[Evidence for the extent and oncological benefit of lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer].

The prognosis for esophageal cancer is determined in particular by the depth of infiltration (T stage) and lymph node metastasis (N status). In patients with locally advanced tumors, surgical resection is the current standard. The extent of the lymphadenectomy depends on the localization of the tumor, analogous to the choice of surgical technique.

Measuring and quantifying the effects of pyloric dilatation in patients with delayed emptying of the gastric conduit after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy using EndoFlip™.

The most common functional challenge after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is delayed emptying of the gastric conduit. One of the primary endoscopic treatment strategies is performing a pyloric dilatation. However, the effects of dilation have never been scientifically proven.

Mature effectiveness and toxicity outcomes associated with three treatment schedules of high-dose-rate brachytherapy monotherapy for favorable-risk prostate cancer.

Purpose: To present long-term toxicity and effectiveness outcomes of three prostate high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy schedules: 38 Gy in 4 fractions, 24 Gy in 2 fractions, and 27 Gy in 2 fractions for men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: Patients treated with HDR brachytherapy monotherapy for prostate cancer were identified in a prospectively maintained, single institution database. Patients with AJCC T-stage ≤ T2b, Gleason score ≤ 7, prostate-specific antigen level ≤ 20 ng/mL, and ≥2 years of follow-up were included.

Prognostic value of central gland volume on MRI for biochemical recurrence after prostate radiotherapy.

Purpose: This study evaluates pretreatment prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics and clinical characteristics in predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) after prostate radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: In this retrospective single institution study, we identified men in our prostate cancer database who underwent MRI within 6 months prior to completing definitive RT from May 2011 to February 2023. Central gland volume and peripheral zone volume were measured by a radiologist using manual segmentation, along with Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score.

JAK-STAT1 as therapeutic target for EGFR deficiency-associated inflammation and scarring alopecia.

The hair follicle stem cell niche is an immune-privileged microenvironment, characterized by reduced antigen presentation, thus shielding against permanent immune-mediated tissue damage. In this study, we demonstrated the protective role of hair follicle-specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) against scarring hair follicle destruction. Mechanistically, disruption of EGFR signaling generated a cell-intrinsic hypersensitivity within the JAK-STAT1 pathway, which, synergistically with interferon gamma expressing CD8 T-cell and NK-cell-mediated inflammation, compromised the stem cell niche.

A Review and Tutorial on Machine Learning-Enabled Radar-Based Biomedical Monitoring.

Radio detection and ranging-based (radar) sensing offers unique opportunities for biomedical monitoring and can help overcome the limitations of currently established solutions. Due to its contactless and unobtrusive measurement principle, it can facilitate the longitudinal recording of human physiology and can help to bridge the gap from laboratory to real-world assessments. However, radar sensors typically yield complex and multidimensional data that are hard to interpret without domain expertise.

Cologne ergonomic measurement for robotic surgery (CEMRobSurg) using the Hugo™ RAS System.

Background: The ergonomic advantages and potential challenges that robotic surgery poses to the well-being of surgeons are mainly unexplored. The most recent surgical robot introduced on the European market is the Hugo™ RAS System by Medtronic. This study aims to evaluate the ergonomic benefits of the Hugo™ RAS System, which is available in our training laboratory, CeMIT (Center for Medical Innovation and Technology Cologne).

EmRad: Ubiquitous Vital Sign Sensing Using Compact Continuous-Wave Radars.

In biomedical monitoring, non-intrusive and continuous tracking of vital signs is a crucial yet challenging objective. Although accurate, traditional methods, such as electrocardiography (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG), necessitate direct contact with the patient, posing limitations for long-term and unobtrusive monitoring. To address this challenge, we introduce the EmRad system, an innovative solution harnessing the capabilities of continuous-wave (CW) radar technology for the contactless detection of vital signs, including heart rate and respiratory rate.

The histone deacetylase HDAC1 controls dendritic cell development and anti-tumor immunity.

Dendritic cell (DC) progenitors adapt their transcriptional program during development, generating different subsets. How chromatin modifications modulate these processes is unclear. Here, we investigate the impact of histone deacetylation on DCs by genetically deleting histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) or HDAC2 in hematopoietic progenitors and CD11c-expressing cells.

Buprenorphine Prescribing and Challenges Faced Among National Health Service Corps Clinicians.

Importance: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) expansion in fiscal year (FY) 2019 intended to improve access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) by adding more clinicians who could prescribe buprenorphine. However, some clinicians still face barriers to prescribing, which may vary between rural and nonrural areas.

Objective: To examine the growth in buprenorphine prescribing by NHSC clinicians for Medicaid beneficiaries during the NHSC LRP expansion and describe the challenges to prescribing that persist in rural and nonrural areas.

21 Gy single fraction prostate HDR brachytherapy: 5-year results of a single institution prospective pilot study.

Purpose: To present the outcome and toxicity results of a prospective trial of 21 Gy single fraction high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: Patients were treated according to an IRB-approved prospective study of single fraction HDR brachytherapy. Eligible patients had low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer with tumor stage ≤ T2b, PSA ≤ 15, and Gleason score ≤ 7.

Prostatic Urethral Length on MRI Potentially Predicts Late Genitourinary Toxicity After Prostate Cancer Radiation.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of our study was to evaluate pretreatment prostate quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements and clinical characteristics in predicting genitourinary (GU) toxicity after radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: In this single-institution retrospective cohort study, we evaluated patients with prostate adenocarcinoma who underwent MRI within 6 months before completing definitive RT and follow-up information in our GU toxicity database from June 2016 to February 2023. MRI measurements included quantitative urethra, prostate, and bladder measurements.

Defects in microvillus crosslinking sensitize to colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Intestinal epithelial cells are covered by the brush border, which consists of densely packed microvilli. The Intermicrovillar Adhesion Complex (IMAC) links the microvilli and is required for proper brush border organization. Whether microvillus crosslinking is involved in the intestinal barrier function or colitis is currently unknown.

Virtual reality for assessing stereopsis performance and eye characteristics in Post-COVID.

In 2019, we faced a pandemic due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with millions of confirmed cases and reported deaths. Even in recovered patients, symptoms can be persistent over weeks, termed Post-COVID. In addition to common symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairments, visual impairments have been reported.

Interaction Between Determinants Governing Urine Volume in Patients With ADPKD on Tolvaptan and its Impact on Quality of Life.

Introduction: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent genetic cause of kidney failure. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin 2 receptor antagonist, is the first drug with proven disease-modifying activity. Long-term treatment adherence is crucial, but a considerable fraction of patients discontinue treatment, because of aquaretic side effects.

High-dose-rate brachytherapy as monotherapy versus as boost in unfavorable intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer: A matched-pair analysis.

Purpose: High-dose-rate brachytherapy as monotherapy (HDR-M), or as a boost combined with external beam radiotherapy (HDR-B), are both suitable treatments for intermediate-risk prostate cancer. However, data directly comparing these two approaches for men with unfavorable intermediate-risk (UIR) patients are lacking.

Methods And Materials: Patients with NCCN-defined UIR prostate cancer treated from 1997 to 2020 were identified in a prospectively maintained, single institution database.

FAM3C/ILEI protein is elevated in psoriatic lesions and triggers psoriasiform hyperproliferation in mice.

FAM3C/ILEI is an important cytokine for tumor progression and metastasis. However, its involvement in inflammation remains elusive. Here, we show that ILEI protein is highly expressed in psoriatic lesions.

Dose-Escalated Radiotherapy Alone or in Combination With Short-Term Androgen Deprivation for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: Results of a Phase III Multi-Institutional Trial.

Purpose: It remains unknown whether or not short-term androgen deprivation (STAD) improves survival among men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPC) treated with dose-escalated radiotherapy (RT).

Methods: The NRG Oncology/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0815 study randomly assigned 1,492 patients with stage T2b-T2c, Gleason score 7, or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value >10 and ≤20 ng/mL to dose-escalated RT alone (arm 1) or with STAD (arm 2). STAD was 6 months of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist therapy plus antiandrogen.

Dose-Escalated Radiation Alone or in Combination With Short-Term Total Androgen Suppression for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: Patient-Reported Outcomes From NRG/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0815 Randomized Trial.

Purpose: To report patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of a phase III trial evaluating total androgen suppression (TAS) combined with dose-escalated radiation therapy (RT) for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Methods: Patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer were randomly assigned to dose-escalated RT alone (arm 1) or RT plus TAS (arm 2) consisting of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist with oral antiandrogen for 6 months. The primary PRO was the validated Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-50).

Salvage prostate brachytherapy in radiorecurrent prostate cancer: An international Delphi consensus study.

Background And Purpose: Local recurrences after previous radiotherapy (RT) are increasingly being identified in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Salvage prostate brachytherapy (BT) is an effective and well tolerated treatment option. We sought to generate international consensus statements on the use and preferred technical considerations for salvage prostate BT.

A Low-Cost Sequencing Platform for Rapid Genotyping in ADPKD and its Impact on Clinical Care.

Introduction: Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic cause of kidney failure. Because of the heterogeneity in disease progression in ADPKD, parameters predicting future outcome are important. The disease-causing genetic variant is one of these parameters.

Normal Tissue Integral Dose as a Result of Prostate Radiation Therapy: A Quantitative Comparison Between High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy and Modern External Beam Radiation Therapy Techniques.

Purpose: Quantification of integral radiation dose delivered during treatment for prostate cancer is lacking. We performed a comparative quantification of dose to nontarget body tissues delivered via 4 common radiation techniques: conventional volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, pencil-beam scanning proton therapy, and high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Methods And Materials: Plans for each radiation technique were generated for 10 patients with typical anatomy.

Emergent themes from a quality improvement programme for CLABSI/CAUTI prevention in ICUs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention has been difficult for healthcare providers to maintain during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study summarises themes for maintaining infection prevention activities learnt from the implementation of a quality improvement (QI) programme during the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted qualitative analysis of participants' semistructured exit interviews, self-assessments on HAI prevention activities, participant-created action plans, chat-box discussions during webinars and informal correspondence.