Temporal Trends in Body Composition and Metabolic Markers Prior to Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background & Aims: Changes in body composition and metabolic factors may serve as biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of this study was to capture the longitudinal changes in body composition and metabolic factors before diagnosis of PDAC.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in which all patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with PDAC from 2002 to 2021 were identified.

Daily and seasonal time partitioning in surface activity of (Isopoda, Oniscidea) in the arid region of Zarat (Gabes, Tunisia).

The terrestrial isopod is a burrowing species, dwelling in the desert of south Tunisia. Field studies were carried out in the coastal area of Zarat, Tunisia, to examine the surface activity rhythm of in relation to daily and seasonal variations in environmental conditions. The activity of was followed once a month, from November 2012 through October 2013.

Association Between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Acute Complicated Diverticulitis.

Background Gastrointestinal manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are increasingly recognized. Through potentially overlapping pathophysiology, co-occurrence of COVID-19 and first-time acute diverticulitis has been reported. Our study aims to further characterize this association in COVID-19-positive patients within a large tertiary care academic center.

Outcomes and Trends of Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies (EBT) Among Minority Populations.

Introduction: Endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBT) have emerged as effective options for weight loss. While the benefits of EBT have been documented, data regarding such therapies among minority populations remains scant. We aim to investigate EBT trends and outcomes in minority populations.

Assessment of expertise in morphological identification of mosquito species (Diptera, Culicidae) using photomicrographs.

Accurate identification of insect species is an indispensable and challenging requirement for every entomologist, particularly if the species is involved in disease outbreaks. The European MediLabSecure project designed an identification (ID) exercise available to any willing participant with the aim of assessing and improving knowledge in mosquito taxonomy. The exercise was based on high-definition photomicrographs of mosquitoes (26 adult females and 12 larvae) collected from the western Palaearctic.

Perception of Bariatric Surgery and Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies Among Primary Care Physicians.

Introduction: In the USA, less than 1% of eligible patients who qualify for bariatric surgery ultimately undergo surgery. Perceptions of endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBTs) for weight management remain unknown.

Methods: A 22-question survey was distributed to primary care physicians (PCPs) across the Mayo Clinic healthcare system.

Impact of β-blockers on survival outcomes in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: β-blockers (BBs) have shown promise in improving overall survival (OS) in patients with breast, ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancer. However, few studies have evaluated the impact of BBs on unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: The authors compared clinical data and outcomes between unresectable HCC patients based on whether they were prescribed BBs.

Dissemination of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research on Social Media Platforms Is Associated With Increased Citation Count.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to find out whether dissemination of gastroenterology and hepatology (GI) research on social media networks correlates with citation count at 5 years.

Methods: We correlated the Altmetric Attention Score with Web of Science citation counts at 5 years for scholarly work published in the 10 highest impact factor GI journals in 2014.

Results: In 4,026 analyzed items, the correlation (r) between Altmetric Attention Score and citations at 5 years was 0.

A 58-Year-Old Man With Acute Encephalopathy, Fever, and Multi-Organ Dysfunction.

A 58-year-old man with a medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and COPD presented with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, left upper quadrant abdominal pain, and altered mental status for the past week. His mental status rapidly deteriorated and work of breathing increased, which required intubation and mechanical ventilation. The patient's wife reported recent exposure to tick bites after finding several ticks while changing the sheets in their bedroom.

Pre-operative total parenteral nutrition improves post-operative outcomes in a subset of Crohn's disease patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Background: Despite major advances in the medical management of Crohn's disease (CD), a significant proportion of patients will require surgery within 5 years of diagnosis. Malnutrition is an independent risk factor for adverse post-operative outcomes following gastrointestinal surgery. Data on the value of pre-operative total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in CD patients are mixed and there is a paucity of data in the biologic era.

Brightness-color interactions in human early visual cortex.

The interaction between brightness and color causes there to be different color appearance when one and the same object is viewed against surroundings of different brightness. Brightness contrast causes color to be desaturated, as has been found in perceptual experiments on color induction and color-gamut expansion in human vision. However, it is not clear yet where in the cerebral cortex the brightness-color interaction that causes these major perceptual effects is located.