Ex vivo optical coherence tomography combined with near infrared targeted fluorescence: towards esophageal cancer detection.

Early detection of (pre)malignant esophageal lesions is critical to improve esophageal cancer morbidity and mortality rates. In patients with advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) who undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, the efficacy of therapy could be optimized and unnecessary surgery prevented by the reliable assessment of residual tumors after therapy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides structural images at a (sub)-cellular level and has the potential to visualize morphological changes in tissue.

Fluorescence detection of pituitary neuroendocrine tumour during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery using bevacizumab-800CW: a non-randomised, non-blinded, single centre feasibility and dose finding trial [DEPARTURE trial].

Purpose: Achieving endocrine remission by gross total resection is challenging in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs) with cavernous sinus invasion. This study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and optimal dose for intraoperative fluorescence imaging as an added instrument to discriminate PitNET from surrounding tissue using bevacizumab-800CW, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A).

Methods: In part I, dose-escalation (0-4∙5-10-25 mg) was performed in 4 groups of 3 patients with PitNETs Knosp grade 3-4.

Robot-assisted fluorescent sentinel lymph node identification in early-stage colon cancer.

Background: Patients with cT1-2 colon cancer (CC) have a 10-20% risk of lymph node metastases. Sentinel lymph node identification (SLNi) could improve staging and reduce morbidity in future organ-preserving CC surgery. This pilot study aimed to assess safety and feasibility of robot-assisted fluorescence-guided SLNi using submucosally injected indocyanine green (ICG) in patients with cT1-2N0M0 CC.

Detection of Tumour-Targeted IRDye800CW Tracer with Commercially Available Laparoscopic Surgical Systems.

(1) Introduction: Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) combined with tumour-targeted tracers, such as bevacizumab-800CW, could aid surgical decision-making. This study explored the use of IRDye800CW, conjugated to bevacizumab, with four commercially available NIRF laparoscopes optimised for indocyanine green (ICG). (2) Methods: A (lymph node) phantom was made from a calibration device for NIRF and tissue-mimicking material.

Standardization and implementation of fluorescence molecular endoscopy in the clinic.

Significance: Near-infrared fluorescence molecular endoscopy (NIR-FME) is an innovative technique allowing for in vivo visualization of molecular processes in hollow organs. Despite its potential for clinical translation, NIR-FME still faces challenges, for example, the lack of consensus in performing quality control and standardization of procedures and systems. This may hamper the clinical approval of the technology by authorities and its acceptance by endoscopists.

Scirrhous Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Pooled Data Analysis of Clinical, Radiological, and Histopathological Features.

Background: Aberrant subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) account for 20-30% of all HCCs and habitually present a challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma (s-HCC) is often misdiagnosed as cholangiocarcinoma, fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, or metastasis.

Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) were searched for publications on scirrhous hepatocellular carcinoma without date or language restrictions.

Pushing the limit of liver regeneration - Safety and survival after monosegment-ALPPS: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has expanded and spearheaded development in hepatobiliary surgery. Monosegment-ALPPS tests liver regeneration limits and may present as the last feasible curative treatment option.

Methods: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) were searched for publications on mono-ALPPS using a predefined strategy without date or language restrictions.

Quality of life of patients with 3D-printed arm prostheses in a rural area of Sierra Leone.

Introduction: In Sierra Leone, access to prostheses is limited due to absence of practical knowledge, materials, trained staff, and high cost. This paper investigates the impact of a 3D printed prosthesis on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in prosthesis recipients.

Methods: Patients with upper extremity amputations were included in this case study from December 2018 until July 2019.

Long-term Surgical Outcome and Risk Factors in Living Kidney Donors.

Context: Studies on the surgical outcome in living kidney donors mainly report perioperative complications with short follow-up.

Objective: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the long-term surgical outcome in living kidney donors and to identify donors with an increased risk for a complicated postoperative course.

Basic Procedures: A prospectively collected database of 496 living kidney donors at the Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery of the Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg was retrospectively analyzed in a retrospective, observational single-center study.

Long-term Effects of Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy in Childhood-onset Craniopharyngioma: Results of the German Craniopharyngioma Registry (HIT-Endo).

Objective: Quality of survival, prognosis and long-term outcome are often severely impaired in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma patients (CP). Identification of risk factors for sequelae such as growth hormone (GH) deficiency is important for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.

Design: In a cross-sectional study, 79 CP recruited in HIT-Endo before 2000 were analyzed according to GH substitution: a.

Nuchal Skinfold Thickness: A Novel Parameter for Assessment of Body Composition in Childhood Craniopharyngioma.

Context: Hypothalamic obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and relapse/progression have a major impact on prognosis in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP). We analyzed nuchal skinfold thickness (NST) on magnetic resonance imaging performed for follow-up monitoring as a novel parameter for body composition (BC) and CVD in CP.

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify the association of NST with body mass index (BMI), waist to height ratio (WHtR), functional capacity, and blood pressure (BP) in CP and controls.

Fusiform dilatation of the internal carotid artery in childhood-onset craniopharyngioma: multicenter study on incidence and long-term outcome.

Purpose: Fusiform dilatations of the internal carotid artery (FDCA) represent a vascular complication following surgery for suprasellar tumors in children. Incidence rate and long-term prognosis of FDCA in terms of survival rates, vascular complications, and quality of survival are unknown for patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma.

Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of 583 patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma, recruited from 2001 to 2015 in the German Childhood Craniopharyngioma Registry, were reviewed for FDCA.

History before diagnosis in childhood craniopharyngioma: associations with initial presentation and long-term prognosis.

Objective: Childhood craniopharyngiomas (CP) are often diagnosed after a long duration of history (DOH). Tumor size, hypothalamic involvement (HI), and obesity are associated with reduced overall survival (OS) and functional capacity (FC). The effect of DOH and specific symptoms in history on presentation at initial diagnosis and long-term prognosis are unknown.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and fatigue in long-term survivors of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma.

Objective: Hypothalamic obesity in childhood craniopharyngioma (CP) patients carries a high risk for development of metabolic syndrome. In metabolic syndrome, the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known. The aim of this study is to detect the risk for NAFLD in childhood-onset CP.

Survival, hypothalamic obesity, and neuropsychological/psychosocial status after childhood-onset craniopharyngioma: newly reported long-term outcomes.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) and long-term prognosis are frequently, and often severely, impaired in craniopharyngioma (CP) patients. Knowledge of risk factors for long-term outcome is important for optimization of treatment.

Methods: Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), body mass index (BMI), neuropsychological status (EORTCQLQ-C30, MFI-20), and psychosocial status were analyzed in 261 patients with childhood-onset CP diagnosed before 2000 and longitudinally observed in HIT-Endo.

Hydrocephalus and hypothalamic involvement in pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma or cysts of Rathke's pouch: impact on long-term prognosis.

Objective: Pediatric patients with sellar masses such as craniopharyngioma (CP) or cyst of Rathke's pouch (CRP) frequently suffer disease- and treatment-related sequelae. We analyzed the impact and prognostic relevance of initial hydrocephalus (HY) and hypothalamic involvement (HI) on long-term survival and functional capacity (FC) in children with CP or CRP.

Subjects And Methods: Using retrospective analysis of patient records, presence of initial HY or HI was assessed in 177 pediatric patients (163 CP and 14 CRP).

Eating behavior, weight problems and eating disorders in 101 long-term survivors of childhood-onset craniopharyngioma.

Background: As a result of hypothalamic involvement and/or treatment-related hypothalamic damage, up to 75% of childhood craniopharyngioma patients develop hypothalamic obesity.

Methods: Eating behavior was analyzed in 101 survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma, recruited from 1980 to 2001 in the HIT-Endo multicenter study, and in 85 body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls using the Inventory for Eating Behavior and Weight Problems (IEG) and the Inventory for Eating Disorders (ESI).

Results: Severely obese patients (BMI>8 SD; n=9) presented with pathological eating behavior, more weight problems, and eating disorders, as compared to obese (BMI 3-8 SD; n=44) and normal or overweight patients (BMI<3 SD; n=48).

[Childhood craniopharyngioma with hypothalamic obesity - no long-term weight reduction due to rehabilitation programs].

Background: Severe obesity due to hypothalamic involvement has major impact on prognosis in long-term survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma. The long-term effects of rehabilitation efforts on weight development and obesity in these patients are not analyzed up to now.

Patients And Methods: 108 patients with childhood craniopharyngioma recruited in HIT Endo before 2001 were included in the study.

Diencephalic syndrome in childhood craniopharyngioma--results of German multicenter studies on 485 long-term survivors of childhood craniopharyngioma.

Context: Childhood craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are known to be associated with an increased risk of excessive weight gain and hypothalamic obesity. Atypical clinical manifestations include the development of a diencephalic syndrome (DS) with a failure to thrive or maintain weight at appropriate body mass index.

Cases And Methods: In a retrospective study, we analyzed 21 of 485 childhood CP patients (4.

When do supervising physicians decide to entrust residents with unsupervised tasks?

Purpose: Patient-care responsibilities stimulate trainee learning but training may compromise patient safety. The authors investigated factors guiding clinical supervisors' decisions to trust residents with critical patient-care tasks.

Method: In a mixed quantitative and qualitative descriptive study carried out at University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands, from March to September 2008, the authors surveyed attending anesthetists and resident anesthetists regarding when attendings should entrust each of six selected critical tasks to residents.

The association between iliac fixation and proximal stent-graft migration during EVAR follow-up: mid-term results of 154 Talent devices.

Objective: This study investigated the importance of iliac fixation to secure endograft fixation.

Materials And Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair with an endoprosthesis of great columnar strength (Talent stent graft) were analysed retrospectively. Patients were enrolled consecutively between June 2000 and January 2007 and prospectively followed up with serial CT imaging.

Properties of the Cell Walls of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK110 and SK112 and Their Relation to Bacteriophage Resistance.

Resistance of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK110 to bacteriophage sk11G, encoded on the plasmid pSK112, is due to poor phage adsorption. Its phage-sensitive variant SK112, cured of pSK112, adsorbs phages effectively.

Loss of phage resistance encoded by plasmid pSK112 in chemostat cultures of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris SK110.

In cultures of L. lactis ssp. cremoris SK110, phage SK11G-resistant through the presence of pSK112, phage-sensitive variants segregated spontaneously that lacked the plasmid.

Phenotypic variations in cell envelope proteins of Klebsiella aerogenes.

The structure and functioning of the cell envelope of Klebsiella aerogenes vary phenotypically with changes in the culture environment. These variations involve, in particular, the proteinaceous components. This contribution discusses results obtained in recent studies directed towards analysing the influence of growth conditions on membrane protein composition in this organism.