Novartis

About: Novartis is a company organization based out in Basel, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Alkyl & Population. The organization has 41930 authors who have published 50566 publications receiving 1978996 citations. The organization is also known as: Novartis International AG.

The metabolic syndrome and risk of major coronary events in the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) and the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study (AFCAPS/TexCAPS)

Abstract: The metabolic syndrome, which is a set of lipid and nonlipid risk factors of metabolic origin linked with insulin resistance, is believed to be associated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, but few have studied this association in prospective long-term cardiovascular outcomes trials. Placebo data from the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) and the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study (AFCAPS/TexCAPS) were used post hoc to estimate the long-term relative risk of major coronary events (MCEs) associated with the metabolic syndrome, after excluding diabetes mellitus. In 4S and AFCAPS/TexCAPS, respectively, placebo-treated patients with the metabolic syndrome were 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 1.8) and 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.9) times more likely to have MCEs than those without it. Of the components of the metabolic syndrome, low high-density lipoprotein levels were associated with elevated risk of MCEs in both studies, whereas high triglycerides in 4S and elevated blood pressure and obesity in AFCAPS/TexCAPS were associated with significantly increased relative risk. Patients with the metabolic syndrome showed increased risk of MCEs irrespective of their Framingham-calculated 10-year risk score category (>20% vs

Alpha-cells of the endocrine pancreas: 35 years of research but the enigma remains.

Abstract: Glucagon, a hormone secreted from the alpha-cells of the endocrine pancreas, is critical for blood glucose homeostasis. It is the major counterpart to insulin and is released during hypoglycemia to induce hepatic glucose output. The control of glucagon secretion is multifactorial and involves direct effects of nutrients on alpha-cell stimulus-secretion coupling as well as paracrine regulation by insulin and zinc and other factors secreted from neighboring beta- and delta-cells within the islet of Langerhans. Glucagon secretion is also regulated by circulating hormones and the autonomic nervous system. In this review, we describe the components of the alpha-cell stimulus secretion coupling and how nutrient metabolism in the alpha-cell leads to changes in glucagon secretion. The islet cell composition and organization are described in different species and serve as a basis for understanding how the numerous paracrine, hormonal, and nervous signals fine-tune glucagon secretion under different physiological conditions. We also highlight the pathophysiology of the alpha-cell and how hyperglucagonemia represents an important component of the metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus. Therapeutic inhibition of glucagon action in patients with type 2 diabetes remains an exciting prospect.

High-dose recombinant interleukin-2 therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma: long-term survival update.

Abstract: Purpose To update response duration and survival data for patients with metastatic melanoma receiving the high-dose IV bolus recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 regimen. Patients and methods Two hundred seventy assessable patients were entered into eight clinical trials conducted between 1985 and 1993. IL-2 600,000 or 720,000 IU/kg was administered by 15-minute intravenous infusion every 8 hours for up to 14 consecutive doses over 5 days as clinically tolerated with maximum support, including pressors. A second, identical cycle of treatment was scheduled following 6 to 9 days of rest, and courses could be repeated every 6 to 12 weeks in stable or responding patients. Responding patients received up to five courses (two cycles/course) of treatment. All data were updated through December 1998 using report forms completed by the clinical investigators. Results The objective overall response rate was unchanged from the previous report. Tumor responses were seen in 16% of patients, with complete responses in 17 (6%) and partial responses in 26 (10%). Median survival for the group as a whole is now 12 months. Median follow-up time for surviving patients exceeds 7 years. Median duration of response for the 43 responding patients and the 26 patients with partial responses remained unchanged at 8.9 and 5.9 months, respectively. Response durations ranged from 1.5 to > 122 months. The median duration of complete responses has yet to be reached, but is at least 59 months. Thirty-one patients (11%) were alive as of last contact; 28 were confirmed, including 18 responding patients. Three patients were lost to follow-up at > 1, > 13, and > 104 months. Twelve responding patients remained continually disease- or progression-free from > 70 to > 150 months following initiation of therapy. Disease progression was not observed in any patient who was responding as of the last report or in any patient responding for longer than 30 months. Conclusion These data continue to support the notion that high-dose IL-2 produces durable responses in some patients with metastatic melanoma and should be considered a therapeutic option for appropriately selected patients with this disease.

Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibition Compared With Enalapril on the Risk of Clinical Progression in Surviving Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract: Background—Clinical trials in heart failure have focused on the improvement in symptoms or decreases in the risk of death and other cardiovascular events. Little is known about the effect of drugs ...

Carbocyclic nucleosides containing bicyclic rings, oligonucleotides therefrom, process for their preparation, their use and intermediates

Abstract: Compounds of the formulae I and Ia and their racemates ##STR1## in which A is --CH 2 -- or --CH 2 CH 2 --, R 1 is hydrogen or a protective group, R 2 is hydrogen or a protective group or a radical forming a phosphorus-containing nucleotide bridge group and B is a purine or pyrimidine radical or an analogue thereof, can be used as antiviral active ingredients or for the preparation of biologically active oligonucleotides.