Survival analysis of a multicentre, randomized phase 3 study on the optimization of the combination of bevacizumab with FOLFOX/OXXEL in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

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A Thermal Model to Estimate PV Electrical Power and Temperature Profile along Panel Thickness

The production of electricity from photovoltaic panels has experienced significant developments. To manage the energy flows introduced into the electricity grid, it is necessary to estimate the productivity of PV panels under the climatic conditions. In this study, a photovoltaic panel is modelled from thermal and electrical points of view to evaluate electrical performance and identify the temperature distribution in the layers. The analysis performed is time dependent and the problem is solved using the finite difference technique. A methodology is introduced to estimate the cloudiness of the sky, which affects radiative heat exchange. The calculation method is validated using experimental data recorded in a laboratory of the University of Calabria. Temperature and electrical power are predicted with RMSE of 1.5–2.0 °C and NRMSE of 1.2–2.1%, respectively. The evaluation of the temperature profile inside the panel is essential to understand how heat is dissipated. The results show that the top surface (glass) is almost always colder than the back of the panel, despite being exposed to radiation. In addition, the upper surface dissipates more heat power than the lower one. Cooling systems, such as spray cooling, work better if they are installed on the back of the panel

Morphometry of the suprascapular notch: correlation with scapular dimensions and clinical relevance

Background: Better knowledge of the suprascapular notch anatomy may help to prevent and to assess more accurately suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. Our purposes were to verify the reliability of the existing data, to assess the differences between the two genders, to verify the correlation between the dimensions of the scapula and the suprascapular notch, and to investigate the relationship between the suprascapular notch and the postero-superior limit of the safe zone for the suprascapular nerve. Methods: We examined 500 dried scapulae, measuring seven distances related to the scapular body and suprascapular notch; they were also catalogued according to gender, age and side. Suprascapular notch was classified in accordance with Rengachary's method. For each class, we also took into consideration the width/depth ratio. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation was calculated. Results: The frequencies were: Type I 12.4%, Type II 19.8%, Type III 22.8%, Type IV 31.1%, Type V 10.2%, Type VI 3.6%. Width and depth did not demonstrate a statistical significant difference when analyzed according to gender and side; however, a significant difference was found between the depth means elaborated according to median age (73 y.o.). Correlation indexes were weak or not statistically significant. The differences among the postero-superior limits of the safe zone in the six types of notches was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Patient's characteristics (gender, age and scapular dimensions) are not related to the characteristics of the suprascapular notch (dimensions and Type); our data suggest that the entrapment syndrome is more likely to be associated with a Type III notch because of its specific features

The relationship between acromion thickness and body habitus: practical implications in subacromial decompression procedures.

To define the bone's amount that should be removed during an acromioplasty has always been a challenge. We aimed to verify the correlations between scapular dimensions and acromial thickness, assess the differences between the two genders, investigate the relationship between acromial type and thickness. We examined 500 dried scapulae, measuring the major axis of the scapular body and the acromial thickness; these were also catalogued according to gender. Acromial shape was classified according to Bigliani's method. Frequencies: Type I 38.9 %, Type II 39.4 %, Type III 21.7 %. The mean acromial thickness was 0.85 cm, and it resulted wider in men. There was a direct linear relationship between scapular dimensions and acromial thickness. The range of thickness of Type III acromion was significantly different from the others. We should be aware that gender, scapular dimensions and acromial shape should be evaluated preoperatively since they influence the acromial thickness

Robotic surgery of gallbladder cancer

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe our technique for the surgical treatment of clinically suspected or incidentally diagnosed gallbladder cancer (GBC) and to report the outcomes of our experience.Methods: This is a retrospective observational study including consecutive patients operated by a robotic approach for the surgical treatment of clinically suspected or incidentally diagnosed GBC (with the intent of radical re-resection after index cholecystectomy) performed between January 2017 and December 2019. Clinical outcomes and technical details related to the robotic approach were analyzed.Results: During the study period, 8 patients underwent robotic radical cholecystectomy with lymphadenectomy and atypical resection of segments IVb-V. No conversion or major complications occurred intraoperatively. All patients underwent a radical resection. There were one Clavien-Dindo grade II and one grade IIIb complication. Median hospital stay was 6 days (range 5-11). At a median follow-up of 17.5 months (range 29.3-7.3), all patients are alive and free from disease except one who had peritoneal recurrence and underwent chemotherapy. No trocar site recurrence was observed.Conclusion: The present study describes a standardized step-by-step robotic technique for the surgical treatment of GBC and demonstrates the feasibility and safety of the robotic approach. More data and multicentre series are needed to confirm our results and to assess the oncologic outcomes of the robotic approach

Diffusion kurtosis imaging and conventional diffusion weighted imaging to assess electrochemotherapy response in locally advanced pancreatic cancer

The aim of the study was to evaluate diagnostic performance of functional parameters derived by conventional mono-exponential approach of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and by diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the assessment of pancreatic tumours treated with electrochemotherapy (ECT)