Infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 therapy is effective in maintaining endoscopic remission in ulcerative colitis - results from multicenter observational cohort.

Background: CT-P13, the first biosimilar monoclonal antibody to infliximab (IFX), has previously been confirmed to be efficacious in inducing mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CT-P13 therapy in maintaining mucosal healing in UC.

Methods: CT-P13 trough levels, antibody positivity, serum inflammatory markers as CRP level, fecal calprotectin at weeks 14 and 54, concomitant steroid and azathioprine therapy at the time of induction therapy and at weeks 14 and 54, previous use of anti TNF drug and the need of dose intensification as possible predictive factors for mucosal healing at week 54 were evaluated in this prospective study.

High-Dose Chemotherapy and Blood Autologous Stem-Cell Rescue Compared With Standard Chemotherapy in Localized High-Risk Ewing Sarcoma: Results of Euro-E.W.I.N.G.99 and Ewing-2008.

Purpose For over 30 years, the place of consolidation high-dose chemotherapy in Ewing sarcoma (ES) has been controversial. A randomized study was conducted to determine whether consolidation high-dose chemotherapy improved survival in patients with localized ES at high risk for relapse. Methods Randomization between busulfan and melphalan (BuMel) or standard chemotherapy (vincristine, dactinomycin, and ifosfamide [VAI], seven courses) was offered to patients if they were younger than 50 years of age with poor histologic response (≥ 10% viable cells) after receiving vincristine, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide (six courses); or had a tumor volume at diagnosis ≥ 200 mL if unresected, or initially resected, or resected after radiotherapy.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model in patients with adult congenital heart disease.

Aims: To develop and validate a clinically useful risk prediction tool for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).

Methods And Results: A risk model was developed in a prospective cohort of 602 patients with moderate/complex ACHD who routinely visited the outpatient clinic of a tertiary care centre in the Netherlands (2011-2013). This model was externally validated in a retrospective cohort of 402 ACHD patients (Czech Republic, 2004-2013).

An undifferentiated sarcoma with BCOR-CCNB3 fusion transcript - pathological and clinical retrospective study.

The BCOR-CCNB3 positive sarcoma is a recently identified sarcoma morphologically and clinically similar to Ewing sarcoma in adolescents and young adults. The BCOR-CCNB3 fusion transcript originates from a paracentric inversion on the X chromosome with an in-frame fusion between the last codon of BCOR and the exon 5 of CCNB3 gene. We report morphological and molecular genetic analysis of 8 undifferentiated sarcomas positive for the BCOR-CCNB3 fusion.

Structural changes arising from different thawing protocols on cryopreserved human allograft's aortic valve leaflets.

Background: The aim of our experimental work was to assess the impact and morphological changes that arise during different thawing protocols on human aortic valve (AV) leaflets resected from cryopreserved aortic root allografts (CARAs).

Objectives: Two thawing protocols were tested: 1. CARAs were thawed at a room temperature (23°C); 2.

Three-dimensional development of the upper dental arch in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients after early neonatal cheiloplasty.

Objectives: This prospective morphometric study evaluated the growth of the upper dental arch in UCLP patients after early neonatal cheiloplasty and compared the selected dimensions with published data on non-cleft controls and on later operation protocol patients.

Methods: The sample comprised 36 Czech children with nonsyndromic complete UCLP (cUCLP) and 20 Czech children with nonsyndromic incomplete UCLP (UCLP + b). 2-D and 3-D analyses of palatal casts were made at two time points: before neonatal cheiloplasty at the mean age of 3 days (±1 day), and 10 months after surgery at the mean age of 10 months (±1 month).

Event-free survival of infants and toddlers enrolled in the HR-NBL-1/SIOPEN trial is associated with the level of neuroblastoma mRNAs at diagnosis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether levels of neuroblastoma mRNAs in bone marrow and peripheral blood from stage M infants (≤12 months of age at diagnosis, MYCN amplified) and toddlers (between 12 and 18 months, any MYCN status) predict event-free survival (EFS).

Methods: Bone marrow aspirates and peripheral blood samples from 97 infants/toddlers enrolled in the European High-Risk Neuroblastoma trial were collected at diagnosis in PAXgene blood RNA tubes. Samples were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction according to standardized procedures.

Cost-Effectiveness of IDegLira Versus Insulin Intensification Regimens for the Treatment of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in the Czech Republic.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of the insulin degludec/liraglutide combination (IDegLira) versus basal insulin intensification strategies for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) not optimally controlled on basal insulin in the Czech Republic.

Methods: Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using the QuintilesIMS Health CORE Diabetes model, an interactive internet-based model that simulates clinical outcomes and costs for cohorts of patients with diabetes. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Czech Republic public payer.

Frequency and characteristics of infusion reactions during biosimilar infliximab treatment in inflammatory bowel diseases: results from Central European nationwide cohort.

Background: Safety data of the 'real life' use of an infliximab biosimilar, CT-P13 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still lacking. Our aim was to assess the frequency and characteristics of infusion reactions during CT-P13 therapy in 13 Hungarian and 1 Czech IBD centres.

Methods: Clinical and safety data was registered at fixed appointments.

NT-proBNP predicts mortality in adults with transposition of the great arteries late after Mustard or Senning correction.

Objective: The patients after Mustard and Senning corrections of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) are at an increased risk of unexpected death. The aim of this study was to identify markers allowing risk stratification of patients after atrial switch correction of TGA to provide them with optimum care.

Methods And Results: In this study, 87 patients were retrospectively evaluated after atrial switch correction of TGA followed-up between 2005 and 2015.

Cryopreserved human aortic root allografts arterial wall: Structural changes occurring during thawing.

Background: The aim of our experimental work was to assess morphological changes of arterial wall that arise during different thawing protocols of a cryopreserved human aortic root allograft (CHARA) arterial wall.

Methods: The experiment was performed on CHARAs. Two thawing protocols were tested: 1, CHARAs were thawed at a room temperature at +23°C; 2, CHARAs were placed directly into a water bath at +37°C.

Manganese and selenium concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of seriously ill children.

Background: The homeostasis of essential trace elements such as selenium and manganese may be altered in patients with severe diseases of various etiologies (trauma brain injuries, tumors, leukemias, lymphomas, neurological diseases).

Methods: Concentration of manganese and selenium were determined in cerebrospinal fluid by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in 50 hospitalized children with various clinical ethiologies including oncological, neurological, and brain related diseases.

Results: The concentrations of manganese in cerebrospinal fluid of children were 0.

Generation of T cell effectors using tumor cell-loaded dendritic cells for adoptive T cell therapy.

Adoptive T cell transfer has been shown to be an effective method used to boost tumor-specific immune responses in several types of malignancies. In this study, we set out to optimize the ACT protocol for the experimental treatment of prostate cancer. The protocol includes a pre-stimulation step whereby T cells were primed with autologous dendritic cells loaded with the high hydrostatic pressure-treated prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP.

Efficacy of Infliximab Biosimilar CT-P13 Induction Therapy on Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis.

Introduction: CT-P13 is the first biosimilar to infliximab that has been approved for the same indications as its originator infliximab. No data are available on the effect of infliximab biosimilar on mucosal healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CT-P13 induction therapy on mucosal healing in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC].

High-grade urothelial bladder cancer in children: A case report and critical analysis of the literature.

Background: Bladder cancer is relatively common in adults. In children, it is extremely rare and in the majority of cases, low grade, low stage urothelial cancers are found.

Case Report: We describe the diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up management of bladder cancer in a 3-year-old boy examined for painless hematuria.

Congenital bronchopulmonary malformation: CT histopathological correlation.

Background: This study evaluated the accuracy of postnatal computed tomography (CT) imaging in the identification of congenital bronchopulmonary malformation (BPM) in comparison with histopathological analysis.

Methods: CT scans of prenatally diagnosed BPMs from 24 patients with available histology were analysed retrospectively. The CT images were reviewed blinded to histological findings by two radiologists.

Epidemiology, diagnosis, preoperative evaluation and prognostic assessment of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Purpose: Upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively uncommon disease with limited available evidence on specific topics. The purpose of this article was to review the previous literature to summarize the current knowledge about UTUC epidemiology, diagnosis, preoperative evaluation and prognostic assessment.

Methods: Using MEDLINE, a non-systematic review was performed including articles between January 2000 and February 2016.

Mantle cell lymphoma-variant Richter syndrome: Detailed molecular-cytogenetic and backtracking analysis reveals slow evolution of a pre-MCL clone in parallel with CLL over several years.

Richter syndrome represents the transformation of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) into an aggressive lymphoma, most frequently the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In this report we describe a patient with CLL, who developed a clonally-related pleomorphic highly-aggressive mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after five cycles of a fludarabine-based second-line therapy for the first relapse of CLL. Molecular cytogenetic methods together with whole-exome sequencing revealed numerous gene alterations restricted to the MCL clone (apart from the canonical t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation) including gain of one copy of ATM gene or emergence of TP53, CREBBP, NUP214, FUBP1 and SF3B1 gene mutations.

Polymorphisms in selected DNA repair genes and cell cycle regulating genes involved in the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer. In addition to causal somatic mutations in the BRAF gene and RET/PTC rearrangements, the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in low-penetrance genes in the development of PTC has been proposed.

Methods: Four SNPs in the XRCC1 (Arg399Gln, Arg280His, Arg194Trp and T-77C) and one SNP from each of three other genes participating in DNA repair pathways and/or cell cycle regulation (ATM Asp1853Asn, TP53 Arg72Pro, CDKN1B Val109Gly) were selected.

The Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) Multicentre Randomised Trial of Narrow Band Imaging-Assisted Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT) Versus Conventional White Light Imaging-Assisted TURBT in Primary Non-Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Patients: Trial Protocol and 1-year Results.

Background: White light (WL) is the established imaging modality for transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). Narrow band imaging (NBI) is a promising addition.

Objectives: To compare 12-mo recurrence rates following TURBT using NBI versus WL guidance.

The age dependence of T2 relaxation times of N-acetyl aspartate, creatine and choline in the human brain at 3 and 4T.

Knowledge of the T2 age dependence is of importance for MRS clinical studies involving subject groups with a wide age range. A number of studies have focused on the age dependence of T2 values in the human brain, with rather conflicting results. The aim of this study was to analyze the age dependence of T2 values of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) in the human brain using data acquired at 3T and 4T and to assess the influence of the macromolecule (MM) baseline handling on the obtained results.

Acid-base disorders associated with serum electrolyte patterns in patients on hemodiafiltration.

Background: Metabolic acidosis (MAC) is a common aspect of dialysis-dependent patients. It is definitely caused by acid retention; however, the influence of other plasma ions is unclear. Understanding the mechanism of MAC and its correction is important when choosing the dialysis solution.

A novel RET/PTC variant detected in a pediatric patient with papillary thyroid cancer without ionization history.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent type of thyroid cancer. Its development is often caused by the formation of RET/PTC fused genes. RET/PTC1 is the most prevalent form, where exon 1 of CCDC6 gene is fused with the intracellular portion of RET protooncogene starting with exon 12.