GIST: Correlation of risk classifications and outcome.

In clinical practice, there are often discrepancies between the oncological prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and the actual clinical course. This study aimed to check with our collective how reliably the current classifications (Miettinen, Fletcher) predict the prognosis of GIST and to evaluate whether an extension of the classifications by the parameter proliferation activity could make sense. This prospective study enrolled 58 patients who underwent surgery on GIST from 01/2006 to 12/2016.

[Prophylactic Appendectomy: Yes or No?].

At more than 50%, appendicitis is the leading cause of acute intra-abdominal disease requiring surgery. In the course of various other operations, prophylactic appendectomy (PA) is frequently performed. This study examines to what extent PA is justified.

Knockout of the c-Jun N-terminal Kinase 2 aggravates the development of mild chronic dextran sulfate sodium colitis independently of expression of intestinal cytokines TNFα, TGFB1, and IL-6.

Introduction: The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are involved in signal transduction of inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the function of JNKs by using a low-dose dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model in JNK1 knockout mice (Mapk8-/-), JNK2 knockout mice (Mapk9-/-), and wild-type controls (WT1, WT2).

Methods: The animals were evaluated daily using a disease activity index.

Gene expression analysis of cell death induction by taurolidine in different malignant cell lines.

Background: The anti-infective agent Taurolidine (TRD) has been shown to have cell death inducing properties, but the mechanism of its action is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify potential common target genes modulated at the transcriptional level following TRD treatment in tumour cell lines originating from different cancer types.

Methods: Five different malignant cell lines (HT29, Chang Liver, HT1080, AsPC-1 and BxPC-3) were incubated with TRD (100 μM, 250 μM and 1000 μM).

Indications and early outcomes for total pancreatectomy at a high-volume pancreas center.

Background: This study aimed to analyse the most common current indications for total pancreatectomy (TP) at a high-volume pancreas center.

Method: Prospectively collected data on indications and short-term outcome of all TP's performed from January 2004 until June 2008 were analysed.

Results: The total pancreatectomies (TP) were 63, i.

Oral administration of the anti-proliferative substance taurolidine has no impact on dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis-associated carcinogenesis in mice.

Background: New chemopreventive strategies for ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated dysplasia and cancer have to be evaluated. Taurolidine (TRD) has anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-neoplastic properties with almost absent toxicity. The aim of the study was to determine whether TRD decreases dysplasia in the well-characterized Dextran Sulfate Sodium - Azoxymethane (DSS-AOM) animal model for UC-associated carcinogenesis.

Comparative analysis of cell death induction by Taurolidine in different malignant human cancer cell lines.

Background: Taurolidine (TRD) represents an anti-infective substance with anti-neoplastic activity in many malignant cell lines. So far, the knowledge about the cell death inducing mechanisms and pathways activated by TRD is limited. The aim of this study was therefore, to perform a comparative analysis of cell death induction by TRD simultaneously in different malignant cell lines.

Bacteribilia after preoperative bile duct stenting: a prospective study.

Study Design: A prospective analysis of intraoperative bile duct cultures in patients undergoing surgery for both, malignant or benign periampullary diseases at the Department of Surgery, St Josef Hospital, Bochum, Germany, during a period of 18 months, between January 2004 and June 2005.

Goals: The goals of the presented study were to investigate the effects of preoperative bile duct stenting on intraoperative bile duct cultures and postoperative outcome in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.

Background: In pancreatic surgery, bile duct stenting is often aimed at improving postoperative outcome.

TRAIL and Taurolidine induce apoptosis and decrease proliferation in human fibrosarcoma.

Background: Disseminated soft tissue sarcoma still represents a therapeutic dilemma because effective cytostatics are missing. Therefore we tested TRAIL and Tarolidine (TRD), two substances with apoptogenic properties on human fibrosarcoma (HT1080).

Methods: Viability, apoptosis and necrosis were visualized by TUNEL-Assay and quantitated by FACS analysis (Propidiumiodide/AnnexinV staining).

Synergistic apoptotic effects of taurolidine and TRAIL on squamous carcinoma cells of the esophagus.

The treatment of choice for esophageal cancer is considered surgical resection, but a median survival of around 20 months after treatment is still discouraging. The value of adjuvant or neoadjuvant radiation or chemotherapy is limited and to date, benefits have only been described for certain tumor stages. Therefore, new therapeutic options are required.

Tailored resective pancreatic surgery for pediatric patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Surgical treatment for chronic pancreatitis (CP) in children comprises predominantly nonresective draining procedures. The purpose of this study was to identify indications, techniques, and results of organ-preserving resective pancreatic procedures for pediatric CP at our institution.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all children undergoing pancreatic surgery for CP over a period of 4 years.

Oral administration of taurolidine ameliorates chronic DSS colitis in mice.

Taurolidine (TRD) has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effects of TRD in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have not been investigated. Here, we have analyzed the toxicity of TRD after oral long-term application in mice and examined the impact of oral TRD in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of experimental colitis.

Pancreatic redo procedures: to do or not to do -- this is the question.

Background: Pancreatic redo procedures belong to the most difficult abdominal operations because of altered anatomy, significant adhesions, and the potential of recurrent disease. We report on our experience with 15 redo procedures among a series of 350 consecutive pancreatic operations.

Patient And Methods: From January 1, 2004 to May 31, 2006 a total of 350 patients underwent pancreatic surgery in our department.

Nosocomial pneumonia: third-group chinolone versus clindamycin/ceftriaxone in modulation of the acute phase reaction and outcome and cost efficacy.

The effect of a third-group chinolone and clindamycin/ceftriaxone regarding outcome of patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and modulation of the acute phase reaction as measured by immunologic parameters were studied in a prospective randomized trial on a surgical intensive care unit (ICU), as well as a comparison of therapy costs. Determination in 18 patients of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, procalcitonin, and endotoxin levels and assessment of clinical outcome of NP were followed by the calculation of therapy costs. Decline in all immunologic parameters between the first and last measurement of each patient was slightly greater for clindamycin patients but statistically significant only for TNF-alpha.

Pre-emptive antibiotic treatment vs 'standard' treatment in patients with elevated serum procalcitonin levels after elective colorectal surgery: a prospective randomised pilot study.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is regarded as a specific indicator of bacterial infection. Infectious complications in patients after colorectal surgery are a common cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate (a) whether PCT could serve as a negative predictive marker for postoperative complications and (b) whether, in patients with elevated PCT levels, a pre-emptive treatment with the third-generation cephalosporin ceftriaxone is superior to an antibiotic treatment starting later on the appearance of clinical signs and symptoms of infection.

Effect of the LT-alpha (+250 G/A) polymorphism on markers of inflammation and clinical outcome in critically ill patients.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor alpha as a central mediator of the inflammation cascade is correlated to sepsis outcome. Tumor necrosis factor beta (LT-alpha) binds the same cell receptor and polymorphisms in both genes have been described. To evaluate the importance of the LT-alpha (+250 G/A) polymorphism for the clinical outcome of patients developing postsurgical sepsis, 85 patients were consecutively included into this study.