Safety and immunogenicity of an investigational quadrivalent meningococcal tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACYW-TT) co-administered with routine pediatric vaccines in infants and toddlers: A Phase II study.

BACKGROUND: The MenACYW-TT conjugate vaccine is approved for prevention of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) as a single dose in individuals ≥2 years of age in the United States and ≥12 months in EU and some other countries. This Phase II study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of this vaccine and of concomitant pediatric vaccines in infants/toddlers (6 weeks-15 months of age). METHODS: Five schedules of the MenACYW-TT conjugate vaccine were evaluated in the United States: 2, 4, 6, and 12 months; 2, 4, 6, and 15 months; 2, 4, and 12 months; 6 and 12 months; and 12 months alone. Routine pediatric vaccines (DTaP-IPV/Hib, PCV7/PCV13, MMR, and varicella) were administered per approved schedules. Proportions of participants with serum bactericidal antibodyassay with human complement (hSBA) titers ≥1:4 and ≥1:8, SBA with baby rabbit complement (rSBA) titers ≥1:8 and ≥1:128, and immune responses against concomitant vaccines were determined. RESULTS: Tenderness and irritability were the most frequent solicited injection site and systemic reactions. Similar proportions of participants achieved an hSBA titer ≥1:8 for all four serogroups regardless of whether 2 or 3 doses were administered in the first year of life. Following a second-year dose, 91-100% of participants achieved the threshold for all 4 serogroups in all schedules regardless of the number of doses in the first year of life. Similar responses were seen with rSBA. Immunogenicity and safety profile of concomitant vaccines was similar whether the MenACYW-TT conjugate vaccine was administered or not. CONCLUSION: MenACYW-TT conjugate vaccine administered with pediatric vaccines is safe and immunogenic regardless of the schedule and does not affect the immunogenicity or safety of the concomitant vaccines. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT01049035.

Real-World Anticoagulant Use and Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism and Major Bleeding in Children.

PURPOSE: Children generally have a lower risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than adults, but those with acute and chronic conditions requiring hospitalization and surgical procedures are at increased risk. Anticoagulant use in children has not been systematically studied, and limited data exist. This study aimed to provide data on the conditions associated with use of anticoagulants, the type of anticoagulant used in children, and the incidence of thromboembolism and major bleeding events reported in this population. METHODS: To increase understanding of the use of anticoagulant therapies in children with at-risk conditions, 3 health claims databases in the United States were analyzed to describe the characteristics of use of heparins, warfarin, and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Cumulative drug exposure was determined for continuous exposure, defined as >30 days. Unadjusted event rates of VTE and major bleeding after exposure to these therapies were reported. The data were presented descriptively and are not intended for comparison or to imply any causation. FINDINGS: Anticoagulants were infrequently used in the pediatric population, including at any time point after Fontan surgery for congenital heart disease. Heparins were used most frequently in the population overall and especially for patients aged <12 years. DOACs were used least often and primarily for patients ages 12 to <18 years. Among pediatric patients exposed to anticoagulants, unadjusted incidence rates of VTE per 1000 person-years of exposure ranged from 30.8 to 34.0 for all DOACs, 21.6 to 46.2 for warfarin, and 6.0 to 7.3 for heparins. Rates per 1000 person-years for major bleeding ranged from 0 to 4.9 for all DOACs, 4.3 to 6.7 for warfarin, and 3.7 to 4.6 for heparins. IMPLICATIONS: With results from clinical trials evaluating DOACs in the pediatric population expected in the next 2 years, these descriptive real-world data may provide a baseline understanding of current prescribing patterns and outcomes associated with the use of DOACs and other anticoagulants in routine pediatric clinical practice. This information represents the use of real-world evidence and may function as the benchmark for evaluating changes in prescription practices and potential outcomes in the future.

Photoexcited energy relaxation and vibronic couplings in π-conjugated carbon nanorings.

Conjugated carbon nanorings exhibit unique photophysical properties that, combined with their tunable sizes and conformations, make them suitable for a variety of practical applications. These properties are intimately associated to their strained, bent and sterically hindered cyclic structures. Herein we perform a comparative analysis of the photoinduced dynamics in carbon nanorings composed of nine phenyl units([9]CPP) and nine naphthyl units ([9]CN) respectively. The sterically demanding naphthyl units lead to large dihedral angles between neighboring units. Nevertheless, the ultrafast electronic and vibrational energy relaxation and redistribution is found to be similar for both systems. We observe that vibronic couplings, introduced by nonadiabatic energy transfer between electronic excited states, ensure the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution through specific vibrational modes. The comparative impact of the internal conversion process on the exciton spatial localization and intra-ring migration indicates that naphthyl units in [9]CN achieve more efficient but less dynamical self-trapping compared to that of phenyl units in [9]CPP. That is, during the photoinduced process, the exciton in [9]CN is more static and localized than the exciton in [9]CPP. The internal conversion processes take place through a specific set of middle- to high-frequency normal modes, which directly influence the spatial exciton redistribution during the internal conversion, self-trapping and intra-ring migration.

OSL dosimeters for dental panoramic radiography.

The aim of the present work is to determine dosimetric characteristics of commercial optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) to estimate equivalent dose in the patient undergoing panoramic radiography procedure. Digital panoramic unit "Instrumentarium OP200D" was used. OSL dosimeters were optically bleached before any exposure procedure. InLight™ OSL nanodosimeters were placed on the thyroid surface between the head and neck. The exposure parameters for all measurements was standard value consisted in 66 kV, 5 mA, and 14.1 s. Standard size field of view (FOV) scanning mode was used. Dosimeters were calibrated for the air kerma. Reported male adult equivalent doses from 21 to 45 µSv for each scanning for standard size field of view (FOV). Meanwhile reported female adult equivalent doses from 28 to 75 µSv for standard size field of view (FOV) considering all heights. The lowest equivalent dose (21 µSv) was observed in the male thyroid gland surface (S) position for medium height. The highest equivalent dose (75 µSv) was for female small height in the right parotid surface (R) position. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that OSL dosimeters are appropriate in vivo dosimetry system for dental panoramic dose measurements.

Chitosan/pvp-based mucoadhesive membranes as a promising delivery system of betamethasone-17-valerate for aphthous stomatitis.

Mucoadhesive membranes were proposed in this study as drug delivery system for betamethasone-17-valerate (BMV) in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The membranes were obtained by using the polymers chitosan (CHI) in both presence and absence of polyvinilpyrrolidone (PVP), following the solvent evaporation method. The presence of PVP in the membranes causes significant modifications in its thermal properties. Changes in the thermal events at 114 and 193 °C (related to BMV melting point), and losses in mass (39.38 and 30.68% for CH:PVP and CH:PVP-B, respectively), suggests the incorporation of BMV in these membranes. However, the morphological aspects of the membranes do not change after adding PVP and BMV. PVP causes changes in swelling ratios (>80%) of the membranes, and it is suggested that the reorganization of the polymer mesh was highlighted by the chemical interactions between the polymers leading to different percentages of BMV released ∼40% and ∼80% from CH-B and CH:PVP-B. BMV release profile follows Korsmeyer and Peppas model (n > 0.89) which suggests that the diffusion of the drug in the swollen matrix is driven by polymer relaxation. In addition, the membranes containing PVP (higher swelling ability) present high rates of tensile strength, and therefore, higher mucoadhesion. Moreover, given the results presented, the developed mucoadhesive membranes are a promising system to deliver BMV for the treatment of RAS.

First cage-like pentanuclear Co(ii)-silsesquioxane.

A new pentanuclear "cylinder"-like cobalt(ii) phenylsilsesquioxane [(PhSiO1.5)10(CoO)5(NaOH)] exhibits a slow relaxation of the magnetization and a high catalytic activity and stereoselectivity in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols.

Trigger point dry needling versus strain-counterstrain technique for upper trapezius myofascial trigger points: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of active myofascial trigger points includes both invasive and non-invasive techniques. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of upper trapezius trigger point dry needling (DN) and strain-counterstrain (SCS) techniques versus sham SCS. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. METHOD: 34 study subjects with active trigger points were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, and received either three sessions of DN (n=12), six sessions of SCS (n=10), or sham SCS (n=12) over a 3-week period. Subjective pain response and subjects' own ratings of perceived disability were measured. RESULTS: The analysis of variance mixed model showed a significant time effect for pain (p<0.001), elicited pain (p<0.001), pain pressure threshold (p<0.01), and neck disability index (p=0.016). Pain at rest decreased in all groups, as follows: DN 18.5 mm (95% CI 4.3 to 32.7 mm); SCS 28.3 mm (95% CI 12.4 to 44.1 mm); sham SCS 21.9 mm (95% CI 3.5 to 40.1 mm). Reductions in disability score (points) were significant in the SCS group (5.5, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.4) but not in the DN (1.4, 95% CI -4.9 to 2.1) or sham SCS (1.8, 95% CI -6.4 to 2.7) groups. There was no significant group×time interaction effect for any variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences between the sham SCS, SCS, and DN groups in any of the outcome measures. DN relieved pain after fewer sessions than SCS and sham SCS, and thus may be a more efficient technique. Future studies should include a larger sample size. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01290653.

Evaluación de la reproducibilidad de un protocolo de resonancia magnética dinámica para el estudio farmacocinético de los tumores de mama / Evaluation of the reproducibility of a protocol for the pharmacokinetic study of breast tumors by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging

Objetivo. Evaluar la reproducibilidad de un protocolo de resonancia magnética dinámica (RM-DC) con contraste para el estudio farmacocinético de los tumores de mama. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo realizado entre octubre y diciembre de 2009, que incluyó 12 pacientes con cáncer de mama infiltrante en estadios ii-iii sin tratamiento previo. Este trabajo fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética de Investigación de nuestro centro. A las 12 pacientes se les realizó 2 RM-DC en 2 días consecutivos con un protocolo de alta resolución temporal (21 adquisiciones/minuto). Se analizaron por separado los datos obtenidos en un ROI trazado alrededor del diámetro tumoral mayor (ROI 1) y otro que abarcaba la zona de mayor intensidad de Ktrans de la lesión (ROI 2). Se emplearon pruebas estadísticas paramétricas y no paramétricas para estudiar la reproducibilidad y concordancia de las principales variables farmacocinéticas (Ktrans, Kep, Ve y AUC90). Resultados. Las correlaciones fueron muy altas (r > 0,80; p < 0,01) en todas las variables del ROI 1, y altas (r = 0,70-0,80; p < 0,01) en todas las del ROI 2, excepto en Ve tanto en el ROI 1 (r = 0,44; p = 0,07) como en el ROI 2 (r = 0,13; p = 0,235). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los 2 estudios para los valores obtenidos de Ktrans, Kep y AUC90 (p > 0,05 para todas ellas), pero sí que las hubo para Ve en el ROI 2 (p = 0,008). Conclusión. El protocolo de alta resolución temporal de RM-DC de nuestro centro es muy reproducible para las principales constantes farmacocinéticas de los tumores de mama (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the reproducibility of a protocol for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for the pharmacokinetic study of breast tumors. Material and methods. We carried out this prospective study from October 2009 through December 2009. We studied 12 patients with stage ii-iii invasive breast cancer without prior treatment. Our center's research ethics committee approved the study. The 12 patients underwent on two consecutive days DCE-MRI with a high temporal resolution protocol (21 acquisitions/minute). The data obtained in an ROI traced around the largest diameter of the tumor (ROI 1) and in another ROI traced around the area of the lesion's highest Ktrans intensity (ROI 2) were analyzed separately. We used parametric and nonparametric statistical tests to study the reproducibility and concordance of the principal pharmacokinetic variables (Ktrans, Kep, Ve and AUC90). Results. The correlations were very high (r>.80; P<.01) for all the variables for ROI 1 and high (r=.70-.80; P<.01) for all the variables for ROI 2, with the exception of Ve both in ROI 1 (r=.44; P=.07) and in ROI 2 (r=.13; P=.235). There were no statistically significant differences between the two studies in the values obtained for Ktrans, Kep and AUC90 (P>.05 for each), but there was a statistically significant difference between the two studies in the values obtained for Ve in ROI 2 (P=.008). Conclusions. The high temporal resolution protocol for DCE-MRI used at out center is very reproducible for the principal pharmacokinetic constants of breast (AU)

Evaluation of the reproducibility of a protocol for the pharmacokinetic study of breast tumors by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproducibility of a protocol for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for the pharmacokinetic study of breast tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out this prospective study from October 2009 through December 2009. We studied 12 patients with stage ii-iii invasive breast cancer without prior treatment. Our center's research ethics committee approved the study. The 12 patients underwent on two consecutive days DCE-MRI with a high temporal resolution protocol (21 acquisitions/minute). The data obtained in an ROI traced around the largest diameter of the tumor (ROI 1) and in another ROI traced around the area of the lesion's highest K(trans) intensity (ROI 2) were analyzed separately. We used parametric and nonparametric statistical tests to study the reproducibility and concordance of the principal pharmacokinetic variables (K(trans), Kep, Ve and AUC90). RESULTS: The correlations were very high (r>.80; P<.01) for all the variables for ROI 1 and high (r=.70-.80; P<.01) for all the variables for ROI 2, with the exception of Ve both in ROI 1 (r=.44; P=.07) and in ROI 2 (r=.13; P=.235). There were no statistically significant differences between the two studies in the values obtained for K(trans), Kep and AUC90 (P>.05 for each), but there was a statistically significant difference between the two studies in the values obtained for Ve in ROI 2 (P=.008). CONCLUSIONS: The high temporal resolution protocol for DCE-MRI used at out center is very reproducible for the principal pharmacokinetic constants of breast.

Relaxation dynamics in quantum dissipative systems: the microscopic effect of intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution.

We investigate the effect of inter-mode coupling on the vibrational relaxation dynamics of molecules in weak dissipative environments. The simulations are performed within the reduced density matrix formalism in the Markovian regime, assuming a Lindblad form for the system-bath interaction. The prototypical two-dimensional model system representing two CO molecules approaching a Cu(100) surface is adapted from an ab initio potential, while the diatom-diatom vibrational coupling strength is systematically varied. In the weak system-bath coupling limit and at low temperatures, only first order non-adiabatic uni-modal coupling terms contribute to surface-mediated vibrational relaxation. Since dissipative dynamics is non-unitary, the choice of representation will affect the evolution of the reduced density matrix. Two alternative representations for computing the relaxation rates and the associated operators are thus compared: the fully coupled spectral basis, and a factorizable ansatz. The former is well-established and serves as a benchmark for the solution of Liouville-von Neumann equation. In the latter, a contracted grid basis of potential-optimized discrete variable representation is tailored to incorporate most of the inter-mode coupling, while the Lindblad operators are represented as tensor products of one-dimensional operators, for consistency. This procedure results in a marked reduction of the grid size and in a much more advantageous scaling of the computational cost with respect to the increase of the dimensionality of the system. The factorizable method is found to provide an accurate description of the dissipative quantum dynamics of the model system, specifically of the time evolution of the state populations and of the probability density distribution of the molecular wave packet. The influence of intra-molecular vibrational energy redistribution appears to be properly taken into account by the new model on the whole range of coupling strengths. It demontrates that most of the mode mixing during relaxation is due to the potential part of the Hamiltonian and not to the coupling among relaxation operators.

The neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders.

Data is progressively and robustly accumulating regarding the biological basis of autism. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are currently considered a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with onset very early in life and a complex, heterogeneous, multifactorial aetiology. A comprehensive search of the last five years of the Medline database was conducted in order to summarize recent evidence on the neurobiological bases of autism. The main findings on genetic influence, neuropathology, neurostructure and brain networks are summarized. In addition, findings from peripheral samples of subjects with autism and animal models, which show immune, oxidative, mitochondrial dysregulations, are reported. Then, other biomarkers from very different systems associated with autism are reported. Finally, an attempt is made to try and integrate the available evidence, which points to a oligogenetic, multifactorial aetiology that converges in an aberrant micro-organization of the cortex, with abnormal functioning of the synapses and abnormalities in very general physiological pathways (such as inflammatory, immune and redox systems).

La estadificación con resonancia magnética puede cambiar el manejo terapéutico en el cáncer de mama / Using magnetic resonance imaging for staging can change the therapeutic management in patients with breast cancer

Objetivo. Comparar 2 series de pacientes con cáncer de mama, una estadificadas mediante resonancia magnética (RM) preoperatoria y la otra con técnicas convencionales, y estudiar los cambios de tratamiento y el número de mastectomías y de reintervenciones por afectación de los bordes. Material y métodos. Se revisaron 600 pacientes divididas en 300 con RM preoperatoria (serie 1) y 300 sin RM (serie 2). Se valoraron: la edad, el estado menopáusico, el tamaño tumoral anatomopatológico, la multiplicidad y bilateralidad, el tratamiento quirúrgico y tipo de tratamiento, la administración de quimioterapia neoadyuvante y las reintervenciones por márgenes afectos. Las variables fueron comparadas con las pruebas t de Student y la Chi-cuadrado. Resultados. La edad media fue similar (51,5 y 51,8 años, p=0,71). El tamaño tumoral medio fue menor (p<0,001) en la serie 1 (16,9 vs 22,3mm). Se detectaron más tumores múltiples (p<0,001) en la serie 1 (28,7 vs 15,7%). La tasa de mastectomías en la serie 1 (25%) fue menor (p<0,001) que en la 2 (48%). Las técnicas de cirugía oncoplástica y bilaterales solo fueron realizadas en la serie 1. La quimioterapia neoadyuvante fue administrada más frecuentemente (p<0,001) en la serie 1 (30,7 vs 9,3%). La diferencia no fue significativa (p=0,095) en el número de reintervenciones por márgenes afectos (7,2% serie 1; 3,2% serie 2). Conclusión. Las mastectomías disminuyen al emplear la RM, con disponibilidad de técnicas de cirugía oncoplástica y quimioterapia neoadyuvante. Pese al aumento de cirugías conservadoras en la serie con RM, no observamos un aumento significativo del número de reintervenciones por márgenes afectos, aunque existe una tendencia (AU)

Objective. To compare two series of patients with breast cancer, one staged using preoperative MRI and the other staged using conventional techniques, analyzing the changes to treatment, the number of mastectomies, and the number of reinterventions due to involvement of the margins. Material and methods. We reviewed 600 patients divided into 300 patients with preoperative MRI (series 1) and 300 without preoperative MRI (series 2). We recorded the following variables: age, menopausal status, tumor size on pathological examination, multiplicity and bilaterality, surgical treatment and type of treatment, the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and reintervention for involved margins. We used Student's t-test and the chi-square test to compare the variables between the two series. Results. The mean age of patients in the two series was similar (51.5 and 51.8 years, P=0.71). The mean size of the tumor was smaller in series 1 (16.9mm vs 22.3mm) (P<.001). More multiple tumors were detected in series 1 (28.7 vs 15.7%) (P<.001). The rate of mastectomies was lower in series 1 (25 vs 48%) (P<.001). Oncoplastic and bilateral surgeries were performed only in series 1. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered more often in series 1 (30.7 vs 9.3%) (P<.001). The difference in the number of reinterventions for involved margins did not reach significance (7.2% in series 1 vs 3.2% in series 2) (P=.095). Conclusion. When MRI was used for staging, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and oncoplastic surgery were used more often and the mastectomy rate decreased. Despite the increase in conservative surgery in patients staged with MRI, the number of reinterventions for involved margins did not increase, although there was a trend towards significance (AU)

Safety and immunogenicity of a quadrivalent meningococcal polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine in infants and toddlers: three multicenter phase III studies.

BACKGROUND: Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra [MenACWY-D]), was licensed in the United States in 2005 to prevent meningococcal disease in adolescents and adults. The license was extended to children aged 2-10 years in 2007 and extended again in 2011 to infants aged 9 months and older based, in part, on results from 3 phase III studies presented herein. METHODS: The safety and immunogenicity of 2 doses of MenACWY-D was assessed in study-eligible children: dose 1 was administered at 9 months of age and dose 2 was administered 3 months later with or without routine childhood vaccines. RESULTS: Thirty days after vaccination, protective serum bactericidal assay-human complement titers ≥1:8 for meningococcal serogroups A, C, Y and W-135 were achieved by 86-100% of children receiving 2 doses of MenACWY-D. When MenACWY-D was concomitantly administered with measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 81-98% of participants achieved protective responses (serum bactericidal assay-human complement titers ≥1:8 for all serogroups). All seroprotection rates were >91% when the protective titer was defined as serum bactericidal assay-human complement ≥1:4. MenACWY-D did not interfere with measles, mumps, rubella or varicella vaccine responses (98-100% achieved protective titers). When heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was given concomitantly with MenACWY-D, antipneumococcal antibody levels, although decreased, were protective for all serotypes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (98-100% ≥ 0.35 µg/mL) and opsonophagocytic assay (99-100% ≥ 1:8). Adverse events were generally mild and similar across groups. Serious adverse events were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: MenACWY-D was safe and immunogenic when given in 2 doses to infants and toddlers; this vaccine can be given with other common childhood immunizations.

Aspectos éticos en la investigación en Radiología / Ethical aspects of research in radiology

La investigación clínica con seres humanos es imprescindible para el desarrollo de la medicina, pero debe siempre salvaguardar la autonomía del participante, su dignidad y la justicia. Diversos documentos de consenso han sido creados a tal efecto, destacando el Código de Nüremberg, la Declaración de Helsinki, el Informe Belmont y el Convenio de Oviedo. Además de conocer estos documentos fundamentales, todo radiólogo que desee realizar un trabajo de investigación debe conocer la existencia de los Comités de Ética y consultar con ellos la metodología de su estudio, que debe ajustarse a los códigos éticos referidos y a la legislación vigente (AU)

Clinical research on human beings is essential for progress in medicine; however, it is also essential to safeguard research subjects’ autonomy, dignity, and rights. Diverse documents have been developed in consensus to address these issues: some of the most relevant are the Nuremberg Code, the Helsinki Declaration, and the Oviedo Convention. In addition to being familiar with these fundamental documents, all radiologists who conduct research should know about Ethics Committees and consult them about the methodology of their studies, which must fulfill the conditions stipulated in the above-mentioned guidelines as well as in the legislation in force (AU)

[Ethical aspects of research in radiology]. / Aspectos éticos en la investigación en Radiología.

Clinical research on human beings is essential for progress in medicine; however, it is also essential to safeguard research subjects' autonomy, dignity, and rights. Diverse documents have been developed in consensus to address these issues: some of the most relevant are the Nuremberg Code, the Helsinki Declaration, and the Oviedo Convention. In addition to being familiar with these fundamental documents, all radiologists who conduct research should know about Ethics Committees and consult them about the methodology of their studies, which must fulfill the conditions stipulated in the above-mentioned guidelines as well as in the legislation in force.

[Using magnetic resonance imaging for staging can change the therapeutic management in patients with breast cancer]. / La estadificación con resonancia magnética puede cambiar el manejo terapéutico en el cáncer de mama.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two series of patients with breast cancer, one staged using preoperative MRI and the other staged using conventional techniques, analyzing the changes to treatment, the number of mastectomies, and the number of reinterventions due to involvement of the margins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 600 patients divided into 300 patients with preoperative MRI (series 1) and 300 without preoperative MRI (series 2). We recorded the following variables: age, menopausal status, tumor size on pathological examination, multiplicity and bilaterality, surgical treatment and type of treatment, the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and reintervention for involved margins. We used Student's t-test and the chi-square test to compare the variables between the two series. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the two series was similar (51.5 and 51.8 years, P=0.71). The mean size of the tumor was smaller in series 1 (16.9 mm vs 22.3 mm) (P<.001). More multiple tumors were detected in series 1 (28.7 vs 15.7%) (P<.001). The rate of mastectomies was lower in series 1 (25 vs 48%) (P<.001). Oncoplastic and bilateral surgeries were performed only in series 1. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered more often in series 1 (30.7 vs 9.3%) (P<.001). The difference in the number of reinterventions for involved margins did not reach significance (7.2% in series 1 vs 3.2% in series 2) (P=.095). CONCLUSION: When MRI was used for staging, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and oncoplastic surgery were used more often and the mastectomy rate decreased. Despite the increase in conservative surgery in patients staged with MRI, the number of reinterventions for involved margins did not increase, although there was a trend towards significance.

High-resolution imaging of biological and other objects with an X-ray digital camera.

A high-resolution CCD X-ray camera based on YAG:Ce or LuAG:Ce thin scintillators is presented. The high resolution in low energy X-ray radiation is quantified with several test objects. The achieved spatial resolution of the images is <1 microm. The objects used for imaging are grids and small animals with parts of several microns in extent. The high-resolution imaging system can be used with different types of ionizing radiation (X-ray, electron, UV, and VUV) and for non-destructive micro-radiography and synchrotron beam inspection.

Pregnancy associated breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast carcinoma during pregnancy put the health of the mother in conflict with that of the foetus. The aim is to give optimal treatment to the mother to maximise the chances of survival, whilst minimising the risk of harm of the foetus. We report the epidemiology, pathology, clinical picture, therapeutic management and foetal outcome of pregnant women with breast cancer treated in our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two pregnant breast cancer patients were treated in our hospital from January 1996 to October 2006. Parents were surveyed by mail or telephone regarding outcomes of children exposed to chemotherapy in uterus. RESULTS: The treatment of breast cancer pregnancy should conform as closely as possible to standardised protocols for patients without concomitant pregnancy. Most of the patients underwent surgery during pregnancy In four cases diagnosed during the first trimester chemotherapy was initiated during the 10th week when organogenesis period was finished. None of the children exposed to chemotherapy during this trimester presented congenital malformations. All 11 cases diagnosed during second and third trimester were treated with Doxorrubicin, Fluoracil and Cyclophosphamide and four cases were treated with taxanes. No congenital malformations were detected. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer can be treated with FAC chemotherapy during the second and third trimesters without significant complications for the children exposed to chemotherapy in uterus. We report four cases treated with taxanes after the first trimester and no congenital anomalies were observed.

Análisis de perforantes de la epigástrica inferior profunda con Angio TC 3D, Eco Doppler color y Doppler simple de ultrasonidos en colgajo DIEP: resultados preliminares / Analysis of deep inferior epigastric perforating vessels with 3D CT angiography, color Doppler ultrasonography and Doppler in diep flaps: preliminary results

Nuestro objetivo es la validación de la Angio TC tridimensional como herramienta de planificación de los colgajos DIEP, comparándolo con el Doppler de ultrasonidos (US) y eco Doppler color. Entre enero de 2006 y marzo de 2007 se realiza en 11 pacientes(13 DIEP) un estudio comparativo prospectivo entre el Doppler de US, eco Doppler color y Angio TC con reconstrucción tridimensional, utilizando como dato de referencia los hallazgos intraoperatorios. En dicho proceso se localiza la mejor perforante que pueda servir como pedículo al colgajo DIEP en función de su localización, calibre, trayecto y relaciones anatómicas con respecto al músculo. La Angio TC con reconstrucción tridimensional, demuestra una especificidad del 100% (IC 95% 75.3-100) lo que le convierte en una prueba con un alto valor predictivo positivo y una excelente herramienta en la planificación de los colgajos de perforantes. El eco Doppler color determinó, que tan sólo en un46,1% (IC 95% 19,2-74,9) de los pacientes, la perforante seleccionada por la prueba de forma preoperatoria, coincidía con la perforante elegida en quirófano. Con el Doppler de US, en un30,8 % (IC 95% 9,1-61,4) de los colgajos estudiados, coincidía la mejor perforante escogida de forma preoperatoria, con los hallazgos obtenidos tras la disección del colgajo. En el presente estudio, la Angio TC tridimensional se ha mostrado como una técnica con una gran especificidad que proporciona valiosa información, sólo comparable con la disección anatómica y por delante de pruebas como el Doppler de ultrasonidos y el eco Doppler color (AU)

The aim of this report, is to validate the Angio-CT technique with three-dimentional reconstruction as a preoperative planning tool, after comparison with Doppler ultrasound and color-Duplex. Between january 2006 and march 2007, we studied 11consecutive patients (13 DIEP) in whom a prospective comparative followed up was performed comparing, the findings observed using Doppler ultrasound, Colour-Duplex and Angio-CT with three-dimentional reconstruction. Surgical procedure findings were considered as the reference value. The evaluation procedure included the election of the most suitable perforator vessels, taking account of the location, caliber and anatomical relationships with the muscle .The Angio-CT with three-dimentional reconstruction showed100% specificity (CI 95% 75.3-100), and very high positive predictive value. In this way, this technique could be considered as an excellent tool for preoperative evaluation of perforators flaps. Color-Duplex showed that in 46,1% of the patients (CI 95%19,2-74%) the selected perforator matched with the intraoperatively selected. Using Doppler ultrasound only in 30,8% of the cases (IC 95% 9,1-61,4%) this result was observed. In this report, Angio-CT with three-dimentional reconstruction has revealed as a very high specificity technique, that allows a great account of important information, only comparable with anatomical dissection and ahead from Doppler ultrasound and color-Dupplex (AU)