Fluorescent Water-Soluble Polycationic Chitosan Polymers as Markers for Biological 3D Imaging.

Over the last decades, various tissue-clearing techniques have broken the ground for the optical imaging of whole organs and whole-organisms, providing complete representative data sets of three-dimensional biological structures. Along with advancements in this field, the development of fluorescent markers for staining vessels and capillaries has offered insights into the complexity of vascular networks and their impact on disease progression. Here we describe the use of a modified water-soluble chitosan linked to cyanine dyes in combination with ethyl cinnamate-based optical tissue clearing for the 3D visualization of tissue vasculature in depth.

Endoscopic Management of Post-Esophagectomy Delayed Gastric Conduit Emptying (DGCE): Results from a Cohort Study in a Tertiary Referral Center with Comparison between Procedures.

: Delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE) occurs in 15-39% of patients who undergo esophagectomy. Intra-Pyloric Injection of Botulinum Toxin (IPBT), Pneumatic Balloon Dilation (PBD), and the same session combination (BTPD) represent the main endoscopic procedures, but comparative data are currently unavailable. : We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data on all consecutive patients with DGCE treated endoscopically with IPBT, PBD, or BTPD.

Pentadecanoic Acid-Releasing PDMS: Towards a New Material to Prevent Biofilm Formation.

Microbial biofilm formation on medical devices paves the way for device-associated infections. is one of the most common strains involved in such infections as it is able to colonize numerous devices, such as intravenous catheters, prosthetic joints, and heart valves. We previously reported the antibiofilm activity against of pentadecanoic acid (PDA) deposited by drop-casting on the silicon-based polymer poly(dimethyl)siloxane (PDMS).

Safety and tolerability outcomes of nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol using target-controlled infusion in routine GI endoscopy.

Background And Aims: Nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol (NAAP) is increasingly accepted, but data are limited on drug administration using target-controlled infusion (TCI) in clinical practice. TCI adjusts the drug infusion based on patient-specific parameters, maintaining a constant drug dose to reduce the risk of adverse events (AEs) because of drug overdosing and to enhance patient comfort. The aims of this study were to assess the rate of AEs and to evaluate patient satisfaction with NAAP using TCI in a retrospective cohort of 18,302 procedures.

Phosphoserine Aminotransferase Pathogenetic Variants in Serine Deficiency Disorders: A Functional Characterization.

In humans, the phosphorylated pathway (PP) converts the glycolytic intermediate D-3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) into L-serine through the enzymes 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, phosphoserine aminotransferase (PSAT) and phosphoserine phosphatase. From the pathogenic point of view, the PP in the brain is particularly relevant, as genetic defects of any of the three enzymes are associated with a group of neurometabolic disorders known as serine deficiency disorders (SDDs). We recombinantly expressed and characterized eight variants of PSAT associated with SDDs and two non-SDD associated variants.

Serrated polyps <10 mm cannot reliably be characterized by i-Scan without magnification at routine colonoscopy.

Background: Colorectal lesions (CRLs) <10 mm found at colonoscopy tend towards "diagnose-and-leave" or "resect-and-discard" strategies based on real-time Kudo glandular pit-pattern's assessment using i-Scan. However, i-Scan has not yet been validated for Kudo's classification. We aimed to assess whether, in routine colonoscopy, i-Scan without magnification and optical enhancement (M-OE) reliably differentiates hyperplastic polyps (HPs) from other serrated lesions (SLs) and conventional adenomas (CAs), and, among SLs, HPs from sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) and traditional or unknown serrated adenomas (TSAs, USAs), in Kudo type II CRLs<10 mm, according to ASGE Preservation and Incorporation of Valuable endoscopic Innovations (PIVI) recommended negative predictive value (NPV) threshold for adenomas.

Endoscopic vacuum therapy versus self-expandable metal stent for treatment of anastomotic leaks < 30 mm following oncologic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy: a matched case-control study.

Background: Management of anastomotic leaks after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy remains a challenge. Although intracavitary endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has shown great efficacy for large dehiscences, the optimal management of smaller leaks has not been standardized. This study aims to compare EVT versus self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) in the treatment of leaks < 30 mm in size, due to the lack of current data on this topic.

Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT) versus Self-Expandable Metal Stent (SEMS) for Anastomotic Leaks after Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Endoscopic treatment of post-esophagectomy/gastrectomy anastomotic dehiscence includes Self-Expandable Metal Stents (SEMS), which have represented the "gold standard" for many years, and Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy (EVT), which was recently introduced, showing promising results. The aim of the study was to compare outcomes of SEMS and EVT in the treatment of post-esophagectomy/gastrectomy anastomotic leaks, focusing on oncologic surgery.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on Pubmed and Embase, identifying studies comparing EVT versus SEMS for the treatment of leaks after upper gastro-intestinal surgery for malignant or benign pathologies.

Evaluation of Blended Online Learning in Three Spinal Surgery Educational Courses.

COVID-19 pandemic created a need to improvise and redefine blended learning to be executed fully online. Background information on the effectiveness of fully online blended learning activities, especially for surgical disciplines is limited. This study describes a fully online blended learning course format on spinal surgery and aims to provide data regarding it effectiveness.

Diet and Lifestyle Habits in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Case-Control Study.

Background: Early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC), defined as a colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients younger than 50 years old, shows an increasing incidence worldwide in the latest years. The role of exogenous factors associated with CRC has been largely overlooked in eoCRC. Here, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate the diet and the lifestyle habits in an Italian population of patients with eoCRC, compared to age-matched healthy controls (HCs).

Transoral incisionless fundoplication with Medigus ultrasonic surgical endostapler (MUSE) for the treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: outcomes up to 3 years.

Background: Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with Medigus Ultrasonic Surgical Endostapler (MUSE) is a new intervention for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed at assessing the clinical, functional, and endoscopic effects of TIF by MUSE.

Methods: Forty-six patients underwent TIF.

Gastrointestinal mucosal damage in patients with COVID-19 undergoing endoscopy: an international multicentre study.

Background: Although evidence suggests frequent gastrointestinal (GI) involvement during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), endoscopic findings are scarcely reported.

Aims: We aimed at registering endoscopic abnormalities and potentially associated risk factors among patients with COVID-19.

Methods: All consecutive patients with COVID-19 undergoing endoscopy in 16 institutions from high-prevalence regions were enrolled.

Risk of Covert Submucosal Cancer in Patients With Granular Mixed Laterally Spreading Tumors.

Background And Aims: Granular mixed laterally spreading tumors (GM-LSTs) have an intermediate level of risk for submucosal invasive cancer (SMICs) without clear signs of invasion (covert); the optimal resection method is uncertain. We aimed to determine the risk of covert SMIC in GM-LSTs based on clinical and endoscopic factors.

Methods: We collected data from 693 patients (50.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection: Italian national survey on current practices, training and outcomes.

Background And Aims: Most of the evidence supporting endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) comes from Asia. European data are primarily reported by specialized referral centers and thus may not be representative of common European ESD practice. The aim of this study is to understand the current state of ESD practice across Italian endoscopy centers.

G-EYE colonoscopy is superior to standard colonoscopy for increasing adenoma detection rate: an international randomized controlled trial (with videos).

Background And Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely preventable with routine screening and surveillance colonoscopy; however, interval cancers arising from precancerous lesions missed by standard colonoscopy still occur. An increased adenoma detection rate (ADR) has been found to be inversely associated with interval cancers. The G-EYE device includes a reusable balloon integrated at the distal tip of a standard colonoscope, which flattens haustral folds, centralizes the colonoscope's optics, and reduces bowel slippage.

Resection outcomes and recurrence rates of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and hybrid ESD for colorectal tumors in a single Italian center.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and hybrid-ESD techniques are treatment modalities for colorectal neoplasia, although mostly used in the Eastern hemisphere. Only few data on ESD for colorectal neoplasia have been published in the West. We report the outcomes of colorectal ESD and hybrid ESD in a single Italian center.

Development and validation of a novel SNP panel for the genetic characterization of Italian chicken breeds by next-generation sequencing discovery and array genotyping.

The aim of this study was to compare the intra and inter genetic variability and population structure of 7 indigenous chicken breeds of the Veneto region, through a novel panel of 64 SNP, each located in an exonic region and mostly on different chromosomes. A total of 753 blood samples from 7 local chicken breeds (Ermellinata di Rovigo, Millefiori di Lonigo, Polverara, Pepòi, Robusta Lionata, Robusta Maculata, and Padovana) was collected and analyzed. Two strains of Polverara (Nera and Bianca) and Padovana (Dorata and Camosciata) were included in the study.

Association of candidate gene polymorphisms with milk technological traits, yield, composition, and somatic cell score in Italian Holstein-Friesian sires.

Advances in DNA-based marker technology have enabled the identification of genomic regions underlying complex phenotypic traits in livestock species. The incorporation of detected quantitative trait loci into genetic evaluation provides great potential to enhance selection accuracies, hence expediting the genetic improvement of economically important traits. The objective of the present study was to investigate 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located in 53 candidate genes previously reported to have effects on milk production and quality traits in a population of highly selected Holstein-Friesian bulls.

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.

Pattern of association between endemic Hawaiian fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and their symbiotic bacteria: Evidence of cospeciation events and proposal of "Candidatus Stammerula trupaneae".

Several insect lineages have evolved mutualistic association with symbiotic bacteria. This is the case of some species of mealybugs, whiteflies, weevils, tsetse flies, cockroaches, termites, carpenter ants, aphids and fruit flies. Some species of Tephritinae, the most specialized subfamily of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae), harbour co-evolved vertically transmitted, bacterial symbionts in their midgut, known as "Candidatus Stammerula spp.