A new key player in VEGF-dependent angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma: dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1.

Background: Anti-angiogenic therapies, targeting VEGF, are a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To enhance this potential therapy, identification of novel targets in this pathway is of major interest. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.

Effects of a Carbohydrate-, Glutamine-, and Antioxidant-Enriched Oral Nutrition Supplement on Major Surgery-Induced Insulin Resistance: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: Insulin resistance after surgery hampers recovery. Oxidative stress is shown to be involved in the occurrence of postoperative insulin resistance. Preoperative carbohydrate-rich oral nutrition supplements reduce but do not prevent insulin resistance.

Enteral Glutamine Administration in Critically Ill Nonseptic Patients Does Not Trigger Arginine Synthesis.

Glutamine supplementation in specific groups of critically ill patients results in favourable clinical outcome. Enhancement of citrulline and arginine synthesis by glutamine could serve as a potential mechanism. However, while receiving optimal enteral nutrition, uptake and enteral metabolism of glutamine in critically ill patients remain unknown.

Perioperative glutamine supplementation restores disturbed renal arginine synthesis after open aortic surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Postoperative renal failure is a common complication after open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The amino acid arginine is formed in the kidneys from its precursor citrulline, and citrulline is formed from glutamine in the intestines. Arginine enhances the function of the immune and cardiovascular systems, which is important for recovery after surgery.

Visceral obesity, muscle mass and outcome in rectal cancer surgery after neo-adjuvant chemo-radiation.

Background: Preoperative chemoradiation has become a routine modality in the treatment of rectal carcinoma that may impair a patients general condition. In these patients, it is important to identify factors that influence postoperative recovery. Visceral obesity(VO) as a metabolic risk factor was studied in rectal cancer patients receiving preoperative chemoradiation.

An unexpected finding in the resection specimen of a carcinoma of the oral cavity: A case report.

Introduction: The occurrence of two synchronous, primary cancers is rare. Thyroid carcinoma is incidentally found in the resection specimen after surgery for head and neck cancer in 0.3-1.

Preoperative protein profiles in cerebrospinal fluid in elderly hip fracture patients at risk for delirium: A proteomics and validation study.

Background: A neuroinflammatory response is suggested to play an important role in delirium, a common complication in older hospitalized patients. We examined whether hip fracture patients who develop postoperative delirium have a different proteome in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) prior to surgery.

Methods: Patients (≥ 75 years) were admitted for hip fracture surgery.

Preoperative Methods to Reduce Liver Volume in Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review.

Background: Patients qualified for gastric bypass surgery have an enlarged and fatty liver. An essential step in gastric bypass surgery is elevation of the left liver lobe to expose the gastroesophageal junction. An enlarged and fatty liver complicates the surgical procedure and increases the risk for laceration of the liver.

Effect of oral taurine on morbidity and mortality in elderly hip fracture patients: a randomized trial.

Hip fracture patients represent a large part of the elderly surgical population and face severe postoperative morbidity and excessive mortality compared to adult surgical hip fracture patients. Low antioxidant status and taurine deficiency is common in the elderly, and may negatively affect postoperative outcome. We hypothesized that taurine, an antioxidant, could improve clinical outcome in the elderly hip fracture patient.

Adaptations of Arginine's Intestinal-Renal Axis in Cachectic Tumor-Bearing Rats.

Malignancies induce disposal of arginine, an important substrate for the immune system. To sustain immune function, the tumor-bearing host accelerates arginine's intestinal-renal axis by glutamine mobilization from skeletal muscle and this may promote cachexia. Glutamine supplementation stimulates argi-nine production in healthy subjects.

Eight years of experience with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in patients with colon cancer: Impact of measures to improve adherence.

Background: Perioperative treatment of patients with colorectal cancer according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol has proven to reduce complications and duration of stay. However, strict adherence remains a challenge and the benefits may decrease with lower adherence. In this study, we report on 8 years of adherence to the ERAS protocol and its effect on postoperative outcome in patients with colon cancer.

Visceral obesity, body mass index and risk of complications after colon cancer resection: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the influence of visceral obesity (VO), as measured by preoperative abdominal CT scan, in relation to body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of postoperative complications and duration of hospital stay after colon cancer surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent elective resection for colon cancer between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013, and had a preoperative CT scan were entered in the study. Visceral fat area (VFA) was determined by using the preoperative CT scan at the L3-L4 level.

Intravenous glutamine supplementation enhances renal de novo arginine synthesis in humans: a stable isotope study.

Background: Arginine plays a role in many different pathways in multiple cell types. Consequently, a shortage of arginine, caused by pathologic conditions such as cancer or injury, has the potential to disturb many cellular and organ functions. Glutamine is the ultimate source for de novo synthesis of arginine in humans via the intestinal-renal axis.

The new Body Mass Index as a predictor of postoperative complications in elective colorectal cancer surgery.

Background & Aims: A new Body Mass Index (BMI) formula has been developed for a better approximation of under and overweight. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of this newly proposed BMI formula for postoperative complications in elective colorectal cancer surgery compared with the conventional BMI formula.

Methods: A digital database of patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery was prospectively maintained in three centers and retrospectively analyzed.