International Scientific Collaboration Is Needed to Bridge Science to Society: USERN2020 Consensus Statement.

Scientific collaboration has been a critical aspect of the development of all fields of science, particularly clinical medicine. It is well understood that myriads of benefits can be yielded by interdisciplinary and international collaboration. For instance, our rapidly growing knowledge on COVID-19 and vaccine development could not be attained without expanded collaborative activities. However, achieving fruitful results requires mastering specific tactics in collaborative efforts. These activities can enhance our knowledge, which ultimately benefits society. In addition to tackling the issue of the invisible border between different countries, institutes, and disciplines, the border between the scientific community and society needs to be addressed as well. International and transdisciplinary approaches can potentially be the best solution for bridging science and society. The Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization and network to promote professional, scientific research and education worldwide. The fifth annual congress of USERN was held in Tehran, Iran, in a hybrid manner on November 7-10, 2020, with key aims of bridging science to society and facilitating borderless science. Among speakers of the congress, a group of top scientists unanimously agreed on The USERN 2020 consensus, which is drafted with the goal of connecting society with scientific scholars and facilitating international and interdisciplinary scientific activities in all fields, including clinical medicine.

Response to postoperative radiotherapy as a prognostic factor for patients with low-grade gliomas.

Due to the favorable natural history in patients with low-grade gliomas (LGGs), there is no consensus on the treatment strategy following maximal safe surgical resection. A number of studies have been conducted to identify prognostic factors in patients treated for LGG. The present study evaluated the treatment outcomes as well as prognostic factors and their impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive patients treated for LGG at the Department of Radiotherapy from February 2008 to July 2011. The patients underwent surgical intervention and postoperative radiotherapy. The response to radiotherapy was evaluated from six to eight weeks after the end of treatment using MRI analysis. Kaplan-Maier analysis was used for OS and DFS estimation. The endpoint was mortality as a result of any cause. Within a median follow-up of 21.8 months, 9 patients (30%) with disease progression were reported. The two- and five-year DFS and OS was 85.2 and 68.3% for DFS, and 84.3 and 63.4% for OS, respectively. The response to radiotherapy, evaluated in an MRI study, was found to be highly correlated with OS (p<0.0001). We also observed a significantly higher OS in patients with disease progression treated with salvage chemotherapy after the end of radiotherapy (p=0.08). Improved outcome among patients with LGG may be predicted by response to radiotherapy evaluated by MRI following termination of treatment.

Comparison of core and fine needle aspiration biopsies for diagnosis of liver masses.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Core biopsy of liver mass comprises an alternative to fine needle aspiration biopsy. We decided to compare diagnoses established with the use of both methods and assess whether the use of both methods together is warranted. METHODOLOGY: Each of the 116 patients enrolled in study underwent a guided fine needle and core biopsy of liver tumor. The results were compared. Histopathologic diagnoses of carcinomas were supported by immunohistochemistry (anti-CK7, anti-CK19, anti-CK20 and Hepatocyte antibodies). RESULTS: In 83 out of 116 cases (71.5%), major cytological and histopathological diagnoses (malignancy vs. benign lesion vs. diagnosis impossible) were univocal. In one case, establishing diagnoses was not possible due to 'non-diagnostic' material harvested during both biopsies. In 15 cases, diagnoses were established solely on the basis of one examination In 13 cases, histopathologic diagnosis was contrary (malignant vs. benign) to cytologic diagnosis. In 27 cases histopathologic examination enabled us to reach more precise diagnosis than cytological examination. Despite the simultaneous use of both methods, we were able to establish definite diagnoses only in 29.3% of malignant cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although core biopsy provided more information and more precise information than fine needle biopsy, most complete results were achieved with the use of both methods together.