Microstructural features of lyophilized adipose - A new concept to estimate the metabolic symptoms for obese patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of different morphological features in different layers of lyophilized adipose tissue. In this work the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was adopted for investigation of lyophilized adipose tissue taken from obese patients. The adipose tissue was taken from subcutaneous (SAT), preperitoneal (PAT) and visceral (VAT) layers of adipose tissue. The obtained results of the main microstructural features provided information about morphological features of subcutaneous, preperitoneal and visceral layers in obese people. The obtained SEM results possibly could be used for the estimation of metabolic symptoms and prediction different diseases. The SEM method was never used before to investigate morphology of SAT, PAT and VAT layers of lyophilized human adipose tissue.

A prospective study comparing 5-year results between superobese and non-superobese patients after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is considered to be the least invasive, reversible, and the safest bariatric operation regarding mortality and morbidity, and its application to high-risk superobese (SO) individuals seems rational. AIM: There are differing viewpoints regarding the effectiveness of LAGB in superobese (BMI > 50 kg/m2) patients. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of LAGB in SO and non-superobese (NSO) patients in the long term (> 5 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We undertook a prospective single-center study to compare the safety and efficacy of LAGB in SO and NSO patients after 5 years. One hundred and three morbidly obese patients underwent LAGB in the period from January 2009 to January 2010. Sixty-four of the patients were NSO and 39 SO. After 5 years, we evaluated their weight loss, comorbidities, complications, and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 90 of 103 patients (87.3%) completed the 5-year follow-up. The percentage excess weight loss was 50.4% in the NSO and 38.8% in the SO group (p = 0.072). The proportion of patients who lost > 50% excess weight was significantly larger in the NSO group (p = 0.045). There were significantly more patients in the NSO group whose metabolic syndrome had resolved (p < 0.001). There were no differences regarding the resolution of other comorbidities and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that LAGB can lead to substantial and long-lasting weight loss after 5 years. Our study found that SO patients demonstrate inferior weight loss results, and lower overall BAROS scores; thus we do not support the primary use of LAGB in SO patients.

Determination of Trace Elements in Adipose Tissue of Obese People by Microwave-Assisted Digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry.

In the present work, analytical method for the determination of trace elements in adipose tissue by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was developed. Adipose tissue from two groups of the patients with obesity (with and without metabolic syndrome) was investigated. The main aim of this study was to reveal some differences and regularities in concentrations of trace elements in adipose tissue between these two groups of the individuals. Moreover, different types of adipose tissue (subcutaneous, preperitoneal, and visceral) were analyzed separately in order to investigate distribution of metals between these types in different groups of obese people. Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn were selected for the quantitative determination. However, only 6 elements (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn) were determined in all analyzed samples independently of the type of adipose tissue and presence of metabolic disorder of the patient. Concentrations of Ca, Fe, K, and Na were found to be strongly dependent on the type of adipose tissue. Other elements in terms of detection frequency in adipose tissue samples can be arranged in the following sequence Sr (94.7%), Cr (86.2%), Cu (24.6%), Li (18%), Ba (1.8%), Co (0.05%). The concentrations of Al, Mn, and Ni were found to be lower than limit of detection (LOD) in all analyzed samples. Comparison of metal distribution depending on the type of adipose tissue of people with and without metabolic syndrome is discussed in this work.

A prospective 4-year study of insulin resistance and adipokines in morbidly obese diabetic and non-diabetic patients after gastric banding.

INTRODUCTION: There are insufficient data regarding the changes in adipokine levels after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients and their effects on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes remission. AIM: To assess leptin, adiponectin, and insulin resistance changes after LAGB in diabetic and non-diabetic morbidly obese patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and three patients (37 with and 66 without type 2 diabetes) underwent LAGB from January 2009 to January 2010. Glycated hemoglobin, insulin, adipokine levels and insulin resistance were evaluated preoperatively, and 1 and 4 years after LAGB. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 45.9 ±11.7 years and mean preoperative body mass index was 47.5 ±7.3 kg/m2. A total of 80 of 103 patients (77.6%) completed the 4-year follow-up. After 4 years the mean excess weight loss was 38.8% and 39.5% in diabetic and non-diabetic patients respectively. Leptin levels decreased significantly in both groups at 1 year, but after 4 years this was noted only in non-diabetic patients. After 1 year adiponectin levels increased significantly only in non-diabetic patients (p = 0.003) and remained almost the same at 4 years. A significant decrease in insulin resistance was noted in both groups 1 year after LAGB and diabetes remission was observed in 23 (62.1%) patients. There was a negative correlation between preoperative insulin resistance and adiponectin levels throughout the follow-up period. Leptin levels positively correlated with BMI throughout the study period (baseline r = 0.45; p < 0.001; after 1 year r = 0.71; p < 0.001; after 4 years r = 0.68; p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between leptin and adiponectin concentrations preoperatively or after 1 year; however, at 4 years it was significant (r = 0.27; p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The most significant metabolic changes occurred within 1 year after LAGB. The 4-year follow-up revealed stabilization in metabolic indices rather than significant improvement.

Transcatheter arterial embolization for upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter arterial embolization is a possible treatment for patients with recurrent bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract after failed endoscopic management and is also an alternative to surgical treatment. AIM: To analyze the outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization and identify the clinical and technical factors that influenced the rates of morbidity and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out, based on the data of 36 patients who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 2013 to 2015 in our center. An analysis was performed between early rebleeding rates, mortality and the following factors: patient sex, age, number of units of packed red blood cells and packed plasma administered to the patients, length of hospital stay, therapeutic or prophylactic embolization. RESULTS: The technical success rate of the embolization procedure was 100%. There were 15 (41.70%) therapeutic embolizations and 21 (58.3%) prophylactic embolizations. There was a 77.8% clinical success rate. Following embolization, 10 (27.80%) patients had repeated bleeding and 9 (25.0%) patients died. Significant associations were found between rebleeding and prophylactic embolization (OR = 10.53; p = 0.04) and between mortality and prophylactic embolization (OR = 10.53; p = 0.04) and units of packed red blood cells (OR = 1.25; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, transcatheter arterial embolization is a safe treatment method for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and a possible alternative to surgery for high-risk patients.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing 5-Year Results of two Different Bands in 103 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Various types of adjustable gastric bands are used during LAGB, but there is insufficient data comparing different bands in the long term. We carried out a prospective randomized study to compare two different bands. METHODS: Between January 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010, 103 morbidly obese patients were randomized between SAGB and MiniMizer Extra adjustable gastric bands. The SAGB was used in 49 and MiniMizer Extra in 54 patients. Weight loss, comorbidities, long-term complications, and quality of life were evaluated after 5 years. RESULTS: Patient baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The mean patient age was 45.9 ± 11.7 years, and mean preoperative BMI was 47.5 ± 7.3 kg/m2. A total of 90 of 103 patients (87.3 %) completed the 5-year follow-up. The mean excess weight loss was 44.1 and 50.3 % in SAGB and MiniMizer groups, respectively (p = 0.14). A proportion of patients who reached a BMI < 35 kg/m2 was significantly larger in MiniMizer Extra group (52.9 vs 25.5 %; p = 0.01). Complications developed in 15 patients (14.5 %) and consisted of 5 band erosions, 4 port-related complications, 3 band slippages, and 3 band intolerances. All five band erosions developed in MiniMizer Extra group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.058). No difference was found regarding postoperative complications, resolution of comorbidities, and quality of life between compared groups. CONCLUSIONS: SAGB and MiniMizer Extra bands demonstrated similar long-term results regarding the weight loss, resolution of comorbidities, morbidity, and quality of life.

Differential diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer: a prospective study of 156 patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the efficacy of different imaging methods in differentiating between chronic pancreatitis and cancer in focal pancreatic lesions and staging of adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Between June 2005 and October 2007, 156 consecutive patients were enrolled into the prospective clinical trial. The patients were randomized into two groups. Ultrasonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound were performed in both the groups. Group A patients were additionally examined by computed tomography and tumor marker assay, while in the group B, intraoperative ultrasonoscopy with biopsy and urgent histological examination were done. Results of each imaging technique regarding differential diagnosis and cancer stage were compared with the findings of surgical and histological examination. RESULTS. Chronic pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma were documented in 58 (37.2%) and 78 (50%) patients, respectively. The size of the lesions and clinical presentation were similar in both the groups, but cancer patients were older than patients with pancreatitis (P<0.001). Preoperatively endosonoscopy had the highest accuracy in assessing differential diagnosis (92.1%) and adenocarcinoma (91.8%), whereas computed tomography had the highest accuracy in assessing tumor size (84.5%) and transabdominal ultrasonography in assessing lymph node involvement (78.9%) and distant metastases (88.6%). Intraoperative ultrasound was the most accurate imaging technique in the assessment of differential diagnosis (100%), adenocarcinoma (98.5%), extent of primary tumor (84.8%), lymph node involvement (87.9%), and distant metastases (100%). CONCLUSIONS. In the differential diagnosis between chronic pancreatitis and adenocarcinoma, preoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative ultrasound are the best imaging methods. When ultrasonography is nondiagnostic, computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound are alternative techniques.