Accuracy of commercial 3D printers for the fabrication of surgical guides in dental implantology.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of two different surgical guides (small extent = single implant and large extent = full arch) fabricated by five additive manufacturing technologies (SLA=Stereolithography, DLP= Digital Light Processing, FDM=Fused Deposition Modeling, SLS=Selective Laser Sintering, Inkjet).

Methods: Overall, 72 guides (6 per type) were obtained with the different machines (SLA=Form2; DLP=Rapid Shape D40 and Cara Print 4.0; FDM=Raise 3D Pro2; SLS=Prodways P1000; Polyjet®=Stratasys J750).

Endoscopic sphincterotomy with sphincteroplasty for the management of choledocholithiasis: a single-centre experience.

Background: Balloon dilatation of the ampulla at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is increasingly utilized in the management of large bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to review and compare the outcomes of using endoscopic sphincterotomy with endoscopic balloon dilatation (sphincteroplasty) in a combined approach as a single-stage (immediate) or a two-stage procedure (delayed).

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records for all patients undergoing ERCP and balloon dilatation for choledocholithiasis between January 2010 and December 2012 was undertaken.

Network inference analysis identifies an APRR2-like gene linked to pigment accumulation in tomato and pepper fruits.

Carotenoids represent some of the most important secondary metabolites in the human diet, and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a rich source of these health-promoting compounds. In this work, a novel and fruit-related regulator of pigment accumulation in tomato has been identified by artificial neural network inference analysis and its function validated in transgenic plants. A tomato fruit gene regulatory network was generated using artificial neural network inference analysis and transcription factor gene expression profiles derived from fruits sampled at various points during development and ripening.

The hybrid intrathoracic oesophago-gastric anastomosis in oesophageal cancer-morbidity and mortality : the hybrid intrathoracic oesophagogastric anastomosis.

Background: The technique of the side-to-side, hybrid stapled/hand-sewn, intrathoracic, oesophago-gastric anastomosis was first described in 1996 (Bird et al. Aust N.Z J Surg 66:77-763, 1996).

Enhanced recovery after surgery program for elective abdominal surgery at three Victorian hospitals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anaesthesia care of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for patients having abdominal surgical in Victorian hospitals. The main outcome measure was the number of ERAS items implemented following introduction of the ERAS program. Secondary endpoints included process of care measures, outcomes and hospital stay.

Management of synchronous tumours of the oesophagus and pancreatic head: a novel approach.

Synchronous tumours of the oesophagus and pancreatic head are very rare. This report describes a unique case of an adenocarcinoma of the distal oesophagus and a neuroendocrine tumour of the pancreatic head diagnosed synchronously but successfully managed metachronously. Initially, the patient underwent an oesophagectomy, with a colonic reconstruction following some months later by pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Endoscopic management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula.

Objective: Bile duct injury is an uncommon but potentially serious complication in cholecystectomy. A recognized treatment for minor biliary injury is internal biliary decompression by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stent insertion. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ERCP in the management of minor biliary injuries.

Benign gastro-colic fistula in a woman presenting with weight loss and intermittent vomiting: a case report.

Introduction: Benign gastro-colic fistula is a rare occurrence in modern surgery due to the progress in medical management of gastric ulcer disease. Here we report the first case of benign gastro-colic fistula occurring whilst on proton-pump inhibitor therapy. This is a case study of benign gastro-colic fistula and review of the available literature in regards to etiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis.

Percutaneous cystic duct stent placement in the treatment of acute cholecystitis.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy is well established as a temporising treatment option in selected patients presenting with acute cholecystitis. However, some patients who undergo cholecystostomy will have persistent discharge, which precludes catheter removal, or may not be medically suitable for future cholecystectomy. In these circumstances, percutaneous cystic duct stenting isa novel treatment option.

Five-year follow-up of a multicenter, double-blind randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic Nissen vs anterior 90 degrees partial fundoplication.

Hypothesis: Laparoscopic 90 degrees anterior partial fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease achieves equivalent results to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

Design: A multicenter, prospective, double-blind randomized clinical trial with a minimum of 5 years' follow-up.

Setting: Nine university teaching hospitals in 6 major cities throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Oesophagectomy for tumours and dysplasia of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction.

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy, radical lymphadenectomy and treatment in high-volume centres have been proposed to improve outcomes for resectable oesophageal tumours. The aim of the present study was to review the oesophagectomy experience of a single surgeon with a moderate caseload who uses neoadjuvant therapy selectively and performs a conservative lymphadenectomy.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed.

Validity assessment of the detection method of maize event Bt10 through investigation of its molecular structure.

In March 2005, U.S. authorities informed the European Commission of the inadvertent release of unauthorized maize GM event Bt10 in their market and subsequently the grain channel.

Myotomy for achalasia: to wrap or not to wrap?

One of the potential consequences of carrying out a Heller's myotomy for achalasia is gastro-oesophageal reflux. Whether it is frequent or severe enough to warrant the routine addition of a fundoplication to the operation is debated. In this prospective series of all patients undergoing a myotomy using a minimally invasive method the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is examined.

Endoscopic management of recurrent primary bile duct stones.

Background: The management of recurrent choledocholithiasis today remains as challenging as in the pre-endoscopic era. Between 2 and 7% of affected patients have historically required surgical intervention for the treatment of recurrent or retained choledocholithiasis and of these, as many as 24% develop biliary complications. To avoid surgery, repeated endoscopic management of the problem has been suggested.

Diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is increasingly being used in the staging algorithm for pancreatic carcinoma. This allows for a tissue diagnosis, which was previously difficult to obtain. The aim of this study is to assess the utility of EUS-FNA in establishing the diagnosis of solid pancreatic mass lesions in an Australian population.

Quality of life following laparoscopic anterior 90 degrees versus Nissen fundoplication: results from a multicenter randomized trial.

Background: The short-term clinical outcomes from a multicenter prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic Nissen versus anterior 90 degrees partial fundoplication have been reported previously. These demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with the overall outcome following anterior 90 degrees fundoplication. However, the results of postoperative objective tests and specific clinical symptoms are not always consistent with an individual patient's functional status and general well being following surgery, and quality of life (QOL) is also an important outcome to consider following surgery for reflux.

AAV delivery of mineralocorticoid receptor shRNA prevents progression of cold-induced hypertension and attenuates renal damage.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of RNA interference inhibition of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) on cold-induced hypertension (CIH) and renal damage. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying short hairpin small interference (si)RNA for MR (AAV.MR-shRNA) was constructed and tested for the ability to inhibit renal MR and to control CIH.

Prolonged attenuation of cold-induced hypertension by adenoviral delivery of renin antisense.

Background: Renin has been linked to the pathogenesis of some forms of hypertension, including cold-induced hypertension (CIH). Although several antihypertensive drugs that inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT(1)) receptors are available, they are short-lasting and have side effects. Inhibition of renin [the first and rate-limiting step of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)] would provide an inhibition of the entire RAS.

Expression of human eNOS in cardiac and endothelial cells.

In this chapter we provide a detailed technique-focused protocol for expression of human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene delivered by replication-deficient adenovirus. It includes construction of recombinant plasmid with human eNOS gene full-length cDNA (heNOS), packaging of adenovirus with heNOS (Adv-heNOS) in 293 cells, confirmation of Adv-heNOS, amplification of high-titer stockAdv-heNOS, determination of the Adv-heNOS titer, expression of Adv-heNOS in the human abdominal aorta endothelial (HAAE1) cell line and rat heart myoblast cell line (H9C2), and measurement of human eNOS activity and NO production.