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Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) during liver-metastasis resection for treatment of colon cancer may increase the risk of further metastasis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) activation has been observed to exert a protective effect against IRI and IRI-induced metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone on tumor metastasis and liver injury following IRI in a mouse model of colon cancer. Pioglitazone (30 mg/kg weight) was administered orally 1.5 h before and 2 h after the initiation of ischemia and was orally administrated daily to mice from day 0-21. SL4-cancer cells expressing red fluorescent protein (SL4-RFP) (1 × 106) were injected into the spleen. Fifteen minutes after injection, the hepatoduodenal ligament was clamped with a vessel clip, and released 5 min later. Liver, blood and tumor samples were taken from mice in order to determine if inflammation was induced by IRI. The effect of pioglitazone on liver metastasis was assessed. Furthermore, the effect of pioglitazone to control the inflammatory response during IRI progression was examined. Liver metastasis along with MMP-9 activation and the production of inflammatory cytokines were resistant to pioglitazone. Our results indicate that liver metastasis and associated inflammation in mice were resistant to pioglitazone.

Introduction: Robotic‐assisted surgery has become increasingly popular because of its potential benefits. Anatomical liver resection (ALR) is a valuable strategy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management. ALR with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence navigation was reported as an effective solution for segment identification. We reported a simple and convenient "preoperative positive staining technique" for laparoscopic ALR to overcome some limitations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of robotic‐assisted surgery in which ALR was performed using this technique. Materials and Surgical Technique: A 69‐year‐old man presented with a 12‐mm HCC in segment 8. Preoperative three‐dimensional simulation images showed that the fourth‐order branch of the portal vein was a tumor‐bearing portal pedicle. After anesthesia induction, 1 mL of 0.025 mg/mL ICG was injected percutaneously into this branch under B‐mode ultrasound guidance before pneumoperitoneum. A robotic laparoscope was inserted. The preoperative positive staining area was clearly stained on the liver surface with the Firefly mode on the da Vinci Xi system. Based on the demarcation line, the liver parenchymal resection was started. The ICG fluorescence staining area was checked frequently on the resected side of the liver transection plane. Subsequently, the fourth‐order portal branch was identified with the ICG fluorescence technique and ligated. Finally, the specimen was resected. The operation took 352 min, with 10 mL of blood loss, and was completed without any operative problems. Discussion: Although many cases are required, the proposed preoperative positive staining technique appears useful for accurate and precise surgery given the increasing application of robotic‐assisted hepatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to investigate Piezo1 expression in myofibroblasts in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy and its relationship with atherosclerotic plaque formation. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed carotid plaques of 17 randomly selected patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy from May 2015 to August 2017. In total, 51 sections (the most stenotic lesion, and the sections 5-mm proximal and distal) stained with hematoxylin-eosin and elastica-Masson were examined. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies to Piezo1. The Piezo1 score of a section was calculated semiquantitatively, averaged across 30 randomly selected myofibroblasts in the fibrous cap of the plaque. Results: Of 17 patients (mean age: 74.2 ± 7.1 years), 15 were men, 9 had diabetes mellitus, and 13 had hypertension. Symptomatic patients had higher mean Piezo1 score than asymptomatic patients (1.78 ± 0.23 vs 1.34 ± 0.17, p <.001). Univariate linear regression analyses suggested an association between plaque rupture, thin-cap fibroatheroma and microcalcifications and the Piezo1 score (p =.001,.008, and 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Increased Piezo1 expression of myofibroblasts may be associated with atherosclerotic carotid plaque instability. Further study is warranted to support this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gore-Tex® polytetrafluoroethylene patch is one of the most used prostheses for diaphragm, vessel, and pericardial reconstruction. It is strong, flexible, and relatively inexpensive and can be fitted to match the size of the resected area. In addition, it can be used to reconstruct the pericardium and diaphragm following resection to treat diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma or repair large hiatal hernias. However, the use of polytetrafluoroethylene for hepatocellular carcinoma with diaphragmatic and pericardial invasion has not yet been reported. We report the case of a 72-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma with diaphragmatic and pericardial invasion. Subsequently, laparotomic liver subsegmentectomy of segment 3 and resection of the diaphragm and pericardium were performed. The defects were successfully reconstructed using the polytetrafluoroethylene patch, without postoperative complications. This is the first report describing a case of invasive liver malignancy that required simultaneous diaphragmatic and pericardial reconstruction using a polytetrafluoroethylene patch, indicating that the polytetrafluoroethylene patch could effectively and directly treat invasive liver malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]