Multivariable Prediction Model for Biochemical Response to First-Generation Somatostatin Receptor Ligands in Acromegaly

Context: First-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs) represent the mainstay of medical therapy for acromegaly, but they provide biochemical control of disease in only a subset of patients. Various pretreatment biomarkers might affect biochemical response to fg-SRLs. Objective: To identify clinical predictors of the biochemical response to fg-SRLs monotherapy defined as biochemical response (insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 20% relative IGF-1 reduction without normalization), and nonresponse (<= 20% relative IGF-1 reduction), and IGF-1 reduction. Design: Retrospective multicenter study. Setting: Eight participating European centers. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of participant data from 2 cohorts (Rotterdam and Liege acromegaly survey, 622 out of 3520 patients). Multivariable regression models were used to identify predictors of biochemical response to fg-SRL monotherapy. Results: Lower IGF-1 concentration at baseline (odds ratio (OR) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-0.95 IGF-1 ULN, P = .0073) and lower bodyweight (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99 kg, P = .038) were associated with biochemical response. Higher IGF-1 concentration at baseline (OR = 1.40, (1.19-1.65) IGF-1 ULN, P <= .0001), the presence of type 2 diabetes (oral medication OR = 2.48, (1.43-4.29), P = .0013; insulin therapy OR = 2.65, (1.02-6.70), P = .045), and higher bodyweight (OR = 1.02, (1.01-1.04) kg, P = .0023) were associated with achieving partial response. Younger patients at diagnosis are more likely to achieve nonresponse (OR = 0.96, (0.94-0.99) year, P = .0070). Baseline IGF-1 and growth hormone concentration at diagnosis were associated with absolute IGF-1 reduction (beta = 0.90, standard error (SE) = 0.02, P <= .0001 and beta = 0.002, SE = 0.001, P = .014, respectively). Conclusion: Baseline IGF-1 concentration was the best predictor of biochemical response to fg-SRL, followed by bodyweight, while younger patients were more likely to achieve nonresponse

Piezoelectric, dielectric and pyroelectric properties of 0-3 ceramic-polymer composites

The circular samples of composites were made from PZT ceramic grains dispersed in polymers (epoxy or rubber). Pressure dependencies of the hydrostatic piezoelectric coefficient dh and permittivity ε were measured in the range up to 60 MPa. The hydrostatic strain coefficient dh, the hydrostatic voltage coefficient gh and figure of merit dh·gh were determined using the static method. The pressure dependence of the hydrostatic coefficients was measured for several successive cycles. Experimental dependence of the charge on pressure and temperature was fitted by multi parameter function. The pressure and temperature dependencies of the hydrostatic dh and pyroelectric p3 coefficients were determined. It was found that the hydrostatic strain coefficient dh and hydrostatic voltage coefficient gh decreased and pyroelectric coefficient p3 increased with pressure at constant temperature.DFG [1102]; ICTP programme for Training and Research in Italian Laboratories (TRIL); German Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung; Czech Republic MEYS Grants [ME492, LA242]; SAIL (CSR), Govt. of India; CERN-RFBR Grants [08-02-91009, 12-02-91500]; Portuguese FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia [CERN/FP/109323/2009, CERN/FP/116376/2010, CERN/FP/123600/2011]; MEXT; JSPS [18002006, 20540299, 18540281]; Daiko Foundation; Yamada Foundation; DFG cluster of excellence 'Origin and Structure of the Universe'; EU FP7 (HadronPhysics3) [283286]; Israel Science Foundation; Polish NCN Grant [DEC-2011/01/M/ST2/02350

Spin alignment and violation of the OZI rule in exclusive omega and phi production in pp collisions

Exclusive production of the isoscalar vector mesons omega and phi is measured with a 190 GeV/c proton beam impinging on a liquid hydrogen target. Cross section ratios are determined in three intervals of the Feynman variable x(F) of the fast proton. A significant violation of the OZI rule is found, confirming earlier findings. Its kinematic dependence on xF and on the invariant mass M-pV of the system formed by fast proton p(fast) and vector meson V is discussed in terms of diffractive production of p(fast) V resonances in competition with central production. The measurement of the spin density matrix element rho(00) of the vector mesons in different selected reference frames provides another handle to distinguish the contributions of these two major reaction types. Again, dependences of the alignment on x(F) and on M-pV are found. Most of the observations can be traced back to the existence of several excited baryon states contributing to omega production which are absent in the case of the phi meson. Removing the low-mass M-pV resonant region, the OZI rule is found to be violated by a factor of eight, independently of x(F). (C) 2014 CERN for the benefit of the COMPASS Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).DFG [1102]; ICTP programme for Training and Research in Italian Laboratories (TRIL); German Bundesministerium fur Bildung und Forschung; Czech Republic MEYS Grants [ME492, LA242]; SAIL (CSR), Govt. of India; CERN-RFBR Grants [08-02-91009, 12-02-91500]; Portuguese FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia [CERN/FP/109323/2009, CERN/FP/116376/2010, CERN/FP/123600/2011]; MEXT; JSPS [18002006, 20540299, 18540281]; Daiko Foundation; Yamada Foundation; DFG cluster of excellence 'Origin and Structure of the Universe'; EU FP7 (HadronPhysics3) [283286]; Israel Science Foundation; Polish NCN Grant [DEC-2011/01/M/ST2/02350