Final Results from the First European Real-World Experience on Lusutrombopag Treatment in Cirrhotic Patients with Severe Thrombocytopenia: Insights from the REAl-World Lusutrombopag Treatment in ITalY Study.

Management of severe thrombocytopenia poses significant challenges in patients with chronic liver disease. Here, we aimed to evaluate the first real-world European post-marketing cohort of cirrhotic patients treated with lusutrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, verifying the efficacy and safety of the drug. In the REAl-world Lusutrombopag treatment in ITalY (REALITY) study, we collected data from consecutive cirrhotic patients treated with lusutrombopag in 19 Italian hepatology centers, mostly joined to the "Club Epatologi Ospedalieri" (CLEO).

Cancer cachexia: A scoping review on non-pharmacological interventions.

Objective: Cancer cachexia occurs in 30%-80% of patients, increasing morbidity and mortality and impacting the health-related quality of life also for caregivers. Pharmacological interventions have been studied but have shown inconsistent effects on patients' lives in terms of relative outcomes and poor adherence to pharmacological treatment. We provide an overview of the evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for cancer cachexia.

A prospective, multicenter, three-cohort study evaluating contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: Nephrotoxicity of intravenous iodinated contrast media (ICM) in cirrhosis is still a debated issue, due to scarce, low-quality and conflicting evidence. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and predisposing factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with cirrhosis undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).

Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, cohort study including 444 inpatients, 148 with cirrhosis (cohort 1) and 163 without cirrhosis (cohort 3) undergoing CECT and 133 with cirrhosis (cohort 2) unexposed to ICM.

Biofilm formation under food-relevant conditions and sanitizers' tolerance of a Pseudomonas fluorescens group strain.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the biofilm-forming ability of a strain belonging to the Pseudomonas fluorescens group isolated from the dairy environment under food-relevant conditions. Moreover, the effects of commercial sanitizers against preformed biofilms were assessed both in terms of viability and structure.

Methods And Results: The biofilms were formed on polystyrene, stainless steel (SS), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a wide range of temperatures (4-25°C) and were subjected to the action of 10 different sanitizers.

Laparoscopic Welti's Maneuver: A Single-Center Experience.

Left hemicolectomy is the standard surgical operation for a variety of colonic diseases, both benign and malignant. When colonic resection is extended, relocation of the small bowel loops can be difficult. Several techniques have been described to reposition the small intestine.

Incidence and feasibility of coronary access after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Incidence of coronary access (CA) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at long-term follow-up remains unknown. CA and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after TAVR might present technical challenges, particularly with supra-annular devices.

Methods: Patients undergoing CA after being treated with TAVR at our institution were included in the study.

Effect of Age and Comorbidities on Short- and Long-Term Results in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Curative Resection for Rectal Cancer.

Background And Aim: Conflicting findings have been reported in older patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of age and comorbidities on short- and long-term results of patients undergoing laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer (LCRRC).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all 173 consecutive patients undergoing LCRRC at our unit (June 2005-September 2015).

Laparoscopic Curative Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Cohort Study on Long-term Outcome.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term results of laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer. We included all patients who underwent laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer from June 2005 to September 2015. A total of 159 patients were included; 33.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Are Not Prognostic Biomarkers in Rectal Cancer Patients with Curative Resection.

Background: Actual predictors of survival and recurrence for rectal cancer patients undergoing curative resection mostly come from pathological data of surgical specimen. Recently, novel blood biomarkers have been proposed as useful tools in cancer patient management, but few and conflicting data have been reported in rectal cancer. We evaluated the prognostic relevance of preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte (P/L) ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio on survival and recurrence in patients undergoing laparoscopic curative resection for rectal cancer.

Splenic flexure colon cancers: minimally invasive treatment.

Optimal treatment of splenic flexure (SF) colon cancer-less than 10% of all colorectal cancers is a matter of debate, in particular with regard to the optimal extent of radical surgery, according to the oncological principles of curative resection. Aims of this study were to assess the clinicopathological characteristics and report operative data and survival of patients with SF colon cancers. Short- and mid-term outcome of patients undergoing laparoscopic curative resection for SF colon cancer between June 2005 and September 2011 was assessed.

Laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure.

Reestablishing continuity after a Hartmann's procedure is considered a major surgical procedure with high morbidity/mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the short-/long-term outcome of laparoscopic restoration of bowel continuity after HP. A prospectively collected database of colorectal laparoscopic procedures (>800) performed between June 2005 and June 2013 was used to identify 20 consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's procedure (LHR).

Identification of the Enterobacteriaceae in Montasio cheese and assessment of their amino acid decarboxylase activity.

The aim of the study was to identify the species of Enterobacteriaceae present in Montasio cheese and to assess their potential to produce biogenic amines. Plate count methods and an Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) approach, combined with 16S rDNA sequencing, were used to investigate the Enterobacteriaceae community present during the cheesemaking and ripening of 6 batches of Montasio cheese. Additionally, the potential decarboxylation abilities of selected bacterial isolates were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed against tyrosine, histidine, ornithine and lysine.

Laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma in a western country: safety and oncological issues.

Background: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma is a widely diffused operation in eastern countries, but there are only a few reports from western centers. We assessed a single surgeon's experience at a single, nonacademic, community hospital.

Methods: Short-term outcome of patients undergoing laparoscopic total gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma (June 2005-March 2010) was assessed.

Laparoscopic repair of intrathoracic liver herniation after traumatic rupture of the diaphragm.

Right diaphragmatic hernia after abdominal trauma is a rare injury. Most patients can be asymptomatic, and the diagnosis may be delayed for several years. The treatment of choice involves surgical repair via laparotomy.

Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer in elderly patients.

Aims And Background: Aging of the population and a longer life expectancy have led to an increased number of elderly patients presenting with colorectal cancer and searching for treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of age on the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer at a single department.

Methods: Perioperative outcome of patients > or =75 years old undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery between June 2005 and January 2009 for colorectal cancer were compared with findings in younger patients.

Comparison of culture-dependent and -independent methods for bacterial community monitoring during Montasio cheese manufacturing.

The microbial community in milk is of great importance in the manufacture of traditional cheeses produced using raw milk and natural cultures. During milk curdling and cheese ripening, complex interactions occur in the microbial community, and accurate identification of the microorganisms involved provides essential information for understanding their role in these processes and in flavor production. Recent improvements in molecular biological methods have led to their application to food matrices, and thereby opened new perspectives for the study of microbial communities in fermented foods.

Safety-related properties of staphylococci isolated from food and food environments.

Aims: To test some safety-related properties within 321 staphylococci strains isolated from food and food environments.

Methods And Results: The isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus pasteuri, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus xylosus. Decarboxylase activity was quite common for the various Staphylococcus spp.

Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer: matched comparison in elderly and younger patients.

Background: Several studies have addressed the issue of the feasibility of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly patients, usually by choosing an arbitrary cut-off age limit, and retrospectively evaluating patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of age on the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer in a single department, by comparing younger and older patients, matched by ASA score and type of operation.

Methods: The perioperative outcome of patients ≥75 years old who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer between June 2005 and January 2009 were compared with findings in younger patients, matched by ASA score and type of operation.

Spontaneous rupture of middle thoracic esophagus: thoracoscopic treatment.

Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (so-called Boerhaave's syndrome) is considered a medical emergency. It carries a significant mortality rate and requires prompt treatment. The treatment of choice involves surgical repair of the esophageal defect, usually accomplished via laparotomy, thoracotomy, or both to accomplish esophageal repair and mediastinal debridement.

Spontaneous rupture of giant gastric GIST presenting as hemoperitoneum and mimicking cavernous liver angioma.

Spontaneous rupture of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with hemoperitoneum is an extremely rare clinical presentation of this mesenchymal tumor. We report the unusual case of a 68-year-old man who was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. While waiting for the results of his laboratory tests the patient became pale and tachycardic and his abdomen distended with generalized rebound tenderness.

Thoracoscopic repair of lung herniation following minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery.

Pulmonary hernias--defined as protrusions of the lung parenchyma and pleural membranes through a defect in the thoracic wall--are rare. They are usually congenital, spontaneous or traumatic iatrogenic lung herniations are extremely rare and secondary to thoracoscopic procedures or minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery. There are very few reports of surgical repair of this iatrogenic condition and, to date, no reports of thoracoscopic repair of such defects of the thoracic wall have been reported.

Laparoscopic colon resection by a single general surgeon in a community hospital: a review of 200 consecutive cases.

Background: We assessed a single surgeon's experience on laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCR) at a single non academic, community hospital. The surgeon was trained in minimally-invasive techniques and robotic surgery with >500 procedures at another non-university hospital, either as operating surgeon or as assistant.

Methods: Short-term outcome of patients undergoing LCR for benign/neoplastic disease (June 2005-September 2007) was assessed.

Successful minimally invasive repair of spontaneous esophageal perforation.

Esophageal perforations with a mediastinal abscess are medical emergencies with a significant mortality rate. Prompt management is mandatory, and a variety of treatment strategies have been advocated. In the case of a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (the so-called Boerhaave's syndrome), the treatment of choice involves the surgical repair of the esophageal defect, usually accomplished through a laparotomy or thoracotomy.