Building Solid-State Batteries: Insights from Swiss Research Labs.

This review article delves into the growing field of solid-state batteries as a compelling alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The article surveys ongoing research efforts at renowned Swiss institutions such as ETH Zurich, Empa, Paul Scherrer Institute, and Berner Fachhochschule covering various aspects, from a fundamental understanding of battery interfaces to practical issues of solid-state battery fabrication, their design, and production. The article then outlines the prospects of solid-state batteries, emphasizing the imperative practical challenges that remain to be overcome and highlighting Swiss research groups' efforts and research directions in this field.

Gracilis muscle transposition in complex anorectal fistulas of diverse types and etiologies: long-term results of 60 cases.

Purpose: Complex fistulas often require several attempts at repair and continue to be a challenging task for the surgeon, but above all, a major burden for the affected patient. This study is aimed at evaluating the potential of gracilis muscle transposition (GMT) as a therapeutic option for complex fistulas of diverse etiologies.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a period of 16 years with a total of 60 patients (mean age 50 years).

Health services research in colorectal cancer: a quasi-experimental interventional pilot study on in- and outpatient oncology.

Introduction: Due to frequent treatment side effects and weight loss, colorectal cancer patients require oncologic care and nutritional counseling both during and after hospitalization. The current study evaluated differences in discharge and side effects management and nutritional behavior between colorectal cancer patients of a control group without systematic counseling and of an intervention group with access to structured in- and outpatient oncology nurse and nutritional counseling.

Methods: The presented explorative, quantitative, single-center, interventional pilot study is a health services research project with a quasi-experimental design.

Contribution of CD3+CD8- and CD3+CD8+ T Cells to TNF-α Overexpression in Crohn Disease-Associated Perianal Fistulas and Induction of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in HT-29 Cells.

Background: Fistulas represent a frequent and severe complication in patients with Crohn disease (CD). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta, and interleukin (IL)-13 are known to trigger epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), promoting fistula formation. Here, we investigated the role of T-lymphocytes (T cells) in fistula pathogenesis.

Reducing Patient Burden and Improving Data Quality With the New Cleveland Clinic Colorectal Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Background: The Cleveland Clinic Colorectal Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire was developed in response to the need for a new, fast, and comprehensive tool for evaluating quality of life in patients who have colorectal cancer. Available surveys such as the SF-12, SF-36, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer are either too general to be informative or too lengthy to complete.

Objective: The aim was to validate the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Colorectal Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Correction to: Gracilis muscle transposition for treatment of recurrent anovaginal, rectovaginal, rectourethral, and pouch-vaginal fistulas in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

The article Gracilis muscle transposition for treatment.

Better Function With a Colonic J-Pouch or a Side-to-end Anastomosis?: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare the Complications, Functional Outcome, and Quality of Life in Patients With Low Rectal Cancer After a J-Pouch or a Side-to-end Anastomosis.

Background Information: We aimed to compare prospectively the complications and functional outcome of patients undergoing a J-Pouch (JP) or a side-to-end anastomosis (SE) for treatment of low rectal cancer at a 2-year time point after resection for rectal cancer.

Methods: A multicenter study was conducted on patients with low rectal cancer who were randomized to receive either a JP or SE and were followed for 24 months utilizing SF-12 and FACT-C surveys to evaluate the quality of life (QOL). Fecal incontinence was evaluated using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI).

Gracilis muscle transposition for treatment of recurrent anovaginal, rectovaginal, rectourethral, and pouch-vaginal fistulas in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of gracilis muscle transposition (GMT) to treat recurrent anovaginal, rectovaginal, rectourethral, and pouch-vaginal fistulas in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients with IBD who had GMT performed by a single surgeon between 2000 and 2018. Follow-up data regarding healing rate, complications, additional procedures, and stoma closure rate was collected.

Long-term monitoring of opioid, sedative and anti-inflammatory drugs in horse hair using a selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS procedure.

Background: Compared to blood or urine, drugs can be detected for much longer periods in the long hair of horses. The aim of this study was to establish and validate a highly sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the detection and quantification of frequently prescribed opioids, sedatives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the mane and tail hair of horses. Based on an average growth rate of about 2 cm per month, times of administration reported by horse owners or veterinary physicians were related to drug localizations in hair.

A randomized trial of laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer.

Background: Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer is widely used. However, robust evidence to conclude that laparoscopic surgery and open surgery have similar outcomes in rectal cancer is lacking. A trial was designed to compare 3-year rates of cancer recurrence in the pelvic or perineal area (locoregional recurrence) and survival after laparoscopic and open resection of rectal cancer.

Treatment of type 2 and 4 olecranon fractures with locking compression plate osteosynthesis in horses: a prospective study (2002-2008).

This prospective study describes a series of 18 olecranon fractures in 16 horses that were treated with locking compression plates (LCP). Twelve of the 18 fractures were simple (type 2), whereas six were comminuted (type 4). Six fractures were open and 12 were closed.

Preliminary results on efficacy in closure of transsphincteric and rectovaginal fistulas associated with Crohn's disease using new biomaterials.

Background And Aims: It was the aim of this prospective study to analyze the efficacy of the Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug and the Surgisis mesh for the closure of complex fistulas in Crohn's disease.

Methods: All patients with perianal Crohn's disease suffering from transsphincteric and rectovaginal fistulas who underwent surgery using the Surgisis anal fistula plug or the Surgisis mesh were prospectively enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria included transsphincteric single-tract fistulas and rectovaginal fistulas.

Innovative technique for the closure of rectovaginal fistula using Surgisis mesh.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the efficacy of Surgisis mesh for closure of rectovaginal fistulas. Prospective data were collected from two centres.

Methods: All patients with a rectovaginal fistula who underwent definitive surgery using Surgisis mesh were prospectively enrolled in this study.

Fracture configurations of the equine radius and tibia after a simulated kick.

The objective of this postmortem study was to determine the fracture configurations of the equine radius and tibia after a simulated kick. Fracture configurations of 35 radii and 36 tibiae from 19 adult horses were evaluated after a simulated kick in an experimental ex-vivo study. The bones were dissected, the proximal and distal ends were embedded in resin, fixed horizontally and preloaded in compression, and a steel impactor, designed to simulate a shod equine hoof, was dropped from a height of three to six metres onto the diaphysis.

Initial experience on efficacy in closure of cryptoglandular and Crohn's transsphincteric fistulas by the use of the anal fistula plug.

Background And Aims: It was the aim of this prospective study to analyze the efficacy of the Cook Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug (AFP) for the closure of cryptoglandular and Crohn's disease-associated transsphincteric anorectal fistulas.

Materials And Methods: All patients with transsphincteric anorectal fistulas who underwent a surgical procedure using the AFP were prospectively enrolled in this study. Inclusion criteria included transsphincteric, single-tract fistulas.

Use of a parathyroid hormone peptide (PTH(1-34))-enriched fibrin hydrogel for the treatment of a subchondral cystic lesion in the proximal interphalangeal joint of a warmblood filly.

To describe the treatment of a subchondral bone cyst in the proximal phalanx with parathyroid hormone peptide-enriched fibrin hydrogel in a warmblood filly. The cyst was localized with computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery, then curetted and finally filled with parathyroid hormone fragment peptide 1-34 (PTH(1-34)) covalently attached to a fibrin hydrogel. The cyst healed quickly without any complications.

Outcome of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer in 101 patients.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer and to compare early outcome data with the results of the conventional technique.

Methods: From January 1996 to March 2002, 435 patients with primary rectal cancer were operated on at our institution. Low-risk, small rectal tumors treatable by local excision, rectal cancer recurrences, and emergency cases were excluded from the analysis.

Metabolic classification of human rectal adenocarcinomas: a novel guideline for clinical oncologists?

Purpose: Based on previous findings in SCC of the human uterine cervix and of the head and neck, metastasis- and survival-related metabolic classification was performed in human rectal adenocarcinomas. Such a characterization is suggested as basis of a novel clinical guideline for an appropriate therapy of epithelium-derived malignancies.

Methods: Tissue concentrations of ATP, glucose, and lactate in viable tumor regions of 33 pretherapeutically taken cryobiopsies from 24 patients were measured at a microscopic level using the technique of imaging bioluminescence.

Quality of life changes during conformal radiation therapy for prostate carcinoma.

Background: The objective of this study was to describe prospectively quality of life (QOL) before and after radiotherapy for patients with prostate carcinoma.

Methods: Forty-three patients with T1-T3 prostate carcinoma who underwent conformal external beam radiation therapy were randomized either to the complete European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) or the Medical Outcomes Study Group Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at baseline, at 3 weeks and 6 weeks after initial treatment, and at 6 weeks and 5 months after the completion of radiotherapy. The measures were self-reported patient QOL, and values are given as the mean +/- standard error of the mean.