GEMTUZUMAB OZOGAMICIN COMBINED WITH INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA: REVIEW AND PERSPECTIVES.

Progress in treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is slow. Many new agents have been tested, but few were approved. Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin (GO) is a new AML-targeted drug that is composed by a monoclonal antibody targeting a surface antigen of myeloid leukemic cells (CD33) combined with a potent cytotoxic (calicheamicin). We review here the studies of GO in AML, including an update of the Italian studies, and we trace back the story of a drug that was developed 15 years ago and, regrettably, is no longer available for the treatment of AML, with the exception of Japan. GO was approved by the US FDA for the second-line treatment of AML in the elderly, and was shown by several European large prospective and randomized studies to be active also in first line, both alone, but particularly in combination with standard chemotherapy. Regrettably, a registration study that was performed in US could not confirm the superiority of GO and chemotherapy on chemotherapy alone, and the drug was withdrawn. The differences among the US and the European studies are discussed. The profile of the AML patients who are expected to benefit more by the reintroduction of GO is proposed: first-line, less than 60 years old, CD33 expressed in more than 20% leukemic cells, low/intermediate cytogenetic risk, and low expression of the PGP multidrug resistance protein

Semianalytical quantum model for graphene field-effect transistors

We develop a semianalytical model for monolayer graphene field-effect transistors in the ballistic limit. Two types of devices are considered: in the first device, the source and drain regions are doped by charge transfer with Schottky contacts, while, in the second device, the source and drain regions are doped electrostatically by a back gate. The model captures two important effects that influence the operation of both devices: (i) the finite density of states in the source and drain regions, which limits the number of states available for transport and can be responsible for negative output differential resistance effects, and (ii) quantum tunneling across the potential steps at the source-channel and drain-channel interfaces. By comparison with a self-consistent non-equilibrium Green's function solver, we show that our model provides very accurate results for both types of devices, in the bias region of quasi-saturation as well as in that of negative differential resistance.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figure

Tattooing of the nipple-areola complex: What not to do. A case series

Introduction: Reconstruction of the nipple areola complex (NAC) is the final and easier step of breast reconstruction. However, surgeons, especially if trainees, typically have not developed tattoo skills during their training. The aim of this report is to share advice developed in our clinical practice that would minimize patient complaints and complications while performing NAC tattoos. Methods: From January 2016 to May 2018, reconstruction of NAC was performed in 48 consecutive patients. Nipple reconstruction was performed initially using skin flaps and this was followed three to eight months later by NAC tattooing. We analyzed medical reports at 12 months follow-up where we usually record patient satisfaction (very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied) and every patient's complaint or complication. Results: Thirty-two patients (67%) were very satisfied of NAC tattooing, twelve patients (25%) satisfied, while four patients (8%) dissatisfied. Patients complained for not having involved in choosing color, areas without sufficient pigment, extreme darkness of the tattooed NAC and artificial look. Conclusion: Tattooing is a simple and safe procedure, with a high satisfaction rate. Based on our experience, despite some technical aspects have to be considered, it is a procedure that can be safely performed by plastic surgical trainees

Current treatment approaches in CML.

Take home messages Five tyrosine kinase inhibitors are available, the treatment strategy is still challenging. Baseline risk, comorbidities, and patient and physician expectations play a pivotal role. Treatment-free remission is a new opportunity

Combined Double-breasted Full-thickness Abdominal Flap Plication and Acellular Dermal Matrix in Prune-belly Syndrome Reconstruction

Background: Reconstruction of the abdominal wall in patients with prune-belly syndrome (PBS) following previous intra-abdominal procedures is a challenging problem with a high incidence of revision due to persistent bulging or herniation. The abdominal wall flaccidity not only produces a severe psychological and aesthetic discomfort for the patient but often determines functional disabilities, including inability to cough properly, impaired bowel and bladder function, and delay in posture and balance. Methods: The authors describe three cases of reconstruction of abdominal wall using a modified double-breasted abdominoplasty fascial plication with additional acellular dermal matrix interposition and review the literature for innovations in the use of abdominal repair for reconstruction of these difficult cases. Results: Three children with PBS at a mean age of 7.3 years achieved successful reconstruction of the abdominal wall, using the modified double-breasted abdominoplasty fascial plication with acellular dermal matrix interposition. Patients underwent previous procedures, including orchiopexy in two patients and bilateral nephrectomy in one patient. No postoperative complications have been found, apart from superficial skin dehiscence along the abdominal incision treated conservatively in one child. At mean follow-up of 42 months (range 28–56 months), no patient presented incisional hernia, persistent or recurrent fascial laxity with abdominal bulging. All patients achieved significant aesthetic and functional improvements, including children’s ability to cough, spontaneous gain of abdominal tonus, balance, and ambulation. Conclusion: Modification of the original vertical, two-layer plications of the deficient abdominal interposing biological mesh has the purpose of improving strength, aesthetics, and function of the abdominal wall in pediatric patients with PBS

Fifty-kDa Hyaluronic Acid Upregulates Some Epidermal Genes without Changing TNF-α Expression in Reconstituted Epidermis

Background: Due to its strong water binding potential, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a well-known active ingredient for cosmetic applications. However, based on its varying molecular size, skin penetration of HA may be limited. Recent studies have demonstrated that low-molecular-weight HA (LMW HA) may show a certain proinflammatory activity. We thus aimed to characterize an LMW-sized HA molecule that combines strong anti-aging abilities with efficient skin penetration but lacks potential proinflammatory effects. Methods: Total RNA and total protein were isolated from reconstituted human epidermis following incubation with HAs of various molecular weights (20, 50, 130, 300, 800 and 1,500 kDa). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression was determined using quantitative PCR. Genonnic and proteomic expression of various junctional proteins was determined using Affymetrix and common Western blotting techniques. Results: LMW HA of approximately 50 kDa did not significantly alter tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression compared to 20-kDa HA, but revealed significantly higher skin penetration rates than larger sized HA associated with increased expression of genes and proteins known to be involved in tight junction formation and keratinocyte cohesion. Conclusion: LMW HA of approximately 50 kDa shows better penetration abilities than larger-sized HA. In addition, LMW HA influences the expression of various genes including those contributing to keratinocyte differentiation and formation of intercellular tight junction complexes without showing proinflammatory activity. These observations contribute to current knowledge on the effects of LMW HA on keratinocyte biology and cutaneous physiology. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Necrobiosis Lipoidica Affecting the Leg: What Is the Best Treatment in a Patient with Very High Aesthetic Demand?

Summary: Necrobiosis Lipoidica (NL) is a rare necrotising disorder of the skin characterized by collagen degeneration, thickening of blood vessels, and granulomatous inflammatory process. Its main clinical features are brownish-red papules and yellowish plaques with atrophic central areas. NL affects 0.3% -1.2% of the diabetic population, mostly women (female/male ratio is 3:1). Management of NL is challenging, especially for large lesions refractory to medical therapy, thus requiring surgical excision as an alternative option. Due to the rare occurrence of this condition no treatment guidelines exist and individualized treatment mostly depends on the severity of the lesion, location and patient's expectations. A case of a 30-year-old diabetic woman with very high aesthetic expectations was succesfully treated with staged resections of a giant NL to the leg and reconstruction with dermal template and full thickness skin grafts. Grafts were taken from the groin region bilaterally and from the lower abdomen after a cosmetic mini-abdominoplasty procedure. This approach allowed for a stable and very satisfactory aesthetic result with no donor site exposed scars

The non-existent firm: relations between corporate image and strategy

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