Robot-assisted radical cystoprostatectomy in a small child with rhabdomyosarcoma: a case report

We report the first case of a robot-assisted radical cystoprostatectomy in a 22-month-old boy with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in his urinary bladder. Treatment according to international protocol CWS-2002 P (Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studie) was given prior to surgery. The da Vinci S Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was used to laparoscopically remove the urinary bladder and prostate radically. The surgical procedure performed and the postoperative course were uneventful. This technique is safe and feasible also in small children. It seems to have advantages over open surgery and no disadvantages. We recommend this technique for further use.     

Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?

Background  

Working while exposed to motions, physically and psychologically affects a person. Traditionally, motion sickness symptom reduction has implied use of medication, which can lead to detrimental effects on performance. Non-pharmaceutical strategies, in turn, often require cognitive and perceptual attention. Hence, for people working in high demand environments where it is impossible to reallocate focus of attention, other strategies are called upon. The aim of the study was to investigate possible impact of a mitigation strategy on perceived motion sickness and psychophysiological responses, based on an artificial sound horizon compared with a non-positioned sound source.     

DNA as a prognostic marker in advanced high-grade prostatic cancer. A preliminary report. SPCG-I study

This is a presentation of some preliminary data from SPCG-I, a multicenter study started in 1984 by the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group. It is a randomized double-blind study comparing estramustine phosphate and diethylstilbestrol in the primary treatment of 195 patients with T1-4, NX, M1, G2-3 prostatic cancer. The code is not yet broken. This presentation describes the impact of the pretreatment parameters performance status, pain, tumor burden, grade and DNA-ploidy of the prostate tumor, on time to progression and overall survival. DNA studies have so far only been completed in 66 of the 195 patients. For the whole group of 195 patients, pain (p less than 0.004) and tumor grade (p less than 0.02) had the most significant impact on time to progression, and performance status (p less than 0.01) and grade (p less than 0.03) on overall survival. In the small group of 66 patients where the DNA pattern of the primary tumor was evaluated, no parameter had any significant correlation to time to progression and overall survival. This study is still continuing.     

Taxonomical developments in the family Polyomaviridae

The Polyomaviridae Study Group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has recommended several taxonomical revisions, as follows: The family Polyomaviridae, which is currently constituted as a single genus (Polyomavirus), will be comprised of three genera: two containing mammalian viruses and one containing avian viruses. The two mammalian genera will be designated Orthopolyomavirus and Wukipolyomavirus, and the avian genus will be named Avipolyomavirus. These genera will be created by the redistribution of species from the current single genus (Polyomavirus) and by the inclusion of several new species. In addition, the names of several species will be changed to reflect current usage.     

Is health-related quality of life associated with the risk of low-energy wrist fracture: a case-control study

Background  

Some risk factors for low-energy wrist fracture have been identified. However, self-reported measures such as health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have not been examined as potential risk factors for wrist fracture. The aims of this study were to compare HRQOL prior to a low-energy wrist fracture in elderly patients (≥ 50 years) with HRQOL in age- and sex-matched controls, and to explore the association between HRQOL and wrist fracture after adjusting for known risk factors for fracture such as age, weight, osteoporosis and falls.     

Altered postural control during the luteal phase in women with premenstrual symptoms

The purpose of this study was to investigate postural control in women with and without premenstrual symptoms (PMS) in three hormonally verified phases of the menstrual cycle. Thirty-two women were recruited to participate in the study and 25 of these women were included in the results. Menstrual cycle phases were determined by sex hormone analyses in serum and LH detection in urine. A prospective rating of PMS was used to divide the subjects into two groups: one with PMS (cyclic) and one without (non-cyclic). For measurement of postural control, subjects stood on a force platform (AMTI) in two-legged stance (eyes open and closed) and one-legged stance (eyes open and closed). There were no significant differences in the two-legged stance between the phases of the menstrual cycle or between groups. In one-legged stance with eyes open, there was a significant increase in postural displacement in the mid-luteal phase in the cyclic group, but no differences were detected between phases in the non-cyclic group. These findings may be related to the previously reported increased injury rate and psychomotor slowing in the luteal phase in women with PMS.