Transarterial Radioembolization Can Downstage Intermediate and Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Liver Transplantation.

Background: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is an effective treatment to control tumor growth and improve survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The role of TARE in downstaging patients to liver transplantation (LT) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the downstaging efficacy of TARE for intermediate and advanced HCC.

Chagas Disease in the Non-Endemic Area of Rome, Italy: Ten Years of Experience and a Brief Overview.

Chagas disease (CD) is a parasitic infection endemic in Latin America and also affects patients in Western countries due to migration flows. This has a significant impact on health services worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality burden. This paper aims to share our experience at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani", IRCCS, in Rome, Italy, where to date, a total of 47 patients-mainly Bolivian women-diagnosed with CD have received treatment with benznidazole, with all but one presenting with chronic disease.

Superiority of the new sex-adjusted models to remove the female disadvantage restoring equity in liver transplant allocation.

Background And Aims: Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and MELDNa are used worldwide to guide graft allocation in liver transplantation (LT). Evidence exists that females are penalized in the present allocation systems. Recently, new sex-adjusted scores have been proposed with improved performance respect to MELD and MELDNa.

Preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery VS ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in left colectomy: evaluation of functional outcomes-a prospective non-randomized controlled trial.

Vascular approach during elective laparoscopic left colectomy impacts post-operative outcomes. The aim of our study was to evaluate how different approaches impact positively defecatory, urinary and sexual functions and quality of life during elective laparoscopic left colectomy. A prospective non-randomized controlled trial at two tertiary center was conducted.

"Real world" efficacy of bulevirtide in HBV/HDV-related cirrhosis including people living with HIV: Results from the compassionate use programme at INMI Spallanzani in Rome, Italy.

Objectives: We describe the preliminary results of bulevirtide compassionate use in patients with hepatitis B and delta virus (HBV/HDV)-related cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension, including those living with HIV.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of consecutive patients. Clinical evaluation, liver function tests, bile acid levels, HDV-RNA, HBV-DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen, and liver and spleen stiffness were assessed at baseline and after treatment months 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12.

Humoral Immune Response after COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Prospective Real-Life Single Center Study.

Coronavirus-disease-2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination effectively reduces mortality and morbidity in cirrhotic patients, but the immunogenicity and safety of vaccination have been partially characterized. The study aimed to evaluate humoral response, predictive factors, and safety of mRNA-COVID-19 vaccination in cirrhotic patients compared to healthy subjects. A prospective, single-center, observational study enrolled consecutive cirrhotic patients who underwent mRNA-COVID-19 vaccination from April to May 2021.

Lymphofollicular lesions associated with monkeypox (Mpox) virus proctitis.

In the recent 2022 monkeypox (Mpox) global outbreak, cases have been mostly documented among men who have sex with men. Proctitis was reported in almost 14% of cases. In this study, four Mpox-confirmed cases requiring hospitalizations for severe proctitis were characterized by clinical, virological, microbiological, endoscopic, and histological aspects.

TRPM8 indicates poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients and its pharmacological targeting reduces tumour growth in mice by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signalling.

Background And Purpose: Transient receptor potential melastatin type-8 (TRPM8) is a cold-sensitive cation channel protein belonging to the TRP superfamily of ion channels. Here, we reveal the molecular mechanism of TRPM8 and its clinical relevance in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Experimental Approach: TRPM8 expression and its correlation with the survival rate of CRC patients was analysed.

Robotic versus laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approaches to bilateral hernia repair: a multicenter retrospective study using propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Since the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, new techniques like transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair have progressively gained acceptance for the treatment of groin hernia. Laparoscopic TAPP (LTAPP) is recommended for bilateral repairs. Likewise, the introduction of robotic platforms has promised additional surgical benefits for robotic TAPP (RTAPP), which are yet to be confirmed.

Could Stoma Be Avoided after Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer? Experience with Transanal Tube in 195 Cases.

Anastomotic leakage is the most-feared complication of rectal surgery. Transanal devices have been suggested for anastomotic protection as an alternative to defunctioning stoma, although evidence is conflicting, and no single device is widely used in clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to investigate the safety and efficacy of a transanal tube for the prevention of leakage following laparoscopic rectal cancer resection.

Open veress assisted technique for laparoscopic entry.

Background: The creation of the pneumoperitoneum is the first step for any minimally invasive surgical procedure. Although rare, iatrogenic vascular or visceral injuries are reported and they are mainly related to the insertion of the first trocar. The Open Veress Assisted (OVA) technique allows a safe maneuver of the first trocar in order to minimize the risk of intraoperative complications during positioning of the first trocar.

Intraoperative use of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in rectal cancer surgery: The state of the art.

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging is widely used in abdominal surgery. The implementation of minimally invasive rectal surgery using new methods like robotics or a transanal approach required improvement of optical systems. In that setting, ICG fluorescence optimizes intraoperative vision of anatomical structures by improving blood and lymphatic flow.

Ki67 as a prognostic marker in uterine leiomyosarcoma: A quantitative systematic review.

Ki67 labeling index (LI) has been proposed as a prognostic factor in uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS), although the evidence in this field is still unclear. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of ki67 LI in uLMS. A systematic review was performed by searching electronic databases from their inception to August 2020 for all studies assessing the prognostic value of ki67 LI in uLMS.

Clinics and pathology of Krukenberg tumor: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Krukenberg tumor (KT) is defined as a secondary neoplasm of the ovary. While ovarian metastases account for about 30% of ovarian tumors, KTs are rare, accounting for about 1-2% of the total. The rarity of KT is at least in part responsible for the lack of a precise clinic-pathological characterization of these tumors.

Sarco-Model: A score to predict the dropout risk in the perspective of organ allocation in patients awaiting liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: Sarcopenia in liver transplantation (LT) cirrhotic candidates has been connected with higher dropouts and graft losses after transplant. The study aims to create an 'urgency' model combining sarcopenia and Model for End-stage Liver Disease Sodium (MELDNa) to predict the risk of dropout and identify an appropriate threshold of post-LT futility.

Methods: A total of 1087 adult cirrhotic patients were listed for a first LT during January 2012 to December 2018.

Prevention of incisional hernia at the site of stoma closure with different reinforcing mesh types: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate safety and efficacy of a mesh reinforcement following stoma reversal to prevent stoma site incisional hernia (SSIH) and differences across the prostheses used.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Cochrane databases was conducted to identify comparative studies until September 2020. A meta-analysis of postoperative outcomes and a network meta-analysis for a multiple comparison of the prostheses with each other were performed.

Risk of appendiceal neoplasm after interval appendectomy for complicated appendicitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Non-operative management is often the treatment of choice in cases of complicated appendicitis and routine interval appendectomy is not usually recommended. Actually, recent studies show an alarming number of appendiceal neoplasms following interval appendectomy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of appendiceal neoplasms and their histological types after interval appendectomy for complicated appendicitis in adults.

Anti-HEV IgG Avidity Testing: Utility for Diagnosing Acute and Resolved Genotype 3 Infections.

European Association of the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines specify HEV RNA, as well as anti-HEV IgG and IgM as positive markers for acute HEV infection. HEV RNA assay sensitivity limitations may lead to false negative test results in patients with low levels of viremia. Moreover, anti-HEV IgM positivity is not a reliable indicator for distinguishing between acute and resolved infections given the ability of this antibody to persist several months after a resolved infection.

Cumulative incidence of solid and hematological De novo malignancy after liver transplantation in a multicentre cohort.

Background: Recent innovations in the field of liver transplantation have led to a wealth of new treatment regimes, with potential impact on the onset of de novo malignancies (DNM). The aim of this multicenter cohort study was to provide contemporary figures for the cumulative incidences of solid and hematological DNM after liver transplantation.

Methods: We designed a retrospective cohort study including patients undergoing LT between 2000 and 2015 in three Italian transplant centers.