Simulation based design tool for radial impellers of centrifugal pumps.

Centrifugal water pumps account for more than 20% of energy use all over the world. Even a little increase in centrifugal pump operating efficiency may result in billions of dollars in savings each year and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This study creates a design tool that integrates one-dimensional equations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to design centrifugal pump impellers. This examines different combinations of design factors by utilizing both the powerful numerical tools that allow the modeling of numerous scenarios and the large number of empirical equations and coefficients that represent the significant knowledge accumulated in this field. The design tool runs through a series of equations to select the beginning candidates for the different impeller design variables. After that, a design space is established by generating upper and lower bounds for each design variable. The CFD tool executes numerous scenarios inside the design space in order to find the best candidates with the maximum operating efficiency and meet the design objectives. A low specific speed centrifugal pump with a semi-open impeller is used as a case study. The design tool is successful in designing it, fulfilling the design requirement, and increasing operational efficiency when compared to a simple single-arc comparable impeller.

Clinical value of random esophageal biopsies in patients with dysphagia and normal endoscopy who are treated with a proton pump inhibitor.

Rome IV recommended esophageal biopsies in patients with dysphagia and normal endoscopy to exclude mucosal disease. Thus far, studies evaluating the utility of this recommendation remain scarce. The aims of this study were to determine the value of random esophageal biopsies in heartburn patients with dysphagia and normal endoscopy and compare the yield of random esophageal biopsies between younger versus older patients. Data were collected from consecutive patients presenting with dysphagia, 18 years and older, who were on proton pump inhibitors and had normal upper endoscopy. Biopsy results of patients with and without heartburn were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare normal versus abnormal biopsy results in younger and older patients accounting for confounding variables. The number of abnormal biopsies was significantly higher than normal biopsies (68% and 32%, respectively, P = 0.0001). Among abnormal biopsy results, microscopic gastroesophageal reflux disease was significantly more common than all other findings (39%, P = 0.0495). There was no significant difference in biopsy results in patients with and without heartburn as well as younger versus older patients (P = 0.3384, P = 0.1010, and P = 0.8468, respectively). Our study demonstrated that most patients with dysphagia and normal upper endoscopy who are on proton pump inhibitor have some type of histologic mucosal abnormality, which can direct future management. Among abnormal biopsies, microscopic reflux was by far the most common finding in patients with or without a history of heartburn. While this supports the management strategy proposed by Rome IV, age did not drive esophageal biopsy results.

Raloxifene increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal stricture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Estrogen-based therapies may increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and its complications. We aimed to determine the effect of raloxifene on the development of GERD, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal stricture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. METHODS: This was a population-based, propensity-matched cohort study using the TriNetX platform. Patients 50 years and older with a diagnosis of "menopause" and "osteoporosis" were included in this study. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for new GERD, esophageal stricture and Barrett's esophagus after raloxifene exposure. The control cohort consisted of patients who did not start any hormonal replacement therapy. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the effect of confounding variables and also addressed common confounding medications with 1:1 propensity score-matching. Internal validity was confirmed by comparing to negative controls (lisinopril, atorvastatin) and positive controls (metformin, ibuprofen, aspirin). RESULTS: Five thousand four hundred and seventy two postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were on raloxifene of which 1908 (34.86%) developed GERD, compared to 296,067 postmenopausal who were not on raloxifene of which 90,643 (30.62%) developed GERD (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.10-1.31, p < 0.0001). This persisted after adjusting for common medications known to affect GERD. Raloxifene was identified as a risk factor for GERD in a multivariate analysis, controlling for factors including age, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use (OR 1.51, 95% Wald CI 1.47-1.53). Raloxifene was associated with esophageal stricture (OR 1.60; 95% Wald CI 1.51-1.69) and Barrett's esophagus (OR 1.50; 95% Wald CI 1.37-1.63) in multivariate analysis. These associations persisted using sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Raloxifene increases the risk of GERD, esophageal stricture and Barrett's esophagus in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Awareness Level Regarding Brain Death and the Acceptance of Organ Donation in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background There is a worldwide shortage of organ donations. In the United States, 20% of people on transplant waiting lists pass away annually due to the lack of accessible organs. Patients with brain death can donate organs, which may save other patients' lives. The Saudi Ministry of Health endorses brain death as equivocal to whole-body death. A study conducted in Saudi Arabia showed that there was a mild to moderate level of awareness regarding brain death. This study aimed to investigate the awareness and knowledge level regarding brain death and the acceptance of organ donation among the general population in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Methodology An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,740 adults using an online questionnaire created and published in February 2023 to collect data from Saudi males and females aged 18 or older who were willing to participate in the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) after collecting and entering them using the Windows version of Microsoft Office Excel 2016. Results Overall, 85.6% of the study participants had heard about organ donation. Of them, about 42.4% were aware of brain death. Further, 40% of participants were in agreement with organ donation. According to the findings, the majority of participants (60.9%) believed that a person could donate his or her organs during their life, while only 42.6% were unaware that they could donate their organs during death. Only 10.8% of participants knew that blood can be donated. There was no significant association between factors associated with organ donation and gender, education level, or monthly income. Conclusions This study concluded that study participants had a low level of awareness about brain death. Understanding brain death is essential for persuading people to donate their organs. Thus, more has to be done to inform and educate people about brain death and how it affects organ donation.

The effect of combined oral contraceptives and Nexplanon on gastroesophageal reflux disease in premenopausal women: A nationwide database analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy, combined oral contraceptives (COC), and hormone replacement therapy have been reported to increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To date, no study has evaluated the effect of Nexplanon, a commonly used progesterone-based contraceptive, on GERD. We aimed to determine the effect of Nexplanon and COC on GERD. METHODS: We performed a population-based analysis using the IBM Explorys national database (1999-2021). The study group included premenopausal women, defined as women less than 50 years of age while excluding the diagnosis of menopause. The effect of Nexplanon and COC on GERD (at least 30 days after Nexplanon/COC was initiated) was assessed by comparing it to premenopausal women who were not on contraceptives. Foregut surgery, esophageal dysmotility disorders, hiatal hernia, and delayed gastric emptying were excluded. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. KEY RESULTS: A total of 23,299,470 patients were identified as being premenopausal, of which 47,260 were on Nexplanon and 5480 on COCs. As compared to premenopausal women with GERD on no contraceptives (n = 565,880), 690 patients developed GERD at least 30 days after being on Nexplanon (OR = 0.55, 95% CI [0.51-0.59], p < 0.001) and 280 developed GERD after COC (1.93, [1.71-2.18], p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis accounting for Caucasian race, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and NSAIDs revealed that COC is an independent risk factor for GERD (1.16, [1.12-1.20], p < 0.001), and Nexplanon was protective against GERD (0.90, [0.89-0.92], p < 0.001). Hydralazine was used as a control medication for data reliability. A total of 8420 patients developed GERD after initiating hydralazine, which was not statistically nor clinically significant (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.99-1.04], p = 0.08) when compared to those not on contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Combined oral contraceptives is an independent risk factor for GERD, while Nexplanon has a limited protective effect. Further studies are needed to confirm the different effects on GERD of these two contraceptives.

Effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and its Complications in Postmenopausal Women.

Female hormones and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are thought to play a role in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Pregnancy, menopause, and HRT have all been reported as risk factors for GERD.1-6 It has been suggested that estrogen and progesterone confer their effect on the gastrointestinal tract by increasing nitric oxide synthesis, a muscle relaxant which decreases smooth muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal body predisposing patients to gastroesophageal reflux.6-8 However, the exact mechanism that these hormones play in GERD remains to be elucidated because menopause, which is a risk factor for GERD, is associated with a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels. Thus the exact relationship between the different hormonal therapies and GERD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role and possible risk that estrogen and progesterone HRT pose for the development of GERD in postmenopausal women. In addition, we aimed to assess the relationship between HRT in postmenopausal women and GERD complications, such as esophageal stricture and Barrett's esophagus.

Accessory Spleen: A Rare and Incidental Finding in the Stomach Wall.

An accessory spleen is splenic tissue located separately from the anatomical location of the spleen and is a rare phenomenon. It can be found within the gastrointestinal tract. Clinically, accessory spleens are benign but can be misidentified as reactive lymph nodes or malignant gastrointestinal tumors. They are often diagnosed via endoscopy or imaging. We report the case of a woman presenting with iron deficiency anemia who was incidentally noted to have a gastric submucosal lesion with pathology significant for accessory spleen. As this case illustrates, when submucosal lesions are present in the stomach, especially in patients with a history of splenectomy, the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) operator should consider the possible presence of an accessory spleen to minimize invasive removal procedures.

Disparities in Hepatocellular Cancer Screening in Cirrhotic Patients With Psychiatric Disorders.

Background Patients with psychiatric disorders are at an increased risk of developing liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The aim of this study was to re-examine the association of psychiatric illness with HCC and assess its impact on screening practices and the outcomes of HCC. Materials and methods We performed a retrospective manual chart review of all patients diagnosed with HCC at a major safety-net hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, from January 2010 to December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups, those with and those without psychiatric illness. The patient characteristics recorded included psychiatric illnesses, etiology of liver disease, radiographic screening intervals, and tumor board recommendations upon initial diagnosis. We analyzed data using Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). We analyzed the qualitative and quantitative differences between the groups using the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. Results There were a total of 393 patients with a diagnosis of HCC. Among them, 128 (32.5%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric illness. Fewer patients with psychiatric illness (33.6%) underwent screening within six months before being diagnosed with HCC compared to those without psychiatric illness (49.8%) (p = 0.002). Patients with psychiatric illness (71.1%) were more likely to have been seen by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist before their diagnosis of HCC compared to those without psychiatric illness (55.1%) (p =0.002). Patients with psychiatric illness were more likely to be offered systemic chemotherapy or hospice (39.1%) compared to those without psychiatric illness (29.1%) (p =0.039). Discussion A significant number of HCC patients in our study group have an underlying psychiatric illness. Patients with psychiatric disorders are prone to high-risk behaviors, likely predisposing them to chronic liver disease and HCC. Patients with psychiatric disorders are less compliant with screening practices. Our findings suggest that psychiatric illnesses tend to be diagnosed with more extensive HCC, which is less amenable to curative treatment. Significant efforts need to be made to identify barriers to HCC screening in cirrhotic patients with psychiatric disorders.

Use of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers and Acute Kidney Disease after an Episode of AKI: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Persistence of acute kidney disease (AKD) after an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with adverse outcomes. Multiple factors contribute to AKD after AKI, but the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB) remains controversial. We examined if acute exposure to an ACEI/ARB associates with persistent AKD in survivors of AKI. METHODS: Multicenter prospective cohort study of patients whose hospitalization was complicated by AKI and who attended specialized AKI follow-up clinics between 2013 and 2018. Acute exposure was defined as ACEI/ARB exposure for ≥48 h before or during the AKI episode. The primary outcome was AKD (serum creatinine ≥1.5 times above pre-AKI baseline) at the first clinic visit. We used multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: We included 345 survivors of AKI, 112 with persistent AKD at the first outpatient visit. Among 163 patients who were prescribed an ACEI/ARB before hospitalization, only 23% were discharged on an ACEI/ARB. There was no difference in the rate of AKD in patients discharged versus not discharged on an ACEI/ARB (12.5 vs. 15.0%, p = 0.530). Of the patients with AKD, 22 (19.6%) patients had acute ACEI/ARB exposure during the hospitalization. In fully adjusted models, acute exposure to an ACEI/ARB was not associated with AKD at the time of first clinic visit (median [interquartile range] 33 [18-54] days from hospital discharge). CONCLUSION: Acute exposure to an ACEI/ARB before or during an episode of AKI was not associated with persistent AKD at the time of first clinic visit suggesting that the receipt of such agents does not impede kidney recovery following AKI. Contrary to prevailing recommendations and current practice, the continued administration of an ACEI/ARB during an episode of AKI or initiation of these agents prior to discharge may be safe.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, Treatment, and Overall Impact of BK Viremia on Kidney Transplantation.

BK viremia (BKV) is a recognized and potentially serious problem in renal transplantation. The risk factors and the impact of BKV on renal allograft and patient survival are controversial. This study reports an 8-year, single-center experience on the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of BKV in kidney transplant recipients. This is a retrospective analysis of all patients who received a kidney transplant at the University of Kentucky and had BK viral titers available from 2009 to 2017. BKV was defined by a polymerase chain reaction viral load of ≥ 10,000 copies per mL. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data generated during routine outpatient follow up and inpatients records were collected. Independent risk factors for BKV were determined using uni- and multivariate analysis. Graft and patient survival was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the severity of polyomavirus nephropathy on biopsy was scored using the Banff 2017 classification. We identified 122 BK positive (19%) and 527 BK negative (81%) patients. BKV developed after a median of 115 days (range, 80-249 days) following kidney transplantation. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival was 97%, 75%, and 33% in the BKV group and 96%, 85%, and 71% in the BK negative group, respectively. Likewise, the 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival was 98%, 84%, and 52% in the BKV group and 98%, 92%, and 84% in the BK negative group. Male sex, age at transplantation, maintenance steroids, and alemtuzumab induction were associated with developing BKV in the multivariate analysis. We concluded that BKV is not uncommon after renal transplantation. The determinants for BKV are male sex, older transplant recipients, and maintenance steroids. BKV adversely affected graft and patient survival. A unified approach for BKV and polyomavirus nephropathy treatment is needed.

Validation and Extension of the Ventral Hernia Repair Cost Prediction Model.

BACKGROUND: Repair of ventral and incisional hernias remains a costly challenge for health care systems. In a previous study of a single surgeon's elective open ventral hernia repair (VHR) practice, a cost model was developed, which predicted over 70% of hospital cost variation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ventral hernia cost model with multiple surgeons' elective open VHR cases and extending to include nonelective and laparoscopic VHR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the University of Kentucky Institutional Review Board approval, elective and emergent cases of open and laparoscopic VHR performed by multiple surgeons over 3 y were identified. Perioperative variables were obtained from the local American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program database and electronic medical record review. Hospital cost data were obtained from the hospital cost accounting system. Forward multivariable regression of log-transformed costs identified independent cost drivers (P for entry < 0.05, and P for exit > 0.10). RESULTS: Of the 387 VHRs, 74% were open repairs; mean age was 55 y, and 52% of patients were female. For open, elective cases (n = 211; mean cost of $19,145), the previously reported six-factor cost model predicted 45% of the total cost variation. With all VHRs included, additional variables were found to independently drive costs, predicting 59% of the total cost variation from the base cost. The biggest cost drivers were inpatient status (+$1013), use of biologic mesh (+$1131), preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome/sepsis (+$894), and preoperative open wound (+$786). CONCLUSIONS: Ventral hernia repair cost variability is predictable. Understanding the independent drivers of cost may be helpful in controlling costs and in negotiating appropriate reimbursement with payers.

Impact of human leukocyte antigen and calculated panel reactive antibody on BK viremia in kidney transplant recipients: A single-center experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the effect of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) on BK virus activation as evidenced by BK viremia (BKV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: At our institution, 649 kidney transplant patients were screened for BKV from 2009 to 2017. Patients were considered to have BKV if they had >10 000 copies/mL of BK DNA in their blood. Donor and recipient HLA and cPRA, demographic, clinical and laboratory data, as well as immunosuppressive medications were collected. RESULTS: We identified 122 BK positive and 527 BK negative patients. Only 25% of the patients had cPRA of 20% or more, and 64% had more than three HLA-A, -B, and -DR mismatches. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, male gender, age, and maintenance of steroid therapy significantly increased the risk of BKV (P = 0.005, 0.005 and <0.001, respectively). The degree of cPRA and the individual HLA allele and HLA allele matching did not significantly affect BKV. CONCLUSION: Neither the degree of HLA mismatching nor cPRA appears to affect BKV. Moreover, no specific HLA allele, HLA allele matching, or cPRA were associated with BKV.

Outcome of Patients With Small Vessel Vasculitis After Renal Transplantation: National Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Small vessel vasculitis commonly affects the kidney and can progress to end-stage renal disease. The goal of this study is to compare outcomes of patients who received a renal transplant as a result of small vessel vasculitis (group A) with those who received kidney transplants because of other causes (group B). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of United Network for Organ Sharing registry data for adult primary kidney transplants from January 2000 to December 2014. Group A patients (N = 2196) were compared with a group B (N = 6588); groups were case matched for age, race, sex, donor type, and year of transplant in a 1:3 ratio. RESULTS: Renal and patient survivals were better in the group A (P < 0.001). New-onset diabetes after transplant developed in 8.3% of the group A and 11.3% of group B (P < 0.001). Seventeen (0.8%) patients in group A developed recurrent disease. Of these, 7 patients had graft failure, 3 of which were due to disease recurrence. Group A patients had significantly higher risk of developing posttransplant solid organ malignancies (11.3% vs 9.3%, P = 0.006) and lymphoproliferative disorder (1.3% vs 0.8%, P = 0.026). Independent predictors of graft failure and patient mortality were recipients' morbid obesity, diabetes, age, and dialysis duration (hazard ratio of 1.7, 1.4, 1.1/10 years, and 1.1/year for graft failure, and 1.7, 1.7, 1.6/10 years and 1.1/year for patient mortality, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplantation in patients with has favorable long-term graft and patient outcomes with a low disease recurrence rate. However, they may have a higher risk of developing posttransplant malignancies.

Risk-Assessment Score and Patient Optimization as Cost Predictors for Ventral Hernia Repair.

BACKGROUND: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is associated with complications that significantly increase healthcare costs. This study explores the associations between hospital costs for VHR and surgical complication risk-assessment scores, need for cardiac or pulmonary evaluation, and smoking or obesity counseling. STUDY DESIGN: An IRB-approved retrospective study of patients having undergone open VHR over 3 years was performed. Ventral Hernia Risk Score (VHRS) for surgical site occurrence and surgical site infection, and the Ventral Hernia Working Group grade were calculated for each case. Also recorded were preoperative cardiology or pulmonary evaluations, smoking cessation and weight reduction counseling, and patient goal achievement. Hospital costs were obtained from the cost accounting system for the VHR hospitalization stratified by major clinical cost drivers. Univariate regression analyses were used to compare the predictive power of the risk scores. Multivariable analysis was performed to develop a cost prediction model. RESULTS: The mean cost of index VHR hospitalization was $20,700. Total and operating room costs correlated with increasing CDC wound class, VHRS surgical site infection score, VHRS surgical site occurrence score, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and Ventral Hernia Working Group (all p < 0.01). The VHRS surgical site infection scores correlated negatively with contribution margin (-280; p < 0.01). Multivariable predictors of total hospital costs for the index hospitalization included wound class, hernia defect size, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4, use of biologic mesh, and 2+ mesh pieces; explaining 73% of the variance in costs (p < 0.001). Weight optimization significantly reduced direct and operating room costs (p < 0.05). Cardiac evaluation was associated with increased costs. CONCLUSIONS: Ventral hernia repair hospital costs are more accurately predicted by CDC wound class than VHR risk scores. A straightforward 6-factor model predicted most cost variation for VHR.

Small for size syndrome difficult dilemma: Lessons from 10 years single centre experience in living donor liver transplantation.

AIM: To analyze the incidence, risk factors, prevention, treatment and outcome of small for size syndrome (SFSS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Through-out more than 10 years: During the period from April 2003 to the end of 2013, 174 adult-to-adults LDLT (A-ALDLT) had been performed at National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Shibin Elkoom, Egypt. We collected the data of those patients to do this cohort study that is a single-institution retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database analyzing the incidence, risk factors, prevention, treatment and outcome of SFSS in a period started from the end of 2013 to the end of 2015. The median period of follow-up reached 40.50 m, range (0-144 m). RESULTS: SFSS was diagnosed in 20 (11.5%) of our recipients. While extra-small graft [small for size graft (SFSG)], portal hypertension, steatosis and left lobe graft were significant predictors of SFSS in univariate analysis (P = 0.00, 0.04, 0.03, and 0.00 respectively); graft size was the only independent predictor of SFSS on multivariate analysis (P = 0.03). On the other hand, there was lower incidence of SFSS in patients with SFSG who underwent splenectomy [4/10 (40%) SFSS vs 3/7 (42.9%) no SFSS] but without statistical significance, However, there was none significant lower incidence of the syndrome in patients with right lobe (RL) graft when drainage of the right anterior and/or posterior liver sectors by middle hepatic vein, V5, V8, and/or right inferior vein was done [4/10 (28.6%) SFSS vs 52/152 (34.2%) no SFSS]. The 6-mo, 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-year survival in patients with SFSS were 30%, 30%, 25%, 25%, 25% and 25% respectively, while, the 6-mo, 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-year survival in patients without SFSS were 70.1%, 65.6%, 61.7%, 61%, 59.7%, and 59.7% respectively, with statistical significant difference (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: SFSG is the independent and main factor for occurrence of SFSS after A-ALDLT leading to poor outcome. However, the management of this catastrophe depends upon its prevention (i.e., selecting graft with proper size, splenectomy to decrease portal venous inflow, and improving hepatic vein outflow by reconstructing large draining veins of the graft).

Predictors of Outcome of Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The aim of this work is to study the different factors that affect the outcome of living donor liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Between April 2003 to November 2014, 62 patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in the National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Egypt. The preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were analyzed. After studying the pathology of explanted liver; 44 (71 %) patients were within the Milan criteria, and 18 (29 %) patients were beyond Milan; 13 (21.7 %) of patients beyond the Milan criteria were also beyond the University of California San Francisco criteria (UCSF) criteria. Preoperative ablative therapy for HCC was done in 22 patients (35.5 %), four patients had complete ablation with no residual tumor tissues. Microvascular invasion was present in ten patients (16 %) in histopathological study. Seven (11.3 %) patients had recurrent HCC post transplantation. The 1, 3, 5 years total survival was 88.7, 77.9, 67.2 %, respectively, while the tumor-free survival was 87.3, 82.5, 77.6 %, respectively. Expansion of selection criteria beyond Milan and UCSF had no increased risk effect on recurrence of HCC but had less survival rate than patients within the Milan criteria. Microvascular invasion was an independent risk factor for tumor recurrence.

Modified Delphi Process for the Development of Choosing Wisely for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in North America is among the highest in the world and imparts substantial direct and indirect medical costs. The Choosing Wisely Campaign was launched in wide variety of medical specialties and disciplines to reduce unnecessary or harmful tests or treatment interventions. METHODS: The Choosing Wisely list for IBD was developed by the Canadian IBD Network for Research and Growth in Quality Improvement (CINERGI) in collaboration with Crohn's and Colitis Canada (CCC) and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG). Using a modified Delphi process, 5 recommendations were selected from an initial list of 30 statements at a face-to-face consensus meeting. RESULTS: The 5 things physicians and patients should question: (1) Don't use steroids (e.g., prednisone) for maintenance therapy in IBD; (2) Don't use opioids long-term to manage abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); (3) Don't unnecessarily prolong the course of intravenous corticosteroids in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in the absence of clinical response; (4) Don't initiate or escalate long-term medical therapies for the treatment of IBD based only on symptoms; and (5) Don't use abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan to assess IBD in the acute setting unless there is suspicion of a complication (obstruction, perforation, abscess) or a non-IBD etiology for abdominal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The Choosing Wisely recommendations will foster patient-physician discussions to optimize IBD therapy, reduce adverse effects from testing and treatment, and reduce medical expenditure.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in the setting of adult living donor liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine can exert a protective effect against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLiver transplantation). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty recipients were allocated into: control group (group I; n = 20) that received a placebo; and dexmedetomidine group (group II; n = 20) that received a continuous intraoperative infusion of 0.8 µg/kg/h of dexmedetomidine. Data collected were AST, ALT, bilirubin, INR, and lactate, at baseline, immediately post-operatively, and on post-operative days 1, 3, and 5. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was measured at: baseline, 2 and 6 h after reperfusion, and on post-operative day 1. At the end of the surgery, a liver biopsy was sent for histopathological assessment. RESULTS: No significant difference was noticed in either group regarding MELD score, baseline AST, ALT, bilirubin, INR, or lactate. Dexmedetomidine tended to decrease blood pressure and heart rate, but the comparison was insignificant. Group II showed significantly attenuated levels of ICAM-1 and significantly minimal histopathological changes. The laboratory changes showed significantly lower AST, ALT, bilirubin, INR, and lactate in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine exerted protective effects against hepatic IRI during adult LDLiver transplantation, as indicated by suppression of ICAM-1, better scores of histopathological assessment, and augmented post-operative liver function tests.

Effect of omega-3 on hepatic regeneration in adult living donors undergoing hepatic resections for liver transplantation: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have been shown to improve liver regeneration in experimental models. Aim was to evaluate the effects of ω-3 PUFAs on hepatic regeneration in adult living donors undergoing partial hepatectomy for liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Forty LDLT donors were categorized into 2 groups: received either intravenous ω-3 PUFA-enriched lipid emulsion 20% infusion 7 mL/kg once a day for 2 days before surgery and postoperative day (POD) 0 (S group) or glucose 5% (C group). Hepatic regeneration was assessed by volume of the liver after 1 month using computed tomography, and serial serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor were measured at POD 1, 3, and 5. RESULTS: Liver volume after 1 month was significantly larger in the S group than the C group (1286.75 ± 122.781 cm(3) vs 1169.15 ± 128.3, respectively; P = .00). Both the regeneration index and the regeneration percentage were significantly higher in the S group than the C group (P = .02 and P = .00, respectively). Serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor were significantly higher in the S group on POD 1, 3, and 5 than the C group ([in pg/mL] 188.10 ± 74.25 vs 123.30 ± 13.56, P = .00; 127.55 ± 32.40 vs 109.25 ± 8.89, P = .02; and 109.45 ± 21.44 vs 96.70 ± 5.57, P = .01; respectively). CONCLUSION: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids effectively promoted liver regeneration and functional recovery following portal hypertension in the setting of LDLT.