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The dynamic layout problem addresses the situation where the traffic among the various units within a facility changes over time. Its objective is to determine a layout for each period in a planning horizon such that the total of the flow and the relocation costs is minimized. The problem is computationally very hard and has begun to receive attention only recently. In this paper, we present a new heuristic scheme, based on the idea of viable layouts, which is easy to operationalize. A limited computational study shows that, depending upon how it is implemented, this scheme can be reasonably fast and can yield results that are competitive with those from other available solution methods. Keywords: layout planning: mathematical programming; heuristics

Buffer allocation in serial production lines is one of the important design issues, and hence it has been studied extensively in the literature. In this paper, we analyse the problem to characterise the optimal buffer allocation; specifically, we study the cases with single and multiple bottleneck stations under various experimental conditions. In addition, we develop an efficient heuristic procedure to allocate buffers in serial production lines to maximise throughput. The results of the computational experiments indicate that the proposed algorithm is very efficient in terms of both solution quality and CPU time requirements. Moreover, the characterisation study yields interesting findings that may lead to important practical implications. A comprehensive bibliography is also provided in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a beam search-based method for the stochastic assembly line balancing problem in U-lines. The proposed method minimizes total expected cost comprised of total labour cost and total expected incompletion cost. A beam search is an approximate branch and bound method that operates on a search tree. Even though beam search has been used in various problem domains, this is the first application to the assembly line balancing problem. The performance of the proposed method is measured on various test problems. The results of the computational experiments indicate that the average performance of the proposed method is better than the best-known heuristic in the literature for the traditional straight-line problem. Since the proposed method is the first heuristic for the stochastic U-type problem with the total expected cost criterion, we only report its results on the benchmark problems. Future research directions and the related bibliography are also provided in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a new simulated annealing (SA)-based algorithm for the assembly line-balancing problem with a U-type configuration. The proposed algorithm employs an intelligent mechanism to search a large solution space. U-type assembly systems are becoming increasingly popular in today's modern production environments since they are more general than the traditional assembly systems. In these systems, tasks are to be allocated into stations by moving forward and backward through the precedence diagram in contrast to a typical forward move in the traditional assembly systems. The performance of the algorithm is measured by solving a large number of benchmark problems available in the literature. The results of the computational experiments indicate that the proposed SA-based algorithm performs quite effectively. It also yields the optimal solution for most problem instances. Future research directions and a comprehensive bibliography are also provided here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is presented describing the study of status measuring of management projects to determine the effort required to take corrective action if deviations are found.

The main sources of human exposure to trace metals for non-occupationally exposed individuals are inhalation and ingestion. Because the absorption rates of the metals by inhalation are significantly higher (up to 50-60%) than those by ingestion (between 3% and 10%), determination of trace metals in ambient air samples is of special interest. The main purpose of this study was to determine Fe, Zn and Cu in ambient air by combining pre-concentration methods and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). In the pre-concentration step, adsorption reagents including 4-(2-pyridyl-azo) Resorcinol (PAR)-loaded XAD-7, thioureasulphonamide polymeric resin and cupferron-activated carbon were used sequentially. Under the optimum conditions, seasonal distributions of Fe, Zn and Cu concentrations in ambient air of Elazig City, Turkey, were determined. Concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu were found to be in the ranges of 154-416, 101-323 and 12-75 ng/m³, respectively. High Zn levels determined in March and April can be attributed to the burning of coal at the beginning of spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Implant-based breast reconstructions are conceptually simple but prone to surgical revisions. Additional procedures often fail to address the problems associated with the reconstructive outcome, especially in patients who have received radiotherapy. However, conversion to free flaps may improve symptoms and aesthetic results. We reviewed our experience in the United Kingdom with autologous replacement of failed prosthetic reconstructions with the aims of documenting the indications for "tertiary" reconstructions and comparing our outcomes with those of other centers. Methods: Patients undergoing salvage surgery for suboptimal prosthetic breast reconstructions between 2000 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed for their original reconstructive operation, previous radiotherapy, indications for revision, corrective procedures undertaken, and final outcomes. Results: Of 14 patients identified, 7 had delayed and 7 had immediate reconstructions. Twelve had received radiotherapy; 6 before the initial delayed prosthetic reconstructions and 6 after immediate reconstructions. Ten patients presented after undergoing previous revisions of their original reconstructions (average 1.6). Indications for autologous conversion were capsular contracture, persistent pain, and poor cosmetic outcomes (often in combination). Salvage comprised explantation, total capsulectomy, and abdominal free flap reconstruction using deep inferior epigastric artery flaps (9) and transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps (5). The average interval between initial reconstruction and salvage was 8 years (r = 1-14). All flap transfers were successful with satisfactory aesthetic outcomes (average 21 months follow-up). Conclusions: We recommend early salvage autologous conversion of implant-based reconstructions once initial prosthetic reconstructions become unsatisfactory, particularly in recipients of radiotherapy. Many of these patients may have been better served by initial autologous reconstruction; the challenge is to identify them prospectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the regulation of synchronization between the life cycle of the oligophagous whitefly, Trialeurodes lauri (Signoret), and its evergreen host tree Arbutus andrachne in Mediterranean chaparral. Whitefly infestations vary considerably among trees. The adults of the univoltine (one generation per year) whitefly emerge en masse during April and May and oviposit on the new spring foliage. Following approximately one month of development to the early fourth instar, the nymphs enter nine-month diapauses, terminating in February. This diapause is induced and maintained by the plant and can be experimentally avoided (in the case of developing young nymphs) or terminated (in the case of diapausing fourth instars), if whitefly-bearing branches are severed from the tree and placed in water under laboratory conditions. This study is the first report of a whitefly diapausing through both summer and winter seasons. The role of the host plant in the process is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents a correction to the article "New heuristic for the dynamic layout problem," by E. Erel, J.B. Ghosh and J.T. Simon published in the 2005 issue of the "Journal of the Operational Research Society."

Patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) in stable or progressive disease (SD/PD) at lymphodepletion prior to chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy have an inferior outcome. we hypothesized that enhancing in-vivo expansion of CAR-T cells could overcome this grim prognosis leading to improved outcomes. We conducted a phase 2 prospective trial (NCT05385263) investigating the addition of nivolumab to enhance CAR-T cell expansion and response in patients with SD/PD-LBCL. Eligible patients received 1 dose of nivolumab between day +5 and +9 post CAR-T infusion. An additional dose of nivolumab was administered on day +19 only to patients whose CAR-T cell levels in peripheral blood were below 100 cells/µL at day +7. Twenty patients were enrolled and received anti-CD19 CAR-T (Axicabtagene ciloleucel, n = 12; tisagenlecleucel, n = 8). Eight were ineligible to receive nivolumab due to active CAR-T-associated toxicities. Overall, the protocol was safe. One-month PET-CT showed an 84% overall response rate (complete response, 53%). The cumulative incidence of progression-free survival at 6 and 12 months were 50% (95% CI 36%-64%) and 42% (95% CI 26%-58%), respectively. The cumulative incidence of overall survival at 6 and 12 months were 85% (95% CI 72%-98%) and 51% (95% CI 31%-71%), respectively. Nivolumab administration significantly reduced PD-1 expression on all immune cells. CAR-T cell expansion was similar between nivolumab-eligible and noneligible patients. Notably, there was a significant enrichment of CD45RO-CD27+ CD8+ cells and CD45RO-CD27+ CD8+ CAR-T cells in the nivolumab-eligible group compared to those ineligible, suggesting that specific cell enrichment could potentially contribute to an enhanced response rate. We conclude that the addition of nivolumab based on CAR-T cell expansion in patients with SD/PD-LBCL is safe and yields promising early response rates., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Cancer exploits different mechanisms to escape T-cell immunosurveillance, including overexpression of checkpoint ligands, secretion of immunosuppressive molecules, and aberrant glycosylation. Herein, we report that IFNγ, a potent immunomodulator secreted in the tumor microenvironment, can induce α2,6 hypersialylation in cancer cell lines derived from various histologies. We focused on Siglec-9, a receptor for sialic acid moieties, and demonstrated that the Siglec-9+ T-cell population displayed reduced effector function. We speculated that Siglec-9 in primary human T cells can act as a checkpoint molecule and demonstrated that knocking out Siglec-9 using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system enhanced the functionality of primary human T cells. Finally, we aimed to augment cancer-specific T-cell activity by taking advantage of tumor hypersialylation. Thus, we designed several Siglec-9-based chimeric switch receptors (CSR), which included an intracellular moiety derived from costimulatory molecules (CD28/41BB) and different hinge regions. In an antigen-specific context, T cells transduced with Siglec-9 CSRs demonstrated increased cytokine secretions and upregulation of activation markers. Moreover, T cells equipped with specific Siglec-9 CSRs mediated robust antitumor activity in a xenograft model of human tumors. Overall, this work sheds light on tumor evasion mechanisms mediated by sialylated residues and exemplifies an approach to improve engineered T cell-based cancer treatment. See related Spotlight by Abken, p. 1310., (©2024 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Background: In the past decade, the prevalence of end-stage inflammatory elbow arthritis has declined with consequential changes in indications and utilization of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Current literature lacks future projections for the utilization of TEA. The aim of this study is to review the trends in the utilization of TEA in the last 2 decades and determine the projections of utilization for TEA (primary and revision) through 2060., Methods: This analysis used the publicly available 2000-2019 data from the CMS Medicare Part-B National Summary. Procedure volumes including TEA, and revision TEA, were determined using Current Procedural Terminology codes and were uplifted to account for the growing number of Medicare eligible patients covered under Medicare Advantage. Using these volumes, log-linear, Poisson, negative binomial regression, and autoregressive integrated moving average models were applied to generate projections from 2020 to 2060. The Poisson model was chosen to display the data based on error analysis and prior literature., Results: The projected annual growth rates from 2020 to 2060 for primary and revision TEAs are 1.03% (95% confidence interval: 0.82%-1.25%) and 5.17% (95% confidence interval: 3.02%-6.97%), respectively. By 2060, the demand for primary TEA and revision TEA is projected to be 2084 procedures (95% forecast interval: 1995-2174) and 3161 procedures (95% forecast interval: 3052-3272), respectively. The procedure volume for revision TEA is estimated to outnumber primary TEA by year 2050., Conclusion: The overall procedural volume of primary TEA and revision TEA continues to be low. Although it is estimated that the incidence of primary and revision TEAs will continue to increase in the next 40 years, the utilization trends only show a mild increase, which is 5 times higher for revision TEA than primary TEA., (Copyright © 2024 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Health care disparity exists in utilization and delivery of musculoskeletal care and continues to be an obstacle for orthopedic health care providers to mitigate. Racial and ethnic disparities exist within various surgical fields including orthopedic surgery and are expected to continue to rise in upcoming years. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the racial and ethnic disparities on utilization and outcomes after common shoulder surgical procedures., Methods: A primary literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases using comprehensive Medical Subject Headings and subject-heading search terms. Studies were included if they reported utilization and or outcomes across 2 or more racial/ethnic groups in patients (age >16) who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), rotator cuff repair (RCR), arthroscopic Bankart repair, Latarjet procedure, and open reduction internal fixation of proximal humerus fracture (PHF). Baseline demographics, data on procedure utilization, perioperative measures including mortality, operative time, length of stay, readmission, and complications were extracted from included studies, and descriptive statistical analysis performed., Results: Eighteen studies were identified for full text review of which 13 found race and ethnicity as factors affecting utilization and outcomes in TSA, RCR, arthroscopic Bankart repair, Latarjet procedure, and open reduction internal fixation of PHF. Compared to White patients, Black patients were found to have decreased utilization, longer length of stay, and greater operative time and mortality after TSA; Black patients also had longer operative times and time to discharge, and lower levels of reported satisfaction after RCR. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity was reported as an independent risk factor for postoperative falls following TSA. Hispanic/Latino and Black patients have a higher risk of delayed surgery and greater risk of readmission after surgical treatment of PHF compared to patients of White race., Conclusion: This systematic review highlights the limited literature reporting the existence of racial and ethnic disparities in utilization and outcomes after common shoulder surgical procedures. Additionally, there is a paucity of studies exploring the underlying etiology of racial and ethnic disparity in outcomes after shoulder surgery. More research is necessary to pave the way for evidence-based action plans to mitigate health care disparities after shoulder surgeries, but this review serves as a baseline for where efforts in direct improvement can begin., (Copyright © 2024 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has predominantly been utilized to treat older patients with primary osteoarthritis. However, recent improvements in surgical technique and implant materials have increased implant longevity, making THA a viable option for younger patients (< 30 years old). While trend analyses indicate an expanding utilization of THA in younger patients with non-OA diagnoses, current data on mid- and long-term THA outcomes in this population are limited. This study aims to describe the demographics, perioperative data, and implant survivorship of patients younger than 30 years undergoing THA., Methods: A retrospective study across two large urban academic medical institutions identified 135 patients aged < 30 years who underwent 155 primary THAs between 2012 and 2017, with up to 10-year clinical follow-up. Baseline demographics, surgical indications, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed., Results: The mean age at surgery was 24.9 years (range 18-29). Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (55.5%), developmental hip dysplasia (28.3%), and arthritis (15.5%) were the primary indications. Most surgeries utilized the posterior approach (64.5%), manual technique (65.8%), and Ceramic-on-Polyethylene articulation (71.6%). Seven patients (4.5%) were readmitted within 90-days of surgery, including three non-orthopedic-related readmissions (1.9%) and four orthopedic-related readmissions (2.6%). Dislocations were reported in two patients (1.3%). There were six all-cause revisions (3.9%), four aseptic (2.6%) and two septic (1.3%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed 10-year survival from implant retaining reoperation was 98.7%, 10-year survival from all-cause revision was 96.1%, and 10-year survival from aseptic revision was 97.4%., Conclusion: With a 10-year aseptic implant survivorship rate of 97.4%, THA is a reliable surgical intervention for patients younger than 30 years of age who have severe hip pathology. Further studies are warranted for a more comprehensive understanding of mid- and long-term survivorship risk factors in this demanding population, facilitating improved risk assessment and informed surgical decisions., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Bacteria possess diverse classes of signaling systems that they use to sense and respond to their environments and execute properly timed developmental transitions. One widespread and evolutionarily ancient class of signaling systems are the Hanks-type Ser/Thr kinases, also sometimes termed "eukaryotic-like" due to their homology with eukaryotic kinases. In diverse bacterial species, these signaling systems function as critical regulators of general cellular processes such as metabolism, growth and division, developmental transitions such as sporulation, biofilm formation, and virulence, as well as antibiotic tolerance. This multifaceted regulation is due to the ability of a single Hanks-type Ser/Thr kinase to post-translationally modify the activity of multiple proteins, resulting in the coordinated regulation of diverse cellular pathways. However, in part due to their deep integration with cellular physiology, to date, we have a relatively limited understanding of the timing, regulatory hierarchy, the complete list of targets of a given kinase, as well as the potential regulatory overlap between the often multiple kinases present in a single organism. In this review, we discuss experimental methods and curated datasets aimed at elucidating the targets of these signaling pathways and approaches for using these datasets to develop computational models for quantitative predictions of target motifs. We emphasize novel approaches and opportunities for collecting data suitable for the creation of new predictive computational models applicable to diverse species., (© 2024 The Authors. Molecular Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Research Question: Do perinatal outcomes of selective termination performed in the late second versus third trimester differ and what risk factors are associated with subsequent preterm birth?, Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of late selective terminations performed in dichorionic twins between 2009 and 2021. Perinatal outcomes were compared between two groups: group A, late second trimester (20.2 to 24.2 weeks, n = 26), and group B, third trimester (≥28.2 weeks, n = 55) selective terminations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with post-procedure preterm birth., Results: In total, 81 dichorionic twin pregnancies were included. There were no pregnancy losses but 16% (13/81) of cases experienced complications. Group A had a higher median birthweight centile (36.5th versus 15th centile, P = 0.002) and lower rates of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and Caesarean delivery (11.5% versus 32.7%, P = 0.04; and 26.9% versus 61.8%, P = 0.003) than group B. Preterm birth rates were similar (46.2% versus 63.6%, P = 0.15). Multiple regression revealed that reduction of the presenting twin and cervical length ≤35 mm were independently associated with post-procedure preterm birth (odds ratio [OR] 8.7, P = 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-29.8; OR 3.8, P = 0.015, 95% CI 1.3-11)., Conclusions: Late second trimester selective termination is associated with a higher birthweight centile and lower rates of IUGR and Caesarean delivery, compared with third trimester selective termination. Cervical length 35 mm or less and reduction of the presenting twin are independent risk factors for post-procedural preterm birth. These findings may help determine the optimal time to perform a late selective termination., (Copyright © 2024 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Suture anchors have been used in surgical repair of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. While some reports indicate favorable results, others emphasize less promising outcomes. This case series reports our experience with suture anchors for surgical treatment of ACJ dislocation., Methods: Clinical and radiographic outcomes in three patients treated operatively for ACJ dislocations were reviewed. In all patients, two suture anchors were inserted in the coracoid (unicortical) and #5 nonabsorbable suture from the suture anchor was shuttled through drill holes in the clavicle and tied over two button devices. The coracoclavicular ligaments were reconstructed using a figure of eight semitendinosus allograft around the coracoid and clavicle. Postoperatively, sling immobilization was used for 6 weeks, and physical therapy was initiated at 6 weeks with contact activity allowed at 6 months., Results: Three male patients underwent treatment for Rockwood type 3 (chronic; n = 1) and type 5 (n = 2) ACJ dislocations. Loss of reduction was noted within 6 weeks postoperatively. Two patients exhibited failure due to complete suture anchor pullout and the third patient had partial pull out of one of the anchors. Additionally, the third patient also suffered a coracoid fracture adjacent to the anchor's placement after sustaining direct trauma to his shoulder, one-year postoperatively., Conclusion: In our case series, we found a high rate of fixation failure and early loss of reduction with the use of suture anchors for the treatment of ACJ dislocation. These findings should be taken into consideration when selecting an appropriate implant for fixation of ACJ dislocation., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Objectives: This systematic review aims to critically assess the impact of platelet-rich fibrin on maxillary sinus floor augmentation and outline the specific aspects of new bone formation, bone height, implant stability quotient, and Schneiderian membrane thickness., Material and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, analysing studies from MEDLINE (PubMed), the Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases, published from January 29, 2018 until January 29, 2024 that compared maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) using bone graft material with and without platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). This review focused on patients 18 years and older who undergone MSFA before the dental implant placement. It systematically examined five studies, encompassing randomized controlled trials, and reported on 112 MSFA procedures conducted in 84 patients., Results: The meta-analysis reveals a marginal significance in new bone formation with PRF, suggesting a trend towards beneficial outcomes that were not statistically significant. No significant impact on bone height was observed. However, a notable improvement in implant stability quotient (ISQ) was recorded, indicating enhanced implant stability with PRF. The Schneiderian membrane thickness did not show significant changes post-treatment with PRF., Conclusions: While platelet-rich fibrin shows promise in enhancing implant stability, its effects on new bone formation and Schneiderian membrane thickness are inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research. Platelet-rich fibrin did not significantly affect bone height. The findings support platelet-rich fibrin's potential as a beneficial adjunct in maxillary sinus floor augmentation, particularly for implant stability., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest related to this study., (Copyright © Babich O, Lugassy E, Babich M, Abayov P, Haimov E, Juodzbalys G. Published in the JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL RESEARCH (http://www.ejomr.org), 30 June 2024.)

Surgical management of the subscapularis tendon is critical to a successful outcome following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. However, the optimal surgical technique for adequate exposure of the glenohumeral joint while mini-mizing complications resulting from subscapularis tendon dysfunction continues to be controversial. Common surgical techniques for the management of the subscapularis tendon include tenotomy, peeling, sparing, and lesser tuberosity oste-otomy. Despite a number of published studies comparing these techniques, no consensus has been reached regarding optimal management. This article reviews the extensive literature on the biomechanical, radiologic, and clinical outcomes of each technique, including recently published comparison studies.

Introduction: Optimizing operating room (OR) scheduling accuracy is important for OR efficiency, meeting patient expectations, and maximizing value for health systems. However, limited data exist on factors influencing the precision of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) OR scheduling. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the accuracy of OR scheduling for THA., Methods: A retrospective review of 6,072 THA (5,579 primary THA and 493 revision THA) performed between January 2020 and May 2023 at an urban, academic institution was conducted. We collected baseline patient characteristics, surgeon years of experience, and compared actual wheels in to wheels out (WIWO) OR time against scheduled OR time. Significant scheduling inaccuracies were defined as actual OR times deviating by at least 15% from scheduled OR times. Logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the impact of patient, surgeon, and intraoperative factors on OR scheduling accuracy., Results: Using adjusted odds ratios, primary THA patients who had a lower BMI and surgeons who had less than 10 years of experience were associated with overestimation of OR time. Whereas, higher BMI, younger age, general anesthesia, non-primary osteoarthritis indications, and afternoon procedure start times were linked to underestimation of OR time. For revision THA, lower BMI and fewer components revised correlated with overestimated OR time. Men, higher BMI, more components revised, septic indication for surgery, and morning procedure start times were associated with underestimation of OR time., Conclusion: This study highlights several critical patient, surgeon, and intraoperative factors influencing OR scheduling accuracy for THA. OR scheduling models should consider these factors to enhance OR efficiency., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

While the typical patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is an obese female of childbearing age, there are unique patient populations, such as non-obese females, that have not been well studied. Characterizing this subpopulation may increase awareness our of it, which may prevent underdiagnosis and improve our understanding of IIH's underlying pathophysiology. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records and compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of non-obese (BMI < 30) and obese (BMI > 30) female patients with IIH. Two hundred and forty-six patients (age 32.3 ± 10) met our inclusion criteria. The non-obese patients ( n = 59, 24%) were significantly younger than the obese patients (29.4 ± 9.9 vs. 33.2 ± 10.2, p = 0.004) and had higher rates of severe papilledema (Friesen 4-5; 25.4% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.019), scleral flattening (62.7% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.008), and optic nerve dural ectasia (78.0% vs. 55.6%, p = 0.044). Non-obese patients also had a tendency to have a higher lumbar puncture opening pressure (368 ± 92.7 vs. 344 ± 76.4, p = 0.062). Non-obese patients were three times more likely to present with a combination of scleral flattening and optic nerve dural ectasia (OR = 3.00, CI: 1.57-5.72, χ 2 = 11.63, α < 0.001). Overall, non-obese females with IIH were found to have a more fulminant presentation, typified by higher rates of severe papilledema and radiological findings typical for IIH.

Osseous involvement by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL-bone) is a heterogeneous disease. There is limited data regarding response assessment by positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose, which may demonstrate residual avidity despite a complete response. We analyzed clinical data of patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL and identified all cases with DLBCL-bone. End of treatment scans were reviewed by two independent experts classifying osseous lesions into Deauville (DV) ≤3; DV ≥4, or reactive uptake in the bone marrow (M), site of fracture (F) or surgery (S). We compared outcomes of DLBCL-bone to other extranodal sites (EN) matched on International Prognotic Index features and regimen. Of 1,860 patients with DLBCL (bone 16%; EN 45%; nodal 39%), 41% had localized disease and 59% advanced. Only 9% (n=27) of patients with initial bone involvement had residual fluorodeoxyglucose avidity at the osseous site. In half of these cases, the uptake was attributed to F/S/M, and of the remaining 13, only two were truly refractory (both with persistent disease at other sites). Overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) were found to be similar for early- stage nodal DLBCL and DLBCL-bone, but inferior in EN-DLBCL. Advanced-stage disease involving the bone had a similar 5-year PFS to nodal disease and EN-DLBCL. After matching for International Prognotic Index and treatment regiments, PFS between bone and other EN sites was similar. Osseous involvement in DLBCL does not portend a worse prognosis. End of treatment DV ≥4 can be expected in 5-10% of cases, but in the absence of other signs of refractory disease, may be followed expectantly.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the optic nerve, macula, and retinal vascular structures., Methods: This study included 129 participants recovering from COVID-19 and 130 healthy control subjects aged 18 to 55 years. The study was designed as observational and cross-sectional and was conducted between June 2020 and February 2021. The average thicknesses of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), and macula also were measured using a spectral domain optical coherence tomography analysis. The vessel densities of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses of the macula, foveal avascular zone, and radial peripapillary capillary plexus of the optic disc were quantified by optical coherence tomography angiography., Results: In all quadrants, the RNFL and GCC were thinner in patients with neurologic symptoms of COVID-19 (p < 0.05). None of the measurements of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study regions significantly differed between patients with and without COVID-19 symptoms (p > 0.05). The foveal avascular zone area, perimeter, circularity index, and vessel densities (%) of the global and inner and outer circles of superficial capillary plexuses and deep capillary plexus and global and superior and inferior halves of the radial peripapillary capillary plexus measurements were found to significantly differ between the symptomatic COVID-19 group and the asymptomatic COVID-19 and control groups (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: RNFL and GCC thickness evaluation with optical coherence tomography and vessel density evaluation with optical coherence tomography angiography can be considered remarkable diagnostic methods for retinal neurovascular abnormalities and a biomarker for microvascular abnormalities after infection with SARS-CoV-2., (Copyright © 2022 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) is a rare cancer for which optimal treatment strategies are undefined. Retrospective analyses suggest excellent outcomes with surgical resection for localized BALT lymphoma; however, the role of radiotherapy remains underexplored. We report the largest-to-date single-center analysis of 13 primary BALT lymphoma patients treated with radiotherapy. Of 15 treated lesions, we report a 100% response rate with complete response (CR) achieved in 67% of lesions. Among 10 lesions treated with very low-dose radiotherapy (VLDRT; 4 Gray [Gy]), 6 (60%) achieved a CR; among 5 lesions treated with full-dose radiotherapy (24-36 Gy), 4 (80%) achieved a CR. There were no local recurrences. Only one patient, treated with 30 Gy, developed an acute grade 3/4 toxic effect. There were no events of radiation-induced secondary malignancies. Our institutional experience indicates that radiotherapy, including VLDRT, is a safe and effective treatment for primary BALT lymphoma.