International journal of surgery最新文献

Stem-cell therapy is a revolutionary frontier in modern medicine, offering enormous capacity to transform the treatment landscape of numerous debilitating illnesses and injuries. This review examines the revolutionary frontier of treatments utilizing stem cells, highlighting the distinctive abilities of stem cells to undergo regeneration and specialized cell differentiation into a wide variety of phenotypes. This paper aims to guide researchers, physicians, and stakeholders through the intricate terrain of stem-cell therapy, examining the processes, applications, and challenges inherent in utilizing stem cells across diverse medical disciplines. The historical journey from foundational contributions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to recent breakthroughs, including ESC isolation and iPSC discovery, has set the stage for monumental leaps in medical science. Stem cells' regenerative potential spans embryonic, adult, induced pluripotent, and perinatal stages, offering unprecedented therapeutic opportunities in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular ailments, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and tissue damage. However, difficulties, such as immunological rejection, tumorigenesis, and precise manipulation of stem-cell behavior, necessitate comprehensive exploration and innovative solutions. This manuscript summarizes recent biotechnological advancements, critical trial evaluations, and emerging technologies, providing a nuanced understanding of the triumphs, difficulties, and future trajectories in stem cell-based regenerative medicine. Future directions, including precision medicine integration, immune modulation strategies, advancements in gene-editing technologies, and bioengineering synergy, offer a roadmap in stem cell treatment. The focus on stem-cell therapy's potential highlights its significant influence on contemporary medicine and points to a future in which individualized regenerative therapies will alleviate various medical disorders.

Background: We investigated whether shock wave (SW)-pretreated autologous adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) seeded in the cell-sheet scaffold (CSS) could inhibit left ventricular (LV) remodeling and improve LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in old myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Mini-pigs (n=20) were divided into group 1 (sham-operated control), group 2 (old MI), group 3 (old MI + autologous ADMSCs/1.0×107 in CSS on LV myocardium), and group 4 [old MI + SW (0.12 mJ/mm2 for total 140 shots)-pretreated ADMSCs in CSS on LV myocardium]. Treatments started on day 28 after MI induction. In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted.

Results: Cell viability/relative mitochondria DNA expression/mitochondrial cytochrome C/adenosine triphosphate concentration in ADMCSs and protein expressions of angiogenesis factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]/stromal cell-derived factor-1 [SDF-1])/mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I-IV/oxygen consumption rate were higher in group 4 than in group 3 (P<0.001). By day 180, LVEF and small vessel numbers in the peri-infarct or infarct area were highest in group 1, lowest in group 2, and significantly lower in group 3 than in group 4. In contrast, the LV dimension was opposite to the pattern of change in LVEF in all groups (P<0.0001). The basal/middle/apical infarct and fibrotic areas were inversely related to LVEF in all groups (all P<0.0001). Protein levels of angiogenetic markers (SDF-1α/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4/VEGF/angiopoietin-1) were significantly and persistently increased from groups 1 to 4. In contrast, protein levels of endothelial-cell markers (von Willebrand factor or endothelial nitric oxide synthase) showed an identical pattern to LVEF in all groups (all P<0.0001).

Conclusion: SW pretreatment of ADMSCs seeded in CSS offered significant benefits in preserving LV performance and ameliorating LV remodeling in mini-pigs with old MI.

Background: Fistulas, abnormal connections between two anatomical structures, significantly impact the quality of life and can result from a variety of causes, including congenital defects, inflammatory conditions, and surgical complications. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising alternative due to its potential for regenerative and immunomodulatory effects. This overview of systematic reviews aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy in managing fistulas, drawing on the evidence available.

Methods: This umbrella review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology to assess the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for treating various types of fistulas. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Register, and Web of Science up to May 5th, 2024. Systematic reviews focusing on stem cell therapy for fistulas were included, with data extracted on study design, stem cell types, administration methods, and outcomes. The quality of the reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool, and meta-analyses were conducted using R software version 4.3.

Results: Nineteen systematic reviews were included in our umbrella review. The stem cell therapy demonstrated by significant improvements in clinical remission rates, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.299 (95% CI: 1.192 to 1.420). Stem cell therapy enhanced fistula closure rates, both short-term (RR=1.481; 95% CI: 1.036 to 2.116) and long-term (RR=1.422; 95% CI: 1.091 to 1.854). The safety analysis revealed no significant increase in the risk of adverse events with stem cell therapy, showing a pooled RR of 0.972 (95% CI: 0.739 to 1.278) for general adverse events and 1.136 (95% CI: 0.821 to 1.572) for serious adverse events, both of which indicate a safety profile comparable to control treatments. Re-epithelialization rates also improved (RR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.322 to 1.572).

Conclusion: Stem cell therapy shows promise as an effective and safe treatment for fistulas, particularly in inducing remission and promoting closure of complex fistulas. The findings advocate for further high-quality research to confirm these benefits and potentially incorporate stem cell therapy into standard clinical practice for fistula management. Future studies should focus on long-term outcomes and refining stem cell treatment protocols to optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Even in the absence of definite evidence of pathological acid reflux, antireflux surgery (ARS) can still effectively improve gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Nonetheless, predicting postoperative reflux symptom improvement has been primarily dependent on acid-based parameters. No objective index reflecting both acid and non-acid reflux was identified to select ARS candidates.

Materials and methods: Prospectively collected data of 121 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication from two institutions, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients reported preoperative and postoperative GERD symptoms using the Korean version of the GERD questionnaire, along with the gastroesophageal reflux disease-health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL). The patients assessed for reflux symptoms using bolus exposure, acid exposure time (AET), and DeMeester score (DMS) as measurements were selected. For each reflux parameter, its association, correlation, and predictive capacity of the degree of postoperative symptom resolution were analyzed using chi-squared tests, point-biserial correlations, logistic regression analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.

Results: 72 patients were eligible for this study. Bolus exposure was superior to the other parameters in terms of the degree of association and correlation with resolution of typical symptoms. Bolus exposure also showed a higher diagnostic accuracy in predicting the resolution of epigastric pain (area under the curve [AUC]=0.723, P=0.013) and regurgitation (AUC=0.981, P<0.001). Secondary analyses were performed in patients without pathological reflux, defined as the DMS-negative (DMS<14.7) or AET-negative (AET<6%) groups. In the secondary analyses, bolus exposure showed considerable diagnostic accuracy with statistical significance for all typical symptoms in both in the DMS-negative (heartburn: AUC=0.717, P=0.025; epigastric pain: AUC=0.717, P=0.025; regurgitation: AUC=0.975, P<0.001) and AET-negative (heartburn: AUC=0.681, P=0.045; epigastric pain: AUC=0.749, P=0.009; regurgitation: AUC=0.975, P<0.001) groups.

Conclusion: Bolus exposure, a parameter of total reflux, was superior to AET or DMS in defining candidates for ARS. Further studies investigating the surgical indications for ARS in patients with non-acid reflux using bolus exposure are required.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating condition that results in severe motor function impairments. Current therapeutic options remain limited, underscoring the need for novel treatments. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has emerged as a promising noninvasive approach for treating musculoskeletal disorders and nerve regeneration.

Methods: This study explored the effects of low-energy ESWT on locomotor function, tissue regeneration, inflammation, and mitochondrial function in a rat SCI model. Experiments were performed using locomotor function assays, CatWalk gait analysis, histopathological examination, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

Results: The findings demonstrated that low-energy ESWT had a dose-dependent effect, with three treatment sessions (ESWT3) showing superior outcomes compared to a single session. ESWT3 significantly improved motor functions (run patterns, run average speed, and maximum variation, as well as the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score) and promoted tissue regeneration while reducing inflammation. ESWT3 significantly decreased levels of IL-1β, IL6 and macrophages (CD68) while increasing leucocyte (CD45) infiltration. Additionally, ESWT3 upregulated NueN and mitofusin 2 (MFN2), suggesting enhanced neuronal health and mitochondrial function. Moreover, ESWT3 modulated the expression of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1), FGF2, their receptor FGFR1 and phosphorylation of ERK, aiding tissue repair and regeneration in SCI.

Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of low-energy ESWT as an effective noninvasive treatment for SCI, demonstrating significant improvements in motor recovery, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory effects, and mitochondrial protection. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of ESWT and its therapeutic application for SCI recovery.