Evaluation of the Suprafascial Thin ALT Flap in Foot and Ankle Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Distal lower extremity reconstruction can be challenging in terms of flap design. Bulky flaps result in limited mobility accompanied with the need of customized footwear. Raising the ALT-flap in a superficial fascial plane (thin ALT-flap) can be beneficial. This study evaluates thin ALT-flaps for lower distal extremity reconstruction. METHODS: In a retrospective study, patients that underwent microvascular extremity reconstruction at the level of the ankle and dorsal foot at the University of Freiburg from 2008-2018 were reviewed. RESULTS: 95 patients could be included in the study (35 perforator flaps, 8 fascia flaps and 54 muscle flaps).Among the perforator flaps, 21 ALT-flaps were elevated conventionally and 14 in the superficial fascial plane (thin ALT-flap). Among the conventional ALT-flaps, there was one flap loss (5%) and one successful revision (5%). 5(24%) flaps received secondary thinning. 57%(n = 12) were able to wear conventional footwear. There were 2(15%) successful revisions of thin ALT-flaps. 100% of thin ALT-flaps survived and 85%(n = 11) of the patients wore ordinary footwear after defect coverage.Among fascial flaps, 50%(n = 4) had to be revised with 2(25%) complete and 1 (13%) partial flap loss. All patients achieved mobility in ordinary shoes (n = 8).In muscle flaps, there were 7(13%) revisions and 5(9%) flap losses. 5(9%) flaps received secondary thinning. Only 33%(n = 18) were mobile in ordinary footwear. CONCLUSION: The thin ALT-flap is a save one-stage evolution for lower distal extremity reconstruction with a favorable flap survival rate. Compared with conventional ALT-flaps it might be beneficial in reducing the need for expensive custom fitted shoes and secondary thinning procedures.

Use of solid phosphorus fractionation data to evaluate phosphorus release from waste activated sludge.

Waste activated sludge (WAS) can become an important source of phosphorus (P). P speciation was examined under anaerobic conditions, with different pH (4, 6 and 8) and temperatures (10, 20 and 35 °C). Aqueous P was measured and an extraction protocol was used to find three solid phosphorus fractions. A pH of 4 and a temperature of 35 °C gave a maximum of 51% of total P solubilized in 22 days with 50% of total P solubilized in 7 days. Batch tests indicate that little pH depression is needed to release non-apatite inorganic P (including microbial polyphosphate), while a pH of 4 rather than 6 will release more apatite inorganic P, and that organic P is relatively more difficult to release from WAS. Fractionation analysis of P in WAS can aid in design of more efficient methods for P recovery from WAS.

Circulating Tumor Cells: Fluid Surrogates of Solid Tumors.

Evaluation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has demonstrated clinical validity as a prognostic tool based on enumeration, but since the introduction of this tool to the clinic in 2004, further clinical utility and widespread adoption have been limited. However, immense efforts have been undertaken to further the understanding of the mechanisms behind the biology and kinetics of these rare cells, and progress continues toward better applicability in the clinic. This review describes recent advances within the field, with a particular focus on understanding the biological significance of CTCs, and summarizes emerging methods for identifying, isolating, and interrogating the cells that may provide technical advantages allowing for the discovery of more specific clinical applications. Included is an atlas of high-definition images of CTCs from various cancer types, including uncommon CTCs captured only by broadly inclusive nonenrichment techniques.

[Association of Deployment and Tobacco Dependence among Soldiers]. / Zusammenhang von Auslandseinsätzen und Tabakabhängigkeit bei Soldaten.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is a highly preventable risk factor. The present study investigates whether military operations abroad, as compared to deployment preparation, increase the risk of starting to smoke, enhance tobacco dependence and moderator variables can be identified on smoking behavior. METHOD: The study was conducted at 2 mechanized infantry battalions with N=264 soldiers. The task force completed a deployment in Afghanistan, the control group performed a deployment training. Assessments of tobacco dependence, posttraumatic symptoms, depression and stress were done before (t1) and after (t3) deployment. In addition, one assessment was done at mid-point (t2) during deployment and during the pre-deployment training, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of smoking soldiers was 56,4%. 51,1% (n=135) of all examined soldiers smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. The results show a significant increase of tobacco dependence in the task force from t1 to t3 (p=0,040) as compared to the control group. For both groups, there was no increase in starting to smoke during the period of investigation (χ²<1; n. s.). Moderator variables on smoking were not found, but there was a significant increase in posttraumatic stress symptoms in the deployed group (p=0,006). CONCLUSIONS: Perhaps the increase in tobacco dependence in the experimental group can be attributed to the specific burdens of deployment. If high smoking rates were to be found also in other branches of the armed services, effective smoking cessation programs should be offered more widely.

The 2016 revision of WHO classification of myeloproliferative neoplasms: Clinical and molecular advances.

Clinical evidence supports the need of changing the diagnostic criteria of the 2008 updated WHO classification for polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). In JAK2-mutated patients who show characteristic bone marrow (BM) morphology, clinical studies demonstrated that a hemoglobin level of 16.5g/dL in men and 16.0g/dl for women or a hematocrit value of 49% in men and 48% in women are the optimal cut off levels for distinguishing JAK2-mutated ET from "masked/prodromal" PV. Therefore BM morphology was upgraded to a major diagnostic criterion. Regarding ET the key issue was to improve standardization of prominent BM features enhancing differentiation between "true" ET and prefibrotic/early primary myelofibrosis (prePMF). These two entities have shown a different epidemiology and clinical outcomes. Concerning prePMF a more explicit clinical characterization of minor criteria is mandated for an improved distinction from ET and overt PMF and accurate diagnosis and outcome prediction.

Clinical impact of bone marrow morphology for the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia: comparison between the BCSH and the WHO criteria.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is currently diagnosed either by the British Committee of Standards in Haematology (BCSH) criteria that are predominantly based on exclusion and not necessarily on bone marrow (BM) morphology, or the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria that require BM examination as essential criterion. We studied the morphological and clinical features in patients diagnosed according either to the BCSH (n=238) or the WHO guidelines (n=232). The BCSH-defined ET cohort was re-evaluated by applying the WHO classification. At presentation, patients of the BCSH group showed significantly higher values of serum lactate dehydrogenase and had palpable splenomegaly more frequently. Following the WHO criteria, the re-evaluation of the BCSH-diagnosed ET cohort displayed a heterogeneous population with 141 (59.2%) ET, 77 (32.4%) prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis (prePMF), 16 (6.7%) polycythemia vera and 4 (1.7%) primary myelofibrosis. Contrasting WHO-confirmed ET, the BCSH cohort revealed a significant worsening of fibrosis-free survival and prognosis. As demonstrated by the clinical data and different outcomes between WHO-diagnosed ET and prePMF, these adverse features were generated by the inadvertent inclusion of prePMF to the BCSH group. Taken together, the diagnosis of ET without a scrutinized examination of BM biopsy specimens will generate a heterogeneous cohort of patients impairing an appropriate clinical management.

[Application possibilities and initial experience with digital volume tomography in hand and wrist imaging]. / Digitale Volumentomografie (DVT) des knöchernen Handskeletts: Erste Erfahrungen und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten.

During the last decade, DVT (digital volume tomography) imaging has become a widely used standard technique in head and neck imaging. Lower radiation exposure compared to conventional computed tomography (MDCT) has been described. Recently, DVT has been developed as an extremity scanner and as such represents a new imaging technique for hand surgery. We here describe the first 24 months experience with this new imaging modality in hand and wrist imaging by presenting representative cases and by describing the technical background. Furthermore, the method's advantages and disadvantages are discussed with reference to the given literature.

Rationale for revision and proposed changes of the WHO diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis.

The 2001/2008 World Health Organization (WHO)-based diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF) were recently revised to accomodate new information on disease-specific mutations and underscore distinguishing morphologic features. In this context, it seems to be reasonable to compare first major diagnostic criteria of the former WHO classifications for myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) and then to focus on details that have been discussed and will be proposed for the upcoming revision of diagnostic guidelines. In PV, a characteristic bone marrow (BM) morphology was added as one of three major diagnostic criteria, which allowed lowering of the hemoglobin/hematocrit threshold for diagnosis, which is another major criterion, to 16.5 g/dl/49% in men and 16 g/dl/48% in women. The presence of a JAK2 mutation remains the third major diagnostic criterion in PV. Subnormal serum erythropoietin level is now the only minor criterion in PV and is used to capture JAK2-unmutated cases. In ET and PMF, mutations that are considered to confirm clonality and specific diagnosis now include CALR, in addition to JAK2 and MPL. Also in the 2015 discussed revision, overtly fibrotic PMF is clearly distinguished from early/prefibrotic PMF and each PMF variant now includes a separate list of diagnostic criteria. The main rationale for these changes was to enhance the distinction between so-called masked PV and JAK2-mutated ET and between ET and prefibrotic early PMF. The proposed changes also underscore the complementary role, as well as limitations of mutation analysis in morphologic diagnosis. On the other hand, discovery of new biological markers may probably be expected in the future to enhance discrimination of the different MPN subtypes in accordance with the histological BM patterns and corresponding clinical features.

[3-Tesla MRI of rare large cystic prostate carcinoma]. / 3-Tesla-MRT von seltenen zystisch imponierenden Prostatakarzinomen.

Magnetic resonance imaging of rare cystic prostate cancers using multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI, 3 Tesla) shows, especially in solid tumor masses, the criteria of ESUR-MR classification with a PI-RADS >3 ("probably malignant"). In association with additional morphological evidence of intracystic hemorrhage and evidence of villous tumor nodules and irregular septa on the cyst wall, further malignancy criteria are met. MRI complementary to TRUS may be useful for targeted biopsy in solid tumor areas.

An overview on CALR and CSF3R mutations and a proposal for revision of WHO diagnostic criteria for myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Disease-specific mutations facilitate diagnostic precision and drug target discovery. In myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), this is best exemplified by the chronic myeloid leukemia-associated BCR-ABL1. No other mutation in MPN has thus far shown a similar degree of diagnostic accuracy or therapeutic relevance. However, JAK2 and KIT mutations are detected in more than 90% of patients with polycythemia vera and systemic mastocytosis, respectively, and are therefore used as highly sensitive clonal markers in these diseases. JAK2 and MPL mutations also occur in essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), but their diagnostic value is limited by suboptimal sensitivity and specificity. The molecular diagnostic gap in JAK2/MPL-unmutated ET/PMF is now partially addressed by the recent discovery of calreticulin (CALR) mutations in the majority of such cases. However, bone marrow morphology remains the central diagnostic platform and is essential for distinguishing ET from prefibrotic PMF and diagnosing patients those do not express JAK2, MPL or CALR (triple-negative). The year 2013 was also marked by the description of CSF3R mutations in the majority of patients with chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL). Herein, we argue for the inclusion of CALR and CSF3R mutations in the World Health Organization classification system for ET/PMF and CNL, respectively.

Rethinking the diagnostic criteria of polycythemia vera.

The aim of this review is to critically address the validity and clinical applicability of three major diagnostic classification systems for polycythemia vera (PV), that is, those proposed by the Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG), the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Special focus is on which one of the three red cell parameters (hemoglobin-HB, hematocrit-HCT and red cell mass-RCM) should be used as the diagnostic hallmark of PV. The revised BCSH employed a persistently raised HCT level as the first diagnostic criterion in combination with the presence of a JAK2V617F mutation. On the other hand, the WHO classification used a raised HB value as a surrogate for increased RCM in association with molecular markers and for the first time, the bone marrow (BM) morphology was included as a minor criterion. Ongoing controversy and discussion regards the use of certain threshold values for HCT and HB as surrogates for RCM as well as the existence of prodromal-latent disease, so-called masked PV (mPV). It has been shown that mPV can be recognized in patients not meeting the required HB or HCT threshold levels by both the WHO and BCSH criteria. These cases present with the same baseline clinical features as overt PV but present worsened survival. A critical reappraisal of the WHO criteria may suggest either to reduce the thresholds for HB or to consider HCT values as major diagnostic criterion, as in the BCSH, in association with JAK2V617F mutation. The clinical utility of using HCT as reference variable is supported also by results of clinical trials which explicitly recommend to use the HCT threshold for monitoring treatment. In questionable cases as in mPV, BM biopsy examinations should be mandated together with mutation analysis.

[Comparison of cross face nerve graft with masseteric nerve as donor nerves for free functional muscle transfers in facial reanimation surgery]. / Vergleichende Untersuchung des Cross Face Nerve Graft und des N. massetericus als Spendernerven für den freien funktionellen Muskeltransfer zur dynamischen Mundwinkelreanimation bei Fazialisparese.

Several surgical techniques have been proposed for the reconstruction of the smile in facial paralysis. The 2-stage approach utilising a cross-facial nerve graft (CFNG) and subsequent free functional muscle transfer represents the "gold standard". A single-stage alternative is the use of the masseteric nerve as donor nerve. Here we have retrospectively analysed the outcome of 8 patients who were treated with either of these procedures (4 per treatment group). We compared the oral commisure excursion between the 2 groups. Use of the masseteric nerve led to reinnervation of the muscle graft within 3 months. The 2-stage procedure required more than 12 months from the first procedure until first muscle contractions could be observed. A spontaneous smile could not be achieved in all patients when the masseteric nerve was used. The oral commisure excursion was symmetrical when compared to the healthy side in both groups, however the excursion was significantly higher in the masseteric nerve group compared to the CFNG group of patients. Most patients with the masseteric nerve as a donor nerve underwent a secondary procedure, which involved thinning of the muscle flap. In conclusion, the use of the masseteric nerve as a donor nerve for facial reanimation surgery is a single-stage alternative to the use of a CFNG as donor nerve. It delivers reliable results with strong muscle contractions with limitations in regard to achieving a spontaneous smile.