The primary outcome assessed was the frequency of acute exacerbations during follow-up. Results: Six trials involving 1,485 COPD patients were included in the analysis. Analysis of the pooled data of all 6 trials showed that macrolide administration reduced the frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD [risk ratio (RR) = 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.89, p = 0.01]. Subgroup analysis showed that only erythromycin might be associated with decreased COPD exacerbations (erythromycin: p = 0.04, azithromycin: p = 0.22, clarithromycin: p = 0.18). Moreover, macrolide therapy for 3 months did not significantly reduce the number of exacerbations (p = 0.18), whereas a beneficial effect was conclusive in the 6-month

(p = 0.009) and 12-month (p = 0.03) treatment subgroups. In addition, nonfatal adverse events were more frequent in the macrolide treatment groups than in the controls (RR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.06-1.64, p = 0.01). However, related clinical

selleckchem ARS-1620 factors had no influence on the overall result (p = 0.19). There was no publication bias among the included trials. Conclusions: Macrolide therapy was effective and safe in decreasing the frequency of exacerbations in patients with COPD. Treatment might provide a significant benefit but only when therapy lasts more than 6 months. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“MgB2/Al/AlN/MgB2 multilayered Josephson junctions were fabricated on c-plane sapphire substrates. The measured current-voltage characteristics were well fitted with a resistively and capacitively shunted junction model. For a junction with 0.56-nm-thick AlN and 10-nm-thick Al layers, the current

density was 740 A/cm(2) and the ICRN product was 210 mu V. The Josephson currents were found to be ideally modulated in accordance with theoretical calculations by an external magnetic field. Clear Shapiro steps were observed under irradiation at 95.622 GHz, and fourth step was obtained. Shapiro step heights were consistent with the resistively and capacitively shunted junction model. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3029726]“
“Antineutrophil ERK inhibitor cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitides (AASV) consists of small-vessel systemic inflammatory disorders which commonly affect the kidneys and without treatment have a poor prognosis. Rituximab is a novel biological agent which is being used experimentally in the management of AASV. This report presents the case of a young woman with rapidly progressive life-threatening AASV. Despite prompt diagnosis and initial treatment with steroids and alkylating agents her condition became life threatening. With addition of rituximab therapy she showed an excellent sustained response. Rituximab appears an effective and safe treatment choice for the induction of remission in severe AASV that is not responding to standard agents, at the initial presentation and for maintenance therapy, without the development of common serious side-effects associated with immunosuppression.