A Systematic Review of Three-Dimensional Printing in Liver Disease

The purpose of this review is to analyse current literature related to the clinical applications of 3D printed models in liver disease. A search of the literature was conducted to source studies from databases with the aim of determining the applications and feasibility of 3D printed models in liver disease. 3D printed model accuracy and costs associated with 3D printing, the ability to replicate anatomical structures and delineate important characteristics of hepatic tumours, and the potential for 3D printed liver models to guide surgical planning are analysed. Nineteen studies met the selection criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Seventeen of them were case reports and two were original studies. Quantitative assessment measuring the accuracy of 3D printed liver models was analysed in five studies with mean difference between 3D printed models and original source images ranging from 0.2 to 20%. Fifteen studies provided qualitative assessment with results showing the usefulness of 3D printed models when used as clinical tools in preoperative planning, simulation of surgical or interventional procedures, medical education, and training. The cost and time associated with 3D printed liver model production was reported in 11 studies, with costs ranging from US$13 to US$2000, duration of production up to 100 h. This systematic review shows that 3D printed liver models demonstrate hepatic anatomy and tumours with high accuracy. The models can assist with preoperative planning and may be used in the simulation of surgical procedures for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumours

Expression of the Fas-ligand gene in ejaculated sperm from adolescents with and without varicocele

To assess FasL mRNA levels in ejaculated sperm from adolescent patients with and without varicocele.Semen was obtained by masturbation following 2-4 days of ejaculatory abstinence, from 14 adolescents with varicocele grades II and III (study group), and 20 adolescents without varicocele (control group). Seminal analysis was done according to World Health Organization guidelines and morphology using Kruger's strict criteria. the Fas-ligand (FasL) gene expression was performed using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) analysis, according to the expression level of the housekeeping cyclophilin A gene. A Student's t-test was applied to compare the groups, and Spearman's rank test in order to verify possible correlations (p < 0.05).Quantitative RQ-PCR demonstrated that the expression of FasL mRNA in sperm from the varicocele group was higher than in the control group. Also, sperm concentration was higher in the controls, when compared to the varicocele group. When submitted to correlation analysis, adolescents with varicocele presented a correlation between sperm concentration and FasL gene expression levels (r = -0.470), not observed in controls.Our results allow us to conclude that, in adolescents with varicocele presenting lower sperm concentration, FasL mRNA levels are higher than in adolescents without varicocele.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Surg, Div Urol, BR-03320000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Nephrol, BR-03320000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, BR-04038032 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Surg, Div Urol, BR-03320000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, Div Nephrol, BR-03320000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, BR-04038032 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc