California State University, Long Beach

About: California State University, Long Beach is a education organization based out in Long Beach, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 10036 authors who have published 13933 publications receiving 377394 citations. The organization is also known as: Cal State Long Beach & Long Beach State.

Panitumumab monotherapy in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract: BACKGROUND. The safety and efficacy of the fully human antibody panitumumab was evaluated in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to available therapies. METHODS. This phase 2 open-label, multicenter study of panitumumab enrolled patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had progressed on chemotherapy that included a fluoropyrimidine and irinotecan or oxaliplatin, or both. All patients had tumors with ≥10% 1+ epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) staining by immunohistochemistry. Patients were stratified into 2 strata (high or low staining intensity) and received intravenous panitumumab 2.5 mg/kg weekly 8 of every 9 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. RESULTS. In all, 148 patients received panitumumab, 105 in the high EGFr stratum, 43 in the low EGFr stratum. Overall response by central review was 9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5%–15%) and was similar between strata. An additional 29% of patients had stable disease. Median progression-free survival was 14 weeks (95% CI, 8–16) and median overall survival was 9 months (95% CI, 6–10). Toxicities were manageable, with skin toxicity reported in 95% of patients (5% grade 3 or 4). Four patients discontinued therapy because of toxicity. No antipanitumumab antibodies were detected. One patient had an infusion reaction but was able to continue therapy. CONCLUSIONS. Panitumumab given weekly was well tolerated and had single-agent activity in previously treated patients with colorectal cancer. Dermatologic toxicity was common but rarely severe. Ongoing studies will determine panitumumab activity earlier in the course of treatment for colorectal cancer and in combination with other antineoplastic agents. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an accepted non-invasive modality for evaluation of soft tissue pathology without exposure to ionizing radiation. Current applications demonstrate excellent visualization of the anatomy and pathology of various organs. Preliminary studies in the knee reveal fine resolution of anatomy and pathology involving the meniscus. The purpose of this study is to determine a prospective correlation between MRI scans and actual meniscal pathology as documented at the time of arthroscopy. MRI scans were obtained in 155 patients, on 156 knees (one patient with bilateral scans), with 86 patients (87 knees) eventually undergoing diagnostic and operative videoarthroscopy performed by the same surgeon (DWJ). All images were obtained on the same high-resolution 1.5 Tesla GE Signa Magnetic Resonance Scanner with the same radiologist performing all readings (PEB). The knees were studied in the coronal and sagittal plane using a spin echo sequence and 5 mm slice thicknesses. The menisci were described as having Grade 1, 2, or 3 changes, with Grade 3 reserved for complete tears. Using arthroscopy as the diagnostic standard, the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing medial and lateral meniscal tears was 93.1% and 96.6%, respectively with a Grade 3 MRI reading. For tears of the ACL, the accuracy was 96.6% as confirmed at arthroscopy. Five tears of the PCL were also documented by MRI and correlated with clinical evaluation. Other abnormalities seen were articular cartilage and osteochondral defects, bone tumors, tibial plateau fractures, Baker's cysts, and meniscal cysts. The MRI scan is a highly accurate, noninvasive modality for documentation of meniscal pathology as well as cruciate ligament tears in the knee.

Detection of a 45 Degree Tidal Stream Associated with the Globular Cluster NGC 5466

Abstract: We report on the detection in Sloan Digital Sky Survey data of a 45 degree tidal stream of stars, extending from Bootes to Ursa Major, which we associate with the halo globular cluster NGC 5466 Using an optimal contrast, matched filter technique, we find a long, almost linear stellar stream with an average width of 14 degrees The stream is an order of magnitude more tenuous than the stream associated with Palomar 5 The stream's orientation on the sky is consistent to a greater or lesser extent with existing proper motion measurements for the cluster

Sperm motility development in the epididymis is associated with decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3 and protein phosphatase 1 activity.

Abstract: Immotile bovine caput epididymal sperm contain levels of protein phosphatase activity twofold higher than do mature motile caudal sperm. Comparison of the inhibition profiles of endogenous phosphatase activities detected by okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin A (CA) revealed a pattern consistent with the predominance of a type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1). Immunoblot analysis identified PP1 gamma 2 (the testis-specific isoform of PP1) as the only PP1 isoform in sperm and showed little protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). In addition, of the known PP1 inhibitors, i.e., DARPP-32, inhibitor 1 (I1), and inhibitor 2 (I2), only I2-like activity was detected in sperm. Inhibition of PP1 by the heat-stable I2-like activity purified from sperm could be reversed with purified glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Furthermore, sperm extracts contain an inactive complex of PP1 and I2 (termed PP1I) that could also be activated by purified GSK-3. The presence of GSK-3 in sperm was demonstrated by activation of purified PP1I, and quantitation revealed that immotile caput sperm contained sixfold higher GSK-3 activity than motile caudal sperm. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the expression of GSK-3 in sperm and revealed the occurrence of both the alpha and beta isoforms. Our findings suggest that the higher PP1 activity measured in immotile sperm, presumably due to higher GSK-3 activity, is responsible for holding motility in check. This conclusion was supported by the observation that the phosphatase inhibitors OA and CA, at micromolar and nanomolar levels, respectively, were able to induce motility in completely immotile bovine caput epididymal sperm and to stimulate the kinetic activity of mature caudal sperm. The intrasperm levels of cAMP, pH, and calcium were unaltered by treatment with these inhibitors. The results suggest a biochemical basis for the development and regulation of sperm motility and a possible physiological role for the PP1/I2/GSK-3 system.