Tumor regression grades, K-RAS mutational profile and c-MET in colorectal liver metastases.

Introduction: Recently TRG, necrosis grade and the rate of viable cancer cells of colorectal liver metastases were correlated with the response to chemotherapy treatments, whereas K-RAS mutations and c-MET over-expression were correlated with the prognosis.

Methods: 58 resection specimens were assessed for regression grades. Patients undergone neo-adjuvant treatments were compared to patients who underwent therapy exclusively adjuvantly.

Ischemic Postconditioning of the Liver Graft in Adult Liver Transplantation.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of graft failure in liver transplantation (LT). Ischemic postconditioning (IPo) has shown to be beneficial against I/R injury. Our objective was to compare the results of LT with or without IPo.

Colorectal liver metastases are more often super wild type. Toward treatment based on metastatic site genotyping?

Recent data showed that metastatic colorectal (mCRC) tumors exhibiting extended RAS-BRAF mutations were resistant to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies, making these drugs suitable for the so-called "super" wild-type (WT) patients only. This study aimed to compare the extended RAS-BRAF mutation frequency and characteristics according to location of tumor sampling. All consecutive mCRC specimens (N = 1659) referred to our institution from January 2008 till June 2014 were included in the analysis.

An MRI assessment of chronic synovial-based inflammation in gout and its correlation with serum urate levels.

It is unclear when the synovial-based inflammatory process of gout begins. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of patients with inter-critical gout who have chronic synovial-based inflammation as evidenced by synovial pannus on a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their most involved joint and determine if the presence and/or severity correlates with their serum urate levels. All patients received a 3 T MRI of their index joint, serum urate level, CRP, and creatinine.

A safety analysis of oral prednisone as a pretreatment for rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis.

The administration of 100 mg of methylprednisolone intravenously (IV) 1/2 h prior to rituximab decreases the incidence of acute infusion reactions (AIRs). However, this pretreatment adds considerable time and conveys potential risk. We performed an open-label prospective assessment of oral prednisone as a pretreatment to rituximab.

Impact of reversible cardiac arrest in the brain-dead organ donor on the outcome of adult liver transplantation.

Several donor and graft characteristics are associated with higher failure rates for deceased donor liver transplantation (LT). The influence of reversible cardiac arrest in the donor on these failure rates is unclear because of scarce and inconsistent data. The aim of this study was to determine whether reversible cardiac arrest in the donor could affect the early postoperative outcome of LT.

Operative risks of domino liver transplantation for the familial amyloid polyneuropathy liver donor and recipient: a double analysis.

Although domino liver transplantation (LT) is an established procedure, data about the operative risks are limited. This study aimed at evaluating the operative risks of domino LT. Two retrospective analyses were conducted (comparison of familial amyloid polyneuropathy [FAP] liver donors [61 patients] vs.

Virtual rheumatology: using simulators and a formal workshop to teach medical students, internal medicine residents, and rheumatology subspecialty residents arthrocentesis.

Background: Arthrocentesis is an important skill for medical practitioners at all levels of training. Previous studies have indicated a low comfort level and performance of arthrocentesis among primary care physicians that could be improved with hands-on training.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to improve comfort with knee and shoulder arthrocentesis at all levels of medical training, including medical students, internal medicine residents, and rheumatology subspecialty residents, and in arthrocentesis of the elbow, wrist, and ankle for advanced subspecialty residents in rheumatology through the use of a formal workshop using simulators.

Combination antibiotics as a treatment for chronic Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial.

Objective: Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae are known triggers of reactive arthritis (ReA) and exist in a persistent metabolically active infection state in the synovium, suggesting that they may be susceptible to antimicrobial agents. The goal of this study was to investigate whether a 6-month course of combination antibiotics is an effective treatment for patients with chronic Chlamydia-induced ReA.

Methods: This study was a 9-month, prospective, double-blind, triple-placebo trial assessing a 6-month course of combination antibiotics as a treatment for Chlamydia-induced ReA.

Oncologic results of laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases in two specialized centers.

Objective: Compare oncologic results of laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for resection of colorectal metastases to the liver.

Summary And Background Data: Open hepatectomy (OH) is the current standard of care for the management of colorectal liver metastases. Although the feasibility of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has been established, only select centers have used this technique as their primary modality.

Adjuvant effect of LPS and killed Propionibacterium acnes on the development of experimental gastrointestinal nematode infestation in sheep.

Gastrointestinal helminthic infection is an important worldwide sheep disease. The emergence of anthelminthic resistance has led to drives to seek new means of therapeutic control of helminthiasis in sheep. Several data demonstrated the adjuvant effect of Propionibacterium acnes on resistance to infection.

An analysis of MRI and ultrasound imaging in patients with gout who have normal plain radiographs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of occult destructive arthropathy in subjects with gout and normal plain radiographs by utilizing MRI and ultrasound (US).

Methods: The study consisted of two visits. At Visit 1, a plain radiograph of the 'index joint' was obtained.

Chlamydiae as etiologic agents in chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis.

Objective: The majority of patients with Chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis do not present with the classic triad of arthritis, conjunctivitis/iritis, and urethritis. Moreover, acute chlamydial infections are often asymptomatic. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of synovial Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in patients with chronic undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA).

A safety assessment of tumor necrosis factor antagonists during pregnancy: a review of the Food and Drug Administration database.

Objective: To present any congenital anomalies with respect to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine if there are common findings.

Methods: A review of the FDA database of reported adverse events with etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab from 1999 through December of 2005 was performed. Key words for congenital anomalies were employed as search tools.

Determining rheumatologists' accuracy at assessing functional disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index.

Objective: To test rheumatologists' accuracy in determining functional disability of their patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We used the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) as our guide at assessing functional disability in patients with RA. Included were male and female patients, 18 to 65 years of age, diagnosed with RA.

Surgical approaches to solitary parathyroid adenoma: state of the art. Our early experience with intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement.

We report our early experience with focused radioguided parathyroidectomy with intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement in patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism. Over a period of 2 months we performed 4 consecutive focused parathyroidectomies with intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement, 3 of which radioguided. All patients had a preoperative localization of single gland disease by sestamibi scanning and/or ultrasound.

[Stromal tumors of the rectum: a case report and review of the literature].

This paper describes a case of epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the rectum in a patient admitted for constipation and rectal bleeding. After an initial biopsy diagnosis of leiomyoma, a local excision was performed, showing the malignant nature of the tumour. Consequently, the patient underwent an abdomino-perineal amputation, adjuvant radiation (50 Gy) and a 24-month follow-up, which revealed no signs of local or distant recurrence.

[Intestinal endometriosis. Three new cases and review of the literature].

Objective: The study was undertaken to identify some features of the intestinal endometriosis such as symptoms, helpful investigations, pattern of distribution and surgical management.

Patients: Three consecutive cases, observed during a sixteen month period, are reported. The most frequent symptoms were chronic pelvic and abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, alterated bowel habit and menorrhagia.