Phase II prospective study with sorafenib in advanced soft tissue sarcomas after anthracycline-based therapy.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the activity and safety of sorafenib, a multitargeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An open-label nonrandomised multicentre phase II study was conducted in advanced STS patients pre-treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Patients received sorafenib 400 mg twice daily for 28 days. The primary end point was the progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6 months. Toxicity was assessed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in all histologies and in leiomyosarcoma (L) and angiovascular sarcomas (A). RESULTS: Between November 2006 and January 2010, 101 patients (36 L, 19 A, and 46 others) were enrolled; 76 patients per-protocol (PP) and 100 per intention-to-treat (ITT) were assessable for the primary end point. In the PP analysis, 11 (14.5%) achieved partial response and 25 (32.9%) stable disease; 6-month PFS rates were all histologies, 34.5%; L, 38.4%; and A, 56.3%. In the ITT analysis, 6-month PFS results were 27.1, 35, and 35.5% in all histologies, L, and A, respectively. When stratified by histology, we observed a better PFS favouring leiomyosarcoma versus other histologies (P = 0.033). Treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib appears to be a promising option in leiomyosarcoma patients. This finding warrants further evaluation in histology-driven trials.

Educational program of organ donation and transplantation at medical school.

A favorable attitude of health professionals to organ donation can positively influence the decision of families of potential donors. By increasing health professionals knowledge about donation and transplantation and qualifying them to disseminate information, education has produced a positive response to increase the insufficient number of donors. Educating students early in their careers may become crucial in this setting. In order to supply the necessary information about the process of donation and transplantation, a medical school in association with the Hospital Transplant Coordination Department created an educational program of organ donation and transplantation. This course is intended for medical, biomedical, and nutrition students. The objective of our program is to supply basic knowledge about organ donation and transplantation to students of medicine, nutrition, and biomedicine and to enhance their commitment to this process. Each semester, 50 to 90 students are enrolled in the course, which involves a total of 25 hours. Various aspects are approached such as brain death, donor management, political and legal aspects of donation, and skin, lung, bone marrow, heart, pancreas, liver, and kidney transplantation. Between March 2006 and June 2007, three courses were carried out and 200 students were trained. The students evaluated the course and rated it as excellent, concluding that it contributed to their education. Their attitude toward organ donation and transplantation was strongly positive at the end of the course. This project aims to educate and stimulate students in the process of organ donation and transplantation and should be implemented in other medical schools.

Phacoemulsification surgery and foldable intraocular lens implantation in a child with regressed retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: The management of retinoblastoma has been shifting toward conservative treatment. Visual preservation has become a concern as tumor regression is achieved. To report the surgical approach and outcome of a radiation-induced cataract in an only eye with regressed retinoblastoma. METHODS: Single case report and review of literature. RESULTS: Small incision sutureless phacoemulsification and implant of an acrylic foldable intraocular lens was performed. Best-corrected visual acuity 1 year after surgery was 20/20. No tumor recurrence has been noted after 27 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implant seemed to be an appropriate therapeutic option for this case.

Phacoemulsification surgery and foldable intraocular lens implantation in a child with regressed retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: The management of retinoblastoma has been shifting toward conservative treatment. Visual preservation has become a concern as tumor re g ression is achieved. To report the surgical approach and outcome of a radiation-induced cataract in an only eye with regressed retinoblastoma. METHODS: Single case report and review of literature. RESULTS: Small incision sutureless phacoemulsification and implant of an acrylic foldable intraocular lens was performed. Best-corrected visual acuity 1 year after surgery was 20/20. No tumor recurrence has been noted after 27 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification and foldable iintraocular lens implant seemed to be an appropriate therapeutic option for this case.

[Color vision in school children: evaluation of a new test] / Visão das cores em escolares: avaliação de um novo teste.

OBJECTIVE: To compare standard color vision test results (Ishihara test) with a new test developed by the authors ("crayon" test) for the detection of congenital dyschromatopsia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 712 children from three public schools and one private school in the city of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Children with learning disabilities, or systemic and ocular diseases were excluded from this random sample. Two color vision tests, Ishihara test (short version with 14 plates) and crayon test (developed by the authors) were sequentially applied. Each test was applied by different evaluators and analyzed by a third evaluator. RESULTS: The crayon test showed a specificity of 100% (99.3-100%) and sensitivity of 38.5% (15.1-67.7%) when compared to Ishihara test. The prevalence of congenital dyschromatopsia in this population sample was 2.6% for male children, and 0.9% for female children. CONCLUSIONS: The crayon test results showed greater specificity than Ishihara test in the studied group; however, sensitivity was not adequate for a screening test. It is necessary to improve the sensitivity so that congenital dyschromatopsia can be detected by the crayon test.

Efeito do timolol sobre pressao intra-ocular de pacientes com glaucoma. / Effects of timolol on intra-ocular pressure of patients with glaucoma

O autor analisa o efeito de maleato de timolol sobre a PIO de 30 pacientes 60 olhos portadores de glaucoma de angulo aberto, bem como seus efeitos colaterais