Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy and is characterized by increasing incidence and high mortality rates. Current methods for the screening and diagnosis of HCC exhibit inherent limitations, highlighting the ever-growing need for the development of new methods for the early diagnosis of HCC. The aim of this work was to develop a novel electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of HepG2 cells, a type of circulating tumor cells that can be used as biomarkers for the early detection of HCC. A carbon screen-printed electrode was functionalized with a composite suspension containing graphene oxide, chitosan, and polyaniline nanoparticles to increase the electrode surface and provide anchoring sites for the HepG2 cell-specific aptamer. The aptamer was immobilized on the surface of the functionalized electrode using multipulse amperometry, an innovative technique that significantly reduces the time required for aptamer immobilization. The innovative platform was successfully employed for the first time for the amplification-free detection of HepG2 cells in a linear range from 10 to 200,000 cells/mL, with a limit of detection of 10 cells/mL. The platform demonstrated high selectivity and stability and was successfully used for the detection of HepG2 cells in spiked human serum samples with excellent recoveries.

Impact on Long-term Survival of a Standardized Histopathological Protocol on the R1 Incidence in Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a pathology with a very poor prognostic, the only curative treatment option being surgery, in association with chemotherapy. This study aims to assess the influence that the use of a standardized pathology report after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has on the R1 margins rate and the impact that this has on long term survival. Material and Methods: We included 116 patients admitted to the Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Prof. Dr. O. Fodor Cluj Napoca, who underwent PD for PDAC (Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma) between January 2012 and May 2017. We divided them in two groups: 59 patients for which a nonstandardized histopathological protocol was used and 57 patients for which a standardized protocol was implemented. We considered a margin to be R1 when there were tumor cells at ¤ 1 mm from the resection margin. Results: The R1 percentage in the first group of patients was of 39%, while the R1 resection rate in the second group was of 68.4%. The median survival rate was similar in the two groups, with no statistically significant difference between them, but in the prospective study when comparing R0 vs R1 margins there was a statistically differences in 5 year OS with a p-value = 0.03. Conclusion: The use of a standardized pathology report reveals a significant increase in R1 resection rates. Also study revealed not only increasing R1 incidence when using a standardized histopathology report, but also that those margins (R1) playing a determinant role in 5-year OS. The mesopancreas is the most frequently R1 resection margin.

Residents Can Do It! A Training Program in Laparoscopic Liver Surgery for General Surgery Residents.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic liver resections (LLRs) constitute an area of surgery that has been kept away from residents in their hands-on training. The aim of our study is to assess the feasibility and the value of a didactic "step-by-step" program for LLR performed by residents using the swine training model. METHODS: From May 2018 to November 2019, three hands-on workshops were held. The protocol involved the performance of cholecystectomy, liver mobilization, minor and major hepatectomies. The participants' performance results in terms of operative time, blood loss, conversion, trainers' intervention, and intraoperative mortality, were recorded. The first workshop was comprised of 30 residents who previously participated in laparoscopic surgery workshops. In the second workshop, after six residents dropped out due to residency completion, the findings for the remaining 24 residents were compared to those for 24 junior-attending surgeons who did not follow the protocol and had not performed LLR previously, and to another 24 residents in a third workshop, who had not taken the training program before but followed the protocol. RESULTS: All residents fully completed the surgical procedures. Trained residents achieved better operative times and less blood loss compared to junior-attending surgeons (p < 0.017), however, the remaining parameters were comparable. When compared to non-trained residents, those who underwent training achieved significantly better results only in operative times (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A continuous LLR "step-by-step" training program on swine for residents is feasible and the "step-by-step" protocol is a valuable tool for a proper surgical education.

Klatskin Tumor: A Survival Analysis According to Tumor Characteristics and Inflammatory Ratios.

Background and Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the association of inflammatory biomarkers with resectability and overall survival in hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study over 72 consecutive surgical cases of Klatskin tumor over an 11-year period. The sample was divided into two groups: 42 surgical resection cases and 30 unresectable tumors. Values of inflammatory ratios were compared according to the resectability. Log-rank test, univariate, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the overall survival. Results: Subjects were between 42−87 years old (average age of 64.91 ± 9.15 years). According to the procedure: 58.33% benefited from resection (with a 30.95% R0 resection rate) and 41.66% had palliative surgery. Elevated NLR (neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio), PLR (platelet to lymphocyte ratio), and SII (systemic immune-inflammation index), and lower LMR (lymphocyte to monocyte ratio) at admission were associated with unresectable tumors (p < 0.01). For the multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, increased absolute values of NLR, PLR, and SII were associated with lower survival; no differences were observed for LMR absolute value. The cut-off value of NLR ≥ 6 was associated with lower survival. The median survival time for all subjects was 442 days, with 774 days for the resection group and 147 days for the group with palliative surgery. Conclusions: In hilar cholangiocarcinoma, inflammatory ratios are associated with tumor resectability. Tumor excision conferred an important advantage in survival. Elevated NLR, PLR, and SII values at admission significantly increased the hazard ratio. LMR had no influence on survival.

Duodenopancreatectomy for PDAC Associated with MALS: A Case Report.

Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive form of pancreatic malignancy which occurs in over 90% of such cases. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is used with a curative purpose for localized PDAC. Case presentation: A 68-year-old woman presented to our service through a transfer from another service, to be investigated and treated for a head of the pancreas tumor in a tertiary referral hospital. After a complete clinical and paraclinical evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with a PDAC and also with a median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). The surgical treatment was considered adequate, therefore, the patient underwent a PD with transmesocolic hepaticojejunostomy, pancreaticogastric anastomosis, precolic end-to-side gastrojejunostomy, Witzel jejunostomy and with the help of the cardiovascular surgery team from the Heart Institute, Cluj- Napoca, an aortohepatic bypass using saphenous vein graft was performed. Conclusion: Bypass was essential because the blood flow in the proper hepatic artery was not restored after sectioning the median arcuate ligament and clamping the gastroduodenal artery. The patient had a favorable outcome. The particularity of the present case consists of the complete occlusion of the celiac trunk by MALS and the total vascularization of the supramesocolic organs due to the superior mesenteric artery through the gastroduodenal artery.

Synergic action of thermosensitive hydrogel and Au/Ag nanoalloy for sensitive and selective detection of pyocyanin.

The rapid detection of bacterial strains has become a major topic thoroughly discussed across the biomedical field. Paired with the existence of nosocomial pathogen agents that imply extreme medical and financial challenges throughout diagnosis and treatment, the development of rapid and easy-to-use sensing devices has gained an increased amount of attention. Moreover, antibiotic resistance considered by World Health Organization as one of the "biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today" enables this topic as high priority. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most ubiquitous bacterial strains, has various quorum-sensing systems that are a direct cause of their virulence. One of them is represented by pyocyanin, a blue pigment with electroactive properties that is synthesized from early stages of bacterial colonization. Thus, the sensitive detection of this biomarker could enable a personalized and efficient therapy. It was achieved with the development of an electrochemical sensor based on a thermosensitive polymer, modified with Au/Ag nanoalloy for the rapid and accurate detection of pyocyanin, a virulence biomarker of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sensor displayed a linear range from 0.12 to 25 µM, and a limit of detection of 0.04 µM (signal/noise = 3). It was successfully tested in real samples spiked with the target analyte without any pretreatment other than a dilution step. The detection of pyocyanin with high recovery in whole blood in a time frame of 5-10 min from the moment of collection was performed with this electrochemical sensor. Graphical abstract.

Evaluation of P-POSSUM Risk Scoring System in Prediction of Morbidity and Mortality after Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: POSSUM and P-POSSUM are risk scores recommended by ERAS Society for the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing major surgery. Methods: This study includes 113 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomy performed in a single centre between July 2013-December 2015. Patients data were prospectively collected using Excel 2009 and retrospectively analysed with R v3.2.4 software. Biological status score, surgical severity score and risk scores for complications and death were calculated using: http://www.riskprediction. org.uk/index-pp.php. Results: Morbidity rate was 61,95%: 19,47% general complications, 14,16% wound infections and 28,32% PD specific complications (11,5% POPF; 8,85% DGE and 6,19% PPH). Comparing the observed and estimated morbidity and mortality, we obtained statistical significant results (p=0,05 and p=0,03, respectivelly). When we considered only specific PD complications and subsequent mortality, there was no longer significant difference between observed and estimated values (p=0,8 and p=0,86).The under ROC curve aria was 0,61 for morbidity and 0,64 for specific PD morbidity, respectively 0,61 for mortality and 0,68 for specific PD complications related mortality. CONCLUSION: P-POSSUM represents a useful tool for appreciating the complication and death risk after PD, but better results could be obtain by considering also specific PD risk factors.

An Attempt to Build a National Prospective Electronic Database for Pancreaticoduodenectomies in Romania - Preliminary Results of the First Year Enrollment.

Introduction: National databases for pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD) have contributed to better postoperative outcomes after such complex surgical procedure because the multicentre collection of data allowed more reliable analyses with quality assessment and further improvement of technical issues and perioperative management. The current practice and outcomes after PD are poorly known in Romania because there was no national database for these patients. Thus, in 2016 a national-intent electronic registry for PD was proposed for all Romanian surgical centers. The study aims to present the preliminary results of this national-intent registry for PD after one-year enrollment. Patients Methods: The database was started on October 1st, 2016. Data were prospectively collected with an electronic online form including 102 items for each patient. The registry was opened to all the Departments of Surgery from Romania performing PD, with no restriction. Results: During the first year of enrollment were collected the data of 181 patients with PD performed by 24 surgeons from four surgical centers. The age of patients was 64 years (28 - 81 years), with slightly male predominance (61.3%). Computed tomography was the main preoperative imaging investigation (84.5%). All the PDs were performed by an open approach. The Whipple technique was used in 53% of patients, and a venous resection was required in 14.3% of cases. A posterior approach PD was considered in 16.6% of patients. The stomach was used to treat the distal remnant pancreas in 50.1% of patients. The operative time was 285 min (110 - 615 min), and the estimated blood loss was 400 ml (80 - 3000 ml). The overall morbidity rate was 55.8%, with severe (i.e., grade III-IV Dindo-Clavien) morbidity rate of 10%, and 3.9% in-hospital mortality rate. The overall pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying and hemorrhage rates were 19.9%, 39.8% and 15.5%. Periampullary malignancies were the main indications for PD (78.9%), with pancreatic cancer on the top (48%). Conclusions: To build a prospective electronic online database for PD in Romania appears to be a feasible project and a useful tool to know the current practice and outcomes after PD in our country. However, improvements are still required to encourage a larger number of surgical centers to introduce the data of patients with PD.

Harmonic Contrast-Enhanced Endoscopic Ultrasonography for the Guidance of Fine-Needle Aspiration in Solid Pancreatic Masses.

Purpose The global accuracy of fine-needle aspiration guided by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS-FNA) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is about 85 %. The use of contrast agents during EUS to highlight vessels and the necrotic parts of pancreatic masses may improve biopsy guidance. Our aim was to assess whether the guidance of FNA by harmonic contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) would increase diagnostic accuracy relative to conventional EUS-FNA in the same pancreatic masses. Patients and Methods In a prospective study, EUS-FNA was performed in patients with pancreatic masses on CT scan, followed by harmonic CH-EUS using SonoVue. A second cluster of CH-EUS-FNA was performed on contrast-enhanced images. The final diagnosis was based on the results of EUS-FNA and surgery, or the findings after 12 months' follow-up. Results The final diagnosis was adenocarcinoma (n = 35), chronic pancreatitis (n = 10), or other (n = 6). The diagnostic accuracy based on core histology was 78.4 % for EUS-FNA and 86.5 % for CH-EUS-FNA (p = 0.35). The accuracy increased to 94 % when the two methods' results were combined. The two false-negative EUS-FNA cases were correctly appreciated by CH-EUS. Neither core histology size nor the presence of necrosis was significant for the true-positive diagnosis of malignancy. Conclusion CH-EUS-FNA had an insignificant incremental effect on diagnostic accuracy compared with conventional EUS-FNA in our small group. The presence of necrosis did not influence the results of CEUS-FNA. Qualitative assessment of the contrast uptake within the lesion was useful in false-negative EUS-FNA cases.

Ileocecal Obstruction Due to B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

We report a rare case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma presented as an ileocecal mass. The patient was a 77-year-old man with history of symptoms of partial bowel obstruction, intermittent right iliac fossa pain, loss of weight, vomiting and fatigue. Clinical signs included moderate abdominal tenderness with a palpable mass in the right iliac fossa at the physical examination. Colonoscopy revealed an intussusception of the right colon causing a complete stenosis. The patient developed complete bowel obstruction during hospitalization that required emergent surgical intervention. Intraoperatively an ileocecal mass was found measuring 10-12 cm in diameter, causing complete stenosis at its level and bowel dilatation proximally. Multiple nodules were found in the liver and the parietal peritoneum as well. An ileotransverso-anastomosis was performed and biopsies of the nodules were taken. Pathological evaluation revealed a diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin'™s lymphoma of the ileocecum and the parietal peritoneum.

HER2 Overexpression in Periampullary Tumors According to Anatomical and Histological Classification-A Systematic Review.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive, heterogeneous, and fatal types of human cancer; therefore, more effective therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and amplification have been identified as a cornerstone in this pathology. The aim of this review is to identify HER2 membrane overexpression in relation to pancreatic cancer pathways that can be used in order to develop a targeted therapy. After searching the keywords, 174 articles were found during a time span of 10 years, between 2013 and 2023, but only twelve scientific papers were qualified for this investigation. The new era of biomolecular research found a significant relationship between HER2 overexpression and pancreatic cancer cells in 25-30% of cases. The variables are dependent on tumor-derived cells, with differences in receptor overexpression between PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), BTC (biliary tract cancer), ampullary carcinoma, and PNETs (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors). HER2 overexpression is frequently encountered in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, and the ERBB family is one of the targets in the near future of therapy, with good results in phase I, II, and III studies evaluating downregulation and tumor downstaging, respectively.

Prognostic Indicators of Overall Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Liver Resection.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant form of primary liver cancer and the third contributor to malignancy-related deaths worldwide. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), transient elastography-liver stiffness measurement (TE-LSM), and the association between TBS (tumor burden score), alpha-fetoprotein levels, and the Child-Pugh classification (TAC score) can serve as valuable prognostic indicators for these patients. Therefore, the main objective of our research was to analyze the prognostic value of the HVPG, TE-LSM, TBS, and TAC scores. An observational and survival study was conducted on 144 subjects. Our findings indicated that HVPG greater than 10 mmHg, AFP surpassing 400 ng/mL, an advanced C-P class, and low TAC score are independent predictors of overall survival. During the multivariate analysis, AFP serum levels and C-P class proved statistically significant. The present study revealed significant differences in overall survival between the two groups divided upon HVPG values and settled by the cutoff of 10 mmHg (p = 0.02). Moreover, by dividing the cohort into three groups based on the TAC score (very low, low, and moderate), statistically significant differences in overall survival were observed across the groups (p = 0.004).

Gelatin-Based Liver Phantoms for Training Purposes: A Cookbook Approach.

Background: Patients with liver pathology benefit from image-guided interventions. Training for interventional procedures is recommended to be performed on liver phantoms until a basic proficiency is reached. In the last 40 years, several attempts have been made to develop materials to mimic the imaging characteristics of the human liver in order to create liver phantoms. There is still a lack of accessible, reproducible and cost-effective soft liver phantoms for image-guided procedure training. Methods: Starting from a CT-scan DICOM file, we created a 3D-printed liver mold using InVesalius (Centro de Tecnologia da informação Renato Archer CTI, InVesalius 3 open-source software, Campinas, Brazil) for segmentation, Autodesk Fusion 360 with Netfabb (Autodesk software company, Fusion 360 2.0.19426 with Autodesk Netfabb Premium 2023.0 64-Bit Edition, San Francisco, CA, USA) for 3D modeling and Stratasys Fortus 380 mc 3D printer (Stratasys 3D printing company, Fortus 380 mc 3D printer, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Using the 3D-printed mold, we created 14 gelatin-based liver phantoms with 14 different recipes, using water, cast sugar and dehydrated gelatin, 32% fat bovine milk cream with intravenous lipid solution and technical alcohol in different amounts. We tested all these phantoms as well as ex vivo pig liver and human normal, fatty and cirrhotic liver by measuring the elasticity, shear wave speed, ultrasound attenuation, CT-scan density, MRI signal intensity and fracture force. We assessed the results of the testing performed, as well as the optical appearance on ultrasound, CT and MRI, in order to find the best recipe for gelatin-based phantoms for image-guided procedure training. Results: After the assessment of all phantom recipes, we selected as the best recipe for transparent phantoms one with 14 g of gelatin/100 mL water and for opaque phantom, the recipes with 25% cream. Conclusions: These liver gelatin-based phantom recipes are an inexpensive, reproducible and accessible alternative for training in image-guided and diagnostic procedures and will meet most requirements for valuable training.

Microscopic Positive Margins in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Following Oncological Resection: Prognostic Factors and Long-Term Survival.

BACKGROUND: In the context of gastric cancer, surgical resection stands as the sole curative treatment. Central to influencing overall survival are the resection margins. This research aims to identify the factors influential in determining microscopically positive resection margins (R1) and to evaluate overall survival. METHODS: Our study encompassed 549 patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the stomach who underwent curative-intent surgery between January 2011 and December 2021 in our Surgery Department. We investigated the incidence of positive margins (R1) and their impact on survival rates, as well as the determinants of R1. The standardization of R1 involved ensuring a margin distance of less than 1 mm from the tumor line to the margin. RESULTS: The incidence of R1 margins was 13.29% (73 patients). Among these, proximal R1 margins were observed in 29 patients (39.72%), while 49 cases (67.12%) presented circumferentially positive margins, with 20 cases (27.39%) exhibiting distally positive margins. Nineteen patients (26.02%) had two R1 margins, and 3 patients had all resection margins microscopically positive (4.10%). Factors such as tumor dimension, invasion of other organs, pT stage, pN stage, pL1 stage, pV1 stage, pPn stage, Lauren type, and tumoral grading demonstrated significance (p < 0.01) in the occurrence of positive R1 margins. CONCLUSION: Tumor dimension, invasion of other organs, pT stage, pN stage, pL1 stage, pV1 stage, pPn stage, Lauren type, and tumoral grading could be regarded as factors for predicting microscopically positive margins. Moreover, positive resection margins have a detrimental impact on overall survival.

Liver Phantoms Cast in 3D-Printed Mold for Image-Guided Procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Image-guided invasive procedures on the liver require a steep learning curve to acquire the necessary skills. The best and safest way to achieve these skills is through hands-on courses that include simulations and phantoms of different complications, without any risks for patients. There are many liver phantoms on the market made of various materials; however, there are few multimodal liver phantoms, and only two are cast in a 3D-printed mold. METHODS: We created a virtual liver and 3D-printed mold by segmenting a CT scan. The InVesalius and Autodesk Fusion 360 software packages were used for segmentation and 3D modeling. Using this modular mold, we cast and tested silicone- and gelatin-based liver phantoms with tumor and vascular formations inside. We tested the gelatin liver phantoms for several procedures, including ultrasound diagnosis, elastography, fibroscan, ultrasound-guided biopsy, ultrasound-guided drainage, ultrasound-guided radio-frequency ablation, CT scan diagnosis, CT-ultrasound fusion, CT-guided biopsy, and MRI diagnosis. The phantoms were also used in hands-on ultrasound courses at four international congresses. RESULTS: We evaluated the feedback of 33 doctors regarding their experiences in using and learning on liver phantoms to validate our model for training in ultrasound procedures. CONCLUSIONS: We validated our liver phantom solution, demonstrating its positive impact on the education of young doctors who can safely learn new procedures thus improving the outcomes of patients with different liver pathologies.

The EURO-NOTES clinical registry for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: a 2-year activity report.

BACKGROUND: The EURO-NOTES Clinical Registry (ECR) was established as a European database to allow the monitoring and safe introduction of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). The aim of this study was to analyze different techniques applied and relative results during the first 2 years of the ECR. METHODS: The ECR was designed as a voluntary database with online access. All members of the European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery were requested to participate in the registry. Demographic and therapy data as well as data on the postoperative course are recorded in the ECR in an anonymous way. RESULTS: A total of 533 patients who underwent NOTES procedures were included in the study. Four different hybrid techniques for 435 cholecystectomies were described, registering postoperative complications in 2.8% of patients, addition of a single trocar in 5.3%, and conversions to laparoscopy in 0.5%. Both flexible endoscopic and rigid laparoscopic cholecystectomy techniques proved to be safe and effective with minor differences. There was a shorter operative time in the rigid laparoscopic group. Thirty-three appendectomies were reported by transgastric and transvaginal techniques, with transvaginal techniques scoring shorter operative time and hospital stay, but with a frequent need to add more trocars. Overall complications occurred in 14.7% of patients but they did not differ significantly among the different techniques. One transvaginal and 31 transanal sigmoidectomies were included for prolapse and diverticulitis, with four postoperative complications (12.5%), but none needing further treatment. Twenty peroral esophageal myotomies were included with three postoperative complications (15.0%), but none needing further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Five years since the introduction of NOTES into clinical practice, hybrid techniques have gained considerable clinical application. Several NOTES hybrid cholecystectomy and appendectomy techniques are practicable and safe alternatives to laparoscopic procedures. Also, sigmoidectomies and peroral esophageal myotomies were described, proving feasibility and safety. Nevertheless, the real benefit of NOTES for patients still needs to be assessed.

Chitotriosidase and Neopterin as Potential Biomarkers for the Evaluation of Complicated Cholecystitis-A Pilot Study.

Gallstones are a common surgical pathology. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy represents the elective treatment. Complicated cases can increase the rate of conversion, the duration, and the difficulty of the intervention, along with the hospitalization period. A prospective cohort study was conducted on 51 patients with gallstones. Only subjects with normal renal, pancreatic, and hepatic functions were included. The severity of cholecystitis was evaluated by considering the ultrasound examination, intraoperative findings, and pathology report. We evaluated two potential biomarkers, namely neopterin and chitotriosidase, by comparing their levels before and after the intervention for chronic (n = 36) and complicated (n = 15) cases, as well as their eventual association with the hospitalization period. Subjects with complicated cholecystitis had significantly higher (p = 0.01) neopterin levels at presentation (16.82 nmol/L vs. 11.92 nmol/L, median values), but the differences in chitotriosidase activity between complicated (170.00 nmol/mL/h) and chronic (160.00 nmol/mL/h) cases were not significant (p = 0.66). Patients with neopterin levels above the cut-off value 14.69 nmol/L had a 3.34 times higher risk of complicated cholecystitis. Twenty-four hours after the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the differences in neopterin level and chitotriosidase activity between chronic and complicated cases were not significant. A significant decrease in chitotriosidase activity was observed after the intervention, only for complicated cases (190 nmol/mL/h vs. 145 nmol/mL/h, p = 0.007); for neopterin, the postoperative decrease was not statistically significant (19.42 nmol/L vs. 10.92 nmol/L, p = 0.06). No significant association with the hospitalization period was observed. Neopterin may be a useful biomarker for complicated cholecystitis, and chitotriosidase may have prognostic utility in early patient follow-up.

Chitotriosidase and Neopterin as Two Novel Potential Biomarkers for Advanced Stage and Survival Prediction in Gastric Cancer-A Pilot Study.

Gastric cancer is the fifth type of neoplasia most frequently diagnosed and the fourth cause of death among other cancers. Prevalence is around two times higher for males than females. Chitotriosidase and neopterin are two molecular biomarkers with potential diagnostic and prognostic use in malignant pathology. We conducted a longitudinal prospective cohort study on thirty-nine patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.78 and an average age of 64.3 ± 9.97 years. No statistically significant differences in biomarker levels at presentation were observed between curative-intent surgery (28 patients) and advanced cases, suited only for palliative procedures (11 patients). Biomarker values were not significantly different for the advanced T stage and the presence of metastasis (p > 0.05-Mann Whitney test). The patients that died in the first 30 days after surgery did not present significantly different values at baseline, in comparison with those that had longer survival times, though a significant cut-off value was observed for chitotriosidase activity at 310 nmol/mL/h [AUC (area under the curve) = 0.78; 95% CI (0.61-0.92)]. The cut-off values corresponding to death after the first year, tumor invasion, and metastasis were not statistically significant. In the COX multivariate model, neopterin did not validate itself as a prognostic biomarker, however, chitotriosidase activity before surgery was significantly associated with overall survival (HR = 1.0038, p = 0.03). We conclude that chitotriosidase may have the potential to improve the prognostic model for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Robot-Guided Ultrasonography in Surgical Interventions.

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of robotic-guided procedures in surgical techniques has brought an increase in the accuracy and control of resections. Surgery has evolved as a technique since the development of laparoscopy, which has added to the visualisation of the peritoneal cavity from a different perspective. Multi-armed robot associated with real-time intraoperative imaging devices brings important manoeuvrability and dexterity improvements in certain surgical fields. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is designed to synthesise the development of imaging techniques with a focus on ultrasonography in robotic surgery in the last ten years regarding abdominal surgical interventions. RESULTS: All studies involved abdominal surgery. Out of the seven studies, two were performed in clinical trials. The other five studies were performed on organs or simulators and attempted to develop a hybrid surgical technique using ultrasonography and robotic surgery. Most studies aim to surgically identify both blood vessels and nerve structures through this combined technique (surgery and imaging). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is often used in minimally invasive surgical techniques. This adds to the visualisation of blood vessels, the correct identification of tumour margins, and the location of surgical instruments in the tissue. The development of ultrasound technology from 2D to 3D and 4D has brought improvements in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, and it should be further studied to bring surgery to a higher level.

Perineal Hernia Mesh Repair Using Only the Perineal Approach: How We Do It.

Perineal hernia is a rare complication of rectal surgery. Different types of surgical approach have been described, but none of them have proven their superiority. Although there are many methods of closing the defect, we selected two cases to present from a series of five cases, in which the perineal hernia was successfully resolved surgically using only the perineal approach. The reconstruction of the perineal floor and closure of the defect were performed using a synthetic polypropylene mesh. The significance of this Technical Note article lies in the fact that we describe, step by step, a surgical technique for perineal hernia using just a perineal approach.