Evidence and consensus-based recommendations for non-pharmacological treatment of fatigue, hand function loss, Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective: SSc is a complex CTD affecting mental and physical health. Fatigue, hand function loss, and RP are the most prevalent disease-specific symptoms of systemic sclerosis. This study aimed to develop consensus and evidence-based recommendations for non-pharmacological treatment of these symptoms.

HIV positive and treated for cancer: The convergence of pressures "invisible" in HIV and "visible" in cancer.

Objective: An increasing number of people living with HIV are living longer and experiencing a dual diagnosis of HIV and cancer. Little is known of their experience and quality of care. This paper presents the findings of a study exploring experiences of cancer care, from the perspectives of both patients and healthcare professionals.

Insights into the social context of living with a dual diagnosis of HIV and cancer: a qualitative, thematic analysis of popular discourse in London newspapers.

As growing numbers of people living with HIV also develop cancer, a holistic understanding of their experiences is essential to the provision of patient centred care. Both conditions are linked to powerful beliefs in our society that may affect experiences. This study explored how HIV and cancer were represented in UK newspapers to gain insight into the social context of living with a dual diagnosis.

Major postoperative complications after pancreatic resection for P-NETS are not associated to earlier recurrence.

Background: The oncological impact of surgical complications has been studied in visceral and pancreatic cancer.

Aim: To investigate the impact of complications on tumour recurrence after resections for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Methods: We have retrospectively analysed 105 consecutive resections performed at the Royal Free London Hospital from 1998 to 2014, and studied the long-term outcome of nil-minor (<3) versus major (≥3) Clavien-Dindo complications (CD) on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Standardization of the modified Rodnan skin score for use in clinical trials of systemic sclerosis.

The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) is a measure of skin thickness and is used as a primary or secondary outcome measure in clinical trials of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). This state-of-art review provides a historical perspective of the development of the mRSS, summarizes the performance of mRSS as an outcome measure, provides guidance on assessing mRSS, and makes recommendations for incorporation of the mRSS into clinical trials.

Aberrant regulation of RANKL/OPG in women at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer, affecting approximately one in eight women during their lifetime in North America and Europe. Receptor Activator of NF-kB Ligand (RANKL), its receptor RANK and the natural antagonist osteoprotegerin (OPG) are essential regulators of bone resorption. We have initially shown that RANKL/RANK are essential for hormone-driven mammary epithelial proliferation in pregnancy and RANKL/RANK have been implicated in mammary stem cell biology.

MicroRNA-126 and micro-/macrovascular complications of type 1 diabetes in the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study.

Aims: Increasing evidence suggests a potential role of circulating miRNAs as clinical biomarkers, and loss of miRNA-126 has been proposed as a predictor of type 2 diabetes onset. However, a systematic analysis of circulating miRNAs in type 1 diabetic patients with micro-/macrovascular complications has not yet been performed.

Methods: A cross-sectional nested case-control study from the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study of 455 type 1 diabetic patients was performed.

Benefits of robotic cystectomy with intracorporeal diversion for patients with low cardiorespiratory fitness: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Patients undergoing radical cystectomy have associated comorbidities resulting in reduced cardiorespiratory fitness. Preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) measures including anaerobic threshold (AT) can predict major adverse events (MAE) and hospital length of stay (LOS) for patients undergoing open and robotic cystectomy with extracorporeal diversion. Our objective was to determine the relationship between CPET measures and outcome in patients undergoing robotic radical cystectomy and intracorporeal diversion (intracorporeal robotic assisted radical cystectomy [iRARC]).

The American College of Rheumatology Provisional Composite Response Index for Clinical Trials in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: Early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is characterized by rapid changes in the skin and internal organs. The objective of this study was to develop a composite response index in dcSSc (CRISS) for use in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We developed 150 paper patient profiles with standardized clinical outcome elements (core set items) using patients with dcSSc.

The American College of Rheumatology Provisional Composite Response Index for Clinical Trials in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: Early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is characterized by rapid changes in the skin and internal organs. The objective of this study was to develop a composite response index in dcSSc (CRISS) for use in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: We developed 150 paper patient profiles with standardized clinical outcome elements (core set items) using patients with dcSSc.

One million haemopoietic stem-cell transplants: a retrospective observational study.

Background: The transplantation of cells, tissues, and organs has been recognised by WHO as an important medical task for its member states; however, information about how to best organise transplantation is scarce. We aimed to document the activity worldwide from the beginning of transplantation and search for region adapted indications and associations between transplant rates and macroeconomics.

Methods: Between Jan 1, 2006, and Dec 31, 2014, the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation collected data for the evolution of haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) activity and volunteer donors in the 194 WHO member states.

Value of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure as a prognostic factor of death in the systemic sclerosis EUSTAR population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) estimated by echocardiography in the multinational European League Against Rheumatism Scleroderma Trial and Research (EUSTAR) cohort.

Methods: Data for patients with echocardiography documented between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2011 were extracted from the EUSTAR database. Stepwise forward multivariable statistical Cox pulmonary hypertension analysis was used to examine the independent effect on survival of selected variables.

Joint and tendon involvement predict disease progression in systemic sclerosis: a EUSTAR prospective study.

Objective: To determine whether joint synovitis and tendon friction rubs (TFRs) can predict the progression of systemic sclerosis (SSc) over time.

Patients And Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study that included 1301 patients with SSc from the EUSTAR database with disease duration ≤3 years at inclusion and with a follow-up of at least 2 years. Presence or absence at clinical examination of synovitis and TFRs was extracted at baseline.

Prediction of worsening of skin fibrosis in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis using the EUSTAR database.

Objectives: To identify predictive parameters for the progression of skin fibrosis within 1 year in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc).

Methods: An observational study using the EUSTAR database was performed. Inclusion criteria were dcSSc, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria fulfilled, modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) ≥7 at baseline visit, valid data for MRSS at 2nd visit, and available follow-up of 12±2 months.

IGH@ translocations are prevalent in teenagers and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and are associated with a poor outcome.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and prognostic association of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH@) translocations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Patients And Methods: The cohort comprised 3,269 patients treated on either the UKALL2003 trial for children and adolescents (1 to 24 years old) or the UKALLXII trial for adolescents and adults (15 to 59 years old). High-throughput fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to detect IGH@ translocations.

Time-Line in HFEA Developments and Regulatory Challenges: 20 Years of Overseeing Fertility Practices and Research in the UK.

In the wake of political upheaval, the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA) has faced increasing insecurity over its future as a pivotal regulatory body of fertility practices in the UK. HFEA regulates activities by means of licensing, audit, and inspection of fertility centers and maintaining the Code of Practice, which ensures the optimum undertaking of licensed activities by fertility centers. In 2009, amendments to the 1990 Act came into force representing an amalgamation of cumulative proposals, debates, and changes in legislation, which have shaped the world of reproductive medicine.

Do assisted-reproduction twin pregnancies require additional antenatal care?

Iatrogenic twinning has become the main side-effect assisted reproduction treatment. We have evaluated the evidence for additional care that assisted-reproduction twins may require compared with spontaneous twins. Misacarriages are increased in women with tubal problems and after specific treatments.

Targeting lentiviral vectors for cancer immunotherapy.

Delivery of tumour-associated antigens (TAA) in a way that induces effective, specific immunity is a challenge in anti-cancer vaccine design. Circumventing tumour-induced tolerogenic mechanisms in vivo is also critical for effective immunotherapy. Effective immune responses are induced by professional antigen presenting cells, in particular dendritic cells (DC).

Stone formation in the Middle Eastern Gulf States: A review.

Objectives: To review the possible causes of the high incidence of urolithiasis in the oil-rich Gulf States.

Methods: Data were extracted from published reports on the incidence of urolithiasis, affluence and diet in the Gulf States, various Western countries and China.

Results: There are strong relationships: (a) between the life-expectancy of stones in men and the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of these countries; and (b) between the daily consumption of animal protein and GNI per capita.

Methods for diagnosing the risk factors of stone formation.

Objective: To compare various systems for assessing the risk of recurrent stones, based on the composition of urine.

Methods: The relative supersaturation (RSS) of urine, the Tiselius Indices, the Robertson Risk Factor Algorithms (RRFA) and the BONN-Risk Index were compared in terms of the numbers of variables required to be measured, the ease of use of the system and the value of the information obtained.

Results: The RSS methods require up to 14 analyses in every urine sample but measure the RSS of all the main constituents of kidney stones.