Avoidance of iodine deficiency/excess during pregnancy in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Purpose:  Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common disease that also affects pregnant women. We analyzed to what extent the inflammatory process of Hashimoto's thyroiditis changes with iodine prophylaxis in pregnant women. The target for immunologic activity was levels of thyroid antibodies (TPO).

Bat rabies surveillance and risk factors for rabies spillover in an urban area of Southern Brazil.

Background: Bat rabies surveillance data and risk factors for rabies spillover without human cases have been evaluated in Curitiba, the ninth biggest city in Brazil, during a 6-year period (2010-2015). A retrospective analysis of bat complaints, bat species identification and rabies testing of bats, dogs and cats has been performed using methodologies of seasonal decomposition, spatial distribution and kernel density analysis.

Results: Overall, a total of 1003 requests for bat removal have been attended to, and 806 bats were collected in 606 city locations.

Number of lymph nodes assessed has no prognostic impact in node-negative rectal cancers after neoadjuvant therapy. Results of the "Italian Society of Surgical Oncology (S.I.C.O.) Colorectal Cancer Network" (SICO-CCN) multicentre collaborative study.

Introduction: We retrospectively investigated the impact of number or complete absence of nodes retrieved on survival of patients with rectal cancer (RC) treated with neoadjuvant radiation-therapy (NAT).

Methods: All patients with RC treated with NAT followed by curative surgery from 2000 to 2014 in 14 Italian referral Centres for Colorectal Surgery were enrolled. Information about number of nodes harvested, node ratio, type of radiation therapy schedule and tumour stage were recorded.

Pre-treatment MDCT-based texture analysis for therapy response prediction in gastric cancer: Comparison with tumour regression grade at final histology.

Purpose: An accurate prediction of tumour response to therapy is fundamental in oncology, so as to prompt personalised treatment options if needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of preoperative texture analysis from multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the prediction of the response rate to neo-adjuvant therapy in patients with gastric cancer.

Material And Methods: Thirty-four patients with biopsy-proven gastric cancer were examined by MDCT before neo-adjuvant therapy, and treated with radical surgery after treatment completion.

Apparent diffusion coefficient by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging as a sole biomarker for staging and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Objective: To investigate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) when applied to the 7th TNM classification in the staging and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: Between October 2009 and May 2014, a total of 89 patients with non-metastatic, biopsy proven GC underwent 1.5T DW-MRI, and then treated with radical surgery.

1st Evidence-based Italian consensus conference on cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinosis from ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) remains relatively rare, although it is among the top 4 causes of cancer death for women younger than 50. The aggressive nature of the disease and its often late diagnosis with peritoneal involvement have an impact on prognosis. The current scientific literature presents ambiguous or uncertain indications for management of peritoneal carcinosis (PC) from OC, both owing to the lack of sufficient scientific data and their heterogeneity or lack of consistency.

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on HER-2 expression in surgically treated gastric and oesophagogastric junction carcinoma: a multicentre Italian study.

Predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy are not available for gastric and oesophago-gastric junction carcinoma. HER-2 over-expression in breast cancer correlates with poor prognosis and high incidence of recurrence. First aim of this study was to evaluate if the HER-2 expression/amplification is predictive of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in terms of pathologic regression.

Impact of totally laparoscopic combined management of colorectal cancer with synchronous hepatic metastases on severity of complications: a propensity-score-based analysis.

Background: Thanks to widespread diffusion of minimally invasive approach in the setting of both colorectal and hepatic surgeries, the interest in combined resections for colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases (SCLM) by totally laparoscopic approach (TLA) has increased. Aim of this study was to compare outcome of combined resections for SCLM performed by TLA or by open approach, in a propensity-score-based study.

Study Design: All 25 patients undergoing combined TLA for SCLM at San Raffaele Hospital in Milano were compared in a case-matched analysis with 25 out of 91 patients undergoing totally open approach (TOA group).

Prospective comparison of MR with diffusion-weighted imaging, endoscopic ultrasound, MDCT and positron emission tomography-CT in the pre-operative staging of oesophageal cancer: results from a pilot study.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of MR and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), multidetector CT, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and F-FDG (fluorine-18 fludeoxyglucose) positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT) in the pre-operative locoregional staging of oesophageal cancer.

Methods: 18 patients with oesophageal or Siewert I tumour (9 directly treated with surgery and 9 addressed to chemo-/radiotherapy before) underwent 1.5-T MR and DWI, 64-channel multidetector CT, EUS and PET-CT before (n = 18) and also after neoadjuvant treatment (n = 9).

Gastric cancer: texture analysis from multidetector computed tomography as a potential preoperative prognostic biomarker.

Objectives: To investigate the association between preoperative texture analysis from multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and overall survival in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Fifty-six patients with biopsy-proved gastric cancer were examined by MDCT and treated with surgery.

Geographic distribution of patients affected by Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complexes meningitis, pigeon and tree populations in Southern Brazil.

Cryptococcal meningitis is mainly caused by members of the C. neoformans/C. gattii species complexes.

Minimally invasive approach to colorectal cancer: an evidence-based analysis.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was initially used for the treatment of colorectal benign disease. However, the indications for MIS techniques have progressively been expanded to include cancers. Nowadays, the indications for MIS are almost the same as those for open surgery.

Extracorporeal vs. Intracorporeal Ileocolic Stapled Anastomoses in Laparoscopic Right Colectomy: An Interim Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim: The role of intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) in right colectomy is still controversial. Primary endpoint of the present study is to evaluate the impact of IA versus extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) on recovery of bowel function and length of stay in right colon cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Adult patients with histologically proven cancer of the right colon were randomized to laparoscopic right colectomy with IA or EA anastomosis.

Role of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of diverticular disease: an evidence-based analysis.

The clinical spectrum of diverticular disease varies from asymptomatic diverticulosis to symptomatic disease with potentially fatal complications, such as perforation or bleeding. While the presence of diverticula is common, symptomatic diverticulitis is relatively uncommon, occurring in an estimated 10-30 % of patients. There is continued debate as to whether patients should undergo elective resection for diverticular disease and regarding the role of minimally invasive surgery.

Circulating IGF-I and IGFBP3 Levels Control Human Colonic Stem Cell Function and Are Disrupted in Diabetic Enteropathy.

The role of circulating factors in regulating colonic stem cells (CoSCs) and colonic epithelial homeostasis is unclear. Individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes (T1D) frequently have intestinal symptoms, termed diabetic enteropathy (DE), though its etiology is unknown. Here, we report that T1D patients with DE exhibit abnormalities in their intestinal mucosa and CoSCs, which fail to generate in vitro mini-guts.

Prognostic utility of diffusion-weighted MRI in oesophageal cancer: is apparent diffusion coefficient a potential marker of tumour aggressiveness?

Purpose: To investigate the role of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as a potential prognostic biomarker in the evaluation of the aggressiveness of oesophageal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Between November 2009 and December 2013, 43 patients with evidence of oesophageal or oesophago-gastric junction cancer were referred to our institution and prospectively entered in our database. The final study population consisted of 23 patients (18 men; 5 women; mean age, 64.

Laparoscopic Approach for Primary Colorectal Cancer Improves Outcome of Patients Undergoing Combined Open Hepatic Resection for Liver Metastases.

Background: Safety and efficacy of simultaneous resections for patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases have been widely reported, while the topic of approach (laparoscopic or open) to hepatic and colorectal resection is still a debated issue. The aim of this study was to assess short-term outcome of combined resection of left colon or rectum cancer and liver metastases, comparing the results of the primary tumor resection performed by laparoscopic or open approach.

Study Design: From January 2004 to March 2014, 106 patients underwent combined resection of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases.

Prognostic Role of Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging for Resectable Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) calculated from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a potential prognostic biomarker in the evaluation of the aggressiveness of gastric cancer.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study had institutional review board approval. Informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Preoperative locoregional staging of gastric cancer: is there a place for magnetic resonance imaging? Prospective comparison with EUS and multidetector computed tomography.

Background: The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the preoperative locoregional staging of gastric cancer.

Methods: This study had Institutional Review Board approval, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Fifty-two patients with biopsy-proven gastric cancer underwent preoperative 1.

Clinical signature and pathogenetic factors of diabetes associated with pancreas disease (T3cDM): a prospective observational study in surgical patients.

To characterize the clinical signature and etiopathogenetic factors of diabetes associated with pancreas disease [type 3 diabetes mellitus (T3cDM)]. To estimate incidence and identify predictors of both diabetes onset and remission after pancreatic surgery. A prospective observational study was conducted.

Combined laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation for benign pancreatic neoplasm.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) with autologous islet transplantation (AIT) for benign tumors of the pancreatic body-neck.

Methods: Three non-diabetic, female patients (age 37, 44 and 35 years, respectively) were declared candidates for surgery, between May and September 2011, because of pancreatic body/neck cystic lesions. The planned operation was an LSPDP associated with AIT from the normal pancreas distal to the neoplasm.

The SIC-GIRCG 2013 Consensus Conference on Gastric Cancer.

The topic chosen by the Board of the Italian Society of Surgery for the 2013 annual Consensus Conference was gastric cancer. With this purpose, under the direction of 2 chairmen, 36 experts nominated by the Regional Societies of Surgery and by the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) participated in an experts consensus exercise, preceded by a questionnaire and mainly held by telematic vote, in accordance with the rules of the Delphi method. The results of this Consensus Conference, presented to the 115th National Congress of the Italian Society of Surgery, and approved in plenary session, are reported in the present paper.

A prospective, randomized trial comparing the short- and long-term results of doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoid dearterialization with mucopexy versus excision hemorrhoidectomy for grade III hemorrhoids.

Background: Few randomized trials have compared the results of Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoid dearterialization with mucopexy and excisional open hemorrhoidectomy. Few studies have reported long-term results.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoid dearterialization with mucopexy compared with excisional open hemorrhoidectomy in patients with grade III hemorrhoids.

Duodenal stump fistula after gastric surgery for malignancies: a retrospective analysis of risk factors in a single centre experience.

Background: Duodenal stump fistula (DSF) is the most severe surgical complication after gastrectomy. This study was designed to assess the incidence, to observe the consequences, and to identify the risk factors associated with DSF after gastrectomy.

Methods: All procedures involving total or sub-total gastrectomy for cancer, performed between January 1987 and June 2012 in a single institution, were prospectively entered into a computerized database.

Cancer-initiating cells from colorectal cancer patients escape from T cell-mediated immunosurveillance in vitro through membrane-bound IL-4.

Cancer-initiating cells (CICs) that are responsible for tumor initiation, propagation, and resistance to standard therapies have been isolated from human solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to obtain an immunological profile of CRC-derived CICs and to identify CIC-associated target molecules for T cell immunotherapy. We have isolated cells with CIC properties along with their putative non-CIC autologous counterparts from human primary CRC tissues.