Physical activity recommendations for cancer survivors living with bony metastases: views of oncologic healthcare providers.

PURPOSE: The potential of physical activity to improve function and quality of life of an individual with advanced cancer is now established. The purpose of this survey of oncologic healthcare providers (OHPs) is to understand their attitude towards physical activity for individuals living with bony metastases and to assess requirements to confidently provide physical activity recommendations. METHODS: A web-based survey administered through Qualtrics™ included questions on participant demographics and attitude questions ranked on a Likert scale. Eligibility was a physician or nurse practitioner currently providing care in the cancer care system of a public healthcare system in Canada. 338 participants were identified and invited to participate in this survey. RESULTS: The response rate was 34.6%. The majority of OHPs believed physical activity is important (89%) and safe (82%) in individuals living with bony metastases. OHPs agreed that these individuals looked to them for physical activity recommendations (74%) and that these recommendations would be followed (58%). Yet, 86% of OHPs felt they required more information before they could recommend physical activity to individuals living with bony metastases, and less than half (43%) of OHPs felt confident enough to prescribe physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: OHPs agree that physical activity for individuals living with bony metastatic cancer is beneficial and safe. However, OHPs are not confident in their ability to recommend physical activity to this population. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: There is a need to create physical activity guidelines for individuals living with bony metastases and improve access to rehabilitation services.

How do we improve adolescent diet and physical activity in India and sub-Saharan Africa? Findings from the Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition (TALENT) consortium.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescent diet, physical activity and nutritional status are generally known to be sub-optimal. This is an introduction to a special issue of papers devoted to exploring factors affecting diet and physical activity in adolescents, including food insecure and vulnerable groups. SETTING: Eight settings including urban, peri-urban and rural across sites from five different low- and middle-income countries. DESIGN: Focus groups with adolescents and caregivers carried out by trained researchers. RESULTS: Our results show that adolescents, even in poor settings, know about healthy diet and lifestyles. They want to have energy, feel happy, look good and live longer, but their desire for autonomy, a need to 'belong' in their peer group, plus vulnerability to marketing exploiting their aspirations, leads them to make unhealthy choices. They describe significant gender, culture and context-specific barriers. For example, urban adolescents had easy access to energy dense, unhealthy foods bought outside the home, whereas junk foods were only beginning to permeate rural sites. Among adolescents in Indian sites, pressure to excel in exams meant that academic studies were squeezing out physical activity time. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to improve adolescents' diets and physical activity levels must therefore address structural and environmental issues and influences in their homes and schools, since it is clear that their food and activity choices are the product of an interacting complex of factors. In the next phase of work, the Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition consortium will employ groups of adolescents, caregivers and local stakeholders in each site to develop interventions to improve adolescent nutritional status.

Antibody-mediated protection against MERS-CoV in the murine model.

Murine antisera with neutralising activity for the coronavirus causative of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were induced by immunisation of Balb/c mice with the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike protein. The murine antisera induced were fully-neutralising in vitro for two separate clinical strains of the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To test the neutralising capacity of these antisera in vivo, susceptibility to MERS-CoV was induced in naive recipient Balb/c mice by the administration of an adenovirus vector expressing the human DPP4 receptor (Ad5-hDPP4) for MERS-CoV, prior to the passive transfer of the RBD-specific murine antisera to the transduced mice. Subsequent challenge of the recipient transduced mice by the intra-nasal route with a clinical isolate of the MERS-CoV resulted in a significantly reduced viral load in their lungs, compared with transduced mice receiving a negative control antibody. The murine antisera used were derived from mice which had been primed sub-cutaneously with a recombinant fusion of RBD with a human IgG Fc tag (RBD-Fc), adsorbed to calcium phosphate microcrystals and then boosted by the oral route with the same fusion protein in reverse micelles. The data gained indicate that this dual-route vaccination with novel formulations of the RBD-Fc, induced systemic and mucosal anti-viral immunity with demonstrated in vitro and in vivo neutralisation capacity for clinical strains of MERS-CoV.

Do anterior catheterizable urinary channels have fewer complications than posterior channels? An international cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Appendicovesicostomy (APV) and Monti ileovesicostomy (Monti) are durable catheterizable channels. While subfascial revision rates vary by channel type, a channel implanted in the anterior (vs posterior) aspect of the bladder may have a lower subfascial revision risk, due to decreased channel mobility and better fascial fixation. The present study aimed to compare long-term durability of anteriorly compared to posteriorly implanted APV and Monti channels in a large international cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients aged ≤21 years and who underwent APV or Monti surgery with an open technique at three high-volume centers (1990-2015). The following were noted: patient demographics, stomal and subfascial revisions, stomal location, channel placement (anterior/posterior), and channel type - APV, spiral Monti to umbilicus (SMU), other Monti channels. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to separately examine the three channel groups. RESULTS: Of the 675 patients who met inclusion criteria, 387 had an APV (71.3% anterior), 53 had an SMU (13.2% anterior) and 235 had other Monti channels (42.1% anterior). Median age at surgery was 8.8 years for APV (median follow-up: 5.5 years), 9.2 years for other Monti (follow-up: 6.6 years) and 7.9 years for SMU (follow-up: 9.0 years). Patients originated from the USA (67.9%), Argentina (26.4%) and Chile (5.8%). Overall, 76 stomal and 77 subfascial revisions occurred. Risk of stomal revision was 9.3-12.0% at 5 years of follow-up, and was similar between channel types or location (P = 0.57). Risk of subfascial revision at 5 years was 7.4% for APV, 12.7% for all other Monti channels and 25.9% for SMU (P = 0.001). On survival analysis, stomal and subfascial revision rates were similar between anterior and posterior channels for APV (P ≥ 0.16), other Monti channels (P ≥ 0.62) and SMU (P ≥ 0.43) (Summary Fig.). On multivariate regression, channel configuration was not associated with stomal or subfascial revision for APV (P ≥ 0.18) or other Monti channels (P ≥ 0.64). Sex, age, diagnosis, country and stomal location were not associated with revision risk (P ≥ 0.06). DISCUSSION: Contrary to the hypothesis, subfascial revision rates were no different between anterior and posterior channels. Given that many reported outcomes related to genitourinary reconstruction occur rarely and require prolonged follow-up, collaborative research in this area should be encouraged. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated durable long-term results with the APV and Monti techniques in an international cohort. Risks of stomal and subfascial complications were not significantly different between anteriorly and posteriorly implanted channels. As previously reported, Monti channels, particularly SMU, were more prone to undergoing subfascial revisions.

Fee-for-service cancer rehabilitation programs improve health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Rigorously applied exercise interventions undertaken in a research setting result in improved health-related quality of life (hrqol) in cancer survivors, but research to demonstrate effective translation of that research to practice is needed. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of fee-for-service cancer rehabilitation programs in the community on hrqol and on self-reported physical activity and its correlates. METHODS: After enrolment and 17 ± 4 weeks later, new clients (n = 48) to two fee-for-service cancer rehabilitation programs completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (rand-36: rand Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, U.S.A.), the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, and questions about physical activity correlates. Normal fee-for-service operations were maintained, including a fitness assessment and individualized exercise programs supervised in a group or one-on-one setting, with no minimum attendance required. Fees were associated with the assessment and with each exercise session. RESULTS: Of the 48 participants, 36 (75%) completed both questionnaires. Improvements in the physical functioning, role physical, pain, and energy/fatigue scales on the rand-36 exceeded minimally important differences and were of a magnitude similar to improvements reported in structured, rigorously applied, and free research interventions. Self-reported levels of vigorous-intensity (p = 0.021), but not moderate-intensity (p = 0.831) physical activity increased. The number of perceived barriers to exercise (p = 0.035) and the prevalence of fatigue as a barrier (p = 0.003) decreased. Exercise self-efficacy improved only in participants who attended 11 or more sessions (p = 0.002). Exercise enjoyment did not change (p = 0.629). CONCLUSIONS: Enrolment in fee-for-service cancer rehabilitation programs results in meaningful improvements in hrqol comparable to those reported by research interventions, among other benefits. The fee-for-service model could be an effective model for delivery of exercise to more cancer survivors.

Heminefrectomía en pacientes con doble sistema renal. Experiencia en el Hospital Garrahan / Heminephrectomy in patients with a duplex kidney. Experience at the Garrahan Hospital

La heminefrectomía puede constituir el tratamiento definitivo en el 85% de los pacientes con diagnóstico de doble sistema con uno de los mismos no funcionante. Actualmente el abordaje laparoscópico es de elección tanto por sus resultados estéticos como evolución postoperatoria. Materiales y métodos: se efectuó una revisión y análisis retrospectivo de todos los pacientes operados de heminefrectomía desde el año 2000 a 2014. Resultados: 44 pacientes fueron operados de forma convencional durante el período 2000-2010 y 30 de forma laparoscópica transperitoneal durante el período 2010-2014. La media de duración del procedimiento fue menor para el grupo convencional (89,6 vs 128 min, p = 0,000) mientras que la media de estadía hospitalaria fue menor para el grupo laparoscópico (4,2 vs 5,1, p = 0,19). La tasa de reoperación fue mayor en el grupo convencional (20,4% vs 6,7%, p = 0,18) y la principal causa fue por la presencia un muñón ureteral sintomático. En los controles por centellograma DMSA (en 19 pacientes del segundo grupo) no se objetivó la pérdida de función de la unidad remanente en ningún individuo. Conclusiones: La heminefrectomía es un procedimiento seguro con baja tasa de complicaciones cuya tendencia actual es realizar la cirugía de forma laparoscópica obteniendo resultados similares y menor tasa de complicaciones que en la forma convencional (AU)

Heminephrectomy may be the definitive treatment in 85% of patients diagnosed with a duplex kidney system of which one is not working. Currently, a laparoscopic approach is the treatment of choice because of both esthetic results and postoperative outcome. Material and methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent heminephrectomy between 2000 and 2014 was conducted. Results: 44 patients underwent conventional surgery in the period 2000-2010 and 30 underwent transperitoneal laparoscopy in the period 2010-2014. Mean duration of the procedure was less in the conventional group (89.6 vs 128 min, p = 0.000), while the mean hospital stay was less in the laparoscopic group (4.2 vs 5.1, p = 0.19). Reoperation rate was higher in the conventional group (20.4% vs 6.7%, p = 0.18) and the main cause was presence of a symptomatic ureteral stump. On DMSA whole body scan controls (in 19 patients in the second group) no loss of function of the remaining unit was observed in any of the patients. Conclusions: Heminephrectomy is a safe procedure with a low complication rate and a current trend to be performed using laparoscopy with similar results and a lower complication rate than in conventional surgery (AU)

Rol de onabotulinumtoxin A en el tratamiento de niños con vejiga neurogénica / The rol of Onabotulinumtoxin A in the treatment of children with a neurogenic bladder

Introducción: Onabotulinumtoxina es una alternativa terapéutica de segunda línea en pacientes sin respuesta a los anticolinérgicos. Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de repetidas inyecciones de onabotulinumtoxina en vejigas neurogénicas refractarias al tratamiento clásico. Pacientes y métodos: Se evaluaron 82 pacientes menores de 18 años con vejiga neurogénica, en su mayoría por disrafia espinal. Todos fueron refractarios a oxibutinina oral. Si luego del tercer mes de la primer inyección en el detrusor se constataba mejoría clínica y/o urodinámica; se reinyectaban entre los 9 y 12 meses, nuevamente. De lo contrario, se indicaba cistoplastia de aumento. En algunos casos se utilizaron otros procedimientos endoscópicos - quirúrgicos accesorios. Resultados: Se reinyectaron con Onabotulinumtoxina, dos, tres, cuatro y cinco veces: 20 casos, 7, 4 y un caso, respectivamente. En el 51% promedio se logró continencia urinaria total (score cero-seco). En la primera y segunda inyección hubo incremento significativo en la media de capacidad cistométrica: de 254 a 331 ml (p: 0.007) y de 257 a 367 ml (p: 0.014); respectivamente. En algunos casos, luego de la primer inyección mejoró significativamente la compliance: de 6,9 a 11,4 ml/cmH2O (p: 0.05). La media de presión del detrusor al final del llenado disminuyó en promedio de 37 a 34,4 cmH2O. La sobreactividad del detrusor (n:22) se atenuó en el 54,4% luego de la primer inyección. No se registraron efectos adversos mayores con las reinyecciones. En 15 pacientes refractarios a OnabotulinumtoxinA se realizó ampliación vesical. Conclusión: Luego del tratamiento con onabotulinumtoxina, la continencia urinaria alcanzada fue del 50% promedio. La capacidad cistometrica se incrementó significativamente con las dos primeras inyecciones; aunque no se acompañó paralelamente de un importante descenso de presiones endovesicales. El uso de onabotulinumtoxina ha logrado suprimir o retrasar la clásica indicación de cistoplastia de aumento en niños refractarios a los anticolinérgicos (AU)

Introduction: OnabotulinumtoxinA is a second-line alternative therapy for patients who do not respond to anticholinergics. Aim: To evaluate the impact of repeated injections of OnabotulinumtoxinA in neurogenic bladders refractory to conventional treatment. Patients and methods: 82 patients younger than 18 years with a neurogenic bladder, in the majority due to spinal dysraphism, were evaluated. All were refractory to oral oxybutynin. If in the third month after the first injection in the detrusor clinical and/or urodynamic improvement was observed, between 9 and 12 months later a second injection was given. If not, augmentation cystoplasty was indicated. In some cases other endoscopic/surgical procedures were used. Results: Twenty, seven, four, and one case were reinjected with OnabotulinumtoxinA, two, three, four, and five times, respectively. In a mean of 51% of the patients total urinary continence was achieved (score zero - completely dry). On the first and second injection a significant increase of the maximum cystometric capacity was observed: from 254 to 331 ml (p: 0.007) and from 257 to 367 ml (p: 0.014), respectively. In some cases, after the first injection compliance improved significantly: from 6.9 to 11.4 ml/cmH2O (p: 0.05). Mean end filling detrusor pressure diminished from 37 to 34.4 cmH2O. Detrusor overactivity (n: 22) attenuated in 54.4% after the first injection. No major adverse effects were recorded after the reinjections. In 15 patients that were refractory to OnabotulinumtoxinA augmentation cystoplasty was performed. Conclusion: After OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment, 50% urinary continence was achieved. Cystometric capacity increased significantly after the first two injections; however, it was not associated with an important decrease of intravesical pressure. The use of OnabotulinumtoxinA may avoid or delay the classical indication of augmentation cystoplasty in anticholinergicrefractory children (AU)

Sobrevida de pacientes e injerto en niños con trasplante renal: experiencia del Hospital Garrahan en dos períodos / Patient and graft survival in children with a kidney transplant: The experience at Garrahan Hospital over two periods

En adultos y niños con trasplante renal (TxR) la sobrevida de paciente e injerto ha mejorado. En Argentina no existen datos de sobrevida en niños con TxR en diferentes décadas. El objeto de este trabajo fue valorar en niños con TxR sobrevida de paciente e injerto y analizar causas de muerte, perdida de injerto y factores de riesgo de pérdida. Dado que desde el año 2001 se unificaron prácticas de diagnóstico y tratamiento, se compararon dos periodos: 1988-2000 y 2001-2015. Se incluyeron 773 niños. A 1, 3, 5, 7 y 10 años, En TxR de DV (n=327), la sobrevida del paciente fue de 99%, 99%, 98%, 95%, 95% vs 100% y 96%, 96%, 96% y 96% (p=0.74); la del injerto de 97%, 91%, 85%, 78% y 67% vs 95%, 88%, 85%, 81% y 76% (p=0.81). En TxR de DC (n=446) la sobrevida de paciente fue de 97%, 93%, 90%, 89% y 87% en el 1er. periodo vs. 100%, 99% y 98% 98% y 98% en el 2do (p<0.001); la del injerto de 83%, 75%, 68%, 64% y 52% vs. 95%, 87%, 83%, 76% y 61% respectivamente (p<0. 001). El Rechazo Crónico fue la 1er causa de perdida (61% vs 62%); la 2da la muerte del paciente con injerto funcionante. La sepsis bacteriana fue la 1era causa de muerte (56% vs 67%). Ningún niño falleció por neoplasia entre el 2001 y 2015. En DV, fueron predictores de perdida de injerto: DGF (HR: 4.8; p<0.001), edad al TxR > 12 años (HR: 2.7; p=0.002) y RA tardío (HR: 2.1; p=0.009). En DC la necesidad de diálisis en la 1er semana post TxR (DGF): (HR: 4.4; p<0.001), el rechazo agudo (RA) tardío (HR: 3.7; p<0.001), GSFS como causa de IRC (HR: 2.5; p=0.01), y RA temprano (HR: 2.2; p=0.02). Conclusión: En el 2do periodo la sobrevida de paciente e injerto los TxR con DC mejoro, y en los TxR con DV no tuvo cambios. El rechazo crónico continúa siendo la 1era causa de perdida. Ningún paciente tuvo neoplasia (AU)

Patient and graft survival in kidney transplantation (KTx) has improved. In Argentina there are no data comparing transplant outcomes in children over different eras. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and graft survival in children with KTx and to analyze cause of death, graft loss, and risk factors of graft loss. As diagnostic and treatment practices were unified in 2001, two periods were compared: 1988-2000 and 2001-2015. Overall, 773 children were included. Survival at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years after a living-related donor (LRD) KTx was 99%, 99%, 98%, 95%, 95% vs 100% y 96%, 96%, 96% and 96% (p=0.74); graft survival was 97%, 91%, 85%, 78% y 67% vs 95%, 88%, 85%, 81%, and 76% (p=0.81). Patient survival after deceased donor (DD) KTx (n=446) was 97%, 93%, 90%, 89%, and 87% in the 1st period vs. 100%, 99% y 98% 98%, and 98% in the 2nd (p<0.001); graft survival was 83%, 75%, 68%, 64%, and 52% vs. 95%, 87%, 83%, 76%, and 61%, respectively (p<0. 001). Chronic rejection was the first cause of graft loss (61% vs 62%); the second was death of the patient with a functioning graft. Bacterial sepsis was the first cause of death (56% vs 67%). None of the patients died because of malignancies between 2001 and 2015. Among LRD transplants predicting factors of graft loss were: DGF (HR: 4.8; p<0.001), age at KTx >12 years (HR: 2.7; p=0.002), and late acute rejection (AR) (HR: 2.1; p=0.009). Among DD need for dialysis in the first week post-KTx (DGF): (HR: 4.4; p<0.001), late AR (HR: 3.7; p<0.001), FSGS-related CFR (HR: 2.5; p=0.01), and early AR (HR: 2.2; p=0.02). Conclusion: In the second period patient and graft survival after DD improved, while that of KTx with LRD remained unchanged. Chronic rejection continues being the first cause of graft loss. None of the patients developed malignancies.

Stent vs. tutor ureteral en el trasplante renal pediátrico / Ureteral stent vs. reimplantation in pediatric kidney transplantation

Antecedentes y Objetivos: La práctica de la colocación de stent en la anastomosis ureteral en trasplante es controvertido. Los beneficios del stent incluyen: descompresión continua del uréter con menor tensión anastomótica y alineamiento ureteral que protege de la obstrucción. Las desventajas: infección urinaria, obstrucción a largo plazo de la unión ureterovesical, hematuria por erosión mucosa y el retiro del mismo bajo sedación por vía endoscópica. Es nuestro objetivo investigar la incidencia de complicaciones con la utilización de stent ureteral vs. tutor ureteral en el trasplante renal pediátrico. Material y Métodos: Valoración retrospectiva de pacientes trasplantados renales en nuestra institución con técnica de Lich-Gregoir en el implante ureteral en el período febrero 2008 a marzo 2014. Dos grupos de pacientes para investigar complicaciones: aquellos con tutor ureteral por período de 5 dias vs. los pacientes en los que se utilizó catéter doble jota (stent) por período de 30 días. Se identificaron los pacientes con uropatía y nefropatía como causa de insuficiencia renal crónica terminal (IRCT) y se asociaron a las complicaciones que fueron divididas en no infecciosas (urológicas) y en infecciosas (infección urinaria). Resultados: Se evaluaron 183 pacientes. En el grupo con tutor ureteral (n=68) se presentaron complicaciones urológicas en 8 pacientes (11.76%), 2 urópatas y 6 nefrópatas y las complicaciones infecciosas se observaron en 15 pacientes (22.06%). En el grupo stent (n=115) se presentaron complicaciones urológicas en 3 casos (2,61%), 2 urópatas y un nefrópata y las complicaciones infecciosas se observaron en 43 pacientes (37.39%). Conclusiones: La asociación de la técnica de Lich Gregoir con stent mejora la morbilidad evitando complicaciones no infecciosas, pero aumenta la incidencia de complicaciones infecciosas independiente del origen de la causa de la IRCT (AU)

Background and aims: Stent placement in ureteral anastomosis is controversial. Benefits of the stent include: continuous decompression of the ureter with less anastomotic tension and ureteral alignment with better protection from ureteral narrowing. Disadvantages: urinary infection, long-term stricture of the vesicoureteral junction, hematuria due to mucosal erosion and its endoscopic removal under sedation. Our aim was to assess the incidence of complications of the use of a ureteral stent vs. ureteral splint in pediatric kidney transplantation. Material and methods: Retrospective assessment of kidney transplant patients in whom the Lich-Gregoir technique was used for ureteral implantation between February 2008 and March 2014. Two groups of patients were selected to assess complications: Patients with a ureteral splint for 5 days vs. patients in whom a double J catheter (stent) was used for 30 days. Patients with uropathy and nephropathy due to end-stage chronic renal failure (ESRD) were identified and associated complications were divided into non-infectious (urological) and infectious (urinary infection) complications. Results: 183 patients were evaluated. In the ureteral splint group (n=68), urological complications were observed in 8 patients (11.76%), 2 uropathic and 6 nephropathic, and infectious complications were observed in 15 patients (22.06%). In the stent group (n=115), urological complications were observed in 3 cases (2.61%), 2 uropathic and 1 nephropathic, and infectious complications were seen in 43 patients (37.39%). Conclusions: The association of the Lich Gregoir technique with stent placement improves morbidity avoiding non-infectious complications, but increases the incidence of infectious complications regardless of the cause of ESRD (AU)

Increased expression of the large GTPase dynamin 2 potentiates metastatic migration and invasion of pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal tumors invade local parenchyma and metastasize to distant organs. Src-mediated tyrosine kinase signaling pathways promote pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastasis, though the molecular mechanisms supporting this invasive process are poorly understood and represent important and novel therapeutic targets. The large GTPase Dynamin 2 (Dyn2), a Src-kinase substrate, regulates membrane-cytoskeletal dynamics although it is yet to be defined if it contributes to tumor cell migration and invasion. Therefore, the goal of this study was to test if Dyn2 is upregulated in human pancreatic tumors and to define its role in cell migration and metastatic invasion using in vitro assays and nude mouse models. Histological analysis showed that 81% of 85 patients had elevated Dyn2 in PDAC. To test if Dyn2 overexpression alters metastatic properties of human pancreatic tumor cells, stable clones of BxPC-3 cells overexpressing either wild-type Dyn2 or a phosphorylation-deficient mutant Dyn2Y(231/597)F known to attenuate Dyn2 function, were generated and analyzed. Importantly, tumor cells overexpressing Dyn2 protruded lamellipodia at twice the rate, migrated faster (180%) and farther (2.5-fold greater distance) on glass and through transwell chambers (2-3-fold more cells through the filter) compared with cells expressing Dyn2Y(231/597)F or vector alone. Further, depletion of Dyn2 and dynamin inhibitors Myristyl trimethyl ammonium bromides and Dynasore significantly reduced cell migration, wound healing and invasion in transwell assays compared with controls. To test the metastatic potential conferred by increased Dyn2 expression, the BxPC-3 cell lines were implanted orthotopically into the pancreas of nude mice. Cells expressing Dyn2-green fluorescent protein exhibited a threefold increase in large distal tumors compared with cells expressing Dyn2Y(231/597)F or vector alone. Finally, histological analysis revealed that Dyn2 is upregulated in 60% of human metastatic pancreatic tumors. These findings are the first to implicate dynamin in any neoplastic condition and to directly demonstrate a role for this mechanoenzyme in invasive cell migration.

Augmentation cystoplasty in children without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess early postoperative complications in augmentation cystoplasty without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation (MBP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 1987 and May 2006, 162 cystoplasties were performed in 158 children. The segments used were: sigmoid colon (81.5%), ileum (13%), and ileocecum (5.5%). The mean age was 8.65 years (range 2.1-22.7 years). No preoperative MBP of any kind was used in any of the patients and all of them received antibiotics preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications related to the procedure were reported. The mean hospital stay was 9.48 days (range 4-30 days). The mean time to intake of oral fluids was 94.77 h (range 48-288 h). Postoperative complications occurred in 9.87%: urinary fistula was the most common (2.4%); only 3 patients presented wound infection (1.85%); 5 patients required reoperative surgery (hemoperitoneum, patch necrosis and 3 cases of urinary peritonitis); 1 patient presented an intra-abdominal abscess that resolved with antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MBP can be omitted in children that require augmentation cystoplasty without an increased risk of infectious or anastomotic complications. Further prospective, randomized clinical trials should be carried out in order to validate our findings in the pediatric population.

Renal autotransplantation for the treatment of renovascular hypertension in the pediatric population.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of renal autotransplantation (RA) for the treatment of renovascular hypertension (RVH) in a selected group of children in whom medical care, a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or vascular reconstruction failed or was technically impossible, in addition to the short-term and long-term morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case review of 13 pediatric patients with severe or complicated RVH who underwent RA between May 1993 and August 2008 was conducted. We defined blood pressure (BP) response as follows: Cured: normal BP values with no need of antihypertensive medication (AM); Improved: normal BP values with AM requirements; Failed: abnormal BP values despite treatment with AM. RESULTS: 16 RA were performed in 7 female and 6 male patients. Bilateral RA were performed in 2 females and in 1 male. The average age at consultation for hypertension was 8.5 years (range 4-12 years) and the time of transplantation was 9.12 years (range 6-13 years). Etiological diagnoses were: Takayasu disease (n = 5); renal artery fibrodysplasia (n = 3); mid-aortic syndrome (n = 3) and neurofibromatosis type I (n = 2). Results after RA were: Cured: 61.5%; Improved: 38.5%. No patient presented therapeutic failure during follow up time (median = 53.4 months). Only 1 case presented a postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: RA is a procedure with no mortality and low morbidity rates that renders very satisfactory therapeutic results in the pediatric population.

[Botulinic toxin type A in the treatment of children with neurogenic bladder]. / Toxina botulínica-A en el tratamiento de niños con vejiga neurogénica.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION. Botulinum toxin A (BoNTA) is an alternative in children with neurogenic bladder refractory to anticholinergics. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the initial effects of BoNTA in neurogenic bladders. PATIENTS AND METHODS 12 patients (9 myelomeningoceles, 1 tethered cord, 1 medullary astrocytoma, 1 Ewing's sarcoma) were studied. The pretreatment evaluation included: voiding diary, incontinence score, renovesical ultrasound, cystourethrography and urodynamic parameters. Patients received 300 UI of BoNTA via detrusor injections. They were re-evaluated at months 1, 3 and 6. After the third control, if improvement was confirmed, patients were injected again. Otherwise, surgery was indicated. RESULTS: After the initial injection, 50% of patients achieved complete continence and 20% remained with minimal leaks. The mean maximum bladder capacity increased from 264 +/- 117 ml to 324 +/- 170 ml (P = 0.322). The mean detrusor pressure decreased from 46 +/- 17 cm H2O to 42 +/- 14 cm H2O (P=0.596). The mean bladder compliance increased from 7.6 +/- 5.9 ml/cm H2O to 10.4 +/- 6.4 ml/cm H2O (P = 0.290). The reflex voiding contractions disappeared in 2 patients; 8 presented trabeculae. Ten patients were reinjected and two underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: 70% urinary continence was achieved after the initial injection. No significant urodynamic changes were observed. A longer follow-up with subsequent injections is needed.

Evaluación del transplante renal en pacientes con tracto urinario anormal / Evaluation of kidney trnasplantation in patients with urinary tract abnormalities

Objetivo: Determinar si los procedimientos quirúrgicos del tracto urinario inferior, previos y complementarios al trasplante renal en pacientes que llegaron a la insuficiencia renal por causa urológica, afectan la evolución del mismo en cuanto a complicaciones y sobrevida del injerto. Material y método: Entre diciembre de 1988 y noviembre de 2007 se realizaron 156 trasplantes renales en 150 pacientes de 11 años edad promedio (94 varones y 56 niñas) con insuficiencia renal crónica terminal (IRCT) de causa urológia. El promedio de seguimiento fue 67 meses. Los pacientes se clasificaron en tres grupos: grupo A (n:66): Los que no requirieron procedimientos quirúrgicos en tracto urinario bajo; grupo B (n:46): Los que necesitaron de procedimientos quírúrgicos en tracto urinario bajo y conservaron adecuada función vesical y grupo C (n:38): Los que necesitaron procedimientos quirúrgicos en vía urinaria baja por inadecuada función vesical. Resultados: la sobrevida del implante, al año, fue del 93.38 por ciento para el grupo A; 95,45 por ciento para el B y 93 por ciento para el C. A los cindo años del trasplante renal las sobrevidas respectivas para los mismos grupos fueron: 82.45 por ciento, 79.85 por ciento y 85.58 por ciento (p: 0.9 no significativo). Complicaciones: Estenosis ureterovesicales: 2 en el grupo A (3.0 por ciento), 3 en el grupo B (6,3 por ciento) y 1 en el grupo C (2,5 por ciento). Reflujo vesicoureteral: 1 paciente del grupo A (1,5 por ciento); 1 del grupo B (2 por ciento) y en 10 del grupo C (25 por ciento). La necrosis del uréter distal ocurrió en dos casos en el grupo A (3.0 por ciento), en dos del grupo B (4.2 por ciento y en uno del grupo C (2,5 por ciento). Infección tracto urinario bajo (ITUB): 9 por ciento, 7,5 por ciento y 27,8 por ciento en el grupo A, B y C respectivamene. Infección tracto urinario alto (ITUA): 12 por ciento, 25 por ciento y 42,5 por ciento en los grupo A, B y C, respectivamente.

Cerebral MRI as a valuable diagnostic tool in Zellweger spectrum patients.

Patients with defects in the biogenesis of peroxisomes include those with Zellweger syndrome spectrum (ZSS), a developmental and progressive metabolic disease with a distinct dysmorphic phenotype and varying severity. The diagnosis of ZSS relies on the clinical presentation and the biochemical evaluation of peroxisomal metabolites. Mutation detection in one out of twelve genes coding for proteins involved in the biogenesis of peroxisomes confirms the diagnosis. In the absence of pronounced clinical features of ZSS, neuroradiological findings may lead the way to the diagnosis. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) pathology in ZSS consists of abnormal gyration pattern including polymicrogyria and pachygyria, leukencephalopathy, germinolytic cysts and heterotopias as reported by previous systematic studies including cMRI of a total of 34 ZSS patients, only five of whom had a severe phenotype. The present study evaluated the cMRI results of additional 18 patients, 6 with a severe and 12 with a milder ZSS phenotype. It confirms and extends knowledge of the characteristic cMRI pattern in ZSS patients. Besides an abnormal gyration pattern and delayed myelination or leukencephalopathy, brain atrophy was a common finding. Polymicrogyria and pachygyria were more common in patients with severe ZSS, while leukencephalopathy increases with age in patients with longer survival. Nevertheless, an abnormal gyration pattern might be more frequent in patients with a mild ZSS than deduced from previous studies. In addition, we discuss the differential diagnosis of the ZSS cMRI pattern and review investigations on the pathogenesis of the ZSS cerebral phenotype in mouse models of the disease.

Treatment of large femoral bone defects--15-year experiences with the cementless Bicontact revision stem with distal interlocking.

AIM: With the steady growth in the number of hip arthroplasty revision operations, the concept and long-term results of the Bicontact revision stem with distal interlocking for the treatment of extensive femoral bone defects were investigated in this prospective study. METHOD: The first 156 stem revision operations performed between January 1992 and December 2002 were evaluated. The indication for operation was aseptic loosening in 133, stem fracture in 14, recurrent dislocation in 2 and reimplantation following Girdlestone removal of a septic prosthesis in 7. The cup component was revised at the same time in 74 cases. RESULTS: Higher-grade femoral bone defects were found intraoperatively in 66 %. The average age of the patients was 71.4 (34 - 88) years at operation and 76.9 (44 - 94) years at the last follow-up. The average period until follow-up, re-revision or loss to follow-up was 5.54 (0.1 - 14.9) years. The clinical and radiological follow-up rate (with reference to the total number of patients) was 35 % (55 von 156), and 51 % (55 of 107) with reference to patients still living. The median Harris Hip Score was 63.7 points. In the observation period, 12 stems were exchanged for a cemented standard stem, 5 stems were removed because of infection and 2 stems were revised because of periprosthetic fracture. The calculated survival rate for the stems after 14.9 years was 85.9 %. CONCLUSION: The 15-year results confirm the biomechanical concept of the Bicontact revision stem with optional distal interlocking for the treatment of extensive bone defects in stem revision surgery.

Revision surgery in high grade acetabular defects with thermodisinfected allografts.

AIM: Due to new medical knowledge and legal restrictions, it is increasingly difficult to run a traditional allogenic bone bank so that alternative bone substitutes and methods of processing are being sought worldwide. METHOD: In a prospective clinical study, the biological efficacy of thermodisinfected and then cryopreserved allogenic bank bone was investigated in 19 acetabular revisions in 18 patients. Simultaneously a newly developed titanium reconstruction ring was used. Any revision was regarded as an end point and the follow-up with radiological and clinical results were recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8.1 (7.9 - 9.8) years. The patients were 73.5 years old (46 - 91) at the time of the revision surgery. One case had a septic course necessitating revision surgery. The other cases showed increasing homogeneity compared to the opposite side and gradual adaptation to the radiological structures found there beforehand. Screw breakage was observed in 3 cases but no implant failure, migration tendency or change in the position of the reconstruction ring or PE-cup. CONCLUSION: Despite the low case numbers and different baseline situations, it can be concluded that thermodisinfected cancellous bone chips enable similarly good acetabular reconstruction as the routinely tried and tested cryoconserved, non-processed bone bank allograft, which is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain because of altered guidelines and legislation. The newly developed reconstruction ring has proven itself because of the improved range of sizes and the possibility of adjustment to the anatomical circumstances together with its outstanding material characteristics in clinical use.

Prospective long-term follow-up of the cementless bicontact hip stem with plasmapore coating.

AIM: A prospective long-term study of the first 250 cementless Bicontact stems implanted in the BG Trauma Centre, Tuebingen, Germany. METHOD: All of the patients in this series (treatment period June 1987 to April 1990) who were still contactable were invited for clinical and radiological follow-up. The radiographs were analysed for signs of loosening in the form of Gruen lysis zones, stress shielding, subsidence behaviour, heterotopic ossification and spot welds. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 17.8 (16.7 - 19.5) years. The overall rate of follow-up was 65 % (162 of 250) and 91 % of patients who were still alive (162 of 179). The average patient age was 56.2 years at the time of operation and 74.0 years at follow-up. The average HHS was 81.6 points. In the course of the first 10 years (up to 03/1998), a total of 8 stem revisions had to be performed. In the period from 03/1998 to 01/2007, 2 cases of loosening requiring revision occurred in the patients still alive at the time of follow-up. The survival rate calculated was thus 95.6 %. CONCLUSION: These outstanding results provide enduring support for the philosophy of the cementless and bone-preserving fixation principles underlying the Bicontact hip stem with proximal intertrochanteric transmission of forces and high primary rotational stability.

[Good long term results with a cemented straight femoral shaft prosthesis made of titanium]. / Gute langfristige Nachuntersuchungsergebnisse einer zementierten Titan-Geradschaftprothese.

A higher-than-average rate of aseptic loosening has been postulated to be associated with the combination of a titanium stem and bone cement. In this prospective follow-up study we therefore investigated our first consecutive series of 250 implantations of a cemented femoral shaft prosthesis made of titanium alloy (BiCONTACT((R)), Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany). Average time of follow-up evaluation was 9.7 years (range 8.7-10.3 years). At follow-up, mean patient age was 81 years; 89 patients with 93 hips have deceased and two could not be located. Follow-up rate was 98.7% for the patients still alive at time of follow-up evaluation. Five patients have been revised, two for infection and one for aseptic loosening of a varus-malaligned stem; two radiologically well-fixed stems had been revised during acetabular revision. Survival estimate showed a calculated cumulative survival rate of 97.5% after 11 years [confidence limits: 99.0% (upper) and 94.1% (lower)]. The average Harris hip score at time of follow-up was 82.25 points.Radiologically, signs of loosening could be detected in 3 stems: in one case varus malalignement deteriorated with time and in 2 cases osteolyses developed together with significant polyethylene wear. All 3 patients experienced only mild pain and revision had not been indicated so far. In conclusion, the long-term follow-up results with this cemented titanium femoral component are encouraging and are comparable to other successful cemented femoral components in primary total hip arthroplasty. No increased risk for aseptical loosening was associated to the combination of titanium and cement in this specific stem. Design parameters seem to play an important role in the development of aseptic loosening in cemented titanium stems.