Outcomes of a new slowly resorbable biosynthetic mesh (Phasix™) in potentially contaminated incisional hernias: A prospective, multi-center, single-arm trial.

Background: Resorbable biomaterials have been developed to reduce the amount of foreign material remaining in the body after hernia repair over the long-term. However, on the short-term, these resorbable materials should render acceptable results with regard to complications, infections, and reoperations to be considered for repair. Additionally, the rate of resorption should not be any faster than collagen deposition and maturation; leading to early hernia recurrence.

Venous thromboembolic events in patients with brain metastases: the PICOS score.

Aim Of Study: Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are significant complications in patients with systemic malignancies. Thrombosis risk is poorly defined for patients with brain metastasis, and available risk calculation scores are not validated for these patients.

Methods: We identified 811 patients with brain metastasis followed at our institution and reviewed electronic charts retrospectively for the occurrence of VTEs, along with candidate risk factors.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma in two young adults with glycogen storage disease type Ia.

Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia) is a rare metabolic disease due to glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency. Chronic kidney disease is a frequent complication that may manifest itself by glomerular lesions and tubular dysfunction from the second decade of life. We report two young GSDIa patients with malignant renal tumor.

Cetuximab is efficient and safe in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective, multicentre study.

There is no standard of care for unresectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Chemotherapy, alone or combined with radiotherapy, is commonly used mostly as palliative treatment; moreover, its poor safety profile limits its use most of the time, especially in elderly patients. Thus, alternative options are needed.

Risk factors for the development of epilepsy in patients with brain metastases.

Background: Current guidelines do not recommend primary prophylactic anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapy for patients with brain metastases (BM). Yet, subgroups of patients at high seizure risk might still benefit from prophylaxis.

Methods: We identified 799 patients diagnosed with BM by retrospective screening of our electronic chart system.

Imaging challenges of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in patients with brain metastases: response, progression, and pseudoprogression.

The advent of immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapy (TT) has dramatically improved the prognosis of various cancer types. However, following ICI therapy or TT-either alone (especially ICI) or in combination with radiotherapy-imaging findings on anatomical contrast-enhanced MRI can be unpredictable and highly variable, and are often difficult to interpret regarding treatment response and outcome. This review aims at summarizing the imaging challenges related to TT and ICI monotherapy as well as combined with radiotherapy in patients with brain metastases, and to give an overview on advanced imaging techniques which potentially overcome some of these imaging challenges.

Heterogeneity of Human Pancreatic Islet Isolation Around Europe: Results of a Survey Study.

Background: Europe is currently the most active region in the field of pancreatic islet transplantation, and many of the leading groups are actually achieving similar good outcomes. Further collaborative advances in the field require the standardization of islet cell product isolation processes, and this work aimed to identify differences in the human pancreatic islet isolation processes within European countries.

Methods: A web-based questionnaire about critical steps, including donor selection, pancreas processing, pancreas perfusion and digestion, islet counting and culture, islet quality evaluation, microbiological evaluation, and release criteria of the product, was completed by isolation facilities participating at the Ninth International European Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (EPITA) Workshop on Islet-Beta Cell Replacement in Milan.

What is the clinical impact of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers on final diagnosis and management in patients with mild cognitive impairment in clinical practice? Results from a nation-wide prospective survey in France.

Objectives: New diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers that allow diagnosis at the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the impact of CSF biomarkers in MCI populations in clinical practice has been poorly evaluated. The objective of this study is to assess the use and impact in clinical practice of AD CSF biomarkers in French memory clinics.

Oxaliplatin use in pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is safe and effective: A multicenter study.

Introduction: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new drug delivery method used in patients with peritoneal cancer (PC) of primary or secondary origin. Intraperitoneal use of oxaliplatin raises concerns about toxicity, especially abdominal pain. The objective of this study was to assess the tolerance of PIPAC with oxaliplatin (PIPAC-Ox) in a large cohort of patients and to identify the risk factors for high grade toxicity, discontinuation of treatment and impaired survival.

Apixaban for the prevention of thromboembolism in immunomodulatory-treated myeloma patients: Myelaxat, a phase 2 pilot study.

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is higher in myeloma patients receiving immunomodulatory compounds. A VTE prophylaxis using low-molecular-weight heparin or aspirin is therefore proposed. Apixaban is an oral direct anti-Xa.

PET imaging in patients with brain metastasis-report of the RANO/PET group.

Brain metastases (BM) from extracranial cancer are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Effective local treatment options are stereotactic radiotherapy, including radiosurgery or fractionated external beam radiotherapy, and surgical resection. The use of systemic treatment for intracranial disease control also is improving.

A post-market, prospective, multi-center, single-arm clinical investigation of Phasix™ mesh for VHWG grade 3 midline incisional hernia repair: a research protocol.

Background: Incisional heia is a frequent complication of midline laparotomy. The use of mesh in hernia repair has been reported to lead to fewer recurrences compared to primary repair. However, in Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) Grade 3 hernia patients, whose hernia is potentially contaminated, synthetic mesh is prone to infection.

The appropriate management of persisting pain after spine surgery: a European panel study with recommendations based on the RAND/UCLA method.

Purpose: Management of patients with persisting pain after spine surgery (PPSS) shows significant variability, and there is limited evidence from clinical studies to support treatment choice in daily practice. This study aimed to develop patient-specific recommendations on the management of PPSS.

Methods: Using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method (RUAM), an international panel of 6 neurosurgeons, 6 pain specialists, and 6 orthopaedic surgeons assessed the appropriateness of 4 treatment options (conservative, minimally invasive, neurostimulation, and re-operation) for 210 clinical scenarios.

Diagnostic value of F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography for patients with brain metastasis from unknown primary site.

Background: In 30% of patients with brain metastasis (BM), neurological symptoms are the first clinical manifestation of systemic malignancy, referred to as BM from cancer of unknown primary site (BM-CUPS). Here, we define the diagnostic value of F-fluordesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in the workup of BM-CUPS.

Methods: We screened 565 patients operated for BM at the University Hospital Zurich and identified 64 patients with BM-CUPS with data on both FDG-PET/CT and contrast-enhanced chest/abdomen computed tomography (CT) available at BM diagnosis.

The Effect of Cervical Smears Performed by General Practitioners on the Cervical Cancer Screening Rate of their Female Patients: A Claim Database Analysis and Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose: Cervical cancer screening reduces the incidence and specific mortality rate of cervical neoplasms. In most cases screening by means of Pap smears is performed in France by gynecologists. The primary objective of this study was to confirm whether the participation rate is increased when general practitioners (GPs) carry out the smears themselves.

Arterial stiffness evaluated by pulse wave velocity is not predictive of the improvement in hypertension after adrenal surgery for primary aldosteronism: A multicentre study from the French European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres.

Background: Predictive factors associated with normal blood pressure (BP) after unilateral adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA) are not clearly identified.

Aims: To evaluate the predictive value of arterial stiffness before surgery on BP after surgery.

Methods: During 2009-2013, 96 patients with PA due to unilateral adrenal adenoma who underwent surgery were enrolled in a multicentre open-label, prospective study.

The Evolving Landscape of Brain Metastasis.

Metastasis, involving the spread of systemic cancer to the brain, results in neurologic disability and death. Current treatments are largely palliative in nature; improved therapeutic approaches represent an unmet clinical need. However, recent experimental and clinical advances challenge the bleak long-term outcome of this disease.

Randomized controlled trial on promoting influenza vaccination in general practice waiting rooms.

Background: Most of general practitioners (GPs) use advertising in their waiting rooms for patient's education purposes. Patients vaccinated against seasonal influenza have been gradually lessening. The objective of this trial was to assess the effect of an advertising campaign for influenza vaccination using posters and pamphlets in GPs' waiting rooms.

Factors associated with the achievement of cervical smears by general practitioners.

Objective: Reliable data about general practitioners performing pap-tests are insufficient. A claim code for the achievement of pap-smears exists in France, but its use by general practitioners is not known. The main purpose of this study was to highlight independent factors associated with the achievement of pap-smears by the general practitioner (GP).

Efficacy of Seren@ctif, a Computer-Based Stress Management Program for Patients With Adjustment Disorder With Anxiety: Protocol for a Controlled Trial.

Background: Adjustment disorder with anxiety (ADA) is the most frequent and best characterized stress-related psychiatric disorder. The rationale for prescription of benzodiazepine monotherapy is a public health issue. Cognitive behavioral stress management programs have been studied in many countries.

PET imaging in patients with meningioma-report of the RANO/PET Group.

Meningiomas are the most frequent nonglial primary brain tumors and represent about 30% of brain tumors. Usually, diagnosis and treatment planning are based on neuroimaging using mainly MRI or, rarely, CT. Most common treatment options are neurosurgical resection and radiotherapy (eg, radiosurgery, external fractionated radiotherapy).