Search results for "response"

SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE AND PINDOLOL ON THE HEART RATE AND PRESSURE RESPONSE TO ISOPROTERENOL

1978

The combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy towards more efficient drug delivery.

2013

Research on anticancer therapies has advanced significantly in recent years. New therapeutic platforms that can further improve the health of patients are still highly demanded. We propose the idea of combining regular chemotherapy with radiation therapy to minimize side effects as well as increase drug-delivery efficiency. In this Focus Review, we seek to provide an overview of recent advances that can combine chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We begin by reviewing the current state of systems that can combine chemotherapy and gamma radiation. Among them, diselenide-containing polymers are highlighted as sensitive drug-delivery vehicles that can disassemble under gamma radiation. Then X-ray r…

Role of IL-28B and inosine triphosphatase polymorphisms in efficacy and safety of Peg-Interferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C compensated cir…

2012

Summary.  Genetic factors can influence the outcome of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C (HCV). We evaluated the role of interleukin-28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene variants in HCV cirrhosis treated with Peg-Interferon and ribavirin. A prospective cohort of 233 patients with compensated cirrhosis received 1–1.5 μg/kg/week of Peg-Interferon alpha-2b plus 1000–1200 mg/day of RBV for 48 weeks. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was achieved in 27% of patients. On multivariate logistic analysis, the absence of oesophageal varices (OR 3.64 CI 95% 1.27–10.44 P = 0.016), infection with genotype 2 or 3 (OR 4.06, CI 95% 1.08–15.26, P = 0.038…

Computed Tomography of HCC

2016

Contrast-enhanced CT allows an accurate noninvasive diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) nodules, and assessment of hepatic vascular anatomy and patency. The use of state-of-the-art equipment and of a tailored protocol is crucial. CT results help to detect and stage HCC, select the best treatment option, and evaluate response to therapy. In this chapter, the CT protocol for the cirrhotic liver, the CT features of HCC before and after treatment and of portal vein thrombosis will be described.

A new tool for sepsis screening in the Emergency Department

2021

Abstract Objectives In this study, we developed and evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the Sepsis Index for early sepsis screening in the Emergency Department (ED). Methods Sepsis Index is based on the combination of monocyte distribution width (MDW) and mean monocyte volume (MMV). Sepsis Index≥1 was selected to define sepsis. We tested its diagnostic accuracy in an ED population stratified in four groups: controls, Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), infection, and sepsis, according to Sepsis-2 criteria. Results Patients with sepsis displayed higher median Sepsis Index value than patients without sepsis. At the receiver operating characterictis (ROC) curve analysis for the pr…

Rhein stimulates active chloride secretion in the short-circuited rat colonic mucosa.

1988

In a short-circuited mucosa-submucosa preparation of the rat descending colon with preserved Meissner's plexus mounted as an everted sac rhein transiently increased the potential difference and short-circuit current (Isc) when administered serosally and mucosally, but serosal application was more effective. Maximal effects were obtained at rhein concentrations of 1.6 X 10(-4) and 3 X 10(-4) mol/l. Net chloride absorption was decreased. Indomethacin (5 X 10(-6) mol/l) did not inhibit the increase of Isc, but omission of calcium from the serosal side as well as tetrodoxin (2 X 10(-7) mol/l) decreased it by 50 and 60%. Mechanical removal of Meissner's plexus partly blocked the effect of rhein,…

Impact of cone-beam computed tomography for the identification and management of an oral portal of entry in patients with infective endocarditis. A D…

2021

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare and life-threatening disease. Cutaneous portal of entry (POE) is predominant for IE, but an oral POE is the second most frequent source. Thus looking for and treating an oral POE in IE patients is of critical importance in order to reduce the risk of IE relapse or recurrence. The objectives of this study were: 1) To reach a consensus on decision-making following the detection of an oral POE on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) while they were not identified using the current recommended approach in IE patients (oral examination and orthopantomogram: OPT). 2) To determine whether this consensus differs when regarding the microbiology of IE.…

Soleus and lateral gastrocnemius H-reflexes during standing with unstable footwear

2015

Introduction: Unstable footwear has been shown to increase lower extremity muscle activity, but the reflex response to perturbations induced by this intervention is unknown. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects stood in stable and unstable footwear conditions (presented randomly) while H-reflex amplitude and background muscle activity were measured in the soleus and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles. Results: Wearing unstable footwear resulted in larger H-reflexes (normalized to the maximal M-wave) for the LG (+12%; P = 0.025), but not for the soleus (+4%; P > 0.05). Background activity of both muscles was significantly higher in the unstable condition. Conclusions: The H-reflex facilitation o…

Good decision-making is associated with an adaptive cardiovascular response to social competitive stress.

2018

Competition elicits different psychological and cardiovascular responses depending on a person's skills. Decision-making has been considered a distal factor that influences competition, but there are no studies analyzing this relationship. Our objective was to analyze whether decision-making affects the response to competition. Specifically, we aimed to test whether good performers on a decision-making test, the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), showed an adaptive cardiovascular response to competition. In all, 116 participants (44 women) performed the IGT and were classified into Good or Poor decision-makers. Subsequently, they were exposed to a stress task in two different conditions: a face-to-f…

Use of Novel Antidiabetic Agents in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and COVID-19: A Critical Review

2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The latter is a pandemic that has the potential of developing into a severe illness manifesting as systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi-organ involvement and shock. In addition, advanced age and male sex and certain underlying health conditions, like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), predispose to a higher risk of greater COVID-19 severity and mortality. This calls for an urgent identification of antidiabetic agents associated with more favourable COVID-19 outcomes among patients with T2DM, as well as recognition of their potential underlying…