Absence of a pancreatic microbiome in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.

Objective: This study aims to validate the existence of a microbiome within intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) that can be differentiated from the taxonomically diverse DNA background of next-generation sequencing procedures.

Design: We generated 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data to analyse 338 cyst fluid samples from 190 patients and 19 negative controls, the latter collected directly from sterile syringes in the operating room. A subset of samples (n=20) and blanks (n=5) were spiked with known concentrations of bacterial cells alien to the human microbiome to infer absolute abundances of microbial traces.

Tailoring the Use of Central Pancreatectomy Through Prediction Models for Major Morbidity and Postoperative Diabetes: International Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: To develop a prediction model for major morbidity and endocrine dysfunction after central pancreatectomy (CP) which could help in tailoring the use of this procedure.

Background: CP is a parenchyma-sparing alternative to distal pancreatectomy for symptomatic benign and premalignant tumors in the body and neck of the pancreas CP lowers the risk of new-onset diabetes and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency compared with distal pancreatectomy but it is thought to increase the risk of short-term complications, including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).

Methods: International multicenter retrospective cohort study including patients from 51 centers in 19 countries (2010-2021).

Surveillance for Presumed BD-IPMN of the Pancreas: Stability, Size, and Age Identify Targets for Discontinuation.

Background & Aims: Currently, most patients with branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMN) are offered indefinite surveillance, resulting in health care costs with questionable benefits regarding cancer prevention. This study sought to identify patients in whom the risk of cancer is equivalent to an age-matched population, thereby justifying discontinuation of surveillance.

Methods: International multicenter study involving presumed BD-IPMN without worrisome features (WFs) or high-risk stigmata (HRS) at diagnosis who underwent surveillance.

A Meta-Analysis of Association between Remdesivir and Mortality among Critically-Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The World Health Organization guidelines did not make a recommendation on use of remdesivir based on disease severity. Little is known regarding effectiveness of remdesivir in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. This has led to a state of dilemma for doctors leaving them skeptical of whether they should continue to recommend the drug or not.