Severe Asthma Standard-of-Care Background Medication Reduction With Benralizumab: ANDHI in Practice Substudy

peer reviewedBackground: The phase IIIb, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled ANDHI double-blind (DB) study extended understanding of the efficacy of benralizumab for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Patients from ANDHI DB could join the 56-week ANDHI in Practice (IP) single-arm, open-label extension substudy. Objective: Assess potential for standard-of-care background medication reductions while maintaining asthma control with benralizumab. Methods: Following ANDHI DB completion, eligible adults were enrolled in ANDHI IP. After an 8-week run-in with benralizumab, there were 5 visits to potentially reduce background asthma medications for patients achieving and maintaining protocol-defined asthma control with benralizumab. Main outcome measures for non–oral corticosteroid (OCS)-dependent patients were the proportions with at least 1 background medication reduction (ie, lower inhaled corticosteroid dose, background medication discontinuation) and the number of adapted Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) step reductions at end of treatment (EOT). Main outcomes for OCS-dependent patients were reductions in daily OCS dosage and proportion achieving OCS dosage of 5 mg or lower at EOT. Results: For non–OCS-dependent patients, 53.3% (n = 208 of 390) achieved at least 1 background medication reduction, increasing to 72.6% (n = 130 of 179) for patients who maintained protocol-defined asthma control at EOT. A total of 41.9% (n = 163 of 389) achieved at least 1 adapted GINA step reduction, increasing to 61.8% (n = 110 of 178) for patients with protocol-defined EOT asthma control. At ANDHI IP baseline, OCS dosages were 5 mg or lower for 40.4% (n = 40 of 99) of OCS-dependent patients. Of OCS-dependent patients, 50.5% (n = 50 of 99) eliminated OCS and 74.7% (n = 74 of 99) achieved dosages of 5 mg or lower at EOT. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate benralizumab's ability to improve asthma control, thereby allowing background medication reduction. © 202

Respiratory Psychophysiology and Anxiety: Cognitive Intervention in the Doxapram Model of Panic

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142769/1/Nesse-Abelson-Psychophysiology-PsychMed-1996.pd

Assessment of priorities to 2010 for the poor and the environment

This report describes the development and application of a quantitative priority assessment framework that allows the linking of agreed research priorities and resultant resource allocations. The five primary criteria by which priorities are assessed in the framework reflecting the vision , mission and mandate of ILRI and the priorities and strategies of the CGIAR are presented and discussed in this report. These are contribution to poverty reduction; expected economic impact using an economic surplus framework; environmental impact; internationality of the problem; and contribution to capacity building, development of new research tools, and improved research efficiency. Results of the priority assessment are discussed in relation to seven broad research and related areas

Summary of control and data acquisition systems for Nova experiments

The Nova Laser has completed its first year of operation. During this period, emphasis has been placed on activation of the facility and of the numerous target and beam diagnostics. Two separate target chambers are in use. Nova operation is separated into two broad functions: Laser Operations and Experiments. The Operations Group provides the laser system control, operation and data acquisition and the Experiments Group provides experiment definition, diagnostic instrumentation and overall data processing. On the Operations side, VAX 11/780 computers are used to set up diagnostic operating parameters and collect data recorded by the CAMAC and CCD modules. These data are delivered in files by electronic link to the Laser Experiments and Analysis Facility (LEAF) VAX 11/785 of the Experiments Group for processing. Film data are digitized at LEAF and the film data files are also processed on the LEAF VAX

A framework for priority setting in international livestock research

Priorities are assessed according to: the contribution of the proposed research to poverty alleviation; expected economic and environmental impacts; internationality of the problem and solution; and contribution to capacity building and improved research efficiency. A weighted composite index is then derived. The framework allows Monte Carlo sampling of probability distributions imputed to uncertain input variables. Resultant probability distributions can then be compared to assist in selecting efficient candidate research themes. Use of the framework is illustrated with respect to research themes that may be undertaken by ILRI and partners. Results confirm the importance of a portfolio approach to priority setting

Investigations on the Karyotype of 40 Chromosome Dwarf Bearded Irises (Third Contribution)

SUMMARYThe study of 40 chromosome dwarf bearded Irises, reported in previous papers, has now been extended to the localities of Monte Marcello, Pozzuolo, San Giuliano Terme, Gabbro, Braccagni, Alberese, La Marsiliana along the banks of the river Albegna and La Marsiliana-Pietricci. A common karyotype, showing slight differences, according to the clones examined and generally referring to the satellites, has been evidenced by means of karyological investigation. In addition to this a brief morphological analysis of the specimens has been carried out at flowering in the Hortum Botanicum Florentinum. The data recorded in Table I show that it is impossible to distinguish different entities in the group of the Irises studied, through karyological analysis. This seems to be confirmed by the few morphological data. More detailed morphological analysis and possibly an investigation on the behaviour of the hybrids, would seem at the moment to be the only way to solve this problem