Darbepoetin alfa given every 1 or 2 weeks alleviates anaemia associated with cancer chemotherapy.

In part A of this study, patients were randomised to cohorts receiving darbepoetin alfa at doses of 0.5 to 8.0 m.c.g x kg(-1) x wk(-1) or to a control group receiving epoetin alfa at an initial dose of 150 U x kg(-1) three times weekly. In part B, the cohorts were darbepoetin alfa 3.0 to 9.0 m.c.g x kg(-1) every 2 weeks or epoetin alfa, initial dose 40 000 U x wk(-1). Safety was assessed by adverse events, changes in blood pressure, and formation of antibodies to darbepoetin alfa. Efficacy was assessed by several haematologic endpoints, including change in haemoglobin from baseline. The adverse event profile of darbepoetin alfa was similar to that of epoetin alfa. No relationship between the rapidity of haemoglobin response and any adverse event was observed. No antibodies to darbepoetin alfa were detected. Higher doses of darbepoetin alfa increased the proportion of patients with a haemoglobin response and decreased the median time to response. The overall dose of darbepoetin alfa required to produce a mean increase in haemoglobin does not increase when the dosing interval is increased from 1 to 2 weeks. Therapy with darbepoetin alfa is safe and effective in producing a dose-related increase in haemoglobin levels in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy

Healthcare resource utilization among haemophilia A patients in the United States

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91210/1/j.1365-2516.2011.02677.x.pd

Inter-household and intra-household patterns of fish and meat consumption in fishing communities in two states in Nigeria

Fish is generally regarded as a primary source of protein for many poor African fishing communities. The present study compared the relative importance of fish as a high-quality dietary protein source with meat in fishing communities in two states in Nigeria. Fifty fishing households in which active fishing was the primary activity and fifty non-fishing households (agriculture being stated as primary activity) in traditional fishing communities were randomly selected in the coastal state of Lagos and the inland state of Niger. A simple weighing balance was designed and given to each household to measure fish or meat entering the household for consumption. A comparison of consumption using this method against the 24 h recall method revealed that the recall method accounted for only one third of actual fish consumed. Overall, the price of fish was higher and consumption lower in Lagos compared with Niger State. At the household level in both states, the consumption of fish in fishing households was twice that of non-fishing households, whereas meat consumption was similar. A total of thirty-nine different fish species were consumed, with Tilapia contributing 24 % by weight of the fish consumed. In both states, beef was the most frequently consumed meat, followed by goat meat. The study revealed a high preference for fresh fish. The highest fish consumption occurred in March, corresponding to the period of lowest meat consumption. On a unit weight basis, heads of households consumed 59 % more fish than their wives or children

The effect of efferentiectomy and orchidectomy on the metabolism of the epididymis of the mouse

The purpose of the study is a comparison of respiratory metabolic rates and anaerobic glycolytic activity (lactate accumulation) in homogenates of epididymides from normal, orchidectomized and testosterone replaced-orchidectomized mice. Animals subjected to vasa efferentiectomy were used to furnish sperm free homogenates as controls for the homogenates from orchidectomized animals, and to furnish estimates of the contribution of the spermatozoa to these metabolic parameters in homogenates of normal epididymides. Efferentiectomized mice yield homogenates with a significantly lowered rate of respiratory activity (30%). Experiments with fractions of these homogenates showed this reduction in activity to be equivalent to the contribution of the spermatozoa in homogenates from normal mice. No significant difference in the rate of respiratory metabolism was observed among homogenates obtained from efferentiectomized, orchidectomized, testosterone replaced-orchidectomized, or testosterone injected-efferentiectomized mice. Efferentiectomy also resulted in a lowered rate of anaerobic glycolytic activity in vitro . No further reduction or elevation of this activity was observed in homogenates from orchidectomized or testosterone injected animals. Further study indicated this loss following efferentiectomy to be due to a reduced glycolytic activity in the epididymal epithelium rather than to the absence of spermatozoan contribution to the metabolism. The evidence presented supports the hypothesis that the presence of some component of the spermatozoa or the fluids in which they reside controls the activation or inhibition of a segment of the lactic dehydrogenase activity which is responsible for the secretion of lactic acid into the epididymal canal for spermatozoan utilization.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/50126/1/1030660306_ftp.pd

Pure silica nanoparticles for liposome/lipase system encapsulation: Application in biodiesel production

In this work we report the synthesis of organic inorganic solid with spherical morphology where enzyme, as active compounds, is encapsulated. The organic phase of nanospheres is composed of l-phosphatidylcholine, as liposome, and lipase from Rhizomucor miehei, as enzyme. The organic phase is covered with porous inorganic silica shell that could stabilize the internal liposomal phase and, consequently, isolate and protect the bioactive molecules. The liposome and silica amount used during the immobilization procedure have been optimized in order to obtain active and stable heterogeneous biocatalyst. Hybrid-nanospheres containing the enzyme were used to catalyze the transesterification reaction of triolein with methanol to methyl esters, typical biodiesel mixture compounds. The encapsulated enzyme retains its activity after 5 reaction cycles. The total productivity of the best catalyst obtained is higher than that of the free enzyme.The authors, A.C. and U.D., thank the Spanish MICINN (Consolider Ingenio 2010-MULTICAT (CSD2009-00050) and MAT2011-29020-C02-01) for their financial support.Macario, A.; Verri, F.; Díaz Morales, UM.; Corma Canós, A.; Giordano, G. (2013). Pure silica nanoparticles for liposome/lipase system encapsulation: Application in biodiesel production. Catalysis Today. 204:148-155. doi:10.1016/j.cattod.2012.07.014S14815520

Novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP) for the treatment of anaemia of chronic disease associated with cancer

Anaemia is a common haematologic disorder in patients with cancer and has a multifactorial aetiology, including the effects of the malignancy itself and residual effects from previous therapy. Novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP, darbepoetin alfa), a protein with additional sialic acid compared with erythropoietin (EPO), stimulates erythropoiesis by the same mechanism as recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) but it is biochemically distinct. NESP, with its approximately 3-fold greater serum half-life, can maintain haemoglobin levels as effectively as rHuEPO in anaemic patients with chronic renal failure and do so with less frequent dosing. We investigated the ability of NESP to safely increase haemoglobin levels of anaemic patients with non-myeloid malignancies not receiving chemotherapy. NESP was administered under the supervision of a physician at doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.25 or 4.5 mcg kg−1wk−1for a maximum of 12 weeks. This report includes 89 patients completing the study by November 2000. NESP was well tolerated, with no reported dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-related severe adverse events. Increasing doses of NESP corresponded with increased efficacy. The percentage (95% confidence interval) of patients responding ranged from 61% (42%, 77%) in the 1.0 mcg kg−1wk−1group to 83% (65%, 94%) in the 4.5 mcg kg−1wk−1group. © 2001 Cance Cancer Research Campaig

A dose-finding and safety study of novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP) for the treatment of anaemia in patients receiving multicycle chemotherapy

Darbepoetin alfa is a novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP), which stimulates erythropoiesis by the same mechanism as recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). NESP has been shown to be safe and efficacious in patients with chronic renal failure. NESP is biochemically distinct from rHuEPO, due to its increased sialic acid content. NESP has an approximately 3-fold greater half-life. rHuEPO has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of NESP administered once per week, under the supervision of a physician, to patients with solid tumours who were receiving multicycle chemotherapy for up to 12 weeks. Three dose cohorts are presented in this sequential, unblinded and dose-escalating study. Thirteen to 59 patients received NESP (0.5, 1.5 or 2.25 mcg kg−1wk−1) in each cohort. Patients were monitored for adverse events, including antibody formation to NESP and for effects on haemoglobin. NESP appeared to be well tolerated. Adverse events were similar across all cohorts and were consistent with the population being studied. No antibody formation was detected over the 16-week study period and follow-up. A dose–response relationship was evident for NESP and multiple measures of efficacy, including proportion of patients responding to NESP and the mean change in haemoglobin by week 4 and end of treatment for NESP 0.5, 1.5 and 2.25 mcg kg−1wk−1cohorts (mean change in haemoglobin at end of treatment was 1.24, 1.73 and 2.15 g dl−1respectively). Controlled studies of this agent at higher doses and less frequent schedules of administration are ongoing. © 2001 Cance Cancer Research Campaig