Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
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J. Gastrointest. Surg. · Aug 2014
TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 cytokines and their association with TNF-α-308 G/A polymorphism and postoperative sepsis.
Early prediction of postoperative sepsis remains an enormous clinical challenge. Association of TNF-α-308 G/A polymorphism with sepsis remains controversial. We, therefore, investigated this polymorphism with serum levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 in relation to development of sepsis following major gastrointestinal surgery. ⋯ TNF-α-308 G/A polymorphism is significantly associated with the development of postoperative sepsis and with increased expression of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8.
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J. Gastrointest. Surg. · Aug 2014
Historical ArticleThe subspecialization of surgery: a paradigm shift.
General surgery has become increasingly fragmented into subspecialties and diseases previously treated by general surgeons are now managed by "specialists". The Resident Education Committee of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) has reviewed the history of surgical training and factors that have contributed to this evolution to subsepcialization. As it is unlikely that this paradigm shift is reversible, a clear understanding of the contributing factors is essential. Herein, we present a timeline and taxonomy of forces in this evolution to subspecialization.