Development of a Pain Measurement Device Using 3D Printing and Electronic Air Pressure Control.

This article describes the design of a wireless pain monitor system, also known as a pain meter, which can be used to diagnose people with fibromyalgia. : As the test should be done while a simultaneous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan is being performed on the patient to observe their brain activity, the device must not have metallic components. : Solid modelling and additive manufacturing were used for the manufacture of the device, an electropneumatic control has also been defined, and several prototypes were manufactured and tested.

Role of histological regression grade after two neoadjuvant approaches with or without radiotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer.

Background: The degree of histopathological response after neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) is a key determinant of patients' long-term outcome. We aimed to assess the pattern of histopathological regression after two neoadjuvant approaches and its impact on survival times.

Methods: Regression grade of the primary tumour (Becker criteria) and the degree of nodal response by a 4-point scale (grades A-D) were assessed.

Four-week neoadjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concurrent capecitabine and oxaliplatin in locally advanced rectal cancer patients: a validation phase II trial.

Purpose: To validate tolerance and pathological complete response rate (pCR) of a 4-week preoperative course of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with concurrent capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: Patients with T3 to T4 and/or N+ rectal cancer received preoperative IMRT (47.5 Gy in 19 fractions) with concurrent capecitabine (825 mg/m(2) b.

Updating controversies on the multidisciplinary management of gastric cancer.

The rates of relapse and death remain high in gastric cancer patients, especially in advanced stages. Local relapses in the tumour bed and regional lymph nodes, peritoneal spread as abdominal carcinomatosis, and distant metastasis are common mechanisms of failure after a R0 resection. To overcome this, a multidisciplinary approach has been prompted.

Patterns of response after preoperative intensity-modulated radiation therapy and capecitabine/oxaliplatin in rectal cancer: is there still a place for ecoendoscopic ultrasound?

Purpose: The main goals of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CHRT) in rectal cancer are to achieve pathological response and to ensure tumor control with functional surgery when possible. Assessment of the concordance between clinical and pathological responses is necessary to make decisions regarding alternative conservative procedures. The present study evaluates the patterns of response after a preoperative CHRT regimen, and the value of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in assessing response.

Patterns of response after preoperative treatment in gastric cancer.

Purpose: To analyze the rate of pathologic response in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer treated with preoperative chemotherapy with and without chemoradiation at our institution.

Methods And Materials: From 2000 to 2007 patients were retrospectively identified who received preoperative treatment for gastric cancer (cT3-4/ N+) with induction chemotherapy (Ch) or with Ch followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (45 Gy in 5 weeks) (ChRT). Surgery was planned 4-6 weeks after the completion of neoadjuvant treatment.

Antitumor and antiangiogenic effect of the dual EGFR and HER-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib in a lung cancer model.

Background: There is strong evidence demonstrating that activation of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) leads to tumor growth, progression, invasion and metastasis. Erlotinib and gefitinib, two EGFR-targeted agents, have been shown to be relevant drugs for lung cancer treatment. Recent studies demonstrate that lapatinib, a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR and HER-2 receptors, is clinically effective against HER-2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

microRNA-451 regulates macrophage migration inhibitory factor production and proliferation of gastrointestinal cancer cells.

Purpose: microRNAs (miRNA) are small RNAs that function as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Recent evidence has shown that some miRNAs can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential association of miRNA expression with clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer.

cT3N0 rectal cancer: potential overtreatment with preoperative chemoradiotherapy is warranted.

Purpose: Although combined-modality therapy (CMT) is the preferred treatment for T3 and/or lymph node (LN)-positive rectal cancer, the German rectal cancer study published in 2004 demonstrated that 18% of patients deemed suitable for preoperative CMT by endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) may be overstaged. Because data also suggest that LN-negative rectal cancer after total mesorectal excision may not require radiotherapy, it is reasonable to consider omitting radiotherapy for the cT3N0 subset. We therefore determined the accuracy of pre-CMT ERUS or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) staging, to explore the validity of a nonpreoperative CMT approach for cT3N0 disease.

Phase I-II trial of concurrent capecitabine and oxaliplatin with preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Purpose: To identify the maximal tolerated dose level of preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with capecitabine and oxaliplatin and to evaluate the efficacy.

Patients And Methods: Patients with rectal T3-T4 and/or N0-N+ rectal cancer received capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily Monday through Friday and oxaliplatin 60 mg/m(2) intravenously on Days 1, 8, and 15, concurrently with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The radiation dose was increased in 5.

Rectal cancer treatment: improving the picture.

Multidisciplinary approach for rectal cancer treatment is currently well defined. Nevertheless, new and promising advances are enriching the portrait. Since the US NIH Consensus in the early 90's some new characters have been added.

Role of concanavalin A lectin in recognition of pterygium remnant after surgical excision: preliminary results of a prospective study.

Background: Pterygium is one of the most common conjunctival diseases among ophthalmic pathologies. The frequency of recurrences is high, either after surgical treatment or after treatment combined with mitomycin C or beta-radiation therapy.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine whether concanavalin A (ConA) lectin bound to the pterygial surface can be used to detect recurrence or remnants of pterygium after surgical excision.

Detecting changes in tumor hypoxia with carbonic anhydrase IX and pimonidazole.

We have used immunohistochemistry to examine the dynamics of tumor hypoxia.. Expression of CAIX is known to be influenced by tumor hypoxia, and this protein has been shown to be an endogenous hypoxia marker in several models.

Targeting hypoxia and angiogenesis through HIF-1alpha inhibition.

Hypoxia is an important phenomenon in the tumor microenvironment. Hypoxic tumors are more aggressive and resistant to anti-neoplastic treatments. HIF-1alpha plays a major role in the response of tumors to hypoxia, and it is mainly responsible for the "angiogenic switch".

Preoperative chemoradiation with oral tegafur within a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in patients with T3-4 rectal cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity in terms of downstaging histologic patterns of residual tumor and clinical tolerance of a neoadjuvant chemoradiation program with oral tegafur for rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: From May 1998 to May 2001, 62 consecutive patients with cT(3-4) or cN(+) rectal cancer, or both, were treated with 45-50 Gy (1.8 Gy/day; 25 fractions) and oral tegafur 1200 mg/day.

Intraoperative presacral electron boost following preoperative chemoradiation in T3-4Nx rectal cancer: initial local effects and clinical outcome analysis.

Background And Purpose: To analyze early results of a single institution experience using adjuvant intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) presacral boost in locally advanced rectal cancer following preoperative chemoradiation.

Materials And Methods: In a 63 month period (March 1995-June 2000), 100 consecutive T(3-4)N(x) rectal cancer patients were treated with preoperative chemoradiation (45-50 Gy plus oral Tegafur or 5-Fluorouracil continuous intravenous infusion), radical surgery and IOERT presacral boost (mean dose, 12.5 Gy; range, 10-15 Gy).