Long-term urinary continence and influencing factors after salvage radiotherapy: results of the SAKK 09/10 dose escalation trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate late urinary incontinence (UI) after salvage radiotherapy (sRT) and the effect of dose escalation on late UI, incontinence recovery, and quality of life (QoL) as part of the SAKK 09/10 phase III trial.

Methods: The SAKK 09/10 trial was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial for prostate cancer patients receiving sRT. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either conventional (64 Gy) or dose-escalated (70 Gy) sRT.

TESTATE STI project: an online chlamydia and gonorrhoea self-sampling strategy for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and trans people in Catalonia (Spain).

Objectives: TESTATE STI is an online offer of self-sampling kits (SSKs) for the detection of (CT) and (NG) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender people (TG) in Catalonia. The aims of this study are: 1) to develop and evaluate the effectiveness, satisfaction and willingness of a pilot online intervention that includes the offer of SSKs for CT/NG screening with online consultation of subsequent results and (2) to analyse its potential as an effective strategy to encourage diagnosis, linkage to treatment and to describe contact notification by participants with a positive diagnosis.

Methods: The distribution of SSKs, which included a urine collection tube, a pharyngeal and a rectal swab, was conducted through two recruitment strategies: autonomously via social media and GBMSM or TG leisure spaces, or accompanied by community-based organisations.

Synergistic Dual Ag/Cu Ion Implantation to Enhance Antimicrobial Defense on Boston Keratoprosthesis.

The Boston keratoprosthesis (BKPro) is a critical device for vision restoration in complex cases of corneal blindness, although its long-term retention is challenged by infection risks. This study aims to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the titanium (Ti) backplate of the BKPro by ion implanting silver and copper ions to achieve effective infection control while maintaining cytocompatibility. Research on antimicrobial modifications for BKPro is limited, and while metallic ions like Ag and Cu show promise for biomaterial improvement, their effects on human corneal keratocytes (HCKs) require further study.

AQSA-Algorithm for Automatic Quantification of Spheres Derived from Cancer Cells in Microfluidic Devices.

Sphere formation assay is an accepted cancer stem cell (CSC) enrichment method. CSCs play a crucial role in chemoresistance and cancer recurrence. Therefore, CSC growth is studied in plates and microdevices to develop prediction chemotherapy assays in cancer.

Antibacterial and cytocompatible silver coating for titanium Boston Keratoprosthesis.

The Boston Keratoprosthesis (BKPro) serves as a medical solution for restoring vision in complex cases of corneal blindness. Comprising a front plate made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a back plate of titanium (Ti), this device utilizes the beneficial biomaterial properties of Ti. While BKPro demonstrates promising retention rates, infection emerges as a significant concern that impacts its long-term efficacy.

Follow-up strategies after trimodal treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review.

Purpose: Optimal follow-up strategies following trimodal treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer play a crucial role in detecting and managing relapse and side-effects. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the patterns and risk factors of relapse, functional outcomes, and follow-up protocols.

Methods: A systematic literature search on PubMed and review of current guidelines and institutional follow-up protocols after trimodal therapy were conducted.

Titanium Boston keratoprosthesis with corneal cell adhesive and bactericidal dual coating.

The Boston keratoprosthesis (BKPro) is a medical device used to restore vision in complicated cases of corneal blindness. This device is composed by a front plate of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a backplate usually made of titanium (Ti). Ti is an excellent biomaterial with numerous applications, although there are not many studies that address its interaction with ocular cells.

Diet quality and nutrient density in pregnant women according to adherence to Mediterranean diet.

Background And Aims: The dietary pattern followed during pregnancy, specifically healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, is a key factor in the mother's and the offspring's health. Pregnant women dietary intake is not enough to cover the micronutrient requirements of pregnancy, and higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet may improve dietary quality and nutritional density. The aim of the present study was to describe the dietary nutrient intake and diet quality during pregnancy and to evaluate whether a high adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with a more adequate intake of micronutrients.

Blue prescription: A pilot study of health benefits for oncological patients of a short program of activities involving the sea.

Performing outdoor activities in blue spaces can help improve human health and mental well-being by reducing stress and promoting social relationships. The number of people surviving cancer has increased globally to experience this disease as a life-changing and chronic condition with physical and psychosocial symptoms that have negative impacts on their quality of life. While there has been a growth of programs in green spaces to meet the needs of cancer patients, such as follow-up post-treatment care, support groups and physical activity programs, very few studies have examined the effects of activities involving the sea for the health and well-being of oncology patients.

Performance of endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration as the first nodal staging procedure for the determination of programmed death ligand-1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Purpose: The determination of the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression is part of the diagnostic algorithm for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We aimed to analyze the diagnostic performance of EBUS-TBNA performed as first-choice nodal staging procedure for the determination of PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients.

Methods: Longitudinal-prospective study including NSCLC patients diagnosed between January 2018 and October 2019, for whom a primary tumor biopsy sample and an EBUS-TBNA cytological malignant sample were available.

Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis in Children: Clinical Decision-Making.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis are infrequent infections, although their early and proper management are needed to reduce complications and recurrences. We review the clinical presentation, etiology, clinical outcome and management of 9 cases of thyroid infections diagnosed in children, and analyze the existence of predisposing factors for these infections.

Tetramodal therapy with transurethral resection followed by chemoradiation in combination with hyperthermia for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: early results of a multicenter phase IIB study.

Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) followed by chemoradiation (CRT) is a valid treatment option for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a tetramodal approach with additional regional hyperthermia (RHT).

Methods: Patients with stages T2-4 MIBC were recruited at two institutions.

Multiplex protein profiling of bronchial aspirates reveals disease-, mortality- and respiratory sequelae-associated signatures in critically ill patients with ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Introduction: Bronchial aspirates (BAS) obtained during invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) constitutes a useful tool for molecular phenotyping and decision making.

Aim: To identify the proteomic determinants associated with disease pathogenesis, all-cause mortality and respiratory sequelae in BAS samples from critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS.

Methods: Multicenter study including 74 critically ill patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS.

One Year Overview and Follow-Up in a Post-COVID Consultation of Critically Ill Patients.

The long-term clinical management and evolution of a cohort of critical COVID-19 survivors have not been described in detail. We report a prospective observational study of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU between March and August 2020. The follow-up in a post-COVID consultation comprised symptoms, pulmonary function tests, the 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and chest computed tomography (CT).

Bronchial Aspirate-Based Profiling Identifies MicroRNA Signatures Associated With COVID-19 and Fatal Disease in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: The pathophysiology of COVID-19-related critical illness is not completely understood. Here, we analyzed the microRNA (miRNA) profile of bronchial aspirate (BAS) samples from COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU to identify prognostic biomarkers of fatal outcomes and to define molecular pathways involved in the disease and adverse events.

Methods: Two patient populations were included ( = 89): (i) a study population composed of critically ill COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients; (ii) a prospective study cohort composed of COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors among patients assisted by invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

Impact of time to intubation on mortality and pulmonary sequelae in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study.

Question: We evaluated whether the time between first respiratory support and intubation of patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) due to COVID-19 was associated with mortality or pulmonary sequelae.

Materials And Methods: Prospective cohort of critical COVID-19 patients on IMV. Patients were classified as early intubation if they were intubated within the first 48 h from the first respiratory support or delayed intubation if they were intubated later.

Adherence to Contouring and Treatment Planning Requirements Within a Multicentric Trial: Results of the Quality Assurance of the SAKK 09/10 trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the results of the radiation therapy (RT) quality assurance (QA) program of the phase 3 randomized SAKK 09/10 trial in patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy.

Methods And Materials: Within the Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Klinische Krebsforschung (SAKK) 09/10 trial testing 64-Gy versus 70-Gy salvage RT, a central collection of treatment plans was performed and thoroughly reviewed by a dedicated medical physicist and radiation oncologist. Adherence to the treatment protocol and specifically to the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) guidelines for target volume definition (classified as deviation observed yes vs no) and its potential correlation with acute and late toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Assessment Tools.

New therapeutic options are being considered to treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as vaginal laser, ospemifene, or prasterone, but there is no explicit agreement in the scientific community for its use. Some concerns have arisen on how to evaluate the improvement of GSM symptoms. In 2003, the FDA suggested possible end points for this purpose: change in severity of symptoms, change in vaginal pH, and change in vaginal maturation index (VMI).

Vaginal laser therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause - systematic review.

Background: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) can have a great impact on the quality of life (QOL), and affects between 53.8% and 90% of postmenopausal women. The literature suggests that vaginal laser therapy could be an effective treatment for GSM symptoms, but its efficacy and safety have not been established and international societies do not endorse its use.

[Evaluation of the program for the universal prevention of substance use and sexual risk behaviours in the university population "En plenas facultades": a quasi-experimental study.].

Objective: The use of alcohol and other drugs in youth has adverse health effects, and it is also associated with unsafe sexual practices. For this reason, it is important to include prevention programs in universities regarding alcohol, drugs, and safe sexual practices, and it is essential to evaluate them to prove their effectiveness in the target population. The aim of the study was to evaluate "En Plenas Facultades", a prevention program of substance use and Sexual Risk Behaviours, analysing both the results obtained and the process, in the seven universities of Spain where it is implemented.

Dose-intensified Versus Conventional-dose Salvage Radiotherapy for Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Prostatectomy: The SAKK 09/10 Randomized Phase 3 Trial.

Background: Salvage radiotherapy (SRT) is utilized for biochemical progression of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Objective: To report the outcomes of the SAKK 09/10 trial comparing conventional and dose-intensified SRT.

Design, Setting, And Participants: SAKK 09/10 was a randomized, multicenter, phase 3 trial that recruited men with biochemical progression after RP.