Liquid Crystals Based on the -Phenylpyridinium Cation-Mesomorphism and the Effect of the Anion.

Families of symmetric, ionic, tetracatenar mesogens are described based on a rigid, -phenylpyridinium core, prepared as their triflimide, octyl sulfate and dodecyl sulfate salts for a range of terminal chain lengths. The mesomorphism of the individual series is described before a comparison is drawn between the different families and then more broadly with (i) neutral tetracatenar materials and (ii) related bis(3,4-dialkoxystilbazole)silver(I) salts. For the octyl and dodecyl sulfates and the related triflates reported earlier, a SmA phase is seen at shorter chain lengths, giving way to a Col phase as the terminal chain lengthens.

Ionic N-phenylpyridinium tetracatenar mesogens: competing driving forces in mesophase formation and unprecedented difference in phase stabilisation within a homologous series.

Ionic, tetracatenar liquid crystals containing an N-phenylpyridinum core are described; many of these compounds display a SmA phase, something extremely rare in tetracatenar materials. The competing forces driving mesophase formation lead to an unprecedented difference in phase stabilities for SmA and Colh phases.

Retrospective audit of airway management practices in children with craniocervical pathology.

Background: Craniocervical immobilization using halo body orthoses may be required in the management of children with craniocervical junction pathology. To date, the effect of such immobilization on perioperative anesthetic management has not been addressed in large series.

Aims: The aim of this study was to review the airway management of children requiring halo body orthoses undergoing general anesthesia.

The cost-effectiveness of screening for ovarian cancer: results from the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).

Background: To assess the within-trial cost-effectiveness of an NHS ovarian cancer screening (OCS) programme using data from UKCTOCS and extrapolate results based on average life expectancy.

Methods: Within-trial economic evaluation of no screening (C) vs either (1) an annual OCS programme using transvaginal ultrasound (USS) or (2) an annual ovarian cancer multimodal screening programme with serum CA125 interpreted using a risk algorithm (ROCA) and transvaginal ultrasound as a second-line test (MMS), plus comparison of lifetime extrapolation of the no screening arm and the MMS programme using both a predictive and a Markov model.

Results: Using a CA125-ROCA cost of £20, the within-trial results show USS to be strictly dominated by MMS, with the MMS vs C comparison returning an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of £91 452 per life year gained (LYG).

Reduction of severe visual loss and complications following intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for refractory retinoblastoma.

Background: Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for retinoblastoma has been documented as causing visual loss and ocular motility problems. A lack of safety data has precluded its acceptance in all centres.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with retinoblastoma from 2013 to 2015 who had a healthy foveola and relapsed following systemic chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer screening and mortality in the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, with just 40% of patients surviving 5 years. We designed this trial to establish the effect of early detection by screening on ovarian cancer mortality.

Methods: In this randomised controlled trial, we recruited postmenopausal women aged 50-74 years from 13 centres in National Health Service Trusts in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Primary chemotherapy versus primary surgery for newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (CHORUS): an open-label, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Background: The international standard of care for women with suspected advanced ovarian cancer is surgical debulking followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. We aimed to establish whether use of platinum-based primary chemotherapy followed by delayed surgery was an effective and safe alternative treatment regimen.

Methods: In this phase 3, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled trial (CHORUS) undertaken in 87 hospitals in the UK and New Zealand, we enrolled women with suspected stage III or IV ovarian cancer.

Right ventricular systolic and diastolic function as assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography improve with prolonged isolated left ventricular assist device support.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Whether RV function deteriorates with prolonged LVAD support is unknown. Speckle-tracking echocardiography provides a sensitive, noninvasive, reproducible, and quantitative assessment of RV systolic and diastolic function.

Autonomic cardio-respiratory reflex reactions and superselective ophthalmic arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma.

Objective: To describe our experience with superselective ophthalmic artery chemotherapy (SOAC) in retinoblastoma and to report the serious adverse cardio-respiratory reactions we have observed.

Methods: SOAC was performed using a standardized protocol for general anesthesia, ophthalmic artery catheterization, and pulsed infusion of melphalan. Adverse reactions were defined as those in which the patient required active treatment to maintain cardio-respiratory stability.

Primary cervical and uterine corpus lymphoma; a case report and literature review.

Primary lymphoma of the uterine corpus and cervix is rare. We present a case of primary non-Hodgkin follicular lymphoma isolated to uterine corpus and parametria with focal spread to ovaries and fallopian tubes, incidentally found on the background of endometrial malignancy. A summary of the published cases focusing on the presentation and prognosis as well as a review of current management are discussed.

Risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women with ultrasound-detected ovarian masses: a prospective cohort study within the UK collaborative trial of ovarian cancer screening (UKCTOCS).

Objective: To estimate the risk of primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and slow growing borderline or Type I and aggressive Type II EOC in postmenopausal women with adnexal abnormalities on ultrasound.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in the ultrasound group of the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening of postmenopausal women with ultrasound-detected abnormal adnexal (unilocular, multilocular, unilocular solid and multilocular solid, solid) morphology on their first scan. Women were followed up through the national cancer registries and by postal questionnaires.

Sensitivity of transvaginal ultrasound screening for endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women: a case-control study within the UKCTOCS cohort.

Background: The increase in the worldwide incidence of endometrial cancer relates to rising obesity, falling fertility, and the ageing of the population. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is a possible screening test, but there have been no large-scale studies. We report the performance of TVS screening in a large cohort.

Paracentesis in ovarian cancer: a study of the physiology during free drainage of ascites.

Ascites is frequently seen in patients suffering with ovarian cancer. Paracentesis is a well-established method to provide symptomatic relief. Systemic adverse effects have occurred in paracentesis for ascites arising from other conditions.

Sensitivity and specificity of multimodal and ultrasound screening for ovarian cancer, and stage distribution of detected cancers: results of the prevalence screen of the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).

Background: Ovarian cancer has a high case-fatality ratio, with most women not diagnosed until the disease is in its advanced stages. The United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS) is a randomised controlled trial designed to assess the effect of screening on mortality. This report summarises the outcome of the prevalence (initial) screen in UKCTOCS.

Factors affecting 13C-natural abundance measurement of breath carbon dioxide during surgery: absorption of carbon dioxide during endoscopic procedures.

The aim of this paper is to review the factors which may affect breath (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) natural abundance in patients undergoing surgery or intensive care. Intravenous glucose administration is a major determinant of the (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) of breath as intravenous glucose preparations are almost all derived from cornstarch. In addition, the oxidation of endogenous substrates can affect the (13)CO(2)/(12)CO(2) ratio.

Infertility after fertility-preserving surgery for cervical carcinoma: the next challenge for reproductive medicine?

Radical trachelectomy is an operation developed as an alternative to radical hysterectomy for patients with small-volume, early stage cervical cancer, who wish to retain their fertility. The body of the uterus is left in place, so that future pregnancies can occur. Patients who have undergone radical trachelectomy may face problems conceiving naturally and may request assisted conception.

Identification and characterization of IS1 transposition in plasmid amplification mutants of E. coli clones producing DNA vaccines.

Merck Research Laboratories has developed a highly productive Escherichia coli fermentation process to produce plasmid DNA for use as vaccines. The process consists of a fed-batch fermentation in a chemically defined medium. Initiation of the feed stream precedes a growth-limited phase in which plasmid DNA is amplified.

Stability, sterility, coagulation, and immunologic studies of salmon coagulation proteins with potential use for mammalian wound healing and cell engineering.

Fibrin sealants made by polymerization of fibrinogen activated by the protease thrombin have many applications in hemostasis and wound healing. In treatments of acute injury or surgical wounds, concentrated fibrin preparations mimic the initial matrix that normally prevents bleeding and acts as a scaffold for cells that initiate tissue repair. However risks of infectious disease, immunogenic reaction, and the high cost of purified human or other mammalian blood proteins limit widespread use of these materials.

Absorption of carbon dioxide during laparoscopy in children measured using a novel mass spectrometric technique.

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) is absorbed during pneumoperitoneum and may cause adverse haemodynamic effects. The aim of this study was to measure the elimination of exogenous CO(2) during laparoscopy in children.

Methods: Ten children [27.