PD-1/PD-L1 expression in pancreatic cancer and its implication in novel therapies.

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of death in developed countries and it still has a poor prognosis despite intense research in the last 20 years. Immunotherapy is a relatively new strategy in cancer treatment. The aim of immunotherapy is to block the immunosuppressive effect of tumoral cells.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Biopsy of Liver Tumors.

Background/aim: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided liver tumor biopsy has some advantages over the percutaneous and surgical route and, in many cases, should be preferred. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of EUS-fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnosis of liver tumors with an emphasis on its diagnostic accuracy and histological quality of the acquired specimen.

Patients And Methods: We followed 30 consecutive patients who underwent liver tumor biopsy using EUS guidance.

Hepatoprotective effects of silymarin coated gold nanoparticles in experimental cholestasis.

The present study reports the green synthesis of hybrid organic-inorganic gold nanocomposites using silymarin as reducing and capping agent. The structure of the silymarin loaded gold nanoparticles was investigated by using the appropriate analysis tools such as UV-Vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. TEM micrographs demonstrated that the gold nanoparticles were spherical in shape, well distributed and their mean size was about 10 nm.

Optical Coherence Tomography for Identification, Characterization and Optimal Treatment of Spontaneous Recanalization of Coronary Thrombus.

Background/aim: Spontaneous recanalization of coronary thrombus (SRCT) is a rare in vivo appearance, with a nonspecific angiographic aspect. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) use for SRCT identification, characterization of pathogenic mechanisms and optimal treatment.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with angiographic suspicion of SRCT who underwent coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease and afterward investigated by OCT imaging.

Accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy of focal liver lesions.

Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become an indispensable method for diagnosis in gastroenterology and new indications for EUS continue to emerge. However, there are limited data regarding the accuracy of EUS-guided biopsy of hepatic focal lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of focal liver lesions.