One-year outcome and quality of life of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to intensive care unit: a single-center retrospective pilot study.

Patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) after non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represent a group with distinctive characteristics and few data are available on long-term outcome in this population. We conducted a single-center retrospective study in an Italian intensive care unit. All patients with non-traumatic SAH (ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 430) admitted to ICU were included.

Multisocietal Consensus on the Use of Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC for the Treatment of Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A GRADE Approach for Evidence Evaluation and Recommendation.

The Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) previously issued a recommendation endorsing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for treating diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM). However, broader acceptance of this approach, particularly within some segments of medical oncology, remains limited. To address this, PSOGI initiated a multisociety consensus effort, involving multidisciplinary International Societies, to strengthen and expand the endorsement of CRS-HIPEC for DMPM.

Sterile Instrument Storage in an Austere Environment: Are Sterile Peel Packaging and Cellulose Wrapping Equivalent?

Background: Recommendations for optimal temperature and humidity for sterile instrument storage vary according to different sources. Furthermore, there are limited data comparing methods of packing smaller, lightweight, low-profile instruments. The purpose of this study was to compare sterile peel packaging and sterile cellulose wrapping for sterile instrument storage in an austere environment characterized by elevated temperature and humidity.

2019 IEEE Scientific Visualization Contest Winner: Visual Analysis of Structure Formation in Cosmic Evolution.

Simulations of cosmic evolution are a means to explain the formation of the universe as we see it today. The resulting data of such simulations comprise numerous physical quantities, which turns their analysis into a complex task. Here, we analyze such high-dimensional and time-varying particle data using various visualization techniques from the fields of particle visualization, flow visualization, volume visualization, and information visualization.

The efficacy and toxicity of ATM inhibition in glioblastoma initiating cells-driven tumor models.

The Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-mediated DNA damage response (DDR) is a major mechanism of resistance of glioblastoma (GB) - initiating cells (GICs) to radiotherapy. The closely related Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) is also involved in tumor resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. It has been shown that pharmacological inhibition of ATM protein may overcome the DDR-mediated resistance in GICs and significantly radiosensitize GIC-driven GB.

Radiosensitization of orthotopic GIC-driven glioblastoma by doxycycline causes skin damage.

Doxycycline (DXC) is a tetracycline antibiotic which has been proposed as a breast cancer radiosensitizer by specifically reducing the expression of the DNA repair enzyme DNA PK in breast cancer initiating cells. Since DXC presents favorable pharmacokinetics properties including the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier, it has been hypothesized that it could radiosensitize brain tumors as well. We have investigated the radiosensitizing capacity of DXC towards human glioma initiating cells (GIC)-driven orthotopic glioblastomas (GB) in NOD/SCID mice that faithfully mimic the growth properties of the clinical tumors of origin.

Author Correction: Faithful animal modelling of human glioma by using primary initiating cells and its implications for radiosensitization therapy.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

ATR kinase inhibitors NVP-BEZ235 and AZD6738 effectively penetrate the brain after systemic administration.

Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3 related protein (ATR) is a central mediator of the response to DNA damage that may cause the quiescent resistance of cancer initiating cells to genotoxic radiotherapy. NVP-BEZ235 is a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor that also effectively targets ATR with IC = 21 × 10 M in cells. AZD6738 does not target significantly PI3K/mTOR-related kinases but specifically inhibits ATR with IC = 74 × 10 M in cells.

Is It Possible a Conservative Approach After Radiochemotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (LARC)? A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-analysis.

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer is usually treated with a preoperative approach with radiochemotherapy followed by surgery. Patients obtaining a pathologic complete response have a very favorable long-term prognosis. This study was intended to assess whether major surgery can reduce tumor recurrences and prolong survival of patients with a complete response after radiochemotherapy.

Laparoscopic treatment of colo-colic intussusception secondary to a lipomatous polyp.

Introduction: Colo-colic intussusception is extremely rare in adults and few cases have been described secondary to a lypomatous polyp.

Case Report: We present the case of a 50-year old man with chronic abdominal pain who was diagnosed a colo-colic intussusception secondary to a lipoma of the left colon. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure without reduction, which occurred spontaneously after induction of the pneumoperitoneum, and final histology confirmed a submucosal lipoma with no evidence of malignancy.

The Effect of Regional Analgesia on Vascular Tone in Hip Arthroplasty Patients.

Background: While it is assumed that neuraxial analgesia and pain management may beneficially influence perioperative hemodynamics, few studies provided data quantifying such effects and none have assessed the potential contribution of the addition of a nerve block.

Questions/purposes: This clinical trial compared the visual analog scale (VAS) scores and measurement of arterial tone using augmentation index of patients who received combined spinal-epidural (CSE) only to patients who received both CSE and lumbar plexus block.

Methods: After obtaining written consent, 92 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty were randomized to receive either CSE or CSE with lumbar plexus block (LPB).

Postoperative Analgesia with Saphenous Block Appears Equivalent to Femoral Nerve Block in ACL Reconstruction.

Background: Adequate pain control following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) often requires regional nerve block. The femoral nerve block (FNB) has been traditionally employed. Ultrasound application to regional nerve blocks allows for the use of alternatives such as the saphenous nerve block following ACL reconstruction.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy on pediatric tumors of the glioma radiosensitizer KU60019.

We have recently reported that glioblastoma (GB)-initiating cells (GIC) with low expression and/or mutation of TP53 and high expression of PI3K ("responder" genetic profile) can be effectively and safely radiosensitized by the ATM inhibitor KU60019. We report here on drug's diffusion and elimination from the animal body and brain, its effects on orthotopic GB and efficacy toward pediatric GIC. Healthy mice were infused by convection enhanced delivery (CED) with KU60019 and the drug kinetics followed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Nerve stimulator versus ultrasound guidance for placement of popliteal catheters for foot and ankle surgery.

Study Objective: To determine whether ultrasound guidance improves the quality of continuous popliteal block when compared with a nerve stimulator after major foot and ankle surgery.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial.

Setting: Operating room, Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and hospital wards of a university-affiliated hospital.

Meningitis or epidural abscesses after neuraxial block for removal of infected hip or knee prostheses.

Background: Infection, whether localized or systemic, can be a relative contraindication to neuraxial anaesthesia. Data correlating neuraxial anaesthesia and the development of meningitis or epidural abscess in this setting are limited.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on 710 medical records of patients admitted between 1998 and 2009 for removal of potentially infected total hip and total knee prostheses.

Performance characteristics and validation of the Opioid-Related Symptom Distress Scale for evaluation of analgesic side effects after orthopedic surgery.

Background: The Opioid-Related Symptom Distress Scale (ORSDS) is a 4-point scale that evaluates 3 symptom distress dimensions (frequency, severity, bothersomeness) for 12 symptoms. The symptom-specific ORSDS is the average of the 3 symptom distress dimensions. The composite ORSDS is the average of 12 symptom-specific scores.

The intraoperative staging systems in the management of peritoneal surface malignancy.

The establishment of a rationale guideline for intraoperative staging system the extent of carcinomatosis is warranted. The quantitation of tumor found at the time of surgical exploration of the abdomen has proven to be of value in assessment of prognosis and treatment planning in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Four different assessments systems have been employed more frequently, thus far.

Preoperative investigations in the management of peritoneal surface malignancy with cytoreductive surgery and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Expert consensus statement.

At the Fifth International Workshop on Peritoneal Surface Malignancy, in Milan, the consensus on preoperative investigations for peritoneal surface malignancy was obtained through the Delphi process. The results showed that 100% of the voters considered that contrast-enhanced multi-sliced CT was the fundamental imaging modality, whereas MRI, PET, laparoscopy and serum tumor markers were regarded as useful, but not fundamental investigational modalities.

Impact of laparoscopy and ultrasonography in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Background/aims: An adequate preoperative disease staging is highly required before surgical treatment, even in gastrointestinal malignancies. Our study wants to give a contribution in order to define echolaparoscopy weight in gastrointestinal tumors and its impact in surgical therapy.

Methodology: 33 patients were affected by pancreas, 22 by stomach, 16 by extrahepatic biliary tract and 18 by liver cancers; every patient was considered worthy of radical or palliative surgery according to preoperative staging (thorax-abdominal CT and percutaneous ultrasonography).

Emerging technologies in breast cancer detection.

While screening mammography is recognized as the most effective method for early detection of breast cancer, this modality has limitations that are the driving force behind efforts to refine existing mammography technologies and develop new ones offering improved detection of breast cancer. Full-field digital mammography (FFDM) systems use digital detectors to convert x-ray photons to digital signals for display on high-resolution monitors. These systems offer capabilities not provided by conventional film-screen mammography.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: evaluation of biological and clinical current opinions.

The discovery of c-kit gene mutations and the positivity of its transcription products in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) suggest a possible origin from Cajal interstitial cells. The study population consisted of 12 patients with GIST, with a mean age of 67.6 years.

[Role of surgery in the treatment of primary gastric lymphoma and assessment of new therapeutic approaches].

Controversy remains regarding the best treatment for primary gastric lymphoma (PGL). Recent developments in diagnosis and chemotherapy have changed strategies for this disease. Fourteen patients with primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma underwent surgery.