Humeral fractures due to low-energy trauma: an epidemiological survey in patients referred to a large emergency department in Northern Italy.

UNLABELLED: This survey describes the epidemiology of approximately 1800 low-energy humeral fractures seen in a large emergency department in Northern Italy over 7 years (2007-2013), highlighting the differences from previous Italian studies. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of humeral fractures due to low-energy trauma in patients 40 years of age or older referred to a large Emergency Department (Parma, Northern Italy) in a 7-year period (2007-2013). METHODS: All humeral fractures referred to the emergency department of the Academic Hospital of Parma (the main hospital in the province with a catchment area of approximately 345,000) were retrieved from the hospital database using both ICD-9CM codes and text strings. The diagnosis of humeral fracture due to low-energy trauma was confirmed by medical records and X-ray reports, after exclusion of injuries due to a clear-cut high-energy trauma or cancer. RESULTS: The query identified 1843 humeral fractures (1809 first fractures), with a clear predominance in women (78 %). Fractures of the proximal humerus represented the large majority of humeral fractures (more than 85 %), with an incidence progressively increasing with age (more than 60-fold in women and 20-fold in men). Simultaneous fractures (hip in particular) were frequent especially after 85 years of age (1 out of 8 cases). When compared to other Italian studies, the incidence of humeral fractures was significantly lower than that derived from discharge data corrected for hospitalization rate (standardized rate ratio 0.74; p < 0.001), while the pattern of age-related changes was significantly different from that computed by applying the ratio between hip and humeral fractures observed in Malmö, Sweden, to the Italian hip fracture rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study gives an up-to-date description of the epidemiology of low-energy humeral fractures in Italy. Our results partly differ from previous Italian studies based on indirect estimations.

The prosthetic implant of MBA Optetrak in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: 5 years of experience.

In this study the authors report their experience in treating knee osteoarthritis with MBA Optetrak prosthetic implant, designed to minimize the stress of high density polyethylene. In all patients, we implanted two different Optetrak prosthesis according to the validity or not of the posterior cruciate ligament. At follow-up visit, which was performed after an average follow-up of 3.6 years, we analyzed 53 patients radiographically and clinically using the Knee Society Score (KSS). Depending on our experience, we consider mandatory to have a precise selection of the patients as well as to perform an accurate capsular and ligamentous balance during operation. Furthermore, the use of prosthesis models which are similar to the normal knee allows to obtain good and durable results.

Hospital admission rates for distal forearm fractures: an epidemiological survey in patients referred to a large emergency department in Northern Italy.

UNLABELLED: In this survey, the proportion of patients with distal forearm fractures admitted to the Parma University Hospital during 2012 (13 %) was relatively low and generally lower than that reported in other studies. In our region, the main orthopedic approach remains conservative. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define the ratio between hospitalized and non-hospitalized fragility fractures of the distal forearm in our province (Parma, Northern Italy). METHODS: All forearm fractures referred during 2012 to the emergency department of the Parma University Hospital (the main hospital in the province with a catchment area of approximately 345,000) were retrieved from the hospital database using both ICD-9-CM codes and text strings. The diagnosis of distal forearm fracture due to low-energy trauma and the need for hospitalization were individually confirmed by medical records and X-ray reports. The analysis was limited to subjects aged 40 years and over. RESULTS: In both sexes combined, 66 subjects out of 505 were hospitalized (13.1 %; confidence interval (CI) 95 % 10.4-16.3 %), 47 immediately (8.1 %) and 25 (5 %) after a few days. The percentage of cases hospitalized was 12 % in women (CI 95 % 9.2-15.6 %) and 17 % in men (CI 95 % 11.1-25 %; p = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of fragility distal forearm fractures hospitalized in our area is relatively low and generally lower than that reported in other studies.

HOXB7 expression by myeloma cells regulates their pro-angiogenic properties in multiple myeloma patients.

The deregulation of the homeobox genes as homeoboxB (HOXB)-7 has been previously associated to tumor progression and angiogenesis; here we investigated the potential role of HOXB7 in the pro-angiogenic properties of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We found that HOXB7 was expressed in 10 out of 22 MM patients analyzed at the diagnosis related to high bone marrow angiogenesis and overexpressed in about 40% of myeloma cell lines compared with normal plasma cells. Enforced HOXB7 expression in MM cells by a lentiviral vector significantly modified their transcriptional and angiogenic profile, checked by combined microarray and angiogenesis PCR analyses, upregulating VEGFA, FGF2, MMP2, WNT5a and PDGFA and downregulating thrombospoindin-2. The pro- and anti-angiogenic HOXB7-related gene signature was also validated in a large independent dataset of MM patients. Accordingly, MM-induced vessel formation was significantly increased by HOXB7 overexpression both in vitro angiogenic and chorioallantoic membrane assays, as well as the HOXB7 silencing by small interfering RNA inhibited the production of angiogenic factors, and the pro-angiogenic properties of MM cells. Finally, in SCID-NOD mice we confirmed that HOXB7 overexpression by MM cells stimulated tumor growth, increased MM-associated angiogenesis and the expression of pro-angiogenic genes by microarray analysis supporting the critical role of HOXB7 in the angiogenic switch in MM.

[Castleman's disease in childhood: a case report]. / Malattia di castleman in età infantile: case report.

We report a case of Castleman's disease in 3-month old infant with cervical swelling, treated with surgical excision. This case is interesting because of the rarity of this disease in childhood, of the cervical localization and of the complexity of long- term follow-up.

[Proposal for a protocol for the staging of incontinentia pigmenti in pediatric age]. / Proposta di un protocollo per la stadiazione della Incontinentia Pigmenti in età pediatrica.

Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP) is an X-linked dominant disorder of skin with neurologic and ophthalmologic involvement. IP predominantly affects females because the mutations are usually lethal in males in utero. IP is characterized by abnormalities of neuroectodermal tissues. IP is caused by mutations in a gene called NEMO, which is required to activate the NF-kB pathway. We present a diagnostic protocol for IP and a meta-analysis of the clinical spectrum of IP in 82 patients cited by MEDLINE in the European literature from 2000 to 2006.

[Incontinentia pigmenti: case report]. / Incontinentia pigmenti: descrizione di un caso clinico.

IP is an uncommon X-linked dominant disorder (incidence: 1/40.000 newborn). It is caused by mutations in NEMO. It is characterized by cutaneous lesions and dental, ocular, neurologic, nails, hair disorders. The ocular and neurologic sequelae represent the major morbidity in IP. We present a case-report with classical cutaneous features diagnostic for IP. The clinical, ophtalomologic and neurologic examinations revealed no other pathological manifestations.

'The trouble with sex - it always gets in the way': an evaluation of a peer-produced teenage pregnancy video.

This paper describes the development and pilot evaluation of a peer-produced video, produced for use as part of North Staffordshire's Personal and Social Education school programme. A number of studies carried out in the area, including a recent audit into post-coital contraception in the under 20s, have shown that young people need to know how to access contraceptive services. Background surveys also suggest that young people need to be aware of the wider issues implicit in contraception. The impetus for the video came from the Advice Centres for the under Twenties (ACT) Working Party, who produced the video together with Staffordshire University's Media Studies Department and a local high school drama group. The video was intended for use in schools, and was designed to be complimentary to an updated and standardised teaching pack, which was already in preparation. The pilot study showed the video to be beneficial as a stand-alone intervention, principally to promote active discussion on topics that might otherwise be difficult to approach. A comparison of responses before and after the educational session demonstrated an improvement in knowledge in most areas. Further objective evaluation of the combined video and teaching pack is now necessary.

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation is feasible and safe in a regional hospital. A 6-year experience in southern Switzerland.

High-dose therapy with bone marrow (BM) or blood stem cell (BSC) support is a high-technology technique usually administered in specialized tertiary centers. The use of BSC has made this technique simpler and accessible also to smaller hospitals. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with lymphoma, leukemia and other tumors who received high-dose therapy and BM or BSC transplantation in our district hospital, looking at the type of procedure performed, complications, use of growth factors, and progression-free and overall survival. A total of 40 patients were transplanted over 6 years. No procedure-related deaths and no permanent organ toxicities were seen. The use of BSC brought about a great reduction in the duration of hospital stay, septic complications and transfusion of blood components. For patients with lymphoma (n = 20) the probabilities of progression-free survival and of overall survival at 2 years are 48% (95% C.I. 28-68%) and 68% (95% C.I. 46-84%), respectively. Based on these data, we believe that ABMT and BSC transplantation are feasible and safe in a peripheral hospital when the appropriate human and technical conditions are present. Treatment outcome is then comparable to that of specialized centers.

Current and potential applications for erythropoietin.

Erythropoietin (EPO) adjusts the red cell mass to the optimal size in order to satisfy the oxygen requirement of the body. The amount of circulating EPO is regulated by oxygen sensors in the kidney, which control the secretion of EPO through feedback signals. EPO stimulates the erythroid progenitor cells at different levels to develop into mature red blood cells. In anaemia, the serum EPO concentration, which is normally around 15 U/l, can increase 100-fold, or more. Patients with severe renal failure are unable to adapt the production of EPO in response to low haematocrit levels, and anaemia is due to a relative EPO deficiency. Studies have shown that recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) could quickly correct anaemia in chronic renal failure by inducing a dose-dependent rise in haemoglobin and in the haematocrit level. r-HuEPO is now the standard treatment to correct severe anaemia in chronic renal failure. In recent years, r-HuEPO has been tested in other types of anaemia, some of which are fully discussed in this supplement together with various dosage regimens and routes of administration.

[Angioedema due to acquired complement-C1-inhibitor deficiency in a female patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and autoimmune hemolytic anemia]. / Angioödem durch erworbenen Komplement-C1-Inhibitor-Mangel bei einer Patientin mit Non-Hodgkin-Lymphom und autoimmun-hämolytischer Anämie.

A case of angioedema due to acquired deficiency of the regulatory protein C1-esterase-inhibitor (C1-INH) is reported. The edematous attack occurred 3 1/2 weeks after initiation of successful therapy for autoimmune-hemolytic anemia in the course of long-standing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. At the time of acute edema the complement profile was typical: virtual absence of C1-INH function was associated with diminished concentrations of the components of the classical pathway of complement (C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C4) and reduced complement hemolytic activity (CH50). Anti-C1-INH-autoantibodies were not detected. The angioedema lasted for about one week, and no further attacks occurred during the five-months follow-up period. Although there was only a minor adjustment to the therapy, the C1q, C2, C4 and CH50 values gradually increased to levels close to the lower limit of the normal range, while C1r and C1s showed normal values. In contrast to most other reports, this case was characterized by angioedema which was precipitated only after initiation of appropriate treatment for the underlying disease rather than before therapy or even diagnosis of the underlying disease.

B-cell monoclonal antibodies and their use in clinical oncology.

The use of MAbs directed against B-cell markers has identified considerably more heterogeneity within B-cell neoplasms than was evident by standard morphologic and histochemical techniques. Using markers specific for lineage and state of differentiation, it is possible to correlate malignant B cells to their normal cellular counterparts. Considering the complexity of normal B-cell ontogeny, differentiation, and function, it is not surprising that these malignancies reflect this diversity. Hopefully, with increasing characterization of the normal function of cell surface molecules, as well as the subpopulations of normal cells to which these malignancies correspond, we will have a better understanding of the biologic and clinical behavior of these malignancies.

Ceftriaxone and amikacin versus ceftazidime and amikacin in febrile granulocytopenia.

The efficacy and safety of the two antibiotic combinations, ceftazidime plus amikacin and ceftriaxone plus amikacin were compared in an open randomized trial. 100 episodes of neutropenia caused by malignant diseases and/or cytostatic drugs were evaluated in 66 males and 34 females with a mean age of 49.4 years. The types of infections treated were: septicemia 38, fever of undetermined origin 26, pneumonia 13, ear, nose and throat infections 11 and others 12. 17 episodes were not evaluable (6 protocol violations, 6 doubtful infections and 5 non-bacterial infections). The overall results were comparable, with a 74% success rate for ceftazidime and a 70% rate for ceftriaxone (criteria of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). In the patients with septicemia, the success rate was 64% in the ceftriaxone and 57% in the ceftazidime group. Eight patients died during the treatment, in 5 cases due to infectious complications. There were no differences between the two groups in respect of efficacy or toxicity.

Anti-B-cell monoclonal antibody-purged autologous bone marrow transplantation for B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: phenotypic reconstitution and B-cell function.

In the present report we have attempted to examine immunologic reconstitution following high-dose chemoradiotherapy and anti-B-cell monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-purged autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). By cell-surface phenotypic analysis, the majority of patients had normal percentage of natural killer cells (NK), monocytes, and CD8+ T cells at one month post-ABMT. In contrast, the percentage of CD4+ T cells was reduced for at least 3 years, and the CD4:CD8 ratio reflected this imbalance. B-cell reconstitution was slightly prolonged, with normal percentage and absolute numbers of CD20+ B cells evident by 3 months. Although B cells returned by 3 months, in vitro assessment of B-cell function demonstrated impairment of proliferative responses to either anti-immunoglobulins bound to beads (anti-Ig), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), or interleukin-2 (IL-2) for approximately 1 year and low molecular B-cell growth factor (BCGF) for approximately 2 or more years. Moreover, in vivo B-cell reconstitution demonstrated a more selective defect, with normal levels of immunoglobulin IgM returning at 6 months, IgG at 12 months, and IgA after 2 years. Despite normal numbers of B cells and relative normal levels of Ig early following ABMT, our in vitro data suggest an intrinsic defect in B-cell responsiveness. Moreover, these defects are similar to those observed following nonpurged autologous and allogeneic BMT, although the interval of immune impairment appears more prolonged.

Unexpected high toxicity in a phase II study of teniposide (VM-26) in elderly patients with untreated small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Teniposide (VM 26) as a single agent has shown promising results in the treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer. We treated 32 (30 evaluable) non-pretreated elderly and poor prognosis patients with small cell lung cancer with teniposide 100 mg/day (30 min infusion) days 1-5, every 3-4 weeks. Overall initial performance status was poor (WHO 2 or 3 in 62%). Extensive disease (ED) was documented in 50% including five patients with CNS metastases all of whom received simultaneous cranial irradiation. There was an unexpected high early death rate of 30% (9/30) including five patients with early toxic death due to severe bone marrow suppression leading to fatal septicaemia. The overall response rate was only 33% with no complete response. Where appropriate non-responding or relapsing patients received second line treatment with multidrug regimens +/- radiotherapy. The overall median survival was 5.6 months [ED: 1.7, limited disease (LD): 7.5 months]. Median response duration was 5.4 months (ED: 5.1, LD: 6.7 months). For responding patients median survival was 8.8 months (ED) and 11.5 months (LD). We conclude that in elderly and poor performance status patients single agent teniposide as used in this study has an unacceptable high early death rate and that the response rate is inferior to modern standard multidrug regimens.

Complete remission following endocrine or combined cytotoxic and hormonal treatment in advanced breast cancer. A retrospective analysis.

Among 422 patients with advanced breast cancer treated in a randomized trial we observed 60 complete responses (CR). Sixteen were achieved among 206 patients treated with endocrine therapy alone and 37 among 216 patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. The incidence of CR in women treated with the concomitant modality was higher in those with dominant soft tissue disease, intermediate in those with osseous or pulmonary involvement, and low in patients with liver metastases. Bone was shown to be the organ most responsive to therapy among patients treated with hormonotherapy, while patients with soft tissue metastases had an unexpectedly low rate of complete remission with this modality. The probability of achieving a CR was inversely proportional to the tumor burden in the patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. For complete responders on hormone treatment alone and for those on combined endocrine and cytotoxic therapy, both median time to progression (26 and 29 months, respectively) and survival (52 and 53 months, respectively) were similar and statistically significantly longer than in partial or minor responders. This observation leads us to the conclusion that the hormonal component is the determinant for the length of a CR.

First repeated bone scan in the observation of patients with operable breast cancer.

Data on 1,601 patients with node-positive operable breast cancer who were randomized in four different prospective adjuvant therapy trials were analyzed to evaluate the role of routine bone scans and the alkaline phosphatase value at regular intervals in screening for bone involvement. Bone scan was a prerequisite for randomization and was repeated within the first 12 months in 90% (1,441) of the patients. Abnormal or doubtful scan findings had to be verified by x-ray examination. The repeated scan results were normal in 1,263 (87.8%) patients, doubtful but with no radiologic evidence of bone metastasis in 161 (11%), and abnormal (radiologically confirmed) in 17 (1.2%). After a median observation of 4 years bone metastases as the first relapse developed in 136 (8.5%) patients. This occurred in 87 of 1,263 (6.9%) of the patients with normal repeated scan results and in 18 of 161 (11.2%) of those with doubtful repeated scan findings. Based on the results of the first repeated scan, early detection of a first recurrence in bone might have been possible for 2.4% of the population. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were also without clinical use. Bone scan in the observation of patients with operable breast cancer should be performed only as dictated by the clinical situation.

[Peripheral dysostosis, hypoplasia of the nose, low stature. Description of a case]. / Disostosi periferica, ipoplasia del naso, bassa statura. Descrizione di un caso.

The authors describe the case of a five-year old girl presenting short stature. The evidence of small hypoplasic nose, of abnormally small hands and feet with typical radiological alterations and psychomotor retardation, leads to the diagnosis of acrodysostosis. Moreover, the endocrinological investigations disclosed a dysequilibrium in the pituitary-thyroid axis, which, to our knowledge, has never been described to date in the syndrome of acrodysostosis.