Aprepitant versus metoclopramide, both combined with dexamethasone, for the prevention of cisplatin-induced delayed emesis: a randomized, double-blind study.

Background: A combination of aprepitant, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (r.a.), and dexamethasone is recommended for the prophylaxis of cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting in the acute phase, and aprepitant + dexamethasone (A + D) in the delayed phase.

Synergy between HDAC and PARP Inhibitors on Proliferation of a Human Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer-Derived Cell Line.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a very aggressive human malignancy, having a marked degree of invasiveness and no features of thyroid differentiation. It is known that either HDAC inhibitors or PARP inhibitors have antiproliferative effects on thyroid cancer cells. Therefore, in this study the possible synergy between the two types of compounds has been investigated.

Prognostic role of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA mutations in advanced colorectal cancer.

Aim: To explore the prognostic value of extended mutational profiling for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Materials & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed survival results of 194 mCRC patients that were assigned to four molecular subgroups: BRAF mutated; KRAS mutated codons 12-13 only; any of KRAS codons 61-146, PIK3CA or NRAS mutations and all wild-type. Point mutations were investigated by pyrosequencing.

Clinical management of arrhythmias in elderly patients: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

The purpose of this survey was to assess clinical practice in management of cardiac arrhythmias in elderly patients (age ≥75 years) in the European countries. The data are based on an electronic questionnaire sent to the European Heart Rhythm Association Research Network members. Responses were received from 50 centres in 20 countries.

Do cardiologists follow the European guidelines for cardiac pacing and resynchronization therapy? Results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

The purpose of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) EP wire survey was to evaluate the implementation of the current guidelines for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in Europe. A total of 48 centres replied to the survey, 34 of them (71%) were university hospitals. All responding centres implement CRT in patients with classical indications, i.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in sleep fragmentation: a model to better understand sleep disorders.

Objective: To investigate practice-dependent plasticity and cortical inhibition/excitability in good sleepers after a night of sleep fragmentation (SF), by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Methods: In basal condition (BC), after a full night of spontaneous sleep, and in fragmented condition (FC), after a fragmented night of sleep, motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, motor threshold (MT), silent period (SP), and intracortical inhibition were assessed. In both conditions subjects performed, also, a bimanual motor task: MEPs were recorded before and after exercise, and after rest.

Personnel, equipment, and facilities for electrophysiological and catheter ablation procedures in Europe: results of the European Heart Rhythm Association Survey.

Clinical electrophysiology (EP) and catheter ablation of arrhythmias are rapidly evolving in recent years. More than 50 000 catheter ablations are performed every year in Europe. Emerging indications, an increasing number of procedures, and an expected high quality require national and international standards as well as trained specialists.

Current implantable cardioverter-defibrillator programming in Europe: the results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

The purpose of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to examine the current practice on the choice of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) type, use of defibrillation testing, and ICD programming for detection and therapy of ventricular arrhythmias. In accordance with recent guidelines and the results of observational studies, the majority of EHRA research network centres reported a high utilization rate of dual-chamber ICDs in the presence of symptomatic and asymptomatic sinus node dysfunction, biventricular ICD in high-degree atrioventricular block and QRS duration <120 ms, and a limited use of defibrillation testing either in primary and secondary prevention settings. Activation of the long ventricular tachycardia (VT) detection window, slow VT zone, antitachycardia pacing before shock for slow and fast VT, and atrial tachyarrhythmia discrimination were considered useful in ICD programming for the majority of patients.

Paroxysmal itch caused by gain-of-function Nav1.7 mutation.

Itch is a common experience. It can occur in the course of systemic diseases and can be a manifestation of allergies or a consequence of diseases affecting the somatosensory pathway. We describe a kindred characterized by paroxysmal itch caused by a variant in SCN9A gene encoding for the Nav1.

Sequential therapy with belimumab followed by rituximab in Sjögren's syndrome associated with B-cell lymphoproliferation and overexpression of BAFF: evidence for long-term efficacy.

Objectives: The overexpression of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) may decrease the efficacy of rituximab treatment in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Anti-CD20 therapy was effective on marginal zone B cells, in the murine model for human CD20 expression only when preceded by anti-BAFF therapy. The possible efficacy of a sequential anti-BAFF/anti-CD20 therapy in SS was investigated.

Risk of unplanned visits for colorectal cancer outpatients receiving chemotherapy: a case-crossover study.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of chemotherapy on the risk of unplanned visit in a cohort of colorectal cancer outpatients. Chief complaints for unplanned visits and risk factors for hospital admission were also analyzed.

Patients And Methods: Clinical data of 229 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who were unexpectedly presented to our acute oncology clinic between 2006 and 2009 were reviewed.

NUP98 fusion oncoproteins promote aneuploidy by attenuating the mitotic spindle checkpoint.

NUP98 is a recurrent fusion partner in chromosome translocations that cause acute myelogenous leukemia. NUP98, a nucleoporin, and its interaction partner Rae1, have been implicated in the control of chromosome segregation, but their mechanistic contributions to tumorigenesis have been unclear. Here, we show that expression of NUP98 fusion oncoproteins causes mitotic spindle defects and chromosome missegregation, correlating with the capability of NUP98 fusions to cause premature securin degradation and slippage from an unsatisfied spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC).

Neurophysiology of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Juvenile myclonic epilepsy (JME) can be firmly diagnosed by a careful interview of the patient focusing on the seizures and by the EEG with the help, if necessary, of long-term video-EEG monitoring using sleep and/or sleep deprivation. Background activity is normal. The interictal EEG shows diffuse or generalized spike-wave (SW) and polyspike-wave (PSW) discharges.

Current practice in Europe: how do we manage patients with ventricular tachycardia? European Heart Rhythm Association survey.

The purpose of the EP wire is to examine the clinical practice in the management of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), with special focus on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Forty-five European centres, all members of the EHRA-EP Research network completed the questions of the survey. There was an equal distribution of centres with high, medium, and low volume of activity.

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype D is poorly effective in humans: an in vivo electrophysiological study.

Objective: Botulinum neurotoxins act on nerve endings and block neurotransmitter release. Their potency is due to their enzymatic activity and high affinity binding to neurons. Botulinum toxin type A is used in the treatment of human diseases characterized by hyperactivity of peripheral cholinergic nerve terminals, but some patients are or become resistant to it.

Minimally invasive surgery for coronoid hyperplasia: endoscopically assisted intraoral coronoidectomy.

The term hyperplasia of the coronoid process of the mandible defines an abnormal elongation of the coronoid process consisting of histologically normal bone. The main clinical finding of hyperplasia of the coronoid process is a progressive painless difficulty in opening the mouth owing to the contact with the temporal surface of the zygomatic bone or medial surface of the zygomatic arch. Computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction is essential and is the gold standard for an accurate diagnosis.

Biglycan expression and clinical outcome in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Conflicting results have been reported on the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in pancreatic cancer. Preclinical studies suggest that the overexpression of biglycan (proteoglycan-I, PG-I), a leucine-rich protein of the ECM, may induce growth arrest of pancreatic cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of biglycan expression in pancreatic cancer.

Unplanned presentations of cancer outpatients: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: As a result of the growing cancer incidence and the increasing trend towards chemotherapy treatment, a higher number of cancer outpatients ask for unplanned visits. This study aimed to describe the nature and magnitude of this phenomenon and to identify risk factors for repeated unplanned presentations and hospital admission.

Methods: Unplanned consultations (2,811) of 1,431 cancer patients who accessed our acute oncology clinic over a 2-year period were reviewed.

Deep brain stimulation: Subthalamic nucleus electrophysiological activity in awake and anesthetized patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in subthalamic nucleus (STN) neuronal activity in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery under general anesthesia, and to compare these data with those recorded in the same subjects during previous surgery under local anesthesia.

Methods: Five patients with advanced PD, who had previously undergone bilateral STN-DBS under local anesthesia, underwent re-implantation under general anesthesia (with an anesthetic protocol based on the intravenous infusion of remifentanyl and ketamine) owing to surgical device complications. The microelectrode recording (MER) data obtained were analyzed by an off-line spike-sorting software.

Iliac flap versus fibula flap in mandibular reconstruction.

The mandible is one of the important parts of the body in terms of facial appearance and function. Vascularized free bone grafts have become the criterion standard in mandible reconstruction. With flap survival rates not too much distant to 100%, the focus is now on function and aesthetics.