Oral valganciclovir versus ganciclovir as delayed pre-emptive therapy for patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant: a pilot trial (04-0274) and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). This pilot prospective randomized clinical trial compares valganciclovir (VGV) to ganciclovir (GCV) as pre-emptive therapy for CMV viremia in the post-allogeneic HSCT population. METHODS: Patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT who were at risk for CMV viremia were monitored post HSCT by weekly quantitative whole blood polymerase chain reaction. Pre-emptive therapy was delayed until the viral load (VL) was >10,000 copies/mL once, or >5000 copies/mL twice. Patients were randomized to either GCV 5 mg/kg twice a day (b.i.d.) for 7 days followed by daily GCV 5 mg/kg for up to 21 days, or VGV 900 mg b.i.d. for 7 days followed by 900 mg daily for up to 21 days. The primary endpoint was clearance of viremia (VL <5000 copies/mL) within 28 days of initiation of therapy. RESULT: In total, 37 patients were enrolled; 19 patients received treatment with VGV and 18 patients received treatment with GCV. The VGV was not inferior in efficacy to GCV as pre-emptive therapy, with rates of viral clearance at 28 days of 89.5% and 83%, respectively (P-value for non-inferiority = 0.030). Toxicities were similar between the 2 arms. No patients developed CMV disease. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, the rates of clearance of viremia appear to be similar with VGV and GCV.

Scanning electron microscope measurement of width and shape of 10nm patterned lines using a JMONSEL-modeled library.

The width and shape of 10nm to 12 nm wide lithographically patterned SiO2 lines were measured in the scanning electron microscope by fitting the measured intensity vs. position to a physics-based model in which the lines' widths and shapes are parameters. The approximately 32 nm pitch sample was patterned at Intel using a state-of-the-art pitch quartering process. Their narrow widths and asymmetrical shapes are representative of near-future generation transistor gates. These pose a challenge: the narrowness because electrons landing near one edge may scatter out of the other, so that the intensity profile at each edge becomes width-dependent, and the asymmetry because the shape requires more parameters to describe and measure. Modeling was performed by JMONSEL (Java Monte Carlo Simulation of Secondary Electrons), which produces a predicted yield vs. position for a given sample shape and composition. The simulator produces a library of predicted profiles for varying sample geometry. Shape parameter values are adjusted until interpolation of the library with those values best matches the measured image. Profiles thereby determined agreed with those determined by transmission electron microscopy and critical dimension small-angle x-ray scattering to better than 1 nm.

Neodymium: YAG laser parabolic anterior capsulotomy in extreme capsule contraction syndrome.

We report a technique of neodymium: YAG laser parabolic anterior capsulotomy in an extreme case of capsule contraction syndrome with complete occlusion of the central opening and intraocular lens (IOL) displacement. This technique achieves both optical and mechanical benefits of a clear visual axis and possible prevention of further IOL decentration.

The protein requirement of laying pullets with changing seasons in the tropics.

1. The protein requirements of White Leghorn laying pullets were evaluated in summer and winter using isocaloric diets containing 12-8, 15-0, 16-6, 18-5 and 21-6% protein. 2. The age at 50% production of summer-raised pullets was about 2 weeks later than that of winter-raised pullets irrespective of the concentration of dietary protein. 3. Egg production in summer-increased with increasing concentrations of protein up to 18-5%; further increases had no significant effect: in winter, egg production was similar provided the diet contained at least 15-0%. 4. The data on egg production, food consumption and egg weight indicated that the protein requirement of White Leghorn pullets is met by diets containing about 19% protein in summer and 15% in winter.