Κυριακή 27 Αυγούστου 2017

Fusion anomaly of the pancreatic tail and spleen: a case report

Splenopancreatic fusion is a rare anomaly that is often associated with trisomy 13. Its diagnosis can be important in patients scheduled to undergo distal pancreatectomy or splenectomy, to avoid possible intra...

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Thrombo-hemorrhagic liability in children with congenital heart diseases

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Publication date: Available online 26 August 2017
Source:Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy
Author(s): Shebl Said Shebl, Walid Ahmed Naguib El-shehaby, Amira Hamed Darwish, Yasmin Shebl Said, Nabeh Helal Elfadaly, Eman Amer
BackgroundThe precise mechanisms of the increased incidence of hemostatic abnormalities in congenital heart disease (CHD) have not been determined. The aim of the study was to evaluate some indicators of activation of platelets and vascular endothelial cells in patients with CHD, evaluation of bleeding liability of these patients, and correlation with the clinical presentation of these patients.MethodsThis work was carried out on 20 patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), 20 patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (ACHD), and 20 healthy children who served as the control group, aged between 1 and 10 years. All were subjected to full clinical examination, complete blood count, oxygen saturation, echocardiography, bleeding and coagulation times, PT, PTT, FDPs, plasma soluble P-selectin, E-selectin, and platelet factor 4 (PF4).ResultsThere was significant prolongation of PT and PTT, and there was a significant lowering of platelet counts. These results were obtained in CCHD and ACHD, but were more significant in CCHD patients. There was a significant elevation in PF4 (55.0 ± 25.5 ng/mL), P-selectin (128.9 ± 42.44 ng/dL), and E-selectin (9,461.5 ± 1,701.24 pg/mL) levels in children with CCHD as compared to those with ACHD (PF4, 21 ± 7.94 ng/mL; P-selectin, 80.1 ± 13.2 ng/mL; E-selectin, 7,969.6 ± 2,127.5 pg/mL), and significant increase in both groups when compared to the control group (PF4, 8.1 ± 4.7 ng/mL; P-selectin, 27.83 ± 9.73 ng/mL; E-selectin, 6,750.00 ± 3,204.00 pg/mL). There was a significant negative correlation between oxygen saturation, plasma P-selectin (r = –.865), E-selectin (r = –.401), and PF4 (r = –.792) in patients with CCHD.ConclusionPatients with CHD—both cyanotic and acyanotic—have variable degrees of increased liability for both thrombosis and hemorrhage that represents some sort of adaptation to preserve hemostasis and to protect these patients against the clinical presentation of both thrombosis and bleeding. This is to say that CHD patients have their own point of balance between thrombogenicity and bleeding liability. Wide-scale studies are needed to detect the normal levels of different thrombohemorrhagic parameters of these patients.



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Towards personalized medicine of colorectal cancer

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Publication date: Available online 26 August 2017
Source:Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Author(s): Mohammad Azhar Aziz, Zeyad Yousef, Ayman Saleh, Sameer Mohammad, Bandar Al Knawy
Efforts in colorectal cancer (CRC) research aim to improve early detection and treatment for metastatic stages which could translate into better prognosis of this disease. One of the major challenges that hinder these efforts is the heterogeneous nature of CRC and involvement of diverse molecular pathways. New large-scale 'omics' technologies are making it possible to generate, analyze and interpret biological data from molecular determinants of CRC. The developments of sophisticated computational analyses would allow information from different omics platforms to be integrated, thus providing new insights into the biology of CRC. Together, these technological advances and an improved mechanistic understanding might allow CRC to be clinically managed at the level of the individual patient. This review provides an account of the current challenges in CRC management and an insight into how new technologies could allow the development of personalized medicine for CRC.



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Distance-delivered physical activity interventions for childhood cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Publication date: Available online 26 August 2017
Source:Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
Author(s): David Mizrahi, Claire E. Wakefield, Joanna E. Fardell, Veronica F. Quinn, Qishan Lim, Briana K. Clifford, David Simar, Kirsten K. Ness, Richard J. Cohn
This review aimed to determine the feasibility of distance-delivered physical activity (PA) interventions in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), and assess the effect on PA levels, and physical, physiological and psychological outcomes. We searched electronic databases until May 2016, including studies following intensive treatment. Meta-analyses were conducted on randomized controlled trials. We calculated the effect of interventions on PA levels and physical, physiological and psychological health outcomes. Thirteen studies (n=270 participants) were included in the systematic review and four (n=102 participants) in the meta-analysis. Most studies used telephone to deliver interventions with contact (1/day-1/month), duration (2 weeks–1year) and timing (maintenance therapy->20years following intensive treatment) varying between interventions. Interventions yielded a mean recruitment rate=64%, retention rate=85% and adherence rate=88%. Interventions did not increase PA levels (p=0.092), but had a positive effect on physical function (p=0.008) and psychological outcomes (p=0.006). Distance-delivered PA interventions are feasible in CCS. Despite not increasing PA levels, participation may improve physical and psychological health; however, larger randomized controlled trials are warranted.



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Enhancement of antitumor activity by using a fully human gene encoding a single-chain fragmented antibody specific for carcinoembryonic antigen

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Re-irradiation using Permanent Interstitial Brachytherapy (PIB): A Potentially Durable Technique for Salvaging Recurrent Pelvic Malignancies

Publication date: Available online 26 August 2017
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics
Author(s): Jonathan Feddock, Dennis Cheek, Cole Steber, Jason Edwards, Stacey Slone, Wei Luo, Marcus Randall
PurposeWomen who develop recurrence of malignancy in a previously irradiated pelvis are often considered incurable. Permanent interstitial brachytherapy (PIB) is an under-utilized but well-tolerated and safe treatment option with significant curative potential when utilized in well-selected patients.Materials and methodsForty-two previously irradiated patients received curative or palliative intent PIB for a recurrent pelvic malignancy between January 2009 and August 2016. Minimum follow-up was 6 months following the PIB procedure. All patients had a biopsy-proven recurrence and were treated using PIB alone (n=32) or in combination with a short course of additional radiation therapy (n=10). Competing risk analyses were performed to assess the risk of failures in the presence of death without failure. Exploratory analyses were performed for factors related to failure using competing risk analyses and the Gray statistic.ResultsA total of 61 PIB implants were performed among 42 patients with a median follow up of 16.3 months. Fifty-two implants were performed as the first salvage re-irradiation to a solitary recurrence (8 patients had more than one lesion), and the success rate for initial re-irradiation using PIB was 73% (38 cases out of 52), and the median TTF was not reached. Nine patients underwent a second repeat PIB to the same recurrence as a form of salvage – 3 (33%) remain without evidence of recurrence. The median TTF after second salvage was 7.7 months. Even with the limited sample size, prolonged TTF was marginally associated with definitive intent (p=0.07) and the extent of disease at the time of PIB (p=0.08). Grade 3+ toxicities were seen in 8 patients (16.7%).ConclusionsPermanent interstitial brachytherapy is a feasible and potentially durable treatment modality that can be used to curatively salvage selected recurrent pelvic malignancies in a previously irradiated field.

Teaser

Permanent interstitial brachytherapy (PIB) is an often forgotten and underutilized brachytherapy technique that can be used to manage small volume recurrent gynecologic disease. The primary intent of this type of treatment is to manage local disease, and in nearly all cases, curative doses of radiation can be delivered in a single outpatient procedure. The median time to failure for re-irradiation was not identified in this series suggesting its effectiveness as a form of local therapy.


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Care for Patients, Not for Charts: A Future for Clinical Medical Physics

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Publication date: Available online 26 August 2017
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics
Author(s): Todd F. Atwood, Derek W. Brown, James D. Murphy, Kevin L. Moore, Arno J. Mundt, Todd Pawlicki




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