Access to Evaluation for Liver Transplantation in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: As the largest US provider of cirrhosis care, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is the ideal setting to assess patient-, clinician-, and site-level barriers to transplant evaluation.

Aims: To assess barriers to transplant evaluation referral among Veterans with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Logistic regression assessed facility, patient, clinical, and distance factors associated with transplant referral for Veterans with cirrhosis or HCC, over 1 year.

Immunotherapy Responses in Viral Hepatitis-Induced HCC: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent liver cancer with poor prognosis, often linked to hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of immunotherapy in HCC, particularly in cases arising from viral hepatitis. : In adherence to PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines, the immunotherapeutic outcomes comprised objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Innovative application of green surfactants as eco-friendly scale inhibitors in industrial water systems.

Scale deposition poses significant challenges in various industrial utilities, necessitating the development of eco-friendly scale inhibitors in line with environmental regulations. This study investigates the potential of two natural surfactants, Casein and Rhamnolipid, as innovative inhibitors for calcium carbonate (CaCO) scale formation, offering an alternative to traditional water treatment chemicals. The anti-scaling characteristics of these two green surfactants were performed using conductivity and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Due to Bupropion Inhalation.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a form of hemoptysis caused by disruption of the alveolar-capillary basement membrane causing alveolar bleeding. Inhalation of cocaine and other sympathomimetic agents are described as one of many pathologic causes. We describe what is to the author's knowledge the first reported case of DAH caused by inhalation of bupropion, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which was successfully treated with systemic steroids.

A Crisis in Scope: Recruitment and Retention Challenges Reported by VA Gastroenterology Section Chiefs.

Background: Having a sufficient number of gastroenterologists is important for protecting the digestive health of veterans. However, gastroenterology is among the most difficult medical specialties for recruitment at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Methods: We surveyed VA gastroenterology section chiefs to learn about current barriers to recruitment and retention and to identify opportunities for improvement.

Bioactivity of a dihydroxy flavone produced by EU0013 against the wilt pathogen of tomato.

Bioassay-guided isolation of a dihydroxy flavone from the cell extract of EU0013 was carried out using preparative LCMS and the structure was interpreted using 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The fungus was fermented in three different nutrient media Glucose Nutrient Broth, Glucose Peptone Yeast Broth, and Yeast Extract Broth and the cell extract was obtained using organics. Comparative LCMS profiles of the fungus confirmed the enhanced production of dihydroxy flavone in GPYB media.

Source identification, characteristics, and spatial distribution of airborne microplastic deposition in Lahore City, Pakistan.

A large volume of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) has been observed worldwide and is considered an emerging global environmental issue. Nevertheless, no significant assessment of the atmospheric deposition of MPs in Pakistan has been reported yet. The present study was designed to highlight the source, type, and spatial distribution of MPs in atmospheric fallout in Lahore, Pakistan.

Unilateral choroidal metastases as an unusual presentation of small cell lung cancer.

The choroid, rich in vasculature, is a common site for ocular metastases, predominantly from breast and lung cancer. Unlike breast cancer, which may cause bilateral involvement, lung cancer typically leads to unilateral lesions. Adenocarcinoma is the primary lung cancer subtype associated with choroidal metastasis, while small cell lung cancer (SCLC) infrequently involves the choroid.

Impact of socioeconomic status on cancer care in Southeast Texas: a retrospective population-based cohort study.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Disparities in healthcare frequently stem from variations in socioeconomic status (SES). This study investigated the influence of socioeconomic factors such as gender, race, age, and geography on time to treatment initiation (TTI) and survival outcomes.

The Current Landscape of Clinical Trials for Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate below 6% and about 500,000 deaths annually worldwide. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form, is commonly associated with diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and smoking, mainly affecting individuals aged 60 to 80 years. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Sequestration of cyanide ions from aqueous medium by physio-chemically fabricated biochar of peels of banana and grape fruit in ecofriendly way.

Pakistan is an agricultural country producing plenty of fruits, like: mango, banana, apple, peaches, grapes, plums, variety of citrus fruits including lemon, grapefruit, and oranges. So far the peels of most of the fruits are usually wasted and not properly utilized anywhere. In this work, the peels of banana and grapefruit are converted into biochar by slow pyrolysis under controlled supply of air and used for sequestering cyanide ions from aqueous medium after chemical modification with ZnCl and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).

Organizational and Implementation Factors Associated with Cirrhosis Care in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: The Veterans Health Administration provides care to more than 100,000 Veterans with cirrhosis.

Aims: This implementation evaluation aimed to understand organizational resources and barriers associated with cirrhosis care.

Methods: Clinicians across 145 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers (VAMCs) were surveyed in 2022 about implementing guideline-concordant cirrhosis care.

A Review Of Mri Appearances Of Lipiodol In Conventional Tace (Ctace) Treated Hepatocellular Carcinomas.

Background: The global burden of patients affected by chronic liver disease (CLD) has shown a steady rise over the last few decades and is now considered the 11th most frequent cause of death globally. In addition, as the world population is facing increased obesity rates coupled with alcohol consumption, these rates are predicted to continue to rise. The Objective was to assess the appearance of Lipiodol retention upon different MRI sequences with a special focus on non-contrast sequences.

Impact of Concomitant Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura on COVID-19 Mortality and Morbidity: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Utilizing the comprehensive Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we examined the impact of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) on the outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), emphasizing the potential role of the ADAMTS13 enzyme in disease pathogenesis and evolution. We analyzed extensive data from the NIS database using STATA v.14.

Which should you choose for post operative atrial fibrillation, carvedilol or metoprolol? A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmic complication following cardiac surgery. Current guidelines suggest beta-blockers for the prevention of POAF. In comparing metoprolol succinate with carvedilol, the later has sparked interest in its usage as an important medication for POAF prevention.

Prediction of aqueous solubility of a strongly soluble solute from molecular simulation.

The prediction of solubilities of compounds by means of molecular simulation has been receiving increasing attention due to the key role played by solubility in countless applications. We have predicted the aqueous solubility of urea at 300 K from chemical potential calculations for two urea model combinations: Özpinar/TIP3P and Hölzl/(TIP4P/2005). The methodology assumes that the intramolecular contribution of the urea molecule to the chemical potentials is identical in the crystal and in solution and, hence, cancels out.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis and Management in 2021: A National Veterans Affairs Quality Improvement Project.

Background & Aims: The coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic profoundly disrupted preventative health care services including cancer screening. As the largest provider of cirrhosis care in the United States, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Gastroenterology and Hepatology Program aimed to assess factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stage at diagnosis, treatment, and survival.

Methods: Veterans with a new diagnosis of HCC in 2021 were identified from electronic health records (N = 2306).

Spontaneous splenic rupture during dengue fever.

Dengue fever is one of the most frequent arboviral diseases in the world. Dengue is known to cause myocarditis, hepatitis, and neurological illustrations but one of the established presentations is leakage of plasma resulting in circulatory failure. Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is one of the most infrequent but known outcome of dengue fever which has been reported from time to time in literature.

Separation of Amino Acids, Dyes, and Pigments Using Novel Pressurized Circular TLC Assembly for Secure Medical Imaging Applications.

A novel pressurized flow system for circular thin-layer chromatography (PC-TLC) has been successfully established and employed for the separation of amino acids, dyes, and pigments for safe medical imaging applications. In this system, the mobile phase is applied to a regular TLC plate through the tube and needle of an intravenous infusion set. The needle was fused in a hole underneath the center of the plate, while the second side end of the tube was connected to a microburette containing the solvent.

Cigarette Smoking, and Blood Monocyte Count Correlate with Chronic Lung Injuries and Mortality.

Background: Cigarette smoking (CS)-related monocytosis contributes to the development of chronic lung injuries via complex mechanisms. We aim to determine correlations between measures of CS and monocytes, their capacities to predict chronic lung diseases, and their associations with mortality.

Methods: A single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing surgical resection for suspected lung nodules/masses was performed.

The study of frequency of malignancy and its types in surgical jaundice; a tertiary care experience.

Objective: To determine the frequency of malignancy and its types in patients presenting with surgical jaundice in a tertiary care setting.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the North Surgical Ward, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from May 8 to November 8, 2020, and comprised patients of either gender with a diagnosis of surgical jaundice made on the basis of history, clinical examination, haematological and biochemical reports and radiological investigations. All patients were managed as per the guidelines for surgical jaundice with injection vitamin K intramuscular, hydration with intravenous fluids, avoidance of constipation by lactulose or neomycin, vitals and urine output monitoring and prophylactic antibiotics.