Infrared photoresistance as a sensitive probe of electronic transport in twisted bilayer graphene

We report on observation of the infrared photoresistance of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) under continuous quantum cascade laser illumination at a frequency of 57.1 THz. The photoresistance shows an intricate sign alternating behavior under variations of temperature and back gate voltage, and exhibits giant resonance-like enhancements at certain gate voltages. The structure of the photoresponse correlates with weaker features in the dark dc resistance reflecting the complex band structure of tBLG. It is shown that the observed photoresistance is well captured by a bolometric model describing the electron and hole gas heating, which implies an ultrafast thermalization of the photoexcited electron–hole pairs in the whole range of studied temperatures and back gate voltages. We establish that photoresistance can serve a highly sensitive probe of the temperature variations of electronic transport in tBLG

Primary tumor resection in colorectal cancer patients with unresectable distant metastases: a minireview

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death among both men and women worldwide and the third most common cancer overall. About 20% of patients diagnosed with CRC were discovered to have distant metastatic lesions, the majority of which were located in the liver. For the optimum treatment of CRC patients with hepatic metastases, interventional radiologists, medical oncologists, and surgeons must all collaborate. The surgical excision of the primary tumor is an important part of CRC treatment since it has been found to be curative in cases of CRC with minimal metastases. However, given the evidence to date was gathered from retrospective data, there is still controversy over the effectiveness of primary tumor resection (PTR) in improving the median overall survival (OS) and quality of life. Patients who have hepatic metastases make up a very tiny fraction of those who are candidates for resection. With a focus on the PTR, this minireview attempted to review the current advancements in the treatment options for hepatic colorectal metastatic illness. This evaluation also included information on PTR’s risks when performed on individuals with stage IV CRC

Screening policies, preventive measures and in-hospital infection of COVID-19 in global surgical practices

none14siThis research was funded in part by the European Society of Degenerative Disease. The study was registered with an analysis plan on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04344197).Background In a surgical setting, COVID-19 patients may trigger in-hospital outbreaks and have worse postoperative outcomes. Despite these risks, there have been no consistent statements on surgical guidelines regarding the perioperative screening or management of COVID-19 patients, and we do not have objective global data that describe the current conditions surrounding this issue. This study aimed to clarify the current global surgical practice including COVID-19 screening, preventive measures and in-hospital infection under the COVID-19 pandemic, and to clarify the international gaps on infection control policies among countries worldwide.Methods During April 2-8, 2020, a cross-sectional online survey on surgical practice was distributed to surgeons worldwide through international surgical societies, social media and personal contacts. Main outcome and measures included preventive measures and screening policies of COVID-19 in surgical practice and centers' experiences of in-hospital COVID-19 infection. Data were analyzed by country's cumulative deaths number by April 8, 2020 (high risk, >5000; intermediate risk, 100-5000; low risk, <100).Results A total of 936 centers in 71 countries responded to the survey (high risk, 330 centers; intermediate risk, 242 centers; low risk, 364 centers). In the majority (71.9%) of the centers, local guidelines recommended preoperative testing based on symptoms or suspicious radiologic findings. Universal testing for every surgical patient was recommended in only 18.4% of the centers. In-hospital COVID-19 infection was reported from 31.5% of the centers, with higher rates in higher risk countries (high risk, 53.6%; intermediate risk, 26.4%; low risk, 14.8%; P<0.001). Of the 295 centers that experienced in-hospital COVID-19 infection, 122 (41.4%) failed to trace it and 58 (19.7%) reported the infection originating from asymptomatic patients/staff members. Higher risk countries adopted more preventive measures including universal testing, routine testing of hospital staff and use of dedicated personal protective equipment in operation theatres, but there were remarkable discrepancies across the countries.Conclusions This large international survey captured the global surgical practice under the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted the insufficient preoperative screening of COVID-19 in the current surgical practice. More intensive screening programs will be necessary particularly in severely affected countries/institutions.openBellato, Vittoria; Konishi, Tsuyoshi; Pellino, Gianluca; An, Yongbo; Piciocchi, Alfonso; Sensi, Bruno; Siragusa, Leandro; Khanna, Krishn; Pirozzi, Brunella Maria; Franceschilli, Marzia; Campanelli, Michela; Efetov, Sergey; Sica, Giuseppe S; Feo, C;Bellato, Vittoria; Konishi, Tsuyoshi; Pellino, Gianluca; An, Yongbo; Piciocchi, Alfonso; Sensi, Bruno; Siragusa, Leandro; Khanna, Krishn; Pirozzi, Brunella Maria; Franceschilli, Marzia; Campanelli, Michela; Efetov, Sergey; Sica, Giuseppe S; Feo,

Post-Operative Functional Outcomes in Early Age Onset Rectal Cancer

Background: Impairment of bowel, urogenital and fertility-related function in patients treated for rectal cancer is common. While the rate of rectal cancer in the young (<50 years) is rising, there is little data on functional outcomes in this group. Methods: The REACCT international collaborative database was reviewed and data on eligible patients analysed. Inclusion criteria comprised patients with a histologically confirmed rectal cancer, <50 years of age at time of diagnosis and with documented follow-up including functional outcomes. Results: A total of 1428 (n=1428) patients met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. Metastatic disease was present at diagnosis in 13%. Of these, 40% received neoadjuvant therapy and 50% adjuvant chemotherapy. The incidence of post-operative major morbidity was 10%. A defunctioning stoma was placed for 621 patients (43%); 534 of these proceeded to elective restoration of bowel continuity. The median follow-up time was 42 months. Of this cohort, a total of 415 (29%) reported persistent impairment of functional outcomes, the most frequent of which was bowel dysfunction (16%), followed by bladder dysfunction (7%), sexual dysfunction (4.5%) and infertility (1%). Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients with early-onset rectal cancer who undergo surgery report persistent impairment of functional status. Patients should be involved in the discussion regarding their treatment options and potential impact on quality of life. Functional outcomes should be routinely recorded as part of follow up alongside oncological parameters

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Three-Plane Model to Standardize Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy with Extended D3 Lymph Node Dissection

AIM: The purposes of this study were to create a three-plane model for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and to compare short-term outcomes of anterior medial-to-lateral (aM-to-L) and caudal-to-cranial access by retroperitoneal tunneling (Ca-to-Cr), as described based on the three-plane model. METHODS: A three-plane model was developed to clarify the steps of an operation. Consecutive cases of right colon cancer were operated upon with an aM-to-L approach in the earlier period and then with a Ca-to-Cr approach, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Short-term results were compared. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were divided into aM-to-L (n=29) and Ca-to-Cr (n=33) groups. The two groups did not differ in terms of the patients\u27 baseline characteristics. Median operative time was 220 min (IQR 190-260) for the aM-to-L group and 222.5 min (IQR 180-255) for the Ca-to-Cr group (p=0.73). Estimated blood loss was similar in both groups (p=0.13). Median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR 5-8) in the aM-to-L group and 7 days (IQR 6-9) in the Ca-to-Cr group (p=0.17). Median number of harvested lymph nodes was 45.5 (IQR 25-44.9) in the aM-to-L group and 30 (IQR 18-48.5) in the Ca-to-Cr group (p=0.34). CONCLUSION: The approach used to reach the superior mesenteric vessels for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with D3 lymph node dissection does not affect the short-term outcome of the operation. The present three-plane model gives surgeons additional insight to perform this operation