Genetics of Constant and Severe Pain in the NAPS2 Cohort of Recurrent Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis Patients.

Recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis (RAP, CP) are complex, progressive inflammatory diseases with variable pain experiences impacting patient function and quality of life. The genetic variants and pain pathways in patients contributing to most severe pain experiences are unknown. We used previously genotyped individuals with RAP/CP from the North American Pancreatitis Study II (NAPS2) of European Ancestry for nested genome-wide associated study (GWAS) for pain-severity, chronicity, or both.

Methods for the Assessment of Volume Overload and Congestion in Heart Failure.

Acute decompensated heart failure entails a dysregulation of renal and cardiac function, with fluid volume excess or congestion being a key component. We provide an overview of methods for its assessment in clinical practice. Evaluation of congestion can be achieved using different methods including plasma biomarkers, measurement of blood volume from the volume of distribution of [131I]-human serum albumin, sonographic modalities, implantable devices, invasive measurements of volume status including right heart catheterization, and impedance methods.

Bladder Symptoms Prvoked by Short, Rapid Acting Loop Diuretics: A Frequent But Often Overlooked Problem.

Background: Bladder dysfunction entails overactive bladder (OAB) defined as symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency, and/or nocturia with or without incontinence if there is no obvious pathology or infection or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that includes recognized causes of bladder dysfunction.

Methods: Literature search.

Results: Symptoms of OAB are reported in about 15% of the adult US population.

Hurricane-battered researchers assess damage.

Years of recovery lie ahead for the southeastern United States after Helene and Milton.