Complete lymph node dissection or observation in melanoma patients with multiple positive sentinel lymph nodes: A single‐center retrospective analysis

Although the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as a prognostic factor is well established, its consequences for therapy are controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze if complete lymph node dissection (CLND) in patients with more than one positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) significantly improves melanoma‐specific survival (MSS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Medical records of patients who underwent SLNB between 2001 and 2016 at the University Hospital of Cologne were reviewed, and patients with positive SLN were identified. Patient and tumor characteristics, patterns of recurrence, progression‐free and melanoma‐specific survival were analyzed. Seventy‐eight patients with multiple positive and 197 patients with one positive SLN were included in this study. Patients with multiple positive SLN had significantly more positive non‐SLN compared with patients with only one positive SLN (26.9% vs 8.6%, P = 0.01). However, in the subgroup of patients with multiple positive SLN, CLND did not significantly improve MSS (mean MSS 95 vs 75 months, P = 0.5) and PFS (mean PFS 59 vs 68 months P = 0.167). CLND did not result in a significant improvement in PFS and MSS in patients with multiple positive SLN.     

Confluent paths: Research and community participation to protect the right to health among transgender women in Peru

ABSTRACT

The recognition of transgender women (TGW) as the most vulnerable population to HIV/AIDS in Peru and their inclusion as a specific key affected population in health research was the outcome of an extended process that culminated when TGW community organisations succeeded in articulating themselves as a population separate from men who have sex with men (MSM) and, in alliance with some academic research groups, documented their HIV prevalence and vulnerability factors. Prior to that process, TGW remained subsumed under the epidemiological category of men who have sex with men (MSM), invisible in the context of public health policies. Based on a growing body of academic research evidence, coupled with the increasing number and capacities of TGW representatives in technical and policy-related gatherings, a consensus emerged for the establishment of TGW health statistics separate from MSM by 2010. During the past decade, social and health research has contributed conclusive evidence on the living conditions of TGW and the structural barriers they face, beyond the focus of HIV/AIDS research. Despite such progress, pervasive barriers in public policies continue to hinder the use of existing research evidence and community experience in the development of sensitive HIV prevention and care strategies as part of a comprehensive health model for TGW in Peru.     

Bronchiectasis Revisited: Imaging-Based Pattern Approach to Diagnosis

Background

Bronchiectasis is one of the causes of non-resolving, persistent or recurrent pulmonary infection which, if uncorrected may have deleterious consequences on the lung parenchyma and pulmonary circulation. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is needed for the confirmation, localization and directing management accordingly.

In Vitro Activity of Fluorescent Dyes against Asexual Blood Stages of Plasmodium falciparum

Many successful antimicrobial drugs originate from synthetic dyes. This paper reports the in vitro activity of 14 fluorescent dyes against Plasmodium falciparum. Five of these dyes (Hoechst 33342, MitoRed, DiOC₆, SYTO 9, and rhodamine B) show activity at a low nanomolar concentration against two P. falciparum strains in the histidine-rich protein 2 drug sensitivity assay, while toxicity in HeLa cells is low. These dyes may be a starting point for developing new drugs against P. falciparum.     

Clinical Depression and Perceptions of Supportive Others: A Generalizability Analysis

Low perceived support is associated withemotional disturbance. Two important determinants ofsocial support judgments are perceptual biases of theperceivers and the Perceiver X Supporter interaction. Recent generalizability studies have found thatthe Perceiver X Supporter interaction is a much strongerinfluence on support judgments than the perceptualbiases of perceivers. However, these recent studies were based on normal samples. The presentresearch investigated whether perceptual biases insupport judgments would be stronger for clinicallydepressed inpatients. Patients and controls viewed fourvideotaped targets and rated targets' supportiveness.Compared to normal controls, depressed inpatients didnot show a negative perceptual bias that generalizedacross support providers. Consistent with normalsamples, however, the Perceiver X Supporter interactionwas more important, as patients and controls differed inwhom they saw as supportive. Controls saw supportershigh on agreeableness as more supportive, but did not rely on extraversion,conscientiousness, or openness in making supportjudgments. The support judgments of depressed patientswere harder to characterize. Implications forinterventions were discussed.