The British journal of surgery
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Excess adiposity is a risk factor for incidence of several gastrointestinal cancers, but it is unclear how these epidemiological observations translate into clinical practice. ⋯ A large volume of evidence demonstrates that body mass index (BMI), as an approximation for general adiposity, is a risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and colorectal, hepatocellular, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers. A smaller volume of evidence demonstrates that indices of increased central adiposity (such as waist circumference) are associated with increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer, but these indices are not necessarily better predictors of risk compared with BMI. Several biological mechanisms may explain these associations but each hypothesis has several caveats and weaknesses. There are few data that convincingly demonstrate significant reductions in risk of gastrointestinal cancers following weight-reducing strategies. In turn, there are many methodological pitfalls in this literature, which prevent conclusive interpretation. The lack of robust intermediary obesity-related biomarkers is an additional unresolved challenge for prevention trials. Novel underpinning mechanisms (for example, local ectopic fat) and more accurate methods to measure these intermediaries are sought and explored as the most optimistic research strategies for the future.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Bone mineral density and expression of vitamin D receptor-dependent calcium uptake mechanisms in the proximal small intestine after bariatric surgery.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may lead to impaired calcium uptake. Therefore, operation-specific effects of gastric bypass and vertical banded gastroplasty on bone mineral density (BMD) were examined in a randomized clinical trial. Bone resorption markers and mechanisms of decreased calcium uptake after gastric bypass were investigated using blood and endoscopic samples from two additional patient cohorts. ⋯ BMD decreases independently of weight after gastric bypass. Bone loss might be attributed to impaired calcium absorption caused by decreased activation of vitamin D-dependent calcium absorption mechanisms mediated by heat-shock protein 90β and TRPV6.
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Limited information is available on the association between a medical history of stroke and postoperative outcomes. This study investigated the outcomes following non-neurological surgery in patients with previous stroke. ⋯ Patients with previous stroke had a higher risk of adverse postoperative outcomes; their 30-day in-hospital mortality rate was nearly twice that of patients without previous stroke.
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The effect of splenomegaly in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension is not fully understood. This study was designed to determine the effect of laparoscopic splenectomy on portal haemodynamics in these patients. ⋯ In patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension, splenectomy reduced portal venous pressure. A decrease in splanchnic blood flow, by eliminating splenic blood flow, and reduction in intrahepatic vascular resistance, by normalizing hepatic concentrations of ET-1 and NOx, may both have contributed.
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The TNM classification system is used widely for tumour staging, and directs the treatment and prognosis of patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of extranodal extension (ENE) in patients with early gastric cancer. ⋯ ENE is an independent prognostic factor in patients with early and advanced gastric cancer.