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Better Survival Rate (good + survival_rate)
Selected AbstractsA Griscelli syndrome type 2 murine model of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 11 2008Jana Pachlopnik Schmid Abstract Griscelli syndrome type 2 is caused by mutations in the RAB27A gene and is a rare and potentially fatal immune disorder associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Animal models could provide assistance for better understanding the mechanisms and finding new treatments. Rab27a-deficient (ashen) mice do not spontaneously develop HLH. When injected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strain WE, Rab27a-deficient C57BL/6 mice developed wasting disease, hypothermia, splenomegaly, cytopenia (anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia), hypertriglyceridemia and increased levels of IFN-,, TNF-,, GM-CSF, IL-12, CCL5 and IL-10. Activated macrophages with hemophagocytosis were found in liver sections of these mice. Compared with perforin-deficient mice, LCMV-infected Rab27a-deficient mice showed a substantially better survival rate and slightly higher viral doses were needed to trigger HLH in Rab27a-deficient mice. This study demonstrates that LCMV-infected Rab27a-deficient C57BL/6 mice develop features consistent with HLH and, therefore, represent a murine model of HLH in human Griscelli syndrome type 2. [source] Statin administration prior to ischaemic stroke onset and survival: exploratory evidence from matched treatment,control studyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2005S. Aslanyan In addition to their lipid-lowering effects, it has been speculated that statins may also have beneficial effects on cerebral circulation and brain parenchyma during ischaemic stroke and reperfusion. We hypothesized that patients who had taken statins prior to stroke onset may have a better survival rate at 1 month and during the follow-up period. We retrospectively studied consecutive ischaemic stroke patients admitted to an acute stroke unit and at least a month's follow-up. From these, we included those patients who, at admission, had reported the use of a statin prior to the stroke onset in the statin group (n = 205). Each patient in the statin group was matched with two patients who reported no statin use (n = 410). Using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models, we adjusted for variables that significantly differed between treatment groups or that independently predicted mortality. After adjusting for those variables, statin use was associated with reduced mortality at 1 month [odds ratio 0.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09,0.67] and during the follow-up period (hazard ratio 0.57; 95% CI 0.35,0.93). The use of statins prior to stroke onset is associated with improved stroke survival within this cohort study with matched controls. [source] Comparison of survival between short-daily hemodialysis and conventional hemodialysis using the standardized mortality ratioHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2006Christopher R. BLAGG Abstract More frequent hemodialysis (5 or more times weekly, both short during the day and long overnight) has been shown to improve patient well-being, reduce symptoms during and between treatments, and have beneficial effects on clinical outcomes. Because of the relatively small patient sample sizes, there are little or no data on mortality from any single study at this time. This study compares survival in 117 U.S. patients treated by short-daily hemodialysis in 2003 and 2004, with patients reported in the 2003 data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). Expected mortality was calculated from the USRDS and compared with observed actual mortality. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was used to adjust for differences in patient age, sex, race, and cause of renal failure. The SMR for the short-daily hemodialysis patients was 0.39, statistically significantly better (p<0.005) than data from the overall U.S. population of hemodialysis patients and indicating that daily hemodialysis patients had a 61% better survival. Patients treated by short-daily hemodialysis have a better survival rate than comparable populations treated by conventional hemodialysis. [source] Long-term posaconazole treatment and follow-up of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in a diabetic girlPEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 4 2009Luigi Tarani Abstract:, To demonstrate that the 2-yr clinical follow-up of our patient strongly suggests that long-term therapy with posaconazole (POS) is safe and beneficial in treatment and prevention of relapses of, otherwise fatal, central nervous system mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a very rare opportunistic mycotic infection of diabetic children. We present the 30-month follow-up of a 12-yr-old girl affected by diabetic ketoacidotic coma, complicated by rhinocerebral mucormycosis and successfully treated with POS at the initial daily dose of 5 mg/kg t.i.d. with fatty food for 3 wk, followed by a daily dose of 10 mg/kg in four doses for 2 months and then 20 mg/kg/d in four doses for 16 months and in two doses for further 5 months. The previous amphotericin B, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, hyperbaric oxygen and nasal and left maxillary sinus surgical debridement therapy was ineffective in stopping the progression of the infection to the brain. The patient improved within 10 d with reduced ocular swelling and pain, and 6 months after therapy stop, she is in good health and cultures are sterile. This article demonstrates that POS may be a useful drug in mucormycosis in children. We also strongly draw the attention to the main preventive procedure against invasive fungal infection that is the correct management of antidiabetic therapy that prevents the predisposing temporary neutrophils activity deficit, contributing to a better survival rate of diabetic children. [source] Granulosa cell tumours of the ovaryAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Puliyath GEETHA Granulosa cell tumours are rare, potentially malignant sex cord stromal tumours of the ovary. They are unique in their presentation and histological features. Many of them are hormone-producing and this property helps them to present early unlike other epithelial ovarian cancers. As a result, most of them will be in an early stage at the time of initial diagnosis. The tumour can manifest in young girls as a juvenile form and conservative management with unilateral salpingo-opherectomy may be an option in them as 95% are unilateral. Surgery is the treatment of choice and initial staging laparatomy a determinant recurrence. Advance stage of the tumour, its size (>5 cm), mitotic figures (>10/hpf), nuclear atypia and absence of call-exner bodies are poor prognostic factors. Such tumours are characterised by late recurrences and this necessitates a prolonged follow-up. Tumour markers such as inhibin and estradiol are useful in follow-up. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone replacement therapy have very little role in the initial treatment and may be suggested in case of recurrences. With appropriate treatment, a better survival rate can be achieved as against other ovarian malignancies. Methods used for locating, selecting and synthesising data:, A search of Medline and Cochrane data base for the period from 1999 to 2010 was carried out to include relevant systematic reviews, meta-analysis, randomised controlled and other clinical and rare case reports. The date of the last search was January 2010. [source] Corneal oedema after cataract surgery: predisposing factors and corneal graft outcomeACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2009Margareta Claesson Abstract. Purpose:, Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) is one of the main indications for corneal transplantation. Graft survival and visual outcome in this group are often poorer than for other indications. The aim of this study was to find risk factors for developing corneal oedema after cataract surgery and factors that influence the subsequent survival of the graft and the visual outcome. Methods:, We carried out an observational, retrospective cohort study using data from the Swedish Cornea Transplant Register and patient medical records. A total of 273 patients whose indication for corneal transplantation was corneal oedema after cataract surgery were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis and, where appropriate, univariate analyses were applied. Results:, A total of 43% of the patients developed persistent corneal oedema immediately after cataract surgery, the main risk factors for which were phacoemulsification and pre-existing endothelial disease. Almost a third (32%) of the transplants for PBK failed within 2 years, for which rejection and other postoperative complications increased the risk. Half (50%) the patients had visual acuity , 0.1 at 2 years after keratoplasty. Comorbidity, increasing duration of the bullous keratopathy and increasing age affected the visual outcome negatively. Conclusions:, Phacoemulsification was a risk factor for immediate persistent corneal oedema after cataract surgery, although it did not increase the overall risk of developing PBK. However, transplants for immediate PBK had a better survival rate than those for later onset PBK. Shorter duration of PBK and intraocular lens exchange at the time of penetrating keratoplasty increased the likelihood of good visual acuity. [source] Improving low water activity and desiccation tolerance of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2 by osmotic treatmentsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006N. Teixidó Abstract Aims:, To study the improvement of tolerance to low water activity (aw) and desiccation during spray drying in Pantoea agglomerans cells subjected to mild osmotic stress during growth. Methods and Results:, The micro-organism was cultured in an unmodified liquid (control) or in aw -modified media, and viability of these cells was evaluated on unstressed (0·995) and 0·96 aw stressed solid media, in order to check total viability and aw stress tolerance respectively. Significant improvements in viability on unmodified medium were observed with cells grown for 24 h in NaCl 0·98 aw, glycerol 0·98 aw and 0·97 aw and for 48 h in NaCl 0·98 aw and 0·97 aw modified media. Both yield improvements and water stress tolerance were achieved with low aw media. Cells grown for 24 h in NaCl 0·98 aw or for 48 h in NaCl 0·98 aw, 0·97 aw and 0·96 aw, glucose 0·97 aw and glycerol 0·97 aw showed improved aw stress tolerance in comparison with control cells. The best results were obtained with NaCl treatments (0·98 aw and 0·97 aw) which also exhibited better survival rates than control cells during spray-drying process and maintained their efficacy against postharvest fungal pathogens in apples and oranges. Conclusions:, NaCl treatments are very appropriate for improving P. agglomerans low aw tolerance obtaining high production levels and maintaining biocontrol efficacy. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Improving stress tolerance of biocontrol agents could be an efficient way to obtain consistency and maintain efficacy of biological control under practical conditions. [source] Phase II study of induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and carboplatin (TIC) for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neckCANCER, Issue 2 2002Dong M. Shin M.D. Abstract BACKGROUND This Phase II trial was conducted to determine the response rate, particularly of the primary sites, tolerability, and toxicity of induction chemotherapy of paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and carboplatin for patients with previously untreated locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We also hypothesized that improved complete response (CR) rates with the induction chemotherapy may render better survival rates with subsequently delivered definitive local treatment. METHODS All eligible patients with locally advanced SCCHN received two courses of induction chemotherapy and underwent repeated head and neck examination and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans. If the patients achieved responses (CR or partial [PR]), they received two more courses of chemotherapy before undergoing definitive local treatment. Induction chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel (T; 175 mg/m2 in a 3-hour infusion) on Day 1, ifosfamide (I; 1000 mg/m2 in a 2-hour infusion) on Days 1,3 with intravenous mesna (200 mg/m2 before and 400 mg/m2 after ifosfamide), and carboplatin (C) using the Calvert formula for the area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve of 6 on Day 1, repeated every 3,4 weeks. Prophylactic hematopoietic growth factors or antibiotics were not used in this study. Definitive local treatment was given based on the investigators' preference. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were registered and 52 patients were assessable for response to induction chemotherapy; 2 were not evaluable. After four courses of induction chemotherapy, the CR rates of the primary and lymph node sites were 60%, and 41%, respectively. For both primary and lymph node sites, there were 31% CRs and 50% PRs with an overall response rate of 81%. Five (9%) patients developed neutropenic fever, all of whom recovered with antibiotic therapy. Two (4%) patients had infection without neutropenia and recovered without any complication. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia and anemia occurred in three (6%) and four (7%) patients, respectively. Grade 3/4 fatigue developed in four (7%), arthralgia/myalgia in two (4%), peripheral neuropathy in two (4%), and orthostatic hypotension in two (4%) patients. One patient died of severe anaphylaxis although a maximized resuscitation effort was made. With a median follow-up of 22 months, the organ preservation rate was about 81% (42 of 52 patients). Although survival rates were not primary end points in this study, with a median follow-up of 22 months, 43 (83%) patients are still alive. Overall 1 and 2-year survival rates were 88% and 82%, respectively. Disease-free 1 and 2-year survival rates were 88% and 77% respectively. CONCLUSIONS TIC induction chemotherapy is associated with a high CR rate at the primary sites and with excellent survival and organ preservations rates with subsequently delivered definitive local therapy. The regimen was also well tolerated in the majority of patients. The TIC regimen should be developed further in the context of induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy or with specific molecular targeted agents. Cancer 2002;95:322,30. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10661 [source] Lifetime reproductive output of Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata in outdoor caged and field populations; flight vs. egg production?MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2006LEWIS DAVIES Abstract Females of the blowflies Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) maintained in sheltered outdoor cages and supplied with excess food, oviposited later than would have been expected from the temperature-sum. The survival rates of the caged flies was high and the isolation of flies from predation, extreme temperatures and food shortages is likely to have contributed to this. Despite good survival rates, subsequent egg production over the greater part of the adult life span was reduced to ,24% for C. vicina and ,55% for L. sericata, of the potential expected from the published temperature-sums required for the maturation of successive egg batches. The data suggest that under field-cage conditions there is a considerable variation in egg development between individuals of the same age and that this variation should not be overlooked, since it may have significant implications in ecological and forensic investigations; however, the cause of this variability remains unclear. While lower than expected, the reproductive outputs recorded in the cages were nevertheless considerably greater than those that have been estimated for blowflies in the field and illustrate the potential for population increase in these species under favourable conditions. The possibility of a greater energy investment in flight activity relative to reproductive output in C. vicina compared to L. sericata is proposed. [source] | |||||||||||||