A cryogenic magneto-optical device for long wavelength radiation.

We present here a small-scale liquid helium immersion cryostat with an innovative optical setup suitable to work in long wavelength radiation ranges and under an applied magnetic field. The cryostat is a multi-stage device with several shielding in addition to several optical stages. The system has been designed with an external liquid nitrogen boiler to reduce liquid bubbling. The optical and mechanical properties of the optical elements were calculated and optimized for the designed configuration, while the optical layout has been simulated and optimized among different configurations based on the geometry of the device. The final design has been optimized for low-noise radiation measurements of proximity junction arrays under an applied magnetic field in the wavelength range λ = 250 µm-2500 µm.

Antiviral treatment in patients with indolent B-cell lymphomas associated with HCV infection: a study of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi.

BACKGROUND: Tumor regression after antiviral therapy (AT) is in favor of an etiological role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas (NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a cohort study of 704 consecutive HIV-negative, HCV-positive patients with indolent NHL diagnosed and treated from 1993 to 2009 in 39 centers of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi; 134 patients were managed with AT for lymphoma control. RESULTS: For entire cohort, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 78% [95% confidence interval (CI): 74%-82%] and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 48% (95% CI: 44%-53%). In multivariate analysis, the use of AT during the patients' life had positive impact on OS. Forty-four of the 100 patients treated with first-line AT achieved a complete remission (CR) and 33 a partial response (PR). HCV-RNA clearance was achieved in 80 patients and was related to lymphoma response. At a median follow-up of 3.6 years, 5-year PFS was 63% (95% CI: 50%-73%). CR + PR rate was 85% with AT as second-line treatment. CONCLUSION: AT produces HCV-RNA clearance and consequent tumor regression in most patients with HCV-related indolent NHL. AT used at any time is associated with improved OS. Consequently, AT can be considered an option for patients with indolent lymphomas who do not need immediate cytoreductive treatment.

The use of FDG-PET in the initial staging of 142 patients with follicular lymphoma: a retrospective study from the FOLL05 randomized trial of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi.

BACKGROUND: The role of [¹8F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in follicular lymphoma (FL) staging is not yet determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of PET in the initial staging of FL patients enrolled in the FOLL05-phase-III trial that compared first-line regimens (R-CVP, R-CHOP and R-FM). Patients should have undergone conventional staging and have available PET baseline to be included. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were analysed. PET identified a higher number of nodal areas in 32% (46 of 142) of patients and more extranodal (EN) sites than computed tomography (CT) scan. Also, the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) score increased in 18% (26 of 142) and decreased in 6% (9 of 142) of patients. Overall, the impact of PET on modifying the stage was highest in patients with limited stage. Actually, 62% (15 of 24) of cases with limited disease were upstaged with PET. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of PET among staging procedures makes the evaluation of patients with FL more accurate and has the potential to modify therapy decision and prognosis in a moderate proportion of patients. Further prospective clinical trials on FL should incorporate PET at different moments, and the therapeutic criteria to start therapy should be re-visited in the views of this new tool.

An antecedent diagnosis of refractory anemia with excess blasts has no prognostic relevance in acute myeloid leukemia of older adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results have been reported about the prognostic relevance of antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) of older adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 87 intensively treated AML patients (median age 69 years) were analyzed, with the aim of comparing therapeutic results and toxicity between de novo and AML secondary to a previous MDS (s-AML). Rate of CD34+ cells mobilization and feasibility of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) were also compared. RESULTS: Complete remission rate, death in induction and primary resistance were not statistically different between the two groups. Median time for neutrophil recovery was similar, while s-AML patients required a longer time for platelet recovery (P = 0.04). There was no difference as to eligibility for consolidation as well as for mobilization and feasibility of ASCT. S-AML had negligible impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In the multivariate analysis the only parameter significantly related to either OS or DFS duration was adverse karyotype (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of s-AML does not represent a clinically relevant prognostic factor in elderly AML patients treated with aggressive therapy. Furthermore, s-AML patients can be mobilized and autografted with comparable results as opposed to de novo cases.

[Homozygous hemoglobin-E (Hb-EE) disease]. / Malattia da emoglobina E omozigote (Hb-EE).

The Authors report on a 16 year-old girl, of Cambodian descent, who was admitted to the hospital for hematuria. She showed a mild microcytic, hypochromic anemia with a normal iron balance; clinical examination was normal with neither pallor nor icterus nor splenomegaly; electrophoresis of hemoglobin yielded no hemoglobin A, a sligtly increased amount of HbF and a single band with a mobility similar to that of HbA2; the patient showed no evidence of overt increased hemolysis. With the DNA technology a final diagnosis of homozygous hemoglobin E was made. Hemoglobin E is the most common Hb variant among Southeast Asian populations. The Authors discuss on the benign nature of Hb-EE disease, pointing out that the presence of a single HbE gene in combination with that for beta-thalassemia leads generally to a disorder often comparable in severity to that of homozygous beta-thalassemia. With the recent migration of a high number of people from the countries, where HbE is extremely frequent, to the Western world (including Italy), this thalassemia syndrome is now a global health problem; therefore its knowledge is an important diagnostic challenge to all the experts involved in the care of thalassemic patients.

Continuous infusion idarubicin and oral busulfan as conditioning for patients with acute myeloid leukemia aged over 60 years undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation.

There is growing interest in autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). While mortality and toxicity from ASCT have been reduced, relapse rate is still high. In a prospective study, we investigated the feasibility of a new conditioning regimen consisting of high-dose idarubicin plus busulfan in AML patients aged over 60 years undergoing ASCT. A total of 14 patients (median age: 64 years) received 2 days continuous infusion of idarubicin at 20 mg/m2/day, followed by 3 days of oral busulfan (4 mg/kg/day) as conditioning. No case of transplant-related mortality occurred. The median number of days to neutrophil ( > 0.5 x 10(9)/l) and platelet ( > 20 x 10(9)/l) recovery was 11 and 12, respectively. Cardiac toxicity was absent, while 12 patients (86%) had grade 3-4 mucositis. After a median follow-up of 9 months from ASCT, nine of 14 patients are alive in continuous complete remission (CR), four have relapsed at 3, 6, 8 and 9 months, and one died in CR1 from gastric cancer. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of a conditioning regimen based on high-dose idarubicin plus busulfan in elderly AML patients. Results concerning reduction of relapse rate need confirmation in a larger series with longer follow-up.

[Long-term follow-up of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children]. / "Follow-up" a lungo termine della porpora trombocitopenica cronica idiopatica in età pediatrica.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a common acquired bleeding disorder in infancy and childhood. Most children rapidly improve, exhibiting a rise in platelet count to hemostatically normal levels within weeks to several months. Traditionally, chronic ITP is defined as persistence of thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 x 10(9)/L) for greater than 6 months. The Authors retrospectively evaluated 16 patients with chronic ITP, identified during a 12-year period of time in their Department of Pediatrics. The most important clinical and hematological parameters of patients were analyzed, including age at diagnosis, type and response to the initial treatment, number of multiple treatments, and duration of follow-up. At the last evaluation (december 1999) one patient was lost to the follow-up; one died of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis; four still require intermittent or chronic infusions of intravenous gamma-globulin; seven are in stable partial remission (PLT > 50 x 10(9)/L < 150 x 10(9)/L) and do not require any treatment; three are in complete remission (PLT > 150 x 10(9)/L). Finally, the Authors discuss of the natural history and management of this rare disease. Presently there are insufficient trial data to support evidence-based treatment guidelines in childhood chronic ITP and therefore it is reasonable to encourage future multicentre collaboration.

Etoposide and idarubicin in a modified CHOP-like regimen (VICED) for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

The superiority of intensive versus standard chemotherapy for aggressive (I: intermediate; H: high grade) NHL is still debated; increased antitumor activity may be counterbalanced by increased toxicity. We have designed a first-line five-drug regimen (vincristine, idarubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide and deflazacort), with the aim of potentiating the CHOP protocol without losing tolerability and ease of administration. Seventy-one patients (33% aged > or = 65) entered the study. CR was obtained in 66.7% of patients (I: 74%; H: 56%), PR in 19.7%: overall response rate was 86.4%. Six patients were resistant, two died during treatment. With a median follow up of two years, relapse has occurred in 14 patients (8 I, 6 H). At 3 years, overall survival was projected to be 62.5% (I 73.5%; H 31.4%), disease free survival 66% (I 71%, H 56.3%). No organ toxicity occurred. Myelosuppression was moderate, with a nadir on the 14th day. Febrile episodes occurred in 16% of courses, dose delay in 19% of courses; dose reduction in 3% of patients. No patient required hospitalization. G-CSF was only occasionally used. This regimen has shown a potent antitumor effect with an excellent tolerance, even in elderly patients.

A model of a single comprehensive mental health service for a catchment area: a community alternative to hospitalization.

The possibility of overcoming the Psychiatric Hospital with a single Community Service consisting of a network of territorial activities for the total population of a defined area is described. An evaluation is made from 1971 to 1983. Handicapped children are treated essentially in the family and normal educational structures. Diagnostic prevalence of more serious cases, modes of treatment, scholastic facilities and rejection of special schools are described. Work methods and community facilities, mean-year incidence and one-year prevalence of patients aged 15 + are examined. The latter convalidates priority towards serious risk situations. Specific rehabilitation and work-reintegration are programmed for handicap and disability patients. Release of long-stay psychiatric patients continues through alternative programmes with housing facilities. By 1985 the Psychiatric Hospital should close down. The population is treated by the C.M.H.S. when hospitalized in the General Hospital where no psychiatric ward exists. Crisis intervention, alternative treatment and hospitalization statistics are described.