Sequential Combination (sequential + combination)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Sequential combinations of flavopiridol and docetaxel inhibit prostate tumors, induce apoptosis, and decrease angiogenesis in the G,/T-15 transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer

THE PROSTATE, Issue 14 2006
Teresita Reiner
Abstract BACKGROUND We investigated whether sequential combinations of flavopiridol and docetaxel can increase apoptotic cell death and inhibit the growth of primary and metastatic prostate tumors in the G,/T-15 transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer. METHODS Transgenic males were treated and the weights of primary and metastatic prostate tumors determined. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot was performed to evaluate the differences in apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. RESULTS Docetaxel was slightly more effective than flavopiridol in inhibiting primary prostate tumors, but neither drug alone inhibited metastases. Single drug treatments decreased angiogenesis but did not increase apoptosis. Both sequential combinations resulted in greater inhibition of primary and metastatic prostate tumors, increased apoptosis, and decreased angiogenesis compared to control mice. CONCLUSIONS Flavopiridol and docetaxel sequence combinations were effective in inhibiting prostate tumors in the G,/T-15 transgenic mice. An increase in apoptosis and a decrease in angiogenesis resulted in the greatest inhibition of prostate cancers. Prostate 66: 1487,1497, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Rate of return guarantees for mandatory defined contribution plans

INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 4 2001
John A. Turner
Many mandatory defined contribution systems provide a rate of return guarantee. The guarantees provided have generally been backed by a sequential combination of two or more of six different financing sources. Those sources are (1) reserve funds established within the pension fund, using investment earnings on the fund; (2) reserve funds established using funds provided by the owners of the pension fund management companies; (3) a defined benefit plan associated with the defined contribution plan; (4) central guarantee funds financed by contributions from pension funds; (5) funds provided by employers; and (6) the government. Nearly all the guarantees are first backed by a limited liability guarantee derived from investment earnings that would otherwise accrue to workers. In some instances, the guarantee may be funded by employers. Then they are backed by a guarantee financed by capital market institutions , pension fund managers directly or a central guarantee fund. Lastly, they are backed by an unfunded governmental guarantee with unlimited liability that is contingent on the insufficiency of private sector guarantees. [source]


A sequence optimization strategy for chromatographic separation in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
Xueling Du
Abstract A sequence optimization strategy combining an artificial neural network (ANN) and a chromatographic response function (CRF) for chromatographic separation in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography has been proposed. Experiments were appropriately designed to obtain unbiased data concerning the effects of varying the mobile phase composition, flow-rate, and temperature. The ANN was then used to simultaneously predict the resolution and analysis time, which are the two most important features of chromatographic separation. Subsequently, a CRF consisting of resolution and analysis time was used to predict the optimum operating conditions for different specialized purposes. The experimental chromatograms were consistent with those predicted for given conditions, which verified the applicability of the method. Furthermore, the proposed optimization strategy was applied to literature data and very good agreement was obtained. The results show that a strategy of sequential combination of ANN and CRF can provide a more flexible and efficient optimization method for chromatographic separation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source]


Effects of experimenting with physical and virtual manipulatives on students' conceptual understanding in heat and temperature

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 9 2008
Zacharias C. Zacharia
Abstract This study aimed to investigate the comparative value of experimenting with physical manipulatives (PM) in a sequential combination with virtual manipulatives (VM), with the use of PM preceding the use of VM, and of experimenting with PM alone, with respect to changes in students' conceptual understanding in the domain of heat and temperature. A pre,post-comparison study design was used which involved 62 undergraduate students that attended an introductory course in physics. The participants were randomly assigned to one experimental and one control group. Both groups used the same inquiry-oriented curriculum materials. Participants in the control group used PM to conduct the experiments, whereas, participants in the experimental group used first PM and then VM. VM differed from PM in that it could provide the possibility of faster manipulation, whereas, it retained any other features and interactions of the study's subject domain identical to the PM condition. Conceptual tests were administered to assess students' understanding before, during, and after the study's treatments. Results indicated that experimenting with the combination of PM and VM enhanced students' conceptual understanding more than experimenting with PM alone. The use of VM was identified as the cause of this differentiation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 1021,1035, 2008 [source]


Reduced intensity conditioning prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia as a first-line treatment

CANCER, Issue 9 2005
Didier P. Blaise M.D.
Abstract BACKGROUND Thirty-three patients (median age 52; range 26,60) with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) were included in a pilot study of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) following a reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC). METHODS Patients achieving first complete remission (CR1) were selected for their high-risk clinical and/or leukemic features. All patients received two courses of consolidation chemotherapy including one high-dose cytarabine course. Among them, 13 patients in addition received a high-dose melphalan course followed by autologous SCT. Then, all patients received an RIC Allo-SCT combining fludarabine, busulfan, and antithymocyte globulin. RESULTS All patients engrafted had cumulative incidences of Gluksberg System Grade 2 acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) of 24 (9,39%) and 64 (48,80%), respectively. Three patients died from nonrelapse causes (NRD) (cumulative incidence: 9%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0-19) and 6 relapsed (cumulative incidence: 18%, 95% CI: 5,31). With a median follow-up of 18 months (range 7,52) after Allo-SCT, 26 patients are alive, of whom 24 remained in CR1 for a 2-year overall survival and leukemia-free survival (LFS) probabilities of 79 (range 61,90%) and 76 (range 59,87%), respectively. In a ,landmark' analysis starting on Day 100, the occurrence of chronic GVHD was associated with a lower relapse rate (0% vs. 44%: P = 0.007) and improved outcome (LFS; 95% vs. 53%, P = 0.007; overall survival, 95% vs. 61%, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the sequential combination of intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic immunotherapy might offer relatively low NRD and leukemia relapse rates even in high-risk patients. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source]


Randomized phase II study of concurrent and sequential rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy in untreated indolent B-cell lymphoma

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006
Michinori Ogura
CHOP combined with rituximab (R-CHOP) is regarded as one of the most effective treatments for indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), however, its optimal combination schedule remains unknown. We performed a randomized phase II study to explore a more promising schedule in untreated, advanced indolent B-NHL. Patients were randomized to receive either six courses of CHOP concurrently with rituximab (Arm C), or six courses of CHOP followed by six courses of weekly rituximab (Arm S). A total of 69 patients received the concurrent (n = 34) or sequential (n = 35) regimen. Overall response rate (ORR) in Arm C was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79 to 99), including a 66% complete response (CR) compared with 97% (95% CI, 85,100), including a 68% CR in Arm S. Patients in Arm C experienced more grade 4 neutropenia (85%versus 70%) and experienced more grade 3 or greater non-hematological toxicities (21%versus 12%). Both arms were tolerated well. With a median follow-up of 28.2 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 34.2 months in Arm C, and was not reached in Arm S. R-CHOP is highly effective in untreated indolent B-NHL, either concurrent or in a sequential combination. Both combination schedules deserve further investigation. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 305 , 312) [source]


ChemInform Abstract: Efficient Synthesis of Azaspirodienones by Microwave-Assisted Radical Spirocyclization of Xanthate-Containing Ugi Adducts.

CHEMINFORM, Issue 33 2010
Rocio Gamez-Montano
Abstract By use of a sequential combination of Ugi reaction and microwave-promoted radical spirocyclization, an efficient protocol for the preparation of five- and six-membered spirolactams is developed. [source]


Sequential combinations of flavopiridol and docetaxel inhibit prostate tumors, induce apoptosis, and decrease angiogenesis in the G,/T-15 transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer

THE PROSTATE, Issue 14 2006
Teresita Reiner
Abstract BACKGROUND We investigated whether sequential combinations of flavopiridol and docetaxel can increase apoptotic cell death and inhibit the growth of primary and metastatic prostate tumors in the G,/T-15 transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer. METHODS Transgenic males were treated and the weights of primary and metastatic prostate tumors determined. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot was performed to evaluate the differences in apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. RESULTS Docetaxel was slightly more effective than flavopiridol in inhibiting primary prostate tumors, but neither drug alone inhibited metastases. Single drug treatments decreased angiogenesis but did not increase apoptosis. Both sequential combinations resulted in greater inhibition of primary and metastatic prostate tumors, increased apoptosis, and decreased angiogenesis compared to control mice. CONCLUSIONS Flavopiridol and docetaxel sequence combinations were effective in inhibiting prostate tumors in the G,/T-15 transgenic mice. An increase in apoptosis and a decrease in angiogenesis resulted in the greatest inhibition of prostate cancers. Prostate 66: 1487,1497, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Multiple-Element Matching Reservoir Formation and Quantitative Prediction of Favorable Areas in Superimposed Basins

ACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 5 2010
WANG Huaijie
Abstract: Superimposed basins in West China have experienced multi-stage tectonic events and multicycle hydrocarbon reservoir formation, and complex hydrocarbon reservoirs have been discovered widely in basins of this kind. Most of the complex hydrocarbon reservoirs are characterized by relocation, scale re-construction, component variation and phase state transformation, and their distributions are very difficult to predict. Research shows that regional caprock (C), high-quality sedimentary facies (Deposits, D), paleohighs (Mountain, M) and source rock (S) are four geologic elements contributing to complex hydrocarbon reservoir formation and distribution of western superimposed basins. Longitudinal sequential combinations of the four elements control the strata of hydrocarbon reservoir formation, and planar superimpositions and combinations control the range of hydrocarbon reservoir and their simultaneous joint effects in geohistory determine the time of hydrocarbon reservoir formation. Multiple-element matching reservoir formation presents a basic mode of reservoir formation in superimposed basins, and we recommend it is expressed as T-CDMS. Based on the multiple-element matching reservoir formation mode, a comprehensive reservoir formation index (Tcdms) is developed in this paper to characterize reservoir formation conditions, and a method is presented to predict reservoir formation range and probability of occurrence in superimposed basins. Through application of new theory, methods and technology, the favorable reservoir formation range and probability of occurrence in the Ordovician target zone in Tarim Basin in four different reservoir formation periods are predicted. Results show that central Tarim, Yinmaili and Lunnan are the three most favorable regions where Ordovician oil and gas fields may have formed. The coincidence of prediction results with currently discovered hydrocarbon reservoirs reaches 97%. This reflects the effectiveness and reliability of the new theory, methods and technology. [source]


Tandem Measurement of D-dimer and Myeloperoxidase or C-reactive Protein to Effectively Screen for Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 9 2008
Alice M. Mitchell MD
Abstract Objectives:, The hypothesis was that the tandem measurement of D-dimer and myeloperoxidase (MPO) or C-reactive protein (CRP) could significantly decrease unnecessary pulmonary vascular imaging in emergency department (ED) patients evaluated for pulmonary embolism (PE) compared to D-dimer alone. Methods:, The authors measured the sequential combinations of D-dimer and MPO and D-dimer and CRP in a prospective sample of ED patients evaluated for PE at two centers. Patients were followed for 90 days for venous thromboembolism (VTE, either PE or deep venous thrombosis [DVT]), which required the consensus of two of three blinded physician reviewers. Results:, The authors enrolled 304 patients, 22 with VTE (7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5% to 10%). The sensitivity and specificity of a D-dimer alone (cutoff , 500 ng/mL) were 100% (95% CI = 85% to 100%) and 59% (95% CI = 53% to 65%), respectively, and was followed by pulmonary vascular imaging negative for PE in 38% (115/304; 95% CI = 32% to 44%). The combination of either a negative D-dimer, or MPO < 22 mg/dL, had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 73% (95% CI = 67% to 78%). Thus, tandem measurement of D-dimer and MPO would have decreased the frequency of subsequent negative pulmonary vascular imaging from 38% to 25% (95% CI of the difference of ,13% = ,5% to ,20%). The combination of CRP and D-dimer would not have significantly improved the rate of negative imaging. Conclusions:, The tandem measurement of D-dimer and MPO would have significantly decreased negative pulmonary vascular imaging compared with D-dimer alone and should be validated prospectively. [source]


Combining endocrine agents with chemotherapy: Which patients and what sequence?,

CANCER, Issue S3 2008
Kathleen I. Pritchard MD
Abstract In metastatic breast cancer, attempts to improve response to therapy by combining hormones and chemotherapy began in the 1970s. Since then, several randomized trials comparing single-agent hormone therapy or chemotherapy versus sequential combinations of these agents have been performed. In the majority of those studies, an increased response rate or an increased time to progression was observed when chemotherapy was added to hormone therapy or when hormone therapy was added to chemotherapy. However, in few of those trials was the increased response rate statistically significant or the response duration significantly prolonged, and no studies reported an improvement in overall survival. Furthermore, the studies did not make the correct comparisons of 1) hormone therapy alone followed by chemotherapy alone versus hormone therapy and chemotherapy given concurrently or 2) chemotherapy alone followed by hormone therapy versus concurrent chemotherapy and hormone therapy. To truly be advantageous, concurrent treatment should provide an increased response rate and response duration compared with the added or overall response rate and response duration of the same agents used sequentially. In the adjuvant setting, the timing and sequencing of hormone therapy and chemotherapy also has not been studied well. However, it has been accepted widely that adjuvant chemotherapy should be completed before beginning tamoxifen. No trials examining concurrent versus sequential treatment have been performed with hormone therapy and chemotherapy in the premenopausal setting or with aromatase inhibitors and chemotherapy in postmenopausal women. Considering the demonstrated importance of the timing of chemotherapy and tamoxifen in the postmenopausal setting, these questions should be explored further. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society. [source]