Absolute and relative activities of platinum-complexes on human tumors as evaluated by an antimetabolic in vitro assay

An in vitro assay, which evaluates drug effect on ³H-thymidine incorporation, was used to investigate the absolute and relative activities of cisplatin (DDP), carboplatin (CBDCA) and iproplatin (CHIP) on 317 specimens from untreated tumors, including breast and ovarian cancers and malignant melanomas. Similar activities were generally observed for DDP and CHIP, whereas CBDCA exhibited a lower, although not significantly different cytotoxicity on breast and ovarian cancers. The relative activities of Platinum analogues were analyzed on 239 two-way drug sensitivity comparisons. The overall agreement rates ranged from 80.2 to 83.9% for the different comparisons. High coresistance, from 61.1 to 93.8%, was observed for all the comparisons, regardless of the tumor type. Cosensitivity rates were poor for breast and ovarian cancers, from 0 to 37.5%, whereas for melanomas an association in sensitivity was observed in 80% of the cases.     

Genomic allelotyping for distinction of recurrent and de novo hepatocellular carcinoma after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Distinction between recurrent and de novo hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) bears important clinical and therapeutic implications. Techniques for molecular profiling of clinically suspected de novo and recurrent HCC are required since the histological/clinical discrimination of donor vs. recipient tumor origin is difficult. Multiple PCR amplification of 16 highly polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) DNA sequences (routinely used for paternity and forensic assays) was applied in two patients who developed a second HCC after OLT. In both patients the technique provided reliable evidence that the two second HCC were recurrences of the primary tumor. Multiple STR genetic allelotyping is an effective tool for clear-cut discrimination of donor/recipient origin of a second HCC after OLT. Its application could be of great therapeutic relevance for such OLT patients.     

Spontaneous Splenic Rupture in a Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia of Burkitt Type

We describe a case of spontaneous splenic rupture occurred in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia of Burkitt type before starting cytotoxic chemotherapy. Left hypochondrial pain radiating to the homolateral shoulder was the only clinical symptom. Emergency computed tomography showed splenic laceration and hemoperitoneum. The patient underwent immediate laparotomy with splenectomy and experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery. Eight days after surgery, chemotherapy could be administered and complete remission was achieved. Although spontaneous rupture of the spleen is rare in leukemia and related disorders, this diagnosis should be taken in account also when clinical symptoms are mild. Following immediate operative management, patients may completely recover and receive cytotoxic chemotherapy with substantial possibilities of achieving complete remission.     

Real world experience with teriflunomide in multiple sclerosis: the TER-Italy study

Journal of Neurology - To identify baseline factors associated with disease activity in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) under teriflunomide treatment. This was an...     

Anxiety,depression, and quality of life in Parkinson’s disease: the implications of multidisciplinary treatment

Anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s disease (PD) reduce well-being of the patients. Emotional alterations influence motor skills and cognitive performance; moreover, they contribute significantly and independently to worsen rehabilitative treatment response. We investigated anxiety, depression, and quality of life in PD patients subjected to multidisciplinary rehabilitative training. The self-controlled study included 100 PD patients (49 males and 51 females with the mean age of 64.66 years) admitted to 60 days hospitalization rehabilitative program, between January 2017 and December 2018. Motor, cognitive, linguistic abilities, and functional independence were evaluated at admission (T0 baseline visit) and 60 days after (T1) the multidisciplinary rehabilitation including motor exercises, speech therapies, and cognitive intervention. The multidisciplinary rehabilitation improved functional status in PD patients and exerted its positive effects on mood, motor abilities, autonomy in the activities of daily life, perception of quality of life, cognitive performance and speech skills. Non-motor symptoms may worsen severe disability and reduce quality of life. They are often poorly recognized and inadequately treated. Nonetheless, multidisciplinary rehabilitative training represents an optimal strategy to improve disease management. The study was approved by Istituito di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo” Ethical Committee (approval No. 6/2016) in June 2016.     

Single-run reversed-phase HPLC method for determining sertraline content,enantiomeric purity,and related substances in drug substance and finished product

A direct enantio-, diastereo-, and chemo-selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for determining the content, enantiomeric purity, and related substances of the chiral antidepressant drug sertraline HCl in a single chromatographic run. The separation was achieved on a chiral stationary phase based on amylose tris(3-chloro-5-methylphenylcarbamate) under reversed-phase conditions. The method was optimized by evaluating the influence of the temperature and mobile phase composition on the retention and selectivity. The application of the single-run approach allowed to baseline resolve all investigated species in less than 15 min, without using buffers or tandem-coupled columns. The chromatographic method was validated according to the guidelines of the Official Medicines Control Laboratory and applied to control the content of sertraline HCl and related chiral substances in a generic antidepressant formulation.     

Increased Circulating Levels of Vitamin D Binding Protein in MS Patients

Vitamin D (vitD) low status is currently considered a main environmental factor in multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology and pathogenesis. VitD and its metabolites are highly hydrophobic and circulate mostly bound to the vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and with lower affinity to albumin, while less than 1% are in a free form. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the circulating levels of either of the two vitD plasma carriers and/or their relationship are altered in MS. We measured DBP and albumin plasma levels in 28 MS patients and 24 healthy controls. MS patients were found to have higher DBP levels than healthy subjects. Concomitant interferon beta therapy did not influence DBP concentration, and the difference with the control group was significant in both females and males. No significant correlation between DBP and albumin levels was observed either in healthy controls or in patients. These observations suggest the involvement of DBP in the patho-physiology of MS.