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Background Improving the ability to identify early-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) can improve treatment outcomes and patient morbidity. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of breath analysis as a non-invasive test for detecting HNSCC. Methods Standardised breath samples were collected from 181 patients suspected of HNSCC prior to any treatment. A selected ion flow-tube mass spectrometer was used to analyse breath for volatile organic compounds. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. A binomial logistic regression model was used to differentiate breath profiles between cancer and control (benign disease) patients based on mass spectrometry derived variables. Results In all, 66% of participants had early-stage primary tumours (T1 and T2) and 58% had regional node metastasis. The optimised logistic regression model using three variables had a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 86%, respectively, with an AUC for ROC curve of 0.821 (95%CI 0.625–1.0) in the testing cohort. Conclusions Breath analysis for non-invasive diagnosis of HNSCC appears to be practical and accurate. Future studies should be conducted in a primary care setting to determine the applicability of breath analysis for early identification of HNSCC.

Background Cancer treatments are frequently associated with impaired physical fitness, quality of life (QOL), and fatigue, often persisting into survivorship. Studies in older adults with cancer have demonstrated benefits from exercise; however, this has not been rigorously investigated in adolescents and young adults (AYA). The aim of this study was to determine whether a structured 10-week exercise intervention was associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak ), fatigue, and QOL in AYA who have recently completed cancer treatment. Method Forty-three AYA (median age 21 ± 6 years) were randomly assigned to an exercise group (n = 22) or a control group (n = 21). The exercise group received a structured 10-week exercise program comprising progressive aerobic and resistance exercise; the control arm received routine care. VO2peak was measured at baseline, 10 weeks, and six months. Fatigue and QOL were assessed by the FACIT fatigue scale and the PEDS QL, respectively. Results Mean VO2peak at baseline was 26.5 ± 7.2 mL.kg-1 .min-1 , which is substantially lower than population norms. The exercise group demonstrated significant improvement in VO2peak at 10 weeks compared with controls (33.8 ± 8.1 vs 29.6 ± 7.6 mL.kg-1 .min-1 , P = 0.0002), but by six months, the difference was no longer significant (32.9 ± 7.0 vs 30.9 ± 11.0 mL.kg-1 .min-1 , P = 0.21). There were no significant differences in fatigue or total QOL scores between groups. Conclusion Cancer treatment is associated with reduced VO2peak in AYA. Improvement in VO2peak was accelerated by a 10-week exercise program; however, no significant benefit was observed in QOL or fatigue. The plateau in VO2peak at six months suggests that a maintenance exercise program may be beneficial.

A male newborn is delivered at 35 -6/7 weeks’ gestational age with a birthweight of 2,700 g (50th percentile) to a gravida 3, para 2, 33-year old mother by elective lower segment cesarean section for prolonged rupture of membranes. Fetal ultrasound is unremarkable; a complete course of antenatal steroids and 2 doses of benzylpenicillin are administered. Apgar scores are 7 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. Maternal history is unremarkable except for a treated urinary tract infection at 33 weeks. Group B streptococcal screening is negative. Umbilical arterial blood gas shows a pH of 7.30; base deficit of 1.5 mmol/L; and lactate of 3.6 mmol/L. At 1 hour of age, the infant is noted to have cyanosis and tachypnea, with respiratory rates of 80 to 90 breaths per minute, requiring 50% of incubator oxygen and subsequently nasal continuous positive airway pressure to maintain oxygen saturation of 91% to 95%. There is no pre- and postductal saturation gradient, and thoracic transillumation excludes a significant pneumothorax. On examination, the precordial impulse and femoral pulses are normal, heart sounds are dual, and a 1/6 systolic murmur at the lower left sternal edge is heard. There is no hepatosplenomegaly. Capillary blood gas shows the following: pH, 7.26; partial pressure of carbon dioxide, 62 mm Hg (8.2 kPa); partial pressure of oxygen (Pao2), 34 mm Hg (4.5 kPa); base excess, –1.8; plasma lactate, 30.6 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L); and serum glucose, 45 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L). Intravenous access is obtained with a full blood count and blood culture, and benzylpenicillin and gentamicin are administered. Arterial blood sampling from the right radial artery demonstrates Pao2 of 49 mm Hg (6.5 kPa) in 50% inspired oxygen (Fio2), which does not increase in 90% Fio2. An echocardiogram at 5 …

Extreme premature infants with cystic fibrosis typically do not survive the neonatal phase. This case report describes the youngest survivor of a premature infant with cystic fibrosis and highlights the importance of advanced neonatal care with cystic fibrosis therapy.

Background The risk of optic disc haemorrhages on visual outcome in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is unknown. We report the type and frequency of optic disc haemorrhages and other funduscopic abnormalities at baseline in the study eye of the 133 subjects enrolled in the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial completing 6 months of follow-up. Methods We reviewed optic disc photographs to tabulate the frequency and type of optic disc haemorrhages, other funduscopic abnormalities and papilloedema grades of the study eye at baseline and analyse if their presence is associated with a poor visual outcome. Results 27.2% of subjects had nerve fibre layer haemorrhages in at least one eye. Five of seven, 71% of subjects that met criteria for treatment failure, had nerve fibre layer haemorrhages in at least one eye (Fisher9s exact test: p=0.02). There was a good correlation between presence of nerve fibre layer haemorrhages and Frisen grade (Spearman9s correlation, p=0.002; r=0.271). Subjects with nerve fibre layer haemorrhages had a higher cerebrospinal fluid pressure (40.0 mm water, p=0.04). There was poor correlation between nerve fibre layer haemorrhages at baseline and the perimetric mean deviation change at 6 months. Cotton wool spots were present in 4% of subjects, exudates in 3% and pseudodrusen in 4%. Conclusions Nerve fibre layer haemorrhages are common in patients with IIH with mild visual loss and correlate with the severity of the papilloedema. They occur more frequently in treatment failure subjects and therefore may be associated with poor visual outcomes. Trial registration number NCT01003639, Post-results.