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1.
Front Digit Health ; 6: 1425769, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38832348

ABSTRACT

Immersive media, particularly Extended Reality (XR), is at the forefront of revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Healthcare provides XR with "silver bullet" use cases that add value and societal effect to the technology. Healthcare interventions frequently require imaging or visualization to be applied correctly, and the sensation of presence that XR can provide is crucial as a training aid for healthcare learners. From anatomy to surgical training, multimodal immersion in the reality of a medical situation increases the impact of an XR resource compared to the usual approach. Thus, healthcare has become a specialized focus for the immersive media sector, with a multitude of development and research underway. This research subject, which followed on from the previous one, yielded an eclectic group of works spanning the gamut of immersive media applications in healthcare. The underlying theme in these works remains a consistent focus on calibrating, validating, verifying, and standardizing procedures, instruments, and technologies in order to constantly rigorously streamline the means and materials that will integrate immersive technologies in healthcare. In that spirit, we share the findings from this research topic as a motivator for rigorous and evidence-based use of immersive media in digital and connected health.

2.
Acta Gastroenterol Belg ; 85(2): 331-337, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35709777

ABSTRACT

Background & aims: Tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) was shown equally efficacious in suppressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) but with less renal toxicity than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). The aim of this real-world study was to evaluate renal function in post-liver transplantation (LT) patients that changed TDF with TAF. Methods: The TAF group (n=17) included patients who switched to TAF due to low (<60 ml/min/1.73m2) Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). The control group included patients that remained on TDF (n=30), although some (n= 14) had chronic kidney disease (CKD) (TDF-CKD group). GFR was assessed using: i) MDRD-6 variable; ii) CKD-EPI formula; iii) radionuclide technique (rGFR). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups except for the presence of diabetes and follow-up period, which were more common and shorter, respectively, in the TAF group (35% vs. 10%, p=0.03; 13.7 vs. 35.5 months, p<0.001). At the end of follow-up there were no significant changes in renal function between the TAF and the TDF group or TDF-CKD group, although the numerical change in rGFR in the latter comparison was greater in the TAF group (ΔrGFR 3 vs. -2.14 ml/min, p=0.26). The use of everolimus was associated with improvement in renal function (ΔrGFR 2 vs. -7.75 ml/min, p=0.06 [TAF vs. TDF group]; 2 vs. -12 ml/min, p=0.01 [TAF vs. TDF-CKD group]). There were no TAF- related side effects or cases of HBV recurrence. Conclusion: Conversion to TAF in post-LT patients who develop CKD does not lead to improvement of kidney function after a period of one year.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Liver Transplantation , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Adenine/adverse effects , Alanine/therapeutic use , Humans , Tenofovir/analogs & derivatives , Tenofovir/therapeutic use
3.
Hernia ; 26(2): 567-579, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33400026

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Choice of the best possible fixation system in terms of safety and effectiveness for intraperitoneal mesh placement in hernia surgery remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of four fixation systems in a swine model of intraperitoneal mesh fixation. METHODS: Fourteen Landrace swine were utilized in the study. The experiment included two stages. Initially, four pieces of mesh (Ventralight ™ ST) sizing 10 × 5 cm were placed and fixed intraperitoneally to reinforce 4 small full thickness abdominal wall defects created with diathermy. These defects were repaired primarily with absorbable suture before mesh implantation. Each mesh was anchored with a different tack device between Absorbatack™, Protack™, Capsure™, or Optifix™. The second stage took place after 60 days and included euthanasia, laparoscopy, and laparotomy via U-shaped incision to obtain the measurements for the outcome parameters. The primary endpoint of the study was to compare the peel strength of the compound tack/mesh from the abdominal wall. Secondary parameters were the extent and quality of visceral adhesions to the mesh, the degree of mesh shrinkage and the histological response around the tacks. RESULTS: Thirteen out of 14 animals survived the experiment and 10 were included in the final analysis. Capsure™ tacks had higher peel strength when compared to Absorbatack™ (p = 0.028); Protack™ (p = 0.043); and Optifix™ (p = 0.009). No significant differences were noted regarding the extent of visceral adhesions (Friedman's test p value 0.854), the adhesion quality (Friedman's test p value 0.506), or the mesh shrinkage (Friedman's test p value = 0.827). Four out of the ten animals developed no adhesions at all 2 months after implantation. CONCLUSION: Capsure™ fixation system provided higher peel strength that the other tested devices in our swine model of intraperitoneal mesh fixation. Our findings generate the hypothesis that this type of fixation may be superior in a clinical setting. Clinical trials with long-term follow-up are required to assess the safety and efficacy of mesh fixation systems in hernia surgery.


Subject(s)
Hernia, Ventral , Laparoscopy , Animals , Hernia, Ventral/surgery , Herniorrhaphy , Humans , Surgical Mesh/adverse effects , Sutures , Swine , Tissue Adhesions/surgery
5.
Transplant Proc ; 44(9): 2706-8, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23146499

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to review the results of 279 laparoscopic living donor nephrectomies (LLDN) regarding outcomes of using the left or the right kidney. METHODS: Among 279 patients who underwent LLDN between August 1998 and April 2009, 260 underwent a left (group L) and 19, a right (group R) nephrectomy. The two groups were compared regarding intra- and postoperative parameters, including pre- and postoperative renal function, length of surgery, conversion to an open approach, delayed graft function, and complications. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding preoperative glomerular filtration rate (L = 129.5 ± 32 mL/min versus group R = 127.3 ± 26 mL/min), length of surgery (group L = 228 ± 58 minutes versus group R = 226 ± 62 minutes group), postoperative donor creatinine (group L = 1.36 ± 0.9 mg/dL versus group R = 1.48 ± 0.8 mg/dL), conversion to open (group L = 6.6% versus group R = 5.3%), delayed graft function (group L = 7.2% versus group R = 6.3%) and recipient postoperative creatinine at 1 month (group L = 1.54 ± 1.4 mg/dL versus group R = 1.32 ± 1.1 mg/dL). There were three intraoperative donor complications in group L (bleeding in one donor required transfusion), and none in group R. Similarly, there was a great albeit not a significant difference in the number of major postoperative donor complications among group L (n = 16) versus group R (n = 2). The right kidney was chosen because of the number of vessels (n = 5), presence of cysts (n = 5), size and renal function (n = 6), presence of renal stones (n = 2), and tortuous ureter (n = 1). The reasons for conversion to open included bleeding, anatomic issues, and presence of adhesions. It should be noted that during the last 3 years there were no conversions to open, whereas the only conversion among group R was the first case. CONCLUSIONS: Intra- and postoperative parameters were comparable between the groups. Considering the limitations of the small sample size of right LLDNs in this study, it appears that it is as safe and effective as a left procedure. The learning curve is extremely important, as can be seen by the lack of conversion in the last 3 years.


Subject(s)
Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy , Kidney Transplantation/methods , Living Donors , Nephrectomy/methods , Biomarkers/blood , Blood Loss, Surgical/prevention & control , Blood Transfusion , Clinical Competence , Creatinine/blood , Delayed Graft Function/blood , Delayed Graft Function/etiology , Delayed Graft Function/physiopathology , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Humans , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Learning Curve , Nephrectomy/adverse effects , Postoperative Complications/blood , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Postoperative Complications/physiopathology , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome
6.
Int J Surg Oncol ; 2012: 156935, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22611493

ABSTRACT

Aim. The aim of this paper is to investigate if the insertion of the pelvic drainage tube via the perineal wound could be considered as an independent risk factor for perineal healing disorders, after abdominoperineal resection for rectal malignancy. Patients and Methods. The last two decades, 75 patients underwent elective abdominoperineal resection for malignancy. In 42 patients (56%), the pelvic drain catheter was inserted through the perineal wound (PW group), while in the remaining 33 (44%) through a puncture skin wound of the perineum (SW group). Patients' data with respect to age (P = 0.136), stage (P > 0.05), sex (P = 0.188) and comorbidity (P = 0.128) were similar in both groups. 25 patients (PW versus SW: 8 versus 17, P = 0.0026) underwent neoadjuvant radio/chemotherapy. Results. The overall morbidity rate was 36%, but a significant increase was revealed in PW group (52.4% versus 9%, P = 0.0007). In 33.3% of the patients in the PW group, perineal healing was delayed, while in the SW group, no delay was noted. Perineal healing disorders were revealed as the main source of increased morbidity in this group. Conclusion. The insertion of the pelvic drain tube through the perineal wound should be considered as an independent risk factor predisposing to perineal healing disorders.

7.
Hippokratia ; 16(1): 6-10, 2012 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23930050

ABSTRACT

The European Union (EU) and the world are faced with unprecedented economic challenges, which if allowed to persist could threaten its continued existence in its current form as a union. Furthermore, these same financial challenges can easily translate into societal hardship. The biomedical and pharmaceutical industries of the U.S. and Europe have been in the midst of severe financial constraints over the last few years, which will worsen in the coming years. A critical factor is a financial crisis that appears to be spreading like wildfire through Europe, with 3 of its oldest members (Greece, Ireland, Portugal) already having enlisted the aid of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid bankruptcy, and with the possibility of others to follow (Italy, Spain). Adding to this the increasing cost of introducing new medications and devices, and conducting clinical research, as well as the tightening regulatory pressures and the drying pharmaceutical pipelines, cost cutting pressures are mounting on pharmaceutical industries and the biomedical sector, whether in academia or in industry. This paper will attempt to highlight some of the problems that clinical research in Europe may be facing, as well as discuss some of the potential solutions. Although this will by no means be an exhaustive analysis, the goal is to show that times of financial hardship, such as the current one, may also provide the impetus for constructive change.

8.
Hippokratia ; 16(1): 71-3, 2012 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23930062

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic pseudocyst in children due to abdominal trauma is a rare entity. We report a 14-year-old boy suffering from acute pancreatitis due to blunt abdominal trauma that occurred during a football game, and resulted in a large pseudocyst formation. The child was treated conservatively for the post traumatic acute pancreatitis for 4 weeks and thereafter he was followed up for another 2 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks after the first insult, the child underwent an open cystgastrostomy. Postoperative course was uneventful and the child was discharged on the 6(th) postoperative day.

9.
Tech Coloproctol ; 15 Suppl 1: S55-8, 2011 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21887574

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: Concurrent colorectal cancer (CRC) and vascular disease, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, represents a challenging clinical situation. Both lesions may lead to the demise of the patient and therefore should be treated. Endovascular techniques may enhance decision-making and even permit single-stage treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of patients in a university department with extensive endovascular experience. Between 2004 and 2010, seven patients with synchronous vascular disease and colorectal cancer were identified. RESULTS: The mean age was 73 years, and all patients were men. Five patients had concurrent CRC and aneurysmal disease. Two had synchronous critical carotid artery stenosis and CRC. All vascular lesions were treated with endovascular techniques. All CRC were resected with open techniques. In four patients, endovascular repair followed by staged CRC resection was performed. In three patients, single-stage procedures were performed. There was one perioperative death, for a mortality of 14.3% in our series. There were no graft infections. CONCLUSIONS: Priority of treating concurrent vascular disease and CRC remains a dilemma. Combined treatment with a single-stage procedure is feasible. Risk of graft infection may be lower than expected.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/surgery , Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/therapy , Carotid Artery, Internal , Carotid Stenosis/therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery , Iliac Aneurysm/therapy , Adenocarcinoma/complications , Aged , Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/complications , Carotid Stenosis/complications , Colorectal Neoplasms/complications , Endovascular Procedures , Humans , Iliac Aneurysm/complications , Male , Retrospective Studies , Stents , Treatment Outcome
10.
Hippokratia ; 13(4): 211-5, 2009 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20011084

ABSTRACT

Cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplantation in Europe, United States and Japan. Reinfection after liver transplantation is universal and chronic liver disease develops in at least 70% of patients at 3 years, with an accelerated course compared to the nontransplant setting. These facts underscore the need for a better understanding of hepatitis C infection and the various treatment modalities. This paper attempts a brief review of the scope of the disease, as well as the different treatment modalities, with special emphasis given to orthotopic liver transplantation.

11.
Transplant Proc ; 40(9): 3173-5, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19010225

ABSTRACT

We retrospectively evaluated the use of double-j stent and the incidence of urological complications in 2 groups of patients who received a kidney transplant. From January 2005 to September 2007 we studied 172 patients receiving kidney transplants, 65 and 107 from living and cadaver donors, respectively. From the 172 patients, a total of 34 were excluded due to ureterostomy or Politano-Leadbetter ureterovesical anastomosis. Another 21 patients were excluded from the study due to graft loss due to acute or hyperacute rejection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, or vascular complication. The remaining patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (44 patients) and B (73 patients) with versus without the use of a double-j-stent, respectively. The 2 groups were comparable in terms of donor and recipient gender, ischemia time, and delayed graft function. We failed to observes significant differences between the 2 groups in mean hospital stay (23 +/- 9 and 19 +/- 9), urinary leak (2.3% and 4.1%), and urinary tract infection (20.4% and 19.2%), among groups A and B, respectively. The only difference observed concerned the gravity of the urinary leak; no surgical intervention was needed among the double-j stent group versus 2 patients demanding ureterovesical reconstruction in the nonstent group. In conclusion, our data suggested that the routine use of a double-j stent for ureterovesical anastomosis neither significantly increased urinary tract infection rates, nor decreased the incidence of urinary leaks, but may decrease the gravity of the latter as evidenced by the need for surgical intervention.


Subject(s)
Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Ureteral Diseases/etiology , Ureteral Diseases/surgery , Equipment Design , Graft Survival , Humans , Kidney Transplantation/mortality , Patient Selection , Retrospective Studies , Stents , Survival Analysis , Survivors , Ureterostomy
12.
Transplant Proc ; 40(9): 3189-90, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19010229

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation represents the main treatment for alcoholic cirrhosis. The goal of this article is to review the results of liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis in Greece over the last 2 decades. METHODS: Among 247 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1991 and 2007, 34 (13.7%) experienced alcoholic cirrhosis as the primary diagnosis. We reviewed their demographic data, stage of liver disease, and outcomes regarding survival via a Kaplan-Meier curve. Also we analyzed the causes of death and the postoperative complications. RESULTS: Mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 18.4. Other diagnoses included hepatitis C virus (HCV; 23.5%), hepatitis B virus (HBV; 14.7%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (8.8%). Eleven patients died the most frequent causes being primary graft nonfunction (n = 3), hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 2), sepsis (n = 2), and portal vein thrombosis (n = 2). Complications included rejection (32.4%), infection (26.5%), hepatic graft dysfunction (11.8%), and recurrent HCV, recurrent HBV, and renal failure (8.8% each). Recurrence of alcoholism was observed in 3 patients (8.8%) with mild effects on liver function tests. There has been a significant increase in the number of liver transplantations for alcoholic cirrhosis in the last 6 years, namely 25 patients versus 9 in the previous 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a significant increase in the frequency of alcoholic cirrhosis leading to liver transplantation in the last several years in Greece.


Subject(s)
Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/surgery , Liver Transplantation/trends , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/surgery , Cause of Death , Greece , Hepatitis B/surgery , Hepatitis C/surgery , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/surgery , Liver Transplantation/mortality , Liver Transplantation/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/classification , Survival Analysis , Survivors
13.
Am J Transplant ; 7(10): 2344-9, 2007 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17845568

ABSTRACT

Donor safety has been scrutinized by both the medical community and the media. Variability exists in reported donor complications and associated risk factors are ill defined. Use of administrative data can overcome the bias of single-center studies and explore variables associated with untoward events. A retrospective cohort study identifying living liver donors in two large healthcare registries yielded 433 right and left lobe donors from 13 centers between 2001 and 2005. Perioperative complications were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) coding data and classified according to the Clavien system. Logistic regression models identified factors associated with complications. There was one perioperative death (0.23%). The overall complication rate was 29.1% and major complication rate defined by a Clavien grade >or=3 was 3.5%. Center living-donor volume (OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.95-0.99) and the ratio of living-donors to all donors (living and deceased) (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.92-0.96) were associated with a lower risk of all complications. Donor age >50 years (OR = 4.25, 95% CI = 1.22-14.87) was associated with a higher risk of major complications. Living liver donation is currently performed with a low risk of major morbidity. Use of administrative data represents an important tool to facilitate a better understanding of donor risk factors.


Subject(s)
Hepatectomy/adverse effects , Intraoperative Complications/epidemiology , Liver Transplantation/statistics & numerical data , Living Donors/statistics & numerical data , Tissue and Organ Harvesting/adverse effects , Chi-Square Distribution , Hepatectomy/mortality , Humans , Intraoperative Complications/mortality , Multivariate Analysis , Patient Selection , Risk Factors , Safety , Tissue and Organ Harvesting/mortality , United States
14.
JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr ; 25(3): 142-7, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11334063

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A major problem complicating liver transplantation is the preservation injury that results from cold storage and subsequent ischemia/reperfusion injury after organ revascularization. The L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway has been recognized to play critical roles during infection, inflammation, organ injury, and transplant rejection. Recent data indicates that NO synthesis has beneficial effects in several models of liver injury. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of the L-arginine-NO pathway on preservation injury in an experimental model of rat liver transplantation. METHODS: Orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in syngeneic (LEW to LEW) rats. Liver preservation injury was determined by measuring serum liver function tests 6 to 48 hours after transplantation. In some experiments, rats received L-arginine supplementation 0 to 24 hours after transplantation. In other experiments, NO synthase inhibitors (L-NAME or L-NIL) were injected at the time of isograft revascularization. RESULTS: L-Arginine supplementation decreased hepatic transaminase levels at all time points examined (6-48 hours). L-Arginine produced a significant improvement in liver preservation injury by 12 hours after reperfusion. The NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME caused a significant increase in liver injury 24 hours after injection. The inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-specific inhibitor L-NIL had no significant effect on liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that L-arginine supplementation and NO synthesis improve hepatic injury and have a protective role in the transplanted liver graft. The protective effect may be mediated by low-level cNOS-derived NO.


Subject(s)
Arginine/metabolism , Argininosuccinate Lyase/metabolism , Argininosuccinate Synthase/metabolism , Liver Transplantation/physiology , Multienzyme Complexes/metabolism , Nitric Oxide Synthase/metabolism , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control , Animals , Arginine/administration & dosage , Disease Models, Animal , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Free Radical Scavengers , Liver Function Tests , Lysine/analogs & derivatives , Lysine/pharmacology , Male , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology , Nitric Oxide Synthase/antagonists & inhibitors , Rats , Rats, Inbred Lew , Reperfusion Injury/physiopathology , Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
15.
Transpl Infect Dis ; 3(4): 212-9, 2001 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11844153

ABSTRACT

NF-kappaB is an inducible nuclear transcription factor regulating the expression of many genes. NF-kappaB activation may function as a master switch in a variety of immune and inflammatory processes, including sepsis and transplant tolerance. In this review, we summarize features of NF-kappaB regulation, as well as describe its role in intracellular signal transduction pathways. Subsequently, we concentrate on the role of NF-kappaB in the field of organ transplantation and the role of NF-kappaB in organ ischemia/reperfusion injury and graft rejection. Finally, potential therapeutic strategies are discussed to modify NF-kappaB activity with certain immunosuppression medications, including cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and glucocorticoids.


Subject(s)
NF-kappa B/physiology , Organ Transplantation/physiology , Signal Transduction/physiology , Adenoviridae/genetics , Animals , Cyclosporine/pharmacology , Gene Expression Regulation , Genetic Therapy , Graft Rejection/metabolism , Hepatitis C, Chronic/surgery , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Mice , NF-kappa B/therapeutic use , Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis , Nitric Oxide Synthase/biosynthesis , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II , Oligodeoxyribonucleotides/genetics , Reperfusion Injury/metabolism , Sulfasalazine/pharmacology , Tacrolimus/pharmacology
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