Diagnostic role of CD64 expression on neutrophils as biomarker for blood stream infection in liver cirrhosis: some preliminary findings.

Background: The expression of CD64 on neutrophils (nCD64), measured using flow cytometry, has been proposed as a biomarker for bloodstream infections (BSI). However, data regarding its use in the setting of liver cirrhosis are lacking. Methods: We compared nCD64 levels in 15 cirrhotic patients with BSI to those in 19 controls, including outpatients with stable decompensated cirrhosis without infection. Additionally, we compared nCD64 with C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in infected hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Results: Cirrhotic patients with infection had higher levels of nCD64 compared to controls (6.0 [5.4-7.1] vs. 2.0 [1.5-2.2]; p<0.001). Among infected patients, a correlation between nCD64 (AUC=0.934 [0.875-0.982 95% CI]), CRP (AUC=0.972 [0.942-0.993 95% CI]), and PCT (AUC=0.859 [0.739-0.953 95% CI]) was observed. However, in our sample of cirrhotic individuals, nCD64 values were not significantly different between patients with worse prognosis and those with positive outcomes (p=0.448), and its expression was not influenced by Gram stain. Conclusions: In our cohort, nCD64 appears to be a promising new biomarker for BSI. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm its role and limitations in conjunction with other biomarkers and rapid microbiology in the diagnostic multidisciplinary pathway for septic cirrhotic patients.

The impact of inflammatory bowel diseases on patients' quality of life and work functionality: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the employment status, quality of life and work functionality in patients affected by Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). METHODS: Patients (n. 216) were enrolled between June 2020- October 2021. Personal, clinical and occupational features were investigated. The Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire were administered. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients, 114 (53%) were employed. Mean absenteeism and presenteeism percentages of 10% and 37% were determined, with 44% and 39% of daily and work activity impairment, respectively. A poor Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was retrieved (47 ± 12). Extra-intestinal manifestations, disease activity and HRQoL resulted associated with occupational outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: IBD can impact patients' work functionality. The association between clinical, psychological and occupational issues suggest the relevance for a multidisciplinary management of the disease.

Effects of the learning curve on operative time and lymph node harvesting during robotic gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer globally. The introduction of minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer aimed at reducing post-operative morbidity and hospital length of stay. Although the role of laparoscopic gastrectomy has been established, robotic gastric surgery has only recently gained popularity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, with a multidimensional analysis, the learning curve of a single surgeon with extensive experience in laparoscopic gastrectomy. METHODS: We prospectively collected data from 104 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery with a robotic approach from June 2015 to June 2019 by a single surgeon. We performed 21 total gastrectomies (TGs) and 83 subtotal gastrectomies (STGs). A D2 lymphadenectomy was performed in all the patients. Proximal and distal resection margins were tumoour-free in all patients. There were no intraoperative complications, and no conversions occurred. RESULTS: The plateau of the learning curve based on harvesting lymph nodes and operative time was not reached for TG. The learning curve of operative time for STG could be divided into three different phases: an early or learning phase from 1 to 27 cases, an intermediate or proficiency phase from 28 to 48 cases, and a late or mastery phase from 49 to 83 cases. The learning curve for harvesting lymph nodes was achieved after 41 cases in the STG group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that robotic gastrectomy is a complex procedure with a significant multiphasic learning curve. Nevertheless, the robotic learning curve seems to be more rapid than that of conventional laparoscopy. Most importantly, our results suggest that the robotic technique can provide oncological adequacy in terms of lymph node harvesting even in the very first phase of the learning curve.

Is REM Density a Measure of Arousal during Sleep?

Rapid eye movements (REMs), an expression of REM sleep phasic activity, occur against a stable background of cortical desynchronization and the absence of axial tone. The significance of REMs during the sleep period was initially attributed to the mental content of dreams, linking the REMs to the dream scenario. Although fascinating, the so-called "scanning hypothesis" has not been supported by consistent evidence, and thus an alternative hypothesis is necessary to understand REMs significance during sleep. Some data suggest that the frequency of REMs during the REM sleep period, known as REM density, might be related to sleep depth or arousal during sleep. REM density increases across the night concomitantly with the progressive reduction in sleep pressure, and consistently it is higher at the circadian time when arousal appears to be higher, and it is decreased in those conditions, such as after sleep deprivation, which produce increased sleep pressure. REM density is also increased in major affective disorders, and it has been suggested either as a risk factor to develop the illness or as a predictive index of response to drug treatment. Disfunction of the neurotransmitter systems involved in arousal mechanisms and wake/sleep control might underlie the altered REM density described in depression. Understanding of the REM density mechanisms could help to untangle functional significance and regulation of REM sleep. Following the seminal idea of Aserinsky that REM density is an index of sleep satiety, it may also provide a sensitive measure of sleep homeostasis in addition to, or even as an alternative to, the consolidated analysis of slow wave activity. REM density can also be utilized to explore those mechanisms which end sleep, and considered a physiological marker which indicate during sleep the "time to wake".

Fluorescent lymphography for thoracic duct identification: Initial experience of a simplified and feasible ICG administration.

INTRODUCTION: Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography can be performed to obtain realtime fluorescent images of the thoracic duct (TD). The injection of ICG into the inguinal nodes usually is ultrasound-guided. Our hypothesis was to simplify the ICG administration until making it executable by unqualified personnel without ultrasound guidance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 2019 to October 2021 we enroled 18 patients. ICG was injected with a 25 Gauge needle in the subcutaneous tissue of the inguinal region bilaterally 14-16 h before surgery. RESULTS: The TD was visualised in every case considered. The easy switching between fluorescence and white light visualization facilitated the identification and dissection of the TD avoiding involuntary injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified ICG administration to identify TD during oesophagectomy is easy to perform, does not require specifically trained staff, is not time demanding and has comparable results to the procedure performed under ultrasound guide.

High sleep fragmentation parallels poor subjective sleep quality during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic: An actigraphic study.

Studies on sleep during the Covid-19 pandemic have mostly been conducted during the first wave of contagion (spring 2020). To follow up on two Italian studies addressing subjective sleep features during the second wave (autumn 2020), here we assess sleep during the third wave (spring 2021) in a sample of healthy adults from Campania (Southern Italy). Actigraphic data (on 2 nights) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were collected from 82 participants (40 F, mean age: 32.5 ± 11.5 years) from 11 March to 18 April 2021, when Campania was classified as a "red zone", i.e. it was subjected to strict restrictions, only slightly looser than those characterizing the first national lockdown (spring 2020). Although objective sleep duration and architecture appeared in the normal range, the presence of disrupted sleep was indexed by a relevant degree of sleep fragmentation (number of awakenings ≥ 1 min: 12.7 ± 6.12; number of awakenings ≥ 5 min: 3.04 ± 1.52), paralleled by poor subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score: 5.77 ± 2.58). These data suggest that the relevant subjective sleep impairments reported during the first wave could have relied on subtle sleep disruptions that were undetected by the few objective sleep studies from the same period. Taken together with sleep data on previous phases of the pandemic, our findings show that the detrimental effects on sleep determined by the initial pandemic outbreak have not abated across the subsequent waves of contagion, and highlight the need for interventions addressing sleep health in global emergencies.

REM Sleep: An Unknown Indicator of Sleep Quality.

Standard polysomnographic analysis of sleep has not provided evidence of an objective measure of sleep quality; however, factors such as sleep duration and sleep efficiency are those more consistently associated with the subjective perception of sleep quality. Sleep reduction as currently occurs in our 24/7 society has had a profound impact on sleep quality; the habitual sleep period should fit within what is a limited nighttime window and may not be sufficient to satisfy the whole sleep process; moreover, the use of artificial light during the evening and early night hours can delay and disturb the circadian rhythms, especially affecting REM sleep. The correct phase relationship of the sleep period with the circadian pacemaker is an important factor to guarantee adequate restorative sleep duration and sleep continuity, thus providing the necessary background for a good night's sleep. Due to the fact that REM sleep is controlled by the circadian clock, it can provide a window-like mechanism that defines the termination of the sleep period when there is still the necessity to complete the sleep process (not only wake-related homeostasis) and to meet the circadian end of sleep timing. An adequate amount of REM sleep appears necessary to guarantee sleep continuity, while periodically activating the brain and preparing it for the return to consciousness.

Case Report: Management of Malignancy-Exacerbated Pemphigus Vulgaris During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Pemphigus vulgaris is an intraepidermal autoimmune mucocutaneous blistering disease whose etiopathogenesis includes various trigger factors, i.e., drugs and malignancies. We present a case of malignancy-exacerbated pemphigus vulgaris which required a careful diagnostic process in order to rule out paraneoplastic pemphigus, along with the challenges posed by the need of treating both cutaneous and oncologic diseases. Possible post-operative complications post-poned the start of first-line immunosuppressive treatment of pemphigus. Moreover, the infective risks had to be minimized during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Intravenous immunoglobulins were chosen as "bridge" therapy before the tumor surgical excision, followed by rituximab in post-operative phase.

Enhanced Vasculogenic Capacity Induced by 5-Fluorouracil Chemoresistance in a Gastric Cancer Cell Line.

Chemotherapy is still widely used as a coadjutant in gastric cancer when surgery is not possible or in presence of metastasis. During tumor evolution, gatekeeper mutations provide a selective growth advantage to a subpopulation of cancer cells that become resistant to chemotherapy. When this phenomenon happens, patients experience tumor recurrence and treatment failure. Even if many chemoresistance mechanisms are known, such as expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1) activity and activation of peculiar intracellular signaling pathways, a common and universal marker for chemoresistant cancer cells has not been identified yet. In this study we subjected the gastric cancer cell line AGS to chronic exposure of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin or paclitaxel, thus selecting cell subpopulations showing resistance to the different drugs. Such cells showed biological changes; among them, we observed that the acquired chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil induced an endothelial-like phenotype and increased the capacity to form vessel-like structures. We identified the upregulation of thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP), which is one of the most commonly reported mutated genes leading to 5-fluorouracil resistance, as the cause of such enhanced vasculogenic ability.

Robotic gastric surgery: a monocentric case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: The technical complexity of D2 lymphadenectomy and esophago-jejunal anastomosis are the main factors that limit the application of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of gastric cancer. Robotic assisted gastric surgery provides potential technical advantages over conventional laparoscopy but an improvement in clinical outcomes after robotic surgery has not been demonstrated yet. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Data from 128 consecutive patients who had undergone robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer at our center institution from April 2017 to June 2020 where retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively updated database. A narrative review was then carried out on PubMed, Embase and Scopus using the following keywords: "gastric cancer," "robotic surgery," "robotic gastrectomy" and "robotic gastric surgery". EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Ninety-eight patients underwent robotic distal gastrectomy and 30 underwent robotic total gastrectomy. The mean value of estimated blood loss was 99.5 ml. No patients required conversion to laparoscopy or open surgery. The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 42. No tumor involvement of the proximal or distal margin was found in any patient. The median time to first flatus and first oral feeding was on postoperative day 3 and 5, respectively. We registered 6 leakages (4.6%), namely, 1 duodenal stump leakage and 5 anastomotic leakages. No 30-day surgical related mortality was recorded. The median length of hospital stay was 10.5 days (range 4-37). CONCLUSIONS: Published data and our experience suggest that the robotic approach for gastric cancer is safe and feasible with potential advantages over conventional laparoscopy.

Can People Sleep Too Much? Effects of Extended Sleep Opportunity on Sleep Duration and Timing.

Many people are concerned about whether they are getting "enough" sleep, and if they can "sleep too much." These concerns can be approached scientifically using experiments probing long-term (i.e., multi-night) sleep homeostatic processes, since homeostatic processes move the system toward its physiological setpoint (i.e., between "not enough" and "too much"). We analyzed sleep data from two human studies with sleep opportunities much longer than people usually stay in bed (i.e., conditions in which sleep homeostatic responses could be documented): sleep opportunities were 14-16 h per day for 3-28 days. Across the nights of the extended sleep opportunities, total sleep duration, Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep duration and non-REM sleep durations decreased and sleep latency increased. Multiple nights were required to reach approximately steady-state values. These results suggest a multi-day homeostatic sleep process responding to self-selected insufficient sleep duration prior to the study. Once steady state-values were reached, there were large night-to-night variations in total sleep time and other sleep metrics. Our results therefore answer these concerns about sleep amount and are important for understanding the basic physiology of sleep and for two sleep-related topics: (i) the inter-individual and intra-individual variability are relevant to understanding "normal" sleep patterns and for people with insomnia and (ii) the multiple nights of sleep required for recovery from insufficient sleep from self-selected sleep loss is important for public health and other efforts for reducing the adverse effects of sleep loss on multiple areas of physiology.

Learning Monologues at Bedtime Improves Sleep Quality in Actors and Non-Actors.

Several studies show that pre-sleep learning determines changes in subsequent sleep, including improvements of sleep quality. Our aims were to confirm this finding using a more ecological task (learning a theatrical monologue) and to investigate whether the effect is modulated by expertise. Using a mixed design, we compared polysomnographic recordings of baseline sleep (BL, 9-h TIB) to those of post-training sleep (TR, with the same TIB but preceded by the training session), in one group of actors (N = 11) and one of non-actors (N = 11). In both groups, TR appears reorganized and re-compacted by the learning session, as shown, among others, by a significant decrease of WASO%, awakenings, arousals, and state transitions and by a trend towards an increased number of complete cycles and total cycle time. Concerning memory performance, the number of synonyms produced was significantly higher in the morning relative to immediate recall. No between-groups differences emerged either for sleep or memory variables. Our data confirm pre-sleep learning's beneficial effect on sleep quality in an ecological context. While expertise appears not to influence memory-related sleep mechanisms, results on morning recall support the recent view that sleep's role in memory processes consists in trace "transformation" for adaptive purposes, rather than rote consolidation.

Laparoscopic diastasis recti abdominis and midline hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is defined as an abnormally wide distance separates the two rectus muscles. Thinning and widening of the linea alba is an important risk factor for development midline hernia. In patient with DRA there is an increase rate of hernia recurrence. METHODS: We perform a retrospective study to assess the outcome of laparoscopic intraperitoneal hernia repair and linea alba plication combined with mesh placement to obtain an adequate overlap of midline hernia associated to an abdominal wall support. The inclusion criteria were patients who has a clinical diagnosis of primary midline hernias of any size with associated diastasis recti. The exclusion criteria were incisional hernias, hernias outside of the midline. A total of 12 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No complication was observed over the follow-up period. The rates for recurrence were 0% over the follow-up period. RESULTS: Despite the limited data some assumptions can be drawn from this study. The presence of DRA and coexisting hernia involves a challenging choice of the surgical treatment. Whichever approach is taken, in order to achieve an effective correction, plication of the linea alba is required. The major goal of any abdominal wall repair is not only reduction of hernia sac and prevention of further herniation but also restoration of the integrity and restitution of abdominal wall functionality. CONCLUSIONS: A laparoscopic approach to midline hernias associated to DRA is feasible and reproducible. It is necessary future prospective studies on larger numbers to improve knowledge on the management of DRA.

Laparoscopic vaginal lateral suspension: technical aspects and initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) etiology is a combination of anatomical, physiological, genetic, lifestyle, and reproductive factors determine pelvic floor dysfunction. POP is very common across all ages women worldwide and has become an increasing socioeconomic problem with public health consequences, with symptoms that could lead to a significant decrease in quality of life. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzes a small case series of our initial experience of laparoscopic vaginal suspension with mesh focusing on the technical aspects of the technique. Although sacrocolpopexy and sacrohysteropexy are the most performed surgical techniques, they are associated with serious complications. Laparoscopic vaginal suspension appears reproducible and safe to learn. RESULTS: Between November 2017 and January 2020, fifteen patients underwent laparoscopic vaginal suspension for pelvic organ prolapse repair. Despite the small number, for a minimally invasive skilled surgeon, we notice a significative reduction of the learning curve to become proficient in this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and management of pelvic organ prolapse are further complicated by what is considered "successful" treatment. Laparoscopic vaginal suspension is a feasible surgical procedure for one-stage treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

The Gauze technique: a simple method of dissection in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Hernia repair is one of the most frequent operation in general surgery. The aim of this is study is to present a new preperitoneal atraumatic dissection of peritoneal flap during laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: From January 2019 to December 2019, 30 patients (19 male, 11 female) attended TAPP inguinal hernia repairs. The inclusion's criteria were: patients from 32 to 88 years; male and woman; bilateral inguinal hernia. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 46,46 (32-88). The median time of operation was 63,8 (45-100) minutes. All procedures were performed without complications and convertions. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience the soft technique is a safe and feasible way to create a preperitoneal flap. Operating time is drastically reduced and the learning curve is reduced even for less experienced surgeons.

Pancreaticogastrostomy as reconstruction choice in pancreatic trauma surgery: Case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Due to its retroperitoneal location and its proximity to major vascular structures and other organs, isolated pancreatic injuries are rare. The optimal management for pancreatic injuries of grades III and IV, where a main ductal transection is present, remains controversial. Isolated complete traumatic transection of the pancreatic neck is uncommon, but this condition is associated with some peculiar technical aspects that allow more conservative treatments. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A closed abdominal blunt trauma in a young patient underwent emergency surgery for suspect hemoperitoneum. Intraoperatively evidence of complete traumatic transection of the pancreatic neck treated with pancreas tissue debridement, suture of the cephalic stump and pancreaticogastrostomy reconstruction. DISCUSSION: Preservation of pancreatic volume and avoidance of adjacent organ resection is associated with lesser mortality and morbidity rate. The advantages of conservative treatments are related to reductions in the postoperative exocrine and endocrine insufficiencies. CONCLUSION: In selected cases of complete neck transection with preserved pancreatic parenchyma in a stable patient, parenchymal-sparing interventions should be considered. Pancreaticogastrostomy offers an easier to learn and faster technique also suited for less experienced surgeons.

Workaholism, Intensive Smartphone Use, and the Sleep-Wake Cycle: A Multiple Mediation Analysis.

Recent contributions have reported sleep disorders as one of the health impairment outcomes of workaholism. A possible factor affecting the sleep-wake cycle might be the intensive use of smartphones. The current study aimed to explore the role of intensive smartphone use in the relationship between workaholism and the sleep-wake cycle. Two serial multiple mediation models were tested on a sample of 418 employees, who filled self-report questionnaires measuring workaholism, use of smartphones, sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, using conditional process analysis for testing direct and indirect effects. Results supported our hypotheses regarding two serial multiple mediation models-that intensive smartphone use and poor sleep quality mediated the relationship between workaholism and daytime sleepiness, and that smartphone use and daytime sleepiness mediated the relationship between workaholism and poor quality of sleep. Although the use of a cross-sectional design and the snowball technique for collecting data can be considered as possible limitations, the current study is one of the first to document the potential detrimental role of the intensive smartphone use on the workaholism-sleep disorders relationship.