Redefine photoprotection: Sun protection beyond sunburn.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light leads to acute and chronic UV damage and is the main risk factor for the development of skin cancer. In most countries with western lifestyle, the topical application of sunscreens on UV-exposed skin areas is by far the most frequently used preventive measure against sunburn. Further than preventing sunburns, increasing numbers of consumers are appreciating sunscreens with a medium- to high-level sun protective factor (SPF) as basis for sustainable-skin ageing or skin cancer prevention programs.

Early and late onset cardiotoxicity following anthracycline-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: Incidence and predictors.

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity represents a major limitation for the use of anthracyclines or trastuzumab in breast cancer patients. Data on longitudinal studies about early and late onset cardiotoxicity in this group of patients is scarce. The objective of the present study was to assess predictors of early and late onset cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer treated with A.

Development and content validation of the Assessment of Burden of ColoRectal Cancer (ABCRC)-tool.

Background: It is essential to include patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as health-related quality of life and symptom burden, in follow-up care of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. These outcomes are most valuable when they are discussed with patients and used to guide follow-up care. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Assessment of Burden of Colorectal cancer (ABCRC)-tool: a tool that includes a patient-reported questionnaire covering the experienced burden of colorectal cancer, assessment of lifestyle parameters, visualisation of the results, and treatment advice.

Patient-reported outcome measures in oncology: a qualitative study of the healthcare professional's perspective.

Background: In the last decades, the number of cancer survivors has increased significantly due to improved treatment and better detection of recurrence. This increased survival redirects the scope from survival towards optimising functional outcomes and improving health-related quality of life (HRQol). Functional and HRQoL outcomes can be assessed with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Patient outcomes, patient experiences and process indicators associated with the routine use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in cancer care: a systematic review.

Purpose: In current cancer care, there is a growing debate about the value of using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in daily clinical follow-up. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to assess the evidence of the effectiveness of the routine use of PROMs in daily cancer care in terms of patient outcomes, patient experiences and process indicators and to identify the effect of giving feedback about PROM findings to patients and/or health care professionals (HCPs).

Methods: A systematic search was performed.

Near-infrared fluorescence image-guidance in plastic surgery: A systematic review.

Background: Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging technique, after administration of contrast agents with fluorescent characteristics in the near-infrared (700-900 nm) range, is considered to possess great potential for the future of plastic surgery, given its capacity for perioperative, real-time anatomical guidance and identification. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive literature review concerning current and potential future applications of NIRF imaging in plastic surgery, thereby guiding future research.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in databases of Cochrane Library CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE (last search Oct 2017) regarding NIRF imaging in plastic surgery.

Diastolic Dysfunction Following Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: Incidence and Predictors.

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity represents a major limitation for the use of anthracyclines or trastuzumab in breast cancer patients. Data from longitudinal studies of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in this group of patients are scarce. The objective of the present study was to assess the incidence, evolution, and predictors of DD in patients with breast cancer treated with anthracyclines.

Vegetation size at diagnosis in infective endocarditis: influencing factors and prognostic implications.

The role of vegetation as the key feature of infective endocarditis is universally recognized. Nowadays, the wide availability of transesophageal echocardiography has made of it the most employed technique to establish the diagnosis by visualizing vegetations. However, the factors which influence the size of vegetation when first detected are not clearly determined.

Risk of embolization after institution of antibiotic therapy for infective endocarditis.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the risk of systemic embolization in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis, once adequate antibiotic treatment had been initiated, on the basis of prospective clinical follow-up.

Background: As one of the complications of infective endocarditis, embolization has a great impact on prognosis. Prediction of an individual patient's risk of embolization is very difficult.

Periannular extension of infective endocarditis.

Objectives: This prospective study was designed to assess the current clinical course, risk factors, microbiologic profile and echocardiographic findings of patients with left-sided endocarditis and perivalvular complications.

Background: Periannular complications worsen the prognosis of patients with endocarditis. The relation between these complications and the clinical and microbiologic data has not been clearly defined.

[Clinical profile and prognosis of patients with endocarditis and periannular pseudoaneurysms].

Introduction And Objectives: Little information is available on the clinical profile and prognosis of patients with endocarditis and periannular pseudoaneurysms because the presence of pseudoaneurysm itself is considered an indication albeit not an evidence-based indication, for surgery.

Methods: We followed 18 patients (11 males, mean age: 5 +/- 4) with endocarditis and pseudoaneurysm diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography and/or at surgery over 14 +/- 5 months.

Results: Aortic (n = 14; 6 on native valve, 8 on prosthesis) was more frequent than mitral (n = 3; 3 prosthesis) or tricuspid location (n = 1).

Clinical, anatomic, and echocardiographic characteristics of aneurysms of the mitral valve.

This study describes the clinical, anatomic, echocardiographic, and Doppler features of 13 patients with mitral valve aneurysms. Eleven patients had definitive criteria for infective endocarditis. Transesophageal echocardiography was superior to conventional echocardiography in detecting and assessing aneurysms.

Clinical course, microbiologic profile, and diagnosis of periannular complications in prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Whether periannular extension of prosthetic valve endocarditis (abscesses, pseudoaneurysms, fistulas) is related to the etiologic agent, the clinical course and the prognosis is still unknown. Likewise, transesophageal echocardiographic accuracy in detecting periannular complications in prosthetic recipients remains unsettled. We retrospectively analyzed data from 87 patients with anatomically proven prosthetic valve endocarditis who underwent a transesophageal echocardiographic examination.

Penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcer: documentation by transesophageal echocardiography.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the ability of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to document the presence of penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcers and their complications.

Background: TEE has greatly enhanced our ability to assess patients with suspected aortic disease. However, the utility of this technique in the diagnosis of penetrating atherosclerotic aortic ulcers is still undefined.

Supravalvular aortic stenosis in aortic dissection.

Supravalvular aortic stenosis is a rare complication of aortic dissection. We report on echocardiographic and magnetic resonance observations in 2 cases of aortic dissection with false lumen thrombosis of the ascending aorta and severe narrowing of the true lumen.

[Elective noninvasive test in the diagnosis of coronary disease in the aged].

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the best noninvasive test to diagnose coronary artery disease in the elderly. PATTERNS AND METHODS: We conducted a study on 56 elderly patients (> 65 years) with chest pain and no previous history of coronary artery disease. They underwent exercise stress test, dipyridamole echocardiography (0.

Primary mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography.

Primary mycotic aneurysms are rare, and they can be difficult to diagnose before rupture. Early diagnosis is the cornerstone to effective management. Preoperative diagnosis has traditionally involved angiography and computed tomography.

[A non-invasive test choice for the diagnosis of coronary disease in women].

Background And Purpose: Regarding coronary heart disease, women have often been excluded from clinical trials. Current practical recommendations are thus based on studies in men. To identify the non invasive technique of choice in detecting coronary artery disease in women, a study with different diagnostic tests has been undertaken.