¹²³I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine single-photon emission computerized tomography/computerized tomography scintigraphy in the management of neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor. High-risk neuroblastoma is the most frequent presentation with an overall survival of approximately 50%. ¹²³I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (¹²³I-mIBG) scintigraphy in the assessment of the primary tumor and its metastases at diagnosis and after chemotherapy is a cornerstone imaging modality. In particular, the bulk of skeletal metastatic disease evaluated with ¹²³I-mIBG at diagnosis and the following chemotherapy has a prognostic value. Currently, single-photon emission computerized tomography/computerised tomography (SPECT/CT) is considered a fundamental part of ¹²³I-mIBG scintigraphy. ¹²³I-mIBG SPECT/CT is a highly specific and sensitive imaging biomarker and it has been the basis of all existing neuroblastoma trials requiring molecular imaging. The introduction of SPECT/CT has shown not only the heterogeneity of the mIBG uptake within the primary tumor but also the presence of completely mIBG nonavid metastatic lesions with mIBG-avid primary neuroblastomas. It is currently possible to semi-quantitatively assess tracer uptake with standardized uptake value, which allows a more precise evaluation of the tracer avidity and can help monitor chemotherapy response. The patchy mIBG uptake has consequences from a theranostic perspective and may partly explain the failure of some neuroblastomas to respond to ¹³¹I-mIBG molecular radiotherapy. Various positron emission tomography tracers, targeting different aspects of neuroblastoma cell biology, are being tested as possible alternatives to ¹²³I-mIBG

C ion-implanted TiO2 thin film for photocatalytic applications

Third-generation TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by implantation of C+ ions into 110 nm thick TiO2 films. An accurate structural investigation was performed by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Raman-luminescence spectroscopy, and UV/VIS optical characterization. The C doping locally modified the TiO2 pure films, lowering the band-gap energy from 3.3 eV to a value of 1.8 eV, making the material sensitive to visible light. The synthesized materials are photocatalytically active in the degradation of organic compounds in water under both UV and visible light irradiation, without the help of any additional thermal treatment. These results increase the understanding of the C-doped titanium dioxide, helpful for future environmental applications. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC

Above and Beyond Robotic Surgery and 3D Modelling in Paediatric Cancer Surgery

Although the survival rates for children's cancers have more than doubled in the last few decades, the surgical practise has not significantly changed. Among the most recent innovations introduced in the clinic, robotic surgery and augmented reality are two of the most promising, even if they are not widespread. The increased flexibility of the motion, the magnification of the surgical field and the tremor reduction provided by robotic surgery have been beneficial to perform complex oncological procedures in children. Besides, augmented reality has been proven helpful in planning for tumour removal, facilitating early discrimination between cancer and healthy organs. Nowadays, research in the field of surgical oncology is moving fast, and new technologies and innovations wich will help to shape a new way to perform cancer surgery. Paediatric surgeons need to be ready to adopt these novel devices and intraoperative techniques to allow more radical tumour resections with fewer complications. This review aims to present the mechanism of action and indications of several novel technologies such as optical imaging surgery, high definition cameras, and intraoperative loco-regional treatments. We hope this will enhance early adoption and more research on how to employ technology for the benefit of children

Bonnard´s representation of the perception of substance

Artists are said to be like neuroscientists able to exploit the capacities of the brain to generate aesthetic experience (Zeki, 2001). Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) has been recognized as one of the greatest and most enigmatic masters of the 20th century painting. For his understanding of the eye movements, attentional shifts mechanism and the representation in his paintings of the complexity of the physiological process of vision perception, something that he famously referred to as "the transcription of the adventures of the optic nerve", he is considered a revolutionary painter. Our recent eye movements study on Bonnard's paintings evidences a "temporal-extended" mechanism in the control of scanpaths that refers to a progression of the scanpath pattern during repetitive viewings and supports the phenomenon of late emotional response which was one of the artist's artistic and perceptual objective

Long-term active problems in patients with cloacal exstrophy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Cloacal exstrophy (CE) is the most severe end of the Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex malformations spectrum. Improvements in postnatal management and well-established operative techniques have resulted in survival rates approaching 100%. This systematic review aims to define the prevalence of long-term active medical problems affecting CE patients after the first decade of life. METHODS: PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were used for the literature search. Original articles related to medical, surgical, and psychosocial long-term problems in CE patients >10 years of age were included in the study. Quality assessment of the articles was performed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Prevalence estimates and 95% CI were assessed for each outcome. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. The most common long-term active problems identified were: urinary incontinence with a prevalence ranging from 9.1% to 85%; sexual function issues related to vaginal anomalies with a prevalence ranging from 8.3% to 71.3%, and uterine anomalies, with a prevalence from 14.3% to 71%; gender identity issues in 46, XY patients raised female had a prevalence from 11.1% to 66.7%. There is no documented history of paternity. Impairment of ambulatory capacity was recorded in 13.8% of patients. Only one paper studied psychological well-being, reporting significantly higher levels of depression among gender reassigned patients. CONCLUSIONS: Teenagers and adults born with CE have well defined long-term problems compared to the general population. Recognition and expert management are crucial to improve care and quality of life during and after the transition into adulthood

Novel Treatments and Technologies Applied to the Cure of Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumour in childhood, accounting for approximately 15% of all cancer-related deaths in the paediatric population1. It is characterised by heterogeneous clinical behaviour in neonates and often adverse outcomes in toddlers. The overall survival of children with high-risk disease is around 40–50% despite the aggressive treatment protocols consisting of intensive chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation2,3. There is an ongoing research effort to increase NB’s cellular and molecular biology knowledge to translate essential findings into novel treatment strategies. This review aims to address new therapeutic modalities emerging from preclinical studies offering a unique translational opportunity for NB treatment

High fat diet intake during pre and periadolescence impairs learning of a conditioned place preference in adulthood

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brain regions that mediate learning of a conditioned place preference (CPP) undergo significant development in pre and periadolescence. Consuming a high fat (HF) diet during this developmental period and into adulthood can lead to learning impairments in rodents. The present study tested whether HF diet intake, consumed only in pre and periadolescence, would be sufficient to cause impairments using a CPP procedure.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rats were randomly assigned to consume a HF or a low fat (LF) diet during postnatal days (PD) 21-40 and were then placed back on a standard lab chow diet. A 20-day CPP procedure, using HF Cheetos^®as the unconditioned stimulus (US), began either the next day (PD 41) or 40 days later (PD 81). A separate group of adult rats were given the HF diet for 20 days beginning on PD 61, and then immediately underwent the 20-day CPP procedure beginning on PD 81.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pre and periadolescent exposure to a LF diet or adult exposure to a HF diet did not interfere with the development of a HF food-induced CPP, as these groups exhibited robust preferences for the HF Cheetos^®food-paired compartment. However, pre and periadolescent exposure to the HF diet impaired the development of a HF food-induced CPP regardless of whether it was assessed immediately or 40 days after the exposure to the HF diet, and despite showing increased consumption of the HF Cheetos^®in conditioning.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Intake of a HF diet, consumed only in pre and periadolescence, has long-lasting effects on learning that persist into adulthood.</p

A valid academic path to promote respiratory physiotherapy

A one- year post- graduate Master in Physiotherapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation has been offered within the University of Milan Medical School in collaboration with Associaz ione Italiana Riabilitatori dell\u2019Insufficienz a Respiratoria (ARIR). The aim is to cover a gap in Italian Physiotherapy academic curricula offering a course with theoretical and practical teaching that make students capable of using different techniques and procedures in respiratory physiotherapy. After the recognition by the International Education Recognition System (IERS), ARIR wanted to investigate if and how this course has affected students'attitude and their profession. METHODS A structured questionnaire made up of 15 multiple- choices items (8 on perceived quality of education and 7 on professional change) was sent by email to all physiotherapists who graduated in the previous four editions of the Master. One month was given for completion. Age, gender, year of degree and year of Master where considered as background variables. RESULTS We had a 78% response rate with 57 out of 73 physiotherapists sending the questionnaire back. Mean age was 37 years (23- 60) and women were the majority (78%). Forty- two students (74%) worked in the respiratory field at the time of application but only 15 (36%) dealt with respiratory patients only. Expectations were completely met at the end of Master for 71% of physiotherapists. 96% reported greater professional and clinical skills after the master with a 67% saying working team relationship has improved. 28% improved their job position thanks to the master degree and physiotherapy working in the respiratory field increased by 22%. CONCLUSIONS This course seems to meet students expectations and offer a solid knowledge to better work within the field of respiratory physiotherapy. It is also a way to promote the profession of respiratory physiotherapy in Italy