No abstract

No abstract

We hypothesized that cancer patients using an Internet website would show an improvement in the knowledge about healthy eating habits, and this might be enhanced by social media interaction. A 6-month randomized intervention was set up. Eligible subjects were allocated in intervention (IG) and control groups (CG). IG had access to the website, and CG was provided with printed versions. All enrolled participants filled in Nutrition Questionnaire (NQ), Quality of Life Questionnaire (QoL) and Psychological Distress Inventory (PDI), at baseline and after 6 months. The difference between post- vs pre-questionnaires was calculated. Seventy-four subjects (CG 39; IG 35) completed the study. There was an increase in the score after the intervention in both groups for the NQ, even if not statistically significant. Dividing the IG into three categories, no (NI), low (LI) and high interactions (HI), we found a decreased score (improvement) in the CG (-0.2) and in the HI (-1.7), and an increased score (worsening) in the NI (+3.3) (p = NS) analysing the PDI. We found an increased score in the QoL both in CG and IG (adjusted LSMeans +3.5 and +2.8 points, respectively; p = NS). This study represents an example for support cancer patients. Despite the lack of significant effects, critical points and problems encountered may be of interest to researchers and organization working in the cancer setting. Intervention strategies to support patients during the care process are needed in order to attain the full potential of patient-centred care on cancer outcomes.

No abstract

New side-chain-modified bleomycins (BLMs) 3a-k have been synthesized by the reaction of demethyl BLM A2 with alpha-bromoacetamides (2a-k). The structures of these BLM analogues have been established by comparison of their NMR spectra with the corresponding spectra of model thiazole derivatives. Mass spectra (FAB) of the modified BLMs are not informative, since the fragmentation patterns exhibit a loss of the modified chain moiety, presumably in the matrix. The purity of the compounds is attested by TLC and HPLC analyses. Biological evaluation of 3a-k in in vitro (survival of B16 melanoma cells) shows that the compounds are almost as effective as bleomycin. Examination of the effects of 3c, 3e, and 3f on lungs of male mice indicates that the analogues do not exhibit lower pulmonary toxicity than bleomycin.