PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Extended”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Long-term preservation of chilled canine semen: effect of commercial and laboratory prepared extenders.

The present study was conducted to evaluate chilled semen conservation over time in 3 commercial and 4 laboratory prepared extenders, including a new Tris-glucose extender. The beneficial effect of adding egg yolk to these media was also analyzed. The effects of these extenders on motility and acrosome reaction were characterized objectively using a computer-aided semen analyzer and the chlortetracycline staining, respectively. No significant differences were observed when comparing the different commercial extenders without egg yolk, but addition of egg yolk improved all motility parameters significantly (preservation of 50% of motility was observed at 3.2+/-1, 2.9+/-0.5, 2.3+/-0.5, 8.5+/-0.2, 5.4+/-1.1, 5.2+/-0.4 d, for Biladyl, green extender and fresh-phos extenders without and with egg yolk, respectively). Motility parameters were best preserved in egg yolk supplemented Biladyl extender with a mean percentage of 86.3+/-10.5 motile spermatozoa after 7 d at 4 degrees C. Efficacy of egg yolk-supplemented commercial extenders on sperm motility at 4 degrees C was (in decreasing order) as follows: Biladyl > green extender > fresh-phos. However, high quality motility and the percentage of motile spermatozoa were highest with some of the laboratory prepared extenders: a 50% conservation rate of motile spermatozoa was observed following the use of supplemented egg yolk extenders. These are classified in decreasing order as follows: Tris-glucose (13+/-1 d) > Tris-fructose (9.7+/-0.6) > EDTA (4.+/-0.6 d) > Tris-bes (3.6+/-1.1 d). A low concentration of motile spermatozoa was still observed in the Tris-glucose egg yolk extender 16 d after collection, clearly demonstrating the importance of the medium and the beneficial effect of egg yolk on sperm motility of 4 degrees C chilled semen. Similar effects of extender were observed for acrosome reactions. Egg yolk clearly had a protective effect reducing acrosome reactions significantly in all media tested as follows: the highest acrosome losses were observed in the fresh-phos and EDTA extenders without egg yolk; the lowest rate was observed with Tris-glucose supplemented egg yolk extender. In conclusion, at 4 degrees C, egg yolk extender best-protected sperm motility parameters. Differences in osmolarity between the extenders in terms of substrate related to sperm metabolic activity may explain the optimal results obtained using egg yolk-supplemented Tris-glucose extender, which preserved motility and acrosome integrity in chilled dog semen. These results indicated that good quality dog spermatozoa could be preserved for up to 10 d.

Acrosome Reaction↗

Metformin extended release: metformin gastric retention, metformin GR, metformin XR.

Metformin extended release [Glumetza, metformin hydrochloride, metformin gastric retention, metformin GR] is a proprietary once-a-day formulation of metformin hydrochloride under development with Depomed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In May 2002, Depomed licensed manufacturing and marketing rights for its proprietary formulation of metformin extended release (500mg dose) to Biovail Corporation for the US (including Puerto Rico) and Canada. Under the terms of the agreement, Biovail will pay DepoMed a 25 million dollars milestone fee upon approval of the 500mg dosage and also customary royalties on the net sales in the US and Canada. Biovail also agreed to acquire approximately 2.4 million of additionally issued Depomed shares for 12.3 million dollars. Biovail has subsequently developed a 1000mg dose of metformin extended release [metformin XR] using its proprietary Smartcoat delivery technology allowing a graduated release of the active drug from the tablet. In April 2004, Depomed and Biovail amended their original license agreement of May 2002. Under the terms of the amended agreement, Depomed will receive royalties on sales of Biovail's 1000mg tablet in the US and Canada. In turn, Biovail acquired access to Depomed's clinical data for the metformin 500mg tablet that will be used to accelerate regulatory filings for Biovail's 1000mg tablet and establish equivalence between the two dosages. Biovail is seeking marketing partners for metformin extended release (Glumetza) in the US. The company anticipates signing an agreement for the US during the second half of 2005. In Canada, Biovail Corporation will market Glumetzatrade mark through its Canadian division, Bioval Pharmaceuticals Canada. Depomed has an agreement with LG Life Sciences for the commercialisation and distribution of metformin extended release in Korea. Metformin GR is available for partnership in Europe and Asia. Biovail Corporation and Depomed announced in June 2005 that the US FDA has approved metformin extended release (Glumetza) 500mg and 1000mg tablets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Biovail plans launching the product in the fourth quarter of 2005. In July 2005, Biovail paid Depomed a 25 million dollars milestone payment following approval of metformin extended release in the US for type 2 diabetes. In March 2005, Biovail Corporation and Depomed announced that they have received an approvable letter from the FDA for the once-daily, extended-release formulation of metformin extended release (Glumetza) 500mg and 1000mg tablets. The letter specified an issue related to finalising one manufacturing specification. There were no clinical labeling issues identified in the letter. Both companies filed a response to a specified issue at the FDA on 8 April 2005. The companies believed that the response will be classified as a Class I response with a 60-day review period. The 500mg dosage was developed by Depomed using its patented drug delivery GR technology, while Biovail developed metformin 1000mg dose using its proprietary Smartcoat delivery technology. Biovail's NDA for a once-daily, extended-release formulation of metformin HCl for the treatment of type II diabetes was filed in April 2004 and accepted for review in June 2004 by the FDA. Depomed completed two double-blind, pivotal, phase III clinical trials with metformin extended release 500mg at 60 sites in the US in more than 1000 patients with type 2 diabetes. In three different dosing regimens, metformin extended release significantly decreased the glycosylated haemoglobin level similarly to that of metformin immediate-release. Biovail successfully compared metformin extended release 1000mg dose with Depomed's 500mg dose in multiple equivalence studies. In these studies, metformin extended release was well tolerated and demonstrated an excellent safety profile in terms of gastrointestinal adverse events. On 1 June 2005, Depomed and Biovail Comporation, the licensee, announced that the Therapeutic Products Directorate in Canada issued a Notice of Compliance for metformin extended release (Glumetza) 500mg and 1000mg for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Biovail Pharmaceuticals Canada plans to launch the product in the fourth quarter of 2005. Biovail has submitted an application for metformin extended release with the Therapeutic Products Directorate in Canada. and received notification of acceptance for review in August 2004. Bristol-Myers Squibb is marketing a proprietary, once-daily extended-release formulation of metformin (Glucophage XR). Several companies are developing controlled-release and extended-release formulations of metformin.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

The effect of different extenders on post-thaw sperm survival, acrosomal integrity and longevity in cryopreserved semen of Formosan Sika deer and Formosan Sambar deer.

This study investigates the efficacy of five extenders in contributing to the outcome of semen cryopreservation in Formosan Sika and Sambar deer. Pooled semen (n=4) of six males of each breed was used. In Sika deer, semen collection rate was 96% (23/24) over all electro-ejaculations. Volume, sperm motility and sperm concentration of fresh ejaculates was 0.5+/-0.4 ml, 77+/-6% and 1471.3+/-940.0 x 10(6) ml(-1), respectively. Post-thaw motility in respective extender was A: 66+/-16%; B: 71+/-2%; C: 73+/-6%; D: 9+/-4% and E: 26+/-12% (mean+/-S.D.). In extender C (74+/-14%) more viable spermatozoa were preserved than in the others (A: 64+/-10%; B: 48+/-11%; D: 41+/-16%; E: 47+/-6%; P<0.05). Acrosomal integrity was not influenced by extender composition. Post-thaw motility did not decrease during a 4-h incubation period, irrespective of the extender used (P>0.05). In Sambar deer, semen collection rate was 88% (21/24) over all electro-ejaculations. Volume, sperm motility and sperm concentration of fresh ejaculates was 1.3+/-0.5 ml, 82+/-4% and 379.1+/-252.2 x 10(6) ml(-1), respectively. Post-thaw motility was in respective extenders A: 69+/-2%; B: 74+/-6%; C: 73+/-2%; D: 13+/-6% and E: 31+/-20%. Extenders B and C were superior (P>0.05) with respect to sperm motility. Similarly, post-thaw viability in extenders A (70+/-7%), B (76+/-7%) and C (79+/-2%) was higher than that D (25+/-19%) and E (29+/-17%) (P<0.01). Sperm acrosomal integrity was better preserved in extenders B (86+/-4%) and C (83+/-4%) than in extenders A (54+/-13%), D (39+/-22%) and E (46+/-22%) (P<0.05). Post-thaw sperm longevity in extender A reduced from 69 to 16% during incubation (P<0.05) whereas only a slight decrease was observed in the other extenders after 4 h. In conclusion these data show that egg-yolk-Tris-Tes-glycerol based extender C containing Equex STM paste is optimal for freezing semen of Formosan Sika deer while egg-yolk-Tris-citric acid-glycerol based extender B containing Equex and extender C are superior in semen cryopreservation to others for Formosan Sambar deer.

Acrosome↗

Influence of centrifugation and different extenders on post-thaw sperm quality of ram semen.

Using a 2-step extension methodology to freeze ram semen, 2 freezing protocols (P1 and P2) and 3 extenders were evaluated in a split-sample experiment. The freezing protocols were tested in combination with Extenders A and B (Experiment 1), and B and C (Experiment 2). Protocol 1 included centrifugation before filling the straws to reconcentrate the diluted semen to a calculated sperm concentration of 800 x 10(6) cells/mL. Protocol 2 involved appropriate ejaculate extension to yield 800 x 10(6) cells/mL as in P1, albeit avoiding centrifugation. Extenders A and B were milk-based and were supplemented with 5% egg yolk and fructose. Extender B was clarified by centrifugation (twice at 3310 g/20 min). Extender C was based on TRIS-citrate-fructose supplemented with 20% egg yolk and clarified as described for Extender B. Final glycerol concentration was 7% for all 3 extenders. Post-thaw parameters studied were subjective motility, computer assisted sperm motility analysis (CASA), membrane integrity (SYBR-14/P1), and capacitation status (chlortetracycline assay, CTC). The overall sperm concentration (x 10(6)/straw) differed (P<0.001) between P1 (mean+/-SD, 138.1+/-14.8) and P2 (216.5+/-13.9). Despite centrifugation, P1 appeared to be less harmful for spermatozoa than P2, yielding higher percentages of subjective motility, linearity, membrane integrity and uncapacitated spermatozoa. Due to the difference in concentrations obtained between P1 and P2, the total calculated numbers of spermatozoa having desirable characteristics were higher in samples processed as P2. In Experiment 1, P1 resulted in lower calculated numbers x 10(6) in the Aldose of subjective motility (87.2+/-5.1 vs 125.3+/-5.1; P<0.05), linearity (70.6+/-4.3 vs 79.8+/-4.3; NS), intact-membrane (77.4+/-5 vs 108.5+/-5.1; P<0.001), and uncapacitated (36.5+/-2.5 vs 46.5+/-2.5; P<0.05) spermatozoa, than P2. In Experiment 2, calculated sperm numbers (x 10(6)/straw) were lower in P1 than in P2 for subjective motility (80.8+/-5.4 vs 92.0+/-5.4; NS), linearity (63.3+/-5.6 vs 73.1+/-5.6; NS), membrane integrity (77.7+/-3.6 vs 101.0+/-3.6; P<0.001), and uncapacitated spermatozoa (28.3+/-3.24 vs. 4.1+/-3.2; P<0.01). Extender B (clarified milk extender) was consistently better than Extender A (nonclarified milk extender) for all parameters studied, but the difference was only statistically significant for linearity after 1 h of incubation at 38 degrees C (44.0+/-2.4 vs 36.2+/-2.4; P<0.05). Extender B was also better than Extender C (TRIS-citrate-fructose) for percentage of uncapacitated (49.7+/-2.2 vs 34.4+/-2.3; P<0.001), subjective motile (57.5+/-2.7 vs 43.8+/-2.7; P<0.01), and linear motile (46.5+/-2.8 vs 33.7+/-2.8; P<0.01) spermatozoa, but not for membrane integrity (51.6+/-1.5 vs 51.7+/-1.5). It was concluded that exclusion of centrifugation, as in P2, yielded higher sperm numbers with desirable characteristics per straw. Clarification of milk-based extender (B) resulted in better post-thaw sperm quality, especially compared with TRIS-based extender (C).

Animals↗

Comparative study on five different commercial extenders for boar semen.

Increasing interest in a longer preservation of diluted boar sperm raises questions in the field concerning the choice of the extender. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity of boar sperm extended in currently used commercial semen extenders. Three long-term extenders and two short-term extenders were compared for different semen quality parameters that can be assessed under routine laboratory conditions. Sperm morphology, motility, pH and bacteriological contamination were investigated during a 7-day period. The number of dead spermatozoa did not differ significantly among the extenders (p > 0.05). Sperm motility was not only related with storage period but most of all with pH, especially in long-term extenders. Differences between the different extenders were prominent (p < 0.05); the sperm preserved in only one long-term extender showed good motility during the whole test period. In all cases, the pH of the extended semen increased by 0.3-0.5 in the first days of storage and was significantly correlated with a decrease in motility. Bacteriological quality had no significant influence on motility or pH of the semen. In conclusion, we can state that in both short-term extenders and in only one long-term extender, sperm longevity, as evaluated by the parameters used in this study, was sufficient during the preservation period. To preserve the quality of diluted boar semen during long-term storage, the choice of the long-term extender is important. In addition, the monitoring of the pH of extended boar semen in our study emphasizes the importance of the buffering capacity of semen extenders.

Animals↗

Equine spermatozoal motility and fertility associated with the incorporation of d-(+)-mannose into semen extender.

Mannose is capable of decreasing bacterial attachment to the uterine mucosa in mares. Bacteria gain entry into the mare's uterus during breeding; therefore, a practical method to deliver mannose to the uterus is to incorporate it into semen extenders. The effect of mannose on spermatozoal motility and subsequent sperm fertilizing capability is unknown. The present study evaluated progressive spermatozoal motility in semen extender formulations incorporating mannose and assessed the fertility of mares inseminated with a mannose-containing semen extender. In Experiment 1, progressive spermatozoal motility in extender mixtures containing 0 mannose (control), 25, 37 or 49 mg/mL mannose was evaluated at 20 degrees C or 5 degrees C holding temperatures for 0, 12, 24 and 48 h post-dilution. Measures were repeated three times using five stallions of proven fertility. High concentrations of mannose in the extender affected progressive motility beyond the time and temperature effects noted in the controls. Extender containing only mannose sugar (49 mg/mL) displayed an immediate depression in progressive motility compared with controls (45.5% versus 62.9%, respectively; P<0.001). The 37 mg/mL mannose extender had a less dramatic decrease in motility (P<0.05) and only after storage at 5 degrees C for > or =12h (48.7% versus 58.0%, respectively). Extender with 25 mg/mL mannose performed no differently than the control formulation under all conditions. In Experiment 2, two groups of mares (n=11 each) were inseminated with 500 x 10(6) progressively motile spermatozoa extended in a traditional skim milk (control) extender or the 37 mg/mL mannose extender preparation. A single-cycle pregnancy rate of 72% was achieved by both groups. Present data suggest that a semen extender containing up to 37 mg/mL mannose could maintain motile spermatozoa for on-farm use and 25 mg/mL mannose concentrations preserved motility during long-term cooling. Likewise, sperm extended with up to 37 mg/mL of mannose had the same fertilizing capability as sperm in traditional extender mixtures.

Animals↗

Extended resections are beneficial for patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Locally advanced colorectal cancer often requires extended resection to radically remove all tumor. This is the only chance for cure in these patients, but a higher complication rate would be expected. To evaluate the overall benefit for the patient, this study assesses morbidity and mortality as well as long-term survival of patients who underwent extended resection for a T3-T4 carcinoma. METHODS: Two hundred twenty patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the colorectum were included. One hundred fifty presented with a T3 and 70 with a T4 tumor. Eighty-three patients underwent extended resection. In 38 patients extended en bloc resection was performed because of inflammatory adherence mimicking infiltration. Thirty-three patients who underwent extended resections were over 70 years of age. There were no significant differences between the groups that underwent extended or nonextended resections in age, sex, stage, or grading. RESULTS: pT4 lesions were significantly more frequent in the extended resection group than in the nonextended resection group. Mean survival was 44 months after extended resections and 45 months after nonextended resections. In the extended resection group there was no significant difference in mean survival between pT3 and pT4 stage patients within 46 and 38 months, respectively. In patients who underwent nonextended resections, however, there was a significant difference in mean survival within 48 months for pT3 and 28 for pT4 patients (P < 0.05). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were comparable between the extended resection group and the non-extended resection group. The presence of residual tumor influenced prognosis of patients significantly; R0 resections fared significantly better than patients who underwent R1 or R2 resections (55 and 51 to 14/12 and 23/8 months) (P < 0.01). Nodal stage and International Union Against Cancer stage were also significant determinants of prognosis. After extended resections mean survival morbidity and 30-day mortality in patients more than 70 years was similar to those less than 70 years. CONCLUSION: Because extended resections can achieve comparable results in locally more advanced colorectal cancer as nonextended resections in less advanced cancer, an aggressive surgical approach is warranted.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The fecundity of porcine semen stored for 2 to 6 days in Androhep and X-CELL extenders.

Extending the raw ejaculate prior to artificial insemination (AI) is beneficial, in part, due to the increased number of females that are bred from an ejaculate, along with prolonged shelf life of the semen. The objective of this study was to examine the affects of storage time on the fecundity of porcine semen diluted in 2 semen extenders, Androhep and X-CELL. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement of treatments was utilized in which 429 high quality, gel-free ejaculates from 48 boars were used in a timed, double insemination of 1,431 first-service gilts. The gilts were divided into groups and inseminated with semen stored in Androhep or X-CELL for 2 to 3 d, 3 to 4 d, 4 to 5 d, or 5 to 6 d prior to use (day of collection = Day 0). Sperm age was identical, and both extenders were used concurrently each day of the trial. Farrowing rate and litter size data were recorded. Farrowing rates did not differ between extenders through Days 4 to 5 of storage. Gilts inseminated with Androhep diluted stored semen showed a decrease (P < 0.001) in farrowing rate compared with those inseminated with semen extended in X-CELL stored for 5 to 6 d. Mean litter sizes did not differ between extenders through Days 2 to 3 of storage. Compared with the X-CELL extended semen, gilts inseminated with Androhep extended semen produced smaller litters when semen was stored for 4 to 5 d (P < 0.05). Within the Androhep treatment, smaller mean litter sizes (P < 0.05) were evident when the semen was stored for 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 d. No differences were detected in litter size or farrowing rate for gilts bred with semen stored for 2 to 6 d in the X-CELL extender (P > 0.1). The results of this study indicate that extender type influences the fertility potential of fresh porcine semen stored for 2 to 6 d. For optimal fecundity in gilts, semen extended with Androhep extender should be used for AI within 3 d. The X-CELL extended semen can be used for up to 6 d without significant decrease in litter size or farrowing rate. These recommendations are dependent upon using high quality semen that is properly handled from collection through insemination.

Animals↗

Effect of semen extender and density gradient centrifugation on the motility and fertility of turkey spermatozoa.

In the absence of commercially viable methods for cryopreserving turkey spermatozoa, new processing methods are required to extend the functional life of stored turkey spermatozoa for artificial insemination. The present study evaluates the efficacy of a new extender (Turkey Semen Extend) and investigates the use of density gradient centrifugation in processing turkey spermatozoa for artificial insemination. The new extender is compared with two commercially available turkey semen extenders, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and Ovodyl. Turkey spermatozoa in Turkey Semen Extend were still motile 20 h after collection, representing a considerable improvement over the other semen extenders (40%, 0% and 8% for Turkey Semen Extend, Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender and Ovodyl, respectively). A field trial on a commercial turkey farm showed improved fertilization rates following insemination of turkey hens with semen extended in Turkey Semen Extend (89.7%) compared with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (86.9%). This difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Processing on a density gradient, optimized for turkey spermatozoa, also increased sperm survival (50% gradient-prepared spermatozoa still motile after 18 h compared with <10% non-processed spermatozoa). Preliminary studies indicate that gradient preparation of spermatozoa may aid survival during cryopreservation.

Animals↗

Freezability of spermatozoa from Finn and Dorset rams in multiple semen extenders.

Ten semen extenders were tested in two experiments for cryopreservation of semen collected from four Finn and four Dorset rams. Two ejaculates of semen were combined from each ram for testing each extender treatment. The extenders consisted of a series of commonly used egg yolk-TRIS media with and without sodium and triethanolamine lauryl sulfate (STLS), a similar extender with 3-N-morpholino propane sulfonic acid (MOPS), and milk and whey extenders. In Experiment 1, extender treatments were replicated with three sets of collections from the eight rams, and in Experiment 2 with two sets. The egg yolk-TRIS-glycerol-STLS (EY(1)TSTLS) extender was significantly superior to other extenders except whole milk in protecting the sperm during freezing and thawing. In Experiment 1, a 20% egg yolk-TRIS-glycerol-STLS extender preserved 71% of the progressively motile Finn sperm (post-thaw divided by pre-freeze percentage of motile sperm), and 76% of the Dorset sperm. In Experiment 2, the corresponding values for the same EY(1)TSTLS extender used with Finn and Dorset sperm were 86 and 64%, respectively. Without STLS the egg yolk extenders were significantly less effective in protecting cryopreserved ram sperm. This egg yolk-TRIS extender, containing STLS and glycerol, may hold promise for freezing ram sperm that could be used successfully for intracervical insemination.

Animals↗

Role of carboxy-extended forms of oxytocin in the rat uterus in the process of parturition.

The hypothalamic synthetic pathway of oxytocin (OT) involves the synthesis of carboxy-extended forms that serve as intermediate prohormones. We hypothesized that extended forms of OT are synthesized in the late-gestational rat uterus and that they compete for OT receptor binding. Parturition occurs only when the ratio of OT to its extended forms reaches a critical level. We have measured OT and its extended forms using two antisera, one recognizing OT and its extended forms, the other recognizing only mature amidated OT. Uterine tissue concentrations of extended forms of OT were 5- to 30-fold greater than those of OT, and both increased progressively and significantly through late gestation. The ratio of OT to its extended forms did not change significantly. Antagonists of estrogen or progesterone receptors reduced concentrations of extended forms by > 90% and of OT by 50%, though the estrogen antagonist significantly prolonged gestation and the progesterone antagonist induced preterm delivery. Using a muscle bath preparation, extended forms of OT were weak uterine stimulants and did not alter the OT concentration-response curves. Extended forms of OT were two to three orders of magnitude less able than OT to displace radiolabeled OT from late-gestational uterine binding sites. We conclude that uterine carboxy-extended OT prohormones are regulated in part by estrogen and progesterone. However, these extended forms of OT have little direct biological activity and do not compete with OT for receptor binding. Their role in the process of parturition may be confined to acting as substrates for OT synthesis.

Animals↗

Mechanistic scheme and effect of "extended sigh" as a recruitment maneuver in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To devise a new form of sigh ("extended sigh") capable of providing a sufficient recruiting pressure x time, and to test it as a recruitment maneuver in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective uncontrolled clinical trial. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit of a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive patients diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (18 men, 2 women, age 59 +/- 10 yrs). INTERVENTIONS: From baseline settings of tidal volume (Vt) 8 mL/kg and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 10 cm H2O on volume control mode with the high pressure limit at 40 cm H2O, the Vt-PEEP values were changed to 6-15, 4-20, and 2-25, each step being 30 secs (inflation phase). After Vt-PEEP 2-25, the mode was switched to continuous positive airway pressure of 30 cm H2O for a duration of 30 secs (pause), after which the baseline setting was resumed following the reverse sequence of inflation (deflation phase). This extended sigh was performed twice with 1 min of baseline ventilation between. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Airway pressures and hemodynamic parameters were traced at each step during the extended sigh. Arterial blood gases and physiologic parameters were determined before the extended sigh (pre-extended sigh), at 5 mins after two extended sighs (post-extended sigh), and then every 15 mins for 1 hr. In our average patient, the recruiting pressure x time of the inflation phase was estimated to be 32.8-35.4 cm H2O x 90 secs. Compared with the inflation phase, inspiratory pause pressure of the deflation phase was lower at Vt-PEEP 6-15 (28.9 +/- 2.7 cm H2O vs. 27.3 +/- 2.8 cm H2O) and 4-20 (31.8 +/- 2.9 cm H2O vs. 31.1 +/- 2.9 cm H2O; both p <.05). Compared with pre-extended sigh, Pao2 (81.5 +/- 15.3 mm Hg vs. 104.8 +/- 25.0 mm Hg; p <.001) and static respiratory compliance both increased post-extended sigh (27.9 +/- 7.9 mL/cm H2O vs. 30.2 +/- 9.7 mL/cm H2O; p =.009). Improvement in these parameters was sustained above pre-extended sigh for the duration of the study. Major hemodynamic or respiratory complications were not noted during the study. CONCLUSION: We present a new form of sigh (i.e., extended sigh) capable of achieving an augmented recruiting pressure x time through a prolonged inflation on a gradually increased end-expiratory pressure. In view of the sustained effect and absence of major complications in our patients, extended sigh could be a useful recruitment maneuver in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Airway Resistance↗

Is there a case for extended interventions for alcohol and drug use disorders?

AIMS: To determine whether there is evidence to support the implementation of extended interventions (i.e. longer than 6 months) for individuals with alcohol or other drug use disorders. METHODS: Literature on extended behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions was reviewed, along with findings from studies of extended monitoring and monitoring paired with adjunctive counseling. Studies were identified through database searches, citations in prior reviews and examinations of recent volumes of relevant journals. Key terms were defined, and a theoretical rationale was presented for extended treatment. Several adaptive treatment studies that made use of stepped care or continuation protocols were also described. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcomes that were considered were alcohol and drug use during the intervention and post-intervention follow-ups. Other outcomes were examined when they were included in the articles reviewed. FINDINGS: Most of the studies in the review provided support for the effectiveness of extended interventions for alcohol and drug abusers, whether the extended care was delivered through face-to-face contact or via the telephone. These findings held across all types of interventions that were examined (e.g. behavioral treatment, pharmacotherapy and monitoring). However, only a few studies directly compared extended and standard length version of the same intervention. New developments in addiction treatment with implications for extended care models were also described and discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the review indicate that maintaining therapeutic contact for extended periods of time with individuals with alcohol and other drug disorders appears to promote better long-term outcomes than 'treatment as usual', although more studies are needed that compare extended and standard versions of interventions. Achieving good compliance and successful disease management with extended interventions will probably require adaptive protocols in which the intensity of treatment can be adjusted up or down in response to changes in symptoms and functioning over time. Future directions in research on extended interventions were discussed.

Alcohol-Related Disorders↗