Biomedical subjects

Paul Richards

Publications and source records attributed to Paul Richards.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel for patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site: a Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the novel chemotherapy combination that includes gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel in the treatment of patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty patients were treated with the following regimen, administered every 21 days for a planned four courses: gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 8, carboplatin at an estimated area under the concentration-time curve of 5 mg min/mL i.v. on day 1, and paclitaxel 200 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1. After four courses, stable and responding patients were given weekly paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2) i.v. for 6 weeks for three 8-week courses. All patients had relatively poor prognostic features. Sixty-three patients had well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 56 patients had poorly differentiated carcinoma, and 104 patients had performance status of 0 or 1. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (25%) of 113 assessable patients (95% confidence interval, 22% to 30%) had major objective responses to treatment. Response rates were similar in the two major histologic types. Response rate did not seem to be improved by continued therapy with weekly paclitaxel. The median progression-free survival time was 6 months. Median survival for the entire group was 9 months, and the actuarial survival at 1 and 2 years was 42% and 23%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel followed by weekly paclitaxel is an active and tolerable treatment for patients with carcinoma of unknown primary site. The survival seen in this poor-prognosis group of patients in this multicenter community-based trial is notable and similar to other taxane-based regimens for these patients. Study of additional combinations or sequences of newer drugs, as well as the exploration of targeted biologic agents for patients with an identified target in their tumors, is warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Functional proteomics using microchannel plate detectors.

We describe the development of a novel detection system used for the functional imaging of proteins separated on electrophoretic gels. A microchannel plate detector is used here for real-time imaging of low levels of tritiated protein separated by two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis. The system employs radioisotope-free, low noise microchannel plates originally developed for photon counting in X-ray astronomy. Using the detector configuration described here, proteins were resolved on mini gels by either one or two-dimensional electrophoresis, transferred onto polyvinylidene difluoride membranes and directly imaged. Tritiated diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) was used as a selective label for the serine hydrolase class of enzymes and their distribution in the central nervous system was examined. This survey revealed approximately 24 protein spots by 2-D electrophoresis. We also investigated the relative sensitivity of these proteins towards DFP and found the peptidase, acylpeptide hydrolase to be the most sensitive brain protein towards this reagent. Using a number of different tritiated standards, it was found that the system can image as little as 0.1 Bq/mm(2) of tritium corresponding to 320 attomol of DFP labelled protein/mm(2). Moreover, the system has a wide dynamic range (>10(6)) allowing samples of high and low activity to be quantified on the same gel.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Seeds and rights: new approaches to post-war agricultural rehabilitation in Sierra Leone.

Based on preliminary findings of ongoing 'action research' in the war zone in central Sierra Leone, this paper shows how more equitable seed distribution could contribute to fostering a culture of human rights as well as to agricultural rehabilitation. Assessment of seeds-and-toosl programmes in 19 villages found that aid agency targeting and distribution modalities channelled inputs through village committees which denied assistance to intended beneficiary groups. Such distribution inequalities constitute violations of fundamental human rights, exacerbate grievance and division and maintain the threat of social disorder. The benefits and disadvantages of an alternative, more inclusive, rights-based approach to seed distribution are discussed, and preliminary results from the pilot phase of CARE's Rights-based Approach to Food Security Project are presented. Under this project, village-level peace and rights days are held to allow villagers to debate the vulnerabilities that facilitated the war and to elaborate on local notions of human rights. In symbolising new beginnings, seed can be seen as a useful medium through which to debate a more inclusive--and ultimately less vulnerable--society.

Agriculture↗