Cross-Sectional Study on MRI Restaging After Chemoradiotherapy and Interval to Surgery in Rectal Cancer: Influence on Short- and Long-Term Outcomes.

Background: The time interval between CRT and surgery in rectal cancer patients is still the subject of debate. The aim of this study was to first evaluate the nationwide use of restaging magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its impact on timing of surgery, and, second, to evaluate the impact of timing of surgery after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on short- and long-term outcomes.

Methods: Patients were selected from a collaborative rectal cancer research project including 71 Dutch centres, and were subdivided into two groups according to time interval from the start of preoperative CRT to surgery (< 14 and ≥ 14 weeks).

Identification of a novel pathway of transforming growth factor-β1 regulation by extracellular NAD+ in mouse macrophages: in vitro and in silico studies.

Extracellular β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) is anti-inflammatory. We hypothesized that NAD(+) would modulate the anti-inflammatory cytokine Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1. Indeed, NAD(+) led to increases in both active and latent cell-associated TGF-β1 in RAW 264.

B-cell lymphoma related iliac vein occlusion treated by endovenous stent placement.

Unilateral leg swelling is most often caused by deep vein thrombosis but other conditions may mimic this disorder. We describe the case of a patient with symptoms of unilateral lower extremity swelling caused by external compression of the iliac vein by a mass originating from the iliopsoas muscle. Initially this mass was diagnosed as an iliopsoas hematoma in a patient using anticoagulants.

Physiologic responses to severe hemorrhagic shock and the genesis of cardiovascular collapse: can irreversibility be anticipated?

Background: The causes of cardiovascular collapse (CC) during hemorrhagic shock (HS) are unknown. We hypothesized that vascular tone loss characterizes CC, and that arterial pulse pressure/stroke volume index ratio or vascular tone index (VTI) would identify CC.

Methods: Fourteen Yorkshire-Durock pigs were bled to 30 mmHg mean arterial pressure and held there by repetitive bleeding until rendered unable to compensate (CC) or for 90 min (NoCC).

Novel serum biomarkers in carotid artery stenosis: useful to identify the vulnerable plaque?

Objectives: Serum biomarkers representing inflammatory activity in vulnerable carotid plaques may be used to identify high-risk patients for cerebral ischemic events. We aimed to analyze the relationship between concentrations of four novel biomarkers and neurological symptoms: Neopterin, PTX3, sCD163, and sTREM-1. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between these markers and the presence of coronary (CAD) and peripheral (PAD) artery disease.