Hybrid graphene nematic liquid crystal light scattering device.

A hybrid graphene nematic liquid crystal (LC) light scattering device is presented. This device exploits the inherent poly-crystallinity of chemical vapour deposited (CVD) graphene films to induce directional anchoring and formation of LC multi-domains. This thereby enables efficient light scattering without the need for crossed polarisers or separate alignment layers/additives. The hybrid LC device exhibits switching thresholds at very low electric fields (< 1 V µm(-1)) and repeatable, hysteresis free characteristics. This exploitation of LC alignment effects on CVD graphene films enables a new generation of highly efficient nematic LC scattering displays as well as many other possible applications.

Stretchable liquid-crystal blue-phase gels.

Liquid-crystalline polymers are materials of considerable scientific interest and technological value. An important subset of these materials exhibit rubber-like elasticity, combining the optical properties of liquid crystals with the mechanical properties of rubber. Moreover, they exhibit behaviour not seen in either type of material independently, and many of their properties depend crucially on the particular mesophase employed. Such stretchable liquid-crystalline polymers have previously been demonstrated in the nematic, chiral-nematic, and smectic mesophases. Here, we report the fabrication of a stretchable gel of blue phase I, which forms a self-assembled, three-dimensional photonic crystal that remains electro-optically switchable under a moderate applied voltage, and whose optical properties can be manipulated by an applied strain. We also find that, unlike its undistorted counterpart, a mechanically deformed blue phase exhibits a Pockels electro-optic effect, which sets out new theoretical challenges and possibilities for low-voltage electro-optic devices.

Blue-phase templated fabrication of three-dimensional nanostructures for photonic applications.

A promising approach to the fabrication of materials with nanoscale features is the transfer of liquid-crystalline structure to polymers. However, this has not been achieved in systems with full three-dimensional periodicity. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of self-assembled three-dimensional nanostructures by polymer templating blue phase I, a chiral liquid crystal with cubic symmetry. Blue phase I was photopolymerized and the remaining liquid crystal removed to create a porous free-standing cast, which retains the chiral three-dimensional structure of the blue phase, yet contains no chiral additive molecules. The cast may in turn be used as a hard template for the fabrication of new materials. By refilling the cast with an achiral nematic liquid crystal, we created templated blue phases that have unprecedented thermal stability in the range -125 to 125 °C, and that act as both mirrorless lasers and switchable electro-optic devices. Blue-phase templated materials will facilitate advances in device architectures for photonics applications in particular.

Combined radiotherapy-chemotherapy for early stages non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: the 1975-1980 EORTC controlled lymphoma trial.

Patients with stage I and II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are considered to have a relatively good prognosis. For this reason, they are seldom referred to specialized centers and the accrual of such patients in controlled studies is limited. Therefore, significant studies of homogeneously treated patients are difficult to collect and the management of these patients remains controversial. Some patients do very well after treatments with minimal toxicity while others require a much more aggressive approach. The Radiotherapy-Chemotherapy Group of the EORTC carried out its second controlled trial on patients with stage I and II NHL from 1975 to 1980. Its first aim was to assess the prognostic value of histologic classifications independently of treatment. The second aim was to compare two therapeutic options within each stage. In stage I, 124 patients were randomized to receive extended field radiotherapy (RT) either with or without adjuvant cyclophosphamide, vincristine prednisone (CVP) chemotherapy (CT). Relapse-free survival (RFS) was higher in patients who received adjuvant CVP but the total survival rates were not different. The RFS was lower in patients with diffuse than in those with follicular architectural histologies; in the former, RFS was not influenced by adjuvant CVP. Those patients who underwent a staging laparotomy had a higher 5-year total survival (TS) independent of the histologic type. Fifty-six stage II patients were included and extended field was randomized versus total nodal irradiation. Subsequently, adjuvant CVP was given to all patients. Results are good in follicular histologies but the advantage for total nodal irradiation is not significant. In diffuse histologies, results were unsatisfactory in both arms; a new therapeutic strategy was designed in which RT and CT are alternated and has been successfully tested in a pilot study.

Sequential non-cross-resistant chemotherapy regimens (MOPP and CAVmP) in Hodgkin's disease stage IIIB and IV.

Fifty consecutive patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were treated in a multicentre study with 6 cycles of an alternating scheme of MOPP and CAVmP followed by irradiation to a dose of 20 Gy. The objective was to increase complete remission (CR) and cure rates by alternating two effective noncross-resistant regimens with subsequent consolidation of the remission by irradiating bulky nodes. A total of 47 patients completed the treatment and are evaluable. In the first 13 patients the irradiation fields amounted to a total or subtotal nodal irradiation with inclusion of the spleen. In case of organ involvement the affected organ was also included in the irradiation field. The irradiation protocol was later changed to an irradiation of the initially involved sites because of severe leucopenia and thrombopenia. After completion of the chemotherapy 32 (68%) patients (for Stage IIIB and IV patients: 63% and 71%, respectively) achieved a CR, after ending the radiotherapy the percentage of CR increased to 87% (for stage IIIB and IV patients: 90% and 86%, respectively). Five of the patients relapsed in an irradiated and nonirradiated area, three patients in a nonirradiated field. The actuarial 3-year survival rate for the entire group was 86% and for patients in CR 94%. The relapse-free survival was 73%. It is concluded that this alternating chemotherapy scheme followed by irradiation is at least equally effective as MOPP treatment in achieving a CR, and is probably superior in terms of survival.

Half body irradiation (HBI) in metastatic carcinomas.

One hundred and twenty-nine patients with distressing pain due to widespread bony metastases have been treated by systemic radiation therapy. The response rate is very high (76%) and the relief of pain occurs dramatically within 24-48 h. Sixty-five per cent of all responders remained free from pain for the remainder of their liver (3-10 months). This treatment has also proved effective in reducing large tumour masses for a limited period of time (5-20 weeks). Effective control of resistant hypercalcaemia was also observed within 24 h in five patients out of nine. The treatment is well tolerated and is haematologically safe. The main limiting factor is pulmonary damage. Various corrective measure have been employed to reduce acute radiation toxicity. This report presents an up to date analysis of the response to, and toxicity of, systemic radiation therapy and speculates on its potential uses.

Osmotic regulation of vasopressin in the cat.

This study examines the effects of blood osmolality on the release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the cat. Prior to the beginning of the experiments, the chamber-isolated, unanesthetized cat, allowed water ad libitum had a constant plasma osmolality averaging 320 +/- 2 (SE) mosmol/kg and a constant plasma AVP averaging 3.4 +/- 0.7 microU/ml. Water loading decreased plasma osmolality to 312 +/- 2 mosmol/kg and lowered plasma AVP to 1.3 +/- 0.2 microU/ml. As dehydration occurred during fluid restriction, the plasma osmolality increased and plasma AVP rose to 8 times the base line after 2 days. The rise in plasma AVP correlated linearly with the rise in plasma osmolality (r = 0.81; P less than 0.01). The cat's osmotic-vasopressin relationships are unique among mammals, revealing an elevated osmotic "set point" (threshold) and with regression analysis an increased "gain" or "'sensitivity" (increased slope of the regression line). We speculate that these unusual osmotic-AVP relationships may be related to some specialized features of the cat, such as hypothalamic anatomy or cerebral arterial blood supply.

Total body irradiation in oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus.

Total body irradiation (TBI) as a systemic therapy has been used in controlling subclinical metastases in oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus (limited disease). Preliminary results suggest that a delay occurs in the development of brain metastases as not a single patient developed this in this series. As eventually almost all patients developed distant metastases, further maintenance chemotherapy is recommended.

Total body irradiation as a primary therapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Thirty-three patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have been treated with total body irradiation (TBI). A very high remission rate is obtained in lymphocytic lymphomas (83%), but response in histiocytic lymphoma is extremely poor. Bone marrow study suggests that marrow depression following TBI is transient and complete recovery occurs provided the bone marrow is not already compromised by previous chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Extreme caution is required when TBI is repeated as this may lead to progressive marrow hypoplasia.

Combined total body irradiation and local radiation therapy in oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus.

Use of total body irradiation (TBI) as a systematic therapy has been evaluated in controlling subclinical and established metastases in oat cell bronchus carcinoma. Preliminary results suggest that patients without clinical evidence of distant metastases do better than those with metastases. No patient in this series developed brain metastases. This could be related to TBI but may again be just a coincidence. The booster radiation dose (1000 rad) given to the liver seems to be inadequate in preventing metastases there, as all the deaths were due to liver metastases. In view of this, a higher dose to the liver is recommended.

Single dose palliative irradiation for bony metastasis.

315 patients with bony metastasis were given palliative radiation therapy for the control of pain; 69 of these patients received single high dose treatment and the remaining patients were treated by daily fractionation. No difference in the pain relief was observed in either method of irradiation. Morbidity was slightly more with single dose therapy, but was well tolerated. Rapid relief of pain, avoidance of exhausting and painful journey for daily treatment and saving of machine time in the busy radiotherapy department make single dose therapy a preferable modality in the management of bony metastasis.

Total body irradiation in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and its effect on bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma have been treated with total body irradiation (T.B.I.). Very high remission rate is obtained in lymphosarcomas, but response in histiosarcoma is extremely poor. Bone marrow study suggests that marrow depression following T.B.I. is transient and complete recovery occurs provided the bone marrow is not already compromised by previous chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Extreme caution is required when T.B.I. is repeated as this may lead to progressive marrow hypoplasia.

Leucoerythroblastic anaemia in carcinoma of ovary.

The survey of cases of ovarian carcinoma referred to the Radiotherapy Centre at Sheffield between 1956 and 1965 was undertaken, which revealed one case of leucoerythroblastic anaemia as a complication. This patient also had a demonstrable bony metastases, which appeared eight years after the apparent cure of the diasease-a most unusual feature of carcinoma of ovary.

Total body irradiation in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

17 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas were treated by total body irradiation (TBI). 94% went into remission. Response in lymphosarcomas was found to be extremely good with long periods of unmaintained remission. Reticulumcell sarcomas responded poorly.

Total body irradiation in lymphosarcoma.

Total body irradiation has shown encouraging result in the treatment of advanced lymphosarcomas. The response rate and remission rates are high. 66 percent (4/6) went in unmaintained complete remission. Good response was also observed in patients who had previous chemotherapy.