Investigation of the new cataclysmic variable 1RXS J180834.7+101041

We present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic studies of the new eclipsing cataclysmic variable star 1RXS J180834.7+101041. Its spectrum exhibits double-peaked hydrogen and helium emission lines. The Doppler maps constructed from hydrogen lines show a nonuniform distribution of emission in the disk similar to that observed in IP Peg. This suggests that the object can be a cataclysmic variable with tidal density waves in the disk. We have determined the component masses (M_WD =0.8 \pm 0.22 M_sun and M_RD =0.14 \pm 0.02 M_sun) and the binary inclination (i =78 \pm 1.5 deg) based on well-known relations between parameters for cataclysmic variable stars. We have modeled the binary light curves and showed that the model of a disk with two spots is capable of explaining the main observed features of the light curves.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, published in Astronomy Letters, 2011, 37, 845-85

Beliefs and preferences regarding biological treatments for severe asthma

Background: Severe asthma is a serious condition with a significant burden on patients' morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Some biological therapies targeting the IgE and interleukin-5 (IL5) mediated pathways are now available. Due to the lack of direct comparison studies, the choice of which medication to use varies. We aimed to explore the beliefs and practices in the use of biological therapies in severe asthma, hypothesizing that differences will occur depending on the prescribers’ specialty and experience. Methods: We conducted an online survey composed of 35 questions in English. The survey was circulated via the INterasma Scientific Network (INESNET) platform as well as through social media. Responses from allergists and pulmonologists, both those with experience of prescribing omalizumab with (OMA/IL5) and without (OMA) experience with anti-IL5 drugs, were compared. Results: Two hundred eighty-five (285) valid questionnaires from 37 countries were analyzed. Seventy-on percent (71%) of respondents prescribed biologics instead of oral glucocorticoids and believed that their side effects are inferior to those of Prednisone 5 mg daily. Agreement with ATS/ERS guidelines for identifying severe asthma patients was less than 50%. Specifically, significant differences were found comparing responses between allergists and pulmonologists (Chi-square test, p < 0.05) and between OMA/IL5 and OMA groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Uncertainties and inconsistencies regarding the use of biological medications have been shown. The accuracy of prescribers to correctly identify asthma severity, according to guidelines criteria, is quite poor. Although a substantial majority of prescribers believe that biological drugs are safer than low dose long-term treatment with oral steroids, and that they must be used instead of oral steroids, every effort should be made to further increase awareness. Efficacy as disease modifiers, biomarkers for selecting responsive patients, timing for outcomes evaluation, and checks need to be addressed by further research. Practices and beliefs regarding the use of asthma biologics differ between the prescriber's specialty and experience; however, the latter seems more significant in determining beliefs and behavior. Tailored educational measures are needed to ensure research results are better integrated in daily practice

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Phases of cluster states

International audienceThe question of phases and phase transitions of cluster states is reviewed. First some fea- tures of the vibron model are recalled, then its extensions are investigated. Preliminary results are also presented from a study on the cluster-shell competition

SIRFLOX: Randomized phase III trial comparing first-line mFOLFOX6 \+/-\ bevacizumab (bev) versus mFOLFOX6 + selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) \+/-\ bev in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

International audience3502 Background: The SIRFLOX study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of combining FOLFOX chemotherapy (\+/-\ bev) with SIRT using yttrium-90 (Y-90) resin microspheres as first-line treatment of pts with liver metastases from mCRC. Methods: SIRFLOX was an international, multi-center, open-label, RCT in chemotherapy-naive pts with non-resectable, liver only or liver dominant (liver plus lung and/or lymph node metastases) mCRC. Arm A: mFOLFOX6 \+/-\ bev was compared to arm B: mFOLFOX6 + SIRT (SIR-Spheres; Sirtex) administered once with cycle 1 \+/-\ bev until disease progression. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS) using RECIST v1.0. Stratification variables included presence of extra hepatic disease (EHD; liver only v liver dominant), degree of liver involvement ( [≤] 25% v \textgreater 25%), and treatment with bev (at clinician discretion). Results: From Oct 2006 to Apr 2013,530 pts were randomised (arm A, n = 263; arm B, n = 267), 212 (40%) had EHD. Median follow-up was 36.1 months. The median overall PFS was 10.2 v 10.7 months in arms A v B respectively (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.93; 95% CI 0.77-1.12; p=0.428) by Kaplan Meier analysis. The median PFS in the liver was 12.6 v 20.5 months in arm A v B (HR: 0.69; 95% CI 0.55-0.90; p = 0.002) by competing risk analysis. Overall response rate (PR + CR) was 68.0% v 76.4% in arm A v B, respectively (p = 0.113). Hepatic response rate was 68.8% v 78.7% in arm A v B (p = 0.042), including CR rate 1.9% v 6.0% (p = 0.02). The liver resection rate was 13.7% v 14.2% in arm A v B (p = 0.857). Adverse events [≥] grade 3 were noted in 73.3% v 85.4% of pts in arm A v B. Most common toxicities were hematologic; 32.9% v 51.2% and gastrointestinal; 21.2% v 32.9%, including gastric ulcer 0.0% v2.4%. Conclusion: In first-line treatment of pts with non-resectable CRC liver metastases, the addition of SIRT to standard chemotherapy failed to improve overall PFS. However, median liver PFS was significantly extended. The addition of SIRT was associated with acceptable toxicity. Overall survival analyses, combining data from SIRFLOX and two other ongoing studies in this disease setting, are awaited. Clinical trial information: NCT0072450