scholarly journals Pilot Study to Evaluate Serum Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptide (SMRP) as Marker for Clinical Monitoring of Pleural Mesothelioma (PM): Correlation with Modified RECIST Score

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2015
Author(s):  
Federica Grosso ◽  
Matilde Mannucci ◽  
Francesca Ugo ◽  
Paola Ferro ◽  
Maurizio Cassinari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Modified Recist ◽  
Serial Serum ◽  
Monitoring Treatment ◽  
Over Time

A soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) is the only FDA-approved biomarker for diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma (PM) and the most used for monitoring treatment. Radiological assessment of PM, based on modified RECIST (mRECIST) criteria, is challenging. This pilot study was designed to evaluate whether SMRP levels correlated over time with mRECIST score. Serial serum samples from PM patients were collected and SMRP levels were measured and compared with the mRECIST score obtained through centralized CT scans by blinded review. The within-patient SMRP-mRECIST relationship over time was estimated through a normal random-effects regression approach applied to the log-transformed mRECIST score. Overall, 58 PM patients were included (46 males and 12 females) with a median age at diagnosis of 67 years (min–max = 48–79), 44 (76%) with epithelioid and 14 (24%) with non-epithelioid histology. The total number of SMRP measurements and CT scans considered for analysis was 183. There was a statistically significant correlation between SMRP and mRECIST score in the 2 cohorts considered both separately and jointly. These results, although exploratory, suggest that SMRP measurement might be considered as an adjunct to monitor PM patients in order to delay CT scans time interval, thus warranting further investigation.

Kategorisierung der Schädelform des Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (02) ◽  
pp. 133-133
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ◽  
Conformation Changes ◽  
Veterinary Record ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Knowler SP, Gillstedt L, Mitchell TJ et al. Pilot study of head conformation changes over time in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed. Veterinary Record 2019. doi:10.1136/vr.105135.

scholarly journals Natural Infection of Dairy Cows with Bovine Leukemia Virus Affects Immunoglobulin Levels in Saliva and Serum but Not Milk

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 907
Author(s):  
Monika Dziuba ◽  
Vickie J. Ruggiero ◽  
Catherine Wilson ◽  
Paul C. Bartlett ◽  
Paul M. Coussens
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Bovine Leukemia Virus ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Retroviral Infection ◽  
Serum Iga ◽  
The Impact

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retroviral infection that disrupts the immune function of infected animals. It is widespread among U.S. dairy cattle. In this pilot study, the average total IgA and IgM concentrations in milk, saliva, and serum samples from BLV ELISA-positive (ELISA+) dairy cows were compared against samples from BLV ELISA-negative (ELISA−) cows using the Kruskal–Wallis test (with ties). The results from ELISA+ cows were also stratified by lymphocyte count (LC) and proviral load (PVL). In milk and saliva from ELISA+ cows, the average total IgA and IgM concentrations were decreased compared to ELISA− cows, although this was only statistically significant for saliva IgM in cows with low PVL (p = 0.0424). Numerically, the average total IgA concentrations were 33.6% lower in milk and 23.7% lower in saliva, and the average total IgM concentrations were 42.4% lower in milk and 15.5% lower in saliva. No significant differences were observed in the total serum IgA concentrations, regardless of PVL and LC. The total serum IgM from ELISA+ cows was significantly decreased (p = 0.0223), with the largest decreases occurring in the highest PVL and LC subgroups. This pilot study is a first step in investigating the impact of BLV on mucosal immunity and will require further exploration in each of the various stages of disease progression.

scholarly journals Different Blood Metabolomics Profiles in Infants Consuming a Meat- or Dairy-Based Complementary Diet

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 388
Author(s):  
Minghua Tang ◽  
Nicholas E. Weaver ◽  
Lillian M. Berman ◽  
Laura D. Brown ◽  
Audrey E. Hendricks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Infant Growth ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Protein Rich ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Complementary Diet

Background: Research is limited in evaluating the mechanisms responsible for infant growth in response to different protein-rich foods; Methods: Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analysis were conducted on serum samples collected from an infant controlled-feeding trial that participants consumed a meat- vs. dairy-based complementary diet from 5 to 12 months of age, and followed up at 24 months. Results: Isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine increased and threonine decreased over time among all participants; Although none of the individual essential amino acids had a significant impact on changes in growth Z scores from 5 to 12 months, principal component heavily weighted by BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, valine) and phenylalanine had a positive association with changes in length-for-age Z score from 5 to 12 months. Concentrations of acylcarnitine-C4, acylcarnitine-C5 and acylcarnitine-C5:1 significantly increased over time with the dietary intervention, but none of the acylcarnitines were associated with infant growth Z scores. Quantitative trimethylamine N-oxide increased in the meat group from 5 to 12 months; Conclusions: Our findings suggest that increasing total protein intake by providing protein-rich complementary foods was associated with increased concentrations of certain essential amino acids and short-chain acyl-carnitines. The sources of protein-rich foods (e.g., meat vs. dairy) did not appear to differentially impact serum metabolites, and comprehensive mechanistic investigations are needed to identify other contributors or mediators of the diet-induced infant growth trajectories.

Measurement of serial serum total and acylated ghrelin levels in critically ill patients: A prospective and observational pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahide Karaca ◽  
Recep C. Yuksel ◽  
Gulsah Gunes Sahin ◽  
Neslihan Sungur ◽  
Sahin Temel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Acylated Ghrelin ◽  
Serial Serum

scholarly journals Significant increase in quantity and quality of knee arthroplasty related research in KSSTA over the past 15 years

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Kirschbaum ◽  
Thilo Kakzhad ◽  
Fabian Granrath ◽  
Andrzej Jasina ◽  
Jakub Oronowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Special Topic ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
The Past ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Number Of Authors

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate both publication and authorship characteristics in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy journal (KSSTA) regarding knee arthroplasty over the past 15 years. Methods PubMed was searched for articles published in KSSTA between January 1, 2006, and December 31st, 2020, utilising the search term ‘knee arthroplasty’. 1288 articles met the inclusion criteria. The articles were evaluated using the following criteria: type of article, type of study, main topic and special topic, use of patient-reported outcome scores, number of references and citations, level of evidence (LOE), number of authors, gender of the first author and continent of origin. Three time intervals were compared: 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020. Results Between 2016 and 2020, publications peaked at 670 articles (52%) compared with 465 (36%) published between 2011 and 2016 and 153 articles (12%) between 2006 and 2010. While percentage of reviews (2006–2010: 0% vs. 2011–2015: 5% vs. 2016–2020: 5%) and meta-analyses (1% vs. 6% vs. 5%) increased, fewer case reports were published (13% vs. 3% vs. 1%) (p < 0.001). Interest in navigation and computer-assisted surgery decreased, whereas interest in perioperative management, robotic and individualized surgery increased over time (p < 0.001). There was an increasing number of references [26 (2–73) vs. 30 (2–158) vs. 31 (1–143), p < 0.001] while number of citations decreased [30 (0–188) vs. 22 (0–264) vs. 6 (0–106), p < 0.001]. LOE showed no significant changes (p = 0.439). The number of authors increased between each time interval (p < 0.001), while the percentage of female authors was comparable between first and last interval (p = 0.252). Europe published significantly fewer articles over time (56% vs. 47% vs. 52%), whereas the number of articles from Asia increased (35% vs. 45% vs. 37%, p = 0.005). Conclusion Increasing interest in the field of knee arthroplasty-related surgery arose within the last 15 years in KSSTA. The investigated topics showed a significant trend towards the latest techniques at each time interval. With rising number of authors, the part of female first authors also increased—but not significantly. Furthermore, publishing characteristics showed an increasing number of publications from Asia and a slightly decreasing number in Europe. Level of evidence IV.

scholarly journals Use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to Limit Diaphragm Motion—A Novel Approach for Definitive Radiation Therapy for Inoperable Pleural Mesothelioma: A Pilot Study

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 711
Author(s):  
Assaf Moore ◽  
Marc J. Kindler ◽  
Aaron Max Allen
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Static Field ◽  
Normal Lung ◽  
Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Lung Dose ◽  
Lung Inflation ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Ct Simulation ◽  
Dose Constraints

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a deadly disease and radiotherapy (RT) plays an important role in its management. Recent developments in technique have made it is possible to deliver RT to MPM in the intact lung. However, it is imperative to reduce normal lung doses. We present a pilot study examining the use of CPAP and VMAT radiotherapy to reduce toxicity when treating MPM, involving three consecutive patients with MPM, not amenable to surgery, who were treated according to Helsinki committee approval. Patients were simulated using four-dimentional CT simulation with the assistance of CPAP lung inflation, then were treated using both IMRT and VMAT techniques. Radiation lung dose was optimized based on accepted lung dose constraints. Patients were followed for toxicity as well as local control and survival. Results: Three patients were treated with CPAP-based IMRT treatment. These patients tolerated the treatment and DVH constraints were able to be met. The comparison plans among the four VMAT arcs and the IMRT static field treatment were able to accomplish the treatment planning objectives without significant advantages with either technique. The treatment combined with CPAP reduced the normal lung dose in MPM patients with intact lungs. This technique is worthy of further investigation.

Unusual case of malignant pleural mesothelioma

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. e243803
Author(s):  
Timothy Johanan Rajaratnam ◽  
Jurgen Herre
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Pleural Effusions ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team Meeting ◽  
Distal Oesophagus ◽  
Medical Thoracoscopy ◽  
Supportive Management ◽  
Progressive Dysphagia

We present the case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with progressive dysphagia and was diagnosed with achalasia. She subsequently developed bilateral chylous pleural effusions, with no cause identified despite extensive investigations (including computed tomography (CT) scans, gastroscopy and medical thoracoscopy (MT)) and review at a dedicated pleural multidisciplinary team meeting.Despite optimal supportive management she deteriorated and was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she passed away due to sepsis and respiratory failure 10 months after initial presentation. A postmortem returned a diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma, encasing the carina, distal oesophagus and coeliac axis.Mesothelioma only very rarely presents with either chylous effusions or achalasia. Additionally while MT normally conveys excellent sensitivity for pleural malignancy, it was insufficient here. This case highlights how an unusually located mesothelioma can produce an unusual clinical picture. It also suggests a role for early video-assisted thoracoscopy to aid diagnosis.

scholarly journals Effects of Delayed Sample Processing on Determination of Total and High Molecular Weight (HMW) Adiponectin in Serum and Plasma: A Pilot Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Choaping Ng ◽  
Felicity J Rose ◽  
Sahar Keshvari ◽  
Marina M Reeves ◽  
Goce Dimeski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Hmw Adiponectin ◽  
Total Adiponectin

<p>Adiponectin is a beneficial adipocyte-secreted hormone, which circulates in a variety of multimeric forms termed low and high molecular weight (LMW/HMW). Effectiveness of clinical therapeutic trials which target adiponectin rely on accurate determination of circulating total and HMW adiponectin levels but the accuracy may be influenced by variations in sample handling processes. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of delayed processing of blood samples on the concentration of total and HMW adiponectin.</p><p>Materials and Methods: Fasting blood samples were collected for analysis of total and HMW adiponectin concentrations in EDTA plasma and serum from eight healthy participants.  Samples were centrifuged post 15 min storage at 4<sup>o</sup>C as the comparative ‘ideal’ method or after up to 72 h of refrigerated storage or 6 h at room temperature. Total and HMW adiponectin concentrations were measured by ELISA.</p><p>Results: Under ideal handling conditions measurements of total and HMW adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher in serum than in plasma (mean difference: -1.3 µg/mL [95% CI: -1.6, -1.0], p&lt;0.001; and, -0.6 µg/mL [95% CI: -0.7, -0.5], p&lt;0.001, respectively).  Storage of blood samples at 4<sup>o</sup>C for 72 h resulted in significant reductions in concentration of total adiponectin in serum (mean difference: -1.4 µg/mL [95% CI: -2.0, -0.8], p=0.001) and HMW adiponectin in plasma (mean difference: -0.6 µg/mL [95%CI: -0.9, -0.2], p=0.007), compared with ideal conditions.  Further analysis of serum samples showed a significant decrease in total adiponectin concentration after 6 h storage at 4<sup>o</sup>C (mean difference: -1.4 µg/mL [95% CI: -2.0, -0.8], p=0.001) compared with ideal conditions.</p><p>Conclusions: Delayed processing of samples may have differential effects on the concentration of total and HMW adiponectin in serum or plasma. Larger studies are warranted for clinical intervention trials.</p>

scholarly journals Coupling Disease-Progress-Curve and Time-of-Infection Functions for Predicting Yield Loss of Crops

2000 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 788-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. V. Madden ◽  
G. Hughes ◽  
M. E. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Yield Loss ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Short Time Interval ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
Disease Progress ◽  
Time Of Infection ◽  
Over Time

A general approach was developed to predict the yield loss of crops in relation to infection by systemic diseases. The approach was based on two premises: (i) disease incidence in a population of plants over time can be described by a nonlinear disease progress model, such as the logistic or monomolecular; and (ii) yield of a plant is a function of time of infection (t) that can be represented by the (negative) exponential or similar model (ζ(t)). Yield loss of a population of plants on a proportional scale (L) can be written as the product of the proportion of the plant population newly infected during a very short time interval (X′(t)dt) and ζ(t), integrated over the time duration of the epidemic. L in the model can be expressed in relation to directly interpretable parameters: maximum per-plant yield loss (α, typically occurring at t = 0); the decline in per-plant loss as time of infection is delayed (γ; units of time-1); and the parameters that characterize disease progress over time, namely, initial disease incidence (X0), rate of disease increase (r; units of time-1), and maximum (or asymptotic) value of disease incidence (K). Based on the model formulation, L ranges from αX0 to αK and increases with increasing X0, r, K, α, and γ-1. The exact effects of these parameters on L were determined with numerical solutions of the model. The model was expanded to predict L when there was spatial heterogeneity in disease incidence among sites within a field and when maximum per-plant yield loss occurred at a time other than the beginning of the epidemic (t > 0). However, the latter two situations had a major impact on L only at high values of r. The modeling approach was demonstrated by analyzing data on soybean yield loss in relation to infection by Soybean mosaic virus, a member of the genus Potyvirus. Based on model solutions, strategies to reduce or minimize yield losses from a given disease can be evaluated.

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