Overview of the role of liquid biopsy in cancer management.

With the emergence of novel targeted therapeutic options in early-stage and advanced-stage malignancies, researchers have shifted their focus on developing personalized treatment plans through molecular profiling. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a cell-free DNA (ctDNA) fragment, originating from tumor cells, and circulating in the bloodstream as well as biological fluids. Over the past decade, many techniques were developed for liquid biopsies through next-generation sequencing.

Risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a secondary analysis of the WAPM study on COVID-19.

Objectives To evaluate the strength of association between maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Methods Secondary analysis of a multinational, cohort study on all consecutive pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 from 73 centers from 22 different countries. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens.

Role of microRNAs in the predisposition to gastrointestinal malignancies.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly deregulated in cancer and play a role in the initiation of tumorigenesis. Recently, miRNAs have attracted attention in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could affect the genes involved in each step of miRNA biosynthesis.

Molecular characteristics of colorectal cancer in a Middle Eastern population in a single institution.

Background: The few studies of the molecular biology of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Middle Eastern populations have included only small samples of patients.

Objective: Evaluate the frequency and prognostic effect of RAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, PTEN, and EGFR somatic mutations as well as mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency in Lebanese Middle Eastern patients.

Design: Retrospective single-center descriptive study.

Older melanoma patients aged 75 and above retain responsiveness to anti-PD1 therapy: results of a retrospective single-institution cohort study.

Introduction: The utility of immunotherapy in elderly melanoma patients is debated. We aimed in this study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of immunotherapy among elderly patients.

Method: This is a retrospective single-institution cohort study.

PULMONARY ARTERY ACCELERATED FLOW REVEALING HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA.

We present a case in which transthoracic echocardiography was the first diagnostic tool to suspect mediastinal Hodgkin's lymphoma by revealing a change in the hemodynamic of left pulmonary artery flow, and it was used as a follow-up method for monitoring treatment efficacy by demonstrating a normalization of pulmonary artery hemodynamics.

Could contrast-enhanced CT detect STEMI prior to electrocardiogram?

We present here a case in which contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was the first diagnostic tool to detect myocardial hypoperfusion in a patient with atypical symptoms and normal electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission. An ST-segment elevation was detected thereafter on a second ECG realized several minutes after CT with raised troponin levels. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed after failure of thrombolysis and confirmed occlusion of the left anterior descending artery.

TGFBR1*6A polymorphism in sporadic and familial colorectal Carcinoma: a case-control study and systematic literature review.

Background: The role of genetic factors in colorectal cancer pathogenesis is widely accepted. Polymorphisms are actually thought to play a role in the unexplained colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. There is conflicting data regarding the role of the transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 polymorphism 6A (TGFBR1*6A) in the increased incidence of CRC.

[Hepatitis C virus infection in a first level rural hospital: descriptive study in the decade 1991-1999].

Introduction: To assess epidemiology, clinical manifestations and prognostic factors in subjects diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a first level rural hospital.

Methods: This retrospective study includes 142 patients diagnosed with HCV infection at the Hospital de Llerena, from August 1991 to December 1999. Epidemiological and clinical parameters were collected at a mean of 2.