Routine anterior approach during right hepatectomy: results of a prospective randomised controlled trial.

Trial Design: A prospective randomised controlled trial was designed to evaluate the advantages of routine application of the anterior approach during right hepatectomy.

Methods: The study was conducted between March 2005 and April 2009 in a tertiary hepatobiliary-pancreatic centre. Patients scheduled for right hepatectomy for primary or metastatic tumours, without infiltration of segment 1, inferior vena cava or main bile duct, were randomly assigned to right hepatectomy using either an anterior or a classic approach.

Quantification with a dedicated breast PET/CT scanner.

Purpose: Dedicated breast PET/CT is expected to have utility in local staging, surgical planning, monitoring of therapy response, and detection of residual disease for breast cancer. Quantitative metrics will be integral to several such applications. The authors present a validation of fully 3D data correction schemes for a custom built dedicated breast PET/CT (DbPET/CT) scanner via (18)F-FDG phantom scans.

The helminth community of the skink Chalcides sexlineatus from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands).

A survey of the gastrointestinal helminth communities of a population of Chalcides sexlineatus Steindachner, a small skink endemic to Gran Canaria island (Canary Archipelago, Spain), was conducted to determine the prevalence, abundance and species diversity of intestinal parasites in these reptiles. Only three parasite species were found, one cestode, Oochoristica agamae Baylis, 1919 and two nematodes, Parapharyngodon micipsae (Seurat, 1917) and Pharyngodonidae gen. sp.

Metronomic chemotherapy may be active in heavily pre-treated patients with metastatic adreno-cortical carcinoma.

Objective: The potential benefit of further chemotherapy approaches in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) showing progressive disease after 2 chemotherapy lines is actually unknown. This study provides explorative information on the activity of metronomic chemotherapy in heavily pre-treated ACC patients.

Design And Methods: We tested the activity of cytotoxic treatments administered on a metronomic schedule in metastatic ACC patients showing disease progression after treatment with gemcitabine and capecitabine scheme.

Anticoagulation therapy in patients with heart failure due to systolic dysfunction and sinus rhythm: analysis of REDINSCOR registry.

Introduction And Objectives: In patients with heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and sinus rhythm without conditions such as atrial fibrillation, thrombus or history of thromboembolic events, the use of anticoagulation is controversial. Our objective was to evaluate the anticoagulation strategy in these patients, variables associated with its use, and its effects on various cardiovascular events.

Methods: Of the patients included in the REDINSCOR registry with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and sinus rhythm without other anticoagulation indications (including patients with heart failure from 19 Spanish centres), we compared those who received this treatment with the remaining patients.

The cellular apoptosis susceptibility CAS/CSE1L gene protects ovarian cancer cells from death by suppressing RASSF1C.

The cellular apoptosis susceptibility gene CAS/CSE1L is overexpressed in cancer, although it was originally identified as a gene that renders cells vulnerable to apoptotic stimuli. CAS/CSE1L has roles in the nucleocytoplasmic recycling of importin-α and in the regulation of gene expression, cell migration, and secretion. We identified CAS/CSE1L as a survival factor for ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation improves the results of vestibular rehabilitation.

Here, we present findings from a three-step investigation of the effect of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) in normal subjects and in subjects undergoing vestibular rehabilitation (VR). In an initial study, we examined the body sway of 10 normal subjects after one minute of 2 mA GVS. The effect of the stimulation lasted for at least 20 minutes in all subjects and up to two hours in 70% of the subjects.

Health-related quality of life in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer--results from the CALYPSO trial.

Background: In the CALYPSO trial, carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (CD) demonstrated superior therapeutic index versus carboplatin-paclitaxel (CP) in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. This paper reports the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) findings.

Materials And Methods: HRQoL was measured with the EORTC QoL-QC30 questionnaire and OV28 ovarian cancer module.

Deletions in the neuraminidase stalk region of H2N2 and H9N2 avian influenza virus subtypes do not affect postinfluenza secondary bacterial pneumonia.

We investigated the synergism between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly the role of deletions in the stalk region of the neuraminidase (NA) of H2N2 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses. Deletions in the NA stalk (ΔNA) had no effect on NA activity or on the adherence of S. pneumoniae to virus-infected human alveolar epithelial (A549) and mouse lung adenoma (LA-4) cells, although it delayed virus elution from turkey red blood cells.

Intraoperative detection of disappearing colorectal liver metastases as a predictor of residual disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraoperative detection rate of residual liver metastases after chemotherapy and to assess the correlation between disappeared liver metastases (DLMs) upon preoperative imaging and complete pathological response.

Methods: Between February 2004 and December 2008 clinicopathological data of 292 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for colorectal liver metastases were prospectively collected and analyzed in a "per lesion" study. Thirty-three patients with 67 DLMs were included.

CA-125 can be part of the tumour evaluation criteria in ovarian cancer trials: experience of the GCIG CALYPSO trial.

Background: CA-125 as a tumour progression criterion in relapsing ovarian cancer (ROC) trials remains controversial. CALYPSO is a large randomised trial incorporating CA-125 (GCIG criteria) and symptomatic deterioration in addition to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria (radiological) to determine progression.

Methods: In all, 976 patients with platinum-sensitive ROC were randomised to carboplatin-paclitaxel (C-P) or carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (C-PLD).

Evolution of long-term outcome of liver resection for colorectal metastases: analysis of actual 5-year survival rates over two decades.

Background: Liver resection (LR) is the only potentially curative treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Its outcome over the past 2 decades was studied using actual 5-year survival rates.

Methods: Data of 393 consecutive patients who underwent LR for CRLM at Mauriziano Umberto I (Turin) until June 2005 were analyzed.

Phase II study of weekly paclitaxel and sorafenib as second/third-line therapy in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Background: There is a strong rationale in the use of antiangiogenic therapy in the management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Metronomic administration of chemotherapy and antiangiogenic drugs can be synergistic in targeting endothelial cells.

Objective: We assessed the activity of sorafenib plus metronomic paclitaxel as second/third-line therapy in advanced ACC patients.

Supervised team management, with or without structured psychotherapy, in heavy users of a mental health service with borderline personality disorder: a two-year follow-up preliminary randomized study.

Background: Individuals affected by severe Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are often heavy users of Mental Health Services (MHS). Short-term treatments currently used in BPD therapy are useful to target disruptive behaviors but they are less effective in reducing heavy MHS use. Therefore, alternative short-term treatments, less complex than long-term psychodynamic psychotherapies but specifically oriented to BPD core problems, need to be developed to reduce MHS overuse.

Additional resection of an intraoperative margin-positive proximal bile duct improves survival in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective: To assess the survival benefit of additional resection of an intraoperative positive proximal bile duct margin (BD(Marg)) in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA).

Summary Background Data: Intraoperative evidence of invasive cancer at the proximal (BD(Marg)) is associated with a dismal survival irrespective of whether a final negative (BD(Marg)) is achieved with an additional resection.

Methods: Clinicopathologic, operative, and survival data of consecutive patients undergone curative intent hepatectomy with bile duct resection (n = 75) for HCC (1989-2010) were analyzed.

Principal Components Analysis on the spectral Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function of ceramic colour standards.

The Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) is essential to characterize an object's reflectance properties. This function depends both on the various illumination-observation geometries as well as on the wavelength. As a result, the comprehensive interpretation of the data becomes rather complex.

Phylogenetic analysis of H6 influenza viruses isolated from rosy-billed pochards (Netta peposaca) in Argentina reveals the presence of different HA gene clusters.

Until recently, influenza A viruses from wild waterfowl in South America were rarely isolated and/or characterized. To explore the ecology of influenza A viruses in this region, a long-term surveillance program was established in 2006 for resident and migratory water birds in Argentina. We report the characterization of 5 avian influenza viruses of the H6 hemagglutinin (HA) subtype isolated from rosy-billed pochards (Netta peposaca).

Carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus carboplatin and paclitaxel in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients: results from a subset analysis of the CALYPSO phase III trial.

Background: To perform a subset analysis of patients with partially platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) who received either CD [carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)] or CP (carboplatin-paclitaxel) in the CALYPSO trial.

Patients And Methods: CALYPSO, an international phase III, non-inferiority trial, enrolled women with ROC that relapsed >6 months following first- or second-line therapy. Patients were randomized to CD or CP.

Locally advanced mid/low rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases.

Background: Management of patients with T3/4 and/or N+ mid/low rectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases is not codified. The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes of our approach which consists of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, according to liver disease extension, followed by simultaneous rectal and liver resection.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2009, 354 patients underwent hepatectomy for synchronous metastases.

Prognostic nomogram to predict progression-free survival in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

Background: Patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer are a heterogeneous group, and it is not possible to accurately predict the progression-free survival (PFS) in these patients. We developed and validated a nomogram to help improve prediction of PFS in patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods: The nomogram was developed in a training cohort (n=955) from the CALYPSO trial and validated in the AGO-OVAR 2.

Evaluation of the acute dermal exposure of the ethanolic and hexanic extracts from leaves of Schinus molle var. areira L. in rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Schinus molle var. areira L. (Anacardiaceae) is employed in herbal medicine for many conditions, including respiratory, urinary and menstrual disorders, and as a digestive stimulant, diuretic, astringent and antidepressant.

Indication of electron neutrino appearance from an accelerator-produced off-axis muon neutrino beam.

The T2K experiment observes indications of ν(μ) → ν(e) appearance in data accumulated with 1.43×10(20) protons on target. Six events pass all selection criteria at the far detector.

Angiogenesis and molecular markers in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective study.

Objective: The role of molecular markers in ovarian cancer is still a matter of debate. Angiogenesis is a necessary condition for tumor growth. Hypoxia induces angiogenesis, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), p53 and HER2 are involved in cancer proliferation and angiogenesis regulation.

Activity of Schinus areira (Anacardiaceae) essential oils against the grain storage pest Tribolium castaneum.

Essential oils extracted from leaves and fruits of Schinus areira (Anacardiaceae) were tested for their repellent, toxic and feeding deterrent properties against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae and adults. A topical application assay was employed for the contact toxicity study and filter paper impregnation for the fumigant assay. A treated diet was also used to evaluate the repellent activity and a flour disk bioassay for the feeding deterrent action and nutritional index alteration.

Liver resection without pedicle clamping: feasibility and need for "salvage clamping". Looking for the right clamping policy. Analysis of 512 consecutive resections.

Background: Pedicle clamping during liver resection (LR) is debated. The purpose of this study is to validate non-clamping policy across a large series of LR and to evaluate the need for salvage clamping (SC) and its outcomes.

Methods: Five hundred twelve consecutive LR without initial pedicle clamping performed between 2004 and 2009 were analyzed.