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This paper presents the development of the hardware and software architecture of a sixdegrees of freedom (DOF) parallel robot (PARA-SILSROB) by illustrating all the stages undertaken to achieve the experimental model of the robot. Based on the experimental model, the control architecture is also presented, which is primarily based on a master–slave control system through which the surgeon controls the robot using the master console composed of commercial peripheral components (two 3D Space Mouse devices, computer, and keyboard) integrated with the solution developed in this study and presented in this paper. The robot was developed also according to the surgical protocol and surgeon's requirements, and for the functionality testing of the mechanical structure, two experimental stands were used. The first stand presented several surgical steps, such as manipulation, resection, and suture of experimental tissues (simulating real-life robot-assisted surgical maneuvers) using commercial instruments. The second stand presented a simulation of an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and digestive reconstruction through a right intercostal approach. For this testing phase, the organs were created using 3D reconstruction, and their simplified models were 3D printed using PolyJet technology. Furthermore, the input trajectory generated using the master console was compared with the robot actuator's movements and the obtained results were used for validation of the proposed robot control system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive, heterogeneous, and fatal types of human cancer; therefore, more effective therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and amplification have been identified as a cornerstone in this pathology. The aim of this review is to identify HER2 membrane overexpression in relation to pancreatic cancer pathways that can be used in order to develop a targeted therapy. After searching the keywords, 174 articles were found during a time span of 10 years, between 2013 and 2023, but only twelve scientific papers were qualified for this investigation. The new era of biomolecular research found a significant relationship between HER2 overexpression and pancreatic cancer cells in 25–30% of cases. The variables are dependent on tumor-derived cells, with differences in receptor overexpression between PDAC (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), BTC (biliary tract cancer), ampullary carcinoma, and PNETs (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors). HER2 overexpression is frequently encountered in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, and the ERBB family is one of the targets in the near future of therapy, with good results in phase I, II, and III studies evaluating downregulation and tumor downstaging, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with liver resection being the most effective for curative intent. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), transient elastography-liver stiffness measurement (TE-LSM), and TAC score are intricately connected with the postoperative evolution of cirrhosis. The primary objective of our study is to evaluate the predictive value of key parameters for surgical patients. The proposed predictors can better presume treatment outcomes in HCC and potentially allow an improvement in therapeutic strategy. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant form of primary liver cancer and the third contributor to malignancy-related deaths worldwide. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), transient elastography-liver stiffness measurement (TE-LSM), and the association between TBS (tumor burden score), alpha-fetoprotein levels, and the Child–Pugh classification (TAC score) can serve as valuable prognostic indicators for these patients. Therefore, the main objective of our research was to analyze the prognostic value of the HVPG, TE-LSM, TBS, and TAC scores. An observational and survival study was conducted on 144 subjects. Our findings indicated that HVPG greater than 10 mmHg, AFP surpassing 400 ng/mL, an advanced C–P class, and low TAC score are independent predictors of overall survival. During the multivariate analysis, AFP serum levels and C–P class proved statistically significant. The present study revealed significant differences in overall survival between the two groups divided upon HVPG values and settled by the cutoff of 10 mmHg (p = 0.02). Moreover, by dividing the cohort into three groups based on the TAC score (very low, low, and moderate), statistically significant differences in overall survival were observed across the groups (p = 0.004). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]