drotrecogina alfa activada: Topics by WorldWideScience.org [PDF]

Toggle navigation Topics by WorldWideScience.org Home About News Advanced Search Contact Us Site Map Help Sample records for drotrecogina alfa activada « 1 2 3 4 5 » 1. Coste-efectividad de drotrecogina alfa (activada en el tratamiento de la sepsis grave en España Cost-effectiveness of drotrecogin alpha [activated] in the treatment of severe sepsis in Spain Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) José A Sacristán 2004-02-01 Full Text Available Introducción: El ensayo clÃnico PROWESS ha demostrado que el tratamiento con drotrecogina alfa (activada en pacientes con sepsis grave se asocia a una reducción del riesgo absoluto de muerte en comparación con el tratamiento estándar. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el coste-efectividad de drotrecogina alfa (activada, frente a tratamiento estándar, en el tratamiento de la sepsis grave en España. Pacientes y métodos: Se elaboró un modelo de análisis de decisión en el que se compararon los costes hasta el alta hospitalaria y la eficacia a largo plazo de drotrecogina alfa (activada frente a tratamiento estándar de pacientes con sepsis grave en España, desde la perspectiva del financiador de los servicios sanitarios. La mayorÃa de la información para realizar el modelo se obtuvo del ensayo clÃnico PROWESS. El análisis basal fue doble: a para todos los pacientes incluidos en el ensayo clÃnico PROWESS, y b para los pacientes con 2 o más fallos orgánicos. Las variables principales de valoración clÃnica fueron la reducción de la mortalidad hospitalaria y los años de vida ganados (AVG. El coste-efectividad se expresó como coste por AVG. Se realizó un análisis de sensibilidad utilizando tasas de descuento del 3 y el 5% para los AVG y modificando los patrones de atención sanitaria, los costes de la unidad de cuidados intensivos, la esperanza de vida según la comorbilidad inicial y la eficacia terapéutica de drotrecogina alfa (activada. Resultados: El tratamiento con drotrecogina alfa (activada se asoció a un descenso del riesgo absoluto de mortalidad hospitalaria del 6,0% (p = 0,005 cuando se incluyeron todos los pacientes del estudio PROWESS, y una reducción del 7,3% (p = 0,005 cuando sólo se incluyeron los pacientes con 2 o más fracasos orgánicos. El coste-efectividad de drotrecogina alfa (activada fue de 13.550 euros por AVG respecto a placebo cuando se analizó el total de pacientes, y de 9.800 euros por AVG en el 2. Alfa OpenAIRE Louis, A.; Despois, J. 2013-01-01 On confond habituellement sous le nom de ḥalfa (alfa) deux plantes assez voisines : l’alfa véritable (stipa tenacissima) dont la feuille se replie en demi-gaine et l’épi rappelle un peu celui de l’orge, et le lygée ou sparte « fol alpha» (lygeum spartum), aux dimensions plus réduites, à l’allure plus raide; encore que les gens du Sud tunisien désignent le premier par geddÄ«m et le lygée par ḥalfa. Le premier habite les zones montagneuses et les hauts plateaux ; on le désigne en Tunisie sous le... 3. Epoetin Alfa Injection Science.gov (United States) Epoetin alfa injection is used to treat anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells) in people with chronic ... working over a period of time). Epoetin alfa injection is also used to treat anemia caused by ... 4. Drotrecogin alfa Eli Lilly NARCIS (Netherlands) de Jonge, E. 2002-01-01 Drotrecogin alfa (Xigris, recombinant activated protein C) is an anticoagulant developed and launched by Eli Lilly & Co for the treatment of sepsis [333781], [339372], [430133], [436271]. The FDA and the EMEA accepted the brand name Xigris for drotrecogin alfa in June 2001. This trade name had been 5. ALFA Detector Control System CERN Document Server Oleiro Seabra, Luis Filipe; The ATLAS collaboration 2015-01-01 ALFA (Absolute Luminosity For ATLAS) is one of the sub-detectors of ATLAS/LHC. The ALFA system is composed by two stations installed in the LHC tunnel 240 m away from each side of the ATLAS interaction point. Each station has a vacuum and ventilation system, movement control and all the required electronic for signal processing. The Detector Control System (DCS) provides control and monitoring of several components and ensures the safe operation of the detector contributing to good Data Quality. This paper describes the ALFA DCS system including a detector overview, operation aspects and hardware control through a SCADA system, WinCC OA. 6. ALFA Detector Control System CERN Document Server Oleiro Seabra, Luis Filipe; The ATLAS collaboration 2015-01-01 ALFA (Absolute Luminosity For ATLAS) is one of the sub-detectors of ATLAS (A Toroidal LHC Apparatus). The ALFA system is composed by four stations installed in the LHC tunnel 240 m away from the ATLAS interaction point. Each station has a vacuum and ventilation system, movement control and all the required electronics for signal processing. The Detector Control System (DCS) provides control and monitoring of several components and ensures the safe operation of the detector contributing to good Data Quality. This paper describes the ALFA DCS system including a detector overview, operation aspects and hardware control through a SCADA system, WinCC OA. 7. Cementos de escorias activadas alcalinamente: Situación actual y perspectivas de futuro Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Puertas, F. 1995-09-01 Full Text Available The paper presents the state of the art in cements and concretes with alkaline-activated slag. Characteristics and properties of these materials are given. Special emphasis is made on those scientific and technical aspects which remain unsolved and which, therefore, call for further research. Se presenta el estado del conocimiento actual de los cementos y hormigones de escorias activadas alcalinamente, detallándose las caracterÃsticas y propiedades de los citados materiales. Se incide especialmente en aquellos aspectos de carácter cientÃfico y técnico que permanecen sin resolver y que, por tanto, precisan nuevas investigaciones. 8. Interferon Alfa-2b Injection Science.gov (United States) Interferon alfa-2b injection is used to treat a number of conditions.Interferon alfa-2b injection is used alone or in combination ... Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; a slow-growing blood cancer). Interferon alfa-2b is in a class of medications called ... 9. Respuesta a pulsos galvanostáticos del acero embebido en concretos de escoria activada alcalinamente Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Willian Arnulfo Aperador-Chaparro 2015-05-01 Full Text Available Presenta la aplicación de la técnica de pulsos galvanostáticos en el concreto de escoria activada alcalinamente, sometido a procesos acelerados de carbonatación. Como material de referencia se utilizó el concreto Portland ordinario. La utilización de dicha técnica permitió calcular el valor de las resistencias involucradas en el proceso de forma separada, permitiendo hallar la velocidad de corrosión mediante la ecuación de Stern y Geary. Los productos de corrosión fueron determinados con la técnica de EspectrometrÃa Mössbauer, correspondientes a magnetita, wuestite y goethita. 10. Elosulfase alfa: first global approval. Science.gov (United States) Sanford, Mark; Lo, Jin Han 2014-04-01 Elosulfase alfa (Vimizimâ„¢) is a recombinant form of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) that was developed by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. as an enzyme replacement therapy for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA), also known as Morquio A syndrome. Patients with MPS IVA have a GALNS deficiency, which results in serious musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and other system disturbances. Elosulfase alfa was approved by the US FDA on 14 February 2014 for the treatment of MPS IVA. The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recently recommended that elosulfase alfa be approved for use in the EU in the same indication. Within the last year, the manufacturer has also filed applications for approval for the use of elosulfase alfa in MPS IVA in Brazil, Australia, Canada and Mexico. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of elosulfase alfa leading to its first global approval in MPS IVA. 11. Methods in ALFA Alignment CERN Document Server Melendez, Jordan 2014-01-01 This note presents two model-independent methods for use in the alignment of the ALFA forward detectors. Using a Monte Carlo simulated LHC run at \\beta = 90m and \\sqrt{s} = 7 TeV, the Kinematic Peak alignment method is utilized to reconstruct the Mandelstam momentum transfer variable t for single-diractive protons. The Hot Spot method uses fluctuations in the hitmap density to pinpoint particular regions in the detector that could signal a misalignment. Another method uses an error function fit to find the detector edge. With this information, the vertical alignment can be determined. 12. ALFA beam halo CERN Document Server Komarek, Tomas 2014-01-01 This note serves as a final report about CERN Summer Student Programme 2014 project. The beam halo is an undesired phenomenon for physics analyses on particle accelerators. It surrounds the beam core and constitutes an important part of background for signal measurements on some detectors, eg. in the forward region. In this study, the data from the ALFA detector were used, specifically from the run 191373 ($\\beta^*=90\\unit{m}$) and the run 213268 ($\\beta^*=1\\unit{km}$). Using the ROOT framework, a software for beam halo events selection was created and beam halo properties were examined. In the run 213268, excessive beam halo is suspected to be the reason for multiple beam scrapings that occurred. A kinematic reconstruction of beam halo particles is attempted in order to understand beam halo properties in the interaction point. Some further simulations are employed to find constraints for beam halo particles in order to survive in the accelerator for a longer time/many revolutions. This work represents a st... 13. Estado vegetativo-alfa persistente Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) R. Oliveira-Souza 1989-06-01 Full Text Available Após revisão sumária dos conceitos de «coma» e «coma-alfa», relatamos o caso de uma paciente com doença de Pick provável que, nos estágios terminais da doença, permaneceu várias semanas em estado vegetativo com EEG de vigÃlia normal e reativo à fotoestimulação. Enfatizamos (a algumas das implicações do aspecto dos olhos nesses pacintes, (b a importância de distinguir a atividade alfa do ritmo alfa verdadeiro e (c sugerimos que a categoria «coma-alfa» inclua apenas aqueles com afecções do tegmento da junção pontomesencefálica, de qualquer natureza, reservando a designação «estado vegetativo-alfa» persistente para os que se encontrem em estado vegetativo e exibam EEG em virgÃlia idêntico ao normal. 14. Reactividad y propiedades mecánicas de escoria de alto horno activada por álcalis Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Escalante-GarcÃa, J. I. 2002-10-01 Full Text Available Investigations were carried out to characterize the reactivity and mechanical properties in blast furnace slag pastes activated by 5 alkali systems such as NaOH, waterglass and combinations of Na2CO3, Na2SO4 y Ca(OH2 in concentrations of 5%. Cubes of 5cm were prepared and cured under water for up to 120 days at 20 and 60°C. The highest compressive strengths were noted for the waterglass activation, followed by one of the combination of 3 compounds, while NaOH activation resulted in the lowest strengths. Increased temperatures favored the strength for the waterglass activation, outperforming those of the Portland cement paste used as control at all times, whereas it had a negative effect for all other activations. The reactivity of the systems, as obtained by measurements of non evaporable water and selective chemical dissolution, indicated that the slag is more reactive under the NaOH activation. Scanning electron microscopy by means of backscattered electrons confirmed the different reactivities and the mechanical properties observed. Se realizaron estudios de caracterización de reactividad y propiedades mecánicas en pastas de escoria de alto horno activada por 5 sistemas alcalinos como NaOH, vidrio soluble y combinaciones de Na2CO3, Na2SO4 y Ca(OH2 en concentraciones de 5%. Se prepararon cubos de 5cm por lado y se curaron durante 120 dÃas a 20 y 60°C bajo agua. Los valores mas altos de resistencia mecánica fueron registrados por el sistema de escoria activada con vidrio soluble, seguido por una de las combinaciones de 3 reactivos quÃmicos, mientras que el desarrollo de propiedades mecánicas fue más pobre con la activación por NaOH. El aumento en la temperatura de curado favoreció la resistencia a la compresión de escoria con vidrio soluble, superando a la del cemento Portland a todos los tiempos de curado; para los otros sistemas el incremento de la temperatura de curado resultó perjudicial. En contraste con las 15. Insect Pheromone-Alfa Chemistry.pptx OpenAIRE Keller, Tylor 2017-01-01 Pheromones are substances produced as messengers that affect the behavior of other insects, animals and members of the same species. Alfa Chemistry offers a wide range of different insect pheromones that respond to control pests effectively and respectfully with the environment. Visit http://www.alfa-chemistry.com/products/insect-pheromone-5.htm for more. 16. ALFA detector before LHC Run 2 CERN Document Server AUTHOR|(INSPIRE)INSPIRE-00188264; The ATLAS collaboration 2016-01-01 The operation experience with ATLAS ALFA detectors in the LHC environment during the Run1 period has shown significant beam-induced heating. Subsequent comprehensive studies revealed that heating effects could be disastrous in the case of the larger beam intensities foreseen for higher luminosities in the LHC Run2. During the first LHC long shutdown (LS1) all ALFA detectors have been removed from the LHC tunnel and their covers - Roman Pots - underwent a geometry upgrade to minimize the impedance losses. It will be shown that this modification together with a system improving the internal heat transfer and an air cooling system, significantly shifted the temperatures of ALFA detectors away from the critical limits throughout the LHC Run2. Also ALFA trigger system was considerably upgraded to keep measured data safely inside the Run2 ATLAS latency budget and to minimize dead time. The needed hardware changes of the trigger system are also described 17. ALFA detector upgrade before LHC Run 2 CERN Document Server Vorobel, Vit; The ATLAS collaboration 2016-01-01 The operation experience with ATLAS ALFA detectors in the LHC environment during the Run1 period has shown significant beam-induced heating. Subsequent comprehensive studies revealed that heating effects could be disastrous in the case of the larger beam intensities foreseen for higher luminosities in the LHC Run2. During the first LHC long shutdown (LS1) all ALFA detectors have been removed from the LHC tunnel and their covers - Roman Pots - underwent a geometry upgrade to minimize the impedance losses. It will be shown that this modification together with a system improving the internal heat transfer and an air cooling system, significantly shifted the temperatures of ALFA detectors away from the critical limits throughout the LHC Run2. Also ALFA trigger system was considerably upgraded to keep measured data safely inside the Run2 ATLAS latency budget and to minimize dead time. The needed hardware changes of the trigger system will be presented in the second part of the talk. 18. "Alfa" i "Võmpel" bez maski / Andrei Sharov Index Scriptorium Estoniae Sharov, Andrei 2004-01-01 Venemaa FSB keskuse, mille koosseisu kuuluvad ka eriüksused Alfa ja Võmpel, töötajad osalevad terroristide neutraliseerimise ja pantvangide vabastamise erioperatsioonides. Intervjuu keskuse staabi uue juhiga 19. Administration of follitropin alfa and lutropin alfa combined in a single injection: a feasibility assessment Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Agostinetto Rita 2009-05-01 Full Text Available Abstract Background Gonadotrophins are routinely administered in assisted reproductive technology (ART treatment protocols. Recombinant human folliclestimulating hormone (r-hFSH; follitropin alfa and recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hLH; lutropin alfa can be administered individually or in a fixed combination. The ability to vary the FSH to LH dose ratio in a single injection without compromising the bioactivity of either gonadotrophin or generating losses of active principle is important for physicians and patients alike. Methods This study investigated whether follitropin alfa (GONAL-f (R, as lyophilized powder for reconstitution or solution from the GONAL-f (R (filled-by-mass [FbM] Prefilled Pen, could be used to reconstitute Pergoveris TM (follitropin alfa/lutropin alfa 150 IU/75 IU lyophilized powder. In Ratio Groups 1 and 2, the rhFSH:r-hLH ratio was 3:1; in Ratio Groups 3 and 4, the ratios of r-hFSH:r-hLH were 5:1 and 8:1, respectively. The protein content and bioactivity of each mixed solution were evaluated. The r-hFSH and r-hLH content was determined using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The biological activity of r-hFSH and r-hLH was assessed using the Steelman-Pohley and Van Hell in vivo bioassays in rats, respectively. Results Follitropin alfa/lutropin alfa 150 IU/75 IU lyophilized powder could be successfully mixed with follitropin alfa 75 IU FbM solution that was either reconstituted from lyophilized powder or injected directly from the prefilled pen to create solutions with ratios of r-hFSH and r-hLH from 3:1 to 8:1. The measured content of r-hFSH and r-hLH corresponded favourably with the target protein content in Ratio Groups 1–4. The in vivo target and measured bioactivity of r-hFSH and r-hLH were also closely matched in all Ratio Groups. Conclusion Follitropin alfa lyophilized powder or solution can be accurately mixed with follitropin alfa/lutropin alfa 150 IU/75 IU lyophilized powder to 20. Interferon alfa with or without ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Kjaergard, L L; Krogsgaard, K; Gluud, C 2001-01-01

To assess the efficacy and safety of interferon alfa with or without ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.......To assess the efficacy and safety of interferon alfa with or without ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.... « 1 2 3 4 5 » « 1 2 3 4 5 » 21. Interferon-alfa treatment of facial infantile haemangiomas DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Fledelius, Hans C.; Illum, N.; Jensen, H. 2001-01-01 ophthalmology, haemangiomas of the face, infancy, Interferon alfa, eye at risk, amblyopia, induced refractive change, ultrasound imaging......ophthalmology, haemangiomas of the face, infancy, Interferon alfa, eye at risk, amblyopia, induced refractive change, ultrasound imaging... 22. Implementation of Trigger Tiles for ALFA Simulation CERN Document Server Rehaag, Thomas Joseph 2017-01-01 The Absolute Luminosity For ATLAS (ALFA) experiment was designed to accurately measure the luminosity of the intersecting proton beams at the ATLAS interaction point [1]. However, the ALFA experiment has shifted its primary purpose from luminosity measurement to elastic and inelastic proton collisions. This change was the result of difficulty in ï¬tting parameters in the region governed by Coulomb scattering. The operational principle for luminosity measurement with ALFA relied on detecting elastic proton collisions, so the detector is suited to its role in proton collision measurements. The ALFA detector consists of several sensitive components, including the main detector (MD), overlap detectors (ODs) and trigger tiles. A diagram of the ALFA detector is shown in Figure 1. The main detector is composed of layers of 0.5 × 0.5 mm2 cross section scintillating ï¬bres with an active area of 0.48 × 0.48 mm2, which are directed diagonally across the detector with 64 ï¬bres in each layer. The 20 total layers ar... 23. OPPORTUNITIES OF DORNASE ALFA IN PEDIATRICS Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) O.I. Simonova 2011-01-01 Full Text Available Early treatment with Pulmozyme (dornase alfa and its prolonged use in combination with basis therapy results in decrease of exacerbation rate, prolongation of remission of bronchopulmonary process with normal ventilation functions of lungs and gives patients with cystic fibrosis an opportunity to live an active life. The drug is effective as a conservative treatment of chronic sinusitis polyposis; it’s frequent complication of cystic fibrosis. Dornase alfa has 3 clinical effects: strong mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. That is the reason for the treatment of other chronic bronchopulmonary diseases with this drug. Efficacy of dornase alpha depends on rough maintenance of the terms of drug use.Key words: children, dornase alfa, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, nebulizer therapy.(Voprosy sovremennoi pediatrii — Current Pediatrics. 2011; 10 (4: 145–152 24. Thyrotoxicosis with pegylated interferon alfa-2b. Science.gov (United States) Lowndes, Sarah A; Asher, Ruth; Middleton, Mark R 2010-11-01 Despite adequate surgery, a diagnosis of stage III melanoma carries a high risk of relapse, and hence mortality. Interferon alfa is the only treatment that has currently been shown to alter the natural history of the disease, delaying relapse-free survival, particularly in patients with micrometastatic disease. There is also recent evidence of a prognostic advantage conferred by the development of autoimmune conditions in patients receiving adjuvant interferon therapy. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman with stage IIIa melanoma who was entered into the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer 18991 trial of 5-year adjuvant treatment with pegylated interferon (peginterferon) alfa-2b. The patient developed thyrotoxicosis 3 months after commencing treatment, which required treatment with propylthiouracil. The degree of thyrotoxicosis corresponded closely to the dose of peginterferon alfa-2b given. However, in this patient, the hyperthyroidism resolved spontaneously after 4 years when peginterferon treatment was still ongoing. Seven years following the initial diagnosis, the patient has not had disease relapse. Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism as a consequence of interferon therapy, and this case is atypical in that it resolved spontaneously during interferon therapy but is in accordance with the recent evidence of a positive association between interferon-associated autoimmunity and prognosis. 25. Stock footage ATLAS-ALFA experiment September 2016 CERN Multimedia 2016-01-01 Stock footage of the ATLAS- ALFA subdetector in the LHC tunnel at IP1 taken during the LHC technical shut-down in September 2016. The ATLAS/ALFA experiment and studies the elastic scattering of protons, which are not observable in normal operation runs. In the elastic scattering process, the two protons survive their encounter intact and only change directions by exchanging momentum. 26. Interview with Dr Ghassan K Abou-Alfa. Science.gov (United States) Abou-Alfa, G K 2016-11-01 Ghassan K Abou-Alfa joined the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College in New York back in 2001. Dr Abou-Alfa specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr Abou-Alfa received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and completed his post-doctoral training at Yale University School of Medicine. His research is dedicated to finding novel therapies and improving the effectiveness of the current therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, while continuing to understand the basic mechanisms of the diseases and its therapy. Dr Abou-Alfa has invested several years in helping develop multi-tyrosine kinases and more immune-modulator therapies. Dr Abou-Alfa has many publications in the field. He led on many occasions international teams of investigators. Dr Abou-Alfa serves as the chair of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Task Force for Hepatobiliary Cancers and the chair of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) Non-AIDS Defining Malignancies (NADC) Liver/GI Task Force. Dr Abou-Alfa also co-chairs the hepatobiliary cancers subgroup of the Alliance cooperative group, and is a cadre member of both the gastrointestinal cancers and pharmacogenomics and population pharmacology committees. Dr Abou-Alfa who has lectured worldwide on the subject on gastrointestinal malignancies, is also a strong advocate for raising awareness and support for improving the outcome of patients with this disease, and enhancing oncologic education worldwide. 27. Sequential combination of glucocorticosteroids and alfa interferon versus alfa interferon alone for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Mellerup, M T; Krogsgaard, K; Mathurin, P 2005-01-01 Chronic hepatitis B has serious effects on morbidity and mortality. Alfa interferon has been shown to increase the rates of HBeAg-clearance as well as seroconversion to anti-HBe, but response rates are unsatisfactory. Glucocorticosteroid pretreatment may increase the response to alfa interferon.... 28. Sequential combination of glucocorticosteroids and alfa interferon versus alfa interferon alone for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Mellerup, M T; Krogsgaard, K; Mathurin, P 2002-01-01 Chronic hepatitis B has serious effects on morbidity and mortality. Alfa interferon has been shown to increase the rates of HBeAg-clearance as well as seroconversion to anti-HBe, but response rates are unsatisfactory. Glucocorticosteroid pretreatment may increase the response to alfa interferon.... 29. Mecanismos de cloración de alfa-aminoácidos y de fragmentación de (N-X)-alfa-aminoácidos OpenAIRE Canle, Moisés 2011-01-01 [Resumen] SE HAN ESTUDIADO LOS PROCESOS DE CLORACION DE ALFA-AMINOACIDOS Y DE FRAGMENTACION DE (N-X)-ALFA-AMINOACIDOS EN MEDIO ACUOSO.LA CLORACION DE ALFA-AMINOACIDOS TIENE LUGAR POR TRANSFERENCIA DIRECTA DE CLORO DESDE EL OXIGENO DEL ACIDO HIPOCLOROSO AL NITROGENO DEL GRUPO AMINO LIBRE DEL ALFA-AMINOACIDO, ESTANDO EL PROCESO CONTROLADO QUIMICAMENTE Y TRANSCURRIENDO A TRAVES DE UN ESTADO DE TRANSICION CICLICO O ABIERTO SEGUN SEA EL ALFA-AMINOACIDO.LA FRAGMENTACION DE (N-X)-ALFA-AMINOA... 30. JSC “ALFA-BANK†marketing policy. problems and perspectives OpenAIRE Kirillov, A.; Kuznetcova, E.; Martirosian, M. 2013-01-01 The article is devoted to the results of JSC “Alfa-Bank†consumers’ segmentation and the following complex marketing research. The article suggests the ways of the bankâ €™s marketing policy improvement. 31. Adición de una escoria geotérmica ultrafina sobre morteros de escoria de alto horno activadas por álcalis Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Escalante, J. I. 2002-12-01 Full Text Available Investigations were carried out in mortars with alkali activated blast furnace slag (BFS as the binder. The slag was replaced by up to 30% by weight of an ultrafine geothermal slag (GS which was predominantly siliceous. The activating agents were waterglass and NaOH, commercial lime was added in 4% to promote pozzolanic activity of both slags. Measurements of non evaporable water indicated that the presence of the GS increased the reactivity of the cementitious systems. Also, for the NaOH activation, the replacement with 5-10% of the BFS by GS favored a porosity reduction (as observed by scanning electron microscopy and the compressive strength improvement. For the waterglass activation, the addition of GS resulted in more compact microstructures; however, in spite of such improvement, during the mixing and castings of such mortars, air bubbles were trapped in the microstructure due to a fast setting, degrading the compressive strength with respect to the neat BFS mortars. After 90 days, the lime was not observed in the microstructure, suggesting that it was consumed by both slags. Se realizaron investigaciones en morteros con ligante de escoria de alto horno activada por álcalis. La escoria se reemplazó de 0 a 30% con una escoria geotérmica (EG ultrafina predominantemente silÃcea. Los agentes activantes empleados fueron vidrio soluble y NaOH, agregando 4% de cal comercial como activante para promover la actividad puzolánica de ambas escorias. Las mediciones de agua no evaporable indicaron que la presencia de la EG incrementó la reactividad de los sistemas cementicios. Asimismo, para la activación con NaOH, la adición de 5-10% de EG favoreció la reducción de la porosidad (por microscopÃa electrónica de barrido y la resistencia a la compresión. Al respecto de la activación con vidrio soluble, se observaron las microestructuras mas compactas, sin embargo durante el mezclado y moldeado de morteros con EG se notó la formaci 32. Treatment of anemia with darbepoetin alfa in systolic heart failure DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Swedberg, Karl; Young, James B; Anand, Inder S 2013-01-01 Patients with systolic heart failure and anemia have worse symptoms, functional capacity, and outcomes than those without anemia. We evaluated the effects of darbepoetin alfa on clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure and anemia.......Patients with systolic heart failure and anemia have worse symptoms, functional capacity, and outcomes than those without anemia. We evaluated the effects of darbepoetin alfa on clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure and anemia.... 33. Responses to peginterferon alfa-2a vs alfa-2b plus ribavirin in a Mexican population with chronic hepatitis C. Science.gov (United States) Sandoval-Ramirez, Jorge Luis; Mata-MarÃn, José Antonio; Huerta GarcÃa, Gloria; Gaytán-MartÃnez, Jesús Enrique 2015-03-15 The WHO estimates that 180 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) throughout the world. Despite the emergence of new therapies, the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin remains the accepted standard of care in low-income countries, including Mexico. Two types of peginterferon are available (peginterferon alfa-2a and peginterferon alfa-2b), and both are recommended for the treatment of HCV, although there is controversy over which treatment option is most effective. This was a retrospective cohort study at a infectious disease center in Mexico City. Patients were included if they had received peginterferon alfa-2a or peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin. Age, sex, body mass index, AST platelet ratio index, HCV RNA viral load, levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, albumin, and hemoglobin, and platelet and leukocyte counts of the subjects were assessed before treatment and at weeks 4, 12, 24, 48, and 6 months post treatment. Eighty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria. A sustained virological response (SVR) occurred in 33 (38%) of them, 11 (33%) given peginterferon alfa-2a and 22 (67%) given peginterferon alfa-2b (p = 0.17). Seventeen patients (20%) relapsed, 7 (41%) of those given peginterferon alfa-2a and 10 (59%) of those given peginterferon alfa-2b (p = 0.76); 27 (31%) patients were non-responders (p = 0.09). The rates of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia were similar in both groups. Similar SVR rates and frequencies of adverse events were observed. Either type of interferon can be used to treat HCV infection in the Mexican population. 34. Peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin: effective in patients with hepatitis C who failed interferon alfa/ribavirin therapy. Science.gov (United States) Poynard, Thierry; Colombo, Massimo; Bruix, Jordi; Schiff, Eugene; Terg, Ruben; Flamm, Steven; Moreno-Otero, Ricardo; Carrilho, Flair; Schmidt, Warren; Berg, Thomas; McGarrity, Thomas; Heathcote, E Jenny; Gonçales, Fernando; Diago, Moises; Craxi, Antonio; Silva, Marcelo; Bedossa, Pierre; Mukhopadhyay, Pabak; Griffel, Louis; Burroughs, Margaret; Brass, Clifford; Albrecht, Janice 2009-05-01 Treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin produces a sustained virologic response (SVR) in approximately 60% of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Alternate options are needed for patients who relapse or do not respond to therapy. This prospective, international, multicenter, open-label study evaluated efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5 microg/kg/wk) plus weight-based ribavirin (800-1400 mg/day) in 2333 chronic HCV-infected patients with significant fibrosis/cirrhosis whose previous interferon alfa/ribavirin therapy failed. Patients with undetectable HCV-RNA at treatment week (TW) 12 received 48 weeks of therapy; patients with detectable HCV-RNA at TW12 could enter maintenance studies at TW18; 188 patients with low/detectable HCV-RNA at TW12 continued therapy at the investigator's request. Overall, 22% of the patients attained SVR (56% with undetectable HCV-RNA and 12% with low/detectable HCV-RNA at TW12). SVR was better in relapsers (38%) than nonresponders (14%), regardless of previous treatment, and in patients previously treated with interferon-alfa/ribavirin (25%) than peginterferon alfa-ribavirin (17%). Predictors of response in patients with undetectable HCV-RNA at TW12 were genotype (2/3 vs 1, respectively; odds ratio [OR] 2.4; P 600,000 IU/mL; OR, 1.4; P = .0223). These factors plus previous treatment and response were overall predictors of SVR. Safety was similar among fibrosis groups. Peginterferon alfa-2b plus weight-based ribavirin is effective and safe in patients who failed interferon alfa/ribavirin therapy. Genotype, baseline viral load, and fibrosis stage were predictors of response. 35. Darbepoetin alfa once every 2 weeks for treatment of anemia in dialysis patients DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Mann, J; Kessler, M; Villa, Giulio Palludan 2007-01-01 AIM: Darbepoetin alfa has a longer half-life than epoetin-(EPO) alfa or beta, allowing administration at less frequent intervals for the treatment of renal anemia. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an every-2-week (Q2W) schedule of darbepoetin alfa... 36. Epoetin alfa ja namaluva nefrotoksicnosta inducirana so cisplatin kaj staorci Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Dimce Zafirov 2006-06-01 Full Text Available Klinickata efikasnost na cisplatin kako antitumorski lek e nesomnena, no dozno-limitiracki faktor za negova upotreba pretstavuva izrazitata nefrotoksicnost. Najnovite istrazuvawa pokazuvaat deka epoetin alfa moze da ima znacajna uloga ne samo vo terapiski celi za korekcija na razni vidovi na anemii, tuku istiot moze da bide efikasen i kako nevroprotektiv, hepatoprotektiv, kardioprotektiv i osobeno znacajno kako nefroprotektiv kaj nefrotoksicnost inducirana od preparati na baza na platina. Glavna cel na ovaa studija bese da se utvrdi efektot na epoetin alfa vo prevencijata na nefrotoksicnost eksperimentalno inducirana so dolgotrajna administracija na cisplatin vo doza od 2 mg/kg/t.t./nedela vo tek na 8 nedeli, kaj Wistar staorci. Dobienite rezultati od ovaa studija pokazuvaat deka epoetin alfa signifikantno gi ublazuva funkcionalnite bubrezni poremetuvawa inducirani so dolgotrajna administracija na cisplatin, ja podobruva opstata sostojba i go namaluva mortalitetot kaj ispituvanite zivotni. 37. Hashimoto encephalopathy with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. Science.gov (United States) Deutsch, Melanie; Koskinas, John; Tzannos, Konstatinos; Vassilopoulos, Dimitrios; Mailis, Antonis; Tolis, George; Hadziyannis, Stephanos 2005-10-01 To report an instance of Hashimoto encephalopathy probably resulting from pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. A 36-year-old woman with a 10-year history of autoimmune thyroiditis presented with symptoms and signs consistent with Hashimoto encephalopathy during therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. Hashimoto encephalopathy is a rare autoimmune condition that occurs in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and high titers of antithyroid antibodies. It is characterized by a variety of nonspecific neuropsychiatric symptoms, increased cerebrospinal fluid protein level, and abnormal brain imaging and electroencephalogram. Prompt response to corticosteroids is observed in most cases. As of August 29, 2005, this is the first report of such an association. An objective causality assessment revealed that the Hashimoto encephalopathy was probably caused by the patient's medications. Hashimoto encephalopathy may rarely be triggered by interferon alfa therapy in susceptible patients. 38. 90 m β* Optics for ATLAS/ALFA CERN Document Server Cavalier, S; Burkhardt, H; Grafstrom, P 2011-01-01 We describe a high β∗ optics developed for the ATLAS detector at the LHC interaction point IP1. Roman Pots have been installed 240 m left and right of IP1 to allow to measure the absolute luminosity and the total elastic cross section for ATLAS with ALFA (Absolute Luminosity for ATLAS). Ultimately, it is planned to perform these measurements at a very high β∗ of 2625 m. Here we describe a new, intermediate β∗ = 90 m optics, which has been optimized for compatibility with the present LHC running conditions. We describe the main features and the expected performance of this optics for ALFA. 39. Comparison of peginterferon alfa-2a and alfa-2b for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C: a retrospective study using the Japanese Interferon Database. Science.gov (United States) Sato, Izumi; Shimbo, Takuro; Kawasaki, Yohei; Masaki, Naohiko 2015-01-01 We aimed to compare the rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) achieved with peginterferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a and alfa-2b in combination with ribavinin (RBV) for chronic hepatitis C, using a large database of hepatitis cases to improve the generalizability of these results. We identified patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2a or alfa-2b and RBV, from the Japanese Interferon Database, between December 2009 and April 2013. This database contains the medical records of IFN treatment collected from 36 prefectures in Japan. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to compare SVR rates obtained with PEG-IFN alfa-2a and alfa-2b, in combination with RBV. A total of 16,349 patients were recorded in the Japanese Interferon Database. After application of the exclusion criteria, 12,706 patients (3,578 [1,710 males, 1,868 females] on PEGIFN alfa-2a; and 9,128 [4,652 males, 4,476 females] on PEG-IFN alfa-2b) were included in this analysis. The SVR rate in the PEG-IFN alfa-2b group was 62.0%, as compared with a rate of 55.1% in the PEG-IFN alfa-2a group (crude odds ratio =1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23 to 1.44). There was no significant difference in the adjusted SVR rates between the two groups (adjusted odds ratio =0.96; 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.05). Similar proportions of adverse events were observed in the two groups, with the exception of thrombocytopenia, retinopathy, and anemia. There was no significant difference in the SVR rates and safety profile between chronic hepatitis C patients treated with the PEG-IFN alfa-2a and alfa-2b. 40. Treatment of Anemia with Darbepoetin Alfa in Systolic Heart Failure

NARCIS (Netherlands) Swedberg, Karl; Young, James B.; Anand, Inder S.; Cheng, Sunfa; Desai, Akshay S.; Diaz, Rafael; Maggioni, Aldo P.; McMurray, John J. V.; O'Connor, Christopher; Pfeffer, Marc A.; Solomon, Scott D.; Sun, Yan; Tendera, Michal; van Veldhuisen, Dirk J. 2013-01-01 BACKGROUND Patients with systolic heart failure and anemia have worse symptoms, functional capacity, and outcomes than those without anemia. We evaluated the effects of darbepoetin alfa on clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure and anemia. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind « 1 2 3 4 5 » « 1 2 3 4 5 » 41. Virologic responses and tolerance of peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin ... African Journals Online (AJOL) Date of Acceptance: 17-Aug-2015. Introduction. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has caused heavy social and economic burden worldwide over the past. Virologic responses and tolerance of peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in different age categories. Z ... 42. Physics prospects with the ALFA and AFP detectors CERN Document Server Hamal, Petr; The ATLAS collaboration 2013-01-01 The ATLAS ALFA and AFP detectors - the experimental challenge of measuring forward protons at the LHC. We will describe the experimental challenge presented by the measurement of the forward protons at the LHC. The ATLAS ALFA and AFP projects involve the deployment of detectors capable of detecting protons that emerge intact from the interaction with very small scattering angles. In the case of the ALFA detector, located at ±240m from the ATLAS interaction point, this measurement has to be performed using special high \\beta* beam optics. The detector chosen for the task is a nearly edgeless scintillating fibre tracker capable of making measurements at very low t – below 10-3 GeV2 â €“ in the Nuclear Coulomb interference region. In order to reach these very small t-values we need to deploy the detector very near to the beam line utilizing Roman Pots. The main purpose of the ALFA detector is to measure the total p-p cross-section, a fundamental quantity in hadronic physics of importance to particle and to cos... 43. Asfotase Alfa Treatment Improves Survival for Perinatal and Infantile Hypophosphatasia Science.gov (United States) Rockman-Greenberg, Cheryl; Ozono, Keiichi; Riese, Richard; Moseley, Scott; Melian, Agustin; Thompson, David D.; Bishop, Nicholas; Hofmann, Christine 2016-01-01 Context: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inborn error of metabolism that, in its most severe perinatal and infantile forms, results in 50–100% mortality, typically from respiratory complications. Objectives: Our objective was to better understand the effect of treatment with asfotase alfa, a first-in-class enzyme replacement therapy, on mortality in neonates and infants with severe HPP. Design/Setting: Data from patients with the perinatal and infantile forms of HPP in two ongoing, multicenter, multinational, open-label, phase 2 interventional studies of asfotase alfa treatment were compared with data from similar patients from a retrospective natural history study. Patients: Thirty-seven treated patients (median treatment duration, 2.7 years) and 48 historical controls of similar chronological age and HPP characteristics. Interventions: Treated patients received asfotase alfa as sc injections either 1 mg/kg six times per week or 2 mg/kg thrice weekly. Main Outcome Measures: Survival, skeletal health quantified radiographically on treatment, and ventilatory status were the main outcome measures for this study. Results: Asfotase alfa was associated with improved survival in treated patients vs historical controls: 95% vs 42% at age 1 year and 84% vs 27% at age 5 years, respectively (P < .0001, Kaplan-Meier log-rank test). Whereas 5% (1/20) of the historical controls who required ventilatory assistance survived, 76% (16/21) of the ventilated and treated patients survived, among whom 75% (12/16) were weaned from ventilatory support. This better respiratory outcome accompanied radiographic improvements in skeletal mineralization and health. Conclusions: Asfotase alfa mineralizes the HPP skeleton, including the ribs, and improves respiratory function and survival in life-threatening perinatal and infantile HPP. PMID:26529632 44. Monitoring guidance for patients with hypophosphatasia treated with asfotase alfa. Science.gov (United States) Kishnani, Priya S; Rush, Eric T; Arundel, Paul; Bishop, Nick; Dahir, Kathryn; Fraser, William; Harmatz, Paul; Linglart, Agnès; Munns, Craig F; Nunes, Mark E; Saal, Howard M; Seefried, Lothar; Ozono, Keiichi 2017-09-01 Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, inherited, systemic, metabolic disorder caused by autosomal recessive mutations or a single dominant-negative mutation in the gene encoding tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). The disease is associated with a broad range of signs, symptoms, and complications, including impaired skeletal mineralization, altered calcium and phosphate metabolism, recurrent fractures, pain, respiratory problems, impaired growth and mobility, premature tooth loss, developmental delay, and seizures. Asfotase alfa is a human, recombinant enzyme replacement therapy that is approved in many countries for the treatment of patients with HPP. To address the unmet need for guidance in the monitoring of patients receiving asfotase alfa, an international panel of physicians with experience in diagnosing and managing HPP convened in May 2016 to discuss treatment monitoring parameters. The panel discussions focused on recommendations for assessing and monitoring patients after the decision to treat with asfotase alfa had been made and did not include recommendations for whom to treat. Based on the consensus of panel members, this review provides guidance on the monitoring of patients with HPP during treatment with asfotase alfa, including recommendations for laboratory, efficacy, and safety assessments and the frequency with which these should be performed during the course of treatment. Recommended assessments are based on patient age and include regular monitoring of biochemistry, skeletal radiographs, respiratory function, growth, pain, mobility and motor function, and quality of life. Because of the systemic presentation of HPP, a coordinated, multidisciplinary, team-based, patient-focused approach is recommended in the management of patients receiving asfotase alfa. Monitoring of efficacy and safety outcomes must be tailored to the individual patient, depending on medical history, clinical manifestations, availability of resources in the clinical 45. Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with peginterferon alfa-2a, interferon alfa, and lamivudine in Lithuania. Science.gov (United States) Vanagas, Giedrius; Padaiga, Zilvinas; MickeviÄienÄ—, AuÅ¡ra 2010-01-01 Chronic hepatitis B infection is an important health care problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 10% to 15% of population is infected with hepatitis B virus. Nearly 100 new cases of acute hepatitis B are annually registered in Lithuania, but official statistics covers only 8-25% of all disease incidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with peginterferon alfa-2a and compare it to treatment with interferon alfa and lamivudine in Lithuania. A Markov model was used to evaluate long-term cost-effectiveness of the treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a and to compare it with treatment with interferon alfa and lamivudine. Peginterferon alfa-2a was administered by subcutaneous injections at a dosage of 180 μg every week for 48 weeks; interferon alfa, 6 million IU three times a week for 24 weeks; and lamivudine, 100 mg per day from 48 weeks to 5 years for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B and 100 mg per day up to 5 years in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a gained 1.179 life years as compared to 0.658 life years gained with treatment with interferon alfa; incremental costs per incremental life-year gained (LYG) were 51,256.92 Lt (14,845.03 €). Treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a gained 0.545 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) with incremental costs per incremental QALY of 48,980.08 Lt (14,185.61 €). Treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a had twice higher cost-effectiveness than treatment with interferon alfa: 50,4167.00 Lt (146,016.85 €) vs. 954,020.08 Lt (276,303.31 €), respectively. Costs for a complete response were also twice lower. Treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a gained 0.757 incremental LYG more compared to lamivudine (48-week course). Comparing incremental cost-effectiveness using peginterferon alfa-2a for treatment, incremental costs per incremental LYG were 41,993.67 Lt (12,162.21 €); additionally there was a gain of 0 46. Enhanced antitumor reactivity of tumor-sensitized T cells by interferon alfa Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB) Vander Woude, D.L.; Wagner, P.D.; Shu, S.; Chang, A.E. (Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)) 1991-03-01 Tumor-draining lymph node cells from mice bearing the methylcholanthrene-induced MCA 106 tumors can be sensitized in vitro to acquire antitumor reactivity. We examined the effect of interferon alfa on the function of cells that underwent in vitro sensitization in adoptive immunotherapy. Interferon alfa increased the antitumor reactivity of in vitro sensitized cells in the treatment of MCA 106 pulmonary metastases. This effect was evident in irradiated mice, indicating that a host response to the interferon alfa was not required. Interferon alfa treatment increased class I major histocompatibility complex antigen expression on tumor cells and increased their susceptibility to lysis by in vitro sensitized cells. These results suggest that interferon alfa enhancement of adoptive immunotherapy was mediated by its effect on tumor cells. Interferon alfa may be a useful adjunct to the adoptive immunotherapy of human cancer. 47. Reversing factor Xa inhibitors – clinical utility of andexanet alfa Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Kaatz S 2017-09-01 Full Text Available Scott Kaatz,1 Hardik Bhansali,1 Joseph Gibbs,2 Robert Lavender,3 Charles E Mahan,4 David G Paje5 1Division of Hospital Medicine, 2Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, 3Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 4University of New Mexico, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, NM, 5Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Abstract: Approximately half of patients started on an oral anticoagulant in the USA now receive one of the newer direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs. Although there is an approved reversal agent for the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran, a specific reversal agent for the anti-factor Xa (FXa DOACs has yet to be licensed. Unlike the strategy to reverse the only oral direct thrombin inhibitor with idarucizumab, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody fragment, a different approach is necessary to design a single agent that can reverse multiple anti-FXa medications. Andexanet alfa is a FXa decoy designed to reverse all anticoagulants that act through this part of the coagulation cascade including anti-FXa DOACs, such as apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban, and indirect FXa inhibitors such as low-molecular-weight heparins. This narrative reviews the development of andexanet alfa and explores its basic science, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, animal models, and human studies. Keywords: factor Xa, DOAC, andexanet alfa, reversal, rivaroxaban, apixaban 48. Upgrade of ATLAS-ALFA for Run2 CERN Document Server Jakobsen, Sune; The ATLAS collaboration 2016-01-01 Early experience with the operation of the ALFA detectors in the LHC environment has shown significant beam-induced heating. Comprehensive studies on the effects of heating with a spare detector module have furthermore revealed that heating effects could be disastrous in the case of the larger beam intensities foreseen for higher luminosity. A temporary solution was implemented and kept the detectors below the critical temperature in 2012. In LS1 all ALFA stations have been removed from LHC and are undergoing an upgrade of the geometry of Roman Pots to minimize the impedance losses. When the stations were re-installed ~4 m distance was added between them to gain level arm in the angular measurement between the stations. The updated geometry of the Roman Pot, together with a system to improve the internal heat transfer and an air cooling system, is expected to keep the temperatures of ALFA detectors below critical limits throughout the LHC Run2 and first results from the performance in 2016 will be presented. ... 49. Physics prospects with the ALFA and AFP detectors CERN Document Server Hamal, P; The ATLAS collaboration 2013-01-01 We will describe the experimental challenge presented by the measurement of the forward protons at the LHC. The ATLAS ALFA and AFP projects involve the deployment of detectors capable of detecting protons that emerge intact from the interaction with very small scattering angles. In the case of the ALFA detector, located at $\\pm${240}~m from the ATLAS interaction point, this measurement has to be performed using special high $\\beta^*$ beam optics. The detector chosen for the task is a nearly edgeless scintillating fibre tracker capable of making measurements at very low $t$ - below $10^{-3} \\text{GeV}^2$ - in the Nuclear Coulomb interference region. In order to reach these very small $t$ values we need to deploy the detector very near to the beam line utilizing Roman Pots. The main purpose of the ALFA detector is to measure the total p-p cross-section, a fundamental quantity in hadronic physics of importance to particle and to cosmic ray physicists and to provide absolute measurement of luminosity which includ... 50. A trial of darbepoetin alfa in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Pfeffer, Marc A; Burdmann, Emmanuel A; Chen, Chao-Yin 2009-01-01 BACKGROUND: Anemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal events among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Although darbepoetin alfa can effectively increase hemoglobin levels, its effect on clinical outcomes in these patients has not been adequately...... tested. METHODS: In this study involving 4038 patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and anemia, we randomly assigned 2012 patients to darbepoetin alfa to achieve a hemoglobin level of approximately 13 g per deciliter and 2026 patients to placebo, with rescue darbepoetin alfa when the hemoglobin...... assigned to darbepoetin alfa and 496 patients assigned to placebo (Pchronic kidney disease... 51. Economic evaluation of weekly epoetin alfa versus biweekly darbepoetin alfa for chemotherapy-induced anaemia: evidence from a 16-week randomised trial. Science.gov (United States) Reed, Shelby D; Radeva, Jasmina I; Daniel, Davey B; Mody, Samir H; Forlenza, Jamie B; McKenzie, R Scott; Schulman, Kevin A 2006-01-01 A 16-week, open-label, multicentre, randomised trial of weekly epoetin alfa 40 000 units versus biweekly darbepoetin alfa 200microg among 358 patients with solid-tumour cancers and chemotherapy-induced anaemia demonstrated superior haematological outcomes with epoetin alfa. We sought to compare resource use, costs and clinical outcomes between treatment groups and report the results using a cost-consequences framework. Pre-specified methods were used to assign costs (US dollars, year 2004-5 values) to medical resources and patient time using a societal perspective. Costs for inpatient care, outpatient care and physician services were based on US Medicare reimbursement rates. Indirect costs assigned to patient time spent receiving study medication were based on the mean hourly wage in the US. In the base-case analysis, the average wholesale price was used to assign costs to medications. Clinical outcomes included all haemoglobin levels and transfusions recorded throughout the trial. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of different costing methods, cost sources, perspectives and methods to assign haemoglobin values following a blood transfusion. Over a mean follow-up duration of 11.8 weeks, the average cost of study medications and their administration was the single largest component of total costs and was similar between groups (epoetin alfa 5979 US dollars and darbepoetin alfa 5935 US dollars, difference 44 US dollars; 95% CI -590, 692). There were no significant differences in the proportions of patients hospitalised (epoetin alfa 24.6%, darbepoetin alfa 22.0%; p = 0.57). Patients randomised to epoetin alfa experienced more inpatient days, on average, than patients randomised to darbepoetin alfa (2.6 vs 1.6, 95% CI for the difference, 0.07, 2.27). However, with regard to transfusions, patients in the epoetin alfa arm required fewer units of blood than patients in the darbepoetin alfa arm (0.46 vs 0.88, 95% CI for the difference -0.77, -0 52. Comparison of peginterferon alfa-2a and alfa-2b for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C:a retrospective study using the Japanese Interferon Database Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Sato I 2014-12-01 Full Text Available Izumi Sato,1 Takuro Shimbo,2 Yohei Kawasaki,3 Naohiko Masaki41Department of Clinical Study and Informatics, Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 2Ohta Nishinouchi Hospital, Fukushima, Japan; 3Department of Mathematics, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan; 4The Research Center for Hepatitis and Immunology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Chiba, JapanPurpose: We aimed to compare the rates of sustained virologic response (SVR achieved with peginterferon (PEG-IFN alfa-2a and alfa-2b in combination with ribavinin (RBV for chronic hepatitis C, using a large database of hepatitis cases to improve the generalizability of these results.Methods: We identified patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2a or alfa-2b and RBV, from the Japanese Interferon Database, between December 2009 and April 2013. This database contains the medical records of IFN treatment collected from 36 prefectures in Japan. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to compare SVR rates obtained with PEG-IFN alfa-2a and alfa-2b, in combination with RBV. Results: A total of 16,349 patients were recorded in the Japanese Interferon Database. After application of the exclusion criteria, 12,706 patients (3,578 [1,710 males, 1,868 females] on PEG-IFN alfa-2a; and 9,128 [4,652 males, 4,476 females] on PEG-IFN alfa-2b were included in this analysis. The SVR rate in the PEG-IFN alfa-2b group was 62.0%, as compared with a rate of 55.1% in the PEG-IFN alfa2a group (crude odds ratio =1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23 to 1.44. There was no significant difference in the adjusted SVR rates between the two groups (adjusted odds ratio =0.96; 95% CI: 0.88 to 1.05. Similar proportions of adverse events were observed in the two groups, with the exception of thrombocytopenia, retinopathy, and anemia.Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the SVR rates and safety profile 53. Chikungunya Virus: In Vitro Response to Combination Therapy With Ribavirin and Interferon Alfa 2a. Science.gov (United States) Gallegos, Karen M; Drusano, George L; D Argenio, David Z; Brown, Ashley N 2016-10-15 We evaluated the antiviral activities of ribavirin (RBV) and interferon (IFN) alfa as monotherapy and combination therapy against chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Vero cells were infected with CHIKV in the presence of RBV and/or IFN alfa, and viral production was quantified by plaque assay. A mathematical model was fit to the data to identify drug interactions for effect. We ran simulations using the best-fit model parameters to predict the antiviral activity associated with clinically relevant regimens of RBV and IFN alfa as combination therapy. The model predictions were validated using the hollow fiber infection model (HFIM) system. RBV and IFN alfa were effective against CHIKV as monotherapy at supraphysiological concentrations. However, RBV and IFN alfa were highly synergistic for antiviral effect when administered as combination therapy. Simulations with our mathematical model predicted that a standard clinical regimen of RBV plus IFN alfa would inhibit CHIKV burden by 2.5 log10 following 24 hours of treatment. In the HFIM system, RBV plus IFN alfa at clinical exposures resulted in a 2.1-log10 decrease in the CHIKV burden following 24 hours of therapy. These findings validate the prediction made by the mathematical model. These studies illustrate the promise of RBV plus IFN alfa as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CHIKV infections. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail [email protected]. 54. Velaglucerase alfa for the management of type 1 Gaucher disease. Science.gov (United States) Morris, Jennifer L 2012-02-01 Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common lysosomal storage disease, (frequency of 1:40,000 to 1:60,000). Ninety-Five percent of patients have type 1 (nonneuropathic type). Symptomatic patients with type 1 GD are treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to improve disease-induced effects on hemoglobin, platelets, and liver and spleen volume. Currently, several ERTs are available. The goal of this article was to review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety data available for the use of a recently approved ERT, velaglucerase alfa, for the treatment of type 1 GD in symptomatic pediatric and adult patients. Serial searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for Englishlanguage, peer-reviewed, clinical data (using the search term velaglucerase alfa) were completed, with the final search in November 2011. All identified, peer-reviewed published human data were used for this review. Due to minimal peer-reviewed published data, those data reported via clinical trial registries or in the form of published abstracts were included. The manufacturer was contacted and given the opportunity to submit supplemental data for consideration of inclusion by the author. Velaglucerase alfa is produced through gene activation technology and is identical to wild-type enzyme. As with other ERTs for type 1 GD, velaglucerase alfa targets accumulated glucocerebroside primarily within the lysosome of the macrophages in the affected organs and systems. When administered at doses of 60 U/kg intravenously, velaglucerase alfa follows linear pharmacokinetics and is rapidly eliminated, with a mean (SD) residence time or time for 63% of the dose to be cleared from systemic circulation of 14 (4) minutes. Four trials and early access program data reporting efficacy were identified for this review: 5 peer-reviewed publications, 3 clinical trial registry reports, and 1 abstract-only publication. Phase I/II data with an extension phase (n = 12) showed significant improvements (all, P patients 55. ALFA detector, Background removal and analysis for elastic events CERN Document Server Belaloui, Nazim 2017-01-01 I worked on the ALFA project, which has the aim to measure the total cross section in PP collisions as a function of t, the momentum transfer by measuring the scattering angle of the protons. This measurement is done for all available energies; so far 7, 8 and 13 TeV. There are many analysis steps and we have focused on enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio. First of all I tried to be more familiar with ROOT, worked on understanding the code used to access to the data, plotting histograms, then cutting-off background. 56. Reconocimiento de expresiones faciales empleando memorias asociativas Alfa-Beta OpenAIRE Márquez Olivera, Moisés Vicente 2016-01-01 El presente trabajo de tesis orienta su atención en la compleja tarea del reconocimiento automático de las expresiones faciales, el propósito principal es probar la asertividad y competitividad de las memorias asociativas de tipo Alfa-Beta en el reconocimiento automático de expresiones faciales. La primera parte de la tesis brinda una breve introducción, la cual enfatiza la importancia de las expresiones faciales en la comunicación humana, incluyendo los estudios más relevantes dedicados a... 57. Alternative method for quantification of alfa-amylase activity Alternativa para quantificação de alfa-amilase Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) DF. Farias 2010-05-01 Full Text Available A modification of the sensitive agar diffusion method was developed for macro-scale determination of alfa-amylase. The proposed modifications lower costs with

the utilisation of starch as substrate and agar as supporting medium. Thus, a standard curve was built using alfa-amylase solution from Aspergillus oryzae, with concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 7,500 U.mL-1. Clear radial diffusion zones were measured after 4 hours of incubation at 20 °C. A linear relationship between the logarithm of enzyme activities and the area of clear zones was obtained. The method was validated by testing α-amylase from barley at the concentrations of 2.4; 60; 300 and 1,500 U.mL-1. The proposed method turned out to be simpler, faster, less expensive and able to determine on a macro-scale α-amylase over a wide range (2.4 to 7,500 U.mL-1 in scientific investigation as well as in teaching laboratory activities.Modificações foram propostas ao método sensÃvel de difusão em ágar para a macrodeterminação de alfa-amilase. As modificações propostas diminuem os custos, com a utilização de amido como substrato e ágar como meio solidificante. Assim, foi construÃda uma curva padrão utilizando uma solução de alfa-amilase de Aspergillus oryzae com concentrações variando de 2,4 a 7.500 U.mL-1. Em seguida, as zonas claras de difusão radial foram mensuradas depois de 4 horas de incubação a 20 °C. Foi obtida uma relação linear entre o logaritmo da atividade enzimática e os diâmetros das zonas claras. O método foi validado utilizando-se soluções de alfa-amilase de cevada nas concentrações de 2,4; 60; 300 e 1.500 U.mL-1. O método tornou-se mais simples, rápido, com baixo custo e passÃvel de ser utilizado para macrodeterminação de alfa-amilase em ampla faixa (2,4 a 7.500 U.mL-1 na investigação cientÃfica e para fins didáticos em aulas práticas. 58. Alternative method for quantification of alfa-amylase activity Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) DF. Farias Full Text Available A modification of the sensitive agar diffusion method was developed for macro-scale determination of alfa-amylase. The proposed modifications lower costs with the utilisation of starch as substrate and agar as supporting medium. Thus, a standard curve was built using alfa-amylase solution from Aspergillus oryzae, with concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 7,500 U.mL-1. Clear radial diffusion zones were measured after 4 hours of incubation at 20 °C. A linear relationship between the logarithm of enzyme activities and the area of clear zones was obtained. The method was validated by testing α-amylase from barley at the concentrations of 2.4; 60; 300 and 1,500 U.mL-1. The proposed method turned out to be simpler, faster, less expensive and able to determine on a macro-scale α-amylase over a wide range (2.4 to 7,500 U.mL-1 in scientific investigation as well as in teaching laboratory activities. 59. Stock footage ATLAS-ALFA experiment November 2016 CERN Multimedia 2016-01-01 This footage shows an ALFA station of the ATLAS experiment in the LHC tunnel. This detector aims to measure the elastic proton scattering and to determine from these data the elastic and total cross sections, as well as the luminosity. Altogether there are two times two stations at both sides of ATLAS at Point 1 in a distance of about 240m. Each station consist of two Roman Pots which are equipped with scintillating fiber detectors. They are used under special beam conditions (high beta*) when the detectors are moved close to the circulating LHC beams (as close as 1mm). In standard high intensity LHC runs the Pots remain in parking position. The movie records the composition of an ALFA station at the Cside of ATLAS in the tunnel section *** 7L1. All stations are placed on the outgoing beams where scattered protons are expected. That's why the station mechanics is partly covered by the tubes of incoming beam lines. The stations are placed in between the large boxes with DQR resistors to absorb the magnet curr... 60. Evaluating the transport layer of the ALFA framework for the Intel® Xeon Phiâ„¢ Coprocessor Science.gov (United States) Santogidis, Aram; Hirstius, Andreas; Lalis, Spyros 2015-12-01 The ALFA framework supports the software development of major High Energy Physics experiments. As part of our research effort to optimize the transport layer of ALFA, we focus on profiling its data transfer performance for inter-node communication on the Intel Xeon Phi Coprocessor. In this article we present the collected performance measurements with the related analysis of the results. The optimization opportunities that are discovered, help us to formulate the future plans of enabling high performance data transfer for ALFA on the Intel Xeon Phi architecture. « 1 2 3 4 5 » « 2 3 4 5 6 » 61. AFP and ALFA detectors as a momentum spectrometer system - feasibility study CERN Document Server ABDUL KHALEK, Rabah 2015-01-01 We consider a possibility to measure a leading proton momentum using simultaneously the AFP and ALFA detectors. The idea is based on the simple fact that the proton trajectory through the magnetic field between the AFP and ALFA$_{1}$ detectors, depends on the proton's momentum loss $\\xi$. The feasibility of the proton momentum measurement is directly related to the availability of the magnetic fields and their configuration, the overlap between ALFA and AFP detectors and their resolutions as well as energy losses and the multiple scattering effect that could wash away little actions from the magnets on the proton. 62. Fast Radio Burst Discovered in the Arecibo Pulsar ALFA Survey Science.gov (United States) Spitler, L. G.; Cordes, J. M.; Hessels, J. W. T.; Lorimer, D. R.; McLaughlin, M. A.; Chatterjee, S.; Crawford, F.; Deneva, J. S.; Kaspi, V. M.; Wharton, R. S.; Allen, B.; Bogdanov, S.; Brazier, A.; Camilo, F.; Freire, P. C. C.; Jenet, F. A.; Karako-Argaman, C.; Knispel, B.; Lazarus, P.; Lee, K. J.; van Leeuwen, J.; Lynch, R.; Ransom, S. M.; Scholz, P.; Siemens, X.; Stairs, I. H.; Stovall, K.; Swiggum, J. K.; Venkataraman, A.; Zhu, W. W.; Aulbert, C.; Fehrmann, H. 2014-08-01 Recent work has exploited pulsar survey data to identify temporally isolated, millisecond-duration radio bursts with large dispersion measures (DMs). These bursts have been interpreted as arising from a population of extragalactic sources, in which case they would provide unprecedented opportunities for probing the intergalactic medium; they may also be linked to new source classes. Until now, however, all so-called fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been detected with the Parkes radio telescope and its 13-beam receiver, casting some concern about the astrophysical nature of these signals. Here we present FRB 121102, the first FRB discovery from a geographic location other than Parkes. FRB 121102 was found in the Galactic anti-center region in the 1.4 GHz Pulsar Arecibo L-band Feed Array (ALFA) survey with the Arecibo Observatory with a DM = 557.4 ± 2.0 pc cm-3, pulse width of 3.0 ± 0.5 ms, and no evidence of interstellar scattering. The observed delay of the signal arrival time with frequency agrees precisely with the expectation of dispersion through an ionized medium. Despite its low Galactic latitude (b = -0.°2), the burst has three times the maximum Galactic DM expected along this particular line of sight, suggesting an extragalactic origin. A peculiar aspect of the signal is an inverted spectrum; we interpret this as a consequence of being detected in a sidelobe of the ALFA receiver. FRB 121102's brightness, duration, and the inferred event rate are all consistent with the properties of the previously detected Parkes bursts. 63. Metodos para promediar coeficientes alfa en los estudios de generalizacion de la fiabilidad National Research Council Canada - National Science Library Lopez-Pina, Jose A; Sanchez-Meca, Julio; Lopez-Lopez, Jose A 2012-01-01 ... que factores de los estudios pueden explicar su variabilidad. Se han propuesto en la literatura diferentes procedimientos para promediar un conjunto de coeficientes alfa independientes y no existe un consenso actual sobre que metodos son los mejores... 64. Towards a Total Cross Section Measurement with the ALFA Detector at ATLAS CERN Document Server TrzebiÅ„ski, Maciej 2013-01-01 The main goals of the Absolute Luminosity For ATLAS (ALFA) detector is to provide an absolute luminosity and total cross section measurement. The measurement method used, the detector alignment and the quality of the collected data are discussed. 65. Factor de necrosis tumoral alfa en una población infanto-juvenil con sobrepeso National Research Council Canada - National Science Library Teresita del R. Carrizo; Elba I. DÃaz; MarÃa S. Velarde; MarÃa M. Prado; MarÃa C. Bazán; Adela V. Abregú 2013-01-01 El sobrepeso infantil está asociado a sobrepeso/obesidad en la edad adulta. El tejido adiposo en obesos produce una cantidad incrementada de citoquinas proinflamatorias como el factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF... 66. Alfa tahab TeliaSonerat Türgis üle pakkuda / Tõnis Arnover Index Scriptorium Estoniae Arnover, Tõnis, 19522005-01-01 TeliaSoneraga, kellele kuulub 37 protsenti Türgi operaatorfirma Turkcell aktsiatest, konkureerib täiendava 27 protsendise aktsiapaki ostmises Venemaa operaatorfirmaga Alfa Telecom. Lisa: Kaasosanike huvid põrkuvad. Diagramm: Konkurendid Vene MegaFonis 67. Measurement of the total cross section with ALFA Detector at ATLAS CERN Document Server Trzebinski, M; The ATLAS collaboration 2017-01-01 The main goals of the Absolute Luminosity For ATLAS (ALFA) detector is to provide an absolute luminosity and total cross section measurement. The measurement method used, the detector alignment and the quality of the collected data are discussed. 68. Turoctocog alfa: an evidence-based review of its potential in the treatment of hemophilia A Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Takedani H 2015-03-01 Full Text Available Hideyuki Takedani, Jun Hirose Department of Joint Surgery, Research Hospital of the Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Abstract: Turoctocog alfa is the first B-domain-truncated third generation recombinant coagulation factor VIII (FVIII product. Nonclinical in vitro and animal model studies have demonstrated that turoctocog alfa has similar functional potency and hemostatic efficacy as comparator FVIII products. With respect to discrepancies in the level of FVIII concentrate in plasma of current FVIII products on comparing measurement results between one-stage clot and chromogenic assays, there was no difference in the in vitro turoctocog alfa study; however, measured FVIII concentrate in field study was higher with the chromogenic assay (1.08 IU/mL than with one-stage assay (0.83 IU/mL. Two published clinical studies on previously treated patients (PTPs and clinical pharmacokinetics have described that the pharmacokinetic parameters are similar, and the safety and efficacy for prevention and treatment for bleeding are also similar to those of standard half-life FVIII products. Three clinical trials are ongoing to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of turoctocog alfa for PTPs and previously untreated patients. Those data will be published in the near future, and it will be possible to use turoctocog alfa for all hemophilia patients. However, studies will be needed to confirm the turoctocog alfa profile, such as the stability of dissolved turoctocog alfa over 24 hours at room temperature and post-marketing clinical research aimed at meeting Europe Medicines Agency post-marketing safety and efficacy requirements in PTPs. It is recommended to wait before using turoctocog alfa for previously untreated patients and major surgery until further data have been collected and published. Keywords: hemophilia A, B-domain-truncated, third generation factor VIII product, previous untreated patients, chromogenic assay 69. Corifollitropin alfa in a long GnRH agonist protocol: proof of concept trial. Science.gov (United States) Fatemi, Human M; Oberyé, Janine; Popovic-Todorovic, Biljana; Witjes, Han; Mannaerts, Bernadette; Devroey, Paul 2010-10-01 Fifty healthy women, aged 18-39 years with no known risk of ovarian hyperstimulation were treated with 100 or 150 μg corifollitropin alfa (dependent on body weight) in a long GnRH agonist protocol. At these doses, corifollitropin alfa initiated and supported growth of a large cohort of follicles during the first week of ovarian stimulation. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc. 70. Dopaminergic mechanisms of reduced basal ganglia responses to hedonic reward during interferon alfa administration. Science.gov (United States) Capuron, Lucile; Pagnoni, Giuseppe; Drake, Daniel F; Woolwine, Bobbi J; Spivey, James R; Crowe, Ronald J; Votaw, John R; Goodman, Mark M; Miller, Andrew H 2012-10-01 Inflammatory cytokines or cytokine inducers can alter basal ganglia activity, including reducing responsiveness to rewarding stimuli that may be mediated by cytokine effects on dopamine function. To determine whether long-term administration of the inflammatory cytokine interferon alfa reduces the basal ganglia response to reward and whether such changes are associated with decreased presynaptic striatal dopamine function and altered behavior. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Outpatient research unit and neuroimaging facilities at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Medically stable adults with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection eligible for interferon alfa treatment. Neural activity in the ventral striatum during a hedonic reward task as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging, uptake and turnover of radiolabeled fluorodopa F 18 (18F-dopa) in caudate and putamen using positron emission tomography, and interferon alfa-induced depression, anhedonia, fatigue, and neurotoxicity. Patients with HCV receiving interferon alfa for 4 to 6 weeks (n = 14) exhibited significantly reduced bilateral activation of the ventral striatum in the win vs lose condition of a gambling task compared with patients with HCV awaiting interferon alfa treatment (n = 14). Reduced activation of the ventral striatum was, in turn, significantly correlated with anhedonia, depression, and fatigue. In a separate longitudinal study, patients with HCV treated with interferon alfa for 4 to 6 weeks (n = 12) exhibited significantly increased 18F-dopa uptake and decreased 18F-dopa turnover in caudate and putamen and in the same ventral striatal regions identified in the functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Baseline and percentage change in 18F-dopa uptake and turnover were correlated with behavioral alterations, including depression, fatigue, and neurotoxicity, during interferon alfa administration. These data replicate and extend findings that inflammatory stimuli 71. Treatment of indolent primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas with subcutaneous interferon-alfa. Science.gov (United States) Vandersee, Staffan; Terhorst, Dorothea; Humme, Daniel; Beyer, Marc 2014-04-01 Interferon-alfa is used in the treatment of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL). Therapy with interferon-alfa has thus far been reported solely in case reports and small case series, mostly describing intralesional use. We sought to evaluate efficacy, response rate, time to response, duration of response, and safety of subcutaneously administered interferonalfa for the treatment of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. We conducted a retrospective chart analysis of patients given the diagnosis of PCBCL and treated with interferon-alfa subcutaneously at a tertiary referral center. Fifteen patients with indolent subtypes of PCBCL were identified. The overall response rate was 66.7%; all responding patients went into complete remission. Response was not significantly associated with the maximum tolerated dose. Within the median follow-up time of 40 months, 90% of the responders experienced a relapse; median duration of response was 15.5 months. Adverse events were predominantly mild and in no case led to cessation of therapy. Retrospective nature of the analysis and small number of patients because of scarcity of the disease are limitations. Treatment of indolent PCBCL with subcutaneously injected interferon-alfa demonstrated good response rates and tolerability. Response was not dose dependent. Relapses were observed in nearly all responding patients raising the question of interferon-alfa maintenance therapy in PCBCL. Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. 72. Cure of hepatitis C virus infection without interferon alfa: scientific basis and current clinical evidence. Science.gov (United States) Thomas, David L 2014-01-01 Cure of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is achievable without interferon alfa through the use of new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs. In this era of interferon alfa-sparing therapy, however, interferon alfa sensitivity still matters, even as it turns out, if interferon alfa is not used. Inclusion of ribavirin in the treatment regimen remains a factor in treatment response, as does duration of treatment. HCV genotype and subtype remain relevant considerations in choosing a treatment regimen, and viral resistance may emerge when treatment fails. The potency and barrier to resistance of new DAAs and the use of appropriately designed interferon alfa-sparing combinations can overcome obstacles to cure posed by HCV resistance, interferon alfa resistance, and differences in response based on HCV genotype and subtype. Studies demonstrating the use of new DAAs to overcome these obstacles are discussed. This article summarizes a presentation by David L. Thomas, MD, MPH, at the IAS-USA continuing education program held in New York, New York, in June 2013. 73. Labile anger during interferon alfa treatment is associated with a polymorphism in tumor necrosis factor alpha. Science.gov (United States) Lotrich, Francis E; Ferrell, Robert E; Rabinovitz, Mordechai; Pollock, Bruce G 2010-07-01 Inflammatory cytokines may influence both labile anger and depression. Both psychiatric conditions can occur during interferon alfa-based treatments. Evidence also indicates a central nervous system role for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), whose expression may be increased by interferon alfa. A polymorphism in the promoter region of TNFalpha has been associated with various inflammatory illnesses. We therefore hypothesized that this TNF-alpha polymorphism would influence susceptibility to psychiatric symptoms during interferon alfa therapy. One hundred five patients with hepatitis C, initially without active major depression (major depressive disorder), were treated with interferon alfa and then prospectively monitored using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Anger Irritability and Assault Questionnaire, and circulating TNF-alpha levels. The A-308G polymorphism (rs1800629) was determined using the 5'-nuclease assay. Repeatedmeasure mixed-effect analyses compared changes in symptoms over time. Beck Depression Inventory II score increased during interferon alfa therapy (F = 6.2; P interferon alfa and our understanding of genetic vulnerability for different subtypes of dysphoric and mood disorders. 74. Incidence of neutropenia and infections during combination treatment of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b plus ribavirin. Science.gov (United States) Antonini, M G; Babudieri, S; Maida, I; Baiguera, C; Zanini, B; Fenu, L; Dettori, G; Manno, D; Mura, M S; Carosi, G; Puoti, M 2008-06-01 Combination therapy with pegylated interferon (peginterferon) plus ribavirin is associated with several side effects, including neutropenia and infection. To evaluate the incidence of neutropenia and infection between all consecutive patients with hepatitis C who were treated in two centers with peginterferon-alfa-2a and peginterferon-alfa-2b, in combination with ribavirin and actively monitored for occurrence of any infection. A total of 319 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C received once-weekly peginterferon alfa-2b at a weightadjusted dose (n=162) or peginterferon alfa-2a at a flat dose (n=157), plus ribavirin. Neutropenia was observed in 53 patients overall (17%). There were 73 infections in 73 subjects (23% of the treated population); 4/73 required hospitalization. Infections included respiratory infections (n=23), cellulitis (n=17), dental abscesses (n=13), gastroenteric infections (n=2), and other types of infections (n=18). The incidence of all infections was significantly associated with age, especially over 60 years (pinterferon. During the treatment with pegylated interferons and ribavirin, we did not find a correlation between neutropenia and infections. This result provides a support for the notion that current guidelines for pegylated interferons dose reduction in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C for hematologic toxicity could be overly strict. 75. Railway sleepers made of alkali activated fly ash concrete Durmientes de vÃas de ferrocarril hechos de hormigón de ceniza volante activadas con álcalis Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Ãngel Palomo 2007-08-01 elementos de hormigón industrial en planta difiere de la fabricación in-situ, lo que les da a los primeros caracterÃsticas que los hacen destacar en términos de durabilidad. En general, se sabe que el proceso de activación de cenizas volantes permite obtener un material con caracterÃsticas cementantes similares a aquellas del cemento Portland. En realidad, las cenizas volantes activadas con álcalis es un procedimiento singular en el cual el residuo resultante de la combustión de carbón en plantas termoeléctricas es mezclado con disoluciones alcalinas que curadas bajo ciertas temperaturas generan materiales resistentes. A diferencia del hormigón tradicional, este nuevo tipo de hormigón puede alcanzar altas resistencias en un periodo muy corto de tiempo (1 dÃa además de desarrollar una durabilidad excelente 76. Forward Detectors in ATLAS: ALFA, ZDC and LUCID CERN Document Server Fabbri, L; The ATLAS collaboration 2009-01-01 In order to determine the experimental cross sections for the observed physics processes, an estimation of the absolute luminosity is needed. In fact a careful study of “well known†processes will be one of the first steps of the LHC experiments as it can provide possible signatures of new physics which consist in deviations with respect to the Standard Model (SM) predictions. The methodologies for luminosity monitoring and total cross section estimation at the LHC will be reviewed in this talk along with the dedicated detectors of the ATLAS experiment. ATLAS will make extensive usage of the detectors in the forward region each one with a different task: LUCID (LUminosity measurement using Cherenkov Integrating Detector) is a system of 40 (2 x 20) Cherenkov tubes, surrounding the beam pipe at about 17 m from the interaction region. It will be able to monitor the collision-by-collision luminosity by detecting and counting the number of charged particles coming from the impact point. ALFA (Absolute Luminosi...

77. Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic effects of thrombomodulin alfa through carboxypeptidase B2 in the presence of thrombin. Science.gov (United States) Tawara, Shunsuke; Sakai, Takumi; Matsuzaki, Osamu 2016-11-01 Thrombomodulin (TM) alfa, a recombinant human soluble TM, enhances activation of pro-carboxypeptidase B2 (pro-CPB2) by thrombin. Activated pro-CPB2 (CPB2) exerts antiinflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic activities. Therefore, TM alfa may also have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic effects through CPB2. However, these effects of TM alfa have not been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of TM alfa on inactivation of complement component C5a as an anti-inflammatory effect and prolongation of clot lysis time as an anti-fibrinolytic effect via CPB2 in vitro. CPB2 activity and tissue factor-induced thrombin generation was examined by a chromogenic assay. C5a inactivation was evaluated by C-terminal cleavage of C5a and inhibition of C5a-induced human neutrophil migration. Clot lysis time prolongation was examined by a tissue-type plasminogen activator-induced clot lysis assay. CPB2 activity in human plasma was increased by TM alfa and thrombin in a concentration-dependent manner. TM alfa inhibited tissue factorinduced thrombin generation and enhanced pro-CPB2 activation in human plasma simultaneously. The mass spectrum of C5a treated with TM alfa, thrombin, and pro-CPB2 was decreased at 156m/z, indicating that TM alfa enhanced the processing of C5a to C-terminal-cleaved C5a, an inactive form of C5a. C5a-induced human neutrophil migration was decreased after C5a treatment with TM alfa, thrombin, and pro-CPB2. TM alfa prolonged the clot lysis time in human plasma, and this effect was completely abolished by addition of a CPB2 inhibitor. TM alfa exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic effects through CPB2 in the presence of thrombin in vitro. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 78. Home infusion program for Fabry disease: experience with agalsidase alfa in Argentina Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Isaac Kisinovsky 2013-02-01 Full Text Available Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by inherited deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A. Enzyme replacement treatment using agalsidase alfa significantly reduces pain, improves cardiac function and quality of life, and slows renal deterioration. Nevertheless, it is a life-long treatment which requires regular intravenous infusions and entails a great burden for patients. Our objective was to evaluate retrospectively the safety and tolerability of the home infusion of agalsidase alfa in patients with Fabry disease in Argentina. We evaluated all the patients with Fabry disease who received home infusion with agalsidase alfa 0.2 mg/kg between January 2005 and June 2011. The program included 87 patients; 51 males (mean age: 30 years and 36 females (mean age: 34 years. A total of 5229 infusions (mean: 59 per patient; range: 1-150 were administered. A total of 5 adverse reactions were seen in 5 patients (5.7% of patients and 0.9% of the total number of infusions. All were mild in severity and resolved by reducing the rate of infusion and by using antihistaminics. All these 5 patients were positive for IgG antibodies, but none of them presented IgE antibodies and none suffered an anaphylactic shock. In our group 18 patients were switched from agalsidase beta to agalsidase alfa without complications. Home infusion with agalsidase alfa is safe, well tolerated and is associated to high compliance. 79. Effects of MAPP Compatibilization and Acetylation Treatment Followed by Hydrothermal Aging on Polypropylene Alfa Fiber Composites Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Noura Hamour 2015-01-01 Full Text Available This work investigates the effect of hydrothermal aging on the properties of polypropylene/alfa fiber composites. Hydrothermal aging was induced in an environmental testing chamber at 65°C and 75% relative humidity (RH over a 1000 h period. At the beginning (t=0 h, the results showed that Young’s moduli of the untreated alfa fibers and the acetylation-treated fibers increased by 21% and 36%, respectively, compared with the virgin polypropylene (PP. Additionally, Young’s moduli decreased by 7% for the compatibilized composites composed of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP. After 1000 h of aging, Young’s moduli decreased by 36% for untreated alfa fibers and 29% for the acetylation-treated alfa fibers and the compatibilized composites. Significant degradation was observed in the untreated alfa fiber samples. The Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR allows us to distinguish the characteristic absorption bands of the main chemical functions present in the composite material before and after aging. The thermal properties showed that the thermal stability and the degree of crystallinity of the composites decreased after hydrothermal aging; this result was corroborated by the dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA results. 80. Moving beyond interferon alfa: investigational drugs for hepatitis C virus infection. Science.gov (United States) Wyles, David L 2010-01-01 Numerous direct-acting drugs to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are in development, offering the potential for substantial improvement over current interferon alfa-based therapy and the possibility of effective interferon alfa-sparing regimens in achieving cure of HCV infection. Drugs furthest along in clinical development include HCV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) protease inhibitors (eg, telaprevir, boceprevir), which have potent anti-HCV activity but low barriers to resistance and considerable likelihood of cross-resistance. Nucleoside analogue nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) polymerase inhibitors exhibit a high barrier to resistance and cross-HCV genotype and subtype activity. Nonnucleoside analogue polymerase inhibitors have a low barrier to resistance and are characterized by a substantial frequency of preexisting resistance mutations. The initial use of direct-acting drugs will be as add-on treatment to interferon alfa and ribavirin regimens. The success of interferon alfa-sparing regimens will depend on presenting a sufficiently high barrier to resistance with direct-acting drugs and whether the immunomodulatory effects of interferon alfa are needed for cure of HCV infection. « 2 3 4 5 6 » « 3 4 5 6 7 » 81. Analyse af forventet energiforbrug og indeklima via et ALFA og BETA koncept - Københavns Energi som Case DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Tøgersen, Michael; Brohus, Henrik; Jensen, Rasmus Lund udgangspunkt i, hvordan bygningen styres i dag samt forventningsklassen1, hvor der udvælges et udsnit af bygningen, der giver et tilstrækkeligt detaljeret billede af bygningens virkemÃ¥de. Herefter defineres et sÃ¥kaldt ALFA og BETA koncept, hvor ALFA-konceptet svarer til en bygning med naturlig ventilation... 82. Nebulised dornase alfa versus placebo or hypertonic saline in adult critically ill patients DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Claudius, Casper; Perner, Anders; Møller, Morten Hylander 2015-01-01 BACKGROUND: Nebulised dornase alfa is used off-label in critically ill patients. We aimed to assess the benefits and harms of nebulised dornase alfa versus placebo, no prophylaxis, or hypertonic saline on patient-important outcome measures in adult critically ill patients. METHODS: We performed...... a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) using the Cochrane Collaboration methodology. Eligible trials were randomised clinical trials comparing nebulised dornase alfa with placebo, no prophylaxis, or hypertonic saline. The predefined outcome measures were all-cause mortality...... of the primary estimate was assessed by TSA. RESULTS: Two trials (n =†‰63) were included; both were judged to have high risk of bias. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality (random effects model RR (95 % CI) 0.73 (0.09-5.77); P = 0.24; I (2) = 30 %). TSA could not be conducted because less... 83. Daclatasvir plus peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for treatment-naive chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 or 4 infection DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Hézode, Christophe; Hirschfield, Gideon M; Ghesquiere, Wayne 2015-01-01 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of daclatasvir, an HCV NS5A inhibitor with pangenotypic activity, administered with peginterferon-alfa-2a/ribavirin. DESIGN: In this Phase 2b double-blind, placebo-controlled study, treatment-naive adults with HCV genotype 1 (N=365) or 4 (N=30......) infection were randomly assigned (2:2:1) to daclatasvir 20 mg or 60 mg, or placebo once daily plus weekly peginterferon-alfa-2a and twice-daily ribavirin. Daclatasvir recipients achieving protocol-defined response (PDR; HCVRNA... rerandomised at Week 12 to continue daclatasvir/peginterferon-alfa-2a/ribavirin for 24 weeks total duration or to placebo/peginterferon-alfa-2a/ribavirin for another 12†…weeks. Patients without PDR and placebo patients continued peginterferon-alfa/ribavirin through Week 48. Primary efficacy endpoints were... 84. Impact of illegal trade on the quality of epoetin alfa in Thailand. Science.gov (United States) Fotiou, Fotis; Aravind, Suresh; Wang, Ping-Ping; Nerapusee, Osot 2009-02-01 Reports from the World Health Organization have suggested that counterfeit medicines pose a serious problem in developing countries. An investigation of anti-erythropoietin antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia in Thailand found evidence of drug smuggling, which may have serious safety implications. This study assessed the authenticity and quality of epoetin alfa samples in Thailand. Samples of epoetin alfa-prefilled syringes were collected from the pharmacies at 2 major hospitals (62 samples), 8 retail pharmacies (41 samples), and Thai authorities (30 samples confiscated from smugglers at 2 airports, and 6 samples from a condominium used by smugglers). These samples were tested against the European Union Pharmacopeia specifications for aggregate content in epoetins of packaging components (eg, batch number, expiration date, appearance, letter size), and company's confidential features (eg, nature of the ink, type and quality of the paper, other covered features) were also investigated. The main outcome measures were protein aggregate content, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting; and isoform distribution, assessed by isoelectric focusing and Western blotting. Epoetin alfa samples obtained from the company's cold-chain and authorized distribution channels met all quality standards, as did all epoetin alfa samples obtained from the hospital pharmacies. However, evidence showed that some samples were being smuggled or sold illegally through certain unauthorized retail pharmacies. The epoetin alfa samples obtained from both airports and the condominium were stored improperly at room temperature. Aggregate levels exceeded the specification of packaging were found to be authentic. This investigation found evidence that some epoetin alfa samples were smuggled into Thailand without proper cold chain, contained high levels of protein aggregates, and were sold illegally through certain retail pharmacies. The Thai 85. ESTABILIZACIÓN DE HOLO-alfa-LACTOALBÚMINA EN PRESENCIA DE POLIOLES Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Alberto Albis 2010-02-01 Full Text Available En este trabajo se presenta un estudio sistemático sobre el efecto de las soluciones acuosas de eritritol, xilitol, sorbitol e inositol con diferentes concentraciones, sobre la estabilidad térmica de la holo- alfa-lactoalbúmina bovina con pH 6,5 usando espectroscopia UV-VIS. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los polioles usados estabilizan la holo-alfa-lactoalbúmina en un grado significativamente menor al reportado para otras proteÃnas. Se sugiere que este menor efecto de estabilización ocurre debido a que esta proteÃna presenta un estado desnaturalizado parcialmente desdoblado. 86. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Arecibo Pulsar-ALFA (PALFA) survey. IV. (Lazarus+, 2015) Science.gov (United States) Lazarus, P.; Brazier, A.; Hessels, J. W. T.; Karako-Argaman, C.; Kaspi, V. M.; Lynch, R.; Madsen, E.; Patel, C.; Ransom, S. M.; Scholz, P.; Swiggum, J.; Zhu, W. W.; Allen, B.; Bogdanov, S.; Camilo, F.; Cardoso, F.; Chatterjee, S.; Cordes, J. M.; Crawford, F.; Deneva, J. S.; Ferdman, R.; Freire, P. C. C.; Jenet, F. A.; Knispel, B.; Lee, K. J.; van Leeuwen, J.; Lorimer, D. R.; Lyne, A. G.; McLaughlin, M. A.; Siemens, X.; Spitler, L. G.; Stairs, I. H.; Stovall, K.; Venkataraman, A. 2016-02-01 The Arecibo Pulsar-ALFA (PALFA) survey observations have been restricted to the two regions of the Galactic plane (|b| or = 3 toxicities. Fourteen patients were assessable. The median Hb at study entry was 10.7 g/dL (range, 8.4-12). Serum Hb increased by > or = 1 g/dL in 10 patients (71%; 95% confidence interval, 42%-92%) and 7 patients (50%; 95% confidence interval, 23%-77%) reached an Hb of > or = 12.5 g/dL after treatment with doses that ranged from 300 microg to 1000 microg. Darbepoetin alfa administration every 4 weeks is feasible and well tolerated. Target Hb increases were achieved in approximately half of the patients and required doses that ranged from 300 microg to 1000 microg. 130. Amniotic membrane transplantation with topical interferon alfa-2b after excision of ocular surface squamous neoplasia Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Hua-Tao Xie 2018-01-01 Full Text Available To evaluate the outcome of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT after tumor excision followed by topical interferon alfa-2b (IFNα2b drops for primary

ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN. Twelve eyes of 12 patients with a mean age of 66±10y were included. The average follow-up was 23±10mo. All 12 patients had limbal involvement. Smooth ocular surface and transparent cornea were achieved in all cases. No sign of inflammation, neovascularization, symblepharon or recurrence was noted at the last follow-up. We conclude that AMT with topical IFNα2b drops restores a healthy ocular surface in OSSN without recurrence. 131. Pegylated interferon-alfa plus ribavirin therapies for chronic hepatitis C Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) T Kanda 2011-03-01 Full Text Available Until HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors become available at the end of 2011, the combination pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN-alfa and ribavirin (RBV will remain the standard treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. In some hepatitis C virus-infected patients, PEG-IFN plus RBV treatment against HCV should continue to be used because of side effects of new drugs such as anemia. Our Japanese experiences should provide new information for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Keywords: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA, HCV, pegylated interferon, ribavirin, standard of care (SOC . 132. Managing infertility with the follitropin alfa prefilled pen injector – patient considerations Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Bühler K 2015-06-01 Full Text Available Klaus Bühler Centre for Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Stuttgart, Germany Abstract: Gonadotropin treatment has been used in fertility treatment since the 1930s. First, preparations coming from animals were injected, then, gonadotropins prepared from the pituitary glands of human cadavers. A great step was achieved with the introduction of human menopausal gonadotropin extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. When cases of Creutzfeld-Jacob disease were recognized after the use of human pituitary-derived hormone injections, urinary gonadotropins were increasingly purified and then produced by the use of recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant gonadotropins were characterized by the extreme high specificity and the nearly 100% purity. This allows for follitropin alfa, the first recombinant-human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH approved, to be quantified and filled by mass, with a small variance of only ±2% and no more with a bioassay with a variance of 45%. With recombinant preparations, it is also possible to cover the tremendous growing demand for gonadotropins. Ovarian stimulation has become a self-injecting procedure for the patients. Accurate and easy-to-use injection devices which minimize pain, difficulty, and stress are essential for patient compliance. So, two pen injectors adapted from the well-known insulin pen were introduced in fertility treatment, one as a multiple-use device rechargeable with premixed, prefilled cartridges with r-hFSH (follitropin β and the other a disposable, prefilled drug delivery system with a liquid formulation of follitropin alfa filled by mass. The efficacy in comparison to the quite more cumbersome handling with ampoules and syringes has been proven very quickly. In several studies, it has been shown that patients had a preference to the prefilled follitropin alfa pen due to the faster preparation and were more confident of accurate dosing. The follitropin alfa 133. Expressão local do fator de necrose tumoral alfa na ruptura prematura de membranas OpenAIRE Roveran,ValquÃria; Silva,Maria Antonieta Longo Galvão; Yamano,Lucia; Rodrigues,Lilian Paiva; Vasquez,Mônica Lopez; Piato,Sebastião 2009-01-01 OBJETIVO: comparar a expressão do fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α) em membranas ovulares com ruptura prematura (RPM) e com ruptura oportuna das mesmas; verificar a associação entre a expressão do TNF-α em membranas ovulares e o grau de corioamnionite das mesmas e correlacionar a expressão do TNF-α e o tempo de ruptura das membranas. MÉTODOS: foram analisadas as membranas ovulares de 31 parturientes com RPM, com idade gestacional acima de 34 semanas, e de 14 parturientes co... 134. Home infusion program for Fabry disease: experience with agalsidase alfa in Argentina Programa de infusión domiciliaria para la enfermedad de Fabry: experiencia con agalsidasa alfa en la Argentina Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Isaac Kisinovsky 2013-02-01 Full Text Available Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by inherited deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A. Enzyme replacement treatment using agalsidase alfa significantly reduces pain, improves cardiac function and quality of life, and slows renal deterioration. Nevertheless, it is a life-long treatment which requires regular intravenous infusions and entails a great burden for patients. Our objective was to evaluate retrospectively the safety and tolerability of the home infusion of agalsidase alfa in patients with Fabry disease in Argentina. We evaluated all the patients with Fabry disease who received home infusion with agalsidase alfa 0.2 mg/kg between January 2005 and June 2011. The program included 87 patients; 51 males (mean age: 30 years and 36 females (mean age: 34 years. A total of 5229 infusions (mean: 59 per patient; range: 1-150 were administered. A total of 5 adverse reactions were seen in 5 patients (5.7% of patients and 0.9% of the total number of infusions. All were mild in severity and resolved by reducing the rate of infusion and by using antihistaminics. All these 5 patients were positive for IgG antibodies, but none of them presented IgE antibodies and none suffered an anaphylactic shock. In our group 18 patients were switched from agalsidase beta to agalsidase alfa without complications. Home infusion with agalsidase alfa is safe, well tolerated and is associated to high compliance.La enfermedad de Fabry es un trastorno de almacenamiento lisosomal hereditario ligado al cromosoma X ocasionado por el déficit de la enzima alfa galactosidasa A. La terapia de reemplazo enzimático utilizando agalsidasa alfa reduce significativamente el dolor, mejora la función cardÃaca y la calidad de vida y enlentece el deterioro renal. Sin embargo, es un tratamiento de por vida que requiere infusiones intravenosas regulares y supone una gran carga para los pacientes. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar retrospectivamente la 135. De-squeeze the beams: the TOTEM and ATLAS/ALFA experiments CERN Multimedia Stefania Pandolfi 2016-01-01 A special week-long proton–proton run with larger beam sizes at the interaction point is intended to probe the p-p elastic scattering regime at small angles.  Nicola Turini, deputy spokesperson for TOTEM, in front of one of the experiment’s ‘Roman Pot’ detectors in the LHC tunnel. (Photo: Maximilien Brice/CERN) Usually, the motto of the LHC is “maximum luminosityâ€. But for a few days per year, the LHC ignores its motto to run at very low luminosity for the forward experiments. This week, the LHC will provide the TOTEM and ATLAS/ALFA experiments with data for a broad physics programme. The TOTEM experiment at Point 5 and the ATLAS/ALFA experiment at Point 1 study the elastic scattering of protons, which are not observable in normal operation runs. In the elastic scattering process, the two protons survive their encounter intact and only change directions by exchanging momentum. To allow this special run, the operators play with the so-c... 136. Mango resistance to fruit flies. II - resistance of the alfa cultivar Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB) Rossetto, C.J.; Bortoletto, N., E-mail: [email protected] [Agencia Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegocios (APTA), Votuporanga, SP (Brazil). Polo Regional do Noroeste Paulista; Walder, J.M.M.; Mastrangelo, T. de A., E-mail: [email protected] [Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/USP), Piracicaba, SP (Brazil); Carvalho, C.R.L.; Castro, J.V. de, E-mail: [email protected], E-mail: [email protected] [Instituto Agronomico de Campinas, SP (Brazil); Pinto, A.C. de Q. [EMBRAPA, Brasilia, DF (Brazil); Cortelazzo, A.L., E-mail: [email protected] [Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), SP (Brazil). Inst. de Biologia 2006-07-01 The percentage of infested mango fruits of five selected mango varieties was evaluated during three years under field conditions. Three varieties with field resistance to fruit flies had less then 10% of fruits infested. Tommy Atkins, the susceptible commercial check, had 42,9% and the susceptible check had 98.9 % of infested fruits. The three field resistant varieties plus the susceptible commercial check, Tommy Atkins, were further tested in laboratory, under caged conditions, with artificial infestation of Anastrepha obliqua. The attempts of oviposition and the number of pupae developed from each fruit were evaluated. Under caged conditions, the cultivar Alfa maintained its field resistance and Espada Stahl and IAC 111 lost the field resistance and were as susceptible as Tommy Atkins. The attempts of oviposition were positively and highly correlated with the number of pupae developed in the fruits. Non preference for oviposition was confirmed as the main mechanism of resistance of mango fruits to fruit flies. In the absence of a more susceptible variety (no choice test) the cultivar Alfa has kept the resistance (author) 137. Pegylated interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis B: systematic review and meta-analysis. Science.gov (United States) Kim, V; Abreu, R M; Nakagawa, D M; Baldassare, R M; Carrilho, F J; Ono, S K 2016-03-01 Conventional interferon alfa and nucleos(t)ide analogues, such as lamivudine, are frequently used for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment, but are associated with adverse effects and viral resistance. Here we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating all studies of pegylated interferon alfa (PEG-IFNα) treatment in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative patients with CHB. We searched electronic databases--PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and LILACS--for randomized controlled trials evaluating PEG-IFNα therapy between 1999 and September 2014. Virological response was the primary outcome. We identified 14 studies involving 2829 patients. Our analysis revealed that PEG-IFNα + lamivudine combination therapy produced better virological and biochemical responses than PEG-IFNα monotherapy in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients at the end of treatment. PEG-IFNα + adefovir dipivoxil achieved better seroconversion rate than PEG-IFNα in HBeAg-positive patients at the end of treatment. The present findings demonstrated a beneficial response rate following PEG-IFNα combination therapy with nucelos(t)ides among HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients with CHB. Further trials are needed to investigate simultaneous and sequential therapy strategies. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Viral Hepatitis Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 138. Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphism predicts initial response of chronic hepatitis B to interferon alfa Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Ma Weimin 2011-01-01 Full Text Available Abstract In order to examine whether variation in interleukin-10 promoter polymorphism would predict the likelihood of sustain response of chronic hepatitis B to treatment with interferon alfa (IFN-α, the inheritance of 3 biallelic polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter in patients with 52 chronic hepatitis B were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR-bared techniques, restriction enzyme digestion or direct sequencing. The relationship to the outcome of antiviral therapy for chronic HBV infection was studied in 24 patients who had a virologically sustained response(SR and in 28 non-responder(NR to interferon alfa-2b and several IL-10 variants were more frequent among SR compared with NR. Carriage of the -592A allele, -592A/A genotype and -1082/-1819/-592 ATA haplotype was associated with SR. Our findings indicate that heterogeneity in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene has a role in determining the initial response of chronic hepatitis B to IFN-α therapy. 139. Macroscale production of crystalline interferon alfa-2b in microgravity on STS-52 Science.gov (United States) Nagabhushan, Tattanahalli L.; Reichert, Paul; Long, Marianna M.; DeLucas, Lawrence J.; Bugg, Charles E. 1995-01-01 Macroscale crystallization of zinc interferon alfa-2b was achieved on STS-52 in October 1992 in the Protein Crystallization Facility. Conditions for crystallization were established by adapting a microscale vapor diffusion method to a macroscale temperature induction method. A series of earth based pilot experiments established conditions to reproducibly crystallize zinc interferon alfa-2b in high yield and under cleanroom conditions. As a control for the STS-52 mission, a ground experiment was run simultaneously and in the same configuration as the flight experiment. Greater than 95% of the available protein crystallized in both the ground and flight experiments. Using a battery of physical, biochemical and biological characterization assays, demonstrated that sample processing, polysulfone bottle confinement and the conditions used for crystallization did not have a negative effect on protein integrity. Redissolved crystals from the flight and ground experiments showed full biological activity in a cytopathic effect inhibition assay as compared to an interferon control standard. Morphometric analysis comparing the overall length and width of the derived crystals showed a 2.4 fold increase in the length and width of the space grown crystals as compared to earth grown crystals. Space grown crystals have remained a stable free flowing suspension for over 2 years. Based on these results, further experiments are envisioned to investigate macroscale crystallization of biologically active macromolecules in microgravity. 140. Immunogenicity of glycans on biotherapeutic drugs produced in plant expression systems-The taliglucerase alfa story. Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Bonita Rup Full Text Available Plants are a promising alternative for the production of biotherapeutics. Manufacturing in-planta adds plant specific glycans. To understand immunogenic potential of these glycans, we developed a validated method to detect plant specific glycan antibodies in human serum. Using this assay, low prevalence of pre-existing anti-plant glycan antibodies was found in healthy humans (13.5% and in glucocerebrosidase-deficient Gaucher disease (GD patients (5%. A low incidence (9% in naïve patient and none in treatment experienced patients of induced anti-plant glycan antibodies was observed in GD patients after up to 30 months replacement therapy treatment with taliglucerase alfa, a version of human glucocerebrosidase produced in plant cells. Detailed evaluation of clinical safety and efficacy endpoints indicated that anti-plant glycan antibodies did not affect the safety or efficacy of taliglucerase alfa in patients. This study shows the benefit of using large scale human trials to evaluate the immunogenicity risk of plant derived glycans, and indicates no apparent risk related to anti-plant glycan antibodies. « 5 6 7 8 9 » « 6 7 8 9 10 » 141. FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction characterization of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from alfa fibers Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Trache D. 2013-07-01 Full Text Available Many cereal straws have been used as raw materials for the preparation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC. These raw materials were gradually replaced with wood products; nevertheless about 10% of the world overall pulp production is obtained from non-wood raw material. The main interest in pulp made from straw is that it provides excellent fibres for different industries with special properties, and that it is the major available source of fibrous raw material in some geographical areas. The aim of the present work was to characterize microcrystalline cellulose prepared from alfa fibers using the hydrolysis process. The products obtained are characterized with FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. As a result, FTIR spectroscopy is an appropriate technique for studying changes occurred by any chemical treatment. The spectrum of alfa grass stems shows the presence of lignin and hemicelluloses. However, the cellulose spectrum indicates that the extraction of lignin and hemicellulose was effective. The X-ray analysis indicates that the microcrystalline cellulose is more crystalline than the source material. 142. Efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Science.gov (United States) Druyts, Eric; Thorlund, Kristian; Wu, Ping; Kanters, Steve; Yaya, Sanni; Cooper, Curtis L; Mills, Edward J 2013-04-01 A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) alfa-2a and peg-IFN alfa-2b plus ribavirin (RBV) in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Clinical trials examining pegIFN alfa-2a or peg-IFN alfa-2b plus RBV among persons ages 3-18 years with HCV were included. Data were abstracted for complete early virologic response (EVR), sustained virologic response (SVR), relapse, treatment discontinuations, hematologic and dermatologic adverse events, and growth inhibition. Eight trials met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that 70% of subjects (95% confidence interval [CI], 58%-81%) achieved EVR, and 58% (95% CI, 53%-64%) achieved SVR. EVR and SVR were higher for those with HCV genotypes 2/3 than 1/4. Discontinuation due to adverse events and discontinuation due to viral breakthrough were each 4%, discontinuation due to a lack of response was 15%, and relapse was 7%. Anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, and thrombcytopenia were 11%, 32%, 52%, and 5%, respectively. Alopecia, injection site erythema, and pruritus were 13%, 27%, and 10%, respectively. Small growth inhibitions were observed during treatment. The results of this meta-analysis indicate that peg-IFN/RBV combination treatment is effective and safe in treating children and adolescents with HCV. 143. Efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin combination therapy versus pegylated interferon monotherapy in hemodialysis patients: a comparison of 2 sequentially treated cohorts. Science.gov (United States) Tseng, Po-Lin; Chen, Te-Chuan; Chien, Yu-Shu; Hung, Chao-Hung; Yen, Yi-Hao; Chang, Kuo-Chin; Tsai, Ming-Chao; Lin, Ming-Tsung; Lee, Chien-Te; Shen, Chien-Heng; Hu, Tsung-Hui 2013-10-01 Pegylated interferon (peginterferon; interferon with an attached polyethylene glycol molecule) monotherapy is the recommended treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in hemodialysis patients. Limited data concerning peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin treatment in this population are available. 2 prospective observational cohort studies. From 2007-2009, a total of 26 patients received peginterferon alfa-2b monotherapy. From 2009-2012, an additional 26 patients were treated with peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. Peginterferon alfa-2b monotherapy, 1.0 μg/kg/wk, versus peginterferon alfa-2b, 1.0 μg/kg/wk, and ribavirin, 200 mg, 3 times per week. Treatment durations were 24 and 48 weeks for HCV genotypes non-1 and 1, respectively. End-of-treatment virologic response and sustained virologic response (SVR) were undetectable HCV RNA at the end of treatment and 24 weeks after treatment ended, respectively. SVR and treatment-related withdrawal rate were evaluated by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. Severe anemia was defined as nadir hemoglobin level alfa-2b and ribavirin combination therapy provided a higher SVR rate than peginterferon alfa-2b monotherapy for treatmentnaive dialysis patients with chronic HCV infection through careful monitoring of hematologic parameters and ribavirin dose modification. Severe anemia was significantly higher in patients receiving combination therapy than patients treated with monotherapy. Copyright © 2013 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 144. Randomized, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority study of the CONSORT algorithm for individualized dosing of follitropin alfa NARCIS (Netherlands) Olivennes, F.; Trew, G.; Borini, A.; Broekmans, F.|info:eu-repo/dai/nl/145488594; Arriagada, P.; Warne, D. W.; Howles, C. M. 2015-01-01 In this randomized, controlled, open-label, phase IV study, ovarian response after a follitropin alfa starting dose determined by the CONSORT calculator was compared with a standard dose (150 IU). Normo-ovulatory women (aged 18-34 years) eligible for assisted reproductive techniques were recruited 145. Characterization of IXINITY® (Trenonacog Alfa, a Recombinant Factor IX with Primary Sequence Corresponding to the Threonine-148 Polymorph Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Dougald M. Monroe 2016-01-01 Full Text Available The goal of these studies was to extensively characterize the first recombinant FIX therapeutic corresponding to the threonine-148 (Thr-148 polymorph, IXINITY (trenonacog alfa [coagulation factor IX (recombinant]. Gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and gel filtration were used to determine purity and confirm structure. Chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques were used to identify and quantify posttranslational modifications. Activity was assessed as the ability to activate factor X (FX both with and without factor VIIIa (FVIIIa and in a standard clotting assay. All results were consistent across multiple lots. Trenonacog alfa migrated as a single band on Coomassiestained gels; activity assays were normal and showed 97%  γ-carboxylation and underwent the appropriate structural change upon binding calcium ions. Trenonacog alfa was activated normally with factor XIa (FXIa; once activated it bound to FVIIIa and FXa. When activated to FIXa, it was inhibited efficiently by antithrombin. Glycosylation patterns were similar to plasma-derived FIX with sialic acid content consistent with the literature reports of good pharmacokinetic performance. These studies have shown that trenonacog alfa is a highly pure product with a primary sequence and posttranslational modifications consistent with the common Thr-148 polymorphism of plasma-derived FIX. 146. Interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis B infection: increased efficacy of prolonged treatment. The European Concerted Action on Viral Hepatitis (EUROHEP) NARCIS (Netherlands) Janssen, H. L.; Gerken, G.; Carreño, V.; Marcellin, P.; Naoumov, N. V.; Craxi, A.; Ring-Larsen, H.; Kitis, G.; van Hattum, J.; de Vries, R. A.; Michielsen, P. P.; ten Kate, F. J.; Hop, W. C.; Heijtink, R. A.; Honkoop, P.; Schalm, S. W. 1999-01-01 Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) is the primary treatment for chronic hepatitis B. The standard duration of IFN-alpha therapy is considered 16 weeks; however, the optimal treatment length is still poorly defined. We evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of prolonged IFN-alpha treatment in patients 147. Benefit of adjuvant interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α) therapy in melanoma patients with high serum MMP-8 levels DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Vihinen, Pia; Tervahartiala, Taina; Sorsa, Timo 2015-01-01 Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important enzymes in tissue turnover and various inflammatory processes. In this study, it was evaluated whether serum MMP-8 can predict the response to adjuvant interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α) therapy in patients with operated high-risk cutaneous melanoma. Pre... 148. Accurate Learning with Few Atlases (ALFA): an algorithm for MRI neonatal brain extraction and comparison with 11 publicly available methods. Science.gov (United States) Serag, Ahmed; Blesa, Manuel; Moore, Emma J; Pataky, Rozalia; Sparrow, Sarah A; Wilkinson, A G; Macnaught, Gillian; Semple, Scott I; Boardman, James P 2016-03-24 Accurate whole-brain segmentation, or brain extraction, of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a critical first step in most neuroimage analysis pipelines. The majority of brain extraction algorithms have been developed and evaluated for adult data and their validity for neonatal brain extraction, which presents age-specific challenges for this task, has not been established. We developed a novel method for brain extraction of multi-modal neonatal brain MR images, named ALFA (Accurate Learning with Few Atlases). The method

uses a new sparsity-based atlas selection strategy that requires a very limited number of atlases 'uniformly' distributed in the low-dimensional data space, combined with a machine learning based label fusion technique. The performance of the method for brain extraction from multi-modal data of 50 newborns is evaluated and compared with results obtained using eleven publicly available brain extraction methods. ALFA outperformed the eleven compared methods providing robust and accurate brain extraction results across different modalities. As ALFA can learn from partially labelled datasets, it can be used to segment large-scale datasets efficiently. ALFA could also be applied to other imaging modalities and other stages across the life course. 149. alfa-Deuterium kinetic isotope effects in reactions of methyllithium. Is better aggregation the cause of lower reactivity? DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Holm, Torkil 1996-01-01 The value of kH/kD for alfa deuterium kinetic isotope effects for the reaction of methyllithium and methylmagnesium iodid with a series of substrates are consistently ca. 10-15 % higher for the lithium reagent. This may indicate a pre-equilibrium... 150. Study of forward elastic pp scattering at √ i>s> = 8 TeV with the ALFA detector DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Stark, Simon Holm The elastic proton-proton scattering data analyzed in this thesis was taken at the LHC with the ALFA detector at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV with a beta* collision optics which gave access to the Coulomb-Nuclear-Interference region. An improved procedure was used to fit the observed number of elastic events ... 151. The use of growth factors to manage the hematologic side effects of PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin. Science.gov (United States) Collantes, Rochelle S; Younossi, Zobair M 2005-01-01 Hematologic side effects (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) of combination therapy with pegylated (PEG)-interferon alfa and ribavirin are commonly encountered during antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV). An important consequence of these side effects is dose modification of PEG-interferon alfa, ribavirin, or both. Dose modification (including discontinuation) diminishes the efficacy of optimal treatment regimen for HCV and may have a negative impact on sustained virologic response. Additionally, fatigue associated with anemia may impair patients' quality of life. The clinical implications of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia are less clear than for anemia; nevertheless, severe infection and bleeding are uncommon. Dose adjustments effectively treat these hematologic side effects, but the resulting suboptimal dosing and potential impact on virologic response are major concerns. Recent attempts to maximize adherence to the optimal treatment regimen have used hematopoietic growth factors rather than dose adjustment to treat side effects. Research on growth factor support has focused on anemia and neutropenia. Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa are erythropoietic growth factors that effectively increase hemoglobin while maintaining the optimal ribavirin dose and improving patients' quality of life. Preliminary work suggests that filgrastim, granulocyte colony stimulating factors, may be an effective treatment of interferon-induced neutropenia. Although this early work shows tremendous promise for managing hematologic side effects of combination therapy for HCV, and potentially enhancing adherence, further research is needed to clarify the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of growth factors in the management of patients with chronic HCV. 152. Successi artigianali e promesse mancate. La progettazione auto all’Alfa Romeo negli anni Trenta e Quaranta. OpenAIRE Italiano, Patrick 2011-01-01 L'article examine le rapport entre les projets de rationalisation industrielle mis en oeuvre par l'Ing. Gobbato et l'activité du bureau d'études automobile d'Alfa-Romeo entre 1933 et 1945. Peer reviewed 153. Switch from agalsidase beta to agalsidase alfa in the enzyme replacement therapy of patients with Fabry disease in Latin America Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Diego Ripeau 2017-06-01 Full Text Available There are currently two available enzyme replacement therapies for Fabry disease and little information regarding efficacy and safety of switching therapies. Between 2009 and 2012 there was a worldwide shortage of agalsidase beta and patients on that enzyme were switched to agalsidase alfa. This retrospective observational study assessed a 2-year period of efficacy and safety in a population of Fabry patients, in Argentina (30 patients and Venezuela (3 patients, who switched therapies from algasidase beta to agalsidase alfa. Thirty-three patients completed 24-months follow-up after the switch (age 32.4 ± 2.0, range 10.0-55.9 years; male: female 23:10. Measures of renal function such as estimated glomerular filtration rate remained almost unchanged in 31 patients without end stage renal disease over the 2 years after switching and urine protein excretion continued stable. Cardiac functional parameters: left ventricular mass index, interventricular septum, left ventricular posterior wall showed no significant change from baseline in the 33 patients. Quality of life, pain and disease severity scores were mostly unchanged after 24-months and agalsidase alfa was generally well tolerated. Our findings showed there is no significant change in the efficacy measured through the renal or cardiac function, quality of life, pain, disease severity scoring and safety for at least 2 years after switching from agalsidase beta to agalsidase alfa. 154. Arecibo Pulsar Survey Using ALFA. IV. Mock Spectrometer Data Analysis, Survey Sensitivity, and the Discovery of 40 Pulsars NARCIS (Netherlands) Lazarus, P.; Brazier, A.; Hessels, J.W.T.; Karako-Argaman, C.; Kaspi, V.M.; Lynch, R.; Madsen, E.; Patel, C.; Ransom, S.M.; Scholz, P.; Swiggum, J.; Zhu, W.W.; Allen, B.; Bogdanov, S.; Camilo, F.; Cardoso, F.; Chatterjee, S.; Cordes, J.M.; Crawford, F.; Deneva, J.S.; Ferdman, R.; Freire, P.C.C.; Jenet, F.A.; Knispel, B.; Lee, K.L.; van Leeuwen, J.; Lorimer, D.R.; Lyne, A.G.; McLaughlin, M.A.; Siemens, X.; Spitler, L.G.; Stairs, I.H.; Stovall, K.; Venkataraman, A. 2015-01-01 The on-going Arecibo Pulsar-ALFA (PALFA) survey began in 2004 and is searching for radio pulsars in the Galactic plane at 1.4 GHz. Here we present a comprehensive description of one of its main data reduction pipelines that is based on the PRESTO software and includes new interference-excision 155. Dificuldades na identificação laboratorial da talassemia alfa Difficulty on laboratory identification of alpha thalassemia Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Karlla Greick Batista Dias-Penna 2010-04-01 Full Text Available Introdução: Talassemia alfa é uma sÃndrome associada à redução da sÃntese de cadeias de globina do tipo alfa. A gravidade das manifestações clÃnicas está relacionada com a quantidade de globinas produzida e a estabilidade das cadeias beta presentes em excesso. A talassemia alfa mÃnima resulta da deleção de apenas um dos quatro genes a (-α/αα. Clinicamente apresenta anemia leve com microcitose ou ausência de anemia, sendo o diagnóstico realizado por meio de visualização da hemoglobina (Hb H por eletroforese alcalina em acetato de celulose ou por identificação de inclusões celulares de Hb H coradas pelo azul de crezil brilhante. Objetivo: Avaliar portadores de talassemia alfa e seus respectivos progenitores, correlacionando perfil hematológico e presença de Hb H, utilizando procedimentos laboratoriais clássicos em três diferentes amostragens. Discussão e conclusão: Os dados obtidos mostram que a presença de Hb H, indicativo de talassemia alfa, pode não ser confirmada em uma análise posterior. Entre os fatores que podem influenciar no não aparecimento de Hb H em pessoa comprovadamente com talassemia alfa está a deficiência de ferro. A talassemia alfa está associada a defeitos envolvendo os genes codificadores da cadeia alfa, mas também pode estar relacionada com desbalanciamento temporário na expressà £o dos genes globina, diminuição de alfa ou aumento de beta, o que poderia explicar o aparecimento de tetrâmeros de cadeia beta (Hb H, sugerindo diagnóstico de talassemia alfa mÃnima.Introduction: Alpha thalassemia is a syndrome with associated with the reduction of alpha globin chain synthesis. The severity of clinical manifestations is related to the amount of globins produced and the stability of beta chains that are present in excess. Alpha thalassemia minor is caused by the deletion of one of the four genes a (-α/αα. Clinically, it presents mild anemia with microcytosis or absence of anemia. The 156. Peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in thalassaemia/chronic hepatitis C virus-co-infected non-responder to standard interferon-based. Science.gov (United States) Hamidah, A; Thambidorai, C R; Jamal, R 2005-10-01 We describe a patient with HbE-beta thalassaemia and chronic hepatitis C virus infection (genotype 1a) who was treated successfully with peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin, following failure to respond to standard interferon and ribavirin therapy. She had sustained virological response for nearly 24 months after completing peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy. Transfusion requirements were significantly increased during combination therapy due to ribavirin-induced haemolysis. The adverse effects of interferon were well tolerated. Combination therapy with peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin maybe a feasible treatment option for a subset of thalassaemia/HCV infected non-responders to standard interferon-based therapy. 157. Evaluation of the absolute bioavailability of pegylated interferon alfa-2a after subcutaneous administration to healthy male volunteers: an open-label, randomized, parallel-group study. Science.gov (United States) Brennan, Barbara J; Xu, Zhi-Xin; Grippo, Joseph F 2012-09-01 Interferon (IFN)-based therapy is the recommended treatment for hepatitis C virus. Because pegylated IFN (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a is administered subcutaneously, it is of interest to determine the proportion of the dose that is absorbed from the subcutaneous (SC) tissue and ultimately reaches systemic circulation. The goal of this study was to characterize the absolute bioavailability of PEG-IFN alfa-2a (40 kDa) after SC dosing (180 μg) and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of PEG-IFN alfa-2a after intravenous (IV) and SC administration. In this parallel-group study, 18 participants were given a single IV dose of PEG-IFN alfa-2a 90 μg and 18 participants received PEG-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg SC. Serum concentrations of PEG-IFN alfa-2a were measured predose and serially until 312 hours after the first dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters (CL/F, volume of distribution, C(max), and T(max)) were estimated using noncompartmental methods. Bioavailability was calculated by using the following formula: (AUC(SC)/AUC(IV)) · (dose(IV)/dose(SC)). Eighteen healthy males received IV PEG-IFN alfa-2a, and an additional 18 healthy males received SC PEG-IFN alfa-2a. Subjects in each group had comparable mean weight, height, and body mass index. After IV administration of PEG-IFN alfa-2a (90 μg), there was a slow decline in serum concentration, the mean rate of systemic clearance was low at 126 mL/h, and the estimated mean volume of distribution at steady state was 9 L. After SC administration of PEG-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg, absorption was sustained, with mean T(max) occurring 102 hours after administration. The mean absolute bioavailability was 84%. A higher rate of influenza-like symptoms was observed after IV administration, along with decreased neutrophil counts, compared with subjects who underwent SC dosing. Approximately 84% of a SC-administered dose of PEG-IFN alfa-2a reached the systemic circulation in these male healthy volunteers. The slow absorption, restricted distribution, and slow 158. Safety and antiviral activity of albinterferon alfa-2b in prior interferon nonresponders with chronic hepatitis C. Science.gov (United States) Nelson, David R; Rustgi, Vinod; Balan, Vijayan; Sulkowski, Mark S; Davis, Gary L; Muir, Andrew J; Lambiase, Louis R; Dickson, Rolland C; Weisner, Russell H; Fiscella, Michele; Cronin, Patrick W; Pulkstenis, Erik; McHutchison, John G; Subramanian, G Mani 2009-02-01 Pegylated interferon alfa-2a/2b is used in combination with ribavirin to treat patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), although many do not achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Albinterferon alfa-2b, a recombinant protein consisting of interferon alfa-2b fused to human albumin, may increase drug exposure. This phase 2 study evaluated the safety/efficacy of albinterferon in CHC patients who had not responded to interferon-based regimens. A total of 115 patients were assigned to 5 groups given 1200 microg albinterferon every 4 weeks or 900, 1200, 1500, or 1800 microg every 2 weeks, plus oral ribavirin, for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was achievement of an SVR after 24 weeks. Treatment was extended to 72 weeks for 6 slow responders who were negative for hepatitis C virus RNA after 24 weeks. The types of adverse events were similar across groups; the overall discontinuation rate as a result of adverse events was 10.4%. Reductions in absolute neutrophil counts were less frequent in the every 4 weeks group and comparable among the every 2 weeks groups. The overall SVR rate was 17% (11% for previous nonresponders to pegylated interferon-alfa/ribavirin with genotype 1 infection). An SVR occurred in 3 of 6 slow responders by 72 weeks. The greatest reductions in hepatitis C virus RNA in nonresponders to pegylated interferon-alfa/ribavirin with genotype 1 infection were observed in the 1800-microg group. In patients with CHC who did not respond to interferon-based regimens, higher doses of albinterferon had significant early antiviral activity and a low incidence of adverse events, with the types of adverse events similar to those observed with interferon. 159. Changes in in vivo confocal microscopic findings of ocular surface squamous neoplasia during treatment with topical interferon alfa-2b. Science.gov (United States) Zarei-Ghanavati, Mehran; Mousavi, Ebrahim; Nabavi, Amin; Latifi, Golshan; Mehrjardi, Hadi Z; Mohebbi, Masoomeh; Ghassemi, Hamed; Mirzaie, Farrin; Zare, Mohammad Ali 2018-01-03 To evaluate in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) findings of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) during treatment with topical interferon alfa-2b (IFN alfa-2b). In this prospective interventional case series, 20 eyes from 20 patients with OSSN were treated with topical IFN alfa-2b 3 million IU/mL four times a day. Treatment was continued for 2 or 3 months after clinical resolution. IVCM was done at baseline, on a monthly basis, and at the end of treatment. Confocal images were evaluated in conjunction with clinical findings during treatment. Limbal dendritic cell (DC) density within the involved areas was calculated manually in confocal images. Topical therapy resulted in clinical resolution of neoplasia in 80% of eyes. Main features of OSSN on IVCM were hyper-reflectivity of epithelium, demarcation line between neoplastic and normal epithelium, and pleomorphic cells. These findings became less prominent in response to IFN alfa-2b therapy. However, some degree of residual epithelial hyper-reflectivity could be detected in 9 (56.2%) subjects who responded to therapy at time of treatment cessation. Limbal DCs density within involved areas was significantly increased at month 1 follow-up compared to baseline only in responders (P alfa-2b than non-responders (208.6 ± 53.5 vs. 153.1 ± 48.2 cell/mm 2 , respectively; P = .08) at month 1 follow-up. IVCM is proposed as an adjunctive tool for monitoring OSSN during topical treatment. IVCM documents epithelial cell response as well as limbal DC density increase during topical IFN therapy. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc. 160. Pharmacokinetics comparison of two pegylated interferon alfa formulations in healthy volunteers. Science.gov (United States) Costa, Marisa Boff; Picon, Paulo Dornelles; Sander, Guilherme Becker; Cuni, Hugo Nodarse; Silva, Carmen Valenzuela; Meireles, Rolando Páez; Góes, Ana Carolina Magalhà £es Andrade; Batoreu, Nadia Maria; Maia, Maria de Lourdes de Sousa; Albuquerque, Elizabeth Maciel; Matos, Denise Cristina de Souza; Saura, Pedro Lopez 2018-01-04 Several countries have used pegylation technology to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of essential drugs. Recently, a novel interferon alfa-2b protein conjugated to fourbranched 12 kDa polyethylene glycol molecules was developed jointly between Cuba and Brazil. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of BIP48 (pegylated interferon alfa-2b from Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Brazil) to those of PEGASYS® (commercially available pegylated interferon alfa-2a from Roche Pharmaceutical). This phase I, single-centre, randomized, double-blind crossover trial enrolled 31 healthy male volunteers aged 19 to 35 who were allocated to two stages, either side of a 5-week wash-out period, with each arm lasting 14 consecutive days after subcutaneous administration of 180 μg of one formulation or the other (study or comparator). The main outcome variable was serum pegylated interferon concentrations in 15 samples collected during the course of the study and tested using an enzyme immunoassay. There were no differences between formulations in terms of magnitude or absorption parameters. Analysis of time parameters revealed that BIP48 remained in the body significantly longer than PEGASYS® (T max : 73 vs. 54 h [p = 0.0010]; MRT: 133 vs. 115 h [p = 0.0324]; ke: 0.011 vs. 0.013 h(-1) [p = 0.0153]; t 1/2 : 192 vs. 108 h [p = 0.0218]). BIP48 showed the expected pharmacokinetic profile for a pegylated product with a branched molecular structure. Compared to PEGASYS®, the magnitude absorption was similar, but time parameters were consistent with slower elimination. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the clinical implications of these findings. A phase II-III repeated-dose clinical trial is ongoing to study these findings in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This study is registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov platform (accession number NCT01889849 ). This trial was retrospectively registered in June 2013. « 6 7 8 9 10 » « 7 8 9 10 11 » 161. Using ALFA for high throughput, distributed data transmission in the ALICE O2 system Science.gov (United States) Wegrzynek, A.; ALICE Collaboration 2017-10-01 ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a heavy-ion detector designed to study the physics of strongly interacting matter (the Quark–Gluon Plasma at the CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider). ALICE has been successfully collecting physics data in Run 2 since spring 2015. In parallel, preparations for a major upgrade of the computing system, called O2 (Online-Offline), scheduled for the Long Shutdown 2 in 2019-2020, are being made. One of the major requirements of the system is the capacity to transport data between so-called FLPs (First Level Processors), equipped with readout cards, and the EPNs (Event Processing Node), performing data aggregation, frame building and partial reconstruction. It is foreseen to have 268 FLPs dispatching data to 1500 EPNs with an average output of 20 Gb/s each. In overall, the O2 processing system will operate at terabits per second of throughput while handling millions of concurrent connections. The ALFA framework will standardize and handle software related tasks such as readout, data transport, frame building, calibration, online reconstruction and more in the upgraded computing system. ALFA supports two data transport libraries: ZeroMQ and nanomsg. This paper discusses the efficiency of ALFA in terms of high throughput data transport. The tests were performed with multiple FLPs pushing data to multiple EPNs. The transfer was done using push-pull communication patterns and two socket configurations: bind, connect. The set of benchmarks was prepared to get the most performant results on each hardware setup. The paper presents the measurement process and final results – data throughput combined with computing resources usage as a function of block size. The high number of nodes and connections in the final set up may cause race conditions that can lead to uneven load balancing and poor scalability. The performed tests allow us to validate whether the traffic is distributed evenly over all receivers. It also measures the behaviour 162. Dornase Alfa Science.gov (United States) ... down the thick secretions in the airways, allowing air to flow better and preventing bacteria from building ... of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, ... 163. Mitogen activated protein kinases blockade improves lipopolysaccharide-induced ileal motor disturbances El bloqueo de las proteÃnas cinasas activadas por mitógenos mejora las alteraciones motoras inducidas por el lipopolisacárido en Ãleon Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Sergio Gonzalo 2012-06-01 Full Text Available Background: several diseases such as sepsis can affect the ileum. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, an endotoxin present in the cell wall of gram negative bacteria, is a causative agent of sepsis. Objectives: the aims of this study were: a to investigate the role of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs in the effect of LPS on the acetylcholineinduced contractions of rabbit ileum; and b to study the localization of MAPKs in the ileum. Material and methods: ileal contractility was studied in an organ bath and MAPKs were localized by immunohistochemistry. Results: acetylcholine-induced contractions decreased with LPS. SB203580, SP600125 and U0126 blocked the effect of LPS on the acetylcholine-induced contractions. Phosphorylated p38 and ERK were detected in neurons of myenteric plexus and phosphorylated p38 and JNK in smooth muscle cells of ileum. Conclusion: we can suggest that p38, JNK, and ERK MAPKs are involved in the mechanism of action of LPS in the ileum.Introducción: varias enfermedades como la sepsis pueden afectar al Ãleon. El lipopolisacárido (LPS, una endotoxina presente en la pared celular de las bacterias gram-negativas, es un agente causal de la sepsis. Objetivos: los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: a investigar el papel de las proteÃna cinasas activadas por mitógenos (MAPKs en los efectos del LPS en las contracciones inducidas por acetilcolina en el Ãleon de conejo; y b estudiar la localización de las MAPKs en el Ãleon. Material y métodos: la contractilidad ileal se estudió en un baño de órganos y las MAPKs se localizaron mediante inmunohistoquÃmica. Resultados: el LPS disminuyó las contracciones inducidas por acetilcolina. El SB203580, el SP600125 y el U0126 bloquearon los efectos del LPS sobre las contracciones inducidas por acetilcolina. La p38 y la ERK fosforiladas se detectaron en las neuronas del plexo mientérico y la p38 y la JNK fosforiladas en las células del músculo liso del Ãleon. Conclusi 164. Interferon alfa-2b in the management of recurrent conjunctival papillomatosis. Science.gov (United States) Singh, Manpreet; Gautam, Natasha; Gupta, Adit; Kaur, Manpreet 2016-10-01 A 2-year-old boy presented with a recurrent strawberry-like reddish mass arising from the left caruncular region for 8 months. An incisional biopsy was performed elsewhere 2 months earlier, followed by an increase in size of mass, significant epiphora, and intermittent bleeding. On examination, exuberant exophytic gelatinous mass with multifocal origin was observed arising from inferior forniceal conjunctiva and caruncle. Clinical differential of multifocal conjunctival papilloma was kept, and topical interferon alfa-2b (INFα-2b) was started. No clinical reduction in mass or symptomatology was observed over 6 weeks. Excision biopsy with cryotherapy and subconjunctival injection of INFα-2b was performed over all foci. Conjunctival papilloma was confirmed on histopathology, and topical INFα-2b was continued in postoperative period for 3 months. At 14 months of followup, no recurrence, epiphora, or bleeding was noticed. We advocate a possible role of local INF therapy in managing and preventing recurrences of conjunctival papillomatosis. 165. VizieR Online Data Catalog: UV counterparts in HI clouds using ALFA surveys (Donovan+, 2015) Science.gov (United States) Donovan Meyer, J.; Peek, J. E. G.; Putman, M.; Grcevich, J. 2017-10-01 GALFA-HI is a survey of Galactic HI conducted with the ALFA seven-beam feed array on the 305 m Arecibo antenna. The survey has both high spatial (FWHM~4') and velocity (0.18 km/s) resolution over 13000 (7520 in DR1) degrees2 of sky between -650 and 650 km/s. Details of the observations and data reduction can be found in Peek et al. (2011ApJS..194...20P). The ALFALFA HI-line survey, now 40% complete, also uses the Arecibo Observatory and its seven-beam feed array to detect potential dwarf galaxies in the vicinity of the Milky Way. The survey, which covers over 7000 (2800 in α.40) deg2 of sky out to 18000 km/s, has the sensitivity to detect 105 Mȯ clouds with 20 km/s linewidths at a distance of 1 Mpc. (2 data files). 166. The ATLAS Forward Detectors - LUCID, ALFA and AFP: Past, Present and Future

CERN Document Server Caforio, D; The ATLAS collaboration 2013-01-01 LUCID is a gas Cerenkov detector deployed near to the beamâ€pipe at 17 m either side of the ATLAS Intersection point. The LUCID detector †when calibrated via a Van der Meer scan – is now measuring absolute luminosity on a bunchâ€byâ€bunch basis. It is now measuring integrated luminosity up to high luminosity with a precision of around 3%. The technical challenges that had to faced to make this measurement as well as upgrade plans for LUCID will be presented. In addition to LUCID, we will discuss that ALFA detector (Absolute Luminosity for ATLAS) and its status as well as the progress on the ATLAS Forward Protons project (AFP) that plans to deploy detectors to tag and measure, with 3â€D silicon detectors, both protons in exclusive central diffractive processes. 167. ALGLUCOSIDASE ALFA — A NEW STAGE IN THE THERAPY OF INFANTILE POMPE DISEASE Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) E. N. Basargina 2014-01-01 Full Text Available Pompe disease is a rare severe hereditary disease caused by excessive glycogen storage in organs and target tissues due to the acid α-glucosidase gene mutation. Infantile and adult Pompe disease is characterized by involvement of cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular systems in the pathological process. The only specific method of treating Pompe disease is enzyme replacement therapy (intravenous administration of recombinant human acid glucosidase, the effectiveness whereof depends on the time the therapy started. Since such a therapy was introduced into practice, Pompe disease mortality decreased by 79%. 6 children with infantile Pompe disease were observed and treated at the cardiovascular care unit of the Scientific Center of Children’s Health in 2011‑2014. The article presents a clinical case demonstrating capabilities of diagnosing infantile Pompe disease in Russia and effective application of alglucosidase alfa in 4-month-old child. 168. A large, multicentre, observational, post-marketing surveillance study of the 2:1 formulation of follitropin alfa and lutropin alfa in routine clinical practice for assisted reproductive technology. Science.gov (United States) Bühler, Klaus; Naether, Olaf G J; Bilger, Wilma 2014-01-14 Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) both have a role to play in follicular development during the natural menstrual cycle. LH supplementation during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for assisted reproductive technology (ART) is used for patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. However, the use of exogenous LH in COS in normogonadotropic women undergoing ART is the subject of debate. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics of infertile women who received the 2:1 formulation of follitropin alfa and lutropin alfa (indicated for stimulation of follicular development in women with severe LH and FSH deficiency) in German clinical practice. A 3year, multicentre, open-label, observational/non-interventional, post-marketing surveillance study of women (21-45 years) undergoing ART. Primary endpoint: reason for prescribing the 2:1 formulation of follitropin alfa and lutropin alfa. Secondary variables included: COS duration/dose; oocytes retrieved; fertilization; clinical pregnancy; ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). In total, 2220 cycles were assessed; at least one reason for prescribing the 2:1 formulation was given in 1834/2220 (82.6%) cycles. Most common reasons were: poor ovarian response (POR) (39.4%), low baseline LH (17.8%), and age (13.8%). COS: mean dose of the 2:1 formulation on first day, 183.1/91.5 IU; mean duration, 10.8 days. In 2173/2220 (97.9%) cycles, human chorionic gonadotrophin was administered. Oocyte pick-up (OPU) was attempted in 2108/2220 (95.0%) cycles; mean (standard deviation) 8.0 (5.4) oocytes retrieved/OPU cycle. Fertilization (≥1 oocyte fertilized) rates: in vitro fertilization (IVF), 391/439 (89.1%) cycles; intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/IVF  + ICSI, 1524/1613 (94.5%) cycles. Clinical pregnancy rate: all cycles, 25.9%; embryo transfer cycles, 31.3%. OHSS: hospitalization for OHSS, 8 (0.36%) cycles, Grade 2, 60 (2.7%), and Grade 3, 1 (0.05%). In German routine clinical 169. Efficacy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus genotype 1b. Science.gov (United States) Mach, Tomasz H; CieÅ›la, Andrzej; Warunek, Wioleta; Janas-Skulina, Urszula; Cibor, Dorota; Owczarek, Danuta; Ciećko-Michalska, Irena 2011-12-01 Treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin leads to sustained virological response (SVR) in approximately 50% of the patients. SVR depends on hepatitis C virus (HCV) and host factors, including IL28B genotypes. The aim of the study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the difficult-to-treat HCV genotype 1b in patients from the south of Poland. A total of 260 adult patients with CHC and HCV genotype 1b were treated with Peg-IFN alfa-2a or Peg-IFN alfa-2b with ribavirin for 48 weeks. Efficacy was assessed at 12 weeks (early virological response - EVR), 48 weeks (end-of-treatment response - ETR), and at 6 months (SVR). HCV-RNA, alanine transaminase (ALT), and other biochemical parameters were measured in serum at baseline and at 12, 48, and 72 weeks of therapy. HCV-RNA levels were 3.72 ±1.17 × 106 IU/ml at baseline and decreased significantly at 12 weeks (0.02 ±0.17 × 106 IU/ml); there were no differences between the group treated with Peg-INF alfa-2a and the group treated with Peg-INF alfa-2b. ALT was 94.1 ±7.6 IU/l at baseline and decreased significantly at 12 weeks (42.5 ±3.1 IU/l). The overall EVR, ETR, and SVR were achieved by 63.9%, 77.7%, and 48.1% of the patients, respectively. Tolerance of therapy was similar in both groups. Efficacy of Peg-IFN alfa-2a with ribavirin is not significantly different from that of Peg-IFN alfa-2b with ribavirin, and SVR was achieved in 48.3% and 44.3% of the patients, respectively. Our study confirms that the efficacy of treatment of patients with HCV genotype 1b from the southern region of Poland is similar to that observed in the overall Polish population. 170. IFN Alfa-2B and BCG Therapy Is An Effective Method In Superficial Bladder Carcinoma Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Ahmet Ozdemir 2012-04-01 Full Text Available Aim: The initial therapy for superficial bladder carcinoma is the transurethral resection of the tumor. In spite of successful resections, there are 60-79% recurrence and 15% progression rates. Additional therapies are suggested for the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma. We compared the efficacy of interferon alfa-2b monotherapy with interferon alfa-2b plus Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG combination therapy with urine interleukin (IL 2, 6 and 10 levels of patients with superficial bladder carcinoma. Material and Method: The patients who underwent TUR-BT for superficial bladder tumor (pathological staging Ta-T1 between 2004 and 2007 at our hospital included in this prospective study. Intravesical immunotherapy was administered once a week for 6 weeks and there after a month for 6 months, starting 4 weeks after TUR-BT. IL levels were measured. Results: IL-2, IL-6 and IL- 10 levels in urine samples were taken at 2nd and 4th hours of intravesical therapy. A statistically significant difference was observed between mean urine IL-2 levels of patients treated with IFN%u03B1-2b monotherapy and IFN%u03B1- 2b plus BCG combination both at 2nd and 4th hours. (p=0.05 In IFN%u03B1-2b plus BCG combination group, there was a statistical significant difference between stages regarding IL-2 and IL-6 levels (p=0.05. Among patients with G3 tumors, IL-2 levels were higher at 2 and 4 hours (p=0.05 but there was no significant difference in IL-6 and IL-10 levels in this group of patients regardless of intravesical therapy received (p=0.05. Discussion: IFN%u03B1-2b and BCG combination therapy is a reliable and effective therapy in the management of superficial bladder tumors. 171. Decline in pulmonary function during chronic hepatitis C virus therapy with modified interferon alfa and ribavirin. Science.gov (United States) Foster, G R; Zeuzem, S; Pianko, S; Sarin, S K; Piratvisuth, T; Shah, S; Andreone, P; Sood, A; Chuang, W-L; Lee, C-M; George, J; Gould, M; Flisiak, R; Jacobson, I M; Komolmit, P; Thongsawat, S; Tanwandee, T; Rasenack, J; Sola, R; Messina, I; Yin, Y; Cammarata, S; Feutren, G; Brown, K K 2013-04-01 Rare interstitial lung disease cases have been reported with albinterferon alfa-2b (albIFN) and pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. Systematic pulmonary function evaluation was conducted in a study of albIFN q4wk vs Peg-IFNα-2a qwk in patients with chronic HCV genotypes 2/3. Three hundred and ninety-one patients were randomly assigned 4:4:4:3 to one of four, open-label, 24-week treatment groups including oral ribavirin 800 mg/d: albIFN 900/1200/1500 μg q4wk or PegIFNα-2a 180 μg qwk. Standardized spirometry and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were recorded at baseline, weeks 12 and 24, and 6 months posttreatment, and chest X-rays (CXRs) at baseline and week 24. Baseline spirometry and DLCO were abnormal in 35 (13%) and 98 (26%) patients, respectively. Baseline interstitial CXR findings were rare (4 [1%]). During the study, clinically relevant DLCO declines (≥15%) were observed in 173 patients (48%), and were more frequent with PegIFNα-2a and albIFN 1500 μg; 24 weeks posttreatment, 57 patients (18%) still had significantly decreased DLCO, with a pattern for greater rates with albIFN vs Peg-IFNα-2a. One patient developed new interstitial CXR abnormalities, but there were no clinically relevant interstitial lung disease cases. The risk of persistent posttreatment DLCO decrease was not related to smoking, alcohol, HCV genotype, sustained virologic response, or baseline viral load or spirometry. Clinically relevant DLCO declines occurred frequently in chronic HCV patients receiving IFNα/ribavirin therapy and commonly persisted for ≥6 months posttherapy. The underlying mechanism and clinical implications for long-term pulmonary function impairment warrant further research. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 172. Safety and efficacy of alternative alglucosidase alfa regimens in Pompe disease. Science.gov (United States) Case, Laura E; Bjartmar, Carl; Morgan, Claire; Casey, Robin; Charrow, Joel; Clancy, John P; Dasouki, Majed; DeArmey, Stephanie; Nedd, Khan; Nevins, Mary; Peters, Heidi; Phillips, Dawn; Spigelman, Zachary; Tifft, Cynthia; Kishnani, Priya S 2015-04-01 Emerging phenotypes in long-term survivors with Pompe disease on standard enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) (alglucosidase alfa 20 mg/kg/2 weeks) can include patients with worsening motor function. Whether higher doses of ERT improve skeletal function in these patients has not been systematically studied. This exploratory, randomized, openlabel, 52-week study examined the safety and efficacy of 2 ERT regimens of alglucosidase alfa (20 mg/kg/week or 40 mg/kg/2 weeks) in 13 patients with Pompe disease and clinical decline or a lack of improvement on standard ERT: late-onset (n = 4), infantile-onset (n = 9). Cross-reactive immunologic material assay-negative patients were excluded. Eleven of 13 patients completed the study. Trends for improvement were seen in total gross motor function, but not mobility; however, 6 (late-onset, 2; infantile-onset, 4) of 11 patients (55%) who met the entry criteria of motor decline (late-onset, 4; infantile-onset, 7) showed improvement in motor and/or mobility skills. No betweenregimen differences in efficacy emerged. Two case studies highlight the benefits of increased ERT dose in patients with Pompe disease experiencing clinical decline. Both alternative regimens were generally well tolerated. This study was limited by the small sample size, which is not uncommon for small clinical studies of rare diseases. Additionally, the study did not include direct assessment of muscle pathology, which may have identified potential causes of decreased response to ERT. Results were inconclusive but suggest that increased ERT dose may be beneficial in some patients with Pompe disease experiencing motor decline. Controlled studies are needed to clarify the benefits and risks of this strategy. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 173. Albinterferon Alfa-2b was not inferior to pegylated interferon-α in a randomized trial of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 2 or 3. Science.gov (United States) Nelson, David R; Benhamou, Yves; Chuang, Wan-Long; Lawitz, Eric J; Rodriguez-Torres, Maribel; Flisiak, Robert; Rasenack, Jens W F; Kryczka, WiesÅ‚aw; Lee, Chuan-Mo; Bain, Vincent G; Pianko, Stephen; Patel, Keyur; Cronin, Patrick W; Pulkstenis, Erik; Subramanian, G Mani; McHutchison, John G 2010-10-01 A phase 3 active-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy/safety of albinterferon alfa-2b (albIFN), a novel, long-acting, genetic fusion polypeptide of recombinant human albumin and interferon alfa-2b, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2/3. In all, 933 patients were randomized to open-label subcutaneous treatment with pegylated interferon-alfa-2a (Peg-IFNalfa-2a) 180 μg/wk, or albIFN 900 or 1200 μg every 2 weeks for 24 weeks, each administered with oral ribavirin 800 mg/day. The primary end point of the study was sustained virologic response (SVR) (HCV-RNA level, alfa-2b 900 μg every 2 weeks provides an alternative efficacious treatment option in patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 or 3. Copyright © 2010 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 174. Peginterferon alpha-2a is associated with higher sustained virological response than peginterferon alfa-2b in chronic hepatitis C: systematic review of randomized trials DEFF Research Database (Denmark) Awad, Tahany; Thorlund, Kristian; Hauser, Goran 2010-01-01 A combination of weekly pegylated interferon (peginterferon) alpha and daily ribavirin represents the standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C according to current guidelines. It is not established which of the two licensed products (peginterferon alpha-2a or peginterferon alfa-2b...... alfa-2b plus ribavirin. Overall, peginterferon alpha-2a significantly increased the number of patients who achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) versus peginterferon alfa-2b (47% versus 41%; risk ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.19; P = 0.004 [eight trials]). Subgroup analyses......-2a is associated with higher SVR than peginterferon alfa-2b. However, the paucity of evidence on adverse events curbs the decision to definitively recommend one peginterferon over the other, because any potential benefit must outweigh the risk of harm.... 175. Stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and anemia treated with Darbepoetin Alfa: the trial to reduce cardiovascular events with Aranesp therapy (TREAT) experience National Research Council Canada - National Science Library Skali, Hicham; Parving, Hans-Henrik; Parfrey, Patrick S; Burdmann, Emmanuel A; Lewis, Eldrin F; Ivanovich, Peter; Keithi-Reddy, Sai Ram; McGill, Janet B; McMurray, John J V; Singh, Ajay K; Solomon, Scott D; Uno, Hajime; Pfeffer, Marc A 2011-01-01 .... A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify baseline predictors of stroke in 4038 patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and anemia randomized to receive darbepoetin alfa or placebo... 176. Efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin treatment of chronic hepatitis C in the Republic of Serbia Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden) Božić Milena 2012-01-01 Full Text Available Introduction. Hepatitis C virus (HCV infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Pegylated interferon alfa-2a or 2b (PEG IFN alfa-2a or 2b and ribavirin (RBV represent a standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC. Sustained virological response (SVR, defined as continued undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after completion of treatment, is universally considered as an indicator of treatment efficacy. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of PEG IFN alfa-2a and RBV treatment in patients with CHC in Serbia. Methods. One hundred seventy-six patients with CHC were included in this multicenter trial from 8 reference centers in Serbia. The patients were treated with standard PEG IFN alfa- 2a and RBV protocol. We performed the following virological testing: anti-HCV (ELISA, HCV RNK (quantitative PCR, HCV genotype (type-specific PCR, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HIV (ELISA. Histological activity and the degree of fibrosis were determined according to the Metavir scoring system. Potential predictors for achieving SVR were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the treated patients with CHC 65.9% were male, and 60.2% of them aged over 40 years. Of the treated patients 68.2% had infection over 5 years, 63% had HCV RNA >400.000 IU/mL, 76.1% had HCV G1/4, and 60.1% had a mild to moderate liver fibrosis. SVR was achieved in 78.9% of patients (G1/4 79.1%; G2/3 78.1%. The factors that indicated a poorer efficacy of the treatment were age >40 (p