Clinical validation of a prognostic preclinical magnetic resonance imaging biomarker for radiotherapy outcome in head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: To retrain a model based on a previously identified prognostic imaging biomarker using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in a preclinical setting and validate the model using clinical DW-MRI data of patients with locally advanced head-and-neck cancer (HNC) acquired before radiochemotherapy.

Material And Methods: A total of 31 HNC patients underwent T2-weighted and DW-MRI using 3 T MRI before radiochemotherapy (35 x 2 Gy). Gross tumor volumes (GTV) were delineated based on T2-weighted and b500 images.

Tumor sequencing before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer: Genetic tumor characterization and clinical outcome.

Background And Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) is a standard treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, there is still conflicting data about the genetic landscape and potential dynamics during and after NCRT. This study evaluated oncogenic driver mutations before NCRT and investigated corresponding resection samples after treatment.

Dynamics of cell-free tumor DNA correlate with early MRI response during chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer.

Background: In locally advanced rectal cancer, the prediction of tumor response during and after neoadjuvant treatment remains challenging. In terms of organ preservation, adaptive radiotherapy, and intensified (total) neoadjuvant therapies, biomarkers are desirable for patient stratification.

Methods: In 16 patients, weekly blood samples (n = 86) to detect cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) during long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were analyzed.

Horizontal transmission of a multidrug-resistant IncN plasmid isolated from urban wastewater.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Given that plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer plays a critical role in disseminating ARGs in the environment, it is important to inspect the transfer potential of transmissible plasmids to have a better understanding of whether these mobile ARGs can be hosted by opportunistic pathogens and should be included in One Health's considerations. In this study, we used a fluorescent-reporter-gene based exogenous isolation approach to capture extended-spectrum beta-lactamases encoding mobile determinants from sewer microbiome samples that enter an urban water system (UWS) in Denmark.

Impact of MRI on target volume definition in head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Target volume definition for curative radiochemotherapy in head and neck cancer is crucial since the predominant recurrence pattern is local. Additional diagnostic imaging like MRI is increasingly used, yet it is usually hampered by different patient positioning compared to radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the impact of diagnostic MRI in treatment position for target volume delineation.

Plasma sICAM-1 correlates with tumor volume before primary radiochemotherapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Background: Biomarkers are of major interest to optimize diagnosis, prognosis and to guide treatment in head and neck cancer patients. Especially blood-based biomarkers appear promising as they can be easily collected and repeatedly analyzed during the course of radiochemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: At first, for a broad overview, multiple immune markers were evaluated in six plasma samples of three head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients at the beginning and the end of radio-chemotherapy.

Patient views on genetics and functional imaging for precision medicine: a willingness-to-pay analysis.

Willingness-to-pay (WTP) analyses can support allocation processes considering the patients preferences in personalized medicine. However, genetic testing especially might imply ethical concerns that have to be considered. A WTP questionnaire was designed to compare preferences for imaging and genetic testing in cancer patients and to evaluate potential ethical concerns.

Dynamics of HMBG1 (High Mobility Group Box 1) during radiochemotherapy correlate with outcome of HNSCC patients.

Purpose: High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) protein has been described as a consensus marker for immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer. To personalize treatments, there is a need for biomarkers to adapt dose prescription, concomitant chemotherapy, and follow-up in radiation oncology. Thus, we investigated the levels of HMGB1 in plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) during the course of radiochemotherapy and follow-up in correlation with oncologic outcome and clinical confounders.

Retrospective analysis of recurrence patterns and clinical outcome of grade II meningiomas following postoperative radiotherapy.

Background: Atypical meningiomas exhibit a high tendency for tumor recurrence even after multimodal therapy. Information regarding recurrence patterns after additive radiotherapy is scarce but could improve radiotherapy planning and therapy decision. We conducted an analysis of recurrence patterns with regard to target volumes and dose coverage assessing target volume definition and postulated areas of tumor re-growth origin.

Prognostic Value of the C-Methacetin Breath Test in Adults with Acute Liver Failure and Non-acetaminophen Acute Liver Injury.

Background And Aims: The C-methacetin breath test (MBT) is a noninvasive, quantitative hepatic metabolic function test. The aim of this prospective, multicenter study was to determine the utility of initial and serial C-MBT in predicting 21-day outcomes in adults with acute liver failure (ALF) and non-acetaminophen acute liver injury (ALI).

Approach And Results: The C-MBT BreathID device (Exalenz Biosciences, Ltd.

Coagulopathy, Bleeding Events, and Outcome According to Rotational Thromboelastometry in Patients With Acute Liver Injury/Failure.

Background And Aims: Patients with acute liver injury or failure (ALI/ALF) experience bleeding complications uncommonly despite an abnormal hemostatic profile. Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), which assesses clot formation in whole blood, was used to determine the nature of abnormal hemostasis and whether it contributes to bleeding events, illness severity, or survival.

Approach And Results: A total of 200 patients were recruited from sites of the ALF Study Group.

Time intervals between semen production, initiation of analysis, and IUI significantly influence clinical pregnancies and live births.

Purpose: Does IDEF mapping help monitor the technical process of IUI and explore the potential improvements which might contribute to increased pregnancy and live birth rates?

Method: Retrospective analysis of 1729 homologous IUI cycles of couples attending a fertility clinic in a university hospital setting. Standardized conventional semen parameters were analyzed and the semen samples prepared via discontinuous density gradient centrifugation.

Results: There was no significant association between sperm concentration, motility and morphology (analysis phase), and pregnancy outcome.

Correction: Hill, A.; et al. Effects of Vitamin C on Organ Function in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2019, , 2103.

The authors thank the readers for pointing out the issues [...

Correction to: Retrospective analysis of fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the interdisciplinary management of primary optic nerve sheath meningiomas.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Dynamics of cell-free tumour DNA correlate with treatment response of head and neck cancer patients receiving radiochemotherapy.

Purpose: Definitive radiochemotherapy (RCTX) with curative intent is one of the standard treatment options in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite this intensive therapy protocol, disease recurrence remains an issue. Therefore, we tested the predictive capacity of liquid biopsies as a novel biomarker during RCTX in patients with HNSCC.

Meeting nutritional targets of critically ill patients by combined enteral and parenteral nutrition: review and rationale for the EFFORTcombo trial.

While medical nutrition therapy is an essential part of the care for critically ill patients, uncertainty exists about the right form, dosage, timing and route in relation to the phases of critical illness. As enteral nutrition (EN) is often withheld or interrupted during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay, combined EN and parenteral nutrition (PN) may represent an effective and safe option to achieve energy and protein goals as recommended by international guidelines. We hypothesise that critically ill patients at high nutritional risk may benefit from such a combined approach during their stay on the ICU.

PET/MRI and genetic intrapatient heterogeneity in head and neck cancers.

Purpose: The relation between functional imaging and intrapatient genetic heterogeneity remains poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate spatial sampling and functional imaging by FDG-PET/MRI to describe intrapatient tumour heterogeneity.

Methods: Six patients with oropharyngeal cancer were included in this pilot study.

Retrospective analysis of fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the interdisciplinary management of primary optic nerve sheath meningiomas.

Background: As optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSM) are rare, there are no prospective studies. Our retrospective analysis focusses on a cohort of patients with uniform disease characteristics all treated with the same radiotherapy regimen. We describe treatment decision making, radiotherapy planning and detailed neuro-ophthalmological outcome of the patients.

Effects of Vitamin C on Organ Function in Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cardiac surgery is associated with oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which both contribute to postoperative organ dysfunction. Vitamin C is a pleiotropic, antioxidant, and potentially organ-protective micronutrient. Past clinical trials and meta-analyses have focused predominantly on occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Correction to: Comparison between the musician-specific seating position of high string bow players and their habitual seating position - a video raster stereographic study of the dorsal upper body posture.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12995-018-0217-6.].

Comparison between the musician-specific seating position of high string bow players and their habitual seating position - a video raster stereographic study of the dorsal upper body posture.

Background: Effects of playing high stringed bow instruments on the upper body posture have not been analysed so far. The instrument-specific seating position when playing in an orchestra is compared to the habitual seating position.

Methods: Three dimensional back scans were performed in 13 professional violinists and viola players of a radio orchestra (8 f / 5 m).

Sperm DNA fragmentation in the total and vital fractions before and after density gradient centrifugation: Significance in male fertility diagnosis.

Background: Sperm DNA fragmentation measured by different techniques make comparisons impossible due to lack of standardization. Induction of DNA damage after sperm preparation in the entire fraction has been observed on independent occasions but findings are not consistent.

Methods: Men presenting at a University hospital setup for infertility treatment.

Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of l-ornithine phenylacetate in patients with acute liver injury/failure and hyperammonemia.

Unlabelled: Cerebral edema remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and has been linked to elevated blood ammonia levels. l-ornithine phenylacetate (OPA) may decrease ammonia by promoting its renal excretion as phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN), decreasing the risk of cerebral edema. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of OPA in patients with ALF and acute liver injury (ALI), including those with renal failure.

[77-year-old man with rare Littré's hernia].

History And Clinical Findings: A 77-year-old man presented with acute pain and femoral swelling in his right groin.

Examinations: The clinical finding resulted in the suspicion of an irreducible, possibly incarcerated inguinal hernia. Transcutaneous ultrasound did not reveal any hints confirming the clinical suspicion.

[Skills lab from the surgical point of view. Experiences from the Magdeburg Medical School--The University of Magdeburg].

Introduction: For the acquisition of practical skills, the separate learning atmosphere of a skills lab(oratory) is very suitable. Numerous educational objectives of surgical teaching can be pursued using phantoms, manikins or mutual training among students prior to real practical use during clinical traineeships or internships.

Aim And Method: This article provides a compact, systematic overview of the skills lab concept, based on published aspects in selected and relatively recent topic-related references from PubMed® including our own approaches, as well as comments and experiences with regard to its further development.