Laparoscopic Witzel jejunostomy.

The placement of a feeding jejunostomy can be indicated in malnourished patients with gastric and oesophagogastric junction cancer to allow for enteral nutritional support. In these patients, the jejunostomy tube can be suitably placed at the time of staging laparoscopy. Several techniques of laparoscopic jejunostomy (LJ) have been described, yet the Witzel approach remains neglected, due to the perceived difficulty of suturing the bowel around the tube and securing them to the abdominal wall. Here, we describe a novel technique for LJ, using a single barbed suture for securing the bowel and tunnelling the jejunostomy catheter according to the Witzel approach.

Results of 100 consecutive laparoscopic distal pancreatectomies: postoperative outcome, cost-benefit analysis, and quality of life assessment.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has been recently proposed as the procedure of choice for lesions of the pancreatic body and tail in experienced centres. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential advantages of LDP in a consecutive series of 100 patients. METHODS: Propensity score matching was used to identify patients for comparison between LDP and control open group. Match criteria were: age, gender, ASA score, BMI, lesion site and size, and malignancy. All patients were treated according to an early feeding recovery policy. Primary endpoint was postoperative morbidity rate. Secondary endpoints were operative time, blood transfusion, length of hospital stay (LOS), hospital costs, and quality of life. RESULTS: Thirty patients of the LDP group had pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 23 patients. Mean operative time was 29 min shorter in the open group (p = 0.002). No significant difference between groups was found in blood transfusion rate and postoperative morbidity rate. LDP was associated with an early postoperative rehabilitation and a shorter LOS in uneventful patients. Economic analysis showed 775 extra cost per patient of the LDP group. General health perception and vitality were better in the LDP group one month after surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy improved short-term postoperative recovery and quality of life in a consecutive series of both cancer and non-cancer patients. Despite the extra cost, the laparoscopic approach should be considered the first option in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

Comparison of renal perfusion solutions during thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether renal perfusion with cold crystalloid solution enriched with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (Custodiol; Dr Franz-Kohler Chemie GmbH, Bensheim, Germany) provides better protection against renal ischemic injury than cold lactated Ringer's solution in patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm open repair. METHODS: We analyzed a prospectively compiled database containing all 111 consecutive patients who underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm open repair at our center from 2008 to 2011. A cohort of 104 consecutive patients was identified of which 50 (48%) had renal perfusion with Custodiol and 54 (52%) with lactated Ringer's solution. Propensity score matching based on baseline clinical variables, which were expected to influence renal outcomes, was performed to correct for any bias that may have been associated with the use of Custodiol. Acute kidney injury (AKI) as defined by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines and perioperative estimated glomerular filtration rate were compared in the two groups. Independent predictors of AKI were also identified by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, we were able to match 42 Custodiol cases one-to-one with those receiving perfusion with lactated Ringer's solution. Overall 30-day mortality was 5.9%; temporary hemodialysis or continuous veno-venous hemofiltration was needed in 4.8% of the patients without any case of dialysis at discharge. Freedom from AKI was significantly increased in the Custodiol group (38.1% vs 9.5%; P = .002) despite longer total renal ischemic time (51.5 ± 16.4 minutes vs 43.6 ± 16.0 minutes; P = .05). By analysis of variance for repeated measures, a significant upward trend of perioperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed in the Custodiol group (group × time interaction = F3,66; P < .001), and by multivariate analysis, Custodiol perfusion was the only independent predictor of non-AKI (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: The use of Custodiol was safe and provided improved perioperative renal function compared with lactated Ringer's solution. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these data and to assess their clinical consequences.

Profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colostrum of nursing mothers at the extremes of reproductive age.

Gestations at the extremes of reproductive age are characterized as high-risk pregnancies, conditions that might influence colostrum composition. This first milk secretion contains nutrients necessary for the development and immunity of the newborn; therefore, this study aims to compare adolescent and advanced maternal age mothers regarding sociodemographic, gestational, and perinatal characteristics and the colostrum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in these groups of study. This cross-sectional study has compared sociodemographic, gestational and perinatal data from adolescent mothers (between 10 and 24 years old) (n = 117), advanced maternal age mothers (over 35 years of age) (n = 39) and mothers considered a control group (25 to 34 years old) (n = 58). Additionally, colostrum samples were obtained from the studied and control group subjects by manual milking, between 48 and 72 hours postpartum, and the samples were analyzed for cytokine concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The majority of the studied mothers reported living a stable union, and 81.2% of the adolescent mothers did not carry out any paid activity. Mothers with advanced maternal age mainly delivered by cesarean section and presented a higher body mass index (BMI). Neonatal weight and Apgar score were not different between the groups. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 were higher in the colostrum of mothers with advanced age compared to adolescent mothers, but did not differ from the control group. The concentrations of IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha did not differ between the three groups. Therefore, our data demonstrated that maternal age influenced the sociodemographic and gestational characteristics as well as the composition of colostrum cytokines.

Maternal age influence in human colostrum acidity composition in a Maternity in an country side city of São Paulo State / Impacto da idade materna na acidez do colostro de nutrizes em maternidade do interior do Estado de São Paulo

INTRODUCTION: OBJECTIVE: To analyze sociodemographic and gestational characteristics and to compare colostrum acidity content in adolescent and advanced maternal age mothers METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 98 adolescents (up to 18 year-old) and 33 advanced maternal age (more than 35 year-old) mothers admitted at the maternity of Presidente Prudente Regional Hospital, Brazil. An approximated volume of 10 mL of colostrum was obtained by manual expression of the breasts within 72h postpartum and stored at -20ºC up to processing. Acidity of colostrum was evaluated in Dornic degrees. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney test or X² RESULTS: The median age adolescents and advanced maternal age mothers were 20 years (12-24) 37 years (35-45), respectively. The majority of the adolescents (66.3%) were primiparous and C-section delivery had occurred in 66.7% of advanced age mothers. Gestational body mass index (BMI) was statically higher in advanced maternal age women (32.17±5.6 vs 26.09±3.6, p< 0.0001). Acidity measurement was similar between the studied groups CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic and gestational characteristics of adolescents and advanced age mothers showed population heterogeneity, thus, specific follow up and orientations should be applied at each one. Colostrum constitution was constant regarding casein and proteins content, independently of maternal age

INTRODUÇÃO: OBJETIVO: Analisar as características sociodemográficas e gestacionais e comparar a acidez do colostro de nutrizes adolescentes e idade materna avançada MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo transversal, que incluiu 98 nutrizes adolescentes (até 18 anos) e 33 nutrizes com idade materna avançada (maior que 35) atendidas na Maternidade do Hospital Regional de Presidente Prudente. Amostras de aproximadamente 10 mL de colostro foram obtidas por meio da ordenha manual entre 48 a 72h após o parto, e armazenadas a -20ºC até o processamento. A acidez foi verificada por meio da titulação e calculada em graus Dornic. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o teste de Mann-Whitney ou X² RESULTADOS: A mediana da idade materna das nutrizes adolescentes foi de 20 (12-24) anos, e das nutrizes com idade materna avançada foi de 37 (35-45) anos. A maioria das nutrizes adolescentes (66,3%) eram primíparas e a via de parto cesárea ocorreu em 66,7% das nutrizes em idade materna avançada. O índice de massa corpórea (IMC) gestacional foi estatisticamente maior em nutrizes com idade materna avançada (31,3±5,6 vs 26,06±3,6, p< 0,0001). A acidez do colostro das nutrizes nos extremos da idade reprodutiva não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos de nutrizes CONCLUSÃO: As características sociodemográficas e gestacionais de adolescentes e mães com idade materna avançada evidenciam heterogeneidade dessas populações e consequentemente, atendimento e condutas específicas devem ser aplicados a cada uma. A constituição do colostro em caiseina e proteinas apresentou-se constante, independente da idade materna

A molecular screening approach to identify and characterize inhibitors of glioblastoma stem cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the most lethal of all cancers. GBM consist of a heterogeneous population of tumor cells among which a tumor-initiating and treatment-resistant subpopulation, here termed GBM stem cells, have been identified as primary therapeutic targets. Here, we describe a high-throughput small molecule screening approach that enables the identification and characterization of chemical compounds that are effective against GBM stem cells. The paradigm uses a tissue culture model to enrich for GBM stem cells derived from human GBM resections and combines a phenotype-based screen with gene target-specific screens for compound identification. We used 31,624 small molecules from 7 chemical libraries that we characterized and ranked based on their effect on a panel of GBM stem cell-enriched cultures and their effect on the expression of a module of genes whose expression negatively correlates with clinical outcome: MELK, ASPM, TOP2A, and FOXM1b. Of the 11 compounds meeting criteria for exerting differential effects across cell types used, 4 compounds showed selectivity by inhibiting multiple GBM stem cells-enriched cultures compared with nonenriched cultures: emetine, n-arachidonoyl dopamine, n-oleoyldopamine (OLDA), and n-palmitoyl dopamine. ChemBridge compounds #5560509 and #5256360 inhibited the expression of the 4 mitotic module genes. OLDA, emetine, and compounds #5560509 and #5256360 were chosen for more detailed study and inhibited GBM stem cells in self-renewal assays in vitro and in a xenograft model in vivo. These studies show that our screening strategy provides potential candidates and a blueprint for lead compound identification in larger scale screens or screens involving other cancer types.

Chá de bebê: a celebração da incerteza, gravidez na adolescência / Baby shower: a celebration of uncertainty, pregnancy in adolescence

Este trabalho apresenta análise preliminar e breves reflexões sobre pesquisa empreendida para avaliar as motivações para a gravidez na adolescência e suas consequências. Com o objetivo de analisar as mudanças comportamentais das adolescentes que engravidaram a pesquisa foi desenhada a partir de questionário semi-estruturado, com 15 questões, aplicado a 18 gestantes na faixa etária de 14 a 20 anos incompletos, inscritas no programa de pré-natal do Centro de Saúde Dr. Oswaldo Piana, Porto Velho/RO, no período de setembro a outubro de 2007.