Effects of supplementation with different zinc-based products on the growth and health of Nile tilapia

Zinc is one of the essential microelements for the metabolism of animals. Zinc nanoparticles may have higher bioavailability due to their low specific surface area, facilitating absorption by fish. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different zinc-based products on the growth and health of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Zinc, in different sizes (nanoparticles or bulk) and forms (inorganic or organic), were used as a supplement in the tilapia diet at a dose of 15 mg kg feed-1 for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, production performance, hemato-immunological parameters, activity of antioxidant system enzymes, exposure to Streptococcus agalactiae and zinc concentration in the muscle were examined. After the bacterial challenge, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly increased in the fish treated with organic zinc, inorganic nano zinc, and organic nano zinc, while in the control group (inorganic zinc), MCHC remained unchanged. Regarding defense cells, dietary inorganic nano zinc increased the number of basophils (1.50 ± 1.10) compared to organic zinc (0.80 ± 0.90). Lymphocyte count increased after the challenge only in the organic zinc treatments (bulk and nanoparticles). Neutrophils decreased in the control (inorganic zinc) (2.20 ± 1.70) and inorganic nano zinc (2.60 ± 2.70) treatments after the challenge. When compared before and after the bacterial challenge, the plasma antimicrobial titer significantly increased after the bacterial challenge in all treatments. No significant differences were observed for total proteins, enzymes (SOD and CAT), cumulative survival and zinc deposition on fillet. In conclusion, organic zinc in nanoparticles or bulk size increased Nile tilapia innate defense during bacterial infection. However, the other parameters evaluated were not affected by zinc particle size or form (organic or inorganic), indicating that further evaluations should be conducted with organic zinc in nanoparticles or bulk size in the tilapia diet.

Lippia sidoides essential oil at concentration of 0.25% provided improvements in microbiota and intestine integrity of Danio rerio

The study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil on the microbiota and intestinal morphology of Danio rerio. For this, 448 fish were randomly distributed in 28 tanks divided into a control group fed a commercial diet without supplementation, a group fed a commercial diet containing grain alcohol and five groups fed a commercial diet containing essential oil of L. sidoides (LSEO) at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%. After the period of dietary supplementation, biological materials were collected for microbiological and histological analyses. There were no significant differences regarding the microbiological count between the groups. Diversity of the microbiome was higher in 0.25% group than in control group. LSEO inhibited the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Fish fed LSEO0.25% showed greater intestinal histomorphometric indices. The inclusion of LSEO at 0.25% in the diet of D. rerio provided improvements in fish microbiota and intestine integrity.

Hybrid cooperative complexes to decrease VAS score and enhance sexual function in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus

OBJECTIVE

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic, inflammatory, progressive skin disease predominantly affecting anogenital areas. Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is one of the most common conditions treated in vulvar clinics; most patients report distressing symptoms of itching, burning, stinging, and pain (particularly during or after sexual intercourse). A preliminary, prospective, single-center study was performed to investigate the efficacy of hyaluronan hybrid cooperative complex (HCC) comprising high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to treat menopausal women with VLS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (N = 30) received two HCC injections at 32 mg/ml (one month apart). At baseline and one and six months after treatment, patients completed validated psychometric questionnaires to assess their self-reported pain, itching, and dryness using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and sexual function by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

RESULTS

After treatment with HCC, no side effects or complications were reported. VAS scores showed a trend towards reduced pain and itching intensity, and there was a statistically significant reduction in median VAS score for dryness at follow-up vs. baseline (p=0.038). For sexual function, there was a statistically significant improvement in lubrication (p=0.001) and orgasm (p=0.001) FSFI domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this preliminary study demonstrated the promising efficacy of HCC in menopausal women with VLS without side effects.

Platelet-rich plasma for genital lichen sclerosus: analysis and results of 94 patients. Are there gender-related differences in symptoms and therapeutic response to PRP?

BACKGROUND

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic relapsing inflammatory dermatosis with a predilection for anogenital skin in 85%-98% of cases and is more prevalent in women (3%) than in men (> 0.07%).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in clinical presentation and therapeutic response to treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), an emerging innovative strategy for LS.

METHODS

Forty-three male and 51 female patients affected by LS were evaluated. Each patient was subjected to PRP treatment (1 infiltration every 15 days, for 3 times).

RESULTS

The PRP procedure was well tolerated by all patients and an overall significant decrease in symptoms was reported 6 months after PRP infiltration. Reduction in pain and burning sensation was significant in both gender but more accentuated in women than in men, whereas reduction of itching was similar. On the contrary, dyspareunia evidenced sex-related difference since a significant diminution was observed only in male.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that PRP based therapy may exert a relevant role in LS patient management due to its effect on Quality of Life (QoL) and sexual function in both gender. In addition, the study underlined gender-related differences in severity of symptoms and disease age onset.

Propagação in vitro de Angelonia integérrima

Resumo Devido à dificuldade de obtenção de mudas de Agelonia integerrima, espécie com potencial ornamental, a partir de sementes, por métodos convencionais, foram desenvolvidos estudos com o objetivo de testar a viabilidade da produção de mudas in vitro. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos: a) germinação de sementes armazenadas em dois locais (ambiente refrigerado e bancada de laboratório) e concentrações de sais (100, 75 e 50%) do meio MS; b) multiplicação com benzilaminopurina (BAP) (0,0, 0,5 e 1,0 mg L-1) e ácido naftalenoacético (ANA) (0,0, 0,1 e 0,5 mg L-1); c) enraizamento in vitro com ácido indolbutírico (AIB) (0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,0 mg L-1); d) aclimatização das mudas. Sementes armazenadas sob ambiente refrigerado apresentaram maior porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação e de plântulas formadas. A germinação não foi afetada pela concentração de sais do meio. Para a multiplicação, houve interação entre as concentrações de BAP e ANA, recomendando-se utilizar 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP e 0,1 mg L-1 de ANA. No enraizamento, foi ajustada uma equação quadrática para as variáveis: porcentagem de formação de calo e enraizamento, sendo que a concentração de 0,83 mg L-1 é o ponto de máxima resposta para a porcentagem de enraizamento. A espécie apresentou 50,8% de aclimatização.

Arctic cut-off high drives the poleward shift of a new Greenland melting record

Large-scale atmospheric circulation controls the mass and energy balance of the Greenland ice sheet through its impact on radiative budget, runoff and accumulation. Here, using reanalysis data and the outputs of a regional climate model, we show that the persistence of an exceptional atmospheric ridge, centred over the Arctic Ocean, was responsible for a poleward shift of runoff, albedo and surface temperature records over the Greenland during the summer of 2015. New records of monthly mean zonal winds at 500 hPa and of the maximum latitude of ridge peaks of the 5,700±50 m isohypse over the Arctic were associated with the formation and persistency of a cutoff high. The unprecedented (1948–2015) and sustained atmospheric conditions promoted enhanced runoff, increased the surface temperatures and decreased the albedo in northern Greenland, while inhibiting melting in the south, where new melting records were set over the past decade.

Atmospheric circulation controls the mass and energy balance of the Greenland ice sheet, yet the exact dynamics remain unknown. Here, the authors show that record conditions over Greenland during the summer of 2015 were associated with the formation and persistency of an Arctic cut-off high.

Genotoxic and chromatographic analyses of aqueous extracts of Peltodon longipes Kunth ex Benth. (hortelã-do-campo)

Peltodon longipes is used as a stimulant and emmenagogue. The objective of this study was to perform genotoxic and chromatographic analyses of the extracts of two samples of P. longipes, collected from the cities of Santa Maria and Tupanciretã, RS, Brazil. The Allium cepa assay was used to analyze genotoxicity while high-performance liquid chromatography was employed to determine phenolic compounds. The genotoxicity experiment consisted of nine groups each comprising four A. cepa bulbs. Bulb roots were developed in distilled water and then transferred for the treatments, for 24 hours, and the negative control remained in water. The treatments were: aqueous extracts at concentrations of 5 and 15 g L-1 for each sample, plus four groups treated with 1% glyphosate, one of which was used as a positive control and the other three for testing DNA damage recovery using water and the extracts of P. longipes from Santa Maria. All extracts of P. longipes exhibited anti-proliferative potential, although the effect was significantly greater for the extracts from the Tupanciretã sample. This sample also contained the highest amount of rosmarinic acid and kaempferol, which may confer the effects found in these extracts. Only extracts from the Santa Maria sample exhibited genotoxic potential.

Chromatographic analysis and antiproliferative potential of aqueous extracts of Punica granatum fruit peels using the Allium cepa test

Punica granatum L., locally known as romanzeira, is native to Asia but found throughout Brazil. P. granatum is used for treating inflammatory, infectious and respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chromatography and genotoxicity of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (pomegranate) fruit peel using the Allium cepa L. test. The experiment set-up entailed 7 treatments: T1-distilled water, T2-tea 5 g.L-1, T3-tea 10 g.L-1, T4-glyphosate at 9.6%, T5-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in distilled water, T6-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 5 g.L-1 and T7-glyphosate with subsequent recovery in tea 10 g.L-1. The rootlets were collected and fixed in ethanol:acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours, then stored in 70% ethanol under refrigeration. Analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography for the quantification of the extracted phenolic compounds. Gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin were abundant in the extracts of P. granatum. The extracts were found to exhibit antiproliferative potential but not antimutagenic or genotoxic activity.

Cardiovascular outcome in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients submitted to aggressive medical therapy: results of a four-year follow-up

AIM

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Neither traditional nor emerging risk factors for cardiovascular disease can explain completely this excess of morbidity and mortality and the role and timing of primary prevention strategies in this population has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to assess if an aggressive pharmacological preventive treatment may reduce the myocardial ischemic burden and then improve the cardiovascular outcome In ESRD patients.

METHODS

Forty-three asymptomatic ESRD patients on maintenance HD were evaluated. Asymptomatic patients with neither history nor clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease were considered. A total of 31 ESRD patients were enrolled into the study and were submitted to Tc-99m SESTAMIBI myocardial gated- single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) stress test. All patients then received an aggressive medical regimen with statins, antiplatelet drugs, ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) and/or Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB) and other hypotensive, glucose-lowering medications, sevelamer, calcium carbonate and calcitriol if required.

RESULTS

A significant reduction of coronary functional reserve was found in more than 50% of otherwise asymptomatic HD patients and may often be reverted by prolonged aggressive medical therapy. After a four-year follow-up under aggressive medical therapy no significant difference was observed neither in the incidence of conventional and emerging cardiovascular risk factors nor in cardiovascular outcome of patients with or without silent myocardial ischemia (SMI).

CONCLUSION

As cardiovascular disease (CVD) is by far the first cause of death in ESRD, an aggressive medical management may be highly advisable for the primary prevention of major adverse cardiac events in all HD patients despite the stress test evidence of inducible myocardial ischemia .

Tracking burst patterns in hippocampal cultures with high-density CMOS-MEAs

In this work, we investigate the spontaneous bursting behaviour expressed by in vitro hippocampal networks by using a high-resolution CMOS-based microelectrode array (MEA), featuring 4096 electrodes, inter-electrode spacing of 21 µm and temporal resolution of 130 µs. In particular, we report an original development of an adapted analysis method enabling us to investigate spatial and temporal patterns of activity and the interplay between successive network bursts (NBs). We first defined and detected NBs, and then, we analysed the spatial and temporal behaviour of these events with an algorithm based on the centre of activity trajectory. We further refined the analysis by using a technique derived from statistical mechanics, capable of distinguishing the two main phases of NBs, i.e. (i) a propagating and (ii) a reverberating phase, and by classifying the trajectory patterns. Finally, this methodology was applied to signal representations based on spike detection, i.e. the instantaneous firing rate, and directly based on voltage-coded raw data, i.e. activity movies. Results highlight the potentialities of this approach to investigate fundamental issues on spontaneous neuronal dynamics and suggest the hypothesis that neurons operate in a sort of 'team' to the perpetuation of the transmission of the same information.

Low-frequency stimulation enhances burst activity in cortical cultures during development

The intact brain is continuously targeted by a wealth of stimuli with distinct spatio-temporal patterns which modify, since the very beginning of development, the activity and the connectivity of neuronal networks. In this paper, we used dissociated neuronal cultures coupled to microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to study the response of cortical neuron assemblies to low-frequency stimuli constantly delivered over weeks in vitro. We monitored the spontaneous activity of the cultures before and after the stimulation sessions, as well as their evoked response to the stimulus. During in vitro development, the vast majority of the cultures responded to the stimulation by significantly increasing the bursting activity and a widespread stabilization of electrical activity was observed after the third week of age. A similar trend was present between the spontaneous activity of the networks observed over 30 min after the stimulus and the responses evoked by the stimulus itself, although no significant differences in spontaneous activity were detected between stimulated and non-stimulated cultures belonging to the same preparations. The data indicate that the stimulation had a delayed effect modulating responsiveness capability of the network without directly affecting its intrinsic in vitro development.

[Cytomegalovirus and BK polyomavirus infection after renal transplantation]

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK polyomavirus (BKV) infections have been described in a high percentage of renal transplant patients and are known to cause various complications in renal transplantation. They are closely related to immunosuppressive therapy and implicated in the progression of graft failure. This review focuses on the clinical aspects of CMV and BKV infection after renal transplantation, optimal monitoring, and recent preventive measures and interventions to improve graft function and recipient survival.

Treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia in haemodialysis patients at high cardiovascular risk

OBJECTIVES

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death among haemodialysis (HD) patients. Emerging cardiovascular risk factors such as oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are involved in these patients together with traditional risk factors. Here we investigate the effects of a short-term folate treatment on some markers of chronic inflammation in two groups of HD patients with and without vascular occlusive disease (VOD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Homocysteine (HCy), C-reactive protein (CRP), Folate, fibrinogen and alpha1 acid glycoprotein (alpha1AGP) were dosed before and after a 3-month course of high-dose folate (25 mg intravenous calcium laevofolinate pentahydride once weekly) and again after a one-month washout in 15 HD patients with established VOD (group A) and in 15 comparable HD patients with no diagnosis of VOD (group B).

RESULTS

Baseline HCy and CRP were significantly elevated in patients of both groups A and B compared to normal values. Folate treatment significantly reduced HCy in patients of both groups A and B and alpha1AGP only in patients of group A, while the other markers were not modified. After the one-month washout a significant raise of CRP could be observed in patients of group A; again, the other markers were not modified.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that significant reduction of serum HCy can be achieved in both patients with or without VOD after administration of high-dose folic acid. Hence, folic acid supply is useful in the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in HD patients, although it is not sufficient to modify their chronic inflammatory status.

[A case of vulvar melanoma: surgical strategy and five years follow-up]

We report a case of a woman with vulvar melanoma, arisen from a plane melanocytic lesion, extended from clitoris to the left minor labium. After diagnostic biopsy, a preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with 99m-Tc nanocolloid was performed. Surgery consisted in a radical vulvectomy, radio-controlled lymphadenectomy and vulvar reconstruction by two bilateral subgluteus soft-tissue flaps, anastomosing the urethral and vaginal stumps. Five years follow-up was negative for neoplastic recurrence.

[Merkel cell carcinoma and sentinel lymph node dissection: nine cases report]

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous-neuroendocrine neoplasia with poor prognosis and high propensity for locoregional and distant metastasis. Lack of knowledge about its biological behavior, pathogenesis, and prognostic factors, complicates the prospective evaluation. Sentinel node dissection, concomitant with radical excision of the lesion, has increased in the last few years. The suitability of this technique is linked to the MCC high tendency to spread "in primis" at locoregional nodes such as other malignancies such as cutaneous melanoma. Aim of the study is the prospective evaluation of the sentinel node dissection and of the adjuvant therapies in 9 patients MCC affected. All patients, underwent evaluation and staging of the neoplasia. Diagnosis was made by excisional biopsy and histological examination. Sentinel node dissection was performed in patients without clinical locoregional metastases (8 cases). Patients with sentinel node positive for metastasis underwent radical lymphadenectomy (3 cases). One patient affected by clinically locoregional metastases had, at once, radical lymphadenectomy. Radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy were implemented (4 cases).

Vulvar primitive melanoma and sentinel lymph node: case report

The case of a 54-year-old woman who developed vulvar melanoma arising from a melanocytic lesion, extending from the clitoris to the left labium minor, without clinical involvement of the groin node station bilaterally is presented. The patient first underwent an incisional diagnostic biopsy that revealed a melanoma 4 mm in thickness; subsequently preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with 99m Tc Nanocoll was executed. Surgery consisted of a radio-controlled lymphadenectomy and radical vulvectomy. Two bilateral subgluteus soft-tissue flaps were made to reconstruct the surgical defect, anastomosing the urethral and vaginal stump. At 36 months follow-up the patient was negative for neoplastic recurrence.

N-3 PUFAs reduce oxidative stress in ESRD patients on maintenance HD by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase activity

Reactive oxygen species formation and release of pro-inflammatory/pro-atherogenic cytokines, that is, interleukin 1-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, need the activation of the arachidonic acid cascade via the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-Lox). 5-Lox activity and expression are significantly increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Diets enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (omega-3) have been associated to a lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and a reduction in atherosclerotic lesions. Omega-3 may interfere with the arachidonic acid cascade by inhibiting 5-Lox. Lipid peroxidation, leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) production, 5-Lox activity and expression were investigated in PBMC isolated from ESRD patients under maintenance HD before and after a 3-month oral supplementation with omega-3 at a daily dose of 2700 mg of n-3 PUFAs at the average eicosapentaenoic acid/docosaesaenoic acid ratio of 1.2 and finally after a further 3-month washout with no omega-3 supplementation. PBMCs from non-uremic volunteers were also investigated for comparison to normal parameters. Administration of omega-3 reduced significantly lipid peroxidation (P < 0.0001), LTB(4) synthesis (P < 0.0001) and 5-Lox activity (P < 0.0001), with no effect on 5-Lox protein expression. After the 3-month washout, all parameters were comparable to those observed before treatment. Our results resemble those obtained after oral administration of vitamin E and are consistent with a reversible, dose-dependent inhibition of 5-Lox by omega-3. Upregulation of 5-Lox may also be related to the increased mitochondrial damage and apoptosis of PBMCs observed in ESRD patients compared to non-uremic controls. Omega-3 may thus protect PBMCs of ESRD patients against oxidative stress.

In vitro cortical neuronal networks as a new high-sensitive system for biosensing applications

By taking advantages of the main features of the microelectrode array (MEA) technology (i.e. multisite recordings, stable and long-term coupling with the biological preparation), we analyzed the changes in activity patterns induced by applying specific substances to dissociated cortical neurons from rat-embryos (E18). Data were recorded simultaneously from 60 electrodes, and the electrophysiological behavior was investigated during the third week in vitro, both at the spike and burst level. The analysis of the electrophysiological activity modulation, by applying agonists of the ionotropic glutamate receptors at low (i.e. 0.2-1-5 microM) and high (i.e. 50-100 microM) concentrations, is presented. Preliminary results show that the dynamics of the in vitro cortical neurons is very sensitive to pharmacological manipulation of the glutamatergic transmission and the effects on the network behavior are strictly dependent from the drug concentration. In particular, the addition of a high-dose of agonist determined a global and irreversible depression of the network activity, while, in the low-concentration case, the electrophysiological behavior showed different results, depending on the type of receptor involved. From these observations, we are encouraged to think of a more engineered system, based on in vitro cortical neurons, as a novel sensitive system for drug (pre)-screening and neuropharmacological evaluations.

Ten years of preoperative chemoradiation for extraperitoneal T3 rectal cancer: acute toxicity, tumor response, and sphincter preservation in three consecutive studies

PURPOSE

To compare acute toxicity, tumor response, and sphincter preservation in three schedules of concurrent chemoradiation in resectable transmural and/or node-positive extraperitoneal rectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 1999, 163 consecutive patients were treated according to the following combined modalities: FUMIR: between 1990 and 1995, 83 patients were treated with bolus i.v. mitomycin C (MMC), 10 mg/m(2) day 1, plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1,000 mg/m(2) days 1-4, and concurrent external beam radiotherapy (37.8 Gy). PLAFUR-4: between 1995 and 1998, 40 patients were treated with cisplatin (c-DDP) 60 mg/m(2) given as slow infusion (1-4 h) on days 1 and 29, plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-FU 1,000 mg/m(2), days 1-4 and 29-32 with concurrent external-beam radiotherapy (50.4 Gy). PLAFUR-5: between 1998 and 1999, 40 patients were treated with c-DDP 60 mg/m(2) given as slow infusion (during 1-4 h) on days 1 and 29, plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-FU 1,000 mg/m(2), days 1-5 and 29-33 with concurrent external-beam radiotherapy (50.4 Gy).

RESULTS

Grade > or = 3 acute toxicity occurred in 14%, 5%, and 17% of patients treated in the FUMIR, PLAFUR-4, and PLAFUR-5 studies, respectively (p = 0.201). In the FUMIR, PLAFUR-4, and PLAFUR-5 studies, clinical response rate was 77%, 70%, and 83%, respectively. Tumor downstaging occurred in 57%, 68%, and 58% of patients, respectively. Pathologic complete response was recorded in 9% (FUMIR), 23% (PLAFUR-4), and 20% (PLAFUR-5) of patients. Sphincter-preserving surgery was feasible in 44% (FUMIR), 40% (PLAFUR-4), and 61% (PLAFUR-5) of patients having a distance between the anal-rectal ring and the lower pole of the tumor of 0-30 mm, and in 95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, in those having a distance of 31-50 mm. Comparing FUMIR vs. PLAFUR, the clinical response rate was similar in the two series: a partial response was observed in 62/81 (77%) patients with FUMIR treatment, and in 61/80 (76%) patients with PLAFUR treatment. Tumor downstaging was observed in 46/81 (57%) patients and in 50/80 (68%) patients, respectively. The pathologic complete response rate was statistically higher in the PLAFUR series: 7/81 (9%) patients with FUMIR treatment and 17/80 (21%) patients with PLAFUR treatment (p = 0.04). Major downstaging (pT0+ pTmic+ pT1) in the FUMIR group was reported in 12/81 (15%) patients versus 31/80 (39%) patients in the PLAFUR group (p = 0.0006). The anal sphincter was preserved in 63/81 (78%) patients with FUMIR treatment and in 69/80 (86%) patients with PLAFUR treatment. The perioperative morbidity was statistically lower with PLAFUR: a perioperative morbidity was experienced by 20/81 (25%) patients with FUMIR treatment and by 9/80 (11%) patients with PLAFUR treatment (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

In our experience, higher radiation dose (50.4 Gy vs. 37.8 Gy), a second course of concurrent 5-FU, and the use of c-DDP instead of MMC improved the pathologic response rate without increasing acute toxicity and perioperative morbidity. The use of 5-FU 5-day infusion (PLAFUR-5) resulted in higher toxicity with a similar response rate compared to 4-day infusion (PLAFUR-4).

Automated protamine dose assay in heparin reversal management after cardiopulmonary by pass

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the impact of automated Protamine Dose Assay (PDA) performed with Hemochron 8000 (International Technodyne Company, Edison, NJ) on the management of heparin reversal after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). PDA was compared with empirical protamine to heparin ratio with regard to calculation of the protamine dose, and the sensitivity of PDA and ACT to residual circulating heparin after protamine administration was investigated too.

METHODS

DESIGN

prospective and randomized study.

SETTING

cardiac surgical center of a General Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

50 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with CPB.

INTERVENTIONS

after CPB patients randomly received protamine according to our standard empirical ratio of 1 mg. protamine/100 U. heparin (group S, 24 patients), or to PDA result (group T, 26 patients) based on protamine titration method of determining circulating heparin. After protamine administration ACT and PDA were performed to assess heparin reversal and detect residual circulating heparin. Based on the PDA result, additional protamine was administered in both groups when required.

MEASUREMENTS

in both groups basal and post-heparin ACT values, protamine doses, ACT and PDA after protamine administration were measured.

RESULTS

The protamine dose was significantly lower (30%) in patients treated according to PDA. In 20% of patients showing normal ACT PDA revealed still circulating heparin, and additional protamine was required. In all other cases ACT and PDA both confirmed heparin reversal.

CONCLUSIONS

PDA allowed us to administer a significantly lower amount of protamine. This can reduce incidence of adverse effects of over- and under-infusion of protamine. PDA also proved to be more sensitive than ACT in detecting residual circulating heparin after protamine administration.

Comparative analysis of CA 242 and CA 19-9 serum tumor markers in colorectal cancer patients. A longitudinal evaluation

OBJECTIVE

Following the encouraging results obtained on CA 242 as an adjunctive marker for colorectal cancer this study was designed to compare the clinical behavior of CA 242 to that of its related marker CA 19-9.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sera from 630 patients with benign (n = 201) or malignant (n = 429) colorectal diseases were evaluated. Moreover, 50 patients with colorectal cancer were longitudinally monitored during. post-surgical follow-up for either a minimum of 5 years or until time of recurrence. Serum CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 242 levels were determined before treatment and at each scheduled follow-up.

RESULTS

The distribution of CA 242 levels in colorectal cancer patients demonstrated a similar positivity rate (32.9%) compared to that of CA 19-9 (29.8%), although both sensitivities were lower than that of CEA (43.8%). Moreover, elevated CA 242 serum levels were found in metastatic disease (58.2%). A longitudinal evaluation demonstrated that serum CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 242 levels were elevated in 63.9%, 63.9% and 66.7% of recurrences. Combined evaluation of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 242 serum levels in the overall population demonstrated a complementarity of CEA with the latter two markers. Conversely, a highly significant correlation was observed, suggesting that the two assays might recognize the same macromolecular complex.

CONCLUSION

CA 242 determination does not seem to offer a particular advantage over CA 19-9, while CEA remains the marker of choice in monitoring colorectal cancer patients.

Anthropometric and nutritional assessment in Italian elderly subjects

The aims of this anthropometric study on 486 non-institutionalized subjects aged 60 and over were to assess the body mass index (BMI), to evaluate possible sex and age-linked differences of BMI and to find whether there were any correlations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. To this end, the subjects were divided into three age groups: A: 60-69 years, B: 70-79 years and C: > or =80 years old. The results showed a high prevalence (74%) of overweight or clearly obese subjects (BMI >25.1 for men and BMI > 23.9 for women) (70% male and 77% female). Both the BMI and diastolic blood pressure showed a decreasing trend in the three age groups and were significantly correlated in the total population (p < 0.001). A dietary investigation using a 24-hour recall method, repeated on three separate days, was carried out on a subsample of 90 subjects, selected at random from the total population. They underwent in-depth anthropometric assessment (BMI, four skinfolds, mid-arm, waist and hip circumferences, midarm muscle and fat areas, body fat percent). The trend of the anthropometric assessment reflected that of the total population. Total energy intake in both sexes did not significantly differ from the Italian RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance). As regards the three macronutrients, no significant differences in protein and carbohydrate intakes were found between the sexes. However, in the females, fat intake was over the Italian DRA (30%) and below it in the males. Calcium intake was lower than the Italian RDA (1,000 mg/day) in most males (77%) and females (89%). However, iron and vitamin intakes were adequate in most subjects. As regards age-linked differences, there were non significant changes in the percentage of energy intake from proteins of the males whereas this decreased with age and was significantly different (p < 0.05) in the females. No significant differences were found in the percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates and fats.

Peritonectomy and hyperthermic antiblastic perfusion in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis

AIMS

Some low-grade malignant tumours arising in the abdomen tend to remain loco-regionally confined to peritoneal surfaces, without systemic dissemination. In these cases complete surgical tumour cytoreduction followed by intra- or post-operative regional chemotherapy has curative potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome for patients treated in this way.

METHODS

Peritonectomy was performed, involving the complete removal of all the visceral and parietal peritoneum involved by disease. After peritonectomy, hyperthermic antiblastic perfusion was carried out throughout the abdominopelvic cavity for 90 min, at a temperature of 41.5-42.5 degrees C, with mitomycin C (3.3 mg/m2/l) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2/l) (for appendicular or colorectal primaries), or cisplatin alone (for ovarian primaries). Alternatively, the immediate post-operative regional chemotherapy was performed with 5-fluorouracil (13.5 mg/kg) and Lederfolin (125 mg/m2) (for colonic or appendicular tumours) or cisplatin (25 mg/m2) (for ovarian tumours), each day for 5 days.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients affected by extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis were submitted to peritonectomy, with no residual macroscopic disease in all cases except three. Twenty-six patients were able to undergo the combined treatment involving loco-regional chemotherapy. Complications were observed in 54% of the patients and led to death in four of them. At a mean follow-up of 17 months overall 2-year survival was 55.2%, with a median survival of 26 months.

CONCLUSIONS

After a learning curve of 18 months the feasibility of the integrated treatment increased to more than 90%, while mortality decreased dramatically. The curative potential of the combined therapeutic approach seems high in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis not responding to systemic chemotherapy. Careful selection of patients can minimize the surgical risk, but the treatment should currently be reserved for clinical trials.

Treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis with intent to cure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Low-grade malignant tumors arise in the abdomen, do not infiltrate, and "redistribute" on the peritoneum with no extraregional spreading. In these cases, aggressive surgery combined with localized chemotherapy may provide cure.

METHODS

After removing the tumor with the regional peritoneum en bloc, intraabdominal hyperthermic chemoperfusion was performed throughout the abdominopelvic cavity. Alternatively, early intraabdominal chemotherapy, starting on the first postoperative day, was administered for 5 days.

RESULTS

Forty patients affected with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis underwent peritonectomy, with no residual macroscopic disease except in four cases. Seventy-five percent of the patients underwent locoregional chemotherapy. Major complications were observed in 40% of the patients and led to death in five; there was a direct correlation to the duration of surgery (P = 0.03). At a mean follow-up of 20 months, the overall 2-year survival was 61.4%, with a median survival of 30 months.

CONCLUSIONS

After a learning curve of 18 months, the feasibility of the integrated treatment increased to greater than 90%, and mortality dramatically decreased. The combined treatment resulted in a high survival rate in patients with extensive carcinomatosis who were no longer responsive to traditional therapies.

Treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis with intent to cure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Low-grade malignant tumors arise in the abdomen, do not infiltrate, and "redistribute" on the peritoneum with no extraregional spreading. In these cases, aggressive surgery combined with localized chemotherapy may provide cure.

METHODS

After removing the tumor with the regional peritoneum en bloc, intraabdominal hyperthermic chemoperfusion was performed throughout the abdominopelvic cavity. Alternatively, early intraabdominal chemotherapy, starting on the first postoperative day, was administered for 5 days.

RESULTS

Forty patients affected with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis underwent peritonectomy, with no residual macroscopic disease except in four cases. Seventy-five percent of the patients underwent locoregional chemotherapy. Major complications were observed in 40% of the patients and led to death in five; there was a direct correlation to the duration of surgery (P = 0.03). At a mean follow-up of 20 months, the overall 2-year survival was 61.4%, with a median survival of 30 months.

CONCLUSIONS

After a learning curve of 18 months, the feasibility of the integrated treatment increased to greater than 90%, and mortality dramatically decreased. The combined treatment resulted in a high survival rate in patients with extensive carcinomatosis who were no longer responsive to traditional therapies.

Nerve-sparing surgery in rectal cancer: feasibility and functional results

Traditional rectal cancer surgery has been burdened with a high rate of sexual and urinary dysfunctions due to intraoperative injury or the cutting of the sympathetic and/or parasympathetic nerves. The experience acquired in the last ten years with total mesorectal excisions has permitted the use of the "nerve-sparing" technique. The present study regards 239 patients from two surgical centres, most of whom underwent sphincter-saving radical surgery between 1994 and 1998 with the above mentioned technique for resectable colon cancer. Details regarding the technique were recorded in the last 58 patients, in order to examine the severity of the surgical damage. The subgroup with the longest follow-up, which included 36 patients, was diagnostically evaluated by a surgeon, psychologist, urologist and neurologist to analyze the risk of sexual and urinary dysfunctions. A complete nerve-sparing was performed in 86.3% of the cases. The parasympathetic nerve trunks were those most often damaged because of perineural tumor spreading. Partial to complete sexual impotence was observed in 44% of the patients and surprisingly, preoperative dysfunctions were detected by means of the multidisciplinary approach in one third of these patients. Therefore, only 30.5% of the patients presented with strictly postoperative sexual impotency, above all, those who had undergone high-dose preoperative chemoradiation for T3 or T4 middle to low rectal cancer. A prospective study was initiated to evaluate the genitourinary dysfunctions after rectal cancer surgery in all of the clinical phases by means of a multidisciplinary approach aimed at functional recovery and improved quality of life.

Evaluation of multiple bio-pathological factors in colorectal adenocarcinomas: independent prognostic role of p53 and bcl-2

About 40% of patients with colorectal carcinoma will develop local or distant tumour recurrences. Integrated analyses of bio-pathological markers, predictive of tumour aggressiveness, may offer a more rational approach to planning adjuvant therapy. To this end, we analysed the correlation between p53 accumulation, Bcl-2 expression, DNA ploidy, cell proliferation and conventional clinico-pathological parameters by testing the prognostic significance of these variables in a series of 171 colorectal carcinoma patients with long-term follow-up. The relationships among the various bio-pathological parameters, analysed by multiple correspondence analysis, showed 2 different clinico-biological profiles. The first, characterised by p53 negativity, Bcl-2 positivity, diploidy, low percentage of cells in S-phase (%S-phase), a low Ki-67 score, is associated with Dukes' A-B stage, well differentiated tumours and lack of relapse. The second, defined by p53 positivity, Bcl-2 negativity, aneuploidy, high %S-phase and elevated Ki-67 score, correlates with Dukes' C-D stage, poorly differentiated tumours and presence of relapse. When these parameters were examined according to Kaplan-Meier's method, significantly shorter disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were also observed in patients bearing p53 positive and Bcl-2 negative tumours, in Dukes' B stage. In multivariate analysis, p53 accumulation and Bcl-2 expression emerged as independent predictors of a worse and better clinical outcome, respectively. Our results indicate that, in colorectal adenocarcinomas, a biological profile, based on the combined evaluation of p53 and Bcl-2, may be useful for identifying high risk patients to be enrolled in an adjuvant setting, mainly in an early stage of the disease. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:545-552, 1999.

31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate medical therapy efficacy in peripheral arterial disease. A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Human and animal studies have shown that propionyl-L-carnitine, increasing carnitine content, improves the energy metabolism of ischemic skeletal muscle. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of Doppler continuous wave, Treadmill test and 31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in determining the efficacy of propionyl-L-carnitine in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Eighteen male patients with peripheral arterial disease (category 3) and 8 healthy volunteers form the basis of the study. Patients quit smoking, start physical training (2-3 Km walk per day) and were assigned to medical therapy consisting of propionyl-L-carnitine (8 patients) or placebo (10 patients). Patients were studied with Doppler continuous wave, Treadmill test and 31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy at day 0 and at day 90. The following parameters were assessed by the principal component analysis: clinical (absolute claudication, ankle brachial index at rest and at 2, 5 and 10 minutes after completing Treadmill exercises) and biochemical (inorganic phosphorus/phosphocreatine ratio and pH profiles at 20% and 50% of the maximum load, the recovery half time of phosphocreatine, number of exercise steps and slope of linear relationship between muscle power and inorganic phosphorus/phosphocreatine ratio).

RESULTS

Final evaluation showed a significant improvement of clinical and biochemical variables (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02 respectively). Breaking down the results on the basis of the two study arms, 31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed a significant improvement of biochemical variables in the group of patients treated with propionyl-L-carnitine (p < 0.05) and was more sensitive in the evaluation of changes induced by 90-day treatment as compared with the other noninvasive examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

31P-MRS permits the evaluation of muscle metabolic effect induced by PLC after a 90-day-period in patients affected by category 3 of peripheral arterial disease and it is a more sensitive tool in the evaluation of the pharmacological effects of medical therapy.

Preoperative chemoradiation with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for extraperitoneal T3 rectal cancer: acute toxicity, tumor response, sphincter preservation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of preoperative external radiation therapy intensified by systemic chemotherapy including bolus cisplatin (c-DDP) and 4-day infusional 5-fluorouracil (PLAFUR-4) on tumor response and sphincter preservation in patients with extraperitoneal T3 rectal cancer with acceptable toxicity, and to compare the results to our previous experience with bolus mitomycin c (MMC) and 4-day infusion 5-FU (FUMIR).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between October 1995 and March 1998, 40 consecutive patients with resectable extraperitoneal adenocarcinoma of the rectum were treated with preoperative chemoradiation: slow infusion i.v. c-DDP, 60 mg/m2, day 1 and 29 plus 24-h continuous infusion i.v. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1000 mg/m2, days 1-4 and 29-32, and concurrent external beam radiotherapy (45 Gy whole pelvis followed by 5.4 Gy boost). All but 3 patients had T3 disease. Surgery was performed 6-8 weeks after the end of chemoradiation.

RESULTS

No patient had Grade 4 acute toxicity. Grade 3 hematological toxicity was observed only in 2 (5%) patients. No patient had major gastrointestinal, skin, or urological acute toxicity. All patients had radical surgery. There was no perioperative mortality; perioperative morbidity rate was 12%. Overall, 23% (9 of 40) of patients had a complete pathological response and 10% (4 of 40) of patients had rare isolated residual cancer cells (Tmic). Comparing the stage at the diagnostic workup with the pathological stage, tumor downstaging was observed in 27 (68%) patients; nodal status downstaging was detected in 24 (60%) patients. Thirty-four (85%) patients had a sphincter-saving surgical procedure. In 4 of 10 (40%) patients who were definitive candidates for an abdominoperineal resection (APR), the sphincter was preserved, as it was in 13 of 13 (100%) probable candidates. Lengthening of the distance between the anorectal ring and the lower pole of the tumor > or =20 mm was observed in 9 (23%) patients. None of the patients had soilage after the sphincter-saving procedure. In our previous experience with FUMIR the complete pathological response was 9%, the sphincter-saving surgical procedure was performed in 66% cases, and the Grade 3+ toxicity was observed in 13% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of c-DDP to 5-FU (PLAFUR-4) in a neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy schedule improved the pathological response rate in comparison with our previous experience. Toxicity was low indeed, thus we commenced another study adding one more day of 5-FU infusion (PLAFUR-5) to further improve our results.

A new surgical technique for the correction of the inverted nipple

Many techniques have been proposed over the years to correct the inverted nipple, a condition which causes both aesthetic and functional problems. In more severe cases, other than causing infections and inflammations, breastfeeding is impossible because of the lack of nipple erection. Reconstructive surgical techniques today are oriented toward methods that allow adequate filling to maintain the nipple permanently everted. In the technique we propose, the nipple is pulled out and extruded by way of a periareolar incision after sectioning the galactophorous ducts and fibrous tissue. To guarantee a permanent eversion, a single trilobed dermoglandular flap is created, overturned, and fixed to fill the "dead space" below the nipple after the lobes have been sutured together. Finally, two transfixed U-shaped sutures are employed to keep the flap in place. From an analysis of the various techniques and results obtained, this method appears to be effective above all in resolving the aesthetic problem in a stable manner and is simpler than the techniques that employ multiple flaps.

Colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma in an HIV-negative male in association with ulcerative rectocolitis: a case report

A rare case and the first reported in Italy of a classic form of colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma, associated with ulcerative rectocolitis, is presented. Following a total proctocolectomy, the patient was disease-free at four years. Some epidemiological risk factors such as sex, age, place of birth and both advanced malaria and immunodepressive therapies have also been evaluated. Thus far, only five similar cases have been reported in the literature. However, the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic features of this form of Kaposi's sarcoma must still be investigated.

Age as a risk factor in cervicofacial reconstruction

The Authors report their experience from January 1980 to January 1998 with 392 reconstructive flaps for the oncological reconstruction of the cervicofacial district. One hundred and forty-two were conventional flaps, 187 were myocutaneous or pedicled muscular ones and 63 were microvascular. Ninety percent of the patients had Stage IV disease, 80% were tumors involving the oral cavity structures, 40% of the patients had received preoperative radiotherapy; 35% of the cases were recurrences. The complications related to the surgery were evaluated for each type of flap, comparing them to the same flaps employed in patients > 70. Complications were divided into major and minor that were observed at an overall rate of 22%. With the use of conventional flaps, there was an 11.3% rate of minor complications and a 5.6% rate of major ones. Examining the 187 myocutaneous or pedicled muscular flaps, 21% of the overall 27% were minor and 6% were major complications. Of the remaining 63 free flaps, minor complications were observed in 4.7% and major complications in 14.2% of cases. Thirty-four of the 392 flaps, 24 of which were myocutaneous or pedicled muscular and 10 free flaps, were utilized in elderly patients and compared with the 216 of the same type, in patients < 70. A comparative analysis shows that there was a major complication rate of 11.7% in the flaps employed on the elderly patients as opposed to 7.9% for those employed in the younger patients. In terms of minor complications, a 20.5% complication rate was observed for those > 70 as opposed to 16.7% for patients < 70. A more detailed analysis of these data, enabled to postulate that the smaller group of flaps used in elderly patients is statistically influenced by the "dilution" of the complication rate in favour of the larger group of younger patients. Furthermore, by appropriately correcting the risk factors due to concomitant diseases that were not related to surgery in the older patients, a realignment of the results may be seen. Therefore, a careful preoperative study must be carried out in the elderly patients with cervicofacial tumors who are eligible for surgery to establish and possibly treat the concomitant disease responsible for the increased peri- and postoperative morbidity. In conclusion, complications in elderly patients are correlated to the state of co-morbidity and neither to age nor to the duration of the operation. Responsiveness may therefore be obtained also in elderly patients employing sophisticated techniques such as microvascular flaps.

The integrated treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. A preliminary experience

Some low-grade malignant tumors arising in the abdomen, lack of infiltrative attitude and "redistribute" on the peritoneum with no extraregional spreading. In this cases the complete tumor cytoreduction followed by intra- or postoperative regional chemotherapy has curative intent. Peritonectomy is the complete removal of all the parietal peritoneum and the visceral peritoneum involved by disease. After peritonectomy hyperthermic antiblastic perfusion is carried out throughout the abdomino-pelvic cavity for 60 minutes, at a temperature of 41.5 degrees C, with mitomycin C (3.3 mg/m2/Lt of perfusate) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2/Lt) (appendicular or colorectal primary), or cisplatin alone is (ovarian primary). Alternatively the immediate postoperative regional chemotherapy is performed with 5-fluorouracil (13.5 mg/Kg) and Lederfolin (125 mg/m2) (colic or appendicular tumor) or cisplatin (25 ng/m2) (ovarian tumor), each day for 5 days. Twenty patients affected by extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis (12 ovarian, 5 colonic, 1 appendicular, 1 mesothelial and 1 gastric primary) were submitted to peritonectomy with no residual macroscopic disease in all cases except three. Six patients were treated with intraoperative intra-abdominal hyperthermic antiblastic perfusion, while immediate postoperative intra-abdominal chemotherapy was given in 4 patients and systemic chemotherapy in other 5. Hospital mortality was 20%. At a mean follow-up of 11 months 14 patients are alive, 11 without disease and the median overall survival is 10.2 months. The curative potential of the combined therapeutic approach seems high in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian or colorectal primary not responding to systemic chemotherapy. Selection criteria of patients can strictly affect the surgical risk and the treatment has to be reserved for controlled clinical trials.

Inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. A prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to investigate a consecutive series of abdominal aortic aneurysm studied with histology to highlight the etiology, the incidence, the value of preoperative studies and intraoperative findings.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Between 1992 and 1994, 102 patients underwent elective surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patients were prospectively divided as having an inflammatory aneurysm (IA) or an atherosclerotic aneurysm (AA) on the basis of preoperative and intraoperative findings. Further histological evaluation assigned the patients to one of the two groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of IA was 15%. Overall, symptoms, CT scan studies, aneurysmal wall thickness, white glistening perianeurysmal fibrosis, bleeding from the aneurysmal wall and adhesion to the duodenum diagnosed 11 (73%) cases of IA. Histology showed that a granulomatous reaction against some components of the atherosclerotic plaques resulting in an auto-allergic response to this component could initiate the inflammatory process thus resulting in a progressive adventitial and peri-adventitial fibrosis with inflammation, lymphadenitis and lymphatic dilatation.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative and intraoperative findings underestimate the incidence of IA. Aortic resection can prevent the progression of the inflammatory process and the complications usually observed when the exposure to the allergen determines an involvement of the periaortic structures.

Evaluation of the CA 242 tumor antigen as a potential serum marker for colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to define the performance of serum CA 242 as a marker in colorectal cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Serum samples from 1,013 subjects (440 healthy volunteers, 384 patients with primary or recurrent colorectal carcinoma and 189 with benign colorectal diseases) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The measurement of serum CA 242 levels in the population of healthy subjects demonstrated the presence of positive levels in approximately 5% of the cases. Interestingly, similar results (5.8%) were obtained in patients with benign colorectal disease, demonstrating the high specificity of CA 242. When serum samples from colorectal cancer patients were analyzed, a sensitivity of 34.9% was observed. Moreover, 18.6% Stage A and B patients had positive CA 242 levels, compared to 33.3% and 58.8% of Stage C and D patients, respectively, indicating a correlation with the stage of disease. A comparison between preoperative and immediate postoperative CA 242 levels showed a consistent relationship between the efficacy of surgery and the reduction in serum CA 242 levels; further, elevated CA 242 levels were present in the immediate postsurgical follow-up of patients undergoing palliative surgery. A longitudinal evaluation of serum CA 242 levels demonstrated that this marker was indicative of the status of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained suggest the possible utility of CA 242 in monitoring the disease status, providing a rationale for future studies focusing on the longitudinal monitoring of colorectal cancer patients.

A simple microfluidic system for patterning populations of neurons on silicon micromachined substrates

The purpose of this paper is to describe a low-cost simple technique based on the hydraulically driven deposition of adhesion molecules for patterning populations of neurons on silicon micromachined substrates. First, the design and fabrication process of the silicon micromachined substrates and the design of a flow-through chamber for the localised deposition of adhesive proteins are described. The experimental protocol for the deposition of the adhesive proteins is then presented. Finally, the results of experiments of 'entrapment' of chick embryo spinal cord neurons in microstructures of the silicon substrates and of formation of patterned biological neural networks are shown.