Directed self-assembly of a xenogeneic vascularized endocrine pancreas for type 1 diabetes.

Intrahepatic islet transplantation is the standard cell therapy for β cell replacement. However, the shortage of organ donors and an unsatisfactory engraftment limit its application to a selected patients with type 1 diabetes. There is an urgent need to identify alternative strategies based on an unlimited source of insulin producing cells and innovative scaffolds to foster cell interaction and integration to orchestrate physiological endocrine function.

Bioengineering the Vascularized Endocrine Pancreas: A Fine-Tuned Interplay Between Vascularization, Extracellular-Matrix-Based Scaffold Architecture, and Insulin-Producing Cells.

Intrahepatic islet transplantation is a promising β-cell replacement strategy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Instant blood-mediated inflammatory reactions, acute inflammatory storm, and graft revascularization delay limit islet engraftment in the peri-transplant phase, hampering the success rate of the procedure. Growing evidence has demonstrated that islet engraftment efficiency may take advantage of several bioengineering approaches aimed to recreate both vascular and endocrine compartments either or .

Multivalent γ-PGA-Exendin-4 Conjugates to Target Pancreatic β-Cells.

Targeting of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R), expressed on the surface of pancreatic β-cells, is of great interest for the development of advanced therapies for diabetes and diagnostics for insulinoma. We report the conjugation of exendin-4 (Ex-4), an approved drug to treat type 2 diabetes, to poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) to obtain more stable and effective GLP-1R ligands. Exendin-4 modified at Lysine-27 with PEG4-maleimide was conjugated to γ-PGA functionalized with furan, in different molar ratios, exploiting a chemoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition.

The Extracellular Matrix in Pancreatic Cancer: Description of a Complex Network and Promising Therapeutic Options.

The stroma is a relevant player in driving and supporting the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and a large body of evidence highlights its role in hindering the efficacy of current therapies. In fact, the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) characterizing this tumor acts as a natural physical barrier, impairing drug penetration. Consequently, all of the approaches combining stroma-targeting and anticancer therapy constitute an appealing option for improving drug penetration.

From fabric to tissue: Recovered wool keratin/polyvinylpyrrolidone biocomposite fibers as artificial scaffold platform.

Keratin extracted from wool fibers has recently gained attention as an abundant source of renewable, biocompatible material for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. However, keratin extraction and processing generally require a copious use of chemicals, not only bearing consequences for the environment but also possibly compromising the envisioned biological outcome. In this study, we present, for the first time, keratin-PVP biocomposite fibers obtained via an all-water co-electrospinning process and explored their properties modulation as a result of different thermal crosslinking treatments.

Enhancing online protein isolation as intact species from soy flour samples by actively modulated two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC).

In this study, an enhanced fully automated approach is described for the protein isolation from soy flour samples by two-dimensional liquid chromatography with active modulation interface. The use of two multi-port switching valves is proposed to on-line connect the first to the second dimension column, thus overcoming the problems associated with the re-mixing effects and incompatibility of eluent composition and pH. A 5-cm long C4 analytical column installed in the interface device allows to focus the proteins coming from the first column (size exclusion chromatography), before their selective elution in the second column (reversed-phase).

Electrospun silk fibroin fibers for storage and controlled release of human platelet lysate.

Unlabelled: Human platelet lysate (hPL) is a pool of growth factors and cytokines able to induce regeneration of different tissues. Despite its good potentiality as therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine applications, hPL has been only moderately exploited in this field. A more widespread adoption has been limited because of its rapid degradation at room temperature that decreases its functionality.

Fumarate-loaded electrospun nanofibers with anti-inflammatory activity for fast recovery of mild skin burns.

In the biomedical sector the availability of engineered scaffolds and dressings that control and reduce inflammatory states is highly desired, particularly for the management of burn wounds. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that electrospun fibrous dressings of poly(octyl cyanoacrylate) (POCA) combined with polypropylene fumarate (PPF) possess anti-inflammatory activity and promote the fast and effective healing of mild skin burns in an animal model. The fibers produced had an average diameter of (0.

Laparotomic approach in "achalasia surgery". Have still a role in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery era?

Laparotomy can be considered as an access route among options that any oesophagus surgeon has to include in his technical experience. It can therefore either be chosen when the right indication emerges or be suggested as first line-procedure by the surgeon when he is sure that it can guarantee the best possible outcomes. Outcome that, in the Author's experience, show the surgical procedure Heller's extramuscular myotomy with anterior hemifundoplication according to Dor a well documented procedure the safety and effectiveness of wich has been upgraded over time through new technical devices.

Combined CD133/CD44 expression as a prognostic indicator of disease-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Hypothesis: Because of some inconsistencies in the traditional model of human colorectal carcinogenesis, the cancer stem cell (CSC) model was recently proposed, in which tumor results from neoplastic transformation of stem cells, which become CSCs. Identification of CSCs by expression of surface antigens remains a critical issue because no biomarker has been shown to be completely reliable. CD133 and CD44 are commonly used as CSC markers, and correlation of their expression with colorectal cancer (CRC) clinicopathological features and outcomes may be useful.

Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection with a comb-shaped bipolar device versus clamp crushing: a clinical study.

Background: In liver surgery, clamp-crushing (CC) procedure has been shown to be the most efficient system for liver transection. Recently, it has been suggested that radiofrequency-assisted liver resection (RFALR) may be more advantageous, but sufficient evidence has yet to be accumulated.

Method: The control group was constituted by 32 patients undergoing CC liver transection.

Endoscopic intraoperative anastomotic testing may avoid early gastrointestinal anastomotic complications. A prospective study.

Background: Gastrointestinal anastomotic complications represent serious events; methods to evaluate anastomotic integrity seem to be suboptimal. Since endoscopic intraoperative anastomotic testing allows direct visualization of anastomosis, complication rates may be theoretically reduced by the use of this technique.

Methods: A prospective study involving 118 consecutive oncologic patients undergoing endoscopically tested gastrointestinal stapled anastomoses was carried out.

Dufourmentel rhomboid flap in the radical treatment of primary and recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess early and late results of the Dufourmentel procedure in patients with primary and recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment for pilonidal disease from November 1993 through July 2009 at the Second Department of General Surgery of the Second University of Naples were entered into the study. All patients underwent epidural anesthesia and radical excision followed by reconstruction with a Dufourmentel rhomboid flap.

The lymph node ratio is a powerful prognostic factor of node-positive colon cancers undergoing potentially curative surgery.

Background: The number of harvested (LNs) and metastatic nodes (LNs+) represents the most significant factor to define postoperative treatment and prognosis in colon cancer. However, its assessment may be inadequate causing an incorrect cancer staging. The lymph node ratio (LNR: the ratio between metastatic and resected nodes) has shown prognostic significance in many tumors; however, its role in colon cancer is not clearly elucidated.

Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in colon cancer patients undergoing curative surgery.

Background: To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression as a prognostic marker for prediction of cancer behavior and clinical outcomes in colon cancer patients undergoing potentially curative surgery.

Methods: EGFR determination using a commercially available immunohistochemistry kit was performed in tissues from 149 colon cancer patients receiving primary surgical treatment and in 25 normal colon mucosa specimens from noncancer patients. EGFR positivity was correlated in univariate and multivariate analyses with disease recurrence and survival.

Prognostic value of p27, p53, and vascular endothelial growth factor in Dukes A and B colon cancer patients undergoing potentially curative surgery.

Purpose: Early-stage colon cancer patients (Dukes A or B; pT1-T3 pNO pMO) are excluded from adjuvant chemotherapy following potentially curative surgery because they are expected to have good long-term survival. However, 20 percent to 30 percent of these patients ultimately succumb from recurrent disease. This indicates that the conventional staging procedures may be unable to precisely predict cancer prognosis.

Determination of molecular marker expression can predict clinical outcome in colon carcinomas.

Purpose: Conventional staging procedures are often unable to precisely predict prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we set out to investigate the possible role of molecular/structural indicators involved in cell cycle regulation (p27 and p53), apoptosis (p53 and p27), and tumor neoangiogenesis [p53, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel count] in predicting tumor behavior and clinical outcome in CRC patients

Experimental Design: Analysis of the above indicators was performed by immunohistochemistry on 104 CRC patient samples and 25 normal colon mucosa specimens.

Results: Intense p27 nuclear staining was found in normal colon mucosa, with p53 nuclear staining and VEGF cytoplasmic accumulation <10%, and low microvessel count.

Elevated perioperative serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients with colon carcinoma.

Background: To the authors' knowledge, little is known to date regarding the prognostic relevance of measuring serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, in patients with colon carcinoma who undergo surgery.

Methods: Preoperative and postoperative VEGF serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay in 81 patients with colon carcinoma who were undergoing surgery. Fifty healthy individuals served to define normal VEGF serum levels.

Normal interleukin-10 serum level opposed to high serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and cancer antigens 125 and 50 in a case of true splenic cyst.

True cysts of the spleen are rare. In a few cases, high serum levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have been reported. It has been suggested that they are produced by inner epithelium of the cyst.

A true splenic cyst producing carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and cancer antigens 50 and 125, but not interleukin 10.

A giant cystic lesion of the left upper abdomen associated with a smaller ovarian cyst in a young female patient is reported. Laboratory data revealed elevated serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigens 50 and 125, and tissue polypeptide antigen. In contrast, the serum levels of interleukin 10, a cytokine involved in modulating immune responses and produced by many cancer histotypes, were normal.

Elevated serum levels of interleukin-8 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: relationship with prognosis.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has also been shown to exert effects relevant to cancer growth and progression. Cancer progression is believed to be contributed to by the ability of this cytokine to promote angiogenesis and mitogenic effects. As IL-8 production at the tumor site may determine elevated serum levels of this cytokine because of hematogenous leakage, it is conceivable that patients with high IL-8 serum levels may have tumors actively producing this cytokine.

Circulating levels of interleukin-10 and interleukin-6 in gastric and colon cancer patients before and after surgery: relationship with radicality and outcome.

Elevated interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-6 serum levels in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients have been shown previously. To investigate the behavior and the prognostic role of IL-10 and IL-6 serum levels in gastric and colon cancer patients undergoing surgery, we studied the relationship between these cytokine levels and surgical radicality and outcome. Seventy-eight patients with gastric or colon cancer were admitted to the study, and 50 underwent radical surgery.

Prognostic significance of circulating IL-10 and IL-6 serum levels in colon cancer patients undergoing surgery.

The prognostic significance of IL-10 and IL-6 serum levels in colon cancer patients undergoing surgery was investigated. To this end, 50 candidate patients with colon cancer for surgery were admitted to the study. Of these, 30 could be subjected to a potentially curative surgery.

Counting alleles to predict recurrence of early-stage colorectal cancers.

Background: Chromosome imbalances occur in many cancers and represent important biological properties of tumours. However, measurements of such imbalances are difficult. We used a new, quantitative approach to investigate the prognostic value of chromosome imbalances in early-stage colorectal cancers.

Hemodynamic and pulmonary changes during open, carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum and abdominal wall-lifting cholecystectomy. A prospective, randomized study.

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum effects are still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate cardiopulmonary changes in patients subjected to different surgical procedures for cholecystectomy.

Methods: In this study, 15 patients were assigned randomly to three groups according to the surgical procedure to be used: open cholecystectomy (OC), CO2 pneumoperitoneum cholecystectomy (PP), and laparoscopic gasless cholecystectomy (abdominal wall lifting [AWL]), respectively.