Circulating necroptosis markers in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: Associations with diagnosis and prognostic factors.

Objectives: Necroptosis, a programmed inflammatory cell death, is implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and its potential progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but its role remains unclear. We compared plasma levels of necroptosis-related markers - mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), interleukin (IL)-33, and its soluble receptor (sST2)- in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), PDAC, and healthy controls (HC), to explore their diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Methods: Plasma was collected from patients pre-procedurally (PDAC, n = 82; CP, n = 25) and from HC (n = 39), and studied by ELISA.

Next-generation sequencing improves diagnostic accuracy of imaging and carcinoembryonic antigen alone for pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Background: New tools are needed to determine the pancreatic cysts that require surgical resection. This study aimed to evaluate whether next-generation sequencing (NGS) is useful for identifying mucinous, malignant, or pre-malignant cysts leading to surgery.

Methods: Laboratory, cytological, and histological data from 97 patients with worrisome features on imaging or an unclear pancreatic cystic lesion (PCL) who were indicated for further investigation and who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed.

Circulating Markers of Necroptosis in Acute Pancreatitis.

Objectives: Necroptosis, a programmed inflammatory cell death, is involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). We compared levels of interleukin (IL)-33 (released upon necroptosis), sST2 (soluble IL-33 receptor), MLKL, RIPK1 and RIPK3 (necroptosis executioner proteins), and proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF and IL-1β at various severity categories and stages of AP.

Methods: Plasma from 20 patients with early mild AP (MAP) (symptom onset < 72 h), 7 with severe AP (SAP) without and 4 with persistent organ failure (OF) at sampling, 8 patients with late SAP and 20 healthy controls (HC) were studied by ELISAs.

Comparison of Postoperative Complications After Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer with Antecolic Versus Retrocolic Reconstruction: A Population-Based Study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the rates of 90-day anastomotic complications and other postoperative complications after total or partial gastrectomy with antecolic versus retrocolic reconstruction in a population-based setting.

Methods: This population-based nationwide retrospective cohort study included all patients undergoing total or partial gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Finland in 2005-2016, with follow-up until 31 December 2019. Logistic regression provided odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 90-day mortality.

Postoperative delayed emptying after total, subtotal, or distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a population-based study.

Background: This study aimed to examine the rate of delayed emptying and other 90-day postoperative complications after total, subtotal, and distal gastrectomies for gastric adenocarcinoma in a population-based setting.

Methods: This study included all patients who underwent total, subtotal, or distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in Finland in 2005-2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2019. Logistic regression provided the odds ratios with 95% CIs of 90-day mortality.

Stapled vs handsewn anastomosis and anastomotic leaks in gastric cancer surgery-a population-based nationwide study in Finland.

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding anastomotic technique and postoperative complications in gastric cancer surgery. This study aimed to evaluate whether there are differences between stapled and handsewn anastomosis and anastomotic leaks.

Methods: This was a population-based, retrospective, nationwide cohort study in Finland using the Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort.

Postoperative Complications After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Upfront Surgery in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Population-Based Nationwide Study in Finland.

Background: To date, no large population-based studies have compared complications and short-term outcomes between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and upfront surgery in gastric cancer. More nationwide studies with standardized reporting on complications are needed to enable international comparison between studies. This study aimed to compare postoperative complications between neoadjuvant therapy and upfront surgery after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in a population-based setting.

Population-based nationwide incidence of complications after gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in Finland.

Background: The incidence of postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer is not well known. More population-based studies using established complication classifications are needed for international comparison. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population-based incidence of postoperative complications after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Separating lymph node stations by the surgeon from the gastric cancer specimen improves the quality of nodal status evaluation.

Background: In gastric cancer (GC), the pN-stage is an important prognostic factor influencing treatment. Along with the depth of invasion of the tumor, the presence of nodal metastases is one of the most important prognostic factors guiding treatment strategies in gastric cancer. Examining a small number of lymph nodes may lead to understaging of the disease; hence, it is essential for the nodal status to be precisely assessed.

ACUTE PANCREATITIS in HELSINKI in 2016-2018: INCIDENCE, ETIOLOGY and RISK FACTORS - analysis of 1378 acute pancreatitis episodes in a Finnish normal population.

Objectives: Updated population-based studies on acute pancreatitis (AP) in Finland are lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the current data for AP in Helsinki.

Materials And Methods: We performed an electronic health care records (EHRs) search on AP patients treated at Helsinki University Hospital between the years 2016 - 2018.

PCSK2 expression in neuroendocrine tumors points to a midgut, pulmonary, or pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma origin.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are often diagnosed from the metastases of an unknown primary tumor. Specific immunohistochemical (IHC) markers indicating the location of a primary tumor are needed. The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 2 (PCSK2) is found in normal neural and neuroendocrine cells, and known to express in NETs.

Somatostatin receptor expression in parathyroid neoplasms.

Introduction: Parathyroid carcinoma represents a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. Distinguishing carcinoma from the benign tumors underlying primary hyperparathyroidism remains challenging. The diagnostic criteria for parathyroid carcinoma are local and/or metastatic spreading.

Variable somatostatin receptor subtype expression in 151 primary pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

Pheochromocytomas (PHEOs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) are neuroendocrine tumors that express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs), a phenomenon that constitutes a basis for tumor imaging and treatment with somatostatin analogues and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. We studied the immunohistochemical expression of SSTR1-5 in 151 primary tumors, including 14 metastasized and 16 SDHB-deficient tumors. SSTR2 and SSTR3 were most abundantly present in these tumors, whereas the tumors were mostly negative for SSTR1, SSTR4, and SSTR5.

Intraoperative colonic pulse oximetry in left-sided colorectal surgery: can it predict anastomotic leak?

Background: An anastomotic leak is a fairly common and a potentially lethal complication in colorectal surgery. Objective methods to assess the viability and blood circulation of the anastomosis could help in preventing leaks. Intraoperative pulse oximetry is a cheap, easy to use, fast, and readily available method to assess tissue viability.

Diclofenac Does Not Reduce the Risk of Post-endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis in Low-Risk Units.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an inhibitory role in pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Guidelines from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommend routine rectal administration of 100 mg of diclofenac or indomethacin immediately before or after ERCP for all patients without contraindications.

Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of diclofenac in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in a high-volume, low-PEP-risk ERCP unit.

Necroptosis Is an Important Severity Determinant and Potential Therapeutic Target in Experimental Severe Pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Severe acute pancreatitis is characterized by acinar cell death and inflammation. Necroptosis is an aggressive and pro-inflammatory mode of cell death that can be prevented by necrostatin-1 administration or RIP3 deletion.

Methods: Mouse pancreatic acinar cells were incubated with supramaximally stimulating concentrations of caerulein or sub-micellar concentrations of TLCS and necroptosis was inhibited by either addition of necrostatin or by RIP3 deletion.

HuR in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas - overexpression in verified malignant tumors.

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare, neural crest-originating, neuroendocrine tumors. HuR is an mRNA-binding protein of the ELAV/Hu-protein family, which participates in posttranscriptional regulation of many cancer-associated genes. HuR expression has been connected with aggressive behavior of several malignancies.

Lymph node metastases and elevated postoperative calcitonin: Predictors of poor survival in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Background Total thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), but the extent of neck dissection is controversial. Lymph node metastases, distant metastases, and old age are known predictors of poor survival. Patients Patients treated for primary MTC at Helsinki University Hospital from 1990 to 2009 were included (n = 54).

Cyclin A predicts metastatic potential of rectal neuroendocrine tumors.

Rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors representing 10% to 15% of gastroenteropancreatic NETs. The grade of these tumors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 classification and based on Ki-67 index and mitotic count, correlates with their metastatic potential. We studied the expression of a cell cycle regulatory protein, cyclin A, in rectal NETs.

Gastric outlet obstruction in gastric cancer: a comparison of three palliative methods.

Background: Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) commonly occurs in advanced gastric cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the results of endoscopic stenting (ES), palliative resection (PR), and gastrojejunostomy (GJ) as palliation of GOO.

Methods: A total of 97 patients (50 ES, 26 PR, 21 GJ) were included in this retrospective study.

Concomitant tumor expression of EGFR and TATI/SPINK1 associates with better prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation plays a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis, and anti-EGFR drugs are used in treatment of advanced CRC. One of the EGFR ligands is tumor-associated trypsinogen inhibitor TATI, also called serine protease inhibitor Kazal type1 (SPINK 1), which we recently showed to be an independent prognostic marker in CRC.

Methods: We studied the prognostic value of immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and concomitant expression of EGFR and TATI/SPINK1 in a series of 619 colorectal cancer patients.

Increased C-reactive protein implies a poorer stage-specific prognosis in colon cancer.

Background: To characterize the stage-specific prognostic relevance of preoperative systemic inflammatory response, defined by C-reactive protein (CRP), in colon cancer (CC) patients.

Material And Methods: Data from CC patients operated on from 1998 to 2007 at three hospitals from three different Nordic countries were collected retrospectively from national registries, local databases and/or patient records. Patients with emergency surgery, infection or auto-immune disease were excluded.