bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Acrylate Terpolymer-Based Nanoparticles for the Release of Nucleic Acid: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bellotti Elena , Barbani Niccoletta , Cascone Maria G. , Cristallini Caterina 
Published: October 2015

Purpose Nano-drug delivery systems based on polymeric biomaterials have received considerable interest as drug delivery vehicles. In this work, radical polymerization was carried out in order to obtain nanoparticles based on a new acrylate terpolymer (PBMA-(PEG)MEMA-PDMAEMA). Methods Nanoparticles were developed in the form both of nanospheres and nanocapsules, an innovative kind of hollow nanoparticles with a great potential because of their low effective density and high specific surface area. The ability of the nanoparticles to load and then release a nucleic acid (DNA) to be used in cancer treatment was also investigated. Results Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a spherical shape, nanometric dimensions, and a homogeneous distribution of the nanoparticles, also confirmed by dynamic light scattering measurements. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy chemical imaging analysis carried out on the nanocapsules before and after removal of the core demonstrated the presence of the cavity. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed good encapsulation efficiency of DNA both for nanospheres and nanocapsules. Drug release tests showed controlled release kinetics for both the systems with a high release of DNA in the first hours. In vitro MTT assay showed that the particles do not have cytotoxic effects on the cells. Conclusions The preliminary investigation showed that the terpolymer-based nanoparticles developed in this study could be good candidates to be used as innovative and versatile gene delivery systems.
High Expression Levels of miR-21 and miR-210 Predict Unfavorable Survival in Breast Cancer: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tang Yiting , Zhou Xifa , Ji Jianfeng , Chen Ling , Cao Jianping , Luo Judong , Zhang Shuyu 
Published: October 2015

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been emerging as valuable prognostic biomarkers of breast cancer. We therefore summarized recent research into miRNAs involved in human breast cancer and, further, completed a meta-analysis to predict the role of specific miRNAs in the survival of breast cancer patients. Methods Studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. Descriptive characteristics for studies were described, and an additional meta-analysis for specific miRNAs was performed. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results A total of 41 articles including 27 types of miRNAs were found regarding prognostic biomarkers for breast cancer survival, of which, micRNA-21 (miR-21) was the most-studied specific miRNA that appeared repeatedly among the selected classifiers. For the studies evaluating miR-21's association with clinical outcomes, the median HR in the studies was 2.32 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1.04-3.40), and the pooled HR suggested that high expression of miR-21 has a negative impact on overall survival (OS; HR = 1.46, 95% CI, 1.25-1.70; p<0.05) and disease/recurrence-free survival in breast cancer (HR = 1.49, 95% CI, 1.17-1.90; p<0.01). We also found that higher expression levels of miR-210 significantly predicted poorer outcome, with median HR in the reported studies of 4.07 (IQR = 1.54-4.43) and a pooled HR of 2.94 (95% CI, 2.08-4.17; p<0.05). Conclusions These results indicate that miRNAs show promising associations with prognosis in breast cancer. Moreover, specific miRNAs such as miR-21 and miR-210 can predict poor survival rates in breast cancer patients.
Combined use of Epithelial Membrane Antigen and Nuclear Matrix Protein 52 as Sensitive Biomarkers for Detection of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Attallah Abdelfattah M. , El-Far Mohamed , Abdallah Sanaa O. , El-Waseef Ahmed M. , Omran Mohamed M. , Abdelrazek Mohamed A. , Attallah Ahmed A. , Saadh Mohamed J. , Radwan Mohamed , El-waffaey Kholoud A. , Abol-Enei Hassan 
Published: October 2015

Background The advent of noninvasive urine-based markers as well as other novel modalities has yielded improved diagnostic accuracy. However, the new markers failed to reach higher sensitivity and specificity. We therefore evaluated the potential role of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and nuclear matrix protein 52 (NMP-52) singly and combined as noninvasive biomarkers for the detection of bladder cancer (BC). Methods A total of 160 individuals including 66 patients with BC, 54 patients with benign urologic disorders and 40 healthy volunteers were investigated. Urinary EMA at 130 kDa and NMP at 52 kDa were identified, purified and quantified by Western blot, electroelution and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnostic performance of each biomarker and their combination were compared using area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). Results Mean urinary EMA, 2.42 µg/mL, and NMP-52, 17.85 µg/mL, were significantly elevated in patients with BC compared to controls, 1.18 and 3.44 µg/mL, respectively (p<0.0001). The combined use of these markers yielded values which were increased 4.4- and 13.7-fold in the benign and malignant disease groups, respectively, with respect to the normal group. The values of EMA and NMP-52 were significantly higher in patients with higher-grade tumors than those with lower-grade tumors (p<0.0001). Moreover, this combination could predict all BC stages and grades with 0.91 AUC, 94% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Conclusions EMA and NMP-52 in combination could be promising noninvasive biomarkers for BC detection.
Role of Breast Imaging in Predicting Outcome of Lesions of Uncertain Malignant Potential (B3) Diagnosed at Core Needle Biopsy
Authors: Petrovecki Marko , Alduk Ana Marija , Jakic-Razumovic Jasminka , Stern-Padovan Ranka , Bubic Vinko , Prutki Maja 
Published: October 2015

Aims To elucidate whether breast imaging can predict final histologic diagnosis of lesions of uncertain malignant potential diagnosed at ultrasound core needle biopsy (CNB). Methods The imaging characteristics (mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) of lesions of uncertain malignant potential in the breast that were obtained by ultrasound CNB were retrospectively analyzed in 87 women. Radiologic characteristics of lesions were compared to definitive histopathologic findings. Results Out of 87 breast lesions of uncertain malignant potential, 27 (31%) were diagnosed as papillary lesions, 24 (28%) atypical ductal hyperplasia, 19 (22%) lobular intraepithelial neoplasia, 9 (10%) phyllodes tumors, 3 (3%) radial sclerosing lesions, and 5 (6%) unspecified lesions of uncertain malignant potential. The underestimation rate of malignancy at CNB based on the total number of lesions on final follow-up was 22%. Using multivariate logistic regression, Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) score (odds ratio [OR] = 12.29, p = 0.027) and Göttingen MRI scoring system (OR = 8.1, p = 0.008) were found to be independent predictors of malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that Göttingen MRI score >3 provides a plausibly good cutoff value with sensitivity of 100 (95% confidence interval [CI] 74%-100%) and specificity of 76% (95% CI 61%-88%). Conclusions Lesions of uncertain malignant potential classified as BI-RADS 5 and Göttingen score 4 or higher are at significantly higher risk of harboring malignancy and therefore should be recommended for surgical excision.
Peritoneal Cytology in Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Cetinkaya Kadir , Atalay Funda 
Published: October 2015

Aims To investigate whether positive peritoneal cytology (PPC) has an effect on expected survival in endometrial cancer and to present factors that affect PPC occurrence. Methods Patient chart information of 224 patients who had been treated at the Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital due to endometrial cancer between 1996 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Factors that were likely to have an effect on peritoneal fluid cytology in all patients, such as age, histologic type, grade, myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, tumor size, and lymphatic metastasis, were analyzed. Results We observed peritoneal cytology, grade, myometrial invasion, cervical stromal invasion, tumor size, and lymphatic metastasis to have a significant effect on survival. Cytology was positive in 20 of 224 patients (8.9%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant effect on PPC occurrence of myometrial invasion, cervical stromal invasion, tumor size, histologic type, and lymphatic metastasis. Conclusions Positive peritoneal cytology has a significant effect on survival in endometrial cancer. Positive peritoneal cytology occurrence is influenced by myometrial invasion, cervical stromal invasion, tumor size, histologic type, and lymphatic metastasis.
Evaluation of Unusual and Highly Aggressive Variant of Endometrium Cancer: Nonendometrioid Endometrium Carcinoma of the Uterus
Authors: Sert Fatma , Yılmaz Ugur , Alanyalı Senem , Aras Arif , Ozsaran Zeynep 
Published: October 2015

Aims To evaluate the survival and treatment outcomes of patients with nonendometrioid endometrium carcinoma after postoperative radiotherapy. Methods The records of 94 patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy (RT) between January 2005 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative RT was delivered with a dose of 45-50.4 Gy with 1.8 Gy daily fractions and brachytherapy was added to external RT for 62 patients with a dose of 3 × 6 Gy. Median follow-up time was 35 months (range 6-95 months). Results Median age was 63 years (range 43-83 years) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) was positive in 15 (16.0%) patients. The stage distribution of the patients was as follows: stage I, 58 (61.7%); stage II, 16 (17.0%); stage III, 18 (19.1%); stage IV, 2 (2.2%). Five-year locoregional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 92.3%, 68.2%, and 78.6%, respectively. In univariable analysis, it was determined that the factors affecting OS rates were stage (p = 0.003), presence of LNM (p = 0.003), and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (p = 0.007); factors affecting DFS rates were stage (p = 0.019), presence of LVSI (p = 0.002), and having LNM (p = 0.049); and the factor affecting LRC rates was tumor size (>5 cm) (p = 0.011). In subgroup analyses, among all stage I patients, the DFS rates were lower for those with histologic grade 3 tumors and more than ½ myometrial invasion. Conclusions Due to its rarity, the prognostic factors and outcomes of nonendometioid endometrium carcinoma are not fully understood. In our analysis, stage, LNM, and presence of LVSI were found to be the most important prognostic factors. In order to tailor the optimal treatment strategy, prospective studies are needed.
The Natural Compound Gambogic Acid Radiosensitizes Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells under Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Yang Meilin , Yang Yuehua , Cui Heqing , Guan Zhifeng , Yang Yan , Zhang Hao , Chen Xiaochen , Zhu Hongchen , Yang Xi , Cai Jing , Cheng Hongyan , Sun Xinchen 
Published: October 2015

Aims Hypoxia is an important factor that causes decreased local disease control as well as increased distant metastases and resistance to radiotherapy in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Gambogic acid (GA), the major active ingredient of gamboge, exerts antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanism by which GA inhibits tumor radioresistance remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of GA on NPC and explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods CNE-1 and CNE-2 cells exposed to hypoxia and radiation were treated with GA at different concentrations. CCK-8 assay, clonogenic assay, and flow cytometry were performed to analyze cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and cell cycle. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, cyclin B1/p-cdc2 and γ-H2AX were assessed using Western blot and/or immunofluorescence analysis. Results Results of the CCK-8 assay, clonogenic assay, and flow cytometry showed that treatment of NPC cells with growth-suppressive concentrations of GA resulted in G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Western blot analysis demonstrated that GA-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in CNE-2 cells was associated with upregulated expression of caspase-3 and Bax and downregulated expression of Bcl-2 and cyclin B1/p-cdc2 in hypoxia. Treatment with GA markedly decreased the expression of HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that GA efficiently radiosensitizes NPC cells and the effect may be significant in hypoxic conditions.
Early Changes of Volume and Spatial Location in Target and Normal Tissues Caused by IMRT for Cervical Cancer
Authors: Chen Jianwu , Liu Ping , Chen Wenjuan , Bai Penggang , Li Jiangshan , Ni Xiaolei , Chen Kaiqiang , Li Qixin 
Published: October 2015

Aims To investigate the early changes of volume and spatial location in target and normal tissues caused by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer. Methods Forty patients with cervical cancer were included in this study and treated by IMRT. Computed tomography (CT) was performed before radiotherapy and when the patient had received 27 Gy in 15 fractions. After image registration, the volume of interest (VOI) for the targets and organs at risk was delineated by clinicians on the CT images. Changes of volume, spatial location and Dice similarity were calculated for all VOIs. Results There were significant changes in gross tumor volume (GTV) in the primary tumor (GTV-T) with t = 8.304 (p<0.01) and visible pelvic lymph nodes (GTV-N) with t = 4.996 (p<0.01) caused by IMRT. The mean volume differences for GTV-T and GTV-N were 38.64% ± 19.50% (range 3.16%–86.49%) and 42.49% ± 25.68% (range 2.79%–87.42%), respectively. Among the organs at risk, the bladder had the greatest volume change with 55.13% ± 33.40% (range 3.25%–116.01%). The Dice similarity for GTV-T and GTV-N was 0.50 ± 0.18 (range 0.10–0.85) and 0.31 ± 0.20 (range 0.00–0.71), respectively. The rectum had the least Dice similarity among the normal tissues, with a mean value of 0.57 ± 0.14 (range 0.18–0.76). Conclusions There were significant changes in volume and spatial location of the target and normal tissues after 27 Gy IMRT. In order to maintain the radiation dose to the targets and minimize the radiation to normal tissues, it is necessary to modify the radiotherapy planning.
Beyond the Beyond: First Case of 9 Cytoreductive Surgeries in a Long-Surviving Ovarian Cancer Patient: Case Report
Authors: Salerno Laura , Marchetti Claudia , Bevilacqua Elisa , Musella Angela , Riganelli Lucia , Ruscito Ilary , Perniola Giorgia , Muzii Ludovico , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi 
Published: October 2015

Background The role of surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) is debated. Multiple prospective and retrospective series reported improved survival with optimal secondary surgical cytoreduction, but definitive results from randomized trials are needed. Up to the fourth cytoreductive surgery for recurrent disease in an attempt to improve patients’ prognosis has been reported. Case Report We report the first case of multiple ROC in an Italian woman, 50 years old at diagnosis, who underwent 9 cytoreductive surgeries during her 17 years of disease with no serious postoperative complications. Conclusions Multiple surgeries should not be considered as the standard treatment for ROC. In carefully selected patients, optimal cytoreductive surgery performed by highly specialized gynecologic oncologists might represent a useful tool in adjunction to chemotherapy for the management of ROC.
Outcomes of Thymoma Treated with Multimodality Approach: A Tertiary Cancer Center Experience of 71 Patients
Authors: Julka Pramod K. , Sharma Daya N. , Mallick Supriya , Gandhi Ajeet K. , Joshi Nikhil P. , Haresh Kunhi P. , Gupta Subhash , Rath Goura K. 
Published: October 2015

Aims To explore the demographics and clinical outcome of patients with thymoma treated with a multimodality approach at our institute. Methods A total of 71 patients with thymoma (Masaoka stage II-IV and WHO subtype AB-B3) treated from 1999-2013 were included in this retrospective analysis. Age, stage, WHO subtypes, details of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were noted. Progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and SPSS (version 21.0) was used for statistical analysis. Results Male:female ratio was 56:15 with median age at presentation of 41 years. Stage-wise distribution was 6:46:19 for stage II, stage III, and stage IV, respectively. A total of 31 patients (44%) had associated myasthenia gravis and 3 had pure red cell aplasia. A total of 57 patients (80%) underwent radical thymectomy and all of these patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. A total of 15 patients and 7 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, respectively. At median follow-up of 19.3 months (range 7.9-72.3 months), 2-year and 3-year PFS rate for the entire cohort was 78.3% and 57.1%, respectively. On univariate analysis, surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 3.881; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.784-19.220; p = 0.006) and stage (HR 5.457; 95% CI 1.567-18.996; p = 0.0001) were significant prognostic factors and association with myasthenia gravis (HR 0.404; 95% CI 0.151-1.078; p = 0.078) trended towards better PFS. Stage retained its prognostic significance (HR 5.501; 95% CI 2.076-14.573; p = 0.0006) on multivariate analysis. Conclusions Multimodality management of locally advanced thymoma yields decent survival outcomes. Masaoka stage is an independent prognostic factor for survival and radical surgery should be contemplated in all cases of locoregionally limited thymoma.
Outcome of Definitive and Postoperative Radiotherapy in Patients with Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Park Shin-Hyung , Lee Jeong Eun , Ahn Dongbin 
Published: October 2015

Aims To evaluate outcomes in patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated with definitive radiotherapy (DRT) and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). Methods Between 1990 and 2013, 73 patients with sinonasal SCC were treated with radiotherapy. Fifty-two patients (71.2%) were treated with DRT and 21 (28.8%) were treated with PORT. The primary tumor sites were the maxillary sinus in 47 patients (64.4%), the nasal cavity in 18 (24.7%), the ethmoid sinus in 7 (9.6%), and the frontal sinus in 1 (1.4%). Four (5.4%), 11 (15.1%), 24 (32.9%), 17 (23.3%), and 17 (23.3%) patients had T1, T2, T3, T4a, and T4b tumors, respectively. N stage was N0, N1, N2a, N2b, N2c, and N3 in 60 (82.2%), 6 (8.2%), 2 (2.7%), 2 (2.7%), and 3 (4.1%) patients, respectively. The median follow-up period was 23 months (range 3-196). Results The 5-year local progression-free survival (LPFS), regional progression-free survival (RPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) in the DRT and PORT groups were 50.6%, 82.1%, 91.1%, and 84.4% and 85.7%, 72.1%, 76.1%, and 83.5%, respectively, without any statistically significant differences. Conclusions The LPFS, RPFS, DMFS, and OS were not significantly different between the DRT and PORT groups. Given the possibility of functional disability and cosmetic disfigurement with facial surgery, DRT might be considered as a surrogate to surgery followed by PORT for patients with locally advanced sinonasal SCC.
Synergistic Cytotoxicity against Human Tumor Cell Lines by Oncolytic Adenovirus dl1520 (ONYX-015) and Melphalan
Authors: Ferguson Peter J. , Sykelyk Alexander , Figueredo Rene , Koropatnick James 
Published: October 2015

Aims and background In light of the need for more selective anticancer therapy, much work has been directed at developing compounds or biological agents that target functions specific to cancer cells. To this end, numerous viruses have been engineered to exploit the dependence of cancer cells on particular anomalies that contribute to their rogue proliferative activity, such as dysfunctional p53, overactive mitogenic signaling, or a defective interferon response. The oncolytic human adenovirus dl1520 (ONYX-015) was engineered to propagate specifically in p53-deficient tumors, which comprise over half of all tumors. Based on successes in clinical trials, the full potential of dl1520 and other oncolytic viruses may be even better realized by using them in combination with conventional chemotherapy drugs. Methods As a model system in which to test this potential, representative cell lines from 2 common cancer types, oral squamous cell carcinoma (HN-5a) and colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), were chosen, as well as platinum-drug-resistant variants of each. Results Following preliminary screening of virus and drug combinations, dl1520 and melphalan were found to synergistically inhibit proliferation of all the cancer cell lines. Melphalan pretreatment or cotreatment with dl1520 enhanced inhibition of proliferation by dl1520 by up to 60% and increased apoptosis by up to 25%. The tight-junction protein CAR (coxsackie and adenovirus receptor), via which adenovirus enters cells, was not upregulated by treatment with melphalan, suggesting that other mechanisms contribute to synergy. Conclusions The synergy between melphalan and dl1520 suggests that tumor-selective cell killing by oncolytic viruses may be augmented by combining with cytotoxic drugs.
Positive Surgical Margin Status after Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy: a Multicenter Study
Authors: Tafa Ardit , Grasso Angelica , Antonelli Alessandro , Bove Pierluigi , Celia Antonio , Ceruti Carlo , Crivellaro Simone , Falsaperla Mario , Minervini Andrea , Parma Paolo , Porreca Angelo , Zaramella Stefano , De Lorenzis Elisa , Cozzi Gabriele , Rocco Bernardo 
Published: October 2015

Aim The aim of our study is to evaluate the status of positive margins (PSMs) comparing their incidence between aparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in centers with medium case-load (50–150 cases/year). We also analyzed the correlations between surgical technique, nerve-sparing approach (NS), and incidence of PSMs, stratifying our results by pathological stage. Materials and methods We analyzed 1992 patients who underwent RP in various urologic centers. We evaluated the incidence of PSMs, and then we compared the stage-related incidence of PSMs, for both the techniques. Results We did not find a statistically significant difference between the two surgical modalities in the study regarding the overall incidence of PSMs. Conclusions In our retrospective study, we did not find any difference in terms of PSMs in RARP versus LRP. Our PSMs were not negligible, particularly in pT3 stages, compared with high-volume centers; surgical experience and patients' selection can be a possible explanation.
Urological Consequences following Renal Transplantation: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Palazzetti Anna , Oderda Marco , Dalmasso Ettore , Falcone Marco , Bosio Andrea , Sedigh Omid , Frea Bruno , Gontero Paolo 
Published: October 2015

Renal transplant (RT) represents the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but harbours a wide range of possible complications and therapeutic challenges of urological competence. Dialysis years and clinical medical background of these patients are risk factors for sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). On the contrary, RT itself may have a number of possible surgical complications such as ureteral stenosis and urinary leakage, while immunosuppressive treatment is a known risk factor for de-novo malignancies. The present review describes the main urologic problems of RT patients and their up-to-date treatment options according to the most recently available literature evidences.