Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Pathol 2019 Apr 4;247(5):662-671. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

Recent advances have provided evidence for the involvement of neutrophils in both innate and adaptive immunity, robustly challenging the old dogma that neutrophils are short-lived prototypical innate immune cells solely involved in acute responses to microbes and exerting collateral tissue damage. There is now ample evidence showing that neutrophils can migrate into different compartments of the lymphoid system where they contribute to the orchestration of the activation and/or suppression of lymphocyte effector functions in homeostasis and during chronic inflammation, such as autoimmune disorders and cancer. In support of this notion, neutrophils can generate a wide range of cytokines and other mediators capable of regulating the survival, proliferation and functions of both T and B cells. Read More

BMC Cancer 2018 Nov 21;18(1):1153. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Institut Paoli Calmettes & CRCM & Aix Marseille Univ, 232 Bd de Sainte Marguerite, 13009, Marseille, France.

Background: Three randomized trials have concluded at non inferiority of omission of complementary axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) for patients with involved sentinel node (SN). However, we can outline strong limitations of these trials to validate this attitude with a high scientific level. We designed the SERC randomized trial ( ClinicalTrials. Read More

Med Sci (Paris) 2018 Nov 12;34 Hors série n°2:26-31. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Illkirch, France - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1258, Illkirch, France - Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.

Calcium (Ca) is an essential regulator for a large number of cellular functions in various tissues and organs, and small disturbances of Ca homeostasis can severely compromise normal physiology. Intracellular Ca balance is mainly controlled by the reticular Ca sensor STIM1 and the plasma membrane Ca channel ORAI1 through a mechanism known as store-operated Ca entry (SOCE). Gain-of-function mutations in STIM1 or ORAI1 cause excessive extracellular Ca influx, resulting in tubular aggregate myopathy (TAM) and Stormorken syndrome (STRMK). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Oct;97(43):e12899

Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.

Background: Rectal cancer is one of the most common tumors and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in developed countries. Lymph node involvement remains the strongest prognostic factor associated with a worse prognosis in patients with rectal cancer. Several systematic reviews have investigated the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endorectal ultrasonography for lymph node involvement of rectal cancer and compared the diagnostic accuracy of different imaging techniques, but there are considerable differences in conclusions. Read More

In Vivo 2018 Nov-Dec;32(6):1301-1307

The London Breast Institute, Princess Grace Hospital, London, U.K.

The sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the new standard-of-care for patients with clinically node-negative invasive breast cancer. The focused examination of fewer lymph nodes in addition to improvements in histopathological and molecular analysis have increased the rate at which micrometastases and isolated tumor cells are identified. We reviewed the literature and summarized the evidence regarding the need for complete axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) following the finding of a positive sentinel node biopsy through the identification of the most important outcomes and evaluation of quality of evidence. Read More

Gynecol Oncol 2019 01 11;152(1):202-207. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, United Kingdom.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has been increasingly used in the management of early-stages cervical cancer instead of systematic pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND). The aim of this article is to give a critical overview of key aspects related to this concept, such as a necessity for reliable detection of micrometastases (MIC) in SLN and the requirements for SLN pathologic ultrastaging, low accuracy of intraoperative detection of SLN involvement, and still a limited evidence of oncological safety of the replacement of PLND by SLN biopsy only in ≥IB1 tumours due to unknown risk of MIC in non-SLN pelvic lymph nodes in patients with negative SLN, and absence of any prospective evidence. Read More

Forensic Sci Int 2018 Oct 18;291:94-99. Epub 2018 Aug 18.

Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1148, New Zealand.

The spleen is infrequently investigated in forensic pathology routine. Thorough examinations are performed in very specific situations such as splenic trauma (including iatrogenic trauma from cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts), anaphylaxis-related deaths, drowning and sepsis. The purpose of this review article is to provide a general overview of available literature focusing on a few selected splenic diseases as well as available forensic investigation techniques performed on the spleen in order to summarize the most frequent situations of forensic interest in which this routinely unexplored organ may merit more extensive examination. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2018;1060:55-72

Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing (IIA), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

At sites of chronic inflammation, recruited immune cells form structures that resemble secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). Those are characterized by segregated areas of prevalent T- or B-cell aggregation, differentiation of high endothelial venules (HEVs) and local activation of resident stromal cells. B-cell proliferation and affinity maturation towards locally displayed autoantigens have been demonstrated at those sites, known as tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). Read More

Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2018 07 4;111:1-7. Epub 2018 May 4.

Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has plagued humanity for tens of thousands of years, yet still remains a threat to human health. Its pathology is largely associated with pulmonary tuberculosis with symptoms including fever, hemoptysis, and chest pain. Mtb, however, also manifests in other extrapulmonary organs, such as the pleura, bones, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, and lymph nodes. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2018 08 26;15(8):787-804. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

a Department of Pharmaceutics , Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal Karnataka State , India.

Introduction: The major challenge of first pass metabolism in oral drug delivery can be surmounted by directing delivery toward intestinal lymphatic system (ILS). ILS circumvents the liver and transports drug directly into systemic circulation via thoracic duct. Lipid and polymeric nanoparticles are transported into ILS through lacteal and Peyer's patches. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Jul 14;10(7). Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.

Immunomodulatory protein hydrolysate consumption may delay or prevent western immune-related diseases. In order to purposively develop protein hydrolysates with an optimal and reproducible immunomodulatory effect, knowledge is needed on which components in protein hydrolysates are responsible for the immune effects. Important advances have been made on this aspect. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2018 Jul 13;143(14):1006-1013. Epub 2018 Jul 13.

Pioneering work has unraveled the role of the immune system in the development and control of cancer. This knowledge has set the basis for the successful implementation of immunotherapy into the standard of care for a large number of cancer types. Based on response rates and prolongation of overall survival, immunotherapeutic approaches have been approved in a growing number of tumor diseases. Read More

Gerontology 2019 11;65(2):106-119. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

The glymphatic system is a glial-dependent waste clearance pathway in the brain, in place of lymphatic vessels, dedicated to drain away soluble waste proteins and metabolic products. Specifically, the glymphatic network serves as a "front end" for waste clearance, and is connected downstream to an authentic lymphatic network, associated with dura covering the brain as well as cranial nerves and large vessels at the skull exits. The anatomical and functional interconnections between these two networks are not completely understood. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2018 ;1809:3-15

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.

The lungs are a complex organ that fulfill multiple life-sustaining roles including transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the ambient environment and the bloodstream, host defense, and immune homeostasis. As in any biological system, an understanding of the underlying anatomy is prerequisite for successful experimental design and appropriate interpretation of data, regardless of the precise experimental model or procedure in use. This chapter provides an overview of human lung anatomy focused on the airways, the ultrastructure or parenchyma of the lung, the pulmonary vasculature, the innervation of the lungs, and the pulmonary lymphatic system. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Jun 5;19(6). Epub 2018 Jun 5.

Institute for Cardiovascular & Metabolic Research, School of Biological Sciences, Harborne Building, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AS, UK.

Connexins (Cxs) and pannexins (Panxs) are ubiquitous membrane channel forming proteins that are critically involved in many aspects of vascular physiology and pathology. The permeation of ions and small metabolites through Panx channels, Cx hemichannels and gap junction channels confers a crucial role to these proteins in intercellular communication and in maintaining tissue homeostasis. This review provides an overview of current knowledge with respect to the pathophysiological role of these channels in large arteries, the microcirculation, veins, the lymphatic system and platelet function. Read More

Rofo 2018 Sep 6;190(9):825-835. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

Department for Radiology, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.

Background:  Vascular anomalies are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They require dedicated interdisciplinary management. Optimal patient care relies on integral medical evaluation and a classification system established by experts in the field, to provide a better understanding of these complex vascular entities. Read More

J Vis Exp 2018 05 19(135). Epub 2018 May 19.

National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Large animals (both livestock and wildlife) serve as important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, including Brucella, Mycobacterium bovis, Salmonella, and E. coli, and are useful for the study of pathogenesis and/or spread of the bacteria in natural hosts. With the key function of lymph nodes in the host immune response, lymph node tissues serve as a potential source of RNA for downstream transcriptomic analyses, in order to assess the temporal changes in gene expression in cells over the course of an infection. Read More

Ann Anat 2018 Sep 26;219:25-34. Epub 2018 May 26.

Translational Cancer Biology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Finland; Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address:

While both blood and lymphatic vessels transport fluids and thus share many similarities, they also show functional and structural differences, which can be used to differentiate them. Specific visualization of lymphatic vessels has historically been and still is a pivot point in lymphatic research. Many of the proteins that are investigated by molecular biologists in lymphatic research have been defined as marker molecules, i. Read More

Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2018 Jun 1;39(3):273-281. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson, Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Electronic address:

Incidental findings are commonly detected by computed tomography, but distinguishing which findings have little or no clinical consequence and which are significant enough to require further evaluation is not always clear. This distinction is important for patient care and to ensure appropriate use of health care resources. This article aims to highlight some of the incidental findings detected by low-dose CT (LDCT) performed for lung cancer screening and to present an overview of currently accepted management recommendations. Read More

Curr Opin Immunol 2018 08 19;53:161-166. Epub 2018 May 19.

Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy. Electronic address:

The investigation of the lymphatic system has a very long and intriguing history, with several medical figures which brought important contributions. Work on the lymphatic system began in the 17th century, and by the beginning of the 19th century the anatomy of most of the lymphatic system had been described. This system is an essential component of the immune system, as well as vital to the maintenance of fluid homeostasis within the body. Read More

Clin Exp Metastasis 2018 Aug 17;35(5-6):547-551. Epub 2018 May 17.

Division of Plastic Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

This summit focusing on lymphedema following cancer therapy was held during the 7th International Symposium on Cancer Metastasis through the Lymphovascular System. It was unique for the inclusion of patients with lymphedema joining physicians, therapists, healthcare professionals, and researchers to highlight what is known and more importantly what is unknown about the current state of research and treatment in the United States. The session opened with an introduction to lymphedema and then explored the incidence of multiple cancer-related lymphedemas, imaging tools and techniques useful for the diagnosis of lymphatic system abnormalities, and the new findings concerning the genetics of cancer-related lymphedema. Read More

Chin J Traumatol 2018 Jun 24;21(3):137-151. Epub 2018 Apr 24.

Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA; Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that TBI is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Despite improved supportive and rehabilitative care of TBI patients, unfortunately, all late phase clinical trials in TBI have yet to yield a safe and effective neuroprotective treatment. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Apr;97(17):e0593

Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.

Second cancer is a leading cause of death in long-term survivors of younger early-stage breast cancer patients. To date, relationship of age, receipt of radiotherapy (RT), and estimated doses received by target organs have not yet been well elucidated. Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, patients aged 20 to 44, diagnosed with a first primary staging I-IIIA ipsilateral breast invasive ductal carcinoma, underwent surgery during 1988 to 2009 were identified, and those with a second malignancy at ≥1-year follow-up were analyzed to calculate cumulative incidences (CIs) of second malignancy in whole group and each subgroup. Read More

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2018 06 27;18(6):543-553. Epub 2018 Mar 27.

a Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Kyushu University , Fukuoka , Japan.

Introduction: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare neoplastic condition that commonly affects the anogenital area in the elderly. Owing to its low incidence, limited data regarding EMPD's diagnosis and treatment have been available. This review article aims to explore the current knowledge of EMPD to improve the management of this disease. Read More

J Surg Oncol 2018 Jun 24;117(7):1420-1431. Epub 2018 Mar 24.

Division of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

As lymphatic microsurgery has become more common, vascularized lymph node transfer ascended to the forefront in many centers for the surgical management of advanced stages of lymphedema showing substantial clinical improvement. However, no consensus has been reached among experts regarding many details of the procedures, including patient selection criteria, type of treatment, donor, and recipient sites and postoperative evaluation of the outcome. Here, we will review these issues and provide the current results of this procedure. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2018 05 6;15(5):459-467. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

b Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy , University of Sassari , Sassari , Italy.

Introduction: Lymphatic vessels are the preferential route of most solid tumors to spread their metastases in the body. The onset of metastatic nests in draining lymph nodes (LNs) are a significant indicator of cancer progression and a dismaying sign of worsen staging. Therefore, the individuation and elimination of cancer cells within the lymphatic system (LS) are an important goal. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 26;9:54. Epub 2018 Jan 26.

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States.

Mice engrafted with human immune cells offer powerful model systems to investigate molecular and cellular processes of tumorigenesis, as well as to test therapeutic approaches to treat the resulting cancer. The use of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells as a source of human immune cells for engraftment is technically straightforward, and provides T lymphocytes and autologous antigen-presenting cells (including B cells, monocytes, and DCs) that bear cognate antigen presenting molecules. By using a human-specific oncogenic virus, such as Epstein-Barr virus, neoplastic transformation of the human B cells can be induced in a manner that models progressive stages of tumorigenesis from nascent neoplasia to the establishment of vascularized tumor masses with an immunosuppressive environment. Read More

Surg Pathol Clin 2018 Mar 29;11(1):43-59. Epub 2017 Nov 29.

Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 401 North Broadway Street, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address:

Lymph node inclusions can occur in axillary lymph nodes, where they can mimic metastatic breast carcinoma. This article provides an overview of epithelial and nonepithelial lymph node inclusions, including mammary-type glandular inclusions, Mullerian-type glandular inclusions, squamous inclusions, mixed glandular-squamous inclusions, and nodal nevi. The discussion emphasizes the histologic and immunophenotypic features and differential diagnoses of each entity. Read More

Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018 02 24;1413(1):11-24. Epub 2018 Jan 24.

Neurology IV, Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy.

Pathogen infections and dysregulated Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated innate immune responses are suspected to play key roles in autoimmunity. Among TLRs, TLR7 and TLR9 have been implicated in several autoimmune conditions, mainly because of their ability to promote abnormal B cell activation and survival. Recently, we provided evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persistence and reactivation in the thymus of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, suggesting an involvement of EBV in the intrathymic pathogenesis of the disease. Read More

Technol Cancer Res Treat 2017 12 31;16(6):705-716. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Purpose: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy is the mainstay of treatment for many types of malignancies. However, concurrent chemoradiation therapy is associated with a greater number of systemic adverse effects than radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone.

Summary: Pharmacokinetics is the study of a drug and/or its metabolite kinetics in the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. Read More

Future Oncol 2018 May 20;14(12):1213-1222. Epub 2017 Dec 20.

Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is an uncommon indolent lymphoma classified into subtypes based on primary site of involvement: splenic, nodal and extranodal. MZLs' relative rarity has largely precluded adoption of a standard management strategy. Here, we provide an overview of the epidemiology, clinical behavior and therapeutic approaches for each subtype. Read More

Molecules 2017 Dec 5;22(12). Epub 2017 Dec 5.

The Mondor Institute of Biomedical Research (IMRB), INSERM U955, Team 09, F-94010 Créteil CEDEX, France.

l-amino acid oxidases are flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent enzymes present in all major kingdom of life, from bacteria to mammals. They participate in defense mechanisms by limiting the growth of most bacteria and parasites. A few mammalian LAAOs have been described, of which the enzyme "interleukin-4 induced gene 1" (IL4I1) is the best characterized. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2017 11 27. Epub 2017 Nov 27.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Lipid based nanocarriers have gained recently enormous interest for pharmaceutical application. They have the potential to provide controlled drug release and to target the drug to a specific area. In addition, lipid based nanocarriers can improve the bioavailability of drugs suffering from high hepatic first-pass metabolism, by enhancing their transport via the lymphatic system. Read More

Vet Comp Oncol 2018 Jun 27;16(2):178-187. Epub 2017 Nov 27.

Clinic for Small Animal Surgery, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

The relevance of regional lymph node (LN) assessment to quantify the metastatic spread of cancer is well recognized in veterinary oncology. Evaluation of LNs is critical for tumour staging. However, sampling the correct LN may not be possible without sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping. Read More

Am J Hematol 2018 02 12;93(2):205-212. Epub 2017 Dec 12.

Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The Gaucher Outcome Survey (GOS) is an international Gaucher disease (GD) registry established in 2010 for patients with a confirmed GD diagnosis, regardless of GD type or treatment status, designed to evaluate the safety and long-term effectiveness of velaglucerase alfa and other GD-related treatments. As of February 25, 2017, 1209 patients had enrolled, the majority from Israel (44.3%) and the US (31. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2017 Sep;23(35):6491-6499

Department of Pathology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan 682-714, South Korea.

Aim: To provide the overall spectrum of gastrosplenic fistula (GSF) occurring in lymphomas through a systematic review including a patient at our hospital.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in the MEDLINE database to identify studies of GSF occurring in lymphomas. A computerized search of our institutional database was also performed. Read More

Nanotheranostics 2017 9;1(3):244-260. Epub 2017 Jun 9.

Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.

Synthetic nanoparticles play an increasingly significant role in vaccine design and development as many nanoparticle vaccines show improved safety and efficacy over conventional formulations. These nanoformulations are structurally similar to viruses, which are nanoscale pathogenic organisms that have served as a key selective pressure driving the evolution of our immune system. As a result, mechanisms behind the benefits of nanoparticle vaccines can often find analogue to the interaction dynamics between the immune system and viruses. Read More

Annu Rev Physiol 2018 02 13;80:49-70. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA; email:

The lymphatic system is essential for the maintenance of tissue fluid homeostasis, gastrointestinal lipid absorption, and immune trafficking. Whereas lymphatic regeneration occurs physiologically in wound healing and tissue repair, pathological lymphangiogenesis has been implicated in a number of chronic diseases such as lymphedema, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Insight into the regulatory mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis and the manner in which uncontrolled inflammation promotes lymphatic dysfunction is urgently needed to guide the development of novel therapeutics: These would be designed to reverse lymphatic dysfunction, either primary or acquired. Read More

Physiology (Bethesda) 2017 11;32(6):444-452

Center for Vascular & Developmental Biology, Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

The lymphatic vasculature is crucial for maintaining tissue-fluid homeostasis, providing immune surveillance and mediating lipid absorption. The lymphatic vasculature is tightly associated with the blood vasculature, although it exhibits distinct morphological and functional features. Endothelial cells (ECs) lineage fate specification is determined during embryonic development; however, accumulating evidence suggests that differentiated ECs exhibit remarkable heterogeneity and plasticity. Read More

Acta Chir Belg 2018 Oct 19;118(5):331-335. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

a Departments of General Surgery , Mariaziekenhuis , Overpelt , Belgium.

Introduction: Lymphangioma accounts for 5% of benign pediatric tumors and less than 1% is located in the abdomen. While mesenteric lymphatic malformation or mesenteric lymphangioma (ML), mostly appears asymptomatic in adults, an acute clinical presentation is seen more often in children. Symptoms can mimic obstruction or peritonitis and diagnosis can therefore be challenging. Read More

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017 10;2(10):757-766

Department of Surgery, University College London Hospital, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK. Electronic address:

Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging is a surgical tool with increasing applications in colorectal surgery. This tool has received acceptance in various surgical disciplines as a potential method to enhance surgical field visualisation, improve lymph node retrieval, and decrease the incidence of anastomotic leaks. In colorectal surgery specifically, small studies have shown that intraoperative fluorescence imaging is a safe and feasible method to assess anastomotic perfusion, and its use might affect the incidence of anastomotic leaks. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2017 Nov 12;52(11):1185-1193. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.

The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is a unique organ inhabited by a range of commensal microbes, while also being exposed to an overwhelming load of antigens in the form of dietary antigens on a daily basis. The GI tract has dual roles in the body, in that it performs digestion and uptake of nutrients while also carrying out the complex and important task of maintaining immune homeostasis, i.e. Read More

BMC Cancer 2017 Jul 5;17(1):468. Epub 2017 Jul 5.

Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.

Secondary lymphedema of the upper and lower extremities related to prior oncologic therapies, including cancer surgeries, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, is a major cause of long-term morbidity in cancer patients. For the upper extremities, it is most commonly associated with prior oncologic therapies for breast cancer, while for the lower extremities, it is most commonly associated with oncologic therapies for gynecologic cancers, urologic cancers, melanoma, and lymphoma. Both non-surgical and surgical management strategies have been developed and utilized, with the primary goal of all management strategies being volume reduction of the affected extremity, improvement in patient symptomology, and the reduction/elimination of resultant extremity-related morbidities, including recurrent infections. Read More

Am Surg 2017 Jun;83(6):554-558

The delayed development of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm (SAP) can complicate the nonoperative management of splenic injuries. We sought to determine the utility of repeat imaging in diagnosing SAP in patients managed nonoperatively without angioembolization. We hypothesized that a significant rate of SAPs would be found in this population on repeat imaging. Read More

Surg Radiol Anat 2018 Jan 19;40(1):21-29. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

Department of Anatomy, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic.

A thorough understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and development of the spleen is essential for determining the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning splenic diseases and congenital variations. The aim of this review is to briefly summarize current knowledge regarding the normal development of the spleen, and to provide an overview of clinically relevant congenital splenic variations. These include such variations as asplenia, polysplenia, hyposplenia, lobulation of spleen, accessory spleens, accessory splenic nodules, wandering spleen, splenogonadal and splenopancreatic fusion, splenic cysts, and cavernous haemangioma of the spleen. Read More

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2017 07 13;17(7):615-624. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Radboud university medical center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.

Introduction: Inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy (IFL) is performed in the treatment for vulvar cancer. One or more complications after IFL is reported in up to 85% of the patients. This review presents an overview of surgical techniques and peri- and post-operative care that has been studied in order to reduce the morbidity associated with IFL in vulvar cancer patients. Read More

Am Surg 2017 May;83(5):502-506

Blunt spleen injury is usually managed nonoperatively. An 8-year retrospective analysis by one community surgeon was done to provide an overview of the role of CT, angiography, and transfusion in the management algorithm. A total of 2750 patients were screened and 125 patients were identified with spleen injury. Read More

Transl Res 2017 07 26;185:58-84.e15. Epub 2017 Apr 26.

Department of Clinical Oncology, Hollycross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland; Department of Prevention and Cancer Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences of the Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Kielce, Poland.

Eight million people die of cancer each year and 90% of deaths are caused by systemic disease. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) contribute to the formation of metastases and thus are the subject of extensive research and an abiding interest to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Recent technological advances have resulted in greatly improved CTC detection, enumeration, expansion, and culture methods. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2017 May 11;18(5). Epub 2017 May 11.

Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921, Singapore.

Long gone is the time when tumors were thought to be insular masses of cells, residing independently at specific sites in an organ. Now, researchers gradually realize that tumors interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), blood vessels, connective tissues, and immune cells in their environment, which is now known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). It has been found that the interactions between tumors and their surrounds promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Read More

Laryngorhinootologie 2017 Aug 9;96(8):522-527. Epub 2017 May 9.

Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Ulm.

Castleman's disease is a very rare and potentially severe lymphoproliferative disorder. First sign may be cervical lymphadenitis, requiring sufficient support in diagnosis and therapy by an ENT specialist. Based on a case series the current manuscript gives an overview of the symptoms, the course of disease and the therapy options. Read More