Multicenter Phase II Clinical Trial of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With High-Grade Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Purpose: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has proven survival benefits for patients with invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, yet its role for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains undefined. We conducted a multicenter, single-arm, phase II trial of NAC with gemcitabine and split-dose cisplatin (GC) for patients with high-risk UTUC before extirpative surgery to evaluate response, survival, and tolerability.

Methods: Eligible patients with defined criteria for high-risk localized UTUC received four cycles of split-dose GC before surgical resection and lymph node dissection.

Myocardial T1 and T2 Mapping by Magnetic Resonance in Patients With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis.

Background: Myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Data on the utility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 and T2 mapping in ICI myocarditis are limited.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the value of CMR T1 and T2 mapping in patients with ICI myocarditis.

Electrocardiographic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor associated myocarditis.

Background: Myocarditis is a highly morbid complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use that remains inadequately characterized. The QRS duration and the QTc interval are standardized electrocardiographic measures that are prolonged in other cardiac conditions; however, there are no data on their utility in ICI myocarditis.

Methods: From an international registry, ECG parameters were compared between 140 myocarditis cases and 179 controls across multiple time points (pre-ICI, on ICI prior to myocarditis, and at the time of myocarditis).

Case Report: Neuroendocrine Tumor With Cardiac Metastasis.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), also known as carcinoid tumors, are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that arise from cells throughout the neuroendocrine system, most commonly arising from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, lungs, and bronchi. Myocardial carcinoid metastasis is rare with an incidence among metastatic carcinoid patients of 4%. They are generally asymptomatic and detected incidentally.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis.

Aims: Myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Sparse data exist on the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in ICI-associated myocarditis. In this study, the CMR characteristics and the association between CMR features and cardiovascular events among patients with ICI-associated myocarditis are presented.

Global Longitudinal Strain and Cardiac Events in Patients With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Myocarditis.

Background: There is a need for improved methods for detection and risk stratification of myocarditis associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a sensitive marker of cardiac toxicity among patients receiving standard chemotherapy. There are no data on the use of GLS in ICI myocarditis.

Influenza vaccination and myocarditis among patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Influenza vaccination (FV) is recommended for patients with cancer. Recent data suggested that the administration of the FV was associated with an increase in immune-related adverse events (irAEs) among patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Myocarditis is an uncommon but serious complication of ICIs and may also result from infection with influenza.

Review - Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Liquorice).

Medicinal plants are being used for treating various diseases. According to World Health Organization 80% of the world population depends on indigenous medicinal plant remedies. Herbal medicine employs fruits, vegetables, as dry materials or their extracts for the treatment of different diseases and health maintenance.

Studies on the bioactivity and elementology of marine algae from the coast of Karachi, Pakistan.

Some species of marine benthic algae belonging to the Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta collected from different coastal areas of Karachi (Pakistan) were investigated for their antibacterial, antifungal, phytotoxic and insecticidal activities. Brown seaweeds showed greater antibacterial activity than the green and red ones. Botryocladia leptopoda (J.