International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM)： strengthening Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) worldwide

Physiral and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) is the Medicine of Functioning in light of health conditions, under consideration of the person and in interaction with the environment[1-2].PRM focuses on the application of rehabilitation, the third health strategy which complements the preventive and curative health strategies.Thanks to the increasing survival of people after injury and formerly conditions as well as aging populations and an associated increase in chronic conditions, PRM as the leader of the rehabilitation will, over the next decades, assume an ever more important role in the health care systems worldwide.

Does autologous blood transfusion during liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma increase risk of recurrence?

AIM: To analyze outcomes in patients who underwent liver transplantation(LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and received autologous intraoperative blood salvage(IBS). METHODS: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent LT were studied retrospectively and analyzed according to the use of IBS or not. Demographic and surgical data were collected from a departmental prospective maintained database. Statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher's exact test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test to examine covariate differences between patients who underwent IBS and those who did not. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were developed to evaluate recurrence and death,and survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test.RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2012,158 consecutive patients who underwent LT in the same medical center and by the same surgical team were identified. Among these patients,122(77.2%) were in the IBS group and 36(22.8%) in the non-IBS group. The overall survival(OS) and recurrence free survival(RFS) at 5 years were 59.7% and 83.3%,respectively. No differences in OS(P=0.51) or RFS(P=0.953) were detected between the IBS and non-IBS groups. On multivariate analysis for OS,degree of tumor differentiation remained as the only independent predictor. Regarding patients who received IBS,no differences were detected in OS or RFS(P=0.055 and P=0.512,respectively) according to the volume infused,even when outcomes at 90 d or longer were analyzed separately(P=0.518 for both outcomes).CONCLUSION: No differences in RFS or OS were detected according to IBS use. Trials addressing this question are justified and should be designed to detect small differences in long-term outcomes.

Concordance of non-invasive mechanical and serum tests for liver fibrosis evaluation in chronic hepatitis C

AIM To determine the sensitivity and specificity of liver stiffness measurement(LSM) and serum markers(SM) for liver fibrosis evaluation in chronic hepatitis C.METHODS Between 2012 and 2014,81 consecutive hepatitis C virus(HCV) patients had METAVIR score from liver biopsy compared with concurrent results from LSM [transient elastography(TE) [FibroS can~/ARFI technology(Virtual Touch~)] and SM [FIB-4/aspartate aminotransferase-toplatelet ratio index(APRI)].The diagnostic performance of these tests was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.The optimal cut-off levels of each test were chosen to define fibrosis stages F ≥ 2,F ≥ 3 and F = 4.The Kappa index set the concordance analysis.RESULTS Fifty point six percent were female and the median age was 51 years(30-78).Fifty-six patients(70%) weretreatment-na?ve.The optimal cut-off values for predicting F ≥ 2 stage fibrosis assessed by TE were 6.6 kP a,for acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI) 1.22 m/s,for APRI 0.75 and for FIB-4 1.47.For F ≥ 3 TE was 8.9 kP a,ARFI was 1.48 m/s,APRI was 0.75,and FIB-4 was 2.For F = 4,TE was 12.2 kP a,ARFI was 1.77 m/s,APRI was 1.46,and FIB-4 was 3.91.The APRI could not distinguish between F2 and F3,P = 0.92.The negative predictive value for F = 4 for TE and ARFI was 100%.Kappa index values for F ≥ 3 METAVIR score for TE,ARFI and FIB-4 were 0.687,0.606 and 0.654,respectively.This demonstrates strong concordance between all three screening methods,and moderate to strong concordance between them and APRI(Kappa index = 0.507).CONCLUSION Given the costs and accessibility of LSM methods,and the similarity with the outcomes of SM,we suggest that FIB-4 as well as TE and ARFI may be useful indicators of the degree of liver fibrosis.This is of particular importance to developing countries.

Preservation of platelet function in patients with cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia undergoing esophageal variceal ligation

Background:Thrombocytopenia is a possible risk factor for bleeding after band ligation of esophageal varices.However,elevated von Willebrand factor(VWF)in cirrhosis improves platelet function and could decrease this risk.Our objective was to assess platelet function in patients with cirrhosis undergoing esophageal variceal ligation(EVL).Methods:The assessment consisted of platelet count,antigen and activity of VWF and VWF-cleaving protease ADAMTS-13 activity,and a platelet adhesion and aggregation test simulating vascular flow in vivo(Impact-RR)prior to EVL.Results:Totally 111 patients were divided into three groups according to platelet count:(1)<50×109/L(n=38,34.2%);(2)50×109/L to 100×109/L(n=47,42.3%);and(3)>100×109/L(n=26,23.4%).No statistically significant difference was found in the aggregate size of platelets[group 1:41.0(31.8–67.3)μm 2;group 2:47.0(33.8–71.3)μm 2;and group 3:47.0(34.0–66.0)μm 2;P=0.60]and no significant correlation was found between aggregate size and platelet count(Spearman r=0.07;P=0.47).Surface coverage was 4.1%(2.8%–6.7%),8.5%(4.0%–10.0%),and 9.0%(7.1%–12.0%)(P<0.001)in groups 1,2 and 3,respectively and correlated with platelet count(Spearman r=0.39;P<0.0001).There was no significant difference between groups in VWF or ADAMTS-13.Post-EVL bleeding occurred in six(5.4%)patients(n=2 in group 1,n=1 in group 2,and n=3 in group 3;P=0.32).Patients with bleeding had higher MELD scores[15.0(11.3–20.3)versus 12.0(10.0–15.0);P=0.025],but no difference was demonstrated for platelet function parameters.Conclusion:Platelet function is preserved even in the presence of thrombocytopenia,including in the patients with post-EVL bleeding.

Pentoxifylline enhances the protective effects of hypertonic saline solution on liver ischemia reperfusion injury through inhibition of oxidative stress

BACKGROUND：Liver ischemia reperfusion（IR）injury triggers a systemic inflammatory response and is the main cause of organ dysfunction and adverse postoperative outcomes after liver surgery.Pentoxifylline（PTX）and hypertonic saline solution（HTS）have been identified to have beneficial effects against IR injury.This study aimed to investigate if the addition of PTX to HTS is superior to HTS alone for the prevention of liver IR injury.METHODS： Male Wistar rats were allocated into three groups. Control rats underwent 60 minutes of partial liver ischemia, HTS rats were treated with 0.4 mL/kg of intravenous 7.5% NaCl 15 minutes before reperfusion, and HPTX group were treated with 7.5% NaC1 plus 25 mg/kg of PTX 15 minutes before reperfusion. Samples were collected after reperfusion for determination of ALT, AST, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, mitochondrial respiration, lipid peroxidation, pulmonary permeability and myeloperoxidase. RESULTS： HPTX significantly decreased TNF-α 30 minutes after reperfusion. HPTX and HTS significantly decreased ALT,AST, IL-6, mitochondrial dysfunction and pulmonary myelo- peroxidase 4 hours after reperfusion. Compared with HTS only, HPTX significantly decreased hepatic oxidative stress 4 hours after reperfusion and pulmonary permeability 4 and 12 hours after reperfusion. CONCLUSION： This study showed that PTX added the beneficial effects of HTS on liver IR injury through decreases of hepatic oxidative stress and pulmonary permeability.

Influence of obesity and bariatric surgery on gastric cancer

Esophageal and gastric cancer(GC) are related to obesity and bariatric surgery. Risk factors, such as gastroesophageal reflux and Helicobacter pylori, must be investigated and treated in obese population. After surgery, GC reports are anecdotal and treatment is not standardized. This review aims to discuss GC related to obesity before and after bariatric surgery.

Use of Initial Modified RECIST Tumor Response Evaluation Criteria for Predicting Survival in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Beads

Introduction: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) reduces tumor growth and increases survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Drug-eluting beads (DEB) deliver slow-release chemotherapy and reduce systemic toxicity during TACE. This study correlated initial tumor response according to modified RECIST (mRECIST) criteria and 1-year survival in patients with HCC treated with TACE-DEB, and identified predictors of tumor response. Methods: Fifty-two patients with HCC received TACE-DEB loaded with doxorubicin 75 mg during a 6-month period. Tumor response was evaluated 1 month after the procedure according to mRECIST criteria. Results: Most patients were cirrhotic and etiology of liver disease was hepatitis C in 26/52 (50%). Similar numbers of patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) A and BCLC B disease. Most patients had one nodule (66%). Complete response (CR) was achieved in 12/52 (23%), partial response in 19/52 (37%), stable disease in 4/52 (8%) and progressive disease in 17/52 (32%). Largest HCC ≤58 mm and BCLC stage A were associated with CR. The 1-year survival was 74%, with survival rates of 95% and 56% in the BCLC A and B groups, respectively. Variables reflecting tumor extension were associated with better survival. CR according to mRECIST criteria was a predictor of better 1-year survival (100% vs. 64%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: BCLC A and CR according to mRECIST criteria predict improved 1-year survival in patients with HCC treated with TACE-DEB. Further studies are needed to evaluate other predictors of survival and to determine if tumor response predicts long-term survival.

Robot-assisted endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy:A review of current outcomes

Objective:To review the role of robot-assisted endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy(RAIL)in the management of penile cancer.Methods:A PubMed search for all relevant publications regarding RAIL series up until August 2019 was performed using the keyword“robotic”,“inguinal lymph node dissection”,and“penile cancer”.Weighted mean was calculated in the largest series for all outcomes using the number of patients included in each study as the weighting factor.Results:We identified 23 articles,of note the three largest series that included 102,27,and 20 RAIL in 51,14,and 10 patients,respectively.Saphenous vein was spared in 88.93%of RAIL cases in these series and node yield was 11.42 per groin;35.28%of patients had positive pathological nodes.The weighted mean of operative time was 87.98 min per RAIL and the estimated blood loss was 37.08 mL per patient.The mean length of hospital stay was 1.29 days and the drain was kept in place for 17.02 days;the major complication rate was only 5.31%in these series.The mean follow-up was 33.46 months with a recurrence-free survival of 96.33%.Conclusion:The literature regarding RAIL describes promising results,although it has shorter follow-up and higher costs when compared to historically series from the open approach.Initials series reported lower cutaneous complications compared to conventional approach,without compromising oncological outcomes.However,long-term results and larger trials are crucial to validate those findings.

Current aspects of therapeutic reduction mammaplasty for immediate early breast cancer management: An update

Breast-conservation surgery(BCS) is established as a safe surgical treatment for most patients with early breast cancer. Recently, advances in oncoplastic techniques are capable of preserving the breast form and quality of life. Although most BCS defects can be managed with primary closure, the aesthetic outcome may be unpredictable. Among technical options, therapeutic reduction mammaplasty(TRM) remains a useful procedure since the BCS defect can be repaired and the preoperative appearance can be improved, resulting in more proportional breasts. As a consequence of rich breast tissue vascularization, the greater part of reduction techniques have based their planning on preserving the pedicle of the nipple-areola complex after tumor removal. Reliable circulation and improvement of a conical shape to the breast are commonly described in TRM reconstructions. With an immediate approach, the surgical process is smooth since both procedures can be carried out in one operative setting. Additionally,it permits wider excision of the tumor, with a superior mean volume of the specimen and potentially reduces the incidence of margin involvement. Regardless of the fact that there is no consensus concerning the best TRM technique, the criteria is determined by the surgeon's experience, the extent/location of glandular tissue resection and the size of the defect in relation to the size of the remaining breast. The main advantages of the technique utilized should include reproducibility, low interference with the oncological treatment and long-term results. The success of the procedure depends on patient selection, coordinated planning and careful intra-operative management.

Treatment of high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal carcinoma using radiofrequency ablation or endoscopic mucosal resection + radiofrequency ablation: Meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND The progression of Barrett's esophagus(BE) to early esophageal carcinoma occurs sequentially; the metaplastic epithelium develops from a low-grade dysplasia to a high-grade dysplasia(HGD), resulting in early esophageal carcinoma and,eventually, invasive carcinoma. Endoscopic approaches including resection and ablation can be used in the treatment of this condition.AIM To compare the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation(RFA) vs endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) + RFA in the endoscopic treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma.METHODS In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review included studies comparing the two endoscopic techniques(EMR + RFA and RFA alone) in the treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma in patients with BE. Our analysis included studies involving adult patients of any age with BE with HGD or intramucosal carcinoma. The studies compared RFA and EMR + RFA methods were included regardless of randomization status.RESULTS The seven studies included in this review represent a total of 1950 patients, with742 in the EMR + RFA group and 1208 in the RFA alone group. The use of EMR +RFA was significantly more effective in the treatment of HGD [RD 0.35(0.15,0.56)] than was the use of RFA alone. The evaluated complications(stenosis,bleeding, and thoracic pain) were not significantly different between the two groups.CONCLUSION Endoscopic resection in combination with RFA is a safe and effective method in the treatment of HGD and intramucosal carcinoma, with higher rates of remission and no significant differences in complication rates when compared to the use of RFA alone.

Immunohistochemistry panel segregates molecular types of hepatocellular carcinoma in Brazilian autopsy cases

AIM: To assess the distribution of proteins coded by genes reported as relevant for the molecular classification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, the following clinicopathological data were analyzed in 80 autopsied HCC patients: sex, age, ethnicity, alcohol intake, infection with hepatitis B and/or C virus, infection with human immunodeficiency virus, prior treatment, basic and immediate causes of death, liver weight, presence of cirrhosis, number and size of nodules, gross pattern, histological grade and variants, architectural pattern, invasion of large veins, and presence and location of extrahepatic metastases. The protein products of genes known to be involved in molecular pathogenesis of HCC, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), MET, keratin 19 (K19), vimentin, beta-catenin, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signaling-related kinase (ERK)1, ERK2, Ki67, cyclin D1, caspase 3 and p53, were detected by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. The expression levels were scored and statistically assessed for correlation with HCC parameters.RESULTS: Infection with hepatitis C virus was identified in 49% of the 80 autopsy patients, cirrhosis in 90%, advanced tumors in 95%, and extrahepatic metastases in 38%. Expression of K19, p53 and ERK1 correlated to high-grade lesions. Expression of ERK1, nuclear beta-catenin, cyclin D1 and ERK2 correlated to higher rates of cell proliferation as determined by Ki67. Expression of MET, EGFR (&#x0003e; 0) and caspase 3 correlated with lower histological grades. Expression of EGFR correlated to that of caspase 3, and overexpression of EGFR (&#x02265; 200/300) was observed in low-grade tumors more frequently (grades 1 and 2: 67% vs grade 3: 27% and grade 4: 30%). Expression of ERK1 was associated with that of K19 and vimentin, whereas expression of ERK2 was associated with that of cyclin D1, MET and membrane beta-catenin. Expression of vimentin was strongly correlated with that of K19.CONCLUSION: Expression of K19, p53, ERK1, ERK2, vimentin and nuclear beta-catenin was related to higher-grade markers, as opposed to expression/overexpression of EGFR, MET and caspase 3.

Prediction of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure Level after Repair of Congenital Cardiac Communications and Discharge from the Hospital: Role of Down Syndrome and Early Postoperative Hemodynamics

Background:Postoperative pulmonary hypertension limits the success of surgical treatment in some patients with unrestrictive congenital cardiac communications.Identifying patients at risk of developing postoperative pulmonary hypertension is important to individualize follow-up strategies.Methods:We analyzed a prospective cohort of 52 pediatric patients(age 3 to 35 months)looking for perioperative predictors of mildly elevated pulmonary arterial pressure 6 months after surgery,defined as a systolic pressure greater than 30 mmHg by transthoracic echocardiography.This corresponds to a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of>20 mmHg.Clinical,echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were investigated.Perioperative hemodynamics was assessed by directly measuring pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures using indwelling catheters.Early postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics was defined as the mean pulmonary/systemic mean arterial pressure ratio(PAP/SAP)obtained per patient during the first 6 h of postoperative care.Results:Among the factors that were investigated as possible predictors,perioperative hemodynamics and the presence of Down syndrome were initially selected using univariate analysis(p<0.030).Early postoperative PAP/SAP was correlated with PAP/SAP obtained in the operating room just after cardiopulmonary bypass(r=0.70,p<0.001),and it was higher in subjects with Down syndrome than in nonsyndromic individuals(p=0.003).Early postoperative PAP/SAP was the only predictor selected using multivariate analysis.It was characterized as an independent predictor after adjustments for possible confounders.An early postoperative PAP/SAP of>0.35 was 76%sensitive and 74%specific at predicting a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure of>30 mmHg 6 months after surgery(hazard ratio with 95%CI 8.972[2.428–33.158],p=0.002).Conclusion:The hypertensive early postoperative behavior of the pulmonary circulation was strongly but not exclusively associated with Down syndrome,and it was characterized as an independent predictor of altered pulmonary arterial pressure after discharge from the hospital.

Branch retinal vein thrombosis and visual loss probably associated with pegylated interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis C

Ophthalmological complications with interferon therapy are usually mild and reversible, not requiring the withdrawal of the treatment. We report a case of a patient who had visual loss probably associated with interferon therapy. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection （genotype la） was diagnosed in a 33-year old asymptomatic man. His past medical history was unremarkable and previous routine ophthalmologic check-up was normal. Pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin were started. Three weeks later he reported painless reduction of vision. Ophthalmologic examination showed extensive intraretinal hemorrhages and cottonwool spots, associated with inferior branch retinal vein thrombosis. Antiviral therapy was immediately discontinued, but one year later he persists with severely decreased visual acuity. This case illustrates the possibility of unpredictable and severe complications during pegylated interferon therapy.

Surgical treatment of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma:an underestimated malignant tumor?

BACKGROUND： Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma （FLHCC） is a rare disease with an indolent behavior. Its prognosis is better than that of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The authors present their experience with resection of FLHCC. METHODS： Twenty-one patients with FLHCC were treated at our institution between 1990 and 2012. Of these patients, 14 were subjected to resection of the tumor. Patient demographics, medical history, results of imaging studies and laboratory tests, surgical data, and pathologic findings were evaluated. RESULTS： The median age of the patients at the diagnosis of the tumor was 20 years and 14 patients were female. None of the patients had tumor-associated chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. The mean tumor size was 12.8 cm （range 6-19） and 18 patients had a single liver nodule. Fourteen patients were subjected to hepatectomy and six of them had lymph node metastases resected. Pathologic evaluation revealed that 5 （35.7%） patients had major vascular invasion. Tumor recurrence was seen in 8 patients （66.7%）, during a follow-up. The median survival time for patients who were subjected to resection was 36 months. The 5-year overall survival rate and disease free survival rate were 28.0% and 8.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that vascular invasion was the only variable associated with the disease free survival rate.CONCLUSIONS： Despite an aggressive treatment, patients with FLHCC presented unexpected low survival rates. It seems that an underestimated malignant behavior is attributed to this disease, and that the forms of adjuvant treatment should be urgently evaluated.

Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy:The state of art

Objective:To perform a narrative review about the role of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy(R-RPLND)in the management of testicular cancer.Methods:A PubMed search for all relevant publications regarding the R-RPLND series up until August 2019 was performed.The largest series were identified,and weighted means calculated for outcomes using the number of patients included in each study as the weighting factor.Results:Fifty-six articles of R-RPLND were identified and eight series with more than 10 patients in each were included.The weighted mean age was 31.12 years;primary and post chemotherapy R-RPLND were performed in 50.59%and 49.41%of patients.The clinical stage was I,II and III in 47.20%,39.57%and 13.23%of patients.A modified R-RPLND template was used in 78.02%of patients,while 21.98%underwent bilateral full template.The weighted mean node yield,operative time and estimated blood loss were,respectively,22.15 nodes,277.35 min and 131.94 mL.The weighted mean length of hospital stay was 2 days and antegrade ejaculation was preserved in 92.12%of patients.Major post-operative complications(Clavien III or IV)occurred in 5.34%.Positive pathological nodes were detected in 24.54%,while the recurrence free survival was 95.77%with a follow-up of 21.81 months.Conclusion:R-RPLND has proven to be a reproducible and safe approach in experienced centers;short-term oncologic outcomes are similar to the open approach with less morbidity and shorter convalescence related to its minimal invasiveness.However,longer follow-up and new trials comparing head-to-head both techniques are expected.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Final Moments of Life

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a wide world prevalent hepatic disease, being the third greater cancer related death cause and most of the patients are not eligible for liver transplant. Palliative care is an option for, in average, half of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed patients and only recently the molecular targeted drug, Sorafenib, has been introduced among the therapeutic options for these patients. The physical pain comes frequently associated with progression disease (metastasis). Patients may be very fragile, with immobility, loss of interest in food and beverage intake, as well as weakness and drowsiness. Therefore, it is important that health professionals start planning care with patients and their relatives, before the end-stage disease. Informing the patient about therapeutic options guarantee a doctor patient relationship improvement and more belief on the health team.

Better Management of Adverse Events Favors Sorafenib Treatment of HCC Patients and Impact on Survival

Introduction: Sorafenib is an orally active multikinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is the only systemic treatment associated with a survival benefit in advanced stage. The aims of this study were to evaluate the tolerance and survival of sorafenib-treated patients, and to identify potential prognostic factors of survival. Methods: A total of 88 HCC patients treated with sorafenib from June 2010 to January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumour stage, liver function and adverse events to sorafenib were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were carried out to identify predictors of survival in patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib. Results: There were 64 (73%) males included in this study, with a median age of 61.16 years. Eight (91%) patients had Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis. Most patients were classified as BCLC C (82%). Hepatitis C virus was the predominant cause of HCC (68%). Sorafenib was the initial treatment modality in 43%. Median time of sorafenib therapy was 8.23 months. Overall survival in 1 year was 57.3% and 36.7% in 2 years. The median survival was 16.3 months. In the univariate analysis of the OS based on Child-Pugh score did not demonstrate a significant difference in our study (p = 0.62). The presence of dermatologic adverse event predicted a better overall survival in the multivariate analysis. Better survival was also observed in patients with AFP level <100 ng/ml in the start of sorafenib therapy (p = 0.001). Patients that used Sorafenib for ≥6 months had shown better outcome. None of the patients discontinued sorafenib because of adverse effects. Conclusions: Advanced HCC patients treated with sorafenib who experienced dermatologic adverse event and low AFP level <100 ng/ml showed better overall survival. As expected, longer sorafenib therapy (≥6 months) was associated to better survival. Even in the presence of adverse events, the use of sorafenib should be continued because the longer usage time improves survival.

The Effects of Treatment on Serum Hepcidin and Iron Homeostasis in HIV-1-Infected In-dividuals

Background: Hepcidin is the principal regulator of iron absorption and its tissue distribution. Its correlation with iron homeostasis in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) treated with different regimens of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was investigated. Methods: Serum hepcidin levels were determined in 448 volunteers. Of these, 372 were HIV-1-infected individuals, and 93 did not receive HAART (ART-na&iuml;ve) while 279 received HAART consisting of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI-based) and protease inhibitors (PI-based);both were used in association with a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Seventy-six additional HIV-1 seronegative individuals were enrolled in the study. The following parameters were quantified: hematological parameters, iron biomarkers and markers of infection (CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells), and HIV-1 RNA (viral load). Results: Serum hepcidin, iron and ferritin levels, as well as the marker of infection, CD4+ T-cells, were significantly lower in the ART-na&iuml;ve group compared with other groups. Additionally, transferrin saturation, iron binding capacity, hemoglobin level and erythrocyte level were not significantly different, and anemia was not observed in the different groups. Conclusions: HIV-1 infection affected serum hepcidin, iron and ferritin levels in the ART-na&iuml;ve group, and the different HAART regimens restored the levels of hepcidin and iron homeostasis in HIV-1-infected individuals who have undetectable HIV-1 RNA levels.

Robotic versus laparoscopic liver resection for huge (≥10 cm) liver tumors: an international multicenter propensity-score matched cohort study of 799 cases

Background:The use of laparoscopic(LLR)and robotic liver resections(RLR)has been safely performed in many institutions for liver tumours.A large scale international multicenter study would provide stronger evidence and insight into application of these techniques for huge liver tumours≥10 cm.Methods:This was a retrospective review of 971 patients who underwent LLR and RLR for huge(≥10 cm)tumors at 42 international centers between 2002-2020.Results:One hundred RLR and 699 LLR which met study criteria were included.The comparison between the 2 approaches for patients with huge tumors were performed using 1:3 propensity-score matching(PSM)(73 vs.219).Before PSM,LLR was associated with significantly increased frequency of previous abdominal surgery,malignant pathology,liver cirrhosis and increased median blood.After PSM,RLR and LLR was associated with no significant difference in key perioperative outcomes including media operation time(242 vs.290 min,P=0.286),transfusion rate rate(19.2%vs.16.9%,P=0.652),median blood loss(200 vs.300 mL,P=0.694),open conversion rate(8.2%vs.11.0%,P=0.519),morbidity(28.8%vs.21.9%,P=0.221),major morbidity(4.1%vs.9.6%,P=0.152),mortality and postoperative length of stay(6 vs.6 days,P=0.435).Conclusions:RLR and LLR can be performed safely for selected patients with huge liver tumours with excellent outcomes.There was no significant difference in perioperative outcomes after RLR or LLR.

Conventional therapy for moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND Despite the advent of biological drugs, conventional therapy continues to be used in moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease(MS-IBD). This study hypothesized that as a standard of treatment and the primary alternative to biologics, conventional therapy should present robust effectiveness results in IBD outcomes.AIM To investigate the effectiveness of conventional therapy for MS-IBD.METHODS A systematic review with no time limit was conducted in July 2017 through the Cochrane Collaboration, MEDLINE, and LILACS databases. The inclusion criteria encompassed meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, observational and case-control studies concerning conventional therapy in adult patients with MS-IBD, including Crohn's disease(CD) and ulcerative colitis(UC). Corticosteroids(prednisone, hydrocortisone, budesonide, prednisolone,dexamethasone), 5-aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA) derivatives(mesalazine and sulfasalazine) and immunosuppressants [azathioprine(AZA), methotrexate(MTX), mycophenolate, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, 6-mercaptopurine(6-MP)] were considered conventional therapy. The exclusion criteria were sample size below50; narrative reviews; specific subpopulations(e.g., pregnant women,comorbidities); studies on postoperative IBD; and languages other than English,Spanish, French or Portuguese. The primary outcome measures were clinical remission(induction or maintenance), clinical response and mucosal healing. As secondary outcomes, fecal calprotectin, hospitalization, death, and surgeries were analyzed. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria.RESULTS The search strategy identified 1995 citations, of which 27 were considered eligible(7 meta-analyses, 20 individual studies). For induction of clinical remission, four meta-analyses were selected(AZA and 6-MP showed no advantage over placebo,MTX or 5-ASA in CD; MTX showed no statistically significant difference versus placebo, 6-MP, or 5-ASA in UC; tacrolimus was superior to placebo for UC in two meta-analyses). Only one meta-analysis evaluated clinical remission maintenance, showing no statistically significant difference between MTX and placebo, 5-ASA, or 6-MP in UC. AZA and 6-MP had no advantage over placebo in induction of clinical response in CD. Three meta-analyses showed the superiority of tacrolimus vs placebo for induction of clinical response in UC. The clinical response rates for cyclosporine were 41.7% in randomized controlled trials(RCTs) and 55.4% in non-RCTs for UC. For induction of mucosal healing,one meta-analysis showed a favorable rate with tacrolimus versus placebo for UC. For secondary outcomes, no meta-analyses specifically evaluated fecal calprotectin, hospitalization or death. Two meta-analyses were retrieved evaluating colectomy rates for tacrolimus and cyclosporine in UC. Most of the twenty individual studies retrieved contained a low or very low quality of evidence.CONCLUSION High-quality evidence assessing conventional therapy in MS-IBD treatment is scarce, especially for remission maintenance, mucosal healing and fecal calprotectin.