Long-term effects of weight loss after bariatric surgery on functional and structural markers of atherosclerosis.

Objective: Pronounced weight loss after bariatric surgery was demonstrated to have significant beneficial effects on surrogates of early atherosclerosis. The aim of this prospective examination was to investigate whether these improvements of endothelial function and vascular structure are persistent in the long-term.

Design And Methods: A total of 52 obese adults were examined before and 5 years after bariatric surgery.

Temperature shift effect on the Chlorobaculum tepidum chlorosomes.

Chlorobaculum [Cba.] tepidum is known to grow optimally at 48-52 °C and can also be cultured at ambient temperatures. In this paper, we prepared constant temperature, temperature shift, and temperature shift followed by backshift cultures and investigated the intrinsic properties and spectral features of chlorosomes from those cultures using various approaches, including temperature-dependent measurements on circular dichroism (CD), UV-visible, and dynamic light scattering.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery: hernia repair.

In most countries, inguinal hernia repair is the most frequent procedure performed in a surgical practice. Different approaches have been developed during the last decades, with a strong tendency towards tension-free techniques. The laparoscopic approach offers advantages in terms of less postoperative pain and faster recovery with a low incidence in recurrence.

Preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel followed by surgery and clip-oriented postoperative chemoradiation in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: results from a phase II feasibility study.

Background: We conducted a phase II feasibility study using preoperative chemotherapy with cisplatin and docetaxel followed by surgical resection and postoperative chemoradiation in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer.

Methods: Preoperative chemotherapy (two or three cycles) consisted of 50 mg/m(2) docetaxel and 50 mg/m(2) cisplatin. Surgical resection was planned 4 weeks after the last chemotherapy cycle.

14-3-3 sigma and p53 expression in gastric cancer and its clinical applications.

14-3-3 sigma (σ) induces G2 arrest enabling the repair of damaged DNA. The function of 14-3-3 σ is frequently lost in tumor cells, indicating a potential tumor suppressor function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of 14-3-3 σ expression in human gastric cancer.

Immunohistochemically detectable dickkopf-3 expression in tumor vessels predicts survival in gastric cancer.

Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3) may act as a tumor suppressor as it is downregulated in various types of cancer. Moreover, a putative role in tumor neovascularization is discussed. Here, we investigated the expression of Dkk-3 protein in gastric cancer and its potential value as a prognostic marker.

Damage control with abdominal vacuum therapy (VAC) to manage perforated diverticulitis with advanced generalized peritonitis--a proof of concept.

Purpose: Perforated diverticulitis with advanced generalized peritonitis is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency operation. To reduce the rate of colostomy formation, a new treatment algorithm with damage control operation, lavage, limited closure of perforation, abdominal vacuum-assisted closure (VAC; V.A.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen expression in the neovasculature of gastric and colorectal cancers.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a type II transmembrane metallo-peptidase highly overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, has been studied as a targeting molecule in prostate cancer. Recently, PSMA has also been found to be expressed in the neovasculature of multiple nonprostatic solid tumors. Because of its unique expression pattern limited to tumor-associated endothelial cells, PSMA may also be an interesting molecule for vascular targeting.

TROP2 expression as prognostic marker for gastric carcinoma.

Background: In gastric cancer the recurrence rate is unacceptably high, even after R0 resection and (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for identification of predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers to select high-risk patients who might benefit from additional therapies. Expression of TROP2 has been shown to be associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor prognosis in patients with various epithelial cancers.

Dickkopf-3 as a new potential marker for neoangiogenesis in colorectal cancer: expression in cancer tissue and adjacent non-cancerous tissue.

Gene expression of Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3) has been shown to be upregulated in tumor endothelium of colorectal cancer (CRC). For the first time, we analyzed Dkk-3 protein expression in CRC and its potential as a marker for neoangiogenesis. We used tissue microarrays (TMAs) to investigate Dkk-3 in microvessels of 403 CRC samples, 318 appropriate adjacent non-cancerous samples and 127 normal colorectal samples.

SFRP2 methylation in fecal DNA--a marker for colorectal polyps.

Introduction: DNA methylation of secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) can be detected in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue, in tissue of adenomas, and in aberrant crypt foci, whereas in normal colorectal mucosa tissue, SFRP genes are unmethylated. Recently, our study group was able to demonstrate SFRP2 methylation as the most sensitive single DNA-based marker in stool for identification of CRC. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether SFRP2 methylation in fecal DNA can be found in stool of individuals with hyperplastic and adenomatous colorectal polyps.

Assessment of risk-independent follow-up to detect asymptomatic recurrence after curative resection of colorectal cancer.

Background And Aims: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. We analyzed the value of standardized, risk-independent postoperative surveillance.

Materials And Methods: Between 1995 and 2001, 564 patients with colorectal cancer underwent standardized oncologic resection.

Gallstone ileus: rare and still controversial.

Background: Gallstone ileus is a rare disease and accounts for about 1-3% of mechanic ileus of the small bowel, but for 25% of all small bowel obstructions in patients older than 65 years. Concomitant cardiorespiratory diseases or diabetes are frequent in older patients and responsible for the high mortality rate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and discuss different surgical approaches and to analyze the clinical outcome.

Effect of pronounced weight loss on the nontraditional cardiovascular risk marker matrix metalloproteinase-9 in middle-aged morbidly obese women.

Objective: Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic disease. Nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated in obese subjects and weight loss is associated with an attenuation of these risk factors. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been linked to plaque rupture, and is, thus, a candidate marker of future myocardial events.

Ventral hernia repair in bariatric surgery.

Background: Obesity is an important risk factor for perioperative complications including the development of ventral hernias.

Methods: This retrospective study comprises patients who underwent abdominal hernia repair simultaneously with or following implantation of a Swedish Adjustable Gastric Band(R) (SAGB).

Results: 9 out of 415 patients (2.

Overexpression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule antigen in gallbladder carcinoma is an independent marker for poor survival.

Purpose: Gallbladder carcinoma is an aggressive type of cancer that is difficult to cure by conventional procedures. There thus is a need to identify novel molecular markers for the assessment of prognosis and as potential therapeutic targets. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the prognostic significance of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) overexpression in human gallbladder carcinoma.

Adjustable gastric banding: assessment of safety and efficacy of bolus-filling during follow-up.

Background: Individual band-filling on demand of the morbidly obese patient is a major advantage of adjustable gastric banding. An increasing number of patients results in an enormous amount of outpatient follow-up visits, which inspired us to compare a stepwise band-filling strategy with a single bolus injection 4 weeks after the operative procedure.

Methods: 40 consecutive patients were prospectively randomized in 2 groups.

Surgical revision after failure of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Background: This paper reports the outcome of surgical revision for complications following laparoscopic placement of an adjustable silicone gastric band (AGB) to treat morbid obesity.

Methods: Seventy-three (19.1 per cent) of 382 patients who underwent laparoscopic AGB placement between January 1996 and March 2001 presented with complications within 6 years after operation.

DaVinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic bariatric surgery: is it justified in a routine setting?

Background: Laparoscopic silicone adjustable gastric banding (SAGB) has gained popularity for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. The implantable gastric stimulator (IGS) system represents a novel surgical alternative. We aimed to assess the feasibility of robotic-assisted laparoscopic bariatric operations and to critically elucidate the technical and financial advantages and patient outcome.

Colonoscopically placed hemoclips as treatment for massive appendiceal stump bleeding.

Massive bleeding from an appendiceal stump is a rare but occasionally seen severe complication. The bleeding may drain into the abdominal cavity, the retroperitoneum, or the digestive tract. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage may occur early or even years after appendectomy.

Selection of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease for antireflux surgery based on esophageal manometry.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by a mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and may be worsened by impaired esophageal peristalsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatment depending on the function of the LES and esophageal peristalsis. We studied 128 GERD patients with mild esophagitis.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on anal sphincter function in patients with carcinoma of the midrectum and low rectum.

Hypothesis: Preoperative chemoradiation for patients with stage II and III midrectal and low rectal cancer may improve survival and decrease local recurrence rate. We evaluated the long-term impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on anal sphincter function.

Design: Prospective analysis.

Barrett's esophagus in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Medical therapy or antireflux surgery?

Barrett's esophagus is the most serious form of gastroesophageal reflux disease. It may develop due to uncontrolled chronic duodenogastroesophageal reflux and represents a premalignant abnormality. The question of the development of Barrett's esophagus and the progression to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is addressed by comparison of the data available in the literature.