Is the omission of the external iliac or upper pelvic lymph nodes from elective irradiation safe in selected anal canal squamous cell cancers?

Background: Guidelines recommend elective irradiation of the external iliac and upper pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) regardless of clinical stage, but the supporting evidence for this recommendation is limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 68 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal who underwent volumetric modulated arc therapy chemoradiation, excluding external iliac LNs from elective irradiation. In patients with negative bilateral inguinal LNs, both external iliac regions were omitted, while in those with unilateral positive inguinal LNs, only the ipsilateral external iliac region was included and the contralateral side was omitted.

Which tumour factors preclude organ preservation in patients with rectal cancer?

Background: cT3cdT4, cN2, mesorectal nodes > 8 mm, clinically positive lateral nodes, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) and mesorectal fascia threatening (MRF+) have been utilized as exclusion criteria in several studies on the watch-and-wait (w&w) strategy. Here, our aim was to validate these criteria through a post hoc analysis of two pooled prospective studies on w&w following routine radio(chemo)therapy.

Methods: A review of baseline magnetic resonance imaging was performed in a subgroup of 223 patients treated at a single institution.

Effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in preventing COVID-19-associated deaths in Poland.

Introduction: Development of vaccines was a turning point of the COVID‑19 pandemic. In this study, we describe the course of the vaccination program in Poland and the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the vaccination rates and effectiveness stratified by age groups in Poland.

Screening of Self-Assembling of Collagen IV Fragments into Stable Structures Potentially Useful in Regenerative Medicine.

The aim of the research was to check whether it is possible to use fragments of type IV collagen to obtain, as a result of self-assembling, stable spatial structures that could be used to prepare new materials useful in regenerative medicine. Collagen IV fragments were obtained by using DMT/NMM/TosO as a coupling reagent. The ability to self-organize and form stable spatial structures was tested by the CD method and microscopic techniques.

Anthropogenic transformations of river ecosystems are not always bad for the environment: Multi-taxa analyses of changes in aquatic and terrestrial environments after dredging of a small lowland river.

Rivers are one of the most commonly transformed aquatic ecosystems. Most papers present significantly negative effects of activities such as dredging or channel regulation on the ecological status of rivers. The purpose of this work was to compare the response of various groups of invertebrates (Mollusca, Hydrachnidia, Odonata, Heteroptera, Coleoptera and Trichoptera) to an intervention involving dredging in conjunction with the removal of riparian vegetation.

Optimization of Mass Flow in the Synthesis of Ferromagnetic Carbon Nanotubes in Chemical Vapor Deposition System.

Carbon nanotubes have unique properties, which make it possible to be applied in a variety of sensing applications. Moreover, by controlling the synthesis chemistry process, it is possible for carbon nanotubes to either fill or attach to its surface metal particles, e.g.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without oxaliplatin after short-course radiotherapy in high-risk rectal cancer: A subgroup analysis from a prospective study.

Aim: To evaluate the role of oxaliplatin in neoadjuvant chemotherapy delivered after short-course irradiation.

Background: Using oxaliplatin in the above setting is uncertain.

Patients And Methods: A subgroup of 136 patients managed by short-course radiotherapy and 3 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy within the framework of a randomised study was included in this post-hoc analysis.

Long-course preoperative chemoradiation versus 5 × 5 Gy and consolidation chemotherapy for clinical T4 and fixed clinical T3 rectal cancer: long-term results of the randomized Polish II study.

Background: This trial evaluated whether preoperative short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy (CCT) were superior to chemoradiation in rectal cancers with clinical (c)T4 or fixed cT3. Previously, we reported early results showing no differences in the radical surgery rate (primary end point). In the short-course/CCT group, we observed lower acute toxicity of preoperative treatment and better overall survival (OS).

Search for New Aggregable Fragments of Human Insulin.

In this study, three independent methods were used to identify short fragment of both chains of human insulin which are prone for aggregation. In addition, circular dichroism (CD) research was conducted to understand the progress of aggregation over time. The insulin fragments (deca- and pepta-peptides) were obtained by solid-phase synthesis using 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium toluene-4-sulfonate (DMT/NMM/TosO) as a coupling reagent.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of pT2 rectal cancer spread and recurrence pattern: Implications for target design in radiation therapy for organ preservation.

Background: There are no guidelines on clinical target volume (CTV) delineation for cT2 rectal cancer treated with organ preservation.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the extent of distal mesorectal (DMS) and distal intramural spread (DIS), the risk of lateral lymph node (LLN) metastases in pT2 tumours, and regional recurrence pattern after organ preservation.

Results: The rate of DMS > 1 cm was 1.

Preoperative radiotherapy and local excision of rectal cancer: Long-term results of a randomised study.

Background And Purpose: It is uncertain whether local control is acceptable after preoperative radiotherapy and local excision (LE). An optimal preoperative dose/fractionation schedule has not yet been established.

Material And Methods: In a phase III study, patients with cT1-2N0M0 or borderline cT2/T3N0M0 < 4 cm rectal adenocarcinomas were randomised to receive either 5 × 5 Gy plus 1 × 4 Gy boost or chemoradiation: 50.

The gentamicin-collagen implant and the risk of distant metastases of rectal cancer following short-course radiotherapy and curative resection: the long-term outcomes of a randomized study.

Purpose: A previous randomized study conducted by our group showed that application of gentamicin-collagen implant (GCI) into the pelvic cavity after total mesorectal excision (TME) reduced the incidence of distant metastases. Therefore, we decided to conduct a confirmatory study.

Methods: Patients with rectal cancer were included in the study if they met the following criteria: adenocarcinoma of the rectum, preoperative short-term radiotherapy (5 × 5 Gy), and WHO performance score 0-1.

Influence of Plasma Jet Temperature Profiles in Arc Discharge Methods of Carbon Nanotubes Synthesis.

One of the most common methods of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesis is application of an electric-arc plasma. However, the final product in the form of cathode deposit is composed of carbon nanotubes and a variety of carbon impurities. An assay of carbon nanotubes produced in arc discharge systems available on the market shows that commercial cathode deposits contain about 10% CNTs.

Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes in Thermal Plasma Reactor at Atmospheric Pressure.

In this paper, a novel approach to the synthesis of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in reactors operating at atmospheric pressure is presented. Based on the literature and our own research results, the most effective methods of CNT synthesis are investigated. Then, careful selection of reagents for the synthesis process is shown.

Does the addition of oxaliplatin to preoperative chemoradiation benefit cT4 or fixed cT3 rectal cancer treatment? A subgroup analysis from a prospective study.

Background: Whether there is any benefit derived from adding oxaliplatin to fluoropyrimidine-based preoperative chemoradiation is currently unknown in cases of advanced cT3 or cT4 tumours. Our aim was to evaluate this issue by analysing a randomized trial, which compared two schedules of preoperative treatment (chemoradiation vs. 5 × 5 Gy with 3 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy) for cT4 or fixed cT3 rectal cancer.

Long-course oxaliplatin-based preoperative chemoradiation versus 5 × 5 Gy and consolidation chemotherapy for cT4 or fixed cT3 rectal cancer: results of a randomized phase III study.

Background: Improvements in local control are required when using preoperative chemoradiation for cT4 or advanced cT3 rectal cancer. There is therefore a need to explore more effective schedules.

Patients And Methods: Patients with fixed cT3 or cT4 cancer were randomized either to 5 × 5 Gy and three cycles of FOLFOX4 (group A) or to 50.

Watch and wait policy after preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer; management of residual lesions that appear clinically benign.

Background: During an ongoing phase II observational study on watch and wait policy in rectal cancer, a substantial number of patients presented residual lesion after radiotherapy with a clinical benign appearance. This article aims to discuss the clinical significance of such findings.

Materials And Methods: Main entry criteria were age ≥70 years and small tumour (≤5 cm and ≤60% of circumferential involvement) located in the low rectum.

The Effects of Stationary Phases on Retention and Selectivity of Oligonucleotides in IP-RP-HPLC.

There is a growing demand for the separation and identification of short nucleic acid fragments, such as oligonucleotides. There were two main goals of the present investigation, namely, evaluation of the impact of stationary phase type and the influence of various ion-pair reagents on the retention behavior of oligonucleotides in ion-pair liquid chromatography. Three types of ion-pair reagents were studied: triethylammonium acetate, dimethylbuthylammonium acetate and mixtures of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol and triethylamine.

Shotgun proteome analysis of honeybee venom using targeted enrichment strategies.

The aim of this study was to explore the honeybee venom proteome applying a shotgun proteomics approach using different enrichment strategies (combinatorial peptide ligand libraries and solid phase extraction). The studies were conducted using nano-LC/MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS system. The MS analysis of peptide profiles (in the range of 900-4500 Da) and virtual gel-image of proteins from Lab-on-Chip assay (in the range of 10-250 kDa) confirm that use of targeted enrichment strategies increase detection of honeybee venom components.