Cytokine Release Syndrome-Associated Colitis: Insights From a Case of Rituximab-Induced Pancolitis.

Rituximab (RTX), a widely used monoclonal antibody for hematologic malignancies and rheumatologic disorders, is known for infusion-related reactions. However, its potential to induce colitis is often overlooked. We present an 85-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia experiencing severe adverse effects during her fourth RTX infusion, including abdominal pain, hypotension, and bright red blood per rectum.

Rare Case of Pediatric Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Presenting With Pleural Masses Complicated by Pleural Effusions.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder is a complication in organ transplant recipients characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of B-lymphocytes, occurring in 6% of pediatric patients, with risk factors including primary Epstein-Barr virus infection, intensity of immunosuppression, and cytomegalovirus infection. The clinical symptoms are often nonspecific, and it is associated with a high mortality rate if left untreated. We describe a rare case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder who presented with pleural-based masses resulting in pleural effusions.

A strategy to improve the solubility and bioavailability of the insoluble drug piperlongumine through albumin nanoparticles.

Piperlongumine (PL) is a biologically active alkaloid derived from peppers, has significant cytotoxic effects on cancer with no cytotoxicity. This study used Nab technology to prepare PL albumin nanoparticles (PL-BSA-NPs) to improve water solubility and bioavailability. We carried out a pharmacological evaluation of the PL-BSA-NPs.

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins: A systematic review and individual patient data regression analysis.

Background And Aim: Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of the mesenteric veins (IMHMV) is an uncommon cause of colonic ischemia for which surgical treatment is typically curative. We describe clinical, radiologic, and endoscopic findings in IMHMV patients to provide clinicians with a framework for pre-surgical identification of this rare disease.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of seven databases for IMHMV cases and identified additional cases from Yale New Haven Hospital records.

A National Survey of the Infrastructure and Scope of Practice for Gastroenterology Hospitalists.

Background: Hospital-based specialty-trained physicians have become more prevalent with emerging data suggesting benefit in consult and procedure volume, reduced complication rates, and increased practice productivity. Interest in gastroenterology (GI) hospitalist programs has increased in recent years. However, little is known regarding the types of GI hospitalist models that currently exist.

Two Cases of Biphasic Synovial Sarcoma With Expression of PAX8 and ER: A Diagnostic Pitfall.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a high-grade malignant neoplasm frequently arising in the deep soft tissue of the lower and upper extremities of young adults. Primary SS in the pelvis is extremely rare with scattered case reports. It often causes a diagnostic challenge in small biopsy and/or with aberrant expression of immunohistochemical markers.

Astragalus mongholicus powder, a traditional Chinese medicine formula ameliorate type 2 diabetes by regulating adipoinsular axis in diabetic mice.

The global morbidity of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has dramatically increased. Insulin resistance is the most important pathogenesis and therapeutic target of T2DM. The traditional Chinese medicine formula Astragalus mongholicus powder (APF), consists of Bunge [Fabaceae], (Lour.

Colonoscopy after a Positive Stool-based Test for Colon Cancer Screening: Moving Toward a Better Understanding of What to Expect.

Stool-based tests for colorectal cancer, including fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and multitarget stool DNA testing (mt-sDNA), are among the recommended first-line screening options for patients at average risk for colorectal cancer and offer advantages over colonoscopy. However, stool-based tests have high false-positive rates, and the expected yield of colonoscopy after positive FIT compared with positive mt-sDNA is not well studied. As discussed in this issue of Cancer Prevention Research, the presence of a precancerous lesion in the majority of cases with either positive stool-based test is expected.

Factors Associated With Emergency Department Discharge, Outcomes and Follow-Up Rates of Stable Patients With Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Background: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common reason for hospitalization. However, recent data suggest low-risk patients may be safely evaluated as an outpatient. Here, we compare stable LGIB patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) with those admitted, determine factors associated with discharge and 30-day outcomes, and evaluate follow-up rates amongst the discharged cohort.

Observed risk of recurrent bleeding and thromboembolic disease in COVID-19 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

COVID-19 patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) requiring the use of anticoagulation. Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is increasingly being reported, complicating the decision to initiate or resume anticoagulation as providers balance the risk of thrombotic disease with the risk of bleeding. Our study aimed to assess rebleeding rates in COVID-19 patients with GIB and determine whether endoscopy reduces these rebleeding events.

Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis, and Diverticular Bleeding.

Diverticulosis is an anatomic change in the colon that is characterized by outpouching of the mucosa and submucosa through the muscularis. Its prevalence increases with age so most of the elderly patients have this condition. Although diverticulosis is common, diverticular disease, in which there are clinical sequelae, is rare.

Progress and Future Trends in PET/CT and PET/MRI Molecular Imaging Approaches for Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a major disease with high morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Increased use of imaging biomarkers has been shown to add more information with clinical utility in the detection and evaluation of breast cancer. To date, numerous studies related to PET-based imaging in breast cancer have been published.

Gastric Bezoar: Retrieve it, Leave it, or Disbelieve it?

Objectives: To determine the demographics, potential risk factors, endoscopic interventions and outcomes relating to gastric bezoars in pediatric patients; and comparing results with previously published literature.

Methods: Retrospective series by chart review of patients identified by International Classification of Diseases-9 codes 938 and 935, using the following Medical Subject Headings: 1, term bezoar; 2, Keywords gastric bezoar∗ or gastric foreign body∗.

Results: Thirty pediatric patients between ages of 2 to 18 years were found with gastric bezoars, with a female predominance.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Although current literature has addressed gastrointestinal presentations including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal liver chemistries, and hyperlipasemia as possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) manifestations, the risk and type of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in this population is not well characterized.

Methods: This is a matched case-control (1:2) study with 41 cases of GIB (31 upper and 10 lower) in patients with COVID-19 and 82 matched controls of patients with COVID-19 without GIB. The primary objective was to characterize bleeding etiologies, and our secondary aim was to discuss outcomes and therapeutic approaches.

Validation of the Adapted Clavien-Dindo in Trauma (ACDiT) Classifications in Medical and Surgical Management of Acute Diverticulitis.

Objectives: To validate the adapted Clavien-Dindo in trauma (ACDiT) tool as a novel outcome measure for patients with acute diverticulitis managed both operatively and nonoperatively.

Background: Complications following diverticulitis are difficult to classify because no traditional tools address patients managed both operatively and nonoperatively. The ACDiT grading system-graded from 0 to 5b-is applied in this manner but has not yet been validated for this patient group.

Hiatal Hernia Presenting with Recurrent Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Tamponade.

Hiatal hernia is a common pathology, particularly among the elderly or obese populations. Occasionally, markedly dilated hernias can impinge on surrounding structures, notably the heart or lung. In such cases, morbidity can be considerable.

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of a novel series of benzofuran derivatives against oestrogen receptor-dependent breast cancer cell lines.

A docking study of a novel series of benzofuran derivatives with ERα was conducted. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel series of benzofuran derivatives and evaluation of their anticancer activity in vitro against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, as well as their potential toxicity to ER-independent MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, human renal epithelial HEK-293 cells, and human immortal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) by using the MTT colorimetric assay. The screening results indicated that the target compounds exhibited anti-breast cancer activity.

Advances in Functional Imaging in the Assessment of Head and Neck Cancer.

This article discusses the application of fludeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (CT) technology in head and neck cancer diagnosis and management, as well as advantages and disadvantages relative to traditional imaging modalities. A successful scan relies on precise patient preparation, and compliance to specific protocols before and during the scan. Finally, this article briefly introduces a PET/CT scan recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for neuroendocrine tumors.