PARAFAC analysis of IBIL spectra from silver ion exchanged glasses.

In this work we present for the first time an application of PARAllel FACtor (PARAFAC) analysis to the investigation of Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) spectra of Ag+↔Na+ ion exchanged silicate glasses, in order to check the possibility to obtain additional information on the formation of silver aggregates under ion irradiation by a proper statistical rearrangement of experimental spectra. We decomposed the data by PARAFAC taking into account both IBIL emission features and their evolution as a function of the time. Shape and trend under irradiation of the extracted components were correlated to silver concentration and aggregates in the investigated systems. Strength and weakness of this statistical approach applied to IBIL spectra recorded as a function of time were evidenced and discussed.

Raman microspectroscopy investigation of Ag ion-exchanged glass layers.

The ion-exchange process is widely used to dope silicate glass layers with silver, aimed at controlling the Ag state in view of possible applications, ranging from light waveguide fabrication to nanostructured composite glass synthesis. The silver doped glass structure as well as its prescribed properties depend on both the preparation parameters and the subsequent treatments. Several structural aspects are still open with regard either to the modification of the glass incorporating the dopant, or to clustering phenomena silver undergoes as a function of its local concentration and state, which are in turn strongly dependent on the preparation route. Systematic characterizations of these systems are mandatory to address the role of the various synthesis parameters in giving rise to the observed features, thus pointing out the effective methodologies for the fabrication of silicate glass layers with the desired properties. In this work, the results of micro-Raman, optical absorption and photoluminescence characterizations are presented for soda-lime glass slides doped with silver by Ag(+)-Na+ exchange and subsequent thermal treatments in air. In particular, a cross-section profiling analysis by Raman micro-spectroscopy was performed on Ag ion-exchanged samples after treatment at some different temperatures. The experimental findings allow to elucidate the role of the treatment temperature in the clustering process related to the local Ag concentration inside the exchanged glass layer.

Myofibroblastic inflammatory breast tumor and fibrosarcoma: a case report.

Myofibroblastic inflammatory tumors can occur in any human tissue. They are benign lesions and more common in young patients. We describe the case of a 41-year-old patient with a nodule measuring 2.5 x 1.5 cm in the superior lateral quadrant of the left breast. The pathological examination showed proliferation of the spindle cells in dense fascicles interspersed by colagen among frequent plasmocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophils, associated with scarce typical mitosis. In the same site ten years before the patient had undergone a nodulectomy and the diagnosis was a benign filloid tumor. The patient returned with a nodule in the surgical scar at follow-up and the incisional biopsy showed a malignant filloid tumor with a sarcomatous component. A mastectomy was performed.

Immunological evaluation of vaginal secretion in patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia treated with intralesional interferon alpha-2b.

INTRODUCTION: Conservative treatment with intralesional interferon (IFN) is a therapeutic option for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients of childbearing age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was made up of patients diagnosed with a high-grade lesion and treated with intralesional human recombinant IFNalpha-2b. Vaginal secretion was collected during IFNalpha-2b treatment for analysis of cytokines and viral load. RESULTS: The initial histology diagnostic was 62.5% (n = 5) with CIN 2 and 37.5% (n = 3) with CIN 3. In terms of clinical evaluation and anatomopathology, 6.5% (n = 5) had a good clinical response, while 37.5% (n = 3) had therapeutic failure. All the patients with therapeutic failure were smokers. Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were raised at the sixth application for the patient group who failed to respond to therapy compared to the responsive group (p = 0.0357). Patients with a good response exhibited a reduction in human papillomavirus viral load (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients that had a good response had lower concentrations of inflammatory cytokines than did non-responders.

Expression of cytokines in cervical stroma in patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after treatment with intralesional interferon alpha-2b.

Conservative treatment with interferons (IFNs) has the advantage of preserving reproductive capacity in patients with grade 2 or 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The objective of this work was to study patients with high-grade CIN treated with intralesional IFN alpha-2b and to analyze the expression of Th1, Th2 and Th3 cytokines in cervical stroma. We observed that patients with a satisfactory response (60%) to treatment with IFN alpha-2b expressed more Th1 (IFN-gamma TNF-alpha, IL-2) cytokines, with a significant reduction in the viral load of high-risk human papillomavirus (p = 0.0313). All patients with therapeutic failure were smokers and had higher expression of cytokines Th2 (IL-4) or Th3 (TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3).

The clinical use of type 1 interferon in gynecology.

Interferons were initially described in terms of their role in blocking viral replication. They are important cytokines that act on various aspects of cell physiology. Importantly, they can affect cell proliferation or induce the differentiation of neoplastic cells. The exact way in which the interferon complex (IFN) acts on tumours is still unknown, although their use in clinical practice has been widely recommended, especially with tumours that are resistant to conventional treatments, or in situations where surgical removal might lead to a loss of organ function. IFN can be employed as a treatment for various chronic diseases, including tumours. Indeed interferon cytokines are the therapy of choice in certain situations. However, one of the difficulties yet to be overcome is the need for frequent administrations of the drug. We believe that the development of new formulations is needed to match the demand for its use in oncology treatment.

Neutrophil count is not associated with infection episodes in breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

The aim was to evaluate the impact of anthracycline-based chemotherapy on neutrophil count and infections in breast cancer women. The medical records of patients were retrospectively and prospectively reviewed (8-year period). Patients were grouped according to anthracyclines at different doses: (1) Scheme 1 (n = 56, 224 courses): 50-60 mg/m(2); and (2) Scheme 2 (n = 25, 100 courses): 65-75 mg/m(2), associated to cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil, at 21-day intervals between courses. Neutrophil count was performed on diagnosis and 48-72 h before each chemotherapy course. Patients were followed up for neutrophil count and infection episodes for three consecutive courses. Multivariate analysis was used to determine independent factors for infection. After the first course, neutrophil count was reduced than baseline (P < 0.001) and maintained during the subsequent courses, without differences between courses or groups. There were 49 infection episodes (63.2% urinary, 18.4% neutropenic fever and 18.4% diverses), mainly between course 1-2 (39%) and course 3-4 (38%) of chemotherapy. Patients evaluated as presenting or not with infection episodes did not differ in neutrophil count. The number of chemotherapy courses (P < 0.05), but not age, neutrophil count or chemotherapy regimen, was associated with infection. We concluded that progressive chemotherapy, but not neutrophil count, was an independent factor for infection.