Hematopoiesis is the formation of blood cellular components and, consequently, immune cells. In a more complete definition, this process refers to the formation, growth, maturation, and specialization of blood cells, from the hematopoietic stem cell, through the hematopoietic progenitor cells, to the s pecialized blood cells. This process is tightly regulated by several elements of the bone marrow microenvironment, such as growth factors, transcription factors, and cytokines. During embryonic and fetal development, hematopoiesis takes place in different organs: the yolk sac, the aorta–gonad mesonephros region, the lymph nodes, and not lastly, the fetal liver and the spleen. In the current review, we describe extramedullary hematopoiesis of the spleen and liver, with an emphasis on myeloproliferative conditions.

Background Selection of the most appropriate treatment to obtain the lowest morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates is mandatory for hydatid disease of the liver. This study evaluated the results of laparoscopic treatment (compared with the open approach) in the context of a 10-year single-institution experience. Methods Between January 1998 and January 2008, 333 patients with hydatid disease of the liver underwent surgery in the authors’ department. Only the following aspects were considered as selection criteria for laparoscopic surgery: liver cyst not located in segment 1 or 7, with corticalization on the surface and no evidence of intrabiliary rupture. Of 62 patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment, 3 required conversion to open surgery. The remaining 59 patients (group 1) were analyzed. During the same period, 271 patients with hepatic hydatid disease underwent conventional surgery, but only 172 records were compatible with the criteria for the laparoscopic approach and the respective patients were retrospectively reviewed (group 2). Results Conversion to open surgery occurred in three cases (4.84 %). The mean cyst diameter was 6.62 cm (range, 2–15 cm) in group 1 and 7.23 cm (range, 2–18 cm) in group 2 (p = 0.699). The mean operative time was 72 min (range, 45–140 min) in group 1 and 65 min (range, 35–120 min) in group 2 (p < 0.001). The general complication rate and abdominal wound complication rate were respectively 0 % and 0 % in group 1 (p = 0.023) compared with 5.23 and 8.72 % in group 2 (p = 0.015). The mean hospital stay was 6.42 days (range, 1–21 days) in group 1 and 11.7 days (range, 4–80 days) in group 2 (p < 0.001). The mean follow-up period was 24.2 months (range, 6–32 months) in group 1 and 28.4 months (range, 6–40 months) in group 2. No recurrences were observed in either group during this period. Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery provides a safe and efficacious approach for almost all types of hepatic hydatid cysts. Large, prospective, randomized trials are needed to confirm its superiority.

Wound healing is a complex process that is mediated and influenced by several cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a cytokine that plays a critical role in tissue regeneration. Our study is a systematic review that addressed the implications of IL-22 in the healing of wounds caused by external factors. Thirteen studies were included in our review, most of them being experimental studies. Three clinical studies underlined the potential role of IL-22 in day-to-day clinical practice. IL-22 plays a central role in wound healing, stimulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of the cells involved in tissue repair. However, overexpression of IL-22 can cause negative effects, such as keloid scars or peritoneal adhesions. The results of the presented studies are promising, but further research that validates the roles of IL-22 in clinical practice and analyzes its potential implication in surgical healing is welcomed.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are a conglomerate of disorders causing inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which have gained a significant increase in prevalence in the 21st century. As they present a challenge in the terms of diagnosis as well as treatment, IBDs can present an overwhelming impact on the individual and can take a toll on healthcare costs. Thus, a quick and precise diagnosis is required in order to prevent the high number of complications that can arise from a late diagnosis as well as a misdiagnosis. Although endoscopy remains the primary method of evaluation for IBD, recent trends have highlighted various non-invasive methods of diagnosis as well as reevaluating previous ones. This review focused on the current non-invasive methods in the diagnosis of IBD, exploring their possible implementation in the near future, with the goal of achieving earlier, feasible, and cheap methods of diagnosis as well as prognosis in IBD.

Background and Aims: In the last years increasing scientific evidence drew attention on the potential effects of anesthetic drugs on postoperative outcome in cancer patients. Local anesthetics, especially lidocaine, have been intensively studied in relation with postoperative outcome in colorectal cancer patients. Our study objectives were to investigate the effects of perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and short-term postoperative outcome. Additionally, we also looked at 1 year outcome after intended radical colorectal cancer surgery. Methods: 150 patients scheduled for colorectal cancer surgery were randomized to receive sevoflurane anaesthesia with or without 48 hours lidocaine infusion. Results: 73 patients were included in the group A (sevoflurane) and 77 in the group B (sevoflurane with lidocaine). Lidocaine infusion did not modify neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at 24 hours after surgery (p=0.58). Patients receiving intravenous lidocaine had significantly lower morphine consumption (p=0.04), faster mobilization time (p=0.001) and fewer days spent in the hospital (p=0.04). Moreover, at 1 year follow- up, patients in group B had a significant decreased rate of recurrences (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in 1 year survival (p=0.22). Conclusions: In our study, intravenous lidocaine infusion hastened the postoperative recovery of patients in terms of mobilization, hospital discharge and opioid consumption and reduced 1 year recurrence rate. Further studies on larger groups of patients are needed.

Colitis-associated colo-rectal cancer remains the leading cause of mortality in inflammatory bowel diseases, with inflammation remaining one of the bridging points between the two pathologies. The NLRP3 inflammasome complex plays an important role in innate immunity; however, its misregulation can be responsible for the apparition of various pathologies such as ulcerative colitis. Our review focuses on the potential pathways of upregulation or downregulation of the NLRP3 complex, in addition to evaluating its role in the current clinical setting. Eighteen studies highlighted the potential pathways of NLRP3 complex regulation as well as its role in the metastatic process in colo-rectal cancer, with promising results. Further research is, however, needed in order to validate the results in a clinical setting.