The Concept of Hormesis in Cancer Therapy - Is Less More?

There has, in recent years, been a paradigm shift in our understanding of the role of the immune system in the development of cancers. Immune dysregulation, manifesting as chronic inflammation, not only facilitates the growth and spread of tumors but prevents the host from mounting effective immune defenses against it. Many attempts are being made to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies, but there is growing evidence that a radical reevaluation of the mode of action of chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation is required in the light of advances in immunology.

Congenital microgastria with limb defect combined with megaduodenum: case report and review of literature.

Congenital microgastria is a rare developmental disorder with only 59 previously reported cases. Most of the patients undergoing reconstructive surgery are in early infancy, providing gastric augmentation to achieve optimal thrive. The Hunt-Lawrence pouch is the standard surgical treatment in infancy, but late surgery in early adulthood requires different approach.

Combined endoscopic approach for the management of a difficult recto-sigmoid anastomotic stricture.

A 48-year-old woman underwent an emergency laparotomy for a perforated diverticular abscess. At operation, a peritoneal lavage was carried out, but no colonic resection was undertaken. Subsequently, she developed recurrent sepsis and underwent a second laparotomy.

Spontaneous resolution of a superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after laparoscopic nissen fundoplication.

A previously fit 37-year-old man developed superior mesenteric venous thrombosis after undergoing a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Despite receiving thrombo-embolic prophylaxis on postoperative day 16, he presented with a gradual onset of vague, but severe, umbilical and epigastric pains. Laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound scan and gastroscopy were all unremarkable.