36 research outputs found
Advanced Abdominal and Thoracic Malignancies.Cytoreduction and Cavity Hyperthermic Chemoperfusion Treatment
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma: a case report with adjuvant intraoperative treatment
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare form of malignant mesenchymal neoplasm mainly localized into the limbs, particularly in the thigh and popliteal fossa. It has been classified as a low-grade sarcoma so far, but it shows a tendency to relapse and metastasize. In the early stage of disease, surgery represents the only chance of cure. In case of diffuse metastatic disease, systemic chemotherapy with anthracyclines is the standard of care. In this paper, we present a case of a patient affected by this rare disease and the analysis of radiological, surgical and histopathological aspects
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy by Video-Assisted Surgery for Pleural Malignancies. Technical Aspects and Safety Profile from A Single Center
Background Pleural malignancies are challenging conditions
in terms of possibility of cure. Recent growing interest towards
Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITHOC) after Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) has been referred. Minimally invasive
approach (VATS) may be suggest in this context but evidence is
still lacking.
Methods A preliminary experience in seven patients submitted to
cytoreductive surgery and HITHOC is described, with a focus on
technical aspects related to VATS approach, operating median time
and postoperative complication.
Results A triportal VATS approach has been employed in all cases.
Median time of surgery including pleural perfusion was 200 minutes (range 165-370). Mean blood losswas 217 cc (range 100 and
600). Thirty days’ mortality was nihil.
Conclusions VATS cytoreductive surgery and HITHOC is a safeprocedure and could be proposed in the setting of a multimodality
strategy employing adjuvant radio-chemotherapy in referral center
Repeated Cytoreduction Combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Selected Patients Affected by Peritoneal Metastases: Italian PSM Oncoteam Evidence
The reiteration of surgical cytoreduction (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in patients affected by recurrent peritoneal metastases is still questioned regarding safety and effectiveness. This study evaluates the safety, efficacy, and associated factors of iterative CRS combined with HIPEC. This multicentric retrospective study collected data from four surgical oncology centers, on iterative HIPEC. We gathered data on patient and cancer characteristics, the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CC), postoperative complications, and overall survival (OS). In the study period, 141 CRS-plus-HIPECs were performed on 65 patients. Nine patients underwent three iterative procedures, and one underwent five. No increased incidence of complications after the second or third procedure was observed. Furthermore, operative time and hospitalization stay were significantly shorter after the second than after the first procedure (p p = 0.061). Concomitant hepatic-CRC-metastasis did not compromise the CRS-plus-HIPEC safety and efficacy. This multicentric experience encourages repeated CRS-plus-HIPEC, showing promising results
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy by Video-Assisted Surgery for Pleural Malignancies: Technical Aspects and Safety Profile
Background: Pleural malignancies are challenging conditions in terms of possibility of cure.
Recent growing interest towards Hyperthermic Intrathoracic Chemotherapy (HITHOC) after
Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) has been referred. Minimally invasive approach (VATS) may be
suggest in this context but evidence is still lacking.
Methods: A preliminary experience in seven patients submitted to cytoreductive surgery and
HITHOC is described, with a focus on technical aspects related to VATS approach, operating
median time and postoperative complication.
Results: A triportal VATS approach has been employed in all cases. Median time of surgery
including pleural perfusion was 200 min (range 165 to 370). Mean blood loss was 217 cc (range 100
and 600). Thirty days mortality was nothing.
Conclusion: VATS cytoreductive surgery and HITHOC is a safe procedure and could be proposed
in the setting of a multimodality strategy employing adjuvant radio-chemotherapy in referral
centers
MAK-4 and -5 supplemented diet inhibits liver carcinogenesis in mice
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK) is an herbal formulation composed of two herbal mixtures, MAK-4 and MAK-5. These preparations are part of a natural health care system from India, known as Maharishi Ayur-Veda. MAK-4 and MAK-5 are each composed of different herbs and are said to have maximum benefit when used in combination. This investigation evaluated the cancer inhibiting effects of MAK-4 and MAK-5, <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>In vitro </it>assays: Aqueous extracts of MAK-4 and MAK-5 were tested for effects on <it>ras </it>induced cell transformation in the Rat 6 cell line assessed by focus formation assay. <it>In vivo </it>assays: Urethane-treated mice were put on a standard pellet diet or a diet supplemented with MAK-4, MAK-5 or both. At 36 weeks, livers were examined for tumors, sera for oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and liver homogenates for enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (QR). Liver fragments of MAK-fed mice were analyzed for connexin (cx) protein expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MAK-5 and a combination of MAK-5 plus MAK-4, inhibited <it>ras</it>-induced cell transformation. In MAK-4, MAK-5 and MAK4+5-treated mice we observed a 35%, 27% and 46% reduction in the development of urethane-induced liver nodules respectively. MAK-4 and MAK4+5-treated mice had a significantly higher ORAC value (<it>P </it>< 0.05) compared to controls (200.2 ± 33.7 and 191.6 ± 32.2 <it>vs. </it>152.2 ± 15.7 ORAC units, respectively). The urethane-treated MAK-4, MAK-5 and MAK4+5-fed mice had significantly higher activities of liver cytosolic enzymes compared to the urethane-treated controls and to untreated mice: GPX(0.23 ± 0.08, 0.21 ± 0.05, 0.25 ± 0.04, 0.20 ± 0.05, 0.21 ± 0.03 U/mg protein, respectively), GST (2.0 ± 0.4, 2.0 ± 0.6, 2.1 ± 0.3, 1.7 ± 0.2, 1.7 ± 0.2 U/mg protein, respectively) and QR (0.13 ± 0.02, 0.12 ± 0.06, 0.15 ± 0.03, 0.1 ± 0.04, 0.11 ± 0.03 U/mg protein, respectively). Livers of MAK-treated mice showed a time-dependent increased expression of cx32.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show that a MAK-supplemented diet inhibits liver carcinogenesis in urethane-treated mice. The prevention of excessive oxidative damage and the up-regulation of connexin expression are two of the possible effects of these products.</p
Manufacturing lead time shortening and stabilisation by means of workload control: An action research and a new method
This paper stems from an improvement project carried out at a men’s outwear manufacturer, aimed at reducing and stabilising the production lead time (LT). A method has been developed that builds on three well-established operations management theories: Little’s law, the workload control method and the logistic operating curves. In the action research study, by setting the system’s work in process to a level more consistent with its operating curves, the average system LT was reduced by 34% while its coefficient of variation was reduced to one-third. On the grounds of these encouraging results, and given the good fit between empirical results and theoretical expectations, the method is standardised and proposed for general use in the analysis and improvement of manufacturing systems. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Investment and Management Decisions in Aluminium Melting: A Total Cost of Ownership Model and Practical Applications
The well-established Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) concept has been applied to several
durable goods industries, including machinery. However, none of the existing TCO models
explicitly focus on such highly energy-intensive equipment as metal melting furnaces. In this
paper, an application of the TCO concept to aluminium melting furnaces is explored. A TCO model is
created and tested through seven case studies in the aluminium die casting industry. Results indicate
that the capital expenditure (CAPEX) incurred by the sample companies accounts for only 3–5%
of a furnace TCO. Moreover, the melting technology implemented in the furnace highly impacts
its TCO, as both the furnace’s thermal efficiency and melting loss (i.e., the fraction of aluminium
burnt during the melting process) significantly affect the costs incurred. Moreover, the sample
furnaces’ cost effectiveness clearly relies on scale. This evaluation leads to identify technological
and managerial levers to reduce a furnace TCO, e.g., by adopting energy-efficient furnaces and by
installing centralized, large-sized furnaces to pursue scale economies