The Current and Future Impact of Lymph Node Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology on Patient Care.

Lymph node (LN) fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a common diagnostic procedure for lymphadenopathies. Despite the qualities and potentialities of LN-FNAC, the number of possible pathologies and the variety of clinical contexts represent a challenge and require a continuous upgrading of the procedure according to the emerging clinical requests and new technologies. This study presents an overview of the current and future impact of LN-FNAC on the care of patients with lymphadenopathy.

Overexpression of BAG3 (Bcl2-associated athanogene 3) in serum and skin of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: BAG3 (Bcl2-associated athanogene3) is able to induce the transformation of cancer-associated fibroblasts to alpha smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) positive (+) myofibroblasts. In systemic sclerosis (SSc), a-SMA+ myofibroblasts also play an important role in the progression of fibrosis in the skin and involved internal organs. The aim of the study was to investigate whether BAG3 is overexpressed in SSc and may be a biomarker of fibrogenesis.

Combined fine needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsy in the same setting: A two-years' experience.

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) combined with rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) and ancillary techniques is an accurate diagnostic tool for many pathologies. However, in some cases, it may not be sufficient for actionable diagnoses or molecular testing, especially for cases that require large immunohistochemical panels or cases in which histological features are mandatory for the diagnosis. Core needle biopsy (CNB), on the contrary, provides samples that are suitable for histological features and sufficient for all ancillary studies.

Observations on hematogones with light chain restriction.

Light-chain restricted hematogones (LCR HGs) detected by flow cytometry (FC) may, occur in bone marrow mimicking involvement by a B-cell lymphoma. This phenomenon can present a diagnostic pitfall and negatively impact patient management, and may occur in other organs, including lymph nodes, For this reason, it is recommended to utilize, in case of LCR in lymph node, one additional morphological, phenotypical or molecular criteria for the diagnosis of lymphoma on cytological samples.

Real-world experience with the Sydney System on 1458 cases of lymph node fine needle aspiration cytology.

Introduction: Lymph node (LN) fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, quick, inexpensive, reliable, and minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathies. Recently, an international committee of experts proposed guidelines for the performance, classification, and reporting of LN-FNAC: the Sydney System. We set out to analyse the diagnostic performance of the Sydney System in a retrospective study.

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Rapid evaluation of EGFR status on fine-needle cytology samples using Idylla.

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) needs to be managed rapidly; therefore, a rapid assessment of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status is mandatory. Computed Tomography (CT)-guided or Ultrasound (US)-guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) allows a rapid diagnosis of both primary and metastatic tumor through rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) and the proper management of diagnostic material. Idylla (Biocartis, Mechelen, Belgium) is an automated RT-PCR system which evaluates the mutational status of specific genes in less than two hours.

Testing EGFR with Idylla on Cytological Specimens of Lung Cancer: A Review.

The current standard of care for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is based on detecting actionable mutations that can benefit from targeted therapy. Comprehensive genetic tests can have long turn-around times, and because EGFR mutations are the most prevalent actionable mutation, a quick detection would enable a prompt initiation of targeted therapy. Furthermore, the scarcity of diagnostic material means that sometimes only cytologic material is available.

Clinical trial: ulcerative colitis maintenance treatment with 5-ASA: a 1-year, randomized multicentre study comparing MMX with Asacol.

Background: 5-ASA-MMX (1.2 g/tablet) is a 5-aminosalicylic acid formulation, designed for once-daily dosing in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-ASA-MMX (2.

Quality control of spirometry: a lesson from the BRONCUS trial.

This report describes the quality control programme used within the Bronchitis Randomized on N-acetylcysteine (NAC) Cost-Utility Study, a trial designed to assess the decline in lung function, exacerbation rate, health status, and cost-effectiveness with NAC or a placebo in 523 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease over a 3-yr period. Spirometry was scored from 0 (worst quality) to 6 (best quality). The mean score of 314 spirometries from 243 patients evaluated during the trial was 5.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Bronchitis Randomized on NAC Cost-Utility Study, BRONCUS): a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Increased oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We postulated that treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine would reduce the rate of lung-function decline, reduce yearly exacerbation rate, and improve outcomes.

Methods: In a randomised placebo-controlled study in 50 centres, 523 patients with COPD were randomly assigned to 600 mg daily N-acetylcysteine or placebo.

Analgesia with ibuprofen arginate versus conventional ibuprofen for patients with dysmenorrhea: a crossover trial.

Background: Dysmenorrhea produces painful abdominal cramps that can disrupt the personal lives and productivity of women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy, including onset and duration of pain relief, peak effect, and total effect, and tolerability of ibuprofen arginate with those of conventional ibuprofen in patients with moderate to severe pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods: Patients were administered a single dose of ibuprofen arginate (200 or 400 mg), conventional ibuprofen (200 or 400 mg), or placebo during each of 5 menstrual cycles in a single-center, double-blind, randomized, double-dummy, 5-cycle, crossover study.

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on dense cell formation in sickle cell disease.

The extent to which dense and irreversible sickle cells (ISCs) contribute to vaso-occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease remains unclear. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits dense cell and ISC formation in sickle erythrocytes in vitro and restores glutathione levels toward normal. A phase II double-blind randomized clinical trial was completed to determine the efficacy of NAC in decreasing dense cell and ISC formation, and vaso-occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease.

Ibuprofen arginate provides effective relief from postoperative dental pain with a more rapid onset of action than ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen is a safe and effective analgesic, but some formulations have a slow onset of action. Ibuprofen arginate is a rapidly absorbed salt designed to promote more rapid onset of analgesia. A clinical trial was conducted in 226 patients with postoperative dental pain to assess the analgesic efficacy and speed of onset of the arginine salt of ibuprofen compared with one of the commercially available forms of ibuprofen.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison of the analgesic efficacy, onset of action, and tolerability of ibuprofen arginate and ibuprofen in postoperative dental pain.

Background: Because of its enhanced pharmacokinetic characteristics, ibuprofen arginate might be expected to provide faster pain relief than standard ibuprofen formulations in patients experiencing acute pain.

Objective: This study assessed the analgesic efficacy, speed of onset, and tolerability of ibuprofen arginate compared with a commercially available form of ibuprofen in patients with postoperative dental pain.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive ibuprofen arginate 200 or 400 mg, ibuprofen 200 or 400 mg, or placebo in this multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group trial.

A controlled comparative study of ibuprofen arginate versus conventional ibuprofen in the treatment of postoperative dental pain.

The analgesic efficacy of an arginine salt of ibuprofen was compared to one of the commercially available forms of conventional ibuprofen in a 500-patient clinical trial in postoperative dental pain. Patients were administered a single dose of ibuprofen arginate (200 mg or 400 mg), conventional ibuprofen (200 mg or 400 mg), orplacebo in this double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial. Results demonstrated that ibuprofen arginate was a safe and effective analgesia that was superior to conventional ibuprofen in both the amount of pain relief achieved and the time to onset of pain relief.

The Bronchitis Randomized On NAC Cost-Utility Study (BRONCUS): hypothesis and design. BRONCUS-trial Committee.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an irreversible disorder characterized by airflow obstruction and a progressive decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). At present, no treatment except quitting smoking appears to affect the progression of the disease. Oxidative stress has been implicated in its pathogenesis.

Randomised study of effect of ibopamine on survival in patients with advanced severe heart failure. Second Prospective Randomised Study of Ibopamine on Mortality and Efficacy (PRIME II) Investigators.

Background: Drugs that improve symptoms in patients with heart failure must also be assessed for their effects on survival. Ibopamine stimulates DA-1 and DA-2 receptors and causes peripheral and renal vasodilatation; the drug improves symptoms of heart failure. We assessed the effect of ibopamine on survival in patients with advanced heart failure in a multicentre, randomised placebo-controlled study.

Screening study of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a general population: lipid parameters.

The level of blood lipids and apolipoproteins in subjects being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms have been investigated. As part of an ultrasound screening programme in a population of 65- to 75-year-olds, blood samples were collected from 1460 of 1504 subjects with a normal aorta (97.1%) and 69 of 70 patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm > 29 mm (99%).

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms and associated risk factors in a general population.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in a general population and to compare the results with those of similar studies in other countries.

Design: Ultrasound screening study and collection of clinical and biochemical data.

Setting: An urban Health Service District in Genoa, Italy.

Gemfibrozil and Mediterranean diet for patients with high plasma levels of lipoprotein [Lp(a)] and cholesterol--pilot study.

Plasma levels of lipoprotein-a [Lp(a)] > 30 mg/dl represent an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases with both proatherosclerotic and prothrombotic activity. The results of dietary or pharmacological treatment are not encouraging and are often controversial. We have evaluated a combination of medical treatment with Gemfibrozil (600 mg bid) and a Mediterranean diet for 2 months in 15 patients with both hypercholesterolemia (> 240 mg/dl) and high levels of Lp(a) (> 30 mg/dl).

A randomised clinical trial comparing idarubicin and cytarabine to daunorubicin and cytarabine in the treatment of acute non-lymphoid leukaemia. A multicentric study from the Italian Co-operative Group GIMEMA.

255 patients with acute non-lymphoid leukaemia (ANLL), observed between October 1984 and June 1987, entered a chemotherapy regimen consisting of induction therapy with cytarabine in combination with idarubicin (IDA/ARA) or daunorubicin (DNR/ARA), followed by consolidation with four courses of IDA + ARA plus 6-thioguanine (6-TG) or DNR + ARA + 6-TG and a 6 month maintenance therapy with 6-TG and ARA. The median age was 62 years (range 55-78 years) and 33 were aged more than 70 years. The treatment groups were comparable for median age, FAB type, performance status and initial blood counts.

Cognitive event-related potentials and reaction time in presenile subjects with initial mild cognitive decline or probable Alzheimer-type dementia.

The so-called contingent negative variation (CNV) is a slow brain potential representing a complex of variously overlapped "endogenous" components of behavior related to different reasonably well-known neurocognitive processes. CNV complex evoked with a standard paradigm (S1-2 sec-S2-motor response) and reaction time (RT) to imperative signal (S2) were recorded and measured in 11 patients with initial presenile idiopathic cognitive decline (PICD), 8 with presenile Alzheimer-type dementia (PAD) and 10 healthy age-matched controls. Significant group differences were obtained for measures of some CNV components, particularly of the late pre-S2 CNV.

Nicergoline in mild to moderate dementia. A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

In view of some controversies still existing about the real efficacy of ergot derivatives in the management of dementia, a double-blind, randomized, parallel group trial extending up to 6 months was carried out to compare the effects of nicergoline, 60 mg daily, and placebo in 315 patients suffering from mild to moderate dementia. Clinical evaluation was performed by the SCAG scale. The trial, which included a 1-month placebo run-in period, showed that both placebo and nicergoline were associated with some degree of improvement.