A foreign body (gossypiboma) in pregnancy: first report of a case

The technical name for a surgical sponge left in the body of a patient is inadvertent “gossypiboma.” The word is derived from the Latin word Gossypium for cotton and from the Kiswahili word boma for “place of concealment.” These retained sponges were first seen as “textilomas,” but were renamed “gossypiboma” in 1978. The first case was reported by Wilson in 1884. These are rarely are retrieved in the literature, because of legal complications. A higher incidence of retained laparotomy sponges has been reported in association with gynecological procedures. We report a case of gossypiboma in the 38th week of pregnancy that imitated an ovary neoplasm.     

Erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor expression in head and neck cancer: relationship to tumor hypoxia.

PURPOSE: Erythropoietin, an oxygen-regulated glycoprotein hormone, is a hematopoietic cytokine that stimulates erythropoiesis by binding to its cellular receptor [erythropoietin receptor (EPOR)]. The recombinant form of human erythropoietin is used to prevent or treat anemia in cancer patients. However, in a recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving patients receiving curative radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, erythropoietin treatment was associated with poorer locoregional progression-free survival. The purpose of our study was to determine whether EPOR and its ligand erythropoietin are expressed in primary head and neck cancer. We also investigated the hypothesis that erythropoietin expression in malignant cells may be associated with the presence of tumor hypoxia, an important factor involved in resistance to radiation treatment, tumor aggressiveness, and poor prognosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Twenty-one patients received an i.v. infusion of the hypoxia marker pimonidazole hydrochloride before multiple tumor biopsies. Contiguous sections from 74 biopsies were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for EPOR and erythropoietin expression and pimonidazole binding. RESULTS: EPOR expression was present in tumor cells in 97% of the biopsies. Coexpression of erythropoietin was observed in 90% of biopsies. Erythropoietin and pimonidazole adduct staining did not always colocalize within tumors, but there was a significant positive correlation between levels of microregional erythropoietin expression and pimonidazole binding. CONCLUSIONS: The coexpression of erythropoietin and EPOR in tumor cells suggests that erythropoietin may potentially function as an autocrine or paracrine factor in head and neck cancer. The expression of the hypoxia-inducible protein erythropoietin in tumor cells correlates with levels of tumor hypoxia.     

Comparison of short- and long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery methods: A retrospective study

The present study is intended to retrospectively compare the short- and long-term outcomes of 3 different treatment methods in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and the variances in weight and nutritional parameters during the preoperative and postoperative periods. In this study, 534 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), and laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (LOAGB) between 2014 and 2021 were included. The sociodemographic and biodemographic characteristics of these patients, their weight losses and nutritional changes in the preoperative and postoperative periods, operative times, hospital stays, complications, and morbidity and mortality rates were retrospectively compared. There was a statistically significant difference between the surgical methods in the percentages of excess weight loss and total weight loss in the 1st and 3rd months. There were significant differences in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, folic acid, vitamin D, iron, ferritin, and parathyroid hormone levels (P < .05). All 3 techniques were found to be successful in facilitating weight loss at the end of the first year. LRYGB and LOAGB were found to be superior to LSG in terms of remission from diabetes during the first 6 months, whereas LSG was superior to the other methods in terms of nutritional deficiencies. Despite being more advantageous in terms of operative time, LSG and LOAGB were disadvantageous compared with the LRYGB technique because of the higher rates of leakage and mortality in the LSG technique and the higher rate of bile reflux in the LOAGB technique.     

Comparison of 25-OH vitamin D levels between children with upper and those with lower extremity fractures: A prospective case-control study

Objective:The aims of this study were (1) to compare 25-OH vitamin D levels between children with upper and those with lower extremity fractures and (2) to determine whether 25-OH D insufficiency prevalence is increased compared to healthy controls.Methods:This is a prospective case–control study for 12 months. The study was conducted with children aged 5-18 years, including 60 children with non-displaced, impaction type upper extremity and lower extremity fractures resulted from low-energy trauma. In addition, 60 healthy children were included as controls. In all participants, risk factors for low bone mineral density were assessed and serum 25(OH)D levels were measured. Vitamin D levels were compared among groups.Results:Vitamin D deficiency (25-OH D <20) was 14.8 times (OR= 95% CI= 5.61 - 39.8) and 2.9 times (OR= 95% CI= 1.46-5.75) higher in patients with upper and lower extremity fractures, respectively. In the upper extremity fracture group, serum 25-OH D level was considered deficient (25-OH D level = <20 ng/mL) in 91.6% (55/60). In comparison, it was considered as insufficient (serum 25-OH D level = 20-30 ng/mL in 8.3% (5/60) of the patients. In the lower extremity fracture group, serum 25(OH)D level was considered as deficient in 75.0% (45/60), while it was considered as insufficient in 25.0% (15/60) of the patients. In the control group, serum 25-OH D level was considered deficient in 10.0% (6/60), while it was considered insufficient in 61.6% (37/60) of subjects. The 25-OH D deficiency and insufficiency were more common in the whole fracture group (upper plus lower extremity fracture groups) when compared to healthy controls.Conclusion:This study has shown that hypovitaminosis D is associated with an increased risk for fracture in the pediatric population, and the fracture risk is higher in upper extremity fractures than in lower extremity fractures. In children with fractures, routine vitamin D evaluation should be considered.Level of Evidence: Level III, Diagnostic Study     

The role of endometrium in endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. Several theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of this disease. According to Sampson's retrograde menstruation theory, endometrial cells are refluxed through the fallopian tubes during the menstruation and implant onto peritoneum or pelvic organs. Since retrograde menstruation is a very common phenomenon among women of reproductive age, there must be other factors that may contribute to the pathophysiology and/or pathogenesis of endometriosis. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and alterations in immune and endocrine functions are believed to play significant roles in the establishment and maintenance of endometriosis. Although the eutopic endometriums of women with and without endometriosis are histologically similar, studies revealed that there are many fundamental differences between these two tissues. Invasive properties, decreased apoptosis, alterations in expression of specific gene and proteins, and increased steroid and cytokine production have been identified in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. Furthermore, significant biochemical differences exist even between ectopic and autologous eutopic endometrium. These differences can be explained by the direct effects of an inflammatory peritoneal environment.     

Anaphylactic reaction to polyethylene‐glycol conjugated‐asparaginase: Premedication and desensitization may not be sufficient

In hypersensitive reactions to native L‐asparaginase, either premedication and desensitization or substitution with polyethylene glycol conjugated asparaginase (PEG‐ASP) is preferred. Anaphylaxis with PEG‐ASP is rare. An 8‐year‐old girl and a 2.5‐year‐old boy, both diagnosed as having acute lymphoblastic leukemia, presented with native L‐asparaginase hypersensitivity and substitution with PEG‐ASP was preferred. They received a premedication (methylprednisolone, hydroxyzine and ranitidine) followed by desensitization with PEG‐ASP infusion. Both patients developed anaphylaxis with peg‐asparaginase. These are the first reported cases of anaphylactic reaction to PEG‐ASP, despite the application of both premedication and desensitization. Anaphylaxis with PEG‐ASP is very rare and premedication and desensitization protocols may not prevent these hypersensitive reactions.     

Mean Platelet Volume is Associated with Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the platelet indices on the stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: In this retrospective study, the mean platelet valume (MPV), Plateletcrit (PCT), platelet (PLT), and platelet distribution width (PDW) of 199 diabetic patients and 76 healthy subjects were enrolled. The participants were divided into four groups. The first group was healthy control; the second group consisted of diabetic patients without DR; the third group was nonproliferative DR (NPDR); and the fourth group was proliferative DR (PDR). Results: Significant differences were found only in MPV and PCT values between patients with diabetes and healthy participants (8.6±0.96 fL vs 8.32±0.9 fL, P=0.011, 0.216± 0.58 vs 0.202±0.52, P=0.038). Comparing the groups, a statistically significant difference in MPV values was found between groups 4 and 1 (8.91±.7 fL vs 8.32±0.9 fL P=0.001) and between groups 4 and 3 (8.91±.7 fL vs 8.42±0.9 fL P=0.014). The MPV values of patients with DME were significantly higher than those of diabetic patients without DME (8.87±0.80 fL vs 8.45±0.97 fL). Conclusion: High MPV values may be an important risk factor for the development of PDR and DME in patients with diabetic retinopathy.     

Predictors of malignancy in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules undergoing pulmonary resection

BackgroundThe management of a solitary pulmonary nodule is a challenging issue in pulmonary disease. Although many factors have been defined as predictors for malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules, the accurate diagnosis can only be established with the permanent histological diagnosis.ObjectiveWe tried to clarify the possible predictors of malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules in patients who had definitive histological diagnosis.MethodsWe made a retrospective study to collect the data of patients with solitary pulmonary nodules who had histological diagnosis either before or after surgery. We made a statistical analysis of both the clinic and radiological features of these nodules with respect to malignancy both in contingency tables and with logistic regression analysis.ResultsWe had a total of 223 patients with a radiological diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule. Age, smoking status and pack years of smoking, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and radiological features such as solid component, spiculation, pleural tag, lobulation, calcification, and higher density were significant predictors of malignancy in contingency tables. Age, smoking status and smoking (pack/year), SUVmax, and radiological features including spiculation, pleural tag, lobulation, calcification, and higher density were the significant predictors in univariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis revealed only SUVmax greater than 2.5 (p < 0.0001), spiculation (p = 0.009), and age older than 61 years (p = 0.015) as the significant predictors for malignancy.ConclusionAge, SUVmax, and spiculation are the independent predictors of malignancy in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules.     

Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic Among IBD Clinicians and IBD Surgeons in Black Sea Region: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

Background:Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an increasing challenge in managing inflammatory bowel disease patients both medically and surgically. Although several international and national medical/surgical associations published guidelines in this area, there is still a huge difference between daily practices and these guidelines, especially depending on regional practices and governmental policies. Therefore, we aimed to investigate and define gastroenterologists’ and surgeons’ fear of COVID-19 and how they have managed inflammatory bowel disease patients during this pandemic in the Black Sea region.Methods:A 20-question survey was administered to 70 gastroenterology specialists and 80 general surgeons who are mainly focused on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in 5 countries in the Black Sea region.Results:The majority of respondents (81.3%) mentioned that they have concerns that their inflammatory bowel disease patients were at risk of contracting COVID-19. In addition, the majority of respondents (80.3%) believed that inflammatory bowel disease itself, independent of medications, might increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. The majority of gastroenterologists told that they did not stop inflammatory bowel disease medications due to the COVID-19 pandemic unless patients had COVID-19 disease. Surgeons overwhelmingly reached a consensus on how to test patients for COVID-19 perioperatively and came to a conclusion on which of the patients cannot wait to be operated. Both gastroenterologists and general surgeons, usually have similar perceptions.Conclusion:Despite the increasing number of definitive studies, it seems that there are still regional differences in the perception of COVID-19 and inflammatory bowel disease patient care during the pandemic.     

Golimumab Ameliorates Pancreatic Inflammatory Response in the Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats

Background:The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a new and successful treatment opportunity can be provided in acute pancreatitis and may prevent symptomatic treatments and show its effect through etiopathogenesis. Therefore, we want to investigate the efficacy of golimumab in an experimental rat model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis.Methods:A total of 35 rats, including 7 rats in each group, were distributed into 5 groups (sham, acute pancreatitis, placebo, acute pancreatitis + golimumab 5 mg/kg, and acute pancreatitis + golimumab 10 mg/kg). An experimental cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis model was accomplished by intraperitoneal cerulein injections. After sacrification, rat blood samples were collected for amylase, IL-6, and IL-1beta measurements. Histopathological analysis of the pancreas was performed with Tunel and hematoxylin & eosin staining.Results:Amylase, IL-6, and IL-1beta levels were found to be increased in the acute pancreatitis group. IL-1beta, amylase, IL-6 levels, and pancreatic inflammation were all significantly decreased in golimumab groups (P < .01). Moreover, in both golimumab groups, golimumab treatment significantly reduced apoptosis in pancreatic tissues (P < .05). Golimumab treatment was found to significantly reduce edema formation, inflammation, vacuolization, and fat necrosis of pancreatic tissues (P < .05).Conclusion:Firstly in the literature, we investigated the efficacy of golimumab in the experimental acute pancreatitis model. In the light of our findings, it could be suggested that golimumab may be an effective and safe therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis.