Neurturin gene IVSI-663 polymorphism but not RET variants is associated with increased risk for breast cancer.

Background: Gene polymorphisms of rearranged during transfection (RET) and its ligand neurturin (NRTN) are one of the focus of studies in the investigation of cancer pathogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible risk of breast cancer between RET G691S, L769L, S904S, and NRTN IVSI-663 polymorphisms and to evaluate serum NRTN, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) levels.

Methods: The study consists of 110 breast cancer patients and 110 controls.

The prevalence and predictors of discharge opioid overprescribing in opioid-naïve patients after breast, gynecologic, and head and neck cancer surgery: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: The management of pain following cancer-related surgeries involves the use of opioid analgesics. Nevertheless, there is little evidence characterizing the utility and prescription patterns of opioids after these procedures. Our primary aim was to identify patients from three types of cancer surgery who were overprescribed with opioids.

Acupuncture for the treatment of the pain-fatigue-sleep disturbance-numbness/tingling symptom cluster in breast cancer survivors: a feasibility trial.

Purpose: Breast cancer survivors following disease-modifying treatment frequently experience multiple-concurrent symptoms (Jansana et al. in Int J Cancer 149(10):1755 1767, 2021), negatively impacting their quality of life and increasing the risk of polypharmacy (Alwhaibi et al. in J Oncol Pharm Pract 26(5):1052 1059, 2020).

Concurrent nonavalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and immune stimulation with imiquimod to treat recalcitrant HPV-associated high grade vaginal intra-epithelial neoplasia.

This is the first report describing detailed T cell responses to viral-like proteins contained in an HPV specific vaccine given in combination with Imiquimod for treatment of persistent VAIN2/3. We postulate that stimulation of the innate immune system with Imiquimod and the specific CD4 and CD8T cell responses following HPV vaccination with Gardasil9 combined to induce clinical remission in a woman with treatment-refractory disease.

Improving accuracy in nodal staging of oral cancer: Proposal of a new system.

Background: Despite introduction of extranodal extension (ENE) into the AJCC 8th edition of oral cancer staging, previous criticisms persist, such as limited discrimination between sub-stages and doubtful prognostic value of contralateral nodal disease. The purpose of this study was to compare our novel nodal staging system, based on the number of positive nodes and ENE, to the AJCC staging system in surgically treated patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 4710 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treated with surgery±adjuvant therapy in 8 institutions in Australia, North America and Asia.

Use of Rare Anatomical Variant of the Free Fibula Flap to Reconstruct the Nasal Septum.

The osteocutaneous fibula free flap (FFF)'s skin paddle is commonly vascularized by the septocutaneous (SC) perforators of the peroneal artery that course through the posterior intercrural septum. However, a rare anatomical variant exists in which the skin paddle is vascularized via a separate arterial system to the fibula. We report the case of a 31-year-old man who was planned for osteocutaneous FFF reconstruction of his anterior maxilla and hard palate following resection of nasal septal chondrosarcoma.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian cancer in an Australian institution: lessons from 20 years' experience.

Objectives: We report the 20-year experience of the largest Australian unit performing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian cancer and reflect on learning opportunities.

Methods: A retrospective review of all cases of CRS for ovarian cancer at St George Peritonectomy Unit from Jan 1998 to Jan 2018 was performed. Prospectively collected data include age, stage, histology, disease extent (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CC score), HIPEC regime, 30-day surgical morbidity, disease recurrence, and death.

Complications of Robotic Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Compared to Open Thoracotomy for Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

(1) Background: Conventional open thoracotomy has been the accepted surgical treatment for resectable non-small cell lung cancer. However, newer, minimally invasive approaches, such as robotic surgery, have demonstrated similar safety and efficacy with potentially superior peri-operative outcomes. The present study aimed to quantitatively assess these outcomes through a meta-analysis.

Meta-Analysis of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Patients with Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: Immunotherapy has created a paradigm shift in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), overcoming the therapeutic plateau previously achieved by systemic chemotherapy. There is growing interest in the utility of immunotherapy for patients with resectable NSCLC in the neoadjuvant setting. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide an overview of the existing evidence, with a focus on pathological and radiological response, perioperative clinical outcomes, and long-term survival.

Induced pluripotent stem cells for 2D and 3D modelling the biological basis of schizophrenia and screening possible therapeutics.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are providing unprecedented insight into complex neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia (SZ). Here we review the use of iPSCs for investigating the etiopathology and treatment of SZ, beginning with conventional in vitro two-dimensional (2D; monolayer) cell modelling, through to more advanced 3D tissue studies. With the advent of 3D modelling, utilising advanced differentiation paradigms and additive manufacturing technologies, inclusive of patient-specific cerebral/neural organoids and bioprinted neural tissues, such live disease-relevant tissue systems better recapitulate "within-body" tissue function and pathobiology.

Music during flexible cystoscopy for pain and anxiety - a patient-blinded randomised control trial.

Objectives: To assess the role of music in reducing the pain and anxiety associated with flexible cystoscopy using a blinded trial design.

Patients And Methods: A patient-blinded randomised control trial of music during flexible cystoscopy was performed comparing the pain, measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), anxiety, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and vital signs of 109 patients across two public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. The purpose and hypothesis of the study was concealed from patients until after results had been collected.

Effect of a Consumer-Focused Website for Low Back Pain on Health Literacy, Treatment Choices, and Clinical Outcomes: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The internet is used for information related to health conditions, including low back pain (LBP), but most LBP websites provide inaccurate information. Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of internet resources in changing health literacy or treatment choices.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MyBackPain website compared with unguided internet use on health literacy, choice of treatments, and clinical outcomes in people with LBP.

Systematic Review of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

There is a paucity of robust clinical evidence for the role of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. The primary aim of the study was to identify the available data on the feasibility, safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy. A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases.

Geographical heterogeneity in the American Joint committee on Cancer oral cancer staging and prognostic implications.

Objectives: The AJCC 8th edition (AJCC 8) has introduced depth of invasion (DOI) and extranodal extension (ENE) into staging for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although validations have been performed on institutional datasets have shown a good performance, particularly in early OSCC, there have been no studies on diverse patient populations that determine the impact on prognostic heterogeneity.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 4710 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treated with surgery +/- adjuvant therapy in 8 institutions in Australia, North America and Asia.

Multicenter experience with photoselective vaporization of the prostate on men taking novel oral anticoagulants.

Objective: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) is a widely performed surgical procedure for benign prostatic obstruction. This approach has become particular favoured for men on anti-platelet and anticoagulation agents such as clopidogrel and warfarin but there is minimal published experience in the setting of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). This study was to examine the perioperative outcomes in men on NOACs undergoing PVP, with particular reference to perioperative morbidity.

Multidimensional evaluation of voice outcomes following total laryngectomy: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the general course of acoustic, patient rated, and clinician-rated voice outcomes from pre- up to 12 months post total laryngectomy.

Methods: Patients admitted to a total laryngectomy in five participating hospitals in Australia and The Netherlands were included. Assessments took place at pre-, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of stereotactic body radiation therapy for colorectal pulmonary metastases.

Background: There is growing evidence to support the hypothesis that radical treatment of pulmonary oligometastatic disease with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can improve oncological outcomes. However, some reports suggest colorectal cancer (CRC) pulmonary metastases are associated with radioresistance. The present systematic review aimed to assess the local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with CRC pulmonary metastases treated by SBRT.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for Juxtaglomerular apparatus tumour: A rare cause of hypertension.

We report on the case of a partial nephrectomy for a Juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) tumour in a 28 year old female who presented with fatigue and symptomatic hypertension, and a normal serum renin level on pre-operative work-up.

Qualitative Evaluation of Evidence-Based Online Decision Aid and Resources for Osteoarthritis Management: Understanding Patient Perspectives.

Objective: To qualitatively examine the experiences with, and impact of, evidence-based online resources in self-management among Australians with osteoarthritis.

Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with 36 users of a novel osteoarthritis resource, the Osteoarthritis Awareness Hub. Rogers' 5 attributes of innovation (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) and outcomes guided the semistructured interview and analysis.