Short and long-term effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease: Results from the ENEIDA registry

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics

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Index C-reactive protein predicts increased severity in acute sigmoid diverticulitis

Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

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Predictive factors of the treatment outcome in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer receiving gemcitabine plus cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy

Abstract

Background

Few studies have clearly identified the prognostic factors in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) receiving gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) which is acknowledged as standard chemotherapy regimen.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of the overall survival (OS) in advanced BTC patients receiving GC therapy.

Methods

Data of 307 patients with advanced BTC who received GC therapy as the first-line chemotherapy at our institution from January 2007 to June 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were randomly assigned to the investigation or the validation dataset at the ratio of 2:1. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify the prognostic factors, a prognostic index is proposed from the investigation dataset, and the usefulness of this index was confirmed in the validation dataset.

Results

Multivariate analysis identified poor performance status, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, and elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as independent unfavorable predictors. The patients could be classified into three groups according to these factors, and it was found that the outcomes differed significantly among the three groups (P = 0.0002, good- vs. intermediate-prognosis groups; P = 0.005, intermediate- vs. poor-prognosis groups). When this index was applied to the validation dataset, the OS was confirmed to differ significantly among the three groups (P = 0.04, good- vs. intermediate-prognosis groups, P < 0.0001, intermediate- vs. poor-prognosis groups).

Conclusions

We identified three predictors of the OS in patients with advanced BTC receiving GC therapy in this study, based on which we could classify the patients into three risk groups.

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Iridescent colouration of male Anna’s hummingbird ( Calypte anna ) caused by multilayered barbules

Abstract

The male Anna's hummingbird features a brightly reddish-pink reflecting gorget, due to large stacks of melanosomes in the feather barbules, arranged in layers separated by keratin. Direct observations together with detailed scatterometry demonstrated that the barbules reflect incident light in an approximately specular manner. The structural colouration is iridescent, i.e. varies with a changing angle of light incidence. Spectrophotometrical measurements of the barbule reflectance and absorbance can be well interpreted with calculated spectra obtained with a transfer matrix method for optical multilayers, using anatomical data and measured refractive index spectra. The organization of the reflectors as a Venetian blind presumably functions to create a high spectral contrast of the male's plumage during courtship.

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A 46,XX Testicular Disorder of Sex Development Caused by a Wilms’ Tumour Factor‐1 (WT1) Pathogenic Variant

Clinical Genetics, Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-.


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Spatiotemporal parameters in sprinters with unilateral and bilateral transfemoral amputations and functional impairments

Abstract

Purpose

Although sprinters with unilateral (UTF) and bilateral transfemoral (BTF) amputations and functional impairments (FIs) without amputation were allocated into different classifications because of the recent revision of the International Paralympic Committee Athletics Rules and Regulations, it is unclear whether running mechanics differ among the three groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the spatiotemporal parameters of the three groups during 100-m sprint in official competitions.

Methods

Using publicly available Internet broadcasts, we analyzed 11 elite-level sprinters with UTF amputation, 4 sprinters with BTF amputation, and 5 sprinters with FI without amputation. The best personal times for nearly all individuals were included. For each sprinter's race, the average speed, step frequency, and step length were calculated using the number of steps in conjunction with the official race time.

Results

Although there were no significant differences in the average speed among the UTF, BTF, and FI groups (7.95 ± 0.22, 7.90 ± 0.42, and 7.93 ± 0.14 m/s, respectively, p = 0.87), those with BTF amputation showed significantly lower step frequency (UTF: 4.20 ± 0.20 Hz, BTF: 3.71 ± 0.32 Hz, FI: 4.20 ± 0.10 Hz, p < 0.05) and longer step length (UTF: 1.90 ± 0.08 m, BTF: 2.14 ± 0.02 m, FI: 1.89 ± 0.06 m, p < 0.05) than the other two groups.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the step characteristics during sprinting are not the same among sprinters with UTF amputation, BTF amputations, or FI without amputations.

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Supplemental Oxygen Does Not Influence Self-selected Work Rate at Moderate Altitude

Introduction It is well known that supplemental oxygen can increase aerobic power output during high-intensity and/or maximal efforts at moderate altitude, yet the effects on self-selected work rate during lower-intensity, submaximal exercise are unknown. We reasoned that if the degree of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) influences teleoanticipatory regulation of power output, supplemental oxygen given at moderate altitude would increase average power output during exercise performed at self-selected work rates corresponding to RPE 9 (very light) and 13 (somewhat hard). Methods Twenty-three subjects (17 males, 6 females) completed one familiarization [fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2)=0.209] and two blinded, experimental trials (FIO2=0.209 and FIO2=0.267). In each trial, subjects self-regulated their work rate on a cycle ergometer to maintain RPE 9 for 5 min and RPE 13 for 10 min, before performing an incremental step test to exhaustion (25 W/min). Oxygen consumption (VO2) and SaO2 via pulse oximetry (SpO2) were continuously monitored. Subjects were asked to guess the experimental condition after each stage of the protocol. Results Supplemental oxygen increased SpO2 throughout exercise (~4%; P0.14). Conclusions Small increases in inspired oxygen concentration at moderate altitude are imperceptible and do not appear to influence selection of submaximal work rates at RPE ≤ 13. Corresponding Address: Andrew W. Subudhi, Department of Biology, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, Phone: 719-255-3938, Email: asubudhi@uccs.edu This project was internally funded by the UCCS Department of Biology. The data presented represent clear, honest, original work without fabrication, falsification, or manipulation. The results of the study and viewpoints presented do not constitute endorsement by the American College of Sports Medicine. CONFLICTS OF INSTEREST: The authors report no conflicts of interest between this work and others. Accepted for Publication: 3 October 2018 © 2018 American College of Sports Medicine

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