Tumor cell-based liquid biopsy using high-throughput microfluidic enrichment of entire leukapheresis product.

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in blood encompass DNA, RNA, and protein biomarkers, but clinical utility is limited by their rarity. To enable tumor epitope-agnostic interrogation of large blood volumes, we developed a high-throughput microfluidic device, depleting hematopoietic cells through high-flow channels and force-amplifying magnetic lenses. Here, we apply this technology to analyze patient-derived leukapheresis products, interrogating a mean blood volume of 5.

Tumor cell-based liquid biopsy using high-throughput microfluidic enrichment of entire leukapheresis product.

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs), interrogated by sampling blood from patients with cancer, contain multiple analytes, including intact RNA, high molecular weight DNA, proteins, and metabolic markers. However, the clinical utility of tumor cell-based liquid biopsy has been limited since CTCs are very rare, and current technologies cannot process the blood volumes required to isolate a sufficient number of tumor cells for in-depth assays. We previously described a high-throughput microfluidic prototype utilizing high-flow channels and amplification of cell sorting forces through magnetic lenses.

Unusual presentation of a neuroendocrine tumor in the ileostomy specimen after rectal cancer treatment: a case report.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors of the small intestine are uncommon, but at the same time they are the most frequent subtype of neuroendocrine tumor in the gastrointestinal system. They originate from enterochromaffin cells, which are involved in the creation of serotonin. This asymptomatic characteristic in the initial presentation is usually why these tumors are discovered at a late stage, sometimes in association with symptomatic metastatic disease.

Justin H. Kelly and his procedure for bladder exstrophy and epispadias.

The operations involved in the repair of complete bladder exstrophy (CBE), familiarly known as the Kelly procedure, evolved over more than 100 years. Through repeated cycles of trial and error, some of the most prominent urologists in the world developed techniques that addressed each of the formidable surgical challenges presented by CBE and epispadias. A key figure is Justin H.

Sepsis.

This article provides an overview of the history of the sepsis definitions as well as an overview of the current understanding of the pathogenesis of sepsis. The evolution of the treatment bundles is also presented.

Transanal minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer.

Due to the increased uptake of rectal cancer screening and the increasing rates of complete clinical response to chemoradiotherapy, more early-stage and down-staged rectal cancers are being treated. This has triggered surgeons to question the necessity for proctectomy and its associated morbidity and consider local excision and organ preservation in selected cases. Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has evolved as an oncologically safe yet cost-effective platform for local excision of rectal tumors using traditional laparoscopic instruments.

Achieving Opioid-Free Major Colorectal Surgery: Is It Possible?

Introduction: Opioid analgesia remains the mainstay of postoperative pain management strategies despite being associated with many adverse effects. A specific opioid-free protocol was designed to limit opioid usage.

Objective: The aim of the study was to audit the opioid-free rate within this protocol and to identify factors that might contribute to opioid-free surgery.

Impact of residual nodal involvement after complete tumor response in patients undergoing neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Background: The management of patients with a complete clinical response after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal adenocarcinoma is controversial. Those who advocate for resection point out the inaccuracy of N-staging with current imaging modalities. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of residual nodal involvement after complete tumor regression after neoadjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy.

Lower survival after right-sided versus left-sided colon cancers: Is an extended lymphadenectomy the answer?

Introduction: Tumour location may affect oncologic outcomes for colon adenocarcinoma due to different levels of vascular ligation and nodal harvest, but the data are equivocal. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of tumor location and lymph node yield on overall survival(OS) in stage I-III colon adenocarcinoma.

Methods: The 2004-2014 National Cancer Database was queried for colectomies for non-metastatic colon adenocarcinoma, excluding transverse colon and rectal cancer.

Transanal transabdominal TME: how far can we push it?

Over many decades, advances in surgical technology, such as the use of the electrocautery Bovie, development of minimally invasive and advanced endoscopic platforms and the ability to create and maintain pneumorectum have propelled surgical techniques forward to today, with development of the transanal total mesorectal excision TME (taTME) for en bloc resection of rectal cancers. The transanal platform offers, for now, a viable alternative to perform safe and oncologically sound TME, especially favorable in cases of low rectal lesions in a narrow pelvis post neoadjuvant treatment. The aspiration of the colorectal community remains to continue to push the operative boundaries whilst maintaining safe oncological principals with the best possible functional outcomes for patients.

Defining the learning curve for transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Early observational data suggest that this approach is safe and feasible, but it is technically challenging and the learning curve has not yet been determined. The objective of this study was to determine the number of cases required achieve proficiency in transanal total mesorectal excision (TA-TME) for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: All TA-TME cases performed from 03/2012-01/2017 at a single high-volume tertiary care institution for rectal adenocarcinoma were included.

Minimally invasive surgery for stage III colon adenocarcinoma is associated with less delay to initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy and improved survival.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) may improve surgical recovery and reduce time to adjuvant systemic therapy after colon cancer resection. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of MIS on the initiation of adjuvant systemic therapy and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer.

Methods: The 2010-2014 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with resected stage III colon adenocarcinoma, and divided into MIS, which included laparoscopic and robotic approaches, and open surgery.

Synchronous Upper Squamous and Lower Adenocarcinoma of the Oesophagus: A Rarely Reported Case Treated with Palliative Chemotherapy and Stenting.

Oesophageal cancer is divided into two main subtypes, squamous and adenocarcinoma. It is the eighth most common cancer in the world with squamous more common in the developing world and adenocarcinoma most prevalent in the developed world. Incidences of concomitant squamous carcinoma with adenocarcinoma are exceedingly rare with only a few documented occurrences in the form of case reports existing.

Chemoradiation and Local Excision for T2N0 Rectal Cancer Offers Equivalent Overall Survival Compared to Standard Resection: a National Cancer Database Analysis.

Background: Local excision (LE) alone is associated with worse survival compared to radical surgery (RS) for T2 rectal cancer, but LE with additional chemoradiation (CRT) may improve outcomes. The objective of this study was to compare combined CRT and LE versus RS for T2 rectal cancer.

Methods: The 2004-2014 National Cancer Database was queried for patients with T2N0M0 rectal cancer undergoing LE with neoadjuvant(NA-CRT + LE) or adjuvant(LE + Adj-CRT) CRT, or RS.

Establishing the learning curve of transanal minimally invasive surgery for local excision of rectal neoplasms.

Introduction: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is an endoscopic operating platform for local excision of rectal neoplasms. However, it may be technically demanding, and its learning curve has yet to be adequately defined. The objective of this study was to determine the number of TAMIS procedures for the local excision of rectal neoplasm required to reach proficiency.

Myeloid-related protein 8 induces self-tolerance and cross-tolerance to bacterial infection via TLR4- and TLR2-mediated signal pathways.

Myeloid-related protein 8 (Mrp8) is the active component of Mrp8/14 protein complex released by phagocytes at the site of infection and stimulates inflammatory responses. However, it is unclear whether Mrp8 could induce self-tolerance and cross-tolerance to bacterial infection. Here we report that Mrp8 triggered TNF-α and IL-6 release via a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent manner.

Metastatic breast cancer presenting as a gallstone ileus.

Metastatic breast cancer to the small bowel (SB) presenting as gallstone ileus and resulting in SB obstruction has not been described previously. A 76-year-old woman with previous metastatic breast cancer to the axial spine and hips presented with abdominal pain and bilious vomiting. CT scanning revealed SB obstruction consistent with gallstone ileus.

The impact of routine open nonsuction drainage on fluid accumulation after thyroid surgery: a prospective randomised clinical trial.

Background: Thyroid drains following thyroid surgery are routinely used despite minimal supportive evidence. Our aim in this study is to determine the impact of routine open drainage of the thyroid bed postoperatively on ultrasound-determined fluid accumulation at 24 hours.

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomised clinical trial on patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Temporal artery biopsy is not required in all cases of suspected giant cell arteritis.

Background: Temporal artery biopsy (TAB) is performed during the diagnostic workup for giant cell arteritis (GCA), a vasculitis with the potential to cause irreversible blindness or stroke. However, treatment is often started on clinical grounds, and TAB result frequently does not influence patient management. The aim of this study was to assess the need for TAB in cases of suspected GCA.

B7-H3 augments the inflammatory response and is associated with human sepsis.

B7-H3, a new member of the B7 superfamily, acts as both a T cell costimulator and coinhibitor, and thus plays a key role in the regulation of T cell-mediated immune responses. However, it is unclear whether B7-H3 is involved in the innate immune monocyte/macrophage-mediated inflammatory response. In this paper, we show that, although B7-H3 alone failed to stimulate proinflammatory cytokine release from murine macrophages, it strongly augmented both LPS- and bacterial lipoprotein-induced NF-kappaB activation and inflammatory response.

Primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus: a case report.

Primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus is a rare neoplasm comprising less than 0.2% of all primary oesophageal neoplasms. There are fewer than 250 reported cases in worldwide literature.