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Introduction: Excessive visceral adiposity is known to drive the onset of metabolic derangements, mostly involving oxidative stress, prolonged inflammation, and cellular senescence. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic form of l-cysteine with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-senescence properties. This ex-vivo study aimed to determine the effect of NAC on some markers of senescence including β-galactosidase activity and p16, p53, p21, IL-6, and TNF-α gene expressions in visceral adipose tissue in obese adults. Methods: This ex-vivo experimental study involved 10 obese participants who were candidates for bariatric surgery. Duplicate biopsies from the abdominal visceral adipose tissue were obtained from the omentum. The biopsies were treated with or without NAC (5 and 10 mm). To evaluate adipose tissue senescence, beta-galactosidase (β-gal) activity and the expression of P16, P21, P53, IL-6, and TNF-α were determined. ANOVA test was employed to analyze the varying markers of cellular senescence and inflammation between treatment groups. Results: The NAC at concentrations of 5 mm and 10 mm resulted in a noteworthy reduction β-gal activity compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the expression of P16, P21, and IL-6 was significantly reduced following treatment with NAC (5 mm) and NAC (10 mm) compared to the control group (All p < 0.001). Discussion/Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest the senotherapeutic effect of NAC, as it effectively reduces the activity of SA-β-gal and the expression of IL-6, P16, and P21 genes in the visceral adipose tissue of obese individuals.

Background: Curative resection with adequate margins is a treatment principle in gastroesophageal junction cancers. There is still no comprehensive agreement on the length of the negative proximal margin after total gastrectomy in Siewert II and III tumors. Extending the proximal negative margin in this anatomical region is very difficult in some cases and can cause more complications for the patients. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the negative proximal margin length on the local anastomotic recurrence in gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma in a referral cancer center in Iran.Methods: In a prospective cross-sectional study, 35 patients with GEJ Sievert II and III adenocarcinomas who underwent total radical gastrectomy from 2017 to 2020 were included. Proximal margin length was measured immediately after resection in the operation room. Then, patients were evaluated for local recurrence at the anastomosis site after two years by endoscopic examination. The relationship between negative proximal margin length, local recurrence rate, and overall survival was evaluated.Results: From 35 patients 29 (82.9%) cases had negative proximal margins, and 6 (17.1%) cases had positive proximal margins. The least negative proximal margin length was 0.1 cm, and the most were 5 cm. The mean margin was 2±1.6 cm. Based on the endoscopic and pathologic findings, the local recurrence at the anastomosis site was 20% in two years of follow-up. The incidence of local tumor recurrence was higher in patients with positive margins versus patients with negative ones (11.4% vs. 8.6%, P=0.007). There was no significant relationship between the negative proximal margin length and the incidence of local anastomotic recurrence.Conclusion: According to our findings, the length of the negative proximal margin has no effect on the rate of local recurrence at the anastomosis site, however it is suggested to reach the negative proximal margin in all tumor stages in total gastrectomy for Siewert II and III gastric cardia tumors.

Background: Gallbladder agenesis is a biliary tract related congenital malformation with an incidence of 10–65 per 100,000 and associated with other congenital abnormalities. GA is usually asymptomatic, but sometimes patients become symptomatic. The most usual symptoms are jaundice, abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant, nausea and vomiting. We reported a case of GA and choledochogastric fistula in a patient with history of cholangitis. Case Presentation: A 70-year-old man presented to Emergency Department of Modarres Hospital with jaundice, fever, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Clinical examination and lab test demonstrated cholangitis. He underwent ultrasonography, abdominopelvic CT scan and ERCP. ERCP revealed a CBD fistula. Due to recurrent symptoms, he underwent operation and hepaticojejunostomy was done. Conclusion: In our knowledge, the case of GA and choledochogastric fistula is rare. Furthermore, this type of abnormalities rarely presented with cholangitis, so probable anatomical malformation of the biliary tract should always be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with biliary disease signs and symptoms

Key Clinical Message Peritoneal encapsulation is most of the time asymptomatic and is found incidentally, but when symptomatic it usually presents with bowel obstruction. CT scan is a gold standard for the diagnosis of bowel encapsulation. Abstract Congenital peritoneal encapsulation (CPE), abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), and sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) are syndromes in which the small bowel is encapsulated. Small bowel encapsulation is usually asymptomatic and rarely presents with small bowel obstruction. In this article, we report a 65‐year‐old man who presented to our hospital with signs and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. He underwent an urgent operation, and small bowel encapsulation was diagnosed. One year after the surgery, all symptoms improved.

Background: Whilst over two years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic's emergence, the proper management of the disease remains challenging. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a potentially effective therapeutic option has been suggested by studies, while the exact clinical role of this agent is yet to be evaluated. Methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted in a major referral respiratory center in Tehran, Iran. We enrolled 217 patients treated with an intravenous daily dose of 1500 mg NAC as a case group; and 245 control patients who did not receive NAC. Two groups were matched based on other treatments, socio-demographics, medical history, and comorbidities. Results: After ten days of adjuvant therapy with NAC, patients in the NAC group and control group had median room-air SpO2 of 91% and 88%, respectively (P=0.02). Also, the SpO2 to FiO2 ratio had a median of 463 and 421 in the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.01). Furthermore, the case group's hospitalization period was three days shorter (P=0.002). Further, cough, dyspnea, and decreased appetite were reported to have a significantly lower incidence in the case group (P=0.03, 0.001, 0.008). Conclusion: We showed that a daily intravenous dose of NAC in hospitalized COVID-19 patients could shorten the hospital stay and improve some clinical symptoms; however, it does not remarkably improve the risk of ICU admission and the 28 days in-hospital mortality rate.

BackgroundWe decided to conduct this study with the aim of investigating the effects of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on obesity complications and senescence of visceral adipose tissue in obese adults.Methods and analysisThe present study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial (RCT) (Clinical trial registry number: IRCT20220727055563N1) on 40 obese adults candidates for bariatric surgery, who were randomly assigned to receive 600 mg of NAC (n = 20) or placebo as a control (n = 20) for 4 weeks. During bariatric surgery, visceral adipose tissue was used to examine gene expression and senescence cells using SA-β-gal.ResultsOur findings showed that intervention with NAC significantly reduces SA-β-gal activity (as a marker of senescence) and expression of p16 and interleukin 6 (IL-6) genes in the visceral adipose tissue compared to placebo in obese adults for 4 weeks. In addition, our findings showed the potential and beneficial effect of NAC administration on reducing the levels of inflammatory factors including IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as well as the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulin compared to placebo after adjusting for confounders. No significant effect was indicated on anthropometric factors and lipid profile.ConclusionFindings showed that NAC, in addition to having a potential beneficial effect on reducing some of the complications caused by obesity, seems to have synolytic/senomorphic potential as well.Clinical trial registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [IRCT20220727055563N1].

Abstract Background Biliary obstruction which is a major complication of pancreas and periampullary tumors could result in cholangitis, coagulopathies, gastrointestinal symptoms, and impaired wound healing. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still the standard approach for pancreas resection and imposes high risk of morbidity and mortality to patients. To reduce the high risk of PD and address the biliary obstruction, the use of preoperative biliary stenting was increased. However, available literature doubts its efficiency. Methods A total of 147 patients who underwent PD between September 2012, and February 2022, at three medical centers were identified. Patients were grouped based on biliary stent placement. Non-jaundiced patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) were compared. Results The incidence of overall complications (34.2% versus 45.8%) and mortality (17.8% versus 24.3%) did not differ in the PBD group compared to the no PBD group. There was no difference in complications and mortality in non-jaundiced patients with and without PBD. Patients with drainage duration of > 30 days experienced more overall complications compared to patients with less than 30 days drainage duration (12 (50.0%) and three (15.8%) patients, respectively, p-value = 0.019). Conclusions PBD does not significantly increase the post-operative burden on patients who undergo PD. However, we cannot overlook the financial burden that PBD places on the patient and the healthcare system, as well as the difficulties related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Therefore, biliary stenting should not be routinely practiced in the absence of a valid indication, such as severe jaundice, pruritus, cholangitis, delayed surgery for neoadjuvant treatment, or referral to a tertiary facility.

BackgroundDespite the fact that obesity and overweight are serious major health problems worldwide, fighting against them is also considered a challenging issue. Several interventional studies have evaluated the potential weight-reduction effect of Tirzepatide. In order to obtain a better viewpoint from them, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the effects of subcutaneous Tirzepatide on obesity and overweight.MethodsScopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched using standard keywords to identify all controlled trials investigating the weight loss effects of Tirzepatide. Pooled weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were achieved by random-effects model analysis for the best estimation of outcomes. The statistical heterogeneity and publication bias were determined using the Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistics and using the funnel plot and Egger’s test, respectively.ResultsTwenty three treatments arm with 7062 participants’ were included in this systematic review and meta‐regression analysis. The pooled findings showed that Tirzepatide vs placebo significantly reduced body weight (weighted mean difference (WMD): -11.34 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI): -12.79 to -9.88, P< 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -3.11 kg/m2, 95% CI: -4.36 to -1.86, P< 0.001), and waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -7.24 cm, 95% CI -10.12 to -4.36, P< 0.001). These reductions were even greater, especially with higher doses and duration of Tirzepatide.ConclusionsTirzepatide medication had significant effects on weight management with the reduction of body weight, BMI, and WC. Administration of Tirzepatide can be considered a therapeutic strategy for overweight or obese people.

Introduction: Anal abscess is considered as a relatively common compilation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of recurrent anal abscess in T2DM patients. Methods: In this 4-year retrospective cross-sectional study, T2DM patients hospitalized due to anal abscess in Shahid Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran from December 2016 to December 2020 were studied. The independent risk factors of disease recurrence were determined among demographic factors, underlying diseases, diabetes-related factors, clinical factors, laboratory parameters, abscess type, and culture using multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results: 203 patients were enrolled in the study. 58 (28.6%) patients had at least one re-occurrence of anal abscess during four years. The recurrent episodes had occurred more frequently in the first year after the initial treatment (55.2%). The prevalence of comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, end stage renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease was significantly higher amongst patients with abscess recurrence. The patients with recurrent anal abscess had statically significant poor glycemic control (HbA1C > 7.5), decreased levels of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (e-GFR), and higher C-reactive Protein (CRP) upon the first admission. Presence of metabolic syndrome, HbA1c > 7.5%, WBC > 11.0 ×109/L, and CRP > 5 mg/l were amongst the independent risk factors of recurrence. HbA1c > 7.5% was the greatest independent risk factor of anal abscess recurrence (OR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.37-5.25; p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of HbA1C, CRP, and WBC in predicting the risk of abscess recurrence was 0.81, 0.71, and 0.64, respectively. Conclusion: Th recurrence rate of anal abscess in this series was 28.6 %. It seems that in T2DM patients with uncontrolled diabetes who have metabolic syndrome and increased CRP and WBC in their routine tests, the probability of anal abscess reoccurrence is high.

Background: Obesity nowadays becomes a major medical and social problem in the world. Obesity is a pandemic health problem recognized as a disease of time and is also an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the persistent histopathologic changes after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) specimens and correlation between high body mass index (BMI) and histopathological findings. Materials and Methods: Asymptomatic 520 patients were candidate for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (2017-2019) who had not symptom of Helicobacter pylori infection, visually normal endoscopy and had positive H. pylori urease recently. They treated with triple regimen (clarithromycin, amoxicillin for 2 weeks and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) for 2 month). Eradication was confirmed by urea breath test (UBT). After operation specimens were evaluated histopathologically. Results: Females were 58.3% of the patients. Mean BMI were 44.2 (females) and 46.3 (males). Normal LSG specimens were 58.3%. Most common abnormal histopathology findings were; chronic mild active and inactive gastritis (21.3%), chronic moderate active and inactive gastritis (16.0%), chronic severe active and inactive gastritis (3.3%), had not follicular gastritis, lymphoid aggregates (0.6 %), intestinal metaplasia (0.2%) and PPI effect (0.2%). Significant correlation was observed between the higher patients BMI (BMI>45) with abnormal histopathology findings specially moderate and severe degree of chronic active and inactive gastritis. Conclusion: Patients with higher BMI was at more risk for post H. pylori treatment abnormal pathology like chronic active gastritis which is the risk factor for atrophic gastritis may lead to preventable gastric cancer. Patients with higher BMI (≥45) and H. pylori positive urease test with visually normal endoscopy, mainly candidate for the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Permanent endoscopic follow up in these patients are impossible, therefore, endoscopic random tissue mapping even after H. pylori treatment is appropriate.

Abstract Objectives Assessing the effect of surfactant on clinical outcome in patients with COVID-19 under mechanical ventilation Trial design Single centre, two arm, parallel group (1:1 allocation ratio), randomised superiority trial with blinded care and outcome assessment. Participants Inclusion criteria: Adult COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU in Modarres hospital, Tehran, Iran (age range of 18 to 99 years) with moderate to severe ARDS (based on definition of P/F ratio) requiring auxiliary respiratory devices (either intubation or face mask). Exclusion criteria: ● Existence of a major underlying pulmonary disease in addition to COVID-19 ● Underlying congenital heart disease ● Patients needing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) ● ARDS primarily due to any other reason rather than COVID-19 ● The primary source of pulmonary involvement was bacterial pneumonia or any other etiology except for COVID-10 induced lung involvement ● Those who refused to continue the study (either the patient or their family) ● any patient had any sign of healing before entering the study leading to discharge from ICU in less than 12 hours Intervention and comparator In the intervention group, the dose of the drug is a vial containing 4 ml, equivalent to 100 mg, which is prescribed for an adult weighing about 70 kg each time, and if the patient's weight is much lower or higher, it will be adjusted accordingly. Surfactant is prescribed inside the trachea in two doses, starting on the day of intubation with a second dose 6 hours later. The control group will receive the same volume of normal saline, based on weight, administered into the trachea with the same time schedule. Main outcomes 30 days mortality; patient mortality during stay in ICU up to 30 days; ICU length of stay up to 30 days; Time under mechanical ventilation up to 30 days. Randomisation After the participant enters the study, i.e. after the qualification of the patients in the trial is confirmed and their informed written consent is taken, we will use a simple randomisation method using a table of random numbers. In order to hide the random allocation process, a central randomisation approach will be used and the random sequence will be at the disposal of one of the researchers, excluding the principal investigator. Blinding (masking) Participants, healthcare providers and the principal investigator assessing the outcomes will all be blinded to the group assignment. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) A total of 60 participants will be randomised in a 1:1 allocation ratio (30 patients allocated to the intervention group and 30 patients allocated to the control group). Trial Status The protocol is Version 1.0, May 31, 2020. Recruitment began July 30, 2020, and is anticipated to be completed by October 30, 2020. Trial registration IRCT registration number: IRCT20091201002804N12 Registration date: 1st June 2020, 1399/03/12 Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complicated kidney defect causing permanent failure in renal function in progressive stages. Hemodialysis is the most accepted treatment to maintain body’s fluid/electrolyte homeostasis at the terminal stages of the disease. Permanent hemodialysis catheter (permicath) may be inserted blindly or by fluoroscopic guidance. This study aimed to compare the early function and complications between fluoroscopic guidance and blindly insertion of permanent hemodialysis catheter. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was undertaken in the emergency department of Modarres hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2014 and 2015. Patients who needed catheter due to renal failure entered the study. Patients who needed emergency dialysis and those who could not wait for permicath were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups, under fluoroscopic guidance and blindly catheter insertion. Data were collected using a questionnaire and a checklist related to function (after 24 hours and 1 month), a need to exchange the catheter and the early adverse effects such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, and vascular injury. Results: A total of 101 patients were enrolled in this trial. Early dysfunction (blind group = 5), a need for catheter exchange (blind group = 2), pneumothorax (blind group = 2), vascular injury (blind group = 1) were recorded but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: We did not observe a significant difference between the placement of permicath by fluoroscopic or blind method. However, more studies with larger groups are recommended.

Background: The abdominal aorta and its main branches, such as the celiac trunk and the renal arteries are manipulated during various radiologic, surgical, and oncologic procedures. This study aimed at evaluating the anatomical pattern of these vessels to assist surgeons and radiologists reduce the risk of intra- as well as postoperative complications. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 536 Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) studies of living potential kidney donors was conducted from January 2012 to December 2018. Results: The anatomical variations of the celiac trunk was found in 9.5% of the cases. Among these cases, the most frequent variation was the Left Gastric Artery (LGA) as the first branch of the celiac trunk (80.4% of the cases). Gender was not overall significantly associated with the variations of the celiac trunk (P=0.670); however, there was a significant correlation between male gender and the most prevalent form of the celiac trunk variation (P=0.004). Variations of the renal artery occurred in 22.94% of the cases, with the left accessory renal artery being the most common variant (28.45% of the cases). Gender and the involved side (right / left) were not significantly related to the renal artery variations (P=1.000 & P=0.546, respectively). No concomitant variation of the celiac trunk and the renal artery was detected in our study. Conclusion: The anatomical variations of the celiac trunk and the renal arteries occur commonly; thus, the branching pattern of these arteries should be assessed prior to any procedure concerning them.

Introduction: Lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes is one of its major complications. Therefor understanding the prevalence and causes of this problem has great importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes. Methods: During this observational cross-sectional study, 350 patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to Shahid Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from March 2012 to March 2017 were studied and incidence of lower limb amputation was observed. Results: About 64% of patients suffered from some degree of amputation. Important factors in these patients were delay in referral to surgeon, ineffective debridement and longtime impaired distal blood flow. Conclusion: The frequency of lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes is high and therefore there is a great need to find and reduce its underlying problems.

Background: Bariatric surgery is efficiently associated with the long-term resolution of obesity and its related morbidities. Not only can this surgical modality improve the metabolic profile, diastolic and systolic cardiac functions, and the clinical symptoms of heart failure or cardiomyopathy, but it can also reduce the atherosclerosis risk, ventricular mass, and pericardial fat thickness. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of weight loss on echocardiographic parameters 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy. Methods: This quasi-experimental study, conducted in Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from September 2016 to September 2017, recruited 101 patients. Those with morbid obesity (body mass index ≥40 kg/m2) had undergone surgery 1 year before the study commencement. All the patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy. The data of echocardiographic indices before and 1 year after surgery were recorded and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.11±9.81 years. The majority of the study participants were female (n=77, 76.2%). During the first postoperative year, the mean weight loss was 43.82±14.53 kg. The mean systolic blood pressure was 137.96±19.60 mmHg and 123.37±9.60 mmHg before sleeve gastrectomy and 1 year afterward, respectively (P

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most common bariatric surgery technique. In this technique, bleeding and staple line the leakage is considered as the most important complications. The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of reinforced the taple line on the level of bleeding and leakage after the surgery. Overall, 199 patients meeting the eligible criteria with morbid obesity (BMI>40 kg/m2) were enrolled in the study after signing the written informed consent. Patients were randomly allocated to intervention group (with reinforced staple line) and control group (Standard treatment) using simple randomization technique. Out of 199 cases, 120 (60%) were female, and 80 (40%) male; their mean BMI was 44.79± kg/m2, ranging from 40 to 58 kg/m2. Staple site bleeding was observed; therefore, no significant relationship was observed between the groups regarding bleeding decrease. Staple line leakage was observed in 2 cases of the control (without reinforcement) group and none of the cases in the intervention (with reinforcement) group. According to the results of the current study, no statistically significant relationship was observed between the groups regarding the level of leakage (P=0.249). Also, there was no significant relationship between age, gender, and BMI of cases, and the level of bleeding and leakage from the staple site. The average duration of surgery was 52.03 and 69.64 minutes for the control and intervention groups, respectively, which indicated prolonged surgery in the intervention group (P

Any surgical or preoperative treatment and diagnostic procedure may be associated with complications and risks. Therefore, introduction of complicated cases plays an important role in educating those involved in the diagnosis of patients. Generally, if a physician or a nurse is informed that an item is inadvertently left behind in a patient's body during surgery, he/she is obliged to take action by notifying the healthcare system authorities and informing the patient as soon as possible; otherwise, he/she has committed a disciplinary violation. Here we present a 27-year-old female patient with a history of renal failure with prolonged fever following a retained Shaldon catheter in a patient’s chest.