Search

To describe efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) treated with tofacitinib or biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) in real-life conditions. A noninterventional study was performed between March 2017 and September 2019 at 13 sites in Colombia and Peru. Outcomes measured at baseline and at the 6-month follow-up were disease activity (RAPID3 [Routine Assessment of Patients Index Data] score), functional status (HAQ-DI [Health Assessment Questionnaire] score), and quality of life (EQ-5D-3L [EuroQol Questionnaire]). The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28-ESR) and frequency of adverse events (AEs) were also reported. Unadjusted and adjusted differences from baseline were estimated and expressed as the least squares mean difference (LSMD). Data from 100 patients treated with tofacitinib and 70 patients with bDMARDs were collected. At baseline, the patients' mean age was 53.53 years (SD 13.77), the mean disease duration was 6.31 years (SD 7.01). The change from baseline at month 6 was not statistically significant different in the adjusted LSMD [SD] for tofacitinib vs. bDMARDs for RAPID3 score (−2.55[.30] vs. −2.52[.26]), HAQ-DI score (−.56[.07] vs. −.50[.08]), EQ-5D-3L score (.39[.04] vs..37[.04]) and DAS28-ESR (−2.37[.22] vs. −2.77[.20]). Patients from both groups presented similar proportions of nonserious and serious AEs. No deaths were reported. Changes from baseline were not statistically significantly different between tofacitinib and bDMARDs in terms of RAPID3 scores and secondary outcomes. Patients from both groups presented similar proportions of nonserious and serious AEs. NCT03073109. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeat radiotherapy (re-RT) is being increasingly utilized for recurrent Glioblastoma, but the optimal fractionation schedule remains unclear. The current study evaluates outcomes and toxicity after conventionally fractionated re-RT for recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG), along with the impact of dose escalation. Patients with HGG treated with conventionally fractionated re-RT at a single institution from 2007-2022 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients initially received conventionally fractionated RT. Patients with initial low-grade gliomas were included if pathology confirmed transition to HGG. Cumulative maximum dose (Dmax) to optic apparatus and brainstem was determined by composite co-registered plans, when available. Outcome metrics included overall survival (OS), prognostic factors for survival, and treatment-related toxicity. Radiation necrosis (RN) was determined by imaging or pathology. Survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methodology. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models for OS were constructed. Bivariable associations with RN were estimated using chi squared tests. 236 patients (median age: 50.5 yrs, median Karnofsky performance status: 80) were treated with re-RT for recurrent HGG with median follow-up of 7.3 mo. 58% of patients were treated with surgical resection prior to re-RT (20% GTR, 28% STR, 10% unknown). Median time between initial RT and re-RT was 26 mo (range = 2-214 mo). Median dose at initial RT was 6000 cGy (5040-7500cGy) with 83.9% receiving concurrent temozolomide (TMZ), while median received dose at re-RT was 4140 cGy (180-6000 cGy) to a median planning target volume (PTV) of 200.5 cc (15.9-900.6 cc). Median cumulative Dmax to the optics and brainstem were 5483 cGy (338-10315 cGy) and 7806 cGy (491-11081 cGy), respectively. 63.1% received concurrent TMZ, 7.6% received TMZ + bevacizumab (BEV), 8.9% received BEV alone, and 19.5% received no concurrent systemic therapy with re-RT. 46.6% were confirmed IDH-WT, and 24.6% were IDH-mutant. Median OS from completion of re-RT was 9.1 mo (95% CI = 7.8-10.5 mo). On univariate analysis, time between initial RT and re-RT <24 mo (HR = 0.42, CI = 0.31-0.56), re-RT dose <4140 cGy (HR = 0.50, CI = 0.33-0.66), PTV ≥ 200cc (HR = 1.42, CI = 1.06-1.91), and ≥ grade 3 lymphopenia (HR = 1.77, CI = 1.19-2.63) during or within 1 month after re-RT were associated with shorter OS. On multivariate analysis, < 24 mo between RT sessions (HR = 0.43, CI = 0.30-0.62), re-RT dose <4140 cGy (HR = 0.59, CI = 0.41-0.87), and ≥ grade 3 lymphopenia (HR = 1.77, CI = 1.14-2.75) remained associated with shorter OS. No cases of radiation injury to the optics were reported. 8.9% of patients experienced RN. Re-RT dose > 4140 cGy (P = 0.18) and re-RT PTV >200 cc (P = 0.62) were not significantly associated with RN. These data support the safety and efficacy of conventionally fractionated re-RT for recurrent HGG and suggest that dose escalation may be feasible, including for large treatment volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Tropical mariculture favors mesophilic vibrios that can be human or animal pathogens. [•] Sucrose-negative vibrios accumulate in anoxic sediments and milkfish guts. [•] Potential human health risks arising from sucrose-negative vibrios examined. [•] Predominance of Enterovibrio instead of Vibrio spp. reduces human health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work, a fractal model is developed for the effective permeability using the Bautista–Manero–Puig (BMP) model in porous media. The main assumptions of this analysis involve a bundle of tortuous capillaries whose size distribution and tortuosity follow the fractal scaling laws. The average flow velocity and the effective permeability for the BMP fluid flow in porous media are derived. The BMP model does not contain fitting parameters and every material constant in the model can be estimated from independent rheological measurements. This model consists in the upper-convected Maxwell equation coupled to a kinetic equation representing the structure modification that the complex liquid undergoes as it flows in the fractal porous media. Under simple shear, a first Newtonian viscosity plateau at low shear rates, a second plateau at high shear rates, a power-law region between both asymptotic regions, a real yield stress, thixotropy and elasticity are described by the model. Predictions of the proposed fractal model are compared with those of other models and with available experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: When using hormonal treatments to stimulate animal reproduction, it is of interest to identify possible hormone residues in milk. Progesterone levels were herein determined in the milk of CIDR-treated goats. A total of 18 animals were synchronized with prostaglandin; once in estrus, they were treated with the vaginal CIDR device for a period of 15 days (CIDR group, n =9) or left untreated (control, n =9). A third group of pregnant goats (90–120 days of pregnancy, n =9) was used to compare milk progesterone values under different physiological conditions. Progesterone levels were determined in a daily sample of milk taken for 15 days after estrus from both the CIDR and control groups, and for 8 days from pregnant goats. Mean milk progesterone levels in the CIDR group were not higher than in controls or pregnant animals (P >0.05). Total amount of milk progesterone showed no significant differences between groups (P >0.05). In conclusion, milk progesterone levels of CIDR-treated goats did not exceed those of dioestrous or pregnant animals. Assuming that progesterone levels in milk of naturally cycling or pregnant animals are safe for human consumption, then the milk of CIDR-treated goats should also be safe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective pursued in this work is to highlight the convenience of using electromagnetic simulation software as an alternative to the traditional scale model measurement when dealing with the design of HF antennas on real complex platforms. The experience was developed during the building process of a real vessel. A low and a medium band antennas (fan-wire type) were designed ad-hoc for this project. The HF broadband antennas’ study covered from the preliminary design stages to the final verification measurements completed onboard the ship. The experiment has demonstrated that more accurate results can be obtained when using an adequate electromagnetic simulation code, which, besides, brings important advantages in flexibility and usability. These advantages, inherent to the use of virtual models, hinge on the ability of the simulation tools to properly handle any modification of the vessel’s structure that might arise during the platform construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]