Integrated Relaxation Pressure and Its Diagnostic Ability May Vary According to the Conditions Used for HREM Recording.

Integrated Residual Pressure (IRP) measured under conditions alternative to supine single swallows may provide clinically useful information regarding EGJ relaxation. This study aimed to compare IRP values obtained under different situations and explore their potential clinical utility. We analyzed and compared the values of IRP obtained from healthy volunteers and patients with suspected achalasia during supine single swallows (Ssup-IRP), sitting single swallows (Ssit-IRP), supine multiple rapid swallows (Msup-IRP), and sitting multiple rapid swallows (Msit-IRP).

Clinical outcomes and costs of the use of fibrin sealant in pancreaticojejunal anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective analysis study.

Objectives: The benefits of using a fibrin sealant to reinforce the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis are still contentious, a fact that justifies the study of its effects on clinical outcomes and costs of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Methods: Study of 62 consecutive patients submitted to pancreaticoduodenectomy, divided into two groups of 31 patients each: GWS = group with sealant and GWOS = group without sealant that were compared according to demographic, clinical, laboratory aspects, the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), according to the definition of the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula, updated in 2016, and its postoperative complications categorized according to the Clavien classification, as well as hospital costs evaluated by the absorption costing method (with the exception of those related to medications).

Results: The groups were homogeneous and there were no significant differences in the postoperative clinical course or in the indicators of hospital care between them.

Effect of the aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Purpose: The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases has increased worldwide. Many of them are used by oral administration and, after absorption, may affect many organs. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the effects of the aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia leaves, popularly known in Brazil as "malva-branca", on liver regeneration.

Liver transplantation: expectation with MELD score for liver allocation in Brazil.

Liver transplantation represents the most effective therapy for patients suffering from chronic end-stage liver disease. Until very recently, in Brazil, liver allocation was based on the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score and the waiting list followed a chronological criterion. In February 2002 the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was adopted for the allocation of donor livers in the US.