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The objective of this video is to highlight a case of right upper quadrant endometriosis, a rare manifestation of extra-pelvic endometriosis, and discuss the considerations and techniques used for successful surgical management. Intraoperative footage was edited and annotated to illustrate the key learning points of this case. The case took place in the main operating room, with the patient placed under general endotracheal anesthesia and positioned in dorsal lithotomy. The patient was a 36-year-old G0 who initially presented with severe right upper quadrant and flank pain occurring at the time of her menses for the last 6 months. Imaging demonstrated a small subcapsular liver lesion, otherwise abdominal and pelvic imaging was unremarkable. She was recommended to proceed with diagnostic laparoscopy. The surgery begins with a thorough inspection of the upper abdomen where the video highlights where endometriosis lesions are found in relation to key anatomy and where expert knowledge of the anatomy guided decision-making on whether or not to resect or fulgurate the identified lesions. We then demonstrate a variety of surgical techniques for subsequent management including excision as well as fulguration with both monopolar heat sources and argon beam ablation. This case highlights the importance of a thorough abdominal survey for patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for cyclic pelvic and abdominal symptoms. The video also showcases the importance of collaboration with a multidisciplinary surgical team to successfully manage patients in whom right upper quadrant endometriosis lesions are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grafting of trialkoxysilanes is the most common method for the surface functionalization of silica gel, and it is usually carried out in the presence of toluene or other solvents such as acetonitrile or acetone. Here, we replaced these solvents with alcohols to afford silica materials containing alkoxy groups linked to the silicon atom. The grafting of N,N -dimethyl-3-amino- or 3-amino-propyltrimethoxysilane was carried out in the presence of several alcohols containing an unsubstituted alkyl chain (C7 and C14), a PEG functionalized chain, or an amino-substituted chain ( N,N -dimethylamino, pyridyl). Materials were characterized via solid-state 13 C- and 29 Si CPMAS NMR and thermogravimetric analysis to prove that alcohols are not "innocent" solvents but take part in the reaction and lead to [RSi(OR 1 )-(OSi) 2 ] systems where the OR 1 group proceeds from the alcohol used in the synthesis. As a proof of concept, we briefly studied the catalytic activity of some of these materials with the aim of showing how different modifications can influence the course of a selected reaction. Finally, a quaternary ammonium salt (QAS)-based silica was prepared containing both an alkyl-QAS and an alkoxy-QAS linked to silicon atoms. This could represent an interesting approach for the development of new antifouling-based materials and, overall, the described strategy could be useful for the preparation of new organosilica materials.

The adherence of pathogenic microorganisms to surfaces and their association to form antibiotic-resistant biofilms threatens public health and affects several industrial sectors with significant economic losses. For this reason, the medical, pharmaceutical and materials science communities are exploring more effective anti-fouling approaches. This review focuses on the anti-fouling properties, structure-activity relationships and environmental toxicity of quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) and, as a subclass, ionic liquid compounds. Greener alternatives such as QAS-based antimicrobial polymers with biocide release, non-fouling (i.e., PEG, zwitterions), fouling release (i.e., poly(dimethylsiloxanes), fluorocarbon) and contact killing properties are highlighted. We also report on dual-functional polymers and stimuli-responsive materials. Given the economic and environmental impacts of biofilms in submerged surfaces, we emphasize the importance of less explored QAS-based anti-fouling approaches in the marine industry and in developing efficient membranes for water treatment systems.