Abstract:
A method of performing diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes a step of: using a neural network to filter a diffusion-weighted image of an object acquired by a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, the neural network being programmed to produce an output image from the acquired image. The neural network improves the signal to noise ratio of the output image relative to the acquired image. The neural network, when applied to a synthetic knife-edge image to which Rician noise providing a signal-to-noise ratio of 13 or more is added, forms a curve of normalised values of modulation-transfer-function against frequency which has a higher area thereunder than the area under the corresponding curve of normalised values of modulation-transfer-function against frequency for a reference Gaussian smoothing filter, [Formula I should be inserted here] where f(x, y) is the noisy synthetic knife-edge image, g(x, y) is the filtered image, [Formula II should be inserted here] is the convolution parameter, and σ2 is the smoothing variance set such that σ2=4.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a cell proliferative disorder, the medicament comprising as an active ingredient a compound represented by formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the medicament is used in such a manner that: (a) said compound or salt is administered twice weekly for 3 weeks, (b) administration of said compound or salt is paused for the following 1 week, and (c) steps (a) and (b) are subsequently repeated at least once.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for predicting the treatment response of a human gastroesophageal cancer patient, the method comprising: a) measuring the gene expression of at least 3 of the following genes: CDH1, CDK6, COX2, ELOVL5, GATA4, EGFR, TBCEL, FGF7, CDH17, FNBP1, PIP5K1B, TWIST, CD44, MET, CEACAM1, TOX3, GLIPR2, GSTP1, RON, TMEM136, MYB, BRCA2, FGF1, POU5F1, EPR, DPYD, ABL2 and SH3RF1 in a sample obtained from the gastroesophageal tumour of the patient to obtain a sample gene expression profile of at least said genes; and b) making a prediction of the treatment response and/or prognosis of the patient based on the sample gene expression profile. Also provided are related computer-implemented methods and methods of treatment of gastroesophageal cancer.
Abstract:
Methods of making vaccinia viruses for gene-directed prodrug therapy are disclosed and their use in the treatment of disease is provided. In particular, the anti-tumour effects of vaccinia viruses that are modified to express a prodrug activating enzyme are disclosed.
Abstract:
An x-ray micro-beam radiation production system is provided having: a source of accelerated electrons, an electron focusing component configured to focus the electrons provided by the source, and a target which produces x-rays when electrons impinge thereon from the source. The electron focusing component is configured to focus the electrons provided by the source such that they impinge at a focal spot having a width δ formed on a surface of the target. The focusing component is configured to move the electron beam relative to the target such that the focal spot moves across the target surface in the width direction, and/or the target is movable relative to the focusing component such that the focal spot moves across the target surface in the width direction, the surface velocity of the focal spot across the target surface in the width direction being greater than vt where: formula (I), k, ρ and c denoting respectively the heat conductivity, the density and the heat capacity of the target material, and d denoting the electron penetration depth in the target material. v t = π k 4 ρ c · δ d 2 , ( I )
Abstract:
Provided are compounds of the Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein W, X, Y, Z, x, R1, R2, R3, x and n are defined in the specification. The compounds are inhibitors of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) family members (LOXL1, LOXL2, LOXL3, LOXL4) and are useful in therapy, particularly in the treatment of cancer. Also disclosed are LOX inhibitors for use in the treatment of a cancer associated with EGFR and biomarkers that predict responsiveness to a LOX inhibitor.
Abstract:
A method of providing a prognosis in a cancer patient comprising analysing a tumour image to calculate a metric of immune infiltration for the tumour, and a method of analysing a tumour image.
Abstract:
Methods of making vaccinia viruses for gene-directed prodrug therapy are disclosed and their use in the treatment of disease is provided. In particular, the anti-tumor effects of vaccinia viruses that are modified to express a prodrug-activating enzyme are disclosed.
Abstract:
Method of ultrasound imaging in which vibration-induced localised (LOVIT) displacements code the ultrasound signal at the place of origin, enabling clutter cancellation. The require displacements can be induced by an acoustic radiation force (ARF) generated by an ultrasonic focused beam. One possibility for ARF-LOVIT is to acquire one photoacoustic (PA) image prior to the ARF push, and a second image immediately after the push when the non-zero displacement transient at the focus region is present. A difference image then highlights the signal from optically absorbing structures located inside the displacement region. Direct clutter, in contrast, originates from outside the imaged region where no displacement occurs, and is thus estimated. Echo clutter from acoustic scattering at echogenic structures inside the displacement region also shows up on the difference image, but at a different depth from where it was generated owing to the additional acoustic round-trip time as compared to PA signals.
Abstract:
The invention provides a compound for use as a protein kinase B inhibitor, the compound being a compound of the formula (I) or salts, solvates, tautomers or N-oxides thereof, wherein T is N or CR5; J1-J2 is N═C(R6), (R7)C═N, (R8)N—C(O), (R8)2C—C(O), N═N or (R7)C═C(R6); E is a monocyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group of 5 or 6 ring members, the heterocyclic group containing up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; Q1 is a bond or a saturated C1-3 hydrocarbon linker group, one of the carbon atoms in the linker group being optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom, or an adjacent pair of carbon atoms may be replaced by CONRq or NRqCO where Rq is hydrogen or methyl, or Rq is a C1-4 alkylene chain linked to R or a carbon atom of Q1 to form a cyclic moiety; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group Q1 may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from fluorine and hydroxy; Q2 is a bond or a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom a with respect to the G group; and provided that when E is aryl or heteroaryl, then Q2 is other than a bond; G is hydrogen, NR2R3, OH or SH provided that when E is aryl or heteroaryl and Q2 is a bond, then G is hydrogen; R1 is hydrogen or an aryl or heteroaryl group, with the proviso that when R1 is hydrogen and G is NR2R3, then Q is a bond; and R2, R3, R4, R6 and R8 are as defined in the claims.