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Selected AbstractsShyness and emotion-processing skills in preschoolers: a 6-month longitudinal studyINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2008Paul S. Strand Abstract The present study utilized a short-term longitudinal research design to examine the hypothesis that shyness in preschoolers is differentially related to different aspects of emotion processing. Using teacher reports of shyness and performance measures of emotion processing, including (1) facial emotion recognition, (2) non-facial emotion recognition, and (3) emotional perspective-taking, we examined 337 Head Start attendees twice at a 24-week interval. Results revealed significant concurrent and longitudinal relationships between shyness and facial emotion recognition, and either minimal or non-existent relationships between shyness and the other aspects of emotion processing. Correlational analyses of concurrent assessments revealed that shyness predicted poorer facial emotion recognition scores for negative emotions (sad, angry, and afraid), but not a positive emotion (happy). Analyses of change over time, on the other hand, revealed that shyness predicted change in facial emotion recognition scores for all four measured emotions. Facial emotion recognition scores did not predict changes in shyness. Results are discussed with respect to expanding the scope of research on shyness and emotion processing to include time-dependent studies that allow for the specification of developmental processes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Use of serial pig body weights for genetic evaluation of daily gainJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 2 2010B. Zumbach Summary This study examined the utility of serial weights from FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, Osborne Industries, Inc., Osborne, KS, USA) stations for an analysis of daily gain. Data included 884 132 body weight records from 3888 purebred Duroc pigs. Pigs entered the feeder station at age 77,149 days and left at age 95,184 days. A substantial number of records were abnormal, showing body weight close to 0 or up to twice the average weight. Plots of body weights for some animals indicated two parallel growth curves. Initial editing used a robust regression, which was a two-step procedure. In the first step, a quadratic growth curve was estimated assuming small or 0 weights for points far away from the curve; the process is iterative. In the second step, weights more than 1.5 SD from the estimated growth curve were treated as outliers. The retained body weight records (607 597) were averaged to create average daily weight (170 443) and then used to calculate daily gains (152 636). Additional editing steps included retaining only animals with ,50 body weight records and SD of the daily gain ,2 kg, followed by removing records outside 3 SD from the mean for given age, across all the animals , the resulting data set included 69 068 records of daily gain from 1921 animals. Daily gain based on daily, weekly and bi-weekly intervals was analysed using repeatability models. Heritability estimates were 0.04, 6 and 9%, respectively. The last two estimates correspond to heritability of 28% for a 12 week interval. For daily gain averaged weekly, the estimate of heritability obtained with a random regression model varied from 0.07 to 0.10. After extensive editing, body weight records from automatic feeding stations are useful for genetic analyses of daily gain from weekly or bi-weekly but not daily intervals. [source] Bone formation at recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2-coated titanium implants in the posterior maxilla (Type IV bone) in non-human primatesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 11 2008Ulf M. E. Wikesjö Abstract Background: Studies using ectopic rodent and orthotopic canine models (Type II bone) have shown that titanium porous oxide (TPO) surface implants adsorbed with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) induce local bone formation including osseointegration. The objective of this study was to evaluate local bone formation and osseointegration at such implants placed into Type IV bone. Material and Methods: rhBMP-2-coated implants were installed into the edentulated posterior maxilla in eight young adult Cynomolgus monkeys: four animals each received three TPO implants adsorbed with rhBMP-2 (2.0 mg/ml) and four animals each received three TPO implants adsorbed with rhBMP-2 (0.2 mg/ml). Contra-lateral jaw quadrants received three TPO implants without rhBMP-2 (control). Treatments were alternated between left and right jaw quadrants. Mucosal flaps were advanced and sutured to submerge the implants. The animals received fluorescent bone markers at weeks 2, 3, 4, and at week 16 when they were euthanized for histologic analysis. Results: Clinical healing was uneventful. Extensive local bone formation was observed in animals receiving implants adsorbed with rhBMP-2 (2.0 mg/ml). The newly formed bone exhibited a specific pinpoint bone,implant contact pattern regardless of rhBMP-2 concentration resulting in significant osseointegration; rhBMP-2 (2.0 mg/ml): 43% and rhBMP-2 (0.2 mg/ml): 37%. Control implants exhibited a thin layer of bone covering a relatively larger portion of the implant threads. Thus, TPO control implants bone exhibited significantly greater bone,implant contact (,75%; p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between rhBMP-2-coated and control implants relative to any other parameter including peri-implant and intra-thread bone density. Conclusion: rhBMP-2-coated TPO implants enhanced/accelerated local bone formation in Type IV bone in a dose-dependent fashion in non-human primates resulting in significant osseointegration. rhBMP-2-induced de novo bone formation did not reach the level of osseointegration observed in native resident bone within the 16-week interval. [source] Objective and subjective hardness of a test item used for evaluating food mixing abilityJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 3 2007N. M. SALLEH Summary, The aim of this study was to compare objective and subjective hardness of selected common foods with a wax cube used as a test item in a mixing ability test. Objective hardness was determined for 11 foods (cream cheese, boiled fish paste, boiled beef, apple, raw carrot, peanut, soft/hard rice cracker, jelly, plain chocolate and chewing gum) and the wax cube. Peak force (N) to compress each item was obtained from force,time curves generated with the Tensipresser. Perceived hardness ratings of each item were made by 30 dentate subjects (mean age 26·9 years) using a visual analogue scale (100 mm). These subjective assessments were given twice with a 1 week interval. High intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for test,retest reliability were seen for all foods (ICC > 0·68; P < 0·001). One-way anova found a significant effect of food type on both the objective hardness score and the subjective hardness rating (P < 0·001). The wax cube showed significant lower objective hardness score (32·6 N) and subjective hardness rating (47·7) than peanut (45·3 N, 63·5) and raw carrot (82·5 N, 78·4) [P < 0·05; Ryan,Einot,Gabriel,Welsch (REGW)-F]. A significant semilogarithmic relationship was found between the logarithm of objective hardness scores and subjective hardness ratings across twelve test items (r = 0·90; P < 0·001). These results suggest the wax cube has a softer texture compared with test foods traditionally used for masticatory performance test, such as peanut and raw carrot. The hardness of the wax cube could be modified to simulate a range of test foods by changing mixture ratio of soft and hard paraffin wax. [source] Validation of a client-based clinical metrology instrument for the evaluation of canine elbow osteoarthritisJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2009C. A. Hercock Objective: To validate a disease-specific client-based clinical metrology instrument (questionnaire) for dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow joint. Materialsand Methods: This was a prospective cohort study involving 26 dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow with 24 associated clients. Validity (face and criterion), reliability and responsiveness of the metrology instrument (named "Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs [elbow]") were tested in a sequence of studies. Face validity involved use of international peer review. Reliability was assessed using a test-retest scenario with a two week interval; peak vertical force as measured by a force platform was used as an external standard measure. Responsiveness was tested with a two week, single-blinded placebo-controlled intervention using a licensed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Results: The reliability of Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) in the test-retest scenario was good; intraclass correlation coefficient is 0·89, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·75 to 0·95, compared with intraclass correlation coefficient 0·92, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·74 to 0·98, for peak vertical force. Responsiveness testing indicated that the "net" effect size (allowing for placebo effect) for Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) was 0·13 compared with (,)0·18 for the force platform. Criterion validity for Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) against peak vertical force was poor; Spearman's rank correlation is ,0·24 (P=0·30). Clinical Significance: Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) was considered reliable with satisfactory responsiveness. The poor criterion validity suggests a mismatch between force platform peak vertical force and client perceptions of lameness. This instrument requires further validation in larger studies with alternative client groups and alternative therapeutic interventions, but this initial validation suggests that Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (elbow) is worthy of continued investigation. [source] Preterm premature rupture of membranes: diagnosis, evaluation and management strategiesBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2005Hyagriv N. Simhan Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is responsible for one-third of all preterm births and affects 120,000 pregnancies in the United States each year. Effective treatment relies on accurate diagnosis and is gestational age dependent. The diagnosis of PPROM is made by a combination of clinical suspicion, patient history and some simple tests. PPROM is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality from infection, umbilical cord compression, placental abruption and preterm birth. Subclinical intrauterine infection has been implicated as a major aetiological factor in the pathogenesis and subsequent maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with PPROM. The frequency of positive cultures obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis at the time of presentation with PPROM in the absence of labour is 25,40%. The majority of amniotic fluid infection in the setting of PPROM does not produce the signs and symptoms traditionally used as diagnostic criteria for clinical chorioamnionitis. Any evidence of infection by amniocentesis should be considered carefully as an indication for delivery. Documentation of amniotic fluid infection in women who present with PPROM enables us to triage our therapeutic decision making rationally. In PPROM, the optimal interval for delivery occurs when the risks of immaturity are outweighed by the risks of pregnancy prolongation (infection, abruption and cord accident). Lung maturity assessment may be a useful guide when planning delivery in the 32- to 34-week interval. A gestational age approach to therapy is important and should be adjusted for each hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. Antenatal antibiotics and corticosteroid therapies have clear benefits and should be offered to all women without contraindications. During conservative management, women should be monitored closely for placental abruption, infection, labour and a non-reassuring fetal status. Women with PPROM after 32 weeks of gestation should be considered for delivery, and after 34 weeks the benefits of delivery clearly outweigh the risks. [source] A refined technique for determining the respiratory gas exchange responses to anaerobic metabolism during progressive exercise , repeatability in a group of healthy menCLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING, Issue 1 2004Anita G. M. Wisén Summary The respiratory gas exchange and ventilation during an incremental cycle exercise test were analysed in a group of 19 healthy, moderately fit men. Different computer algorithms were used to estimate the V,O2 values where: (i) the rate of V,CO2 increase just exceeds the rate of V,O2 increase (DX, derivative crossing), (ii) V,CO2/V,O2 = 1·00 (PX, point of crossing) and (iii) ventilation (V,E) increases disproportionately in relation to V,CO2 (PQ, point of V,CO2 equivalent rise). The DX and PQ measurements were analysed using a new approach employing polynomial regression and the value of PX was determined following low-pass filtration of raw data. The repeatability of the measurements was evaluated with a 5,6 week interval between the tests. The correlations between tests were 0·75 at DX, 0·85 at PX and 0·62 at PQ. The mean differences between the repeated tests were not statistically significant. The repeatability of V,O2, in absolute values expressed as ±2 SD of the differences between the tests, had values of 5·0, 6·1 and 9·5 ml min,1 kg,1 for DX, PX and PQ, respectively. The mean value of V,O2 for each measurement point expressed as a percentage of V,O2max was 54% at DX, 68% at PX and 70% at PQ. The most common sequence of the measured values was DX < PX < PQ, but the sequence DX < PQ < PX was also observed. It is concluded that the gas exchange responses to developing anaerobic metabolism during progressive exercise can be characterized by a series of thresholds. However, the considerable variation in absolute values in the two testing occasions requires further attention. [source] Treatment of Widespread Segmental Nevus Spilus by Q-Switched Alexandrite Laser (755 nm, 100 nsec)DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 9 2001G.A. Moreno-Arias MD Background. Widespread unilateral nevus spilus causes important cosmetic and psychological disturbances, and only a few therapeutic options can guarantee good functional and cosmetic results. Objective. To evaluate the clinical response of a patient with widespread segmental nevus spilus to Q-switched (QS) alexandrite laser. Methods. The treatment was QS alexandrite laser (755 nm, 100 nsec) with a mean fluence of 7.28 ± 0.37 J/cm2 using a single-impact technique at 10 ± 8.47-week intervals. Results. Fifty percent clearance of the facial portion of the lesion was observed after 16 treatment sessions with QS alexandrite laser. Conclusion. QS alexandrite laser is suitable for removal of widespread segmental nevus spilus. [source] A review of the use of moxidectin in horsesEQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION, Issue 10 2008J. Schumacher Summary Moxidectin has broad-spectrum anti-nematodal and anti-arthropodal activities in the horse but is not effective against tapeworms or flukes. Moxidectin and ivermectin have the same efficacy against internal, adult parasites of horses. Moxidectin, however, is highly effective in eliminating encysted and hypobiotic larval stages of cyathostomins, whereas ivermectin is not. Treatment of horses with moxidectin results in an egg-reappearance period (ERP) of 15,24 weeks. Because of its long ERP, moxidectin is labelled to be used at 12 week intervals. Moxidectin may provide protection against infection by ingested cyathostomin larvae for 2,3 weeks after it is administered. The larvicidal activity of moxidectin has often been compared to that of fenbendazole administered at either 7.5 or 10 mg/kg bwt for 5 consecutive days. The efficacy of fenbendazole, when administered daily for 5 consecutive days at 7.5 or 10 mg/kg bwt, against all stages of cyathostomins is often less than that of moxidectin because resistance of cyathostomins to benzimidazoles is prevalent worldwide, and the 5 day course of fenbendazole does not overcome this resistance. There are now reports of resistance of ascarids to moxidectin. Overt resistance of cyathostomins and a shortened egg re-emergence period after treatment with moxidectin have been reported. Rapid removal of manure by natural fauna can significantly reduce larval nematode concentrations and thereby reduce intervals of anthelmintic treatment. Of the macrocyclic lactones, moxidectin has the least deleterious effect on faecal fauna. [source] Combined use of bacteriocin-producing strains to control Listeria monocytogenes regrowth in raw pork meatINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Privat Kouakou Summary Avoiding the presence of Listeria in meat and dairy products is a major challenge for the food industry. In this work, a Lactobacillus curvatus strain producing the bacteriocin sakacin P and a Pediococcus acidilactici strain producing another bacteriocin, pediocin AcH, were used as starter cultures under laboratory conditions in a Listeria -seeded raw-pork-meat matrix, which was then stored for 6 weeks at 4 °C. At 1 week intervals during the storage period, the antilisterial activity was evaluated. When either strain was added alone, the Listeria monocytogenes cfu count initially dropped from 102 cfu g,1 to an undetectable level by the end of week 1 or 2, but this was followed by a rebound (regrowth) 1 week later. When both strains were added together to the meat matrix, rebound was delayed, Listeria remaining undetected from the end of week 1 to the end of week 5. A rebound was observed 6 weeks post-inoculation, but fewer than 10 cfu g,1 were counted. The use of more than one bacteriocin-producing strain may thus overcome some of the problems limiting the effectiveness of bacteriocins in food systems. [source] Testosterone administration promotes regeneration of chemically impaired spermatogenesis in ratsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2006KOICHI UDAGAWA Aim: It has been proposed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog administered after testicular damage stimulates the recovery of spermatogenesis. However, GnRH analogs suppress the function of sex accessory organs. In this study, we investigated whether testosterone also stimulates the regeneration of rat spermatogenesis after exposure to busulfan. Methods: Male Fisher rats were divided into three groups of five each and all rats were treated with busulfan, 25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally at week 0. Group A served as the control. The other two groups received testosterone enanthate, 8 mg/kg, subcutaneous injections at 3 week intervals two times before (group B) or three times after (group C) busulfan. States of spermatogenesis were evaluated by histology and by the number of spermatid nuclei per testis at week 25. Results: The mean percentage of ,recovered' seminiferous tubules plus or minus standard deviation was 10.3 ± 7.8% in group A and 2.1 ± 1.2% in group B. In both groups, more than 80% of the tubules remained degenerated. However, testes of group C rats showed an improvement of up to 37.1 ± 20.5% (P < 0.05). The significant recovery of spermatogenesis was also demonstrated in group C by counting the number of spermatid nuclei per testis ([78.8 ± 57.5] ×106). However, the count was only (7.6 ± 13.5) ×106 and (0.52 ± 1.0) ×106 in group A and B, respectively. Conclusions: Testosterone administration after severe testicular damage enhanced the regeneration of spermatogenesis in rats. We assumed that supplementary doses of testosterone would be more practical for clinical application than GnRH analogs, because exogenous testosterone maintains androgenicity. [source] Removal of amateur blue-black tattoos in Arabic women of skin type (III,IV) with Q-switched alexandrite laserJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Iqbal A Bukhari Summary Background and Objectives, Tattoos in Arabic society used to have a cosmetic importance on the face of females. These were usually amateur tattoos done by non-professional women in the tribe. Because Islam as a religion prohibited its practice and its application, people became concerned about removing the old tattoos by any means. Nowadays, laser is considered an effective method of tattoo removal. Here, we report our experience in the removal of tattoos in Arabic women of skin type III,IV using the Q-switched alexandrite laser. Study Design/Materials and Methods, Twenty female subjects aged 35,50 years from similar racial and ethnic background with amateur tattoos were treated using the Q-switched alexandrite laser. Fluence threshold was determined and a spot test was made. Q-switched alexandrite laser with a fluence range 4.0,7.5 J/cm2 (mean 6.05) was used at 6,12-week intervals. Total treatment numbers ranged from three to six sessions (mean 4.15) with single-pulse technique application. Results, More than 95% lightening was achieved in five patients after three to six sessions at fluence range of 6,7.5 J/cm2 and > 75% lightening in 10 subjects after three to six sessions of treatment at fluence range of 4,7.5 J/cm2. Pinpoint bleeding was observed in one case but no pigmentary alteration or scarring was seen. Conclusion, Tattoo pigment removal by Q-switched alexandrite laser is an effective method in skin type (III,IV) with minimal side effects, which gives high patient satisfaction. [source] Effects of elevated carbon dioxide and increased nitrogen deposition on bog vegetation in the NetherlandsJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Monique M. P. D. Heijmans Summary 1,We studied the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and increased N deposition on the plant species composition of a Sphagnum -dominated bog ecosystem in the Netherlands. Large peat monoliths (surface area 1 m2, depth 0.6 m) with intact bog vegetation were kept outdoors in large containers and were exposed to elevated CO2 or increased N deposition for three growing seasons. Elevated CO2 conditions (target concentration 560 µmol CO2 mol,1) were created using MiniFACE technology. In a separate experiment, N deposition was increased by 5 g N m,2 year,1 by adding dissolved NH4NO3 at 3 week intervals during the growing season. 2,Elevated atmospheric CO2 increased height growth of Sphagnum magellanicum, the dominant Sphagnum species, in the second and third growing seasons. Vascular plant biomass was not significantly affected by elevated CO2, but growth of species growing close to the moss surface was influenced negatively by the increased Sphagnum height growth. Elevated CO2 did not change allocation to below-ground plant parts. 3,Adding N increased above-ground vascular plant biomass. The shallow-rooted species Vaccinium oxycoccus responded most to the increased N deposition. Sphagnum growth was significantly reduced in the third growing season. This reduction was likely the result of the increased vascular plant cover, given the observed negative relation between vascular plant cover and Sphagnum growth. 4,The observed shifts in species composition as a result of species-specific responses to treatments, and interactions between peat mosses and vascular plants will have important consequences for the sequestration of carbon in the bog ecosystem. [source] Lipid peroxidation and vitamin E status in gestational diabetes mellitusJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 5 2003Debjyoti Santra Abstract Aim: To investigate any correlation between plasma levels of lipid peroxides, antioxidant nutrient (,-tocopherol) and oxidized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with gestational diabetes and those with a normal pregnancy and the incidence of pre-eclampsia. Methods: Sixty pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic were recruited for the study and were divided into two groups. Thirty women with gestational diabetes mellitus were recruited in the study group. The glucose-tolerance-test criteria, using 100 g of glucose taken orally, as laid down by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1994) for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus was used. Thirty gestation-matched pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance test results were recruited as controls. A 10 mL venous blood sample was collected from each subject at the time of recruitment and thereafter at 4 week intervals until the time of delivery. Samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde thiobarbituric acid reactive, oxidized HDL-cholesterol and ,,tocopherol. The incidence of pre-eclampsia and its correlation with antioxidant and lipid peroxide levels were compared in both the groups. Results: Ten subjects out of 30 in the study group and three subjects out of 30 in the control group developed pre-eclampsia. The incidence of preterm labor in both the groups was same (16.66%). The mean lipid peroxide level was lower in the study group at recruitment and later the levels kept falling, whereas levels of ,,tocopherol and oxidized-HDL were higher in the study group and kept on rising at follow up. Conclusion: Gestational diabetes is not associated with increased levels of lipid peroxides and decreased levels of ,-tocopherol. [source] The interactions of tooth colored dental restorative materials with aqueous lactic acidPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 6 2003Dr Sevil, ahmal Abstract In this study, the interaction of packable composite and ormocer with aqueous lactic acid solutions were determined and changes compared with those for a polyacid modified resin composite and a glass ionomer. For each material, namely Solitaire, Z-100, Definite, Dyract AP and Vitremer, eight cylindrical specimens of 6,mm diameter and 12,mm height were prepared and weighed. They were stored individually in 20,cm3 0.02 mol,1 lactic acid solution for 1 week, then the pH was determined and the specimens reweighed. This was repeated at 1 week intervals until the specimens were 6 weeks old. The results of this study showed that; polyacid modified resin composites and resin-modified glass-ionomers were capable of increasing the pH of lactic acid solutions. The same groups showed an increase in mass during the first week. Composite resins and ormocer showed less increase in mass than the others. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Investigations on the Re-establishment of the Positive Feedback of Oestradiol during Anoestrus in the BitchREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2003R Klein Contents To test for the re-establishment of the positive feedback of oestradiol (E2) during anoestrus in the dog, the hypothalamo,pituitary,ovarian axis of five beagle bitches was challenged by treatments with oestradiol benzoate (EB), mimicking the course of the pro-oestric E2 secretion. Treatments in anoestrus started 7 days following the decline of progesterone (P) <1 ng/ml; they were repeated in 5 week intervals until onset of pro-oestrus; another treatment was performed during dioestrus 50 days after onset of the preceding pro-oestric bleeding. Each dog served as its own control by receiving vehicle-treatments in one of the following cycles. Each observation period covered a time window of 168 h and blood samples were collected for the determination of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and E2 in 6 (0,24 h) and 8 h (24,168 h) intervals. In the control periods and as indicated by the parameters area under curve (AUC), basal and maximal values, the availability of LH, FSH and E2 decreased from dioestrus to early anoestrus to increase again during the course of anoestrus (p < 0.05), indicating a gradual desensitization of the hypothalamus towards the negative feedback of oestradiol. At all times treatments with EB lowered the availability of FSH (decreased AUC and basal levels). A delay in the occurrence of the first LH peak after treatments with EB (p < 0.001) and decreased maximal values (p < 0.001) indicated a suppression of the LH-release. In no case treatment with EB led to a pre-ovulatory like LH-surge. In each dog the last trial with EB in anoestrus passed over into pro-oestrus/oestrus, with a reduced AUC and peak value of the pre-ovulatory LH-surge being the only differences to the control group. The observed differences in the response of LH and FSH to treatments with EB point towards subtle differences in the mechanisms controlling the release of these two hormones during anoestrus. From the data obtained, it may be concluded that the time window for E2 to act via a positive feedback seems to be very small and restricted to the end of anoestrus, and that full follicular function is a pre-requisite to allow for this phenomenon. [source] Temozolomide, thalidomide, and whole brain radiation therapy for patients with brain metastasis from metastatic melanomaCANCER, Issue 8 2008A phase II Cytokine Working Group study Abstract BACKGROUND. The combination of temozolomide (TMZ) and thalidomide was reported to produce a high response rate, including shrinkage of brain metastases, in patients with metastatic melanoma. The authors tested the efficacy of a regimen including TMZ, thalidomide, and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with brain (CNS) metastases from melanoma. METHODS. Patients with melanoma, CNS metastases documented by magnetic resonance imaging, and no prior systemic chemotherapy received WBRT, 30 Gray in 10 fractions, Days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12; TMZ, 75 mg/m2/day, Weeks 1 to 6; and thalidomide, 100 mg/day, Weeks 1 to 4, then escalated by 100 mg/day at Weeks 5, 7, and 9 as tolerated to a maximum of 400 mg/day. CNS and systemic tumor response was assessed at Week 10. Patients without CNS or clinically significant systemic disease progression received additional cycles of TMZ at 10-week intervals. RESULTS. Thirty-nine patients received treatment, and 3 exhibited CNS response (1 complete response, 2 partial responses) (response rate, 7.6%; 95% confidence interval, 0.7%-16.1%), all unconfirmed by repeat imaging. Seven patients had stable CNS disease at 10 weeks. No patient exhibited a systemic response. Only 4 patients received 2 cycles of therapy, and just 1 received 3. Median time to progression was 7 weeks, and median overall survival was 4 months. Grade 3-4 side effects included deep venous thrombosis (3), pulmonary embolism (1), and CNS events (12). Eighteen (45%) patients required admission for side effects (7) and/or symptomatic disease progression (11). CONCLUSIONS. The efficacy of TMZ, thalidomide, and WBRT in the treatment of CNS metastatic melanoma is low. Other treatment approaches should be considered for this patient population. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source] A double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a new coal tar preparation (Exorex) in the treatment of chronic, plaque type psoriasisCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2000C. H. Smith Exorex is a new topical formulation for the treatment of psoriasis; it contains 1% coal tar and a synthetic analogue resembling components identified in banana skin (a complex of esterified essential fatty acids). To determine whether the esterified essential fatty acid complex confers any therapeutic advantage over coal tar alone, patients with chronic plaque psoriasis (n = 20) were entered into a double-blind, randomized, right/left comparison of Exorex, and Exorex without the essential fatty acid component (known hereafter as coal tar control) for 8 weeks. Target plaques were scored (0,4) for erythema, desquamation and infiltration at day 0 and at 2 week intervals throughout the study. No significant differences were detected between Exorex and coal tar control with respect to changes in the summed scores at baseline and following 8 weeks of treatment (mean difference in summed score changes from baseline between Exorex and coal tar control 0.2, 95% confidence interval ,,0.44 to 0.84; P = 0.52) or in the area under the response,time curve (P = 0.16). Mean percentage improvement in summed scores of target plaques were 53.9% (SE = 4%) and 56.1% (SE = 4.9%) for Exorex and coal tar control, respectively. Results suggest that the complex of esterified essential fatty acids is not exerting any clinically important therapeutic effect in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. [source] Phase I/II clinical trial of sequential subcutaneous and intravenous delivery of dendritic cell vaccination for refractory multiple myeloma using patient-specific tumour idiotype protein or idiotype (VDJ)-derived class I-restricted peptidesBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Antonio Curti Summary Fifteen multiple myeloma (MM) patients who had failed maintenance therapy after tandem autologous stem cell transplantation underwent anti-idiotype (Id) vaccination with dendritic cells (DCs). CD14+ -derived DCs were loaded with the autologous Id as whole protein (=6) or Id-derived class I-restricted peptides (=9) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Vaccination consisted of three subcutaneous (sc) and two intravenous injections of increasing DC doses at 2 weeks interval. DC therapy was well tolerated. Most patients developed both humoral and T-cell responses to KLH, suggesting immunocompetence. Eight of 15 patients developed an Id-specific T-cell proliferative response, 8/15 increased interferon-,-secreting T cells and 4/15 showed an Id-positive delayed-type hypersensitivity test. Anti-Id cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursors increased after DC vaccination in 2/2 evaluable patients. A more robust T-cell response was observed after sc DC injections and increased Id-specific T-cell proliferation was found up to 1 year after vaccination. VDJ-derived peptides were as effective as the whole protein in stimulating T-cell responses. Clinically, 7/15 patients have stable disease after a median follow-up of 26 months, one patient achieved durable partial remission after 40 months, and seven patients progressed. In conclusion, sc injections of cryopreserved Id-pulsed DCs were safe and, in contrast with intravenous administrations, induced anti-MM T-cell responses. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||