Retrospective evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of free flap monitoring with the Cook-Swartz-Doppler probe in head and neck reconstruction.

The Cook-Swartz-Doppler probe is an easy to handle and reliable tool for free flap monitoring. In the head and neck region different confounders can affect the read out. We therefore analyzed the use of the Doppler probe regarding these potential difficulties and to compare the diagnostic accuracy in arterial or venous monitoring of free flaps in the head and neck region.

Current and future applications of machine and deep learning in urology: a review of the literature on urolithiasis, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder and prostate cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to provide a comprehensive review of recent machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) applications in urological practice. Numerous studies have reported their use in the medical care of various urological disorders; however, no critical analysis has been made to date.

Methods: A detailed search of original articles was performed using the PubMed MEDLINE database to identify recent English literature relevant to ML and DL applications in the fields of urolithiasis, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), bladder cancer (BCa), and prostate cancer (PCa).

Current European Trends in Endoscopic Imaging and Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors.

The aim of this survey was to obtain an overview of current European standards in the endoscopic visualization and management of bladder tumors. An online survey was launched in July 2018 for a duration of 4 months. It was distributed to all members of the European Association of Urology (EAU) and included 23 questions divided into 3 thematic sections: general information, white light cystoscopy (WLC) and imaging, and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) techniques.

Efficacy and safety of aquablation of the prostate for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic enlargement: a systematic review.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the contemporary literature on aquablation and evaluate its safety and efficacy for the treatment of symptomatic BPE.

Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search of English language literature was performed using the PubMed-MEDLINE and Web of Science libraries up to 24 July 2019 by combining PICO (patient population, intervention, comparison, and outcome) terms. We retrieved 16 studies, including 446 patients treated with aquablation eligible for data extraction and analysis.

Magnetic Ureteral Stents Are Feasible in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Insertion of ureteral catheters is a common procedure in kidney transplantation. The stent is usually removed by cystoscope. Magnetic ureteral stents may be an alternative to conventional stents.

Pre-operative masseter muscle EMG activation during smile predicts synchronicity of smile development in facial palsy patients undergoing reanimation with the masseter nerve: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Synchronicity of the oral commissure movement of a bilateral smile is a significant goal for reconstruction in facial reanimation and may only be guaranteed with use of the facial nerve as a donor nerve. Yet over the years several studies report some degree of spontaneity in certain patients when using a non-facial donor nerve, which indicates that synchronous initiation of the smile might be achievable with other donor nerves. We designed a prospective cohort study to evaluate whether pre-operative involuntary activation of the masseteric nerve during smile predicts development of a synchronous smile development when using the masseteric nerve for reanimation.

Residual stone fragments: clinical implications and technological innovations.

Purpose Of Review: To summarize the recent literature on the topic of residual stone fragments in particular novel developments in this field.

Recent Findings: The urological position towards residual fragments has shifted in recent years from observation, to active retrieval with innovative methods, to algorithm-based predictions of surgical outcomes. Novel technologies have been described to extract residual fragments through magnetism, a polyethylene endoscopic pouch and a biocompatible stone adhesive.

Desperate need for better management of Fournier's gangrene.

Introduction: To compare earlier and later patient groups with Fournier's gangrene, specifically with the incidence of rising antibiotic resistance rates in mind. Primary endpoints were to compare therapy, outcomes, and resistance rates.

Material And Methods: A multicentric, retrospective, multi-national study was performed.

Phase I/II study on cytarabine and idarubicin combined with escalating doses of clofarabine in newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and high risk for induction failure (AMLSG 17-10 CIARA trial).

This open-label, multicentre phase I/II study determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety and efficacy of clofarabine administered with cytarabine and idarubicin in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients lacking favourable genetic aberrations. The MTD was 30 mg/m clofarabine for patients below and above 60 years. The most frequently reported grade 3-4 non-haematological adverse events were infectious and gastrointestinal toxicities.

Dissociation of C-Reactive Protein Localizes and Amplifies Inflammation: Evidence for a Direct Biological Role of C-Reactive Protein and Its Conformational Changes.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a member of the pentraxin superfamily that is widely recognized as a marker of inflammatory reactions and cardiovascular risk in humans. Recently, a growing body of data is emerging, which demonstrates that CRP is not only a marker of inflammation but also acts as a direct mediator of inflammatory reactions and the innate immune response. Here, we critically review the various lines of evidence supporting the concept of a pro-inflammatory "CRP system.

High velocity suspension flame spraying (HVSFS) of metal doped bioceramic coatings.

•Bioceramic coatings doped with metals for antibacterial effect.•Combination of suspension and precursor flame spraying.•Successful deposition of submicron metallic particles in bioceramic matrix.

Extracellular Vesicles: Packages Sent With Complement.

Cells communicate with other cells in their microenvironment by transferring lipids, peptides, RNA, and sugars in extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby also influencing recipient cell functions. Several studies indicate that these vesicles are involved in a variety of critical cellular processes including immune, metabolic, and coagulatory responses and are thereby associated with several inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, EVs also possess anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to immune regulation, thus encouraging an emerging interest in investigating and clarifying mechanistic links between EVs and innate immunity.

Immunotherapy in adult acute leukemia.

The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) did not evolve profoundly in the last decades. Some improvement has been made for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Emerging new treatment modalities, such as immunotherapy, are now beginning to be available for acute leukemia, mostly for patients suffering from ALL.

Diabetes and beta-adrenergic blockage are risk factors for metastatic prostate cancer.

Background: We evaluated the influence of comorbidity inferred risks for lymph node metastasis (pN1) and positive surgical margins (R1) after radical prostatectomy in order to optimize pretherapeutic risk classification. We analyzed 454 patients after radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2009 and 2014. Comorbidities were defined by patients' medication from our electronic patient chart and stratified according to the ATC WHO code.

Transitional changes in the CRP structure lead to the exposure of proinflammatory binding sites.

C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations rise in response to tissue injury or infection. Circulating pentameric CRP (pCRP) localizes to damaged tissue where it leads to complement activation and further tissue damage. In-depth knowledge of the pCRP activation mechanism is essential to develop therapeutic strategies to minimize tissue injury.

Comminuted Fracture of Elbow - Ostheosynthesis vs. Total Joint Replacement.

Comminuted fractures of the elbow are very rare and in most cases very complex and the successful treatment can be a challenge for the treating surgeon. Due to the elbow joint's complex functional anatomy, the multi-fragmentary nature of many fractures and concomitant destabilizing associated injuries, comminuted fractures of the elbow still present a serious challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Especially in more severe communicated injuries an osteosynthesis or endoprosthesis must be discussed with the patient.

Non-Union in Upper Limb Fractures - Clinical Evaluation and Treatment Options.

Although non-unions in the upper limb are rare different treatment options of this challenging situation are still affected with up to 20% of failure rate due to current literature. Risk factors for delayed and non-union of fractures are mainly the size of the fracture gap and bone loss of open fractures or in primary surgery followed by other relevant internal and external factors. In the upper limb non-unions of long bones are described with up to 30% after operative intervention.

Elevated fetal haemoglobin is a predictor of better outcome in MDS/AML patients receiving 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Decitabine).

Although azanucleoside DNA-hypomethylating agents (HMAs) are routinely used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS/AML), very few outcome predictors have been established. Expression of the β-like globin gene locus is tightly regulated by DNA methylation, is HMA-sensitive in vitro, and fetal haemoglobin (HbF) expression is under study as a potential biomarker for response of MDS patients to azacitidine. We determined HbF expression in 16 MDS and 36 AML patients receiving decitabine (DAC).