Prospective study of a molecular selection profile for RAS wild type colorectal cancer patients receiving irinotecan-cetuximab

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether a panel of biomarkers, prospectively analysed might be able to predict patients' clinical outcome more accurately than RAS status alone. Methods: K-RAS (exons 2, 3, 4) wild type colorectal cancer patients, candidates to second/third-line cetuximab with chemotherapy were prospectively allocated into 2 groups on the basis of their profile: favourable (BRAF and PIK3CA exon 20 wild type, EGFR GCN ≥ 2.6, HER-3 Rajkumar score ≤ 8, IGF-1 immunostaining < 2) or unfavourable (any of the previous markers altered or mutated). After the introduction of N-RAS status (exons 2, 3, 4) only RAS wild type patients were considered eligible. Results: Forty-six patients were enrolled. Seventeen patients (37%) were allocated to the favourable and 29 patients (63%) to the unfavourable profile. RR in the favourable and unfavourable group was 11/17 (65%) and 2/29 (7%) (p = 0.007) respectively. The favourable group also showed an improved PFS (8months vs. 3months, p < 0.0001) and OS (15months vs. 6months, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that prospective selection of optimal candidates for cetuximab treatment is feasible and may be able to improve clinical outcom

Restoration of anterior teeth using an indirect composite technique. Case report

This article presents a case report of restoration of anterior teeth using an indirect technique with composite veneers in order to restore the dental anatomy and to provide aesthetic and function of anterior teeth. A treatment of upper anterior teeth with indirect microhybrid composite restoration was proposed to a 40-year-old woman with old discolored and fractured ceramic veneers. Upper six anterior teeth were prepared and, after impressions with VPS of maxillary arche, the composite veneers were placed. There are several advantages offered by indirect techniques compared to direct techniques. The increased practice of veneering technique with indirect composites is due to improvement in the properties of composite materials in the last years. The results are very favourable and the patient is satisfied. The restorations with composite veneers have proved durable and aesthetic, protect tooth structure and aesthetic and function is predictably re-established

Caspase-independent programmed cell death triggers Ca2PO4 deposition in an in vitro model of nephrocalcinosis

We provide evidence of caspase-independent cell death triggering the calcification process in GDNF-silenced HK-2 cells

Microstructural and morphological properties of homoepitaxial (001)ZnTe layers investigated by x-ray diffuse scattering

The microstructural and morphological properties of homoepitaxial (001)ZnTe layers are investigated by x-ray diffuse scattering. High resolution reciprocal space maps recorded close to the ZnTe (004) Bragg peak show different diffuse scattering features. One kind of cross-shaped diffuse scattering streaks along directions can be attributed to stacking faults within the epilayers. Another kind of cross-shaped streaks inclined at an angle of about 80deg with respect to the in-plane direction arises from the morphology of the epilayers. (abridged version

Fixação biológica de nitrogênio em soja sob déficit hídrico.

Avaliaram-se em condições controladas os efeitos do déficit hídrico sobre a fixação biológica do nitrogênio (FBN) e componentes de rendimento em plantas de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) (cv. BRS-232 e BRS-268) em três experimentos e em três estádios reprodutivos, em que as plantas foram submetidas a duas disponibilidades hídricas: condição normal de capacidade de campo e de déficit hídrico nos estádios reprodutivos. Durante os estádios R2 e R3 foram avaliados a condutância estomática; a massa e o número de nódulos; e os teores de ureídeos (ácido alantóico e alantoína) na seiva do xilema; além do rendimento de sementes por planta em R8. O déficit hídrico reduziu os atributos relacionados à FBN, com reflexos na redução dos componentes de rendimento de grãos das plantas. A condição de déficit hídrico durante 13 dias entre as fases reprodutivas de florescimento pleno e formação inicial de vagens reduziu a massa e o número de nódulos em soja, com consequente redução média no rendimento de grãos de soja por planta em 14%

Thyroid nodules treated with percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation: a comparative study

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation (RTA) was reported as an effective tool for the management of thyroid nodules (TNs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RTA and to establish whether they were treatment-related by comparison with a matched, untreated control group

Signaling events involved in cytokine and chemokine production induced by secretory phospholipase A2 in human lung macrophages.

7openopenGranata F; Frattini A; Loffredo S; Del Prete A; Sozzani S; Marone G; Triggiani M.Granata, F; Frattini, A; Loffredo, S; DEL PRETE, Annalisa; Sozzani, Silvano; Marone, G; Triggiani, M

Laboratory Tests of Low Density Astrophysical Equations of State

Clustering in low density nuclear matter has been investigated using the NIMROD multi-detector at Texas A&M University. Thermal coalescence modes were employed to extract densities, $\rho$, and temperatures, $T$, for evolving systems formed in collisions of 47 $A$ MeV $^{40}$Ar + $^{112}$Sn,$^{124}$Sn and $^{64}$Zn + $^{112}$Sn, $^{124}$Sn. The yields of $d$, $t$, $^{3}$He, and $^{4}$He have been determined at $\rho$ = 0.002 to 0.032 nucleons/fm$^{3}$ and $T$= 5 to 10 MeV. The experimentally derived equilibrium constants for $\alpha$ particle production are compared with those predicted by a number of astrophysical equations of state. The data provide important new constraints on the model calculations.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Migration of dendritic cells across blood and lymphatic endothelial barriers.

7openopenDel Prete A; Locati M; Otero K; Riboldi E; Mantovani A; Vecchi A; Sozzani S.DEL PRETE, Annalisa; Locati, M; Otero, K; Riboldi, E; Mantovani, A; Vecchi, A; Sozzani, Silvan

Genótipos de trigo em diferentes densidades de semeadura.

A capacidade de perfilhamento em trigo define os componentes de rendimento e a produtividade, sendo afetada pela densidade de semeadura. Objetivou-se, neste estudo, avaliar genótipos de trigo cultivados em diferentes densidades de semeadura, em Londrina e Ponta Grossa (PR), nos anos de 2009 e 2010. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados os aspectos agronômicos de três genótipos de trigo (PF 014384, BRS Tangará e BRS Pardela), nas densidades de semeadura de 150 pl m-2, 250 pl m-2, 350 pl m-2 e 450 pl m-2. Em Londrina, a máxima produtividade foi obtida em densidade próxima a 270 pl m-2, enquanto, em Ponta Grossa (2009), houve ajuste linear. Não ocorreu ajuste para altura de plantas, devido à densidade de semeadura. O número de espigas por área (espigas m-2) foi superior em Ponta Grossa (2009) e não diferiu entre os locais, em 2010. Em Ponta Grossa (2010), a maior massa de mil sementes estimada foi na densidade de 341 pl m-2 e, em Londrina (2010), nas densidades de 150 pl m-2 e 450 pl m-2. A densidade de semeadura influenciou na produtividade de grãos, dependendo do local e ano. Em Londrina, houve limite, quanto à densidade de semeadura, para a produtividade. A massa de mil sementes foi influenciada pela densidade de semeadura, dependendo do ano e local. A altura de plantas foi afetada pelo genótipo e local de cultivo