71. ADC values as a biomarker of fetal brain maturationLucija Kobal, Katarina Šurlan Popović, Jernej Avsenik, Tina Vipotnik-Vesnaver, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background. During the period of fetal development, myelination plays a key role and follows specific time and spa-tial sequences. The water content in the brain is inversely proportional to myelination – the more myelinated the brain, the lower the water content in it. The diffusion of water molecules can be quantitatively assessed using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). We were interested in whether, by determining the ADC values, we could quantitatively evaluate the development of the fetal brain. Patients and methods. The study included 42 fetuses with gestational age 25 to 35 weeks. We manually selected 13 regions on diffusion-weighted images. Statistically significant differences between ADC values were checked using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test. The relationship between the ADC values and the gestational age of the fetuses was then assessed using linear regression. Results. The average gestational age of the fetuses was 29.8 ± 2.4 weeks. ADC values in the thalami, pons and cerebellum differed significantly among each other and from the ADC values in other brain regions. In the thalami, pons and cerebellum, linear regression showed a significant decrease in ADC values with increasing gestational age. Conclusions. ADC values change with the increasing gestational age of the fetus and differ among different brain regions. In the pons, cerebellum and thalami, the ADC coefficient could be used as a biomarker of fetal brain matura-tion since ADC values decrease linearly with increasing gestational age.
Keywords: myelination, fetal brain maturation, ADC, biomarker, diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 19; Downloads: 8
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72. Erector spinae plane block versus intercostal nerve block for postoperative analgesia in lung cancer surgeryPolona Gams, Marko Bitenc, Nenad Danojević, Tomaž Jensterle, Aleksander Sadikov, Vida Groznik, Maja Šoštarič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background. A recent trend in postoperative analgesia for lung cancer surgery relies on regional nerve blocks with decreased opioid administration. Our study aims to critically assess the continuous ultrasound-guided erector spinaeplane block (ESPB) at our institution and compare it to a standard regional anesthetic technique, the intercostal nerve block (ICNB).Patients and methods. A prospective randomized-control study was performed to compare outcomes of pa-tients, scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lung cancer resection, allocated to the ESPB or ICNB group. Primary outcomes were total opioid consumption and subjective pain scores at rest and cough each hour in 48 h after surgery. The secondary outcome was respiratory muscle strength, measured by maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP/MEP) after 24 h and 48 h.Results. 60 patients met the inclusion criteria, half ESPB. Total opioid consumption in the first 48 h was 21.64 ± 14.22 mg in the ESPB group and 38.34 ± 29.91 mg in the ICNB group (p = 0.035). The patients in the ESPB group had lower numerical rating scores at rest than in the ICNB group (1.19 ± 0.73 vs. 1.77 ± 1.01, p = 0.039). There were no significant differences in MIP/MEP decrease from baseline after 24 h (MIP p = 0.088, MEP p = 0.182) or 48 h (MIP p = 0.110, MEP p = 0.645), time to chest tube removal or hospital discharge between the two groups.Conclusions. In the first 48 h after surgery, patients with continuous ESPB required fewer opioids and reported less pain than patients with ICNB. There were no differences regarding respiratory muscle strength, postoperative compli-cations, and time to hospital discharge. In addition, continuous ESPB demanded more surveillance than ICNB.
Keywords: erector spinae plane block, intercostal nerve block, postoperative analgesia, video-assisted thoracic surgery, thoracic anesthesia
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 22; Downloads: 8
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73. Efficacy and safety of nintedanib and docetaxel in patients with previously treated lung non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer : a multicenter retrospective real-world analysisLidija Ljubicic, Urška Janžič, Mojca Unk, Ana Sophie Terglav, Katja Mohorčič, Fran Seiwerth, Lela Bitar, Sonja Badovinac, Sanja Pleština, Marta Koršić, Suzana Kukulj, Miroslav Samaržija, Marko Jakopović, 2023, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 18; Downloads: 5
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74. Modern approach to the management of genitourinary syndrome in women with gynecological malignanciesNina Kovačević, Ines Cilenšek, Sebastjan Merlo, Barbara Šegedin, 2023, review article Abstract: The term genitourinary syndrome of menopause was first used in 2014 by the North American Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health to describe conditions previously known as atrophic vaginitis, urogenital atrophy, or vulvovaginal atrophy. It is a complex, chronic, progressive condition characterized by a wide range of signs and symptoms affecting sexual function and the tissues of the urinary and genital tracts. The main cause of genitourinary syndrome of menopause is estrogen deficiency caused by ovarian removal or dysfunction. The most bothersome symptoms are vaginal dryness, decreased vaginal lubrication, and pain during penetration and intercourse. They all have a negative impact on the quality of life. Conclusions: The main goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms. Treatment modalities are pharmacological or non-pharmacological. The first-line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms is the use of personal lubricants and moisturizers, but the gold standard is estrogen replacement therapy. Hormone therapy may not be an option for women with hormone-dependent cancer.
Keywords: genitourinary syndrome, gynecological malignancies, therapy
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 17; Downloads: 5
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75. Does tumor rupture during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy have an impact on mid-term tumor recurrences?Simon Hawlina, Kosta Cerović, Andraž Kondža, Peter Popović, Jure Bizjak, Tomaž Smrkolj, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Intraoperative kidney tumor rupture (TR) can occur during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in daily clinical practice, but there are no solid guidelines on the management and implications of it. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of TR on tumor recurrences, what a surgeon should do if this adverse event occurs, and how to avoid it. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the first 100 patients who underwent RAPN at University Medical Centre Ljubljana, between 2018 and 2021. Patients were stratified into 2 groups (TR and no-TR) and were compared according to patient, tumor, pathologic, perioperative and postoperative characteristics and tumor recurrences, using the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-squared test. Results: Of the 100 patients, 14 had TR (14%); this occurred in tumors with higher RENAL nephrometry scores (P = 0.028) and mostly with papillary renal cell carcinomas (P = 0.043). Median warm ischemia time was longer for the TR group (22 vs. 15 min, P = 0.026). In terms of studied outcomes, there were no cases of local or distant recurrence after a median observation time of 39 months (interquartile range, 31-47 months) in both groups. We observed positive surgical margins on the final oncologic report in one case in the no-TR group. Conclusions: Tumor rupture during RAPN seems to be of no mid-term oncologic importance. According to presented results, we would recommend surgeons to proceed with tumor resection if this event occurs and abstain from conversion to radical nephrectomy or open partial nephrectomy. However, more similar cases should be studied to make more solid conclusions.
Keywords: enucleation, renal cell carcinoma, robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, tumor recurrence, tumor rupture, warm ischemia time
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 5; Downloads: 4
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76. Radiological assessment of skeletal muscle index and myosteatosis and their impact postoperative outcomes after liver transplantationMiha Petrič, Taja Jordan, Karteek Popuri, Sabina Ličen, Blaž Trotovšek, Aleš Tomažič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background. Liver transplantation offers curative treatment to patients with acute and chronic end-stage liver disease. The impact of nutritional status on postoperative outcomes after liver transplantation remains poorly under-stood. The present study investigated the predictive value of radiologically assessed skeletal muscle index (SMI) and myosteatosis (MI) on postoperative outcomes.Patients and methods. Data of 138 adult patients who underwent their first orthotopic liver transplantation were retrospectively analysed. SMI and MI in computer tomography (CT) scan at the third lumbar vertebra level were cal-culated. Results were analyzed for the length of hospitalisation and postoperative outcomes.Results. In 63% of male and 28.9% of female recipients, low SMI was found. High MI was found in 45(32.6%) patients. Male patients with high SMI had longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay (P < 0.025). Low SMI had no influence on ICU stay in female patients (P = 0.544), length of hospitalisation (male, P > 0.05; female, P = 0.843), postoperative complication rates (males, P = 0.883; females, P = 0.113), infection rate (males, P = 0.293, females, P = 0.285) and graft rejection (males, P = 0.875; females, P = 0.135). The presence of MI did not influence ICU stay (P = 0.161), hospitalization (P = 0.771), postoperative complication rates (P = 0.467), infection rate (P = 0.173) or graft rejection rate (P = 0.173).Conclusions. In our study, changes in body composition of liver transplant recipients observed with SMI and MI had no impact on postoperative course after liver transplantation. CT body composition analysis of recipients and uni-formly accepted cut-off points are crucial to producing reliable data in the future.
Keywords: muscle mass, liver transplantation, myosteatosis, skeletal muscle index, GLIM score
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 16; Downloads: 5
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77. Association between PIK3CA activating mutations and outcomes in early-stage invasive lobular breast carcinoma treated with adjuvant systemic therapyDomen Ribnikar, Valentina Jerič Horvat, Ivica Ratoša, Zachary Veitch, Biljana Grčar-Kuzmanov, Srdjan Novaković, Erik Langerholc, Eitan Amir, Boštjan Šeruga, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the independent prognostic role of PIK3CA activating mutationsand an association between PIK3CA activating mutations and efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) in patientswith operable invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC).Patients and methods.A single institution study of patients with early-stage ILC treated between 2003 and 2008 wasperformed. Clinicopathological parameters, systemic therapy exposure and outcomes (distant metastasis-free sur-vival [DMFS] and overall survival [OS]) were collected based on presence or absence of PIK3CA activating mutationin the primary tumor determined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay. An associationbetween PIK3CA mutation status and prognosis in all patient cohort was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,whereas an association between PIK3CA mutation and ET was analyzed in estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progester-one receptors (PR)-positive group of our patients by the Cox proportional hazards model.Results. Median age at diagnosis of all patients was 62.8 years and median follow-up time was 10.8 years. Among365 patients, PIK3CA activating mutations were identified in 45%. PIK3CA activating mutations were not associatedwith differential DMFS and OS (p = 0.36 and p = 0.42, respectively). In patients with PIK3CA mutation each year oftamoxifen (TAM) or aromatase inhibitor (AI) decreased the risk of death by 27% and 21% in comparison to no ET, re-spectively. The type and duration of ET did not have significant impact on DMFS, however longer duration of ET hada favourable impact on OS.Conclusions. PIK3CA activating mutations are not associated with an impact on DMFS and OS in early-stage ILC.Patients with PIK3CA mutation had a statistically significantly decreased risk of death irrespective of whether theyreceived TAM or an AI.
Keywords: invasive lobular carcinoma, PIK3CA mutation, endocrine therapy
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 20; Downloads: 3
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78. Changes in the quality of life of early breast cancer patients and comparison with the normative Slovenian populationCvetka Grašič-Kuhar, Tjaša Gortnar Cepeda, Christian Kurzeder, Marcus Vetter, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: We aimed to identify changes in quality of life after breast cancer treatment and compare them withthe normative population data for the Slovenian population.Patients and methods. A prospective, single-group, cohort design was used. A total of 102 early breast cancerpatients treated with chemotherapy at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana were included. Of those, 71% returned thequestionnaires after one-year post-chemotherapy. The Slovenian versions of the European Organisation for Researchand Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30 and BR23 questionnaires were used. Primary outcomes were a com-parison of global health status/quality of life (GHS) and C30 Summary Score (C30-SumSc) at baseline and one-yearpost-chemotherapy with the normative Slovenian population. The exploratory analysis evaluated the differences insymptoms and functional scales of QLQ C-30 and QLQ BR-23 between baseline and one-year post-chemotherapy.Results. At baseline and one-year post-chemotherapy, C30-SumSc of patients was lower than the predictedC30-SumSc from the normative Slovenian population by 2.6 points (p = 0.04) and 6.5 points (p < 0.001), resp. On thecontrary, GHS was not statistically different from predicted either at baseline or after one year. Exploratory analysisrevealed that one-year post-chemotherapy compared to the beginning of chemotherapy, patients had statisticallysignificantly and clinically meaningful lower scores in body image and cognitive functioning, and increased symptomscores for pain, fatigue, and arm symptoms.Conclusions. The C30-SumSc is reduced one- year post-chemotherapy. Early interventions should be directed to-ward the prevention of the decline of cognitive functioning and body image, and to alleviate fatigue, pain, and armsymptoms.
Keywords: breast cancer, chemotherapy, quality of life
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 9; Downloads: 5
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79. Cognitive functioning in a cohort of high-grade glioma patientsAndreja Cirila Škufca Smrdel, Anja Podlesek, Marija Skoblar Vidmar, Jana Markovič, Jana Jereb, Manja Kuzma, Uroš Smrdel, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: High grade gliomas are associated with cognitive problems. The aim of the study was to investigate cognitive functioning in a cohort of patients with high grade glioma, according to isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) status and other clinical characteristics. The patients with the high-grade glioma treated in Slovenia in given period of time were included in study. Postoperatively they completed neuropsychological assessment consisting of Slovenian Verbal Learning Test, Slovenian Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Trail Making Test Part A and B and self-evaluation questionnaire. We analysed results (z-scores and dichotomized results) also according to IDH mutation and MGMT methylation. We examined differences between groups using T-test, Mann-Whitney U, χ2 and Kendall's Tau tests. Out of 275 patients in the cohort, we included 90. Forty-six percent of patients were unable to participate due to poor performance status and other conditions related to tumour. Patients with the IDH mutation were younger, with better performance status, larger proportions of grade III tumours and MGMT methylation. In this group cognitive functioning is significantly better in the domains of immediate recall, short delayed recall and delayed recall, and in the fields of executive functioning and recognition. There were no differences in cognitive functioning in regard to MGMT status. Grade III tumours were associated with more frequent MGMT methylation. Self-assessment proved week tool, associated only with immediate recall. We found no differences in cognitive functioning according to MGMT status, but cognition was better when IDH mutation was present. In a cohort study of patients with high-grade glioma, almost half were unable to participate in a study, which points to an overrepresentation of patients with better cognitive functioning in the research.
Keywords: cognition, high grade glioma, IDH1 mutation
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 15; Downloads: 3
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80. Bleomycin electrosclerotherapy (BEST) for the treatment of vascular malformations : an International Network for Sharing Practices on Electrochemotherapy (InspECT) study group reportTobian Muir, Giulia Bertino, Aleš Grošelj, Lakshmi Ratnam, Erika Kis, Joy Odili, Ian McCafferty, Walter A Wohlgemuth, Maja Čemažar, Aljoša Krt, Maša Omerzel, Alessandro Zanasi, Michela Battista, Francesca De Terlizzi, Luca Giovanni Campana, Gregor Serša, 2023, review article Abstract: Biomedical applications of electroporation are expanding out of the field of oncology into vaccination, treatment of arrhythmias and now in the treatment of vascular malformations. Bleomycin is a widely used sclerosing agent in the treatment of various vascular malformations. The application of electric pulses in addition to bleomycin enhances the effectiveness of the drug, as demonstrated by electrochemotherapy, which utilizes bleomycin in the treatment of tumors. The same principle is used in bleomycin electrosclerotherapy (BEST). The approach seems to be effective in the treatment of low-flow (venous and lymphatic) and, potentially, even high-flow (arteriovenous) malformations. Although there are only a few published reports to date, the surgical community is interested, and an increasing number of centers are applying BEST in the treatment of vascular malformations. Within the International Network for Sharing Practices on Electrochemotherapy (InspECT) consortium, a dedicated working group has been constituted to develop standard operating procedures for BEST and foster clinical trials. By treatment standardization and successful completion of clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of the approach, higher quality data and better clinical outcomes may be achieved.
Keywords: vascular malformations, electrosclerotherapy, bleomycin
Published in DiRROS: 25.07.2024; Views: 18; Downloads: 4
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