Administration of probiotics to healthy volunteers: effects on reactivity of intestinal mucosa and systemic leukocytes.

Background: Oral administration of health-promoting bacteria is increasingly used in clinical practise. These bacteria have anti-inflammatory characteristics and modulate the immune system without major reported side effects. The mechanisms of action are not yet fully defined.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS): an alternative treatment option for chronic therapy resistant anal fissure.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for treatment resistant chronic anal fissure.

Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure were treated with neuromodulation via the posterior tibial nerve between October 2013 and January 2014. Patients had PTNS for 30 min on 10 consecutive days.

MMP7 Modulation by Short- and Long-term Radiotherapy in Patients with Rectal Cancer.

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) expression is highly associated with colorectal cancer and modulates tumour growth and invasion. Radiation injury induces inflammation with increases in MMP7 and in transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on MMP7 and TGFβ.

Timing and extension of lymphadenectomy in medullary thyroid carcinoma: A case series from a single institution.

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive tumor and presents with significant morbidity and mortality and a high rate of lymph node metastases. The combination of total thyroidectomy and cervical lymphadenectomy is the essential treatment for those patients presenting with cervical lymph node metastases.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 117 patients operated for medullary thyroid carcinoma over a period of 15 years at a single institution.

Current Indications for Surgical Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism in the Elderly.

This study presents the results of surgery in the elderly for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from a single institution's experience. We retrospectively analyzed 898 cases of surgically treated PHPT, divided into two groups: 135 elderly patients (A) and 763 patients younger than 65 years (B). PHPT was symptomatic in 68.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for HCC in elderly patients: risks and feasibility.

Background: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) appears to be safe and effective as open liver resection (OLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, studies comparing LLR with ORL in elderly patients are limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of LLR versus OLR for HCC in elderly patients.

An open prospective study evaluating efficacy and safety of a new medical device for rectal application of activated carbon in the treatment of chronic, uncomplicated perianal fistulas.

Purpose: It has been proposed that biological/chemical substances in the intestine might play a role in the occurrence and deterioration of perianal fistulas. Elimination of such unidentified factors from the lower gastrointestinal tract might offer a new strategy for the management of anal fistulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects on non-Crohn's disease perianal fistula healing, and the safety and tolerability of a new medical device that applies high-purity, high-activity granular activated carbon locally into the rectum twice daily of patients with perianal fistulas without any concomitant medication.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in elderly patients: is it safe?

Background: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) appears to be safe and effective as open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) for benign or borderline malignant lesion. However, studies comparing LDP with ODP in elderly patients are limited. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of these two several approaches in elderly patients.

Surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly patients: an institutional experience.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly fragile patients presents clinical difficulties due to severity of symptoms and related comorbidity. The optimal surgical approach for this group of patients is still debated.

Aim: The aim of the study was to define the optimal technique of parathyroidectomy in elderly patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

MMP7 expression in colorectal tumours of different stages.

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in cancer biology. Expression of MMP7 (matrilysin) in colorectal cancer is associated with metastatic disease even though it is expressed in most tumour states. In the present study, our purpose was to analyze MMP7 in bowel and lymph nodes of different tumour stages and to evaluate its expression as a cancer biomarker.

Matrilysin expression related to radiation and microflora changes in murine bowel.

Background: Matrilysin (MMP-7) elevation after radiotherapy is shown in humans. Matrilysin regulates certain cytokines and the production of bactericidal proteins when the mucosa is exposed to bacterial antigens. We investigate the effect of irradiation on matrilysin and microflora in murine bowel, after modulation with antibiotics.

Local radiotherapy of exposed murine small bowel: apoptosis and inflammation.

Background: Preoperative radiotherapy of the pelvic abdomen presents with complications mostly affecting the small bowel. The aim of this study was to define the features of early radiation-induced injury on small bowel.

Methods: 54 mice were divided into two groups (36 irradiated and 18 sham irradiated).

The effect of preoperative radiotherapy on systemic collagen deposition and postoperative infective complications in rectal cancer patients.

Purpose: Preoperative, high-dose radiotherapy for rectal cancer reduces local recurrence rates and improves overall survival. However, adverse effects in varying degrees include impaired wound healing and local infection. This study investigates the influence of preoperative, high-dose radiotherapy on subcutaneous accumulation of collagen in a primary rectal cancer group operated on with or without adjuvant radiotherapy.

Radiation enteropathy and leucocyte-endothelial cell reactions in a refined small bowel model.

Background: Leucocyte recruitment and inflammation are key features of high dose radiation-induced tissue injury. The inflammatory response in the gut may be more pronounced following radiotherapy due to its high bacterial load in comparison to the response in other organs. We designed a model to enable us to study the effects of radiation on leucocyte-endothelium interactions and on intestinal microflora in the murine ileum.