BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent type of primary liver cancer, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Indeed, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Previous studies have shown evidence that tight junction (TJ) components were correlated with carcinogenesis and tumor development. Our aims were to determine the serum levels of tight junction protein Zonula Occludens (ZO)-1 and an inflammatory marker such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in HCC patients compared to healthy volunteers and also to identify the association between ZO-1 and inflammation in HCC.MethodsThirty HCC patients and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited in the current study. Clinical data regarding child class, BCLC staging, the number of lesions, tumor size, absence or presence of metastasis, cirrhosis and hepatitis infection were also collected in HCC patients. Plasma ZO-1 and serum hsCRP were analyzed by EIA and ELISA respectively and biochemical parameters by autoanalyser (AU680 Beckman Coulter, USA). Furthermore, hepatic ZO-1 protein expression and tissue localization were examined.ResultsCompared to healthy individuals, the serum levels of bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were elevated significantly (P < 0.0001) whilst serum albumin level was significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased in HCC patients. Furthermore, tight junction protein ZO-1 concentration was significantly elevated in HCC patients compared to control subjects (648 ± 183.8 vs. 396.4 ± 135.8 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.0001). Serum hsCRP level was also significantly increased in HCC patients compared to control subjects (17.25 ± 3.57 vs. 5.54 ± 2.62 mg/L, respectively; P < 0.0001). Moreover, decreased protein expression of ZO-1 was found in liver tissue obtained from HCC patients.ConclusionOur findings show for the first time that the systemic concentration of ZO-1 was significantly elevated in HCC patients and is positively correlated with inflammatory markers. Thus, the current study showing evidence that inflammation promotes plasma ZO-1 concentration and raises the possibility that it could be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker for HCC progression.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4484-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Handover process is an essential aspect of patient care in daily clinical practice to ensure continuity of patient care. Standardization of clinical handover may reduce sentinel events due to inaccurate and ineffective communication. Single arm experimental trial was conducted to assess the effect of standard Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) protocol implementation in overall bedside nursing handover process, patient satisfaction, and nurses’ acceptance. As a sample, all nursing staff of specified unit, all handover process performed by them, and patients admitted during study the period were included. Initially, the prevailing handover process and patient satisfaction regarding nursing handover was assessed using a structured observation checklist. During the implementation phase, nurses were trained on an SBAR handover protocol. After implementation, nursing handovers were again assessed and data regarding patient satisfaction and nurses’ acceptance were collected. There was a statistically significant difference ( P < .05) in median scores between the pre and post-intervention group on overall nursing handover and patient satisfaction regarding nursing handover. Standardization of patient’s handover process is effective in terms of improving nursing handover process, patient satisfaction, and health professionals’ acceptance.

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Aim: The aim of the present study is to report the perioperative and long-term surgical outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with venous tumour thrombus (VTT). Materials and methods: Data of 34 patients (males = 23, females = 11) from 2009 to 2020 who underwent radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy for RCC and VTT was retrospectively analysed. The parameters recorded include tumour laterality, size, level of thrombus, surgical approach, blood loss, transfusion rates, operative time, hospital stay, Clavien complications, tumour histology, follow-up duration, local recurrence, distant metastasis, overall and cancer-specific survival rates. Results: The extent of thrombus was level I in thirteen, level II in twelve, level III (a-1, b-2, c-1, d-2) in six and level IV in three patients respectively. Mean operative time was 320 (±145) min, mean blood loss was 1371.15 (±1020.8) ml and mean hospital stay was 9.6 (±7.4) days. Mean transfusion rate was 6.4 (±3.2) units. Three patients died within the first 30 days of surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was utilized in three patients. Median follow-up period was 58 (Range: 4–101) months. A statistically significant correlation was found between operative time ( p = 0.014) and median survival ( p = 0.003) respectively and tumour thrombosis level. Nine patients died due to metastasis, and ten due to unrelated causes. The estimated actuarial survival rates at a median of 58 months were 35.3%. Conclusion: An accurate preoperative assessment of the thrombus extent with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team approach is crucial in achieving optimal surgical outcomes in patients of RCC with VTT, particularly with level III and IV thrombus.

Background: In the light of increased requirement for liver transplantation procedures, it is pertinent to develop bankable human expertise in the areas of liver resection and anastomoses. The alternative simulator sources available for learning surgical skills might not always provide the realistic learning gains as provided by human cadavers, especially in terms of haptic and tactile fidelity. For the first time, we have used GenelynÒ embalmed cadavers (GEC) for training the surgical gastroenterologists in liver resection and transplantation procedures and we wish to document our experience of using them to facilitate the learning of liver resection procedures. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional satisfaction survey fitting to the first level of the Kirkpatrick model for training evaluation was performed among participating surgical gastroenterologists of liver resection and transplantation training workshop using GEC. Visual, haptic and tactile characteristics of the liver and related structures were assessed along with overall satisfaction of the workshop. Results: Eleven surgical gastroenterologists had participated in the workshop conducted using three GEC. Nine participants agreed that the transection of liver parenchyma was similar to reality. However, two opined that the liver parenchyma was a bit harder to resect. Identification of portal pedicle, dissection of the peri-portal area and securing vascular anastomoses also had an acceptable level of similarity to real life. The two parameters that received a unanimous degree of the agreement are mobilization of liver and cannulation of key vessels for perfusion. Conclusion: Participants of the cadaveric surgical skills training workshop opined that the soft-embalmed cadaver using GenelynÒ is an excellent realistic model for practicing liver resection and transplantation surgery.