No description available.

Because of the failure so far to find effective treatment for patients with advanced stages of melanoma, increasing efforts have been made to find prognostic factors identifying patients in the risk zone for development of metastasis. This thesis investigates the prognostic powers of a few selected serological and immunohistochemical biomarkers. In the first and second study, patients operated on for localized malignant melanoma were investigated regarding the prognostic impact of angiogenic serological markers and circulating levels of S100. We concluded that the S100 assays, especially S100BB, are potential biomarkers in patients with malignant melanoma, correlated to both survival and disease free survival. However, no such conclusion could be drawn from the first study, where we found no correlation to survival and investigated angiogenic markers. In the third and fourth study four new potential immunohistochemical biomarkers where investigated in collaboration with the Swedish Human Protein Atlas Program, and those where TRP-1, galectin-1, DLG5 and syntaxin-7. We found that TRP-1 correlated inversely with tumor stage and galectin-1 correlated to Ki-67. DLG5 showed a significant inverse correlation to Ki67 and the expression of STX7 was inversely correlated to tumor stage, suggesting that decreased expression is associated with more aggressive tumors. None of the investigated markers in study III and IV correlated with disease free survival or overall survival. In the fifth and last study, we examined the expression of SOX10, a transcription factor, in different melanocytic lesions. Also, a proliferation assay was carried out in a human melanoma cell line. The results reveal the presence of SOX10 in different melanocytic lesions, with a weak inverse correlation to survival and a significant inverse correlation to T-stage. A significant decrease in proliferation rate for SOX10 silenced cells was found and our data also suggests an increased migratory response in SOX10 silenced cells.

Orientador: Ricardo de Souza Cavalcante / Resumo: Introdução. A candidemia tem-se tornado cada vez mais frequente nos hospitais e apresentado elevada mortalidade. Conhecer a epidemiologia e os fatores prognósticos permite melhor manejo clínico desta infecção. Diante disto, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a incidência da candidemia em um hospital de ensino durante os últimos anos, a mortalidade, a prevalência das espécies causadoras da infecção, bem como os fatores prognósticos. Métodos. Este foi um estudo de coorte não concorrente, com pacientes atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (HCFMB), que apresentaram diagnóstico de candidemia durante sua internação, entre os anos de 2012 e 2019. Os dados clínicos foram obtidos a partir do prontuário médico. Para a avaliação dos fatores associados ao prognóstico, em análise univariada e múltipla, foi utilizado o modelo de Regressão Proporcional de Cox. Foram consideradas significativas as variáveis com valores de p inferiores a 0,05. Resultados. Ocorreram 314 episódios de candidemia em 288 pacientes. A taxa de incidência foi de 1,66/1000 admissões. A espécie mais prevalente foi Candida albicans (38,8%), seguida de complexo C. parapsilosis (20,4%), C. tropicalis (15,3%), C. glabrata (10,8%) e C. krusei (2,5%). Na população pediátrica houve predomínio de complexo C. parapsilosis (p<0,0001) e C. glabrata nos adultos (p=0,002). A taxa de mortalidade em 30 dias foi de 43,4%, sendo maior em adultos do que pacientes pediátricos (19,3% vs 54,0%; p<0,01)... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction. Candidemia has become increasingly frequent in hospitals and has shown high mortality. Knowing the epidemiology and prognostic factors allows better clinical management of this infection. In view of this, this study aimed to evaluate the incidence of candidemia in a teaching hospital during the past few years, mortality, the prevalence of species causing the infection, as well as prognostic factors. Methods. Non-concurrent cohort study was carried out, with inpatients at the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (HCFMB), who presented a diagnosis of candidemia during their hospitalization, between the years 2012 and 2019. The clinical data were obtained from the medical records. For the assessment of factors associated with prognosis, in univariate and multiple analysis, the Cox Proportional Regression model was used. Variables with p values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results. There were 314 episodes of candidemia in 288 patients. The incidence rate was 1.66 / 1000 admissions. The most prevalent species was Candida albicans (38.8%), followed by C. parapsilosis complex (20.4%), C. tropicalis (15.3%), C. glabrata (10.8%) and C. krusei (2.5%). In the pediatric population, there was a predominance of the C. parapsilosis complex (p <0.0001) and C. glabrata in adults (p=0.002). The 30-day mortality rate was 43.4%, being higher in adults than pediatric patients (19.3% vs 54.0%; p<0.01). Independent factors of mortality were liver cirrhos... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A extensão anatômica do tumor é o fator mais importante na avaliação do prognóstico e planejamento do tratamento dos carcinomas epidermóides da cabeça e do pescoço. Além do TNM, outros parâmetros relacionados ao paciente e ao tumor auxiliam na avaliação do prognóstico. Este estudo tem por objetivo identificar fatores prognósticos demográficos, clínicos, tumorais e histopatológicos, associados à sobrevida e resposta ao tratamento no carcinoma da orofaringe. Trata-se de uma análise de 361 pacientes, submetidos à radioterapia exclusiva ou associada à quimioterapia, de 1990 a 2001, no Hospital A. C. Camargo (São Paulo) e Hospital Erasto Gaertner (Curitiba, Paraná). Entre as variáveis estudadas, encontra-se a gravidade dos sintomas, avaliada conforme o modelo de Piccirillo e Pugliano. Foram analisados os sistemas de estadiamento de Berg, TANIS 3, TANIS 4, Hart, Kiricuta e Hall, que são modificações do TNM feitas a partir do reagrupando das categorias T e N, com a finalidade de melhorar a avaliação do prognóstico. A análise estatística utilizou o método de Kaplan-Meier e o modelo de riscos proporcionais de Cox. Os principais resultados foram que a maioria dos tumores era da tonsila (47%) ou base da língua (28%), estádios clínicos III (13%) e IV (80%). A radioterapia exclusiva foi empregada em 73% dos casos. Houve resposta ao tratamento em 65% dos casos e 80% dos pacientes foram a óbito pela doença. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 24 meses, e as variáveis significativas na avaliação da sobrevida global, que aos 5 anos foi de 18%, foram: idade em anos ( 45: 13%; 46 55: 23%; 56 65: 19%; 66 75: 12%; > 75: 7%) (p = 0,0425); índice de Zubrod (1: 24%; 2: 8%; 3: 0%) (p < 0,001); emagrecimento (presente: 13%; ausente: 29%) (p = 0,0022); comorbidades (presentes: 11%; ausentes: 26%) (p < 0,001); estádio de Piccirillo (local: 31%, extra-local: 15%; regional: 14%) (p< 0,001); estádio de Pugliano (nenhum: 44%; leve: 15%; moderado: 13%; severo: 12%) (p< 0,001); envolvimento de partes moles (ausente: 21%; espaço carotídeo: 4%; espaço mastigatório: 0%) (p < 0,001); mobilidade dos linfonodos (móveis: 15%; semi-fixos: 12%; fixos: 6%) (p = 0,0300); dose de RT (< 60 Gy: 3%; 60 a 69Gy: 14%; 70 Gy: 22%) (p < 0,001). Todos os sistemas de estadiamento foram significativos na análise da sobrevida (p < 0,001) e na população estudada, destacaram-se o TANIS 3, Hart e Berg. A resposta ao tratamento foi melhor nos tumores do palato mole e exofíticos (p =0,022). A análise multivariada mostrou como fatores independentes: o índice de Zubrod, o estádio de gravidade dos sintomas de Pugliano, a presença de comorbidades, o estadiamento de Berg e a dose da radioterapia. Observou-se que a combinação de fatores clínicos, tais como sintomatologia, estado geral, emagrecimento e comorbidades, resulta num estádio de gravidade clínica de grande relevância, podendo ser associada aos dados morfológicos do TNM, para uma melhor avaliação do prognóstico do carcinoma da orofaringe / The size of a tumor is the most important anatomic factor for assessing the prognosis and planning the treatment of head and neck tumors.. In addition to TNM, other factors contribute to the assessment of the prognosis, such as symptoms, comorbidities, macroscopic and microscopic features of the tumor, among others. The objective of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, tumoral and histopathological prognostic factors associated with patient survival and treatment response. We reviewed 361 medical records of patients with oropharynx squamous carcinoma, admitted to the Hospital A. C. Camargo and Hospital Erasto Gaertner, submitted to radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy, from 1990 to 2001. Among the variables we studied, the severity of the symptoms was assessed according to Piccirillos and Puglianos staging systems. We also analyzed the staging systems developed by Berg, TANIS 3, TANIS 4, Hart, Kiricuta and Hall, which are TNM modifications based upon the regrouping of the T and N categories, aiming to improve the prognosis assessment. As for the statistical analysis, we used the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox model. The main results were the following: most tumors were sited at the tonsil (47%) or base of the tongue (28%), at clinical stage III (13%) or IV (80%). Radiotherapy alone was used in 73% of the cases. Treatment response was achieved by 65% of the patients, mortality was seen in 80% of the cases. The average follow-up time was of 24 months, and the significant variables in the assessment of overall survival, which was of 17.6 % at 5 years, were the following: age in years ( 45: 13%; 46 55: 23%; 56 65: 19%; 66 75: 12%; > 75: 7%) (p = 0.0425); Zubrod scale (1: 24%; 2: 8%; 3: 0%) (p < 0.001); weight loss (present: 13%; absent: 29%) (p = 0.0022); comorbidities (present: 11%; absent: 26%) (p = 0.0006); Piccirillos staging (local: 31%; extra-local: 15%; regional: 14%) (p< 0.001); Puglianos staging (none: 44%; mild: 15%; moderate: 13%; severe: 12%) (p < 0.001); involvement of soft areas (absent: 21%; carotid area: 4%; masticatory area: 0%) (p < 0.001); lymph node mobility (movable: 15%; semifixed: 12%; fixed: 6%) (p = 0.03); RT doses (< 60 Gy: 3%; 60 a 69Gy: 14%; 70 Gy: 22%) (p < 0,001). All the staging systems were significant for survival analysis (p < 0.001), and the ones that stood out were TANIS 3, Hart and Berg. Treatment response was better in the soft palate and exophytic tumors (p = 0.022). The multivariate analysis showed, as independent factors, the Zubrod scale, Puglianos clinical severity staging system, comorbidities, Bergs staging and the radiotherapy dose. We have come to the conclusion that the combination of clinical factors, such as symptomatology, the patients general condition, weight loss and comorbidities, leads to a highly relevant stage of clinical severity. As far as the prognosis assessment of oropharynx carcinoma is concerned, such factors may be associated with the TNM morphological features

Abstract PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe and compare possible differences regarding selected prognostic factors for disability between patients with non-specific chronic pain who were about to start a multidisciplinary treatment program (MMR), either within primary care (MMR1) or hospital care (MMR2). METHODS: The study had a descriptive and comparative cross sectional design. Eighty-nine patients were recruited consecutively when they were about to start their team treatment (50 in MMR1,39 in MMR2). The measurements were; Evaluation of self-reported self-efficacy for eight daily activities (STIVA-8), The Pain Belief Screening Instrument (PBSI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: The study found some significant differences between the answers from patients in MMR1 and those from patients in MMR2. For instance, patients in MMR2 estimated lower self-efficacy according to STIVA-8 than patients in MMR1. Also, there were fewer low risk patients and more high risk patients in MMR2 than in MMR1 regarding pain intensity according to PBSI. In addition to this, there were fewer patients without depression and more with moderate depression in MMR2 than in MMR1 according to HADS. No significant differences could be shown for either anxiety according to HADS or for low- and high risk regarding activity disability according to PBSI. No significant differences could be found when pain intensity was measured with mean values on a scale from 0-10. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in MMR2 experienced more negative consequences from their pain disease than patients in MMR1. Systematic use of standardized self-reported instruments for selected prognostic factors could be helpful when screening for complexity and make it easier to decide whether the rehabilitation should be within MMR1 or MMR2 for patients in need of MMR. / Sammanfattning SYFTE: Syftet med denna studie var att beskriva och jämföra om patienter med långvarig smärtproblematik inom primärvård (MMR1) respektive specialiserad sjukhusvård (MMR2), som stod i begrepp att påbörja multimodal smärtrehabilitering (MMR), skattade olika avseende ett antal prognostiska faktorer för funktionsförmåga. METOD: Studien hade en deskriptiv och komparativ tvärsnittsdesign. Åttionio konsekutivt tillfrågade patienter deltog (50 i MMR1, 39 i MMR2). Datainsamlingen gjordes vid start av MMR med tre självskattningsformulär; Skattning av tilltro till sin förmåga att utföra åtta specificerade vardagsaktiviteter (STIVA-8), The Pain Belief Screening Instrument (PBSI) och Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTAT: Studien visade statistiskt signifikanta skillnader avseende att patienterna i MMR2 skattade lägre tilltro till sin förmåga enligt STIVA-8, det var färre andel lågriskpatienter och större andel högriskpatienter i MMR2 avseende smärtintensitet enligt PBSI samt färre andel patienter utan depression i MMR2 och fler med måttliga depressionsbesvär i MMR2 enligt HADS. Inga signifikanta skillnader kunde visas avseende låg- och högrisk för aktivitetsbegränsning enligt PBSI och inte heller för ångest enligt HADS. När smärtintensitet beräknades med medelvärde på skalan 0-10 fanns inga signifikanta skillnader. KONKLUSION: Patienterna i MMR2 skattade mer negativa konsekvenser av sin smärtsjukdom än i MMR1. Systematisk användning av skattningsformulär som ringar in olika prognostiska faktorer bör kunna underlätta selektion och sortering vid val av vårdnivå för patienter i behov av MMR.

No description available.

A extensão anatômica do tumor é o fator mais importante na avaliação do prognóstico e planejamento do tratamento dos carcinomas epidermóides da cabeça e do pescoço. Além do TNM, outros parâmetros relacionados ao paciente e ao tumor auxiliam na avaliação do prognóstico. Este estudo tem por objetivo identificar fatores prognósticos demográficos, clínicos, tumorais e histopatológicos, associados à sobrevida e resposta ao tratamento no carcinoma da orofaringe. Trata-se de uma análise de 361 pacientes, submetidos à radioterapia exclusiva ou associada à quimioterapia, de 1990 a 2001, no Hospital A. C. Camargo (São Paulo) e Hospital Erasto Gaertner (Curitiba, Paraná). Entre as variáveis estudadas, encontra-se a gravidade dos sintomas, avaliada conforme o modelo de Piccirillo e Pugliano. Foram analisados os sistemas de estadiamento de Berg, TANIS 3, TANIS 4, Hart, Kiricuta e Hall, que são modificações do TNM feitas a partir do reagrupando das categorias T e N, com a finalidade de melhorar a avaliação do prognóstico. A análise estatística utilizou o método de Kaplan-Meier e o modelo de riscos proporcionais de Cox. Os principais resultados foram que a maioria dos tumores era da tonsila (47%) ou base da língua (28%), estádios clínicos III (13%) e IV (80%). A radioterapia exclusiva foi empregada em 73% dos casos. Houve resposta ao tratamento em 65% dos casos e 80% dos pacientes foram a óbito pela doença. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 24 meses, e as variáveis significativas na avaliação da sobrevida global, que aos 5 anos foi de 18%, foram: idade em anos ( 45: 13%; 46 55: 23%; 56 65: 19%; 66 75: 12%; > 75: 7%) (p = 0,0425); índice de Zubrod (1: 24%; 2: 8%; 3: 0%) (p < 0,001); emagrecimento (presente: 13%; ausente: 29%) (p = 0,0022); comorbidades (presentes: 11%; ausentes: 26%) (p < 0,001); estádio de Piccirillo (local: 31%, extra-local: 15%; regional: 14%) (p< 0,001); estádio de Pugliano (nenhum: 44%; leve: 15%; moderado: 13%; severo: 12%) (p< 0,001); envolvimento de partes moles (ausente: 21%; espaço carotídeo: 4%; espaço mastigatório: 0%) (p < 0,001); mobilidade dos linfonodos (móveis: 15%; semi-fixos: 12%; fixos: 6%) (p = 0,0300); dose de RT (< 60 Gy: 3%; 60 a 69Gy: 14%; 70 Gy: 22%) (p < 0,001). Todos os sistemas de estadiamento foram significativos na análise da sobrevida (p < 0,001) e na população estudada, destacaram-se o TANIS 3, Hart e Berg. A resposta ao tratamento foi melhor nos tumores do palato mole e exofíticos (p =0,022). A análise multivariada mostrou como fatores independentes: o índice de Zubrod, o estádio de gravidade dos sintomas de Pugliano, a presença de comorbidades, o estadiamento de Berg e a dose da radioterapia. Observou-se que a combinação de fatores clínicos, tais como sintomatologia, estado geral, emagrecimento e comorbidades, resulta num estádio de gravidade clínica de grande relevância, podendo ser associada aos dados morfológicos do TNM, para uma melhor avaliação do prognóstico do carcinoma da orofaringe / The size of a tumor is the most important anatomic factor for assessing the prognosis and planning the treatment of head and neck tumors.. In addition to TNM, other factors contribute to the assessment of the prognosis, such as symptoms, comorbidities, macroscopic and microscopic features of the tumor, among others. The objective of this study was to identify demographic, clinical, tumoral and histopathological prognostic factors associated with patient survival and treatment response. We reviewed 361 medical records of patients with oropharynx squamous carcinoma, admitted to the Hospital A. C. Camargo and Hospital Erasto Gaertner, submitted to radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy, from 1990 to 2001. Among the variables we studied, the severity of the symptoms was assessed according to Piccirillos and Puglianos staging systems. We also analyzed the staging systems developed by Berg, TANIS 3, TANIS 4, Hart, Kiricuta and Hall, which are TNM modifications based upon the regrouping of the T and N categories, aiming to improve the prognosis assessment. As for the statistical analysis, we used the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox model. The main results were the following: most tumors were sited at the tonsil (47%) or base of the tongue (28%), at clinical stage III (13%) or IV (80%). Radiotherapy alone was used in 73% of the cases. Treatment response was achieved by 65% of the patients, mortality was seen in 80% of the cases. The average follow-up time was of 24 months, and the significant variables in the assessment of overall survival, which was of 17.6 % at 5 years, were the following: age in years ( 45: 13%; 46 55: 23%; 56 65: 19%; 66 75: 12%; > 75: 7%) (p = 0.0425); Zubrod scale (1: 24%; 2: 8%; 3: 0%) (p < 0.001); weight loss (present: 13%; absent: 29%) (p = 0.0022); comorbidities (present: 11%; absent: 26%) (p = 0.0006); Piccirillos staging (local: 31%; extra-local: 15%; regional: 14%) (p< 0.001); Puglianos staging (none: 44%; mild: 15%; moderate: 13%; severe: 12%) (p < 0.001); involvement of soft areas (absent: 21%; carotid area: 4%; masticatory area: 0%) (p < 0.001); lymph node mobility (movable: 15%; semifixed: 12%; fixed: 6%) (p = 0.03); RT doses (< 60 Gy: 3%; 60 a 69Gy: 14%; 70 Gy: 22%) (p < 0,001). All the staging systems were significant for survival analysis (p < 0.001), and the ones that stood out were TANIS 3, Hart and Berg. Treatment response was better in the soft palate and exophytic tumors (p = 0.022). The multivariate analysis showed, as independent factors, the Zubrod scale, Puglianos clinical severity staging system, comorbidities, Bergs staging and the radiotherapy dose. We have come to the conclusion that the combination of clinical factors, such as symptomatology, the patients general condition, weight loss and comorbidities, leads to a highly relevant stage of clinical severity. As far as the prognosis assessment of oropharynx carcinoma is concerned, such factors may be associated with the TNM morphological features

Yes / Despite being a preventable disease, pediatric HIV infection continues to be a public health concern due to the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Vertical transmission of HIV occurs when a mother living with HIV passes the virus to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Globally, the vertical transmission rate of HIV is 9% with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 90% of these infections. In Kenya, the national vertical transmission rates of HIV stood at 11.5% by the end of 2018, with a target to reduce vertical transmission rates to below 5% and 2% in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding infants respectively, by the end of 2021. To determine the prognostic factors influencing HIV-free survival among infants enrolled for HIV early infant diagnosis (EID) services in selected hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya. A prospective cohort study design was adopted. HIV exposed infants were recruited at six weeks to determine HIV-free survival over 12 months follow up. Simple random sampling was used to select 166 infants and data were collected from the mothers using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Log-rank tests were used to test for associations at the bi-variable level while Cox-proportional regression was used to analyze data at the multi-variable level, with the aid of STATA 14 software. Ethical approval was obtained from Kenya Medical Research Institute, Scientific Ethics Review Unit. The overall infant HIV incidence rate over one-year follow-up was 9 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI: 5.465-16.290). The failure event was defined as an infant with a positive PCR test during the study period with total failures being 13 (9.41%) over 12 months. Prognostic factors associated with poor infant HIV-free survival were young maternal age (18-24 years) and mothers with a recent HIV diagnosis of ≤ 2 years since a positive HIV diagnosis (HR 5.97 CI: 1.20, 29.58) and (HR 6.97 CI: 1.96, 24.76), respectively. Maternal prognostic factors associated with poor infant HIV-free survival were young maternal age (18-24 years) and recent maternal HIV diagnosis of ≤ 2 years since positive HIV diagnosis. The study recommended the development of an intervention package with more rigorous adherence counseling and close monitoring for young mothers, and mothers with recent HIV diagnoses.

Mūsų darbo tikslas buvo ištirti naviko proliferacijos žymens Ki-67 prognozinę ir prediktyvinę reikšmę bei imunologinius pokyčius neišplitusia melanoma sergantiems pacientams Pacientai ir metodai: Tiriant Ki-67 žymens prognozinę ir prediktyvinę reikšmę, retrospektyviai buvo ištirti 80 pacientų, kuriems buvo nustatyta neišplitusi melanoma su naviko storiu ≥ 1,5 mm. Vykdant prospektyvinį tyrimą, buvo išanalizuoti imunologiniai duomenys 27 pacientų, kuriems buvo nustatyta neišplitusi melanoma (pTis-pT4N0M0). Melanoma sergančių pacientų imunologiniai rodikliai buvo palyginti su 39 kontrolinės grupės asmenų atitinkamais rodikliais. Rezultatai: Ki-67 žymuo neturėjo prognozinės reikšmės negydytiems IFN-α melanoma sergantiems pacientams, su naviko storių ≥ 1,5 mm. Tuo tarpu gydytų IFN-α pacientų su Ki-67<16% išgyvenimas buvo ilgesnis negu pacientų su Ki-67 ≥ 16% (p=0,016). Tiriant imunologinius parametrus buvo nustatyta, kad melanoma sergančių pacientų periferiniame kraujyje yra mažiau monocitų (p=0,0002) ir citotoksinių T limfocitų CD8highCD57- (p=0,009). Sergantys neišplitusia melanoma pacientai periferiniame kraujyje turi reikšmingai daugiau CD4+ (p=0,02) ir CD8low (p=0,04) limfocitų. Išvados: Ki-67 proliferacijos žymuo neturi prognozinės reikšmės neišplitusia melanoma sergantiems pacientams, ir įgyja prediktyvinę reikšmę gydytiems IFN-α pacientams. Neišplitusia melanoma sergantiems pacientams stebimi reikšmingi imunokompetentinių ląstelių pokyčiai periferiniame kraujyje. / The aim of the study was to explore the prognostic and predictive significance of proliferative index Ki-67 and changes of imunological parameters in non-metastatic melanoma patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: To explore the prognostic and predictive significance of the proliferative index Ki-67, a retrospective analysis was performed with 80 patients, in whom primary non-metastatic melanoma with tumour thickness of ≥ 1,5 mm was diagnosed. A prospective study was performed to explore the immunological parameters in 27 patients who had been diagnosed with non-metastatic melanoma (pTis-pT4N0M0). The immunologic parameter values of patients were compared with those of the control group (39 subjects). RESULTS: Proliferative index Ki-67 in primary tumours had no significant prognostic value in melanoma patients non-treated with IFN-α, tumour thickness≥ 1.5 mm. However, survival of IFN-α treated non-metastatic melanoma patients with Ki-67 expressed in <16% cells was longer than that of the patients with Ki-67 expressed in ≥ 16% cells (p=0,016). The investigation of immunological parameters showed that the peripheral blood of melanoma patients contained a smaller amount of monocytes (p=0.0002) as well as cytotoxic T lymphocytes CD8highCD57- (p=0,009) compared to healthy controls (p=0.009). Patients had significantly higher counts of CD4+ (p=0.02) and CD8low (p=0.04) lymphocytes compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Ki-67 proliferative index has no prognostic significance and... [to full text]

Thulani Nyathi, Student no: 0413256X, MSc thesis, Physics, Faculty of science. 2006. Supervisor: Prof D van der Merwe. / This study aims to calculate tumour control probabilities (TCP) and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) using radiobiological models and correlate these probabilities with clinically observed treatment outcome from follow-up records. These radiobiological calculations were applied retrospectively to thirty-nine paediatric patients who were treated with radiation at Johannesburg Hospital during the period January 1990 to December 2000 and had histologically proven rhabdomyosarcoma. Computer software, BIOPLAN, was used to calculate the TCP and NTCP arising from the dose distribution calculated by the treatment planning system and characterized by dosevolume histograms (DVHs). There was a weak correlation between the calculated TCP and the observed 5-year overall survival status. Furthermore, potential prognostic factors for survival were examined. Statistical analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The 5-year overall survival rate was 55 %. The findings of this study are a yardstick against which more aggressive radiotherapy fractionation regimes can be compared.