Robot-assisted surgery is a technically feasible alternative to open and laparoscopic surgery, which is being more frequently used in general surgery. We undertook this review to investigate whether robotic assistance provides a significant benefit for oesophagogastric cancer surgery.

Background: One of the key elements for introducing a problem-based learning (PBL) programme is constructing good PBL cases. Good cases should reflect the educational principles of PBL including (a) integration of basic and clinical sciences together with professionalism and psychosocial components, (b) encouragement of discussion of cognitive domains such as identification of problems, generation

We investigate Newton's method for complex polynomials of arbitrary degree d, normalized so that all their roots are in the unit disk. For each degree d, we give an explicit set S-d of 3.33d log(2) d(1 + o(1)) points with the following universal property: for every normalized polynomial of degree d there are d starting points in S-d whose Newton iterations find all the roots with a low number of i

Aliphatic compounds on plant surfaces, called epicuticular waxes, are the first line of defense against pathogens and pests, contribute to reducing water loss and determine other important phenotypes. Aliphatics can form crystals affecting light refraction, resulting in a color change and allowing identification of mutants in their synthesis or transport. The present study discloses three such Ece

We recently defined molecular subtypes of urothelial carcinomas according to whole genome gene expression. Herein we describe molecular pathologic characterization of the subtypes using 20 genes and IHC of 237 tumors. In addition to differences in expression levels, the subtypes show important differences in stratification of protein expression. The selected genes included biological features cent

This paper considers a simple model of a capacity constrained production-inventory system with Poisson demand. The system is controlled by an S policy. The production time for a unit is modelled as a gamma distributed stochastic variable. Using M/G/1 queuing theory it is very easy to evaluate holding and backorder costs and optimise the ordering policy. The suggested model may be useful when evalu

Background: An early sign of heart failure (HF) is a decreased cardiac reserve or inability to adequately increase cardiac output during exercise. Under normal circumstances maximal cardiac output is closely related to peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak) which has previously been shown to be closely related to total heart volume (THV). Thus, the aim of this study was to derive a VO(2)peak/THV ratio and

Climate change is expected to have profound ecological effects, yet shifts in competitive abilities among species are rarely studied in this context. Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tits (Parus major) compete for food and roosting sites, yet coexist across much of their range. Climate change might thus change the competitive relationships and coexistence between these two species. Analys

A strong molecule-surface interaction between free-base-tetra(4-bromophenyl)-porphyrin and Cu(111) results in a distortion of both the molecule and the underlying copper surface in the vicinity of the molecule. This in turn leads to the formation of an intermediate complex due to bonding between the iminic nitrogens and surface copper atoms.

Seeking better plasmonic waveguides is of critical importance for minimizing photonic circuits into the nanometer scale. We have made a theoretical study of the properties of surface plasmon polaritons in a metallic nanowire over substrate (NWOS) configuration. The dielectric substrate breaks the symmetry of the system and mediates the coupling of different primary wire plasmons. The lowest order

Involuntary movements, or dyskinesia, represent a debilitating complication of levodopa (L-dopa) therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) are ultimately experienced by the vast majority of patients. In addition, psychiatric conditions often manifested as compulsive behaviours, are emerging as a serious problem in the management of L-dopa therapy. The present review att

We study the aggregation of calcium silicate hydrate nanoplatelets on a surface by means of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations at thermodynamic equilibrium. Calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) is the main component formed in cement and is responsible for the strength of the material. The hydrate is formed in early cement paste and grows to form platelets on the nanoscale, which aggregate

Abstract in UndeterminedThis work presents a comparative study regarding wear behavior between a novel abrasion resistant cast iron, "Carbide Steel" and a number of conventional tool materials frequently used in the automotive industry. Carbide Steel is basically a high-Cr white cast iron heavily alloyed with cemented carbide. The high chromium content and additional alloying elements like WC. TiC

To describe the ultrasonographic morphology of the endometrium at saline contrast sonohysterography (SCSH) performed in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in women 20 - 38 years old with regular menstrual cycles.

Reproductive factors, such as early age at menarche, late age at menopause, and nulliparity are known risk factors for breast cancer. Previously, we reported these factors to be associated with risk of developing contralateral breast cancer (CBC). In this study, we evaluated the association between these factors and CBC risk among BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutation carriers and non-carriers. The W

Snus is a smokeless tobacco product, widely used among Swedish men and increasingly so elsewhere. There is debate as to whether snus is an acceptable "harm-reduction" tobacco product. Since snus use delivers a dose of nicotine equivalent to cigarettes, and has been implicated in cardiac arrhythmia because of associations with sudden cardiovascular death, a relation with atrial fibrillation is plau

Clinical bacterial pathogens front a major challenge for the clinical researchers and physicians. In particular microbial pathogens like Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella enterica are apparelled with systemic machineries to bring down the human immune system as well as proliferate dramatically in a short period which in turn cause a pronounced ailment to the

Consistent individual effort in engagement in HIV medical services has been associated with positive health outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). However, whether these benefits are facilitated by improved medication adherence has not been widely studied. This study aimed to investigate the marginal effect of engagement in HIV care on medication adherence at a public health facility in Kenya