Comparative studies of cervical spine anterior stabilization systems--Finite element analysis.

Background: The object of the study was to assess the impact of one-level stabilization of the cervical spine for both anterior static and dynamic plates. Segments C2-C6 of the cervical spine, were investigated, from which was determined the stress and strain fields in the region of implantation and adjacent motion segments. The purpose was the comparison of changes that affect the individual stabilizers.

Recurrent mutations of BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 in the population of breast and ovarian cancer patients in Southern Poland.

Background: Mutations in the BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 genes are well-established risk factors for the development of breast and/or ovarian cancer. The frequency and spectrum of mutations in these genes has not yet been examined in the population of Southern Poland.

Methods: We examined the entire coding sequences of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and genotyped a recurrent mutation of the PALB2 gene (c.

Radioiodine Scan Index: A Simplified, Quantitative Treatment Response Parameter for Metastatic Thyroid Carcinoma.

Purpose: We aimed to develop and validate a simplified, novel quantification method for radioiodine whole-body scans (WBSs) as a predictor for the treatment response in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients with distant metastasis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed serial WBSs after radioiodine treatment from 2008 to 2011 in patients with metastatic DTC. For standardization of TSH simulation, only a subset of patients whose TSH level was fully enhanced (TSH > 80 mU/l) was enrolled.

Z-BeEAM (Ibritumomab tiuxetan, Bendamustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, Melphalan) before autologous stem cell transplantation is safe and efficient for refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

Background: Refractory or relapsed large B-cells lymphoma are usually treated with a high dose chemotherapy regimen followed by an autolougous stem cells transplantation. BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) or more recently Z-BEAM (ibritumomab tiuxetan and BEAM) are commonly used regimens, but recently carmustine availability became difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the safety of replacing carmustine by bendamustine in a new Z-BeEAM regimen (ibritumomab tiuxetan, bendamustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) prior to autologous stem cell transplantation.

"Burnout in Medical Oncology Fellows: a Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study in Brazilian Institutions".

Burnout syndrome is a common occurrence among oncologists. Doctors enrolled in residency programs in clinical oncology are exposed to similar risk factors; however, few data are available in this population. This study assessed the occurrence of burnout and associated factors among first-year residents at Brazilian institutions.

High-dose chemotherapy with carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplant is an effective treatment for elderly patients with poor-prognosis lymphoma.

Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) after high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) increases overall survival when used in relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in patients under 65 years old. Limited experience is available for older patients. We present a retrospective analysis of 73 consecutive patients aged over 65 years treated for aggressive or relapsed lymphoma by HDT with carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan (BEAM) at full dosage followed by ASCT.

Incompletely dissolved radioiodine capsule as a likely cause of false-positive whole-body scan in thyroid cancer.

Radioiodine is highly specific for detecting functioning thyroid tissue in the body. However, an unexpected radioiodine uptake can cause various false-positive results in whole-body scanning. We report a case of a 47-year-old woman who showed strong and focal uptake in the right pelvic area suggesting metastasis on the posttreatment whole-body scan.

360 degree decompresion and stabilisation of the C6-C7 cervical spine luxation - case study.

We present the operative technique employed in a young man with cervical spine luxation at the level of C6-C7 with clinical signs of damage to the spinal cord at the level of C5. In order to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect (decompression of neural structures and spinal stabilisation) during one surgical procedure, the positioning of the patient was changed twice during the procedure. Considering the positioning of the patient at the beginning of the procedure, the body position was changed by 360 degrees.

Assessing risk and mortality of venous thromboembolism in pancreatic cancer patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with cancer. Cancer patient with thromboembolism have poorer prognosis. This study assessed the risk and mortality in pancreatic cancer patients who develop VTE.

Correlation between intramammary arterial calcifications and CAD.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between intramammary arterial calcifications detected by screening mammography and concomitant coronary artery disease, detected by coronary angiography.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated screening mammography and coronary angiography results of 131 consecutive patients, ages 42-81 years. Risk factors for coronary artery disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity) were obtained from medical records to identify possible simultaneous risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Simplified upper pole nephrectomy: initial experience.

Objective: To assess the results of an upper pole nephrectomy technique on 5 children.

Materials And Methods: Upper pole nephrectomy was performed on 5 children, including 4 females and 1 male. Age ranged from 3 to 6 years old.

Concomitant radiotherapy and paclitaxel for high-risk endometrial cancer: first feasibility study.

Objective: Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) is the most used adjuvant treatment in high risk endometrial cancer (HREC), and it appears to reduce the incidence of pelvic relapses but doesn't seem to improve survival. Paclitaxel (P) has shown in vitro and clinical activity against endometrial cancer, and it is also a potent radiosensitizer by blocking dividing cells in G2/M phase. This is the first study that verifies the feasibility of a treatment with concomitant weekly chemotherapy and RT to potentially reduce the incidence of local and distant relapses in order to improve survival in HREC.

Value of scintigraphy in chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: A variety of factors can adversely impact chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) as an effective renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. These factors include peritonitis, poor clearances, loss of ultrafiltration, and a variety of anatomic problems, such as hernias, peritoneal fluid leaks, loculations, and catheter-related problems caused by omental blockage. This study reviews our experience with peritoneal scintigraphy for the evaluation of some of these difficulties.

Pharmacokinetics of pidotimod in elderly volunteers and in renal failure patients.

The pharmacokinetics of pidotimod ((R)-3-[(S)-(5-oxo-2-pyrrolidinyl) carbonyl]-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, PGT/1A, CAS 121808-62-6) in elderly volunteers and in patients with renal failures were investigated. No differences in absorption, excretion and pharmacokinetic parameters was evident between old volunteers and the youngs of a previous work. Patients with impaired renal function showed different pharmacokinetic parameters of pidotimod in relation to different grade of kidney function.

Effects of hyperglycaemia on visual evoked potentials in insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

Multimodality evoked potentials frequently reveal subclinical involvement of the central nervous system in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We devised this study to evaluate the possible effects of acute hyperglycaemia on visual evoked potential (VEP) parameters in type 1 diabetic patients. A hyperglycaemic clamp (250 mg/dl for 180 min) was performed in ten patients.