Recurrence Detection by Hybrid [F]FDG-PET in Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: In the clinical management of advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the use of hybrid [F]FDG-PET imaging is well established. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the optimal frequency of hybrid PET scans to be included in follow-up protocols, particularly if the initial post-therapeutic scan is negative.

Methods: We conducted a single-center 10-year retrospective study involving all patients who underwent hybrid PET scans for the follow-up of advanced stage head and neck cancer.

The Monocle Sign on 18 F-FDG PET Indicates Contralateral Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy.

Background: The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze FDG PET/CT data in patients with facial nerve palsy (FNP) for the presence of the monocle sign.

Patients And Methods: A total of 85 patients with unilateral FNP were included into our study, thereof 73 with peripheral FNP and 12 with central FNP. FDG uptake (SUV max , SUV mean , total lesion glycolysis) was measured in both orbicularis oculi muscles (OOMs).

Association between Infection and Nasal Polyps: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: () has definite or possible associations with multiple local and distant manifestations. has been isolated from multiple sites throughout the body, including the nose. Clinical non-randomized studies with report discrepant data regarding the association between infection and nasal polyps.

Methylation status of various gene loci in localized prostate cancer: Novel biomarkers for diagnostics and biochemical recurrence.

Background: Oncologic outcomes for patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) can vary widely. Hypermethylation of tumor-associated genes has potential as a novel diagnostic tool and predictive biomarker in PCa. We investigated the methylation status of tumor-associated genes in patients who underwent RP.

Phylogenomic discovery of deleterious mutations facilitates hybrid potato breeding.

Hybrid potato breeding will transform the crop from a clonally propagated tetraploid to a seed-reproducing diploid. Historical accumulation of deleterious mutations in potato genomes has hindered the development of elite inbred lines and hybrids. Utilizing a whole-genome phylogeny of 92 Solanaceae and its sister clade species, we employ an evolutionary strategy to identify deleterious mutations.

Prediction of extranodal extension in oropharyngeal cancer patients and carcinoma of unknown primary: value of metabolic tumor imaging with hybrid PET compared with MRI and CT.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of metabolic tumor imaging using hybrid PET for the preoperative detection of extranodal extension (ENE) in lymph node metastases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a consecutive cohort of patients with OPSCC treated with primary surgery with or without adjuvant (chemo-) radiotherapy at the Kantonsspital Sankt-Gallen and the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, from 2010 until 2019. Hybrid PET was compared to conventional cross-sectional imaging with MRI and CT.

Graph pangenome captures missing heritability and empowers tomato breeding.

Missing heritability in genome-wide association studies defines a major problem in genetic analyses of complex biological traits. The solution to this problem is to identify all causal genetic variants and to measure their individual contributions. Here we report a graph pangenome of tomato constructed by precisely cataloguing more than 19 million variants from 838 genomes, including 32 new reference-level genome assemblies.

Diagnostic pathway and stage migration of sinonasal malignancies in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic bears the risk of delayed cancer diagnoses.

Methods: Study on the diagnostic pathway of sinonasal malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Median time from first symptom to treatment initiation was not increased during the pandemic: 137 days (interquartile range [IQR] 104-193) vs 139 days (IQR 103-219) ( = .

Endosperm and Seed Transcriptomes Reveal Possible Roles for Small RNA Pathways in Wild Tomato Hybrid Seed Failure.

Crosses between the wild tomato species Solanum peruvianum and Solanum chilense result in hybrid seed failure (HSF), characterized by endosperm misdevelopment and embryo arrest. We previously showed that genomic imprinting, the parent-of-origin-dependent expression of alleles, is perturbed in the hybrid endosperm, with many of the normally paternally expressed genes losing their imprinted status. Here, we report transcriptome-based analyses of gene and small RNA (sRNA) expression levels.

Population Genomics of the "Arcanum" Species Group in Wild Tomatoes: Evidence for Separate Origins of Two Self-Compatible Lineages.

Given their diverse mating systems and recent divergence, wild tomatoes ( section ) have become an attractive model system to study ecological divergence, the build-up of reproductive barriers, and the causes and consequences of the breakdown of self-incompatibility. Here we report on a lesser-studied group of species known as the "Arcanum" group, comprising the nominal species , , and . The latter two taxa are self-compatible but are thought to self-fertilize at different rates, given their distinct manifestations of the morphological "selfing syndrome.

FDG-PET-CT/MRI in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Impact on pretherapeutic N classification, detection of distant metastases, and second primary tumors.

Background: To assess the effect of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the pretherapeutic staging of N classification, detection rate of distant metastases, and second primaries.

Methods: Retrospective study on patients with head and neck carcinoma. We compared pretherapeutic N classification by ultrasound, computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and FDG-PET-CT/MRI.

A revival of effective ploidy: the asymmetry of parental roles in endosperm-based hybridization barriers.

Interest in understanding hybrid seed failure (HSF) has mushroomed, both in terms of identifying underlying molecular processes and their evolutionary drivers. We review phenotypic and molecular advances with a focus on the 'effective ploidy' concept, witnessing a recent revival after long obscurity. Endosperm misdevelopment has now been shown to underlie HSF in many inter-specific, homoploid crosses.

Predictive value of suvmax changes between two sequential post-therapeutic FDG-pet in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

18-flurodesoxyglucose position emission tomography (FDG-PET) with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a broadly accepted tool for pretherapeutic staging and post-therapeutic assessment of response. The prognostic value of sequential post-therapeutic FDG-PETs and the impact of change in metabolic activity has been scarcely reported so far. We hypothesized that an increase in metabolic activity (as measured by maximum standardized uptake value, SUVmax) would be predictive for recurrence.

Hybrid positron emission tomography imaging for initial staging of sinonasal tumors: Total lesion glycolysis as prognosticator of treatment response.

Background: To assess hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in the initial staging and outcome prediction of sinonasal malignancies.

Methods: Retrospective study on patients with sinonasal malignancies undergoing hybrid PET imaging for initial staging.

Results: Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 45 of 65 patients (69.

Multimodality imaging derived energy loss index and outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: To assess whether the combination of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) data affects the grading of aortic stenosis (AS) severity under consideration of the energy loss index (ELI) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods And Results: Multimodality imaging was performed in 197 patients with symptomatic severe AS undergoing TAVR at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. Fusion aortic valve area index (fusion AVAi) assessed by integrating MDCT derived planimetric left ventricular outflow tract area into the continuity equation was significantly larger as compared to conventional AVAi (0.

Adaptive reduction of male gamete number in the selfing plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

The number of male gametes is critical for reproductive success and varies between and within species. The evolutionary reduction of the number of pollen grains encompassing the male gametes is widespread in selfing plants. Here, we employ genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify underlying loci and to assess the molecular signatures of selection on pollen number-associated loci in the predominantly selfing plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

[Benefits of Molecular Analyses in Thyroid Carcinoma].

Benefits of Molecular Analyses in Thyroid Carcinoma The widespread access to neck ultrasonography has led to high detection rates of thyroid nodules, whose vast majority will remain clinically silent. In daily practice it is a challenge to filter out the thyroid nodules that require medical attention. This is usually achieved by a combination of sonomorphologic criteria and fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Differences in Effective Ploidy Drive Genome-Wide Endosperm Expression Polarization and Seed Failure in Wild Tomato Hybrids.

Parental imbalances in the endosperm leading to impaired development and eventual hybrid seed failure are common causes of postzygotic isolation in flowering plants. Endosperm sensitivity to parental dosage is reflected by canonical phenotypes of "parental excess" in reciprocal interploid crosses. Moreover, parental-excess traits are also evident in many homoploid interspecific crosses, potentially reflecting among-lineage variation in "effective ploidy" driven by endosperm properties.

Congenital fistula of the fourth branchial arch: Report of case with long-lasting misdiagnosis.

Fourth branchial arch anomalies are extremely rare. The anatomic course of the fourth branchial arch fistula usually determines the delay in diagnosis. High clinical suspicion should be given to reoccurring neck infections in infants and young adults.

Wild tomato endosperm transcriptomes reveal common roles of genomic imprinting in both nuclear and cellular endosperm.

Genomic imprinting is a conspicuous feature of the endosperm, a triploid tissue nurturing the embryo and synchronizing angiosperm seed development. An unknown subset of imprinted genes (IGs) is critical for successful seed development and should have highly conserved functions. Recent genome-wide studies have found limited conservation of IGs among distantly related species, but there is a paucity of data from closely related lineages.

Incidence and developmental timing of endosperm failure in post-zygotic isolation between wild tomato lineages.

Background And Aims: Defective hybrid seed development in angiosperms might mediate the rapid establishment of intrinsic post-zygotic isolation between closely related species. Extensive crosses within and among three lineages of wild tomatoes (Solanum section Lycopersicon) were performed to address the incidence, developmental timing and histological manifestations of hybrid seed failure. These lineages encompass different, yet fairly recent, divergence times and both allopatric and partially sympatric pairs.

Impact of stroke volume assessment by integrating multi-detector computed tomography and Doppler data on the classification of aortic stenosis.

Background: The prevalence of low flow low gradient (LFLG) severe aortic stenosis (AS) may be overrated due to underestimation of stroke volume in two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. The implications of 3D imaging on stroke volume calculation for AS classification have not been elucidated. Integrating multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and Doppler data may improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with LFLG AS.

Genomic Imprinting in the Endosperm Is Systematically Perturbed in Abortive Hybrid Tomato Seeds.

Hybrid seed failure represents an important postzygotic barrier to interbreeding among species of wild tomatoes (Solanum section Lycopersicon) and other flowering plants. We studied genome-wide changes associated with hybrid seed abortion in the closely related Solanum peruvianum and S. chilense where hybrid crosses yield high proportions of inviable seeds due to endosperm failure and arrested embryo development.