Secondary bile acids in portal blood contribute to liver regeneration in a rat model of partial hepatectomy.

Gut metabolites via the portal vein affect several liver functions, including regeneration. Here, we investigated gut microbiota-derived metabolites in portal and peripheral serum during liver regeneration. We developed rat models of 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) with and without prior gut microbiota modulation by three-week antibiotic (Abx) treatment. Sham without Abx were used as controls and compared to sham with Abx. Liver regeneration at day 2 following PHx was assessed by expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein in liver tissues and cyclin genes in primary hepatocytes. High pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) based portal and peripheral venous serum metabolomics was performed to identify differentially altered metabolites (DAMs). Compared to controls, rat livers at day 2 post-PHx showed significant upregulation in the average number of PCNA-positive cells, which positively correlated with the expression of cell cycle genes in hepatocytes. In Abx-treated PHx, we observed reduced PCNA-positivity and downregulation in gene expression of various cyclins in hepatocytes compared to PHx. We identified 224 DAMs between controls vs PHx and 189 DAMs between Abx-treated PHx vs PHx in portal serum. Many common DAMs showed opposite expression trends in PHx vs controls and then Abx+PHx vs PHx in portal serum, such as sphingosine-1-phosphate and deoxycholic acid. In vitro studies with deoxycholic acid demonstrated that it enhanced the viability and proliferation of primary hepatocytes and hepatocyte organoids. The study underscores the critical role of deoxycholic acid in portal blood in enhancing hepatocyte proliferation and subsequently, liver regeneration.

Rapid Electrochemical Detection of Bacterial Sepsis in Cirrhotic Patients: A Microscaffold-Based Approach for Early Intervention.

Sepsis is a dysregulated inflammatory response leading to multiple organ failure. Current methods of sepsis detection are time-consuming, involving nonspecific clinical signs, biomarkers, and blood cultures. Hence, efficient and rapid sepsis detection platforms are of utmost need for immediate antibiotic treatment. In the current study, a noninvasive rapid monitoring electrochemical sensing (ECS) platform was developed for the detection and classification of plasma samples of patients with liver cirrhosis by measuring the current peak shifts using the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. A total of 61 hospitalized cirrhotic patients with confirmed (culture-positive) or suspected (culture-negative) sepsis were enrolled. The presence of bacteria in the plasma was observed by growth kinetics, and for rapidness, the samples were co-encapsulated in microscaffolds with carbon nanodots that were sensitive enough to detect redox changes occurring due to the change in the pH of the surrounding medium, causing shifts in current peaks in the voltammograms within 2 h. The percentage area under the curve for confirmed infections was 94 and that with suspected cases was 87 in comparison to 69 and 71 with PCT, respectively. Furthermore, the charge was measured for class identification. The charge for LPS-absent bacteria ranged from -400 to -600 µC, whereas the charge for LPS-containing bacteria class ranged from -290 to -300 µC. Thus, the developed cost-effective system was sensitive enough to detect and identify bacterial sepsis.

Prospective Study on the Use of Endo-Stapler for Enclosed Colpotomy to Prevent Tumor Spillage in Gynecologic Oncology Minimally Invasive Surgeries.

Background and Objectives: This is a prospective trial of the endo-stapler application for vaginal closure before colpotomy in cases of carcinoma endometrium and carcinoma cervix, managed by minimally invasive surgery with due consideration of its surgical technique and short-term oncologic follow-up outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective, single center study completed between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. A total of 62 patients (43 cases of carcinoma endometrium and 19 cases of carcinoma cervix) were recruited for the study. Oncologic survival outcomes at the end of 1 and 2 years were documented. Results: There were no major intraoperative bowel, urinary, or vascular injuries. None of the cases required conversion to laparotomy peroperatively. Our study had 8 patients with carcinoma endometrium (8/43) and 7 patients of carcinoma cervix (7/19) who have completed 24 months of follow-up without any recurrence to date. Conclusion: Endo-stapler application for enclosed colpotomy to prevent tumor spillage is a futuristic step in gynecologic oncology cases managed by laparoscopy.

Iatrogenic Thermal Energy-Induced Distal Ureteric Injury and Its Management by Laparoscopy Ureteroureterostomy.

Background and Objectives: Most thermal energy-induced distal ureter injuries are missed intraoperatively as they are caused by delayed ischemia-induced necrosis of the affected part leading to fistula, and a delayed presentation. The injuries of the distal ureter are commonly managed by ureteroneocystostomy, which has long-term complications related to vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR). We present our experience of management of distal ureter injury due to thermal energy by laparoscopy ureteroureterostomy and the role of various methodologies for its diagnosis. Methods: It is a retrospective, single-center study that was conducted from January 1, 2020 - December, 31 2022. Results: A total of 8 cases were enrolled in the study. All cases had an uterovaginal fistula (UVF) post-laparoscopic gynecology surgery. The bilateral ureteric injury was observed in 2 cases. The median post-surgery time to diagnose UVF in the study was 10 days. All cases were managed by laparoscopy ureteroureterostomy (LUUS). Six cases underwent immediate surgery after the diagnosis; whereas 2 cases had initial double-J stent placement as treatment, which subsequently failed following which the LUUS was performed. There were not any immediate or long-term complications such as leakage, stenosis, fistula, or any requirement for revision surgery. Conclusion: The management of thermal energy-induced ureteric injury is exceptional as compared to other types of ureteric injury. Our approach should be toward immediate surgical management rather than a conservative one to avoid long-term complications and sequelae. Iatrogenic lower ureteral injury can be managed successfully by LUUS, maintaining the normal anatomy and physiology of VUR.

Bowel Endometriosis Management by Colorectal Resection: Laparoscopic Surgical Technique & Outcome.

Background and Objectives: Bowel deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) management by colorectal resection is a complex procedure. The purpose of the present study is to delineate a meticulous approach to the assessment of the patient, step-wise surgical technique, pre, and postoperative care, and its short-term and long-term outcomes. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study done on patients of bowel DIE managed by colorectal resection between January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021. Results: There was a significant improvement in the symptomatology of patients post-surgery. Our surgical technique is feasible with acceptable short-term and long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Bowel DIE management can be proficiently executed with a proper diagnostic approach, appropriate surgical expertise with exhaustive pelvic anatomy knowledge especially concerning autonomic nerve plexus.

Barbed Suture Causing Acute Small Bowel Obstruction Post Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy.

Introduction: A case report of small bowel obstruction related to barbed suture in a postoperative patient of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. Case Description: A 61 -year-old female with a body mass index of 27 with vault prolapse underwent laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. The patient was discharged on postoperative day two. She presented again in the emergency department on the fifth postoperative day with complaints of frequent vomiting episodes with intermittent and colicky pain in the abdomen. Her imaging (computed tomography abdomen/pelvis with oral contrast) suggested distal small bowel mechanical obstruction at midileum with significant free fluid in the peritoneum. Emergency laparoscopic exploration was done. Peroperative V-LocTM 180 suture tail end barbs were found anchored to the mesentery of midileum causing a loop that led to compression and occlusion of distal bowel. The barbed suture tail end was detached from the mesentery and thus relieving the compression. No additional procedure was required for the bowel wall. The excess barbed suture tail end outside the peritoneum was trimmed. The postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion: Bowel complication is an uncommon but serious issue following the use of barbed sutures. It should be used with utmost caution as none of the preventive measures are completely safe. Further studies need to be done for preventive measures.

Vault Endometriosis: Detailed Step-by-Step Laparoscopic Surgical Management Technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to demonstrate a detailed and elaborative step-wise laparoscopic surgical management technique of vault endometriosis. METHODS: A total of 5 patients were operated on for laparoscopic management of vault endometriosis performed at our center between January 1 2015 and December 31, 2019. RESULTS: There were no short or long term complications related to laparoscopic management of vault endometriosis with a satisfactory prognosis. CONCLUSION: This analysis explains the descriptive methodology of assessment of patients and operative technique for vault endometriosis.

Obstetric considerations in a rare cardiovascular catastrophe needing multidisciplinary care.

Cardiovascular emergencies especially aortic dissections are rare in pregnancy. We report a case of Stanford Type A aortic dissection at 33 weeks of pregnancy presenting in shock. Rapid multidisciplinary approach and special obstetric considerations led to a successful outcome in this case.