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Purpose or objective: To evaluate toxicity and outcomes of moderately hypofractionated helical tomotherapy for the curative treatment of a cohort of patients aged ≥ 75 years with localized prostate cancer (PC). Materials and methods: From January 2013 to February 2017, 95 patients with median age 77 years (range 75–88) were treated for PC. 39% were low risk, 33% intermediate risk (IR), 28% high risk (HR). Median iPSA was 9.42 ng/ml (1.6–107). Androgen deprivation was prescribed according to NCCN recommendations. All patients received 70 Gy in 28 fractions to the prostate; 61.6 Gy were delivered to the seminal vesicles for IR; whole pelvis irradiation with a total dose of 50.4 Gy was added in the HR group. Toxicity evaluation was based on CTCAE V4.0 criteria, biochemical failure was defined following Phoenix criteria. Quality of Life was assessed with the EPIC-26 index. Overall survival and biochemical failure-free survival were analysed with Kaplan–Meier method. Results: With a median follow-up of 36 months (range 24–73), acute and late toxicity were acceptable. No correlation between toxicity patterns and clinical or dosimetric parameter was registered. EPIC-26 showed a negligible difference in urinary and bowel function post-treatment that did not reach statistical significance. The 2- and 3-years OS were 93% and 87% with cancer specific survival of 97.9% and 96.2%. Conclusion: Moderate hypofractionated RT reported excellent outcomes in our cohort of older patients. Shorter schedules may be proposed regardless of chronological age facilitating the treatment compliance in the older population.

The study of geological evolution of a multiphase orogenic belt is complex, expecially when the tectonic events are superimposed in a coaxial fashion. The Sicilian fold-and-thrust belt represents an interesting case study, as a non-coaxial superimposition of structures is recognizable, owing to large synkinematic clockwise rotations during each of two subsequent compressional events. These rotations involved also the syntectonic basins that developed in the wedge-top depozone. This study aims to constrain the tectono-depositional evolution of the NW Sicily fold-and-thrust belt and the associated wedge-top depozone between the middle Miocene and the early Pliocene. Integrated analyses of stratigraphic, sedimentological and structural field data allow us to better constrain the transition between the two tectonic events. The syntectonic basins developed during the first (late Serravallian-early Tortonian) tectonic event were relatively wide and characterized by marine sedimentation. The onset of the second (latest Tortonian) transpressional event induced localized deformation into the wedge-top depozone and the syntectonic successions were accommodated as basin fill in progressively narrower and laterally discontinuous basins, bounded by transpressional structures. The lateral correlation of the wedge-top successions suggests a latest Miocene regional palaeoslope with a present-day WSW dip, which fits well with the tectonic transport calculated for the early compressional event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telithromycin is a ketolide, a semisynthetic derivative of the 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotics, with an expanded spectrum of activity relative to macrolides. Its good tissue pharmacokinetic characteristics allows once-daily administration, and it has been successfully employed in lower respiratory tract infections. Recent data indicate that telithromycin may exert anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects that may be of use in the treatment of both acute and chronic airway diseases. This review examines the role of telithromycin in lower respiratory tract infections, analyzing published data on exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia and asthma in adults. In addition, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug are considered.

Objective:Several theorists have hypothesized that stressful situations may trigger abnormal eating and even eating disorders in predisposed people. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a stressful situation would reveal an association between perfectionism and low self-esteem, and measures of eating disorder symptoms in male high school students. Method: A sample of 61 male high school students completed the Eating Disorder Inventory, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and the Self Liking and Competence Scale three times: on an average school day, on the day of an exam and on the day the subjects received the results of that exam. Linear regression analysis was carried out to verify whether the dimensions of perfectionism were associated with the measures of eating disorders. Results:Interoceptive awareness was associated with ‘Bulimia’ only during the stressful situation and with ‘Drive for thinness’ both in stress and non stress situations. Other results were contradictory and difficult to interpret. Discussion: The results suggest that in nonclinical male individuals stress might bring out a previously absent association between some psychological predisposing factors for eating disorders and an actual desire or plan for ED related thoughts and behaviours. Such a finding suggests that stress may stimulate behaviours related to eating disorders in a predisposed personality. A central role may be played by interoceptive awareness in male subjects.

We analyzed 795 sputa from 315 patients (233 males, mean age 69.3+/-8.8 years, mean number of exacerbations 2.52/patient) with acute exacerbations of moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (mean steady-state FEV"1 42.5+/-7.8% of predicted). 581/795 sputa were considered adequate. Sputum was analyzed by a quali-quantitative colorimetric scale allowing both color distinction and color degree of intensity. Quantitative culture was then performed (threshold: >10^6CFU/mL). Samples were distinguished in mucoid (145) and purulent (436) sputa. Absence of bacterial growth was observed in 22% and 5% of mucoid and purulent sputa, respectively. Among mucoid sputa, Gram positive bacterial growth occurred more commonly compared to Gram negative and Pseudomonas aeruginosa/Enterobacteriaceae (56%, 24%, 20%, respectively). In purulent sputa, Gram positives were found in 38% of cases, Gram negatives in 38%, and P. aeruginosa/Enterobacteriaceae in 24%. We evaluated whether functional impairment (FEV"1) orientates as to the infectious etiology of exacerbations. Significant differences were observed in the distribution of pathogens. Gram negative and P. aeruginosa/Enterobacteriaceae were isolated more frequently in the sputum when FEV"1 was <35%. Our study indicates that purulent sputum is strongly associated with bacterial growth in COPD exacerbations. Deepening sputum color (from yellowish to brownish) was associated with increased yield of Gram negative and P. aeruginosa/Enterobacteriaceae.

In Space Caverns the player tries to elude four aliens who are threatening the player's ship. Movements up, down, left, or right are possible and the aliens must be shot down or the player is destroyed by them. A bonus round allows capture of sedentary aliens within a time limit. A complete program for the Atari, Commodore 64, Vic-20, Apple II series, and IBM PC-PCjr is listed. All versions except the IBM PC-PCjr require a joystick. Sample screen displays are included.

ObjectivesTo analyze infectious events during HDC and PBSC Autologous Transplant, and determine support measures required.