Objectives/Hypothesis: Two types of electrode arrays for cochlear implants (CIs) are distinguished: lateral wall and perimodiolar. Scalar translocation of the array can lead to intracochlear trauma by penetrating from the scala tympani into the scala vestibuli or scala media, potentially negatively affecting hearing performance of CI users. This systematic review compares the lateral wall and perimodiolar arrays with respect to scalar translocation.Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were reviewed for studies published within the last 11 years. No other limitations were set. All studies with original data that evaluated the occurrence of scalar translocation or tip fold-over (TF) with postoperative computed tomography (CT) following primary cochlear implantation in bilateral sensorineuronal hearing loss patients were considered to be eligible. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers.Results: We included 33 studies, of which none were randomized controlled trials. Meta-analysis of five cohort studies comparing scalar translocation between lateral wall and perimodiolar arrays showed that lateral wall arrays have significantly lower translocation rates (7% vs. 43%; pooled odds ratio = 0.12). Translocation was negatively associated with speech perception scores (weighted mean 41% vs. 55%). Tip fold-over of the array was more frequent with perimodiolar arrays (X 2 = 6.8, P < .01).Conclusions: Scalar translocation and tip fold-overs occurred more frequently with perimodiolar arrays than with lateral wall arrays. In addition, translocation of the array negatively affects hearing with the cochlear implant. Therefore, if one aims to minimize clinically relevant intracochlear trauma, lateral wall arrays would be the preferred option for cochlear implantation.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm accounting for approximately 1,7% of total cancer diagnoses. The gold standard for evaluation of thyroid nodules is cytology from fine needle aspiration. In 30% of biopsies there is no conclusive diagnosis and patients undergo a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy. Somatic mutations occur frequently in thyroid cancer, the value of testing FNA biopsies on different mutation is analyzed, it improves accuracy, but their sensitivity is low. Another class of molecules with potential diagnostic value are miRNAs (miRNA, miR). MiRNAs function as gene regulators thereby controlling many cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Several studies have analyzed the expression of miRNAs in thyroid cancer, either by performing microarray analyses or validating a set of miRNAs. Recent reports focused on the diagnostic value of miRNAs in indeterminate FNA biopsies. In this systematic review we will provide an overview of all miRNAs found to be up- or downregulated in the different types of thyroid carcinomas, give an overview of the value of validated sets of microRNAs or single microRNAs in distinguishing malignant from benign lesions and conclude with a clinical view on future study strategies.

Background:Little is known about the factors that drive metastasis formation in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we set out to identify genes and proteins in patients with colorectal liver metastases that correlate with early disease recurrence. Such factors may predict a propensity for metastasis in earlier stages of CRC.Methods:Gene expression profiling and proteomics were used to identify differentially expressed genes/proteins in resected liver metastases that recurred within 6 months following liver surgery vs those that did not recur for >24 months. Expression of the identified genes/proteins in stage II (n=243) and III (n=176) tumours was analysed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Correlation of protein levels with stage-specific outcome was assessed by uni- and multivariable analyses.Results:Both gene expression profiling and proteomics identified Maspin to be differentially expressed in colorectal liver metastases with early (<6 months) and prolonged (>24 months) time to recurrence. Immunohistochemical analysis of Maspin expression on tumour sections revealed that it was an independent predictor of time to recurrence (log-rank P=0.004) and CRC-specific survival (P=0.000) in stage III CRC. High Maspin expression was also correlated with mucinous differentiation. In stage II CRC patients, high Maspin expression did not correlate with survival but was correlated with a right-sided tumour location.Conclusion:High Maspin expression correlates with poor outcome in CRC after spread to the local lymph nodes. Therefore, Maspin may have a stage-specific function possibly related to tumour cell dissemination and/or metastatic outgrowth.

Background: Active efflux of irinotecan by ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporters, in particular ABCB1 and ABCG2, is a well-established drug resistance mechanism in vitro and in pre-clinical mouse models, but its relevance in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the association between ABC-transporter expression and tumour response to irinotecan in patients with metastatic CRC.Methods: Tissue microarrays of a large cohort of metastatic CRC patients treated with irinotecan in a prospective study (CAIRO study; n=566) were analysed for expression of ABCB1 and ABCG2 by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to assess the association of ABC transporter expression with irinotecan response. Gene expression profiles of 17 paired tumours were used to assess the concordance of ABCB1/ABCG2 expression in primary CRC and corresponding metastases.Results: The response to irinotecan was not significantly different between primary tumours with positive versus negative expression of ABCB1 (5.8 vs 5.7 months, p=0.696) or ABCG2 (5.7 vs 6.1 months, p=0.811). Multivariate analysis showed neither ABCB1 nor ABCG2 were independent predictors for progression free survival. There was a mediocre to poor concordance between ABC-transporter expression in paired tumours.Conclusion: In metastatic CRC, ABC-transporter expression in the primary tumour does not predict irinotecan response.