems. At a given beam energy, the scaling also holds for high p_{T} (>5  GeV/c), but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional sqrt[s_{NN}]-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.

Helicobacter pylori infection and serum level of pepsinogen are associated with the risk of metachronous gastric neoplasm after endoscopic resection

BACKGROUND

Patients who have undergone endoscopic resection of early gastric cancers (EGCs) are at risk for metachronous gastric neoplasm.

AIM

To determine whether serum level of pepsinogen (PG), a marker of gastric atrophy, can determine which patients who have undergone endoscopic submucosal dissection for EGC are at risk for metachronous gastric neoplasm. We also investigated the effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metachronous gastric neoplasm incidence.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 590 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for EGC, from January 2008 to May 2013 at a tertiary centre in South Korea; serum levels of PG were measured at the time of endoscopic submucosal dissection and H. pylori infection status were recorded. In case of proven presence of current H. pylori infection, eradication treatment was provided. Patients underwent follow-up endoscopies at 3 months, 9 months, and each year after the procedure to detect neoplasms and were tested for H. pylori infection; serum levels of PG were measured at these time points from 442 of the patients. The main and sub-cohorts were assessed for baseline characteristics, H. pylori infection, serum level of PG, and metachronous gastric neoplasm lesions.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 47.7 months, 64 patients developed metachronous gastric neoplasms. In multivariate analysis of the main cohort (n = 590), risk factors for metachronous gastric neoplasm included persistent H. pylori infection (hazard ratio [HR], 2.532; P = .022) and serum ratio of PGI:PGII of three or less at the time of endoscopic submucosal dissection (HR, 1.881; P = .018). Among patients with serum PG measurements, persistent H. pylori infection (odds ratio [OR], 4.404; P = .009) and persistent decrease in mean serum ratio of PGI:PGII to 3 or less were associated with increased risk of metachronous gastric neoplasm (OR, 2.141; P = .039).

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent endoscopic resection of EGCs, eradication of H. pylori infection reduced risk for metachronous gastric neoplasm. Serum ratio of PGI:PGII of 3 or less also increase risk of metachronous gastric neoplasm after endoscopic submucosal dissection. ClinicalTrials.gov. registry number, NCT02682446.

Centrality-Dependent Modification of Jet-Production Rates in Deuteron-Gold Collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV

Jet production rates are measured in p+p and d+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV recorded in 2008 with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Jets are reconstructed using the R=0.3 anti-k_{t} algorithm from energy deposits in the electromagnetic calorimeter and charged tracks in multiwire proportional chambers, and the jet transverse momentum (p_{T}) spectra are corrected for the detector response. Spectra are reported for jets with 12<p_{T}<50  GeV/c, within a pseudorapidity acceptance of |η|<0.3. The nuclear-modification factor (R_{dAu}) values for 0%-100% d+Au events are found to be consistent with unity, constraining the role of initial state effects on jet production. However, the centrality-selected R_{dAu} values and central-to-peripheral ratios (R_{CP}) show large, p_{T}-dependent deviations from unity, challenging the conventional models that relate hard-process rates and soft-particle production in collisions involving nuclei.

Inertial focusing in non-rectangular cross-section microchannels and manipulation of accessible focusing positions

Inertial focusing in microfluidic channels has been extensively studied experimentally and theoretically, which has led to various applications including microfluidic separation and enrichment of cells. Inertial lift forces are strongly dependent on the flow velocity profile and the channel cross-sectional shape. However, the channel cross-sections studied have been limited to circles and rectangles. We studied inertial focusing in non-rectangular cross-section channels to manipulate the flow profile and thus the inertial focusing of microparticles. The location and number of focusing positions are analyzed with varying cross-sectional shapes and Reynolds number. We found that the broken symmetry of non-equilateral triangular channels leads to the shifting of focusing positions with varying Reynolds number. Non-rectangular channels have unique mapping of the focusing positions and the corresponding basins of attraction. By connecting channels with different cross-sectional shapes, we were able to manipulate the accessible focusing positions and achieve focusing of microparticles to a single stream with ∼99% purity.

Abstract P1-15-04: Irriversible chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patient

Introduction

Patients with breast cancer who received chemotherapy have distressing side effects such as mucositis, alopecia, gastritis, and BM suppression. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia(CIA) is one of considerable psychological events in self-esteem in patients with breast cancer, but the possibility of irreversible alopecia is often overlooked by physician.

We investigated clinical characteristics of CIA and prevalence of irreversible severe hair loss in patient with breast cancer who received chemotherapy.

Methods

We conducted a survey to collect demographic information about CIA with 150 breast cancer patients who had passed at least 6 months since their last day of chemotherapy from February 2015 to May 2015 in Yonsei Cancer Center. We obtained clinical information as age, elapsed time from end of chemotherapy, chemotherapy regimen, and other adjuvant therapy using their electrical medical records. We compared irreversible CIA characters between anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) and taxane based regimen groups. The severe alopecia was defined as the hair density loss over 50% compared to the hair density before chemotherapy.

Results

The mean age at chemotherapy was 48 years old (±17.3) and the mean elapsed time after chemotherapy was 37 months (±9.5) in total patients.

Remnant alopecia was reported in 71 patients (47.3%). Wig or hat were used in 39 patients (26.0%).

The mean satisfaction score with a five-point scale was 4 in patients without alopecia or hair character change and 2.2 in patients with irreversible alopecia (p&lt;0.001). The severe irreversible hair loss was complained by the 12 (8.2%) patients.

AC and taxane based chemotherapy were carried out in 65 and 85 patients, respectively. In AC group, remnant alopecia was shown in 18 patients (27.7%), and more than a half of patients in taxane group, 53 patients (62.4%), showed remnant alopecia (p&lt;0.001). While only five patients (7.8%) in AC group suffered for severe hair loss, 26 patients (31.3%) in taxane group were affected by severe hair loss (p=0.001). The mean satisfaction level of hair status in patients in taxane group was 2.5 as compared to 3.6 in those in AC group (p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Contrary to general expectation, About a half of breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy complained of irreversible hair loss even though at least 6 months has elapsed since the end of chemotherpy. In particular, patients with taxane based chemotherapy had more irreversible and severe alopecia than those with AC chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Kim S, Park HS, Kim JY, Nam S, Kim GM, Sohn JH, Kim SI. Irriversible chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patient. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-15-04.

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Materials Development for High Efficiency Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) based on ultra-thin films have become the preferred technology for applications that require high efficiency single-photon detectors with high speed, high timing resolution, and low dark count rates at near-infrared wavelengths. Since demonstration of the first SNSPD using NbN thin films, an increasingly larger number of materials are being explored. We investigate amorphous thin film alloys of MoSi, MoGe, and WRe with the goal of optimizing SNSPDs for higher operating temperature, high efficiency and high speed. To explore material adequacy for SNSPDs, we have measured superconducting transition temperature (Tc) as a function of film thickness and sheet resistance, as well as critical current densities. In this paper we present our results comparing these materials to WSi, another amorphous material widely used for SNSPD devices.

Measurement of Long-Range Angular Correlation and Quadrupole Anisotropy of Pions and (Anti)Protons in Central d+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We present azimuthal angular correlations between charged hadrons and energy deposited in calorimeter towers in central d+Au and minimum bias p+p collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV. The charged hadron is measured at midrapidity |η|<0.35, and the energy is measured at large rapidity (-3.7<η<-3.1, Au-going direction). An enhanced near-side angular correlation across |Δη|>2.75 is observed in d+Au collisions. Using the event plane method applied to the Au-going energy distribution, we extract the anisotropy strength v_{2} for inclusive charged hadrons at midrapidity up to p_{T}=4.5 GeV/c. We also present the measurement of v_{2} for identified π^{±} and (anti)protons in central d+Au collisions, and observe a mass-ordering pattern similar to that seen in heavy-ion collisions. These results are compared with viscous hydrodynamic calculations and measurements from p+Pb at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV. The magnitude of the mass ordering in d+Au is found to be smaller than that in p+Pb collisions, which may indicate smaller radial flow in lower energy d+Au collisions.

Cold-nuclear-matter effects on heavy-quark production at forward and backward rapidity in d + Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment has measured open heavy-flavor production via semileptonic decay over the transverse momentum range 1 < p(T) < 6  GeV/c at forward and backward rapidity (1.4 < |y| < 2.0) in d+Au and p + p collisions at √sNN = 200  GeV. In central d+Au collisions, relative to the yield in p + p collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, a suppression is observed at forward rapidity (in the d-going direction) and an enhancement at backward rapidity (in the Au-going direction). Predictions using nuclear-modified-parton-distribution functions, even with additional nuclear-p(T) broadening, cannot simultaneously reproduce the data at both rapidity ranges, which implies that these models are incomplete and suggests the possible importance of final-state interactions in the asymmetric d + Au collision system. These results can be used to probe cold-nuclear-matter effects, which may significantly affect heavy-quark production, in addition to helping constrain the magnitude of charmonia-breakup effects in nuclear matter.

PATHOME: an algorithm for accurately detecting differentially expressed subpathways

The translation of high-throughput gene expression data into biologically meaningful information remains a bottleneck. We developed a novel computational algorithm, PATHOME, for detecting differentially expressed biological pathways. This algorithm employs straightforward statistical tests to evaluate the significance of differential expression patterns along subpathways. Applying it to gene expression data sets of gastric cancer (GC), we compared its performance with those of other leading programs. Based on a literature-driven reference set, PATHOME showed greater consistency in identifying known cancer-related pathways. For the WNT pathway uniquely identified by PATHOME, we validated its involvement in gastric carcinogenesis through experimental perturbation of both cell lines and animal models. We identified HNF4α-WNT5A regulation in the cross-talk between the AMPK metabolic pathway and the WNT signaling pathway, and further identified WNT5A as a potential therapeutic target for GC. We have demonstrated PATHOME to be a powerful tool, with improved sensitivity for identifying disease-related dysregulated pathways.

Quadrupole anisotropy in dihadron azimuthal correlations in central d+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

The PHENIX collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) reports measurements of azimuthal dihadron correlations near midrapidity in d+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV. These measurements complement recent analyses by experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) involving central p+Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV, which have indicated strong anisotropic long-range correlations in angular distributions of hadron pairs. The origin of these anisotropies is currently unknown. Various competing explanations include parton saturation and hydrodynamic flow. We observe qualitatively similar, but larger, anisotropies in d+Au collisions at RHIC compared to those seen in p+Pb collisions at the LHC. The larger extracted v2 values in d+Au are consistent with expectations from hydrodynamic calculations owing to the larger expected initial-state eccentricity compared with that from p+Pb collisions. When both are divided by an estimate of the initial-state eccentricity the scaled anisotropies follow a common trend with multiplicity that may extend to heavy ion data at RHIC and the LHC, where the anisotropies are widely thought to arise from hydrodynamic flow.

Nuclear modification of ψ', χc, and J/ψ production in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV

We present results for three charmonia states (ψ', χc, and J/ψ) in d+Au collisions at |y|<0.35 and sqrt[s(NN)]=200  GeV. We find that the modification of the ψ' yield relative to that of the J/ψ scales approximately with charged particle multiplicity at midrapidity across p+A, d+Au, and A+A results from the Super Proton Synchrotron and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. In large-impact-parameter collisions we observe a similar suppression for the ψ' and J/ψ, while in small-impact-parameter collisions the more weakly bound ψ' is more strongly suppressed. Owing to the short time spent traversing the Au nucleus, the larger ψ' suppression in central events is not explained by an increase of the nuclear absorption owing to meson formation time effects.

Cold-nuclear-matter effects on heavy-quark production in d+Au collisions at sqrt[S(NN)]=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment has measured electrons and positrons at midrapidity from the decays of hadrons containing charm and bottom quarks produced in d+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt[S(NN)]=200 GeV in the transverse-momentum range 0.85 ≤ p(T)(e) ≤ 8.5 GeV/c. In central d+Au collisions, the nuclear modification factor R(dA) at 1.5<p(T)<5 GeV/c displays evidence of enhancement of these electrons, relative to those produced in p+p collisions, and shows that the mass-dependent Cronin enhancement observed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider extends to the heavy D meson family. A comparison with the neutral-pion data suggests that the difference in cold-nuclear-matter effects on light- and heavy-flavor mesons could contribute to the observed differences between the π(0) and heavy-flavor-electron nuclear modification factors R(AA).

Towards a fiber-coupled picowatt cryogenic radiometer

A picowatt cryogenic radiometer (PCR) has been fabricated at the microscale level for electrical substitution optical fiber power measurements. The absorber, electrical heater, and thermometer are all on a micromachined membrane less than 1 mm on a side. Initial measurements with input powers from 50 fW to 20 nW show a response inequivalence between electrical and optical power of 8%. A comparison of the response to electrical and optical input powers between 15 pW to 70 pW yields a repeatability better than ±0.3% (k=2). From our first optical tests, the system has a noise equivalent power of ≈5×10(-15) W/√Hz at 2 Hz, but simple changes to the measurement scheme should yield an NEP 2 orders of magnitude lower.

Suppression of back-to-back hadron pairs at forward rapidity in d+Au collisions at √s(NN)=200 GeV

Back-to-back hadron pair yields in d+Au and p+p collisions at √s(NN)=200 GeV were measured with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Rapidity separated hadron pairs were detected with the trigger hadron at pseudorapidity |η|<0.35 and the associated hadron at forward rapidity (deuteron direction, 3.0<η<3.8). Pairs were also detected with both hadrons measured at forward rapidity; in this case, the yield of back-to-back hadron pairs in d+Au collisions with small impact parameters is observed to be suppressed by a factor of 10 relative to p+p collisions. The kinematics of these pairs is expected to probe partons in the Au nucleus with a low fraction x of the nucleon momenta, where the gluon densities rise sharply. The observed suppression as a function of nuclear thickness, p(T), and η points to cold nuclear matter effects arising at high parton densities.

Cold nuclear matter effects on J/ψ yields as a function of rapidity and nuclear geometry in d+A collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV

We present measurements of J/ψ yields in d+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200  GeV recorded by the PHENIX experiment and compare them with yields in p+p collisions at the same energy per nucleon-nucleon collision. The measurements cover a large kinematic range in J/ψ rapidity (-2.2<y<2.4) with high statistical precision and are compared with two theoretical models: one with nuclear shadowing combined with final state breakup and one with coherent gluon saturation effects. In order to remove model dependent systematic uncertainties we also compare the data to a simple geometric model. The forward rapidity data are inconsistent with nuclear modifications that are linear or exponential in the density weighted longitudinal thickness, such as those from the final state breakup of the bound state.

Effect of Superelastically Deforming NiTi Surface Microalloys on Fatigue Crack Nucleation in Copper

Alloys based on near-equiatomic NiTi are capable of thermoelastic martensite transformations which give rise to shape memory and superelasticity (pseudoplasticity) effects. In particular, at temperatures above Ms and Af but below Md, NiTi alloys can deform by mechanisms of stressinduced martensite transformation and may display large anelastic strains which involve little or no deformation by slip. Under these conditions, the strain-controlled fatigue resistance of NiTi alloys may be exceptionally high [1]. In contrast, fcc metals like copper will, during strain controlled fatigue, eventuate severe plastic strain localization in the form of persistent slip bands (PSBs), whose behavior at free surfaces is intimately associated with fatigue crack initiation [2]. It is well known that fatigue crack initiation in fcc metals can be delayed by modifying surfacebreaking PSB structure or environment [3,4]. However, any attempt to strengthen the surface region in order to impede surface expression of persistent slip bands must contend with the large subsurface strain localizations enforced by the PSBs, which subject the film to strain cycling at roughly the characteristic PSB shear strain amplitude. Thermoelastic nickel-titanium alloys, capable of pseudoplastic straining, may be uniquely suited to the role of surface protection in situations where fatigue crack initiation is associated with PSB interaction with the external environment. In the present work, thin surface microalloys of NiTi, produced by ion sputtering, have been applied to polycrystalline copper fatigue specimens that were subsequently subjected to both monotonic loading, and fatigue under plastic strain control to produce mature PSB structures in the bulk material. Optical and scanning electron microscopy studies are described which assess the effect of the NiTi surface microalloy on the behavior of PSBs in the near surface region, and the attendant effect of the films on surface behavior of persistent slip bands. Although the results are incomplete with respect to the effects of the film on fatigue crack initiation, it has been shown for the first time that martensite transformation can be stress-induced (at temperatures above Ms) in a thin NiTi film on a plastically deforming substrate. This finding augurs well for the potential of such films to effectively suppress slip band penetration during low cycle fatigue.

Phase II trial of biweekly reduced-dose combination chemotherapy of oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil/folic acid (Modified FOLFOX) as first-line chemotherapy in elderly patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer

e15544

Background: Although combination chemotherapy as ECF (epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-FU) and DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU) are effective advanced gastric cancer, but it is too toxic to apply for elderly patients with increased comorbidity. Combination of oxaliplatin and 5-FU has proven to be a effective and tolerable regimen in advanced gastric cancer, and we investigated the efficacy and safety of reduced-dose combination chemotherapy of oxaliplatin/5-FU/folic acid as first-line chemotherapy in elderly patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer. Methods: Elderly patients (≥60 years) with measurable, metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer were enrolled. Patients received oxaliplatin 75mg/m2 (2-hour intravenous infusion on D1), 5-FU 1000mg/m2 (12-hour continuous infusion on D1,2), and folic acid 20mg/m2 (15-minute infusion on D1,2) every 2 weeks. Results: Total 37 patients were enrolled between April 2004 and August 2008. Median age was 67 years old (range, 60 to 80 years), and 22 patients (59.5%) had increased Charlson comorbidity index score (CCI ≥1). Of 36 evaluable patients, 2 patients achieved complete response (CR), and 12 patients partial response (PR) with representing overall response rate of 44.4% (95% CI 27.7- 60.2). Stable disease (SD) was observed in 12 patients (33.3%), and progressive disease in 8 patients (22.3%). The median time to progression was 4.6 months, and median overall survival was 9.2 months. Relative dose intensity was 97.4% in both oxaliplatin and 5-FU. Grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia in one patients (2.7%), and anemia in three patients (8.1%). Peripheral neuropathy occurred (grade 2) was only observed in three patients (8.1%). Conclusions: The reduced-dose combination chemotherapy of oxaliplatin/5-FU/folic acid was effective and tolerable in elderly patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer as first-line treatment.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

e19073

Background: More than 50% of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are diagnosed in patients older than age 65 years. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been used in patients with advanced NSCLC as standard treatment, and we investigated the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin for elderly patients with advanced non- small cell lung cancer. Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve patients (age ≥ 65 years) with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were enrolled. Patients received docetaxel (75 mg/m2 on D1) and carboplatin (AUC of 5 mg/ml/min on D1) every 3 weeks. End points included response, time to progression, overall survival, and toxicity. Results: Total 37 patients were enrolled between March 2005 and August 2008. Median age was 75 years old (range, 65 to 84 years), and 33 patients (89.2%) had ECOG PS 0 or 1. Twenty two patients (59.5%) had increased Charlson comorbidity index score (CCI ≥1). The median number of treatment cycles was five (range, 1–8), and relative dose intensity was 95.6% in docetaxel and 95.8% in carboplatin. Overall response rate was 51.3% (95% CI 34.9–67.1) with one complete response, and 18 partial responses. The median time to progression was 6.7 months and median overall survival was 12.3 months. In 164 cycles, grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicities included neutropenia (10.4%), anemia (1.8%), and thrombocytopenia (1.2%). Non-hematologic toxicities were tolerable. Conclusions: The combination chemotherapy with docetaxel and carboplatin was effective with tolerable toxicities in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA from the breast carcinomas and the cervix: Are they correlated?

1544

Background: The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer is well known. However, it remains unclear whether there is also a correlation between HPV infection and human breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the hypothetic association between HPV infection and breast carcinoma through the comparison of the type of HPV infection in the breast and cervix. Methods: From April to December 2008, 106 patients who were diagnosed as breast cancer and underwent mastectomy were analyzed. Their breast tissue (tumor, normal parenchyme, and nipple-areolar complex) and cervix smear were analyzed for HPV infection with DNA chip microarray method. Results: 24 patients (23.1%) showed HPV infection in their cervix smear; high-risk type of HPV was found in 12 patients. But only six patients (5.8%) revealed the HPV infection in breast cancer; half of them were high-risk group (HPV-16, 31); the same types of HPV was found at the normal breast tissue in two patients of them. However, there were no patients with HPV infection in both breast and cervix concurrently. Conclusions: There were no positive results for HPV infection of cervix in HPV-infected breast cancer patients. Also, we cannot find that the presence of high-risk HPV in the breast might be related to the breast carcinogenesis. We concluded that HPV infection is not correlated to the carcinogenesis of breast.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Triple detection method for sentinel lymph node detection

e11605

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is widely accepted method to determine nodal stage of breast cancer. There are several reported method for detecting sentinel lymph node. The aim of this study was to show the new detection method of sentinel lymph node and show the effectiveness of this method. Methods: We did prospective study and enrolled 25 patients who underwent partial mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. We injected indigocyanine green (green dye) at peritumoral lesion, indigocarmine dye (blue dye) in subareolar area and radioisotope (Tc-99m) injection. Sentinel lymph nodes are identified by color change or radioisotope uptake, and classified by each color (blue or green) and radioisotope uptake. We compared the detection rate from our study with that from the previous studies. Results: Sentinel lymph nodes were detected in all patients (25/25). Green color stained sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 18 patients (18/25), blue color stained sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 15 patients (15/25) and radioactive lymph nodes were identified in 19 patients (19/25). Conclusions: The triple mapping method showed higher detection rate than the previous studies and this method is recommendable to detect sentinel lymph node.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.