Impact of Covid-19 on gastrointestinal cancer surgery: A National Survey.

PURPOSE: To understand the actual impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and frame the future strategies, we conducted a pan India survey to study the impact on the surgical management of gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: A national multicentre survey in the form of a questionnaire from 16 tertiary care gastrointestinal oncology centres across India was conducted from January 2019 to June 2021 that was divided into a 15-month pre-Covid era and a similar period of active Covid pandemic era. RESULTS: There was significant disruption of services; 13 (81%) centres worked as dedicated Covid care centres and 43% reported suspension of essential care for more than 6 months. In active Covid phase, there was a 14.5% decrease in registrations and proportion of decrease was highest in the centres from South zone (22%). There was decrease in resections across all organ systems; maximum reduction was noted in hepatic resections (33%) followed by oesophageal and gastric resections (31 and 25% respectively). There was minimal decrease in colorectal resections (5%). A total of 584 (7.1%) patients had either active Covid-19 infection or developed infection in the post-operative period or had recovered from Covid-19 infection. Only 3 (18%) centres reported higher morbidity, while the rest of the centres reported similar or lower morbidity rates when compared to pre-Covid phase; however, 6 (37%) centres reported slightly higher mortality in the active Covid phase. CONCLUSION: Covid-19 pandemic resulted in significant reduction in new cancer registrations and elective gastrointestinal cancer surgeries. Perioperative morbidity remained similar despite 7.1% perioperative Covid 19 exposure.

Effectiveness of Yoga Lifestyle on Lipid Metabolism in a Vulnerable Population-A Community Based Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Dyslipidemia poses a high risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There are no studies on the impact of a validated integrated yoga lifestyle protocol on lipid profiles in a high-risk diabetes population. Methods: Here, we report the results of lipid profile values of 11,254 (yoga 5932 and control 5322) adults (20-70 years) of both genders with high risk (≥60 on Indian diabetes risk score) for diabetes from a nationwide rural and urban community-based two group (yoga and conventional management) cluster randomized controlled trial. The yoga group practiced a validated integrated yoga lifestyle protocol (DYP) in nine day camps followed by daily one-hour practice. Biochemical profiling included glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles before and after three months. Results: There was a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001 ANCOVA) with improved serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein in the yoga group compared to the control group. Further, the regulatory effect of yoga was noted with a significant decrease or increase in those with high or low values of lipids, respectively, with marginal or no change in those within the normal range. Conclusion: Yoga lifestyle improves and regulates (lowered if high, increased if low) the blood lipid levels in both genders of prediabetic and diabetic individuals in both rural and urban Indian communities.

An Unusual Cause of Chylothorax after Esophagectomy.

Chylothorax due to inadvertent thoracic duct injury after esophagectomy is a well-known complication and requires careful postoperative management and timely intervention to prevent potential morbidity and mortality. We present a case of high-output chylothorax after esophagectomy where the source of chyle leak was not in the thorax.

Exploring the relationship between LST and land cover of Bengaluru by concentric ring approach.

The present study aims at investigating the impact of land cover features in enhancing or mitigating Land Surface Temperature (LST) in a semi-arid tropical metropolitan city of Bengaluru, India. Spatial distribution of LST and land cover types of the area were examined in the circumferential direction, and the contribution of land cover classes on LST was studied over 28 years. Urban growth and LST were modelled using Landsat and MODIS data for the years 1989, 2001, 2005 and 2017 based on the concentric ring approach. The study provides an efficient methodology for modelling and parameterisation of LST and urban growth by fitting an inverse S-curve into urban density (UD) and mean LST data. In addition, multiple linear regression models which could effectively predict the LST distribution based on land cover types were developed for both day and night time. Based on the analysis of remotely sensed data for LST, it is observed that over the years, urban core area has increased circumferentially from 5 to 10 km, and the urban growth has spread towards outskirts beyond 15 km from the city centre. As urban expansion occurs, the area under the study experiences an expansive cooling effect during day time; at night, an expansive heating effect is experienced in accordance with the growth in UD in the suburban area and outskirts. The regression models that were developed have relatively high accuracy with R2 value of more than 0.94 and could explain the relationship between LST and land cover types. The study also revealed that there exists a negative correlation between urban, vegetation, water body and LST during day time while a positive correlation is observed during night. Thus, this study could assist urban planners and policymakers in understanding the scientific basis for urban heating effect and predict LST for the future development for implementing green infrastructure. The proposed methodology could be applied to other urban areas for quantifying the distribution of LST and different land cover types and their interrelationships.

Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy for a Huge Leiomyosarcoma.

Esophageal leiomyosarcoma is the commonest of all esophageal sarcomas but yet has a very low incidence. These tumors have been resected by the open approach so far. We describe the steps and challenges involved in the thoracoscopic excision of a huge leiomyosarcoma of the esophagus.

Surgery for cystic tumors of pancreas: Report of high-volume, multicenter Indian experience over a decade.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cystic neoplasms remain uncommon. Although data are accumulating on the incidence of pancreatic cystic neoplasms in the published literature, Indian data on these tumors are sparse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collated data from prospectively maintained databases of patients operated for cystic tumors of the pancreas from 2007 to 2016 at 7 academic centers across India to gain insights into clinical presentation and outcome of the operative treatment of these tumors. Data were compared with large series across the world to understand the regional differences in this pathology. RESULTS: Of the 423 patients, there were 98 (23.2%) serous cystic neoplasms, 128 (30.2%) mucinous neoplasms, 34(8%) intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, and 121 (28.6%) solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasms managed in these 7 academic centers. Malignancy (adenocarcinoma, malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma) was reported in 39 (9.2%) patients. Median age at presentation was 41 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 3.4:1. At presentation, 81% of patients were symptomatic. A total of 66.7% of lesions were located in body and tail region of the pancreas. Median tumor size was 6 cm. Operative resection with curative intent was performed in 405 of these 423 patients. Major morbidity occurred in 12%, and 30-day perioperative mortality was 0.9%. Laparoscopic resections were performed in 18% and spleen-preserving resections were performed in 3% of patients. CONCLUSION: Female preponderance, young age, and a benign nature of most pancreatic cystic neoplasms were observed. Large size of tumors on presentation, fewer intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm resections, and a much greater incidence of solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasms were distinctive of this study. Although the proportion of laparoscopic resections and splenic preservation was less compared with Western centers, the perioperative morbidity and mortality was on par with established standards.

The impact of spatiotemporal patterns of land use land cover and land surface temperature on an urban cool island: a case study of Bengaluru.

In most of the developing countries, man-made developments in the environment have led to the growing demand to contextualize the land use land cover (LULC) changes and land surface temperature (LST) variations. Due to the modification in the surface properties of the cities, a difference in energy balance between the cities and its nonurban surroundings is observed. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of LULC and LST and its interrelationship in Bengaluru urban district, India, during the period from 1989 to 2017 using remote sensing data. Intensity analysis was performed for the interval to analyze the LULC change and identify the driving forces. The impact of LULC change on LST was assessed using hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi* statistics). The results of this study show that (a) dominant LULC change experienced is the increase in urban area (approximately 40%) and the rate of land use change was faster in the time period 1989-2001 than 2001-2017; (b) the major transition witnessed is from barren and agricultural land to urban; (c) over the period of 28 years, LST patterns for different land use classes exhibit an increasing trend with an overall increase of approximately 6 °C and the mean LST of urban area increased by about 8 °C; (d) LST pattern change can be effectively analyzed using hot spot analysis; and (e) as the urban expansion occurs, the cold spots have increased, and it is mainly clustered in the urban area. It confirms the presence of an urban cool island effect in Bengaluru urban district. The findings of this work can be used as a scientific basis for the sustainable development and land use planning of the region in the future.

18F-FDG PET/CT of Internal Mammary Lymph Node Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastases.

Hepatocellular carcinoma usually metastasizes to regional abdominal lymph nodes. Distant lymph nodal metastases are relatively rare with most common extra abdominal sites being mediastinum and juxtaphrenic regions. Metastasis to internal mammary lymph nodes is extremely rare, and we present a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with histopathologically proven internal mammary lymph nodal metastasis in the absence of regional abdominal lymph nodal metastases.

What can be done when the cored specimen in a Frey procedure for chronic pancreatitis is reported as adenocarcinoma?

The aim of this study is to analyze the outcomes of patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent the Frey procedure and who had a histologic evidence of adenocarcinoma in the cored out specimen.The type of analysis is retrospective. Out of 523 patients who underwent Frey procedure for chronic pancreatitis, seven (five males and two females; age range 42 to 54 years) had histologically proven adenocarcinoma. In the first four cases, intraoperative frozen section was not done. The diagnosis was made on routine histopathology and only one out of four could undergo attempted curative therapy. In the remaining three cases, intraoperative frozen section confirmation was available, and curative resection performed. Only four out of seven had a clear-cut mass lesion: (a) cancer can occur in chronic pancreatitis in the absence of a mass lesion and (b) intraoperative frozen section of the cored specimen is crucial to exercising curative therapeutic options and must be performed routinely. If frozen section is reported as adenocarcinoma, a head resection with repeat frozen of the margins of resection is appropriate. If the adenocarcinoma is reported on regular histopathology after several days, then a total pancreatectomy may be more appropriate.

The effect of smoking on ACL reconstruction: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) depends on proper healing of the graft or bone plug at the cellular level. The effect of cigarette smoke on ACLR was not commonly reported until recently. The primary purpose of this review was to determine if smoking has a negative effect on subjective or objective outcome scores after ACLR. The secondary purpose was to identify any increased risk of complications, infection, ACL re-tear, or revision procedures. METHODS: A systematic literature review of the MEDLINE, SCOPUS and PubMed databases was performed to identify all studies that compared outcomes of ACLR surgery between smokers and nonsmokers. The frequency-weighted mean was calculated for outcome measures that were similar across several studies. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were identified that met inclusion criteria for patients undergoing ACLR (mean age, 26.8 years) with a mean follow-up of 37 months. Smokers had significantly worse subjective outcome measures and worse side-to-side difference in anterior translation compared to non-smokers (2.68 mm vs 1.89 mm, respectively). In 2 studies, smokers were found to have a significantly higher risk of developing an infection and VTE (venous thromboembolism) post-operatively. The evidence for the effect of smoking on risk for subsequent re-tear is mixed. No study reported a higher rate of development of radiographic knee osteoarthritis among smokers compared to nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoke is associated with significantly worse clinical outcome scores, an increase in anterior translation, and increased complication rates after ACL reconstruction. These findings may help orthopaedic surgeons better inform their patients about the potential negative effects of smoking on the outcomes of ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Unusual Foreign Bodies in the Respiratory Tract of Children.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of a foreign body without history of aspiration has always been a challenge to pediatricians. CASE CHARACTERISTICS: Four cases presented with non-relieving acute or chronic history of respiratory symptoms. OBSERVATIONS: All of them had unusual types of foreign bodies-plastic flower toy, button, sticker or stone in their respiratory tract. OUTCOME: All four patients improved after removal of the foreign body. MESSAGE: A differential diagnosis of foreign body should always be made in an acute or chronic presentation of respiratory cases.

Localization techniques for guided surgical excision of non-palpable breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death amongst women in Europe. Amongst five invasive cancers per 1000 women detected in screening, 2.7 were < 15 mm in diameter; and others reported that over one third of excised breast lesions were clinically occult. The challenge is to accurately locate small non-palpable lesions intraoperatively for optimal therapeutic outcome. A secondary important goal is to remove the smallest amount possible of healthy glandular tissue for optimal cosmesis. Currently the most widely adopted approach (80% in one survey) in guided breast-conserving surgery for excising non-palpable breast lesions is wire-guided localization (WGL). With the clinical setting shifting towards earlier non-palpable breast lesions being detected through screening, we investigated whether the current standard in assisting surgical excision of these lesions, WGL, yields the best therapeutic outcome for women with breast cancer. OBJECTIVES: To assess the therapeutic outcomes of any new form of guided surgical intervention for non-palpable breast lesions against wire-guided localization, the current gold standard. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group's (CBCG) Specialized Register, MEDLINE (via PubMed), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) search portal from the earliest available date up to 30 March 2015. We also handsearched recent conference proceedings and sought information from experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Two review authors, BC and RJ, independently screened by title and abstract the studies we had identified through the search strategy; when this was inconclusive, they examined the full-text article for inclusion. We resolved any discrepancies regarding eligibility by discussion with a third review author, RA. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three review authors, BC, JW, and RJ, independently extracted data using a standardized data sheet. We performed all analyses using Review Manager (RevMan) or the R meta package, and in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We reported results via a graphical assessment using forest plots showing the study estimates. We considered and discussed additional subgroup and sensitivity analyses. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that met the inclusion criteria of this Cochrane review and included eight trials in the meta-analyses. Six RCTs compared radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) versus WGL, and two RCTs compared radioactive iodine ((125)I) seed localization (RSL) versus WGL. Of the three remaining trials, one RCT compared cryo-assisted techniques (CAL) versus WGL, one compared intraoperative ultrasound-guided lumpectomy (IOUS) versus WGL, and one compared modified ROLL technique in combination with methylene dye (RCML) versus WGL. Of the trials we included in the meta-analysis, there were a total of 1273 participants with non-palpable breast lesions (627 participants (WGL); 443 participants (ROLL); and 203 participants (RSL)). The participant population varied considerably between included trials, which included participants with both non-palpable benign and malignant lesions, and varied in defining clear margins. The included trials did not report any long-term outcomes.In general, the outcomes of WGL, ROLL and RSL were comparable.ROLL demonstrated favourable results in successful localization (risk ratio (RR) 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 2.28; 869 participants; six trials), positive excision margins (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.29; 517 participants; five trials), and re-operation rates (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.23; 583 participants; four trials) versus WGL, but none were statistically significant. WGL was significantly superior to RSL in successfully localizing non-palpable lesions (RR 3.85, 95% CI 1.21 to 12.19; 402 participants; two trials). However, for successful excision, ROLL and RSL have comparable outcomes versus WGL (ROLL versus WGL: RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.01; 871 participants; six trials; RSL versus WGL: RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.01; 402 participants; two trials). These findings were similar in that RSL demonstrated favourable results over WGL in positive tumour margins (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.06; 366 participants; two trials), and re-operation rates (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.32; 305 participants; one trial) but neither reached statistical significance. In contrast, WGL had fewer postoperative complications to both ROLL (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.98; 642 participants; four trials) and RSL (RR 1.51, 95% CI 0.75 to 3.03; 305 participants; one trial), although this was also not statistically significant.The overall quality of evidence was good. The main risk of bias amongst included studies consisted of incomplete data sets, selective reporting, and allocation concealment. Interpretation and applicability of this meta-analysis was hindered by the mixed indication of diagnostic versus therapeutic purposes when undertaking WGL, ROLL, or RSL, leading to a high level of mixed pathology in numerous trials. Other limitations include underpowered studies, lack of data in standardized format for meta-analysis, lack of complete data amongst the trials, and absence of long-term data. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Owing to a lack of trials in certain localization techniques, we could only draw conclusions about ROLL and RSL versus WGL. There is no clear evidence to support one guided technique for surgically excising a non-palpable breast lesion over another. Results from this Cochrane review support the continued use of WGL as a safe and tested technique that allows for flexibility in selected cases when faced with extensive microcalcification. ROLL and RSL could be offered to patients as a comparable replacement for WGL as they are equally reliable. Other techniques such as IOUS, RCML, and CAL are of academic interest, but recommendation for routine use in the clinical environment and oncological outcomes require further validation. The results of this Cochrane review also stress the need for more fully powered RCTs to evaluate the best technique according to the comprehensive criteria described, with a more consistent and standardized approach in outcome reporting.

Antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis: an Indian multicenter observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Prophylactic antibiotics are used frequently for acute pancreatitis (AP). Consensus guidelines do not recommend this currently, based on moderate quality evidence. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibiotic use pattern in AP in India and propose a risk-directed approach to antibiotic use in AP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This multicenter study was conducted from 1 May 2013 to 31 July 2013. Eleven participants from eight tertiary centers completed a questionnaire that captured patient demographics, etiology, admission status, presence of (peri)pancreatic necrosis, severity of pancreatitis, details of antibiotic use, and clinical outcomes (total hospital stay, persistent organ failure, need for ICU, total days in ICU, development of infections, in-hospital mortality). RESULTS: A total of 200 proformas were analyzed. Seventy-three (36.5 %) had acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Eighty-nine (44.5 %), 52 (26 %), and 55 (27.5 %) patients had mild AP (MAP), moderately severe AP (MSAP), and severe AP (SAP), respectively. Forty-five (22.5 %) patients developed infections (unifocal 29; multifocal 16). One hundred thirty-four (67 %) patients received antibiotics, of which 89 (66.4 %) received prophylactic, while 45 (33.6 %) received therapeutic antibiotics. The distribution of antibiotic use according to the severity of AP was 43 (48.3 %) in patients with MAP (prophylactic in 41; therapeutic in 2), 36 (69.2 %) in patients with MSAP (prophylactic in 29; therapeutic in 7), and 55 (100 %) in patients with SAP (prophylactic in 19; therapeutic in 36). Therapeutic antibiotics were prescribed based on culture and sensitivity in 21 (46.7 %) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite nonrecommendation, prophylactic antibiotics are used frequently in AP. We emphasize on the need for multicenter randomized controlled trials on prophylactic antibiotics for AP based on a risk-directed approach, rather than a "blanket approach."

Hypolipidemic effect of oryzanol concentrate and low temperature extracted crude rice bran oil in experimental male wistar rats.

Blends of refined groundnut oil (GNO) and oryzanol concentrate having 3, 5, and 10% oryzanol in the blend, and a rice bran oil (RBO) which had retained all the nutrients such as oryzanol, tocopherols and tocotrienols and the unsaponifiable matter components of crude oil (GWF RBO) were prepared. Weanling rats were fed with diet containing the oil blends/rice bran oil at 10% level for 60 days and then dissected. The lipid profiles in serum, liver were investigated and the cholesterol levels were marginally reduced (7-16% in serum, 10-14.5% in liver) in rats fed oryzanol containing diet. RBO, GWF RBO containing diets showed a reduction of serum cholesterol by 14%, 15% respectively when compared to those fed with GNO. Serum and liver lipid analysis also showed significant change in TG concentration in rats fed blended oils containing oryzanol compared to the rats given GNO. Histology of liver and kidneys did not show changes. These studies indicated that oryzanol has an effect in lowering serum and liver cholesterol and shows antiatherogenic properties when incorporated into groundnut oil.