CT-based tumour response criteria compared after combined treatment for liver metastases of colorectal cancer

open6noPurpose: The aim of this analysis is to compare different tumour response criteria (TRC) after chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab in liver metastases from colorectal cancer (mCRC) to ascertain the best early prognostic indicator of response. Methods and Materials: 103 target liver metastases from 65 mCRC patients treated with chemoterapy plus bevacizumab were examined at the Istituto Oncologico Veneto IOV-IRCSS (March 2008-January 2013). All patients had baseline CT and at least one follow-up scan. Tumour response was retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists using RECIST1.1, modified Choi, and Chun morphologic criteria. Tumour response, classified as good (complete or partial response) or poor (stable or progressive disease), was compared with progression-free survival (PFS) at first follow-up (t1) and time of best response. Interobserver agreement and concordance between TRC were measured. Results: At t1, 32.31% showed a good response according to RECIST1.1 (median PFS 11.1), 84.62% according to Choi (median PFS 10.8). These percentages rose to 49.23% (median PFS 12.1) and 87.69% (median PFS 10.8), respectively, at the time of best response. According to Chun, 67.69% showed a good response at the time of best response (median PFS 10.8). The Choi criteria detected a higher proportion of good responders at t1, showing a better correlation with PFS; all methods correlated with PFS at the time of best response. Conclusion: The Choi criteria proved more consistent in the early detection of response in mCRC treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, underscoring the importance of using these criteria in the early assessment of response to combined treatment.openopenVarotto, A.; Di Grazia, L.; Aliberti, C.; Bergamo, F.; Nardin, M.; Pomerri, F.Varotto, A.; Di Grazia, L.; Aliberti, C.; Bergamo, F.; Nardin, M.; Pomerri, Fabi

COVID-19, a viral endocrinological disease?

Ever since Chinese health officials informed the WHO of the presence of 44 patients suffering from an anomalous pneumonia apparently linked with the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market (Wuhan City) on 3rd January 2020, a conspicuous number of scientific publications on COVID-19 have understandably focused either on the main clinical presentation of the novel pathological entity or the response of the immune system to its pathogenic agent, thus following in the footsteps of the established hermeneutical research approach of contemporary infectivological studies..

Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) control in sunflower with residual herbicides.

Abstract One of the most damaging species in sunflower crops in Brazil is the hairy beggartick (Bidens pilosa L). The large number of seeds, the various vegetative cycles during the year, the staggered germination and the scarcity of selective and effective herbicides to control this weed in sunflower are some of attributes that hinder the control of hairy beggartick populations. Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the control of hairy beggarticks, as well as sunflower tolerance to herbicides. The treatments were as follows: S-metolachlor (1,200 and 2,400 g ai ha-1), flumioxazin (60 and 120 g ai ha-1), and sulfentrazone (150 and 300 g ai ha-1) and two controls (weedy and weed-free check). The selectivity of the herbicides was higher at low doses. Flumioxazin and sulfentrazone caused injury to sunflowers at the highest doses and mainly in sandy soils. Although S-metolachlor did not cause visual symptoms of injury, the higher dose reduced sunflower yield. The herbicides sulfentrazone and flumioxazin provided satisfactory control of hairy beggartick plants in both types of soils. S-metolachlor presented medium control of hairy beggarticks in clay soil; however, its efficiency was slightly higher when applied in sandy soil. The most efficient herbicide for controlling hairy beggartick plants was flumioxazin, followed by sulfentrazone

Genghis Khan's death (AD 1227): An unsolvable riddle or simply a pandemic disease?

The article examines Genghis Khan's death from the historico-medical perspective. Although several etiologies have been proposed over the years, most of these at a closer look appear to be later inventions by historians. A reassessment of the available evidence suggests instead bubonic plague as the most likely clinical scenario. Genghis Khan's death is also a reflection on the impact of pandemic diseases on leadership in ancient times as well as nowadays

Special issue on “Anatomical radiology and morphological studies applied to radiological and palaeoradiological contexts”

a special monographic issue dedicated to the intersection between the fi eld of morphological studies and that of radiology.

Overexpression of isoprene synthase affects ABA-and drought-related gene expression and enhances tolerance to abiotic stress

Isoprene is the most abundant single biogenic volatile compound emitted by plants. Despite the relevance of this molecule to plant abiotic resistance and its impact on global atmospheric chemistry, little is known about the details of its mechanism of action. Here, we characterized through both physiological and molecular methods the mechanisms of action of isoprene using model transgenic arabidopsis lines overexpressing a monocot isoprene synthase gene. Our results demonstrated the effect that isoprene had on ABA signaling at different tissue-specific, spatial, and temporal scales. In particular, we found that isoprene enhanced stomatal sensitivity to ABA through upregulation of RD29B signaling gene. By contrast, isoprene decreased sensitivity to ABA in germinating seeds and roots, suggesting tissue-specific mechanisms of action. In leaves, isoprene caused the downregulation of COR15A and P5CS genes, suggesting that the enhanced tolerance to water-deprivation stress observed in isoprene-emitting plants may be mediated chiefly by an enhanced membrane integrity and tolerance to osmotic stress

Transcriptional regulation of MdmiR285N microRNA in apple (Malus x domestica) and the heterologous plant system Arabidopsis thaliana

Malus x domestica microRNA MdmiR285N is a potential key regulator of plant immunity, as it has been predicted to target 35 RNA transcripts coding for different disease resistance proteins involved in plant defense to pathogens. In this study, the promoter region of MdmiR285N was isolated from the apple genome and analyzed in silico to detect potential regulatory regions controlling its transcription. A complex network of putative regulatory elements involved in plant growth and development, and in response to different hormones and stress conditions, was identified. Activity of the \u3b2-Glucoronidase (GUS) reporter gene driven by the promoter of MdmiR285N was examined in transgenic apple, demonstrating that MdmiR285N was expressed during the vegetative growth phase. Similarly, in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, spatial and temporal patterns of GUS expression revealed that MdmiR285N was differentially regulated during seed germination, vegetative phase change, and reproductive development. To elucidate the role of MdmiR285N in plant immunity, MdmiR285N expression in wild-type apple plants and GUS activity in transgenic apple and Arabidopsis thaliana plants were monitored in response to Erwinia amylovora and Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000. A significant decrease of MdmiR285N levels and GUS expression was observed during host-pathogen infections. Overall, these data suggest that MdmiR285N is involved in the biotic stress response, plant growth, and reproductive development