The Usefulness of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein for the Differential Diagnosis of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in the Era of Microinflammation.

Purpose: The presence of a microinflammatory response is one of the possible pathological mechanisms related to the development of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAION), a common cause of optic neuropathy in old age.We tested whether individuals with NAAION harbor a heightened microinflammatory response compared to controls.

Methods: We measured the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in NAAION patients during hospital admission and in four matched controls for each patient, retrieved from a large cohort of 20,000 apparently healthy individuals.

Dual BRAF/MEK blockade restores CNS responses in BRAF-mutant Erdheim-Chester disease patients following BRAF inhibitor monotherapy.

Background: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasm, is known to be fundamentally reliant on the constitutive activation of the MAPK signaling pathway in the majority of patients. Consequently, inhibition of the V600E-mutant BRAF kinase has proven to be a safe and efficacious long-term therapeutic strategy for -mutant ECD patients. Nevertheless, in a subset of patients with CNS disease, the efficacy of long-term treatment may diminish, facilitating suboptimal responses or disease progression.

Evaluation of suturing performance in general surgery and ocular microsurgery by combining computer vision-based software and distributed fiber optic strain sensors: a proof-of-concept.

Purpose: Improper suturing may cause an inadequate wound healing process and wound dehiscence as well as infection and even graft rejection in case of corneal transplantation. Hence, training surgeons in correct suturing procedures and objectively assessing their surgical skills is desirable.

Methods: Two complementary methods for assessment of suturing skills in two medical fields (general surgery and ocular microsurgery) were demonstrated.

A Possible Modifying Effect of the G2019S Mutation in the LRRK2 Gene on GBA Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The phenotype of Parkinson's disease (PD) is milder among patients with LRRK2-PD and more severe among patients with GBA-PD; however, whether an additive phenotypical effect occurs among dual-mutation carriers requires validation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the phenotypic expression of patients with PD who carry mutations in both genes compared with a single-mutation presentation.

Methods: Patients with PD were genotyped for the G2019S-LRRK2 mutation and 9 mutations in the GBA gene.

MICA: A Learning Curve.

Techniques of minimally invasive bunion surgery have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the learning curve involved in mastering these innovative techniques has not been described. To address this issue, a trained foot and ankle surgeon in a university hospital operated on 50 patients using the minimally invasive Chevron and Akin procedure over the course of 3 years, from January 2016 through December 2018.

Preoperative planning and surgical technique for optimizing internal fixation of posterior malleolar fractures: CT versus standard radiographs.

Background: A proper reduction and internal fixation of posterior malleolar fractures can be challenging, as intraoperative fluoroscopy often underestimates the extent of the fracture. Our aim was to assess the value of a modified classification system for posterior malleolar fractures, which is based on computed tomography (CT) images, optimizing screw trajectory during fluoroscopic-guided surgery, and to compare it to the Lauge-Hansen classification system to the CT-based classification.

Methods: A retrospective review of all ankle fracture operations from January 2014 to December 2016 was performed.

Loss of Estrogen Receptors is Associated with Increased Tumor Aggression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) responds to 17β-estradiol via estrogen-receptor (ER, transcribed from ESR1) dependent mechanisms, but is not recognized as a hormonally responsive cancer. 17β-estradiol production by LSCC cell lines UM-SCC-11A and UM-SCC-12 was examined. Wild type (WT) and ESR1-silenced LSCC cultures and xenografts were examined for 17β-estradiol responsiveness in vivo.

Cannabis for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A True Medicine or a False Promise?

Cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug worldwide and is used by some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to ameliorate their disease. Whereas epidemiological studies indicate that as many as 15% of IBD patients use cannabis, studies inspecting cannabis use in IBD are few and small. We have conducted several studies looking at the use of cannabis in IBD.

Correction to: Vena cava filters in patients presenting with major bleeding during anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism.

In the original publication, part of the conflict of statement was incorrectly published as "Dr. Bikdeli reports that he was approached by lawyers on behalf of plaintiffs in litigation related to IVC filters". The correct statement should read as "Dr.

Quantitative assessment of effective regurgitant orifice: impact on risk stratification, and cut-off for severe and torrential tricuspid regurgitation grade.

Aims: Asses the added value of quantitative evaluation of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the proper cut-off value for severe TR and 'torrential TR' based on outcome data. The added value of quantitative evaluation of TR, and the cut-off values associated with increased mortality are unknown.

Methods And Results: In patients with all-cause TR assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively by proximal iso-velocity surface area method, long-term and 1-year outcome analysis was conducted.

Estrogen signaling and estrogen receptors as prognostic indicators in laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) has been shown to respond to 17β-estradiol. However, the presence and characterization of estrogen receptors (ER) and other sex hormone receptors in LSCC are still being determined. Sex hormone receptors and the way sex hormones impact LSCC tumors are important for understanding which patients would benefit from hormone therapies, such as anti-estrogen therapies.

Correction to: Vena cava filters in patients presenting with major bleeding during anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism.

In the original publication, part of conflict of statement was incorrectly published.

Outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis treated with tocilizumab: Case series and review of the literature.

The treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) presents a clinical challenge because of the progressive nature of the disease, relatively poor prognosis, and lack of a proven treatment. In the last 10 years, several studies demonstrated the importance of interleukin 6 (IL6) as a pivotal cytokine in the development of fibrosis and angiopathy, especially in SSc. Tocilizumab, an IL6 receptor antibody, has shown promising results for patients with SSc.

24R,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D regulates breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Epidemiological studies indicate high serum 25(OH)D is associated with increased survival in breast cancer patients. Pre-clinical studies attributed this to anti-tumorigenic properties of its metabolite 1α,25(OH)D. However, 1α,25(OH)D is highly calcemic and thus has a narrow therapeutic window.

Vena cava filters in patients presenting with major bleeding during anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism.

The association between inferior vena cava filter (IVC) use and outcome in patients presenting with major bleeding during anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been thoroughly investigated. We used the RIETE registry to compare the 30-day outcomes (death, major re-bleeding or VTE recurrences) in VTE patients who bled during the first 3 months of therapy, regarding the insertion of an IVC filter. A propensity score matched (PSM) analysis was performed to adjust for potential confounders.

Rhinovirus infections in infants suggest that early detection can prevent unnecessary treatment.

Background: Human rhinoviruses (hRV) are small, RNA viruses of the Picornaviridae family, which are divided into three subtypes (A, B, C). hRVs are among the most common causes for acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) involving both the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the magnitude and characteristics of hRV infections in hospitalized children, aged less than 5 years, hospitalized in Israel during 2011-2012.

Two separate functions of NME3 critical for cell survival underlie a neurodegenerative disorder.

We report a patient who presented with congenital hypotonia, hypoventilation, and cerebellar histopathological alterations. Exome analysis revealed a homozygous mutation in the initiation codon of the gene, which encodes an NDP kinase. The initiation-codon mutation leads to deficiency in NME3 protein expression.

Computerized model for objectively evaluating cutting performance using a laparoscopic box trainer simulator.

Background: Laparoscopic box trainer simulator has recently become a tool for assessment of physicians' surgical and laparoscopic skills, and training using such a simulator has been incorporated into the curricula of surgery syllabus. With the increased use of box trainer simulators, there is a great need for obtaining reliable and objective evaluations of the trainees' performances. Here, we introduce an automated tool for assessing laparoscopic cutting performance by using image-processing algorithms.

Early Use of Echocardiography in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Findings From the RIETE Registry.

Background Transthoracic echocardiography ( TTE ) is often considered for risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism ( PE ). We sought to determine the contemporary utilization of early TTE (within 72 hours of PE diagnosis) and explored the association between TTE findings and PE -related mortality. Methods and Results Data from the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica) registry, a multicenter registry of consecutive patients with acute PE , were used (2001-July 2017).

Cerebrovascular accidents associated with hip fractures: morbidity and mortality-5-year survival.

Background: Hip fractures are associated with increased cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) in the first postoperative year. Long-term follow-up for CVA and mortality after hip fracture is lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for CVA and follow mortality in hip fractures in a cohort with greater than 2 years follow-up.

Epigenetic Optical Mapping of 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Nanochannel Arrays.

The epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is a distinct product of active DNA demethylation that is linked to gene regulation, development, and disease. In particular, 5-hmC levels dramatically decline in many cancers, potentially serving as an epigenetic biomarker. The noise associated with next-generation 5-hmC sequencing hinders reliable analysis of low 5-hmC containing tissues such as blood and malignant tumors.