(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging of massive portal vein tumor thrombosis from ileal adenocarcinoma.

A 72 years old patient was referred to us with ileal adenocarcinoma after surgical desection. Fluorine-18- fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) imaging showed massive portal vein, tumor thrombosis. Clinical examination and laboratory tests did not support the diagnosis of septic thrombus.

What are the pharmacotherapy options for treating venous thromboembolism in cancer patients?

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication in patients with malignancies. The treatment of VTE disorders in cancer patients remains a difficult clinical task.

Areas Covered: Current evidence on the most appropriate initial and long-term treatment of cancer patients with VTE was addressed, as was the management of recurrent VTE despite anticoagulation, the management of incidentally detected isolated pulmonary embolism (PE), the potential role of the novel direct oral anticoagulants and the impact of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on cancer evolution.

An unusual case of spleen metastasis from carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is a rare tumor arising from the salivary glands that spreads through direct extension, through the lymphatic vessels, and, rarely, hematogenously. When distant metastases have been found, they have been reported mainly in the lung. We present an unusual case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland with splenic metastases.

Oral propranolol for retinopathy of prematurity: risks, safety concerns, and perspectives.

Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of oral propranolol administration in preterm newborns affected by an early phase of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study Design: Fifty-two preterm newborns with Stage 2 ROP were randomized to receive oral propranolol (0.25 or 0.

Functional involvement of β3-adrenergic receptors in melanoma growth and vascularization.

Unlabelled: β-adrenergic signaling is thought to facilitate cancer progression and blockade of β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) may slow down tumor growth. A possible role of β3-ARs in tumor growth has not been investigated so far and the lack of highly specific antagonists makes difficult the evaluation of this role. In the present study, β3-AR expression in mouse B16F10 melanoma cells was demonstrated and the effects of two widely used β3-AR blockers, SR59230A and L-748,337, were evaluated in comparison with propranolol, a β1-/β2-AR blocker with poor affinity for β3-ARs, and with siRNAs targeting specific β-ARs.

Heart Rate and Arterial Pressure Changes during Whole-Body Deep Hypothermia.

Whole-body deep hypothermia (DH) could be a new therapeutic strategy for asphyxiated newborn. This retrospective study describes how DH modified the heart rate and arterial blood pressure if compared to mild hypothermia (MH). Fourteen in DH and 17 in MH were cooled within the first six hours of life and for the following 72 hours.

The pathophysiology of retinopathy of prematurity: an update of previous and recent knowledge.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease that can cause blindness in very low birthweight infants. The incidence of ROP is closely correlated with the weight and the gestational age at birth. Despite current therapies, ROP continues to be a highly debilitating disease.

Absorbed dose to lesion and clinical outcome after liver radioembolization with 90Y microspheres: a case report of PET-based dosimetry.

A 54-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal carcinoma underwent liver radioembolization with (90)Y resin microspheres. Microsphere biodistribution was assessed 2 h after the treatment through a 20-min long (90)Y PET scan. Isodose map and lesion dose-volume histogram (DVH) were then evaluated using a MATLAB-based code.

Eye drop propranolol administration promotes the recovery of oxygen-induced retinopathy in mice.

The mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) is a well-established model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), characterized by the abnormal formation of new blood vessels, which is similar to ROP. In this model, we have recently shown that subcutaneous (sc) administration of the non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blocker propranolol ameliorates angiogenic processes in the retina when its effects are evaluated at postnatal day (PD) 17. In the present study, we investigated whether propranolol application as collyrium can promote the recovery of OIR.

A rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based method for measuring propranolol on dried blood spots.

Propranolol, a non-selective beta blocker drug, is used in young infants and newborns for treating several heart diseases; its pharmacokinetics has been extensively evaluated in adult patients using extrapolation to treat pediatric population. The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a method to measure propranolol levels in dried blood spots. The analysis was performed by using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode.

Further data on beta-blockers and cancer risk: observational study and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: The aim of the present paper is to provide some further data on the relationship between β-blocker treatment and the incidence of cancer, using two different approaches (epidemiological study and meta-analysis of clinical trials).

Methods: In a consecutive series of 1340 diabetic patients starting insulin therapy, 112 cases of cancer during a mean follow-up of 75.9 months were identified as first hospital admission or death.

Beta3-adrenergic receptors modulate vascular endothelial growth factor release in response to hypoxia through the nitric oxide pathway in mouse retinal explants.

Beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) play a role in angiogenic processes that characterize neovascularization-associated retinal diseases, but the role of β3-ARs has not been disclosed yet. We used ex vivo retinal explants to investigate the role of β3-ARs in regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release associated with hypoxia. Whether nitric oxide (NO) mediates β3-AR regulation of VEGF release was also investigated.

Overosaurus paradasorum gen. et sp. nov., a new sauropod dinosaur (Titanosauria: Lithostrotia) from the late Cretaceous of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

A new lithostrotian sauropod, the small-sized Overosaurus paradasorum n. gen et sp. from the Anacleto Formation (Campanian, Late Cretaceous, Neuquén Group, Patagonia, Argentina) is here described.

Expression of β-adrenergic receptors in pediatric malignant brain tumors.

β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) are G protein-coupled receptors that activate signal transduction pathways involved in angiogenesis, resulting in enhanced tumor vascularization and more aggressive growth. In this study, we evaluated the expression of β-ARs in a population of 12 children affected by malignant primary brain tumors. We found a significant expression of β1- and β2-ARs in all 12 samples as well as the 3 cell lines tested (U87MG, T98G and DAOY).

Propranolol concentrations after oral administration in term and preterm neonates.

Objective: While propranolol pharmacokinetics has been extensively studied in adults, this study reports the first evaluation of propranolol pharmacokinetics in term and preterm neonates.

Methods: Propranolol concentrations were measured in four term and 32 preterm newborns treated with oral propranolol at the dose of 0.5 or 0.

Usefulness of dual-time point imaging after carbonated water for the fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission imaging of peritoneal carcinomatosis in colon cancer.

Background: Fluorodeoxygluose (FDG) positron emission/computed tomography (PET/CT) is emerging as a useful tool for the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). In this study, we assessed whether dual-time point imaging can improve the accuracy of FDG PET/CT for the diagnosis of PC after colon rectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with past history of CRC were evaluated.

Safety and efficacy of topiramate in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia (NeoNATI).

Background: Despite progresses in neonatal care, the mortality and the incidence of neuro-motor disability after perinatal asphyxia have failed to show substantial improvements. In countries with a high level of perinatal care, the incidence of asphyxia responsible for moderate or severe encephalopathy is still 2-3 per 1000 term newborns. Recent trials have demonstrated that moderate hypothermia, started within 6 hours after birth and protracted for 72 hours, can significantly improve survival and reduce neurologic impairment in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Radioembolisation with (90)Y-labelled resin microspheres in the treatment of liver metastasis from breast cancer.

Objectives: Metastatic breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, commonly affecting the liver. We report our experience with (90)Y radioembolisation (RE) and its effects on the survival of patients with treatment-refractory breast cancer liver metastases.

Methods: A total of 77 female patients affected by breast cancer were accepted into our department for RE.

Strategies for reducing the incidence of skin complications in newborns treated with whole-body hypothermia.

Objective: To present the results of a strategy designed to reduce the incidence of skin complications in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with moderate whole-body hypothermia.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: may an early amplitude-integrated EEG improve the selection of candidates for cooling?

Objective: To report our experience in the selection of newborns candidate to therapeutic hypothermia.

Methods: Retrospective study involving 47 newborns suffering from perinatal asphyxia from January 2008 to September 2011.

Results: Thirty-five of 47 newborns admitted to our hospital fulfilled metabolic and neurological criteria for recruitment and were cooled.

Beta-adrenoreceptor agonism influences retinal responses to hypoxia in a model of retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: In a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), a well-established model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), blocking beta-adrenoreceptors (β-ARs), and, in particular, β2-ARs, counteracts retinal responses to hypoxia. In the present work, we determined the effects of the β-AR agonist isoproterenol on retinal angiogenesis and β-AR signaling to better clarify the role of sympathetic transmission in ROP.

Methods: Isoproterenol was administered subcutaneously.