Showing papers by "David Cameron published in 2002"

HRPT2, encoding parafibromin, is mutated in hyperparathyroidism–jaw tumor syndrome

Abstract: We report here the identification of a gene associated with the hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT) syndrome. A single locus associated with HPT-JT (HRPT2) was previously mapped to chromosomal region 1q25-q32. We refined this region to a critical interval of 12 cM by genotyping in 26 affected kindreds. Using a positional candidate approach, we identified thirteen different heterozygous, germline, inactivating mutations in a single gene in fourteen families with HPT-JT. The proposed role of HRPT2 as a tumor suppressor was supported by mutation screening in 48 parathyroid adenomas with cystic features, which identified three somatic inactivating mutations, all located in exon 1. None of these mutations were detected in normal controls, and all were predicted to cause deficient or impaired protein function. HRPT2 is a ubiquitously expressed, evolutionarily conserved gene encoding a predicted protein of 531 amino acids, for which we propose the name parafibromin. Our findings suggest that HRPT2 is a tumor-suppressor gene, the inactivation of which is directly involved in predisposition to HPT-JT and in development of some sporadic parathyroid tumors.

Preparation and Characterization of TiO2 Thin Films by Sol-Gel Method

Abstract: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films have been deposited on silicon and glass substrates by the sol-gel process using titanium iso-propoxide [Ti(O-i-C3H7)4]. The bond configuration of the TiO2 thin films was analyzed by using FTIR in the wavenumber range from 400 to 4000 cm−1. The spectral transmittance of as-deposited TiO2 films deposited on fused silica glass was measured in the wavelength range from 200 to 900 nm. X-ray diffraction measurements were performed to determine the crystallinity of the TiO2 films. As-deposited films were amorphous. As the film was annealed at higher temperature, the structure was transformed from amorphous to the anatase crystalline state. The chemical composition of the deposited film was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The films are essentially stoichiometric with carbon as the dominant impurity on the surface. Raman spectra show the characteristic of TiO2 anatase phase. The electrical properties of the TiO2 films were measured using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage techniques. From C-V measurements, the dielectric constants were calculated to be approximately 26 for the as-deposited films and 75–82 for films annealed at 700°C in different atmosphere. For the as-deposited samples, the breakdown voltage was 2.7 MV/cm, and for an electric field of 1 MV/cm, the leakage current was 5 × 10−5 A/cm2 and the resistivity was 2.2 × 1010 Ω-cm.

Postcode prescribing is alive and well in Scotland

Abstract: EDITOR—We had understood that one of the intentions of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was to rationalise the introduction of new drugs and technologies across the United Kingdom so that NHS patients would have equitable access. This has plainly not happened. We illustrate the problem with three recently licensed drugs, imatinib, irinotecan, and trastuzumab. Imatinib has yet to be appraised by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, but our local haematologists completed the paperwork for approval by Lothian Health Board's drug …

Block sequential adriamycin CMF – optimal non-myeloablative chemotherapy for high risk adjuvant breast cancer?

Abstract: After the publication of the 10-year survival data from Milan on the adjuvant use of the block sequential regimen consisting of four cycles of adriamycin followed by eight cycles of intravenous CMF, many centres adopted this as standard of care for high risk, multiple node-positive breast cancer. For this reason it was identified as the standard arm for the Anglo-Celtic adjuvant high-dose chemotherapy trial. This study reports on the experience of this regimen in 329 women with early breast cancer involving at least four axillary nodes, who were treated outside any adjuvant chemotherapy trial. At a median follow-up of 3 years, the overall 5-year disease-free survival is 61%, and the overall survival is 70%. These data confirm the efficacy of this regimen in non-trial patients, and, for the same high risk subgroup, indicate that this approach offers an outcome at least as good as that seen in the CALGB 9344 AC-Taxol arm, and the NCIC days 1 and 8 CEF.

Breast cancer vaccines: current research and future prospects.

Abstract: Although the immune system can clearly recognize cancer cells, there is little evidence that it does so to any effective consequence in patients with advanced breast cancer. The possibility of effective control of micrometastatic disease remains but is unproven. The challenge for the clinician is to find ways to enhance the ability of a patient’s own immune system to recognize and effectively target malignant cells. It is clear that there is no shortage of target antigens for immune cell recognition of breast cancer but it is less certain whether the route to an effective therapeutic strategy lies with enhanced recognition of an individual target or a more general route to enhanced immune cell activation.