Long-lived non-thermal states realized by atom losses in one-dimensional quasi-condensates

We investigate the cooling produced by a loss process non selective in energy on a one-dimensional (1D) Bose gas with repulsive contact interactions in the quasi-condensate regime. By performing nonlinear classical field calculations for a homogeneous system, we show that the gas reaches a non-thermal state where different modes have acquired different temperatures. After losses have been turned off, this state is robust with respect to the nonlinear dynamics, described by the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We argue that the integrability of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation is linked to the existence of such long-lived non-thermal states, and illustrate this by showing that such states are not supported within a non-integrable model of two coupled 1D gases of different masses. We go beyond a classical field analysis, taking into account the quantum noise introduced by the discreteness of losses, and show that the non-thermal state is still produced and its non-thermal character is even enhanced. Finally, we extend the discussion to gases trapped in a harmonic potential and present experimental observations of a long-lived non-thermal state within a trapped 1D quasi-condensate following an atom loss process

HEGPOL: Randomized, placebo controlled, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial to investigate hepatoprotective effects of glycine in the postoperative phase of liver transplantation [ISRCTN69350312]

BACKGROUND: Kupffer cell-dependent ischemia / reperfusion (I/R) injury after liver transplantation is still of high clinical relevance, as it is strongly associated with primary dysfunction and primary nonfunction of the graft. Glycine, a non-toxic, non-essential amino acid has been conclusively shown in various experiments to prevent both activation of Kupffer cells and reperfusion injury. Based on both experimental and preliminary clinical data this study protocol was designed to further evaluate the early effect of glycine after liver transplantation. METHODS / DESIGN: A prospective double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled multicenter study with two parallel groups in a total of 130 liver transplant recipients was designed to assess the effect of multiple intravenous doses of glycine after transplantation. Primary endpoints in hierarchical order are: peak levels of both aspartat-amino-transaminase (AST) and alanine-amino-transaminase (ALT) as surrogates for the progression of liver related injury, as well as both graft and patient survival up to 2 years after transplantation. Furthermore, the effect of glycine on cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity is evaluated. DISCUSSION: The ongoing clinical trial represents an advanced element of the research chain, along which a scientific hypothesis has to go by, in order to reach the highest level of evidence; a randomized, prospective, controlled double-blinded clinical trial. If the data of this ongoing research project confirm prior findings, glycine would improve the general outcome after liver transplantation

Portal vein embolization using a Histoacryl/Lipiodol mixture before right liver resection

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PVE) of the right liver lobe using Histoacryl/Lipiodol mixture to induce contralateral liver hypertrophy before right-sided (or extended right-sided) hepatectomy in patients with primarily unresectable liver tumors. Methods: Twenty-one patients (9 females and 12 males) underwent PVE due to an insufficient future liver remnant; 17 showed liver metastases and 4 suffered from biliary cancer. Imaging was performed prior to and 4 weeks after PVE. Surgery was scheduled for 1 week after a CT or MRI control. The primary study end point was technical success, defined as complete angiographical occlusion of the portal vein. The secondary study end point was evaluation of liver hypertrophy by CT and MRI volumetry and transfer to operability. Results: In all the patients, PVE could be performed with a with a Histoacryl/Lipiodol mixture (n = 20) or a Histoacryl/ Lipiodol mixture with microcoils (n = 1). No procedure-related complications occurred. The volume of the left liver lobe increased significantly (p < 0.0001) by 28% from a mean of 549 ml to 709 ml. Eighteen of twenty-one patients (85.7%) could be transferred to surgery, and the intended resection could be performed as planned in 13/18 (72.3%) patients. Conclusion: Preoperative right-sided PVE using a Histoacryl/Lipiodol mixture is a safe technique and achieves a sufficient hypertrophy of the future liver remnant in the left liver lobe

Clamp-Crushing versus stapler hepatectomy for transection of the parenchyma in elective hepatic resection (CRUNSH) - A randomized controlled trial (NCT01049607)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatic resection is still associated with significant morbidity. Although the period of parenchymal transection presents a crucial step during the operation, uncertainty persists regarding the optimal technique of transection. It was the aim of the present randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hepatic resection using the technique of stapler hepatectomy compared to the simple clamp-crushing technique.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The CRUNSH Trial is a prospective randomized controlled single-center trial with a two-group parallel design. Patients scheduled for elective hepatic resection without extrahepatic resection at the Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg are enrolled into the trial and randomized intraoperatively to hepatic resection by the clamp-crushing technique and stapler hepatectomy, respectively. The primary endpoint is total intraoperative blood loss. A set of general and surgical variables are documented as secondary endpoints. Patients and outcome-assessors are blinded for the treatment intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The CRUNSH Trial is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of stapler hepatectomy compared to the clamp-crushing technique for parenchymal transection during elective hepatic resection.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01049607">NCT01049607</a></p

همانژیواندوتلیومای اپیتلیویید کبدی بدخیم اولیه، یک مرور جامع از متون تحقیقی با تأکید بر درمان جراحی

زمینه و هدف: همانژیواندوتلیـومای اپیتلیویید کبدی (HEH) بدخیم، یک تومـور عروقی بدخیـم نادر با علت ناشناخته و سیر طبیعی متغیر است. نویسندگان این مقاله، مـرور جامعی از متـون تحقیقی در مـورد HEH را با تمـرکز بر پیامدهای بالینی پس از راهبـردهای درمانی متفاوت، ارائه می‌دهند. مواد و روش‌ها: در این مـرور، تمامی مجمـوعه‌های منتشر شده در مورد بیماران مبتلا به HEH (تعداد 434 بیمـار) از نخستین توصیف این بیمـاران در سال 1984 تا مقالة حاضر مـورد تحلیل قـرار گرفت. پارامتـرهای مرور شده شامل: داده‌های جمعیت ـ شناختی، تظاهـرات بالینی، روش‌های درمانی و پیامـدهای بالینی بود. یافته‌ها: میانگین سنی بیماران مبتلا به HEH، 7/41 سال و نسبت مرد به زن، 2 به 3 بود. شایعترین تظاهـرات بالینی: درد ربع فـوقانی راست شکم، هپاتومگالی و کاهش وزن بود. اغلـب بیماران با تومور چند کانونی که هر دو لـوب را درگیـر کرده، مـراجعه کردند. شایعترین مناطق درگیری خارج کبدی در زمان تشخیص: ریه، صفاق، گـره‌های لنفـاوی و استخوان بود. شایعتـرین تدابیـر درمانی: پیـوند کبد (LTx)‌ (8/44% از بیمـاران)، پیگیـری بدون درمان (8/24% از بیماران)، شیمی درمانی یا پرتو درمانی (21% از بیماران)، و رزکسیـون کبد (LRx) (4/9% از بیمـاران) بود. میـزان بقـای یک و پنـج سالة پس از LTx به ترتیب 96% و 5/54%، پس از عـدم درمان به ترتیب 3/39% و 5/4% پس از شیمـی درمانی یا پرتودرمانی به ترتیب 3/73% و 30% و پس از LRx به ترتیب 100% و 75% بود. نتیجه‌گیـری: LRx درمان انتخـابی برای بیمـاران مبتلا به HEH قابل رزکسیـون است، با این وجـود، به دلیل چند مـرکزی بودن HEH کبـدی، LTx به عنوان درمـان انتخـابی پیشنهـاد شده است. علاوه بر این، LTx گزینة قابل قبـولی برای بیمارانی است که HEH با تظاهـرات خارج کبدی دارند. شاید بتوان بیماران کاملاً گزینش شده را تحت LTx از اهـداء کنندة زنده (با حفـظ منبع اهـداء) قـرار داد. نقش درمان‌های کمکی مختلف برای بیمارن مبتلا به HEH همچنان نامعلـوم است

PORTAL: Pilot study on the safety and tolerance of preoperative melatonin application in patients undergoing major liver resection: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Major surgical procedures facilitate systemic endotoxinemia and formation of free radicals with subsequent inflammatory changes that can influence the postoperative course. Experimental data suggest that preoperative supraphysiological doses of melatonin, a potent immuno-modulator and antioxidant, would decrease postoperative infectious and non-infectious complications induced by major abdominal surgery.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>A randomized controlled double blind single center clinical trial with two study arms comprising a total of 40 patients has been designed to assess the effects of a single preoperative dose of melatonin before major liver resection. Primary endpoints include the determination of safety and tolerance of the regimen as well as clinical parameters reflecting pathophysiological functions of the liver. Furthermore, data on clinical outcome (infectious and non-infectious complications) will be collected as secondary endpoints to allow a power calculation for a randomized clinical trial aiming at clinical efficacy.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Based on experimental data, this ongoing clinical trial represents an advanced element of the research chain from bench to bedside in order to reach the highest level of evidence-based clinical facts to determine if melatonin can improve the general outcome after liver resection.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>EudraCT200600530815</p

Prophylactic Glycine Administration Attenuates Pancreatic Damage and Inflammation in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

Background/Aims: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by premature zymogen activation, systemic inflammatory response resulting in inflammatory infiltrates, sustained intracellular calcium, neurogenic inflammation and pain. The inhibitory neurotransmitter and cytoprotective amino acid glycine exerts a direct inhibitory effect on inflammatory cells, inhibits calcium influx and neuronal activation and therefore represents a putative therapeutic agent in AP. Methods: To explore the impact of glycine, mild AP was induced in rats by supramaximal cerulein stimulation (10 µg/kg BW/h) and severe AP by retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate solution (3%) into the common biliopancreatic duct. 100/300 mmol glycine was administered intravenously before induction of AP. To elucidate the effect of glycine on AP, we determined pathomorphology, pancreatic cytokines as well as proteases, serum lipase and amylase, pancreatic and lung MPO activity and pain sensation. Results: Glycine administration resulted in a noticeable improvement of pathomorphological alterations in AP, such as a reduction of necrosis, inflammatory infiltrates and cytoplasmic vacuoles in cerulein pancreatitis. In taurocholate pancreatitis, glycine additionally diminished pancreatic cytokines and MPO activity, as well as serum lipase and amylase levels. Conclusions: Glycine reduced the severity of mild and much more of severe AP by attenuating the intrapancreatic and systemic inflammatory response. Therefore, glycine seems to be a promising tool for prophylactic treatment of AP