Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

H. C. Brown Centennial (1912–2004)

Abstract: Herbert Brown discovered the reaction of hydroboration and the most successful compound he made was sodium borohydride. His life and research activities took interesting turns and seemed often governed by serendipity. He was consistent in his hard work and dedication to chemistry. He was both an inorganic and an organic chemist and his research often presented challenges to the structural chemists.

Patient-Defined Treatment Success: Perspectives of Patients With Advanced-Stage Lung Cancer.

Abstract: PURPOSE:In the United States, lung cancer accounts for 14% of cancer diagnoses and 28% of cancer deaths annually. Because no cure exists for advanced lung cancer, the primary treatment goal is to p...

Comment on robotic inguinal hernia repair: is technology taking over?

Abstract: The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal (R-TAPP) inguinal hernia repair (IHR) to determine risk-to-benefit ratios and assist with clinical decision-making [1]. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, the authors compiled publications written in English detailing R-TAPP IHR outcomes. Excluded articles had unclear description of methodology and/or operative technique, fewer than 20 patients, and included patients who underwent concomitant procedures. Twelve studies representing 1645 patients published between 2015 and 2019 were identified. All cohort studies (11 observational, 1 propensity-matched) were considered fair quality with moderate or serious bias. Overall, 1635 patients underwent R-TAPP IHR, but only 10 and 11 studies reported the type of mesh and method of fixation, respectively. Four patients suffered major operative complications including vascular injury (n = 3) and sigmoid colon enterostomy (n = 1), while 9 patients (estimated pooled prevalence 0.14%) required conversion to an open approach for various technical and pathology-related issues. Estimated short-term pooled prevalence rates were seroma/hematoma (4.1%), urinary retention (3.5%), inguinodynia (0.73%), surgical site infection (0.22%), operation-related readmission (0.75%), and hernia recurrence (0.18%). The authors concluded that R-TAPP IHR is feasible, safe, and effective based on low pooled prevalence rates of conversion and complications that seem comparable to published results [1]. Of the 12 studies analyzed, only six (50%) reported on all basic yet necessary aspects of hernia-related studies [1]. Specifically, one study failed to mention the type of robotic surgical platform, two did not specify the type of mesh used, one failed to describe mesh fixation or lack thereof, and four studies did not detail the suture and/or technique for peritoneal flap closure [1]. Most studies failed to grade complications using a valid classification system. These easily reportable details should be included by authors of hernia-related studies, and must be assessed by reviewers and editors to facilitate more consistent data reporting, comparative analysis, and interpretation. A recent observational cohort study included patients with primary and recurrent inguinal hernia who underwent R-TAPP (n = 35) or laparoscopic (n = 68) approach at a single institution [2]. The two unmatched cohorts were similar regarding age, body mass index, history of abdominal operation, and prevalence of recurrent hernia. There were 19 and 16 patients who underwent bilateral R-TAPP and laparoscopic IHR, respectively. Of those who underwent laparoscopic IHR, 47.1% (n = 32) were TAPP repairs with synthetic mesh secured by permanent tacks. In most (97.3%) R-TAPP cases, self-gripping synthetic mesh was used without tack fixation. There was no statistical difference in mean Carolinas Comfort Scale scores between groups at baseline, immediately postoperatively, and at 3–4 months and 12 months postoperatively. Total time to follow-up differed between R-TAPP and laparoscopic groups (15.5 vs. 14.1 months, P = 0.019). Mean operative time for unilateral/ bilateral R-TAPP IHR (67 min) decreased by approximately 30 min during 18 months of the study. Mean operative time for laparoscopic IHR was 58 min with no decrease over the period [2]. This investigation of fellowship-trained surgeons early in the learning curve for R-TAPP IHR presented limited data that do not establish the operative experience necessary to achieve competency and/or proficiency with R-TAPP IHR, but it is a good start [2]. The authors concluded that R-TAPP The article is part of the Topical Collection “Forum on primary monolateral uncomplicated inguinal hernia\".

Management of advanced and/or metastatic carcinoid tumors: historical perspectives and emerging therapies

Abstract: Introduction: Carcinoid tumors are uncommon neoplasms that offer unique therapeutic challenges to practicing physicians. Several chemotherapy combinations and IFN-α have been used for the treatment of unresectable carcinoid tumors over the last decades, but they have shown variable clinical results. Given the heterogeneity of these tumors, there is no clear therapeutic agent or combination that confers a significant advantage over others. Areas covered: The authors provide a comprehensive evaluation of the existing therapies for advanced carcinoid tumors such as traditional agents, combination therapies and newer drugs. Expert opinion: Somatostatin analogs are known to provide symptomatic relief in patients with carcinoid syndrome, but their antiproliferative effect has not been proven beyond the reasonable doubt. Traditional streptozocin-based regimens may offer a survival benefit in patients with advanced carcinoids, yet their toxicity is not negligible. Temozolomide has shown efficacy alone and in comb...

Natriuretic peptide hormones in congestive heart failure: challenges, clinical interpretation and review of studies.

Abstract: The primary action of natriuretic peptide hormones is to assist the heart in responding to the status of volume overload and subsequent stretching of the ventricles. Many studies have been done in the past decades that proved how useful is measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in diagnosing acute dyspnoea due to heart failure (HF) and to rule out non-cardiac dyspnoea. The major focus was on determining the optimal BNP level cutoffs that would help physicians in diagnosing acute cardiac dyspnoea early.The heart produces two natriuretic peptide hormones: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The most important stimulus in the secretion and release of these hormones, is stretch in the cardiac myocyte, which activates proBNP gene leading to de novo myocyte peptide synthesis and secretion. The more stretch that occurs, the higher level of these hormones which correlates with the severity of symptoms and prognosis. ProBNP originates from pre-proBNP, which is s...