A
bstract
Within a generalized parton model approach, with inclusion of spin and intrinsic transverse momentum effects, we show how the latest, highly precise, midrapidity data on the transverse ...single spin asymmetry measured in
pp
→
π
0
X
by the PHENIX Collaboration at RHIC 1, can be used to get a first estimate on the still poorly known gluon Sivers distribution. To this end we also adopt the present information on the quark Sivers functions, as extracted from semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering data. This analysis updates a previous study by some of us where a first bound on this distribution was obtained 2.
We argue that the study of heavy quarkonia, in particular that of Upsilon, produced back to back with an isolated photon in pp collisions at the LHC is the best-and currently unique-way to access the ...distribution of both the transverse momentum and the polarization of the gluon in an unpolarized proton. These encode fundamental information on the dynamics of QCD. We derive analytical expressions for various transverse-momentum distributions that can be measured at the LHC and which allow for a direct extraction of the aforementioned quantities. To assess the feasibility of such measurements, we evaluate the expected yields and the relevant transverse-momentum distributions for different models of the gluon dynamics inside a proton.
Based on the efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in relapsed ovarian cancer, we are conducting a phase III study comparing carboplatin plus either paclitaxel or PLD as first-line ...therapy in advanced ovarian cancer. Because of limited phase I and II data on PLD plus carboplatin in this setting, we conducted an interim activity analysis.
Patients with stage 1c-IV epithelial ovarian cancer were randomized to carboplatin AUC 5 plus either paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) or PLD 30 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles. The interim activity analysis was planned according to a single-stage phase II design with an auspicated 50% response rate; 50 patients eligible for response assessment were required. Response was defined according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors).
A complete response was achieved in 14 patients (28%) and a partial response in 20 (40%), which produced an overall response rate of 68%. The activity exceeded the minimum required for study continuation. Stable disease was reported in an additional 10 patients (20%).
The adopted schedule of PLD plus carboplatin demonstrates activity as a first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer.
Background: The increased survival due to the introduction of effective antineoplastic regimens has caused a modification of the natural history of numerous malignancies. Follow-up of neoplastic ...patients often includes the evaluation of masses in various body sites by fine needle cytology (FNC) in order to rule out cancer recurrence. Besides primary neoplasms, the breast can host a number of metastases: these rarely do have a typical presentation, so FNC is requested for their cytomorphological assessment. Patients and methods: This report describes nine consecutive cases in which a cytopathological diagnosis of metastasis to the breast was carried out on FNC samples. Results: Primary sites were identified on cytomorphological and immunocytochemical bases and were represented by the ovary (three cases), melanoma (two cases), endocervix (one case), endometrium (one case), lung (one case) and prostate (one case). Conclusion: The cytopathological diagnosis of metastatic neoplasms to the breast is not always straightforward, especially in the absence of a clinical history of cancer. The usage of improved cytopathological criteria combined with immunocytochemistry may be of great diagnostic help in the identification of breast metastases.
The solute carrier family 11 member A1 (
SLC11A1) gene is associated with resistance to infectious diseases. Chromosomal localisation, genomic regions corresponding to functional domains and the ...genetic variability of microsatellites in the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of this gene were investigated in 427 goats (
Capra hircus) of six breeds. Using dual colour fluorescence in situ hybridisation,
SLC11A1 was localised to goat chromosome 2. Single strand conformation polymorphism was used to screen for polymorphisms in
SLC11A1 exons 2, 10 and 15. There was no variation among goat breeds in the sarcoma homology 3 (SH3) binding motif, the protein kinase C phosphorylation site or the two N-linked glycosylation sites. Exon 15 exhibited variability due to the presence of two polymorphic microsatellites. Genotyping of the upstream guanine–thymine repeat (GTn) at 3′-UTR revealed eight alleles (GT11, GT12, GT14–GT19) in goats, whereas GT13 (present in cattle) was absent. Most goats carried the GT16 allele and no allele was found to be exclusive to only one breed. The coefficient of genetic differentiation value (
G
ST) was 0.084. This microsatellite appears to be an informative DNA marker for genetic linkage analysis in goats.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) represents a target for antiangiogenic therapies in a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer. As a novel strategy to generate nonanticoagulant ...antiangiogenic substances exploiting binding to VEGF while preventing receptor engagement, we assessed the VEGF-antagonist activity of a low-molecular-weight (LMW) compound (ST2184, Mw = 5800) generated by depolymerization of an undersulfated glycol-split heparin derivative. The parental compound was obtained by introducing regular sulfation gaps along the prevalently N-sulfated heparin regions, followed by glycol-splitting of all nonsulfated uronic acid residues (approximately50% of total uronic acid residues). ST2184 was endowed with a negligible anticoagulant activity after S.C. injection in mice. ST2184 binds VEGF₁₆₅ as evaluated by its capacity to retard ¹²⁵I-VEGF₁₆₅ electrophoretic migration in a gel mobility shift assay and to prevent VEGF₁₆₅ interaction with heparin immobilized onto a BIAcore sensor chip. Unlike heparin, ST2184 was unable to present ¹²⁵I-VEGF₁₆₅ to its high-affinity receptors in endothelial cells and inhibited VEGF₁₆₅-induced neovascularization in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. Undersulfated, LMW glycol-split heparins may therefore provide the basis for the design of novel nonanticoagulant angiostatic compounds.
Background
This survey aimed to describe the organizational workflow of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) remote monitoring (RM) service in ordinary practice.
Methods
A questionnaire was ...designed for our purpose and completed by 49 sites participating to the Italian Home Monitoring Expert Alliance.
Results
A dedicated organizational model for RM was set up for 86% of centers. The median RM team consisted of 2 (Interquartile range IQR: 1‐3) physicians and 1 (IQR: 0‐2) nurse. RM service was available in working hours and the median percentage of patients included was 100% (IQR: 10%‐100%) for implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients and 5% (IQR:0%‐30%) for pacemakers. In‐office follow‐up was performed every 12 and 6 months for pacemaker and ICD/CRT recipients, respectively. More than 90% of sites used to activate all technical alerts, with a prompt reaction in case of an out‐of‐range parameter. The threshold for atrial fibrillation (AF) daily burden notification in most cases ranged from 2.4 to 7.2 hours. All ventricular arrhythmias alerts were usually switched on: an inappropriate therapy or more than one appropriate episode triggered an urgent in‐hospital visit. Concerning heart failure, low CRT percentage pacing alert was always used, while the other available notifications were less frequently switched on.
Conclusions
This survey showed that RM service was usually set up with a primary nursing model including on average two responsible physicians and one nurse and mainly offered to ICD/CRT patients. Technical, AF and ventricular arrhythmia alerts triggered prompt reactions, while heart failure related indexes were generally less applied.
Anthracyclines and platinum derivates are active drugs for advanced endometrial carcinoma (AEC), but new schedules with higher efficacy and better tolerability are needed. A phase II study was ...conducted to describe activity and tolerability of carboplatin (C)+pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with AEC. Patients with chemonaive AEC, PS < or = 2, aged < 75 years, with at least one measurable lesion were eligible. Treatment was C (area under curve 5)+PLD (40 mg m(-2)) on day 1 every 4 weeks, up to six cycles. Forty-two patients were needed in a single-stage design, with at least 13 objective responses to define the treatment active. Forty-two patients were enrolled. Median age was 64 years (31-74). A total of 64% of patients were recurrent while 36% were advanced. Three complete (7%) and 22 partial responses (52%) were observed, for an overall response rate of 59.5% (95% exact CI: 43.3-74.3). One death potentially related to treatment was recorded (death at home for unknown reasons after 6th cycle). Other relevant toxicities (% of patients) were grade 3/4 neutropaenia 33%/14%, febrile neutropaenia 5%, grade 3/4 thrombocytopaenia 17%/5%, grade 3/4 anaemia 31%/2%. Skin toxicity was mild: grade 1 14%, grade 2 10%, grade 3 5%. Hair loss: complete 5%, partial 12%. The combination of carboplatin and PLD shows good activity and favourable toxicity as first-line chemotherapy of patients with AEC, deserving further studies in this setting.
Continuous monitoring by implantable loop recorder (ILR) can provide information relevant to rhythm control and oral anticoagulation (OAC) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but there is little ...agreement on patients' selection and appropriate management strategy.
An expert panel (EP) made up of eight Italian electrophysiologists with expertise in AF ablation, gathered to define an algorithm to guide continuous rhythm monitoring in AF patients who have undergone ablation. The process included a review of the current literature and two EP face-to-face meetings. Between the two meetings, an on-line survey was sent to 50 Italian electrophysiologists practicing AF ablation. Agreement level was considered reached when ≥70% of respondents agreed or were neutral.
Two algorithms were developed to define patients for whom the ILR would be suggested support for (OAC) therapy discontinuation and rhythm management after AF ablation. Thirty-three out of 50 physicians responded to on-line survey (66% response rate). Together with EP members the responders accounted for electrophysiology centers performing about 50% of total yearly Italian AF ablation procedures. Agreement level was reached at the first survey round on all the questions, so the algorithms were not further modified and re-tested.
EP developed two algorithms for ECG monitoring to guide OAC therapy discontinuation and rhythm management after AF ablation. These suggestions, validated by wide feedback and consensus of physicians performing AF ablations, might support the decision on the choice and the use of ECG monitoring techniques, based on specific patient characteristics.
•There is a low correlation between AF episodes and symptoms.•Implantable Loop Recorder (ILR) is seldom used for AF detection after ablation.•An Expert Panel developed two algorithms for ILR use after AF ablation.•The two algorithms were validated by 33 electrophysiologists.•These suggestions might support the decision to use ILR after AF ablation.
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