177,590 research outputs found
Darbepoetin alfa for the treatment of anemic patients with low- and intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes
No full textBackground: The hematological and quality of life (QoL) changes associated with darbepoetin alfa (DA) therapy were assessed in anemic patients with previously untreated low- and intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients and methods: Fifty-three patients received DA administered subcutaneously once a week for 24 weeks. Treatment was initiated at 150 mu g fixed dose and was doubled if after the first 12 weeks there was no or suboptimal erythroid response. Results: The final response rate was 24/53 (45%), with 21 major and three minor responses. Most of the responses (21/24; 87.5%) were obtained at the dose of 150 mu g. With a median follow-up of 9.4 months, 17 patients maintain their response. Treatment was well tolerated with no relevant side-effects. MDS progression was observed in one case. Increases in hemoglobin levels were positively correlated with improved QoL scores using both the linear analog scale assessment (energy level, r = 0.429, P = 0.036; daily activities, r = 0.653, P < 0.001; overall well-being, r = 0.457, P = 0.024) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia questionnaire (r = 0.247, P = 0.025). In multivariate analysis, only low levels (< 200 IU/l) of endogenous erythropoietin predicted response to DA therapy. Conclusions: DA is an active, safe and well tolerated treatment for anemia in a substantial proportion of patients with low- and intermediate-1-risk MDS, and has a positive impact on the patients' QoL
Structure and Absolute-configuration of (-)-(3r)-5,7-dimethoxy-3,9-dihydro-4'-eucomnalinyl Para-bromobenzoate - An Uncommon Case
No full textTransient Clouding of a Sutureless Scleral Fixated Hydrophilic Intraocular Lens with Spontaneous Resolution: A Case Report and in vitro Experimental Test
No full textA 83-year-old woman underwent phacoemulsification in the left eye, complicated by posterior capsular rupture and dislocation of nuclear fragments in the vitreous cavity. She was left aphakic and referred to the Clinica Oculistica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy. After 2 days, she underwent pars plana vitrectomy, with removal of the nuclear fragments, and secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The lens used was a sutureless scleral fixation Carlevale lens (I71 FIL SSF Carlevale lensTM. Soleko IOL Division), which was delivered to the operating theatre on the morning of the operation. During the implantation, it appeared opaque, without any deposit on its surfaces. The lens was not removed. On the next day, the lens was transparent, and it remained clear at the following control visits. An in vitro experimental test demonstrated that 25% hydrophilic polymers are vulnerable to thermal shock, developing an opacification which resolves after temperature stabilization of the lens
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
The steric course of iodine halogenide addition to 1-methyl-4-t-butylcyclohexene. Influence of iodinating species
No full textLow-concentration infracyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling in idiopathic macular pucker 25-gauge surgery
No full textPURPOSE. To investigate the efficacy of 25-gauge infracyanine green-assisted idiopathic macular pucker surgery and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS. In this retrospective interventional case series, 83 patients with idiopathic macular pucker who underwent 25-gauge surgery with infracyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling were retrospectively reviewed. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, complete ophthalmologic evaluation, and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline and during follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative prognostic factors were correlated with final visual outcomes. RESULTS. Mean follow-up was 10.5 months (range 3-44). Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.56±0.27 logMAR (±SD) to 0.26 ±0.18 logMAR (p<0.001); central retinal thickness decreased from 441±115 μm to 355±72 μm (p<0.001). Greater postoperative visual gain was correlated with baseline BCVA (r=-0.65, p<0.0001), and BCVA gain after 1 week (r=0.64, p<0.0001) and 1 month (r=0.58, p<0.0001). Final BCVA was influenced by baseline BCVA (r=0.46, p<0.0001), BCVA change after 1 month (r=0.34, p=0.002), and presence of intraretinal fluid (r=0.28, p=0.01). No cases of endophthalmitis, retinal tears, or retinal detachments were reported. CONCLUSIONS. Low-concentration infracyanine green-assisted ILM peeling during minimally invasive surgery is associated with significant visual acuity improvement. Preoperative BCVA and optical coherence tomography appearance may be helpful in predicting the final visual outcome. © 2011 Wichtig Editore
An Integrated Vision-Force System for Peg-in-hole Assembly Operations
No full textIn this article the integration of an artificial vision system and a 6-component force-torque sensor for high accuracy insertions is proposed. The former has the advantage of intervening before the contact of the two parts and providing an initial correction to allow the force sensor action; the latter is charged of completing the operation through the control of a neural network.
An experimental facility has been developed for performance assessment. Two monochromatic CCD cameras are positioned with the optical axes perpendicular to each other, outside the working area in order not to interfere with the assembly operations.
During tests it has been shown that the artificial vision system yields a fast, reliable and accurate measurement, by direct comparison with a co-ordinate-measuring machine. Results show that the use of an integrated vision-force sensor represents a complete solution to the peg-in-hole problem. Furthermore the 3-D localisation algorithm implemented on the vision system and the problems concerned with the system engineering are dealt with
"Closing the R&D Gap, Evaluating the Sources of R&D Spending"
No full textBoth spending and tax policies have been implemented in the United States with the goal of stimulating private sector research and development (R&D). Karier questions whether current R&D policy, especially the research and experimentation tax credit, can contribute to closing the gap between nondefense expenditures on R&D in the United States and such expenditures in other countries, such as Japan and Germany. He also explores possible changes to our current R&D policy to make it more effective.
Structural determination of the complex exopolysaccharide from the virulent strain of Cryphonectria parasitica
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