Laparoscopic-Assisted Removal of Two Video Capsule Endoscopy Cameras Retained for More Than Two Years.

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is used to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the small bowel for obscure bleeding, Crohn's disease, and tumors. A rare complication of VCE is the retention of the pill camera. With the expanding use of VCE, it's important to consider the pathology that may lead to retention and approach to treatment. VCE for subacute or intermittent bowel obstruction is considered a contraindication due to the increased risk of retention, however, it may also identify significant pathology. Capsule retention should be treated promptly to prevent complications such as acute small bowel obstruction (SBO) and perforation. This case describes a 51-year-old female who presented with retention of two VCE cameras in the bowel for multiple years. She had intermittent abdominal pain and partial SBOs before the retention. She underwent a successful laparoscopic-assisted surgery removing the two endoscopy cameras and resection of the stenosed small bowel. This case sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in the management of VCE and capsule retention.

Buccal Administration of a Zika Virus Vaccine Utilizing 3D-Printed Oral Dissolving Films in a Mouse Model.

Over the years, research regarding the Zika virus has been steadily increasing. Early immunization for ZIKV is a priority for preventing complications such as microencephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Unlike traditional vaccination approaches, oral dissolving films (ODFs) or mucoadhesive film technology is an emerging, exciting concept that can be used in the field of pharmaceuticals for vaccine design and formulation development. This attractive and novel method can help patients who suffer from dysphagia as a complication of a disease or syndrome. In this study, we investigated a microparticulate Zika vaccine administered via the buccal route with the help of thin films or oral dissolving films (ODFs) with a prime dose and two booster doses two weeks apart. In vitro, the ODFs displayed excellent physiochemical properties, indicating that the films were good carriers for vaccine microparticles and biocompatible with the buccal mucosa. In vivo results revealed robust humoral (IgG, subtypes IgG1 and IgG2a) and T-cell responses (CD4+/CD8+) for ZIKV-specific immunity. Both the Zika MP vaccine and the adjuvanted Zika MP vaccine affected memory (CD45R/CD27) and intracellular cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) expression. In this study, ZIKV vaccination via the buccal route with the aid of ODFs demonstrated great promise for the development of pain-free vaccines for infectious diseases.

Predictors of in-hospital outcomes for diverticular bleeding patients: a retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample data (2016-2020).

Background: Diverticular bleeding is the leading cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, affecting 3-5% of patients with diverticulosis. Current management protocols include resuscitation, diagnosis via direct visualization, computed tomography imaging, endoscopic interventions, angioembolization, and surgery when needed. However, predictive factors for outcomes and optimal interventions remain ambiguous. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2016-2020) to determine predictors of adverse in-hospital outcomes in diverticular bleeding patients without perforation or abscess. Demographic and clinical data were extracted, and multivariate regression models were applied. Analysis was conducted using R statistical software (version 4.1.3), with significance set at P<0.05. Results: A total of 28,269 patients hospitalized for diverticular bleeding were identified. Age >85 years, moderate to severe Charlson Comorbidity Index, hypovolemic shock, blood transfusion requirement, and requirement for colectomy were significantly associated with greater in-hospital mortality. Factors such as late colonoscopy timing and colon resection led to longer hospital stays, while arterial embolization was predicted by older age, Black race, hypovolemic shock, and blood transfusion. Predictors of colon resection included advanced age, presence of colon cancer, and hypovolemic shock. Conclusions: Our retrospective study identified significant predictors of in-hospital outcomes among patients with diverticular bleeding, informing risk stratification and management strategies. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and refine management algorithms for improved patient care. Integrating these insights into clinical practice may enhance outcomes and guide personalized interventions in diverticular bleeding management.

Takes Two to Tangle: A Rare Case of Type IV Dual Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) and Dual Ostia of the LAD and Left Circumflex (LCx) Artery.

The dual left anterior descending (LAD) artery is a rare anatomic variant of the LAD artery that refers to the duplication of the LAD into a short and long LAD. These two vessels, differentiated based on their lengths, ultimately provide blood supply to the areas normally covered by the LAD. In this case report, we describe an unusual case of a type IV dual LAD system with an additional finding of a separate origin for the short LAD and left circumflex (LCx) artery. These two findings have not been reported together in the literature previously. During diagnostic procedures like coronary angiography or when interpreting cardiac imaging, awareness of these anomalies prevents confusion with pathological conditions such as coronary artery disease or stenosis. Additionally, it is crucial for cardiologists and surgeons to identify these aberrant vessels to avoid any wrongful interventions.

Does Valve Design Affect the Tensile Strength of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting, which is problematic as shunts are prone to failure. Shunt disconnections account for a minority (8%-15%) of VP shunt failures but could be reduced through better shunt design. A better understanding of the mechanical properties of VP shunts would help explain why shunt disconnections occur. The objective of this study was to determine if the tensile properties of VP shunts differ by design. METHODS: Linear tensile testing was conducted on 5 different valve designs (Codman Certas Plus Programmable Valve, Medtronic Delta, Integra Orbis Sigma Valve II, Medtronic PS Medical, Medtronic Strata Adjustable Valve) at both the proximal and distal ends to determine the maximum load which could be applied to different shunt designs. Each valve was progressively subjected to increasing force until the catheter disconnected from the valve, the catheter fractured, or our maximum testing limits were reached. RESULTS: Catheters disconnected or fractured during testing with all valves. The maximum load resisted during tensile testing for similar locations in all valve designs were found to be statistically similar to one another. Only the PS Medical and Orbis Sigma II valves showed an increased maximum load at the distal end compared with the proximal end within the same device. CONCLUSION: No single valve design was superior at preventing disconnections in VP shunts. Shunt disconnections remain a concerning problem as VP shunts are the gold standard for combating hydrocephalus.

Cardiac Arrest Following GoLytely Consumption: A Potential Trigger for Hypovolemic Shock.

This case report presents a rare but severe complication of polyethylene glycol (PEG) used for colonoscopic bowel preparation. A 71-year-old male developed cardiac arrest secondary to hypovolemic shock following consumption of GoLytely. Despite being hemodynamically stable prior to ingestion, the patient experienced extreme weakness, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension post-consumption. Evaluation ruled out other causes of arrest. While serious complications from PEG are rare, this case underscores the importance of vigilance. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the relationship between PEG use and cardiac events and to identify potential risk factors for adverse outcomes associated with bowel preparation regimens.

Multidisciplinary approach to diagnostic radiology education: a novel educational intervention for Turkish medical students.

Teleconferencing can facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to teaching radiology to medical students. This study aimed to determine whether an online learning approach enables students to appreciate the interrelated roles of radiology and other specialties during the management of different medical cases. Turkish medical students attended five 60-90-minute online lectures delivered by radiologists and other specialists from the United States and Canada through Zoom meetings between November 2020 and January 2021. Student ambassadors from their respective Turkish medical schools recruited their classmates with guidance from the course director. Students took a pretest and posttest to assess the knowledge imparted from each session and a final course survey to assess their confidence in radiology and the value of the course. A paired t-test was used to assess pretest and posttest score differences. A 4-point Likert-type scale was used to assess confidence rating differences before and after attending the course sessions. A total of 1,458 Turkish medical students registered for the course. An average of 437 completed both pre- and posttests when accounting for all five sessions. Posttest scores were significantly higher than pretest scores for each session (P < 0.001). A total of 546 medical students completed the final course survey evaluation. Students' rating of their confidence in their radiology knowledge increased after taking the course (P < 0.001). Students who took our course gained an appreciation for the interrelated roles of different specialties in approaching medical diagnoses and interpreting radiological findings. These students also reported an increased confidence in radiology topics and rated the course highly relevant and insightful. Overall, our findings indicated that multidisciplinary online education can be feasibly implemented for medical students by video teleconferencing.

Incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes associated with permanent pacemaker implantation after aortic root replacement.

OBJECTIVE: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after aortic valve replacement is associated with long-term mortality. However, data regarding PPI after aortic root replacement (ARR) is lacking. Herein we describe the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of PPI after ARR. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing ARR from 2005 to 2020 were selected after excluding those with endocarditis, type A dissection, or preoperative PPI. Patients requiring PPI after ARR were identified, along with the indication and timing. Independent factors associated with PPI after ARR were identified and long-term survival was assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of PPI was 3.8% (n = 85) among 2240 patients undergoing ARR. PPI was performed a median of 7 days (interquartile range, 5-12 days) after ARR most commonly for complete heart block (73%). Bicuspid aortic valve (odds ratio [OR], 1.89; P = .02), female sex (OR, 1.74; P = .04), preoperative heart block (OR, 2.70; P = .02), and prior aortic valve replacement (OR, 2.18; P = .01) were independently associated with PPI while preoperative aortic insufficiency (OR, 0.52; P = .01) and valve-sparing root replacement procedure compared with bio-Bentall (OR, 0.40; P = .01) were protective. Patients requiring PPI after ARR were not at increased risk of operative or long-term mortality compared with patients not requiring PPI (P = .26); however, those undergoing PPI experienced significantly longer hospital length of stay (13 vs 7 days; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PPI after ARR remains low, particularly after VSRR. Preoperative conduction disturbance, prior AVR, and bicuspid aortic valve are all associated with increased risk of PPI. Although PPI is associated with longer length of stay, it is not associated with early or late mortality.

APACE: AlphaFold2 and advanced computing as a service for accelerated discovery in biophysics.

The prediction of protein 3D structure from amino acid sequence is a computational grand challenge in biophysics and plays a key role in robust protein structure prediction algorithms, from drug discovery to genome interpretation. The advent of AI models, such as AlphaFold, is revolutionizing applications that depend on robust protein structure prediction algorithms. To maximize the impact, and ease the usability, of these AI tools we introduce APACE, AlphaFold2 and advanced computing as a service, a computational framework that effectively handles this AI model and its TB-size database to conduct accelerated protein structure prediction analyses in modern supercomputing environments. We deployed APACE in the Delta and Polaris supercomputers and quantified its performance for accurate protein structure predictions using four exemplar proteins: 6AWO, 6OAN, 7MEZ, and 6D6U. Using up to 300 ensembles, distributed across 200 NVIDIA A100 GPUs, we found that APACE is up to two orders of magnitude faster than off-the-self AlphaFold2 implementations, reducing time-to-solution from weeks to minutes. This computational approach may be readily linked with robotics laboratories to automate and accelerate scientific discovery.

A Case of an Unusual Bleeder: Small Bowel Lymphoma.

This case report highlights an uncommon presentation of small bowel lymphoma as gastrointestinal bleeding in an 87-year-old female with a history of ulcerative colitis. Despite non-specific symptoms and negative findings on upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, ileoscopy revealed a distal ileal mass with a solitary non-bleeding ulcer, confirmed by biopsy as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The patient opted for palliative management. Small intestinal lymphomas, particularly DLBCL, pose diagnostic challenges due to their varied presentations. Timely detection is crucial for optimal outcomes, emphasizing the importance of prompt utilization of diagnostic methods in suspected cases.

Microscopic Colitis Secondary to Leflunomide: A Case Report.

Microscopic colitis (MC) is characterized by chronic watery diarrhea that requires histological examination for diagnosis. Here, we present a case of a 63-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis who developed persistent diarrhea following leflunomide initiation. Despite a normal colonoscopy, random colonic biopsies confirmed MC. Discontinuation of leflunomide led to symptom resolution, implicating it as the causative agent. Leflunomide-induced MC is exceedingly rare, with limited documented cases. Understanding its variability in presentation and timely recognition is crucial. This case underscores the importance of thorough medication history assessment and consideration of drug-induced colitis in patients presenting with unexplained diarrhea, facilitating prompt management and resolution.

A Survey of Manual Therapy Techniques and Protocols Used to Prevent or Treat Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients During and after Radiation Therapy.

Background: Authoritative research demonstrating efficacy of traditional dysphagia therapy for Head & Neck Cancer (HNC) patients is limited. A 2019 survey reported speech-language-pathologists (SLPs) have started using Manual Therapy (MT) to prevent or rehabilitate dysphagia in HNC patients. This application of MT is supported theoretically but no research has established efficacy. Further, specific contents of MT protocols employed in this setting remain unknown. Objectives: In the absence of HNC dysphagia specific MT protocols, this study aimed to better understand MT protocols employed by SLPs to prevent and treat dysphagia in HNC patients during and after Radiation Therapy (RT). Methods: An internet-based questionnaire for SLPs who use MT with HNC patients was developed and tested for face/content validity. It was sent to SLPs practicing in the USA, twice, through three national listservs (ASHA-SIG13, ASHA-SIG3, University of Iowa Voiceserv). Results: Of 64 respondents, 44 completed the survey. Of the 44, 15(34%) provided proactive MT during RT, 37(84%) provided proactive MT after RT (to prevent dysphagia), and 44(100%) provided reactive MT after RT (to treat dysphagia). 40(91%) were trained in MT through a CE course and 25(57%) had HNC-specific MT training. The most common MT techniques were laryngeal manipulation (LM) and myofascial release (MFR). During RT, MT protocols are gentler and highly tailored, with simple home programs of mild intensity. After RT, protocols are more regimented and aggressive, but still highly customized, with more diverse home programs of at least moderate intensity. Conclusion: MT for HNC patients lacks a standard protocol or approach, but MFR and LM, or components of those techniques, are used most frequently. Given the frequency with which MFR and LM are employed to treat dysphagia during and post-RT, and the lack of empirical evidence supporting or refuting their use, a collaboratively designed RCT is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of MT for HNC patients.

Total Body PET/CT: A Role in Musculoskeletal Diseases.

Recent advancements in PET technology have culminated in the development of total-body PET (TB-PET) systems, which overcome many limitations of traditional scanners. These TB-PET scanners, while still becoming widely available, represent the forefront of clinical imaging across numerous medical institutions worldwide. Early clinical applications have demonstrated their enhanced image quality, precise lesion quantification, and overall superior performance relative to conventional scanners. The capabilities of TB-PET technology, including extended scan range, ultrahigh sensitivity, exceptional temporal resolution, and dynamic imaging, offer significant potential to tackle unresolved clinical challenges in medical imaging. In this discussion, we aim to explore the emerging applications, opportunities, and future perspectives of TB-PET/CT in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Clinical applications for both oncologic and non-oncologic musculoskeletal diseases are discussed, including inflammatory arthritis, infections, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and skeletal muscle disorders. From the ability to visualize small musculoskeletal structures and the entire axial and appendicular skeleton, TB-PET shows significant potential in the diagnosis and management of MSD conditions as it becomes more widely available.

Assessment of the Quality, Accountability, and Readability of Online Patient Education Materials for Optic Neuritis.

Most cases of optic neuritis (ON) occur in women and in patients between the ages of 15 and 45 years, which represents a key demographic of individuals who seek health information using the internet. As clinical providers strive to ensure patients have accessible information to understand their condition, assessing the standard of online resources is essential. To assess the quality, content, accountability, and readability of online information for optic neuritis. This cross-sectional study analyzed 11 freely available medical sites with information on optic neuritis and used PubMed as a gold standard for comparison. Twelve questions were composed to include the information most relevant to patients, and each website was independently examined by four neuro-ophthalmologists. Readability was analyzed using an online readability tool. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, four criteria designed to assess the quality of health information further were used to evaluate the accountability of each website. Freely available online information. On average, websites scored 27.98 (SD ± 9.93, 95% CI 24.96-31.00) of 48 potential points (58.3%) for the twelve questions. There were significant differences in the comprehensiveness and accuracy of content across websites (p < .001). The mean reading grade level of websites was 11.90 (SD ± 2.52, 95% CI 8.83-15.25). Zero websites achieved all four JAMA benchmarks. Interobserver reliability was robust between three of four neuro-ophthalmologist (NO) reviewers (ρ = 0.77 between NO3 and NO2, ρ = 0.91 between NO3 and NO1, ρ = 0.74 between NO2 and NO1; all p < .05). The quality of freely available online information detailing optic neuritis varies by source, with significant room for improvement. The material presented is difficult to interpret and exceeds the recommended reading level for health information. Most websites reviewed did not provide comprehensive information regarding non-therapeutic aspects of the disease. Ophthalmology organizations should be encouraged to create content that is more accessible to the general public.

Intranasal Immunization for Zika in a Pre-Clinical Model.

Humans continue to be at risk from the Zika virus. Although there have been significant research advancements regarding Zika, the absence of a vaccine or approved treatment poses further challenges for healthcare providers. In this study, we developed a microparticulate Zika vaccine using an inactivated whole Zika virus as the antigen that can be administered pain-free via intranasal (IN) immunization. These microparticles (MP) were formulated using a double emulsion method developed by our lab. We explored a prime dose and two-booster-dose vaccination strategy using MPL-A® and Alhydrogel® as adjuvants to further stimulate the immune response. MPL-A® induces a Th1-mediated immune response and Alhydrogel® (alum) induces a Th2-mediated immune response. There was a high recovery yield of MPs, less than 5 µm in size, and particle charge of -19.42 ± 0.66 mV. IN immunization of Zika MP vaccine and the adjuvanted Zika MP vaccine showed a robust humoral response as indicated by several antibodies (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and several IgG subtypes (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG3). Vaccine MP elicited a balance Th1- and Th2-mediated immune response. Immune organs, such as the spleen and lymph nodes, exhibited a significant increase in CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell cellular response in both vaccine groups. Zika MP vaccine and adjuvanted Zika MP vaccine displayed a robust memory response (CD27 and CD45R) in the spleen and lymph nodes. Adjuvanted vaccine-induced higher Zika-specific intracellular cytokines than the unadjuvanted vaccine. Our results suggest that more than one dose or multiple doses may be necessary to achieve necessary immunological responses. Compared to unvaccinated mice, the Zika vaccine MP and adjuvanted MP vaccine when administered via intranasal route demonstrated robust humoral, cellular, and memory responses. In this pre-clinical study, we established a pain-free microparticulate Zika vaccine that produced a significant immune response when administered intranasally.

Long-term outcomes after aortic root replacement for bicuspid aortic valve-associated aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with congenital bicuspid aortic valve often require root replacement. This study aims to describe their long-term rates of mortality and reoperation. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective study of 747 patients with bicuspid aortic valve who underwent aortic root replacement for aortic aneurysm between 2004 and 2020. Cumulative incidence curves for aortic valve and aortic reoperations were graphed. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the patient cohort was created alongside an age- and sex-matched curve for the US population. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine characteristics associated with long-term mortality. RESULTS: The median age of our cohort was 54 [43-64] years old, and 101 (13.5%) patients were female. In patients with bicuspid aortic valve dysfunction, 274 (36.7%) had aortic insufficiency, 187 (25.0%) had aortic stenosis, and 142 (19.0%) had both. In-hospital mortality occurred in 10 (1.3%) patients. There were 56 aortic valve reoperations and 19 aortic reoperations, with a combined cumulative incidence of 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23%-46%) at 15 years. In addition, there was comparable survival between the patient cohort and the age- and sex-matched US population. Age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06), concomitant CABG (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.29-4.04), and bypass time (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01) were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo aortic root replacement with bicuspid aortic valve have an increased rate of aortic reoperation (35%; 95% CI, 23%-46%) while their survival appears to be comparable to the general US population (79%; 95% CI, 73%-87%) at 15 years.

Cardiac lipotoxicity and fibrosis underlie impaired contractility in a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

The leading cause of death among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is cardiovascular disease. A significant percentage of MASLD patients develop heart failure driven by functional and structural alterations in the heart. Previously, we observed cardiac dysfunction in hepatocyte-specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha knockout (Ppara HepKO), a mouse model that exhibits hepatic steatosis independent of obesity and insulin resistance. The goal of the present study was to determine mechanisms that underlie hepatic steatosis-induced cardiac dysfunction in Ppara HepKO mice. Experiments were performed in 30-week-old Ppara HepKO and littermate control mice fed regular chow. We observed decreased cardiomyocyte contractility (0.17 ± 0.02 vs. 0.24 ± 0.02 µm, p < 0.05), increased cardiac triglyceride content (0.96 ± 0.13 vs. 0.68 ± 0.06 mM, p < 0.05), collagen type 1 (4.65 ± 0.25 vs. 0.31 ± 0.01 AU, p < 0.001), and collagen type 3 deposition (1.32 ± 0.46 vs. 0.05 ± 0.03 AU, p < 0.05). These changes were associated with increased apoptosis as indicated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining (30.9 ± 4.7 vs. 13.1 ± 0.8%, p < 0.006) and western blots showing increased cleaved caspase-3 (0.27 ± 0.006 vs. 0.08 ± 0.01 AU, p < 0.003) and pro-caspase-3 (5.4 ± 1.5 vs. 0.5 ± 0.3 AU, p < 0.02), B-cell lymphoma protein 2-associated X (0.68 ± 0.07 vs. 0.04 ± 0.04 AU, p < 0.001), and reduced B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (0.29 ± 0.01 vs. 1.47 ± 0.54 AU, p < 0.05). We further observed elevated circulating natriuretic peptides and exercise intolerance in Ppara HepKO mice when compared to controls. Our data demonstrated that lipotoxicity, and fibrosis underlie cardiac dysfunction in MASLD.

Unraveling the Narrow Alley: A Case Report of Groove Pancreatitis.

Groove pancreatitis, a rare subtype of chronic pancreatitis, predominantly affects middle-aged men with a history of alcohol abuse. We present a unique case of a 31-year-old female with minimal alcohol consumption. Imaging revealed characteristic findings consistent with groove pancreatitis. Despite its rarity in young females, clinical suspicion led to the appropriate diagnosis and conservative management, resulting in symptomatic resolution. This case underscores the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of groove pancreatitis, emphasizing the necessity of tailored diagnostic approaches, and highlighting the efficacy of conservative management in achieving favorable outcomes, particularly in non-typical demographics.

Bigger Than a Hen's Egg: A Case of Bouveret Syndrome.

Bouveret syndrome, a rare complication of cholelithiasis resulting in gallstone ileus, presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its low incidence and nonspecific symptoms. We report a case of Bouveret syndrome in a middle-aged male without significant medical history, emphasizing the need for heightened clinical suspicion. Diagnostic imaging, including computed tomography and upper endoscopy, revealed gastric outlet obstruction and a cholecystoduodenal fistula. Treatment involved unsuccessful endoscopic lithotripsy followed by surgical intervention. This case underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for successful management. With no standardized approach, individualized treatment strategies, including endoscopic and surgical interventions, are crucial for favorable outcomes in Bouveret syndrome.