Reduced-intensity and non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation from alternative HLA-mismatched donors for Hodgkin lymphoma: a study by the French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) following a non-myeloablative (NMA) or reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) is considered a valid approach to treat patients with refractory/relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). When an HLA-matched donor is lacking a graft from a familial haploidentical (HAPLO) donor, a mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) or cord blood (CB) might be considered. In this retrospective study, we compared the outcome of patients with HL undergoing a RIC or NMA allo-SCT from HAPLO, MMUD or CB.

Multicentre study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage I and II oesophageal cancer.

Background: The benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for early-stage oesophageal cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess whether NCT improves the outcome of patients with stage I or II disease.

Methods: Data were collected from 30 European centres from 2000 to 2010.

Health-related quality of life of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD: the multicentre cross-sectional ACHILLE study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD and correlations with clinical status.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional observational study included CHD patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 14 tertiary-care centres in France. We used two health-related quality of life questionnaires - SF-36 and Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review (CAMPHOR) - and one anxiety/depression Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire.

Role of neoadjuvant treatment in clinical T2N0M0 oesophageal cancer: results from a retrospective multi-center European study.

Aims: The aims of this study were to compare short- and long-term outcomes for clinical T2N0 oesophageal cancer with analysis of (i) primary surgery (S) versus neoadjuvant therapy plus surgery (NS), (ii) squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma subsets; and (iii) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Data were collected from 30 European centres from 2000 to 2010. Among 2944 included patients, 355 patients (12.

Prevention and treatment of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury: an update.

Sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SAKI) remains an important challenge in critical care medicine. We reviewed current available evidence on prevention and treatment of SAKI with focus on some recent advances and developments. Prevention of SAKI starts with early and ample fluid resuscitation preferentially with crystalloid solutions.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: What Is the Impact on Postoperative Outcome and Oncologic Results?

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the postoperative and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic versus open surgery for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gGISTs).

Background: The feasibility of the laparoscopic approach for gGIST resection has been demonstrated; however, its impact on outcomes, particularly its oncologic safety for tumors greater than 5 cm, remains unknown.

Methods: Among 1413 patients treated for a GIST in 61 European centers between 2001 and 2013, patients who underwent primary resection for a gGIST smaller than 20 cm (N = 666), by either laparoscopy (group L, n = 282) or open surgery (group O, n = 384), were compared.

The Impact of Severe Anastomotic Leak on Long-term Survival and Cancer Recurrence After Surgical Resection for Esophageal Malignancy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to the determine impact of severe esophageal anastomotic leak (SEAL) upon long-term survival and locoregional cancer recurrence.

Background: The impact of SEAL upon long-term survival after esophageal resection remains inconclusive with a number of studies demonstrating conflicting results.

Methods: A multicenter database for the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer collected data from 30 university hospitals (2000-2010).

Safety, feasibility, and outcome results of cardiac resynchronization with triple-site ventricular stimulation compared to conventional cardiac resynchronization.

Background: The nonresponder rate to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be due to incomplete resynchronization, with dyssynchrony persisting in approximately 30% of patients. We hypothesized that CRT with triple-site ventricular stimulation (TRIV) may improve resynchronization and its outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of TRIV and collected data on clinical outcomes to dimension future studies.

Accuracy of (18) FDG PET-CT for treatment evaluation 3 months after completion of chemoradiotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: 2-year minimum follow-up.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18) FDG PET)-CT in detecting residual or recurrent disease after nonsurgical treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, or cervical lymph node location of SCC treated with chemoradiotherapy. Twelve weeks posttreatment, (18) FDG PET-CT results were compared to histology if residual disease was suspected.

Salvage Surgery After Chemoradiotherapy in the Management of Esophageal Cancer: Is It a Viable Therapeutic Option?

Purpose: The aim of this large multicenter study was to assess the impact of salvage esophagectomy after definitive chemoradiotherapy (SALV) on clinical outcome.

Patients And Methods: Data from consecutive adult patients undergoing resection for esophageal cancer in 30 European centers from 2000 to 2010 were collected. First, groups undergoing SALV (n = 308) and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by planned esophagectomy (NCRS; n = 540) were compared.

Significance of Microscopically Incomplete Resection Margin After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to establish if R1 resection margin after esophagectomy was (i) a poor prognostic factor independent of patient and tumor characteristics, (ii) a marker of tumor aggressiveness and (iii) to look at the impact of adjuvant treatment in this subpopulation.

Methods: Data were collected from 30 European centers from 2000 to 2010. Patients with an R1 resection margin (n = 242) were compared with those with an R0 margin (n = 2573) in terms of short- and long-term outcomes.

Impact of Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Patients with Lymph Node-Positive Esophageal Cancer who are primarily Treated with Surgery.

Background: Whereas the optimal therapeutic strategy in node positive esophageal cancer primarily treated by surgery remains unknown, the study was designed to evaluate the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival in such population.

Methods: Among 2944 consecutive patients operated on for esophageal cancer between 2000 and 2010 in 30 European centers, patients with lymph node metastasis treated by adjuvant treatment (n = 178) were compared to patients who did not received adjuvant treatment (n = 378). Multivariable analyses and propensity score matching were used to compensate for differences in baseline characteristics.

Predictive Factors of Recurrence in Patients with Pathological Complete Response After Esophagectomy Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Minimal data have previously emerged from studies regarding the factors associated with recurrence in patients with ypT0N0M0 status. The purpose of the study was to predict survival and recurrence in patients with pathological complete response (pCR) following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery for esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods: Among 2944 consecutive patients with EC operations in 30 centers between 2000 and 2010, patients treated with neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery who achieved pCR (n = 191) were analyzed.

Evolving characteristics and outcome of secondary acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL): A prospective analysis by the French-Belgian-Swiss APL group.

Background: Reports of patients with secondary acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have increased in recent years, particularly for those who received treatment with mitoxantrone, and retrospective studies have suggested that their characteristics and outcomes were similar to those of patients with de novo APL.

Methods: The authors investigated patients with de novo and secondary APL who were included in the ongoing APL-2006 trial. Patients with secondary APL who were included in that trial also were compared with a previous retrospective cohort of patients with secondary APL.

A fresh look into the pathophysiology of ischemia-induced complications in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Recent case reports of acute esophageal necrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis encouraged us to look beyond hypoperfusion/ischemia as a sole explanation for this dramatic complication. At least three intriguing pathways, ie, accumulation of protein-bound toxins, endotoxin translocation, and altered mucosal defense mechanisms, have been proposed to explain the inherent susceptibility of CKD patients to developing ischemia-related and cardiovascular events. Interestingly, all the proposed pathways can be potentially antagonized or attenuated.

Self-expanding covered metallic stent as a bridge to surgery in esophageal cancer: impact on oncologic outcomes.

Background: Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMSs) have been used as a bridge to surgery, relieving dysphagia and maintaining nutrition, in patients with operable but obstructive esophageal cancer (EC). However, the impact of SEMSs on oncologic outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SEMS insertion before EC surgery on oncologic outcomes.

Critical care nephrology: could it be a model of multidisciplinarity in ICU nowadays for other sub-specialities - the jury is out.

Emergency and critical care medicine have grown into robust self-supporting disciplines with an increasing demand for dedicated highly-skilled physicians. In the past, "core" specialists were asked to offer bedside advice in acute care wards. In the same regard, critical care medicine and nephrology have been fighting but finally emerged altogether with the concept of critical care nephrology almost 20 years ago.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on postoperative outcomes after esophageal cancer resection: results of a European multicenter study.

Objectives: To assess the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) on anastomotic leakage (AL) and other postoperative outcomes after esophageal cancer (EC) resection.

Background: Conflicting data have emerged from randomized studies regarding the impact of NCRT on AL.

Methods: Among 2944 consecutive patients operated on for EC between 2000 and 2010 in 30 European centers, patients treated by NCRT after surgery (n=593) were compared with those treated by primary surgery (n=1487).

90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan, fludarabine, busulfan and antithymocyte globulin reduced-intensity allogeneic transplant conditioning for patients with advanced and high-risk B-cell lymphomas.

Background: Patients with advanced B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) refractory to initial chemotherapy or relapsing after autologous stem-cell transplantation have a poor prognosis. Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen can be a therapeutic option. However, the high incidence of relapse remains a challenging issue.

Facing acid-base disorders in the third millennium - the Stewart approach revisited.

Acid-base disorders are common in the critically ill. Most of these disorders do not cause harm and are self-limiting after appropriate resuscitation and management. Unfortunately, clinicians tend to think about an acid-base disturbance as a "disease" and spend long hours effectively treating numbers rather than the patient.

Circulating immature granulocytes with T-cell killing functions predict sepsis deterioration*.

Objectives: Primary objective was to identify leukocyte subsets that could predict the early evolution of sepsis at 48 hours (i.e., deterioration or stability/improvement).

Quantification of portal-bridging fibrosis area more accurately reflects fibrosis stage and liver stiffness than whole fibrosis or perisinusoidal fibrosis areas in chronic hepatitis C.

Morphometry provides an objective evaluation of fibrosis in liver diseases. We developed an image analysis algorithm using automated thresholding and segmentation to separately quantify the areas and the fractal dimensions of portal-bridging fibrosis and perisinusoidal fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C liver biopsies. We studied 427 digitized liver biopsies and compared the automated measures of the different fibrosis compartments with (1) the Metavir F (fibrosis) and A (activity) histological scores, (2) the digitally assessed area of steatosis, and (3) the liver stiffness measured by elastography (Fibroscan).