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- Hofstee, Herman M A, et al.
(författare)
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A multicentre study on the reliability of qualitative and quantitative nail-fold videocapillaroscopy assessment.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Rheumatology (Oxford, England). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1462-0332 .- 1462-0324. ; 51:4, s. 749-755
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. To investigate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of both qualitative and quantitative parameters used in the assessment of nail-fold capillaroscopy images.Methods. Fifty mosaic nail-fold images of healthy controls (n = 10), patients with primary RP (n = 10) and SSc (n = 30) were assessed in random order by two blinded observers on two occasions at centres in Sweden, UK and The Netherlands. Each image was therefore scored by six observers twice.Results. Inter- and intra-observer reliability of quantitative parameters showed substantial to almost perfect agreement [inter- and intra-observer weighted κ's for the number of widened capillaries was 0.75 and 0.87 and giant capillaries was 0.84 and 0.92, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for capillary density was 0.87 and 0.92 and total loop width was 0.94 and 0.98, respectively]. Qualitative parameters including architecture, avascularity, haemorrhage, crossed, ramified and bushy capillaries showed moderate to substantial inter-observer reproducibility (weighted κ ranging from 0.47 to 0.73), and substantial intra-observer repeatability (weighted κ ranging from 0.71 to 0.80), whereas the scoring of tortuous and bizarre capillaries showed poor inter-observer and substantial intra-observer agreement (inter-observer weighted κ's was 0.39 and 0.21 and intra-observer weighted κ's was 0.68 and 0.76, respectively).Conclusion. All quantitative and certain qualitative parameters are highly reliable in terms of inter- and intra-observer agreement. A combination of parameters with the highest reliability should be incorporated into future capillaroscopic scoring systems in studies of prediction and monitoring of SSc spectrum disorders.
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| 3. |
- van der Veldt, Astrid A. M., et al.
(författare)
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Rapid Decrease in Delivery of Chemotherapy to Tumors after Anti-VEGF Therapy : Implications for Scheduling of Anti-Angiogenic Drugs
- 2012
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Ingår i: Cancer Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1535-6108 .- 1878-3686. ; 21:1, s. 82-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Current strategies combining anti-angiogenic drugs with chemotherapy provide clinical benefit in cancer patients. It is assumed that anti-angiogenic drugs, such as bevacizumab, transiently normalize abnormal tumor vasculature and contribute to improved delivery of subsequent chemotherapy. To investigate this concept, a study was performed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using positron emission tomography (PET) and radiolabeled docetaxel ([11C]docetaxel). In NSCLC, bevacizumab reduced both perfusion and net influx rate of [11C]docetaxel within 5 hr. These effects persisted after 4 days. The clinical relevance of these findings is notable, as there was no evidence for a substantial improvement in drug delivery to tumors. These findings highlight the importance of drug scheduling and advocate further studies to optimize scheduling of anti-angiogenic drugs.
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