Cliffordhester7875

Heart rate variability (HRV) and end tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in relation to treatment response have not been studied in Latino populations or in comorbid asthma and panic disorder (PD). An extension of previously published research, the current study explored psychophysiological variables as possible mediators of treatment response. Latino treatment completers (N = 32) in the Bronx with asthma-PD received either Cognitive-Behavioral Psychophysiological Therapy (CBPT) or Music Relaxation Therapy (MRT). CBPT included HRV-biofeedback (HRVB); in-the-moment heart rate data to help an individual learn to influence his/her own heart rate. The sample was primarily female (93.8%) and Puerto Rican (81.25%). Treatment groups did not differ on demographics, except for less education in CBPT. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) assessed changes in symptoms. HRV and ETCO2 were measured at four of eight therapy sessions. Baseline ETCO2 and changes in HRV from first to last of psychophysiology sessions were investigated as mediators of change on ACQ and PDSS. Mixed model analyses indicated in the CPBT group, changes in both asthma control and PD severity were not mediated by changes in HRV. In the CBPT and MRT groups combined, changes in PD severity were not mediated by baseline ETCO2. These findings may be due to the brevity of HRVB in CBPT, multiple treatment components, ETCO2 not directly targeted, and/or unique physiological pathways in Latinos with asthma-PD.INTRODUCTION Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, debilitating interstitial lung disease. Two antifibrotics, pirfenidone and nintedanib, are available for IPF treatment. Pirfenidone is available as 267 mg capsules and, more recently, as 267 mg and 801 mg tablets. The aim of this study was to examine the perceived benefits of the 801 mg formulation on patient quality of life (QoL), IPF management and pill burden. METHODS Forty-seven patients with IPF and 170 healthcare professionals (HCPs; 150 physicians in France, Germany, Spain and the USA and 20 nurses in the USA) completed online questionnaires comprising 67 and 61 questions, respectively. Eligible patients had experience switching from the 267 mg pirfenidone tablet or capsule formulations to the 801 mg tablet formulation, and eligible HCPs were experienced in managing this switch. Questions included single and multiple responses and scalar questions with responses on a 7-point Likert scale. RESULTS Patients received the 267 mg formulation for a median (range) of 6.0 (2.0-40.0) months prior to switching to the 801 mg formulation. Higher percentages of patients reported satisfaction with the 801 mg versus the 267 mg formulation for its convenience (64 vs. 17%) and number of dosage units (70 vs. 2%). More patients reported good emotional well-being on the 801 mg versus the 267 mg formulation (51 vs. 21%), and fewer patients reported missing a dose of pirfenidone (21 vs. 30%). More HCPs perceived high patient adherence with the 801 mg versus the 267 mg formulation (57 vs. 37%). Overall, 33% of physicians had experienced switching patients back to the 267 mg formulation. CONCLUSION Patients and HCPs consistently favoured the 801 mg formulation across multiple domains, including convenience, patient QoL and adherence. The 801 mg formulation may provide an alternative to the 267 mg formulation in patients established on the recommended daily dose of pirfenidone.The treatment of advanced melanoma has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last decade with the advent of targeted and immunomodulatory therapies. selleck kinase inhibitor This transition from cytotoxic chemotherapy has yielded improvements in both survival and quality of life; yet despite their therapeutic advantages, these treatments have been associated with a diverse range of cutaneous adverse events (AEs). These range from relatively benign eczematous conditions to more severe inflammatory and bullous disorders, and can include induction of second malignancies. AEs can result in serious morbidity and risk of mortality if not recognised and managed early. As a consequence of their novelty, and rapid uptake, these agents have been subject to intense scrutiny and there is a general understanding that cutaneous AEs should be anticipated in treatment plans. Dermatologists should be integrated into management teams to assist in the development of treatment protocols for anticipated common AEs and to provide expert management of more severe, rare or unusual AEs. Our experience has shown a reduction in treatment interruptions, more rapid recognition of unusual AEs and improved management pathways for patients suffering cutaneous AEs.Debates in fields studying the biological aspects of aging and longevity, such as biogerontology, are often split between 'anti-aging' approaches aimed largely at treating diseases and those focusing more on maintaining, promoting, and even enhancing health. However, it is far from clear what this 'health' is that would be maintained, promoted, or enhanced. Interestingly, what few have yet to fully reflect on is that there is still no theory of health within the health or aging sciences that would provide an integrative explanatory framework akin to other scientific theories. After clarifying why such a theory could be useful, I discuss five general features of medical theories that could be used to evaluate the utility of a given proposal. With these features in hand, I suggest that philosophers and scientists work together on analyzing actual medical research (experimental analysis), and the ways in which a theoretical construct of 'health' is being progressively identified and measured therein. I conclude by suggesting that research fields studying stress and aging might be particularly helpful in developing candidates for theory construction due to their broad scope, increasing specificity, and potential for providing integrative explanations.NK cells have been seen as potential agents in adoptive immunotherapy for cancer. The main challenge for the success of this approach is to obtain a great quantity of activated NK cells for adoptive transfer. The present study had aimed to evaluate the effect of a feeder layer of irradiated MSCs in the in vitro expansion of NK cells. MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow (BM) cells remaining in the bag and filter used in the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. NK cells were obtained from peripheral blood (PB) of healthy volunteers. NK expansion and activation were stimulated by culture with artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) and IL-2, in the presence or absence of BM-MSCs. NK cell proliferation, phenotypic expression and cytotoxic activity were evaluated. Both culture conditions showed high NK purity with predominance of NK CD56brightCD16+ subset post expansion. However, cultures without the presence of MSCs showed higher NK proliferation, expression of activation markers (CD16 and NKG2D) and related cytotoxic activity.