The Predictive Role of Serum Lipid Levels, p53 and ki-67, According to Molecular Subtypes in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Study.

Dyslipidemia is a component of metabolic syndrome, having an important role in the carcinogenesis of different tumor types, such as prostate, ovarian, or renal cancer. The number of studies on the predictive potential of the different components of the lipid profile with a predictive potential in breast cancer is quite low. The evaluation of the lipid profile was carried out for the 142 patients who benefited from neoadjuvant therapy (NAC) in order to identify a potential predictive biomarker. The serological sample collection was performed sequentially according to a standardized protocol, pre-NAC, post-NAC and 6 months post-NAC after a 6-h pre-collection fast. We also investigated in the general group the presence or absence of the p53 mutation (TP53) and of the mitotic index ki-67, respectively, in relation to the molecular subtypes. The menopausal status, tumor size, family history, grading, Ki-67, p53 and LN metastases have a predictive nature regarding overall survival (OS) (p < 0.05), while for disease free survival (DFS), only tumor size, tumor grading, Ki-67 > 14, and p53+ are of predictive nature. The genetic and molecular analysis carried out in our group indicates that 71.67% have a Ki-67 score higher than 14%, and 39% of the patients have the positive P53 mutation. The multivariate analysis in the case of patients included in the TNBC subtype showed that the increased tumor volume (p = 0.002) and increased level of HDL (p = 0.004) represent predictive factors for the tumor response rate to NAC. High HDL-C levels before NAC and increased LDL-C levels after NAC were associated with the better treatment response in ER-positive and HER2+ breast cancer patients. Increased HDL-C values and tumor volume represent predictive factors as to the response rate to NAC in the case of patients included in the TNBC subtype. Regarding the ER+ and HER2+ subtypes, increased levels of HDL-C pre-NAC and increased levels of LDL-C post-NAC were associated with a better therapeutic response rate. Tumor grading, Ki-67, p53, and LN metastases have a predictive nature for OS, while tumor size, tumor grading, and Ki-67 > 14, and p53+ are predictive for DFS.

A Preliminary Report Regarding the Morphological Changes of Nano-Enabled Pharmaceutical Formulation on Human Lung Carcinoma Monolayer and 3D Bronchial Microtissue.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, the development of enabled pharmaceutical nanoparticles of solid lipid type is continuously growing, because they have the potential to be used for targeted drug release leading to an increased effect of chemotherapy, being used in lung cancer nano-diagnosis and nano-therapy. The current study reports the preliminary results obtained regarding the biological effect of a new nano-enabled pharmaceutical formulation in terms of its cytotoxic and biosafety profile. Materials and Methods: The pharmaceutical formulations consist of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) obtained via the emulsification-diffusion method by loading green iron oxide nanoparticles (green-IONPs) with a pentacyclic triterpene (oleanolic acid-OA). Further, a complex biological assessment was performed, employing three-dimensional (3D) bronchial microtissues (EpiAirwayTM) to determine the biosafety profile of the SLN samples. The cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated on human lung carcinoma, using an in vitro model (A549 human lung carcinoma monolayer). Results: The data revealed that the A549 cell line was strongly affected after treatment with SLN samples, especially those that contained OA-loaded green-IONPs obtained with Ocimum basilicum extract (under 30% viability rates). The biosafety profile investigation of the 3D normal in vitro bronchial model showed that all the SLN samples negatively affected the viability of the bronchial microtissues (below 50%). As regards the morphological changes, all the samples induce major changes such as loss of the surface epithelium integrity, loss of epithelial junctions, loss of cilia, hyperkeratosis, and cell death caused by apoptosis. Conclusions: In summary, the culprit for the negative impact on viability and morphology of 3D normal bronchial microtissues could be the too-high dose (500 µg/mL) of the SLN sample used. Nevertheless, further adjustments in the SLN synthesis process and another complex in vitro evaluation will be considered for future research.

Polymorphisms of CD44 rs187115 as a Predictive Biomarker in Early Colorectal Cancer Diagnostic.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has exhibited an increasing incidence worldwide in recent years, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis methods. This study aimed to assess the influence of CD44 gene polymorphism rs187115 on CRC susceptibility. Material and Methods: The study encompassed 470 CRC patients and 165 healthy controls. Genotyping of all biological blood samples was conducted using the TaqMan assay on the ABI 7500 Real Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems, USA). Results: The genotyping revealed that carriers of the variant G allele, including the genotypes AG and GG, exhibited a heightened risk of CRC occurrence, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57-1.97; p = 0.047) compared to those carrying the AA genotype. Conclusions: The findings underscore the potential utility of CD44 rs187115 polymorphisms as a novel predictive biomarker for CRC prognosis.

Assessing the Prognostic Value of NLR, PLR, APRI, SII, and Liver Function Tests for Fistula Formation after Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

Background: This study evaluates the predictive value of preoperative inflammatory markers (NLR, PLR, APRI, SII) and liver function tests in determining the risk of fistula development postcolorectal cancer surgery. The objective was to determine the association between elevated marker levels and fistula risk and establish thresholds for preoperative risk stratification. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the "Pius Brinzeu" Clinical Emergency Hospital from 2018 to 2023, analyzing data from 219 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Results: Among the markers studied, the Systemic Inflammation Index (SII) with a cutoff 460.5 showed the highest sensitivity (75.6%) and specificity (71.3%), resulting in an AUC of 0.774 (p=0.001). Albumin levels 2.9 g/dL also significantly predicted fistula occurrence with 77.3% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity (AUC 0.788, p 0.001). Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) presented cutoffs of 3.95 and 191.6 respectively, demonstrating substantial predictive value with AUCs of 0.732 and 0.746 (p 0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Elevated levels of specific preoperative inflammatory markers and liver function tests are significantly associated with the risk of developing fistulas in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. These findings support the integration of these biomarkers into preoperative evaluations to enhance patient risk stratification and optimize surgical outcomes, providing a valuable tool for clinical decision-making in colorectal surgery settings.

Low-Cost and Reproductible Method to Obtain Mapping of Lymphatic Drainage in Patient with Early Endometrial Cancer.

Introduction: Endometrial cancer is the most common form of gynecological cancer in developed countries. Current recommended therapeutic management takes into account a number of factors such as: TNM stage, justification for primary surgery, desire to preserve fertility. For primary operable cases, surgical staging has become an extremely important pillar, in which the status of the pelvic lymph nodes needs to be known (1-3). Material and Method: Between August 2015 and June 2021, a multicenter prospective observational study was performed in the "Prof. Dr. I. Chiricuta" Oncological Institute Cluj Napoca, 2nd Department of Surgery of "Pius Brinzeu" County Hospital Timisoara, 1st Department of General Surgery of Arad County Hospital, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology "Dominic Stanca" Cluj Napoca and "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Military Emergency University Hospital Bucharest, Romania with the main aim of examining the sentinel lymph node detection rate using methylene blue as a tracer. Surgeries were performed by the team of surgeons of the mentioned clinics, and patients were informed about this study and signed an informed consent form for enrollment. Results: A total of 116 cases met the inclusion criteria for this prospective study. The mean age of the included patients was 62.3 years (minimum - 38, maximum - 83). The mean body mass index was 31.8 (minimum - 19.9, maximum - 48.2). In terms of histological type of the endometrial cancer, the majority of cases were endometrioid cancer, amounting to 72.5% of the total (n=84). A considerable number of cases were of mixed type, either with clear cell carcinoma (8.6%, n=10) or mixed carcinosarcoma (17.2%, n=20). The preferred approach for surgery was laparoscopic surgery rather than traditional surgery (72% vs 28%). Another element investigated from a histological point of view is the tumour grading, the degree of differentiation of cells with anarchic development, we note that 50% (n=58) were G2. Of the 116 cases of endometrial carcinoma included in the study, in 83% of cases (n=96) methylene blue tracer injection was successful and sentinel node was identified. The SLN technique continues to be of great interest and use in surgical centers around the world. The method of detecting sentinel lymph nodes varies depending on the individual. According to literature studies, indocyanine (ICG- Indocyanine green) is the gold standard for lymph node mapping, with superior detection rates when compared to other existing versions. Another key factor to consider when selecting a sentinel node identification method is cost-effectiveness. The use of methyl blue as a marker tracer is the most cost-effective option with equivalent detection rate outcomes. Conclusions: Based on the results of our study and other studies in the literature, lymphatic mapping using methylene blue as a tracer in endometrial cancer is a cost-effective method with a favourable detection rate. With this low-cost procedure we can achieve a correct tumor staging, avoiding overtreatment. There are multiple ways to identify the sentinel node using different tracers with higher accuracy, but the objective of the study was not to make a comparison between different tracers, but to present the feasibility of lymph node mapping using methylene blue as a low cost tracer with good reproducibility, short learning curve and optimal detection rate.

Ghrelin Levels and Hunger Sensation after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Compared with Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication in Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aims of our study were to compare serum acylated ghrelin (the active form of ghrelin) concentrations before and after the surgery of patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) and to correlate these levels with excess weight loss and hunger sensations on a short-term basis. METHODS: The patients included in the study had either (1) a body mass index (BMI) over 35 kg/m2 and one comorbidity or (2) a BMI over 40 kg/m2. Ghrelin levels were measured on the day of the surgery, 1 month after the procedure, and 3 months after the procedure. A questionnaire about hunger sensation was administered to the patients, and changes in the patients' weights were evaluated on the same timeline as the measurement of the ghrelin levels. RESULTS: Eighteen obese patients were included in the study, including 10 patients in the LSG group and 8 patients in the LGCP group. All the procedures were performed laparoscopically. The average level of preoperative ghrelin in the LSG group was 212.21 pg/mL ± 140.57 SD. After 1 month, the average ghrelin level in the LSG group was 74.47 pg/mL ± 29.55 SD (p = 0.01), and it was 41.47 pg/mL ± 15.19 SD (p = 0.002) after 3 months. The average level of preoperative ghrelin in the LGCP group was 318.08 pg/mL ± 161.70 SD. It decreased to 190.58 pg/mL ± 116.75 SD (p = 0.01) after 1 month and to 91.57 pg/mL ± 56.70 SD (p = 0.004) after 3 months. Comparing the two groups, hunger sensation had decreased more in the LSG group (p = 0.03) 3 months after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) produced the same weight loss and diminished hunger sensation in the short term on the selected patients. LSG had an increased effect on ghrelin levels when compared with LGCP at 1 month after the procedure and 3 months after the procedure.

Colorectal Surgery in Romania during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic extends, its negative consequences on the effectiveness of therapeutic programs - previously assumed by the medical community and imperatively suspended for a difficult-to-predict period of time - are becoming increasingly worrying. In this context, as the evidence-based recommendations are not possible, most of the national and international scientific societies tried to develop balanced recommendations (1-4). The Romanian Society of Coloproctology (SRCP) and the Romanian Association for Endoscopic Surgery (ARCE) have created a working group that, taking into account recent publications, the statements of international academic societies, the national legislative context and the unique experience of countries severely affected by this pandemic (China, Italy, Spain, USA, etc.) proposes for Romania, the following recommendations for medical practice in colorectal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations are subjected to continuous review, depending on the global and national situation of the pandemic, the particular needs of each hospital, the recommendations of the competent authorities and the evolution of the literature that publishes the conclusions of ongoing clinical trials.

SRED-ARCE Recommendations for Minimally Invasive Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania.

The Romanian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SRED) and the Romanian Association of Endoscopic Surgery (ARCE) have decided to establish a joint working group to elaborate specific recommendations for organizing the diagnostic and the minimally invasive interventional procedures, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations are based on the guidelines of the international societies of endoscopy and gastroenterology (ESGE / BSG / ASGE / ACG / AGA), respectively endoscopic surgery (EAES SAGES) (4-8), on the experience of countries severely affected by the pandemic (Italy, France, Spain, USA, Germany, etc.) and they will be applied within the limits of measures imposed at local and governmental level by the competent authorities. On the other hand, these recommendations should have a dynamic evolution, depending on the upward or downward trend of the COVID-19 pandemic at regional and local level, but also according to the findings of professional and academic societies, requiring regular reviews based on the publica tion of further recommendations or international clinical trials. The objectives of the SRED and ARCE recommendations target the endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery activities, to support their non discriminatory used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, pursuing the demonstrated benefits of these procedures, in safe conditions for patients and medical staff.

Laparoscopic Repair of Inguinal Hernia TEP versus TAPP.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to compare the results of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using two different methods: transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and the technique of totally extraperitoneal repair (TEP). METHODS: In this retrospective study were included 90 cases of inguinal hernia that underwent for laparoscopic approach of inguinal hernia repair at the Emergency County Hospital Timisoara at the 2nd Surgical Clinic between 2012 and 2013. The primary outcome was recurrence of the hernia at two years follow-up. Secondary outcomes were short and long-term complications: hematoma and seroma formation, inflammation of the testis, chronic inguinal pain, reoperation, 30 days mortality. RESULTS: Of the 90 patients who underwent unilateral hernia repair, 70 were completely followed-up for 24 months, 36 (81.81%) patients with TEP and 34 (73.91%) with TAPP. Regarding the main outcome there was no recurrence of the hernia at two years follow-up.There were two cases of bleeding in the TAPP group;both were managed by laparoscopic sealing of the damaged vessels, 8 cases of post-operative edema of testis in TAPP and 3 cases in TEP. Regarding thesubcutaneous emphysema there were 16 cases in TAPP and 3 cases in TEP. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between TEP and TAPP in our study were related to minor complications, no major complications occurred. After the two years follow-up of 70 of a total of 90 patients, there was no recurrence of the hernia.

Colorectal Cancer Risk Prediction Using the rs4939827 Polymorphism of the SMAD7 Gene in the Romanian Population.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is globally recognized as a prevalent malignancy known for its significant mortality rate. Recent years have witnessed a rising incidence trend in colorectal cancer, emphasizing the necessity for early diagnosis. Our study focused on examining the impact of the SMAD7 gene variant rs4939827 on the risk of colorectal cancer occurrence. The composition of our study group included 340 individuals, comprising 170 CRC diagnosed patients and 170 healthy controls. We performed genotyping of all biological samples using the TaqMan assay on the ABI 7500 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA). This investigation focused on the rs4939827 gene variant, assessing its association with CRC risk and clinicopathological characteristics. Genotyping results for the SMAD7 gene variant rs4939827 revealed a 42.6% prevalence of the C allele in CRC patients (p = 0.245) and a 22.8% prevalence of the T allele in control subjects (p = 0.109). This study concluded that there was an elevated risk of CRC in the dominant model for CC/CT+TT, with a p-value of 0.113 and an odds ratio (OR) of 2.781, within a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.998 to 3.456. The findings of our research indicate a correlation between variants of the SMAD7 gene and the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer in our study population. Consequently, these results could be instrumental in facilitating early diagnosis of colorectal cancer utilizing information on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and genetic susceptibility to the disease.

Impact of Systemic Treatments on Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients with RAS-Positive Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review critically evaluates the impact of systemic treatments on outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in patients with RAS-positive stage IV colorectal cancer, with studies published up to December 2023 across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. From an initial pool of 1345 articles, 11 relevant studies were selected for inclusion, encompassing a diverse range of systemic treatments, including panitumumab combined with FOLFOX4 and FOLFIRI, irinotecan paired with panitumumab, regorafenib followed by cetuximab ± irinotecan and vice versa, and panitumumab as a maintenance therapy post-induction. Patient demographics predominantly included middle-aged to elderly individuals, with a slight male predominance. Racial composition, where reported, showed a majority of Caucasian participants, highlighting the need for broader demographic inclusivity in future research. Key findings revealed that the addition of panitumumab to chemotherapy (FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI) did not significantly compromise QoL while notably improving disease-free survival, with baseline EQ-5D HSI mean scores ranging from 0.76 to 0.78 and VAS mean scores from 70.1 to 74.1. Improvements in FACT-C scores and EQ-5D Index scores particularly favored panitumumab plus best supportive care in KRAS wild-type mCRC, with early dropout rates of 38-42% for panitumumab + BSC. Notably, cetuximab + FOLFIRI was associated with a median survival of 25.7 months versus 16.4 months for FOLFIRI alone, emphasizing the potential benefits of integrating targeted therapies with chemotherapy. In conclusion, the review underscores the significant impact of systemic treatments, particularly targeted therapies and their combinations with chemotherapy, on survival outcomes and QoL in patients with RAS-positive stage IV colorectal cancer, and the need for personalized treatment.

Identification of Specific Plasma miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Major Depressive Disorder.

BACKROUND: Depression is a significant concern in clinical and preclinical psychoneurobiological sciences due to its high prevalence and its individual and collective consequences. Identifying efficient biomarkers for accurate diagnosis is crucial, with ideal biomarkers having detectable serum levels and conformational and thermal stability. This study aims to identify stable plasma biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of major depressive disorder, as the pathogenesis of the disorder remains incompletely understood, affecting diagnosis accuracy. METHODS: Thus, this study included ten MDD patients and eight healthy controls. The present work analyzed miRNAs in patients with major depressive disorder compared to healthy controls. RESULTS: Eleven specific miRNAs, particularly hsa-miR-874-3p; hsa-let-7d-5p; and hsa-miR-93-3p showed upregulation-type plasma variations in the group of patients with major depressive disorder. miRNA functionality is linked to depressive pathophysiology. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies a "bouquet" of miRNAs with significant upregulation variations in patients with major depressive disorder, suggesting further research to determine their suitability for personalization and evaluation, ultimately becoming integral components of major depression serological evaluations.

Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis Associated with Abscesses-An Unknown Dual Pathology.

(1) Introduction and Aims: Little is known about the relationship between renal pathology and gallbladder pathology, although the two organs (the gallbladder and the right kidney) are in close proximity to one another. If a renal abscess disseminates, the gallbladder would be one of the secondary organs involved. As the bile provides a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic germs, it allows for the development of acute cholecystitis, even if calculi are absent, thus resulting in the development of acute acalculous cholecystitis. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) and renal abscesses. (2) Methods: A department-wide retrospective cohort observational study including 67 patients with renal abscesses, with a mean age of 34.5+/-16.21 years and with five males and 62 females, was conducted. All of the patients were examined by an abdominal ultrasound. The lab tests included CBC with differential liver enzymes and serum bilirubin (in order to assess alterations in the liver function which can be associated with AAC) and serum creatinine (in order to assess the renal function). Blood culture and urine culture tests were also performed. (3) Results: Of the 67 patients with renal abscesses, eight (11.94%) were associated with acute cholecystitis: four cases (5.97%) of acalculous cholecystitis and four cases (5.97%) of calculous cholecystitis, two of which presented biliary sludge (acute micro-calculous cholecystitis). All four cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis presented with sepsis, and there was one case of septic shock at onset. We did not observe an impairment in renal function in the patients presenting with acute acalculous cholecystitis, and hepatic impairment was inconstant and moderate. All of the cases had a favorable outcome after a prompt initiation of intensive antibiotic therapy; both the renal abscess and the acute acalculous cholecystitis receded without further complications. (4) Conclusions: The association of acute acalculous cholecystitis with renal abscesses could be related to the possibility of germ dissemination from the infectious focus. In the case of a renal abscess, careful clinical, lab, and imaging exams of the gallbladder are recommended in order to ensure early therapeutic intervention in the event of an association with acute acalculous cholecystitis.

The Use of Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Pain Management after Breast Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Study.

(1) Background: The present study aims to evaluate the reduction of postoperative pain in breast surgery using a series of local analgesics, which were infiltrated into the wound; (2) Methods: Envelopes containing allocation were prepared prior to the study. The patients involved were randomly assigned to the groups of local anesthesia infiltration (Group A) or normal pain management with intravenous analgesics (Group B). The random allocation sequence was generated using computer-generated random numbers. The normally distributed continuous data were expressed as the means (SD) and were assessed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent-sample t-test, or paired t-test; (3) Results: The development of the postoperative pain stages was recorded using the VAS score. Therefore, for Group A, the following results were obtained: the VAS at 6 h postoperatively showed an average value of 0.63 and a maximum value of 3. The results for Group B were the following: the VAS score at 6 h postoperatively showed an average value of 4.92, a maximum of 8, and a minimum of 2; (4) Conclusions: We can confirm that there are favorable statistical indicators regarding the postoperative pain management process during the first 24-38 h after a surgical intervention for breast cancer using local infiltration of anesthetics.

The Value of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) for Predicting the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC) in Breast Cancer according to the Molecular Subtypes.

INTRODUCTION: The antitumor host immune response is an important factor in breast cancer, but its role is not fully established. The role of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) as an immunological biomarker in breast cancer has been significantly explored in recent years. The number of patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has increased and the identification of a biomarker to predict the probability of pCR (pathological complete response) is a high priority. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 334 cases of BC treated with NAC followed by surgical resection from 2020-2022 at the Ist Clinic of Oncological Surgery, Oncological Institute "Prof Dr I Chiricuta" Cluj Napoca. Of the above, 122 cases were available for histological evaluation both in pre-NAC biopsy and post-NAC resection tissue. Evaluation of biopsy fragments and resection parts were performed using hematoxylin eosin (H&E). The TIL evaluation took place according to the recommendations of the International TIL Working Group (ITILWG). RESULTS: There was a strong association between elevated levels of pre-NAC TIL. At the same time, there is a statistically significant correlation between stromal TIL and tumor grade, the number of lymph node metastases, the molecular subtype and the number of mitoses (p < 0.005). Intratumoral TIL showed a significant correlation with tumor size, distant metastasis, molecular subtype, number of mitosis, stage and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.005). We also demonstrated that high pre-NAC STIL represents a strong predictive marker for pCR. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the role of TIL as a predictive biomarker in breast cancer not only for the well-established TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) and HER2+ (Her2 overexpressed) subtypes but also in Luminal A and B molecular subtypes. In this scenario, the evaluation of sTIL as a novel predictive and therapy-predicting factor should become a routinely performed analysis that could guide clinicians when choosing the most appropriate therapy.

Three-Year Analysis of the Rectal Cancer Care Trajectory after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The global pandemic period from 2020 to 2022 caused important alterations in oncology care. This study aimed to describe the trends and variations in patient characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment approaches during this time in Romania. We conducted a retrospective database search to identify patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical intervention between 2020 and 2022 and the year 2019, which served as a pre-pandemic period control. This study included 164 patients, with a yearly increase of approximately 10% in surgical interventions noted from 2020 (1709 interventions) to 2022 (2118 interventions), but an overall 34.4% decrease compared with the pre-pandemic period. Notable shifts were observed in the type of surgeries performed, with laparoscopic procedures doubling from 2020 (25%) to 2022 (47.5%), confirming the decrease in emergency presentations during the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic and a recovery to normality with planned, elective interventions. Elective interventions increased significantly in 2022 (79.7%) compared with the previous years (p = 0.043), with a concurrent rise in neoadjuvant therapy uptake in 2022 (35.6%). However, significant alterations in the TNM staging, from 12.5% stage IV cases in 2020 to 25.4% in 2022 (p = 0.039), indicated an increased diagnosis of advanced stages of rectal cancer as the years progressed. There was a significant difference in albumin levels over the years (p = 0.019) and in the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores (from 6.2% ASA stage IV in 2020 to 16.9% in 2022), denoting an increase in case complexity (p = 0.043). This study reveals a trend of increasing surgical interventions and the prevalence of more advanced stages of rectal cancer during the pandemic years. Despite the subtle fluctuations in various patient characteristics and treatment approaches, notable shifts were documented in the severity at diagnosis and surgery types, pointing toward more advanced disease presentations and changes in surgical strategies over the period studied. Nevertheless, the trends in ICU admission rates and mortality did not alter significantly during the pandemic period.

VRAM Flap for Pelvic Floor Reconstruction after Pelvic Exenteration and Abdominoperineal Excision.

Due to the still large number of patients diagnosed with pelvic neoplasms (colorectal, gynecological, and urological) in advanced stages right from the initial diagnosis, surgery represents the mainstay of treatment, often implying wide, eventually multi-organ resections in order to achieve negative surgical margins. Perineal wound morbidity, particularly in extralevator abominoperineal excision, leads to complications and local infection rates of up to 40%. Strategies to reduce postoperative wound complications are being pursued to address this issue. The VRAM flap remains the gold standard for autologous reconstruction after pelvic oncological resection; it was initially designed for abdominal wall defects and later expanded for large pelvic tissue defects. The flap's application is based on its physical characteristics, including abundant tissue and a generous skin paddle, which effectively obliterates dead space after exenterations. The generous skin paddle offers good cosmetic and functional outcomes at the recipient site. This article describes the case of a patient histopathologically diagnosed with stage IIIA squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix who received multimodal onco-surgical treatment. The surgical mainstay of this treatment is pelvic exenteration. Pelvic reconstruction after this major surgery was performed using a vertical flap with the rectus abdominis.

The Challenges of Colorectal Cancer Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania: A Three-Year Retrospective Study.

The predictions on the influence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on access to medical services in Romania predicted a 35% drop in oncological hospitalizations in 2020 compared to the previous decade, raising the hypothesis that patients with colorectal cancer can become indirect victims of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, the aim of the current research was to observe how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced colorectal cancer surgery in Romania, to determine the level of addressability towards specialized care, to compare the cancer staging between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods, and to observe the risk factors for disease progression. This retrospective study was spread over three years, respectively, from March 2019 to March 2022, and included a total of 198 patients with a history of colorectal cancer surgery. It was decided to perform a parallel comparison of 2019, 2020, and 2021 to observe any significant changes during the pandemic. Our clinic encountered a significant decrease in all interventions during the pandemic; although the number of CRC surgeries remained constant, the cases were more difficult, with significantly more patients presenting in emergency situations, from 31.3% in 2019 to 50.0% in 2020 and 57.1% in 2021. Thus, the number of elective surgeries decreased significantly. The proportion of TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) staging was, however, statistically significant between the pre-pandemic and pandemic period. In 2019, 13.3% of patients had stage IIa, compared with 28.8% in 2020 and 13.1% in 2021. Similarly, the proportion of very advanced colorectal cancer was higher during the pandemic period of 2020 and 2021 (12.0% in 2019 vs. 12.5% in 2020 and 25.0% in 2021), which was represented by a significantly higher proportion of patients with bowel perforation. Patients with an advanced TNM stage had a 6.28-fold increased risk of disease progression, followed by lymphovascular invasion (HR = 5.19). However, the COVID-19 pandemic, represented by admission years 2020 and 2021, did not pose a significant risk for disease progression and mortality. In-hospital mortality during the pandemic also did not change significantly. After the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, it would be advisable to conduct a widespread colorectal cancer screening campaign in order to identify any instances of the disease that went undetected during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Monitoring Approach of Fatality Risk Factors for Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. A Retrospective, Monocentric Study.

Acute pancreatitis is an unpredictable disease affecting the pancreas and it is characterized by a wide range of symptoms and modified lab tests, thus there is a continuing struggle to classify this disease and to find risk factors associated with a worse outcome. The main objective of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with the fatal outcome of the intensive care unit's patients diagnosed and admitted for severe acute pancreatitis, the secondary objective was to investigate the prediction value for the death of different inflammatory markers at the time of their admission to the hospital. This retrospective study included all the patients with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Emergency County Hospital Timisoara between 1 January 2016 and 31 May 2021. The study included 53 patients diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis, out of which 21 (39.6%) survived and 32 (60.4%) died. For the neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio, a cut-off value of 12.4 was found. When analyzing age, we found out that age above 52 years old can predict mortality, and for the platelets/lymphocytes ratio, a cut-off value of 127 was found. Combining the three factors we get a new model for predicting mortality, with an increased performance, AUROC = 0.95, p < 0.001. Multiple persistent organ failure, age over 50, higher values of C reactive protein, and surgery were risk factors for death in the patients with severe acute pancreatitis admitted to the intensive care unit. The model design from the neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio, platelets/lymphocytes ratio, and age proved to be the best in predicting mortality in severe acute pancreatitis.

Plasma ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin levels in obese rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus after sleeve gastrectomy and gastric plication.

The prevalence of obesity has increased in recent decades and has become a public health problem. In obesity patients the metabolism of almost all adipokines is markedly dysregulated. Studies regarding levels of ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin after bariatric surgery reveal contradictory results. The purpose of the present study was to analyze modification of body weight and plasma levels of fasting glucose, ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin, in obese rats with T2DM after sleeve gastrectomy (SG), gastric plication (GP) and sham-operated (SO). Eighteen specimens where randomized to three weight-matched groups: Group SG underwent sleeve gastrectomy (n=6), group GP underwent gastric plication (n=6) and the control group SO underwent sham surgery (n=6). Upon surgery a normal rat chow diet (Bio-Serv® product no. F4031) was fed to the rats until the end of the experiment. Additional blood samples were harvested after 4 weeks. The results revealed that body mass decreased in the SG (783.17±101.39 vs. 658.33±86.57 g; P<0.0001) and the GP (781.33±103.12 vs. 702.33±84.06 g; P=0.004) rats after surgery. There were significant lower fasting glucose levels at 4 weeks postoperative in the SG group compared to the SO group (83.1±12.81 vs. 104.5±9.81 mg/dl; P=0.016). The same trend was observed in the GP group vs. the SO group (86.7±11.43 vs. 104.5±9.81 mg/dl; P=0.026). There was no difference regarding mean glucose levels between the SG group compared to the GP group (P>0.05). Plasma acylated ghrelin and leptin levels decreased four weeks after surgery compared to preoperative levels, while adiponectin levels increased four weeks after surgery in the SG and GP groups, respectively. The present study revealed that plasma glucose levels, ghrelin and leptin levels decreased after SG and GP, while adiponectin levels improved. This suggests that there may be hormonal contribution in weight loss.