Perioperative outcomes and disparities in utilization of sentinel lymph node biopsy in minimally invasive staging of endometrial cancer.

Objective: To assess the emergence of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for disparities in utilization, and impacts on perioperative outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of the National Cancer Database, selecting for patients with T1NxM0 endometrial cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgical staging from 2012 to 2016. Disparities in SLNB utilization were described.

The impact of near-infrared angiography and proctoscopy after rectosigmoid resection and anastomosis performed during surgeries for gynecologic malignancies.

Objectives: Reducing anastomotic leak rates after rectosigmoid resection and anastomosis is a priority in patients undergoing gynecologic oncology surgery. Therefore, we investigated the implications of performing near-infrared angiography (NIR) via proctoscopy to assess anastomotic perfusion at the time of rectosigmoid resection and anastomosis.

Methods: We identified all patients who underwent rectosigmoid resection and anastomosis for a gynecologic malignancy between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2018.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor genotype impacts the prenatal cocaine-induced mouse phenotype.

Prenatal cocaine exposure leads to persistent alterations in the growth factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), particularly in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus, brain regions important in cognitive functioning. BDNF plays an important role in the strengthening of existing synaptic connections as well as in the formation of new contacts during learning. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the BDNF gene (Val66Met), leading to a Met substitution for Val at codon 66 in the prodomain, is common in human populations, with an allele frequency of 20-30% in Caucasians.