Total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer - laparoscopic versus robotic approach.

INTRODUCTION: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate peroperative and early postoperative results of laparoscopic and robotic surgery for rectal cancer with total mesorectal excision (TME) and with primary anastomosis. METHODS: 404 patients were enrolled in the study, divided in two cohorts and compared retrospectively: a laparoscopic group (n=236) versus a robotic (TME + primary coloanal anastomosis) group (n=168). The evaluated cohorts were comparable in sex, age, BMI, ASA score, distal tumor margin from anal verge and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. More advanced tumor stages were observed in the robotic group (p=0.009). RESULTS: The duration of robotic resection was significantly longer compared to laparoscopic resection (p.

Risk factors of low anterior resection syndrome after miniinvasive restorative rectal resection.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last decades outcomes for rectal cancer surgery have improved with increasing survival and lower recurrence rates. Nevertheless, functional disorders are still frequent. Low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) in patients with rectal cancer has improved oncological outcomes. However, most of them will have significant changes in quality of life, including varying degree of bowel dysfunction. Aim of this study was to analyse prevalence of LARS (low anterior resection syndrome) in patients with rectal cancer after miniinvasive restorative resection and to define its risk factors. METHODS: Between March 2016 and June 2018, patients who underwent elective miniinvasive (laparoscopic or robotic) rectal resection were enrolled. Bowel dysfunction was evaluated by LARS questionnaire and filled out 6, 12, and 24 months after primary operation or after ileostomy closure. 98 patients completed the questionnaires - 58 laparoscopic operations, 34 robotic and 6 open procedures. 69 patients underwent TME, tumor-specific mesorectal excision 21 patients. 8 patients underwent transanal TME. The clinical characteristics, surgical perioperative and postoperative outcomes did not differ between these groups. Only, significantly more patients underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy in the robotic group (p=0.004). RESULTS: 59.8% patients reported major LARS 6 months after surgery and 29.7% after 24 months. Protentional risk factors are age (p.

Fluorescent angiography in colorectal surgery, the influence of augmented reality in the operating room on the anastomotic leakage after low rectal resection.

INTRODUCTION: Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence angiography (FA) is an augmented reality (AR) technique. When used in the operating room, it allows colorectal surgeons to visualize and evaluate intestinal blood flow in real time, identify lymph nodes, ureters, or peritoneal metastases. Evaluation of perfusion with FA in augmented reality mode has an impact on reducing the ALR (anastomotic leakage rate) in rectal resections. METHODS: Data analysis of patients after minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for middle and lower rectal adenocarcinoma with total mesorectal excision (TME) using fluorescent angiography (FA) with indocyanine green (ICG) (100 patients, 20152019) were subsequently compared with a historical control group (100 patients) operated on for the same diagnosis before the introduction of the FA-ICG method (20122015) using minimally invasive approach (MIS). The patients were operated on consequently at one workplace. RESULTS: In fifteen patients (15%), the resection line was shifted due to insufficient perfusion detected by FA-ICG. The incidence of AL was lower in the group with FA compared to the group without FA (9% vs. 19%, p=0.042, χ test). A retrospective analysis of the group revealed a significant risk factor (RF) for the anastomotic leak, namely diabetes (p=0.036) and, among others, a protective factor, application of the transanal drain (NoCoil) (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: The introduction of new procedures and the use of new technologies, such as the use of the FA method in the AR mode in resections of the rectum with TME for cancer can lead to a reduction in the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

Negative pressure therapy with the ULTRAVAC instillation in the therapy of infected laparotomies with fascitis temporary results of a prospective randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: Negative pressure wound therapy is a healing modality utilizing continuous or intermittently applied vacuum to the wound bed. Nowadays is available a vacuum system supported by an automated instillation with volumetric control. It`s main therapeutic benefit is the dilution of the exudate, which reduces the viscosity and secures the «delicate¼ necrectomy. METHOD: Presentation of the temporary results of a prospective randomized study comparing the effectiveness of both therapeutic techniques. Entirely 41 patients were enrolled in the study from November 2016 to September 2018. The primary goal of the project is to compare the length of therapy, the number of surgical debridements and evaluation the financial costs. Secondary targets are observed changes in biological load and bacterial spectrum. RESULTS: The duration of the therapy was 2 days shorter in the experimental group compared to the control sample. However, the average number of applications was higher. Defects with the instillation system were characterized by a shorter cleaning phase (p=0.057). The secondary suture was reached in the experimental group at 84.2% and in the control group at 72.7%. The differences in these parameters were not statistically significant. Fascial disruption was observed in the trial group in 2 patients. The financial costs of the material used was significantly higher in patients with irrigation system (p.

Molecular dynamic heterogeneity in relation to free volume and relaxation dynamics in organic glass-formers: oligomeric cis-1,4-poly(isoprene).

Herein, a combined study of the molecular rotation dynamics and free volume in cis-1,4-poly(isoprene) using two external probing techniques via ESR and PALS together with relaxation dynamics of the host medium via BDS is presented. The spectral evolution of the spin probe TEMPO from simulations over a wide range from 100 K up to 300 K exhibits three different regions of its correlation time consisting of a slow regime at low temperatures followed by the molecular dynamic heterogeneity zone from T = T = 155 K = 0.82 × T up to Tc ≅ 236 K = 1.26 × T and ending with a fast regime at high temperatures with the further characteristic ESR temperatures, T = 186 K ≅ T and T = 260 K. These are in close coincidence with four characteristic PALS temperatures: T = 160 K, T = 190 K, T = 227 K, and T = 263 K. Finally, using BDS, we revealed that the high-frequency features of the structural relaxation of 1,4-PIP 0.8k were related to the observed effects in the ESR and PALS response of the liquid state.

Primary α and secondary ß relaxation dynamics of meta-toluidine in the liquid state investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy.

We report a broadband dielectric spectroscopic (BDS) study on the clustering fragile glass-former meta-toluidine (m-TOL) from 187 K up to 289 K over a wide frequency range of 10-3-109 Hz with focus on the primary α relaxation and the secondary ß relaxation above the glass temperature Tg. The broadband dielectric spectra were fitted by using the Havriliak-Negami (HN) and Cole-Cole (CC) models. The ß process disappearing at Tß,disap = 1.12Tg exhibits non-Arrhenius dependence fitted by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman-Hesse equation with T0ßVFTH in accord with the characteristic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) limiting temperature of the glassy state. The essential feature of the α process consists in the distinct changes of its spectral shape parameter ßHN marked by the characteristic BDS temperatures TB1ßHN and TB2ßHN. The primary α relaxation times were fitted over the entire temperature and frequency range by several current three-parameter up to six-parameter dynamic models. This analysis reveals that the crossover temperatures of the idealized mode coupling theory model (TcMCT), the extended free volume model (T0EFV), and the two-order parameter (TOP) model (Tmc) are close to TB1ßHN, which provides a consistent physical rationalization for the first change of the shape parameter. In addition, the other two characteristic TOP temperatures T0TOP and TA are coinciding with the thermodynamic Kauzmann temperature TK and the second change of the shape parameter at around TB2ßHN, respectively. These can be related to the onset of the liquid-like domains in the glassy state or the disappearance of the solid-like domains in the normal liquid state.

[Docetaxel-Cabazitaxel-Enzalutamide Versus Docetaxel-Enzalutamide in Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer]. / Sekvence docetaxel-kabazitaxel-enzalutamid ve srovnání se sekvencí docetaxel-enzalutamid u pacientu s metastatickým kastracne rezistentním karcinomem prostaty.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy of the sequence docetaxel-cabazitaxel-enzalutamide vs. docetaxel-enzalutamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the cohort of 35 patients, 11 were treated with the sequence docetaxel-cabazitaxel-enzalutamide and 24 were treated with the sequence docetaxel-enzalutamide. The doses were as follows: docetaxel, 75 mg/m2; cabazitaxel, 25 mg/m2; and enzalutamide, 160 mg/day. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the interval between the initial dose of docetaxel and death or the date of the last control for survivors (censored). OS was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the two arms were compared using the log-rank test. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: The median OS of patients treated with the sequence docetaxel-cabazitaxel-enzalutamide was 28.8 months, vs. 24.4 months in patients treated with the sequence docetaxel-enzalutamide. No statistically significance differences in OS were found between the two arms (HR 0.678, 95% CI 0.264-1.744; p = 0.418). Grade 3-4 toxicity was observed for each drug, as follows: docetaxel: fatigue and peripheral neuropathy in six patients, nausea in three patients, and diarrhea and neutropenia in one patient; cabazitaxel: anemia in two patients and neutropenia in one patient; and enzalutamide: anemia in six patients, thrombocytopenia in two patients, and cerebral hemorrhage in one patient. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant differences in OS were found between the sequences docetaxel-cabazitaxel-enzalutamide and docetaxel-enzalutamide.Key words: prostate cancer - metastasis - chemotherapy - targeted hormonal treatment The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 13. 2. 2017Accepted: 20. 3. 2017.

[Options of Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer]. / Moznosti chemoterapie v lécbe karcinomu prostaty.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Chemotherapy has an important role in the management of prostate cancer, especially for the treatment of castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). According to recently published studies, chemotherapy can also be used to treat advanced hormone sensitive disease. AIM: The aim of this report is to review the currently available options for chemotherapy of prostate cancer. RESULTS: Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent used for standard treatment of mCRPC as 1st line therapy. In TAX 327 and SWOG 9916 studies reported in 2004, docetaxel, the first cytostatic agent indicated for this disease, prolonged overall survival. As a 2nd line mCRPC treatment, kabazitaxel resulted in longer overall survival than mitoxantrone, according to the results of the TROPIC study. Targeted hormone treatment, radium-223 irradiation, and immunotherapy are other treatment options for patients with mCRPC. Currently, the main focus is to develop an optimal sequence of treatments. Standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard option for patients with advanced hormone sensitive prostate cancer. According to recently published studies (CHAARTED, STAMPEDE), docetaxel with ADT increases overall survival in this group of patients. In the Czech Republic, this option is still off-label. Chemotherapy is not indicated in patients with early prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy.Key words: prostate cancer - metastasis - chemotherapy - docetaxel - cabazitaxelThe authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 9. 5. 2016Accepted: 6. 6. 2016.

The prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in patients with anal carcinoma.

The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in patients treated with radiotherapy or concomitant chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell anal cancer (SCAC)Patients and methods: A total of 17 patients with SCAC (clinical stages I-III) were studies. All patients were treated with radiotherapy (total dose range 40 - 68 Gy), 13 patients received concomitant chemotherapy (7 patients mitomycin/5-fluorouracil, 5 patients cisplatine/5-fluorouracil, 1 patient cisplatine weekly). EGFR expression in the pretreatment biopsieswas assessed with imunohistochemistry.Patients with EGFR expression had significantly shorter progression free survival (PFS) (p=0.0109; HR 9.38, 95% CI 1.75 - 50.35) and overall survival (OS) (p=0.0351; HR 7.11, 95% CI 1.4 - 36.13) than patients without expression EGFR. The 4-year PFS in patients with increased EGFR expression was only 28.57% (95% CI 17.07 - 62.04%) compared to 87.5% (95% CI 64.58 - 100%) in patients without EGFR expression. The 4-year OS in patients with increased EGFR expression was only 50.0% (95% CI 15.35 - 84.65%) compared to 87.5% (95% CI 64.58 - 100.0%) in patients without EGFR expression.Patients with expression EGFR had significantly shorter PFS and OS compared with patients without EGFR expression.

[Enzalutamide and Abiraterone in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer after Chemotherapy]. / Enzalutamid a abirateron v lécbe metastatického kastracne refrakterního karcinomu prostaty po predchozí chemoterapii.

AIM: Enzalutamide and abiraterone represent new therapeutical options in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The aim of the presented study was retrospective analysis of clinical experience and efficacy of enzalutamide or abiraterone in the postchemo indication in patients with mCRPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 32 mCRPC patients were evaluated. All patients received one or more lines of chemotherapy. Twenty-three patients were treated by enzalutamide, nine patients were treated by abiraterone. We defined two parameters: over all survival and progression-free survival. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 6.5 months. A total of 10 patients treated by enzalutamide progressed (43.47%) and eight patients died (34.78%). A total of five patients treated by abiraterone progressed (55.56%) and one patient died (11.11%). We did not observe any statistical difference in over all survival (HR 0.2362, 95% CI 0.0295- 1.8942; p = 0.102) and in progression-free survival (HR 0.9853, 95% CI 0.2934- 3.308; p = 0.939) between enzalutamide and abirateron. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective study demonstrated similar efficacy of enzalutamide and abiraterone in mCRPC patients previously treated by chemotherapy.

[Fluorescence angiography in the detection of anastomotic perfusion during rectal and sigmoid resection - preliminary report]. / Fluorescencní angiografie v detekci kvality perfuze anastomózy u resekce sigmoidea a rekta - zhodnocení prubezných výsledku.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of fluorescence angiography for assessing anastomotic perfusion after resection of the sigmoid colon and rectum since its introduction into clinical practice at the authors´ workplace and to evaluate the incidence of necessary resection line repositioning based on the quality of perfusion, and also to record any complications in anastomotic healing. METHOD: Retrospective unicentric analysis of prospectively collected data from patients with resection of the sigmoid colon and rectum with primary anastomosis. The patient set included 50 patients, 27 males and 23 females; the median age was 64.5 years (33-80). Forty-four patients were indicated for resection for cancer of the sigmoid colon or rectum, while 6 patients had a benign disease. Twenty-nine patients underwent total mesorectal excision with coloanal mechanical or hand-sewn anastomosis and 21 underwent resection of the sigmoid colon or upper rectum with mechanical anastomosis. Prior to the construction of the anastomosis, assessment of perfusion of the anastomotic segments by near infrared (NIR) indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography was performed in all patients. The quality of perfusion of the mesocolon and bowel wall and its impact on moving the resection line and complications of anastomotic healing 30 days postoperatively were all evaluated. RESULTS: Assessment of perfusion using fluorescence angiography was technically successfully performed in all 50 patients. In 5 cases (10%) the resection line had to be moved for signs of poor perfusion of the bowel wall. Postoperatively, healing of the anastomosis was complicated in four patients (8%). Dehiscence was recorded in 3 patients (10.3%) with total mesorectal excision and in 1 patient (4.8%) after resection of the sigmoid colon and upper rectum. CONCLUSION: The presented results indicate that fluorescence angiography may lead to a decrease in the incidence of anastomotic dehiscence after colorectal resections by mapping in detail the perfusion of the anastomosed segments.Key words: fluorescence angiography - indocyanine green - anastomotic leak - colorectal resection.

[The Possibility of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition in Anal Cancer]. / Moznosti inhibice receptoru pro epidermální rustový faktor u karcinomu anu.

Anal cancer is a relatively rare tumour. In local and locally advanced disease, concomitant chemoradiation based on mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil, remains golden standard of treatment. However, this treatment is associated with significant morbidity. With the developing of molecular biology, new treatment strategies can be investigated. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in anal cancer is observed in 55-100% of cases. Some studies demonstrated that KRAS mutations, mechanism marker of resistance to antiEGFR therapy, are rare in anal cancer. This paper presents current view on the possibilities of antiEGFR therapy in locally advanced and metastatic anal cancer.

Mapping nonrecombining regions in barley using multicolor FISH.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a widely used method to localize DNA sequences on chromosomes. Out of the many uses, FISH facilitates construction of physical maps by ordering contigs of large-insert DNA clones, typically bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and establishing their orientation. This is important in genomic regions with low recombination frequency where genetic maps suffer from poor resolution. While BAC clones can be mapped directly by FISH in plants with small genomes, excess of repetitive DNA hampers this application in species with large genomes. Mapping single-copy sequences such as complementary DNA (cDNA) is an attractive alternative. Unfortunately, localization of single-copy sequences shorter than 10 kb remains a challenging task in plants. Here, we present a highly efficient FISH technique that enables unambiguous localization of single copy genes. We demonstrated its utility by mapping 13 out of 15 full-length cDNAs of variable length (2,127-3,400 bp), which were genetically defined to centromeric and pericentromeric regions of barley chromosome 7H. We showed that a region of 1.2 cM (0.7 %) on genetic map represented more than 40 % of the physical length of the chromosome. Surprisingly, all cDNA probes occasionally revealed hybridization signals on other chromosomes, indicating the presence of partially homologous sequences. We confirmed the order of 10 cDNA clones and suggested a different position for three cDNAs as compared to published genetic order. These results underline the need for alternative approaches such as FISH, which can resolve the order of markers in genomic regions where genetic mapping fails.

[The combination of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in the treatment of rectal adenocarcinoma]. / Neoadjuvantní chemoradioterapie karcinomu rekta v kombinaci s inhibitory receptoru pro rustový epidermální faktor.

Rectal adenocarcinoma, in contrast to colorectal carcinoma, is typical of its high local reccurence rate. Radiotherapy is proved to reduce the incidence of recurrences. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy demonstrated better treatment results than adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Standard cytotoxic agents involved in combination therapy are 5- flurouracil or capecitabin. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is supposed to play an important role in cell- cycle regulation, proliferation, differentiation, and surviving of normal epithelial tissues. EGFR overexpression in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma is associated with radioresistance of malignant tissues, lower rates of patological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and generally poor survival. There are many clinical studies describing combination of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with EGFR inhibitors, however, this regimen has not gained an acceptance as a standard of treatmentment.

[Influence of preoperative chemoradiotherapy on changes of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in patients treated by preoperative chemoradiotherapy for local advanced rectal carcinoma]. / Vliv predoperacní chemoradioterapie na zmenu exprese receptoru pro epidermální rustový faktor u pacientu lécených predoperacní chemoradioterapií pro lokálne pokrocilý karcinom rekta.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the prognostic impact of expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) changes during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and three patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma of stage II and III were evaluated. All patients were administered the total dose of 44 --  50.4 Gy. Concomitantly, the patients received capecitabine in the dose 825 mg/ m² in two daily oral administrations or 5- fluorouracil in the dose 200 mg/ m² in continuous infusion. Surgery was indicated at intervals of 4-8 weeks from chemoradiotherapy completion. EGFR expression in the pretreatment biopsies and in resected specimens was assessed with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All of 103 patients received radiotherapy without interruption up to the total planned dose. Downstaging was described in 64 patients. Six patients had complete pathologic remission. Recurrence occurred in 49 patients. Local recurrence was found in 22 patients, generalization of disease was reported in 27 patients. A total of 51 patients died. Increased EGFR expression was found in 26 patients. The statistically significantly shorter overall survival (p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (p < 0.001) was found in patients with increased expression of EGFR compared with patients where no increase in the expression of EGFR was observed during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The overexpression of EGFR during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma is associated with significant shorter overall survival and disease-free survival.

[Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair with modified Sugarbaker technique in patients after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum - initial experience]. / Laparoskopická modifikovaná Sugarbakerova plastika parastomální hernie u pacientu po abdominoperineální amputaci rekta - pilotní zkusenosti.

INTRODUCTION: Parastomal hernia is a common stoma complication. Surgical treatment is necessary in approximately 10 to 20% of cases. Mesh hernia repair gives significantly better results. The authors present their initial experience with laparoscopic repair of parastomal hernia using the modified Sugarbaker technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from January 2011 to December 2013, 15 patients with a symptomatic parastomal hernia underwent laparoscopic repair with modified Sugarbaker technique. All patients had a parastomal hernia at the site of terminal colostomy after abdominoperineal resection. 14 patients underwent primary hernia repair, 1 patient was operated on for recurrence of parastomal hernia after open hernia repair. Parietex Parastomal mesh was used for hernia repair in all cases. RESULTS: Laparoscopic repair was performed successfully in all patients. The mean operating time was 45 minutes (range: 2080 minutes). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range: 26 days). No serious postoperative complication was recorded. In the postoperative period, a recurrent symptomatic hernia was found in 1 of 15 patients (6.7%) with reintervention 17 months after primary surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic hernia repair of parastomal hernia with modified Sugarbaker technique seems to be a safe method with a very low risk of postoperative complications, including hernia recurrence. .

[Colon cancer - evaluation of complications and risks of planned resections]. / Karcinom tlustého streva - zhodnocení komplikací a rizik plánovaných resekcních výkonu

INTRODUCTION: Resection procedures for colorectal cancer are burdened with a relatively high number of complications. The aim of this study is to define risk factors associated with the development of postoperative complications based on retrospective data analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1 st 2007 to December 31st 2012, 1093 patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer. Retrospectively, we selected a group of 406 patients who underwent planned, elective colon resection for colon cancer. Open surgery was performed in 158 patients (38.9%), laparoscopic resection in 248 patients (61.1%). Based on initial staging of the disease, there were 85 patients (20.9%) in stage I, 137 patients (33.8%) in stage II, 110 patients (27.1%) in stage III and 74 patients (18.2%) in stage IV. Postoperative complications were evaluated according to Clavien - Dindo classification. RESULTS: Grade I complications were observed in 34 patients (8.4%), grade II in 25 patients (6.2%), grade III in 43 patients (10.6%), grade IV in 7 patients (1.7%) and grade V in 8 patients (2.0%). The highest incidence of complications was observed in left colon resection procedures (41.1%), open resections (39.8%), procedures lasting longer than 301 minutes (50%), patients older than 81 years (41.6%) and in procedures performed by the youngest, less experienced surgeon (40.6%). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that the type and approach of surgical procedure, patients age and surgeons experience are risk factors associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications. High-risk surgical patients should be operated on by experienced surgeon who regularly performs a high number of resection procedures.

The link between carotid artery stenosis and outcomes in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Mortality of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains high. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has revolutionized OHCA treatment, but our understanding of the ECPR responder's clinical profile is incomplete. Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is a well-established cardiovascular disease risk factor. The impact of CAS on OHCA outcomes remains unelucidated. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether CAS burden affects the outcomes of OHCA patients treated with ECPR. METHODS: This study included patients with OHCA admitted for ECPR consideration, who had carotid ultrasonography performed. A numeric scale was applied to the plaque to create a CAS burden numeric scale. The primary outcome of the study was survival at discharge, compared among the different degrees of CAS. Neurologically intact survival and surrogate markers of neurologic injury were the secondary study endpoints. To assess the independent effect of CAS burden on survival to hospital discharge, we conducted a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Between 2019 and 2023, carotid ultrasonography was performed on 163 patients who were admitted for refractory OHCA. CAS burden was equally distributed between the right and left carotid arteries. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the CAS burden was significantly associated with both overall and neurologically intact survival at discharge (p = 0.004). A linear relationship between the CAS burden and neuron-specific and S-100 levels was identified. Patients with normal carotids were significantly less likely to have encephalopathy on electroencephalograms. CONCLUSION: CAS burden independently predicts the risk for worse survival and neurologic outcomes in patients suffering refractory OHCA who are treated with ECPR.

Enzalutamide and abiraterone in the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated previously with chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of treatment outcomes and toxicity in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated by enzalutamide or abiraterone after previous docetaxel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 66 patients with mCRPC treated by enzalutamide (55 patients) or abiraterone (11 patients) after previous therapy with docetaxel. The median follow-up was 31.2 months. Enzalutamide and abiraterone were administered in daily doses of 160 mg and 1,000 mg per day, respectively. The progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The prognostic influence of the factors on OS was evaluated by regression analysis. RESULTS: The progression was observed in 55 (83%) patients, and mPFS was 12.1 (95% CI 7.7-16.4) months. In total, 43 patients died, and he median OS was 21.9 (95% CI 12.2-31.7) months. In the regression analysis, we observed statistical favorable influence of the following factors on OS: PSA decrease ≥ 50%, in patients with early decrease of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) ≥ 50% in 3 months after initiation of enzalutamide or abiraterone treatment, in patients with visceral metastatic sites, in patients treated with only one regimen of previous chemotherapy and in those without anemia. We observed the toxicity grades 3-4 in 45.5% and 36.3% patients treated with enzalutamide and abiraterone, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrated efficacy and good tolerance in patients with mCRPC treated with enzalutamide and abiraterone after previous docetaxel therapy.

Positron annihilation response and broadband dielectric spectroscopy: salol.

A phenomenological analysis of the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) annihilation from positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and the dynamics from broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) are reported on a small molecular glass former of intermediate H-bonding and fragility: salol. The dielectric spectra extend over a very broad frequency range of about 2 × 10(-2)-3.5 × 10(11) Hz, providing information on the α-relaxation, the secondary relaxation giving rise to the excess wing, and the shallow high-frequency minimum in the micro- to milli-meter wave range. A number of empirical correlations between the o-Ps lifetime, τ(3)(T), and the various spectral and relaxation features have been observed. Thus, the phenomenological evaluation of the τ(3)(T) dependence of the PALS response of the amorphous sample reveals three characteristic PALS temperatures: T(g)(PALS), T(b1)(L) = 1.15T(g)(PALS) and T(b2)(L) = 1.25T(g)(PALS), which are discussed in relation to similar findings for some typical small molecular vdW- and H-bonded glass formers. A slighter change of the slope at T(b1)(L) appears to be related to the transition from excess wing to the primary α-process-dominated behavior, with the secondary process dominating in the deeply supercooled liquid state below T(b1)(L). The high-temperature plateau effect in the τ (3)(T) plot occurs at T(b2)(L) and agrees with the characteristic Stickel temperature, T(B)(ST), marking a qualitative change of the primary α process, but it does not follow the relation T(b2)(L) < T(α) [τ(3)(T(b2)) < τ(α)]. Both effects at T(b1)(L) and T(b2)(L) correlate with two crossovers in the spectral shape and related non-exponentiality parameter of the structural relaxation, ß (KWW). Finally, the application of the two-order parameter (TOP) model to the structural relaxation as represented by the primary α relaxation times from BDS leads to the characteristic TOP temperature, T(m)(c), close to T(b1) from PALS. Within this model the phenomenological interpretation is offered based on changes in the probability of occurrence of solid-like and liquid-like domains to explain the dynamic as well as PALS responses. In summary, all the empirical correlations support further very close connections between the PALS response and the dielectric relaxation behavior in small molecule glass formers.