Preliminary findings of a longitudinal follow-up study of the paediatric population and their families during and after the coronavirus pandemic and the confinement

Introduction

Pandemic are known to generate traumatic events, such as job losses or violence [1]. Several studies have shown that epidemics and related health measures (quarantine, confinement) lead to an increase of acute stress disorders (ASD), post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), anxiety and depression in the adult population [2]. In the pediatric population, few studies have been carried out on the psychiatric outcomes during and after epidemics and associated measures [3].

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore ASD symptoms during stay-at-home and Covid 19 pandemic and its impact on children and adolescent mental health.

Methods

Sixty participants (53% girls and 47% boys; mean age= 9 years 5 months) were included in this longitudinal study [4]. The measures consist in an emergency semi-directed interview designed to assess symptoms of ASD according to the age of children.

Results

Patients’ age modulated psychiatric outcomes. Children under the age of six shown more developmental regressions and more restlessness than older ones. Children from 6 to 12 years were characterized by more oppositional behaviors than adolescents. Finally, adolescents were characterized by more social isolation than younger ones. Other symptoms appear to be more stable across ages: sleep disturbance, fear behavior and somatization.

Conclusions

Young children experienced more externalized symptoms (opposition and agitation) and developmental regressions than older children [5]. Thus, it appears necessary during pandemic to take into account the psychiatric consequences of confinement to reduce psychosocial long-term outcomes in particular in younger patients who appeared to develop specific and age-related psychiatric disorders.

[Psychiatric consequences of Covid 19 pandemic in the pediatric population]

L’objectif de cet article est de présenter une revue de la littérature concernant les risques psychiatriques liées à la pandémie de la Covid 19, en population pédiatrique. Une revue de littérature a été réalisée sur la base de données Pubmed avec les mots clés : Covid 19, coronavirus, enfant, adolescent, santé mentale, conséquences psychiatriques et/ou psychologiques (Covid 19, Coronavirus, child, children, adolescent, mental health, psychiatric or psychological consequences). Nous présentons un état des lieux des recherches actuelles en fonction de trois facteurs : la crainte liée à la pandémie, les séquelles psychiques du confinement et les risques de traumatismes cumulatifs. Nous présenterons trois vignettes cliniques d’enfants ayant été suivi pendant la crise sanitaire suite au développement de symptômes liés à cette situation exceptionnelle. Nous terminerons par des perspectives sur la gestion de la crise sanitaire par les services de psychiatrie de l’enfant et de l’adolescent.

Abstract P4-13-12: Estetrol for treatment of advanced ER+ breast cancer

Introduction: Currently, a multi-center, open-label, phase I/IIA, dose-escalation study with the fetal estrogen estetrol (E4) is ongoing in Germany in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer (ABCE4 study). The objective of the study is to assess safety and tolerability of different doses of E4 (range 20-60 mg per day). In addition initial anti-tumor response will be determined.

Study design: Patients are treated for 12 weeks with E4; 4 weeks in Phase I and thereafter 8 weeks in Phase IIA. Phase I of the study will follow the traditional 3 + 3 design to determine the optimal dose in patients with advanced breast cancer. Patients are treated in cohorts of three all receiving the same dose. Occurrence of dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at completion of phase I (4 weeks treatment) will determine escalation to the next higher dose in the study. After completion of Phase I, patients will continue treatment for 8 weeks to assess preliminary anti-tumor response in Phase IIA. Treatment may continue beyond 12 weeks based on evaluation of the patient and her treating physician.

Results: Phase I of the first treatment cohort with 20 mg E4 per day has been completed. A total of six postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer has been included in the first cohort. One patient withdrew consent before treatment with E4 started. She was replaced. Two patients discontinued the study before completion of Phase I for reasons other than DLTs. These patients were unevaluable for toxicity and were also replaced. Three patients completed Phase I. One patient discontinued the study during Phase IIA due to disease progression after 9,5 weeks of E4 treatment. One patient completed both the Phase I and IIA part of the study. She had stable disease at study completion and wanted to continue E4 treatment because of improved well-being. Tumor assessment after 24 weeks of E4 treatment showed again stable disease. One patient is presently in Phase IIA of the study.

None of the patients experienced a DLT. The 20 mg E4 dose was well tolerated by all patients. In total 17 adverse events were reported. Adverse events were mainly of mild or moderate intensity. Five of 17 events fulfilled criteria of seriousness; none of these events were considered to be related to the E4 treatment. Four events were considered to be possibly related to the E4 treatment. These events were increased endometrial thickness, dry skin, pruritus and fatigue, all of mild intensity. A remarkable finding was that three of the five patients treated with E4 reported to the investigator to “feel better” than before the start of E4 treatment. This '”feeling better” was described by one of the patients as: '”feeling less down and exhausted; instead feeling much more optimistic, powerful and positive when taking E4”.

So far anti-tumor response could be estimated in one patient. This patient, who started the study with progressive disease, had stable disease as shown by tumor assessments after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of E4 treatment.

Conclusion: Based on these results, we conclude that a daily dose of 20 mg E4 is well tolerated. The majority of patients experienced favorable subjective effects on wellbeing. The data obtained with the 20 mg dose E4 allow dose escalation to the next higher dose of 40 mg E4 per day.

Citation Format: Schmidt M, Hönig A, Verhoeven C, Almstedt K, Battista M, Lenhard HG, Krijgh J, Coelingh Bennink H. Estetrol for treatment of advanced ER+ breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-13-12.

Hypercalciuria and nephrolithiasis: Expanding the renal phenotype of Donnai-Barrow syndrome

Whole exome sequencing detected novel likely pathogenic variants in LRP2 gene in 2 patients presenting with hearing and vision loss, and the Dent disease (DD) classical renal phenotype, that is, low molecular weight proteinuria (LMWP), hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis. We propose that a subset of patients presenting as DD may represent unrecognized cases or mild forms of Donnai-Barrow/facio-oculo-acustico-renal (DB/FOAR) syndrome or be on the phenotypic continuum between the 2 conditions.

Abstract P2-05-22: Prognostic significance of nuclear factor kappa B in node-negative breast cancer is most pronounced in luminal B breast cancer

Background: The importance of the cellular as well as the humoral immune system is increasingly recognized in breast cancer. The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB1) plays an important role in immune cell development. We examined the prognostic significance of NFKB1 in node-negative breast cancer.

Methods: Microarray based gene-expression data for NFKB1 (209239_at) were analysed in four previously published cohorts (Mainz, Rotterdam, Transbig, Yu) of node-negative breast cancer patients not treated with adjuvant therapy (n=824). A meta-analysis of previously published cohorts was performed using a random effects model. Intrinsic subtypes were determined using gene-expression data. Prognostic significance of NFKB1 for metastasis-free survival (MFS) was examined in the whole cohort, in estrogen receptor (ER) positive as well as ER negative patients, and in different intrinsic subtypes: luminal A, liminal B, basal-like, HER2-enriched (HER2-E), and normal-like. Independent prognostic relevance was analysed using multivariate Cox regression.

Results: Higher RNA expression of NFKB1 was related to better MFS in a meta-analysis of the whole cohort (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34-0.67, P<0.0001). NFKB1 was significantly associated with MFS only in ER positive (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24−0.69, P=0.0008) but not in ER negative (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.39−1.48, P=0.4245) patients. Regarding intrinsic subtypes, the prognostic significance of NFKB1 was most pronounced in luminal B breast cancer (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.17−0.93, P=0.0338) as compared to luminal A (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.16−2.73, P=0.5738), basal-like (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.29−1.56), P=0.3484), HER2-E (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.25−2.00, P=0.5083), and normal-like (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.18−1.32, P=0.1579) breast cancer. However, NFKB1 failed to show independent prognostic significance (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.42-1.24, P=0.235) in multivariate analysis. Only histological grade of differentiation (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.27-3.35, P=0.003) and tumor size (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.01-2.48, P=0.045), but neither age nor HER2 status nor hormone receptor status maintained an independent prognostic association with MFS.

Conclusions: The transcription factor NFKB1 shows prognostic significance in node-negative breast cancer. Higher expression of NFKB1 is associated with improved outcome. The prognostic impact of NFKB1 differs between intrinsic subtypes and is most pronounced in luminal B breast cancer.

Citation Format: Schmidt M, Madjar K, Heimes A-S, Battista M, Lebrecht A, Almsetdt K, Hasenburg A, Rahnenführer J, Hengstler JG. Prognostic significance of nuclear factor kappa B in node-negative breast cancer is most pronounced in luminal B breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-05-22.

Abstract P2-08-07: Prognostic significance of immune checkpoint receptors in node-negative breast cancer

Background: Immune checkpoint blockade is increasingly discussed in breast cancer. We examined the prognostic significance of the immune checkpoint receptors cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in node-negative breast cancer.

Methods: Microarray based gene-expression data for CTLA-4 (221331_x_at) and PD-1 (207634_at) were analysed in four previously published cohorts (Mainz, Rotterdam, Transbig, Yu) of node-negative breast cancer patients not treated with adjuvant therapy (n=824). A meta-analysis of previously published cohorts was performed using a random effects model. Prognostic significance of CTLA-4 as well as PD-1 for metastasis-free survival (MFS) was examined in the whole cohort and in different molecular subtypes: luminal (ER+/HER2-), basal-like (ER-/HER2-) and HER2+. Independent prognostic relevance was analysed using multivariate Cox regression.

Results: Higher RNA expression of CTLA-4 was related to better MFS in a meta-analysis of the whole cohort (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.88, P=0.0102). Prognostic significance was most pronounced in the HER2+ positive molecular subtype (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.65, P=0.0062) as compared to luminal (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.39-1.18, P=0.1744) and basal-like (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.25-1.15), P=0.1087) carcinomas of the breast. PD-1 RNA expression, however, was not associated with outcome in the whole cohort of patients (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.32-2.43, P=0.1853). A trend for improved survival was noticed in basal-like breast cancer (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15-1.08, P=0.0701). Neither luminal (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.28-2.36, P=0.2122) nor HER2+ (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.27-2.68, P=0.7759) patients showed an association of PD-1 with MFS. CTLA-4 showed independent prognostic significance (HR 0.393, 95% CI 0.224-0.688, P=0.001) in multivariate analysis. In addition to CTLA-4, only histological grade of differentiation (HR 2.335, 95% CI 1.490-3.660, P<0.0001) and tumor size (HR 1.924, 95% CI 1.260-2.937, P=0.002), but neither PD-1 nor age nor HER2 status nor hormone receptor status retained an independent prognostic association with MFS.

Conclusions: The immune checkpoint receptor CTLA-4 has independent prognostic significance in node-negative breast cancer. Higher expression of CTLA-4 is associated with improved outcome. The prognostic impact of CTLA-4 differs between molecular subtypes and is most pronounced in HER2+ breast cancer.

Citation Format: Schmidt M, van de Sandt L, Heimes A-S, Battista M, Lebrecht A, Almstedt K, Hoffmann G, Rahnenführer J, Hengstler JG. Prognostic significance of immune checkpoint receptors in node-negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-08-07.

Audiological evaluation in children affected by myelomeningocele

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the auditory system in children affected by myelomeningocele and comparing the results with clinical neurological conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-three children, aged between 7 and 26 years, affected by myelomeningocele were investigated by means of subjective tonal audiometry and objective impedance audiometry (tympanometry and acoustic stapedial reflex).

RESULTS

Audiological evaluation showed an alteration in 32 patients (74%%). Nine patients presented a mild hearing loss: bilateral in six cases (three sensorineural, one mixed, and two conductive) and unilateral in three cases (two mixed and one conductive). One patient had moderate unilateral conductive deafness and, finally another one severe unilateral sensorineural. Almost all patients with deafness were affected by myelomeningocele and Chiari II. Stapedial-cochlear reflex investigation showed an alteration in 30 patients (70%): 9 of these also showed deafness while the remaining 21 was normal hearing. In these 30 patients, we demonstrated the presence of myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, and Chiari II malformation in 21 subjects (70%).

CONCLUSION

Otoneurological evaluation is important in myelomeningocele not only at the birth but also in the follow-up. It could have an important prognostic role for neurological impairment.

Detection of Subpubic Tumor Causing Bladder Outlet Obstruction by 3D Perineal Ultrasound

This case report shows that 3D perineal ultrasound can be superior to clinical examination and routine 2D perineal ultrasound in the detection of an unusual subpubic tumor. A 73-year-old female patient was referred to our urogynecological outpatient unit complaining of over-active bladder symptoms and voiding dysfunction for 3 years. Gynecological examination found no signs of pelvic organ prolapse or abnormality in the vaginal cavity. Routine 2D perineal ultrasound showed substantial residual urine (ca. 300 ml on catheter) and limited bladder neck mobility, but no signs of pelvic organ prolapse. Use of standardized 3D perineal ultrasound revealed a 24 × 26 × 32 mm spherical, hypoechoic tumor below the pubic symphysis between the distal urethra and the pubic bones. This structure was mistaken for the pubic symphysis in the midline on 2D ultrasound performed earlier. At surgery, the tumor was completely excised through a vaginal incision between the urethra and the pubic symphysis. After an uneventful postoperative recovery the patient developed de-novo stress urinary incontinence, which was corrected successfully by the insertion of a retropubic tension-free suburethral sling after an interval of 8 weeks. After a further follow-up of 8 weeks the patient reported well-being, urinary continence and no voiding dysfunction; no abnormalities were found on examination. In conclusion, 3D perineal ultrasound is a useful additional tool for the diagnostic workup of bladder outlet obstruction.

Role of inflammation in non-allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of inflammation in non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) patients in a large series to establish the prevalence of different NAR-subtypes, clinical features and the role of nasal cytology in the diagnostic algorithm.

METHODOLOGY

Patients were selected out of 3650 individuals who spontaneously presented at our institution. We consecutively enrolled 519 NAR-patients in an analytical cross-sectional study between November 2007 and June 2013 (level of evidence: 3b). All patients underwent rhinological evaluation including symptoms questionnaire, endoscopy, CT scan, allergy tests and nasal cytology.

RESULTS

The inflammatory cell infiltrate affects the severity of symptoms differently, allowing for identification of different phenotypes of NAR. We distinguished two groups: “NAR without inflammation”(NAR-) and “NAR with inflammation”(NAR+), in addition to different NAR-subtypes with inflammation. A significant difference was observed in terms of clinical symptoms and association with comorbidities (previously diagnosed asthma and aspirin intolerance) between NAR–, NAR+ and between different NAR+ subtypes.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that NAR- and NAR with neutrophils behave similarly, showing lower symptom score values and a lower risk of association with comorbidities compared to NAR with eosinophils and mast cells (singularly or mixed). In our belief it is very important to establish the presence and type of inflammation in non-allergic rhinitis patients and nasal cytology is a very useful test in correct differential diagnosis.

Abstract P2-10-13: CD4 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with improved prognosis in node-negative breast cancer

Background: The prognostic significance of CD8 positive cytotoxic lymphocytes in breast cancer is well accepted. However, the role of CD4 positive lymphocytes is ambiguous. We examined the prognostic relevance of CD4 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in previously published node-negative breast cancer cohorts using RNA expression.

Methods: Microarray based gene-expression data for CD4 (203547_at) were analyzed in four previously published cohorts (Mainz, Rotterdam, Transbig, Yu) of node-negative breast cancer patients not treated with adjuvant therapy (n = 824). A meta-analysis of previously published cohorts was performed using a random effects model. Prognostic significance of CD4 on metastasis-free survival (MFS) was examined in the whole cohort and in different molecular subtypes (ER+/HER2−, ER−/HER2−, HER2+). Independent prognostic relevance was analyzed using multivariate Cox regression.

Results: Higher RNA expression of CD4 was related to better MFS in a meta-analysis of the whole cohort (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49–0.90, p = 0.0074). Prognostic significance was most pronounced in the HER2+ positive molecular subtype (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.75, p = 0.0091) as compared to ER+/HER2− (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29–1.32, P>0.05) and ER−/HER2− (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.28–1.35, P>0.05) carcinomas of the breast. CD4 showed independent prognostic significance (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37–0.96, p = 0.032) in multivariate analysis. In addition to CD4, only histological grade of differentiation (HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.50–3.94, P < 0.001) and tumor size (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.19–2.94, p = 0.007), but not age, HER2 status or hormone receptor status retained an independent prognostic association with MFS.

Conclusion: CD4 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have independent prognostic significance in node-negative breast cancer. A higher expression is associated with improved outcome.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-13.

Environmental microbial contamination in dental setting: a local experience

INTRODUCTION

Patients and operators are exposed during dental practice to an infective risk, which derives especially from microorganisms suspended in aerosols. Environmental microbiological monitoring in dental settings represents a good instrument to detect critical situations.

METHODS

In order to investigate environmental microbial contamination level in a local reality, we analyzed water, air and surfaces samples of a community-based dental facility by using protocol and threshold values proposed in a recent multicenter study carried out by the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (S.It.I.) working group "Hygiene in Dentistry". Microbial contamination was assessed in the same room for 4 non-consecutive weeks during all the five working days, before and at the end of the daily activity. Air was sampled also during clinical activity, through both active and passive sampling systems.

RESULTS

Contamination of water showed a decrease during activities, while a decrease in air contamination was registered only at the end of the day. Passive sampling values resulted more often above threshold values adopted. At the same time, surfaces contamination increases at the end of the activity. It seems that in the dental clinic analyzed microbial buildup represents the higher critical element. No differences have been registered among the different days of the week.

DISCUSSION

Our study highlights the need to improve disinfection procedures and air treatment systems in the considered environment. Microbiological monitoring could represent an important element to detect the presence of risk factors and to adopt control measures.

Temozolomide (TMZ) maintenance in patients with primary brain cancer treated with postoperative TMZ plus radiotherapy (RT): A retrospective analysis

e12514

Background: A systematic review of patients affected with primary brain cancer treated with post-operative TMZ+RT and TMZ maintenance was undertaken in order to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity in an unselected population. Methods: Ninety-nine patients were detected. Main characteristics were: median age 62 years (range 28-80); M/F: 58/41; PS 0/1: 92 pts; complete resection: 20; subtotal resection: 75, biopsy only: 4. The median RT dose delivered was 60 Gy (range 40-60 Gy). All the 99 pts received TMZ at 75 mg/m2 concomitantly to RT. Maintenance therapy with TMZ was given to non progressive pts, starting 6 weeks after chemoradiation, at the dose of 150 mg/m2 for the 1st cycle and 200 mg/m2 q 4 weeks d. 1-5 for subsequent cycles and continued until disease progression or intolerance. Results: Patients with evaluable disease (n=79 pts) had an overall response rate of 16% (12 partial response and 1 complete response), while a stable disease was observed in 49/79 pts (62%). Maintenance TMZ was given to 77/99 pts (78%). Hematologic toxicities (CTCAE v.3) include: Gr. 3/4 neutropenia (4%), febrile neutropenia (1%), Gr. 3/4 thrombocytopenia (13%), Gr. 3 anemia (1%). One pt developed a bone marrow aplasia and another one a Steven-Johnson syndrome recovered after high supportive treatment. Toxicities caused discontinuation of TMZ in 9 patients (11%). At 2-yrs, at both univariate and multivariate analysis, a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and in overall survival (OS) was observed in pts completely resected and in pts achieving a response or a stable disease >6 months. In pts achieving a response and in pts completely resected the HR for the 2-yrs PFS was 0.06 (95%CI 0.03-0.11, p<0.0001) and 0.02 (95%CI 0.01-0.04, p<0.0001), respectively. For the 2-yrs OS the HR was 0.08 (95%CI 0.04-0.16, p<0.001) and 0.02 (95%CI 0.01-0.06, p<0.0001). No difference was observed for sex, age, PS and histology. Conclusions: Complete resection, response or prolonged stabilization to maintenance TMZ are factors associated with a statistically improvement in OS and PFS.

Identification of In Vitro Electropermeabilization Equivalent Pulse Protocols

Exposure of cells to an external sufficiently strong electric field results in the formation of pores across the membrane. This phenomenon, termed electropermeabilization, permits the transport of poorly permeant molecules into cytosol. In clinical practice, cell membrane permeabilization for drug electrotransfer is achieved using the ESOPE pulse protocol (1000 V/cm, 8 pulses, 100 μs, 5 kHz). The aim of this study was to investigate several combinations of electric field amplitude and pulse number able to induce electropermeabilization as the one observed when the ESOPE protocol was applied. Decreasing electric field amplitudes (1000 to 300 V/cm) in combination with increasing number of pulses (8 to 320) were applied to in vitro MG63 cells. Propidium iodide and Calcein blue AM uptake were used to evaluate cell electropermeabilization and viability. Results showed that the threshold of local electric field needed to obtain electropermeabilization decreased exponentially with increasing the number of pulses delivered (r2 50.92, p < 0.0001). The absorbed dose threshold was dependent on the number of pulses for each voltage applied (r2 50.96, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the possibility of applying an increased number of pulses rather than increasing the electric field amplitude to perform electropermeabilization, may become an important tool for electropermeabilization - related clinical applications.

CD81 expression on CD19+ peripheral blood lymphocytes is associated with chronic HCV disease and increased risk for HCV infection: a putative role for inflammatory cytokines

The level of CD81 cell surface expression, a cellular co-receptor for hepatitis C virus (HCV), is critical for productive HCV infection of host cells. In addition, the cross-linking of HCV-E2 protein to CD81 can alter the function of T and B lymphocytes as well as that of NK cells by interfering with the activation signalling pathway. The down-regulation of CD81 expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) has been associated to effective therapy of HCV infection. The aim of the present study is to quantitatively assess the levels of CD81 expression in PBL from HCV-infected patients compared to subjects at high risk for HCV infection such as HIV-infected individuals or patients with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT). The expression of CD81 was quantified by flow-cytometry using Phycoerythrin-labelled standard beads. Determination of CD81 was performed on CD3+ and CD19+ lymphocytes from 34 healthy controls, 51 patients with HCV infection and different clinical outcomes [these included HCV-RNA-negative subjects (8), patients with chronic active hepatitis (16), recipients of liver transplantation under immunosuppressive therapy (12), a subgroup with concomitant HIV infection (9) or concomitant PCT (6)]. In addition, 60 HIV-infected subjects and 4 patients with PCT were studied. The putative role of inflammatory cytokines in modulating CD81 was explored in vitro by assessing the effect of IL-6 or IFN-gamma on cultured human hepatocytes. A significant increase of the CD81 expression was found on CD19+ lymphocytes in association with either HIV or HCV infection, as compared to the control group. Immunosuppressive therapy with FK506, subsequent to liver transplantation, restored CD81 expression at normal levels. Data gathered in vitro using the WRL 68 hepatocytic cell line confirmed that inflammatory cytokines can up-regulate CD81 expression in liver cell inclusion. Our data suggest that CD81 up-regulation can increase the risk of HCV infection, particularly in HIV-infected subjects. In addition, the results strongly suggest that the cytokines released by activated lymphocytes at sites of inflammation may play a part in up-regulating CD81 expression.

CHOP-rituximab with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for the treatment of elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Thirty untreated patients, median age 69 years (range 60 - 75 years), with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (B-DLCL) were treated with a pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PL-doxorubicin) modified CHOP-rituximab regimen. PL-doxorubicin 30 mg/m2, was given in combination with standard dosage of prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab (according to CHOP-R regimen) every 21 days for six courses. Cardiac toxicity was evaluated by mean of echocardiography for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) evaluations and serum troponin-I levels. Overall response and complete response rates were 76% and 59%. Projected two year event free survival and overall survival are 65.5% and 68.5%. No treatment-related mortality was documented. WHO grade III-IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were 86% and 3%. Extra-hematological III-IV toxicity was represented, respectively, by a single case of infection, mucositis, and bleeding. LVEF evaluations and the troponin levels did not show significant changes over the course of the treatment. One patient with a previous history of atrial fibrillation experienced a single episode of arrhythmia. None of the patients developed palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia. This regimen appears an active regimen for the treatment of elderly patients with B-DLCL. The replacement of conventional doxorubicin with PL-doxorubicin seems to be associated with a negligible incidence of extra-hematological toxicity, in particular cardiac and infectious complications.

Spatial test for agricultural pesticide "blow-in" effect on prevalence of Parkinson's disease

The current study used Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) clinical records, State of California pesticide application records, spatial maps of distribution of Parkinson's disease patients, and pesticide applications to determine if there was evidence for "blow-in" of pesticides as a factor in explaining the prevalence of Central Valley Parkinson's disease. The results did not support the hypothesis of increasing prevalence of Parkinsonism attributable to wind drift.

Double laparotomy wound recurrence of endometrial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal scar recurrence of endometrial carcinoma after abdominal total hysterectomy is very rare. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who had two recurrences in the abdominal incisional scar after total hysterectomy.

CASE REPORT

A 65-year-old woman underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy because of well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma (Stage IIB). Thus, the patient was treated by external beam radiotherapy. She developed two recurrences in the abdominal incisional scar two and three years after total hysterectomy, respectively. Surgery plus chemotherapy and surgery plus hormonal therapy were used for treatment of the first and second scar recurrence, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It is a very intriguing and controversial biologic question how neoplastic cells can implant and grow in an abdominal scar without other concomitant metastases. We report a review of the literature and the possible mechanism of recurrences in laparotomy wounds.

Comparative evaluation of standard criteria and CA-125 in ovarian cancers treated with platinum or paclitaxel

PURPOSE

To assess CA-125 in defining tumor response in patients treated with paclitaxel.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed 150 women treated for epithelial ovarian carcinoma with platinum or paclitaxel. We compared the patients treated with two agents, using a precise definition of CA-125 response, determined by 50% and 75% reductions, like other authors have published.

RESULTS

CA-125 criteria gave response rates very similar to the standard response rates, both for patients treated with platinum (75% vs 63%) and also for those treated with paclitaxel (40% vs 39%). Rates of false-positive prediction of response by CA-125 were also similar for patients treated with these two agents.

CONCLUSION

Precise 50% or 75% CA-125 response criteria are as sensitive as standard criteria for assessing activity of therapy for the ovarian cancers treated with platinum or paclitaxel. We propose that they may be useful in defining response in lieu of or in addition to standard response criteria in clinical trials involving epithelial ovarian cancer.

Use of a VA pharmacy database to screen for areas at high risk for disease: Parkinson's disease and exposure to pesticides

The purpose of this study was to assess whether pharmacy database information from US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers could be used to screen for areas of higher Parkinson's disease prevalence in patients exposed to pesticides. The authors used pharmacy data sets and compared the use of antiparkinsonian medications at 2 VA medical centers in California: one in Palo Alto, near the ocean, and one in Fresno, downwind from extensively farmed parts of the Central Valley. They found that patients at Fresno had higher odds ratios (1.5-1.8) for the use of Parkinson's disease medications than patients at Palo Alto. These data are consistent with the observations of prior epidemiologic studies and suggest that VA pharmacy databases can prioritize locations for further epidemiologic research. However, a thorough exploration of alternative explanations is needed to reach definitive conclusions regarding the findings suggested by this method.

[Enuresis "as a hindrance for entering nursery school"]

Diurnal enuresis is very uncommon and may be related to early onset parent-to-child relationship disorders. As a symptom, enuresis can hinder nursery school socialization or can arise at this time. Two case-reports illustrate such an hypothesis.

[New therapeutic prospects in heart failure. ACE inhibitors and beta blockers]

Heart failure, still nowadays an important cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries, is a complex of symptoms related to inadequate peripheric perfusion and often to the retention of fluid, that results from an impaired left ventricular pump function. Treatment of heart failure has seen considerable changes in the last years. Short term goals of therapy are directed towards the relieve of symptoms that can be commonly managed by the use of vasodilators, diuretics, digoxin, in order to obtain an improvement in myocardial functional capacity and quality of life of patients. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that improvement of symptoms is not necessarily correlated with correction of left ventricular dysfunction and, most important, with improvement of survival. In late 1980s both experimental and clinical observations carried out in an attempt to explain the progression of the disease and its poor long-term survival, led the physicians to think about heart failure as a neurohormonal disorder. This new conceptual model has first led to the widespread introduction of angiotensin converting inhibitors in clinical practice; then, the evidence that sympathetic activation might play an important role in the progression of heart failure, led the investigators to propose that beta-blocking agents might be useful in the management of heart failure. Accumulating clinical evidence indicates that beta blocker therapy, particularly with third generation beta-blocking agents, not only improves left ventricular function but also may reduce and reverse pathological remodeling in the heart. Ongoing large scale clinical trials may confirm the mounting evidence, from numerous clinical studies, that these agents may prolong survival in patients with heart failure.

[Food preferences in anorectic girls at the beginning of therapy]

To determine the eating habits of patients with anorexia nervosa, we compared a group of 21 anorectic girls satisfying DSM-III-R criteria (A: 19 +/- 6.6 years; 14.2 +/- 2 kg/m2) with 30 control girls (C: 19.8 +/- 3.3 years; 20.9 +/- 4.4 kg/m2). A standardised form listing 226 food items was used to assess their food preferences. For each food category except vegetables and fish, the medium rate of positive appreciation was lower in group A than in group C. However, a positive correlation was found between the two groups (except for dairy and diet products), showing no major distortion of taste in group A. Anorectic girls generally discarded the sweetest fruit and the fattest meats, but sometimes chose to eat high-calorie food, possibly because of its supposed nutritional value. Their dislike for so-called "light" products was also apparent. Moreover, no regressive tendency to childish choices was found in their eating habits. It is concluded that group A displayed a narrowed food field, but without distortions of taste.

[Thoracic pain and myocardial ischemia. Applications of the Bayes theorem for the rational use of stress-test including echocardiography-dobutamine]

Chest pain, one of the cardinal manifestations of cardiovascular disease, is a symptom of many other diseases. The diagnosis of coronary artery disease is often difficult to relieve on history and physical examination, so many sophisticated tests have been developed to allow an early and more accurate diagnosis. Physicians must decide the appropriate indications and strategies to correctly utilize different non-invasive diagnostic tests, in order to minimize the risks and maintain the cost effectiveness of their decisions. The Bayes' theorem can be utilized to calculate the probability of coronary artery disease starting from clinical data and multiple non-invasive tests results. This is a mathematical method by which the results of the different tests can be integrated into a quantitative statement of the post-test probability of coronary artery disease to reach a more accurate final prediction of the chance of disease. The prevalence of the pre-test probability of disease can be determined in every patient from informations readily obtained by clinical evaluation, in accordance with the data of the Framingham and other studies. The post-test likelihood of disease depends on the sensitivity and specificity of the test: this estimate, before any test is performed, is crucial both for further decisions on the need for other tests and for determining the final likelihood of coronary artery disease.

[Can successful reading acquirements be predicted?]

BACKGROUND

This research aims to register predictive tests of reading by way of a first intention test usually proposed in children with school difficulties: the WISC-R.

POPULATION AND METHODS

Thirty-one children aged from 3.9 to 8.3 years, consulting in a psychiatry service for school difficulties, were tested twice. Twenty-one children aged less than 5.9 years (age for beginning to read), consulting for anticipated schooling, were also included in the study. These fifty-two children passed twice WISC-R for the elder and WPPSI for those who were younger.

RESULTS

Three subtests, similitude test, understanding test and test of Kohs 'blocks seemed to be good predictive markers of ability to read. Predictive score for fiability with these three tests was 87%.

CONCLUSIONS

These tests that bring the ability of generalizing into question, as reality and space adjustment, show well the necessary qualities for a child who must begin to read.

Extraction and isolation of triazine herbicides from water and vegetables by a double trap tandem system

The ability of a two-trap tandem system, one containing a nonspecific adsorbing material, such as graphitized carbon black (Carbopack B), and the other one filled with a sulfonic acid type silica-based cation exchanger (SCX), in extracting and isolating basic compounds from real matrices was evaluated by applying this device to the determination of triazine residues in water and vegetables. After percolation through the Carbopack column (extraction cartridge) of water samples or suitably prepared vegetable extracts, the two traps were connected in series, a methylene chloride-methanol mixture was allowed to flow along them, and triazines displaced from the extraction cartridge were selectively reabsorbed via salt formation on the strong acid exchanger column (isolation cartridge). After the column was washed, the analytes were removed from the isolation cartridge by 0.7 mL of aqueous methanol containing 70 mmol/L KCl. After the internal standard was added, the final solution was directly injected into the "high-performance" liquid chromatographic apparatus, which was operated isocratically in the reverse-phase mode with UV detection at 220 nm. The analytical recoveries of eight triazines from the two matrices considered ranged between 95% and 100%. The limits of sensitivity of this method for triazines were set at 10 ng/g of vegetable material and 10 ng/L of water by sampling 100 mL of it.