Spigelian hernias in the adult population: a systematic review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Spigelian Hernia (SH) is characterized by the protrusion of abdominal viscera or preperitoneal fat through a defect in the spigelian aponeurosis. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate current literature on Spigelian Hernias in adult population and elucidate their characteristics and preferable management. METHODS: MEDLINE and Scopus bibliographical databases were systematically searched (last search: 31st January 2024) for studies concerning SHs. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-four articles met predefined inclusion criteria and concerned collectively 1,629 patients with SHs (58.7% females) with an age of 62.32 ± 17.71 (mean ± SD) years and a BMI of 28.56 ± 7.34 (mean ± SD) kg/m2. A minimally invasive approach was opted at 46.8% of cases, while a mesh was implemented at 67.9% of cases. Postoperative length of hospital stay was 2.8 ± 2.9 (mean ± SD) days. Following individual cases analysis, open surgery was preferable at emergency setting (OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.36-4.41; p-value: 0.003), and minimally invasive approaches were associated with shorter length of hospital stay [2 (1-9) vs. 5 (1-22) days; p-value: <0.001]. Overall, thirty-day postoperative morbidity and mortality rates reached 7.0% and 0.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: SH is a rare ventral hernia, and it concerns most frequently overweight women. Open surgical approach is preferred in emergency cases, while laparoscopic surgery is associated with shorter hospitalization. Further comparative studies are necessary to determine optimal surgical approach.

George Sclavunos (1869-1954): Anatomical Insights and His Contribution into the "Magenstrasse of Waldeyer".

The purpose of this article is to present a well-known physician and highlight his contribution into an essential, but neglected anatomical feature. George Sclavunos (1869-1954) was a 20th century Greek physician, whose scientific work was a significant milestone in global medical knowledge. In 1899 he became Professor of Anatomy and Head Director of the Department of Anatomy. In 1906 Sclavunos G. published the first volume of the three volume book "Human Anatomy" (1906-1926), which is characterized by its unparalleled illustrations. For more than a century it was the most important book of medical literature in Greece. In 1926 he became a Full Member of the Academy of Athens and was named Life Partner of the International Anatomical Society. His interests included Anatomy, Physiology, Histology, as well as Osteology and Syndesmology. In his book "Human Anatomy", he described for first time the "Sialine Groove of the Stomach", which was described by Waldeyer-Hartz almost at the same time as the "Magenstrasse", a German word that means "stomach road". It is a ribbon-like path that extends along the lesser curvature of the stomach from the gastric cardia to the antrum and releases the gastric content directly into the small intestine. Its importance is confirmed by its association not only with drug delivery, but also with anti-obesity surgical techniques. The old German term has come back into common medical usage in view of the commonly performed Magenstrasse and Mill procedure, a form of bariatric surgery. CONCLUSION: Sclavunos G. managed to observe an anatomical structure that has remained of great importance until today.

Virtual Reality in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Training.

Introduction: The advantages of laparoscopic colorectal surgery have been proven in several studies, but its use is limited in some countries and not widely practiced. One of the primary benefits of laparoscopic surgery is that it reduces patient discomfort and hospital stays compared to traditional open surgery. This study presents an overview of the virtual reality training method for laparoscopic colorectal surgery and offers evidence for the effectiveness of this training curriculum and the associated learning curve. Material and methods: To conduct this research, we conducted a thorough review of the relevant literature in the PubMed database, focusing on studies related to "Virtual reality and colorectal laparoscopic surgery training". Material and methods: To conduct this research, we conducted a thorough review of the relevant literature in the PubMed database, focusing on studies related to "Virtual reality and colorectal laparoscopic surgery training". Material and methods: To conduct this research, we conducted a thorough review of the relevant literature in the PubMed database, focusing on studies related to "Virtual reality and colorectal laparoscopic surgery training".

The Utility of NGS Analysis in Homologous Recombination Deficiency Tracking.

Several tumor types have been efficiently treated with PARP inhibitors (PARPis), which are now approved for the treatment of ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. The BRCA1/2 genes and mutations in many additional genes involved in the HR pathway may be responsible for the HRD phenomenon. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between genomic loss of heterozygosity (gLOH) and alterations in 513 genes with targeted and immuno-oncology therapies in 406 samples using an NGS assay. In addition, the %gLOHs of 24 samples were calculated using the Affymetrix technology in order to compare the results obtained via the two methodologies. HR variations occurred in 20.93% of the malignancies, while BRCA1/2 gene alterations occurred in 5.17% of the malignancies. The %LOH was highly correlated with alterations in the BRCA1/2 genes, since 76.19% (16/21) of the BRCA1/2 positive tumors had a high %LOH value (p = 0.007). Moreover, the LOH status was highly correlated with the TP53 and KRAS statuses, but there was no association with the TMB value. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient for the 24 samples simultaneously examined via both assays was 0.87, indicating a nearly perfect agreement. In conclusion, the addition of gLOH analysis could assist in the detection of additional patients eligible for treatment with PARPis.

The Role of EMT-Related lncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide; late diagnosis and drug resistance are two major factors often responsible for high morbidity and treatment failure. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic process that has been closely linked with cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been also associated with several cancer-related mechanisms, including EMT. We conducted a literature search in the PubMed database in order to sum up and discuss the role of lncRNAs in regulating OC-related EMT and their underlying mechanisms. Seventy (70) original research articles were identified, as of 23 April 2023. Our review concluded that the dysregulation of lncRNAs is highly associated with EMT-mediated OC progression. A comprehensive understanding of lncRNAs' mechanisms in OC will help in identifying novel and sensitive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this malignancy.

Cutaneous B-cell Pseudolymphoma: A Rare Case Masquerading a Thoracic Mass in a Fourteen-Year-Old Male Patient.

Cutaneous B-cell pseudolymphoma (CBPL) may appear in the face, chest, or upper limbs, and it can be asymptomatic or in the form of nodules, papules, or masses. In most cases, it is idiopathic. However, some causes that have been identified are trauma, contact dermatitis, injected vaccinations, bacterial infections, tattoo dyes, insect bites, and certain drugs. Since the histology and clinical presentation of cutaneous pseudolymphoma (CPSL) are similar to those of cutaneous lymphomas, the diagnosis is usually based on an incisional or excisional biopsy. In this paper, a 14-year-old male patient with a two-month-old mass in the right lateral thoracic region is taken as a case study. He had neither symptoms, nor a past medical history, nor a family history. He had an insect bite a month ago and was fully vaccinated. However, the mass was some centimeters away from the insect bite. A biopsy was taken. The products of it were two paraffin cubes and two histological slides (H&E). The diagnosis was cutaneous B-cell pseudolymphoma. The total removal of the mass was decided since, in idiopathic cases like this, CBPL is not usually healed with topical and non-invasive treatments. Follow-up examinations were suggested since a further antigenic reaction is possible. If cutaneous B-pseudolymphoma is early diagnosed and treated, it does not cause serious problems. In some cases, it even resolves on its own.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Orthopaedic Surgery Hospital Admissions and Workload in a Major Trauma Center.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to important restrictions in social life of civilians worldwide and there were lower admission rates mainly in surgical departments in many hospitals. This study presents how COVID-19 pandemic affected admissions at the orthopaedic and trauma surgery department of a major trauma center. A retrospective study was conducted that recorded all patients examined at the outpatient orthopaedic clinic and the emergency orthopaedic department, as well as patients admitted to the orthopaedic surgery clinic and patients that underwent operative procedures between March 23 and May 4, 2020 (first lockdown period) and between March 23 and May 4, 2019 (control period). In addition, all patients with hip fractures that required hospitalization and underwent hip surgery were identified during the same time periods. During lockdown period 1 compared with the lock-down period 2 were observed: 70% and 61% decrease in the number of patients examined at the outpatient clinic and the emergency orthopaedic department respectively. The number of patients admitted to the orthopaedic surgery clinic declined by 41%, whereas operative procedures decreased by 22%. Regarding hip fractures timing to surgery during the first period was significantly less compared with second lockdown period, however, hospitalization days remained almost unchanged over the two time lockdown periods. Restrictions during the first lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic caused an important decrease in the number of patients and theaters in all orthopaedic departments in one of the major trauma centers in Athens. However, the incidence of hip fractures in elderly was not significantly decreased. Further similar studies are needed to identify variations and patterns of these parameters in other trauma centers.

Oncology Clinical Trials in Greece: Progress in the Past Decade.

Cancer is established as a major contributor to global burden as millions of deaths are reported every year. Advances in molecular, epidemiologic and clinical research have led to significant improvements in prevention, screening and treatment of tumors. The purpose of the study is to describe the progress of oncology clinical trials performed in Greece during the past decade and the obstacles that still need to be addressed in cancer research. A search was conducted in the public database EU Clinical Trials Register using the algorithm 'cancer AND Greece'. Results included relevant trials approved between 2010 and 2020. A total of 480 trials were approved for conduct in Greece from 2010 to 2020. The majority are multinational, phase III trials, exploring the efficacy and safety of agents in the management of lung cancer and multiple myeloma. A variety of small-molecules and monoclonal antibodies has and is being tested against key binding targets. Based on their promising effects on patients' responses and outcomes, many have been marketed for the treatment of several cancer types and are considered milestones in cancer discovery. It goes without saying that oncology research has made tremendous steps towards the development of potent and tolerable anticancer agents, with Greece having an active role. Current efforts focus on the use of alternative designs and tools aiming at further improving patients' survival and quality of life, while globalization of clinical research is also a matter of high importance.

Variations of the Median Nerve and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objectives:The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the different variations of the median nerve (MN) and the diagnostic methods used to identify carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common neuropathy resulting from the entrapment of the MN within the carpal tunnel. Understanding the different variations of the MN is crucial in order to prevent injuries during surgical treatment of the syndrome. Materials and methods:Data were extracted from studies published in PubMed. A detailed search in PubMed was performed for studies that reviewed the variations of the MN and CTS. Results:There are two main classifications of the MN, known as the Lanz and Amadio categories. Lanz's classification is the one being mostly used in the surgical literature, with group 3 (Bifid MN) being the main cause of the CTS. Additionally, there are branches and anastomosis of the MN that do not fit into either category, with the third common digital branch being the most injured nerve during carpal tunnel release surgery. Diagnostic techniques for CTS include physical examination combined with NCS tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or elastography. While NCS has been previously the most commonly used diagnostic method, the recent literature suggests that ultrasound and elastography are the most accurate techniques. Conclusions:In order to minimize injuries during carpal tunnel release surgery, it is crucial to have knowledge on the different variations of the MN that cause CTS. Additionally, this review emphasizes the significance of the current diagnostic methods, which not only make CTS more affordable but also facilitate easier recognition of the condition.

The Distal Oblique Bundle in the Distal Forearm: From Anatomical Features to Clinical Implementation.

Background and objective The distal oblique bundle (DOB) is nowadays recognized as the thickest component of the distal interosseous membrane (DIOM). It is neither thought to be a clear-cut ligament, and nor does it follow the typical configuration of the rest of the DIOM. It is not always present and some studies have raised disputes about its prevalence and a few anatomical features. In this study, we aimed to provide data on the prevalence and anatomical features of the DOB, which are of great importance at this early stage of research into the topic. Our findings have been correlated with current knowledge and are expected to contribute to clinical implementation. Materials and methods Twenty-eight fresh-frozen forearms were utilized for measurements. Specifically, mean length, width, distance from the middle of the bundle's insertion to the ulna to the tip of the styloid process of the ulna, as well as the distance from the midpoint of its insertion to the radius to the tip of the radiuses' styloid process were calculated. The prevalence was described with a cutoff thickness point of 0.5 mm. Early results based on three cases of DOB reconstruction with the "Riggenbach" technique due to distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability were documented. Results Eleven DOBs were reported out of the 28 specimens, suggesting a prevalence of 39.3%. The mean thickness was 0.88 mm (range: 0.6-1.3 mm), the mean width was 5.22 mm (range: 2.2-8.4 mm), and the mean length was 25.68 mm (range: 22.7-29.2 mm). Proximally, the mean distance from the bundle's ulnar insertion to the tip of the styloid process of the ulna was 51.02 mm (range: 45.5-55.6 mm) while distally, the mean distance from the bundle's insertion to the radius to the tip of the styloid process of the radius was 34.5 mm (range: 31.3-37.7 mm). After a follow-up of at least six months, improvement was evident in all measured areas in the three patients who underwent surgery. Additionally, they reported satisfaction and accomplishment of their preoperative goals. Conclusions Discrepancies in measurements in some anatomic features between studies are probably due to variations in specimen types, measurement methods, and sites. Efforts must continue to be made on a more extensive scale and in a more standardized manner for more factual results and conclusions. "Reconstruction-recreation" or "original construction-creation" procedures yield promising results in a fast, simple, and less invasive manner than traditional methods of DRUJ stabilization.

Duplicated gallbladder: an incidental anatomical variation in a patient with symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Congenital malformations of the biliary tract represent a relatively rare entity with which surgeons, radiologists and clinicians are not adequately familiarized. We present a rare case of gallbladder duplication in a 40-year-old female, with the accessory cystic duct entering the left hepatic duct, which depicts the fifth reported case in the international bibliography. Our case illustrates the importance of detailed knowledge of anatomical malformations of the biliary tree, serving the purpose of a preoperative diagnosis of symptomatic cholelithiasis. It is also of paramount importance to take under consideration biliary tract malformations to avoid inadvertent complications such as biliary duct injuries in case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Wunderlich Syndrome: Spontaneous Cystic Rupture on Account of Acquired Kidney Atrophy.

Wunderlich syndrome is an uncommon condition of spontaneous subcapsular and perirenal hemorrhage of atraumatic etiology in the kidney, with the potential to spread to the retroperitoneal region beyond the perirenal fascias. Its clinical manifestations usually include Lenk's triad, namely, acute flank pain, flank mass, and hemodynamic instability, which vary depending on the causative underlying renal pathology. Tumor bleeding of benign and malignant renal neoplasms is the most common cause of this syndrome, followed by vascular disorders and renal cystic diseases. Here, we report the case of a unilateral subcapsular renal hematoma on account of a left atrophic kidney with parapelvic cystic formations and variant hypoplastic vasculature which was successfully managed via radical nephrectomy after initial conservative treatment. Spontaneous cystic rupture contributed to the emergence of the syndrome, and its mechanisms are being addressed.

Duplication of the Artery to the Cystic Duct: A Case Report of a Rare Anatomical Variation with Surgical Significance.

Anatomical variations of the cystic artery are frequently documented, but variations of the artery to the cystic duct are extremely uncommon. We report a rare duplication of the artery to the cystic duct, revealed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on an 18-year-old Caucasian female treated for gallstone disease. Both arterial branches were meticulously and carefully retracted and cauterized to avoid bleeding and subsequent postoperative complications. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an artery to the cystic duct duplication. The presence of congenital variations of the artery to the cystic duct encumbers surgical maneuvers and increases the potentiality of intraoperative injury and hemorrhage.

The Artery of Adamkiewicz: Anatomy and Considerations in Spine Surgery - A Review of the Literature.

The artery of Adamkiewicz (AKA) provides blood supply to the thoracolumbar spinal cord. Any disruption of the AKA can lead to the anterior spinal artery (ASA) syndrome, with devastating systematic and neurologic complications for the patient. This is a narrative review of the anatomy of AKA, the characteristics of ASA syndrome and the role of radiologic techniques in diagnosis and treatment. A detailed search of the PubMed database was conducted from January 2000 until April 2020, to locate articles relevant to our study. The references of the included studies were also retrieved in order not to miss any information. The ASA syndrome can present as a possible post-operative complication after minimally invasive or open surgeries of multiple specialties that involve the field of spine. Risk factors associated with ASA syndrome include; kyphosis of the patient, corresponding spinal surgical approach, intraoperative hypotension, multiple ligations of the AKA, a left side approach and a 360-combined or revision surgery. The incidence varies among different operations. Many different imaging modalities have been used in preoperative plan, including but not limited to computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and subtraction angiography. The use of computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance angiography preoperatively can play a major role in the prevention of the ASA syndrome. However, more research needs to be done before making any final assumptions.

Surgical management of familial pancreatic cancer: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. The fact that the vast majority of patients with PDAC are diagnosed at an advanced stage highlights the need of early diagnosis. As hereditary factors are associated with approximately 5% of all PDAC cases, a screening programme to these high-risk individuals (HRI) has been proposed. The aim of screening methods is to identify selected group of patients with morphological abnormalities at an early stage, in order to be treated promptly. In this study, we evaluate the surgical outcomes and the appropriateness of pancreatic resection in HRIs who were selected for screening. METHODS: A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed. The clinicopathological features were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: Six studies were selected for data collection. A total number of 77 patients were identified. Twenty-one patients had a germline mutation, with CDKN2A being the most prominent one (15.6%). Distal pancreatectomy was the most common surgical procedure (42.8%), followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy (33.8%). The mean disease-free survival was 23.6 months and tumour recurrence occurred in 9 patients (11.7%). Disease-specific mortality was 17.8%, while overall mortality was 19.5%. The most frequently reported postoperative diagnosis was PDAC (28 cases, 38.9%), followed by IPMN (23 cases, 31.9%), whereas high-grade PanIN lesions were found in 13 patients (18.1%). CONCLUSION: High-risk individuals for pancreatic cancer, who are eventually operated may have a relatively uneventful postoperative course, however the oncological outcomes are comparable to the general population.

SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Coverage and Key Public Health Indicators May Explain Disparities in COVID-19 Country-Specific Case Fatality Rate Within European Economic Area.

Aim To investigate the reasons for disparity regarding the country-specific COVID-19-related case fatality rate (CFR) within the 30 countries of the European Economic Area (EEA). Materials and methods Data regarding population, area, COVID-19-associated infections/deaths, vaccination, life expectancy, elderly population, infant mortality, gender disparity, urbanization, gross domestic product (GDP), income per capita, health spending per capita, physicians, nursing personnel, hospital beds, ICU beds, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking from all EEA countries were collected from official sources on January 16, 2022. Correlation coefficients were computed, and optimal scaling using ridge regression was used to reach the most parsimonious multivariate model assessing any potential independent correlation of public health parameters with COVID-19 CFR. Results COVID-19 CFR ranges from 0.1% (Iceland) to 4.0% (Bulgaria). All parameters but population density, GDP, total health spending (% of GDP), ICU beds, diabetes, and obesity were correlated with COVID-19 CFR. In the most parsimonious multivariate model, elderly population rate (P = 0.018), males/total ratio (P = 0.013), nurses/hospital beds (P = 0.001), physicians/hospital beds (P = 0.026), public health spending (P = 0.013), smoking rate (P = 0.013), and unvaccinated population rate (P = 0.00005) were demonstrated to present independent correlation with COVID-19 CFR. In detail, the COVID-19 CFR is estimated to increase by 1.24 times in countries with vaccination rate of <0.34, 1.11 times in countries with an elderly population rate of ≥0.20, 1.14 times in countries with male ratio values ≥0.493, 1.12 times in countries spending <2,000$ annually per capita for public health, 1.14 and 1.10 times in countries with <2.30 nurses and <0.88 physicians per hospital bed, respectively, and 1.12 in countries with smoking ratio ≥0.22, while holding all other independent variables of the model constant. Conclusion COVID-19 CFR varies substantially among EEA countries and is independently linked with low vaccination rates, increased elderly population rate, diminished public health spending per capita, insufficient physicians and nursing personnel per hospital bed, and prevalent smoking habits. Therefore, public health authorities are awaited to consider these parameters in prioritizing actions to manage the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

The Role of Exosomal Non-Coding RNAs in Colorectal Cancer Drug Resistance.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed worldwide with high morbidity; drug resistance is often responsible for treatment failure in CRC. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play distinct regulatory roles in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and chemoresistance. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed database in order to sum up and discuss the role of exosomal ncRNAs (ex-ncRNAs) in CRC drug resistance/response and their possible mechanisms. RESULTS: Thirty-six (36) original research articles were identified; these included exosome or extracellular vesicle (EV)-containing microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and small-interfering (siRNAs). No studies were found for piwi-interacting RNAs. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomal transfer of ncRNAs has been documented as a new mechanism of CRC drug resistance. Despite being in its infancy, it has emerged as a promising field for research in order to (i) discover novel biomarkers for therapy monitoring and/or (ii) reverse drug desensitization.

The potential role of the combined PARP-1 and VEGF inhibition in severe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection.

INTRODUCTION: During the evolution of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, several drug candidates have been proposed for repositioning towards a quest for more effective treatments. METHODOLOGY: We reviewed recent literature (Pubmed, Google, Clinicaltrials.gov), as of the middle of May 2021, for evidence regarding the potential benefit from poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor blockade in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase inhibitors have been suggested as potential agents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by a variety of mechanisms. vascular endothelial growth factor-associated vascular permeability is implicated with increased vascular leakage and pulmonary oedema. Thus, anti-angiogenesis factors, such as bevacizumab are being investigated in critically ill COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The synergistic potential of these two classes of inhibitors in severe COVID-19 management could be beneficial. Further research should be carried out in order to support this hypothesis.

Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: A Comparison of Surgical Techniques.

Introduction Nasal obstruction is one of the most frequently reported symptoms in clinical practice. The second most common cause of nasal obstruction is inferior turbinate hypertrophy, a nasal pathology for which surgical treatment is often required. This study aims to determine the most effective surgical method in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH). Materials and methods The study was performed from September 2018 to October 2019 in the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department of the Evangelismos Hospital of Athens. The study population comprised 205 patients that underwent surgery and were monitored in the hospital. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was the method used in 73 patients, 68 patients were treated with the microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty (MAT), and the remaining 64 patients were operated on using electrocautery (EC). Following surgery, postoperative complications were assessed and quantified. Results Overall, 205 patients underwent surgery. The first group (n=73) was operated on using radiofrequency ablation and had a complication rate of 30.1%. Out of 73 patients, 51 recovered without complications. The remaining 22 had complications, consisting of 16 patients with bleeding and six with postnasal drip. The second group (n=68) was treated using the microdebrider method. The complication rate was 26.5%, where 50 patients did not present with any symptoms post-operatively and 18 exhibited symptoms. Specifically, postnasal drip was more prevalent with this method as all 18 patients showed postnasal drip as their complication. The third group (n=64) was treated with electrocautery. Patients in this group had the most complications (n=24), 16 were attributed to postnasal drip and eight to infections, treated promptly with oral antibiotics. The complication rate using this method was 37.5%. Conclusion In our study, the microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty offered the lowest complication rate, followed by radiofrequency ablation and electrocautery. However, all three methods managed to alleviate the nasal obstruction and treat inferior turbinate hypertrophy. More research is needed as a lack of consensus remains regarding the optimal surgical technique for lower turbinate hypertrophy.

Circulating miRNA Expression Profiles and Machine Learning Models in Association with Response to Irinotecan-Based Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer represents a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Despite improvements, chemotherapy remains the backbone of colorectal cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the variation of circulating microRNA expression profiles and the response to irinotecan-based treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer and to identify relevant target genes and molecular functions. Serum samples from 95 metastatic colorectal cancer patients were analyzed. The microRNA expression was tested with a NucleoSpin miRNA kit (Machnery-Nagel, Germany), and a machine learning approach was subsequently applied for microRNA profiling. The top 10 upregulated microRNAs in the non-responders group were hsa-miR-181b-5p, hsa-miR-10b-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-181a-5p, hsa-miR-181d-5p, hsa-miR-301a-3p, hsa-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-30c-5p, and hsa-let-7i-5p. Similarly, the top 10 downregulated microRNAs were hsa-let-7d-5p, hsa-let-7c-5p, hsa-miR-215-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-10a-5p, hsa-miR-142-5p, hsa-miR-148a-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsa-miR-17-5p. The upregulation of microRNAs in the miR-181 family and the downregulation of those in the let-7 family appear to be mostly involved with non-responsiveness to irinotecan-based treatment.