Efficacy and Limitations of F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography to Differentiate Between Malignant and Benign Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors.

Background/aim: Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), is the most widely applied molecular imaging technique in oncology. The present study assessed the efficacy and limitations of FDG-PET by comparing FDG accumulation in bone and soft tissue lesions, as well as histopathological features.

Patients And Methods: The study included 122 patients with 165 lesions, as assessed by histopathological examinations.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography Versus Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography for Assessment of Residual Tumor From Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Transarterial Chemoembolization: A Meta-analysis.

Objectives: This study reviewed the literature to directly evaluate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) versus contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for assessing residual tumors of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched through April 30, 2017. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated and compared to examine the diagnostic performance of CEUS versus CECT.

A phase I clinical trial of RNF43 peptide-related immune cell therapy combined with low-dose cyclophosphamide in patients with advanced solid tumors.

The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and the tolerability of combined cellular immunotherapy with low-dose cyclophosphamide (CPA) in patients with advanced solid tumors. This study targeted a novel tumor-associated antigen, ring finger protein 43 (RNF43). Eligible patients were resistant to standard therapy, HLA-A*24:02- or A*02:01-positive and exhibiting high RNF43 expression in their tumor cells.

The association between plasma homocysteine and ambulatory blood pressure variability in patients with untreated hypertension.

Background: Both homocysteine (Hcy) and blood pressure variability (BPV) are independent predictors of stroke, however, their relationship is rarely evaluated before. This study aimed to investigate the association Hcy and ambulatory BPV in subjects with untreated primary hypertension.

Methods: A total of 252 eligible patients were recruited.

Innovative exercise device for the abdominal trunk muscles: An early validation study.

Background: Exercise is one of the few treatments that provide significant improvements in chronic low back pain (CLBP). We developed an innovative exercise device for abdominal trunk muscles. This device can be used in a sitting or standing position and contains a built-in system to measure abdominal trunk muscle strength.

Effect of potassium supplementation on vascular function: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Effects of potassium supplementation on vascular function remain conflicting. This meta-analysis aimed to summarized current literature to fill the gaps in knowledge.

Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed database through April, 2016.

Glycemic variability evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring system is associated with the 10-y cardiovascular risk of diabetic patients with well-controlled HbA1c.

Background: The present study aimed to identify the relationship between glycemic variability (GV) and the 10-y risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with good glycemic control.

Methods: Two-hundred forty consecutive T2DM patients (HbA1c≤7.0%) without CVD were included to calculate the 10-y CVD risk by Framingham risk score (FRS), and divided into 3 groups: low-risk group (FRS≤10%), intermediate-risk group (>10%, ≤20%) and high-risk group (>20%).

How does closed system vitrification of human oocytes affect the clinical outcome? A prospective, observational, cohort, noninferiority trial in an oocyte donation program.

Objective: To evaluate whether is possible to vitrify oocytes in an aseptic (hermetically closed) fashion and maintain clinical results comparable with those of fresh oocytes.

Design: Prospective, observational, cohort, noninferiority trial.

Setting: Private in vitro fertilization center.

The prognostic value of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in patients with and without coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis.

Background: Significance of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias (EIVAs) is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the prognostic value of EIVAs in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Relevant studies were searched on Pubmed though December, 2015.

Changes in muscle activity after performing the FIFA 11+ programme part 2 for 4 weeks.

Changes in muscle activity were evaluated by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) after performing part 2 of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association's 11+ programme (11+) for 4 weeks. Eleven males performed part 2 of the 11+ for 20 min before and after 37 MBq of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was injected intravenously. PET-CT images were obtained 50 min after FDG injection.

Pregnancy outcome after oocyte donation in patients with Turner's syndrome: Clinical experience and management.

Turner's syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal defect with partial or total absence of the X chromosome. Our objective is to report our experience in Greece with patients suffering from TS and trying to conceive; therefore, we present four patients with TS, who underwent In vitro fertilization (ICSI) with donor oocytes in order to get pregnant. Three out of four patients managed to conceive and bring pregnancy to completion.

Effects of the belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation system on lower extremity skeletal muscle activity: Evaluation using positron emission tomography.

Background: Lower-extremity muscle weakness in athletes after lower limb trauma or surgery can hinder their return to sports, and the associated muscle atrophy may lead to deterioration in performance after returning to sports. Recently, belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) which can contract all the lower limb skeletal muscles simultaneously was developed. However, no study has evaluated skeletal muscle activity with B-SES.

Preprocedure and Postprocedure Predictive Values of Serum β2-Microglobulin for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: A Comparison With Creatinine-Based Parameters and Cystatin C.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the values of serum β2-microglobulin to predict contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) before and early after coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), comparing with creatinine-based parameters and cystatin C.

Methods: A total of 424 patients were enrolled. Serum β2-microglobulin, cystatin C, and creatinine were measured at 0, 24, and 48 hours of CCTA.

Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma gondii and Rubella Vertical Transmission Rates According to Mid-trimester Amniocentesis: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: To examine vertical transmission rates of Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma Gondii and Rubella infections according to amniotic fluid PCR analysis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of mid-trimester amniocenteses performed in in pregnancies with diagnosed maternal infection by Cytomegavirus (CMV), Rubella or Toxoplasma gondii during 1994-2008 was performed. Vertical transmission rates were observed according to the presence of the infectious agent's DNA in the amniotic fluid.

A head-to-head comparison of homocysteine and cystatin C as pre-procedure predictors for contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.

Background: Homocysteine is a potential predictor for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). We aimed to compare homocysteine with cystatin C as pre-procedure predictors for CIN in patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: A total of 580 consecutive patients were enrolled.

The diagnostic performance of CT-derived fractional flow reserve for evaluation of myocardial ischaemia confirmed by invasive fractional flow reserve: a meta-analysis.

Aim: To review the literature on the diagnostic accuracy of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) for the evaluation of myocardial ischaemia in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease, with invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: A PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane cross-search was performed. The pooled diagnostic accuracy of FFRCT, with FFR as the reference standard, was primarily analysed, and then compared with that of CT angiography (CTA).

Narrow safety range of intraoperative rectal irradiation exposure volume for avoiding bleeding after seed implant brachytherapy.

Background & Purpose: Rectal toxicity is less common after 125I seed implant brachytherapy for prostate cancer, and intraoperative rectal dose-volume constraints (the constraint) is still undetermined in pioneering studies. As our constraint failed to prevent grade 2 or 3 rectal bleeding (bled-pts) in 5.1% of patients, we retrospectively explored another constraint for the prevention of rectal bleeding.

Amniocentesis-related adverse outcomes according to placental location and risk factors for fetal loss after midtrimester amniocentesis.

Purpose Of Investigation: Amniocentesis-related adverse outcomes in singleton pregnancies and possible risk factors for fetal loss after mid-trimester amniocentesis performed in a single institution were investigated.

Methods: Amniocentesis-related adverse outcomes such as insufficient aspiration of amniotic fluid (AF), repeated puncture, and aspiration of hemorrhagic AF after mid-trimester amniocentesis were reviewed, while special consideration was given according to the placental location. Fetal loss rate up to 24 weeks of gestation and risk factors related to fetal losses were also investigated.

Improved recovery using multimodal perioperative analgesia in minimally invasive myomectomy: a randomised study.

Objective: To evaluate postoperative pain using a multimodal analgesic protocol in women with uterine fibroids managed with minimally invasive myomectomy.

Materials And Methods: A prospective randomised trial was designed to evaluate the postoperative pain of women treated with minimally invasive myomectomy, using a multimodal analgesic protocol (consisting of perioperative pharmaceutical agents of local and systemic action adjuvant to the classic anaesthesia protocol). Ninety-five premenopausal women were assessed for minimally invasive myomectomy (laparoscopic myomectomy and laparoscopically assisted myomectomy).

Intravaginal misoprostol reduces intraoperative blood loss in minimally invasive myomectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose Of Investigation: We performed a randomized clinical trial to estimate whether preoperative use of misoprostol may reduce intraoperative blood loss of patients treated by minimally invasive surgery (MIS), such as laparoscopic (LM) or laparoscopically assisted myomectomy (LAM).

Methods: Sixty-seven menstruating patients with three or less myomas of a maximum diameter of 90 mm, scheduled for MIS, were randomly allocated to receive a preoperative single dose of intravaginal misoprostol or placebo. Sixty-four patients remained in the final analysis: 30 in the misoprostol (I) and 34 in the placebo group (II).

Amniocentesis-related adverse outcomes in diamniotic twins: is there a difference compared to singleton pregnancies?

Objective: To investigate whether diamniotic twin gestations are at increased risk of amniocentesis-related adverse outcomes compared to singleton pregnancies.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study of mid-trimester amniocenteses performed during the period 1993-2009. Cases were divided in two groups, one including singleton (Group 1) and the other diamniotic twin pregnancies (Group 2).

Laparoscopically assisted myomectomy versus abdominal myomectomy in short-term outcomes: a prospective study.

Purpose: Comparison between laparoscopically assisted myomectomy (LAM) and abdominal myomectomy (laparotomy), used in the management of women with intramural or subserous uterine fibroids up to 90 mm of maximum diameter.

Methods: Seventy-five premenopausal women were prospectively enrolled in the study, managed by LAM (n=48) or by laparotomy (n=27) approach. The short-term outcomes were compared between the two groups.