The Impact of Cancer Stem Cells in Colorectal Cancer.

Despite incessant research, colorectal cancer (CRC) is still one of the most common causes of fatality in both men and women worldwide. Over time, advancements in medical treatments have notably enhanced the survival rates of patients with colorectal cancer. Managing metastatic CRC involves a complex tradeoff between the potential benefits and adverse effects of treatment, considering factors like disease progression, treatment toxicity, drug resistance, and the overall impact on the patient's quality of life. An increasing body of evidence highlights the significance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept, proposing that CSCs occupy a central role in triggering cancer. CSCs have been a focal point of extensive research in a variety of cancer types, including CRC. Colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) play a crucial role in tumor initiation, metastasis, and therapy resistance, making them potential treatment targets. Various methods exist for isolating CCSCs, and understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance associated with them is crucial. This paper offers an overview of the current body of research pertaining to the comprehension of CSCs in colorectal cancer.

CD34-Structure, Functions and Relationship with Cancer Stem Cells.

The CD34 protein was identified almost four decades ago as a biomarker for hematopoietic stem cell progenitors. CD34 expression of these stem cells has been exploited for therapeutic purposes in various hematological disorders. In the last few decades, studies have revealed the presence of CD34 expression on other types of cells with non-hematopoietic origins, such as interstitial cells, endothelial cells, fibrocytes, and muscle satellite cells. Furthermore, CD34 expression may also be found on a variety of cancer stem cells. Nowadays, the molecular functions of this protein have been involved in a variety of cellular functions, such as enhancing proliferation and blocking cell differentiation, enhanced lymphocyte adhesion, and cell morphogenesis. Although a complete understanding of this transmembrane protein, including its developmental origins, its stem cell connections, and other functions, is yet to be achieved. In this paper, we aimed to carry out a systematic analysis of the structure, functions, and relationship with cancer stem cells of CD34 based on the literature overview.

Groin Hernia Repair during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Romanian Nationwide Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Groin hernia repair surgery (GHRS) is among the most common elective interventions. The aim of this three-year nationwide study on GHRS is to provide a thorough analysis of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the Romanian Health System in regard to elective procedures. Materials and Methods: 46,795 groin hernia cases obtained between 2019 and 2021 from the DRG database using ICD-10 diagnostic codes. The data were collected from all 261 GHRS performing hospitals nationwide, including 227 public hospitals (PbH) and 34 private hospitals (PvH). The 42 variables taken into account were processed using Microsoft Excel 2021, applying Chi square, F-Test Two-Sample for variances, and Two Sample t-Test. The significance threshold considered was p < 0.001. Results: Of the grand total of cases, 96.2% were inguinal hernias, 86.8% were performed on men, 15.2% were laparoscopic procedures, and 6.88% were in PvH. Overall, due to the pandemic, the total number of GHRS decreased with 44.45% in 2020 and with 29.72% in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic year 2019. April 2020 shows the steepest decrease in GHRS (91 procedures nationwide). In the private sector, there was an opposite trend with increases in the number of cases by 12.21% and a 70.22% in both pandemic years. The mean admission period (MAP) for all procedures was 5.5 days. There was a significant difference between PbH and PvH (5.75 vs. 2.8 days, p < 0.0001). During the pandemic, the MAP in PbH decreased (6.02 in 2019, 5.82 in 2020 and 5.3 in 2021), remaining stable for PvH (2.9 days in 2019, 2.85 days in 2020 and 2.74 days in 2021). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the overall number of GHRS performed in Romania in 2020 and 2021, compared to 2019. However, the private sector thrived with an actual increase in the number of cases. There was a significant lower MAP in the PvH compared to PbH throughout the three-year period.

Parathyroid Cancer-A Rare Finding during Parathyroidectomy in High Volume Surgery Centre.

Background and Objectives: Parathyroid cancer is a very rare endocrine tumor, especially in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to end stage renal disease failure. This pathology is difficult to diagnose preoperatively because it has nonspecific clinical manifestations and paraclinical aspects. Our study of the literature identified 34 reported cases of parathyroid carcinoma over the last 40 years in patients undergoing dialysis. We present our experience as illustrative of the features of clinical presentation and histopathological findings of parathyroid carcinoma and assess its management considering the recent relevant literature. Materials and Methods: From January 2012 to November 2022, 650 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing dialysis were treated at our academic Department of General Surgery and only two cases of parathyroid carcinoma were diagnosed on histopathological examination. Results: All patients presented with symptomatic hypercalcemia, with no clinical or imaging suspicion of malignant disease and were surgically treated by total parathyroidectomy. Histopathological examination revealed morphologic aspects of parathyroid carcinoma in two cases and immunostaining of Ki-67 was performed for diagnostic confirmation. Postoperative follow-up showed no signs of recurrence and no oncological adjuvant treatment or surgical reinterventions were needed. Conclusions: Parathyroid neoplasia is a particularly rare disease, that remains a challenge when it comes to diagnosis and proper management. Surgical approach is the only valid treatment to remove the malignant tissue and thus improve the patient's prognosis. Medical and oncologic treatment may be beneficial to control hypercalcemia in case of tumor recurrence.

Open and Laparoscopic Surgical Approache in Incisional Hernias: A Descriptive Analysis.

Background: Incisional hernias, occurring in 10-20% of patients post-abdominal surgery, significantly affect patient quality of life and healthcare systems. This study analyses two hernia repair methods: laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) and open on-lay hernioplasty. Key analysis factors include operative time, postoperative pain, complications, length of hospital stay, recovery speed, and recurrence rates, with the goal of identifying the most effective and beneficial approach for patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 70 patients with postoperative parietal defects at the Dr Carol Davila Clinical Nephrology Hospital, Bucharest, from January 2018 to December 2021. Patients underwent either laparoscopic IPOM (42 patients) or open hernioplasty (28 patients) for uncomplicated incisional hernia repair. We analyzed demographic data, comorbidities, defect size and location, previous surgeries, and surgical outcomes. Results: The laparoscopic group had a slightly shorter operative time and significantly lower postoperative pain levels, as assessed by the Visual Analog Scale. The laparoscopic approach also resulted in shorter hospital stays and quicker return to routine activities. Complications, such as seroma and hematoma, were more common in the open surgery group, but no wound infections or prosthesis rejections were observed in either group. Notably, the open surgery group showed a higher recurrence rate (11 %) compared to none in the laparoscopic group within a one-year follow-up. Conclusion: Laparoscopic IPOM for incisional hernia repair shows benefits over open hernioplasty, with less pain, shorter hospitalization, faster recovery, and lower recurrence. Its growing preference and potential for further research are highlighted.

Interstitial Cells of Cajal-Origin, Distribution and Relationship with Gastrointestinal Tumors.

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) represent a particular network formed by some peculiar cells that were first described by the great neuroanatomist, S. Ramon y Cajal. Nowadays, the ICC have become a fascinating topic for scientists, arousing their curiosity; as a result, there is a vast number of published articles related to the ICC. Today, everybody widely accepts that the ICC represent the pacemaker of the gastrointestinal tract and are highly probable to be the origin cells for gastrointestinal tumors (GISTs). Recently, Cajal-like cells (ICLC) were described, which are found in different organs but with an as yet unknown physiological role that needs further study. New information regarding intestinal development indicates that the ICC (fibroblast-like and muscle-like) and intestinal muscle cells have the same common embryonic cells, thereby presenting the same cellular ultrastructure. Nowadays, there is a vast quantity of information that proves the connection of the ICC and GISTs. Both of them are known to present c-kit expression and the same ultrastructural cell features, which includes minimal myoid differentiation that is noticed in GISTs, therefore, supporting the hypothesis that GISTs are ICC-related tumors. In this review, we have tried to highlight the origin and distribution of Cajal interstitial cells based on their ultrastructural features as well as their relationship with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Telocytes and Lymphatics of the Human Colon.

BACKGROUND: Telocytes (TCs) are a peculiar morphological type of stromal cells. They project long and moniliform telopodes, visible on various bidimensional sections. Originally regarded as "interstitial Cajal-like cells", gastrointestinal TCs were CD34+. Further double-labelling studies found that colon TCs are negative for the expressions of the PDGFR-α and α-SMA. However, the TCs in colon were not distinguished specifically from endothelial cells (ECs), vascular or lymphatic. A combinational approach is important for accurate TC identification. Hence, we designed an immunohistochemical study of human colon to check whether ECs and CD34+ TCs express different markers. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed on archived paraffin-embedded samples of human colon (nine cases) for the following markers: CD31, CD34, CD117/c-kit and D2-40 (podoplanin). RESULTS: A distinctive population of CD34+ TCs was found coating the myenteric ganglia. However, also perivascular cells and vascular ECs were CD34+. c-kit expression was equally found in interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs) and perivascular cells. The CD34 TCs did not express c-kit. As they were equally CD31- and D2-40- they were assessed as different from ECs. CONCLUSIONS: Testing specific markers of ECs, vascular and lymphatic, in the same tissues in which CD34+ TCs are found, is much more relevant than to identify TCs by transmission electron microscopy alone.

Intraoperative Monitoring of Parathormone in the Surgical Treatment of Renal Hyperparathyroidism.

Intraoperative monitoring of parathyroid hormone can confirm the complete excision of hyperfunctional parathyroid tissue, as the plasma half-life of PTH is approximately 5 minutes. The purpose of this study was to analyse the values of parathormon (PTH) and the intraoperative impact in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism of renal cause (sHPT). A series of 86 patients who were hospitalised in our clinic between February 2015 to December 2018, were included in the study rom. All patients underwent surgery with PTH monitoring. PTH was determined preoperatively, intraoperatively 15 minutes after parathyroidectomy and postoperatively. Out of a total of 86 patients, 6 patients had non-functional renal transplant. 81 patients were operated on per primam and 5 patients were operated for disease recurrence. There were 77 total parathyroidectomies and 4 subtotal parathyroidectomies. One patient had 5 parathyroid glands. There were 4 patients with recurrent hyper-plastic tissue excision. Blood samples were collected intraoperatively through the puncture of the jugular vein. The PTH value was determined by the Elecsys PTH STATÃÂî test. The mean value of preoperative PTH was 1658 pg / mL and decreased to 46.5 pg / mL at the end of the operation. Subsequently, the level of PTH harvested at 3-6 months increased slightly to 59.8 pg / mL. 80 (93%) of patients had elevated preoperative calcium values. Recurrent hyperparathyroidism was found in 1 of the 4 patients who underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy. IPTH value is influenced by the intraoperative manipulation of the parathyroid glands, the individual variability of PTH half-life and the physiological state of the patient. The decrease of PTH measured intraoperatively at 15 minutes after harvest with at least 90% of the preoperative value indicates the success of a total parathyroidectomy, with normalisation of calcium and PTH.

The Value of Imaging of the Parathyroid Glands in Secondary Hyperparathyroidism.

It is estimated that up to 90% of patients with chronic kidney disease develop secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). Although the disease has multiple manifestations, the most important pathological feature, from the point of view of increased mortality, is represented by the ectopic arterial, myocardial and cardiac valvular calcifications. The calcifications are progressive and lead to high blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, atrio-ventricular blocks, angina and myocardial infarction. Therefore the risk of cardio-vascular events is increased. Failure of drug therapy to control disease progression is an indication for parathyroidectomy. In sHPT all parathyroid glands are affected, hence the need to detect 4 glands intraoperatively, by bilateral cervical exploration. However, considering the possibility of ectopic localization of these glands as well as the possibility of some supernumerary glands, it is desirable to have an imagistic map as accurate as possible, thus avoiding the risk of postoperative recurrence. The available imaging investigations are represented by the ultrasound of the cervical region, the parathyroid scintigraphy and those of the second line - CT or MRI examination. If in primary hyperparathyroidism, where there is only one parathyroid adenoma (or two), the preoperative imaging results are satisfactory, in sHPT there are many cases in which the imaging does not reveal all four parathyroid glands.