Using mangrove and field observation data to identify fine-scale species distributions: a case study in bockadams (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: ).

Characterization of species distributions is a fundamental challenge in biodiversity science, with particular significance for downstream evolutionary studies, conservation efforts, field-based faunal studies and estimates of species diversity. Checklists and phylogenetic studies often focus on poorly known, rare taxa with limited ranges. However, studies of widely distributed, ecologically important species that are abundant in their preferred microhabitats are also important for systematics and local conservation efforts, but less often studied.

A Video-Based Procedure-Specific Competency Assessment Tool for Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

Importance: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex procedure with substantial learning curves. In other complex minimally invasive procedures, suboptimal surgical performance has convincingly been associated with less favorable patient outcomes as assessed by peer review of the surgical procedure.

Objective: To develop and validate a procedure-specific competency assessment tool (CAT) for MIE.

Crowd-sourced and expert video assessment in minimally invasive esophagectomy.

Background: Video-based assessment by experts may structurally measure surgical performance using procedure-specific competency assessment tools (CATs). A CAT for minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE-CAT) was developed and validated previously. However, surgeon's time is scarce and video assessment is time-consuming and labor intensive.

Three-year survival and distribution of lymph node metastases in gastric cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: results from a European randomized clinical trial.

Background: Adequate lymphadenectomy is an important step in gastrectomy for cancer, with a modified D2 lymphadenectomy being recommended for advanced gastric cancers. When assessing a novel technique for the treatment of gastric cancer, lymphadenectomy should be non-inferior. The aim of this study was to assess completeness of lymphadenectomy and distribution patterns between open total gastrectomy (OTG) and minimally invasive total gastrectomy (MITG) in the era of peri-operative chemotherapy.

A novel anatomical description of the esophagus: the supracarinal mesoesophagus.

Background: During thoracoscopic esophageal resection, while performing the supracarinal lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (LRLN) from the aortic arch to the thoracic apex, we observed a not previously described bilayered fascia-like structure, serving as prolongation of the already known mesoesophagus.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 70 consecutively unedited videos of thoracoscopic interventions on esophageal resections for cancer, in order to determine the validity of this finding and to describe its utility for performing a systematic and more accurate dissection of the LRLN and its adequate lymphadenectomy.

Results: After mobilization of the upper esophagus from the trachea and tilting the esophagus by means of two ribbons, a bilayered fascia was observed between the esophagus and the left subclavian artery in 63 of the 70 patients included in this study.

Low Rate of Infectious Enterocolitis in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients with Acute Diarrhea: A Prospective Study by the GETH-TC.

Acute diarrhea is a common and debilitating complication in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). In this prospective, observational, and multicenter study we examined all episodes occurring in the first 6 months of 142 consecutive adult patients who underwent a reduced-intensity conditioning HCT in 10 Spanish tertiary university hospitals. Fifty-four patients (38%) developed a total of 75 acute diarrhea episodes.

Clinical feasibility of combining intraoperative electron radiation therapy with minimally invasive surgery: a potential for electron-FLASH clinical development.

Background: Local cancer therapy by combining real-time surgical exploration and resection with delivery of a single dose of high-energy electron irradiation entails a very precise and effective local therapeutic approach. Integrating the benefits from minimally invasive surgical techniques with the very precise delivery of intraoperative electron irradiation results in an efficient combined modality therapy.

Methods: Patients with locally advanced disease, who are candidates for laparoscopic and/or thoracoscopic surgery, received an integrated multimodal management.

Resistance to empirical β-lactams recommended in febrile neutropenia guidelines in Gram-negative bacilli bloodstream infections in Spain: a multicentre study.

Objectives: To describe current resistance to the β-lactams empirically recommended in the guidelines in bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes caused by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB).

Methods: Retrospective, multicentre cohort study of the last 50 BSI episodes in haematological patients across 14 university hospitals in Spain. Rates of inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy (IEAT) and impact on mortality were evaluated.

Health related quality of life following open versus minimally invasive total gastrectomy for cancer: Results from a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Minimally invasive techniques show improved short-term and comparable long-term outcomes compared to open techniques in the treatment of gastric cancer and improved survival has been seen with the implementation of multimodality treatment. Therefore, focus of research has shifted towards optimizing treatment regimens and improving quality of life.

Materials And Methods: A randomized trial was performed in thirteen hospitals in Europe.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and individual patient data comparing minimally invasive with open oesophagectomy for cancer.

Background: Minimally invasive oesophagectomy (MIO) for oesophageal cancer may reduce surgical complications compared with open oesophagectomy. MIO is, however, technically challenging and may impair optimal oncological resection. The aim of the present study was to assess if MIO for cancer is beneficial.

Assessment of the association between cytomegalovirus DNAemia and subsequent acute graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: A multicenter study from the Spanish hematopoietic transplantation and cell therapy group.

The potential role of active CMV infection in promoting acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (aGvHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a matter of debate. We further addressed this issue conducting a retrospective, observational, multicenter study of 632 patients subjected to allogeneic peripheral blood HSCT at 20 Spanish centers. Monitoring of CMV DNA load in plasma or whole blood was performed by real-time PCR assays.

Ten-Year Outcome of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Plus Surgery for Esophageal Cancer: The Randomized Controlled CROSS Trial.

Purpose: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy according to the chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer followed by surgery study (CROSS) has become a standard of care for patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal or junctional cancer. We aimed to assess long-term outcome of this regimen.

Methods: From 2004 through 2008, we randomly assigned 366 patients to either five weekly cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel with concurrent radiotherapy (41.

Technique of open and minimally invasive intrathoracic reconstruction following esophagectomy-an expert consensus based on a modified Delphi process.

Background: In recent years, minimally invasive Ivor Lewis (IL) esophagectomy with high intrathoracic anastomosis has emerged as surgical standard of care for esophageal cancer in expert centers. Alongside this process, many divergent technical aspects of this procedure have been devised in different centers. This study aims at achieving international consensus on the surgical steps of IL reconstruction using Delphi methodology.

The value of enhanced CT scanning for predicting lymph node metastasis along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RRLN) is the region most prone to lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Nodal involvement may be underestimated by traditional imaging prediction criteria, such as a short axis diameter of 10 mm. The purpose of this study was to determine a more accurate imaging criterion to guide clinical treatment strategy selection.

Clinical outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients developing Cytomegalovirus DNAemia prior to engraftment.

There is limited information on the impact of CMV DNAemia episodes developing prior to engraftment (pre-CMV DNAemia) on clinical outcomes following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This issue was addressed in the current retrospective multicenter study including 878 patients. All participant centers used preemptive antiviral therapy strategies for prevention of CMV disease.

Cytomegalovirus DNAemia and risk of mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Analysis from the Spanish Hematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy Group.

The net impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia on overall mortality (OM) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a matter of debate. This was a retrospective, multicenter, noninterventional study finally including 749 patients. CMV DNA monitoring was conducted by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.

Open versus minimally invasive total gastrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: results of a European randomized trial.

Background: Surgical resection with adequate lymphadenectomy is regarded the only curative option for gastric cancer. Regarding minimally invasive techniques, mainly Asian studies showed comparable oncological and short-term postoperative outcomes. The incidence of gastric cancer is lower in the Western population and patients often present with more advanced stages of disease.

Implementation of Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy From a Randomized Controlled Trial Setting to National Practice.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the external validity of the randomized TIME trial, when minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) was implemented nationally in the Netherlands, using data from the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit (DUCA) for transthoracic esophagectomy.

Methods: Original patient data from the TIME trial were extracted along with data from the DUCA dataset (2011-2017). Multivariate analysis, with adjustment for patient factors, tumor factors, and year of surgery, was performed for the effect of MIE versus open esophagectomy on clinical outcomes.

Oncological Outcomes After Anastomotic Leakage After Surgery for Colon or Rectal Cancer: Increased Risk of Local Recurrence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate oncological outcome for patients with and without anastomotic leakage after colon or rectal cancer surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: The role of anastomotic leakage in oncological outcome after colorectal cancer surgery is still topic of debate and impact on follow-up and consideration for further treatment remains unclear.

Methods: Patients included in the international, multicenter, non-inferior, open label, randomized, controlled trials COLOR and COLOR II, comparing laparoscopic surgery for curable colon (COLOR) and rectal (COLOR II) cancer with open surgery, were analyzed.

Diagnostic criteria and symptom grading for delayed gastric conduit emptying after esophagectomy for cancer: international expert consensus based on a modified Delphi process.

Delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) after esophagectomy for cancer is associated with adverse outcomes and troubling symptoms. Widely accepted diagnostic criteria and a symptom grading tool for DGCE are missing. This hampers the interpretation and comparison of studies.

Distribution of lymph node metastases in esophageal carcinoma [TIGER study]: study protocol of a multinational observational study.

Background: An important parameter for survival in patients with esophageal carcinoma is lymph node status. The distribution of lymph node metastases depends on tumor characteristics such as tumor location, histology, invasion depth, and on neoadjuvant treatment. The exact distribution is unknown.

Review of different approaches of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve area for lymphadenectomy during minimally invasive esophagectomy.

In order to perform the total mediastinal lymphadenectomy during minimally invasive esophageal resection, doing the lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (LRLN) may be a difficult part of this intervention. One reason is the need for the correct visualization of the area; another is not wanting to compromise the integrity of the nerve. In this review article the different modalities for approaching this upper mediastinal area by thoracoscopy are described.