Increased Mortality in Metal-on-Metal versus Non-Metal-on-Metal Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty at 10 Years and Longer Follow-Up: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: There are concerns about increased mortality in patients with metal-on-metal bearings in total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Objective: To determine the mortality and the morbidity in patients with metal-on-metal articulations (MOM THA) compared to patients with non-metal-on-metal articulations (non-MOM THA) after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Data Sources: Search of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, AcademicSearchPremier, ScienceDirect, Wiley and clinical trial registers through March 2015, augmented by a hand search of references from the included articles.

Successful Therapy Reduction and Intensification for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Based on Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring: Study ALL10 From the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group.

Purpose: Outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) improved greatly by intensifying chemotherapy for all patients. Minimal residual disease (MRD) levels during the first months predict outcome and may select patients for therapy reduction or intensification.

Methods: Patients 1 to 18 years old with ALL were stratified on the basis of MRD levels after the first and second course of chemotherapy.

LUMiC Endoprosthetic Reconstruction After Periacetabular Tumor Resection: Short-term Results.

Background: Reconstruction of periacetabular defects after pelvic tumor resection ranks among the most challenging procedures in orthopaedic oncology, and reconstructive techniques are generally associated with dissatisfying mechanical and nonmechanical complication rates. In an attempt to reduce the risk of dislocation, aseptic loosening, and infection, we introduced the LUMiC prosthesis (implantcast, Buxtehude, Germany) in 2008. The LUMiC prosthesis is a modular device, built of a separate stem (hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented or cemented) and acetabular cup.

Correcting for dependent censoring in routine outcome monitoring data by applying the inverse probability censoring weighted estimator.

Censored data make survival analysis more complicated because exact event times are not observed. Statistical methodology developed to account for censored observations assumes that patients' withdrawal from a study is independent of the event of interest. However, in practice, some covariates might be associated to both lifetime and censoring mechanism, inducing dependent censoring.

Long-Term Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Rectal Cancer After Preoperative Short-Course and Long-Course (Chemo) Radiotherapy.

Background: Both preoperative short-course radiotherapy (SC-PRT) and preoperative long-course chemo radiotherapy (CRT) have shown to reduce local recurrence rates after total mesorectal excision (TME), but neither resulted in improved survival. This study compared the long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL) and symptoms between CRT and SC-PRT.

Methods: Patients who were preoperatively treated with a total dose of 50.

Predictive Value of Six Prognostic Scoring Systems for Spinal Bone Metastases: An Analysis Based on 1379 Patients.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the predictive accuracy of six models designed to estimate survival of patients suffering from spinal bone metastases Just (SBMs).

Summary Of Background Data: On the basis of the estimated survival of patients with SBM, extent of treatment can be adjusted.

Incidence and recovery of neurosensory disturbances after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy in different age groups: a retrospective study of 263 patients.

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of neurosensory disturbance (NSD) after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) in different age groups and to assess the probability of sensory recovery in patients aged <19 years, 19-30 years, and >30 years. Hypoaesthesia of the lower lip was assessed subjectively and objectively immediately after BSSO and at 1 week and 1, 6, and 12 months after BSSO. Hypoaesthesia was considered permanent if it was present 1 year after BSSO.

Colorectal cancer surgery for obese patients: Financial and clinical outcomes of a Dutch population-based registry.

Background And Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the association among adverse events, body mass index (BMI), and hospital costs after colorectal cancer surgery in a country with an intermediate BMI distribution.

Methods: All colorectal cancer procedures in 29 Dutch hospitals listed in a 2010-2012 population-based database and with a BMI > 18.5 were included (n = 8687).

Neuroblastoma messenger RNA is frequently detected in bone marrow at diagnosis of localised neuroblastoma patients.

Introduction: The clinical importance of the detection of neuroblastoma messenger RNA (mRNA) in bone marrow (BM) of localised neuroblastoma patients at diagnosis remains unclear. In this prospective multicentre study, BM samples of a large cohort, were studied using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Methods: BM samples at diagnosis from 160 patients with localised neuroblastoma were prospectively collected at Dutch and German centres between 2009 and 2013.

Nationwide Outcomes Measurement in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Improving Quality and Reducing Costs.

Background: Recent literature suggests that focus in health care should shift from reducing costs to improving quality; where quality of health care improves, cost reduction will follow. Our primary aim was to investigate whether improving the quality of surgical colorectal cancer care, by using a national quality improvement initiative, leads to a reduction of hospital costs.

Study Design: This was a retrospective analysis of clinical and financial outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery in 29 Dutch hospitals (9,913 patients).

Risk-adapted approach for fever and neutropenia in paediatric cancer patients--a national multicentre study.

Background: In this national multicentre study, we examined the safety of reducing antibiotics in selected paediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.

Methods: Patients with signs of a bacterial infection and/or abnormal vital signs indicating sepsis were considered high risk and received antibiotic therapy. Remaining patients were allocated to low- or medium risk, depending on their interleukin-8 level.

Success and survival of autotransplanted premolars and molars during short-term clinical follow-up.

Aim: Autotransplantation is an elegant therapy for single tooth replacement that is too often overlooked in patients with missing teeth. Especially, autotransplantation of third molars to replace heavily damaged or missing molars is often not considered. This study investigated the success and survival of autotransplanted premolars and molars during clinical follow-up.

The positive prognostic effect of stromal CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells is restrained by the expression of HLA-E in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Introduction: Tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells are associated with improved clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we studied their prognostic effect in the context of the expression of HLA molecules that are key in tumor recognition (HLA-A, B and C) or suppression of immunity (HLA-E) as this is still unknown.

Methods: Tumor tissue of 197 patients with resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma was analyzed for the presence of CD8+ T cells and the expression of β2-microglobulin, HLA-A, HLA-B/C and HLA-E.

What Are the Long-term Results of MUTARS Modular Endoprostheses for Reconstruction of Tumor Resection of the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia?

Background: Modular endoprostheses are commonly used to reconstruct defects of the distal femur and proximal tibia after bone tumor resection. Because limb salvage surgery for bone sarcomas is relatively new, becoming more frequently used since the 1980s, studies focusing on the long-term results of such prostheses in treatment of primary tumors are scarce.

Questions/purposes: (1) What proportion of patients experience a mechanical complication with the MUTARS modular endoprosthesis when used for tumor reconstruction around the knee, and what factors may be associated with mechanical failure? (2) What are the nonmechanical complications? (3) What are the implant failure rates at 5, 10, and 15 years? (4) How often is limb salvage achieved using this prosthesis?

Methods: Between 1995 and 2010, endoprostheses were the preferred method of reconstruction after resection of the knee in adolescents and adults in our centers.

Outcome of total hip arthroplasty, but not of total knee arthroplasty, is related to the preoperative radiographic severity of osteoarthritis. A prospective cohort study of 573 patients.

Background And Purpose: There is no consensus on the impact of radiographic severity of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) on the clinical outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We assessed whether preoperative radiographic severity of OA is related to improvements in functioning, pain, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) 1 year after THA or TKA.

Patients And Methods: This prospective cohort study included 302 THA patients and 271 TKA patients with hip or knee OA.

Aggravated bone density decline following symptomatic osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Osteonecrosis and decline of bone density are serious side effects during and after treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is unknown whether osteonecrosis and low bone density occur together in the same patients, or whether these two osteogenic side-effects can mutually influence each other's development. Bone density and the incidence of symptomatic osteonecrosis were prospectively assessed in a national cohort of 466 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (4-18 years of age) who were treated according to the dexamethasone-based Dutch Child Oncology Group-ALL9 protocol.

Morphological features of the mandible as predictors for neurosensory disturbances after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.

This retrospective study aimed to identify anatomical predictors of neurosensory disturbance (NSD) after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSO) by evaluating the morphology of the mandible on lateral cephalograms (LCs) and orthopantomograms (OPTs). The LCs and OPTs of 142 patients who underwent BSSO were reviewed. The influence of the mandibular angle was assessed on LCs, while the following morphological landmarks and subsequent measurements were analysed on OPTs: vertical and horizontal positions of the lingula, ramus width, mandibular body height, mandibular canal position and mandibular angle length.

Prognostic value of rare IKZF1 deletion in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an international collaborative study.

Deletions in IKZF1 are found in ~15% of children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). There is strong evidence for the poor prognosis of IKZF1 deletions affecting exons 4-7 and exons 1-8, but evidence for the remaining 33% of cases harboring other variants of IKZF1 deletions is lacking. In an international multicenter study we analyzed the prognostic value of these rare variants in a case-control design.

Innovative pharmaceutical interventions in cardiovascular disease: Focusing on the contribution of non-HDL-C/LDL-C-lowering versus HDL-C-raising: A systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant preclinical studies and clinical trials.

Non-HDL-cholesterol is well recognised as a primary causal risk factor in cardiovascular disease. However, despite consistent epidemiological evidence for an inverse association between HDL-C and coronary heart disease, clinical trials aimed at raising HDL-C (AIM-HIGH, HPS2-THRIVE, dal-OUTCOMES) failed to meet their primary goals. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effects of established and novel treatment strategies, specifically targeting HDL, on inhibition of atherosclerosis in cholesteryl ester transfer protein-expressing animals, and the prevention of clinical events in randomised controlled trials.

Costs of complications after colorectal cancer surgery in the Netherlands: Building the business case for hospitals.

Background: Healthcare providers worldwide are struggling with rising costs while hospitals budgets are under stress. Colorectal cancer surgery is commonly performed, however it is associated with a disproportionate share of adverse events in general surgery. Since adverse events are associated with extra hospital costs it seems important to explicitly discuss the costs of complications and the risk factors for high-costs after colorectal surgery.

Minimal residual disease detection in autologous stem cell grafts from patients with high risk neuroblastoma.

Background: The clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in autologous stem cell grafts in high risk neuroblastoma is still controversial. In this retrospective multicenter study, autologous stem cell grafts of a large cohort were studied using a panel of RNA markers.

Procedure: From 104 patients with high risk neuroblastoma, who received autologous stem cell transplantation as first line treatment, 66 peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and 38 CD34+ selected grafts were retrospectively collected at 2 Dutch and 12 German centers between 1997 and 2010.

Early subsidence of shape-closed hip arthroplasty stems is associated with late revision. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 RSA studies and 56 survival studies.

Background And Purpose: Few studies have addressed the association between early migration of femoral stems and late aseptic revision in total hip arthroplasty. We performed a meta-regression analysis on 2 parallel systematic reviews and meta-analyses to determine the association between early migration and late aseptic revision of femoral stems.

Patients And Methods: Of the 2 reviews, one covered early migration data obtained from radiostereometric analysis (RSA) studies and the other covered long-term aseptic revision rates obtained from survival studies with endpoint revision for aseptic loosening.

Scaling of graphene integrated circuits.

The influence of transistor size reduction (scaling) on the speed of realistic multi-stage integrated circuits (ICs) represents the main performance metric of a given transistor technology. Despite extensive interest in graphene electronics, scaling efforts have so far focused on individual transistors rather than multi-stage ICs. Here we study the scaling of graphene ICs based on transistors from 3.

High-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: surgical margins influence only local recurrence not overall survival.

Purpose: After surgical treatment of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas, local recurrences, metastases and survival remain a great concern. Further knowledge on factors with a possible impact on these endpoints, specifically resection margins, is relevant for decision-making regarding the aggressiveness of local treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of prognostic factors on local recurrence and overall survival for patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities.