Beyond circulating microRNA biomarkers: Urinary microRNAs in ovarian and breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, and ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Women carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation have a very high lifetime risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The only effective risk-reducing strategy in BRCA-mutated women is a prophylactic surgery with bilateral mastectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

Low flow veno-venous extracorporeal CO2 removal for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Background: Ventilation with low tidal volume and airway pressure results in a survival benefit in ARDS patients. Previous research suggests that avoiding mechanical ventilation altogether may be beneficial in some cases of respiratory failure. Our hypothesis was that low flow veno-venous extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R) enables maintenance of a lung protective ventilation strategy or awake spontaneous ventilation despite severe hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF).

Cervical length after cerclage: comparison between laparoscopic and vaginal approach.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to investigate the sonographic changes of the cervical length during pregnancy after the placement of a transvaginal cervical cerclage (TVC) or a laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (LAC) in patients with cervical insufficiency (CI).

Methods: Between January 2008 and March 2015, a retrospective analysis of all women undergoing a prophylactic laparoscopic (LAC group) or transvaginal (TVC group) cerclage due to cervical insufficiency was conducted. Nonparametric variables were analysed with the Mann-Whitney (U) test, and categorical-type outcomes were analysed with the Fisher's exact test.

Comparison of Contrast-Enhanced CT and [F]FDG PET/CT Analysis Using Kurtosis and Skewness in Patients with Primary Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: Heterogeneity is a key feature of malignancy associated with adverse tumor biology. Texture analysis with different imaging modalities has been shown to reflect tumor heterogeneity. The current study analyzed and compared pre-treatment (contrast-enhanced) ceCT and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) tumor heterogeneity using the parameters skewness and kurtosis in patients with primary colorectal cancer with and without liver metastases.

Acellular Dermal Matrix (Permacol) for Heterologous Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Skin-Sparing Mastectomy in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Single-Institution Experience and a Review of the Literature.

Objective: Skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with immediate heterologous reconstruction is a safe oncological option in surgical therapy of early breast cancer. Permacol is an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) placed between the implant and the skin to improve lower pole projection and implant coverage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome with a focus on patient satisfaction after 6 months and to analyze physical changes of ADM.

In vitro spontaneous contractile activity of colonic smooth muscle in naive Lewis rats: Acute effect of gonadal hormones.

Objective: Functional gastrointestinal disorders affect females more often. Changes in colonic motility may be etiological co-factors for the clinical symptoms. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of gonadal hormones on colonic contractile activity.

FIGO stage IIIC endometrial cancer identification among patients with complex atypical hyperplasia, grade 1 and 2 endometrioid endometrial cancer: laparoscopic indocyanine green sentinel lymph node mapping versus frozen section of the uterus, why get around the problem?

Purpose: To compare two surgical strategies used to identify lymph node metastases in patients with preoperative diagnosis of complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH), grade 1 and 2 endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods: Data on patients with preoperative diagnosis of CAH, grade 1 and 2 EC undergoing laparoscopic indocyanine green (ICG) sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping followed by frozen section of the uterus were collected. When risk factors were identified at frozen section, patients were subjected to a systematic lymphadenectomy.

Endometrial and cervical cancer patients with multiple sentinel lymph nodes at laparoscopic ICG mapping: How many are enough?

Purpose: The adoption of a sentinel lymph node (SLN) algorithm and the presence of high bilateral detection rates have been associated with increased accuracy of SLN mapping in cervical and endometrial cancer patients. In this context, the significance of the number of SLNs removed has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate (a) whether or not a higher SLN removal count is associated with a reduced false-negative rate and (b) which clinical factors correlate with the number of SLNs removed.

Sentinel Node Mapping in Cervical and Endometrial Cancer: Indocyanine Green Versus Other Conventional Dyes-A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Historically, blue dyes, (99)Tc or a combination of the two tracers have been used for sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in cervical and endometrial cancer patients. Indocyanine green (ICG), as a tracer, has been recently introduced in this setting. Our goal was to assess the differences in overall and bilateral detection rates as well as in false-negative rates among the different tracers.

Dysphagia in Acute Stroke: Incidence, Burden and Impact on Clinical Outcome.

Background: Reported frequency of post-stroke dysphagia in the literature is highly variable. In view of progress in stroke management, we aimed to assess the current burden of dysphagia in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: We studied 570 consecutive patients treated in a tertiary stroke center.

Sustained impact of a short small group course with systematic feedback in addition to regular clinical clerkship activities on musculoskeletal examination skills--a controlled study.

Background: The discrepancy between the extensive impact of musculoskeletal complaints and the common deficiencies in musculoskeletal examination skills lead to increased emphasis on structured teaching and assessment. However, studies of single interventions are scarce and little is known about the time-dependent effect of assisted learning in addition to a standard curriculum. We therefore evaluated the immediate and long-term impact of a small group course on musculoskeletal examination skills.

Laparoscopic Indocyanine Green Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Endometrial Cancer.

Background: In endometrial cancer (EMCA), indocyanine green (ICG) sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping has been reported, mainly in conjunction with robotic surgery.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate detection rates, sensitivity, and false negative (FN) rate of laparoscopic ICG SLN mapping in EMCA, and to evaluate differences in surgical outcomes between patients subjected to SLN biopsy only versus lymphadenectomy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of EMCA patients undergoing ICG SLN mapping ± pelvic (PLND) and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PALND) was performed.

Cediranib in ovarian cancer: state of the art and future perspectives.

Despite the dramatic improvements achieved in cancer treatment through a better understanding of the tumor biology, ovarian cancer is still characterized by a poor prognosis: most patients diagnosed with this disease will ultimately die from it. In various clinical trials conducted over a time span of two decades, new combinations of conventional chemotherapy regimens have failed to achieve significant improvements in oncologic outcome in ovarian cancer patients. We have now entered an era of "personalized medicine" in which new medications are designed to specifically target molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression.

Accuracy of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping After Previous Hysterectomy in Patients with Occult Cervical Cancer.

Background: In patients with a diagnosis of occult cervical cancer made on a hysterectomy specimen after surgery for a benign indication, lymph node assessment is crucial to determine treatment. We aimed to compare sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping between patients with postoperative diagnosis of occult cervical carcinoma and patients with cervical cancer and uterus in situ.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of cervical cancer patients International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IA-IIA disease undergoing laparoscopic SLN mapping was performed.

[Outdoor performance of different videolaryngoscopes on a glacier: a manikin study].

Objectives: Little information about the performance of videolaryngoscopes outdoors is available. We aimed to test the hypothesis that a Macintosh direct laryngoscope would perform less well than videolaryngoscopes under difficult environmental conditions (high-altitude glacier, sun-reflecting snow).

Material And Methods: After local research ethics committee approval, this randomized controlled trial enrolled 20 physicians who intubated manikins with limited cervical extension mouth opening under 5 conditions: 1) in hospitals (indoors), 2) indoors at a high altitude, 3) outdoors on a glacier in sunlight without sunglasses, 4) outdoors on a glacier with sunglasses, and 5) outdoors on a glacier with the physician and manikin covered with a blanket.

Laparoscopic Indocyanine Green Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Pregnant Cervical Cancer Patients.

We present cases of 2 pregnant patients with early-stage cervical cancer who have undergone indocyanine green (ICG) sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping followed by laparoscopic SLN biopsy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and cervical conization. Eight milliliters of ICG were injected in the 4 quadrants of the cervix after having obtained an adequate pneumoperitoneum and having inspected the abdominal cavity. SLNs were identified in both hemipelvises in both patients.

Inactivation of the p53-KLF4-CEBPA Axis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Purpose: In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the transcription factors CEBPA and KLF4 as well as the universal tumor suppressor p53 are frequently deregulated. Here, we investigated the extent of dysregulation, the molecular interactions, and the mechanisms involved.

Experimental Design: One hundred ten AML patient samples were analyzed for protein levels of CEBPA, KLF4, p53, and p53 modulators.

Stem cell mobilization chemotherapy with gemcitabine is effective and safe in myeloma patients with bortezomib-induced neurotoxicity.

Vinorelbine chemotherapy with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulation is a widely applied non-myelosuppressive mobilization regimen in Switzerland for myeloma patients, but its neurotoxic potential limits its use in patients with bortezomib-induced polyneuropathy. In this single-center study, we alternatively evaluated safety and effectiveness of gemcitabine chemotherapy with G-CSF for mobilization of autologous stem cells. Between March 2012 and February 2013, all bortezomib-pretreated myeloma patients planned to undergo first-line high-dose melphalan chemotherapy received a single dose of 1250 mg/m2 gemcitabine, with G-CSF started on day 4.

Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging in the Surgical Management of an Iatrogenic Lymphatic Fistula: Description of a Surgical Technique.

We present a case of laparoscopic surgical management of an iatrogenic lymphorrhea using indocyanine green (ICG). A case of a patient who developed recurrent symptomatic lymphorrhea after laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for an early stage cervical cancer is presented. Intraoperative bipedal interdigital subcutaneous injection of ICG exactly localized the disrupted lymphatic duct on fluorescence imaging performed with a near-infrared laparoscopic fluorescent optic device, thus allowing a successful surgical repair.

Current status and updated recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of plasma cell myeloma in Switzerland.

The availability of drugs such as thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide changed the landscape in myeloma treatment and has extended the median survival up to 10 years with a substantial improvement in quality of life. This development prompted a Swiss expert panel to re-evaluate the current status and formulate updated clinical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of plasma cell myeloma. These recommendations should help clinicians in their decision making to achieve the best outcome based on currently available data.

Good reproducibility of heart rate variability after orthostatic challenge in patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Several parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) have been shown to predict the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in cardiac patients. There is consensus that risk prediction is increased when measuring HRV during specific provocations such as orthostatic challenge. For the first time, we provide data on reproducibility of such a test in patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome.

Neurotoxicity of stem cell mobilization chemotherapy with vinorelbine in myeloma patients after bortezomib treatment.

Vinorelbine chemotherapy with G-CSF stimulation is the standard mobilization regimen in Switzerland for multiple myeloma patients. However, with the increasing use of bortezomib during induction treatment, adding the neurotoxic compound vinorelbine for mobilization may aggravate bortezomib-induced polyneuropathy. In this retrospective single-center study, we aimed to explore vinorelbine mediated neuropathy in 106 consecutive bortezomib pretreated myeloma patients.

The Application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Training in Various Non-neurologic Patient Populations: A Narrative Review.

In the last 2 decades, neuromuscular electrical stimulation has been used increasingly in deconditioned patients with the aim of increasing muscle force. Much basic research has been conducted in the area of increasing a muscle's fatigue resistance by neuromuscular electrical stimulation but similarly thorough research with regard to increasing maximal force is missing. Insufficient clinical and basic knowledge exists on the selection of stimulation parameters that will optimize muscle hypertrophy and gains in muscle force.