Loss of Uncoupling Protein 1 Expression in the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Predicts Childhood Obesity.

Stimulation of thermogenesis by inducing uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in adipocytes is thought to promote weight loss by increasing energy expenditure, and it is postulated that the human newborn has thermogenic subcutaneous fat depots. However, it remains unclear whether a relevant number of UCP1-expressing (UCP1) adipocytes exist in the early postnatal life. Here we studied the distribution of UCP1 and the expression of thermogenic genes in the subcutaneous adipose tissues of the human fetus, infant and child.

Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) Triggers Adipocyte Autophagy.

Innate immune signaling in adipocytes affects systemic metabolism. Cytosolic nucleic acid sensing has been recently shown to stimulate thermogenic adipocyte differentiation and protect from obesity; however, DNA efflux from adipocyte mitochondria is a potential proinflammatory signal that causes adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance. Cytosolic DNA activates the stimulator of interferon response genes (STING), a key signal transducer which triggers type I interferon (IFN-I) expression; hence, STING activation is expected to induce IFN-I response and adipocyte dysfunction.

Medium-Term Results of Staged Laparoscopic Traction Orchiopexy for Intra-abdominal Testes: A Multicenter Analysis.

Background: Staged laparoscopic traction orchiopexy (SLTO) is a novel technique for the intra-abdominal testis (IAT) based on elongation of the testicular vessels without separating them. This multicenter study evaluated the medium-term results of this technique.

Methods: Data of SLTO performed in three pediatric surgical centers between 2013 and 2020 were analyzed retrospectively.

Mitochondrial RNA stimulates beige adipocyte development in young mice.

Childhood obesity is a serious public health crisis and a critical factor that determines future obesity prevalence. Signals affecting adipocyte development in early postnatal life have a strong potential to trigger childhood obesity; however, these signals are still poorly understood. We show here that mitochondrial (mt)RNA efflux stimulates transcription of nuclear-encoded genes for mitobiogenesis and thermogenesis in adipocytes of young mice and human infants.

Characterization of technical skill progress in a standardized rabbit model for training in laparoscopic duodenal atresia repair.

Background: Laboratory skills training is an essential step before conducting minimally invasive surgery in clinical practice. Our main aim was to develop an animal model for training in clinically highly challenging laparoscopic duodenal atresia repair that could be useful in establishing a minimum number of repetitions to indicate safe performance of similar interventions on humans.

Materials And Methods: A rabbit model of laparoscopic duodenum atresia surgery involving a diamond-shaped duodeno-duodenostomy was designed.

Intensity correlation-based calibration of FRET.

Dual-laser flow cytometric resonance energy transfer (FCET) is a statistically efficient and accurate way of determining proximity relationships for molecules of cells even under living conditions. In the framework of this algorithm, absolute fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency is determined by the simultaneous measurement of donor-quenching and sensitized emission. A crucial point is the determination of the scaling factor α responsible for balancing the different sensitivities of the donor and acceptor signal channels.

Intraoperative tissue identification using rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry.

Rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) is an emerging technique that allows near-real-time characterization of human tissue in vivo by analysis of the aerosol ("smoke") released during electrosurgical dissection. The coupling of REIMS technology with electrosurgery for tissue diagnostics is known as the intelligent knife (iKnife). This study aimed to validate the technique by applying it to the analysis of fresh human tissue samples ex vivo and to demonstrate the translation to real-time use in vivo in a surgical environment.

Identification of biological tissues by rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry.

The newly developed rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) provides the possibility of in vivo, in situ mass spectrometric tissue analysis. The experimental setup for REIMS is characterized in detail for the first time, and the description and testing of an equipment capable of in vivo analysis is presented. The spectra obtained by various standard surgical equipments were compared and found highly specific to the histological type of the tissues.

Videothoracoscopic treatment of a rare complication of nasojejunal tube insertion.

Objective: Intubation of the tracheobronchial tree is the most common type of malposition during the placement of narrow-bore enternal tubes.

Case Report: In addition to other treatment components in a 65-year-old female, nasojejunal feeding was started to treat her for severe acute pancreatitis. After the placement of the narrow-bore feeding tube, she developed dyspnea and huskiness.

Laparoscopic treatment of simultaneously occurring Morgagni and paraesophageal hernias.

A paraesophageal hernia was diagnosed in a 67-year-old female patient suffering from epigastric pain and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient underwent laparoscopy. Beside the paraesophageal hernia, a Morgagni hernia was also observed, with a significant part of the omentum herniated in the sac.