CCR4 Blockade Diminishes Intratumoral Macrophage Recruitment and Augments Survival of Syngeneic Pancreatic Cancer-Bearing Mice.

Pancreatic cancer is known for its tumor microenvironment (TME), which is rich in stromal and immune cells supporting cancer growth and therapy resistance. In particular, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are known for their angiogenesis- and metastasis-promoting properties, which lead to the failure of conventional therapies for pancreatic cancer. Hence, treatment options targeting TAMs are needed.

Non-thermal plasma-treated solution demonstrates antitumor activity against pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a high mortality rate. In advanced stage, patients often experience peritoneal carcinomatosis. Using a syngeneic murine pancreatic cancer cell tumor model, the effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on peritoneal metastatic lesions was studied.

LPS promotes resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Though TRAIL has been hailed as a promising drug for tumour treatment, it has been observed that many tumour cells have developed escape mechanisms against TRAIL-induced apoptosis. As a receptor of LPS, TLR 4, which is expressed on a variety of cancer cells, can be associated with TRAIL-resistance of tumour cells and tumour progression as well as with the generation of an anti-tumour immune response.

Methods: In this study, the sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis as well as the influence of LPS-co-stimulation on the cell viability of the pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1, BxPC-3 and COLO 357 was examined by FACS analyses and a cell viability assay.

Differential S1P Receptor Profiles on M1- and M2-Polarized Macrophages Affect Macrophage Cytokine Production and Migration.

. Macrophages are key players in complex biological processes. In response to environmental signals, macrophages undergo polarization towards a proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype.

Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy promotes tumor growth and reduces survival via TNFα in a murine pancreatic cancer model.

This study analyses the effects of vagotomy on tumor growth and survival in a murine, pancreatic cancer model in wild-type and TNFα-knockout (-/-) mice.Throughout many operative procedures in the upper gastrointestinal tract the partial or complete transection of the vagus nerve or its local nerve fibers is unavoidable. Thereby its anti-inflammatory effects in residual tumor tissue may get lost.

FTY720-Induced Lymphopenia Does Not Aggravate Mortality in a Murine Model of Polymicrobial Abdominal Sepsis.

Background: FTY720 is an immunosuppressive molecule licensed for the treatment of chronic relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). It attenuates the adaptive immune response by sequestering T cells within secondary lymphoid organs via its action as functional antagonist of sphingosine-1-phasphate. To date, it is unknown whether FTY-induced lymphopenia puts MS patients at increased risk for severe forms of postoperative infectious complications such as abdominal sepsis.

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand deficiency enhances survival in murine colon ascendens stent peritonitis.

Background: Apart from inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) influences inflammatory reactions. Murine colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) represents a model of diffuse peritonitis. Recently, it has been demonstrated that administration of exogenous TRAIL not only induces apoptosis in neutrophils but also enhances survival in this model.

Chronic stress increases experimental pancreatic cancer growth, reduces survival and can be antagonised by beta-adrenergic receptor blockade.

Background/objectives: Chronic stress could promote tumour growth and reduce survival of pancreatic cancer patients via beta-adrenergic receptors of tumour cells. We have tested the impact of chronic acoustic and restraint stress on tumour development in an orthotopic syngeneic murine model of pancreatic cancer.

Methods And Results: Tumour-bearing C57BL/6 mice exposed to chronic stress had 45% (p = 0.

TRAIL Promotes Tumor Growth in a Syngeneic Murine Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer Model and Affects the Host Immune Response.

Objectives: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is currently being evaluated as a possible biological agent for cancer treatment. However, many tumor cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In these cases, TRAIL may activate different pathways promoting tumor growth as well as showing different interactions with the immunological tumor microenvironment.

Predictors of technical success and rate of complications of image-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung needle biopsy of pulmonary tumors.

Purpose: To investigate predictors of technical success and complications of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy of potentially malignant pulmonary tumors.

Material And Methods: From 2008 to 2009, technical success and rate of complications of CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung needle biopsies of patients with suspicious pulmonary tumors were retrospectively evaluated. The influence on technical success and rate of complications was assessed for intervention-related predictors (lesion diameter, length of biopsy pathway, number of pleural transgressions, and needle size) and patient-related predictors (age, gender, reduced lung function).

Surgical trauma leads to a shorter survival in a murine orthotopic pancreatic cancer model.

Background: Abdominal surgery is frequently followed by immune dysfunction usually lasting for several days. This is especially important in cases with tumour diseases as an intact immune function is essential in this situation. Therefore, we analysed the outcome of tumour-bearing mice in a mouse model of surgically induced immune dysfunction (SID).

TRAIL induces neutrophil apoptosis and dampens sepsis-induced organ injury in murine colon ascendens stent peritonitis.

TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) influences several inflammatory reactions by partially still unknown mechanisms. TRAIL is produced and expressed by several cells of the immune system. Murine Colon Ascendens Stent Peritonitis (CASP) represents a hyperinflammatory model of diffuse peritonitis.

Appendicopathy--a clinical and diagnostic dilemma.

Purpose: The term "neurogenic appendicopathy" has been used for patients operated on for acute appendicitis with their appendices lacking signs of acute inflammation. The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the presence of potential neurogenic appendicopathies, analyzing patients' clinical symptoms and their corresponding appendiceal specimens.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one patients were identified showing a histological diagnosis of chronic appendicitis.

Improved laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic urachal anomalies.

Purpose: Remaining urachal anomalies are seldom found but can result in long-standing recurrent symptoms and repeated surgery. In this single-centre study, we evaluated the laparoscopic approach of excision of the urachus leaving the umbilicus untouched.

Methods: Twenty-one patients were operated on for persisting symptomatic urachal anomalies between 1998 and 2011.

Tissue tolerable plasma (TTP) induces apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Background: The rate of microscopic incomplete resections of gastrointestinal cancers including pancreatic cancer has not changed considerably over the past years. Future intra-operative applications of tissue tolerable plasmas (TTP) could help to address this problem. Plasma is generated by feeding energy, like electrical discharges, to gases.

Technical and clinical outcome of Talent versus Endurant endografts for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: The technical evolution of endografts for the interventional management of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has allowed a continuous expansion of indications. This study compares the established Talent endograft with its successor, the Endurant endograft, taking individual aortoiliac anatomy into account.

Methods: From June 2007 to December 2010, 35 patients with AAA were treated with a Talent endograft (33 men) and 36 patients with an Endurant endograft (34 men).

Outcomes and prognostic factors in gallbladder cancer: a single-centre experience.

Introduction: Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignant tumour of the biliary system with an extraordinarily poor prognosis. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated forty-two patients with histologically proven gallbladder cancer.

Patients And Methods: Estimated survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences were assessed using the logrank test.

In vivo imaging of pancreatic tumours and liver metastases using 7 Tesla MRI in a murine orthotopic pancreatic cancer model and a liver metastases model.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of tumour death in the western world. However, appropriate tumour models are scarce. Here we present a syngeneic murine pancreatic cancer model using 7 Tesla MRI and evaluate its clinical relevance and applicability.

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy using a detachable clamp with and without partial splenic embolisation.

Background: In many centres, the laparoscopic total splenectomy is a well-established routine procedure. However, the crucial immunological role of the spleen in combating bacterial infections, in particular pneumonias, has led to a search for splenic-preserving techniques whenever possible. Yet, laparoscopic partial splenectomies are still rarely described possibly due to difficulties in controlling intra-operative parenchymal bleeding during splenic transection.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) improves the innate immune response and enhances survival in murine polymicrobial sepsis.

Objective: To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in postoperative polymicrobial abdominal sepsis.Sepsis is the leading cause of death among critically ill surgical patients. TRAIL is commonly known as an apoptosis-inducing agent in cancer cells.

Laparoscopic appendectomy using a single polymeric clip to close the appendicular stump.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, morbidity, and cost-effectiveness of the closure of the appendicular stump with a single non-absorbable polymeric clip compared with the closure of the appendicular stump with a stapler.

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2009, 82 patients, 31 males and 51 females (mean age of 35.4 years; range of 17 to 79 years), were included in this prospective, non-randomized trial.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery as an option for the laparoscopic resection of an urachal fistula: first description of the surgical technique.

Background: Persistent urachal sinuses or fistulas are rare but may potentially cause various symptoms and lead to repeated operations. Both laparoscopic and open surgery have been used for the resection of the urachus.

Methods: This report describes the first case of an external urachal fistula with recurrent infections and discharge of the umbilicus treated by complete resection using single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS).

Unexpected findings on laparoscopy for suspected acute appendicitis: a pro for laparoscopic appendectomy as the standard procedure for acute appendicitis.

Purpose: Evaluation of the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, time of surgery, morbidities, and other/additional findings during laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis.

Methods: Prospective evaluation of 148 laparoscopies for suspected acute appendicitis.

Results: Laparoscopic appendectomy was safe and cost-effective.

Rectal intussusception due to re-recurrent ovarian fibrosarcoma.

Background: Primary ovarian fibrosarcomas are very rare tumours associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Most patients relapse or die within 2 years. Because of the low incidence, it is difficult to identify prognostic factors or to establish treatment guidelines.

ETVARD (endoscopic transanal vacuum-assisted rectal drainage) leads to complete but delayed closure of extraperitoneal rectal anastomotic leakage cavities following neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to prospectively assess the impact of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy on the formation of major anastomotic rectal leaks and treatment by endoscopic transanal vacuum-assisted rectal drainage (ETVARD).

Materials And Methods: Twenty six patients with malignancies with rectal anastomotic leaks were prospectively treated, including 14 of 26 patients following neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. ETVARD was the first-line treatment.