NeuroD1 expression in human prostate cancer: can it contribute to neuroendocrine differentiation comprehension?

Objectives: Neuroendocrine differentiation is a common feature of prostate cancer (pCA). NeuroD1 is a neuronal transcription factor able to convert epithelial cells into neurons. The aim of the study is to investigate NeuroD1 expression and compare it with chromogranin-A, synaptophysin, and CD56 staining in human prostate cell lines and surgical specimens.

Pain relief in early rehabilitation of rotator cuff tendinitis: any role for indirect suprascapular nerve block?

Aim: The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) to relieve the shoulder pain, ameliorate recovery after physiotherapy and reduce disability due to a rotator cuff tendinitis (RCT). A prospective, randomized, comparison cross over investigation was performed in the setting of a large inpatient rehabilitation unit with more than 200 admissions annually.

Methods: A total of 40 potential study subjects, who complained of shoulder pain from a RCT, were enrolled and randomly assigned to standard rehabilitation treatment plus SSNB (Group A) or to standard rehabilitation treatment alone (Group B).

Early impairment of myocardial function in systemic sclerosis: non-invasive assessment by Doppler myocardial and strain rate imaging.

Background: Aim of the present study was to analyze both left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) myocardial function in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and their relation to other instrumental features of the disease.

Methods And Results: Twenty-five healthy subjects and 23 age- and sex-comparable asymptomatic patients classified as having either diffuse (11 patients) or limited form (12 patients) of SSc underwent clinical examination, serological tests, high-resolution chest-CT, standard Doppler echo, pulsed Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) and strain rate imaging (SRI) of both LV and RV lateral walls. By chest-CT, 11 patients showed interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Second-line intra-arterial chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The present study was conducted to evaluate activity and toxicity of the FLEC (folinic acid 100 mg/m2; 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2; carboplatin 300 mg/m2; epirubicin 60 mg/m2) schedule as second-line treatment for progressive locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer (LAMPC). FLEC was administered every 3 weeks with an angiographic catheter introduced into the tumor vascular bed. Thirty-two patients were enrolled.

Comparison of predictive accuracy of four prognostic models for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy: a multicenter European study.

Background: The objective of the current study was to compare, in a large multicenter study, the discriminating accuracy of four prognostic models developed to predict the survival of patients undergoing nephrectomy for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: A total of 2404 records of patients from 6 European centers were retrospectively reviewed. For each patient, prognostic scores were calculated according to four models: the Kattan model, the University of California at Los Angeles integrated staging system (UISS) model, the Yaycioglu model, and the Cindolo model.

Prognostic value of supine bicycle exercise stress echocardiography in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

Aims: To assess the prognostic significance of supine bicycle exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) for cardiac events, and the ESE additional role compared to other traditional clinical and echo variables, in patients with proven or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: Clinical status and long-term outcome were assessed in 607 patients, for a mean period of 49.9 +/- 12.

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: comprehensive analysis of 104 cases from multicenter European database.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical behavior of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC), we retrospectively evaluated the data from six European centers. In 1985, CRCC was identified as a new RCC histologic subtype. Because of its low frequency, only few large CRCC series are available.

Staging for liver cancer.

This article focuses on the development of prognostic scores, their use in the management of cancer patients, and how they are different from staging systems. It is underlined that the development of a prognostic score is a dynamic process. The score can be modified by incorporating new prognostic features provided that appropriate methodology is followed.

Associations of right ventricular myocardial function with skin and pulmonary involvement in asymptomatic patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disorder characterized by widespread vascular lesions and fibrosis of the skin and specific internal organs. Cardiac involvement is a common finding in SSc, but often clinically occult. The aim of the present study was to analyze both left and right ventricular (RV) myocardial function in patients with SSc, and their relation to other instrumental features of the disease.

Alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasonography screening for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Although there is no definitive evidence that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening in high-risk groups improves survival, many physicians screen high-risk populations with various strategies. alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and liver ultrasonography (US) are the most widely used tools. AFP sensitivity and specificity depend on the cut-off value chosen.

Tension-free transobturator approach for female stress urinary incontinence.

Aim: UraTape is a new sling for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) inserted via a transobturator percutaneous approach. We report the safety, feasibility and short-term results of this new surgical procedure.

Methods: UraTape (Porgès-Mentor) is a non-elastic polypropylene tape, with a silicone coated central part.

Treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of posterior semicircular canal by "Quick Liberatory Rotation Manoeuvre".

Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is based on Semont's Liberatory Manoeuvre and on so-called "Canalith Repositioning Manoeuvres", derived from the original Epley technique. Both manoeuvres are very effective and choice of which to use depends on the experience of the physician. Semont's manoeuvre requires a quick movement of the patient in mass in the frontal plane, from the involved, to the contralateral side, which sometimes causes symptoms such as nausea or vomiting.

Systemic sclerosis could mask the presentation of psoriasis in a patient with symptomatic and bilateral sacroiliitis.

Psoriasis is rarely associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and sacroiliitis associated to Connective Tissue Diseases is also rather rare. In this report we describe a case of a young woman with SSc who developed symptomatic and bilateral sacroiliitis. The clinical pattern of sacroiliac involvement of this patient resembles that of psoriatic sacroiliitis.

Gemcitabine plus epirubicin in advanced pancreatic cancer: a phase II multicenter trial.

The aim of this phase II multicenter trial was to evaluate the activity of a novel combination of gemcitabine (GEM) and epirubicin (EPI) in advanced pancreatic cancer patients. Clinical benefit and response rate were the main efficacy end-points. From December 1997 to October 1999, 30 consecutive patients with measurable advanced pancreatic cancer were enrolled.

Cisplatin, epirubicin, and vindesine with or without lonidamine in the treatment of inoperable nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Background: Lonidamine (LND) is an indazol-carboxylic acid derivative that selectively inhibits the energy metabolism of neoplastic cells, and increases the permeability of cell membranes. In vitro studies have demonstrated that LND can potentiate the oncolytic activity of cytotoxic drugs and is able to reverse the acquired multidrug resistance of neoplastic cells. Some clinical trials have suggested a synergism of LND with alkylating agents, cisplatin, and anthracyclines in various solid tumors.