A retrospective study on the artificial mummification of the Blessed Andrea da Montereale (AD 1479)

Andrea da Montereale was a 15th Century Augustinian monk from the inner Abruzzo region, central Italy. We investigated the preservation mechanisms of his body by retrospective survey of textual sources and reports from the Canonical Recognitions. The partially mummified body of the Blessed Andrea da Montereale revealed indisputable evidence of artificial mummification (excerebration and evisceration cuts, absence of internal organs) at visual inspection. The cadaver features emphasized by the hagiographers (vivid colours, absence of putrefaction or bad smelling for thirty days after death, without balsams treatments) sounds like an unrequested explanation for the body miraculous preservation. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the twelfth known case of an embalmed body in Catholic Religion, the tenth in Central Italy, and the second one documented in the Abruzzo regio

Influence of organic viticulture on non- Saccharomyces wine yeast populations

This study evaluated the population dynamics of non-Saccharomyces biota during spontaneous fermentation of organic musts. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts were found to be present at high levels during all fermentations. A total of 543 yeast colonies were isolated, 190 from Lysine-Medium (LM) agar, 254 from Wallerstein Laboratory Nutrient (WLN) agar and 99 from YPD agar. To estimate yeast population dynamics during spontaneous fermentation a genotypic approach was applied. PCR-RFLP of the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region and sequence determination of the D1/D2 region of the 26S rRNA gene enabled identification of the yeast isolates at the species level. Hanseniaspora uvarum, Metschnikowia fructicola and Candida zemplinina predominated, while Issatchenkia terricola, Issatchenkia orientalis and Pichia sp. were identified with a lower frequency. Hanseniaspora uvarum, M. fructicola and C. zemplinina represented 43%, 31% and 11% of the total non-Saccharomyces population isolated, respectively. Some yeast isolates were shown to be closely related to Hanseniaspora spp. and Candida spp. on the basis of the D1/D2 sequences. Based on those results, the coexistence of different Hanseniaspora and Pichia species in grape musts was supposed, and their complete identification was achieved using additional molecular markers. Moreover, strain typing and differentiation was carried out by RAPD-PCR. High strain polymorphisms were observed in the different species. For some strains, appreciable properties were demonstrated both in vitro by the API-ZYM test and in must. In must microvinification some strains showed good fermentation performances, low production of acetic acid and a partial capability to degrade malic acid

MicroRNA-128-3p-mediated depletion of Drosha promotes lung cancer cell migration

Alteration in microRNAs (miRNAs) expression is a frequent finding in human cancers. In particular, widespread miRNAs down-regulation is a hallmark of malignant transformation. In the present report, we showed that the miR-128-3p, which is up-regulated in lung cancer tissues, has Drosha and Dicer, two key enzymes of miRNAs processing, as the main modulation targets leading to the widespread down-regulation of miRNA expression. We observed that the miRNAs downregulation induced by miR-128-3p contributed to the tumorigenic properties of lung cancer cells. In particular, miR- 128-3p-mediated miRNAs down-regulation contributed to aberrant SNAIL and ZEB1 expression thereby promoting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Drosha also resulted to be implicated in the control of migratory phenotype as its expression counteracted miR-128-3p functional effects. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the function of miR-128-3p as a key regulator of the malignant phenotype of lung cancer cells. This also enforces the remarkable impact of Drosha and Dicer alteration in cancer, and in particular it highlights a role for Drosha in non-smallcell lung cancer cells migration

Radioterapia intraoperatoria nei tumori maligni avanzati estesi all’orecchio medio: valutazione da uno studio retrospettivo

Obiettivo dello studio è stato quello di valutare la sicurezza, l’efficacia e i risultati funzionali della radioterapia intraoperatoria (IORT) seguita dalla radioterapia a intensità modulata (IMRT) nel trattamento di tumori maligni avanzati estesi all’orecchio medio. Sono stati inclusi nello studio in modo retrospettivo 13 pazienti consecutive affetti da tumore dell’orecchio esterno esteso all’orecchio medio. Il follow-up è stato in media di 33 mesi (range 6-133). Cinque pazienti (38%) erano di stadio III e 8 pazienti (62%) erano di stadio IV secondo la classificazione dell’Università di Pittsburgh. Una petrosectomia laterale (LTBR) è stata eseguita in tutti i pazienti, la LTBR è stata associata a parotidectomia in 5 (38%) casi e a svuotamento latero-cervicale associato a parotidectomia in 6 (46%) casi. In tutti i casi si è effettuata asportazione della malattia macroscopicamente evidente. Il trattamento chirurgico è stato completato da IORT (12 Gy) e IMRT (50Gy). Chemioterapia adiuvante è stata eseguita in 4 (30%) casi. Test audiometrici pre- e post-operatori sono stati eseguiti per valutare la perdita uditiva. Il tasso di controllo di malattia locale (LC) a 5 anni, di metastasi a distanza (DM) a 5 anni, la sopravvivenza libera da malattia (DFS) e la sopravvivenza globale (OS) a 5 anni sono state calcolate con il metodo di Kaplan-Meyer. Variazioni significative nella conduzione per via ossea sono state osservate dopo trattamento. Una necrosi parziale del lembo di ricostruzione è stata l’unica complicanza precoce osservata in 3(23%) casi, mentre una fistola meningea è stata osservata in un solo caso (7,6%) come complicanza tardiva. Il tasso di LC è stato del 68%. Il tasso di DM è stato del 90%. Il tasso di DFS è stato del 61%. Il tasso di OS è stato del 69%. La IORT seguita dalla IMRT nel trattamento dei tumori maligni avanzati dell’orecchio esterno e medio sembra essere sicuro. Nel nostro studio non sono riportati morti. La IORT può ridurre la dose di radioterapia postoperatoria a livello del tessuto residuo ottenendo la medesima dose a livello della sede del tumore. Non abbiamo osservato alcuna complicanza a livello dell’orecchio esterno residuo, mentre si è notato un peggioramento dell’udito anche a livello neurosensoriale. Sono necessari studi prospettici al fine di confermare quanto da noi osservato

Brain metastases from solid tumors: disease outcome according to type of treatment and therapeutic resources of the treating center

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the therapeutic strategies commonly employed in the clinic for the management of brain metastases (BMs) and to correlate disease outcome with type of treatment and therapeutic resources available at the treating center.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four Cancer centres participated to the survey. Data were collected through a questionnaire filled in by one physician for each centre.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Clinical data regarding 290 cancer patients with BMs from solid tumors were collected. Median age was 59 and 59% of patients had ≤ 3 brain metastases. A local approach (surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery) was adopted in 31% of patients. The local approach demonstrated to be superior in terms of survival compared to the regional/systemic approach (whole brain radiotherapy and chemotherapy, p = <.0001 for survival at 2 years). In the multivariate analysis local treatment was an independent prognostic factor for survival. When patients were divided into 2 groups whether they were treated in centers where local approaches were available or not (group A vs group B respectively, 58% of patients with ≤ 3 BMs in both cohorts), more patients in group A received local strategies although no difference in time to brain progression at 1 year was observed between the two groups of patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In clinical practice, local strategies should be integrated in the management of brain metastases. Proper selection of patients who are candidate to local treatments is of crucial importance.</p

Treatment of recurrent malignant gliomas with fotemustine monotherapy: impact of dose and correlation with MGMT promoter methylation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recurrent malignant gliomas (MGs), a high rate of haematological toxicity is observed with the use of fotemustine at the conventional schedule (100 mg/m²weekly for 3 consecutive weeks followed by triweekly administration after a 5-week rest period). Also, the impact of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status on fotemustine activity has never been explored in the clinical setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>40 patients with recurrent pretreated MG were identified as being treated with fotemustine at doses ranging from 65 mg/m²to 100 mg/m². Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the dose of fotemustine received, from the lowest dosage received in group A, to the highest in group C. Analysis of MGMT promoter methylation in tumor tissue was successfully performed in 19 patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, 20% of patients responded to treatment, for a disease control rate (DCR, responses plus stabilizations) of 47.5%. Groups A and B experienced a response rate of 40% and 26.5% respectively, while the corresponding value for group C was 10%. Out of 19 patients, MGMT promoter was found methylated in 12 cases among which a DCR of 66.5% was observed. All 7 patients with unmethylated MGMT promoter were progressive to fotemustine.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Low-dose fotemustine at 65–75 mg/m²(induction phase) followed by 75–85 mg/m²(maintenance phase) has an activity comparable to that of the conventional schedule. By determination of the MGMT promoter methylation status patients might be identified who are more likely to benefit from fotemustine chemotherapy.</p

Diffusion and perfusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging for tumor volume definition in radiotherapy of brain tumors

Abstract Accurate target volume delineation is crucial for the radiotherapy of tumors. Diffusion and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide functional information about brain tumors, and they are able to detect tumor volume and physiological changes beyond the lesions shown on conventional MRI. This review examines recent studies that utilized diffusion and perfusion MRI for tumor volume definition in radiotherapy of brain tumors, and it presents the opportunities and challenges in the integration of multimodal functional MRI into clinical practice. The results indicate that specialized and robust post-processing algorithms and tools are needed for the precise alignment of targets on the images, and comprehensive validations with more clinical data are important for the improvement of the correlation between histopathologic results and MRI parameter images

From data to practice: brain meningioma treatment in elderly patients – a survey of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch®) and systematic review and meta-analysis

The management of meningioma in elderly patients (MEP) presents a complex and evolving challenge. Data available offer conflicting information on treatment options and complications. This survey aimed to examine the current approach to MEP, comparing the national profile to data in the current literature. A survey addressing the treatments options and management of meningioma in elderly was designed on behalf of SINch (R) (Societa Italiana di Neurochirurgia) and sent via email to all Chiefs of Neurosurgical Departments. The survey remained open for responses from May 5th, 2022, until November 21st, 2022. A search of the literature published between January 2000 and March 2023, in accordance to PRISMA guidelines, was included. A total of 51 Neurosurgical centers participated in the survey. The caseload profile of each center influences the choice of treatment selection (Stereotactic Radiosurgery versus open surgery) (p = 0.01) and the consolidated practice of discussing cases within a multidisciplinary group (p = 0.02). The pooled meta-analysis demonstrated a significant increased risk in the elderly group for permanent deficits (p &lt; 0.00001), postoperative infections (p = 0.0004) and hemorrhage (p = 0.0001), perioperative mortality (p &lt; 0.00001), and medical complications (p &lt; 0.00001) as compared to the young population. This study presents the initial comprehensive analysis of the existing trends in the surgical management of MEP in Italy. The significant variation in practices primarily stems from the absence of standardized guidelines. While most centers have adopted an integrated approach, there is a need to promote a multidisciplinary care model. Prospective studies are needed to gather robust evidence in this clinical setting

Data for: Open kyphoplasty for metastatic spine disease: A retrospective clinical series

rough data about open kyphoplast