A Gene Expression Signature to Select Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients for Liver Transplantation.

Objective: To propose a new decision algorithm combining biomarkers measured in a tumor biopsy with clinical variables, to predict recurrence after liver transplantation (LT).

Background: Liver cancer is one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related mortality. LT is the best treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients but the scarcity of organs makes patient selection a critical step.

Quantifying the potential of morphological parameters for human dental identification: part 1-proof of concept.

In forensic identification, lack of eccentric characteristics of intact dentitions hinders correct ante-mortem/post-mortem (AM/PM) matching. It remains unclear which morphological dental parameters hold strong potential as identifiers. This study aimed to establish a method to quantify and rank the identifying potential of one (or a combination of) continuous morphological parameter(s), and to provide a proof of concept.

Strength Training versus Stretching for Improving Range of Motion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Stretching is known to improve range of motion (ROM), and evidence has suggested that strength training (ST) is effective too. However, it is unclear whether its efficacy is comparable to stretching. The goal was to systematically review and meta-analyze randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of ST and stretching on ROM (INPLASY 10.

Dilemmas in primary spinal glioblastoma management during pregnancy.

Primary spinal glioblastoma (GBM) is a clinically rare entity with rapid progression and a dismal outcome despite aggressive treatment. In a pregnant woman, this malignancy is particularly dramatic because the potential benefits to the mother offered by standard GBM treatment must be balanced against the risks to the fetus. There is little guidance in the literature on how to manage pregnant patients with malignant neuraxial tumours and, to the authors' knowledge, no reports have been published so far regarding this specific neoplasm in such population.

The Effects of Agility Ladders on Performance: A Systematic Review.

The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of exercise programs using agility ladders and to assess the quality of available evidence. Search was conducted in October of 2019 using the following databases: Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Study eligibility criteria included randomized trials or randomized controlled trials using agility ladders drills.

Influence of shape and finishing on the corrosion of palladium-based dental alloys.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the surface treatment and shape of the dental alloy on the composition of the prosthetic work and its metallic ion release in a corrosive medium after casting.

Materials And Methods: Orion Argos (Pd-Ag) and Orion Vesta (Pd-Cu) were used to cast two crowns and two disks. One of each was polished while the other was not.

In vitro cytotoxicity of metallic ions released from dental alloys.

The cytotoxicity of a dental alloy depends on, but is not limited to, the extent of its corrosion behavior. Individual ions may have effects on cell viability that are different from metals interacting within the alloy structure. We aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of individual metal ions in concentrations similar to those reported to be released from Pd-based dental alloys on mouse fibroblast cells.

In vitro debonding of orthodontic retainers analyzed with finite element analysis.

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the load and deflection at failure of different lingual retainers bonded with composite to enamel in a standardized three-point bending test. The results were rationalized with finite element analysis (FEA) models.

Materials And Methods: Four types of multistranded wires, Dead Soft Respond, Twisted ligature, Penta-One, Gold-plated Penta-One, and two glass fibre-reinforced composite retainers, Fibre 07 and Fibre 09, were bonded to enamel with composite and submitted to a three-point bending test.

Haemoptysis and left upper quadrant abdominal pain: an unusual presentation of partial thoracic migration of an adjustable gastric band's tube.

Laparoscopic gastric banding is considered the safest bariatric procedure, holding satisfactory long-term weight loss results, low rates of early complications and negligible mortality. Long-term follow-up are showing a high prevalence of late complications. We describe the case of a 40-year-old female patient, with a medical history of laparoscopic gastric banding, admitted in the emergency department complaining of haemoptysis, left upper quadrant abdominal pain and a slight tachycardia.

Nickel release from orthodontic retention wires-the action of mechanical loading and pH.

Unlabelled: Nickel (Ni) is a potent sensitizer and may induce innate and adaptive immune responses. Ni is an important component of orthodontic appliances (8-50 wt%). Due to chemical and mechanical factors in the oral environment, Ni is released from these appliances.

Zosteriform metastases from colon carcinoma: an unusual pattern.

Cutaneous metastases of internal malignancies occur infrequently and the zosteriform spread of the skin lesions represents a rare entity. We report here a case of cutaneous metastases from a colon carcinoma clinically mimicked Herpes varicella-zoster. The literature is also reviewed.

Phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladosporium cladosporioides.

Phaeohyphomycosis is a clinical entity caused by dematiaceous fungi. We describe a clinical case of phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladosporium cladosporioides in a 45-year-old white male, apparently healthy, human immunodeficiency virus-negative. The patient was treated with terbinafine for 9 months, with regression of a skin lesion.

[Hematuria].

Patients referred for hematuria work-up are frequently seen in the urologic practice. The initial evaluation does not require the participation of a urologist or nephrologist, due to the false sense of security in the evaluation of an asymptomatic and persistent hematuria. In fact, an adequate history and physical followed by urinalysis and radiologic tests, such as IVP and ultrasonography, must be made in the initial evaluation to exclude any serious urologic/nephrologic disease.

[Pelvic lipomatosis].

Pelvian lipomatosis is a proliferative process of fatty tissue in the perivesical and perirectal pelvian space. The etiology is unknown and some authors consider that in reality is a localized form of obesity. Diagnosis can be incidental, or be part of a sequence within a study for unspecific symptoms such as pelvian complains or perineal problems.

[Changes in lung function after cholecystectomy--open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Impairment of respiratory function after open cholecystectomy may cause atelectasis and hypoxemia. Clinical experience shows evidence for easier recovery after laparoscopic operation. Postoperative respiratory function using spirometric tests was assessed in 50 patients with simple symptomatic cholecystolithiasis submitted either to open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy and revealed less impairment of respiratory function in the laparoscopic group.

Pulmonary function after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly.

The results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a group of 52 patients older than 69 years (group 1) were compared with the results of the same operation in a group of 338 younger patients (group 2). In group 1, 23 per cent of patients had acute cholecystitis and 13 per cent were operated on after an episode of acute pancreatitis. In group 2, 8 per cent of patients had acute cholecystitis and 4 per cent were operated on after acute pancreatitis.

[Prophylaxis of postoperative thromboembolism. Randomized prospective study].

The difference between a non fractioned heparin (Liquemine) and another of low molecular weight (Fraxiparine) was compared through: hemostasis difficulties, during and after surgery; the use of transfusions; clinical signs of inferior limb vein thrombosis or pulmonary emboli; laboratory results of blood (hemogramme, biochemistry, coagulation) and urine. The results observed in 500 patients, (250 of each heparin) statistically treated, show that no difference was found between the two groups of patients, which lead us to conclude that both heparins have the same effect. Low molecular weight has the advantage of being administrated only once a day.

[Acute pancreatitis. An analysis of 91 consecutive cases (1988-1991) with a brief review of the literature)].

Acute pancreatitis (AP) remains a subject of great controversy from the standpoint of its aetiology, pathogeny and treatment. We present a study of 91 patients with AP consecutively admitted to a surgical ward. 50 Women and 41 men with a mean age of 59 +/- 19 years were treated.

Metabolic responses to cholecystectomy: open vs. laparoscopic approach.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered a minor surgical procedure. In a prospective, randomized study, we compared the metabolic responses to surgery in two groups of patients submitted to open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of the study was to verify if the latter caused less metabolic changes.

[Esophageal perforations].

The opportunity of having successfully treated a patient with intrathoracic perforation of the Oesophagus and many surgical complications, led us to review the literature on the subject. We then discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the various technical options, concluding that immediate Oesophagectomy is the best solution for this type of perforation, with several hours of evolution and serious mediastinite, to reduce surgical complications and mortality.