The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the presence of large nodal mass are independent predictors of early response: A subanalysis of the prospective phase II PET-2-adapted HD0607 trial

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) can reflect both the myeloid dysfunction and T-cell immune suppression and have prognostic significance

Palazzo Reale di Pisa, valutazione della sicurezza e proposte di intervento

L’indagine sul Palazzo è partita dallo studio delle fonti storiche, attraverso le quali sono state messe in luce le fasi, le vicende e gli interventi subiti dal manufatto. Il rilievo geometrico e indagini di tipo visivo hanno permesso di individuare le criticità più evidenti, principalmente legate allo stato fessurativo, alla presenza di muri in falso di notevole spessore e allo stato della copertura. Per quest’ultima, dotata di elementi sottodimensionati e degradati, viene proposto un progetto di rifacimento con nuovi elementi in legno. Il Palazzo, grazie al software Aedes PCM, è stato modellato in 3D, schematizzato seguendo la teoria del telaio equivalente e studiato attraverso analisi statica non lineare. Le scarse informazioni circa i materiali costituenti l’edificio, hanno reso necessaria un’analisi parametrica, svolta assegnando varie tipologie di materiale, con caratteristiche meccaniche differenti, agli elementi costituenti il telaio e studiando per ognuna la risposta sismica del manufatto. Il comportamento sismico dell'edificio è stato anche indagato localmente, attraverso lo studio dei meccanismi locali che potrebbero formarsi durante un terremoto. La tesi mette in luce la necessità di studi più accurati sul manufatto e sugli elementi che lo costituiscono, nell'ottica della conservazione attraverso interventi mirati e poco invasivi. The investigation of the building started from the study of historical sources, through which the phases, events and interventions undergone by the building were brought to light. The geometric survey and visual investigations made it possible to identify the most evident criticalities, mainly related to the cracking state, the presence of very thick false walls and the state of the roof. For the latter, equipped with undersized and degraded elements, a refurbishment project with new wooden elements is proposed. The building, thanks to the Aedes PCM software, was modeled in 3D, schematized following the theory of the equivalent frame and studied through non-linear static analysis. The scarce information about the building materials made it necessary to carry out a parametric analysis, carried out by assigning various types of material, with different mechanical characteristics, to the elements making up the frame and studying the seismic response of the building for each one. The seismic behavior of the building was also investigated locally, through the study of the local mechanisms that could form during an earthquake. The thesis highlights the need for more accurate studies on the artefact and on the elements that constitute it, with a view to conservation through targeted and minimally invasive interventions

Variability of flow-mediated dilation technique: a multicenter italian study

Abstrac

Fever of unknown origin, infection of subcutaneous devices, brain abscesses and endocarditis

The term 'fever of unknown origin' includes a wide range of conditions that often remain undiagnosed. The possibility of an infection must be promptly diagnosed in order to begin appropriate therapy. Imaging with radiopharmaceuticals, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are the most commonly applied techniques, usually performed in addition to blood tests, biopsies or tissue cultures when required. The lack of comparative studies investigating the accuracy of each radiopharmaceutical for the study of fever of unknown origin was the incentive to perform a meta-analysis of peer articles published between 1981 and 2004 (33 papers) describing the use of nuclear medicine imaging for this purpose. Furthermore, infection of subcutaneous devices, brain abscesses and endocarditis must be considered amongst the causes of fevers of unknown origin. Reviews of 23, 10 and 10 papers, respectively (from 1976 to 2005), were performed on these specific topics. The results may be a useful guide for the choice of the optimal radiopharmaceutical(s) and diagnostic strategy to be applied in each clinical condition and for different aims

Early chemotherapy intensification with BEACOPP in advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma patients with a interim-PET positive after two ABVD courses

Interim 2-[18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography performed after two chemotherapy cycles (PET-2) is the most reliable predictor of treatment outcome in ABVD-treated Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) patients. We retrospectively analysed the treatment outcome of a therapeutic strategy based on PET-2 results: positive patients switched to BEACOPP, while negative patients continued with ABVD. Between January 2006 and December 2007, 219 newly diagnosed HL patients admitted to nine centres were enrolled; 54 patients, unfit to receive this treatment were excluded from the analysis. PET-2 scans were reviewed by a central panel of nuclear medicine experts, according to the Deauville score (Meignan, 2009). After a median follow up of 34months (12-52) the 2-year failure free survival (FFS) and overall survival for the entire cohort of 165 patients were 88% and 98%; the FFS was 65% for PET-2 positive and 92% for PET-2 negative patients. For 154 patients in which treatment was correctly given according to PET-2 review, the 2-year FFS was 91%: 62% for PET-2 positive and 95% for PET-2 negative patients. Conclusions: this strategy, with BEACOPP intensification only in PET-2 positive patients, showed better results than ABVD-treated historic controls, sparing BEACOPP toxicity to the majority of patients (Clinical Trials.gov Identifier NCT00877747). © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Lt