Annals of translational medicine
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In recent years, new strategies for treating melanoma have been introduced, improving the outlook for this challenging disease. One of the most important advances has been the development of immunotherapy. The better understanding of the role of the immunological system in tumor control has paved the way for strategies to enhance the immune response against cancer cells. ⋯ This has marked a new era in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and much research is now ongoing with other drugs targeting checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, the agonist of activating molecules on T cells and their combinations are being investigated. Herein we review the clinical development of checkpoint inhibitors and their approval for treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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In Italy there exists quite a long and rich history in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Pioneer Italian surgeons have been amongst those who first adopted video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to perform procedures such as lobectomy and esophagectomy, respectively and quite many others have provided important contributions related to minimally invasive thoracic surgery and have proposed innovative ideas and creative technical refinements. ⋯ An ongoing active investigation in each of these sub-topics is contributing to a better definition of indications advantages and disadvantages of the various surgical strategies. In addition it is likely that combination strategies including adoption of uniportal and nonintubated approaches will lead to define novel ultra-minimally invasive treatment options.
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Septic shock is an important contributor of mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although strenuous effort has been made to improve its outcome, the mortality rate is only marginally decreased. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of anisodamine in the treatment of septic shock, in the hope that the drug will provide alternatives to the treatment of septic shock. ⋯ The study will provide new insight into the treatment of septic shock and can help to reduce mortality rate of septic shock.
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Sepsis is still a major cause of death in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. Patients with liver impairment express an imbalanced cytokine response which alters common sepsis biphasic nature. Cytokines measurement is expensive, often unavailable, whereas leukocytes (WBC) evaluation performed through hematology analyzers can provide a practical strategy for monitoring inflammatory response. ⋯ Diagnostic accuracy of all-leukocyte parameters may provide valuable information for diagnosis and follow-up of sepsis in ICU patients, especially those with liver impairment.