bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Survey of Clinical Practices in Lombardy, Italy, by the Airo-Lombardia Cooperative Group
Authors: Villa Sergio , Bertoni Filippo , Bossi Alberto , Caraffini Bruno , Corbella Franco , Di Lorenzo Innocenzo , Italia Corrado , Leoni Mario , Nava Simona , Sarti Enrico , Vavassori Vittorio , Villa Eugenio , Palazzi Mauro 
Published: April 2018

Aims and background We report the results of a survey performed in 1994 by the AIRO-Lombardia Cooperative Group, on the clinical patterns of radiation treatment for prostatic carcinoma in Lombardy, Italy, involving all radiotherapy centers serving an overall local population of about 8,800,000 people. Methods A questionnaire was sent to all 13 radiotherapy centers throughout Lombardy, asking for demographic and treatment details concerning the local population of patients with a localized (T1-4, N0-1, M0) carcinoma of the prostate treated with radiotherapy; 12 centers responded, making the basis for the present report. Results Analysis of collected data showed that in Lombardy: a) approximately 400 patients per year are irradiated for a localized carcinoma of the prostate, accounting for less than 30% of the total expected number of patients with this disease presentation; b) a complete staging (with PSA, transrectal ultrasonography, abdomino-pelvic CT or MRI scan and total-body bone scan) is performed in over 95% of patients before initiating radiotherapy; c) significant differences exist between radiotherapy centers as regards treatment planning and delivery. Conclusions An urgent need exists for implementing procedures aimed at standardizing radiotherapy procedures within Lombardy.
Ifosfamide Bolus Followed by Five Days Continuous Infusion in Extensively Pretreated Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer: A Phase II Study
Authors: Bisagni Giancarlo , Boni Corrado , Manenti Anna Lucia , Moretti Gabriella , Rondini Ermanno , Sassi Maurizio , Zadro Alvise , Savoldi Luisa 
Published: April 2018

Purpose A phase II study with ifosfamide in pretreated patients with advanced breast cancer was performed to determine the objective response rate, the toxicity and the feasibility of the regimen. Methods & study design Patients enrolled had advanced breast cancer pretreated with at least one previous regimen of chemotherapy for advanced disease. Treatment consisted of ifosfamide infused at a dose of 2 g/m2 iv in 4 hrs followed by ifosfamide, 8 g/m2 iv in 120 hrs in ambulatory treatment, using a portable external pump system. The total dose of ifosfamide was 10 g/m2; mesna (4 g/m2 iv) was administered mixed with ifosfamide in 120 hrs Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. Three patients were pretreated with neoadjuvant and 15 with adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients were treated for advanced disease (median number of regimens, 1; range, 1-3): 21 with the cyclophosphamide-containing regimen and 15 with adryamicin. Sixteen patients received one or more lines of endocrine therapy. Fifteen patients had dominant site in viscera, 6 in bone, and only one in soft tissue; 17 patients had more than one site of disease. Results Twenty-two patients were enrolled and all were assessable for response and toxicity. A partial response was reached in 5 patients (23%; 95% confidence limits 5% to 60%). Hematologic toxicity was the dose-limiting side effect; grade 4 leukopenia occurred in 10 patients (46%). Conclusions Considering the response rate obtained in our series of intensively pretreated patients, the results seem to indicate that the regimen is active and could be included among the possible options in the treatment of patients with refractory, poor-prognosis, advanced breast carcinoma.
Pilot Study of Daily Ifosfamide 1 g/m2 Until Grade III Granulocytopenia as Second-Line Chemotherapy for Anthracycline-Pretreated Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Babović Nada , Jelic Svetislav , Milanović Nenad , Matković Suzana 
Published: April 2018

Background and aims Second-line chemotherapy regimens for advanced soft tissue sarcomas after treatment failure or tumor relapse following anthracyclines are still investigational. The aim of the present study was to assess the activity of ifosfamide with a new schedule for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma failing to achieve remission or relapsing following anthracycline-containing regimens; it was attempted to individualize dosages and prevent excessive toxicity. Study design A second-line chemotherapy regimen of ifosfamide 1 g/m2 daily, with drug withdrawal until the next cycle upon appearance of grade III granulocytopenia, was administered to 21 patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. All patients failed to achieve remission or relapsed following a first-line high-dose anthracycline regimen (epirubicin 180 mg/m2 or zorubicin 600 mg/m2 per cycle). The cycles were repeated every four weeks. Results The median number of cycles applied was three (range, 1-15). The ifosfamide dosage reached was 4-13 g/m2 per cycle, median 5 g/m2. A complete response was achieved in 1/21 patient (5%), no partial responses were observed, 4/21 patients (20%) had stable disease, and 16/21 (75%) had progressive disease. No difference in response and stable disease rates was observed between responders and non-re-sponders to first-line chemotherapy. No difference in the ifosfamide dose reached was noted between patients receiving second-line chemotherapy directly following first-line therapy and those with a time interval between first- and second-line chemotherapy. The granulocytopenia grade III nadir lasted for a median of one day (range, 1-3) and other toxicities including hematological toxicity were mild and infrequent. Conclusions In view of the swift regeneration from grade III granulocytopenia, continuation of the study with granulocytopenia grade IV as a limiting factor for ifosfamide dose escalation seems feasible, with the prospect of better efficacy without excessive toxicity.
Accuracy of Epiluminescence Microscopy among Practical Dermatologists: A Study from the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy
Authors: Stanganelli Ignazio , Serafini Monica , Cainelli Tullio , Cristofolini Mario , Baldassari Laura , Staffa Mauro , Bucchi Lauro 
Published: April 2018

Aims and background The accuracy of epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) for pigmented skin lesions (PSLs) is still unclear. The large scale utilization of the technique is generally discouraged. The present study was aimed at comparing the accuracy of ELM with that of clinical examination alone in a group of 20 practical dermatologists. Methods and study design Thirty digital clinical images of benign and malignant PSLs and their digital ELM counterparts were used. A set of cumulative accuracy measures reported in the combined clinical/ELM diagnosis was compared with that reported in the clinical diagnosis alone. Results The proportion of nonmelanocytic lesions (NMLs), melanocytic nevi, and melanomas correctly identified, the predictive value of such diagnoses, and the proportion of melanomas detected by referral for biopsy (irrespective of the diagnosis reported) increased significantly. The cases referred for biopsy despite a “benign” impression decreased significantly among NMLs. Conclusions The observed tendency towards a greater accuracy suggests that even in the routine dermatology practice ELM has the potential to improve the clinical examination of PSLs.
Pharmacokinetics of Intraperitoneal Gemcitabine in a Rat Model
Authors: Pestieau Sophie R. , Stuart O. Anthony , Chang David , Jacquet Pierre , Sugarbaker Paul H. 
Published: April 2018

Background Gemcitabine (2'-2’ difluorodeoxycytidine) has been shown to possess a broad spectrum of antitumor activity against various malignancies, particularly pancreatic carcinoma. For cancers occurring within the abdominal cavity, the advantage of intraperitoneal (ip) chemotherapy over intravenous (iv) chemotherapy is the high drug concentration that can be achieved locally. In addition, the cytotoxic effect of several anticancer agents can be enhanced by hyperthermia. Using a rat model, this study was designed to compare ip vs iv gemcitabine and to evaluate the effect of hyperthermia on ip gemcitabine. Methods In the first phase of this study, 18 Sprague Dawley rats were given a single dose of gemcitabine then randomized into three groups according to dose and route of delivery of chemotherapy (12.5 mg/kg - iv, 12.5 mg/kg - ip or 125 mg/kg - ip). In a separate experiment (phase 2), 12 Sprague Dawley rats were given a continuous ip perfusion of gemcitabine (12.5 mg/kg in 150 mL total perfusate) and randomized into two groups according to the temperature of the peritoneal perfusate (normothermic or hyperthermic). During the course of both experiments, peritoneal fluid and blood were sampled using a standardized protocol. At the end of the procedure the rats were sacrificed and all urine was extracted. Selected tissue samples were taken from rats in the second phase of the study. The concentration of gemcitabine in all samples was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results When gemcitabine was delivered at 12.5 mg/kg (phase 1) the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher with ip administration as compared to iv administration ( P = 0.001). The AUC ratio (AUC peritoneal fluid/AUC plasma) was 12.5 ± 3.2 for ip delivery as opposed to 0.2 ± 0.2 for iv delivery ( P = 0.0002). The AUC ratio for ip gemcitabine at 125 mg/kg was 26.8 ± 5.8. Although there was no significant difference in drug concentrations between samples from the normothermic and hyperthermic groups, all tissue samples (except stomach) in the hyperthermic group exhibited increased gemcitabine concentrations. Conclusion These experiments demonstrated that the exposure of peritoneal surfaces to gemcitabine is significantly increased with ip gemcitabine. Intraabdominal hyperthermia had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of ip gemcitabine but there was evidence of increased absorption of gemcitabine in most intraabdominal tissues. Due to the likelihood of a high incidence of microscopic residual disease after resection of a pancreatic carcinoma, clinical studies to evaluate ip hyperthermic gemcitabine may be indicated.
Non-Conventional Treatment of Hepatic Failures
Authors: Sofer S.S. , Hare L.H. 
Published: April 2018

It is our intention to present a short review of various approaches to the non-conventional treatment of hepatic failures of the fulminant type. Our review is directed to the scientist, technologist, and clinician with a budding interest in the hepatic assist area. We shall discuss parabiosis, liver transplants, and various extracorporeal devices including hemoperfusion, hemodialysis, and enzymic detoxification systems. We feel that the present technological approaches to the treatment of hepatic failure are very primitive at this stage. Some of the recent advances are very encouraging, and it is our opinion that these approaches show great promise in the long term.
The Effect of Radiolabeling of Human Fibrinogen on Its Adsorption Behaviour on a Polystyrene Surface
Authors: Elhorst J. Klein , Olthuis F.M.F.G. , Bargeman D. , Smolders C.A. , Feijen J. 
Published: April 2018

Human fibrinogen (HFB) was labeled with different radioactive labels (Technetium −99m and Iodine −125) in various ways. Characterization by chromatographic and electrophoretic methods did not show differences between the labeled and the nonlabeled proteins. The effect of the label and the labeling method on the adsorption behaviour of 99mTc and 125l labeled HFB at a polystyrene surface was investigated. In all cases labeled HFB showed preferential adsorption as compared to nonlabeled HFB. The preferential adsorption was expressed in terms of a factor ø (van der Scheer et al. 1978a), which will be 1, when no preferential adsorption occurs. 99mTc – and 125| – HFB showed ø values from 1.48 – 1.88. It is concluded that only meaningful adsorption experiments with labeled proteins can be performed when the possible occurrence of preferential adsorption has been investigated by appropriate methods. The results of prior work on protein adsorption at biomaterials using radiolabeled proteins have to be reconsidered.
Experimental Myringoplasty
Authors: Feenstra L. , Van Der Ven B.W.C. , Kohn F.E. , Feijen J. 
Published: April 2018

Artificial eardrums made from biodegradable poly(D, L-lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid) and poly(ß-benzyl-L-aspartate-co-L-leucine) 50/50, and made from the microporous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and bisphenol-A poly(carbonate) membranes were implanted into the ear and as a reference subcutaneously in rats. The implants were histologically examined for periods up to one year. From the biodegradable polymers studied the poly(ß-benzyl-L-aspartate-co-L-leucine) 50/50 evoked the least tissue reaction and the newly formed tympanic membranes are the best in terms of thickness and overall integrity. The microporous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane can be considered as a valuable support for the formation of a reinforced tympanic membrane.
The Immunological State in Chronic Renal Insufficiency
Authors: Giacchino F. , Alloatti S. , Quarello F. , Bosticardo G.M. , Giraudo G. , Piccoli G. 
Published: April 2018

To evaluate the immunological state in chronic renal insufficiency, the Authors studied cellular and humoral immunity in 292 patients with chronic renal failure. They were divided into 3 groups: 1) 37 with creatinine clearance between 50 and 20 ml/min; 2) 57 with creatinine clearance between 20 and 8 ml/min; 3) 178 treated by hemodialysis. In vivo and in vitro tests, that is DNCB, PPD skin tests, spontaneous, active and EAC rosettes, surface membrane immunoglobulin test, complement (C3, C4) and serum immunoglobulins were taken as markers of the immune response. Cell-mediated immunity was found to be significantly impaired in patients with terminal renal insufficiency or on hemodialysis and also markedly reduced in patients with non-terminal renal insufficiency. Humoral immunity produced less significant results: the B lymphocyte count and serum immunoglobulins were normal; only C3 levels were found below normal range. Thus it would seem that cell-mediated immunodeficiency appears in an early stage of chronic renal failure and that hemodialysis does not improve this deficiency.
Catecholamines, Renin, Aldosterone and Arterial Pressure in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis Treatment
Authors: Ratge D. , Augustin R. , Wisser H 
Published: April 2018

To assess the interaction between adrenergic activity and blood pressure regulation, plasma catecholamines (CA), plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosteron (PA) were measured in 66 normal subjects and 18 dialysis patients. Prior to dialysis, blood levels of free norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and PRA were normal, but total (free and conjugated) CA as well as PA were significantly elevated. There was a spectrum of response during hemodialysis. On an average mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) fell during the first two hours of treatment, concomitantly followed by an increase in mean NE level. Whereas PRA and PA were highest at the end of treatment, mean free NE returned promptly to predialysis values through the late dialysis period. Severe hypotensive episodes during dialysis were associated with a baroreceptor-mediated adrenergic stimulation. These results indicate a qualitatively normal reaction of dialysis patients to volume removal and the importance of the renin-angiotensin-system in maintaining blood pressure during dialysis.
Preliminary Study on Plateletpheresis with the CS-3000 Blood Cell Separator Using a Single Phlebotomy Technique
Authors: Steenssens L. , Verbeelen D. , Verbruggen R. , Van Den Broeck M. , Jonckheer M. , Van Camp B. 
Published: April 2018

A coaxial dual flow catheter has been tested for thrombapheresis with a continuous flow blood cell separator in order to render the procedure as comfortable as possible for our donors. Therefore, two groups of five donors underwent a standard plateletpheresis: 3500 ml of blood were withdrawn at a speed of 35-45 ml per minute and were anticoagulated with ACD-A in a 1/9 ratio to whole blood. In the first group one vein puncture was effectuated with the coaxial catheter after local anesthesia. Two 14G catheters were used in the second group. In both groups the platelet yield was studied as well as the half life of 111-Indium-oxinate labeled platelets after autologous transfusion. Although the comfort of the donors was greatly improved, the one needle procedure resulted in a mean platelet yield of 1,28.1011 while the two needle procedure yielded 3,46.1011 platelets. In contrast, the survival of the platelets after autologous transfusion did not differ significantly in the two groups: t 1/2 in group I was 3,94 d, in group II 3,66 d. It is advocated that the poor efficacy of the single needle procedure might be due to recirculation.
In Vitro Study of Combined Convection- Diffusion Mass Transfer in Hemodialysers
Authors: Gupta B.B. , Jaffrin M.Y. 
Published: April 2018

Clearance measurements have been obtained for urea, Vit B12 and myoglobin by simultaneous hemodialysis and ultrafiltration (UF) techniques, using various commercially available hemodialysers. The experimental results confirm that the overall clearance is less than the clearance of each process occuring separately due to interaction between convection and diffusion. Adequate urea clearance (100 ml/min) can be obtained either by using high ultrafiltration (60 ml/min) with low dialysate flow rate (70 ml/min) or moderate ultrafiltration (< 30 ml/min) with higher dialysate flow rate (120 ml/min). The comparaison of experimental clearance with the predictions of theoretical model (1) for urea are found to be in good agreement for dialysate flow rates of more than 300 ml/min and for smaller dialysate flow rates the predicted clearances are higher than measured ones. An approximate correlation for the overall clearance is CL = CLD + QF/2 where CLD is the dialytic clearance and QF the UF flow rate.
Hemodialysis-Associated Platelet Loss: Study of the Relative Contribution of Dialyzer Membrane Composition and Geometry
Authors: Docci D. , Turci F. , Del Vecchio C. , Bilancioni R. , Cenciotti L , Pretolani E. 
Published: April 2018

To evaluate the relative contribution that dialyzer membrane composition and geometry make to hemodialysis-associated platelet loss, the effect of a single dialysis with three different types of dialyzers on platelet count was examined on a cross-over basis in 19 uremic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Also, the plasma levels of antithrombin-lll before and after dialysis were measured, but no significant variations were found regardless of which dialyzer was in use. Our patients suffered significant platelet loss during cuprophan dialysis, but not polyacrylonitrile dialysis. More than 99% of initial circulating platelets were recovered at the end of polyacrylonitrile dialysis, whereas cuprophan dialysis did leave a significantly lower percentage of circulating platelets (p < 0.05). The internal comparison of results obtained with the two cuprophan dialyzers used shows no difference as to the dialyzer geometry (flat plate or hollow fiber). This indicates that the membrane composition is the major factor influencing hemodialysis-associated platelet loss. We suggest that patients with low platelet count and/or with risk of bleeding may benefit from polyacrylonitrile dialysis.
Toxicity in Uremia 2. Correlation between PTH Levels and Impaired Aspecific Immunity
Authors: Esposito R. , Romano-Carratelli C. , Lanzetti N. , Hohenegger M. , Pluvio M. , Capodicasa G. , Nuzzo I. , Giordano C. 
Published: April 2018

The role of PTH in depressing polynuclear leucocyte (PMN) phagocytosis in uremia was investigated. The hydrophobicity and phagocytic activity of normal PMN was tested in presence of uremic patients’ serum with low (Group A) or high (Group B) levels of plasma PTH. The PMN phagocytic index was lowered by serum of both groups, but more in presence of Group B serum (p A vs B < 0.002). Similarly, the contact angle of cells was affected more in presence of serum of patients with high PTH levels (p B vs A < 0.003; p B vs C < 0.002).
Aspects of Biocompatibility of Two Different Dialysis Membranes: Cuprophane and Polysulfone
Authors: Amato M. , Salvadori M. , Bergesio F. , Messeri A. , Filimberti E. , Morfini M. 
Published: April 2018

Intradialytic hypoxemia, leukopenia and coagulation system activation were monitored in 9 uremic patients during hemodialysis with cuprophane (Cu) and polysulfone (Psf) membranes, using the following parameters: polymorphonuclear count (PMN), elastase alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (EI-α1PI) complex, platelet count, β-thromboglobulin (BTG), fibronectin (FN) and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2). Our results indicate that 1) intradialytic hypoxemia observed with both membranes does not seem to be exclusively related to the well-known membrane-dependent leukopenia; 2) platelet activation, as demonstrated by the plasma BTG increase, appears to be an exclusive cellulosic membrane-related phenomenon; 3) at the same time platelet activation seems to be the major factor responsible for high FN levels, the highest FN levels occurring concurrently with the lowest platelet count.
Removal and Recovery of Cholesterol in Thermofiltration
Authors: Takeyama Y. , Malchesky P.S. , Cressman M.D. , Yamashita M. , Horiuchi T. , Usami M. , Koo A.P. , Pence G. , Nose Y. 
Published: April 2018

Thermofiltration, a system of membrane plasmapheresis for LDL apheresis, was applied to the treatment of hypercholesterolemic patients to assess its lipid lowering potential, clinical feasibility and post-treatment lipid recovery. Plasma separated by a membrane separator was warmed above physiologic temperature, filtered with a plasma filter and returned to the patient on-line without requiring supplemental plasma product infusion. One calculated plasma volume was treated. Treatment schedules were weekly, biweekly or monthly. Patients treated by thermofiltration in this study were diagnosed as type II hypercholesterolemia. Reductions and sievings of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were evaluated. In addition, post-treatment solute recovery was assessed. The reduction ratios of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were 0.31 ± 0.08 and 0.58 ± 0.08, respectively (mean ± S.D. of 7 patients). Sieving coefficients of the plasma filter for HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were 0.62 ± 0.12 and 0.03 ± 0.02, respectively (mean ± S.D. of 32 treatments). Cholesterol reduction fitted well to a single pool model. HDL cholesterol recovered significantly faster than LDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol recovery differed among individuals. For some patients total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were lowered by the biweekly treatment while for others the weekly treatment was required. Significant removal of LDL cholesterol with sparing of HDL cholesterol was achieved without the requirement for plasma products.
Suppression of Neutrophil Superoxide Production by Conventional Peritoneal Dialysis Solution
Authors: Ing B.L. , Gupta D.K. , Nawab Z.M. , Zhou F-Q. , Rahman M.A. , Daugirdas J.T. 
Published: April 2018

The pH of conventional peritoneal dialysis solution is normally in the range of 5.0 to 5.5, because acid has been added during the manufacturing process to prevent caramelization of dextrose during sterilization. We studied the effects of normalizing the pH of conventional peritoneal dialysis solution on superoxide production by normal human neutrophils. At a pH of 6.0, superoxide generation was 4.07±2.56 (SD) nanomoles per million cells. With normalization of pH to 7.4, superoxide production was 19.3± 7.3 (p < 0.001). The results suggest that the unphysiologic acidity of conventional peritoneal dialysis solution has deleterious consequences on neutrophil superoxide formation.