Does Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Impact Surgical Precision in Total Mesorectal Excision? A Nationwide Survey of the Experiences of Expert Surgeons.

Background: The treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has steadily progressed over the past four decades, with recent focus shifting towards total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). This survey aims to elucidate the perceived surgical challenges faced by Austrian colorectal surgeons performing total mesorectal excision (TME), focusing on the increased complexity and surgical difficulty introduced by intensified treatment regimens.

Methods: A comprehensive survey was conducted among Austrian colorectal surgeons to explore various aspects of managing and performing TME following TNT.

[Ergonomic Load on the Surgical Team during Open, Laparoscopic and Robot-assisted Surgical Procedures].

The aim of this work is to investigate the ergonomic load on the surgical team during open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical procedures.Employees of the Salzburg State Hospitals (SALK) were invited to take part in a standardised online survey in December 2023. The extent and differences in psychophysical stress for the individual professional groups and specialists were examined for different surgical procedures.

Impact of anastomotic leak vs pneumonia on failure to rescue after transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer.

Background: Data about failure to rescue (FTR) after esophagectomy for cancer and its association with patient and procedure-related risk factors are limited. This study aimed to analyze such aspects, particularly focusing on the effect of pneumonia and anastomotic leak on FTR.

Methods: Patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for cancer between 2008 and 2022 in 2 tertiary European centers were prospectively identified.

Prevalence of cognitive impairment and metabolic syndrome among older adults in calabar metropolis and the associated risk factors.

Background: The number of people reaching old age is rising, bringing an increase in age-related diseases like cardiovascular conditions and cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive impairment (CI) impacts various brain functions, affecting daily activities and quality of life. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, has been implicated in CI.

ADP-heptose attenuates -induced dendritic cell activation.

Sophisticated immune evasion strategies enable to colonize the gastric mucosa of approximately half of the world's population. Persistent infection and the resulting chronic inflammation are a major cause of gastric cancer. To understand the intricate interplay between and host immunity, spatial profiling was used to monitor immune cells in infected gastric tissue.

Surgical outcomes of glioblastoma multiforme in low and middle-income countries: current state and future directions.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and deadly brain tumor. The challenges in managing GBM in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have been underexplored. This review provides a review of surgical management techniques, challenges, outcomes, and future directions for GBM treatment in LMICs.

Enhanced recovery and reduced conversion rates in robotic rectal cancer surgery: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of robotic-assisted rectal resection with conventional laparoscopic and open approaches, focusing on complication rates, conversion rates, length of hospital stay, and oncologic outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study included 106 patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer (UICC stages I-III) who underwent rectal resection from January 2013 to December 2023. Patients were assigned to open surgery (n = 23), conventional laparoscopic surgery (n = 55), or robotic-assisted surgery (n = 28).

HtrA-Dependent E-Cadherin Shedding Impairs the Epithelial Barrier Function in Primary Gastric Epithelial Cells and Gastric Organoids.

Impaired E-cadherin (Cdh1) functions are closely associated with cellular dedifferentiation, infiltrative tumor growth and metastasis, particularly in gastric cancer. The class-I carcinogen () colonizes gastric epithelial cells and induces Cdh1 shedding, which is primarily mediated by the secreted bacterial protease high temperature requirement A (HtrA). In this study, we used human primary epithelial cell lines derived from gastroids and mucosoids from different healthy donors to investigate HtrA-mediated Cdh1 cleavage and the subsequent impact on bacterial pathogenesis in a non-neoplastic context.

Robotic surgery versus conventional laparoscopy in sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease-a comparison of operative trauma and cost-effectiveness: retrospective, single-center analysis.

Purpose: Robotic assisted surgery is an alternative, fast evolving technique for performing colorectal surgery. The primary aim of this single center analysis is to compare elective laparoscopic and robotic sigmoid colectomies for diverticular disease on the extent of operative trauma and the costs.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from our prospective clinical database to identify all consecutive patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent elective minimally invasive left sided colectomy for diverticular disease from January 2016 until December 2020 at our tertiary referral institution.

Potential and benefits of biochar production: crop straw management and carbon emission mitigation in Shaanxi Province, China.

Shaanxi Province is an important agricultural province in western China. Its profit-oriented management of crop residues remains a concern in the agriculture sector. Aiming to accelerate the valorization of agricultural straw and offer potential solutions for profit-oriented use of crop residues in Shaanxi, this study estimated the quantity of resources and collectable amount of crop straw by using the grain-to-straw ratio, analyzed the carbon emission reduction potential considering biochar energy and soil uses with the help of a life cycle assessment (LCA) model, and calculated the economic benefits of biochar production using waste and abandoned straw in Weinan (a city of Shaanxi).

Safety, feasibility, and short-term-outcome of anal endoscopic submucosal dissection for anal intraepithelial neoplasia: an option for focal lesions?

Background: Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) appears in three different stages. AIN 1 and AIN 2 (p16 negative) are defined as low risk and unlikely to progress to invasive anal cancer. AIN 2 (p16 positive) and AIN 3 are of high risk and should be treated because progression rates to anal cancer are around 10% and treatment significantly reduces this risk.

Tumour, narrow pelvis and surgery specific factors for total mesorectal excision quality and morbidity following rectal cancer resection.

Background: Pelvic anatomy is critical in challenging rectal resections. This study investigated how pelvic anatomy relates to total mesorectal excision (TME) quality, anastomotic leakage rate, and long-term oncological outcomes.

Methods: Patients undergoing elective rectal cancer resection from 2008 to 2017 in an Austrian institution were retrospectively reviewed regardless of the surgical approach.

First clinical application of image-guided intraoperative electron radiation therapy with real time intraoperative dose calculation in recurrent rectal cancer: technical procedure.

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is a radiation technique applying a single fraction with a high dose during surgery. We report the first abdomino-pelvic application of an image-guided intraoperative electron radiation therapy with intraoperative real time dose calculation based on the individual intraoperative patient anatomy. A patient suffering from locoregionally recurrent rectal cancer after treatment with neoadjuvant re-chemoradiation was chosen for this approach.

Exploring the transformative role of drone technology in advancing healthcare delivery in Africa; a perspective.

This perspective article delves into the transformative potential of drone technology in revolutionising healthcare delivery in Africa. The continent faces numerous challenges in providing timely and efficient medical services to its vast and diverse population, compounded by geographical barriers, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to medical facilities. Amidst these challenges, the integration of drone technology emerges as a promising solution, offering unprecedented opportunities to overcome longstanding obstacles and improve healthcare accessibility across Africa.

Management of metastatic colorectal cancer in patients ≥70 years - a single center experience.

Background: Age-standardized mortality rates for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are highest among elderly patients. In current clinical guidelines, treatment recommendations for this patient population are based on a limited number of clinical trials.

Patients And Methods: In this monocentric, retrospective analysis we characterized patients aged ≥70 years undergoing systemic therapy for mCRC and overall survival (OS) was investigated.

Short-term outcomes and costs analysis of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy-a retrospective single-center analysis.

Purpose: Robotic-assisted surgery is an alternative technique for patients undergoing minimal invasive cholecystectomy (CHE). The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes and costs of laparoscopic versus robotic CHE, previously described as the major disadvantage of the robotic system, in a single Austrian tertiary center.

Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis was carried out of all patients who underwent an elective minimally invasive cholecystectomy between January 2010 and August 2020 at our tertiary referral institution.

Real-life Indications and Outcome of Electrocautery-enhanced Lumen-apposing Metal Stents in a Tertiary Center.

Purpose: Electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing stents (EC-LAMS) were originally designed for the drainage of the gallbladder, bile duct, and pancreas pseudocysts. Throughout the years, several off-label indications were established. This study aims to evaluate the indication, safety, efficacy, and outcome of all LAMS implanted in a single tertiary referral center.

The SAlzburg PEritoneal SUrface CAlculator (SAPESUCA): The First Web-Based Application for Peritoneal Surface Area Quantification.

(1) Background: Peritoneal metastasized colorectal cancer is associated with a worse prognosis. The combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showed promising results in selected patients, but standardization is lacking so far. We present the first tool enabling standardized peritoneal surface area (PSA) quantification in patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC: The SAlzburg PEritoneal SUrface CAlculator (SAPESUCA).

Standardization of rectal cancer surgery and bowel preparation in Austria : A multicenter nationwide survey by the Austrian Society of Surgical Oncology.

Background: Standardized management of colorectal cancer is crucial for achieving an optimal clinical and oncological outcome. The present nationwide survey was designed to provide data about the surgical management of rectal cancer patients. In addition, we evaluated the standard approach for bowel preparation in all centers in Austria performing elective colorectal surgery.

Sarcopenic Obesity Is a Risk Factor for Worse Oncological Long-Term Outcome in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study.

Background: Malnutrition and skeletal muscle waste (sarcopenia) are known as predictive factors for a poor postoperative outcome. Paradoxically, obesity seems to be associated with a survival advantage in wasting diseases such as cancer. Thus, the interpretation of body composition indices and their impact on rectal cancer therapy has become more and more complex.

Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a global disorder affecting around 6.2 million Americans aged 20 years and above. Neurovegetative disorders are common among such patients, and depression is a major problem that affects 20% to 40% of them.

Adherence to fast track measures in colorectal surgery-a survey among German and Austrian surgeons.

Purpose: The effectiveness of modern perioperative treatment concepts has been demonstrated in several studies and meta-analyses. Despite good evidence, limited implementation of the fast track (FT) concept is still a widespread concern. To assess the status quo in Austrian and German hospitals, a survey on the implementation of FT measures was conducted among members of the German Society of General and Visceralsurgery (DGAV), the German Society of Coloproctology (DGK) and the Austrian Society of Surgery (OEGCH) to analyze where there is potential for improvement.