High-dose cytarabine in induction treatment improves the outcome of adult patients younger than age 46 years with acute myeloid leukemia: results of the EORTC-GIMEMA AML-12 trial.

Purpose: Cytarabine plays a pivotal role in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Most centers use 7 to 10 days of cytarabine at a daily dose of 100 to 200 mg/m(2) for remission induction. Consensus has not been reached on the benefit of higher dosages of cytarabine.

Secondary metabolites from Pinus mugo Turra subsp. mugo growing in the Majella National Park (Central Apennines, Italy).

In this study, we examined the composition regarding secondary metabolites of P. mugo Turra ssp. mugo growing in the protected area of Majella National Park, which is the southernmost station of the habitat of this species.

Alternative novel therapies for the treatment of elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients.

With a median age at diagnosis of approximately 65-70 years, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents a major therapeutic challenge in the elderly. Only 30-35% of elderly patients with AML are considered eligible for intensive chemotherapy and do actually receive it. However, the long-term benefit associated with intensive chemotherapy remains marginal, and the overall outcome for this population remains poor.

HPTLC determination of chemical composition variability in raw materials used in botanicals.

Besides the chemotaxonomic value, nowadays determination of biodiversity and chemical variability has a commercial impact. The exact identity of raw material and constituents of botanical products, such as food supplements or herbal remedies, is a very important argument, being the real prerequisite for quality control and traceability, followed by the determination of active components. However, the analytical approach must consider the natural great variability in secondary metabolites and product form, such as in extracts.

Pivaloylcodeine, a new codeine derivative, for the inhibition of morphine glucuronidation. An in vitro study in the rat.

We have previously found that phenanthrenic opioids, including codeine, modulate morphine glucuronidation in the rat. Here codeine and five of its derivatives were compared in their effects on the synthesis of morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) from morphine by rat liver microsomal preparations, and by primary cultures of rat hepatocytes previously incubated for 72 h with either codeine or its derivatives. Acetylcodeine and pivaloylcodeine shared the capability of the parent compound of inhibiting the synthesis of M3G by liver microsomes through a noncompetitive mechanism of action.

Sequential combination of gemtuzumab ozogamicin and standard chemotherapy in older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia: results of a randomized phase III trial by the EORTC and GIMEMA consortium (AML-17).

Purpose: This randomized trial evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of sequential gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) and standard chemotherapy in older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Patients And Methods: Patients (n = 472) age 61 to 75 years were randomly assigned to induction chemotherapy with mitoxantrone, cytarabine, and etoposide preceded, or not, by a course of GO (6 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15). In remission, patients received two consolidation courses with or without GO (3 mg/m(2) on day 0).

Recurrence of a t(8;21)-Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Form of a Granulocytic Sarcoma Involving Cranial Bones: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a rare extramedullary solid tumor defined as an accumulation of myeloblasts or immature myeloid cells. It can cooccur with or precede the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as well as following treated AML. The incidence of GS in AML patients is 3-8% but it significantly rises in M2 FAB subtype AML.

Infections increase the risk of central venous catheter-related thrombosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

Introduction: Central venous catheters (CVC) related thrombosis (CRT) represents a well known complication in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving intensive chemotherapy but the efficacy of antithrombotic prophylaxis still remains controversial.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 71 consecutive AML patients whose CVC was inserted before each chemotherapy cycle for an overall number of 106 CVC placements. In 47/106 insertions, a prophylaxis with 100 IU/kg/day low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was administered for 7 days after CVC insertion and additional 7 after CVC removal.

A new problem. Contamination of botanicals by phthalates. Rapid detection tests.

The purity of solvents used in medical, herbal and food products is an essential prerequisite. This communication is focused on the possible occurrence of phthalates contaminant derived from the utilisation of plastic containers for solvents instead of glass containers. The contamination must be detected also in the derived marketed extracts, like botanical food supplements.

Non steroid treatment for eczema: results from a controlled and randomized study.

Aim: This study assesses the efficacy of a new non steroid anti-inflammatory product in comparison to Hydrocortisone Butyrate 0.1% Cream in healing eczematous dermatitis.

Methods: A bilateral controlled randomized pilot study was conducted in Italian adults affected by eczema with at least two symmetric lesions at baseline, respectively assigned to a non steroid cream or Hydrocortisone.

Chemopreventive and antioxidant activity of the chamazulene-rich essential oil obtained from Artemisia arborescens L. growing on the Isle of La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy.

The essential oils of Artemisia arborescens growing in Sardinia (Italy), collected during three plant growth stages, i.e., from the vegetative stage to post-blooming time, were characterized.

Phytochemical pattern of Gentiana species of Appennino in central Italy.

The molecular pattern of two Gentiana species, G. dinarica and G. lutea, present in a protected area of Appennino Centrale in Italy, was examined.

Retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Background: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with chemotherapy is the standard of care for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), resulting in cure rates exceeding 80%. Pilot studies of treatment with arsenic trioxide with or without ATRA have shown high efficacy and reduced hematologic toxicity.

Methods: We conducted a phase 3, multicenter trial comparing ATRA plus chemotherapy with ATRA plus arsenic trioxide in patients with APL classified as low-to-intermediate risk (white-cell count, ≤10×10(9) per liter).

Phytochemical analysis, biological evaluation and micromorphological study of Stachys alopecuros (L.) Benth. subsp. divulsa (Ten.) Grande endemic to central Apennines, Italy.

Stachys alopecuros subsp. divulsa (Lamiaceae), a perennial herb endemic to central Italy growing on mountain pastures, was investigated for the first time for the content of secondary metabolites, for the micromorphology and histochemistry of glandular trichomes, and for the biological activity of the volatile oil, namely cytotoxic, antioxidant and antimicrobial. The plant showed the molecular pattern of iridoids, among which a new iridoid diglycoside (4'-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-teuhircoside) was detected, together with a sterol glucoside and a phenylethanoid glycoside.

Hypericum hircinum L. components as new single-molecule inhibitors of both HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H activities.

Among HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated functions, DNA polymerase and Ribonuclease H (RNase H) are both essential for HIV replication and excellent targets for drug development. While all RT inhibitors approved for therapy target the DNA polymerase activity, there is the pressing need for new RT inhibitors possibly targeting the RNase H function. In the last 20 years, many natural substances have shown antiviral activity against HIV-1, but only a few against the RNase H function.

Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) predicts survival and leukemic evolution of myelodysplastic syndromes significantly better than IPSS and WHO Prognostic Scoring System: validation by the Gruppo Romano Mielodisplasie Italian Regional Database.

Purpose: The definition of disease-specific prognostic scores plays a fundamental role in the treatment decision-making process in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a group of myeloid disorders characterized by a heterogeneous clinical behavior.

Patients And Methods: We applied the recently published Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) to 380 patients with MDS, registered in an Italian regional database, recruiting patients from the city of Rome (Gruppo Romano Mielodisplasie). Patients were selected based on the availability of IPSS-R prognostic factors, including complete peripheral-blood and bone marrow counts, informative cytogenetics, and follow-up data.

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with 20-30% bone marrow blasts.

The transition of patients with ≥20% <30% bone marrow (BM) blast from the FAB category of myelodysplasia to the family of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) according to the recent WHO classification has not resolved the argument as to whether the natural history and responsiveness to therapy of these diseases is comparable to that of AML with > 30% BM blast. These controversies are even more manifest when it comes to elderly patients in whom concern for intensive chemotherapy (IC) related toxicity is the critical determinant for the therapeutic choice. In fact, due to concerns of treatment-related morbidity and mortality associated with delivery of IC, approximately only 30% of all patients ≥65 years are considered eligible for this approach.

Dihydroasparagusic acid: antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities and improved synthesis.

Dihydroasparagusic acid (DHAA) is the reduced form of asparagusic acid, a sulfur-containing flavor component produced by Asparagus plants. In this work, DHAA was synthetically produced by modifying some published protocols, and the synthesized molecule was tested in several in vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP-ferrozine, BCB, deoxyribose assays) to evaluate its radical scavenging activity. Results show that DHAA is endowed with a significant in vitro antioxidant activity, comparable to that of Trolox.

Phase II Study of Bortezomib as a Single Agent in Patients with Previously Untreated or Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Ineligible for Intensive Therapy.

We explored the safety and efficacy of bortezomib given as single agent in patients with untreated or relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), unfit for conventional chemotherapy. Fourteen patients were treated with bortezomib 1.5 mg/m(2) administered twice weekly for two weeks, every 3 weeks.

Identification of emerging FLT3 ITD-positive clones during clinical remission and kinetics of disease relapse in acute myeloid leukaemia with mutated nucleophosmin.

FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations are frequently detected at diagnosis in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukaemia (CN-AML) and predict unfavourable outcome. FLT3 ITD is an unstable aberration and may be lost or acquired at relapse. Recent whole genome sequencing studies have suggested that FLT3 ITD(+)ve AML relapse may evolve from small subclones undetectable at diagnosis by routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Mini-extracorporeal circulation minimizes coagulation abnormalities and ameliorates pulmonary outcome in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Hemostasis is impaired during CABG and coagulation abnormalities often result in clinically relevant organ dysfunctions, eventually increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Fifteen consecutive patients with coronary artery disease submitted to conventional extracorporeal circulation (cECC) have been compared with 15 matched patients, using mini-ECC (MECC). Postoperative lung function was evaluated according to gas exchange, intubation time and lung injury score.

Iridoids from Bellardia trixago (L.) All.

The phytochemical study of the polar fraction of Bellardia trixago (L.) All. led to the isolation of eight iridoid glucosides.

Polar constituents composition of endemic Sideritis italica (MILL.) GREUTER et BURTER from Central Italy.

Endemic Sideritis italica (MILL.) GREUTER et BURTER (Lamiaceae) occurs mainly in Southern Italy and Sicily and has previously only been studied for the essential oil composition. In this paper, we complete the phytochemical study of a sample of S.