Epigenetic therapy in myelodysplastic syndromes.

The wide spectrum of clonal hematopoietic disorders that fall under the broad diagnostic category of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) consist of a family of bone marrow malignancies - with ineffective, inadequate, and dysplastic hematopoiesis, and with an increased risk of life-threatening infections, bleeding, and progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) - that are characterized by a deep heterogeneity on the clinical, biologic and prognostic level. The intrinsic complexity of this group of disorders and the frequent association with one or more comorbidities have limited for many years the number of effective treatment options available: most patients are, indeed, still managed by supportive care measures, with just a minority of them being eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation, which is still the only potentially curative modality. In the last two decades, the progressively better understanding of MDS biology has shown how an abnormal epigenetic modulation might play a crucial part in the pathogenesis and in the process of biologic evolution of these disorders.

Soluble CD138 serum levels are not associated with other poor prognostic markers in patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

The clinical course of CLL is highly variable, and survival from the time of diagnosis of CLL can range from months to decades. Novel biological markers such as IgVH mutation, CD38, and ZAP-70 expression have shown to offer important prognostic informations. Few reports deal with the sCD138 levels and bad prognostic factors in patients with CLL, and contrasting data are reported in literature.

Renal complications in oncohematologic patients.

The aim of the present paper was to review recent developments in the management of patients with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease occurring secondary to either cancer itself or its therapy, with a focus on infiltration of the renal parenchyma, myeloma, tumor lysis syndrome, glomerular disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, chemotherapy-associated thrombotic microangiopathy, biphosphonate-induced renal diseases, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Further studies are awaited because a better knowledge of renal complications, which frequently occur in patients with oncohematologic diseases, would be conducive to making an early diagnosis and providing prompt therapy.

Absence of the V617F JAK2 mutation in the lymphoid compartment in a patient with essential thrombocythemia and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia and in two relatives with lymphoproliferative disorders.

Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasms likely involve both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Nevertheless, the coincidence of chronic myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative diseases in the same patient is a rare phenomenon.

Methods: We report a case of a patient having essential thrombocythemia (ET) and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL).

Exacerbation of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura following reactivation of an occult hepatitis B.

Immune thrombocytopenia is a disease mediated by platelet autoantibodies that accelerate platelet destruction and inhibit their production. Most cases are considered idiopathic, whereas others are secondary to coexisting conditions such as infectious diseases. All hepatotropic viruses seem able to cause thrombocytopenia.

Endothelial progenitor cells: pathogenetic role and therapeutic perspectives.

Bone marrow-derived, CD34+ progenitor cells have been shown to promote the repair of damaged tissues, offering promise for the treatment of hereditary and acquired human diseases. These cells in fact differentiate into endothelia, hematopoietic cells and possibly neurons, fibroblasts and muscle. CD34+ and AC133+ progenitor cells may participate in neovascularization by differentiating into endothelial cells.

Is there a uniform basal endometrial gene expression profile during the implantation window in women who became pregnant in a subsequent ICSI cycle?

Background: To understand which genes are really involved in the implantation process, we planned to study the gene basal expression profile during the window of implantation (WOI) of patients who became pregnant in a subsequent ICSI cycle.

Methods: Women attending their first ICSI cycle at ANDROS Day Surgery for severe male factor infertility were included in the study. An endometrial biopsy was performed during the WOI, in one of the last two cycles before the ICSI cycle.

Regenerative medicine: does Erythropoietin have a role?

Regenerative Medicine, a recent new medical domain, aims to develop new therapies through the stimulation of natural regenerative processes also in human beings. In this field, Erythropoietin (EPO) represents a significant subject of research. Several studies allow the assertion that EPO, in different concentrations, has protective effects mainly on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and renal tissue.

Plasma interleukin-2 levels and thyroid function in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illness.

To determine whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) plasma concentrations are modified in patients with nonthyroidal illness (NTI) and thyroid function alterations, we measured plasma concentrations of T(3), T(4), free T(3) (FT(3)), free T(4) (FT(4)), TSH, and IL-2 in 34 elderly NTI patients and in 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. IL-2 was detectable in 11 of the 34 patients. Patients with detectable IL-2 plasma levels had significantly lower plasma T(3) and FT(3) concentrations when compared to those with undetectable IL-2.

Reduced intraplatelet magnesium concentrations in elderly patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Intraplatelet magnesium concentrations were evaluated in 50 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients divided into two groups of 25 each (<60 or >65 years) and in a control group of 30 healthy subjects, divided into two age-matched subgroups of 15 each. In all patients magnesium concentrations were assayed in plasma, erythrocytes and platelets by means of direct current plasma spectrometry. Plasma, erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels in healthy elderly subjects were found to be comparable to those in the group of younger healthy subjects, whereas plasma, erythrocyte and platelet magnesium levels in diabetics were lower than in controls.

A new technique for regional anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery based on a suprascapular nerve block and an axillary nerve block: an evaluation of the first results.

Purpose: We propose a new technique of regional anesthesia that combines suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and axillary nerve block (ANB) in arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients undergoing arthroscopic procedures for shoulder cuff diseases were included in the trial. SSNB was performed by introducing the stimulating needle approximately 2 cm medial to the medial border of the acromion and about 2 cm cranial to the superior margin of the scapular spine until supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscle contractions were elicited.

Evaluation of circulating endothelial cells, VEGF and VEGFR2 serum levels in patients with chronic myeloproliferative diseases.

Authors evaluated some markers of angiogenetic activity in patients with chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMDs). In this study by using a cytofluorimetric analysis we evaluated circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disease. Moreover, in the same group of subjects, we evaluated serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2).

Patients with bisphosphonates-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw have reduced circulating endothelial cells.

Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) associated with the use of bisphosphonates is a newly described entity. To elucidate the mechanism leading to ONJ and to test the hypothesis that in patients with ONJ the bisphosphonates may interfere with endothelial cell proliferation, using flow cytometric analysis we evaluated the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in eight patients with bisphosphonate treatment and osteonecrosis, eight multiple myeloma (MM) patients with bisphosphonates treatment without ONJ and five normal subjects. MM patients showed an increase of CD34+ cells with respect the control subjects and ONJ subjects.

Concentration of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in normal pregnancy and in pregnant women with diabetes and hypertension.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the concentrations of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) during the 3 trimesters of normal pregnancy and to compare the EPC counts in women with normal pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension.

Study Design: The study was conducted on 21 pregnant women with single pregnancies (age range, 22 to 35 years). EPCs were quantified by flow cytometry.

[Sanitary and nutritional control of the Catania school catering service].

Sanitary and nutritional control of meals distributed by school catering services is one of the institutional duties of the Food Hygiene and Nutrition Services (Servizi Igiene Alimenti e Nutrizione - SIAN) of the Local Health Units. In order to carry out this activity properly it is necessary to ask oneself beforehand what the main outcome of control activities should be. The answer to this question can only be that "proper nutrition is essential for healthy growth".

Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with multiple myeloma and breast cancer.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is an unremitting adverse outcome associated with bisphosphonate therapy in patients with multiple myeloma or bone metastases from solid tumors. Twelve patients who presented with exposed bone associated with bisphosphonates were reviewed to determine the type, dosage and duration of their bisphosphonate therapy, presenting findings, comorbidities and the event that incited the bone exposure. The discontinuation of bisphosphonate therapy has not helped reverse the presence of osteonecrosis, and the surgical manipulation of the involved site appears to worsen the underlying bone pathology.