Methods: ELF samples were obtained both from near the tumour and

Methods: ELF samples were obtained both from near the tumour and from the contralateral lung using a bronchoscopic microsampling technique, before and 2 weeks after the start of gefitinib treatment. Serum samples were taken concurrently. Among the 22 patients enrolled in the study, 14 (64%) showed partial responses or stabilization of disease with gefitinib treatment (treatment responders), while 8 (36%)

showed progression FG-4592 in vitro of disease (treatment non-responders), 4 weeks after the start of treatment.

Results: ELF KL-6 levels near the tumour decreased significantly after 2 weeks in the treatment responders group (P = 0.011), whereas there was a marginal increase in the treatment non-responders group (P = 0.049). ELF CEA levels near the tumour decreased significantly after 2 weeks in the treatment responders group (P = 0.004), whereas there was no significant change in the treatment non-responders group. For both markers, neither the serum levels nor the levels in contralateral ELF showed any significant changes in either group of patients.

Conclusions: Both KL-6 and CEA levels in ELF near the tumour predicted tumour response in NSCLC

patients treated with gefitinib, whereas serum levels did not.”
“OBJECTIVES: The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification BEZ235 PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor Test, a test of olfactory function that is widely used by otolaryngologists, geriatricians, and neurologists, has been translated into more than a dozen languages. In some instances, cultural and socioeconomic factors

have necessitated changes in the odorant items or the response alternatives PF-03084014 cost to make the test scores congruent with North American norms. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of Brazilian subjects on a new Portuguese language version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test with their performance on an earlier Portuguese language version of the test, as well as to assess the influences of gender, age, ethnicity, and economic status on the test scores.

METHODS: Based on pilot data, several response alternatives of the earlier Portuguese language version of the test were altered in an effort to improve test performance. Forty-nine healthy Brazilian volunteers, who represented several economic classes, were tested. The test scores of the study cohort who received the newer version of the test were compared with those of a group of 25 subjects who received the earlier version of the test.

RESULTS: The mean score for the new version [35 (2.1)] was significantly (p = 0.002) higher than that for the earlier version [32.5 (3.5)]. Although no apparent influence of socioeconomic status was observed, the female participants outperformed the male participants in the current subject cohort.

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