Experimental and numerical study of solid needle insertions into human stomach tissue.

Purpose: Oral drug delivery is the Holy Grail in the field of drug delivery. However, poor bioavailability limits the oral intake of macromolecular drugs. Oral devices may overcome this limitation, but a knowledge gap exists on the device-tissue interaction.

Robust optimization of the Gross Tumor Volume compared to conventional Planning Target Volume-based planning in photon Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of lung tumors.

Background: Robust optimization has been suggested as an approach to reduce the irradiated volume in lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). We performed a retrospective planning study to investigate the potential benefits over Planning Target Volume (PTV)-based planning.

Material And Methods: Thirty-nine patients had additional plans using robust optimization with 5-mm isocenter shifts of the Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) created in addition to the PTV-based plan used for treatment.

Soluble programmed death ligand 1 as prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving nivolumab, pembrolizumab or atezolizumab therapy.

Many studies have focused on the prognostic role of soluble programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but outcomes are ambiguous and further investigations are needed. We addressed the matter by studying sPD-L1 in baseline samples and in longitudinal samples taken prior to three subsequent cycles of anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 treatments. Eighty patients with NSCLC were enrolled.

Telemetric ICP monitoring in children: a national questionnaire-based study.

Purpose: Telemetric monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) facilitates long-term measurements and home monitoring, thus potentially reducing diagnostic imaging and acute hospital admissions in favour of outpatient appointments. Especially in paediatric patients, telemetric ICP monitoring requires a high level of collaboration and compliance from patients and parents. In this study, we aim to systematically investigate (1) patient and parent perception of telemetric ICP system utility and (2) hospital contact history and thus the potential cost-benefit of telemetric ICP monitoring in paediatric patients with a cerebrospinal fluid disorder.

NK cell activity and methylated HOXA9 ctDNA as prognostic biomarkers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Background: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have improved survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated natural killer cell activity (NKA) and methylated HOXA9 circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as prognostic biomarkers in NSCLC patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Methods: Plasma was prospectively collected from 71 NSCLC patients before treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and before cycles 2-4.

How to define CSF overdrainage: a systematic literature review.

Purpose: Overdrainage (OD) is one of the most frequent complications related to drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is mostly associated with valve-bearing shunt systems but should probably be considered as a risk factor in any type of CSF diversion procedure. There is extreme variation in the reported incidence of OD due to the lack of consensus on defining criteria and an unclear perception of the pathophysiology.

Biomechanical properties of the stomach: A comprehensive comparative analysis of human and porcine gastric tissue.

Background: Stomach-related disorders impose medical challenges and are associated with significant social and economic costs. The field of biomechanics is promising for understanding tissue behavior and for development of medical treatments and surgical interventions. In gastroenterology, animal models are often used when studies on humans are not possible.

Hydroflex: Use of Patient Reported Outcomes in a Clinical Setting Among Patients with Hydrocephalus.

Objective/background: A patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure is defined as "any report of the status of a patient's health condition that comes directly from the patient without interpretation of the patient's response by a clinician or anyone else". PRO data are increasingly being used in health care to facilitate monitoring of symptoms, facilitate communication between patients and clinicians, facilitate early identification of problems, and reduce unnecessary outpatient appointments for stable patients.

Methods: We have designed a PRO system specifically for hydrocephalus, a program named Hydroflex.

Hydrocephalus Study Design: Testing New Hypotheses in Clinical Studies and Bench-to-Bedside Research.

In this article, we aimed to describe some of the currently most challenging problems in neurosurgical management of hydrocephalus and how these can be reasons for inspiration for and development of research. We chose 4 areas of focus: 2 dedicated to improvement of current treatments (shunt implant surgery and endoscopic hydrocephalus surgery) and 2 dedicated to emerging future treatment principles (molecular mechanisms of cerebrospinal fluid secretion and hydrocephalus genetics).

[Invasive treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension].

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterised by intractable headache, papilloedema, visual symptoms, pulsatile tinnitus and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). The incidence has increased, most likely due to the simultaneous increase in obesity. This review finds that imaging is centered on ruling out structural causes of elevated ICP as well as visualising classical signs of IIH.

[Endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus].

Endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus provides an opportunity to reach deeply located intraventricular obstacles and, as such, it is currently the primary treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus in Denmark. This review provides an overview of conditions treatable with endoscopic neurosurgery including the surgical principles, success rate and challenges with this neurosurgical procedure.

Dynamic LED-light versus static LED-light for depressed inpatients: study protocol for a randomised clinical study.

Introduction: Retrospective studies conducted in psychiatric inpatient wards have shown a relation between the intensity of daylight in patient rooms and the length of stay, pointing to an antidepressant effect of ambient lighting conditions. Light therapy has shown a promising antidepressant effect when administered from a light box. The emergence of light-emitting diode (LED) technology has made it possible to build luminaires into rooms and to dynamically mimic the spectral and temporal distribution of daylight.

Dynamic LED light versus static LED light for depressed inpatients: results from a randomized feasibility trial.

Background: Retrospective studies conducted in psychiatric wards have indicated a shorter duration of stay for depressed inpatients in bright compared to dim daylight-exposed rooms, pointing to a possible antidepressant effect of daylight conditions. Dynamic LED lighting, aiming to mimic daylight conditions, are currently been installed in several hospitals, but their feasibility is poorly investigated.

Methods: To investigate the feasibility of these systems, we developed and installed a LED-lighting system in four rooms in a psychiatric inpatient ward.

Deciding on Appropriate Telemetric Intracranial Pressure Monitoring System.

Background: The clinical advantage of telemetric intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has previously been limited by issues with inaccuracy and zero-drift. Today, 2 comparable telemetric ICP monitoring systems are available performing adequately in these parameters. The objective of this study is to identify appropriate uses of each system.

The applicability of fixed and adjustable gravitational shunt valves in two different clinical settings.

Background: Gravitational shunt valves and most recently the adjustable proSA® gravitational valve have been designed to counteract overdrainage and thereby improving clinical outcome. So far, the applicability in a broader mix of hydrocephalus patients is unrevealed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of gravitational valves in two different clinical settings.

[Thrombolytic therapy after intraventricular haemorrhage].

Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in the brain is associated with high mortality rates. Today, the treatment consists of control of the intracranial pressure and drainage of the blood using an external drain. We here present a 53-year-old female who was admitted with a massive IVH and hydrocephalus due to a subarachnoid haemorrhage.