A Zero-Free Interval for Chromatic Polynomials of Nearly 3-Connected Plane Graphs

LetGbe a graph andP(G, t) be the chromatic polynomial ofG. It is known thatP(G, t) has no zeros in the intervals (−∞, 0) and (0, 1). We shall show thatP(G, t) has no zeros in (1, 32/27]. In addition, we shall construct graphs whose chromatic polynomials have zeros arbitrarily close to 32/27.

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Hepatitis-Free Interval After Clotting Factor Therapy in First Infused Haemophiliacs

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1661664 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 56 (03) ◽

pp. 268-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

M Morfini ◽

D Rafanelli ◽

G Longo ◽

A Messori ◽

P Rossi Ferrini

Keyword(s):

Life Table ◽

Lower Risk ◽

Clotting Factor ◽

Rank Test ◽

Life Table Method ◽

Table Method ◽

Log Rank Test ◽

Free Interval ◽

Post Infusion ◽

Clotting Factor Concentrates

SummaryPost-infusion hepatitis is known to occur very frequently in haemophiliacs after treatment with unheated commercial clotting factor concentrates, obtained from large plasma donation pool. On the contrary, single-donor cryoprecipitate is likely to carry a lower risk of transmitting hepatitis.To evaluate this hypothesis, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 25 first infused haemophiliacs (from 1981 to 1984) treated with unheated commercial clotting factor concentrates (n = 19) or cryoprecipitate (n = 6).The hepatitis-free interval after the beginning of therapy was expressed as exposure days. The end point of each patient, i.e. the hepatitis occurrence, was defined as an increase of aminotransferases (ALT and AST) and/or the seroconversion of HBV-markers, which were checked every three months.The life-table method and log-rank test showed that cryo-precipitates had a significantly longer hepatitis-free interval (p = 0.0131, log-rank test) and a lower risk of transmitting hepatitis (p = 0.01-0.05, life-table method) than the commercial concentrates. However, the safety of cryoprecipitate therapy was shown to cover only a few exposure days, and so the real advantage of this product depends on the bleeding frequency of the patient concerned.We believe that these methods and our findings may be useful to assess and compare the safety of the new “heat-treated” clotting factor concentrates.

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Non-surgical Treatments for Lung Metastases in Patients with soft Tissue Sarcoma: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Current Medical Imaging Formerly Current Medical Imaging Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573405616999200819165709 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Cecilia Tetta ◽

Maria Carpenzano ◽

Areej Tawfiq J Algargoush ◽

Marwah Algargoosh ◽

Francesco Londero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Radiation Therapy ◽

Soft Tissue ◽

Soft Tissue Sarcoma ◽

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy ◽

Lung Metastases ◽

Disease Free Interval ◽

Stereotactic Body Radiation ◽

Free Interval ◽

Disease Free

Background: Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) are two emerging therapies for lung metastases. Introduction: We performed a literature review to evaluate outcomes and complications of these procedures in patients with lung metastases from soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Method: After selection, seven studies were included for each treatment encompassing a total of 424 patients: 218 in the SBRT group and 206 in the RFA group. Results: The mean age ranged from 47.9 to 64 years in the SBRT group and from 48 to 62.7 years in the RFA group. The most common histologic subtype was, in both groups, leiomyosarcoma. : In the SBRT group, median overall survival ranged from 25.2 to 69 months and median disease-free interval from 8.4 to 45 months. Two out of seven studies reported G3 and one G3 toxicity, respectively. In RFA patients, overall survival ranged from 15 to 50 months. The most frequent complication was pneumothorax. : Local control showed high percentage for both procedures. Conclusion: SBRT is recommended in patients unsuitable to surgery, in synchronous bilateral pulmonary metastases, in case of deep lesions and in patients receiving high-risk systemic therapies. RFA is indicated in case of a long disease-free interval, in oligometastatic disease, when only the lung is involved, in small size lesions far from large vessels. : Further large randomized studies are necessary to establish whether these treatments may also represent a reliable alternative to surgery.

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Prognostic Value of Ki67 and Other Clinical and Histopathological Factors in Canine Apocrine Gland Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061649 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1649

Author(s):

Emanuela Maria Morello ◽

Marzia Cino ◽

Davide Giacobino ◽

Arturo Nicoletti ◽

Selina Iussich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lymph Nodes ◽

Vascular Invasion ◽

Apocrine Gland ◽

Regional Lymph Nodes ◽

Disease Free Interval ◽

Lymph Nodes Metastasis ◽

Free Interval ◽

Histologic Pattern ◽

Anal Sac ◽

Disease Free

Apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA) is locally aggressive and highly metastatic to regional lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of Ki67 in surgically excised AGASACA. Prognostic impact of size, regional lymph nodes metastasis, hypercalcemia, histologic pattern, mitotic count, necrosis, inflammatory and lympho-vascular invasion, anisokaryosis and anisocytosis was also evaluated. Thirty-five dogs were included, twenty-four of which also had metastatic lymph nodes. When the entire population was evaluated, only metastatic disease spread to regional lymph nodes, and necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were correlated to prognosis. When only dogs with metastatic disease were evaluated, size, solid histologic pattern, presence of lymphatic and vascular invasion showed influence on prognosis. Ki67 index was not associated with survival time and disease free interval in any case. The results of this study showed that lymph nodes metastasis at diagnosis reduced disease free interval. Moreover, tumor size greater than 5.25 cm, presence of lymphatic and vascular invasion and a solid histologic pattern were associated with a shorter survival time in dogs with metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Ki67 expression was not significantly associated with prognosis, therefore it could not be considered as a prognostic factor in this tumor type, while the role of hypercalcemia remained unclear.

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Extradural Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour at T7 Level in a 2-Year-Old Dog

VCOT Open ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1731438 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 04 (01) ◽

pp. e41-e46

Author(s):

Federica Aragosa ◽

Chiara Caterino ◽

Giovanni Della Valle ◽

Ilaria D'Aquino ◽

Dario Costanza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Presentation ◽

Soft Tissue Mass ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Tissue Mass ◽

Nerve Sheath Tumour ◽

Free Interval ◽

Nerve Sheath ◽

Dorsal Laminectomy ◽

Intervertebral Foramina ◽

Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour

AbstractThe aim of this report is to describe an unusual localization of nerve sheath tumour (NST), clinical presentation, imaging, surgical management, and outcome in a 2-year-old dog. A 2-year-old female American Staffordshire Terrier presented with nonambulatory paraparesis, thoracolumbar hyperaesthesia, hindlimb hyperreflexia, and mild muscle atrophy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extradural mass at T7-T8, without vertebral lesions. Surgical treatment consisted in resection of the soft tissue mass through dorsal laminectomy. The dog was ambulatory within 24 hours and free of recurrence at 18 months postoperatively. Histopathologic and features of immunohistochemistry were consistent with NST. The NST of this report was similar to those described before, but exhibited unusual characteristics, such as being extradural, without extension into intervertebral foramina, and being located in an atypical region (T7-T8). Moreover, survival time and relapse-free interval are greater than previously reported for similar cases.

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The Inverse Spacer—A Novel, Safe, and Cost-Effective Approach in Routine Procedures for Revision Knee Arthroplasty

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10050971 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 971

Author(s):

Kristoff Hammerich ◽

Jens Pollack ◽

Alexander F. Hasse ◽

André El Saman ◽

René Huber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Clinical Success ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Rotational Stability ◽

X Rays ◽

Free Interval ◽

Major Disadvantage ◽

Cost Effective Approach ◽

Before And After

Background: A major disadvantage of current spacers for two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (R-TKA) is the risk of (sub-) luxation during mobilization in the prosthesis-free interval, limiting their clinical success with detrimental consequences for the patient. The present study introduces a novel inverse spacer, which prevents major complications, such as spacer (sub-) luxations and/or fractures of spacer or bone. Methods: The hand-made inverse spacer consisted of convex tibial and concave femoral components of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement and was intra-operatively molded under maximum longitudinal tension in 5° flexion and 5° valgus position. Both components were equipped with a stem for rotational stability. This spacer was implanted during an R-TKA in 110 knees with diagnosed or suspected periprosthetic infection. Postoperative therapy included a straight leg brace and physiotherapist-guided, crutch-supported mobilization with full sole contact. X-rays were taken before and after prosthesis removal and re-implantation. Results: None of the patients experienced (sub-) luxations/fractures of the spacer, periprosthetic fractures, or soft tissue compromise requiring reoperation. All patients were successfully re-implanted after a prosthesis-free interval of 8 weeks, except for three patients requiring an early exchange of the spacer due to persisting infection. In these cases, the prosthetic-free interval was prolonged for one week. Conclusion: The inverse spacer in conjunction with our routine procedure is a safe and cost-effective alternative to other articulating or static spacers, and allows crutch-supported sole contact mobilization without major post-operative complications. Maximum longitudinal intra-operative tension in 5° flexion and 5° valgus position appears crucial for the success of surgery.

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