Surgical Complications Requiring an Early Relaparotomy in HIV-Infected Liver Transplant Recipients: Risk Factors and Impact on Survival.

Aim: We aimed to analyze the risk factors for early surgical complications requiring relaparotomy and the related impact on overall survival (OS) in HIV-infected patients submitted to liver transplantation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study on a nationwide multicenter cohort of 157 HIV-infected patients submitted to liver transplantation in 6 Italian transplant units between 2004 to 2014.

Results: The median preoperative model for end-stage liver disease score was 18 (interquartile range 12-26.

An unusual internal carotid artery compression as a possible cause of Eagle syndrome - A novel hypothesis and an innovative surgical technique.

Background: Eagle syndrome (ES) is a rare symptomatic condition generally caused by an elongated styloid process (SP) or calcification of the stylohyoid complex. On the diagnosis is made, its treatment remains subjective since the indications for surgical intervention are still not standardized. Although styloidectomy is the surgical treatment of choice, no consensus exists regarding the transcervical or/and transoral route.

Bioluminescence-Based Monitoring of Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer: An Experimental Model.

Background: In this study we aimed to develop a new bioluminescence-based tool to monitor and to quantify colon cancer (CC) liver metastasis development.

Methods: HCT 116 cells were transducted with pLenti6/V5-DEST-fLuc for constitutive expression of firefly luciferase. Infection was monitored analyzing endogenous bioluminescence using the IVIS Lumina II Imaging System and a positive clone constitutively expressing luciferase (HCT 116-fLuc) was isolated.

Symptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques Are Associated With Increased Infiltration of Natural Killer (NK) Cells and Higher Serum Levels of NK Activating Receptor Ligands.

A wide array of immune cells, including lymphocytes, is known to be present and to play a pathogenetic role in atherosclerotic lesions. However, limited information is currently available regarding the presence of Natural Killer (NK) cell subsets within vessel plaque, and more in general, regarding their role in human atherosclerosis. We evaluated the distribution of NK cells in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques, dissecting asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (identified as affected by stroke, transient ischemic attack, or amaurosis fugax within 6 months) with the aim of shedding light on the putative contribution of NK cells to the pathogenic process that leads to plaque instability and subsequent clinical complications.

Improved Survival in Liver Transplant Patients Receiving Prolonged-release Tacrolimus-based Immunosuppression in the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR): An Extension Study.

Background: We compared, through the European Liver Transplant Registry, long-term liver transplantation outcomes with prolonged-release tacrolimus (PR-T) versus immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-T)-based immunosuppression. This retrospective analysis comprises up to 8-year data collected between 2008 and 2016, in an extension of our previously published study.

Methods: Patients with <1 month follow-up were excluded; patients were propensity score matched for baseline characteristics.

3D printing of aortic models as a teaching tool for improving understanding of aortic disease.

Background: A geometrical understanding of the individual patient's disease morphology is crucial in aortic surgery. The aim of our study was to validate a questionnaire addressing understanding of aortic disease and use this questionnaire to investigate the value of 3D printing as a teaching tool for surgical trainees.

Methods: Anonymized CT-angiography images of six different patients were selected as didactic cases of aortic disease and made into 3D models of transparent rigid resin with the Vat-photopolymerization technique.

Not just minor resections: robotic approach for cystic echinococcosis of the liver.

Introduction: Human echinococcosis is among the 17 neglected tropical diseases recognized by the World Health Organization. It is responsible for over $3 billion of health costs every year being endemic in large areas worldwide, and liver is affected in 70% of the cases. Surgery associated to medical treatment is the gold standard and robotic approach may be a valuable tool to achieve safe, parenchyma sparing resections.

Improving Outcomes Defending Patient Safety: The Learning Journey in Robotic Liver Resections.

Background: While laparoscopy is currently adopted for hepatic resections, robotic approaches to the liver have not gained wide acceptance. We decided to analyze the learning curve in the field of robotic liver surgery comparing short-term outcomes between the first and the second half of our series.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed demographics and clinical data of patients who underwent robotic liver resection at our institution from July 2014 through September 2017.

Hybrid arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis vascular access in a multicenter registry.

Objective: The aim of our study was to identify patients' characteristics that predicted a higher chance of arteriovenous graft patency in patients undergoing Gore Hybrid Vascular Graft (GHVG; W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) implantation for hemodialysis access.

Early post-liver transplant surgical morbidity in HIV-infected recipients: risk factor for overall survival? A nationwide retrospective study.

The aim of the study was to analyse the risk factors for early surgical complications requiring relaparotomy and the related impact on overall survival (OS) in HIV-infected patients submitted to liver transplantation. Thus a retrospective investigation was conducted on a nationwide multicentre cohort of 157 HIV patients submitted to liver transplantation in six Italian Transplant Units between 2004 and 2014. An early relaparotomy was performed in 24.

Robotic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. This review attempts to clarify the role of robotic surgery for HCC in terms of oncologic outcomes.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature search was performed according to the PRISMA statement including papers comparing open, robotic, and laparoscopic approach for liver surgery.

Chemical variability of artificial stone powders in relation to their health effects.

The occurrence of highly severe silica-related diseases among the resin- and silica-based artificial stone workers was claimed, associated to an extremely short latency. High levels of exposure and intrinsic properties of AS are thought to modulate the development of silicosis and auto-immune diseases. This study compares parent materials and processed dusts, to shed light on changes of AS occurring in the manufacturing process, through an XRF, EPR and XAS investigation.

Interactive role of diastolic dysfunction and ventricular remodeling in asymptomatic subjects at increased risk of heart failure.

Diastolic dysfunction (DD) and left ventricular remodeling (LVR) characterize patients at risk for heart failure (HF). To assess the prognostic impact of different diastolic function algorithms and a complex LVR classification (CRC) in asymptomatic subjects with preserved ejection fraction (EF) at risk for HF. We analyzed 1923 asymptomatic patients (male 43%; age 57, 33-76 years) with at least one cardiovascular risk factor and preserved (> 50%) EF.

A national mandatory-split liver policy: A report from the Italian experience.

To implement split liver transplantation (SLT) a mandatory-split policy has been adopted in Italy since August 2015: donors aged 18-50 years at standard risk are offered for SLT, resulting in a left-lateral segment (LLS) graft for children and an extended-right graft (ERG) for adults. We aim to analyze the impact of the new mandatory-split policy on liver transplantation (LT)-waiting list and SLT outcomes, compared to old allocation policy. Between August 2015 and December 2016 out of 413 potentially "splittable" donors, 252 (61%) were proposed for SLT, of whom 53 (21%) donors were accepted for SLT whereas 101 (40.

Impact of a Multidisciplinary Team on Alcohol Recidivism and Survival After Liver Transplant for Alcoholic Disease.

Background: Alcohol use disorders have a prevalence of 10% among the population of the United States and Europe and are one of the most frequent causes of liver cirrhosis in the Western world. Currently, alcohol-related liver cirrhosis represents one of the most frequent indications to liver transplant (LT), both as independent cause or associated with hepatitis C virus or hepatitis B virus infections. Starting from 2014, a multidisciplinary team involving surgeons, gastroenterologists, clinical toxicologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists was developed within the Modena Liver Transplant Center.

Noninvasive continuous arterial pressure monitoring with Clearsight during awake carotid endarterectomy: A prospective observational study.

Background: Continuous noninvasive blood pressure (CNBP) measurement using the volume-clamp method is a less invasive alternative compared with invasive intra-arterial monitoring for awake patients during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) under regional anaesthesia.

Objective: We investigated the agreement of blood pressure (BP) recorded with invasive and CNBP methods during awake CEA.

Design: A prospective observational study for assessing agreement with Bland-Altman plots, agreement-tolerability indices (ATI), concordance and interchangeability.

Long-term Results of Endovascular Treatment of TASC C and D Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease with Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Stent Graft.

Background: The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the early and long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II class C and D (TASC II) aortoiliac occlusive disease with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent graft.

Methods: Between January 2006 and November 2017, 61 patients (53 males, 8 females), with symptomatic aortoiliac stenotic and/or occlusive disease, were treated with VIABAHN (W.L.

The puzzling structure of CuFeS (bornite) at low temperature.

The crystal structure of CuFeS (bornite) has been investigated using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction at temperatures between 10 and 275 K. Diffraction data confirm that bornite crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca at 275 K. The unit-cell volume decreases continuously on cooling, but undergoes an abrupt contraction below ∼65 K, where a first-order Pbca→Pca2 structural transition takes place.

Accuracy of diagnosis of COPD and factors associated with misdiagnosis in primary care setting. E-DIAL (Early DIAgnosis of obstructive lung disease) study group.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and results in both substantial and increasing socioeconomic burden. Guidelines on COPD encourage primary care physicians to detect the disease at an early stage. Our main aim was to evaluate the accuracy of the diagnosis of COPD at the primary health care.

Laparoscopic liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma located in unfavorable segments: a propensity score-matched analysis from the I Go MILS (Italian Group of Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery) Registry.

Objective: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important indications for the minimally invasive approach. Our study aims to analyze the experience of the Italian Group of Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery with laparoscopic surgical treatment of HCC, with a focus on tumor location and how it affects morbidity and mortality.

Methods: 38 centers participated in this study; 372 cases of LLR for HCC were prospectively enrolled.