Simultaneous integrated boost to lateral pelvic lymph nodes during chemoradiotherapy in high-risk rectal cancer.

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy combined with total mesorectal excision (TME) is a standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, lateral pelvic lymph nodes (LPLNs) are often inadequately treated with standard regimens. This study examines the treatment and postoperative outcomes in LARC patients receiving a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) for LPLNs during long-course chemoradiotherapy.

Intraoperative bacterial cultures fail to reliably predict the bacterial spectrum encountered during infectious complications after appendicitis.

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. Complicated appendicitis usually warrants perioperative antibiotic treatment in order to prevent infectious complications. Whether routine microbiological testing benefits the individual patient is a topic of debate.

Prophylactic effect of retromuscular mesh placement during loop ileostomy closure on incisional hernia incidence-a multicentre randomised patient- and observer-blind trial (P.E.L.I.O.N trial).

Background: Incisional hernia is a frequent complication following loop ileostomy reversal. Incisional hernias are associated with morbidity, loss of health-related quality of life and costs and warrant the investigation of prophylactic measures. Prophylactic mesh implantation at the time of surgical stoma reversal has shown to be a promising and safe method to prevent incisional hernias in this setting.

Perioperative Antibiotics in Appendicitis-Do We Need to Adjust Therapy for the Elderly? A Matched Pair Analysis.

(1) Background: Perioperative Antibiotics for acute complicated appendicitis are a standard of care. While there are plenty of trials for pediatric patients, data for elderly patients are scarce. The goal of our study was to evaluate whether elderly patients carry more resistant bacteria and thus have less favorable outcomes after an appendectomy that may warrant intensified perioperative antibiotic treatment (2) We present a retrospective single-center matched pair (139 patients each) analysis of perioperative and microbiological outcomes of an elderly appendicitis cohort (i.

Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients-Is There a Need for Antibiotic Stewardship?

(1) Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common infections after kidney transplantation. Given the risk of urosepsis and the potential threat to the graft, the threshold for treating UTI and asymptomatic bacteriuria with broad spectrum antibiotics is low. Historically fluoroquinolones were prescription favorites for patients that underwent kidney transplantation (KT).

Routine postoperative blood tests fail to reliably predict procedure-related complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Purpose: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a highly standardized surgical procedure with a low risk of complications. However, once complications develop, they can be life-threatening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of blood tests on postoperative day one regarding their potential to predict postoperative complications METHODS: A cohort study of 1706 consecutive cholecystectomies performed at a tertiary hospital and teaching facility over a 5-year period between 2014 and 2019.

Erratum: Prognostic relevance of high pretreatment CA125 levels in primary serous ovarian cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/mco.2020.

Biochar from pyrolyzed Tibetan Yak dung as a novel additive in ensiling sweet sorghum: An alternate to the hazardous use of Yak dung as a fuel in the home.

Yak dung is used as fuel in Tibetan homes; however, this use is hazardous to health. An alternative use of the dung that would be profitable and offset the loss as a fuel would be very beneficial. Sweet sorghum silage with yak dung biochar as an additive was compared with a control silage with no additives and three silages with different commercial additives, namely Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus plantarum and Acremonium cellulase.

Prognostic relevance of high pretreatment CA125 levels in primary serous ovarian cancer.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the prognostic relevance of pretreatment serum CA125 ≥500 U/ml and its role as a non-invasive factor for estimating optimal cytoreduction (≤1 cm) in primary serous ovarian cancer. Clinicopathological parameters and CA125 levels prior to primary cytoreductive surgery were retrospectively evaluated in all 261 consecutive patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer from a single centre. Inclusion criteria were existing preoperative CA125 level, serous ovarian cancer and performed full primary treatment (surgery/platinum-based chemotherapy).

Perioperative strategy and outcome in giant retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma-results of a retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS) are common soft tissue sarcomas of adulthood. The aim of this study is to show resectability of even giant liposarcomas and to identify factors associated with recurrence and survival in primary retroperitoneal liposarcomas.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma.

[Value of laparoscopy in blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma-a systematic review].

Background: The range of indications for laparoscopic procedures has been continuously widened in recent years. At the same time, however, the diagnostic and therapeutic role of laparoscopy in the management of blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma remains controversial.

Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed from 2008 to 2019 on the use of laparoscopy in blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma.

Critical Thinking Skills of RNs: Exploring Demographic Determinants.

Background: Previous studies of nurses' critical thinking skills that included demographic characteristics as determinants have been inconclusive. This study explored demographic determinants of critical thinking skills among nurses from public hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 549 nurses recruited via multistage cluster sampling.

Associated abdominal injuries do not influence quality of care in pelvic fractures-a multicenter cohort study from the German Pelvic Registry.

Background: Pelvic fractures are rare but serious injuries. The influence of a concomitant abdominal trauma on the time point of surgery and the quality of care regarding quality of reduction or the clinical course in pelvic injuries has not been investigated yet.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prospective consecutive cohort from the multicenter German Pelvic Registry of the German Trauma Society in the years 2003-2017.

Biochar amendment improves alpine meadows growth and soil health in Tibetan plateau over a three year period.

Previous biochar research has primarily focused on agricultural annual cropping systems with very little attention given to highly fragile, complex and diverse natural alpine grassland ecosystems. The present study investigated the effect of biochar on the growth of alpine meadows and soil health. This study was conducted in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau over a three year period to investigate the effect of three rice husk biochar application rates alone and combination with high and low NPK fertilizer dosages on alpine meadow productivity, soil microbial diversity as well as pH, carbon and nitrogen content at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth.

[Quality of operative treatment of pelvic fractures is not influenced by an additional abdominal injury : A monocentric registry study].

Background: Pelvic fractures are rare but severe injuries. The influence of a concomitant abdominal trauma on the quality of care regarding operative parameters, such as reduction quality and the clinical course in pelvic injuries has not yet been sufficiently investigated.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the prospective consecutive data of patients with pelvic injuries treated at the BG Trauma Center in Tübingen in the years 2003-2017.

Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours combined with imatinib treatment: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Targeted therapies changed the treatment concepts of gastrointestinal stromal tumours significantly. As only possibility to cure surgical resection is the cornerstone of therapy. Thus it is necessary to find out which patients will benefit most regarding modality (neo- or adjuvant) and duration of chemotherapy.

An integrated review of the correlation between critical thinking ability and clinical decision-making in nursing.

Aims And Objectives: To explore whether there is a correlation between critical thinking ability and clinical decision-making among nurses.

Background: Critical thinking is currently considered as an essential component of nurses' professional judgement and clinical decision-making. If confirmed, nursing curricula may be revised emphasising on critical thinking with the expectation to improve clinical decision-making and thus better health care.

Incidence and Impact of Lymph Node Metastases in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Implications for Surgical Treatment.

This study aimed to clarify the impact of node involvement (affected to resected nodes) in optimally cytoreduced (residual tumour ≤1cm) stage IIIC/IV ovarian cancer. 108 consecutive patients with primary stage IIIC/IV ovarian cancer underwent stage-related surgery and got adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. Median follow-up: 53.

Prevalence and distribution pattern of nodal metastases in advanced ovarian cancer.

The objective of this study was to examine the relevance of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node involvement and the tumour characteristics affecting nodal metastases and survival in primary advanced ovarian cancer. A total of 130 consecutive patients were retrospectively investigated. All the patients received stage-related surgery with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy.

Influence of Pyrolysis Temperature on Physico-Chemical Properties of Corn Stover (Zea mays L.) Biochar and Feasibility for Carbon Capture and Energy Balance.

This study examined the influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochar characteristics and evaluated its suitability for carbon capture and energy production. Biochar was produced from corn stover using slow pyrolysis at 300, 400 and 500°C and 2 hrs holding time. The experimental biochars were characterized by elemental analysis, BET, FTIR, TGA/DTA, NMR (C-13).