Search

Item does not contain fulltext, Consensus on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is lacking, and comparison between studies remains difficult due to a large variety in outcome measures. We aimed to define a core outcome set (COS) for pediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM. An online, three-round Delphi survey was conducted in two stakeholder groups of specialized caregivers (surgeons and non-surgeons) in various European centers. Proposed outcome parameters were scored according to level of importance, and the final COS was established through consensus. A total of 55 participants (33 surgeons, 22 non-surgeons) from 28 centers in 13 European countries completed the three rounds and rated 43 outcome parameters. The final COS comprises seven outcome parameters: respiratory insufficiency, surgical complications, mass effect/mediastinal shift (at three time-points) and multifocal disease (at two time-points). The seven outcome parameters included in the final COS reflect the diversity in priorities among this large group of European participants. However, we recommend the incorporation of these outcome parameters in the design of future studies, as they describe measurable and validated outcomes as well as the accepted age at measurement.

Contains fulltext : 288466.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access), Consensus on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is lacking, and comparison between studies remains difficult due to a large variety in outcome measures. We aimed to define a core outcome set (COS) for pediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM. An online, three-round Delphi survey was conducted in two stakeholder groups of specialized caregivers (surgeons and non-surgeons) in various European centers. Proposed outcome parameters were scored according to level of importance, and the final COS was established through consensus. A total of 55 participants (33 surgeons, 22 non-surgeons) from 28 centers in 13 European countries completed the three rounds and rated 43 outcome parameters. The final COS comprises seven outcome parameters: respiratory insufficiency, surgical complications, mass effect/mediastinal shift (at three time-points) and multifocal disease (at two time-points). The seven outcome parameters included in the final COS reflect the diversity in priorities among this large group of European participants. However, we recommend the incorporation of these outcome parameters in the design of future studies, as they describe measurable and validated outcomes as well as the accepted age at measurement.

Introduction A worldwide lack of consensus exists on the optimal management of asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) even though the incidence is increasing. Either a surgical resection is performed or a wait-and-see policy is employed, depending on the treating physician. Management is largely based on expert opinion and scientific evidence is scarce. Wide variations in outcome measures are seen between studies making comparison difficult thus highlighting the lack of universal consensus in outcome measures as well. We aim to define a core outcome set which will include the most important core outcome parameters for paediatric patients with an asymptomatic CPAM. Methods and analysis This study will include a critical appraisal of the current literature followed by a threestage Delphi process with two stakeholder groups. One surgical group including paediatric as well as thoracic surgeons, and a non-surgeon group including paediatric pulmonologists, intensive care and neonatal specialists. All participants will score outcome parameters according to their level of importance and the most important parameters will be determined by consensus. Ethics and dissemination Electronic informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Ethical approval is not required. After the core outcome set has been defined, we intend to design an international randomised controlled trial: the COllaborative Neonatal NEtwork for the first CPAM Trial, which will be aimed at determining the optimal management of patients with asymptomatic CPAM.

Purpose: To estimate airway tapering in control subjects and to assess the usability of tapering as a bronchiectasis biomarker in paediatric populations. Methods: Airway tapering values were semi-automatically quantified in 156 children with control CTs collected in the Normal Chest CT Study Group. Airway tapering as a biomarker for bronchiectasis was assessed on spirometer-guided inspiratory CTs from 12 patients with bronchiectasis and 12 age- and sex-matched controls. Semi-automatic image analysis software was used to quantify intra-branch tapering (reduction in airway diameter along the branch), inter-branch tapering (reduction in airway diameter before and after bifurcation) and airway-artery ratios on chest CTs. Biomarkers were further stratified in small, medium and large airways based on three equal groups of the accompanying vessel size. Results: Control subjects showed intra-branch tapering of 1% and inter-branch tapering of 24–39%. Subjects with bronchiectasis showed significantly reduced intra-branch of 0.8% and inter-branch tapering of 19–32% and increased airway–artery ratios compared with controls (p < 0.01). Tapering measurements were significantly different between diseased and controls across all airway sizes. Difference in airway–artery ratio was only significant in small airways. Conclusion: Paediatric normal values for airway tapering were established in control subjects. Tapering showed to be a promising biomarker for bronchiectasis as subjects with bronchiectasis show significantly less airway tapering across all airway sizes compared with controls. Detecting less

To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of adiposity and its links to cardiometabolic disease risk, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of body fat percentage (BF%) in up to 100,716 individuals. Twelve loci reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 x 10(-8)), of which eight were previously associated with increased overall adiposity (BMI, BF%) and four (in or near COBLL1/GRB14, IGF2BP1, PLA2G6, CRTC1) were novel associations with BF%. Seven loci showed a larger effect on BF% than on BMI, suggestive of a primary association with adiposity, while five loci showed larger effects on BMI than on BF%, suggesting association with both fat and lean mass. In particular, the loci more strongly associated with BF% showed distinct cross-phenotype association signatures with a range of cardiometabolic traits revealing new insights in the link between adiposity and disease risk.

Egg production and hatching success of the copepod Temora longicornis were measured in laboratory experiments and in the field (North Sea). In the laboratory, ingestion of four algal species (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Phaeocystis globosa, Isochrysis sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta) was followed and the content of fatty acids in the algae was determined. The two food types (T. weissflogii and Isochrysis sp.) that provided the highest ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids also resulted in the highest egg production rate (E-r) and hatching success (H%). In contrast, D. tertiolecta led to both low ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids, resulting in low reproductive success. There was a positive relationship between the amount of eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [20:5(n-3), EPA] ingested and E and H%, and of the ratio between docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [22:6(n-3)/20:5(n-3), DHA/EPA] in the ingested food and H%. In the field, chlorophyll a and specific fatty acids were measured and protists were enumerated, in order to investigate the link between these factors and the reproductive success of T. longicornis. Hatching time was found to be related to temperature and exceeded 120 h at 6degreesC. No relationship was found between chlorophyll a and reproductive success (E or H%). E correlated with the concentration of diatoms and ciliates, which were the dominating protists in early spring, indicating that food quantity was the limiting factor for E. As in the laboratory experiments, H% was dependent on the fatty acid DHA and the ratio of DHA/EPA, which indicates that the quality of eggs (H%) is linked to the quality of food.

Egg production and hatching success of the copepod Temora longicornis were measured in laboratory experiments and in the field (North Sea). In the laboratory, ingestion of four algal species (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Phaeocystis globosa, Isochrysis sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta) was followed and the content of fatty acids in the algae was determined. The two food types (T. weissflogii and Isochrysis sp.) that provided the highest ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids also resulted in the highest egg production rate (E-r) and hatching success (H%). In contrast, D. tertiolecta led to both low ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids, resulting in low reproductive success. There was a positive relationship between the amount of eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [20:5(n-3), EPA] ingested and E and H%, and of the ratio between docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [22:6(n-3)/20:5(n-3), DHA/EPA] in the ingested food and H%. In the field, chlorophyll a and specific fatty acids were measured and protists were enumerated, in order to investigate the link between these factors and the reproductive success of T. longicornis. Hatching time was found to be related to temperature and exceeded 120 h at 6degreesC. No relationship was found between chlorophyll a and reproductive success (E or H%). E correlated with the concentration of diatoms and ciliates, which were the dominating protists in early spring, indicating that food quantity was the limiting factor for E. As in the laboratory experiments, H% was dependent on the fatty acid DHA and the ratio of DHA/EPA, which indicates that the quality of eggs (H%) is linked to the quality of food.

Egg production and hatching success of the copepod Temora longicornis were measured in laboratory experiments and in the field (North Sea). In the laboratory, ingestion of four algal species (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Phaeocystis globosa, Isochrysis sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta) was followed and the content of fatty acids in the algae was determined. The two food types (T. weissflogii and Isochrysis sp.) that provided the highest ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids also resulted in the highest egg production rate (E-r) and hatching success (H%). In contrast, D. tertiolecta led to both low ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids, resulting in low reproductive success. There was a positive relationship between the amount of eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [20:5(n-3), EPA] ingested and E and H%, and of the ratio between docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [22:6(n-3)/20:5(n-3), DHA/EPA] in the ingested food and H%. In the field, chlorophyll a and specific fatty acids were measured and protists were enumerated, in order to investigate the link between these factors and the reproductive success of T. longicornis. Hatching time was found to be related to temperature and exceeded 120 h at 6degreesC. No relationship was found between chlorophyll a and reproductive success (E or H%). E correlated with the concentration of diatoms and ciliates, which were the dominating protists in early spring, indicating that food quantity was the limiting factor for E. As in the laboratory experiments, H% was dependent on the fatty acid DHA and the ratio of DHA/EPA, which indicates that the quality of eggs (H%) is linked to the quality of food.

Egg production and hatching success of the copepod Temora longicornis were measured in laboratory experiments and in the field (North Sea). In the laboratory, ingestion of four algal species (Thalassiosira weissflogii, Phaeocystis globosa, Isochrysis sp. and Dunaliella tertiolecta) was followed and the content of fatty acids in the algae was determined. The two food types (T. weissflogii and Isochrysis sp.) that provided the highest ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids also resulted in the highest egg production rate (E-r) and hatching success (H%). In contrast, D. tertiolecta led to both low ingestion of carbon and long chain fatty acids, resulting in low reproductive success. There was a positive relationship between the amount of eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [20:5(n-3), EPA] ingested and E and H%, and of the ratio between docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acid [22:6(n-3)/20:5(n-3), DHA/EPA] in the ingested food and H%. In the field, chlorophyll a and specific fatty acids were measured and protists were enumerated, in order to investigate the link between these factors and the reproductive success of T. longicornis. Hatching time was found to be related to temperature and exceeded 120 h at 6degreesC. No relationship was found between chlorophyll a and reproductive success (E or H%). E correlated with the concentration of diatoms and ciliates, which were the dominating protists in early spring, indicating that food quantity was the limiting factor for E. As in the laboratory experiments, H% was dependent on the fatty acid DHA and the ratio of DHA/EPA, which indicates that the quality of eggs (H%) is linked to the quality of food.

Investigations in the past several years have implicated prostaglandin release in the pathogenesis of endotoxin shock. These studies have focused on the observation that prostaglandin levels are increased following endotoxin administration. Furthermore, indomethacin, a compound that inhibits prostaglandin formation, has been shown to protect animals from bacterial endotoxin. Since another affect of indomethacin is to inhibit phospholipase A2, the initial purpose of this study was to determine whether or not other inhibitors of phospholipase A2, such as mepacrine, would also be protective. Information of this nature would be useful in understanding the mechanism of endotoxin toxicity, as well as a possible treatment for sepsis. Thus, we injected rats with endotoxin and mepacrine. Instead of protection, however, we found that mepacrine sensitized the animals to endotoxin.

Several hormones act at the cellular level to increase diacylglycerol via increased catabolism of phosphatidylinositol by phospholipase C (PLC). Diacyglycerol stimulates protein kinase C, leading to protein phosphorylation and hormone action. Since PLC activity has not been well studied in man, we have established an assay for PLC in human neutrophils. In this assay sonicates of neutrophils were incubated with L-3- phosphatidyl (U14C)-inositol and the incubation mixture extracted with chloroform:methanol. Following the additions of 2MKC1 and chloroform, PLC activity was determined by counting (U14C) in the aqueous phase. The PLC activity was linear with respect to time and the quantity of added enzyme. Optimum substrate concentration and pH were 2mM and 7.0 respectively. Optimal activity was dependent on Ca2+ (2mM) and deoxycholate (2MM). Naloxone, FMLP and PGD2, which affect various aspects of Leucocyte function, had no significant effects on neutrophil PLC activity. The effects of various compounds with phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity were also tested on this enzyme. Of these, mepacrine, lidocaine, and indomethacin inhibited the enzyme activity. From these data we conclude that indomethacin is capable of inhibiting phospholipase C activity in neutrophils at clinically significant levels and that this may be relevant in the therapeutic action of this drug. Keywords: Phosphatidylinositol; Naloxone, Indomethacin; Phospholipase; C activity; Neutrophils; Calcium ions.

Small intestine and liver play major roles in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Both organs contain high activities of phospholipase A, but little is known regarding the hormonal regulation of this enzyme in these tissues. In the present study, phospholipase A activity was measured in male rats treated with subcutaneous injections of 17 beta-estradiol or progesterone. Estradiol treatment (0.6 mg/day for 14 days) decreased intestinal and hepatic phospholipase A activities by 65% and 53%respectively. Administration of estradiol reduced the specific activity of the enzyme in both microsomal and cytosol fractions of the intestinal mucosa. In contrast to the effects of estradiol, progesterone administration (2 mg/day for 14 days) increased phospholipase A activity in intestinal and hepatic tissue by 2.4- and 2.1- fold, respectively. Sex hormones; Phospholipase A; Lipoproteins; Amnion; Chorioallantois; Corticotropin. (jes)

The stratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary deep-sea record is not only of significance to stratigraphers but also to those who seek to understand processes that are recorded in these sediments : for example, climatic change and its causes, ocean chemistry and its variation through time, the phenomena of faunal and floral evolution and extinction, and many others. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]

The stratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary deep-sea record is not only of significance to stratigraphers but also to those who seek to understand processes that are recorded in these sediments : for example, climatic change and its causes, ocean chemistry and its variation through time, the phenomena of faunal and floral evolution and extinction, and many others. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]

The stratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary deep-sea record is not only of significance to stratigraphers but also to those who seek to understand processes that are recorded in these sediments : for example, climatic change and its causes, ocean chemistry and its variation through time, the phenomena of faunal and floral evolution and extinction, and many others. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]

The stratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary deep-sea record is not only of significance to stratigraphers but also to those who seek to understand processes that are recorded in these sediments : for example, climatic change and its causes, ocean chemistry and its variation through time, the phenomena of faunal and floral evolution and extinction, and many others. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]