Robotic-assisted diaphragmatic plication: Improving safety and effectiveness in the treatment of diaphragmatic paralysis.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic plication can be performed with various surgical approaches. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of robotic-assisted plication. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent diaphragmatic plication from 2017 to 2021. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent 20 operations, 11 of which were performed with robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and 9 with open transthoracic approach. RATS was associated with shorter operating time (80 vs. 120 min; p = 0.04), less blood loss (20 vs. 100 ml; p = 0.01), shorter chest-drain duration (1 vs. 3 days; p = 0.01), and shorter length of stay (3 vs. 7 days; p = 0.04). The median grade in the Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale improved from four to two in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted diaphragmatic plication is a safe procedure that can significantly improve dyspnoea and is associated with shorter hospitalisation compared to open approach.

Biological and protein-binding studies of newly synthesized polymer-cobalt(III) complexes.

The polymer-cobalt(III) complexes, [Co(bpy)(dien)BPEI]Cl3 · 4H2O (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dien = diethylentriamine, BPEI = branched polyethyleneimine) were synthesized and characterized. The interaction of these complexes with human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated under physiological conditions using various physico-chemical techniques. The results reveal that the fluorescence quenching of serum albumins by polymer-cobalt(III) complexes took place through static quenching. The binding of these complexes changed the molecular conformation of the protein considerably. The polymer-cobalt(III) complex with x = 0.365 shows antimicrobial activity against several human pathogens. This complex also induces cytotoxicity against MCF-7 through apoptotic induction. However, further studies are needed to decipher the molecular mode of action of polymer-cobalt(III) complex and for its possible utilization in anticancer therapy.