bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Duration of Fixed Orthodontic Treatment Affect Caries Activity among Adolescents and Young Adults?
Authors: Pinto Alice S. , Alves Luana Severo , Maltz Marisa , Susin Cristiano , Zenkner Julio Eduardo A.
Published: April 2018

This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between fixed orthodontic treatment duration and caries activity. Two hundred and sixty 10- to 30-year-olds were divided into 4 groups (n = 65): no fixed orthodontic appliances (G0), orthodontic treatment for 1 year (G1), 2 years (G2), or 3 years (G3). Orthodontic treatment duration was significantly associated with active caries: prevalence was 1.5% for G0, 27.7% for G1, and 72.3% for G2 and G3; the median number of lesions was 0 for G0 and G1 and 2 for G2 and G3. No differences were observed between G2 and G3. The longer the duration of orthodontic treatment, the higher the prevalence/extent of active caries lesions.
Periplaneta Americana Extract May Attenuate Renal Fibrosis through Inhibiting Janus Tyrosine Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Pathway
Authors: Liu Jingsong , Zhou Lin , He Liyu , Zhong Ying , Zhang Xiaobai , Xiao Bofei , Liu Guoyong
Published: April 2018

Background: Periplaneta americana is one of the ancient insect groups with the strongest vitality. Periplaneta americana extract (PAE) has been explored as an alternative remedy for many diseases. Although much progress has been made in the study about PAE, the role of the drug in renal disease is rarely reported, especially in renal fibrosis. This study was designed to evaluate the renoprotective effect of PAE treatment to renal fibrosis. Method: An in vivo, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model was built. Then the mice were treated with PAE (100 mg/kg body weight) once daily by oral gavage, again starting on the day of UUO and continued for 1 week. At the end of 1 week, the mice were sacrificed; kidney samples were collected for further analysis. In vitro, Boston University mouse proximal tubular cells were plated in 35-mm dishes at a density of 0.3 * 106 cells/dish. Then the cells were treated with 5-ng/mL TGF-β1 in serum-free DMEM medium for an indicated length of time. The experimental groups were pretreated with the indicated concentrations of PAE (0.3125 mg/mL). The cells were further cultured for 24 h, and then cells were monitored morphologically or collected for biochemical analyses. Results: Both in vivo and vitro PAE inhibits the expression of FN and alpha-smooth muscle actin and suppresses renal fibrosis. Importantly, PAE protects against renal fibrosis by inhibiting Janus tyrosine kinase 2 (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT) tyrosine phosphorylation. Conclusion: PAE attenuates renal fibrosis through the suppression of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/Ombitasvir Plus Dasabuvir Regimen in the Treatment of Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Patients with Severe Renal Impairment and End-Stage Renal Disease: a Real-Life Cohort
Authors: Sperl Jan , Kreidlova Miluse , Merta Dusan , Chmelova Klara , Senkerikova Renata , Frankova Sona
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) virus infection reactivates under immunosuppressive drugs and therefore has a negative impact on long-term survival of kidney transplant recipients. Treatment-induced clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in kidney transplant candidates prevents virus reactivation after transplantation. Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/Ombitasvir with Dasabuvir (PrOD) represents a highly effective treatment regimen for HCV genotype 1 (GT1), also suitable for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Serious drug-drug interactions may represent a limiting factor of this regimen. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate safety, efficacy and drug-drug interactions management associated with PrOD treatment in the Czech real-world cohort. Methods: Emphasizing concomitant medication adjustment, we described the treatment course with PrOD regimen in 23 patients (4 with CKD4 and 19 on maintenance haemodialysis) infected with HCV GT1 (21 GT1b, 2 GT1a), 18 males and 5 females with an average age of 53.7 years. Six patients had compensated liver cirrhosis and 3 of them were liver transplant recipients. Results: All 23 patients completed the 12-week treatment and achieved sustained virological response 12 weeks after the treatment (SVR12 rate 100%). None of the patients presented with a significant decrease in haemoglobin level, white blood cell and platelet count during the treatment period. The most frequent adverse events were nausea, hypotension, diarrhoea, and hyperkalemia. Four patients presented with a serious adverse event unrelated to the antiviral drugs (salmonellosis, non-functional kidney graft rejection, early gastric cancer, renal cyst infection, initiation of haemodialysis). Concomitant medication had to be modified with the treatment initiation in 10 out of 23 (43.5%) patients (calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins, diuretics, tacrolimus); four patients required further adjustment of antihypertensive drugs or tacrolimus dosage on-treatment. Conclusion: PrOD regimen demonstrated an excellent efficacy and good tolerability. Both prospective adjustment of concomitant medication and further on-treatment adjustment allowed for a safe treatment course.
Left Ventricular Assist Device Inflow Cannula Angle and Thrombosis Risk
Authors: Chivukula Venkat Keshav , Beckman Jennifer A. , Prisco Anthony R. , Dardas Todd , Lin Shin , Smith Jason W. , Mokadam Nahush A. , Aliseda Alberto , Mahr Claudius
Published: April 2018

Background:

As heart failure prevalence continues to increase in the setting of a static donor supply, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy for end-stage heart failure continues to grow. Anecdotal evidence suggests that malalignment of the LVAD inflow cannula may increase thrombosis risk, but this effect has not been explored mechanistically or quantified statistically. Our objective is to elucidate the impact of surgical angulation of the inflow cannula on thrombogenicity.

Methods and Results:

Unsteady computational fluid dynamics is used in conjunction with computational modeling and virtual surgery to model flow through the left ventricle for 5 different inflow cannula angulations. We use a holistic approach to evaluate thrombogenicity: platelet-based (Lagrangian) metrics to evaluate the platelet mechanical environment, combined with flow-based (Eulerian) metrics to investigate intraventricular hemodynamics. The thrombogenic potential of each LVAD inflow cannula angulation is quantitatively evaluated based on platelet shear stress history and residence time. Intraventricular hemodynamics are strongly influenced by LVAD inflow cannula angulation. Platelet behavior indicates elevated thrombogenic potential for certain inflow cannula angles, potentially leading to platelet activation. Our analysis demonstrates that the optimal range of inflow angulation is within 0±7° of the left ventricular apical axis.

Conclusions:

Angulation of the inflow cannula >7° from the apical axis (axis connecting mitral valve and ventricular apex) leads to markedly unfavorable hemodynamics as determined by computational fluid dynamics. Computational hemodynamic simulations incorporating Lagrangian and Eulerian metrics are a powerful tool for studying optimization of LVAD implantation strategies, with the long-term potential of improving outcomes.
Signaling Games and the Evolution of Structure in Language and Music: A Reply to Ravignani and Verhoef (2018)
Authors: Lumaca Massimo , Baggio Giosuè
Published: April 2018

In their commentary on our work, Ravignani and Verhoef (2018) raise concerns about two methodological aspects of our experimental paradigm (the signaling game): (1) the use of melodic signals of fixed length and duration, and (2) the fact that signals are endowed with meaning. They argue that music is hardly a semantic system and that our methodological choices may limit the capacity of our paradigm to shed light on the emergence and evolution of a number of putative musical universals. We reply that musical systems are semantic systems and that the aim of our research is not to study musical universals as such, but to compare more closely the kinds of principles that organize meaning and structure in linguistic and musical systems.
A Micro-Level Data-Calibrated Agent-Based Model: The Synergy between Microsimulation and Agent-Based Modeling
Authors: Singh Karandeep , Ahn Chang-Won , Paik Euihyun , Bae Jang Won , Lee Chun-Hee
Published: April 2018

Artificial life (ALife) examines systems related to natural life, its processes, and its evolution, using simulations with computer models, robotics, and biochemistry. In this article, we focus on the computer modeling, or “soft,” aspects of ALife and prepare a framework for scientists and modelers to be able to support such experiments. The framework is designed and built to be a parallel as well as distributed agent-based modeling environment, and does not require end users to have expertise in parallel or distributed computing. Furthermore, we use this framework to implement a hybrid model using microsimulation and agent-based modeling techniques to generate an artificial society. We leverage this artificial society to simulate and analyze population dynamics using Korean population census data. The agents in this model derive their decisional behaviors from real data (microsimulation feature) and interact among themselves (agent-based modeling feature) to proceed in the simulation. The behaviors, interactions, and social scenarios of the agents are varied to perform an analysis of population dynamics. We also estimate the future cost of pension policies based on the future population structure of the artificial society. The proposed framework and model demonstrates how ALife techniques can be used by researchers in relation to social issues and policies.
How Criticality of Gene Regulatory Networks Affects the Resulting Morphogenesis under Genetic Perturbations
Authors: Kim Hyobin , Sayama Hiroki
Published: April 2018

Whereas the relationship between criticality of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and dynamics of GRNs at a single-cell level has been vigorously studied, the relationship between the criticality of GRNs and system properties at a higher level has not been fully explored. Here we aim at revealing a potential role of criticality of GRNs in morphogenesis, which is hard to uncover through the single-cell-level studies, especially from an evolutionary viewpoint. Our model simulated the growth of a cell population from a single seed cell. All the cells were assumed to have identical intracellular GRNs. We induced genetic perturbations to the GRN of the seed cell by adding, deleting, or switching a regulatory link between a pair of genes. From numerical simulations, we found that the criticality of GRNs facilitated the formation of nontrivial morphologies when the GRNs were critical in the presence of the evolutionary perturbations. Moreover, the criticality of GRNs produced topologically homogeneous cell clusters by adjusting the spatial arrangements of cells, which led to the formation of nontrivial morphogenetic patterns. Our findings correspond to an epigenetic viewpoint that heterogeneous and complex features emerge from homogeneous and less complex components through the interactions among them. Thus, our results imply that highly structured tissues or organs in morphogenesis of multicellular organisms might stem from the criticality of GRNs.
The Path towards Greater Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Victim Application Processes of the International Criminal Court
Authors: Delagrange Mikel
Published: April 2018

A unique facet of the International Criminal Court is that it allows victims to participate in the justice process and claim reparations against convicted persons. In order to effectively exercise these rights, victims must complete application forms. Over the years, in light of the sheer number of victims seeking to exercise their rights, efforts at enhancing efficiency have focused on reducing the length and breadth of victim application forms and increasing the predictability of the systems utilized by the Court to collect and assess those forms. While laudable achievements have been made, it is argued herein that the Court can further enhance efficiency and victims’ accessibility to proceedings by: committing to earlier action on victim application processes; exploiting potential synergies between victim processes; and pivoting away from paper-based applications in favour of a more digitalized, technology-driven process.
August Tittel (1691–1756): The (Mis)fortunes of an Eighteenth-Century Translator
Authors: Ben-Tov Asaph
Published: April 2018

August Tittel, a Lutheran pastor, translator, ‘minor author’, and fugitive, was best known to contemporaries for his German translation of Humphrey Prideaux’s The Old and New Testament Connected and for his turbulent life. Together with his printed oeuvre, Tittel’s extant correspondence, especially with his patron Ernst Salomon Cyprian, allow us a close scrutiny of the life and work of a minor and troublesome member of the Republic of Letters. Despite its peculiarities, there is much in his career which is indicative of broader trends in early eighteenth-century scholarship, e.g. networks of patronage and a German interest in Jansenist and English biblical scholarship, theology, and confessional polemics. This view of the Republic of Letters ‘from below’ sheds light on a class of minor scholars, which often evades the radar of modern scholarship, but was an essential part of the early modern Republic of Letters.
A new species of Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) from Vanuatu and notes on the genus
Authors: PILLON YOHAN
Published: April 2018

Metrosideros Banks ex Gaertner (1788: 170, Myrtaceae) is one of the most widespread tree genus across the Pacific islands and is an emerging model for the study of speciation in tropical trees (Papadopulos et al. 2011; Stacy et al. 2014). The material housed at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris (P) was recently reviewed in order to prepare the evaluation of the New Caledonian species for the IUCN redlist (IUCN 2017) and apply some recent taxonomic changes in the genus (Pillon et al. 2015). A new species from Vanuatu came to light and is described below.
Two illegitimate superfluous names in Premna (Lamiaceae, Premnoideae)
Authors: LI BO
Published: April 2018

When compiling Flora Yunnanica, Wu (1977) described six new species in the genus Premna Linnaeus (1771: 587), including P. laevigata Wu (1977: 440), P. oligantha Wu (1977: 434), P. punicea Wu (1977: 433), P. rubroglandulosa Wu (1977: 431), P. straminicaulis Wu (1977: 426), and P. velutina Wu (1977: 428). All these species were recognized in the account of Premna of Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (P’ei & Chen, 1982), and in its English updated edition, Flora of China (Chen & Gilbert, 1994). Unfortunately, P. laevigata C.Y.Wu and P. velutina C.Y.Wu are two illegitimate names according to Art. 53.1 of the ICN (McNeill et al. 2012) because they are later homonyms of P. laevigata Miquel (1858: 895) and P. velutina Gürke (1895: 338), respectively. The illegitimacy of the two names was later realized by Boufford & Bartholomew (2012) and Li et al. (2013), proposing the names P. wuii (noting this “wuii” as “wui”) Boufford & Bartholomew (2012: 1) to replace the name P. velutina C.Y.Wu, and P. menglaensis Li (2013: 58) to replace the name P. laevigata C.Y.Wu, respectively.
Symplocos ståhlii Kottaim., a new name for extant Symplocos globosa B.Ståhl (Symplocaceae)
Authors: KOTTAIMUTHU RAMALINGAM
Published: April 2018

Symplocos Jacquin (1760: 24) is the largest genus in the family Symplocaceae and comprises about ca. 340 species (Fritsch et al. 2008). It is distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern and southeastern Asia, the Americas and Australia (Nooteboom 2004). The genus Symplocos Jacq. is known to have 33 species in Ecuador (Ståhl 2010; Ulloa et al. 2015), the majority of which occur in Andean forests (Ståhl 1995). While revising the genus Symplocos in Ecuador, Ståhl (1991) described 15 new species. Among these, the name S. globosa B.Ståhl (1991: 27) is illegitimate, being a later homonym (Art. 53.1 of the ICN; McNeill et al. 2012) of the fossil taxon S. globosa R. Ludwig (1857: 98). Therefore, the new name Symplocos ståhlii Kottaim. is proposed here as a replacement name for the extant S. globosa.
A new species of Xiphogramma Nowicki (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) from Saudi Arabia
Authors: KHAN MOHD TALIB , AHMAD SYED KAMRAN , ANIS SHOEBA BINTE , DAWAH HASSAN ALI
Published: April 2018

The genus Xiphogramma Nowicki (1940) is recorded for the first time from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the description of a new species, Xiphogramma hayati sp. nov. An updated key to the world species of this genus is also provided.
Rediscovered and new perisphaerine cockroaches from SW China with a review of subfamilial diagnosis (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
Authors: LI XIN-RAN , WANG LI-LI , WANG ZONG-QING
Published: April 2018

The taxonomic records of Chinese perisphaerine cockroaches were scattered in literature, and therefore a dedicated study is desired to update our knowledge. This paper reviews the subfamilial diagnosis and Chinese species, mostly from southwestern China. We provide high-definition habitus photos and drawings, the latter emphasizes the genitalia of both sexes, which are generalized with diagrams, abstracted from specimens examined. A total of 18 species are recorded in four genera, including Perisphaerus, or pill cockroach, the type genus of the subfamily. Two new genera and three new species are proposed: Achatiblatta achates gen. & sp. nov., Frumentiforma frumentiformis gen. & sp. nov., and Pseudoglomeris montana sp. nov.. Pseudoglomeris has five new junior synonyms: Corydidarum, Trichoblatta, Kurokia, Glomerexis, and Glomeriblatta; the following combinations are thus revived or new: Ps. aerea comb. nov., Ps. angustifolia comb. nov., Ps. beybienkoi comb. nov., Ps. fallax comb. nov., Ps. magnifica comb. rev., Ps. montshadskii comb. nov., Ps. nigra comb. nov., Ps. sculpta comb. nov., Ps. semisulcata comb. rev., Ps. tibetana comb. nov., and Ps. valida moderata comb. nov.. The following species are revalidated and combinations revived: Pe. pygmaeus comb. rev., Ps. dubia comb. & sp. rev., and Ps. planiuscla comb. & sp. rev.
Aphanius irregularis, a new killifish from south-western Anatolia (Cyprinodontiformes: Aphaniidae)
Authors: YOĞURTÇUOĞLU BARAN , FREYHOF JÖRG
Published: April 2018

Aphanius irregularis, new species, is described from the spring Kaklık in the Büyük Menderes River drainage in south-western Anatolia. Males of A. irregularis are distinguished from males of other species of the A. anatoliae group by having irregularly set and shaped dark-brown flank-bars often fused to each other, forming rows of vertically elongated silvery blotches and many small silvery spots or fields of small vermiculation, disconnected from silvery bar interspaces on flank. Males of A. irregularis are distinguished from males of some other species of the A. anatoliae group by having a wide, dusty grey or black anal-fin margin, often interrupted in small individuals; a narrow, white stripe or a series of white spots on the black dorsal-fin base; and often some white blotches in the middle of the dorsal fin. Females of A. irregularis are distinguished by having a vermiculate brown colour pattern, usually with a mid-lateral series of short stripes. The available molecular genetic data suggest that A. irregularis is closely related to A. maeandricus, which occurs in other springs in the Büyük Menderes River drainage. Geological data suggest that both spring complexes have not been connected until they were caught by the Büyük Menderes River in the Late Quaternary, no more than 0.8 million years ago.
FACETs: A Proposed Next-Generation Paradigm for High-Impact Weather Forecasting
Authors: Rothfusz Lans P. , Schneider Russell , Novak David , Klockow-McClain Kimberly , Gerard Alan E. , Karstens Chris , Stumpf Gregory J. , Smith Travis M.
Published: April 2018

Recommendations by the National Research Council (NRC), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Weather-Ready Nation workshop participants have encouraged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the broader weather enterprise to explore and expand the use of probabilistic information to convey weather forecast uncertainty. Forecasting a Continuum of Environmental Threats (FACETs) is a concept being explored by NOAA to address those recommendations and also potentially shift the National Weather Service (NWS) from (primarily) teletype-era, deterministic watch–warning products to high-resolution, probabilistic hazard information (PHI) spanning periods from days (and longer) to within minutes of high-impact weather and water events. FACETs simultaneously i) considers a reinvention of the NWS hazard forecasting and communication paradigm so as to deliver multiscale, user-specific probabilistic guidance from numerical weather prediction ensembles and ii) provides a comprehensive framework to organize the physical, social, and behavioral sciences, the technology, and the practices needed to achieve that reinvention. The first applications of FACETs have focused on thunderstorm phenomena, but the FACETs concept is envisioned to extend to the attributes of any environmental hazards that can be described probabilistically (e.g., winter, tropical, and aviation weather). This paper introduces the FACETs vision, the motivation for its creation, the research and development under way to explore that vision, its relevance to operational forecasting and society, and possible strategies for implementation.
Broadening Participation by Including More Individuals With Disabilities in STEM: Promising Practices from an Engineering Research Center
Authors: Bellman Scott , Burgstahler Sheryl , Chudler Eric H.
Published: April 2018

This article describes successful practices for including individuals with disabilities (e.g., leaders, students, faculty researchers, advisory board members) in the Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (CSNE), an Engineering Research Center funded by the National Science Foundation. The methods, tools, and materials presented in this article can be used by others seeking to increase the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in postsecondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Methods are employed to ensure that the CSNE is welcoming and accessible to individuals with a wide range of abilities and to recruit individuals with disabilities into significant roles that support the Center’s mission. These efforts have resulted in the engagement of individuals with disabilities in the Center’s operations, activities, and research at a higher rate when compared with all Engineering Research Centers.
Detection of False-Negative Pap Smears using the Papnet System
Authors: Troni Grazia Maria , Cipparrone Ida , Cariaggi Maria Paola , Ciatto Stefano , Miccinesi Guido , Zappa Marco , Confortini Massimo
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

False-negative cytological diagnoses represent the critical point of a screening program for early detection of cervical cancer. Computer-assisted reading using neural network technology has been suggested as a possible approach to manage the problem. The study assessed the performance and the cost-outcome ratio of computer-assisted versus conventional manual Pap smear reading.

Methods

One thousand routine smears, seeded with 81 false-negative smears, were independently interpreted by two readers by conventional and PAPNET-assisted reading. Results of both readings were compared in terms of: a)sensitivity for false-negative smears, b)specificity, and c) cost-outcome (cost per CIN2+ lesion detected).

Results

PAPNET-assisted reading showed a small increase in sensitivity only for one reader. Including the cost of PAPNET, the cost per detected lesion would be $7,543 and the cost per additional detected lesion would be $25,748.

Conclusions

The present study provides further evidence that PAPNET-assisted screening may allow the detection of a few extra cases of CIN2+ lesions with respect to conventional reading, though at a very high cost.
Incidence and Survival Cancer Trends in Children and Adolescents in the Provinces of Florence and Prato (Central Italy), 1985–1997
Authors: Crocetti Emanuele , Bernini Gabriella , Tamburini Angela , Miccinesi Guido , Paci Eugenio
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

The incidence of childhood and adolescent cancers has been increasing during the last decades in most Western countries. Improvements in cancer survival rates have also been observed according to the availability of more efficient therapies.

Methods and study design

A total of 518 cancer cases (age, 0–19 years) incident in the period 1985–1997 in the Tuscany Cancer Registry area, corresponding to the Provinces of Florence and Prato (Central Italy), were analyzed. Incidence rates and estimated annual percentage change were computed according to sex, 5-year age groups and diagnostic groups of the International Classification for Childhood Cancer. All patients were actively followed at 31.12.1998, and 5-year survival rates were computed for cases diagnosed in 1985–1990 and 1991–1997.

Results

Overall age-standardized incidence rates were 186.7/106 for males and 175.4 for females. In 1991–1997, standardized incident rates were 50.8 for leukemias, 44.6 for lymphomas, and 34.3 for CNS tumors. There was a marked increasing trend for lymphomas that grew at a yearly rate of +12.1% and less evident increasing tendency for leukemias, CNS tumors and carcinomas. The overall survival rate was 88% at one year, 78% at 3 years, and 74% at 5 years. A slight improving tendency in survival was evident over time.

Conclusions

The study pointed out that in the examined area, during 1985–1997, there was a significant increasing incidence trend for lymphomas. Survival rates were as high as in other Western countries – evidence of the high level of diagnostic and treatment services in the area.
Preliminary Study on Radioimmunodiagnosis of Experimental Tumor Models Using Technetium-99m-Labeled Anti-C-erbB-2 Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Meenakshi Ananthanarayanan , Kumar Rayala Suresh , Ganesh Venkatraman , Kumar Nallathambi Siva
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

One of the great challenges of oncology is to improve methods for early tumor detection. Diagnosis of premalignant lesions and early stage primary tumors is crucial for the success of cancer therapy and increased survival rates. Growth factor receptors localized to the cell membrane play a vital role in cancer. Monoclonal antibodies labeled with radioisotopes have been used extensively for radioimmunodiagnosis and radioimmunotherapy of various malignancies. A preliminary study on immunoscintigraphy was carried out on animal tumor models using 99mTc-labeled monoclonal antibody CIBCgp185 generated against the C-erbB-2 oncoprotein with a view to develop technologies for in vivo radioimmunodetection and localization of human breast cancer.

Methods

Mammary tumor xenografts induced using BT474 cells, a breast carcinoma cell line showing overexpression of C-erbB-2, were used for immunoscintigraphic studies.

Results

Scintigrams showed high radiolabel uptake by the tumor tissue of the mice belonging to the experimental group, whereas in control animals no radiolabel uptake was visualized. Biodistribution studies correlated well with scintiscans.

Conclusions

The results indicate the potential application of this monoclonal antibody for in vivo diagnosis of occult malignancies of tumors with overexpression of C-erbB-2.
Unusual Complication after Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Guerriero Gabriella , Battista Cleonice , Montesano Marilena , Carino Rita , Primavera Angelo , Costantino Sebastiano , Spoto Silvia , D'Angelillo Rolando Maria , Altomare Vittorio
Published: April 2018

Breast-conserving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy play an important role in the treatment of early breast cancer. Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is an uncommon syndrome reported to be one of the complications of adjuvant radiotherapy. We report the case of a 71-year-old woman who developed cough, dyspnea and fever three weeks after radiation therapy to the left breast for breast carcinoma. Chest X-ray and computed tomography scan demonstrated alveolar opacities within both lungs. Antibiotic therapy against any probable septic pathology did not improve the symptoms, while corticosteroid treatment resulted in rapid clinical improvement together with regression of the pulmonary opacities. Irradiation was thought to be the cause of the migratory pneumonitis, hence this case was clinically diagnosed as radiation-induced migratory pneumonitis similar to BOOP, without lung biopsy. The present case suggests that one should be mindful of this disease when treating patients with a history of irradiation to the breast. BOOP promptly responds to systemic corticosteroid therapy with rapid improvement of symptoms and regression of the pulmonary opacities.
Epithelioid Sarcoma-like Hemangioendothelioma a Case Report
Authors: Tokyol Cigdem , Uzüm Nüket , Kuru Ilhami , Uluoglu Omer
Published: April 2018

Seven cases of an unusual low-grade vascular tumor were reported in a recent study. Despite its similarity to epithelioid sarcoma, this tumor was termed epithelioid sarcoma-like hemangioendothelioma because of the subtle histopathological and immunohistochemical differences. Another case of this rare entity in a 70-year-old woman who suffered from a painful mass on the anterior aspect of the right cubital fossa is presented here, together with a review of the relevant literature.
Single-Agent Irinotecan as Second-Line Weekly Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rosati Gerardo , Cordio Stefano
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

Irinotecan is a standard option for relapsed/refractory advanced colorectal cancer. Although in a recently reported, randomized trial it was found that a regimen of irinotecan once every 3 weeks was associated with a lower incidence of severe diarrhea than with weekly treatment with similar efficacy, there is no evidence in the literature that suggests the optimal dosing strategy for the drug, along with treatment efficacy and safety, following 5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in elderly patients. A phase II study has reported significantly reduced toxicity when irinotecan was administered once a week for 2 weeks, followed by a week rest.

Patients and methods

From January 2004 to April 2005, we analyzed, retrospectively, our data on single-agent irinotecan as a second-line chemotherapy in elderly patients (≥70 years) with advanced colorectal cancer. Twenty-three patients were evaluated. CPT-11 (80 mg/m2) was given as a 60-min intravenous infusion in repeated 21-day courses comprising weekly treatment for 2 consecutive weeks followed by a 1-week rest. Tumor measurements were obtained after every third course of therapy. Toxicity was assessed weekly using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, version 2.

Results

The median number of treatment courses received per patient was 4 (range, 1–8). All patients were assessable for toxicity and 21 for response. The most frequently observed severe toxicities were diarrhea (grade 3, 13%) and neutropenia (grade 3, 30.4%; grade 4, 8.6%). Only 1 case of neutropenic fever occurred. Other hematological and non-hematological toxicities were mild and manageable. Objective partial responses were observed in 3 patients (13%). An additional 10 patients (43%) had stable disease as their best response. To date, 12 patients have progressed with a median time-to-progression of 4.3 months and a median survival of 8.3 months.

Conclusions

A weekly irinotecan administration can induce tumor control in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer that has progressed during or shortly after 5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. However, a careful monitoring of hematological toxicity and special instructions to prevent and manage diarrhea are mandatory in this setting of patients.
Temozolomide and Radiotherapy as First-Line Treatment of High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Corsa Pietro , Parisi Salvatore , Raguso Arcangela , Troiano Michele , Perrone Antonio , Cossa Sabrina , Munafò Tindara , Piombino Michele , Spagnoletti Girolamo , Borgia Francesco
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

Temozolomide, a novel alkylating agent, has shown promising results in the treatment of patients with high-grade gliomas, when used as single agent as well as in combination with radiation therapy.

Materials and methods

In this report we retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcome of 128 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of high-grade gliomas referred to our Institutions from April 1994 to November 2001. The first 64 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone and the other 64 with a combination of radiotherapy and temozolomide (31 with radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide and 33 with radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide followed by adjuvant temozolomide).

Results

Grade 3 hematological toxicity was scored in 9% of 64 patients treated with radiotherapy and temozolomide. No grade 4 hematological toxicity was reported, and the other acute side effects observed were mild or easily controlled with medications. Age, histology and administration of temozolomide were statistically significant prognostic factors associated with better 2-year overall survival. In contrast, we did not observe a significant difference in overall survival between adjuvant and concomitant/adjuvant temozolomide administration.

Conclusions

We report the favorable results of a schedule combining radiotherapy and temozolomide in the treatment of patients with high-grade gliomas. The literature data and above all the findings of the phase III EORTC-NCIC 26981 trial suggest that actually the schedule can be used routinely in clinical practice. Further clinical studies, using temozolomide in combination with other agents, are required.
Assistance to Parents who have Lost their Child with Cancer
Authors: Clerici Carlo Alfredo , Ferrari Andrea , Massimino Maura , Luksch Roberto , Cefalo Graziella , Terenziani Monica , Casanova Michela , Spreafico Filippo , Polastri Daniela , Meazza Cristina , Podda Marta , Fossati-Bellani Franca
Published: April 2018

Aims and background

To assess the psychological needs of parents after the death of their child from cancer.

Methods

The study comprises a preliminary retrospective phase to identify parents who spontaneously contacted the medical staff, followed by a prospective phase in which families were contacted by telephone and were invited to a meeting.

Results

The retrospective study demonstrated that more than 50% of the families spontaneously sought contact with the department. In the prospective study, 17 families were contacted and the majority of them subsequently decided to come to the department for a talk.

Conclusions

Our experience shows that parents have a strong need to have further contact with the team that took care of their children for months. In the process of coping with bereavement, anxiety and depression are common and not necessarily pathological, though there may be psychopathological reactions that can interfere with the parents’ quality of life.
Acute Liver Failure as the Initial Manifestation of Hepatic Infiltration by a Solid Tumor: Report of 5 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Alexopoulou Alexandra , Koskinas John , Deutsch Melanie , Delladetsima Johanna , Kountouras Demetrios , Dourakis Spyros P
Published: April 2018

Background

Acute liver failure is a rare complication of metastatic liver disease with a high mortality. Recognition of malignant infiltration of the liver as the cause of acute liver failure could be a diagnostic challenge.

Patients

The medical files of 5 patients with acute liver failure due to metastatic liver disease collected over a 4-year period (1997–2000) in our department were reviewed.

Results

No patient had a past history of cancer. The interval from jaundice to encephalopathy ranged from 7 to 12 days (median, 10). Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly and deep jaundice in all patients. AST elevation ranged from 147 to 1870 IU/L (median, 716 IU/L) and ALT elevation from 74 to 556 IU/L (median, 138 IU/L). All patients died within 4–14 days (median, 7) of admission. None had papillary edema or decerebrate posture before death. Four patients had concurrent renal impairment. Liver imaging studies in 2 of the 5 patients were nondiagnostic and the malignant liver infiltration was confirmed postmortem. Liver histology in all cases showed massive tumoral infiltration of the hepatic sinusoids with diffuse replacement of hepatocytes. The primary tumors were colon, gastric, small cell lung, pancreas and cancer of unknown origin.

Conclusions

Malignant infiltration of the liver should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of rapidly progressive liver failure. Although effective chemotherapy has improved the survival of patients with metastatic liver disease, there has been no change in the course and outcome of acute liver failure due to malignant infiltration of the liver over the last 2 decades. A proper diagnosis by liver biopsy is mandatory to prevent such patients from being considered for liver transplant.
CONSIDERAZIONI MORFOLOGICHE ED ISTOGENETICHE SUI TUMORI GLOMICI IN BASE AD OTTO OSSERVAZIONI PERSONALI
Authors: Sirtori Carlo , Veronesi Umberto
Published: April 2018

8 cases of glomic tumors (4 of epithelioid type, 4 of angiomatous type according to Masson) are described.

The glomic tumor may arise in any vascular region, owing to the ubiquity of the epithelioid cells which are the originating elements.

The following classification is proposed for the tumors which originate in the vessel-ruling tissues:

1) pheocromocytoma (from the adrenal chromaffin tissue);

2) paraganglioma (from carotid gland and aortic body and from jugular and coccygeal glomera);

3) glomic tumor (from the glomerular arterio-venous anastomoses);

4) pericytoma (from the pericytes).

The two last forms are histologically rather similar. The intermediate forms are also frequent.
LE METASTASI LATEROCERVICALI DI TUMORI DELLA TIROIDE
Authors: Vitagliano Giovanni
Published: April 2018

Laterocervical tumours showing papilliferous aspect and known as « Laterocervical Aberrant Thyroids » are discussed.

It is referred upon the debated question whether to consider them as embryonal rests in pathological growth, or metastases from tumours of the thyroid gland.

The anatomical and functional differences among thyroid gland, accessory thyroids (or median aberrant thyroids), and lateral aberrant thyroids, are pointed out.

Five cases have been observed in the Pathology Departement of the Cancer Institute in Milan.

A certain differentiation is shown by the cells, so that the degree of malignancy is not always easy to recognise (Sirtori's « D » cells) and owing to the macroscopical and microscopical pictures the conclusion is drawn that these neoformations are to be considered as laterocervical metastases from papilliferous carcinomas of the thyroid gland.
I DERMATOFIBROMI
Authors: Vitagliano Giovanni
Published: April 2018

A histological study of 146 Dermatofibromas is exposed.

Areas of fibrosarcomatous transformation were observed in two cases. Melanin was found in tumour cells in seven cases.

The preferred localizations are: lower limb (35), the upper limb (24), the back (23), the thorax (19).

The correlations of Dermatofibroma with Keloid and Basalioma are discussed.
Ovaro-Surrenectomia Bilaterale per Cancro Mammario Incurabile e Metastatizzato
Authors: Bucalossi P. , Catania V. C. , Di Pietro S. , Somigli A.
Published: April 2018

Bilateral oophoro-adrenalectomy was carried out in 12 cases of inoperable disseminated breast cancer. Results are referred.

Subjective and objective improvements and particularly interesting laboratory data are exposed and discussed. The conclusion is drawn that oophoro-adrenalectomy may be considered as a sure though not decisive progress in the palliative therapy of advanced breast cancers.
CONTRIBUTO ALLA CONOSCENZA DELLA CITOLOGIA DELL'APPARATO URO-GENITALE
Authors: Fabris P. , Pizzetti F. , Chierego F.
Published: April 2018

The higher urinary ways have been cytologically studied in normal conditions, acute and chronic phlogosis, hdronephrosis, polycystic kidney, benign and malignant tumours.
MODIFICAZIONI DELL'ATTIVITA’ TRANSAMINASICA NEL TESSUTO NEOPLASTICO E NEI TESSUTI EMOPOIETICI DI RATTI PORTATORI DI MIELOMA IN FASE LEUCEMICA DOPO TRATTAMENTO CON SARCOCLORIN
Authors: Violante A. , Lorenzutti G. , Ragni A.
Published: April 2018

The changes of two transaminase activities in hemopoietic tissues of leukemic and normal rats following Sarcoclorin treatment have been studied. A tendency to normalization of the enzymatic activiaies examined in liver and spleen of the treated leukemic rats has been obtained.

In the normal animals the cytostatic drug induces a slight increase of both enzymatic activities in liver and spleen, while in the marrow a decrease of the alaninaaspartic-ketoglutaric-transaminase ratio is observed.
Comportamento dei Sulfidrili del Siero Nelle Emolinfopatie Maligne
Authors: Paolino W. , Resegotti L. , Sartoris S.
Published: April 2018

Sulfhydryls were determined in the serum of 61 patients affected with malignant hemolymphopathies. The mean values were under normal, except for the group of acute leukemias. A particularly marked difference was found between primary acute leukemias and acutizations of chronic myeloid leukemias. In the former, normal mean values and, in most cases, normal initial values were observed, whereas in the latter no cases with normal initial values were found: here, in addition, the lowest mean values were present. In these cases a relation was observed between lowering of sulfhydryl value and degree of the leukemic hyperplasy. In Hodgkin's disease the lowest sulfhydryl values were found to be consistent with a shorter survival.
Studio Anatomo-Istologico del Corpo Uterino dopo Telecobaltoterapia in Alcuni Casi di Anedocarcinoma Endometriale ()
Authors: Francini M. A.
Published: April 2018

The uterine body is studied from an anatomico-pathological point of view in 3 cases of endometrial carcinoma submitted to pre-operative telecobaltotherapy (6600 r).

The macroscopic examination and the serial histological sections revealed, in the three cases under study, the tumour disappearance; in two cases, however, nests of residual epithelial cells with anaplastic characters were observed.

Apart from the estimation of the therapeutic efficacy of Telecobaltotherapy –- which cannot be evaluated in such a small number of cases –- some considerations are exposed on the scarce connective and phlogistic reactions induced by this radiating therapy. The observed picture is in agreement with earlier observations on cervical carcinoma and on satellite lymph nodes surgically removed after Telecobaltotherapy.
La Restaurazione Protesica Negli Operati Di Resezione Del Mascellare Superiore per Neoplasia
Authors: Catania V. C. , Cislaghi E.
Published: April 2018

The total resection of the superior maxillary bone is mainly indicated in tumours of the infra- and mesostructure.

The wide endo-oral defect residual at the surgical operation causes a number of troubles which are characterized by retraction with sinking of the facial skin flap, rhinolalia, dysphagia with nasal backflow. In most of the cases reported the standardized technique of the operation and its good long-term results allowed a prosthetic reconstruction. The prosthetic reconstruction not only favoured the cicatricial evolution of the endo-oral defect, but also risulted in the rilief of troubles and deficiencies following the surgical demolition, For this purpose, the authors have employed a temporary teeth-free prosthesis, applied 10 to 20 days after the operation and left in position during the first two months, and, later, a permanent prosthesis with teeth. Results were highly sotisfactory both fram a functional and aesthetic standpoint.

The prosthesis was of varying type according to the size of the endo-oral defect as well as to the condition of the remaining teeth. In some cases the prosthesis was supported by steel hooks whereas in other ones Witallium-melted ferrules were anchored to the contralateral teeth. In teeth-free patients the preference has been given to a complete higher and lower prosthesis, with the magnetic system.
Carcinogenic Risk from Ionizing Radiations Used for Diagnostic Purpose
Authors: Lenarduzzi Guerrino , Pistolesi Gian Franco , Valdagni Claudio
Published: April 2018

The carcinogenic effect of small doses of radiation such as those used for diagnostic purpose is difficult to assess. In practice, it can be evaluated with retrospective studies on large groups of population. In addition to the hazard arising from the use of substances which are themselves carcinogenic (thorotrast) and from methodological errors, the carcinogenic risk due to irradiation in adults can be evaluated in the order of 20 leukemias and 20 cancers in 10–20 years in 1 milion people for each rad of exposure. On the contrary, the irradiation of the fetus for diagnostic purposes leads to approximately a 40 % increase of the oncogenic risk. Radioprotective measures and the restriction of radiological examinations within the limits of well defined clinical indications reduce the risk.
Environmental Carcinogenic Factors in Relation to Public Health
Authors: Scanga Francesco , Prozzo Ennio
Published: April 2018

The public health problems relevant for the general population which are raised by environmental contaminations with carcinogenic factors are reviewed. The discussion includes ionizing radiations, drugs, air pollution and tobacco smoke. The recent Italian legislation on air pollution control and the Italian situation concerning prevention of cigarette smoking are commented in detail.
A Clinicostatistical Review of 78 Esophageal Cancers Subjected to Telecobalt Therapy
Authors: Guzzon Adalgiso , Milani Franco , Volterrani Fabio
Published: April 2018

The inoperable esophageal cancers subjected to telecobalt therapy at the National Cancer Institute, Milan, between June 1958 and June 1966 are reviewed. The series consists of 78 patients who received a «curative» dose, that is over 4000 rad to the tumor. The anatomical, clinical and Xray data are shown in the tables. The technicalities and dose-levels are discussed. 23 patients survived for over a year; the average survival for the whole series was a little under 10 months. The useful dose is thought to be about 6000 rad in 2 months, where possible.
Gastro-duodenal Lipoma
Authors: Gennari Leandro , Preda Ferdinando , Terno Giovanni
Published: April 2018

A case of a 74 years old woman, with a gastro-duodenal lipoma, is presented. This is the first case observed at the National Cancer Institute of Milan, out of 49 benign tumors of the stomach observed from 1928 to 1967.
Preliminary Results of Effect of Fractionation in Roentgentherapy and Radium Therapy on Carcinoma of the Lip
Authors: Boulos Badi M. , Hassanein Khatab M.
Published: April 2018

In the group of patients studied, deep X-ray therapy is more effective in increasing average survival time when fractionation is reduced to gaps of less than three days, and when there is no recurrence. Radium implants were found to be more effective in the younger patients, and at lower doses.