Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 inhibits autophagy in glial cells but requires ATG5 for the success of viral replication.

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) 1 is a neurotropic virus that has been associated with neurodegenerative disorders. The dysregulation of autophagy by HSV-1 has been proposed as a potential cause of neurodegeneration. While studies have extensively tackled the interaction between autophagy and HSV-1 in neurons, research in glial cells is currently limited. Our studies demonstrate that HSV-1 inhibits, but not completely blocks, the formation of autophagosomes in human oligodendroglioma- and astrocytoma- derived cell lines. These findings have been confirmed in murine oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Finally, this study investigates the impact of autophagy on HSV-1 infection in glial cells. While the lack of basal autophagy in LC3B knockout glial cells does not have a significant effect on viral infection, cells without the autophagy-related protein ATG5 exhibit reduced viral production. The absence of ATG5 leads to a decrease in the transcription and replication of viral genes, as well as a delay in the initial stages of the formation of HSV-1 replication compartments. These findings indicate that while autophagy may not play a significant role in antiviral defense in glial cells, HSV-1 may be inhibiting autophagy to exploit non-canonical functions of certain components of the autophagic machinery, such as ATG5, to benefit its lifecycle.

Minimally invasive power sources for implantable electronics.

As implantable medical electronics (IMEs) developed for healthcare monitoring and biomedical therapy are extensively explored and deployed clinically, the demand for non-invasive implantable biomedical electronics is rapidly surging. Current rigid and bulky implantable microelectronic power sources are prone to immune rejection and incision, or cannot provide enough energy for long-term use, which greatly limits the development of miniaturized implantable medical devices. Herein, a comprehensive review of the historical development of IMEs and the applicable miniaturized power sources along with their advantages and limitations is given. Despite recent advances in microfabrication techniques, biocompatible materials have facilitated the development of IMEs system toward non-invasive, ultra-flexible, bioresorbable, wireless and multifunctional, progress in the development of minimally invasive power sources in implantable systems has remained limited. Here three promising minimally invasive power sources summarized, including energy storage devices (biodegradable primary batteries, rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors), human body energy harvesters (nanogenerators and biofuel cells) and wireless power transfer (far-field radiofrequency radiation, near-field wireless power transfer, ultrasonic and photovoltaic power transfer). The energy storage and energy harvesting mechanism, configurational design, material selection, output power and in vivo applications are also discussed. It is expected to give a comprehensive understanding of the minimally invasive power sources driven IMEs system for painless health monitoring and biomedical therapy with long-term stable functions.

Gastric intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer prevention: Watchful waiting.

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM), a common histologic finding, is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer, and GIM associated with Helicobacter pylori infection is classified as an environmental metaplastic atrophic gastritis. Patients may be asymptomatic or present with various dyspeptic symptoms. Autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis is a less common but important cause of chronic gastritis. The Correa cascade describes the evolution of precancerous mucosal changes that lead to development of GIM, with differentiation of 2 histologic types of GIM (complete and incomplete) and the consequences of each type. The risk of progression to malignancy is higher with incomplete GIM. It is also higher for those who immigrate from regions with a high incidence of H pylori infection to areas where the incidence is low. Guidelines regarding endoscopic management of GIM vary by geographic region.

Endoscopic and Surgical Management of Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a rare congenital sporadic disorder characterized by multiple venous malformations localized in the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and internal organs. Gastrointestinal lesions tend to lead to massive or occult bleeding and iron deficiency anemia. The treatment of symptomatic gastrointestinal venous malformations remains a challenge, especially in the setting of recurrent blood loss anemia. An endoscopic approach may be required for refractory cases. We present a case of a 20-year-old patient with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome with multiple lesions in the stomach, duodenal bulb, small bowel, sigmoid, and descending colon who underwent successful endoscopic mucosal resection, hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection, and surgical transmural resection of vascular lesions for recurrent bleeding.

"I have always lived with the disease in the family": family adaptation to hereditary cancer-risk.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary cancer syndromes have been conceptualized as a family level process. The present study explores the complexity and challenges of family adaptation to the hereditary cancer syndrome, in the context of genetic counseling and long-term cancer risk management and follow-up surveillance. METHODS: We performed semi-structured interviews with 13 participants with one of the following hereditary cancer syndromes: Lynch Syndrome, Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer Syndrome, Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome, or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. The interview was developed through a participatory approach with the involvement of healthcare professionals and individuals with first-hand experience of living with the hereditary cancer syndromes. RESULTS: The family is the main source of information and emotional support to deal with hereditary cancer syndromes. Multiple individual adaptation processes and communal coping networks interact, influencing the emotional and health-related behavior of family members. This is affected and affects the family's communication and its' members reactions to disclosure, with consequent changes in relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The systemic interdependent dynamics of family adaptation calls for family-centered care of genetic cancer syndromes.

Uso del polietileno poroso de alta densidad como alternativa en reconstrucción de fracturas orbitarias. Serie de 22 casos / Use of high-density porous polyethylene as an alternative in orbital fracture reconstruction. 22 Case series

Introducción: las fracturas de pared de órbita pueden producir secuelas funcionales y estéticas. La indicación de reconstrucción quirúrgica, es indispensable para la recuperación de la motilidad y estética ocular. Los materiales reconstructivos más utilizados son los aloplásticos, como el titanio y el polietileno poroso de alta densidad (PPAD), el cual ha resultado exitoso en reconstrucción maxilofacial. El propósito de este estudio retrospectivo, es exponer los resultados tras el uso del PPAD en reconstrucciones orbitarias y sus posibles complicaciones. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de 22 pacientes donde se utilizó PPAD como material de reconstrucción en fracturas orbitarias. Se consideró para la indicación quirúrgica que el paciente presentara alguno de los siguientes signos: diplopía o síntomas vasovagales por atrapamiento muscular, restricciones en la motilidad ocular, enoftalmo mayor a 4mm. El material utilizado fue PPAD (Medpor Stryker®) puro en 17 casos y PPAD reforzado con una malla de titanio en el interior de su estructura (Medpor Titan Stryker®), en los 5 restantes. Resultados: se registraron 3 casos con complicaciones; ectropión, diplopía y ectropión con diplopía, los cuales todos fueron reversibles. No se registraron casos de infección ni complicaciones oftalmológicas postoperatoria. Discusión: los injertos autólogos fueron los primeros utilizados con resultados de compatibilidad y resistencia óptimos. El uso de PPAD como material de reconstrucción ha sido bien documentado con buenos resultados en términos de una baja incidencia de infección y óptima motilidad ocular a largo plazo.

Introduction: Orbital wall fractures can cause functional and aesthetic sequelae. When there is an indication for surgical reconstruction, this is essential for the recovery of ocular motility and aesthetics. The most commonly used reconstructive materials are alloplastics, such as titanium and porous high-density polyethylene (PPAD), which have been successful in maxillofacial reconstruction. The purpose of this retrospective study is to present the results and their possible complications in orbital reconstruction with PPAD. Materials and methods: a retrospective review of 22 patients in whom PPAD was used as reconstruction material for orbital fractures was performed. It was considered for the surgical indication that the patient presented any of the following signs: diplopia or vasovagal symptoms due to muscle entrapment, ocular motility restrictions, enophthalmos greater than 4mm. The material used was pure PPAD (Medpor Stryker®) in 17 cases, and PPAD reinforced with a titanium mesh inside its structure (Medpor Titan Stryker®), in the remaining 5. Results: 3 patients with complications were registered; ectropion, diplopia, and ectropion with diplopia, all of which were reversible. There were no cases of postoperative infection or ophthalmological complications. Discussion: Autologous grafts were the first used with optimal compatibility and resistance results. The use of PPAD as a reconstruction material has been well documented with good results in terms of a low incidence of infection and optimal long-term ocular motility

Ustekinumab does not increase risk of new or recurrent cancer in inflammatory bowel disease patients with prior malignancy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is limited data on the rate of new or recurrent cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a history of prior or current malignancy who are initiated on biologic therapies. Furthermore, there is no data on this topic in patients using ustekinumab. METHODS: The retrospective study included 341 patients with IBD and a history of cancer who were subsequently treated with vedolizumab (VDZ; n = 34), ustekinumab (USK; n = 27), tumor necrosis factor α antagonists (anti-TNF; n = 99), or had no immunosuppressive therapy (control; n = 181). Cox proportional hazard models were developed to determine the independent effect of post-cancer immunosuppressive treatment on the occurrence of incident cancer. RESULTS: Over a median of 5.2 person-years of follow up, cancer recurrence occurred in only one patient on anti-TNF, while new cancers developed in one patient on VDZ, three patients on USK, and six patients on anti-TNF, corresponding to cancer rates of 0.4, 1.8, and 0.7 per 100 person-years, respectively. The rate of incident cancer in control patients was 2.4 per 100 person-years and included 18 new and 9 recurrent cancers. Compared with controls, a stepwise Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for significant covariates found no increased risk of incident cancer in patients receiving post-malignancy treatment with USK (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-3.03), VDZ (HR 0.18; 95% CI 0.03-1.35), or anti-TNF (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.20-1.12). CONCLUSION: Use of biologic therapy in IBD patients with a previous history of malignancy was not associated with an increased risk of new or recurrent cancer.

Kimura-Takemoto Classification: A Tool to Predict Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Progression to Advanced Gastric Neoplasia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) has been described as a key histologic step in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. However, not all people with GIM develop malignancy. We studied the factors associated with progression to dysplasia and advanced gastric neoplasia (aGN) in patients with baseline GIM. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients with baseline GIM and subsequent endoscopic evaluation at Cleveland Clinic Florida and Ohio Main Campus between 2005 and 2017. Demographic and exposure risk factors, as well as Kimura-Takemoto classification (KTc), were used as variables for hazards ratio (HR) and Kaplan-Meier survival-free analysis for aGN and any form of dysplasia progression. RESULTS: There were 708 patients identified with GIM; 29 patients (4.1%) progressed to any degree of dysplasia. From these, LGD was present in 12 cases (1.7%), HGD in 4 cases (0.6%), and gastric cancer in 13 cases (1.8%), for a total of 17 aGN cases. KTc was associated with dysplasia and aGN progression (p < 0.001), and no cases progressed if KTc findings were absent. Open-type KTc was associated with aGN (HR 6.36, p < 0.001) and any dysplasia progression (HR 13.34, p < 0.001) compared to closed-type or absent KTc features. No other factors were associated with aGN or dysplasia progression. Open-type KTc was also associated with shorter cancer survival-free progression. CONCLUSION: Patients with baseline GIM present a higher progression risk to aGN, dysplasia, or cancer if concomitant KTc findings are present, particularly an open-type KTc pattern.

Rebleeding after hemoclip versus argon plasma coagulation for gastrointestinal angiodysplasias: a retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Hemoclips are utilized for treating bleeding gastrointestinal angiodysplastic lesions (GIADs); however, the supporting evidence is limited. AIMS: Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy of hemoclips in preventing bleeding secondary to GIADs compared to argon plasma coagulation (APC). METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with bleeding gastric, small bowel or colonic GIADs that were endoscopically treated between January 2009 and November 2016. Patients that received hemoclips as monotherapy or in combination were compared to a randomly selected similar number of patients treated with APC. RESULTS: We included 157 patients that underwent APC and 141 who received hemoclips. During a median follow-up of 17 months, those with hemoclips had a 32.6% rebleeding vs. 46.5% in the APC group (P = 0.017). On multivariate regression analysis, use of hemoclips was not a significant predictor of rebleeding when compared to APC; hemoclips monotherapy (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.54-1.59) and hemoclips combination (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.41-1.01). When the multivariate analysis was restricted to subjects that resumed antithrombotics after endoscopy, rebleeding risk was lower when hemoclips were used in combination (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25-0.84) compared to APC. We noted a similar effect in the antithrombotic subgroup even after propensity score matching (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.27-0.95). CONCLUSION: Treatment modality was not a significant predictor of rebleeding when studied for the entire population. However, the risk of rebleeding was lower with hemoclips combination therapy compared to APC in patients that resumed antithrombotic therapy, suggesting a potential role for a combined approach in this subgroup of patients.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VII, nerves of the lower limb.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a Delphi-based consensus on published evidence on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb (excluding Morton's neuroma) and provide clinical indications. METHODS: We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered around peripheral nerves in the lower limb (excluding Morton's neuroma) to derive their clinical indications. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when > 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the Delphi-based consensus were used to write the paper. RESULTS: Nine statements on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb have been drafted. All of them received strong consensus. Image-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, effective, and well tolerated with few complications. US-guided perisciatic injection of anesthetic provides good symptom relief in patients with piriformis syndrome; however, the addition of corticosteroids to local anesthetics still has an unclear role. US-guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block can be used to provide effective post-operative regional analgesia. CONCLUSION: Despite the promising results reported by published papers on image-guided interventional procedures for peripheral nerves of the lower limb, there is still a lack of evidence on the efficacy of most procedures. KEY POINTS: • Image-guided pudendal nerve block is safe, effective, and well tolerated with few complications. • US-guided perisciatic injection of anesthetic provides good symptom relief in patients with piriformis syndrome; however, the addition of corticosteroids to local anesthetics still has an unclear role. • US-guided lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block can be used to provide effective post-operative regional analgesia. The volume of local anesthetic affects the size of the blocked sensory area.

Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VI, foot and ankle.

OBJECTIVES: Clarity regarding accuracy and effectiveness for interventional procedures around the foot and ankle is lacking. Consequently, a board of 53 members of the Ultrasound and Interventional Subcommittees of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) reviewed the published literature to evaluate the evidence on image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures around this anatomical region. METHODS: We report the results of a Delphi-based consensus of 53 experts from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology who reviewed the published literature for evidence on image-guided interventional procedures offered around foot and ankle in order to derive their clinical indications. Experts drafted a list of statements and graded them according to the Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence. Consensus was considered strong when > 95% of experts agreed with the statement or broad when > 80% but < 95% agreed. The results of the Delphi-based consensus were used to write the paper that was shared with all panel members for final approval. RESULTS: A list of 16 evidence-based statements on clinical indications for image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the foot and ankle were drafted after a literature review. The highest level of evidence was reported for four statements, all receiving 100% agreement. CONCLUSION: According to this consensus, image-guided interventions should not be considered a first-level approach for treating Achilles tendinopathy, while ultrasonography guidance is strongly recommended to improve the efficacy of interventional procedures for plantar fasciitis and Morton's neuroma, particularly using platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroids, respectively. KEY POINTS: • The expert panel of the ESSR listed 16 evidence-based statements on clinical indications of image-guided musculoskeletal interventional procedures in the foot and ankle. • Strong consensus was obtained for all statements. • The highest level of evidence was reached by four statements concerning the effectiveness of US-guided injections of corticosteroid for Morton's neuroma and PRP for plantar fasciitis.

Síndrome de Wünderlich asociado a lupus eritematoso sistémico y síndrome antifosfolipídico

Se presenta el caso de un varón de 32 años de edad, con historia de dolor abdominal, anemia severa y confusión mental. Se le halló anemia ferropénica, hematomas perirrenales bilateral, microaneurismas de las arterias renales, trombosis venosa cerebral. Los estudios inmunológicos fueron positivos para anticuerpos antinucleares, anti Smith, anticoagulante lúpico, anti B2GP1 y anti cardiolipina, Se le trató con pulsos de metilprednisolona, con buena evolución clínica.

Safety of anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the use of anti-TNF agents in patients with concomitant cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to assess the safety of anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis who used these medications for the treatment of an underlying rheumatologic condition or IBD. METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective, matched, case-control study. A one to three case-control match was performed. Adults who received anti-TNF therapy were matched to three adults with cirrhosis who did not receive anti-TNF therapy. Patients were matched for etiology of cirrhosis, MELD-Na and age. Primary outcome was the development of hepatic decompensation. Secondary outcomes included development of infectious complications, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), extra-hepatic malignancy, and mortality. RESULTS: Eighty patients with cirrhosis who received anti-TNF agents were matched with 240 controls. Median age was 57.2 years. Median MELD-Na for the anti-TNF cohort was seven and median MELD-Na for the controls was eight. The most common etiology of cirrhosis was NAFLD. Anti-TNF therapy did not increase risk of decompensation (HR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.64-1.30, p = 0.61) nor influence the time to development of a decompensating event. Anti-TNF therapy did not increase the risk of hepatic mortality or need for liver transplantation (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.55-2.53, p = 0.67). Anti-TNF therapy was not associated with an increased risk of serious infection (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.68-2.17, p = 0.52), HCC (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.13-1.57, p = 0.21), or extra-hepatic malignancy (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.29-2.30, p = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNF agents in patients with compensated cirrhosis does not influence the risk of decompensation, serious infections, transplant free survival, or malignancy.

Clinical Presentation and Perioperative Management of Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: A 4-Decade Experience.

PURPOSE: Latin American reports on pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are scarce. Recent studies demonstrate changes in clinical presentation and management of these patients. Herein, we assessed the main characteristics of PPGL patients in our academic center over the past 4 decades. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and perioperative data from 105 PPGL patients were retrospectively and prospectively collected over the 1980-2019 period. Data were organized into 4 periods by decade. RESULTS: Age at diagnosis, gender, tumor size and percentage of bilaterality, percentage of paragangliomas, and metastases remained stable across the 4 decades. The proportion of genetic testing and incidentalomas increased in recent decades (all P < 0.001). Therefore, we compared PPGLs diagnosed as incidentalomas (36%) with those clinically suspected (64%). Incidentalomas had fewer adrenergic symptoms (38 vs. 62%; P < 0.001) and lower rates of hypertension (64% vs. 80%; P = 0.01) and hypertensive crisis (28% vs. 44%; P = 0.02); also, they had lower functionality (79% vs. 100%; P = 0.01) and lower catecholamines levels (8.4-fold vs. 12.5-fold above upper cutoffs; P = 0.04). Regarding management of all PPGLs over the decades, we observed significant increases in both perioperative doxazosin dose (P = 0.003) and laparoscopic approach rates (P < 0.001), along with a decrease in the length of hospital stays (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: We observed a change in the clinical presentation of PPGL in recent decades, with a marked increase in incidental cases and milder symptoms. The implementation of a multidisciplinary program for adrenal disorders in our institution has translated into more timely diagnoses, more genetic testing, and improvements in perioperative management.

Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Due to Incidentally Found Thymoma.

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a severe gastrointestinal tract disorder mimicking a bowel obstruction with no mechanical causes. Our patient presented with bowel obstruction symptoms, and a thymoma was incidentally found during the diagnostic workup. After failing conservative management, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy that showed negative results for a mechanical cause of obstruction. Laboratory workup was suggestive of paraneoplastic syndrome, and the patient was started on steroids and pyridostigmine course with symptom resolution. Thus, in patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, paraneoplastic syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Clinical and Endoscopic Predictors of Hydrostatic Balloon Dilation Failure for Post-Bariatric Anastomotic Stricture Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients can develop anastomotic strictures. The initial management relies on endoscopic hydrostatic balloon dilation, but in a subset of patients, it may be unsuccessful despite several dilations, requiring a different treatment modality. We evaluated the factors associated with balloon dilation failure and need for revision surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis from patients presenting with a post-RYGB anastomotic stricture who underwent balloon dilation from 2005 to 2018 at Cleveland Clinic Florida and Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. Demographic, clinical, surgical, endoscopic, and post-procedural variables were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) calculation for factors associated to dilation failure was performed. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Population was predominantly white (85.4%) and female (87.6%), with mean age 46.4 years and followed for a mean of 97.4 months. All patients presented dysphagia, with mean stricture diameter of 7.7 mm and associated marginal ulcer in 69%. Successful dilation was achieved in 65 patients, while 24 patients had dilation failure and underwent revisional surgery. Multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of dilation failure if time from RYGB to first dilation was >3 months (OR 4.95, 1.29-19.04; p = 0.02), and if nausea/vomiting were present before first dilation (OR 4.37, 1.11-17.16; p = 0.03). One patient had a perforation after dilation and was treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Post-RYGB anastomotic strictures can be successfully treated with hydrostatic balloon dilation. However, patients with dilations performed > 3 months after initial RYGB and nausea/vomiting have an increased risk of dilation failure and need for further interventions.

Total Plasma Homocysteine and Depressive Symptoms in Older Hispanics.

BACKGROUND: Very few studies have investigated the association between total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and depressive symptoms in older Hispanics. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that high tHcy associates with depressive symptoms in older Hispanics. METHODS: A total of 1,418 participants .55 years old from the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS) underwent standardized neurological, neuropsychiatric, and cardiovascular assessments. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Depression Subscale (NPId) was used to assess the burden of depressive symptoms. The tHcy levels and other biochemical parameters in blood samples were measured. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied. RESULTS: Participants with depressive symptoms had higher levels of tHcy than those without (15.1 versus 13.9 µmol/L; p = 0.009). Elevated tHcy levels were associated with depressive symptoms after adjusting for age, sex, education, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, alcohol intake, stroke, and dementia (OR = 1.58; 95% CI, 1.18-2.12). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of tHcy were associated with depressive symptoms in older Hispanics living under the nutritional and environmental conditions of a developing country.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Chronic Inflammatory Conditions of the Pouch.

BACKGROUND: Pouchitis can be a chronic complication of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) and other inflammatory conditions of the pouch. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who underwent ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and then developed CARP and received HBOT between January 2015 and October 2019. A modified Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (mPDAI) score was used to quantify subjective symptoms (0-6) and endoscopic findings (0-6) before and after HBOT. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were included, with 23 (50.0%) being males with a mean age of 43.6 ± 12.9 years. The median number of HBOT sessions was 30 (range 10-60). There was a significant reduction in the mean mPDAI symptom subscore from 3.19 to 1.91 after HBOT (P < 0.05). The pre- and post-HBOT mean mPDAI endoscopy subscores for the afferent limb were 2.31 ± 1.84 and 0.85 ± 1.28 (P = 0.006); for the pouch body, 2.34 ± 1.37 and 1.29 ± 1.38 (P < 0.001); and for the cuff, 1.93 ± 1.11 and 0.63 ± 1.12 (P < 0.001), respectively. Transient side effects included ear barotrauma in 5 patients (10.9%) and hyperbaric myopic vision changes in 5 patients (10.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite minor adverse events, HBOT was well tolerated in patients with CARP and significantly improved symptoms and endoscopic parameters.

Association of Complicated Diverticulitis With Development of De Novo Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: There has been a historic similarity in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because there are limited to no data on the role of diverticulitis as a potential risk factor for de novo IBD, we aimed to evaluate the role of diverticulitis and complicated diverticulitis as a potential predictor of IBD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, single-center study including patients older than age 18 years who were diagnosed with diverticulitis from January 2012 until December 2018 without a prior diagnosis of IBD. These patients were then evaluated for development of IBD. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to compare the characteristics and outcomes between patients who did or did not develop IBD. RESULTS: A total of 2770 patients were diagnosed with diverticulitis from 2012 until 2018. Of these patients, 17 were diagnosed with IBD, resulting in an incidence rate of 0.23% per patient-year. The incidence rate among patients who required surgery for diverticulitis was 0.44% per patient-year, and patients with complicated diverticulitis had an incidence rate of 0.91% per patient-year. Univariate analysis showed that the need for surgery related to diverticulitis (hazard ratio [HR], 6.27; P = 0.003) and complicated diverticulitis was associated with the development of IBD (HR, 14.71; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that complicated diverticulitis was the sole factor associated with IBD (HR, 10.34; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diverticulitis are at a higher risk of developing de novo IBD. This risk is highest in patients with complicated diverticulitis.

Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence in the Posttransplant Population: A Comparison of RETREAT and Cleveland Clinic Florida Scoring System.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is curative in most cases; however, recurrence is observed in some patients. The Risk Estimation of Tumor Recurrence After Transplant (RETREAT) score is an externally validated scoring system for prediction of post-LT HCC recurrence. The Cleveland Clinic Florida Scoring System (CCFSS) is a potential new scoring system for prediction of HCC recurrence. Our study aimed to compare the RETREAT and CCFSS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 52 adult patients with HCC who underwent LT at a tertiary care center. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square analyses were conducted to compare the RETREAT and CCFSS classifications for detecting HCC recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients underwent LT. The median follow-up period was 37 months. Four patients had post-LT HCC recurrence, with all recurrences occurring within 2 years of LT. The RETREAT score was better able to detect low, moderate, and high levels of risk (P < .001), compared to the CCFSS score (P = 0.480). Both risk scores had a sensitivity of 75%; the specificity of the RETREAT score was 95.8%, whereas the specificity of the CCFSS was 60.4%. Alpha-fetoprotein level at the time of LT was associated with HCC recurrence (P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the CCFSS as a potential new scoring system to predict HCC recurrence after LT. The RETREAT score is more specific than the CCFSS. The incorporation of alpha-fetoprotein level at the time of LT improves the estimation of HCC recurrence in the post-LT period.