Treatment Options for Villous Adenoma of the Ampulla of Vater

Introduction: Duodenal villous adenoma arising from the ampulla of Vater has a high risk of malignant development. Excluding associated malignant disease prior to resection of an adenoma of the ampulla is not always possible. Therefore, the surgical procedure of choice to treat this rare tumour is still controversial

Changes of salivary biomarkers under different storage conditions : Effects of temperature and length of storage

Introduction: In this report, we aimed to examine the stability of various analytes in saliva under different storage conditions. Materials and methods: Alpha-amylase (AMY), cholinesterase (CHE), lipase (Lip), total esterase (TEA), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), lactate (Lact), adenosine deaminase (ADA), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing ability (FRAS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), uric acid (UA), catalase (CAT), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and hydrogen peroxide (H O) were colorimetrically measured in saliva obtained by passive drool from 12 healthy voluntary donors at baseline and after 3, 6, 24, 72 hours, 7 and 14 days at room temperature (RT) and 4 ºC, and after 14 days, 1, 3 and 6 months at - 20 ºC and - 80 ºC. Results: At RT, changes appeared at 6 hours for TEA and H O; 24 hours for Lip, CK, ADA and CUPRAC; and 72 hours for LD, Lact, FRAS, UA and AOPP. At 4 ºC changes were observed after 6 hours for TEA and H O; 24 hours for Lip and CUPRAC; 72 hours for CK; and 7 days for LD, FRAS and UA. At - 20 ºC changes appeared after 14 days for AST, Lip, CK and LD; and 3 months for TEA and H O. At - 80 ºC observed changes were after 3 months for TEA and H O. Conclusions: In short-term storage, the analytes were more stable at 4 ºC than at room temperature, whereas in long-term storage they were more stable at -80 ºC than at - 20 ºC

Impact of Preoperative Chemotherapy Features on Patient Outcomes after Hepatectomy for Initially Unresectable Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: A LiverMetSurvey Analysis

Background: Prognostic factors have been extensively reported after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM); however, specific analyses of the impact of preoperative systemic anticancer therapy (PO-SACT) features on outcomes is lacking. Methods: For this real-world evidence study, we used prospectively collected data within the international surgical LiverMetSurvey database from all patients with initially-irresectable CLM. The main outcome was Overall Survival (OS) after surgery. Disease-free (DFS) and hepatic-specific relapse-free survival (HS-RFS) were secondary outcomes. PO-SACT features included duration (cumulative number of cycles), choice of the cytotoxic backbone (oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-based), fluoropyrimidine (infusional or oral) and addition or not of targeted monoclonal antibodies (anti-EGFR or anti-VEGF). Results: A total of 2793 patients in the database had received PO-SACT for initially irresectable diseases. Short (<7 or <13 cycles in 1st or 2nd line) PO-SACT duration was independently associated with longer OS (HR: 0.85 p = 0.046), DFS (HR: 0.81; p = 0.016) and HS-RFS (HR: 0.80; p = 0.05). All other PO-SACT features yielded basically comparable results. Conclusions: In this international cohort, provided that PO-SACT allowed conversion to resectability in initially irresectable CLM, surgery performed as soon as technically feasible resulted in the best outcomes. When resection was achieved, our findings indicate that the choice of PO-SACT regimen had a marginal if any, impact on outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The role of platelet rich plasma in musculoskeletal science

The idea of using platelet rich plasma (PRP) in medicine has been around since the 1970s. It is only more recently that its use has been employed in the area of musculoskeletal science. Platelet rich plasma in this area has received much media attention being used by many celebrity sports athletes for musculoskeletal injuries. Therefore it is important for the musculoskeletal practitioner to be aware of the concepts surrounding its use and application. In this article we cover what platelet rich plasma is, how it is prepared and administered, its potential clinical application, and what the current literature discusses in the various areas of musculoskeletal science

Global overview of the management of acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic (CHOLECOVID study)

Background: This study provides a global overview of the management of patients with acute cholecystitis during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: CHOLECOVID is an international, multicentre, observational comparative study of patients admitted to hospital with acute cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on management were collected for a 2-month study interval coincident with the WHO declaration of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and compared with an equivalent pre-pandemic time interval. Mediation analysis examined the influence of SARS-COV-2 infection on 30-day mortality. Results: This study collected data on 9783 patients with acute cholecystitis admitted to 247 hospitals across the world. The pandemic was associated with reduced availability of surgical workforce and operating facilities globally, a significant shift to worse severity of disease, and increased use of conservative management. There was a reduction (both absolute and proportionate) in the number of patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 3095 patients (56.2 per cent) pre-pandemic to 1998 patients (46.2 per cent) during the pandemic but there was no difference in 30-day all-cause mortality after cholecystectomy comparing the pre-pandemic interval with the pandemic (13 patients (0.4 per cent) pre-pandemic to 13 patients (0.6 per cent) pandemic; P = 0.355). In mediation analysis, an admission with acute cholecystitis during the pandemic was associated with a non-significant increased risk of death (OR 1.29, 95 per cent c.i. 0.93 to 1.79, P = 0.121). Conclusion: CHOLECOVID provides a unique overview of the treatment of patients with cholecystitis across the globe during the first months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study highlights the need for system resilience in retention of elective surgical activity. Cholecystectomy was associated with a low risk of mortality and deferral of treatment results in an increase in avoidable morbidity that represents the non-COVID cost of this pandemic

Detección de tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos: 23 años de experiencia

Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: Los tumores neuroendocrinos generan un gran interés científico, dada la dificultad de su diagnóstico y tratamiento. A pesar de ser relativamente raros (<1/100,000 individuos, 1-2% de las neoplasias digestivas) e indolentes, no se debe olvidar que, en última instancia, son potencialmente malignos. En los últimos años, se ha observado un incremento en el número de tumores diagnosticados.El objetivo del estudio fue la actualización de una serie publicada de 19 casos con sospecha de tumor neuroendocrino pancreático, con otros 51 casos actuales, para el estudio y comparación de los nuevos resultados tanto con la serie anterior como con otras publicadas recientemente en España, Estados Unidos, China e India. Material y métodos: Serie retrospectiva, multicéntrica de 70 pacientes (19 publicados en 2011) recopilados a lo largo de 23 años. Variables analizadas: edad, sexo, sintomatología, tamaño, localización, metástasis, diagnóstico final y cirugía, entre otras. Resultados: Edad media de 55 años; 60% hombres; localización: cabeza (28.5%) y cola (27.1%); tamaño medio 3,9 cm (0,2-10 cm); no funcionantes el 71.4%; metástasis en el 32.8% (100% hepáticas), operados el 74.2% y supervivencia actuarial del 75%. Conclusiones: Se observan diferencias entre la serie anteriormente publicada y los resultados actuales, con un incremento del porcentaje de incidentalomas y de tumores no funcionantes, pero sin variación en la tasa de supervivencia global. Con otras series actuales, las diferencias (edad, sexo y localización tumoral) dependen del país donde se han recopilado los casos. Este incremento podría relacionarse con el aumento del diagnóstico por la imagen y con la mayor la sensibilidad de los dispositivos. Abstract: Introduction and aims: Neuroendocrine tumors are of great scientific interest, given that they are difficult to diagnose and treat. Despite being relatively rare (< 1/100,000 individuals, 1-2% of the gastrointestinal neoplasias) and indolent, their potential malignancy must not be forgotten. An increase in the number of diagnosed tumors has been observed in recent years. The aim of the present study was to update a published case series of 19 patients suspected of presenting with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with 51 current cases, to study and compare the new results with those of the previous case series, as well as with other recent publications from Spain, the United States, China, and India. Materials and methods: A retrospective, multicenter case series was conducted on 70 patients (19 cases published in 2011), whose data has been collected over a period of 23 years. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, symptomatology, tumor size, location, metastasis, final diagnosis, and surgery, among others. Results: Mean patient age was 55 years and 60% of the patients were men. Disease location was the pancreatic head in 28.5% of the patients and the tail in 27.1%, mean tumor size was 3.9 cm (0.2-10 cm), 71.4% of the patients had non-functioning tumors, 32.8% had metastases (100% to the liver), 74.2% of the patients were operated on, and actuarial survival was 75%. Conclusions: Differences were observed between the previously published case series and the current results. There was an increase in incidentalomas and non-functioning tumors, but no variation in the overall survival rate. The differences with other case series (age, sex, and tumor location) were dependent on the country where the cases were compiled. The increase in tumors could be related to a higher number of diagnoses made through imaging studies and to the greater sensitivity of the devices employed. Palabras clave: Tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos, Ultrasonografía endoscópica, Punción aspiración con aguja fina guiada por ecoendoscopia, Keywords: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, Endoscopic ultrasound, Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiratio

Detection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: 23 years of experience

Introduction and aims: Neuroendocrine tumors are of great scientific interest, given that they are difficult to diagnose and treat. Despite being relatively rare (< 1/100,000 individuals, 1-2% of the gastrointestinal neoplasias) and indolent, their potential malignancy must not be forgotten. An increase in the number of diagnosed tumors has been observed in recent years. The aim of the present study was to update a published case series of 19 patients suspected of presenting with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with 51 current cases, to study and compare the new results with those of the previous case series, as well as with other recent publications from Spain, the United States, China, and India. Materials and methods: A retrospective, multicenter case series was conducted on 70 patients (19 cases published in 2011), whose data has been collected over a period of 23 years. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, symptomatology, tumor size, location, metastasis, final diagnosis, and surgery, among others. Results: Mean patient age was 55 years and 60% of the patients were men. Disease location was the pancreatic head in 28.5% of the patients and the tail in 27.1%, mean tumor size was 3.9 cm (0.2-10 cm), 71.4% of the patients had non-functioning tumors, 32.8% had metastases (100% to the liver), 74.2% of the patients were operated on, and actuarial survival was 75%. Conclusions: Differences were observed between the previously published case series and the current results. There was an increase in incidentalomas and non-functioning tumors, but no variation in the overall survival rate. The differences with other case series (age, sex, and tumor location) were dependent on the country where the cases were compiled. The increase in tumors could be related to a higher number of diagnoses made through imaging studies and to the greater sensitivity of the devices employed. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: Los tumores neuroendocrinos generan un gran interés científico, dada la dificultad de su diagnóstico y tratamiento. A pesar de ser relativamente raros (<1/100,000 individuos, 1-2% de las neoplasias digestivas) e indolentes, no se debe olvidar que, en última instancia, son potencialmente malignos. En los últimos años, se ha observado un incremento en el número de tumores diagnosticados.El objetivo del estudio fue la actualización de una serie publicada de 19 casos con sospecha de tumor neuroendocrino pancreático, con otros 51 casos actuales, para el estudio y comparación de los nuevos resultados tanto con la serie anterior como con otras publicadas recientemente en España, Estados Unidos, China e India. Material y métodos: Serie retrospectiva, multicéntrica de 70 pacientes (19 publicados en 2011) recopilados a lo largo de 23 años. Variables analizadas: edad, sexo, sintomatología, tamaño, localización, metástasis, diagnóstico final y cirugía, entre otras. Resultados: Edad media de 55 años; 60% hombres; localización: cabeza (28.5%) y cola (27.1%); tamaño medio 3,9 cm (0,2-10 cm); no funcionantes el 71.4%; metástasis en el 32.8% (100% hepáticas), operados el 74.2% y supervivencia actuarial del 75%. Conclusiones: Se observan diferencias entre la serie anteriormente publicada y los resultados actuales, con un incremento del porcentaje de incidentalomas y de tumores no funcionantes, pero sin variación en la tasa de supervivencia global. Con otras series actuales, las diferencias (edad, sexo y localización tumoral) dependen del país donde se han recopilado los casos. Este incremento podría relacionarse con el aumento del diagnóstico por la imagen y con la mayor la sensibilidad de los dispositivos. Keywords: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, Endoscopic ultrasound, Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, Palabras clave: Tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos, Ultrasonografía endoscópica, Punción aspiración con aguja fina guiada por ecoendoscopi

Flexible screen-printed piezoelectric P (VDF-TrFE) copolymer microgenerators for energy harvesting

International audienc