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Background: 2017 International and 2018 European guidelines are the most recent guidelines for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms management. Aim: to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these guidelines in identifying malignant IPMN. Methods: data from resected patients with IPMN were collected in two referral centers. Features of risk associated to cancerous degeneration described in International and European guidelines were retrospectively applied. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value in detecting malignant disease were calculated. Results: the study includes 627 resected patients. European guidelines suggest resection in any patient with at least one feature of moderate-risk. International guidelines suggest that patients with moderate risk features undergo endoscopic ultrasound before surgery. European guidelines had a higher sensitivity (99.2% vs. 83%) but a lower positive predictive value (59.5% vs. 65.8%) and Specificity (2% vs. 37.5%). European guidelines detected almost all malignancies, but 40% of resected patients had low-grade dysplasia. 297 patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound before surgery. 31/116 (26.7%) tumors radiologically classified as "worrisome features" were reclassified as "high-risk stigmata" by endoscopic ultrasound and 24/31 were malignant IPMN. Conclusions: European and International guidelines have a relatively low diagnostic accuracy, being European guidelines more aggressive. Endoscopic ultrasound can improve guidelines accuracy in patients with moderate-risk features. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ )

Renewable energies as an additional source have become vital in modern societies. The search for alternative energy sources has led the scientific community to the oceans, demanding a shift in energetic policies, which must be redefined to favor the development of renewable energy technologies at sea. The goal is to generate electric energy while producing less pollutants or even while using the outputs of human anthropic activities as input for the generation of energy, food, products and for the mitigation of climate change impacts. The present study focus on the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology, which presents the greatest potential for energy exploitation from the oceans and which generates a range of by-products. The South Atlantic Ocean presents the potential to support OTEC plants, with emphasis on the region called Brazilian Ocean Thermal Energy Park, with a total coverage area of 1,893,000.00 k m 2 and an operating potential of up to 376 OTEC plants. Results of this work indicate that the park operation in maximum capacity can generate energy at a nominal power of 41.36 G W , and remove 60.16 G W or 60.16 G J / s of ocean heat and 8.13 k g / s or 256.37 T g / y e a r of atmospheric C O 2 .

Background There is no international consensus concerning the role of surgical treatment of metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC), but favorable prognoses can be expected for highly selected patients. Methods A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted using combinations of keywords to 4 July 2018. Eligible studies were those reporting on patients with histologically confirmed mPDAC undergoing surgery with curative intent. We excluded case reports with fewer than five patients, insufficient descriptions of survival data, and palliative or cytoreductive surgery as well as studies that assessed para-aortic lymph node metastasis or peritoneal washing cytology. Results Thirteen studies were deemed eligible, and six studies were identified from their references. The studies involved 428 patients who underwent surgical resection for liver metastases (n = 343), lung metastases (n = 57), and peritoneal dissemination (n = 28). Median overall survival (OS) in patients with synchronous liver metastases who underwent conversion surgery following favorable response to initial chemotherapy was 27 or 34 months, and peritoneum metastases was 28 months. Median OS after the initial treatment was varied from 51 to 121 months in metachronous lung metastasis and from 24 to 40 months in metachronous liver metastasis, respectively. Conclusion Encouraging OS was indicated in patients with synchronous mPDAC of liver and peritoneum who underwent conversion surgery. Metastasectomy for metachronous lung and liver oligometastases could be considered a practical treatment option.

Background: Surgical capacity is reduced due to COVID-19; and actions are required to optimise access, as the waiting patients’ needs dramatically exceed the available resources. The Italian Liguria Regional Health Trust (ALiSa) commissioned a pathway for all cancer/urgent cases from the metropolitan area of Genoa (840,000 inhabitants). Methods: The 6-week single-cohort feasibility-pilot of a software-aided, inter-hospital, collaborative multidisciplinary pathway covering all specialities in the Genoa Departments of Surgery. It modifies the Surgical Waiting List InfoSystem (SWALIS 2020) prioritisation model based on waiting time and clinical urgency by implicit criteria. We have introduced three new urgent subcategories: A1-15 days (certain rapid disease progression), A2-21 days (probable progression), and A3-30 days (potential progression). Findings: 295 referrals were evaluated in 6 weeks without major criticalities from 12 Surgical Units. Waiting lists were weekly monitored, and theatres allocated based on the existing demand. Their urgency category frequencies differed between week 3 and week 4 (p = 0·031). The SWALIS priority score (% of the waited against maximum time) in the operated patients was 88•7 ± 45•2 at week 1 and then persistently over 100% (efficiency), spread over a controlled variation (equity), with a difference between the A3 (153•29 ± 103•52) vs. A1 (97•24 ± 107•93) (p

Background There are very few data in the current literature regarding the short- and long-term outcome of surgery for pediatric pancreatic tumors (PPT). No data are available on the impact of pancreatic surgery on the children's growth. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study on a consecutive series of pediatric/adolescent patients who underwent pediatric surgery at Karolinska University Hospital from January 2005 to July 2017. Results Overall 14 pancreatic operations were performed in 13 patients. The median age was 11.4 years (range 3–15). Six pancreaticoduodenectomies (42.8%), 5 distal pancreatectomies (35.7%), and 3 enucleations (21.5%) were performed. The final histology revealed a solid pseudopapillary tumor in 9 cases (69.2%), neuroblastoma in 1 (7.7%), ganglioneuroma in 1 (7.7%), pancreatoblastoma in 1 (7.7%), and insulinoma in 1 (7.7%). Overall, 3 patients developed post-operative complications (23%). There was no peri-operative mortality. All patients are alive after a median follow-up time of 80 months. Exocrine insufficiency was detected post-operatively in 4 patients (30.7%) Endocrine insufficiency requiring insulin treatment developed in one patient (7.7%). No significant impact on growth was detected in any of the patients after pancreatic resection. Conclusions In our series, surgery performed for PPTs seems to be safe and effective. The effect of pancreatic surgery on children's growth does not seem to be significant.

The oncological impact of surgical complications has been studied in visceral and pancreatic cancer.To investigate the impact of complications on tumour recurrence after resections for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.We have retrospectively analysed 105 consecutive resections performed at the Royal Free London Hospital from 1998 to 2014, and studied the long-term outcome of nil-minor (3) versus major (≥3) Clavien-Dindo complications (CD) on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS).The series accounted for 41 (39%) pancreaticoduodenectomies, two (1.9%) central, 48 (45.7%) distal pancreatectomies, eight (7.6%) enucleations, four (3.8%) total pancreatectomies. Sixteen (15.2%) were extended to adjacent organs, 13 (12.3%) to minor liver resections. Postoperative complications presented in 43 (40.1%) patients; CD grade 1 or 2 in 23 (21.9%), grades ≥3 in 20 (19%). Among 25 (23.8%) pancreatic fistulas, 14 (13.3%) were grades B or C. Thirty-four (32.4%) patients developed exocrine, and 31 (29.5%) endocrine insufficiency. Seven patients died during a median 27 (0-175) months follow up. Thirty-day mortality was 0.9%. OS was 94.1% at 5 years. Thirty tumours recurred within 11.7 (0.8-141.5) months. DFS was 44% at 5 years. At univariate analysis, high-grade complications were not associated with shorter DFS (p = 0.744). At multivariate analysis, no parameter was independent predictor for DFS or OS. The comparison of nil-minor versus major complications showed no DFS difference (p = 0.253).From our series, major complications after P-NETs resection are not associated to different disease recurrence; hence do not require different follow up or adjuvant regimens.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic burdens non-covid elective surgical patients by reducing service capacity, forcing extreme selection of patients most in need. New tools are urgently required to prioritize operations and optimize the process sustainably. Our study assesses the SWALIS-2020 model ability to prioritize access to surgery during the highest viral outbreak peaks. Methods: A 2020 March - May feasibility-pilot study, tested a software-aided, inter-hospital, multidisciplinary pathway. All specialties patients in the Genoa Departments referred for urgent elective surgery were included in a multidisciplinary pathway adopting a modified Surgical Waiting List InfoSystem (SWALIS) cumulative prioritization method (PAT-2020) based on waiting time and clinical urgency, in three subcategories: A1-15 days (certain rapid disease progression), A2-21 days (probable progression), and A3-30 days (potential progression). We have studied the model applicability and its ability to prioritize patients by monitoring their waiting list and service performance. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11384058. Results: Following the feasibility study (N=55 patients), 240 referrals were evaluated in 4 weeks without major criticalities (M/F=73/167, Age=68.7 +/- 14.0). Waiting lists were prioritized and monitored. The SWALIS-2020 score (% of waited-against-maximum time) at operation was 88.7 +/- 45.2 at week 1 and then persistently over 100% (efficiency), over a controlled variation (equity), with a difference between A3 (153.29 +/- 103.52) vs. A1 (97.24 +/- 107.93) (p

Various forms of energy conversion have been examined over the years and the energy of thermal gradients currently operating in some regions of the world has been studied. The Southern Brazilian Continental Shelf has high spatial and temporal temperature variability, indicating the need for a climatological analysis to identify the regions with the largest energy budgets. This region was shown to have a large energy budget through the analysis of sea surface temperature modelling data over 14 years. Based on the seasonality, the most suitable area for using an OTEC facility was identified. A numerical module forced with the monthly averaged modelling data was developed in order to estimates the thermal energy conversion from the ocean. The results show that there is a low sensitivity of the thermocline and thermal gradient associated with the change of seasons and oceanic features observed in this region. The theoretical maximum power produced can reach up to 121.9 MW and the average over the studied period was approximately 94.3 MW considering a punctual extraction spot. A simulated conversion site placed where there was greatest viability revealed that the average standard thermal gradient is 0.17 °C/m along the vertical column (545 m) from the sea.

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMNs) of the pancreas may evolve from low- to high-grade dysplasia to invasive cancer. Accurate discrimination of IPMN-associated grade of dysplasia is an unmet clinical need for appropriate patient management and treatment. This study used an integrated metabolomics and lipidomics approach, aiming to define the metabolic profiles of IPMNs. Methods: Metabolomic and lipidomic profiles of peri-operative pancreatic cyst fluid and pre-operative fasted plasma from IPMN and serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) patients were determined single-blinded in this pancreas resection cohort (n=31). Targeted (semi)quantitative analysis of 100 metabolites from 24 classes and >1000 lipid species spanning 13 classes were performed. The datasets were correlated against histological diagnosis and clinical parameters after correction for confounding factors. Group classification and model performance was done with Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS- DA) and a Leave-One-Out cross validation (LOO-CV) strategy, respectively. Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) ranking scores were used to select the best explanatory molecules. Findings: Over 1000 different compounds were identified in plasma and cyst fluid. The IPMN biofluid profiles showed significant lipid pathway alterations compared to SCN controls. Integrated metabolomics and lipidomics data modeling allowed accurate discrimination between IPMN and SCN and could determine the IPMN-associated grade of dysplasia. Correlations were found between plasma lipid compounds of free fatty acids, ceramides, and triacylglycerol classes and the circulating levels of CA19-9, albumin and bilirubin (r>0·6, p

Introduction: Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is the most frequent complication after Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Some prophylactic strategies are the use of pancreatic stents or peri-procedural nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Statins are widely used lipid-lowering drugs. Recent studies suggest that chronic statin intake may be associated to a lower incidence of AP. Methods: Our aim is to investigate whether chronic statin and/or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) intake is associated to a lower incidence of PEP. Stark project is an international, multicenter, prospective, cohort study, developed under the auspices of “Pancreas 2000”. Consecutive patients undergoing ERCP in seven european centers, older than 18, were included prospectively. Demographic and medical data were retrieved by anamnesis. Patients were followed-up to detect those with PEP. The sample size was estimated to be 1, 016 participants. A univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression) were performed. Results: 1150 patients were included. Mean age was 68.4 years (SD 14.5). 561 (48.8%) patients were female. 70 patients developed post-ERCP-AP (PEP) (6.1%) ; 25 patients (8.1%) under chronic statin treatment versus 45 patients (5.4%) who do not (p= 0.086). Multivariate analysis showed an aOR of 1.679 (0.941-2.994), p 0.079 for PEP incidence in statin users. Regarding ASA consumption, 11 patients (6.6%) under ASA treatment versus 59 patients (6%) who were not consuming ASA, developed PEP (p= 0.753). Multivariate analysis showed an aOR of 1.017 (0.487-2.127), p=0.963 for PEP incidence among ASA users. Conclusion: Our data suggest that chronic statin and/or ASA intake isnt statistically associated to an increase incidence of PEP.

Introduction: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) type 1 is a special form of chronic pancreatitis with a strong lymphocytic infiltration as the pathological hallmark and other organ involvement (OOI). IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD) was first reported as an extrapancreatic manifestation of AIP in 2004. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and clinical impact of kidney lesions observed in patients with AIP type 1. Methods: We performed a single-centre retrospective study on a prospectively collected cohort of patients with a histologically proven or highly probable diagnosis of AIP according to the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) classification. Results: Seventy-one patients with AIP were evaluated. AIP type 1 was diagnosed in 62 (87%) patients. Kidney involvement was present in 17 (27.4%) patients with AIP type 1: 15 (88.2%) males and 2 (11.8%) females. Laboratory and/or imaging signs of kidney involvement were presented at the time of AIP diagnosis in eight (47.1%) patients. In other patients, the onset of kidney involvement occurred between four months and eight years following diagnosis. At the time of the diagnosis of kidney involvement, eight (47.1%) patients showed elevated creatinine, and nine (52.9%) patients showed normal serum creatinine. None of the patients were treated with dialysis. Conclusions: IgG4-RKD was present in 27.4% of patients with AIP type 1, with male gender predominance. In cases of early diagnosis and cortisone treatment, the clinical course was mild in most cases. Regular laboratory control of renal function should be a part of the follow-up of patients with AIP type 1.