Maternal and infant touching behaviours during perturbed interactions: Associations with maternal depressive symptomatology and infant crying

Touch is an important means through which mothers and infants co-regulate during periods of stress or perturbation. The present study examined the synchrony of maternal and infant touching behaviours among 41 mother-infant dyads, some of whom were deemed at-risk due to maternal depressive symptomatology. Mothers and their 4-month-old infants participated in the Still-Face (maternal emotional unavailability; SF) and Separation (maternal physical unavailability; SP) procedures. Infant crying was examined across procedures and investigated as a brief period of perturbation. Results revealed that mothers and infants displayed a positive pattern of tactile synchrony (coordinated, analogous changes in touch) during infant crying episodes. However, dyads in the high depression group displayed significantly less affectionate touch during instances of infant crying. Furthermore, more depressive symptoms were associated with less maternal and infant touch and lower rates of infant crying. This group of dyads may be less expressive via touch, be less affected by disruptions in their interactions, have impaired regulatory abilities, or simply require minimal amounts of touch to mutually regulate following social stressors and during brief perturbation periods. These findings enrich our limited knowledge about the dynamic interplay of maternal and infant touch and inform preventative intervention programs for at-risk groups.

Attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination in the nursing profession: validation of the Italian version of the VAX scale and descriptive study

FOREWARD

Nurses' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination is a relevant issue, for the protection of the vulnerable people they care for, and the key role they play in promoting health behaviors that encourage trust and adherence to vaccination among population. This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale and to describe nurses' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was carried out from May to June 2021. Descriptive statistics, Explorative and Confirmatory Factor Analyses have been performed.

METHODS

An online survey was carried out in Italy. The VAX scale referring to the COVID-19 vaccine was used.

FINDINGS

430 nurses participated in the study, mainly female (73.2%). Mean age was 40.2 years. VAX scale revealed an optimal reliability; Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Analysis supported a 4-factors model. VAX scale mean scores showed low mistrust about vaccine's benefit (2.03±1.07), concerns about commercial profiteering (2.33±1.39) and preference for natural immunity (2.90±1.37). More worries concerning unexpected future effects were found (4.46±1.36). Gender, taking care of a frail person in family, having children or working in a COVID-19 setting are no significantly related to vaccination attitude. Participants from northern Italy expressed greater confidence in vaccine's benefits, the younger had significant lower scores about commercial profiteering.

CONCLUSIONS

The Italian version of the VAX scale resulted a reliable tool to assess the nurses' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. An overall positive nurses' attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccination was highlighted. The concern about unforeseen future effects suggested the need to increase the information on this issue.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results provided a valid and reliable tool to measure vaccination attitudes in the Italian context. This study could strengthen the health policies with educational interventions of healthcare workers through specific vaccination pathways. The healthcare professionals' vaccination attitudes play the key role also in promoting vaccination uptake in the population.

Sliding of drops on mesoporous thin films

There is great interest in developing surfaces with enhanced properties for the sliding of liquid droplets. Here we show that both water and oil droplets placed on mesoporous thin film surfaces slide at relatively small tilt angles with respect to non-porous surfaces of the same material. The effect arises from a particular soft pinning at the contact line, which is a consequence of the fact that sessile droplets are partially "floating" onto a locally self-imbibed mesoporous film. Therefore, droplets present a reduced sliding angle and an enhanced sliding velocity in comparison to droplets on non-porous surfaces of the same material. The formed droplet-substrate interface is different to those observed on superhydrophobic or oil-infused surfaces, and involves a particular sliding dynamic. These findings would help to improve technical developments that require the precise handling of droplet mobility, whose interest span from chemical and biological assays in open microfluidic platforms to applications in energy and the environment.

A multicentre study on epidemiology and prevention of needle stick injuries among students of nursing schools

INTRODUCTION

Among the health professions with a long period of training, the students of the Nursing Bachelor's Degree are the most exposed to biological risk resulting from accidents, in particular with needles and cutting edges. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency and the circumstances for the occurrence of needle stick injuries, as a knowledge base for targeted prevention interventions.

METHODS

The study was carried out between May and July 2017 in 11 Universities in Italy and 1 in Albania (associated with the "Tor Vergata" University of Rome). An anonymous semi-structured questionnaire was proposed to 1st (second semester), 2nd and 3rd year students of Nursing Bachelor's Degree.

RESULTS

A total of 2742 questionnaires were collected. The average age of participants was 22.9 years (median 22, range 19-60 years), 73% of whom were females. A total of 381 injuries were reported. Three hundred and sixteen students (11.8%) underwent at least 1 injury (12.7% among females, 9.7% among males); 41 students declared two or more injuries; four students did not report the number of injuries occurred. The first injury occurred, as an average, 17 days after the start of the internship (median 15 days) and, in 25% of the cases, during the first 9 days. The highest percentage of accidents occurred during the first internship (25.3% of the total) and decreased with the progress of the training path. The injuries occurred in 38% of cases during drug preparation, 24% when disposing of sharp devices, 15% while re-capping needles, 13% during blood sampling and 10% in other circumstances. In 51.2% of cases, the needle was not sterile. Among the nursing students who suffered a needle stick injury, 58.1% declared that they had performed the post-exposure prophylaxis. 96% of students stated to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B virus. Amongst the students who had their serological status checked (74%), 18% stated the antibody titre was not protective. 49.8% of students answered to have been trained in advance on the correct procedures to avoid needle stick and cutting edges injuries in each clinical ward attended, 41.2% referred that this occurred only in some wards and 10% in no ward at all.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show a high percentage of needle stick injuries in students of the Nursing Bachelor's Degree. Therefore, there is a need for careful reflection on the most effective methods of targeted training acquisition of knowledge, skills and behavioural models useful for the exercise of the profession.

Palliative care provision in long-term care facilities differs across Europe: Results of a cross-sectional study in six European countries (PACE)

BACKGROUND

While the need for palliative care in long-term care facilities is growing, it is unknown whether palliative care in this setting is sufficiently developed.

AIM

To describe and compare in six European countries palliative care provision in long-term care facilities and to assess associations between patient, facility and advance care planning factors and receipt and timing of palliative care.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional after-death survey regarding care provided to long-term care residents in Belgium, England, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Generalized estimating equations were used for analyses.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Nurses or care assistants who are most involved in care for the resident.

RESULTS

We included 1298 residents in 300 facilities, of whom a majority received palliative care in most countries (England: 72.6%-Belgium: 77.9%), except in Poland (14.0%) and Italy (32.1%). Palliative care typically started within 2 weeks before death and was often provided by the treating physician (England: 75%-the Netherlands: 98.8%). A palliative care specialist was frequently involved in Belgium and Poland (57.1% and 86.7%). Residents with cancer, dementia or a contact person in their record more often received palliative care, and it started earlier for residents with whom the nurse had spoken about treatments or the preferred course of care at the end of life.

CONCLUSION

The late initiation of palliative care (especially when advance care planning is lacking) and palliative care for residents without cancer, dementia or closely involved relatives deserve attention in all countries. Diversity in palliative care organization might be related to different levels of its development.

Non Conventional Fractionation in Radiotherapy of the Musculo-Skeletal Sarcomas

In 1989 we started an accelerated hyperfractionated schedule of radiotherapy (two 1.6 Gy daily fractions) in standard risk localized Ewing's sarcoma of bone, with the aim at reducing late effects in young patients and at improving disease control through a better integration of treatment modalities. From 1991, the same schedule was used in preoperative radiotherapy of adult soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: the main purpose was to reduce the time to surgery and to evaluate surgical complications in comparison with a previous experience of hypofractionated radiotherapy (one 3 Gy daily fraction). From 1991 to 1997, 76 patients with Ewing's sarcoma and 24 patients with soft tissue sarcoma were treated at our Institution. Results and complication rates are analyzed in comparison with historical data. In Ewing's sarcoma, a correct evaluation of improvement in local control was difficult because of changing treatment policy (bulky disease was not included in the present series). Late effects, as evaluated in patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 years, occurred with similar incidence, but at higher total dose levels in patients treated with accelerated hyperfractionation. In patients with soft tissue sarcomas, incidence of surgical complications is reduced as compared to historical experience. Major problems of wound healing were seen in association with intraoperative brachitherapy boost.

Nonmetastatic Osteosarcoma of the Extremity: Results of a Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Protocol (IOR/OS-3) with High-dose Methotrexate, Intraarterial or Intravenous Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, and Salvage Chemotherapy Based on Histologic Tumor Response

Aims and Background

From 1986 to 1989, a study for the treatment of nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity (IOR/OS-2) was carried out at the Rizzoli Institute. The cumulative dose of doxorubicin delivered was 480 mg/m2, and severe heart failure developed in 5 (3%) of the 164 treated patients. The specific aim of the subsequent study was to assess the efficacy of a protocol, similar to IOR/OS-2, but with a reduced cumulative dose of doxorubicin (390 mg/m2). Additional aims were to assess the role of the route of infusion (intraarterial or intravenous) of cisplatin on histologic response of the primary tumor and the use of ifosfamide as salvage chemotherapy in poor responders.

Methods

The new chemotherapy regimen (IOR/OS-3) was comprised of a preoperative phase with methotrexate (10 g/m2), cisplatin (120 mg/m2 intraarterially or intravenously), and doxorubicin (60 mg/m2). After surgery, the same drugs were administered, with the addition of ifosfamide (10 g/m2) in patients who had a poor histologic response to primary chemotherapy.

Results

Ninety-five patients entered the study. The rate of good histologic response was 64% with intraarterial cisplatin and 43% with intravenous cisplatin (P = 0.05). The 8-year event-free survival and overall survival were 54% and 61%, respectively, with no significant difference according to the histologic response. No cases of clinical doxorubicin-induced cardiopathy were recorded. Event-free and overall survival did not significantly differ from those achieved with IOR/OS-2 (8-year disease-free and overall survival, respectively 63% and 72%).

Conclusions

The reduction in the doxorubicin cumulative dose avoided episodes of cardiotoxicity, without consequences on the efficacy of treatment. The addition of ifosfamide was an effective “salvage” therapy for poor responders. A better histologic response with intraarterial cisplatin was observed, but owing to the availability of an effective salvage therapy for poor responders, the advantages in terms of histologic response did not compensate for the cost and discomfort for the patients of this modality of infusion of cisplatin.

Electrical current nanogeneration driven by spontaneous nanofluidic oscillations

Exploiting natural phenomena is a central route for providing electricity to sustainably drive wearable electronics. Here we report a nano-scale water-driven energy generator that produces tiny electrical currents from spontaneous wetting-drying oscillations in mesoporous thin films. The system was fabricated with a wormlike mesoporous silica film, which was packed in between Cu and silicon contacts. The nanogenerator runs autonomously when a water droplet is laid over the film close to the Cu electrode, as water infiltration into the film under the electrode produces a direct-current. Wetting-drying cycles, which are spontaneously triggered by water evaporation, are perfectly correlated to the generated electrical current. The autonomous water displacement through the film yields a sustained energy conversion until the droplet reservoir vanishes. This novel water-driven nanogenerator opens new alternatives for versatile, mobile and cost-effective self-powering of nanosystems and nanodevices.

Configurable 2D nano-flows in mesoporous films using paper patches

Designing and controlling spontaneous imbibition is becoming a key requirement for advanced devices, presenting a substantial scientific and engineering challenge. Here we describe an approach that allows directional imbibition into designed geometries. A set of custom domains based on paper microfluidics mold nano-imbibition in user-defined shapes such as curvatures, corners, and vertices into mesoporous thin films; enabling localized chemical reactions with programmable designs. The method also achieves nano-size filtration, allows the generation and delivery of reagent gradients in a nanofluidic fashion, and it can be used as a reactor for the synthesis of patterned metallic nanoparticle arrays. By using this easy-to-build hybrid platform, users can create functional nanofluidic domains in custom geometries and perform spatially shaped chemistry. The ability to integrate mesoporous nanofluidic generation and paper-based microfluidics has made the hybrid system an exciting candidate for versatile nanoflow applications.

Mesoporous film-based nanofluidics has been converted into a versatile technique by using cut paper.

Experience of the Rizzoli Institute in Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Musculoskeletal Lesions

Thermal ablation with radiofrequency (RF) is gaining increasing attention for the treatment of musculoskeletal lesions. This treatment offers several advantages compared to other methods: reduced invasiveness, low cost, and short hospitalisation time. In June 2001 we began using RF thermal ablation on osteoid osteomas (OO) in the appendicular and axial skeleton. Later, we also treated local benign and/or malignant tumors, some surgical recurrences, and some secondary localizations. Altogether we have performed over 270 procedures, mainly on OO. The experience we have gained has led us to think that the indication for this treatment can be extended to other thermosensitive lesions.

BET 1: Screening for delirium within the emergency department

A shortcut review was carried out to see if the abbreviated mental test score was better than other cognitive screening tools to diagnose delirium in the ED. Fourteen papers were identified reporting on 10 separate ED studies. Only one small study used the abbreviated mental test score and did not compare the diagnostic performance to any other test. There is very little published research on the use of the abbreviated mental test score in the ED setting.

Efficacy and safety of edoxaban for treatment of venous thromboembolism: a subanalysis of East Asian patients in the Hokusai-VTE trial

BACKGROUND

Direct oral anticoagulants have been evaluated for their efficacy and safety in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which comprises deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The randomized, double-blind Hokusai-VTE trial demonstrated that 60 mg of edoxaban once daily following initial heparin treatment is non-inferior to heparin overlapped with and followed by warfarin for the treatment of VTE, and is associated with significantly fewer bleeding events.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of edoxaban versus warfarin among East Asian patients enrolled in the Hokusai-VTE trial.

PATIENTS/METHODS

The Hokusai-VTE trial enrolled 8292 patients from 439 centers worldwide, including 1109 patients from Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were symptomatic recurrent VTE and clinically relevant bleeding, respectively.

RESULTS

In the overall East Asian population, the primary efficacy outcome of symptomatic recurrent VTE occurred in 16 of 563 (2.8%) patients in the edoxaban group versus 24 of 538 (4.5%) patients in the warfarin group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-1.19; P = 0.1601). The primary safety outcome of clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 56 of 563 (9.9%) patients in the edoxaban group versus 93 of 538 (17.3%) patients in the warfarin group (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.40-0.78; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Edoxaban is an effective and safer alternative to warfarin in East Asian patients with acute VTE who require anticoagulant therapy, consistent with overall study findings from the Hokusai-VTE trial.

Edoxaban for the long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism: rationale and design of the Hokusai-venous thromboembolism study--methodological implications for clinical trials

BACKGROUND

New oral anticoagulants may simplify long-term therapy by eliminating the need for laboratory monitoring. Edoxaban is an oral, direct inhibitor of factor Xa that is given in a fixed dose once daily.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

The Hokusai-VTE study is a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate whether initial low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) followed by edoxaban (60 mg once daily) is non-inferior to LMWH followed by warfarin (International Normalized Ratio of 2.0-3.0) for the prevention of recurrent thromboembolism in patients with acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE). The primary efficacy outcome is symptomatic recurrent VTE during the 12-month study period. The principal safety outcome is clinically relevant bleeding (major or non-major) occurring during or within 3 days of stopping study treatment. A clinical events committee adjudicates all suspected outcome events. A unique study design feature is the flexible treatment duration of between 3 and 12 months to simulate usual clinical practice, and enabled by: (i) double-blinding to minimize bias that could occur if knowledge of the patient's treatment influenced the duration of therapy; and (ii) follow-up for 12 months of all patients and inclusion in the primary efficacy analysis, regardless of the duration of therapy received. A second innovative design feature is the strategy for achieving an appropriate time in therapeutic range in the warfarin group, with central tracking for each participating center and feedback to the investigators.

CONCLUSION

The standard methods combined with innovative design features should achieve study results that are both scientifically valid and relevant to clinical practice.

Measures of body fat in South Asian adults

BACKGROUND

South Asian people who originate from the Indian subcontinent have greater percent body fat (%BF) for the same body mass index (BMI) compared with white Caucasians. This has been implicated in their increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There is limited information comparing different measures of body fat in this ethnic group.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the correlation of %BF measured by a foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis (FF-BIA) against the BOD POD, a method of air-displacement plethysmography, and (2) to determine the correlations of simple anthropometric measures, (that is, BMI, body adiposity index (BAI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) against the BOD POD measure of body fat.

METHODS

Eighty apparently healthy South Asian men and women were recruited from the community, and measurements of height, weight, WC, HC and body composition using Tanita FF-BIA and BOD POD were taken.

RESULTS

The mean±s.d. age of participants was 27.78±10.49 years, 42.5% were women, and the mean BMI was 22.68±3.51 kg m(-2). The mean body fat (%BF) calculated by FF-BIA and BOD POD was 21.94±7.88% and 26.20±8.47%, respectively. The %BF calculated by FF-BIA was highly correlated with the BOD POD (Pearson's r=0.83, P<0.001), however, FF-BIA underestimated %BF by 4.3%. When anthropometric measures were compared with % BF by BOD POD, the BAI showed the strongest correlation (r=0.74) and the WHR showed the weakest (r=0.33). BAI generally underestimated %BF by 2.6% in comparison with %BF by BOD POD. The correlations of BOD POD with other measures of %BF were much stronger in subjects with a BMI >21 kg m(-2) than those with a BMI 21 kg m(-2).

CONCLUSION

The FF-BIA and BAI estimates of %BF are highly correlated with that of BOD POD among people of South Asian origin, although both methods somewhat underestimate % BF. Furthermore, their correlations with % BF from BOD POD are significantly weakened among men and women with a BMI 21 kg m(-2).

Preliminary results after reconstruction of bony defects of the proximal humerus with an allograft-resurfacing composite

We retrospectively studied 14 patients with proximal and diaphyseal tumours and disappearing bone (Gorham's) disease of the humerus treated with wide resection and reconstruction using an allograft-resurfacing composite (ARC). There were ten women and four men, with a mean age of 35 years (8 to 69). At a mean follow-up of 25 months (10 to 89), two patients had a fracture of the allograft. In one of these it was revised with a similar ARC and in the other with an intercalary prosthesis. A further patient had an infection and a fracture of the allograft that was revised with a megaprosthesis. In all patients with an ARC, healing of the ARC-host bone interface was observed. One patient had failure of the locking mechanism of the total elbow replacement. The mean post-operative Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score for the upper extremity was 77% (46.7% to 86.7%), which represents good and excellent results; one patient had a poor result (46.7%). In the short term ARC effectively relieves pain and restores shoulder function in patients with wide resection of the proximal humerus. Fracture and infection remain significant complications.

High grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: outcome of 62 patients with localized disease and review of the literature

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST) are rare sarcomas with one of the poorest prognoses of all the soft tissue sarcomas. Information about adjuvant treatment is scarce and not homogeneous for this diagnosis. We analyzed retrospectively the outcome of patients with localized high grade MPNST admitted to our institute from 1969 to 2008. A review of the literature is also reported. Of 62 evaluable patients, 23 were females and 39 males, median age 39 years (17-71), 22/62 had neurofibromatosis type I. Median follow-up was 54 months (range 12-194). A total of 22/62 are alive; 26 patients had surgery alone, 18 received radiation therapy, 12 received radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and 6 received only adjuvant chemotherapy. The 5-year disease-free survival was 30% and 5-year overall survival was 38%. A positive trend for adjuvant radiation, but not for chemotherapy was observed according to univariate analysis only for disease-free survival and overall survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that primary site, size and surgical margins remained significant for disease-free survival and only site and size were significant for overall survival. New drugs employed successfully in advanced mpNSt should be employed also in the adjuvant setting.

A phase II trial of sorafenib in relapsed and unresectable high-grade osteosarcoma after failure of standard multimodal therapy: an Italian Sarcoma Group study

PURPOSE

After standard multimodal therapy, the prognosis of relapsed and unresectable high-grade osteosarcoma is dismal and unchanged over the last decades. Recently, mitogen-activated protein kinases were shown to be activated in osteosarcoma specimens, suggesting, therefore, they are suitable targets for the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib. Thus, we explored sorafenib activity in patients with relapsed and unresectable osteosarcoma.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Patients > 14 years, progressing after standard treatment, were eligible to receive 400 mg of sorafenib twice daily until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) at 4 months. Secondary objectives were PFS, overall survival (OS), clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as no progression at 6 months and safety. This nonrandomized phase II study used a Simon two-stage design. PFS and OS at 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. All tests were two sided.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients were enrolled. PFS at 4 months was 46% (95% CI 28% to 63%). Median PFS and OS were 4 (95% CI 2-5) and 7 (95% CI 7-8) months, respectively. The CBR was 29% (95% CI 13% to 44%). We observed 3 (8%) partial responses (PRs), 2 (6%) minor responses (< 30% tumor shrinkage) and 12 (34%) stable diseases (SDs). For six patients (17%), PR/SD lasted ≥ 6 months. Noteworthy, tumor density reduction and [(18)F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography responses were observed among SD patients. Sorafenib was reduced or briefly interrupted in 16 (46%) patients and permanently discontinued in one (3%) case due to toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Sorafenib demonstrated activity as a second- or third-line treatment in terms of PFS at 4 months with some unprecedented long-lasting responses. Sorafenib, the first targeted therapy showing activity in osteosarcoma patients, deserves further investigations.

Selective arterial embolisation for bone tumours: experience of 454 cases

PURPOSE

The authors present the experience of a single institution with selective arterial embolisation for primary and metastatic bone tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 365 patients were treated with 454 embolisation procedures from December 2002 to April 2010. Embolisation was the primary treatment for benign bone tumours, adjuvant treatment to surgery for benign and malignant bone tumours and palliative treatment for bone sarcomas and metastases. Indications for repeat embolisation included pain or imaging evidence of progressive disease: 105 patients had repeat embolisation at the same location at an interval of 1-3 months; 260 patients had one embolisation, 78 had two and 29 had three or more. In all patients, N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in 33% lipiodol was the embolic agent used.

RESULTS

A total of 419 of the 454 embolisations (93%) were technically successful. In 35 cases, embolisation was not feasible because of poor lesion vascularisation (21 patients with bone metastases and two with aneurysmal bone cysts), origin of the Adamkiewicz artery in the embolisation field (four patients with bone metastases and one with aneurysmal bone cyst), atheromatosis and arteriosclerosis (five patients with bone metastases) and anatomical and technical problems such as small-calibre vessels, many branches and acute vessel angles (two patients with bone metastases). A clinical response was achieved in 406 of the 419 procedures (97%), and no response in 13 procedures in patients with pelvis and sacrum tumours. Complications included postembolisation syndrome in 81 patients (22%), transient paraesthesias in 41 (11%), skin breakdown and subcutaneous necrosis at the shoulder and pelvis in five (1.4%) and paresis of the sciatic nerve in one (0.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend embolisation as primary or palliative treatment or an adjunct to surgery for tumours of variable histology. Strict adherence to the principles of transcatheter embolisation is important. Arteries feeding the tumour and collaterals must be evaluated carefully and catheterised superselectively to protect the normal tissues. NBCA is considered the most appropriate embolic agent for small-vessel occlusion without major complications.

Ablation of bone cells by electroporation

Short intense electrical pulses transiently increase the permeability of the cell membrane, an effect known as electroporation. This can be combined with antiblastic drugs for ablation of tumours of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of electroporation when applied to bone and to understand whether the presence of mineralised trabeculae would affect the capability of the electric field to porate the membrane of bone cells. Different levels of electrical field were applied to the femoral bone of rabbits. The field distribution and modelling were simulated by computer. Specimens of bone from treated and control rabbits were obtained for histology, histomorphometry and biomechanical testing. After seven days, the area of ablation had increased in line with the number of pulses and/or with the amplitude of the electrical field applied. The osteogenic activity in the ablated area had recovered by 30 days. Biomechanical testing showed structural integrity of the bone at both times. Electroporation using the appropriate combination of voltage and pulses induced ablation of bone cells without affecting the recovery of osteogenic activity. It can be an effective treatment in bone and when used in combination with drugs, an option for the treatment of metastases.

Nonmetastatic Ewing family tumors: high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue in poor responder patients. Results of the Italian Sarcoma Group/Scandinavian Sarcoma Group III protocol

BACKGROUND

High-dose chemotherapy (HDT) was added to conventional chemotherapy in Ewing sarcoma family tumor (EFT) patients, poor responders (PRs) to induction chemotherapy in order to improve their survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≤40 years with nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma (ES) received vincristine (V), doxorubicin (A), cyclofosfamide (C), actinomycin (Ac), ifosfamide (I) and etoposide (E) (VACAc-IE regimen) as induction chemotherapy. As maintenance treatment, good responders (GR) received nine cycles of VACAc-IE regimen. PRs received three cycles of VAC-IE, mobilizing cycle with CE and HDT with Busulfan and Melphalan with stem cell support.

RESULTS

Three hundred patients [median age 15 years (3-40 years)] entered the study. One patient refused local treatment, 242 (81%) underwent surgery [with radiotherapy (RT) in 80] and 57 (19%) RT alone. No toxic deaths were recorded. Overall GR were 146 (49%). Twenty-eight PR did not receive HDT. At a median follow-up of 64 months (21-116 months), 5-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) were 75% and 69%, respectively. Five-year EFS was 75% for GR, 72% for PR treated with HDT and 33% for PR who did not receive HDT.

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose therapy added to the VACA-IE regimen in PR patients is feasible and effective. Selected groups of patients with ES can benefit from HDT.

Survival in high-grade osteosarcoma: improvement over 21 years at a single institution

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to analyze improvements in overall survival over 21 years (1982-2002), with a 5-year minimum follow-up, in the largest series from a single center ever reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All diagnoses of high-grade osteosarcoma were included despite histological varieties, age, site and stage. Of the 1656 cases observed, 198 patients were excluded (41 consultation only, 129 low-grade varieties, and 28 lost to follow-up). Within 1458 included patients, 1032 had characteristics to be enrolled in conventional clinical trials (classic histology, age <41, localized, and extremity disease). Data are also analyzed in subgroups to define patients who benefited most.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 12 years (5-25 years), 754 patients (51.7%) are alive, of whom 613 continuously disease free. Survival at 5, 10, and 15 years is 57%, 52%, and 51%, respectively. Patients candidates for clinical trials have a survival rate of 68%, 64%, and 61%, respectively. Survival for the other patients is 30%, 25%, and 24%, respectively. Trend (joinpoint statistical analysis at real 5-year follow-up) shows a yearly statistically significant improvement of 1.31% (95% confidence interval 0.5% to 2.1%) from 51% for patients treated in 1982 to 68% for those treated in 2002. Patients who statistically benefited were those who relapsed or presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis or had axial tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lack of new drugs for osteosarcoma, survival has statistically improved, especially for those patients with the worst outcome. Aggressive treatments are recommended for all patients including those with poor prognosis.

Muscle fibers inside a fat tumor: a non-specific imaging finding of benignancy

INTRODUCTION

The differential diagnosis between benign and low-grade well-differentiated malignant lipomatous tumors might be very difficult for both the radiologist and the pathologist, although it has practical consequences. Among the criteria, muscular fibers detected inside the lesion are considered radiologically and histologically as a reliable sign of a benign intramuscular lipoma. New genetic criteria are now available. We report two cases of fat tumors containing muscular fibers both radiologically and histologically, but which are definitely malignant, considering genetic criteria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two cases of soft tissue fat tumors, containing muscular fibers on imaging examinations as well as histologically, had an aggressive behaviour, suggesting malignancy. Genetic criteria were therefore used to confirm the clinical impression.

RESULTS

MDM2 and CDK4 confirmed the malignancy in the two cases.

CONCLUSION

Intra lesional muscular fibers detected on imaging or histological examinations should not be considered as a completely reliable sign of a benign intramuscular lipoma. In case of atypical clinical behaviour, genetic criteria should be used to prove the aggressiveness of the tumor.

Tumours and tumour-like lesions of the hip in the paediatric age: a review of the Rizzoli experience

Bone tumours and tumour-like lesions of the hip in children are rare. Signs and symptoms of these tumours are generally nonspecific. Delay of diagnosis is not uncommon. A high index of suspicion in young patients presenting with persistent pain and without history of trauma, that is unresolved with conservative therapy should prompt further investigation, including radiographs or computed tomography scan of the pelvis. In the experience of the Istituto Rizzoli, in patients less than 14 years (mean 9 years, ranged from 6 months to 14 years), 752 tumours and tumours-like lesions occurred in the pelvis or proximal femur, involving the hip. Tumour-like lesions accounted for 322 cases (simple bone cyst in 255, eosinophilic granuloma in 43, aneurismal bone cyst in 34), benign tumours for 340 cases (osteoid osteoma in 229, fibrous dysplasia in 63, exostosis in 48) and malignant tumours for 80 cases (Ewing's sarcoma in 53 and osteosarcoma in 27). The epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation, and radiograph findings are discussed for each of these tumours.Treatment of these tumours differs from observation or minimally invasive treatment for most pseudotumoural lesions, intralesional excision or termoablation for benign bone tumours and wide resection for malignant bone tumours. In this latter group, chemotherapy is required and often administered pre- and postoperatively.

Chordoma of the mobile spine: A retrospective analysis on 146 patients from two reference centers

10517

Background: The natural history of chordoma is still poorly known. Methods: We reviewed a large series of patients (pts) from two major reference centers for chordoma. All pts presenting at Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, and Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy, over 25 years, were reviewed. Clinical and pathologic characteristics were recorded. Local recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed both from time of diagnosis and from time of local recurrence/distant metastasis. A multivariable analysis to identify independent prognostic factors was carried out. PDGFR and brachyury expression analysis is ongoing. Results: One hundred forty-six consecutive pts were identified (sacrum 79%, lumbar spine 15%, cervical-dorsal spine 6%; extension at diagnosis: localized 90%, locally-advanced 5%, metastatic 5%; median size 10 cm, IQ range: 6–14). Median follow-up was 140 months (IQ range: 80–205). The 5/10-year OS, local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and distant relapse-free survival (DRFS) were respectively: 76/52%, 51/32%, 86/72%. For pts with primary disease, size independently predicted OS (p-value: 0.004), LRFS (p-value: 0.006) and DRFS (p-value: 0.02), while surgical margins independently predicted only LRFS (p-value: 0.0001) with a trend for OS (p-value 0.1007). Radiotherapy performed in 44 pts did not influence LRFS nor OS, but only 9 pts received >60 Gy. The 5/10-year OS, LRFS, DRFS after the first local relapse were 54/24%, 50/45%, 64/61%. Size of the recurrence and quality of surgical margins did not influence post-relapse OS. The 5/10-year OS after the second local relapse were 20/0%. The overall incidence of metastases was 32% (commonest site: lung). The 5/10-year post-metastases OS was 35/0% (median 3 years). Results on PDGFR and brachyury expression will be provided. Conclusions: Tumor size and surgical margins affected outcome only on initial presentation. Incidence of distant metastases was higher than expected, although with a more indolent course than generally supposed. In spite of its indolent behavior, long-term prognosis was poor, with 26% of pts being continuously disease-free at 10 years. This series may provide an external control for studies on novel targeted agents, which are proving effective in such a rare tumor.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Survival in high-grade osteosarcoma: Improvement in a 21-year period at a single institution

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Background: After the introduction of pre-operative chemotherapy in the early 1980s, treatment of osteosarcoma had not advantages from new drugs/modalities. Aim of this work is to analyze improvements in overall survival for patients treated over 21 years (1982–2002), with a 5-year minimum follow-up, in the largest series from a single institute ever reported, including all high grade osteosarcomas, despite histology varieties, age, site, and stage. Data are also analyzed in subgroups to define patients who benefited most. Methods: All diagnoses of high grade osteosarcoma were included. Of the 1,656 consecutive cases observed, 198 patients were excluded (41 consultation only, 129 low-grade varieties and 28 lost to follow-up). Within 1,456 included patients, 1,032 had characteristics to be enrolled in conventional clinical trials (classic histology, age < 41, localized and extremity disease). Results: Considering all patients, with a median follow-up of 12 years (5–25 yrs), 754 (51.7%) are alive, 613 continuously disease-free. Survival at 5, 10, and 15 years is 57%, 52%, and 51% respectively. Patients candidates for clinical trials have a survival rate of 68%, 64%, and 61% respectively. Survival for the other patients is 30%, 25%, and 24% respectively. Jointpoint Statistical Analysis at real 5-year follow-up shows a yearly statistically significant improvement in survival of 1.31% (95% CI 0.5–2.1), from 51% for patients treated in 1982 to 68% for those treated in 2002. Within the subgroups, survival statistically improved in patients candidates to protocols, those who relapsed, or presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis, or had axial tumors. Surgery was also analyzed, with a statistical significant increase in the percentage of limb salvage procedures without an increased rate of local recurrences. Conclusions: Despite the lack of new drugs for osteosarcoma, survival has statistically improved, especially for those patients with the worst outcome. Aggressive treatments are therefore recommended for all patients including those with poor prognosis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Genetic and molecular alterations in rhabdomyosarcoma: mRNA overexpression of MCL1 and MAP2K4 genes

Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft tissue sarcoma in childhood, belongs to the small round cell tumor family and is classified according to its histopathological features as embryonal, alveolar and pleomorphic. In this study we propose to explore genetic alterations involved in rhabdomyosarcoma tumorigenesis and assess the level of mRNA gene expression of controlling survival signalling pathways. For genetic and molecular analysis, array-based comparative genomic hybridization, combined with Real Time PCR using the comparative method, was performed on 14 primary well-characterized human primary rhabdomyosarcomas. Multiple changes affecting chromosome arms were detected in all cases, including gain or loss of specific regions harbouring cancer progression-associated genes. Evaluation of mRNA levels showed in the majority of cases overexpression of MCL1 and MAP2K4 genes, both involved in cell viability regulation. Our findings on rhabdomyosarcoma samples showed multiple copy number alterations in chromosome regions implicated in malignancy progression and indicated a strong expression of MAP2K4 and MCL1 genes, both involved in different biological functions of complicated signalling pathways.

Lipid-altering efficacy and safety of simvastatin 80 mg/day: long-term experience in a large group of patients with hypercholesterolemia. World Wide Expanded Dose Simvastatin Study Group

BACKGROUND

Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol promote the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

HYPOTHESIS

Simvastatin 80 mg/day will be more effective than simvastatin 40 mg/day at reducing LDL cholesterol and will be well tolerated.

METHODS

Two similar, randomized, multicenter, controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, 48-week studies were performed to evaluate the long-term lipid-altering efficacy and safety of simvastatin 80 mg/day in patients with hypercholesterolemia. One study conducted in the US enrolled patients meeting the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) LDL cholesterol criteria for pharmacologic treatment. In the other multinational study, patients with LDL cholesterol levels > or = 4.2 mmol/l were enrolled. At 20 centers in the US and 19 countries world-wide, 1,105 hypercholesterolemic patients, while on a lipid-lowering diet, were randomly assigned at a ratio of 2:3 to receive simvastatin 40 mg (n = 436) or 80 mg (n = 669) once daily for 24 weeks. Those patients completing an initial 24-week base study were enrolled in a 24-week blinded extension. Patients who had started on the 80 mg dose in the base study continued on the same dose in the extension, while those who had started on the 40 mg dose were rerandomized at a 1:1 ratio to simvastatin 40 or 80 mg in the extension.

RESULTS

There was a significant advantage in the LDL cholesterol-lowering effect of the 80 mg dose compared with that of the 40 mg dose, which was maintained over the 48 weeks of treatment. The mean percentage reductions (95% confidence intervals) from baseline in LDL cholesterol for the 40 and 80 mg groups were 41% (42, 39) and 47% (48, 46), respectively, for the 24-week base study, and 41% (43, 39) and 46% (47, 45), respectively, after 48 weeks of treatment (p < 0.001 between groups). Larger reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides were also observed with the 80 mg dose compared with the 40 mg dose at Weeks 24 and 48. Both doses were well tolerated, with close to 95% of patients enrolled completing the entire 48 weeks of treatment. Myopathy (muscle symptoms plus creatine kinase increase > 10 fold upper limit of normal) and clinically significant hepatic transaminase increases (> 3 times the upper limit of normal) occurred infrequently with both doses. There was no significant difference between the groups in the number of patients with such increases, although there were more cases for both with the 80 mg dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the 40 mg dose, simvastatin 80 mg produced greater reductions in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Both doses were well tolerated.

Osteosarcoma in patients over 65 years old

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Background: Few data are available in literature about osteosarcoma in patients older than 65.We reviewed the incidence and outcome of osteosarcoma in elderly over 65 in our casistic. Materials and Methods: Patients with high grade osteosarcoma treated in our Institute from 1961 to 2006 aged >65. End point was overall survival (OS). Results: 43 patients aged more than 65 treated for high grade osteosarcoma at our Institute were found: 22 male and 21 females, median age was 69 (range 65–80), 29 had localized disease and 13 were metastatic, 33 had extremity localization and 10 axial, 29 patients had a primitive osteosarcoma and 13 (30%) had a sarcoma in Paget's disease, 1 pt ha post-RT osteosarcoma. Median interval from symptoms to diagnosis was 4 months (0–73) 32 out of 43 received surgery for primitive tumour: 18 had a resection with endoprosthesis, 13 had amputation, 1 pt had palliative surgery, the others received palliative RT, 14 patients received chemotherapy (anthracycline, cisplatin, ifosfamide).2 major complication related to chemotherapy were observed: one toxic death and one septic shock. Twenty-one patients reached a disease free status after surgery. Median OS for all 43 pts was 19 months (SE 3),mean 35 mos (range 3–229), 3 years OS for the all group was 25%. Three years OS (Kaplan-Meyer) for pts with localized disease was 41,5% vs 0% for metastatic pts, 3 yrs OS for pts who had surgery was 30% compared to 0% for those without surgical treatment.Significant prognostic factors (Breslow statistic) were: localized vs metastatic (P<0,004) and surgery vs no surgery (P<0.00005,) The other variables (sex, type of surgery, chemotherapy) were not statistically significant.In another study on patients aged 40–60 with localized osteosarcoma of the extremity we found an OS at 8 years of 62%. Conclusions: Osteosarcoma in this subgroup of elderly is frequently associated to Paget disease and their OS is worse compared to adult of younger age. We need to improve our strategy of treatment to increase the cure rate of these elderly patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Histologically verified lung metastases in benign giant cell tumours--14 cases from a single institution

From 1975 to 1997, 649 cases of benign giant cell tumours of the bone were treated at the Istituto Rizzoli. Fourteen patients (2.1%) experienced lung metastases after a mean of 35.2 months. The time interval between the diagnosis and the appearance of the lung metastases ranged from 3 months to 11.9 years. Metastasectomy was performed in all patients. Histologically, the metastases were identical to the primary bone lesions. Two patients with unresectable multiple metastases received additional chemotherapy. After a follow-up of 70 months (range: 8.2 to 185 months), all patients are alive. Ten patients showed no evidence of disease, one of these after a second resection of metastases, and four patients presented stable disease with multiple lung metastases. Local recurrence of the bone lesion occurred in seven patients before or simultaneously to the metastases. In contrast to previous reports, we could not detect a predominance of the distal radius, but all of the patients had a stage III tumour according to the Enneking criteria of benign lesions. We conclude that even metastatic benign giant cell tumours have an excellent prognosis after adequate resection. No prognostic factors despite high-grade lesions were detectable.

Six drugs induction chemotherapy for patients with localised Ewing sarcoma (ES): A pilot study

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Background: Vincristine (V), doxorubicin (A), cyclophosphamide (C), ifosfamide (I), actinomycin-D (Ac) and etoposide (E) are the standard drugs active against ES. Feasibility and efficacy of a six drugs induction treatment were investigated in a monoinstitutional study. Methods: Between March 1998 and May 1999, nonmetastatic ES aged ≤ 50 years were enrolled. Induction treatment: VAC (V 2 mg, A 80 mg/m2, C 1200 mg/m2, weeks 0 and 6), IVAc (I 9 g/m2, V 2 mg, Ac 2 mg, week 3), IE (I 9 g/m2, E 450 mg/m2, week 9). Local treatment, surgery whenever possible, was planned on week 12. Maintenance treatment: alternating courses of VAC-IVAc-IE (three times). In surgically treated patients, chemoinduced necrosis was evaluated and graded: grade III (complete necrosis), II (persistence of microfoci of viable tumor cells) and I (persistence of macrofoci of tumor cells). Results: 34 patients were enrolled; median age was 19 years (6–50); 22 were males and 12 females. Site: extremity 22 (65%), axial location 12 (35%). Despite a large use of G-CSF (94% of cycles), grade IV leukopenia was common (60% of cycles). Nevertheless, febrile neutropenia was observed in only 10.6% of cycles. Grade IV thrombocytopenia occurred in 12.5% of cycles. Platelet and red blood cell transfusions were required in 4% and 11% of cycles, respectively. No toxic deaths were recorded. Local treatment: surgery in 24 patients (70%), followed by post operative radiation (RT) in 6 of them; RT in 10 patients (30%). Chemoinduced necrosis was grade III in 29% of patients, grade II in 34% and grade I in 37%. With a median follow-up of 80 months (1–69) 5 years overall survival (OS) was 62%. 5 years Event free survival (EFS) was 56%. 5 years EFS according to site was: extremity 68%, axial location 33% (p < 0.02); according to local treatment was: surgery 61% (with RT 67%), RT 30% (p = 0.027); according to chemoinduced necrosis: grade III 86%, II 50%, I 55% (p = 0.26). Conclusions: The treatment is feasible. Surgery was possible in 70% of patients with a high cure rate for patients with a grade III chemoinduced necrosis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Molecular alterations of monophasic synovial sarcoma: loss of chromosome 3p does not alter RASSF1 and MLH1 transcriptional activity

Differential diagnosis of monophasic synovial sarcoma requires the detection of specific biological markers. In this study we evaluated the presence of molecular alterations in 15 monophasic synovial sarcomas. Multiple changes affecting chromosome arms were detected by CGH-array in all microdissected cases available, and an association between gain or loss of specific regions harbouring cancer progression-associated genes and aneuploid status was found. The most frequent alteration was loss of 3p including 3p21.3-p23 region that, however, did not involve the promoter regions of the corresponding genes, RASSF1 and MLH1. Using Real-Time PCR, mRNA levels of both resulted moderately high compared to normal tissue; however, the weak to absent protein expression suggests RASSF1 and MLH1 post-transcription deregulation. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both mesenchymal and epithelial antigens were present in diploid tumours. These findings confirm the genetic complexity of monophasic synovial sarcoma and underline the need to integrate different analyses for a better knowledge of this tumour, essential to investigate new diagnostic and prognostic markers.