Hell J Nucl Med
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Lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies, which can be broadly divided into non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) that display different patterns of biological behavior and response to treatment. Their incidence is still increasing and for this reason they require a lot of effort in scientific research. The management of both NHL and HL follows well-established guidelines based on the initial staging assessment. ⋯ The two methods were concordant in the staging in 26/27 patients (96%). In conclusion, our initial results show a good overall agreement between the two diagnostic tools. (18)F-FDG-PET/CT remains the gold standard for lymphoma staging, however WB-MRI/DWIBS can be useful in histotypes not (18)F-FDG-avid or in the evaluation of "critical" organs for (18)F-FDG PET/CT. The integrated information provided by metabolic and tissutal functional imaging can be complementary to assist hematologic decision of tailored patient's treatment.
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Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is known to cause long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Experimental studies and clinical trials demonstrated that treatment with hypothermia after hypoxic-ischemic insults reduced brain injury. As a result of these data, hypothermia has emerged as the standard of care for treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. ⋯ The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the combined treatment with hypothermia and PP2 (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine), a highly selective inhibitor of Src kinase, immediately after the hypoxic insult may augment the beneficial effect of hypothermia on hypoxia/ischemia- induced neuronal necrosis. To this aim we assessed the levels of CaM Kinase IV activity as well as the levels of Na+-K+-ATPase in the Cerebral Cortex of Newborn Piglets exposed experimental hypoxia that were treated with hypothermia with or without concomitant PP2 administration. 2-3 day old piglets were anesthetized and ventilated. In conclusion, our preliminary data show that concurrent administration of Src kinase inhibitor in combination with induction of whole body hypothermia results in augmented neuroprotection as indicated by further attenuation of hypoxic-ischemic induced CaM kinase IV activation and improvement in neuronal membrane integrity compared to hypothermia alone.
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Editorial
The timeless influence of Hippocratic ideals on diet, salicytates and personalized medicine.
At a time when superstition and deities were thought to be responsible for health and disease, Hippocrates of Kos emerged as a rational thinker assigning disease to natural causes. His insights, which principally arose from what may be considered almost compulsive examination and comparison, formed the basis of Hippocratic Medicine. There are still unresolved questions regarding the authenticity of the approximately 70 works shaping the Hippocratic Corpus. ⋯ Importantly, the Hippocratic Oath remains a masterpiece of medical morals and ethics, analogous forms of which are still used today. Indeed, the Hippocratic Corpus teaches timeless concepts which do not only relate to medical thought and methodology but also to the more gentle aspects of the art. In this essay Hippocratic observations are considered in relation to three important matters preoccupying modern medicine: a) nutrition, b) drug development and c) personalized medicine.
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Pediatric lymphomas (PL) are the third most common malignancy and account for 10% to 15% of all cancers in the pediatric age group. Accurate classification and staging are important for appropriate prognosis and treatment of pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma (PHL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (PNHL) and impact patient prognosis significantly. ⋯ However, as the sample size of these original articles was often small and a unified study design standard is lacking, more data are needed to better specify the role of 18F-FDG PET and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of PHL and PNHL. In conclusion, the 18F-FDG PET and 18F-FDG PET/CT appear superior to other imaging methods such as X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound, other nuclear medicine methods and bone marrow biopsy for the evaluation of pediatric lymphomas.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Iodine-131 SPET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for the identification and localization of mediastinal lymph node metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Mediastinal lymph node metastases (MLNM) from differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) are considered difficult to diagnose. The aim of this study was to assess the value of iodine-131 (131I) single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPET/CT) and of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for the diagnosis of MLNM from DTC. Five hundred and eleven consecutive patients operated for DTC and treated with 131I for ablation of the remnant thyroid and/or for treatment of metastases were enrolled in the study and underwent an 131I whole body scan (131I-WBS). ⋯ In conclusion, our study suggests that in 511 operated DTC patients, treated for remnant ablation and/or for metastases and examined by 131I-WBS, there were 37 cases doubtful of having MLNM in the 131I-WBS and 34 cases doubtful, because of negative 131I-WBS and elevated Tg. The 131I-SPET/CT scan was sensitive for detecting MLNM in 25 of the 37 cases and the 18F-FDG PET/CT in 19 of the 34 cases. These hybrid imaging modalities, when applied as above, were suitable for detecting more MLNM and thus, better supporting treatment planning in these DTC patients.