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.

Pilot Study: Personalized Medicine in Endoscopy, Can Pharmacogenomics Predict Response to Conscious Sedation?

Background: Adequate response to moderate (conscious) sedation varies significantly between individuals. Polymorphisms in genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes can lead to inter-individual variability in drug efficacy, potentially influencing sedation requirements during endoscopic procedures.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the potential role of inter-individual variation in inherited polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP450), specifically and , in sedation requirements for outpatient endoscopic procedures.

Electronic Health Record Burden Among Gastroenterology Providers Associated With Subspecialty and Training.

Introduction: Use of the electronic health record (EHR) has become increasingly widespread. Higher EHR burden is associated with burnout, but this has not been specifically investigated among gastroenterology (GI) providers.

Methods: We retrospectively collected measures of EHR use for outpatient GI providers during a 6-month period.

Time to Flexible Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy in Patients Admitted With Ulcerative Colitis Has Decreased From 2012 to 2018.

Background: Early endoscopic evaluation of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) enables assessment of disease activity and accurate diagnosis based on exclusion of other similarly presenting conditions including infections. Early endoscopy is also associated with improved outcomes of patients with active UC. The aim of this study was determining temporal trends in endoscopy in patients with UC over a 7-year period from 2012 to 2018.

Reduction in Health Care Facility-Onset Infection: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Objective: To reduce health care facility-onset (HCFO) infection (CDI) incidence by improving diagnostic stewardship and reducing the inappropriate testing of assays.

Patients And Methods: A multidisciplinary team conducted a quality improvement initiative from January 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. infection and inappropriate testing were identified via electronic health records using predefined criteria related to stool quantity/caliber, confounding medications, and laboratory data.

Contrasting germination responses to vegetative canopies experienced in pre- vs. post-dispersal environments.

Background: Seeds adjust their germination based on conditions experienced before and after dispersal. Post-dispersal cues are expected to be more accurate predictors of offspring environments, and thus offspring success, than pre-dispersal cues. Therefore, germination responses to conditions experienced during seed maturation may be expected to be superseded by responses to conditions experienced during seed imbibition.

GRHL2 coordinates regeneration of a polarized mucociliary epithelium from basal stem cells.

Pseudostratified airway epithelium of the lung is composed of polarized ciliated and secretory cells maintained by basal stem/progenitor cells. An important question is how lineage choice and differentiation are coordinated with apical-basal polarity and epithelial morphogenesis. Our previous studies indicated a key integrative role for the transcription factor Grainyhead-like 2 (Grhl2).