1571. Potentiation of electrochemotherapy by intramuscular IL-12 gene electrotransfer in murine sarcoma and carcinoma with different immunogenicityAleš Sedlar, Tanja Jesenko, Boštjan Markelc, Lara Prosen, Simona Kranjc Brezar, Maša Omerzel, Tanja Blagus, Maja Čemažar, Gregor Serša, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 329; Prenosov: 123
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1573. Cetuximab in preoperative treatment of rectal cancer - term outcome of the XERT trialVaneja Velenik, Janja Ocvirk, Irena Oblak, Franc Anderluh, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Preoperative capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is feasible for the treatment of resectable locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). To try to improve efficacy, we conducted a phase II studz in which the epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting monoclonal antibody cetuximab was added to capecitabine-based CRT. The results for long-term survival and for an analysis investigating the relationship between survival and patient and disease characteristics, including tumour KRAS mutation status, and surgery type, are presented. Patients with resectable LARC received capecitabine (1250mg/m2 twice daily, orally) for 2 weeks followed by cetuximab alone (400 mg/m2 for 1 week) and then with CRT (250 mg/m2/week) comprising capecitabine (825 mg/m2 twice daily) and radiotherapy to the small pelvis (45 Gz in 25 1.8-Gz fractions), five dazs a week for five weeks. Surgery was conducted six weeks following CRT, with post-operative chemotherapy with capecitabine (1250 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days every 21 days) three weeks later. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and 37 underwent treatment. Twenty-eight of the patients (75.7%) had T3N+ disease. Thirty-six patients were evaluable for efficacy. The median follow-up time was 39.0 months (range 5.0-87.0). The three-year local control, disease-free survival, relapse-free survival and overall survival rates were 96.9% (95% CI 90.0-100), 72.2% (57.5-86.9), 74.3% (95% CI 59.8-88.8) and 68.1% (95% CI 36.7-99.4), respectively. There was no significant association between survival and gender, age, tumour location in the rectum, type of surgery, pathological T or N status, tumour regression grade or tumour KRAS mutation status, although sample sizes were small. Preoperative cetuximab plus capecitabine-based CRT was feasible in patients with resectable LARC and was associated with an impressive three-year local control rate. The use of tumour KRAS mutation status as a biomarker for the efficacy of cetuximab-based regimens in this setting requires further investigation. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 294; Prenosov: 67
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1574. Inguinal or inguino-iliac/obturator lymph node dissection after positive inguinal sentinel lymph node in patients with cutaneous melanomaNebojša Glumac, Marko Hočevar, Vesna Zadnik, Marko Snoj, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence of inguinal sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases smaller than 2 mm (micrometastases) subdivided according to the number of micrometastases predicts additional, non-sentinel inguinal, iliac or obturator lymph node involvement in completion lymph node dissection (CLND). Positive inguinal SLN was detected in 58 patients (32 female, 26 male, median age 55 years) from 743 consecutive and prospectively enrolled patients with primary cutaneous melanoma stage I and II who were treated with SLN biopsy between 2001 and 2007. Micrometastases in inguinal SLN were detected in 32 patients, 14 were single, 2 were double, and 16 were multiple. Twenty-six patients had macrometastases. No patient with any micrometastases or a single SLN macrometastasis in the inguinal region had any iliac/obturator non-sentinel metastases after CLND in our series. Furthermore, no patient with single SLN micrometastasis in the inguinal region had any non-sentinel metastases at all after CLND in our series. In these cases respective CLND might be omitted. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 402; Prenosov: 275
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1576. Application of a meshless space-time adaptive approach to phase-field modelling of polycrystalline solidificationTadej Dobravec, Boštjan Mavrič, Božidar Šarler, 2023, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: We have developed a 2-D numerical meshless adaptive approach for phase-field modelling of dendritic solidification. The quadtree-based approach decomposes the computational domain into quadtree sub-domains of different sizes. The algorithm generates uniformly-distributed computational nodes in each quadtree sub-domain. We apply the meshless radial basis function generated finite difference method and the forward Euler scheme to discretise governing equations in each computational node. The fixed ratio between the characteristic size and the node spacing of a quadtree sub-domain ensures space adaptivity. The adaptive time-stepping accelerates the calculations further. In the framework of previous research studies, we used the approach to solve quantitative phase-field models for single dendrite growth in pure melts and dilute binary alloys. In the present study, we upgrade the solution procedure for the modelling growth of multiple differently oriented dendrites. Along with the space-time adaptive approach, we apply non-linear preconditioning of the phase-field equation to increase computational efficiency. We investigate a novel numerical approach's accuracy and computational efficiency by simulating the equiaxed dendrite growth from a dilute binary alloy. Ključne besede: dendritic growth, phase-field method, meshless methods, polycrystalline solidification Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 379; Prenosov: 152
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1577. Outcome of MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy - initial experience at Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, SloveniaMarta Zebič, Kristijana Hertl, Maksimiljan Kadivec, Miha Čavlek, Gašper Podobnik, Marko Snoj, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background. Like all breast imaging modalities MRI has limited specificity and the positive predictive value for lesions detected by MRI alone ranges between 15 and 50%. MRI guided procedures (needle biopsy, presurgical localisation) are mandatory for suspicious findings visible only at MRI, with potential influence on therapeutic decision. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate our initial clinical experience with MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy as an alternative to surgical excision and to investigate the outcome of MRI-guided breast biopsy as a function of the MRI features of the lesions. Patients and methods. In 14 women (median age 51 zears) with 14 MRI-detected lesions, MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy was performed. We evaluated the MRI findings that led to biopsy and we investigated the core and postoperative histology results and follow-up data. Results. The biopsy was technically successful in 14 (93%) of 15 women. Of 14 biopsies in 14 women, core histology revealed 6 malignant (6/14, 43%), 6 benign (6/14, 43%) and 2 high-risk (2/14, 14%) lesions. Among the 6 cancer 3 were invasive and 3 were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The probability of malignancy in our experience was higher for non-mass lesion type and for washout and plateau kinetics. Conclusions. Our initial experience confirms that MRI-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy is fast, safe and accurate alternative to surgical biopsy for breast lesions detected at MRI only. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 284; Prenosov: 106
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1578. Improved survival after introduction of chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma in Slovenia : population-based survey of 444 patientsViljem Kovač, Matjaž Zwitter, Tina Žagar, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumour with increasing frequency throughout the world. Due to long latency after exposure to asbestos, restrictions in the production and use of asbestos have not yet alleviated the burden of mesothelioma. During the last decade, several trials confirmed the benefit of systemic treatment with drugs such as doublets with cisplatina and gemcitabine or pemetrexed for carefully selected patients in good performance status. The purpose of this survey was to assess the impact of systemic treatment for the whole national population of patients with mesothelioma. Patients and methods. A retrospective study included all patients in Slovenia with histologically confirmed diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma in the period from 1974 till 2008. Data from the Cancer Registry of Slovenia were supplemented by review of clinical records of the Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana where virtually all non-surgical treatment for mesothelioma was performed. We analysed the incidence, treatment, and survival of patients treated in the era of infrequent chemotherapy (1974-2003,the first period) and after it (2004-2008, the second period). Results. The survey included 444 patients, of whom 325 and 119 were diagnosed in the first and second period, respectively. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that after 1995 the trend in crude incidence rates increased more rapidly; the annual change was 0.03 per 100,000 per year before 1995 and 0.06 per 100,000 per year after. There was clear male predominance (70%) throughout the period covered by the survey. The proportion of patients above 65 years of age increased from 41.8% to 54.6% for the first and second period, respectively (p = 0.02). With a total of 52 (11.7%) operated patients, surgical treatment was rare and used only for selected patients with early disease and without comorbidity, leading to their relatively long median survival of 13.6 months. Chemotherapy was applied to 56 (17.2%) and to 96 (80.7%) patients during the first and second period, respectively. While a variety of older drugs were used in the first period, the most common regimen in the second period (applied to 91 patients) was doublet of low-dose gemcitabine in prolonged infusion and cisplatin. For the whole population of patients regardless the mode of treatment, median survival was 7.4 and 12.6 months (p-value = 0.037) for the first and second period, respectively. Conclusions. Increasing incidence, male predominance and increased proportion of older patients confirm that the burden of mesothelioma persists in spite o fa 15-years old ban in the production of asbestos. Modern chemotherapy, and in particular treatment with low-dose gemcitabine in prolonged infusion and cisplatin significantly prolonged median survival of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma in Slovenia. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 291; Prenosov: 86
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1579. Effectiveness of L-thyroxine treatment on TSH suppression during pregnancy in patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablationBlaž Krhin, Nikola Bešić, 2012, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Introduction. There are scarce data about the optimal increase of L-thyroxine dose during pregnancy in patients with a history of thyroid carcinoma. The first aim of the study was to find out if routine therapeutic measures enable adequate TSH suppression in pregnancy. The other aim was to find out the optimal dose of L-thyroxine for TSH suppression in pregnant women. Patients and methods. In this retrospective observational study, we analysed 36 pregnancies of 32 women with a history of thyroid carcinoma. Before pregnancy, all of them underwent total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation of thyroid remnant, and they were on suppressive doses of L-thyroxine. Thyroid function tests were obtained before, during and after pregnancy. Results. Mean L-thyroxine dose before pregnancy, in the first, second and, third trimester and after delivery was 149, 147, 155, 165 and 158 micrograms daily, respectively. TSH concentration remained suppressed in 9 pregnancies, it was within normal range in 22 and elevated in 5 pregnancies. The mean dose of L-thyroxine in patients with suppressed TSH before pregnancy, in the first, second and, third trimester and after delivery was 154, 154, 164, 160 and 161 micrograms daily, respectively. When the dose had to be changed, the mean increase of the dose was 31.5 micrograms daily. Conclusions. The range of changes in TSH concentration during pregnancy in the patients who have been on suppressive L-thyroxine therapy before conception is quite wide. TSH was adequately suppressed in only 25% of pregnancies. The dose of L-thyroxine in patients with suppressed TSH in the first, second and third trimester was 154, 164 and 160 micrograms daily, respectively. Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 267; Prenosov: 89
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1580. A meshless numerical solution of thermo-mechanics of hot-rolled steel bars on a cooling bedGašper Vuga, Boštjan Mavrič, Umut Hanoglu, Božidar Šarler, 2023, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: After the continuous hot-rolling process, steel bars are immediately placed on the cooling bed. At the beginning of the cooling, the material is at high temperatures, and the yield strength is low. Due to thermal load, yield strength can be exceeded, and permanent plastic strains start accumulating, resulting in possible unwanted shape changes and residual stresses. The present paper aims to develop a thermo-mechanical model for studying and eliminating undesirable phenomena before the products leave the cooling bed. The governing equations are solved for the two-dimensional slice in a strong form, and a modified version of the radial basis function generated finite difference (RBF-FD) method [1]. The initial bar geometry is obtained from the existing meshless hot-rolling simulation system [2]. The thermal and mechanical models are one-way coupled, i.e. the temperature solution represents a driving force for the stress and strain solution. The temperature field is obtained with explicit propagation in time. The convective and radiative heat fluxes on the boundary are updated at each time step using the ray tracing procedure to determine the radiative heat flux. The mechanical part is solved by considering the small strain elasto-plasticity, where the isotropic von Mises temperature-dependent hardening is employed. The global system of nonlinear equations of the mechanical part is solved by the Newton-Raphson method. The closest point projection method is used to solve the constitutive relations. A sensitivity study is performed on the influence of cooling intensity on a rectangular steel bar’s temperature, stress and strain field. We defined the most influential factors for defect formation. For the first time, a novel meshless RBF-FD method is successfully used for solving such a complex industrial problem. The model will be perspectively upgraded from the slice to the three-dimensional model to enable also bending. Ključne besede: cooling bed, steel bars, thermo-mechanics, strong form, meshless method Objavljeno v DiRROS: 21.03.2024; Ogledov: 294; Prenosov: 149
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