We compared and contrasted the potentials of palliation afforded by various management methods in a retrospective study of all patients referred to one surgical team in a 20-year period. Five hundred thirty-seven patients had unresectable oesophageal cancer. There were five treatment groups: group 1-dilatation plus external radiotherapy (DXR, n = 95), group 2-gastrostomy plus DXR (n = 18), group 3-permanent intubation (n = 329), group 4-oesophageal bypass (BP, n = 70), and group 5-YAG laser plus brachytherapy (n = 25). Groups 1 and 2 had high mortality (4% and 25%) and poor symptom relief, with an average survival of 2.5 and 3.5 months, respectively. Group 3 had a 20% mortality rate, moderate-to-good symptom relief and an average survival of 4.2 months. This method was best for lower oesophageal cancer. Group 4 had a 22% mortality rate, good symptom relief and an average survival of 10.5 months. The BP method was suitable for patients with oesophago-airway fistula (OAF) and those with lower oesophageal cancer found unresectable at operation. Group 5 had a hospital mortality rate of 8%, good symptom control and an average survival of 6.2 months. This was suitable for all patients (except those with OAF). In palliation of carcinoma of the oesophagus the selection of method should be made to suit the characteristic and location of the tumour.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is defined as an injury to the brain parenchyma resulting in neurological deficit following a trauma. Cell transplantation has evolved as a novel treatment modality in the management of TBI. Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells (BMMNCs) have shown beneficial effects in the functional recovery of neurological deficits. We present a case of a 15 year old female who suffered from a TBI due to a road traffic accident, 7 years ago. She underwent two doses of intrathecal transplantation of autologous BMMNCs for chronic TBI. No severe adverse events were noted. She showed improvements in her speech, cognitive abilities, memory, higher function and fine motor skills. PET CT scan was used as a monitoring tool to evaluate the effect of cellular transplantation at a cellular level. On comparing the PET CT scan brain performed 6 months after the intervention with the previous scan, increased metabolic activity in various areas of the brain was observed. These changes also correlated to the functional improvements observed in the patient. Hence, stem cell transplantation may have a promising future as a therapeutic intervention in chronic TBI.

Background:Promising results from previous studies using cell therapy have paved the way for an innovative treatment option for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). There is considerable evidence of immune and inflammatory abnormalities in ALS. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) possess immunomodulatory properties and could contribute to slowing of disease progression.Objective:Aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term effect of autologous BMMNCs combined with standard treatment on survival duration in a large population and to evaluate effect of type of onset and hormonal status on survival duration in the intervention group.Methods:This controlled, retrospective study spanned over 10 years, 5 months; included 216 patients with probable or definite ALS, 150 in intervention group receiving autologous BMMNCs and standard treatment, and 66 in control group receiving only standard treatment. The estimated survival duration of control group and intervention group was computed and compared using Kaplan Meier analysis. Survival duration of patients with different types of onset and hormonal status was compared within the intervention group.Results:None of the patients reported any major adverse events related to cell administration or the procedure. Kaplan Meier analysis estimated survival duration in the intervention group to be 91.7 months while 49.7 months in the control group (p = 0.008). Within the intervention group, estimated survival was significantly higher (p = 0.013) in patients with limb onset (102.3 months) vs. bulbar onset (49.9 months); premenopausal women (93.1 months) vs. postmenopausal women (57.6 months) (p = 0.002); and preandropausal men (153.7 months) vs. postandropausal males (56.5 months) (p = 0.006).Conclusion:Cell therapy using autologous BMMNCs along with standard treatment offers a promising and safe option for ALS with the potential of long term beneficial effect and increased survival. Limb onset patients, premenopausal women and men ≤ 40 years of age demonstrated better treatment efficacy.

Background. Obesity is associated with the gut microbiota and decreased micronutrient status. Bariatric surgery is a recommended therapy for obesity. It can positively affect the composition of the gut bacteria but also disrupt absorption of nutrients. Low levels of micronutrients can affect metabolic processes, like glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, that are associated with the immune system also known as immunometabolism. Methods. MEDLINE, PUBMED, and Google Scholar were searched. Articles involving gut microbiome, micronutrient deficiency, gut-targeted therapies, transcriptome analysis, micronutrient supplementation, and bariatric surgery were included. Results. Studies show that micronutrients play a pivotal role in the intestinal immune system and regulating immunometabolism. Research demonstrates that gut-targeting therapies may improve the microbiome health for bariatric surgery populations. There is limited research that examines the role of micronutrients in modulating the gut microbiota among the bariatric surgery population. Conclusions. Investigations are needed to understand the influence that micronutrient deficiencies have on the gut, particularly immunometabolism. Nutritional transcriptomics shows great potential in providing this type of analysis to develop gut-modulating therapies as well as more personalized nutrition recommendations for bariatric surgery patients.

Background Bariatric surgery can effectively treat morbid obesity; however, micronutrient deficiencies are common despite recommendations for high-dose supplements. Genetic predisposition to deficiencies underscores necessary identification of high-risk candidates. Personalized nutrition (PN) can be a tool to manage these deficiencies. Methods Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched. Articles involving genetic testing, micronutrient metabolism, and bariatric surgery were included. Results Studies show associations between genetic variants and micronutrient metabolism. Research demonstrates genetic testing to be a predictor for outcomes among obesity and bariatric surgery populations. There is limited research in bariatric surgery and micronutrient genetic variants. Conclusion Genotype-based PN is becoming feasible to provide an effective treatment of micronutrient deficiencies associated with bariatric surgery. The role of genomic technology in micronutrient recommendations needs further investigation.