The Effectiveness of Different Treatment Modalities of Cutaneous Angiosarcoma: Results From Meta-Analysis and Observational Data From SEER Database

IntroductionCutaneous angiosarcoma (cAS) is an aggressive vascular tumor that originates from vascular or lymphatic epithelial cells. To date, the cAS literature has been limited in a small number with single-center experiences or reports due to its rarity and the optimal treatment strategy is still in dispute. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and compare the effect of available treatments retrieved from observational studies and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.MethodsThe authors performed a systematic review in the PubMed, Embase and MEDLINE database identifying the researches assessing the treatment for cAS patients. Clinical and treatment information of patients who had been diagnosed with a primary cAS were also obtained from the SEER program.ResultsThirty-two studies were eligible but only 5 of which with 276 patients were included in meta-analysis since the unclear or unavailable information. The risk ratio of 5-year death for surgery, surgery with radiotherapy and surgery with chemotherapy were 0.84, 0.96, and 0.69. Meanwhile, in SEER database, there are 291 metastatic and 437 localized patients with cAS. The localized patients receiving surgery showed a significantly worse overall survival result when compared with the surgery combined with RT: hazard ratio: 1.6, 95% confidential interval: 1.05, 2.42, P = 0.03.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study provided a detailed picture of the effectiveness of present treatments for localized and metastatic cAS patients. The CT could be inappropriate in localized patients. For metastatic patients, the surgery combined RT was recommended compared with surgery alone since its enhanced OS prognosis. Yet, more novel-designed clinical trials with specific targeted populations and rigorous conducting are needed for a solid conclusion on which would be a better treatment strategy.

Recurrent Serous Carcinoma of the Right Fallopian Tube Involving the Dome of Cecum and Rectum

Cancer of the fallopian tube is a rare and difficult condition to be treated. It is often clinically simulated by ovarian epithelial cancer or primary ovarian and peritoneal carcinomas. Most of relapses in these tumors are observed in the small pelvis. Extrapelvic relapses and metastases to other organs are rather uncommon. Surgical cytoreduction and platinum-based chemotherapy are the mainstay of treatment.The authors present a rare and noteworthy clinical case of recurrence of high-grade serous carcinoma of the right fallopian tube involving the caecum dome and rectum in a 65-year-old female patient. There was demonstrated the choice of surgical treatment tactics in this clinical case that allowed obtaining a 62-month survival result.

Evaluation of Optimal Doses for Gamma Rays and Sodium Azide in Linseed Genotypes

Background: Linseed is one of the most important medicinal plants grown for its various health benefits. The seeds of linseed contain a good and essential fatty acid profile that is omega-3 fatty acid/Alpha linolenic acid. It helps in the prevention of various disease including inflammation, cardiovascular problems, cancer, diabetes etc. Induced mutagenesis is an easy and cost effective technique to induce desired genetic variability, which either does not occur naturally or is not accessible to plant breeders. Genetic variability is enhanced by the influence of various chemical or physical mutagens. The usefulness of any mutagen relies not only on its efficiency but also on its effectiveness. Methods: Dry and healthy seeds of linseed (var. Padmini and IC0096650) were treated with different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide. The experiment was conducted during Rabi season of November 2016-March 2017. The selection of optimum doses of mutagens through the determination of LD50 values has been calculated on the basis of the seed germination as well as plant survival. Result: The present investigation reveals genotypic response of two linseed varieties towards different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide. Variety IC0096650 exhibited higher degree of sensitivity than variety Padmini with respect to the mutagens used. Results showed that 200Gy dose of gamma rays and 0.4% dose of sodium azide was the maximum non-lethal strength of the respective mutagen for the induction of the mutation in linseed genotypes.

Personality profile of successful entrepreneurs

Working as entrepreneurs has become popular in Indonesia in recent years. The reason is not only they are deemed to be as a hero by the society, but also they are seen as an alternative career by young generation. This is due to their being quite attractive in terms of time flexibility as well as their potential income. People have seen a fact that job opportunities and the competition in the market are getting more and more competition. Therefore, entrepreneurs seem to be an alternative promising career, Supported by modern technology, e-commerce era, digital life style have indeed provided more positive hopes being an entrepreneur, The objective of this research is to examine the influence of personality towards successful entrepreneur. The personality of entrepreneur is based on The Big Five Model of Personality translating personality into 5 different profiles: conscientiousness, openness to experience, extraversion, agreeableness and emotional stability. Sample of this research are 39 successful entrepreneurs, measured by its business growth, profit and turnover growth, employment growth, and length of company's survival. Result indicated that 1 out of 5 personality dimensions: conscientiousness showed the strongest significant correlation to successful entrepreneurs.

Factors affecting mortality in patients with COPD exacerbations requiring ICU admission

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) often require hospital admission and have a significant mortality rate. Patients with AECOPD who need intensive care (ICU) have higher mortality rates. Identifying factors associated with increased mortality might change approaches to treatment and improve communication with patients’ families about prognosis. Methods: Patients with AECOPD (ICD 9 code 491.21) directly admitted to the ICU between 1/1/2006 and 12/31/2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The inclusion criteria were age 45 years or older, diagnosis of AECOPD, and admission to an ICU. The exclusion criteria included any history of another respiratory disease or decompensated cardiac disease. The primary goal was to determine factors which affect survival. Result: Two hundred and seventeen patients were included this study. The mean ages were 70.4±10.4 years in the in-hospital death group and 66.4±10.9 years in the survivors. The overall mortality rate was 12%. Multivariate analysis showed that the mortality rate was significantly associated with a low mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-0.96), an intubation event (OR 6.12, 95% CI 1.24-30.87), and an elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12) (p<0.05 for each factor). Conclusion: This study identified clinical parameters associated with increased mortality in patients with AECOPD admitted to an ICU. These factors include a low MAP, intubation, and a high BUN and are easily obtained during the initial evaluation of the patient. They reflect the severity of the acute exacerbation and complications in other organ systems.

Exploratory analysis of survival benefit and prior docetaxel (D) treatment in COU-AA-301, a phase III study of abiraterone acetate (AA) plus prednisone (P) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

4558 Background: AA, a selective androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, blocks the action of CYP17, thereby inhibiting adrenal and intratumoral androgen production. AA has demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) by 4.6 months (mos) vs placebo (HR=0.74) in patients (pts) previously treated with D. Methods: COU-AA-301 is a randomized double blind study of AA (1 g) + P (5 mg po BID) vs placebo + P administered to mCRPC pts post-D with a primary endpoint of OS. To further evaluate primary survival result robustness, we performed post hoc exploratory analyses to assess whether the timing of first and last dose of D and reason for D discontinuation impacted OS. Results: At randomization, treatment arms were balanced with respect to baseline characteristics, prior D use, and reasons for discontinuation. In both arms, almost half (45%) discontinued D due to progressive disease (PD); remainder discontinued D after completing all planned cycles (37%), due to toxicity (12%), or for other reasons (5%) per investigator. Median OS from first and last dose of D were longer with AA vs placebo (Table). Median OS was longer with AA vs placebo in pts who discontinued D for PD, or for all other reasons. Conclusions: These exploratory analyses suggest that the OS benefit of AA in mCRPC was maintained when calculated from first or last dose of prior D, and whether or not pts discontinued D for PD. Pts in AA arm of this study had a prolonged median OS of > 32 mos from time of initial D therapy. Congruity among these analyses and lack of dependence on D timing demonstrate robustness of the primary survival result. [Table: see text]