Nationwide Real-World Data of Microsatellite Instability and/or Mismatch Repair Deficiency in Cancer: Prevalence and Testing Patterns.

Determination of microsatellite instability (MSI)/mismatch repair (MMR) status in cancer has several clinical implications. Our aim was to integrate MSI/MMR status from patients tested in Greece to assess the prevalence of MSI-high (MSI-H)/deficient MMR (dMMR) per tumor type, testing patterns over time and concordance between MSI and MMR status. We retrospectively recorded MSI/MMR testing data of patients with diverse tumor types performed in pathology and molecular diagnostics laboratories across Greece.

Osseous Healing in Surgically Prepared Bone Defects Using Different Grafting Materials: An Experimental Study in Pigs.

Regeneration of large jaw bone defects still remains a clinical challenge. To avoid incomplete bone repair, bone grafts have been advocated to support the healing process. This study comparatively evaluated new bone formation among a synthetic graft substitute, a human bone derivative, and a bovine xenograft.

A rare case of spinal cord compression due to cervical spine metastases from paraganglioma of the jugular foramen-how should it be treated?

Paragangliomas are benign neoplasms that arise from the autonomic nervous system and the associated paraganglia. Although benign, they have been shown to possess metastatic potential. Involvement of the spine is rare.

Functional extra-adrenal paraganglioma of the retroperitoneum giving thoracolumbar spine metastases after a five-year disease-free follow-up: a rare malignant condition with challenging management.

Paragangliomas are benign neoplasms that arise from the autonomic nervous system and the associated paraganglia. Although benign, they have been shown to possess metastatic potential. Extra-adrenal retroperitoneal paraganglioma with vertebral metastasis is considered very uncommon.

Tissue sealants in endoscopic applications for anastomotic leakage during a 25-year period.

Background: Anastomotic leakage after gastrointestinal operation is a complication difficult to manage because conservative therapy and/or reoperation may be unsuccessful and carry the risk of increased morbidity and mortality. The endoscopic use of tissue sealants appears to be a promising alternative to avoid operation.

Method: We present conclusively our 25-year experience with tissue sealing in a series of 63 patients referred after gastrointestinal anastomosis leakage; 48 of the upper and 15 of the lower gastrointestinal tract, experiencing a drainage volume ranging 50-2,400 mL.

First Report of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani Associated with Potato Plants in Greece.

In August 2013, potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) cv. Banba displaying symptoms resembling those caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma solani (potato stolbur phytoplasma) were observed in a 2-ha field in the area of the Peripheral Unit of Drama (northern Greece). The plants were 10 weeks old and their symptoms included reddening and upward rolling of leaflets, reduced size of leaves, shortened internodes, and aerial tuber formation.

Biological response to β-tricalcium phosphate/calcium sulfate synthetic graft material: an experimental study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a biphasic synthetic bone graft material composed of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and calcium sulfate (CS) in 12 New Zealand rabbits.

Materials And Methods: A circular bicortical critical-size cranial defect was created in each of 12 rabbits. The defects were grafted with β-TCP/CS.

Experimental study of the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on the early phases of osteoinduction by allogenic demineralized bone matrix.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the early phases of osteoinduction by allogenic demineralized bone matrix (DBM) in rabbit intramuscular positions.

Materials And Methods: Allogenic DBM was produced from bones of 3 healthy rabbits. In each of 6 experimental animals, 0.

500 intragastric balloons: what happens 5 years thereafter?

Background: The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) has been considered an effective, less invasive method for weight loss, as it provides a permanent sensation of satiety. However, various non-randomized studies suggest BIB is a temporary anti-obesity treatment, which induces only a short-term weight loss. The purpose of this study was to present data of 500 obese who, after BIB-induced weight reduction, were followed up for up to 5 years.

Osteogenic activity of β-tricalcium phosphate in a hydroxyl sulphate matrix and demineralized bone matrix: a histological study in rabbit mandible.

Currently, in oral and maxillofacial surgery, there is a clinical need for efficient bone grafting materials, and various efforts are being made to improve materials used as bone substitutes to facilitate faster and denser bone regeneration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo the osteogenic potential of synthetic β-tricalcium phosphate in a hydroxyl sulphate matrix (β-TCP/HS) and human demineralized bone matrix (DBM) putty. Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits were used.

Evaluation of the possible transmission of BSE and scrapie to gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata).

In transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting many species, the key event in disease pathogenesis is the accumulation of an abnormal conformational isoform (PrP(Sc)) of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). While the precise mechanism of the PrP(C) to PrP(Sc) conversion is not understood, it is clear that host PrP(C) expression is a prerequisite for effective infectious prion propagation. Although there have been many studies on TSEs in mammalian species, little is known about TSE pathogenesis in fish.

Oxidative stress due to anesthesia and surgical trauma: importance of early enteral nutrition.

Anesthesia and surgical trauma are considered major oxidative and nitrosative stress effectors resulting in the development of SIRS. In this study we evaluated the usefulness of early enteral nutrition after surgical trauma. Sixty male Wistar rats were subjected to midline laparotomy and feeding-gastrostomy.

Vascular fractal dimension and total vascular area in the study of oral cancer.

Background: Microvessel quantification has been studied extensively as a factor reflecting angiogenesis in various malignant tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the vascular fractal dimension and the immunohistochemically positive total vascular area in oral cavity carcinomas in order to assess their potential value as factors reflecting angiogenesis.

Methods: Histologic sections from 48 carcinomas and 17 nonmalignant mucosa specimens were evaluated by image analysis using fractal analysis software.

Endoscopic fibrin sealing of gastrocutaneous fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.

Background And Aim: Gastrocutaneous fistulas (GCF) are uncommon complications accounting for 0.5-3.9% of gastric operations.

Retroperitoneal compartment pressure elevation impairs pancreatic tissue blood flow.

Objectives: To investigate whether the increase of the retroperitoneal compartment pressure, as in the case of peripancreatic fluid accumulation in severe acute pancreatitis, simulated by infusing a colloid fluid into the retroperitoneum, has any effect on pancreatic tissue blood flow.

Methods: Six male anesthetized swine were subjected to a transcutaneous placement of catheters into the retroperitoneal space. Through these catheters, a colloid solution was infused, under continuous retroperitoneal pressure monitoring, to achieve a pressure up to 20 mm Hg.

Enteral nutrition affects nitric oxide production in peripheral blood and liver after a postoperative lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in rats.

Objectives: Sepsis is a common complication in the early postoperative period, leading to the augmentation of oxidative and nitrosative stresses. The present study investigated the role of enteral nutrition on nitric oxide (NO) production after a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia as an index of nitrosative stress.

Methods: Fifty rats were subjected to midline laparotomy and feeding gastrostomy.

Benefits of a synbiotic formula (Synbiotic 2000Forte) in critically Ill trauma patients: early results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Since probiotics are considered to exert beneficial health effects by enhancing the host's immune response, we investigated the benefits of a synbiotics treatment on the rate of infections, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe sepsis, and mortality in critically ill, mechanically ventilated, multiple trauma patients. Length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and number of days under mechanical ventilation were also evaluated.

Method: Sixty-five patients were randomized to receive once daily for 15 days a synbiotic formula (Synbiotic 2000Forte, Medipharm, Sweden) or maltodextrin as placebo.

Hepatic microcirculation after continuous 7-day elevated intra-abdominal pressure in cirrhotic rats.

It is well known that IAP elevation, even at the level of 10mmHg used for laparoscopic surgery leads to an increase in portal pressure and decrease in portal blood flow. Since hepatic hemodynamics are already disturbed in cirrhotics, we decided to investigate the possible role of chronically elevated intra-abdominal pressure thus simulating ascites under tension-in liver perfusion and function in cirrhotic portal hypertensive rats. Four groups of 10 rats each were studied, including two control and two CCl(4)(-) induced cirrhotic groups.

Endoprosthesis implantation at the pharyngo-esophageal level: problems, limitations and challenges.

Aim: To present our experience with endoscopic placement of an esophageal endoprosthesis in 19 patients.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was made for the use of 19 stents positioned at the level of the cervical esophagus: 11 for malignant tumours (7 causing obstruction, 4 complicated by an esophago -tracheal or -cutaneous fistula), and 8 for an acquired benign tracheo-esophageal fistula due to prolonged intubation. The covered Ultraflex stent was used in all cases except two.

Temporary stenting of acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistulas in critically ill ventilated patients.

Background: To evaluate the use of esophageal stents for temporary sealing of acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistulas developed in critically ill, ventilated patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis (1992-2003) of the data of 12 mechanically ventilated patients - six of them after major or multiple trauma - being intubated for a median of 30 days before they develop an acquired benign tracheoesophageal fistula. Five of them were in sepsis.

Endoscopic management of gastrocutaneous fistula after bariatric surgery by using a fibrin sealant.

Background: Gastrocutaneous fistula is an uncommon and difficult to treat complication that occurs in 0.5% to 3.9% of patients who undergo gastric surgery.

The influence of continuous seven-day elevated intra-abdominal pressure in the renal perfusion in cirrhotic rats.

Since hepatorenal syndrome is a functional renal failure due to renal ischemia in cirrhotics with refractory ascites, we investigated whether increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) impairs the renal function and perfusion in cirrhotic portal hypertensive rats. Eight groups of 32 rats each were studied, including 4 control and 4 CCl(4) cirrhotic groups. These were subdivided into two groups each, with and without an increased IAP, and further subdivided into groups of rats with and without NO inhibition.

Therapeutic fistuloscopy: an alternative approach in the management of postoperative fistulas.

Background/aim: Since the treatment of postoperative fistulas remains a difficult problem, we applied endoscopic treatment in such 14 persistent fistulas.

Methods: Fourteen patients presented with postoperative fistulas: 7 patients (low-output group) due to residual cavity after liver hydatid disease surgery and 7 patients (high-output group) after small-bowel resection (n = 3), diverted duodenostomy (n = 1), vertical gastroplasty (n = 1), external pancreatic cyst drainage (n = 1), and transduodenal sphincteroplasty (n = 1). The therapeutic procedures included mechanical removal of silk sutures, necrotic material, and hydatid membranes in the low-output group and fibrin sealing in the high-output group.

Endoscopic fibrin sealing of high-output non-healing gastrocutaneous fistulas after vertical gastroplasty in morbidly obese patients.

Background: Fibrin glue was used in a various fields of surgery during the last 15 years, but its use has not been reported in bariatric surgery yet.

Methods: In 2 out of 215 morbidly obese patients who underwent vertical banded gastroplasty, a non-healing gastrocutaneus fistula (GCF) developed. In both patients sepsis occurred, caused by a leak of the posterior gastric wall, which was managed by means of an unsuccessful reoperation.