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Gut microbiota dysbiosis can be modified by various treatments; these changes may be understood as a trigger for FGIDs, or they may be the goal of the treatment, impacting symptoms. Initially, the pathogenic component of gut microbiota was shown to be associated with FGIDs, with up to 10% of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients having gastrointestinal infections followed by gut microbiota dysbiosis, resulting in the occurrence of IBS (postinfectious IBS) [[12]]. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), also known as disorders of gut-brain interaction, are a group of disorders characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of demonstrable pathology on conventional testing. Changes in gut microbiota in the small bowel and colon have been extensively studied in patients with FGIDs [[3], [12]], as they can affect gut motility, intestinal gas profile, gut immune and intestinal barrier function, visceral sensation, neuro-immuno-endocrine interface and, finally, gut-brain axis [[3], [16]]. [Extracted from the article]

Background and aims: Gallbladder carcinoma is a rare but aggressive malignant neoplasm. The incidence of intra- or post-operative incidental gallbladder carcinoma diagnosis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is estimated to be 1-2%. Aggressive re-resection is warranted as the majority of patients have residual disease either in the liver or the lymph nodes. However the use of a minimally invasive surgical approach (MISA) to perform a radicalization in these patients has not been investigated yet. We retrospectively analyzed surgical and oncologic outcome of a small selected cohort of patients with incidental gallbladder carcinoma whom underwent redo radicalization surgery by MISA. Material and methods: From April 2012 to June 2014 at our department six patients (three females and three males) with incidental findings of gallbladder carcinoma pT1b (stage I) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and referred to our center from other secondary-level referral hospitals, underwent a redo surgery for radicalization by means of laparoscopic (n. 3) or robotic approach (n. 3). A retrospective analysis of prospective collected data was performed. Results: The redo procedure consisted of a liver resection (segments IVb + V) and lymph nodes clearance of hepatoduodenal hilum and common hepatic artery. Conversion rate was zero. Median operative time was 290 (250-310) min. Estimate blood loss was 175 (100-350) ml. Total hospital stay was 6 (5-10) days. All liver resections were performed without inflow vascular clamping. One patient was re-operated for hemoperitoneum while peri-operative mortality was zero. Oncologically, an R0 resection was always achieved with a mean number of lymph nodes retrieved of 17,5 (14-22). The stage of the neoplasm was confirmed in all cases but one, who was found to have a pN1 status (stage IIIb). At 21 (6-32) months follow-up all patients are alive and no recurrence has been observed. Conclusions: Our data suggest that radicalization of patients with stage I incidental postoperative gallbladder carcinoma can be done by a MISA without compromising the oncologic outcome. Larger studies are needed to validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: An association has been reported between lung cancer and John Cunningham (JC) virus infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of JC virus in a small cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and assess its presence in nodal metastasis., Materials and Methods: Consecutive samples of 13 surgically-removed lung tumors and 13 surrounding normal cancer-free tissues were selected. Five cases included metastatic lymph nodes. JC virus infection was assessed through nested PCR., Results: Seven out of thirteen patients with lung adenocarcinoma had a positive PCR test for JC virus. One of the five patients with nodal metastasis had a positive PCR test for JC virus. None of the thirteen specimens from the control group presented with JC virus infection. The difference between the two groups regarding JC virus infection was statistically significant (p=0.008)., Conclusion: Our study suggests that JC virus might be involved in lung carcinogenesis., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background: There is no standard practice in the induction of colitis by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS) acid. Usually, the repeated administration of TNBS is preferred, because it will result in a local Th1 response that has the characteristics of Crohn`s disease., Materials and Methods: A total of 30 rats were randomized into two groups, consisting of a saline control group of ten rats and a TNBS groups of 20 rats. After the animals were anesthetized, 0.5 ml of either 0.9% saline (controls) or TNBS 50 mg/kg dissolved in 50% ethanol were instilled into the colon through a rubber catheter. The experiment was repeated weekly for four weeks, then, the rats were killed at day 40, and the distal colon removed., Results: At day 40, the bowel wall was basically normal in the control group. In the TNBS group, the bowel lumen became narrow with thickened wall, and the mucosal surface presented adherent membrane with brown black, linear ulcers, proliferous lymphocyte tissue, inflammatory granulomas and submucosal neutrophil infiltration. The median score of the severity of the colonic damage was 0 in the control group, and 4,75 (range 4-5) in the TNBS group; the mean weight of the rats was 180+35 g in the TNBS group, while it was 215+25 in the control group., Conclusions: The presented experiment is a cost-effective and safe method to induce Crohn-like colonic damage using a lower dose of TNBS, thus avoiding the risk of a massive loss of rats. This model is rather suitable for the assessment of the effects of potential therapeutic agents. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of John Cunningham virus (JC virus) in a small cohort of patients with colon cancer and to assess its presence in hepatic metastasis., Methods: Nineteen consecutive patients with histologically diagnosed colon cancer were included in our study, together with ten subjects affected by histologically and serologically diagnosed hepatitis C virus infection. In the patients included in the colon cancer group, JC virus was searched for in the surgical specimen; in the control group, JC virus was searched for in the hepatic biopsy. The difference in the prevalence of JC virus in the hepatic biopsy between the two groups was assessed through the χ(2) test., Results: Four out of 19 patients with colon cancer had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for JC virus, and four had liver metastasis. Among the patients with liver metastasis, three out of four had a positive PCR test for JC virus in the surgical specimen and in the liver biopsy; the only patient with liver metastasis with a negative test for JC virus also presented a negative test for JC virus in the surgical specimen. In the control group of patients with hepatitis C infection, none of the ten patients presented JC virus infection in the hepatic biopsy. The difference between the two groups regarding JC virus infection was statistically significant (χ(2) = 9.55, P = 0.002)., Conclusion: JC virus may play a broader role than previously thought, and may be mechanistically involved in the late stages of these tumors.

Objective: To describe the management and outcome after endoscopic treatment of hematemesis by Mallory-Weiss Syndrome (MWS) occurred after CPRE (suspected choledocolithiasis)., Background Data: Although cough and retching is common during EGD or CPRE, MWS resulting from endoscopy seems to be uncommon (0.0001-0.04%) and always self-limiting., Case Report: The patient was submitted to CPRE with the suspicion of choledocholithiasis. Eight hours after CPRE the patient presented with hematemesis and hypotension. With emergency EGD, the AA identified a small bleeding mucosal tear (visible vessel with spurting) just proximal to the esophagogastric junction. The patient was safely treated with endoscopic hemoclipping after the failure of sclerotherapy., Conclusions: The usefulness of hemoclipping in MWS is emphasized: although always self-limiting, endoscopic hemostasis is mandatory in high risk patients. The hemoclips are effective and safe in hemostasis in the case of bleeding visible vessel (spurting or oozing), even with or after sclerotherapy. The hemoclips not obstacles the healing.