Air-borne fungi in Rijeka and comparison with the results from Zagreb

Iznose se rezultati istraživanja gljivične flore atmosfere grada Rijeke, koja su vršena u toku 1959.-60. godine. Ujedno je izvršena uporedba s rezultatima dobivenim kod prethodnog ispitivanja u Zagrebu. Broj funga u Rijeci znatno je manji negoli u Zagrebu, a ustanovljene su i razlike u učestalosti ·različitih vrsta gljiva.Air-borne fungi were studied in Rijeka, at the Adriatic coast, during April, July and October 1959 and January 1960. The results obtained were compared with the corresponding data from the previous investigation carried out in Zagreb in 1957. All the results from both localities are presented tabularly. The total number of fungi, as well as average daily counts were much lower in Rijeka during summer and autumn. The frequency of fungal genera also showed pronounced differences, i. e. yeasts, Cladosporia and Torula nigra were more frequent in Zagreb, while Alternaria, Phoma and Streptomyces were more frequently found in Rijeka. Summer in Zagreb is the season of Cladosporia (37 per cent), while in Rijeka this is a period with the annual minimum of this fungus (5 per cent). On the other hand, in Rijeka Alternaria showed its maximum in summer, while in Zagreb no seasonal variations in respect to this fungus were observed

Determination of the X-Ray Diffraction Curve of Amorphous Phase

The method for determination of diffraction pattern of amorphous phase existing in a multiphase system has been described. In the course of analysis several samples containing different amounts of amorphous as well as crystalline phases have been involved according to the general theory for phase analysis. The method is based on the difference in convergence of Fourier series by which diffraction patterns of multiphase samples and of individual phases of these samples are defined, since diffraction pattern of amorphous phase exhibits stronger convergent Fourier series than diffraction pattern of crystalline phase. The method is illustrated by three-phase model system containing one amorphous phase

Air-borne fungi in Zagreb

Iznose se rezultati istraživanja gljivične flore atmosfere grada Zagreba, koja su vršena u toku čitave 1957. godine. Najčešće izolirani fungi bile su kvasnice (28%) i kladesporiji (25%). Sezonska učestalost zapažena je kod kladosporija i alternarije: oni su se češće javljali za vrijeme ljetnih mjeseci. Na kraju su kratko razmotreni dobiveni rezultati i uspoređeni s nekim podacima iz strane literature.The results of the first survey on the air-borne fungi in this country, made during the year 1957 in Zagreb, are here presented. The malt-agar plate-method was used, and Petri dishes were exposed for ten minutes each. A total of 4.573 spores were caught during 271 examinations. The following most prevailing fungi were found: Yeasts (28 per coot), Cladosporium (25), Penicillium (11), Fornes igniarius (6), Alternaria (5) and Aspergillus (4). Twenty-two more genera were identified. Six per cent of moulds remained unidentified, while eight per cent\u27 of spores gave rise to Mycelia sterilia. The most frequent fungi in January and February were penicillia, in March, April and May yeasts, in the period from May to September cladosporia, while from October to December yeasts once more. The seasonal prevalence of Cladosporium and Alternaria (June-October) was noted, while Penicillium and Aspergjllus showed only minor seasonal variations. The lowest daily spore counts were observed in January (an average of 5.8 per plate), while the highest count was noted in October (35.1). Two »spore showers« were caught during our studies, one in October containing 415, the other, in December, with 352 spores, both composed mostly of yeasts. The results obtained were compared with some data from other countries and briefly discussed

The Quantitative X-Ray Analysis of Bauxite. I. The System Hydrargillite-Boehmite-Goehtite-Haematite

A photographic X-Ray method for quantitative analysis of the main four- component system in bauxites is described. The required standard straigp.t lines are given. The use of the overl apping haematite- goehtite line (d = 2.69 A a nd d = 2.67 A resp.) is shown theoretically to be possible and is experimentally verified

The Quantitative X-Ray Analysis of Bauxite. I. The System Hydrargillite-Boehmite-Goehtite-Haematite

A photographic X-Ray method for quantitative analysis of the main four- component system in bauxites is described. The required standard straigp.t lines are given. The use of the overl apping haematite- goehtite line (d = 2.69 A a nd d = 2.67 A resp.) is shown theoretically to be possible and is experimentally verified

Radiotherapy fractionation for the palliation of uncomplicated painful bone metastases – an evidence-based practice guideline

BACKGROUND: This practice guideline was developed to provide recommendations to clinicians in Ontario on the preferred standard radiotherapy fractionation schedule for the treatment of painful bone metastases. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed and published elsewhere. The Supportive Care Guidelines Group, a multidisciplinary guideline development panel, formulated clinical recommendations based on their interpretation of the evidence. In addition to evidence from clinical trials, the panel also considered patient convenience and ease of administration of palliative radiotherapy. External review of the draft report by Ontario practitioners was obtained through a mailed survey, and final approval was obtained from the Practice Guidelines Coordinating Committee. RESULTS: Meta-analysis did not detect a significant difference in complete or overall pain relief between single treatment and multifraction palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases. Fifty-nine Ontario practitioners responded to the mailed survey (return rate 62%). Forty-two percent also returned written comments. Eighty-three percent of respondents agreed with the interpretation of the evidence and 75% agreed that the report should be approved as a practice guideline. Minor revisions were made based on feedback from the external reviewers and the Practice Guidelines Coordinating Committee. The Practice Guidelines Coordinating Committee approved the final practice guideline report. CONCLUSION: For adult patients with single or multiple radiographically confirmed bone metastases of any histology corresponding to painful areas in previously non-irradiated areas without pathologic fractures or spinal cord/cauda equine compression, we conclude that: • Where the treatment objective is pain relief, a single 8 Gy treatment, prescribed to the appropriate target volume, is recommended as the standard dose-fractionation schedule for the treatment of symptomatic and uncomplicated bone metastases. Several factors frequently considered in clinical practice when applying this evidence such as the effect of primary histology, anatomical site of treatment, risk of pathological fracture, soft tissue disease and cord compression, use of antiemetics, and the role of retreatment are discussed as qualifying statements. Our systematic review and meta-analysis provided high quality evidence for the key recommendation in this clinical practice guideline. Qualifying statements addressing factors that should be considered when applying this recommendation in clinical practice facilitate its clinical application. The rigorous development and approval process result in a final document that is strongly endorsed by practitioners as a practice guideline

Enhancing treatment decision-making: pilot study of a treatment decision aid in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

We developed a decision aid (DA) for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), to better inform patients of their prognosis and treatment options, and facilitate involvement in decision-making. In a pilot study, 20 patients with metastatic NSCLC attending outpatient clinics at a major cancer centre, who had already made a treatment decision, reviewed acceptability of the DA. The median age of the patients was 61 years (range 37–77 years), 35% were male, 20% had a university education, and most (75%) had English as a first language. Most had received chemotherapy, with 65% currently on treatment. Patients were not anxious at baseline and had clear understanding of the goals and toxicity of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. After reviewing the DA, patients' anxiety decreased slightly (P=0.04) and knowledge scores improved by 25% (P<0.001). Most improvements in understanding were of prognosis with and without chemotherapy, although patients still believed advanced NSCLC to be curable. Patients rated the DA highly with respect to information clarity, usefulness and were positive about its use in practice, although 40% found the prognostic information slightly upsetting. The DA for advanced NSCLC is feasible, acceptable to patients and improves understanding of advanced NSCLC without increasing patient anxiety

High levels of untreated distress and fatigue in cancer patients

The purpose of the study was to assess a large representative sample of cancer patients on distress levels, common psychosocial problems, and awareness and use of psychosocial support services. A total of 3095 patients were assessed over a 4-week period with the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), a common problems checklist, and on awareness and use of psychosocial resources. Full data was available on 2776 patients. On average, patients were 60 years old, Caucasian (78.3%), and middle class. Approximately, half were attending for follow-up care. Types of cancer varied, with the largest groups being breast (23.5%), prostate (16.9%), colorectal (7.5%), and lung (5.8%) cancer patients. Overall, 37.8% of all patients met criteria for general distress in the clinical range. A higher proportion of men met case criteria for somatisation, and more women for depression. There were no gender differences in anxiety or overall distress severity. Minority patients were more likely to be distressed, as were those with lower income, cancers other than prostate, and those currently on active treatment. Lung, pancreatic, head and neck, Hodgkin's disease, and brain cancer patients were the most distressed. Almost half of all patients who met distress criteria had not sought professional psychosocial support nor did they intend to in the future. In conclusion, distress is very common in cancer patients across diagnoses and across the disease trajectory. Many patients who report high levels of distress are not taking advantage of available supportive resources. Barriers to such use, and factors predicting distress and use of psychosocial care, require further exploration

Inhibition of mTOR pathway by everolimus cooperates with EGFR inhibitors in human tumours sensitive and resistant to anti-EGFR drugs

Inhibition of a single transduction pathway is often inefficient due to activation of alternative signalling. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key intracellular kinase integrating proliferation, survival and angiogenic pathways and has been implicated in the resistance to EGFR inhibitors. Thus, mTOR blockade is pursued to interfere at multiple levels with tumour growth. We used everolimus (RAD001) to inhibit mTOR, alone or in combination with anti-EGFR drugs gefitinib or cetuximab, on human cancer cell lines sensitive and resistant to EGFR inhibitors, both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that everolimus is active against EGFR-resistant cancer cell lines and partially restores the ability of EGFR inhibitors to inhibit growth and survival. Everolimus reduces the expression of EGFR-related signalling effectors and VEGF production, inhibiting proliferation and capillary tube formation of endothelial cells, both alone and in combination with gefitinib. Finally, combination of everolimus and gefitinib inhibits growth of GEO and GEO-GR (gefitinib resistant) colon cancer xenografts, activation of signalling proteins and VEGF secretion. Targeting mTOR pathway with everolimus overcomes resistance to EGFR inhibitors and produces a cooperative effect with EGFR inhibitors, providing a valid therapeutic strategy to be tested in a clinical setting

Pain in platin-induced neuropathies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Platin-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a common cause of PN in cancer patients. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the current literature regarding PIPN, with a particular focus on epidemiological and clinical characteristics of painful PIPN, and to discuss relevant management strategies. METHODS: A systematic computer-based literature search was conducted on the PubMed database. RESULTS: This search strategy resulted in the identification of 353 articles. After the eligibility assessment, 282 articles were excluded. An additional 24 papers were identified by scanning the reference lists. In total, 95 papers met the inclusion criteria and were used for this review. The prevalence of neuropathic symptoms due to acute toxicity of oxaliplatin was estimated at 84.6%, whereas PN established after chemotherapy with platins was estimated at 74.9%. Specifically regarding pain, the reported prevalence of pain due to acute toxicity of oxaliplatin was estimated at 55.6%, whereas the reported prevalence of chronic peripheral neuropathic pain in PIPN was estimated at 49.2%. CONCLUSION: Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication in patients receiving platins and can be particularly painful. There is significant heterogeneity among studies regarding the method for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies are the gold standard and should be performed in patients receiving platins and complaining of neuropathic symptoms post-treatment