A Novel Nomogram to Identify Candidates for Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection Among Patients with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Diagnosed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging-targeted and Systematic Biopsies

Background

Available models for predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) might not be applicable to men diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsies.

Epitope load identifies kidney transplant recipients at risk of allosensitization following minimization of immunosuppression

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Ernährung bei Diabetes

According to the current nutritional recommendations issued by professional diabetes and nutrition associations, diabetic patients should keep to a diet consisting of 45–60% carbohydrates, 10–20% protein, and not more than 35% fat. However, not all of these nutritional recommendations are evidence based. For example, current studies show that the intake of insoluble roughage may be underrepresented. It is also possible that diabetic patients could benefit from keeping to the lower end of the recommended range for carbohydrates (45%) and the upper end of the range advised for protein (20%).     

Nitrate administration increases blood flow in dysfunctional but viable myocardium, leading to improved assessment of myocardial viability: A PET study.

SPECT with 99mTc-labeled agents is better able to detect viability after nitrate administration. Nitrates induce vasodilation and may increase blood flow to severely hypoperfused but viable myocardium, thereby enhancing tracer delivery and improving the detection of viability. Quantitative data on the changes in blood flow are lacking in SPECT but can be provided by PET. The aim of the present study was to use PET to evaluate whether nitrate administration increases blood flow to chronically dysfunctional but viable myocardium. METHODS: 13N-Ammonia PET was used to quantitatively assess blood flow, and 18F-FDG PET was used as the gold standard to detect viable myocardium. Twenty-five patients with chronic ischemic left ventricular dysfunction underwent 13N-ammonia PET at rest and after nitrate administration. RESULTS: A significant increase in nitrate-enhanced blood flow was observed in viable segments (from 0.55 +/- 0.15 to 0.68 +/- 0.24 mL/min/g, P < 0.05). No statistically significant change in blood flow was observed in nonviable segments (0.60 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.55 +/- 0.18 mL/min/g). A ratio of at least 1.1 for nitrate-enhanced flow to resting flow allowed optimal detection of viable myocardium, yielding a sensitivity of 82% with a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSION: 13N-Ammonia PET showed a significant increase in nitrate-enhanced blood flow in viable myocardium, whereas blood flow remained unchanged after nitrate administration in nonviable myocardium. Nitrate use during myocardial perfusion imaging will lead to improved assessment of myocardial viability.     

Operative Behandlung von Rektumkarzinomen im Vergleich

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer shows morbidity and oncological safety comparable to the open approach, but morbidity increases after conversion to open resection. No oncological long-term results are available for the latter patients. METHODS: From 01/01/2000-31/12/2002, patients with curatively resected rectal cancer enrolled in a observational study were evaluated for morbidity, mortality, tumor- and local recurrence rate, paying attention to patients with conversion from laparoscopic to open resection. RESULTS: 237 (3.3%) of 7,189 patients underwent laparoscopic resection (ITT). These patients showed significantly more T1/2 tumors (P<0.001) in earlier UICC stages (P<0.001) than open resected patients. 35 (14.8%) of 237 laparoscopic procedures were converted. Compared with patients receiving complete laparoscopic or open resection, these patients showed significantly higher frequencies of intraoperative (P<0.001) and general postoperative complications (P=0.003) as well as the highest overall morbidity (P=0.031). After a median follow-up of 30.1 months, the highest 5-year local recurrence rate was found in the converted group (16.0%). The laparoscopically resected patients showed a local recurrence rate of 3.3%, patients with open resection of 12.4% (P=0.082). The disease-free survival rate did not differ between the groups (P=0.585). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer provides oncological results similar to open resection. After conversion, the short and oncological long-term outcomes were worse. Considering a conversion rate of 15%, only a strict indication for the laparoscopic approach can be allowed, and laparoscopic resection should be performed at centers.     

Is there a diurnal pattern in the clinical symptoms of HELLP syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a diurnal pattern in the clinical symptoms of HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets) syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed in 134 pregnancies complicated by HELLP syndrome. The medical records were reviewed to describe each HELLP episode. Time of day was divided into three periods, day, evening, and night. The following parameters were categorized according to the time of day: onset of symptoms, consultation by the doctor, initial blood sampling, diagnosis and decrease of symptoms. Biochemical parameters at clinical presentation and consecutive changes within 24 h were recorded. RESULTS: In 65 pregnancies 77 HELLP episodes were well documented. Times of onset of symptoms and consultation by the doctor were significantly higher during the evening and night (p < 0.001), whereas times of diagnosis and decrease of symptoms occurred significantly more during the day (p < 0.001). In only 49.3% of the cases were diagnostic laboratory criteria met at clinical presentation. This was mainly due to platelet values in excess of 100 x 10(9)/l. Several hours later (median 8 h, range 2-23) the decrease in platelets occurred. CONCLUSIONS: A diurnal pattern exists in the clinical symptoms of HELLP syndrome that is characterized by an exacerbation during the night and recovery during the day. There is a considerable delay between the onset of symptoms and the fulfillment of diagnostic laboratory criteria.     

Coronary Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA) is a technique in clinical evolution. Current clinical applications include assessment for coronary anomalies, aneurysms, bypass graft patency, and, in experienced centers, the exclusion of proximal and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). As local expertise increases and more extensive multicenter data become available, additional applications will be established. CMRA promises to supplement and in some cases obviate the need for X-ray contrast angiography, and to expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of CAD. Zusammenfassung Die Magnetresonanzangiographie der Koronargefäße (CMRA) ist eine sich ständig weiterentwickelnde Technik. Etablierte Anwendungen sind zurzeit die Beurteilung von koronaren Anomalien, Aneurysmen und der Durchgängigkeit von Bypasses. Auch der Ausschluss proximaler Koronarstenosen und einer koronaren Mehrgefäßerkrankung ist in einigen spezialisierten Zentren möglich. Mit zunehmender Erfahrung der jeweiligen Anwender und der Verfügbarkeit von Ergebnissen großer multizentrischer Studien können zukünftig weitere klinische Anwendungen etabliert werden. In der Zukunft könnte die CMRA ergänzende Informationen zur Indikationsstellung einer konventionellen Röntgenangiographie bringen und in einigen Fällen diese Untersuchung sogar ersetzen. Die CMRA wird unseren Einblick in die Pathophysiologie der koronaren Herzerkrankung sicher erweitern.