Accurate and safe diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic biliary lesions using a novel 9F and 11F digital single-operator cholangioscope.

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy (DSOC) allows the diagnosis of biliary duct disorders and treatment for complicated stones. However, these technologies have limitations such as the size of the probe and working channel, excessive cost, and low image resolution. Recently, a novel DSOC system (eyeMAX, Micro-Tech, Nanjing, China) was developed to address these limitations.

Assessment of tolerance and acceptability between mannitol solution and polyethylene glycol as bowel preparation for colonoscopy: a three-center study.

Introduction: Adequate bowel preparation is one of the most important factors related to the yield of colonoscopy. Lowquality bowel preparation has been associated with lower adenoma detection rates and increased healthcare expenses. Bowel preparation is a major impediment to undergo colonoscopy since it is perceived as an unpleasant experience by patients.

Novel Endoscopic Management of a Chronic Gastro-Gastric Fistula Using a Cardiac Septal Defect Occluder.

Purpose: Closure of GG fistulas after RYGB is challenging due to epithelialization of the tract. Common endoscopic therapies are less efficacious than surgical revision, which is unfortunately fraught with high morbidity and mortality. Cardiac septal defect occluders (CSDO) have been successfully used for the management of gastrointestinal fistulas, but use has never been reported in management of GG fistulas.

Role of Cardiac Septal Occluders in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Fistulas: A Systematic Review.

Treating gastrointestinal (GI) fistulas endoscopically is challenging owing to an established epithelial tract. The variety of endoscopic approaches is transforming endoscopy into a first-line therapy. However, many sessions are often required, with variable success rates.

POEM in Latin America: The Rise of a New Standard.

Background: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become the preferred alternative treatment to standard Heller myotomy for patients with esophageal achalasia, in Latin American countries. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a POEM in the management of achalasia with and without Chagas disease in patients receiving POEM.

Methods: Patients who underwent POEM from tertiary centers in Latin America were included in a dedicated registry.

Efficacy of the cardiac septal occluder in the treatment of post-bariatric surgery leaks and fistulas.

Background: Endoscopy has evolved to become first-line therapy for the treatment of post-bariatric leaks; however, many sessions are often required with variable success rates. Due to these limitations, the use of the cardiac septal defect occluder (CSDO) has recently been reported in this population.

Methods: The study population was a multicenter retrospective series of patients with post-bariatric surgical leaks who underwent treatment with CSDO placement.

Sedation with propofol in digestive endoscopy administered by gastroenterologists. Experience in a Venezuelan hospital.

Objectives: propofol is a rapid acting hypnotic that is becoming the drug of choice for sedation in digestive endoscopy worldwide. There is some controversy with regard to the use of propofol by physicians who are not anesthesiologists. We present our experience of the administration of propofol by endoscopist and nursing personnel.

Implementation of cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid in rural Mozambique: successes and challenges using HIV care and treatment programme investments in Zambézia Province.

Background: In order to maximize the benefits of HIV care and treatment investments in sub-Saharan Africa, programs can broaden to target other diseases amenable to screening and efficient management. We nested cervical cancer screening into family planning clinics at select sites also receiving PEPFAR support for antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout. This was done using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) by maternal child health nurses.

Barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence in rural Mozambique.

Background: HIV is treated as a chronic disease, but high lost-to-follow-up rates and poor adherence to medication result in higher mortality, morbidity, and viral mutation. Within 18 clinical sites in rural Zambézia Province, Mozambique, patient adherence to antiretroviral therapy has been sub-optimal.

Methods: To better understand barriers to adherence, we conducted 18 community and clinic focus groups in six rural districts.

Integration of HIV/AIDS services into African primary health care: lessons learned for health system strengthening in Mozambique - a case study.

Introduction: In 2004, Mozambique, supported by large increases in international disease-specific funding, initiated a national rapid scale-up of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and HIV care through a vertical "Day Hospital" approach. Though this model showed substantial increases in people receiving treatment, it diverted scarce resources away from the primary health care (PHC) system. In 2005, the Ministry of Health (MOH) began an effort to use HIV/AIDS treatment and care resources as a means to strengthen their PHC system.

Loss to follow-up of adults in public HIV care systems in central Mozambique: identifying obstacles to treatment.

Introduction: Access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has expanded dramatically in resource-limited settings. Evaluating loss to follow-up from HIV testing through post-ART care can help identify obstacles to care.

Methods: Routine data were analyzed for adults receiving services in 2 public HIV care systems in central Mozambique.

Self-expandable metal stents to treat gastric leaks.

Objectives: Anastomotic leak is a major complication after gastric bypass (GBP) surgery, and it usually necessitates reoperation and is associated with long-term recovery and death. We present our experience with the use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) to treat this complication.

Methods: Seventeen patients (14 males and 3 females, mean body mass index of 43.

Genetic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from Beira, Mozambique.

In this report, we examined the genetic diversity of HIV-1 strains circulating in the city of Beira, the second largest metropolitan area in Mozambique. A total of 131 blood samples, collected between August and October 2003 from antiretroviral-naïve individuals, were characterized with a combined approach consisting of heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) subtyping for gag (n=74) and/or env (n=117) genes, and DNA sequence analysis of proviral env (C2V3C3, n=52), LTR (n=30) and/or pol (n=43) genomic regions. Aside from the identification, by bootscanning analysis, of a viral strain with a C/A1 mosaic C2V3C3 structure, classified as subtype A by env HMA, phylogenetic inference studies of the sequence data demonstrated the circulation of genetically diverse subtype C viruses, predominantly of the R5 type.

Feasibility of a mass vaccination campaign using a two-dose oral cholera vaccine in an urban cholera-endemic setting in Mozambique.

We conducted a study to assess the feasibility and the potential vaccine coverage of a mass vaccination campaign using a two-dose oral cholera vaccine in an urban endemic neighbourhood of Beira, Mozambique. The campaign was conducted from December 2003 to January 2004. Overall 98,152 doses were administered, and vaccine coverage of the target population was 58.