Evidence of a 2D Fermi surface due to surface states in a p-type metallic Bi2Te3.

We present a systematic quantum oscillations study on a metallic, p-type Bi2Te3 topological single crystal in magnetic fields up to B = 7 T. The maxima/minima positions of oscillations measured at different tilt angles align to one another when plotted as a function of the normal component of magnetic field, confirming the presence of the 2D Fermi surface. Additionally, the Berry phase, ß = 0.4 ± 0.05 obtained from the Landau level fan plot, is very close to the theoretical value of 0.5 for the Dirac particles, confirming the presence of topological surface states in the Bi2Te3 single crystal. Using the Lifshitz-Kosevich analyses, the Fermi energy is estimated to be [Formula: see text] meV, which is lower than that of other bismuth-based topological systems. The detection of surface states in the Bi2Te3 crystal can be explained by our previous hypothesis of the lower position of the Fermi surface that cuts the 'M'-shaped valence band maxima. As a result, the bulk state frequency is shifted to higher magnetic fields, which allows measurement of the surface states signal at low magnetic fields.

Carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone vs lenalidomide-dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma by previous treatment.

Carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is approved as monotherapy and in combination with dexamethasone or lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Rd) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The approval of carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRd) was based on results from the randomized, phase 3 study ASPIRE (NCT01080391), which showed KRd significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs Rd (median 26.3 vs 17.6 months; hazard ratio (HR)=0.690; P=0.0001). This subgroup analysis of ASPIRE evaluated KRd vs Rd by number of previous lines of therapy and previous exposure to bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide. Treatment with KRd led to a 12-month improvement in median PFS vs Rd after first relapse (HR 0.713) and a 9-month improvement after ⩾2 previous lines of therapy (HR 0.720). Treatment with KRd led to an approximate 8-month improvement vs Rd in median PFS in bortezomib-exposed patients (HR 0.699), a 15-month improvement in thalidomide-exposed patients (HR 0.587) and a 5-month improvement in lenalidomide-exposed patients (HR 0.796). Objective response and complete response or better rates were higher with KRd vs Rd, irrespective of previous treatment. KRd had a favorable benefit-risk profile and should be considered an appropriate treatment option for patients with 1 or ⩾2 previous lines of therapy and those previously exposed to bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide.

Carfilzomib-dexamethasone vs bortezomib-dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma by cytogenetic risk in the phase 3 study ENDEAVOR.

The randomized phase 3 study ENDEAVOR demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd) vs bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We conducted a preplanned subgroup analysis of ENDEAVOR to evaluate Kd vs Vd by cytogenetic risk. Of 785 patients with known cytogenetics, 210 (27%) had high-risk cytogenetics (Kd, n=97 (25%); Vd, n=113 (28%)) and 575 (73%) had standard-risk cytogenetics (Kd, n=284 (75%); Vd, n=291 (72%)). Median PFS in the high-risk group was 8.8 months for Kd vs 6.0 months for Vd (hazard ratio (HR), 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-0.92; P=0.0075). Median PFS in the standard-risk group was not estimable for Kd vs 10.2 months for Vd (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.33-0.58; P<0.0001). Overall response rates were 72.2% (Kd) vs 58.4% (Vd) in the high-risk group and 79.2% (Kd) vs 66.0% (Vd) in the standard-risk group. In the high-risk group, 15.5% (Kd) vs 4.4% (Vd) achieved a complete response (CR) or better. In the standard-risk group, 13.0% (Kd) vs 7.9% (Vd) achieved ⩾CR. This preplanned subgroup analysis found that Kd was superior to Vd in relapsed or refractory MM, regardless of cytogenetic risk.

Impact of prior treatment on patients with relapsed multiple myeloma treated with carfilzomib and dexamethasone vs bortezomib and dexamethasone in the phase 3 ENDEAVOR study.

The randomized phase 3 ENDEAVOR study (N=929) compared carfilzomib and dexamethasone (Kd) with bortezomib and dexamethasone (Vd) in relapsed multiple myeloma (RMM). We performed a subgroup analysis from ENDEAVOR in patients categorized by number of prior lines of therapy or by prior treatment. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with one prior line was 22.2 months for Kd vs 10.1 months for Vd, and median PFS for patients with ⩾2 prior lines was 14.9 months for Kd vs 8.4 months for Vd. For patients with prior bortezomib exposure, the median PFS was 15.6 months for Kd vs 8.1 months for Vd, and for patients with prior lenalidomide exposure the median PFS was 12.9 months for Kd vs 7.3 months for Vd. Overall response rates (Kd vs Vd) were 81.9 vs 65.5% (one prior line), 72.0 vs 59.7% (⩾2 prior lines), 71.2 vs 60.3% (prior bortezomib) and 70.1 vs 59.3% (prior lenalidomide). The safety profile in the prior lines subgroups was qualitatively similar to that in the broader ENDEAVOR population. In RMM, outcomes are improved when receiving treatment with carfilzomib compared with bortezomib, regardless of the number of prior therapy lines or prior exposure to bortezomib or lenalidomide.

Palliative radiotherapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: To analyse the therapeutic effect of palliative radiation therapy (RT) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with bone lesions and soft tissue formations, to compare the therapeutic efficacy of two different RT regimens, the effect of RT on basic disease parameters, and its impact on survival in MM patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 162 patients with MM were diagnosed and followed for a 10-year period (1994-2004). Eighty-seven (53.7%) of them with myeloma bone disease (MBD) underwent palliative RT with two different regimens. The effect of RT on MBD and its complications was assessed. Patients with RT were compared in 10 parameters before and after RT. Survival was compared between the irradiated and non irradiated groups and also between patients treated with two different RT regimens, using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: RT was applied in 92.1% of the patients with vertebral fractures, in 90.9% of the patients with non-vertebral fractures, and in 94.1% of the patients with extramedullary tumor formations. In 89.6% of the patients complete or partial pain palliation was achieved and in 58.6% resolution of neurologic symptoms occurred. The levels of hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts (PLT), bone marrow infiltration, serum calcium (Ca), creatinine, albumin, CRP, LDH, beta2-microglobulin did not change significantly before and after RT. Median survival of patients on RT was 32 months (range 30-34) vs. 33 months (range 28-36) for patients without RT (p>0.05). Median survival was 32 months (range 27-37) for patients on 2x8 Gy. vs. 34 months (range 25-39) for those on 5x4 Gy (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: RT is a very effective method in bone pain palliation in vertebral and non-vertebral fractures and reduction of extramedullary formations, but does not influence the survival of patients with MM.

[The preoperative preparation of the vagina with Betadine before abortion on demand]. / Predoperativna podgotovka na vlagalishteto s Betadine predi prekusvane na bremennost po zhelanie.

Recent evidence has associated bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis with several postoperative complications. We carried out a prospective study aiming to estimate the frequency of vaginitis in women wanting to make an artificial abortion and the possibility to influence this infections by local application of vaginal BETADINE suppositories in all forms of infectious vaginitis: Candida albicans, trichomonas vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis.

[The risk factors to the fetus and newborn infant with mothers under the age of 16]. / Riskovi faktori za ploda i novorodenoto pri maiki pod 16-godishna vuzrast.

The study described risk factors for the fetus and newborn up to one year of age in 271 mothers under 15 years of age, using the alternative analysis. It was found that the body mass of the newborns of under age mothers was 328 g lower (Pt less than 0.0001) than the mean body mass of the whole population in the region, but the frequency of underweight newborns was twice as large. Perinatal infant mortality of the examined group did not differ from the mean mortality of the whole population in contrast to almost three-fold higher mortality in newborns up one year of age. Feeding and morbidity did not differ substantially from those of the remaining children in the region. Malformations were the most frequent cause for postnatal mortality. The authors conclude that inspite of accelerating processes the medico-social risk for still unborn infants of pregnant under age individuals remain rather high.

[The prevention of postoperative suppurative complications in stomach cancer]. / Profilaktika na sledoperativnite gnoini uslozhneniia pri stomashen rak.

Bacteriologic studies of gastric juice and purulent drainage fluids in the event of complications were carried out in 80 patients who had undergone gastric resections and had been on conventional parenteral antibiotic treatment (control group). Another (experimental) group of 37 patient, having undergone the same operations, received prophylaxis of the suppurative complications with 5-nitrox and Flagyl solutions through nasogastric probe once in 3 hours for 6 to 8 days. The suppurative complications in the experimental group were reduced from 47.5 to 8.1 per cent and of the postoperative lethality due to suppurative complications from 22.5 to 0 per cent.