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Background: Both general anesthesia and pneumoperitoneum insufflation during abdominal laparoscopic surgery can lead to atelectasis and impairment in oxygenation. Setting an appropriate level of external PEEP could reduce the occurrence of atelectasis and induce an improvement in gas exchange. However, in clinical practice, it is common to use a fixed PEEP level (i.e., 5 cmH2O), irrespective of the dynamic respiratory mechanics. We hypothesized setting a PEEP level guided by EIT in order to obtain an improvement in oxygenation and respiratory system compliance in lung-healthy patients than can benefit a personalized approach. Methods: Twelve consecutive patients scheduled for abdominal laparoscopic surgery were enrolled in this prospective study. The EIT Timpel Enlight 1800 was applied to each patient and a dedicated pneumotachograph and a spirometer flow sensor, integrated with EIT, constantly recorded respiratory mechanics. Gas exchange, respiratory mechanics and hemodynamics were recorded at five time points: T0, baseline; T1, after induction; T2, after pneumoperitoneum insufflation; T3, after a recruitment maneuver; and T4, at the end of surgery after desufflation. Results: A titrated mean PEEP of 8 cmH2O applied after a recruitment maneuver was successfully associated with the "best" compliance (58.4 ± 5.43 mL/cmH2O), with a low percentage of collapse (10%), an acceptable level of hyperdistention (0.02%). Pneumoperitoneum insufflation worsened respiratory system compliance, plateau pressure, and driving pressure, which significantly improved after the application of the recruitment maneuver and appropriate PEEP. PaO2 increased from 78.1 ± 9.49 mmHg at T0 to 188 ± 66.7 mmHg at T4 (p < 0.01). Other respiratory parameters remained stable after abdominal desufflation. Hemodynamic parameters remained unchanged throughout the study. Conclusions: EIT, used as a non-invasive intra-operative monitor, enables the rapid assessment of lung volume and regional ventilation changes in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery and helps to identify the "optimal" PEEP level in the operating theatre, improving ventilation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most frequent microvascular retinal complication of diabetic patients, contributing to loss of vision. Recently, retinal neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration have emerged as key players in DR progression, and therefore, this review examines the neuroinflammatory molecular basis of DR. We focus on four important aspects of retinal neuroinflammation: (i) the exacerbation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; (ii) the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome; (iii) the role of galectins; and (iv) the activation of purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Moreover, this review proposes the selective inhibition of galectins and the P2X7R as a potential pharmacological approach to prevent the progression of DR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent literature highlights that ozone therapy could be considered a viable adjuvant therapy in oncological patients receiving radio-chemotherapy. The use of ozone therapy in these patients enhances the action of chemotherapy and at the same time reduces side-effects, such as nausea, vomiting, opportunistic infections, buccal ulcers, hair loss and fatigue. Such positive therapeutic effects of ozone therapy can cause a larger physical and mental wellbeing resulting in improved quality of life. This work reviews the recent acquisition of scientific knowledge regarding the ozone therapy and highlights the molecular and cellular pathways involved., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)