Fer governs mTORC1 regulating pathways and sustains viability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers with a high percentage of morbidity. The deciphering and identification of novel targets and tools for intervening with its adverse progression are therefore of immense importance. To address this goal we adopted a specific inhibitor of the intracellular tyrosine kinase Fer, whose expression level is upregulated in PDAC tumors, and is associated with poor prognosis of patients.

Robotic-assisted Heller Myotomy Is a Safe Operation.

Background: Surgical myotomy is the best therapeutic option for patients with achalasia. The minimally invasive technique is considered to be the preferred method for many surgeons. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic myotomy has several advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery.

Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury in the Very Old.

Background: Older age is an independent predictor of worse outcome from traumatic brain injury (TBI). No clear guidelines exist for the management of TBI in elderly patients.

Objectives: To describe the outcomes of elderly patients presenting with TBI and intracranial bleeding (ICB), comparing a very elderly population (≥ 80 years of age) to a younger one (70-79).

Reversed Intestinal Rotation Presented as Bowel Obstruction in a Pregnant Woman.

A rare case of complete large bowel obstruction in a pregnant woman, without previous surgical history, due to previously undiagnosed reversed intestinal rotation is presented. The young woman was admitted with progressive nausea and vomiting which did not respond to conventional therapy. Her plain abdominal film revealed signs of small bowel obstruction.

Acute appendicitis in the elderly in the twenty-first century.

Background: The incidence of appendicitis in the elderly has risen. Older age is an independent predictor of poor surgical outcome. Herein, we present the most comprehensive single institution study to describe the natural history and outcome of appendicitis in elderly patients.