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Purpose In the last 20 years, bariatric surgery has achieved an important role in translational and clinical research because of obesity comorbidities. Initially, a tool to lose weight, bariatric surgery now has been shown to be involved in several metabolic pathways. Methods We conducted a narrative review discussing the underlying mechanisms that could explain the impact of bariatric surgery and the relationship between obesity and adipose tissue, T2D, gut microbiota, and NAFLD. Results Bariatric surgery has an impact in the relation between obesity and type 2 diabetes, but in addition it induces the white-to-brown adipocyte trans-differentiation, by enhancing thermogenesis. Another issue is the connection of bariatric surgery with the gut microbiota and its role in the complex mechanism underlying weight gain. Conclusion Bariatric surgery modifies gut microbiota, and these modifications influence lipid metabolism, leading to improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Obesity is considered a risk factor for different types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Bariatric surgery has been associated with improvements in obesity-related co-morbidities and reductions in overall cancer risk. However, given the contradictory outcomes of several cohort studies, the impact of bariatric surgery on CRC risk appears controversial. Furthermore, measurement of CRC biomarkers following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has revealed hyperproliferation and increased pro-inflammatory gene expression in the rectal mucosa. The proposed mechanisms leading to increased CRC risk are alterations of the gut microbiota and exposure of the colorectum to high concentrations of bile acids, both of which are caused by RYGB-induced anatomical rearrangements. Studies in animals and humans have highlighted the similarities between RYGB-induced microbial profiles and the gut microbiota documented in CRC. Microbial alterations common to post-RYGB cases and CRC include the enrichment of pro-inflammatory microbes and reduction in butyrate-producing bacteria. Lower concentrations of butyrate following RYGB may also contribute to an increased risk of CRC, given the anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties of this molecule. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy appears to have a more moderate impact than RYGB; however, relatively few animal and human studies have investigated its effects on CRC risk. Moreover, evidence regarding the impact of anastomosis gastric bypass on one is even more limited. Therefore, further studies are required to establish whether the potential increase in CRC risk is restricted to RYGB or may also be associated with other bariatric procedures.

The rate at which obesity is becoming an epidemic in many countries is alarming. Obese individuals have a high risk of developing elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma. Additionally, glaucoma is a disease of epidemic proportions. It is characterized by neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation with optic neuropathy and the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGC). On the other hand, there is growing interest in microbiome dysbiosis, particularly in the gut, which has been widely acknowledged to play a prominent role in the etiology of metabolic illnesses such as obesity. Recently, studies have begun to highlight the fact that microbiome dysbiosis could play a critical role in the onset and progression of several neurodegenerative diseases, as well as in the development and progression of several ocular disorders. In obese individuals, gut microbiome dysbiosis can induce endotoxemia and systemic inflammation by causing intestinal barrier malfunction. As a result, bacteria and their metabolites could be delivered via the bloodstream or mesenteric lymphatic vessels to ocular regions at the level of the retina and optic nerve, causing tissue degeneration and neuroinflammation. Nowadays, there is preliminary evidence for the existence of brain and intraocular microbiomes. The altered microbiome of the gut could perturb the resident brain–ocular microbiome ecosystem which, in turn, could exacerbate the local inflammation. All these processes, finally, could lead to the death of RGC and neurodegeneration. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the recent evidence on the role of gut microbiome dysbiosis and related inflammation as common mechanisms underlying obesity and glaucoma.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a widespread approach in general surgery. Computer guiding software, such as the augmented reality (AR), the virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), has been proposed to help surgeons during MIS. This study aims to report these technologies' current knowledge and diffusion during surgical training in Italy. A web-based survey was developed under the aegis of the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE). Two hundred and seventeen medical doctors' answers were analyzed. Participants were surgeons (138, 63.6%) and residents in surgery (79, 36.4%). The mean knowledge of the role of the VR, AR and MR in surgery was 4.9 ± 2.4 (range 1-10). Most of the participants (122, 56.2%) did not have experience with any proposed technologies. However, although the lack of experience in this field, the answers about the functioning of the technologies were correct in most cases. Most of the participants answered that VR, AR and MR should be used more frequently for the teaching and training and during the clinical activity (170, 80.3%) and that such technologies would make a significant contribution, especially in training (183, 84.3%) and didactic (156, 71.9%). Finally, the main limitations to the diffusion of these technologies were the insufficient knowledge (182, 83.9%) and costs (175, 80.6%). Based on the present study, in Italy, the knowledge and dissemination of these technologies are still limited. Further studies are required to establish the usefulness of AR, VR and MR in surgical training.

Introduction Duodenal rupture following blunt abdominal trauma is rare, and traumatic rupture of duodenal diverticula is exceptional. However, duodenum is the second most frequent location of intestinal diverticula following colon. Duodenal diverticula are common but only in few cases they are symptomatic due to the onset of complications such as inflammation, hemorrhage, or perforation. Perforation, although rare, especially post-trauma, is the most serious life threatening complication. Case presentation We report the case of a patient who, 24 hours after a blunt trauma secondary to a car accident, complained symptoms related to the perforation of a diverticulum of the fourth portion of the duodenum. A computed tomography was performed and extraluminal fluid-air collection was identified. During emergent laparotomy, a fourth portion perforated duodenal diverticulum was diagnosed, and resected. The recovery was uneventful. Discussion Diagnosis of perforated duodenal diverticulum represents a challenge in diagnosis and few guidelines exist about the management of this rare occurrence, especially in a traumatic setting. The present case is the first report of traumatic perforated diverticulum of the fourth duodenal portion. Conclusion Surgery still remain the most common approach in the treatment of this pathology, including diverticulectomy and primary repair., Highlights • Duodenal diverticula are a frequent, but they are usually asymptomatic until they develop complications, as perforation. • Traumatic perforation of duodenum is very infrequent and the traumatic rupture of duodenal diverticula is extremely rare. • Perforation, usually involves the second part of the duodenum. • The present case is the first report of traumatic perforated diverticulum of the fourth duodenal portion. • Surgery remain the most common approach in the treatment of complicated duodenal diverticula.

Diverticular disease affects ∼5–10% people worldwide, yet the indications for elective colectomy in uncomplicated diverticulitis are unclear. As there is no strong scientific evidence regarding histology in diverticular disease, the primary outcome of the study was to analyze the degree of inflammation of colonic wall in patients that underwent elective colectomy for uncomplicated diverticulitis and to retrospectively assess the correlation between patient clinical history and pathological features of surgical specimens in order to find some predictive factors that may be strictly correlated with histology. An observational retrospective study was conducted. Patients undergoing elective colectomy for uncomplicated diverticulitis between January 2014 and January 2016 in an academic medical center were collected. The majority of patients (46.2%) had previously encountered one episode of acute diverticulitis prior to colectomy, while 21.5% and 10.8% had experienced two and three or more prior episodes respectively. Most patients had recurrent or chronic abdominal pain in the left iliac fossa (66.2%) for diverticular disease and a large proportion also experienced constipation (40.0%). Diverticulitis was identified pathologically as being “mild” in 44.6% patients and “severe” in 55.4% patients. The mean age was significantly lower in patients with severe diverticulitis (56.7 years) than in patients with mild diverticulitis (67.0 years). 71.9% of males had severe diverticulitis compared to 39.4% of females. Males have a 3.9 times higher risk of histological severe diverticulitis than females (OR = 3.932; 1.390–11.122; p = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that age and gender were independent factors associated with histological diagnosis. Single-institution data and retrospective design were main limitations of this study. Age and gender are independent factors associated with severity inflammation index derived at histological analysis and they could be translated to clinical practice to better categorize patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis at the bedside.

Complex abdominal wall defects (CAWDs) can be difficult to repair and using a conventional synthetic mesh is often unsuitable. A biological mesh might offer a solution for CAWD repair, but the clinical outcomes are unclear. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a cross-linked, acellular porcine dermal collagen matrix implant (Permacol) for CAWD repair in a cohort of 60 patients. Here, 58.3% patients presented with a grade 3 hernia (according to the Ventral Hernia Working Group grading system) and a contaminated surgical field. Permacol was implanted as a bridge in 46.7%, as an underlay (intraperitoneal position) in 38.3% and as a sublay (retromuscolar position) in 15% of patients. Fascia closure was achieved in 53.3% of patients. The surgical site occurrence rate was 35% and the defect size significantly influenced the probability of post-operative complications. The long-term (2 year) hernia recurrence rate was 36.2%. This study represents the first large multi-centre Italian case series on Permacol implants in patients with a CAWD. Our data suggest that Permacol is a feasible strategy to repair a CAWD, with acceptable early complications and long-term (2 year) recurrence rates.

Traumatic limb wound management represents a common and challenging health problem. Conservative treatment can be a good option when surgery fails or surgical reconstruction is planned. Wound healing is a complex process that involves several factors and can be delayed if wound details are not noticed. So, expert healthcare professionals should take care of these delicate patients to obtain satisfactory outcomes in terms of cosmesis and functionality of the residual scar. Thanks to the description of three patients with traumatic limb injuries, this article emphasizes the importance of respecting what we call the three golden rules of wound management: correct cleaning of the wound, its accurate inspection and choose the appropriate dressing according to the wound aspect.

Background Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) occurs frequently in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is often diagnosed in the course of a routine patient evaluation and surveillance for liver cancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between folate status and portal vein thrombosis. Methods HCC with PVT patients were 78, HCC without PVT were 60 and control subjects were 70 randomly selected. We evaluate serum and red blood cellular folate, homocysteine, alpha fetal protein cholesterol, triglycerides, prothrombin time. Results HCC patients with PVT showed lower levels of serum folate, respect HCC patients without PVT, with an average difference of 1.6 nmol/l p p p p p p Conclusion The low folate concentration and higher levels of homocysteine are associated with the loss of antithrombotic function, and with a more aggressive course of HCC and with a higher change of complications related to portal vein thrombosis

Introduction We report an extremely rare case of acute acalculous cholecystitis on a COVID-19 patient. In our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed on a COVID-19 patient. Presentation of case A COVID-19 patient was diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis and a multidisciplinary team decided to perform a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as the first treatment. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not found in the bile fluid. Because of deterioration of the patient's clinical conditions, laparoscopic cholecystectomy had to be performed and since the gallbladder was gangrenous, the severe inflammation made surgery difficult to perform. Discussion Acalculous cholecystitis was related with mechanical ventilation and prolonged total parenteral nutrition, in this case the gangrenous histopathology pattern and the gallbladder wall ischemia was probably caused by vascular insufficiency secondary to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome of COVID-19 pneumonia. The percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTBD) was performed according to Tokyo Guidelines because of high surgical risk. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was next performed due to no clinical improvement. The absence of viral RNA in the bile highlights that SARS-CoV-2 is not eliminated with the bile while it probably infects small intestinal enterocytes which is responsible of gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Conclusions Although the lack of evidence and guidelines about the management of patient with acute cholecystitis during COVID-19 pandemic, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, at most preceded by PTGBD on high surgical risk patients, remains the gold standard for the treatment of acute cholecystitis on COVID-19 patients., Highlights • Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread to several countries around the world and has become an unprecedented pandemic. • Cholecystitis was probably caused by vascular insufficiency secondary to respiratory distress syndrome of COVID-19 pneumonia. • SARS-CoV-2 probably infects small intestinal enterocytes which is responsible of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea. • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, remains the gold standard for the treatment of acute cholecystitis on COVID-19 patient.

Sublay mesh repair seems to be the most effective method for treating incisional hernias (IHs). The aim of this study was to report our experience with retromuscular repair and self-gripping mesh for the treatment of midline IHs. In addition, we provided a systematic review of the literature regarding the use of this novel combination. All patients undergoing elective IH repair from June 2016 to November 2018 were included. The self-gripping mesh was placed in the sublay position. Demographic data, defect sizes, postoperative complications and follow-up durations were collected. A systematic review of the available literature was conducted in January 2020 using main databases. A total of 37 patients (20/17M/F) were included in this study, and the mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 58 years and 27 kg/m2, respectively. Minor complications occurred in six patients. Long-term follow-up demonstrated recurrence in three patients. Regarding the review, five publications were considered relevant. The highest complication rate was 28.6%, and the recurrence rate varied from 0 to 5.1%. This is the first review of the literature regarding sublay IH repair using a self-gripping mesh. The low rates of postoperative complications and recurrence in our experience and those reported by most of the reviewed articles demonstrate that this is a safe and effective method for repairing IHs.

In recent decades, haemodynamically stable patients with traumatic liver injuries have been managed conservatively. The primary aim of this study is to retrospectively analyse the outcomes of the authors’ approach to blunt hepatic trauma according to the degree of injury. The secondary aim is to analyse the changes in the decision-making process for blunt liver trauma management over the last 10 years. A total of 145 patients with blunt liver trauma managed by one trauma team were included in the study. Causes, sites and grades of injury, clinical conditions, ultrasonography and CT results, associated injuries, laboratory data, types of treatment (surgical or non-operative management/NOM), blood transfusions, complications, and lengths of hospitalization were recorded and analysed. A total of 85.5% of patients had extrahepatic injuries. The most frequently involved liver segments were VII (50.3%), VI (48.3%) and V (40.7%). The most common injury was grade III OIS (40.6%). Fifty-nine patients (40.7%) were treated surgically, with complications in 23.7% of patients, whereas 86 patients (59.3%) underwent NOM, with a complication rate of only 10.5%. The evolution over the last 10 years showed an overall increase in the NOM rate. This clinical experience confirmed that NOM was the most appropriate therapeutic choice for blunt liver trauma even in high-grade injuries and resulted in a 100% effectiveness rate with a 0% rate of conversion to surgical treatment. The relevant increase in the use of NOM did not influence the effectiveness or safety levels over the last 10 years; this was certainly related to the increasing experience of the team and the meticulous selection and monitoring of patients.

The scientific interest (SI) for a given field can be ascertained by quantifying the volume of published research. We quantified the SI in surgical education to clarify the extent of worldwide efforts on this crucial factor required to improve health-care systems. A set of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) was defined for the PubMed search. The number of Pubmed Indexed Papers (nPIP) relevant to the SI was extracted from database conception to December 2016 and their distribution and evolution by country were analyzed at 10-year intervals. Population Adjusted Index (PAI) and Medical School Adjusted Index (MSAI) analyses were performed for countries with the nPIP > 30. We identified 51,713 articles written in 33 different languages related to surgical education; 87.6% of these were written in English. General surgery was the leading surgical specialty. The overall nPIP doubled every 10 years from 1987 (from 6009 to 13,501, to 26,272) but stabilized at 3707, 3800 and 3433 in the past 3 years, respectively. The PAI and MSAI analyses showed that the USA, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and Ireland are top producers of published research in surgical education, constituting a combined 62.88% of the nPIP. Our quantification of the change in SI in surgical education and training gives a clear picture of evolution, efforts and leadership worldwide over time. This picture mirrors an international academic society that should encourage all those involved in surgical education to improve efforts in educational research.

Background: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), despite having a favourable prognosis, present an increased risk of occult malignancies. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the usefulness of the mucinous marker carbohydrate 19-9 antigen (CA 19-9) in the diagnosis of occult cancers. (1) Patients and Methods: This is a case control study in which 480 patients with NMSC and 480 matched control subjects with dermatitis were enrolled, 208 patients with NMSC showed upper-normal CA 19-9 values, and 272 showed under-normal CA 19-9 values. (2) Results: The 208 patients positive for CA 19-9 included 87 with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 121 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The 272 patients negative for CA 19-9 included 107 with BCC and 165 with SCC. For the SCC patients, CA 19-9 serum levels were significant in 121 of the patients (positive), 66 of which were affected by cancer, CA 19-9 was within the normal range in 165 patients, of which 30 were diagnosed with cancer. In the SCC patients, the CA 19-9 sensitivity was 68%, the specificity was 70%, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 54% (95%) and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 81%. In the BCC patients, the CA 19-9 sensitivity was 70%, the specificity was 66%, the PPV was 48% and the NPV was 83%. In the dermatitis patients (controls), we observed 121 patients that were CA 19-9 positive, with 15 malignancies, and 359 CA 19-9-negative patients, with three malignancies. (3) Conclusions: To confirm the association between CA 19-9 and an elevated risk of malignancies in NMSC, prospective cohort studies should be performed.

Background Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is reported in 10–40% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The development of PVT is a multifactorial process, resulting from a reduction in portal blood flow and hypercoagulability. Methods We evaluated 44 HCC patients with PVT, 50 HCC patients without PVT and 50 healthy subjects. Homocysteine (Hcy), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and folate were measured. Results Hcy in HCC patients with PVT is significant higher than the patients without PVT and controls subjects. Conclusion Total Hcy is a sensitive marker of PVT in patients with HCC.

Purpose/aim: The appropriate staging of colorectal cancer requires at least 12 lymph nodes to be sampled. We evaluated whether lymph node sampling (LNS) and lymph node ratio (LNR) can predict the prognosis of stage II-III patients.This is a retrospective study on 432 patients classified in LNS ≥12 and LNS12. Disease-free survival (DFS) was computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. We stratified stage III patients into 4 quartiles base on LNR values. To determine the optimal LNR cut-off, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed.There was a positive association between the number of lymph node sampled and the number of metastatic lymph nodes (p0.01). Among stage II patients, the DFS was 81% for LNS ≥ 12 and 72% for LNS12 (p = 0.158). Among stage III patients, the DFS was 58% (p0.001). We found a significant association between LNR quartiles and relapse in stage III patients but only in the LNS ≥ 12 group. ROC curve analysis indicated an ideal LNR cut-off value at 0.194 (sensitivity 65% and specificity 61%). The DFS of patients with LNR below 0.194 was 71%, and that of patients with LNR above 0.194 was 45% (log-rank test, p0.001). In the patients with LNS ≥ 12, the cut-off of 0.257 could predict recurrence (specificity 86%).Stage II patients with LNS12 tend to have shorter DFS than stage II patients with LNS ≥ 12. In stage III patients, an appropriate LNR cut-off is a better prognostic predictor than LNR quartile, especially in patients with LNS ≥ 12.

Lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) is a plasma lipoprotein consisting of a cholesterol rich LDL particle with one molecule of apolipoprotein B100 and one protein apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)].

OBJECTIVE The simultaneous laparoendoscopic "rendezvous" (LERV) represents an alternative to sequential or totally laparoscopic approaches for patients affected by cholecystocholedocholithiasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the results in a large series of 210 consecutive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2002 to 2016 all patients affected by cholecystocholedocholithiasis were treated with a standardized "tailored" LERV. The relevant technical features of the procedure were recorded. An analysis of feasibility, effectiveness in stone clearance, and safety was performed. RESULTS Among 214 patients with common bile duct stones, 210 were treated with LERV and 4 with open rendezvous approach. Intraoperative cholangiography confirmed common bile duct stones in 179 patients (85.2%) or sludge in 18 (8.5%) and in 98.9% stone clearance was obtained endoscopically. Endoscopic papilla cannulation was feasible in 161 patients (76.7%), whereas in 49 (23.3%) a transcystic guidewire was needed. The overall LERV feasibility was 96.6%. The conversion rate to open surgery was 3.3%. Minor morbidity was observed in 1.9% of cases, mortality in 0.47%, and the mean hospital stay was 4.3 days. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the high effectiveness of LERV. This approach to treat cholecystocholedocholithiasis should be preferred and therefore implemented where a strong collaboration between surgeons and endoscopists is possible.

Introduction Primary anorectal malignant melanoma is a rare and aggressive tumor that carries a poor prognosis. Anorectal melanoma (ARM) is often misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids adenocarcinoma polips and rectal cancer. ARM spreads along sub-mucosal planes and is often to wide-spread for complete resection at time of diagnosis and almost all patients die because of metastases. Presentation of the case A 77-year-old male patient presented a history of recurrent rectal bleeding and whose histopathological diagnosis was melanoma. Discussion The treatment of choice remains controversial. Surgery with complete resection represents the typical treatment. However standard operative procedures related to the area of resection and lymph dissection have yet to be established. Abdominal perineal resection (APR) with or without bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy or wide local excision (WLE) have been used to manage patients with ARM. Conclusion The higher serum levels of LDH and YKL-40 are suggestive for Anorectal Melanoma diagnosis. The decrease of these findings may be associated with good prognosis. The review of both APR and WLE options suggests no significant difference in survival among patients., Highlights • Anorectal melanoma (ARM) is a systemic disease. • Regardless how aggressive is ARM, no surgical treatment will truly change the outcome. • If surgical teqchniques are available, patients should undergo to wide local excision. • In case of recurrence, the abdominal resection should be considered as the best surgical treatment.

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication of endstage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). : The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of Homocysteine (Hcy) in HCC patient with PVT. Hcy is a sulphur amino-acid involved in two pathways, trans-sulphuration and remethylation, that involve vitamins B6, B12 and folates. Methods: We recruited 54 patients with HCC and PVT, 60 patients with HCC and without PVT and 60 control subjects. We measured serum levels of Hcy, folate, vitamins B6 and B12. Results: The comparison between HCC patients with PVT versus HCC without PVT was shown that mean values of Hcy were 6.4 nmol/L (p Conclusion: High serum levels of Hcy are an established thrombotic risk factor in the general population. We found significantly higher levels of Hcy in HCC patients with PVT versus both HCC patients without PVT and controls.

Ultrasonic devices disperse less energy in the tissues. The new Harmonic Focus+ (HF+) seems to be more efficient but thermal damages have been reported. This study examined the temperature and the emissivity profile of the active and passive blades of the HF+, on a pig tissue model at different power settings. The FLIR System B series thermal imaging camera has been used on various biological pig tissues to evaluate the emissivity of the ultrasonic device. The active blade heats up faster than the passive one and the increase in power increases the speed of the temperature raising only on the active blade. Increasing the power setting reduces the dissection time and the temperature of both blades. Active blade temperatures of

Michele Malaguarnera,1,2 Saverio Latteri,3 Gaetano Bertino,4 Roberto Madeddu,5 Vito Emanuele Catania,3 Giuseppe Currò,6 Antonio Maria Borzì,2 Filippo Drago,1 Giulia Malaguarnera1 1Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 2Research Center “The Great Senescence”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 3Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “Gian Filippo Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 4Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 5Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; 6Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy Purpose: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the severe complications of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PVT deteriorates the liver, and its dysfunction increases the risk of bleeding, influencing the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC. The aim of our study was to investigate whether D-dimer testing could be a sensitive marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC patients with PVT.Patients and methods: Between June 2010 and December 2015, 118 HCC patients were admitted to Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, and 50 controls were recruited from their relatives for health examinations. All enrolled patients were diagnosed and pathologically confirmed as having HCC. D-dimer was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using 2 monoclonal antibodies against nonoverlapping determinants of D-dimer.Results: D-dimer levels in HCC patients with PVT were significantly higher vs HCC patients without PVT, P

Aims: The role of minimally invasive surgery of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of the stomach remains uncertain especially for large and/or difficult located tumours. We are hereby presenting a single-centre series of robot-assisted resections using the da Vinci Surgical System (Si or Xi). Subjects and Methods: Data of patients undergoing robot-assisted treatment of gastric GIST were retrieved from the prospectively collected institutional database and a retrospective analysis was performed. Patients were stratified according to size and location of the tumour. Difficult cases (DCs) were considered for size if tumour was >50 mm and/or for location if the tumour was Type II, III or IV sec. Privette/Al-Thani classification. Results: Between May 2010 and February 2017, 12 consecutive patients underwent robot-assisted treatment of GIST at our institution. DCs were 10/12 cases (83.3%), of which 6/10 (50%) for location, 2/10 (25%) for size and 2/10 (25%) for both. The da Vinci Si was used in 8 patients, of which 6 (75%) were DC, and the da Vinci Xi in 4, all of which (100%) were DC. In all patients, excision was by wedge resection. All lesions had microscopically negative resection margins. There was no conversion to open surgery, no tumour ruptures or spillage and no intraoperative complications. Conclusion: Our experience suggests a positive role of the robot da Vinci in getting gastric GIST removal with a conservative approach, regardless of size and location site. Comparative studies with a greater number of patients are necessary for a more robust assessment.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein, which is present in the foetal colon, some benign conditions and different malignancies, particularly in colon adenocarcinoma. We focused this study on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). NMSC is a common malignancy and it is an important source of morbidity and death in the world. In this study we evaluated whether CEA level increases in NMSC. Patients and Methods: A total of 566 patients with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) were enrolled; 286 patients with NMSC showed CEA levels above normal values, and 280 showed CEA levels below normal values. Patients with high levels of CEA underwent abdominal ultrasound, gastro endoscopy, colonoscopy, and abdominal CT scans. Results: We studied 566 patients, 286 were positive to CEA and 280 were negative. Of the 286 patients positive to CEA, 132 had basal cell carcinoma (64 patients had an associated cancer) and 154 had squamous cell carcinoma (75 patients were affected by cancer). Of the 280 patients negative to CEA, 130 had basal cell carcinoma (12 were associated with cancer), and 150 had squamous cell carcinoma (18 were associated with cancer). The mean age of the 566 case control subjects were 65–81 years. Of the 10 subjects that were the positive control for CEA, two had cancer. Of the 556 subjects that were the negative control for CEA, three had cancer. Conclusions: In patients that present high serum levels of CEA, we give attention to adenocarcinoma tumour first. The pattern of association may be attributable to bias because the group with NMSC were frequently evaluated than those with no history of NMSC. Our results showed that out of 286 patients that were CEA-positive, 139 had cancer, and of the 280 that were CEA-negative, 30 had cancer. Therefore, 20% of patients do not follow the trend. Other markers should be investigated.

Background Peripheral neuropathy after surgical treatment is an under recognized potential untoward event. Pelvic surgery may be associated with nerve lesions by essentially three main mechanisms: transection, entrapment and pressure-stretching; the latter is the modality most frequently linked to patient's positioning on the operating room table. Presentation of the case A 25 years old woman, after undergoing a laparoscopic gynaecologic procedure lasted >3 hours, on postoperative day one presented with numbness over her lateral right leg and dorsum of the foot, right foot drop and gait instability due to compression-stretching of the right superficial peroneal nerve. Discussion Patient's diagnostic work up, treatment and outcome are reported and measures on how to prevent the occurrence of such type of lesion are outlined together with the importance of an early postoperative diagnosis in order to avoid permanent nerve damage. Conclusion Such lesions are sometimes so unexpected that delayed diagnosis leads to damages which are difficult or impossible to repair. Primary prevention plays a key role and it is realized by adhering to specific protocols. In the occurrence of the lesion a prompt diagnosis is highly recommendable and a comprehensive therapeutic plan is necessary to correctly address the specific pathology., Highlights • After undergoing a laparoscopic gynaecologic procedure lasted >3 hours, a 25 years old woman presented peripheral neuropathy. • Pelvic surgery may be associated with nerve lesions by transection, entrapment and pressure-stretching. • Such lesions are unexpected and diagnosis is delayed to a point when the damage is difficult or impossible to repair. • The treatment should take in account genetical variations of the population and biochemical derangements.

Key Clinical Message Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a well‐known procedure for the treatment of most gallbladder diseases. Sometimes, it could be very difficult, in the presence of aberrations regarding the cystic duct, the cystic artery, or the gallbladder itself. Fluorescence laparoscopy using indocyanine green could be very useful for all the situations of anatomy aberrations.

Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for the development of heart pathology. Myocardial infarction is the cause of death occurring after prolonged ischemia of the coronary arteries. Restoration of blood flow is the first intervention against heart attack, although the process of restoring blood flow to the ischemic myocardium could cause additional injury. This phenomenon, termed myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI-R) injury, is characterized by the formation of oxygen radicals. Pistachios have significant glucose- and insulin-lowering effects and can improve the inflammatory contest by downregulating both the expression and the circulating levels of several metabolic risk markers. The monocyte/macrophage cell line J774 was used to assess the extent of protection by natural raw (NP) and roasted salted (RP) pistachios against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Moreover, antioxidant activity of NP and RP was assessed in an in vivo model of paw edema in rats induced by carrageenan (CAR) injection in the paw. This study evaluates the antioxidant properties of pistachios on the inflammatory process associated with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) in diabetic rats. Rats were pre-treated with either NP or RP pistachios (30 mg/kg) 18 h prior to the experimental procedure. Results: Here, we demonstrated that treatment with NP reduced myocardial tissue injury, neutrophil infiltration, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, P-selectin) expression, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) production, nitrotyrosine and PAR formation, NF-κB expression and apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2) activation. This data clearly showes modulation of the inflammatory process, associated with MI-R injury, following administration of pistachios.

The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (FC) in real-time visualization of the biliary tree during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Fifty consecutive elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed with fluorescent cholangiography. FC was performed at three time points: following exposure of Calot's triangle, prior to any dissection; and after partial and complete dissection of Calot's triangle.The cystic duct (CD) was identified successfully by FC in 43 of 50 patients (86%) and in 45 of 50 patients (90%) before and after Calot's dissection respectively (p 0.05). The common hepatic duct (CHD) and the common bile duct (CBD) were identified successfully in 12 of 50 patients (24%) and in 33 of 50 patients (66%) before Calot's dissection respectively and in 26 of 50 patients (52%) and in 47 of 50 patients (94%) after complete Calot's dissection (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). Significant differences were observed for CBD visualization rate, in relation to BMI after Calot's dissection (p 0.05) and history of cholecystitis, before Calot's dissection (p = 0.017). No bile duct injuries were reported.Fluorescent cholangiography can be considered as a useful tool for intra-operative visualization of the biliary tree during laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

In order to better understand the pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease (PD) it is important to consider possible contributory factors inherent to the aging process, as age-related changes in a number of physiological systems (perhaps incurred within particular environments) appear to influence the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Accordingly, we posit that a principal mechanism underlying PD is inflammaging, i.e. the chronic inflammatory process characterized by an imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms which has been recognized as operative in several age-related, and notably neurodegenerative diseases. Recent conceptualization suggests that inflammaging is part of the complex adaptive mechanisms (“re-modeling”) that are ongoing through the lifespan, and which function to prevent or mitigate endogenous processes of tissue disruption and degenerative change(s). The absence of an adequate anti-inflammatory response can fuel inflammaging, which propagates on both local (i.e.- from cell to cell) and systemic levels (e.g.- via exosomes and other molecules present in the blood). In general, this scenario is compatible with the hypothesis that inflammaging represents a hormetic or hormetic-like effect, in which low levels of inflammatory stress may prompt induction of anti-inflammatory mediators and mechanisms, while sustained pro-inflammatory stress incurs higher and more durable levels of inflammatory substances, which, in turn prompt a local-to-systemic effect and more diverse inflammatory response(s). Given this perspective, new treatments of PD may be envisioned that strategically are aimed at exerting hormetic effects to sustain anti-inflammatory responses, inclusive perhaps, of modulating the inflammatory influence of the gut microbiota.

Background This case report describes a spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome due to a rare solid tumor. Case presentation A 65-year-old white woman had tumor lysis syndrome, which represent a dangerous oncological emergency. This syndrome occurs usually with a hematological tumor, but in this case our patient had a solid tumor, which was a rare extraskeletal osteosarcoma, localized in her pelvic region. She also had lung metastases and bilateral hydronephrosis. After spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome, she had acute renal insufficiency, which was treated with hemodialysis and successively with rasburicase, Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate), and febuxostat. Conclusion Tumor lysis syndrome represents an oncological emergency, which must be suspected and treated as soon as possible.

Traumatic injuries constitute a major risk for patients in emergency units. Point-of-care ultrasound may be a determinant in reducing the deleterious impact of complications and in prognosis.We describe the case of a 28-year-old female who reported cranial trauma, abdominal and thoracic trauma, and suspected bilateral fracture of the femur.Ultrasound was useful for evaluating and monitoring multiple organ failure.Combining cost-effective advantages with bedside real-time imaging, ultrasound is a powerful adjunct to standard clinical assessment in the management of polytrauma when it is administered at the point of care.le patologie traumatiche rappresentano il maggiore rischio dei pazienti nelle Unità di Emergenza. L’ecografia consentendo una diagnosi precoce sia del tipo di trauma sia delle complicanze che da questo potrebbero derivane, può rappresentare un mezzo importante per la prognosi e per l’eventuale terapia.A tale scopo, noi presentiamo un caso paradigmatico di una paziente di 28 anni che, a seguito di un incidente, aveva riportato dei traumi al cranio, all’addome e al torace e sospetta frattura bilaterale al femore. Al momento del ricovero la paziente era monitorizzata tramite ecografia. I dati venivano confermati sia dalla sintomatologia clinica obiettiva, sia dalla tomografia assiale computerizzata.l’uso dell’ecografia ha consentito una diagnosi precoce non solo del tipo di trauma, ma anche ha permesso un corretto intervento terapeutico ed un monitoraggio anche dell’attività cardiaca.L’ecografia presenta vantaggi dal punto di vista costo-beneficio ed è utile sia ai fini diagnostici, sia ai fini terapeutici.