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Aims To quantify radiation treatments for bone metastases from breast cancer in three Sicilian provinces (Messina, Catania, Ragusa) with respect to the general population and the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer in this macro-area in a 8-year period.Methods All bone metastasis patients treated using radiotherapy in 8 radiation departments operating in the provinces of Messina, Catania and Ragusa were collected. Among these, metastases from breast carcinoma were analyzed according to year of irradiation. An analysis of breast cancer incidence and prevalence with respect to inhabitants in this macro-area was conducted using literature and census data.Results From January 2004 to December 2011, irradiation was delivered in 4419 bone metastasis patients. Among these, 1617 had a primary breast cancer with a median treatment per year of 206.5 (range, 164–251); 211 patients were treated in 2004 and 206 in 2011. In 2004, there were 1,048,957 female residents in the three provinces and 1,065,422 in 2011. The reported breast cancer incidence and prevalence in Sicily was respectively 100.79/100,000 and 908.54/100,000 in 2004 and 108.41/100,000 and 1091.29/100,000 in 2010.Conclusions There has been an increase in both incidence and prevalence of breast cancer in Sicily. Nevertheless, it seems that there was no increment in skeletal-related events requiring irradiation in such patients in eastern Sicily radiation departments.

Focuses on the commercial licensing of technology invented at the University of Minnesota. Licensing of grass seed species; Office of Research and Technology Transfer Administration (ORTTA) as an under-used public resource; Work to make the University more industry-accessible; Programs understudy.

Opinion. Discusses the value of state funding of the University of Minnesota for research and technology transfer. Survey results of Minnesota Technology Inc. (MTI); University's Office of Research and Technology Transfer contacts with technology firms; Uses of university resources; Achievements of office in disseminating technology.