Correlation Between Grade of Clinical Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer and Oncologic Outcomes in the Era of Watch-and-Wait.

Background: The watch-and-wait strategy provides an opportunity to pursue non-operative management in rectal cancer patients with clinical complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. The management of those with near complete response remains controversial.

Objective: We assessed the oncologic outcomes of patients managed by watch-and-wait versus total mesorectal excision according to clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy.

Danshensu Interventions Mediate Rapid Antidepressant Effects by Activating the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Release.

Objective: Danshensu, a phenylpropanoid compound, is derived from the dry root and rhizome of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Evidence suggests that danshensu protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia/reperfusion injury by activating the protein kinase B (Akt)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway or by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis through the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Furthermore, danshensu promotes the postischemic regeneration of brain cells by upregulating the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the peri-infarct region.

Surgical Site Infections in Simultaneous Colorectal and Liver Resections for Metastatic Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major driver of morbidity after combined liver and colorectal surgery for metastatic colorectal cancer. Available literature is inadequate to characterize risk factors and benchmarks for quality improvement.

Methods: Consecutive cases of simultaneous liver and colorectal surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma from November 2013 through September 2022 were reviewed for SSIs per National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria.