Harmonization service and global library of models to support country-driven global information on salt-affected soils.

Global distribution of salt-affected soils (SAS) has remained at about 1 billion hectares in the literature over the years despite changes in climate, sea levels, and land use patterns which influence the distribution. Lack of periodic update of input soil data, data gaps, and inconsistency are part of the reasons for constant SAS distribution in the literature. This paper proposes harmonization as a suitable alternative for managing inconsistent data and minimizing data gaps.

Incidence, Survival Analysis and Future Perspective of Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma (PPM): A Population-Based Study from SEER Database.

Background: Primary peritoneal mesothelioma (PPM) is a rare and aggressive tumor arising from the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The diagnosis and treatment of PPM are often delayed because of non-specific clinical presentation, and the prognosis is worse. The current study investigated the demographic, clinical, and pathological factors affecting patient prognosis and survival in PPM.

Prognostic Value of Lymph Node Ratio in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Systematic Review.

The prognosis of cutaneous melanoma (CM) is based on the histological characteristics of the primary tumor, such as Breslow depth, ulceration, and mitotic rate. The lymph node ratio (LNR) is the ratio of the involved lymph nodes (LNs) divided by the total number of LNs removed during regional LN dissection. LNR is a prognostic factor for many solid tumors; however, controversies exist regarding CM.

Klatskin Tumor in the Light of ICD-O-3: A Population-Based Clinical Outcome Study Involving 1,144 Patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) Database (2001-2012).

Introduction Klatskin tumors (KTs) occur at the confluence of the right and left extrahepatic ducts and are classified based on their anatomical and histological codes in the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O). The second edition of the ICD-O (ICD-O-2) allocated a distinctive histological code to KT, which also included intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CC). This unclear coding may result in ambiguous reporting of the demographic and clinical features of KT.

Clinical outcomes of bypass-first versus endovascular-first strategy in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia due to infrageniculate arterial disease.

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), defined as ischemic rest pain or tissue loss secondary to arterial insufficiency, is caused by multilevel arterial disease with frequent, severe infrageniculate disease. The rise in CLTI is in part the result of increasing worldwide prevalence of diabetes, renal insufficiency, and advanced aging of the population. The aim of this study was to compare a bypass-first with an endovascular-first revascularization strategy in patients with CLTI due to infrageniculate arterial disease.

Comparison of surgical incision complete closure versus leaving skin open in wound class IV in emergent colon surgery.

Introduction: Our aim was to compare the effect of techniques of wound closure in the emergent colon surgery with wound class IV.

Methods: Using 2014 the colectomy targeted ACS-NSQIP dataset; we identified patients undergoing emergent colectomy with wound class IV. Comparison of surgical incision complete closure versus leaving the skin open and multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed.

Lower Extremity Ischemia after Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background: Treatment reality of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is changing. Up to date, approximately 65% of intact AAA and 30% of ruptured AAA are treated endovascularly. As most comparative studies focus upon mortality and few major complications, some outcomes as lower extremity ischemia (LEI) after invasive AAA repair are often underreported.

Directed postgraduate study result in quantitative improvement in American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam scores.

Background: The collective study habits of 1 group of residents involved in educationally distinct periods of time in a community-based general surgery residency program were evaluated.

Methods: American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE) score results of 31 residents were calculated during 3 distinctive educational time periods: resident independent, self-directed study; resident-directed study with weekly systematic textbook reviews; and faculty-directed study with additional formal basic science and clinical lectures.

Results: Aggregate higher scores were observed when ABSITE results for the directed study period were compared with those observed during the independent study period in mid-level resident years (postgraduate year [PGY] 2 to 4).

Safety of mediastinoscopy in anatomical variations of the mediastinum: the situs inversus syndrome.

Mediastinoscopy has been widely used by thoracic surgeons to evaluate the superior mediastinum since 1959. Large series of mediastinoscopy have been reported with very low morbidity and no mortality. Proper attention to surgical techniques and mediastinal anatomy are essential to maintain the safety of the procedure.

Selective intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: how selective?

The necessity for intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been debated for some time. Numerous retrospective studies favor selective intraoperative cholangiography. Surgeons in favor of the selective policy differ in their personal selective criteria.

Urinary catheter in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it necessary?

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the necessity or urinary catheterization in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. From April 1996 to April 1998, 261 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a county hospital were randomized to either receive or not receive preoperative urinary bladder catheterization. Data analyzed included age and gender of patients, length of surgery, and intraoperative and perioperative complications such as visceral injury, urinary tract infection, and urinary retention.

A case of jejunal intussusception with gastrointestinal bleeding caused by metastatic testicular germ cell cancer.

Background/aim: We report an unusual case of metastatic testicular germ cell tumor with its unusual presentation.

Method: A patient presented to the San Joaquin General Hospital with gastrointestinal bleeding and obstruction and a testicular mass is described. The patient's clinical course is followed and the literature reviewed.

Common iliac artery injury from blunt trauma: case reports.

Common iliac artery injury from blunt trauma is uncommon. We describe two cases of common iliac artery injury from blunt abdominal trauma resulting in occlusion in one case and aneurysm in the other. The diagnosis of such injuries is based on clinical suspicion, the presence of bruits, pulse change or discrepancy, or continued unexplained blood loss.

Surgical management of subclavian artery injury.

During a 10 year period, we have had operative experience with 13 injuries to the subclavian artery. The factors that led to the successful management in 10 consecutive patients were analyzed. Nonspecific signs, such as pain and swelling, were present in all of the patients.

Assessment of gastric motility using meal labeled with technetium-99m sulfur colloid.

During a 2 year period, 83 patients with gastric motility problems were evaluated using radionuclide imaging. The patients presented with epigastric distress, postprandial fullness, pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; signs and symptoms suggestive of either gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction. Upper gastrointestinal series or endoscopy, or both, demonstrated no mechanical obstruction.

Comparison of ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and radionuclide imaging in the diagnosis of acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Seventy-five patients with abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant who were subsequently confirmed operatively and histologically to have acute or chronic cholecystitis underwent radionuclide imaging of the biliary tree, ultrasonography, and/or computerized tomography before operation. fifty-eight of the patients had acute cholecystitis and 17 had chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. Analysis of our data indicates that ultrasonography is an accurate and better screening test than cholescintigraphy in the diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, but it is less accurate in the detection of acute cholecystitis.

Effects of pH on in vitro gallbladder responses to cholecystokinin octapeptide.

We investigated the effect of pH change on octapeptide cholecystokinin's ability to contract guinea pig gallbladder strips. In the absence of exogenous drugs, pH changes had no demonstrable effect on gallbladder tension. However, when gallbladder strips were contracted with CCK-OP at pH 7.

Clinical experience with 99mTc-disofenin as a cholescintigraphic agent.

99mTc-disofenin, a derivative of iminodiacetic acid, was used for cholescintigraphy in 6 volunteers (in addition to assessment of blood and urine clearance) and in 82 patients referred for evaluation of hepatobiliary tract disease. This radionuclide was cleared rapidly from the blood by the hepatocytes, which permitted satisfactory to excellent images of the hepatobiliary system; interference by renal activity was seen in only 9/82 patients (11%). Acute cholecystitis was correctly diagnosed in 20 patients, although 9 (45%) had jaundice; bilirubin levels ranged from 1.

Acute suppurative cholangitis.

Acute suppurative cholangitis is characterized by obstruction, inflammation, and pyogenic infection of the biliary tract associated with the clinical pentad of fever (and chills), jaundice, pain, shock, and central nervous system depression. The disease occurs most commonly in the elderly who have a history of calculous biliary tract disease. The disease represents a true surgical emergency.

Radionuclide imaging of the biliary tree.

The new 99mTc biliary scintigraphy agents are highly sensitive and specific in detecting biliary tract disease and use of them is the initial procedure of choice in evaluating patients with suspected acute cholecystitis. Other clinically useful indications are evaluation of biliary kinetics; evaluation of patients with suspected traumatic bile leakage, gallbladder perforation, or postsurgical biliary tract complications; and evaluation of patients with suspected biliary obstruction. In 99mTc we have a simple radiopharmaceutical of low radiation for evaluating congenital abnormalities and neonatal jaundice.