The corona pandemic and participatory governance: Responding to the vulnerabilities of secondary school students in Europe.

Adolescents in secondary schools have limited susceptibility to the SARS-COV-2 virus, but paradoxically are considered to be carrying the highest psychosocial burden during this pandemic. The aim of our European multi-country qualitative research was to investigate the COVID-19 crisis response in secondary schools and the role of national, regional, and local stakeholders in contributing to a participatory governance approach. We carried out 11 months of qualitative fieldwork, which included 90 respondents from the Netherlands, Ireland, and Finland for in-depth interviews and/or group discussions. Participant observation was conducted in four secondary schools to explore the interplay of day-to-day formal and informal practices of crisis governance. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of what efforts were made to facilitate participatory governance and where a bottom-up approach would have served useful in successfully implementing the COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Moreover, we show how these mitigation strategies have led to unintended consequences, such as students' difficulties with isolation and associated mental health problems, and the struggles of socialization when returning to a physical school environment. Our findings highlight the importance of the school environment in the socio-emotional developments of adolescents. We introduce the TAPIC-R model to analyze good governance, advancing the existing TAPIC model with an emphasis on the role of resilience in shaping participatory governance. We argue this is urgently needed during crises to strengthen engagement of the community, including vulnerable groups and achieve positive outcomes within and across policy structures and action domains.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Delivery of Acute and Post-Acute Care to Patients with Newly Diagnosed Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Aim To investigate the impact of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic on the care of patients with newly acquired traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Ireland Methods A prospective audit of patients with newly acquired TSCI from 1st March to 30th June 2020 was undertaken. Cases were drawn from referrals received through the National Spinal Injuries Unit (NSIU) and neurosciences centres. The standard of care guidelines used were from National Health Service (NHS) England standards, the Irish Integrated Care Pathway and British Association of Spinal cord Injury Specialist (BASCIS) COVID-19 guidelines. Results Nineteen patients sustained a TSCI during the study period. Thirteen patients (68%) were treated in the NSIU, eleven of whom were subsequently repatriated to non-specialist centres. Twelve patients (63%) waited an average of 113.8 ± 33.4 days for admission to specialist in-patient rehabilitation. Nine patients (75%) had developed at least one secondary complication by the time of admission. Conclusion With the exception of waiting time for specialist in-patient rehabilitation, delivery of TSCI care during this period was similar to the care previously recorded. Shortcomings in service provision are long-standing and highlight the need for timely implementation of an integrated trauma network for Ireland.

Acute complicated appendicitis caused by an ingested toothpick - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common presentations to the emergency department, particularly in young adults. A combination of clinical suspicion, inflammatory blood markers and imaging modalities such as ultrasound and CT are used for its definitive diagnosis. Early detection and intervention are paramount to reduce morbidity and mortality. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is the current gold standard in the management of appendicitis, especially if complicated according to EAES guidelines. There are few documented cases in the literature of acute appendicitis secondary to foreign body ingestion. On account of this, there are currently no guidelines for its management. Our literature review highlights the importance of surgical management of foreign body acute appendicitis. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes the rare presentation of acute complicated appendicitis caused by an ingested toothpick in a 64 year old woman. The patient was admitted with a 3 day history of lower abdominal pain, localizing to the right iliac fossa with raised inflammatory markers. CT imaging reported acute complicated appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed during which a toothpick was seen protruding through the appendiceal wall. Post operatively the patient was treated with IV antibiotics for 5 days prior to discharge. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Due to the rare nature of foreign body appendicitis there are no specific guidelines on the respective surgical approach. A literature review showed that in the setting of foreign body appendicitis, surgical intervention is paramount with no scope for conservative management. CONCLUSION: Surgical approach is based on the clinical judgement and skillset of the operating surgeon.

Is radiomic MRI a feasible alternative to OncotypeDX® recurrence score testing? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: OncotypeDX® recurrence score (RS) aids therapeutic decision-making in oestrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Radiomics is an evolving field that aims to examine the relationship between radiological features and the underlying genomic landscape of disease processes. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of current evidence evaluating the comparability of radiomics and RS. METHODS: A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA guidelines. Studies comparing radiomic MRI tumour analyses and RS were identified. Sensitivity, specificity and area under curve (AUC) delineating low risk (RS less than 18) versus intermediate-high risk (equal to or greater than 18) and low-intermediate risk (RS less than 30) and high risk (RS greater than 30) were recorded. Log rate ratios (lnRR) and standard error were determined from AUC and 95 per cent confidence intervals. RESULTS: Nine studies including 1216 patients met inclusion criteria; the mean age at diagnosis was 52.9 years. Mean RS was 16 (range 0-75); 401 patients with RS less than 18, 287 patients with RS 18-30 and 100 patients with RS greater than 30. Radiomic analysis and RS were comparable for differentiating RS less than 18 versus RS 18 or greater (RR 0.93 (95 per cent c.i. 0.85 to 1.01); P = 0.010, heterogeneity (I2)=0%) as well as RS less than 30 versus RS 30 or greater (RR 0.76 (95 per cent c.i. 0.70 to 0.83); P < 0.001, I2=0%). MRI sensitivity and specificity for RS less than 18 versus 18 or greater was 0.89 (95 per cent c.i. 0.85 to 0.93) and 0.72 (95 per cent c.i. 0.66 to 0.78) respectively, and 0.79 (95 per cent c.i. 0.72 to 0.86) and 0.74 (95 per cent c.i. 0.68 to 0.80) for RS less than 30 versus 30 or greater. CONCLUSION: Radiomic tumour analysis is comparable to RS in differentiating patients into clinically relevant subgroups. For patients requiring MRI, radiomics may complement and enhance RS for prognostication and therapeutic decision making in ER+ breast cancer.

Optimal reconstructive strategies in the setting of post-mastectomy radiotherapy - A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A third of breast cancer patients require mastectomy. In some high-risk cases postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is indicated, threatening reconstructive complications. Several PMRT and reconstruction combinations are used. Autologous flap (AF) reconstruction may be immediate (AF→PMRT), delayed-immediate with tissue expander (TE [TE→PMRT→AF]) or delayed (PMRT→AF). Implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) includes immediate TE followed by PMRT and conversion to permanent implant (PI [TE→PMRT→PI]), delayed TE insertion (PMRT→TE→PI), and prosthetic implant conversion prior to PMRT (TE→PI→PMRT). AIM: Perform a network metanalysis (NMA) assessing optimal sequencing of PMRT and reconstructive type. METHODS: A systematic review and NMA was performed according to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. NMA was conducted using R packages netmeta and Shiny. RESULTS: 16 studies from 4182 identified, involving 2322 reconstructions over three decades, met predefined inclusion criteria. Studies demonstrated moderate heterogeneity. Multiple comparisons combining direct and indirect evidence established AF-PMRT as the optimal approach to avoid reconstructive failure, compared with IBBR strategies (versus PMRT→TE→PI; OR [odds ratio] 0.10, CrI [95% credible interval] 0.02 to 0.55; versus TE→PMRT→PI; OR 0.13, CrI 0.02 to 0.75; versus TE→PI→PMRT OR 0.24, CrI 0.05 to 1.05). PMRT→AF best avoided infection, demonstrating significant improvement versus PMRT→TE→PI alone (OR 0.12, CrI 0.02 to 0.88). Subgroup analysis of IBBR found TE→PI→PMRT reduced failure rates (OR 0.35, CrI 0.15-0.81) compared to other IBBR strategies but increased capsular contracture. CONCLUSION: Immediate AF reconstruction is associated with reduced failure in the setting of PMRT. However, optimal reconstructive strategy depends on patient, surgeon and institutional factors. If IBBR is chosen, complication rates decrease if performed prior to PMRT. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD 42020157077.

The impact of progesterone receptor negativity on oncological outcomes in oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oestrogen receptor (ER) status provides invaluable prognostic and therapeutic information in breast cancer (BC). When clinical decision making is driven by ER status, the value of progesterone receptor (PgR) status is less certain. The aim of this study was to describe clinicopathological features of ER-positive (ER+)/PgR-negative (PgR-) BC and to determine the effect of PgR negativity in ER+ disease. METHODS: Consecutive female patients with ER+ BC from a single institution were included. Factors associated with PgR- disease were assessed using binary logistic regression. Oncological outcome was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 2660 patients were included with a mean(s.d.) age of 59.6(13.3) years (range 21-99 years). Median follow-up was 97.2 months (range 3.0-181.2). Some 2208 cases were PgR+ (83.0 per cent) and 452 were PgR- (17.0 per cent). Being postmenopausal (odds ratio (OR) 1.66, 95 per cent c.i. 1.25 to 2.20, P < 0.001), presenting with symptoms (OR 1.71, 95 per cent c.i. 1.30 to 2.25, P < 0.001), ductal subtype (OR 1.51, 95 per cent c.i. 1.17 to 1.97, P = 0.002) and grade 3 tumours (OR 2.20, 95 per cent c.i. 1.68 to 2.87, P < 0.001) were all associated with PgR negativity. In those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (308 patients), pathological complete response rates were 10.1 per cent (25 of 247 patients) in patients with PgR+ disease versus 18.0 per cent in PgR- disease (11 of 61) (P = 0.050). PgR negativity independently predicted worse disease-free (hazard ratio (HR) 1.632, 95 per cent c.i. 1.209 to 2.204, P = 0.001) and overall survival (HR 1.774, 95 per cent c.i. 1.324 to 2.375, P < 0.001), as well as worse overall survival in ER+/HER2- disease (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In ER+ disease, PgR- tumours have more aggressive clinicopathological features and worse oncological outcomes. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapeutic strategies should be tailored according to PgR status.

Clinical utility of the 21-gene assay in predicting response to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: OncotypeDX© Recurrence Score (RS) is a multigene panel used to aid therapeutic decision making in early-stage, estrogen receptor positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer. AIM: To compare responses to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) in patients with ER+/HER2-breast cancer following substratification by RS testing. METHODS: This systematic review was performed in accordance to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating pathological complete response (pCR), partial response (PR), and successful conversion to breast conservation surgery (BCS) rates following NET guided by RS were retrieved. Dichotomous outcomes were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) following estimation by Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: Eight prospective studies involving 691 patients were included. The mean age was 62.6 years (range 25-85) and the mean RS was 14.5 (range 0-68). Patients with RS < 25 (OR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.53-8.37, P < 0.001) and RS < 30 (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.96-5.91, P < 0.001) were more likely to achieve PR than their counterparts. NET prescription failed to increase BCS conversion rates for patients with RS < 18 (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.04-1.47, P = 0.120) and RS > 30 (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 0.64-2.49, P = 0.490) respectively. Only 22 patients achieved pCR (2.8%) and RS group failed to predict pCR following NET (P = 0.850). CONCLUSION: Estimations from this analysis indicate that those with low-intermediate RS on core biopsy are four times more likely to respond to NET than those with high-risk RS. Performing RS testing on diagnostic biopsy may be useful in guiding NET prescription.

Disease recurrence and oncological outcome of patients treated surgically with curative intent for estrogen receptor positive, lymph node negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The molecular era has identified four breast cancer subtypes. Luminal A breast cancer (LABC) is defined by estrogen-receptor positive (ER+), progesterone-receptor positive (PgR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2-) tumours; these cancers are the most common and carry favourable prognoses. AIMS: To describe clinicopathologic features, oncological outcome and relapse patterns in LABC. METHODS: Consecutive female patients diagnosed with ER/PgR+/HER2-, lymph node negative (LN-) breast cancer between 2005 and 2015 were included. Clinicopathological and recurrence data was recorded using descriptive statistics. Oncological outcome was determined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analyses. RESULTS: Analysis was performed for 849 patients with median follow-up of 102.1 months. Mean disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 85.8% and 91.8%. Seventy patients died during this study (8.2%), while 58 patients had recurrence; 7 had local recurrence (0.8%) and 51 had distant recurrence (DDR) (6.0%). Patients developing DDR were likely to be postmenopausal (P = 0.028), present symptomatically (P < 0.001) and have larger tumours (P < 0.001). The mean time to DDR was 65.7 months, with fatal recurrence occurring in 66.6% of patients with DDR (34/51). Systemic chemotherapy prescription did not influence DDR (P = 0.053). Age >65 (hazards ratio (HR):1.66, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.07-2.55, P = 0.022), presenting symptomatically (HR:2.28, 95%CI:1.21-4.29, P = 0.011) and tumour size >20 mm (HR:1.81, 95%CI:1.25-2.62, P = 0.002) predicted DFS, while age>65 (HR:2.60, 95%CI:1.49-4.53, P = 0.001) and being postmenopausal at diagnosis (HR:3.13, 95%CI:1.19-8.22, P = 0.020) predicted OS. CONCLUSION: Our series demonstrated excellent survival outcomes for patients diagnosed with LN- LABC after almost a decade of follow-up. However, following DDR, fatal progression is often imminent.

Value of a 21-gene expression assay on core biopsy to predict neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A recurrence score based on a 21-gene expression assay predicts the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. This systematic review aimed to determine whether the 21-gene expression assay performed on core biopsy at diagnosis predicted pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Relevant databases were searched to identify studies assessing the value of the 21-gene expression assay recurrence score in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. Results are reported as risk ratio (RR) with 95 per cent confidence interval using the Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel method for meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were carried out where appropriate. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 1744 patients reported the correlation between pretreatment recurrence score and pCR. Of these, 777 patients (44.6 per cent) had a high recurrence score and 967 (55.4 per cent) a low-intermediate score. A pCR was achieved in 94 patients (5.4 per cent). The pCR rate was significantly higher in the group with a high recurrence score than in the group with a low-intermediate score (10.9 versus 1.1 per cent; RR 4.47, 95 per cent c.i. 2.76 to 7.21; P < 0.001). A significant risk difference was observed between the two groups (risk difference 0.10, 0.04 to 0.15; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A high recurrence score is associated with higher pCR rates and a low-intermediate recurrence score may indicate chemoresistance. Routine assessment of recurrence score by the 21-gene expression assay on core biopsy might be of value when considering neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Does Mode of Surgical Intervention Based on Oncotype DX Score Influence Disease Recurrence in Early Breast Cancer?

Introduction Routine utilization of multigene assays to inform operative decision-making in early breast cancer (EBC) treatment is yet to be established. In this pilot study, we sought to establish the potential benefits of surgical intervention in EBC based on recurrence risk quantification using the Oncotype DX (ODX) assay. Materials and Methods Consecutive ODX tests performed over a 9-year period from October 2007 to May 2016 were evaluated. Oncotype scores were classified into high (≥31), medium (18-30), or low-risk (0-17) groups. The primary outcome was breast cancer recurrence. Subgroup analysis offered assessment of the recurrence effect of mode of surgical intervention for patient groups as defined by the oncotype score. Results In total 361 patients underwent ODX testing. The mean age and follow-up were 55.25 (± 10.58) years and 38.59 (± 29.1) months, respectively. The majority of patients underwent wide local excision (86.7%) with 8.9 and 4.4% patients having a mastectomy or wide local excision with completion mastectomy, respectively. Fifty-one percent of patients fell into the low risk ODX category with a further 40.2 and 8.5% deemed to be of intermediate and high risk. Five patients (1.38%) had disease recurrence. Comparative analysis of operative groups in each oncotype group revealed no difference in recurrence scores in the low- ( p = 0.84) and high-risk groups ( p = 0.92) with a statistically significant difference identified in the intermediate risk group ( p = 0.002). Conclusion To date we have been unable to definitively identify a role for ODX in guiding surgical approach in EBC. There is, however, a need for larger studies to examine this hypothesis.

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing primary resection and anastomosis versus Hartmann's procedure for the management of acute perforated diverticulitis with generalised peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical strategies for acute perforated diverticulitis with generalised peritonitis remain controversial. This study aimed to meta-analyse trials comparing primary resection and anastomosis (PRA) to Hartmann's procedure (HP) for Hinchey III/IV diverticulitis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify observational studies and randomised control trials (RCTs) of patients with Hinchey III/IV diverticulitis undergoing sigmoidectomy that compared PRA to HP. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed systematically (Newcastle-Ottawa, Jadad and Cochrane risk of bias scores) and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: After removal of duplicates, 12 studies including 4 RCTs were identified. The analysis included 918 patients, of whom 367 (39.98%) underwent PRA. Both the initial stoma rate (risk ratio [RR] persistent stoma 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26, 0.71, p = 0.001; I2 = 99%, p < 0.0001) and the rate of permanent stoma after combining the first (emergency surgery) and second (stoma reversal) procedures were lower in the PRA group. There was no difference in in 30-day mortality; however, PRA resulted in a reduction in overall mortality as well as major complications after the initial operation (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46, 0.97, p = 0.03; I2 = 22%, p = 0.26), stoma reversal (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26, 0.92, p = 0.03; I2 = 0%, p = 0.58) and when combining both procedures (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51, 0.88, p = 0.005; I2 = 0%, heterogeneity p = 0.58). A subgroup analysis of stoma reversal rates using data from only RCTs were consistent (RR permanent stoma, 0.33, 95% CI 0.13, 0.85, p = 0.02; I2 = 77%, p = 0.004) with the findings of the overall analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that PRA used in the management of haemodynamically stable patients with Hinchey grade III/IV diverticulitis leads to a lower overall persistent stoma rate, with reduced morbidity compared with the traditional management.

Five-year follow-up of patients treated with intra-dermal botulinum toxin for axillary hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Axillary hyperhidrosis is a common complaint affecting 5% of the general population. It can significantly impact quality of life (QOL) and may be extremely debilitating. Administration of intra-dermal botulinum toxin type-A (Botox) has been proven to be effective in managing axillary hyperhidrosis; however, to date, no long-term data has assessed its efficacy. AIM: We aim to assess long-term (> 5 years) QOL outcomes in this patient cohort. METHODS: In this single-centre series, all patients attending for axillary botox, with five or more years of follow-up, were prospectively included. QOL was assessed in all patients using the validated assessment tool, the modified Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Standard statistical methods were utilised with data reported as mean (± standard deviation). Subgroup analysis utilising previously published departmental data allowed for further assessment of change in QOL over time. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients (83% female) met the inclusion criteria with 67% completing the DLQI assessment. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 10 years with a mean age of 37.6 years (± 8.82). The mean number of treatments over the study period was 12 (± 3.1). Mean overall post-treatment DLQI score was 1.6 (± 2.01). This represented a significant improvement in patient QOL (p = < 0.0001) associated with long-term botox application. This statistical significance was identified consistently across all components of the DLQI tool. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the established early QOL benefits associated with intra-dermal botox administration for AH are sustained in the long term. This benefit was seen across all subsets of the DLQI tool.

Meta-analysis of the impact of progesterone receptor status on oncological outcomes in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the oestrogen receptor (ER) provides important prognostic information in breast cancer. The impact of progesterone receptor (PgR) status is less clear. Standardization of immunohistochemical analysis of these receptors has reduced interstudy heterogeneity. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of PgR negativity on outcomes in ER-positive (ER+) breast cancer. METHODS: This study was performed according to PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched systematically to identify studies comparing disease-free survival as the primary outcome and overall survival as secondary outcome between PgR-positive (PgR+) and PgR-negative (PgR-) status in ER+ breast cancer. A meta-analysis of time-to-effect measures from included studies was undertaken. RESULTS: Eight studies including 13 667 patients, 11 838 in the ER+PgR+ group and 1829 in the ER+PgR- group, met the inclusion criteria. Treatment characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups. Patients in the ER+PgR- group had a higher risk of disease recurrence than those who had ER+PgR+ disease (hazard ratio (HR) 1·57, 95 per cent c.i. 1·38 to 1·79; P < 0·001). This hazard was increased in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative tumours (HR 1·62, 1·37 to 1·93; P < 0·001). A similar result was observed for overall survival (HR 1·69, 1·33 to 2·14; P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: PgR negativity is associated with significant reductions in disease-free and overall survival in ER+ breast cancer. Treatment and surveillance strategies in these patients should be tailored accordingly.

ANTECEDENTES: La evaluación del receptor de estrógenos (oestrogen receptor, ER) proporciona una importante información pronóstica en el cáncer de mama. El impacto de del estado del receptor de la progesterona (progesterone receptor, PgR) está menos claro. La estandarización del análisis inmunohistoquímico de estos receptores ha reducido la heterogeneidad entre los estudios. El objetivo de este metaanálisis fue evaluar el impacto de la negatividad de PgR (PgR-) en los resultados del cáncer de mama ER positivo (ER+). MÉTODOS: Este estudio se realizó de acuerdo con las directrices PRISMA/MOOSE. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática en MEDLINE, PubMed y biblioteca Cochrane para identificar estudios que comparasen la supervivencia libre de enfermedad (disease free survival, DFS) como resultado primario y la supervivencia global (overall survival, OS) como resultado secundario entre los estados PgR+ y PgR- en el cáncer de mama ER+. Se realizó un metaanálisis de los estudios incluidos de las medidas de tiempo hasta el efecto. RESULTADOS: Ocho estudios que incluían 13.533 pacientes, 11.724 en el grupo ER+PgR+ y 1.809 en el grupo ER+PgR- cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Las características del tratamiento no diferían significativamente entre los dos grupos. Los pacientes en el grupo ER+PgR- presentaron un riesgo más elevado de recidiva de la enfermedad que aquellas que tenían enfermedad ER+PgR+ (DFS, cociente de riesgos instantáneos, hazard ratio, HR 1,57; i.c. del 95% 1,38-1,79; P < 0,001). Este riesgo se incrementó en pacientes que eran HER2 negativo (DFS HR 1,62; i.c. del 95% 1,37-1,93; P < 0,001). Un resultado similar se observó para la OS (HR 1,69; i.c. del 95% 1,33-2,14, P < 0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: La negatividad de PgR se asocia con disminuciones significativas de DFS y OS en el cáncer de mama ER+. En estas pacientes, las estrategias de tratamiento y seguimiento en deberán adecuarse a cada caso particular.

Stereoselective organocatalyzed glycosylations - thiouracil, thioureas and monothiophthalimide act as Brønsted acid catalysts at low loadings.

Thiouracil catalyzes stereoselective glycosylations with galactals in loadings as low as 0.1 mol%. It is proposed that in these glycosylations thiouracil, monothiophthalimide, and the previously reported catalyst, Schreiner's thiourea, do not operate via a double H-bonding mechanism but rather by Brønsted acid/base catalysis. In addition to the synthesis of 2-deoxyglycosides and glycoconjugates, we report the first organocatalytic synthesis of 1,1'-linked trehalose-type sugars.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Case Series

Introduction Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous tumour that is clinically aggressive with a high local, regional, and distant metastatic potential. Cases Three male patients presented to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in 2015 with cutaneous lesions of the thorax, buttock and forearm. Once MCC was confirmed, management included surgical wide local excision (WLE) with regional lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. One patient is in remission. The second has residual locoregional lymph node disease and is undergoing annual CT surveillance. The third had distant metastatic disease and is deceased from an unrelated condition. Discussion This case series highlights the presentation and management of MCC. We also discus relevant guidelines. The management of MCC is complex and there is a need to establish local or national databases to identify and monitor patients with MCC.

Upper limb lymphedema in breast cancer patients in the era of Z0011, sentinel lymph node biopsy and breast conservation.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical techniques in breast cancer (BCa) have seen a dramatic change recently with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The ACOSOG-Z0011 trial reported equivalence in outcomes for certain patients with SLN metastases treated with axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or SLNB alone. Our aim was to investigate changes in lymphedema referral patterns in BCa patients over the last 3 years in a specialist unit and to elucidate effects of SLNB, BCS, and Z0011 trial publication on such patterns. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed over a 3-year period (May 2012-May 2015). Patients were identified using a prospectively maintained lymphedema database and newly referred BCa patients with data availability were included. RESULTS: Overall lymphedema incidence was 11% (19.2% in ALND and 5.1% in SLNB cohort). There was a statistically significant difference in lymphedema referral patterns after Z0011, new referrals reduced by 20% (chi-sq; p = 0.001). Volume of referrals post ALND was reduced by 40% with concomitant 31% rise in those post SLNB alone, reflecting changing surgical patterns. There was a significant change in extent of lymphnode dissection during ALND (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The Z0011 trial in association with wider implementation of SLNB has led to significant changes in the lymphedema referral patterns and extent of ALND.

Higgs physics at the CLIC electron-positron linear collider.

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is an option for a future [Formula: see text] collider operating at centre-of-mass energies up to [Formula: see text], providing sensitivity to a wide range of new physics phenomena and precision physics measurements at the energy frontier. This paper is the first comprehensive presentation of the Higgs physics reach of CLIC operating at three energy stages: [Formula: see text], 1.4 and [Formula: see text]. The initial stage of operation allows the study of Higgs boson production in Higgsstrahlung ([Formula: see text]) and [Formula: see text]-fusion ([Formula: see text]), resulting in precise measurements of the production cross sections, the Higgs total decay width [Formula: see text], and model-independent determinations of the Higgs couplings. Operation at [Formula: see text] provides high-statistics samples of Higgs bosons produced through [Formula: see text]-fusion, enabling tight constraints on the Higgs boson couplings. Studies of the rarer processes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] allow measurements of the top Yukawa coupling and the Higgs boson self-coupling. This paper presents detailed studies of the precision achievable with Higgs measurements at CLIC and describes the interpretation of these measurements in a global fit.