The contribution of targeted therapy to the neoadjuvant chemoradiation of rectal cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy is a commonly used option aimed to make less aggressive surgery approaches and to improve quality of life allowing a high proportion of patients operated with sphincter-sparing surgical techniques in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). During the last 5 years a number of studies have tested the efficacy of more intensive chemotherapeutic approaches by combining irinotecan or oxaliplatin with fluoropyrimidines and standard radiation treatments as well as testing combined treatments with targeted agents directed against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or angiogenesis. Herein, we review the results and critiques of the published studies based on the introduction of novel targeted agents in neoadjuvant therapy of LARC

La mutualità nel caregiving: una revisione della letteratura

Mutuality, considered the feeling of intimacy and the positive relationship between a caregiver and a arereceiver, is gaining an increasing interest in the international research arena, on the light of the socio-demographic changes and the increase in chronic degenerative diseases. The purpose of this article is to make a critical analysis of the literature on mutuality in order to identify its predictors and outcomes. A literature review was performed with the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, ASSIA and Pciological Abstract. Twenty articles were selected. From the critical analysis of the literature mutuality emerges as key variable in the process of caregiving and in the mental and physical health of the caregiver and carereceiver. In caregivers, high levels of mutuality are associated with less stress, depression and burden and a better quality of life and perceived health; in patients, high mutuality improves the recovery process from an illness, reduces anxiety and depression and improves the quality of life. Future studies aimed at the study of this variable also in the Italian population could support the development of programs to improve the quality of life of caregivers and carereceiver

Barriers in the management of cancerrelated pain and strategies to overcome them: findings of a qualitative research involving physicians and nurses in Italy

Introduction and aims. There are many barriers and obstacles that even today lead to an inadequate treatment of cancer-related pain. The aim is to describe the experiences of a group of Italian physicians and nurses as far as the nature of these barriers is concerned and the possible tools to be used to overcome them. Material and method. We run 5 focus groups with 42 healthcare professionals (11 physicians, 31 nurses) working in 5 hospitals in Italy. The findings of the focus groups were analysed according to the “Content Analysis” method. Results. Five main items emerged: the importance of communication, the need for education regarding pain therapy, the ethnic/cultural/religious differences, the mutual trust and support within the working group, the daily challenges. Conclusion. In harmony with the most recent literature, physicians and nurses voice above all their need for an education more directly aimed at overcoming the prevailing barriers rooted in ignorance, prejudice and fears

Skin acrometastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

not availabl

Design of a control architecture for an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) used for search and rescue operations

summary:A control system architecture design for an underwater ROV, primarily Class I - Pure Observation underwater ROV is presented in this paper. A non-linear plant model was designed using SolidWorks 3D modeling tool and is imported to MATLAB as a 3D model. The non-linear modeled plant is linearized using the MATLAB linear analysis toolbox to have a linear approximate model of the system. The authors designed controllers for the linear plant model of underwater ROV. PID controllers are utilized as a controller of the modeled plant. The PID tuning tools by MATLAB are utilized to tune the controller of the plant model of underwater ROV. The researchers test the control design of underwater ROV using MATLAB Simulink by analyzing the response of the system and troubleshoot the control design to achieve the objective parameters for the control design of underwater ROV