Tumor regression grades, K-RAS mutational profile and c-MET in colorectal liver metastases.

Introduction: Recently TRG, necrosis grade and the rate of viable cancer cells of colorectal liver metastases were correlated with the response to chemotherapy treatments, whereas K-RAS mutations and c-MET over-expression were correlated with the prognosis.

Methods: 58 resection specimens were assessed for regression grades. Patients undergone neo-adjuvant treatments were compared to patients who underwent therapy exclusively adjuvantly.

Ischemic Postconditioning of the Liver Graft in Adult Liver Transplantation.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of graft failure in liver transplantation (LT). Ischemic postconditioning (IPo) has shown to be beneficial against I/R injury. Our objective was to compare the results of LT with or without IPo.

Colorectal liver metastases are more often super wild type. Toward treatment based on metastatic site genotyping?

Recent data showed that metastatic colorectal (mCRC) tumors exhibiting extended RAS-BRAF mutations were resistant to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies, making these drugs suitable for the so-called "super" wild-type (WT) patients only. This study aimed to compare the extended RAS-BRAF mutation frequency and characteristics according to location of tumor sampling. All consecutive mCRC specimens (N = 1659) referred to our institution from January 2008 till June 2014 were included in the analysis.

An MRI assessment of chronic synovial-based inflammation in gout and its correlation with serum urate levels.

It is unclear when the synovial-based inflammatory process of gout begins. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of patients with inter-critical gout who have chronic synovial-based inflammation as evidenced by synovial pannus on a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their most involved joint and determine if the presence and/or severity correlates with their serum urate levels. All patients received a 3 T MRI of their index joint, serum urate level, CRP, and creatinine.

A safety analysis of oral prednisone as a pretreatment for rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis.

The administration of 100 mg of methylprednisolone intravenously (IV) 1/2 h prior to rituximab decreases the incidence of acute infusion reactions (AIRs). However, this pretreatment adds considerable time and conveys potential risk. We performed an open-label prospective assessment of oral prednisone as a pretreatment to rituximab.