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To compare combination therapy with bicalutamide 80 mg and a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRH-A) versus LHRH-A alone in Japanese men with untreated advanced prostate cancer. A total of 205 patients with stage C/D prostate cancer were randomized to either LHRH-A+once-daily oral bicalutamide 80 mg or placebo. Primary study variables have been reported previously. Secondary variables included: time to achieve prostate-specific antigen4 ng/ml, time-to-treatment failure (TTTF), time-to-disease progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), adverse events and adverse drug reactions. Following combination therapy with bicalutamide 80 mg, there were significant (P<0.001) advantages over LHRH-A alone in terms of TTTF and TTP, but the difference in the interim OS was not statistically significant. First-line combination therapy with bicalutamide 80 mg in Japanese patients with advanced prostate cancer offers significant benefits over LHRH-A alone, with respect to TTTF and TTP. Follow-up for OS continues.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2007) 10, 194–201. doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500934; published online 2 January 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The false-positive elevation of plasma (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan level, a serodiagnostic test for deep-seated mycosis, is suspected in patients administered with blood components.Study Design and Methods: (1-->3)-beta-D-Glucan and endotoxin levels in blood components consisting of 12 albumins, 8 immunoglobulins, and 3 blood coagulation factors were measured by fungal infection tests (Fungitec G-test, Seikagaku Co.; the Wako WB003 test, Wako Pure Chemical Industries; and the Endospec ES test, Seikagaku Co.). In vitro release of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan from the depth-type filters made by cellulose membrane to process blood components was analyzed through an in vitro filtration process as a source of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan in blood components.Results: The amounts of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan in blood components ranged from 0 to 7510 pg per mL in the Fungitec G-test, with wide variations among brands. The positive rates over 20 pg per mL were 75 percent in albumin solutions, 40 percent in blood coagulation factors, and 63 percent in immunoglobulin solutions. (1-->3)-beta-D-Glucan levels released from the five depth filters ranged from 5 to 2516 pg per mL. The (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan level in filtration fluid was decreased by rinsing with distilled water, but rebounded again during the albumin filtration process.Conclusion: Depth filters are considered the source of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan content in some blood components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the impact of radiation damage on scintillation counters read out by six SiPMs connected in series focusing on their time resolution. Six SiPMs from AdvanSiD were irradiated step by step with a 37 MBq 90Sr source. At the integrated dose expected at the end of the MEG II experiment, the time resolution at 30 °C was measured to be worse by ∼ 29%. However, the deterioration is found to be reduced to ∼ 6% at 10 °C since thermal dark noise is suppressed. We also tested the effect of connecting in series differently damaged SiPMs. We observed a position dependence of the time center in a counter, which worsened the time resolution. • Radiation damage effect on time resolution of series connected SiPMs was studied. • At the MEG II expected damage level time resolution deteriorated by 29% at 30 °C. • By cooling to 10 °C dark noise was suppressed and deterioration was limited to 6%. • Series connection of differently damaged SiPMs caused the position dependence. • We determined the 10 °C operation of MEG II positron timing counter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-dimensional electro-optic sampling technique with polarity modulation for THz imaging is proposed and demonstrated. The polarity modulation greatly improves the signal linearity to the THz field. Combining this technique with software lock-in detection, it is found that the modulation efficiency is also improved compared to conventional optical chopping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform a comprehensive comparison between terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and conventional far-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, including radiation source, detector, signal to noise ratio, bandwidth, availability, applications, and their own uniqueness. In terms of signal to noise ratio, THz time-domain spectroscopy is advantageous at low frequencies under 3 THz, while Fourier transform spectroscopy works better at frequencies above 5 THz. In addition, we provide a detailed discussion of the unique features of THz time-domain spectroscopy and its application to dynamic and time-resolved processes. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A previously reported, double-blind, randomized, multicenter phase 3 trial in 205 patients with stage C/D prostate cancer compared combined androgen blockade (CAB) with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRH-A) plus bicalutamide 80 mg versus LHRH-A plus bicalutamide-matching placebo (LHRH-A monotherapy). The analysis at a median follow-up of 2.4 years indicated that CAB significantly (P<.001) prolonged the time to progression and the time to treatment failure. In the current report, survival data from a long-term follow-up (median, 5.2 years) were analyzed.Methods: All deaths irrespective of cause and all prostate cancer-specific deaths were recorded. The data were analyzed using Cox regression analysis and the log-rank test.Results: At a median follow-up of 5.2 years, a significant overall survival advantage was observed in favor of CAB over LHRH-A monotherapy (Cox regression analysis: hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.99; P=.0498; log-rank test: P=.0425). The difference in cause-specific survival between the 2 groups was not significant. The achievement of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir concentrationConclusions: CAB with bicalutamide 80 mg offered a significant overall survival benefit compared with LHRH-A monotherapy without reducing tolerability in patients with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feeding trial was conducted to determine effects of dietary inosine on growth, immune responses, oxidative stress resistance and intestinal morphology of juvenile red sea bream. A semi-purified basal diet supplemented with 0 (D1, control), 2 g kg−1 (D2), 4 g kg−1 (D3), 6 g kg−1 (D4) and 8 g kg−1 (D5) dietary inosine, respectively, to formulate five experimental diets. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish (initial weight: 8 g). After 50 days of feeding trial, fish fed diets with 4 g kg−1 inosine had the highest ( p < .05) final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate. Similarly, improved feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also found at 4 g kg−1 inosine supplemented group. Some non-specific immune parameters such as total serum protein, lysozyme activity and bactericidal activity tended to be higher for fish fed diets supplemented with inosine. Peroxidase and catalase activity also influenced ( p < .05) by dietary inosine supplementation. Fish fed 2 g kg−1 and 4 g kg−1 inosine supplemented diets showed the least oxidative stress condition. Inosine supplementation significantly increased ( p < .05) anterior enterocyte height and posterior fold height, enterocyte height and microvillus height compared with control. We concluded that 4 g kg−1 dietary inosine supplementation effectively provokes growth and health performance of red sea bream by increasing growth, immune response, oxidative stress resistance and intestinal health condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MEG II experiment (Baldini et al., 2018) [1] is designed to improve the sensitivity to the μ + → e + γ decay. A crucial component is the Pixelated Timing Counter (pTC), dedicated to the measurement of the positron time to reduce the combinatorial background (Cattaneo et al., 2014; Nishimura et al., 2016) [3,4]. The detector consists of 512 scintillation counters, each performing a precise measurement of the positron crossing time. This approach requires that the time offsets of the counters are calibrated and regularly monitored over the lifetime of the experiment. The pTC time calibration and monitor system will use a laser diode to deliver pulses to each pixel. The system components have been tested in laboratory, the results demonstrate that a calibration and monitoring resolution satisfying the requirements is within reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several experimental and animal studies have demonstrated that substances rich in antioxidants can reduce the physicochemical and peroxidative risk factors for calcium oxalate (CaOx) renal stone formation in urine and blood. However, there are very few such investigations in humans. In the present pilot study, two varieties of tea, a green one from Japan (JGT) and a herbal one from South Africa (Rooibos) (RT), both rich in antioxidants, were administered to a group of CaOx stone formers (SF) ( n = 8) for 30 days. Both teas were analysed for polyphenols by high-performance liquid chromatography and for minerals by plasma atomic and optical emission spectroscopy. 24 h urines (baseline and day 30) were analysed for lithogenic factors. CaOx metastable limits and crystal nucleation and growth kinetics were also determined in each urine sample. Deposited crystals were inspected by scanning electron microscopy. Blood samples were collected (baseline and day 30). Biomarkers of oxidative stress including plasma and urinary thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were also determined. Urinary physicochemical risk factors were also investigated after ingestion of RT for 30 days in two control groups (CG1 and CG2), the latter one of which consisted of habitual JGT drinkers. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Mann-Whitney tests for paired and independent measurements, respectively. Several flavonoids and catechins were quantified in RT and JGT, respectively, confirming that both teas are rich sources of antioxidants. Mineral content was found to be far below dietary reference intakes. There were no significant changes in any of the urinary physicochemical or peroxidative risk factors in the control groups or in SF, except for the supersaturation (SS) of brushite (Bru) which decreased in the latter group after ingestion of JGT. Crystal morphology showed a tendency to change from mixed CaOx mono- and di-hydrate to monohydrate after ingestion of each tea. Since the latter form has a stronger binding affinity for epithelial cells, this effect is not protective. Analysis of the physicochemical and peroxidative risk factors in CG1 and CG2 did not reveal any evidence of a synergistic effect between the two teas. Paradoxically, baseline risk factors in the habitual JGT control group were significantly raised relative to those in CG1. Our preliminary results suggest that ingestion of RT and JGT does not reduce the risk factors for CaOx stone formation in humans, but these findings need to be tested in further studies involving much larger sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MEG II experiment was designed to improve by an order of magnitude the sensitivity of 4. 2 × 1 0 − 13 reached by MEG on the branching ratio of the μ + → e + γ decay. The resolution of the positron timing is improved by using a segmented pixelated Timing Counter (pTC) where each counter is read independently. The pTC was commissioned in several engineering runs as well as in the first year of physics run (2021) at the π E5 beam line at PSI. Degradation of time resolution performance is observed and a program of partial upgrading the pTC is ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after esophagectomy have been reported to occur in 15.9-30% of patients and lead to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, prolonged duration of hospital stay, and additional medical costs. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the possible prevention of PPCs by intensive preoperative respiratory rehabilitation in esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy. The subjects included 100 patients (87 males and 13 females with mean age 66.5 ± 8.6 years) who underwent esophagectomy. They were divided into two groups: 63 patients (53 males and 10 females with mean age 67.4 ± 9.0 years) in the preoperative rehabilitation (PR) group and 37 patients (34 males and 3 females with mean age 65.0 ± 7.8 years) in the non-PR (NPR) group. The PR group received sufficient preoperative respiratory rehabilitation for >7 days, and the NPR group insufficiently received preoperative respiratory rehabilitation or none at all. The results of the logistic regression analysis and multivariate analysis to correct for all considerable confounding factors revealed the rates of PPCs of 6.4% and 24.3% in the PR group and NPR group, respectively. The PR group demonstrated a significantly less incidence rate of PPCs than the NPR group (odds ratio: 0.14, 95% confidential interval: 0.02 ∼ 0.64). [Correction added after online publication 25 June 2012: confidence interval has been changed from −1.86 ∼ −0.22] This study showed that the intensive preoperative respiratory rehabilitation reduced PPCs in esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of primary hormonal therapy for patients with localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage T1b–T3 prostate cancer who were not scheduled for radical prostatectomy were allocated into two groups: group 1 (73 men) received luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist monotherapy and group 2 (78 men) received LHRH agonist and chlormadinone acetate. Patients were followed using serum prostate specific antigen levels, prostate size and the detection of distant metastasis for 5 years. RESULTS The median (range) follow-up was 78 (63–87) months. The 5-year progression-free survival rate was significantly higher in group 2 (68%) than in group 1 (47%). However, the overall and cause-specific survival rate at 5 years were similar in both groups, at 72% and 93% in group 1, and 64% and 89% in group 2, respectively. CONCLUSION The overall survival rates of the both groups were no different from that of the normal Japanese population of the same age group. Although this study did not include an untreated group, i.e. watchful waiting, these results might indicate the usefulness of primary hormonal therapy in controlling localized and locally advanced prostate cancer. The 5-year observation period is still short and the study is continuing to determine the 10-year survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the effects of radiation damage to SiPMs on the performances of plastic scintillator counters with series-connected SiPM readout, focusing on timing measurements. The performances of a counter composed of a 120 × 40 × 5 mm 3 scintillator tile read out by two sets of six SiPMs from AdvanSiD connected in series attached on the short sides are presented, for different combinations of SiPMs at various levels of irradiation. Firstly, six SiPMs were equally irradiated with electrons from 90Sr sources up to a fluence of Φ e− ≈ 3 × 1 0 12 cm − 2 . The timing resolution of the counter gradually deteriorated by the increase in dark current. The dark current and the deterioration were reduced when the counter was cooled from 30 °C to 10 °C. Secondly, 33 SiPMs were irradiated with reactor neutrons. The fluence levels ranged from Φ eq ≈ 8. 7 × 1 0 8 cm − 2 to Φ eq ≈ 5. 5 × 1 0 13 cm − 2 . The characteristics of counters read out by series-connected SiPMs with non-uniform damage levels were investigated. The signal pulse height, the time response, and the timing resolution depend on the hit position in the counter when SiPMs' irradiation is not uniform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method to expand compensation bandwidth (CBW) of a tunable dispersion compensator based on ring resonators has been proposed and experimentally verified. The employment of negative group delay peak increased the ratio of CBW against the free spectral range (25 GHz) from 75 to 86%, and the improved dispersion compensation characteristics were confirmed by a 10 Gbit/s transmission experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absorption recovery time and cross-phase modulation characteristics of an MQW electroabsorption modulator (EAM) were experimentally analysed. 80 Gbit/s error-free operation of a wavelength converter using MQW EAM in delayed-interferometer configuration was demonstrated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a new laser-based time calibration system for highly segmented scintillator counters like the MEG II pixelated Timing Counter (pTC), consisting of 512 centimetre-scale scintillator counters read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). It is difficult to apply previous laser-based calibration methods for conventional metre-scale Time-Of-Flight detectors to the MEG II pTC from the implementation and the accuracy points of view. This paper presents a new laser-based time calibration system which can overcome such difficulties. A laser pulse is split into each scintillator counter via several optical components so that we can directly measure the time offset of each counter relative to the laser-emitted time. We carefully tested all the components and procedures prior to the actual operation. The laser system was installed into the pTC and thoroughly tested under the real experimental condition. The system showed good stability and being sensitive to any change of timing larger than ∼ 10 ps. Moreover, it showed an uncertainty of 48 ps in the determination of the time offsets, which meets our requirements. The new method provides an example of the implementation of a precise timing alignment for the new type of detectors enabled by the advance of SiPM technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An all-optical multi-wavelength converter using a semiconductor optical amplifier based Mach-Zehnder interferometer is proposed and demonstrated. The proposed scheme can accommodate both NRZ and RZ format. WDM multicasting is confirmed by transmission experiment using conventional singlemode fibre before and after the multi-wavelength converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes developmental messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cytochrome hydroxylase aromatase and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in chicken gonads. Sex difference in the expression of P450cl7 mRNA; Expression of AMH mRNA on fifth day of incubation; Dosage of injected non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor.

: Background:Follow-up strategies after cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder should be determined according to the risk of recurrence, which is stage dependent. We aimed to develop follow-up protocol for monitoring patients with carcinoma of the bladder for tumor recurrence and diverted urinary tract complications after radical cystectomy.: Methods:The records of 351 patients with carcinoma of the bladder who underwent cystectomy between 1979 and 1999 were reviewed for dates and presenting symptoms of local and distant recurrences. The results of imaging studies and blood tests were also reviewed. Based on the division of patients into pathological stages of pT1 and lower, pT2, and pT3 and higher groups, we proposed a new follow-up schedule for carcinoma of the bladder.: Results:The risk of metastasis was related to the pathological stage of the primary tumor. Recurrence developed in 10 of 124 patients (8%) with pT1 or lower, 17 of 101 patients (17%) with pT2, and 55 of 101 patients (54%) with pT3 or higher disease at a median of 11 (range 6–186), 10 (1–40), and 7 (1–76) months, respectively. Recurrences in patients with pT3 or higher were found earlier and more frequently than those with pT2 or lower. Of 82 patients with metastases, 54 initially were symptomatic, and three of pT1 or lower, six of pT2, and 19 of pT3 or higher were asymptomatic. Based on these results we proposed a stage-specific follow-up protocol.: Conclusions:A stage-driven follow-up strategy for monitoring patients after radical cystectomy can reduce medical expenses while efficiently detecting recurrences and complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]