Impact of delayed and prolonged fixation on the evaluation of immunohistochemical staining on lung carcinoma resection specimen.

Pre-analytical factors, such as fixation time, influence morphology of diagnostic and predictive immunohistochemical staining, which are increasingly used in the evaluation of lung cancer. Our aim was to investigate if variations in fixation time influence the outcome of immunohistochemical staining in lung cancer. From lung resections, specimen with tumor size bigger than 4 cm, 10 samples were obtained: 2 were put through the standard fixation protocol, 5 through the delayed, and 3 through the prolonged fixation protocol.

Predictors of response to endovascular treatment of posterior circulation stroke.

Background: Endovascular treatment is considered a reasonable approach for patients with acute posterior circulation stroke, but it remains uncertain which patients will benefit the most from it.

Objective: To find independent clinical and angiographic predictors of outcome after endovascular treatment for posterior circulation stroke.

Methods: We evaluated consecutive patients with acute posterior circulation stroke who underwent endovascular treatment in our comprehensive stroke center from January 2015 to December 2017.

Triple-drug chemotherapy regimens in combination with an anti-EGFR agent in metastatic colorectal cancer - prospects from phase II clinical trials.

Introduction: The addition of monoclonal antibody (mAb) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors to classic chemotherapy doublet backbones has improved survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the role of triple-drug chemotherapy regimens in combination with an anti-EGFR mAb inhibitor is not yet clear.

Areas Covered: The activity of triple-drug chemotherapy regimens when combined with an anti-EGFR mAb in mCRC patients is examined.

The safety of ramucirumab for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Ramucirumab, a human monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), is an antiangiogenic therapy that has been approved in combination with FOLFIRI in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), after progression on or after therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine. A thorough review of the safety of ramucirumab in this setting and in the context of other antiangiogenic agents is merited. Areas covered: We provide an overview of activity and summarize in detail the overall safety and tolerability profile of ramucirumab in mCRC patients on the basis of a literature review of all published clinical trials in this setting, including both single-agent and combination studies.

Evaluating trifluridine + tipiracil hydrochloride in a fixed combination (TAS-102) for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Despite major progress in treating advanced colorectal cancer (CRC), prognosis in this population after progression on standard treatment remains dismal and the development of new drugs represents an unmet need. Historically, fluoropyrimidines have played a major role in the treatment of metastatic CRC. TAS-102, a novel combination of trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride, has demonstrated improvement in overall survival in the refractory CRC setting, with a safe toxicity profile.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion.

Introduction: Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) infusion has demonstrated to improve motor fluctuations. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of LCIG infusion in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations and its effect in nonmotor symptoms.

Methods: Adverse events (AE) and their management, clinical motor, and nonmotor aspects were assessed up to 10 years.

Identification of 12 new susceptibility loci for different histotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer.

To identify common alleles associated with different histotypes of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), we pooled data from multiple genome-wide genotyping projects totaling 25,509 EOC cases and 40,941 controls. We identified nine new susceptibility loci for different EOC histotypes: six for serous EOC histotypes (3q28, 4q32.3, 8q21.

Standard first-line chemotherapy with or without nintedanib for advanced ovarian cancer (AGO-OVAR 12): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

Background: Angiogenesis is a target in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Nintedanib, an oral triple angiokinase inhibitor of VEGF receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and fibroblast growth factor receptor, has shown activity in phase 2 trials in this setting. We investigated the combination of nintedanib with standard carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

Is a planned caesarean section in women with cardiac disease beneficial?

Objectives: In the general population, planned caesarean section is thought to be safer in high-risk situations as it avoids the greater risk of an emergency caesarean section. Only limited data exist on the optimal mode of delivery in women with structural heart disease. We investigated the relationship between mode of delivery and pregnancy outcome in women with pre-existing heart disease.

Coexistence of homologous-type cervical carcinosarcoma with endometrioid-type G1 endometrial cancer: a case report with an immunohistochemical study.

Coexistence of two or even more independent primary tumors derived from the female genital tract organs is a unique event. The most common combination is the coexistence of synchronous tumors in the ovary and endometrium. In the present case study, we described a coincidence of homologous-type cervical carcinosarcoma (CS) with endometrioid-type G1 uterine adenocarcinoma (EC) arising on the basis of hyperplastic endometrium.

Impact of time to treatment on tissue-type plasminogen activator-induced recanalization in acute ischemic stroke.

Background And Purpose: Although tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) efficacy depends on time, it is unknown whether its effect on recanalization is time dependent. Information about likelihood of successful recanalization as a function of time to treatment may improve patient selection for advanced reperfusion strategies. We aimed to identify the impact of time to treatment on tPA-induced recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Secondary progression is not the only explanation.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Its presentation is variable and its course and prognosis are unpredictable. Approximately 85% of individuals present a relapsing-remitting form of the disease, but some patients may evolve into a progressive course, accumulating irreversible neurological disability, defining its secondary progressive phase.

The use of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders.

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is a long-acting oral prodrug stimulant. It is inactive until enzymatically hydrolyzed in the blood to active D-amphetamine. The pharmacological action of this compound involves blocking norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine reuptake into presynaptic neurons and promoting the release of NE and dopamine into the extraneuronal space.

Early predictors of multiple sclerosis after a typical clinically isolated syndrome.

Background: The 2010 McDonald criteria allow diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) with one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Nevertheless, not all patients at risk fulfil criteria at baseline. Other predictive factors (PFs) are: age ≤40 years, positive oligoclonal bands (OBs), and ≥3 periventricular lesions.

The value of chlorhexidine gluconate wipes and prepacked washcloths to prevent the spread of pathogens--a systematic review.

Background: Use of chlorhexidine gluconate wipes and pre-packed washcloths has been described for preventing pathogen spread in healthcare settings.

Aim: To assess the impact of chlorhexidine washcloths/wipes in preventing the spread of pathogens.

Methods: Extensive and structured literature search from studies in Google Academic, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Pubmed and Cinahl from their inception until November 2012.

PI3K Pathway in NSCLC.

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are members of a family of intracellular lipid kinases that phosphorylate the 3'-hydroxyl group of phosphatidylinositol and phosphoinositides. PI3K regulate signaling pathways for neoplasia, including cell proliferation, adhesion, survival, and motility. Different classes of PI3K have distinct roles in cellular signal transduction.

PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism is associated with brain vessel reocclusion after successful fibrinolytic therapy in ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Despite t-PA proven benefits related to vessel reopening, up to 13% of stroke patients suffer reocclusions after t-PA. We aimed to analyze whether a functional polymorphism in a fibrinolysis inhibitor gene [plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)] might be associated with reocclusion rates after stroke thrombolytic therapy.

Methods: 165 patients with ischemic stroke who received t-PA < 3 h were studied.

Pemetrexed as second-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

NSCLC accounts for 80% of all cases of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer mortality. The majority of NSCLC patients present with advanced, unresectable disease, which remains incurable. In advanced disease, chemotherapy with platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin) in combination with a third-generation cytotoxic drug (vinorelbine, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, or docetaxel) can provide a modest improvement in survival without impairing quality of life.