Sarcopenic Obesity in Cervical Carcinoma: A Strong and Independent Prognostic Factor beyond the Conventional Predictors (ESTHER Study-AFRAID Project).

Locally advanced cervical cancer represents a significant treatment challenge. Body composition parameters such as body mass index, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity, defined by sarcopenia and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m, have been identified as potential prognostic factors, yet their overall impact remains underexplored. This study assessed the relationship between these anthropometric parameters alongside clinical prognostic factors on the prognosis of 173 cervical cancer patients.

Complete metabolic response after Partially Ablative Radiotherapy (PAR) for bulky retroperitoneal liposarcoma: A case report.

In the management of symptomatic inoperable retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS), palliative radiotherapy (RT) is a potential treatment option. However, the efficacy of low doses used in palliative RT is limited in these radioresistant tumors. Therefore, exploring dose escalation strategies targeting specific regions of the tumor may enhance the therapeutic effect of RT in relieving or preventing symptoms.

Decoding the Complexity of Systemic Inflammation Predictors in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer, with Hemoglobin as the Hidden Key (the ESTHER Study).

Locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). Predictive models could improve the outcome through treatment personalization. Several factors influence prognosis in LACC, but the role of systemic inflammation indices (IIs) is unclear.

Classical Prognostic Factors Predict Prognosis Better than Inflammatory Indices in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Results of a Comprehensive Observational Study including Tumor-, Patient-, and Treatment-Related Data (ESTHER Study).

Systemic inflammation indices were found to be correlated with therapeutic outcome in several cancers. This study retrospectively analyzes the predictive role of a broad range of systemic inflammatory markers in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) including patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related potential prognostic factors. All patients underwent definitive chemoradiation and pretreatment values of several inflammatory indices (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune inflammation index (SII), leukocyte/lymphocyte ratio, combination of platelet count and NLR, aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index, aspartate aminotransferase/lymphocyte ratio index, systemic inflammatory response index, and aspartate transaminase/neutrophil ratio index) were calculated.

Hiding in the yolk: A unique feature of Legionella pneumophila infection of zebrafish.

The zebrafish has become a powerful model organism to study host-pathogen interactions. Here, we developed a zebrafish model to dissect the innate immune response to Legionella pneumophila during infection. We show that L.

How smart is artificial intelligence in organs delineation? Testing a CE and FDA-approved Deep-Learning tool using multiple expert contours delineated on planning CT images.

Background: A CE- and FDA-approved cloud-based Deep learning (DL)-tool for automatic organs at risk (OARs) and clinical target volumes segmentation on computer tomography images is available. Before its implementation in the clinical practice, an independent external validation was conducted.

Methods: At least a senior and two in training Radiation Oncologists (ROs) manually contoured the volumes of interest (VOIs) for 6 tumoral sites.

CSF-contacting neurons respond to Streptococcus pneumoniae and promote host survival during central nervous system infection.

The pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) can invade the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cause meningitis with devastating consequences. Whether and how sensory cells in the central nervous system (CNS) become activated during bacterial infection, as recently reported for the peripheral nervous system, is not known.

Latest trends in bioimaging and building a proactive network of early-career young scientists around bioimaging in Europe.

Biological research is in constant need of new methodological developments to assess organization and functions at various scales ranging from whole organisms to interactions between proteins. One of the main ways to evidence and quantify biological phenomena is imaging. Fluorescence microscopy and label-free microscopy are in particular highly active fields of research due to their compatibility with living samples as well as their versatility.

The prognostic power of inflammatory indices and clinical factors in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with radium-223 (BIO-Ra study).

Purpose: To combine peripheral blood indices and clinical factors in a prognostic score for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients treated with radium-223 dichloride ([Ra]RaCl).

Patients And Methods: Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (donor), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), Gleason score (GS) group, number of bone metastases, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), line of therapy, previous chemotherapy, and the presence of lymphadenopathies were collected from seven Italian centers between 2013 and 2020. Lab and clinical data were assessed in correlation with the overall survival (OS).

Prevalence of uterine rupture among women with one prior low transverse cesarean and women with unscarred uterus undergoing labor induction with PGE2: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: As uterine rupture may affect as many as 11/1000 women with 1 prior cesarean birth and 5/10.000 women with unscarred uterus undergoing labor induction, we intended to estimate the prevalence of such rare outcome when PGE2 is used for cervical ripening and labor induction.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.

IFN-Stimulated Genes in Zebrafish and Humans Define an Ancient Arsenal of Antiviral Immunity.

The evolution of the IFN system, the major innate antiviral mechanism of vertebrates, remains poorly understood. According to the detection of type I IFN genes in cartilaginous fish genomes, the system appeared 500 My ago. However, the IFN system integrates many other components, most of which are encoded by IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs).

Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotype among Italian injection drug users-relation to period of injection started.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C is a worldwide health problem. Intravenous drug users are the main risk group.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Italian injecting drug users and the distribution of genotypes in relation to the period when the infection was acquired.

Portosystemic shunts in a large cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis: detection rate and clinical relevance.

Background: This study aimed to determine the detection rate and clinical relevance of portosystemic collaterals.

Methods: We studied 326 cirrhotics. Portosystemic collaterals, portal vein diameter, and splenic area were evaluated by color Doppler sonography; esophageal varices were detected by endoscopy.

Postmeal portal flow variations in HCV-related chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis with and without hyperdynamic syndrome.

Background: Doppler ultrasonography (US) of portal blood flow and portal flow volume (PFV) are useful to define changes in portal hemodynamics of patients with chronic liver diseases. The meal test with postmeal PFV measurements is generally accepted as a reproducible noninvasive test to evaluate the severity of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether monitoring PFV changes after ingestion of a standard meal would be useful to characterize patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis in the presence or absence of hyperdynamic syndrome (HS) characterized by elevated PFV, splenomegaly, systemic hypotension and/or increased cardiac output.

Portal diameter in the diagnosis of esophageal varices in 266 cirrhotic patients: which role?

The aim was to evaluate the predictability of portal diameter (PD) in the diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) and of large size EV (F3EV) in a large series of patients with cirrhosis. Two-hundred sixty-six persons with cirrhosis (M:F = 153:113; mean age 65.4 +/- 10 y) were studied by abdominal sonography and upper endoscopy.

[Glucagon test for Doppler sonography measurement of portal flow in chronic HCV infections].

Purpose - To evaluate whether Doppler sonography measurement of portal flow velocity (PFV) after glucagon injection can be useful in assessing the severity of liver damage in chronic HCV infection. Methods - Forty-five patients (32 males and 13 females; mean age 54.1 14.

Long-term liver histology improvement in patients with chronic hepatitis C and sustained response to interferon.

A retrospective multicentre survey was conducted to evaluate, in patients with chronic hepatitis C, the long-term liver histological changes induced by interferon (IFN). A total of 112 patients (mean age 46.4 years) were studied.

Doppler sonography measurement of portal blood flow velocity after glucagon injection in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Doppler sonography measurement of portal flow velocity (PFV) after glucagon injection was performed in 45 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 = no or mild liver fibrosis; group 2 = moderate to severe liver fibrosis, and group 3 = liver cirrhosis. All patients were examined using a Doppler ultrasound (US) multipurpose equipment and a convex 3.

Leukocyte and platelet lowering by some interferon types during viral hepatitis treatment.

Background/aims: The hematologic toxicity (leukothrombocytopenia) of interferon therapy is well known and frequently observed; it may vary, however, according to the type of interferon administered.

Methodology: We retrospectively assessed 158 patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated for 6-12 months with alpha (recombinant, lymphoblastoid or leukocyte) or beta interferon to monitor leukothrombocytopenia.

Results: During treatment, a significant decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts was detected in 48% and 43% of patients, respectively.

Comparison of treatment with two different doses of leukocyte interferon alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: This study was carried in order to investigate whether human leukocyte interferon-alpha administered for 12 months at two different dosages, improves long-term responses in chronic hepatitis C and to see whether pre-treatment gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase values help to predict the clinical response to Interferon.

Methodology: Forty-five patients were treated for 12 months with natural Interferon-alpha: 3 MU (group A: 31 cases); 6 MU (group B: 14 cases). Biochemical and virological responses were monitored during treatment and follow-up.