33 research outputs found
Pressure ulcers management: an economic evaluation
Introduction. Pressure ulcer management represents a growing
problem for medical and social health care systems all over the
world, particularly in European Union countries where the incidence
of pressure ulcers in older persons (> 60 years of age) is
predicted to rise.
Objectives. The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the
lower impact on economic resources of using advanced dressings
for the treatment of pressure ulcers with respect to conventional
simple dressings.
Methods. Two different models of analysis, derived from Activity
Based Costing and Health Technology Assessment, were used to
measure, over a 30-day period, the direct costs incurred by pressure
ulcer treatment for community-residing patients receiving
integrated home care.
Results. Although the mean cost per home care visit was higher in
the advanced dressings patient group than in the simple dressings
patient one (? 22.31 versus ? 16.03), analysis of the data revealed
that the cost of using advanced dressings was lower due to fewer
home care visits (22 versus 11).
Conclusion. The results underline the fact that decision-makers need
to improve their understanding of the advantages of taking a long-term
view with regards to the purchase and use of materials. This could produce
considerable savings of resources in addition to improving treatment
efficacy for the benefit of patients and the health care system
Tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens in breast cancer
Glycosylation changes that occur in cancer often lead to the expression of tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens. In breast cancer, these antigens are usually associated with a poor prognosis and a reduced overall survival. Cellular models have shown the implication of these antigens in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and tumour growth. The present review summarizes our current knowledge of glycosylation changes (structures, biosynthesis and occurrence) in breast cancer cell lines and primary tumours, and the consequences on disease progression and aggressiveness. The therapeutic strategies attempted to target tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens in breast cancer are also discussed
TGF-beta signaling is an effective target to block proliferation and induce apoptosis of human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells: a study on human primary cell cultures
Where is West Nile fever? Lessons learnt from recent human cases in northern Italy
West Nile disease in humans has been detected for the first time in Italy in two regions, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. We conclude that also West Nile fever cases should be specifically targeted by surveillance
HUMAN CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA (CCA) AND CCA CANCER STEM CELLS (CSCS) ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF PI3-KINASE INHIBITORS
TUMORIGENIC POTENTIAL OF CANCER STEM CELLS (CSCS) ISOLATED FROM HUMAN CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA (CCA) SUBTYPES IN CIRRHOTIC LIVER
Profiles of cancer stem cell subpopulations in cholangiocarcinomas
Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) comprise a mucin-secreting form, intrahepatic or perihilar, and a mixed form located peripherally. We characterized cancer stem cells (CSCs) in CCA subtypes and evaluated their cancerogenic potential. CSC markers were investigated in 25 human CCAs in primary cultures and established cell lines. Tumorigenic potential was evaluated in vitro or in xenografted mice after s.c. or intrahepatic injection in normal and cirrhotic (carbon tetrachloride-induced) mice. CSCs comprised more than 30% of the tumor mass. Although the CSC profile was similar between mucin-intrahepatic and mucin-perihilar subtypes, CD13+ CSCs characterized mixed-intrahepatic, whereas LGR5+ characterized mucin-CCA subtypes. Many neoplastic cells expressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and coexpressed mesenchymal and epithelial markers. In primary cultures, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, mesenchymal markers (vimentin, CD90), and CD13 largely predominated over epithelial markers (CD133, EpCAM, and LGR5). In vitro, CSCs expressing epithelial markers formed a higher number of spheroids than CD13+ or CD90+ CSCs. In s.c. tumor xenografts, tumors dominated by stromal markers were formed primarily by CD90+ and CD13+ cells. By contrast, in intrahepatic xenografts in cirrhotic livers, tumors were dominated by epithelial traits reproducing the original human CCAs. In conclusion, CSCs were rich in human CCAs, implicating CCAs as stem cell-based diseases. CSC subpopulations generate different types of cancers depending on the microenvironment. Remarkably, CSCs reproduce the original human CCAs when injected into cirrhotic livers