Mucosal Monosaccharide Transporter Expression in Newborns With Jejunoileal Atresia and Along the Adult Intestine.

OBJECTIVES: In newborn rodents, intestinal maturation involves delayed fructose transporter GLUT5 expression until weaning. In jejunoileal atresia (JIA), distal intestinal segments lack exposure to amniotic fluid-containing carbohydrates. We assessed in human newborns, the impact of intestinal maturation and obstruction on mucosal monosaccharide transporter expression. METHODS: Samples were obtained from 10 newborns operated for small intestinal atresia and from 17 adults undergoing gastroduodenoscopy and/or ileocolonoscopy. mRNA expression of the transporters SGLT1, GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT5, and GLUT7 was measured in neonate samples proximal and distal of the atresia as well as in adult duodenum, ileum, and colon. Protein expression and localization was assessed using immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Although mRNA expression of monosaccharide transporters did not significantly differ between newborn and adult samples, luminal fructose transporter GLUT5 protein was absent in 0- to 4-day-old neonates, but expressed in adults. The mRNA expression of the 5 tested monosaccharide transporters was unchanged distal from the JIA relative to proximal. Similarly, luminal sodium-dependent glucose transporter SGLT1 and basolateral GLUT2 were expressed proximal and distal to JIA as visualized by immunofluorescence staining. With the exception of glucose transporter GLUT1 that showed highest expression levels in colon, all investigated hexose transporters showed strongest expression in duodenum, lower levels in ileum and lowest in colon. CONCLUSIONS: Human newborns lack small intestinal fructose transporter GLUT5 protein expression and small intestinal atresia does not affect the expression of hexose transporters.

Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Surgical Laparoscopic Performance in Novices: A Computer-based Crossover Study.

OBJECTIVE: The 24-hour work shifts are newly permitted to first-year surgical residents in the United States. Whether surgery novices' motor activity is affected by sleep deprivation is controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study assesses sleep deprivation effects in computer-simulated laparoscopy in 20 surgical novices following 24 hours of sleep deprivation and after resting using a virtual-reality trainer. Participants were randomly assigned to perform simulator tests either well rested or sleep deprived first. RESULTS: Of 3 different tasks performed, no significant differences in total time to complete the procedure and average speed of instruments were found. Instrument path length was longer following sleep deprivation (P=0.0435) in 1 of 3 tasks. Error rates (ie, noncauterized bleedings, perforations, etc.), as well as precision, and accuracy rates showed no difference. None of the assessed participants' characteristics affected simulator performance. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four hours of sleep deprivation does not affect laparoscopic performance of surgical novices as assessed by computer-simulation.

Five-year Follow-up and Recurrence Rates Following Surgery for Acute and Chronic Pilonidal Disease: A Survey of 421 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the outcomes of different treatment options for acute and chronic pilonidal disease in a single large cohort of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and twenty-one consecutive patients (171 with chronic disease and 250 with acute abscess formation) who underwent surgery between 2003 and 2012 were included in the present study. Primary outcomes included symptomatic recurrence, time to wound healing, and time off from work. The median follow-up was 5.3 years. RESULTS: In patients with acute abscess formation, the relapse rate was significantly higher (P = 0.0001) if they were treated with abscess excision (38.9%) compared with a wide local excision (13.3%). Time to relapse was significantly longer (P = 0.0205) in patients treated with wide local excision (median 7 vs 3 months), whereas time to wound healing and the days off from work were similar among groups. In chronic disease, the relapse rate was similar in patients treated with wide local excision followed by secondary wound healing (11.3%) when compared with patients treated with limited excision (27.6%) or wide excision with primary wound closure (26.8%). The time to wound healing was shortest in patients with primary wound closure following wide local excision, and the time off from work was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Wide local excision with secondary wound healing seems to be the favorable operation method for acute and chronic pilonidal disease.