Preoperative assessment of breast cancer: Multireader comparison of contrast-enhanced MRI versus the combination of unenhanced MRI and digital breast tomosynthesis

To compare the sensitivity for breast cancer (BC) and BC size estimation of preoperative contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) versus combined unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (UMRI) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)

Structure of natural and NH4 -exchanged Sasbach faujasite: a single-crystal study

The interest for the environmental, industrial and technological applications of Si-rich zeolites is very high. Among the large-pore zeolites, faujasite is one of the most exploited. The aim of this paper is to obtain detailed structural information on natural and NH4-exchanged faujasite before using this zeolite for dealumination tests, targeting the realization of large single crystals of all-silica faujasite. As one of the most Si-rich natural samples, faujasite from Sasbach (Na13.64K0.87Mg10.46Ca8.89Sr0.34(Al51.95Si139.57)O384 19272.29 H2O; space group Fd-3m;a\u2009=\u200924.6906(2)\u2009\uc5) was chosen for study. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural refinements of both natural and NH4-exchanged samples are reported and discussed. In the natural faujasite sample, almost all the extraframework species could be located for the first time. In the NH4-exchanged sample the ammonium and water molecule sites were located. Ammonium cations occupy two of the sites occupied by the extraframework species in the original mineral

Coupled Plasma Filtration Adsorption in Patients with a History of Kidney Transplantation: Report of Two Cases

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Randomized controlled trial on the influence of dietary intervention on epigenetic mechanisms in children with cow's milk allergy: the EPICMA study

Epigenetic mechanisms could drive the disease course of cow's milk allergy (CMA) and formula choice could modulate these pathways. We compared the effect of two different dietary approaches on epigenetic mechanisms in CMA children. Randomized controlled trial on IgE-mediated CMA children receiving a 12-month treatment with extensively hydrolyzed casein formula containing the probiotic L.rhamnosus GG (EHCF + LGG) or with soy formula (SF). At the baseline, after 6 and 12 months of treatment FoxP3 methylation rate and its expression in CD4+ T cells were assessed. At same study points IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-γ methylation rate, expression and serum concentration, miRNAs expression were also investigated. 20 children (10/group) were evaluated. Baseline demographic, clinical and epigenetic features were similar in the two study groups. At 6 and 12 months, EHCF + LGG group showed a significant increase in FoxP3 demethylation rate compared to SF group. At the same study points, EHCF + LGG group presented a higher increase in IL-4 and IL-5 and a higher reduction in IL-10 and IFN-γ DNA methylation rate compared to SF group. A different modulation of miR-155, -146a, -128 and -193a expression was observed in EHCF + LGG vs. SF. Dietary intervention could exert a different epigenetic modulation on the immune system in CMA children

Differences in DNA methylation profile of Th1 and Th2 cytokine genes are associated with tolerance acquisition in children with IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy

Epigenetic changes in DNA methylation could regulate the expression of several allergy-related genes. We investigated whether tolerance acquisition in children with immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated cow's milk allergy (CMA) is characterized by a specific DNA methylation profile of Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) and Th1 (IL-10, IFN-γ)-associated cytokine genes

Molecular profiling of male breast cancer by multigene panel testing: Implications for precision oncology

Introduction: Compared with breast cancer (BC) in women, BC in men is a rare disease with genetic and molecular peculiarities. Therapeutic approaches for male BC (MBC) are currently extrapolated from the clinical management of female BC, although the disease does not exactly overlap in males and females. Data on specific molecular biomarkers in MBC are lacking, cutting out male patients from more appropriate therapeutic strategies. Growing evidence indicates that Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) multigene panel testing can be used for the detection of predictive molecular biomarkers, including Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) and Microsatellite Instability (MSI). Methods: In this study, NGS multigene gene panel sequencing, targeting 1.94 Mb of the genome at 523 cancer-relevant genes (TruSight Oncology 500, Illumina), was used to identify and characterize somatic variants, Copy Number Variations (CNVs), TMB and MSI, in 15 Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) male breast cancer samples. Results and discussion: A total of 40 pathogenic variants were detected in 24 genes. All MBC cases harbored at least one pathogenic variant. PIK3CA was the most frequently mutated gene, with six (40.0%) MBCs harboring targetable PIK3CA alterations. CNVs analysis showed copy number gains in 22 genes. No copy number losses were found. Specifically, 13 (86.7%) MBCs showed gene copy number gains. MYC was the most frequently amplified gene with eight (53.3%) MBCs showing a median fold-changes value of 1.9 (range 1.8-3.8). A median TMB value of 4.3 (range 0.8-12.3) mut/Mb was observed, with two (13%) MBCs showing high-TMB. The median percentage of MSI was 2.4% (range 0-17.6%), with two (13%) MBCs showing high-MSI. Overall, these results indicate that NGS multigene panel sequencing can provide a comprehensive molecular tumor profiling in MBC. The identification of targetable molecular alterations in more than 70% of MBCs suggests that the NGS approach may allow for the selection of MBC patients eligible for precision/targeted therapy

Switching from IFX originator to biosimilar CT-P13 does not impact effectiveness,safety and immunogenicity in a large cohort of IBD patients

Background: Switching from IFX originator to CT-P13 is safe; however, little data on immunogenicity exists. Research design and methods: Consecutive IBD patients on IFX originator were switched to CT-P13 and followed-up for 12 months. Clinical activity, infliximab trough levels (ITLs), anti-drug antibodies (ATIs), and adverse events were recorded at predefined timepoints (baseline, second CT-P13 infusion, 6 and 12 months). The outcomes investigated were immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics, effectiveness and safety. Results: 119 patients were switched to CT-P13 after a median time with IFX of 5.8 years. No changes in mean ITLs were observed. ATIs were detected in 30 patients (25.2%): 14 before and 16 after switch. Mean persistent ATIs were significantly higher compared to mean transient ones (109.74 ng/mL ±84.70 vs 18.22 ng/mL ±11.37, p < 0.001), with significantly lower ITLs associated (mean 0.32 µg/mL ±0.6 vs 3.08 µg/mL ±3.22, p < 0.001). A significant decrease of patients in steroid-fee clinical remission was observed after the switch (p = 0.004), with subsequent improvement at 6 months (p = 0.005). Eighteen patients (15.1%) discontinued IFX, only 6 (5%) for loss of response. Conclusions: Switching from infliximab originator to CT-P13 seems safe and effective, without differences in immunogenicity. A temporary reduction of clinical benefit after switching could be potentially explained by a ‘nocebo-effect response’