Observation of the radiation environment and solar energetic particle events in Mars orbit in May 2018- June 2022.

The dosimeter Liulin-MO for measuring the radiation environment onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is a module of the Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND). Here we present results from measurements of the charged particle fluxes, dose rates and estimation of dose equivalent rates at ExoMars TGO Mars science orbit, provided by Liulin-MO from May 2018 to June 2022. The period of measurements covers the declining and minimum phases of the solar activity in 24th solar cycle and the rising phase of the 25th cycle.

Earth-affecting solar transients: a review of progresses in solar cycle 24.

This review article summarizes the advancement in the studies of Earth-affecting solar transients in the last decade that encompasses most of solar cycle 24. It is a part of the effort of the International Study of Earth-affecting Solar Transients (ISEST) project, sponsored by the SCOSTEP/VarSITI program (2014-2018). The Sun-Earth is an integrated physical system in which the space environment of the Earth sustains continuous influence from mass, magnetic field, and radiation energy output of the Sun in varying timescales from minutes to millennium.

Source of Energetic Protons in the 2014 September 1 Sustained Gamma-ray Emission Event.

We report on the source of protons during the SOL2014-09-01 sustained gamma-ray emission (SGRE) event based on multi-wavelength data from a wide array of space- and ground-based instruments. Based on the eruption geometry we provide concrete explanation for the spatially and temporally extended -ray emission from the eruption. We show that the associated flux rope is of low inclination (roughly oriented in the east-west direction), which enables the associated shock to extend to the frontside.

Long-term Solar Activity Studies using Microwave Imaging Observations and Prediction for Cycle 25.

We use microwave imaging observations from the Nobeyama Radioheliograph at 17 GHz for long-term studies of solar activity. In particular, we use the polar and low-latitude brightness temperatures as proxies to the polar magnetic field and the active-regions, respectively. We also use the location of prominence eruptions as a proxy to the filament locations as a function of time.

Deflection and Rotation of CMEs from Active Region 11158.

Between 13 and 16 February 2011, a series of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupted from multiple polarity inversion lines within active region 11158. For seven of these CMEs we employ the graduated cylindrical shell (GCS) flux rope model to determine the CME trajectory using both (STEREO) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and coronagraph images. We then use the model called Forecasting a CME's Altered Trajectory (ForeCAT) for nonradial CME dynamics driven by magnetic forces to simulate the deflection and rotation of the seven CMEs.

Missed esophageal and gastric cancers after esophagogastroduodenoscopy in a midwestern military veteran population.

Objectives: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy has become the standard procedure for diagnosing esophageal and gastric cancers (EGC) and is considered to have high sensitivity and specificity. To date, few studies have attempted to examine the rates of missed EGC after EGD and no study addresses the rate of missed EGC in a military veteran patient population. This led to us examine missed EGCs at our VA Medical Center across a 10-year period.

Two-step forecast of geomagnetic storm using coronal mass ejection and solar wind condition.

To forecast geomagnetic storms, we had examined initially observed parameters of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and introduced an empirical storm forecast model in a previous study. Now we suggest a two-step forecast considering not only CME parameters observed in the solar vicinity but also solar wind conditions near Earth to improve the forecast capability. We consider the empirical solar wind criteria derived in this study (  ≤ -5 nT or  ≥ 3 mV/m for ≥ 2 h for moderate storms with minimum less than -50 nT) and a model developed by Temerin and Li (2002, 2006) (TL model).

Histopathologic correlation of endoscopic ultrasound findings of chronic pancreatitis in human autopsies.

Objectives: To provide histologic correlation of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) findings believed to represent chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Methods: Eighteen postmortem pancreatic specimens in patients dying of all causes were examined in vitro by EUS for features of CP: (1) echogenic foci, (2) hypoechoic foci, (3) echogenic main pancreatic duct (MPD), (4) accentuated lobular pattern, (5) cysts, (6) irregular MPD, (7) dilated MPD, (8) side branch dilation, and (9) calculi. The pancreata were then examined by 2 pathologists (blinded to the EUS/clinical findings) for histopathologic features of CP.

Long-term mortality of patients admitted to the intensive care unit for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Objectives: Long-term mortality data for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeders is scarce in the literature. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the long-term mortality of patients admitted to two intensive care units with a primary diagnosis of GI bleeding.

Methods: The charts of patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) with GI bleeding were reviewed and the data of the patients' first day in the MICU was used to calculate APACHE III and Charlson scores.

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and chronic renal insufficiency.

Background: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitalized patients. Some case reports have implicated renal failure as a risk factor for CDAD. The aim of this study was to assess whether chronic renal insufficiency is a risk factor for CDAD and whether it increases mortality and morbidity.

Length of esophageal cancer and degree of luminal stenosis during upper endoscopy predict T stage by endoscopic ultrasound.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is considered to be the most accurate modality for T staging of esophageal cancer. This study attempted to determine whether endoscopic features such as the length and degree of luminal stenosis in esophageal cancer can predict the T stage on EUS.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-five patients with newly diagnosed esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous-cell carcinoma undergoing EUS prior to initiation of any treatment were included in the study.

Pyloric injection of botulinum toxin for treatment of diabetic gastroparesis.

Background: Diabetic gastroparesis is a common clinical problem. The pathophysiology includes prolonged pyloric contractions that may cause functional resistance to gastric outflow. Botulinum toxin was injected into the pyloric sphincter in an attempt to decrease pyloric resistance and improve gastric emptying.

Retrospective analysis of missed advanced adenomas on surveillance colonoscopy.

Objective: Miss rates of large polyp/cancer during colonoscopy are reported from tertiary centers where experts do the colonoscopies. This information is important for determining surveillance intervals for repeat colonoscopy, patient safety, and malpractice issues. We evaluated retrospectively the miss rates of advanced adenomas in the setting of a GI fellowship training where most colonoscopies are done by closely supervised fellows.

Stromal eosinophilia in colonic epithelial neoplasms.

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the frequency and intensity of eosinophilic infiltration (or tissue eosinophilia) in the stroma of colonic adenomas, hyperplastic polyps, and colorectal adenocarcinomas. Eosinophilic infiltration in various malignancies has been reported but has not been evaluated in benign colorectal adenomas and hyperplastic polyps.

Methods: We analyzed 488 colonic neoplasms: 176 tubular adenomas, 55 tubulovillous adenomas, 82 villous adenomas, 15 early carcinomas in polyps, 95 invasive adenocarcinomas, and 65 hyperplastic polyps for the presence of eosinophilic infiltration.

Hepatobiliary dysfunction as the initial manifestation of disseminated cryptococcosis.

A case of hepatobiliary dysfunction as the initial manifestation of disseminated cryptococcosis is described. The patient was admitted with symptoms of hepatitis with cholestatic jaundice. Antibody tests for hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus were negative.

Risks of intra-abdominal nonshunt surgery in cirrhotics.

We have reviewed the risks of various nonshunt intra-abdominal operations in cirrhotic patients. Most of these studies are retrospective reviews with limitations. Among various risk stratifications in cirrhosis, Child-Pugh classification is sufficiently informative.

Is in vivo measurement of size of polyps during colonoscopy accurate?

Background: Accurate measurement of polyp size during colonoscopy is important because of the direct correlation of size with colon cancer. Major studies of colorectal neoplasms have measured polyp size differently. It is also well documented that endoscopists underestimate polyp size frequently.

Endoscopic ultrasound miniprobe-guided steroid injection for treatment of refractory esophageal strictures.

Local injection of corticosteroids into refractory esophageal strictures to decrease the restenosis rate has been reported. Here we report our efforts in three patients to render the delivery of steroids more precise, by injecting them in the thickest segment of the stricture with the guidance of a high frequency ultrasound miniprobe passed through a regular upper endoscope. Steroid injection under ultrasound miniprobe guidance may be indicated for patients who do not respond to a "blind" steroid injection without miniprobe guidance.

Intraoperative endoscopic ultrasonography in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

In a 46-year-old man with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple imaging studies were negative for a primary gastrinoma. Preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) revealed a 3.3-cm mass which appeared to be in the pancreatic head.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a randomized prospective comparison of early and delayed feeding.

Background: It has been customary to initiate feeding through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes 24 hours or more after placement of these tubes. Recent changes in practice environment and emphasis on early discharge of hospitalized patients prompted us to evaluate early PEG feeding in a randomized prospective manner.

Methods: Forty-one patients were included in the study.

Double-lumen esophagus: formation of a new lumen or septation of the existing one?

Presented here are two cases in which two esophageal lumens were identified at endoscopy. One patient had a history of antireflux surgery and both patients had received esophageal dilations. Both patients have done poorly with standard esophageal dilation and are not considered likely to gain from surgery.

A prospective controlled evaluation of endoscopic detection of angiodysplasia and its association with aortic valve disease.

Background: In view of controversy about the association of aortic stenosis and angiodysplasia of the gut, we performed a prospective, controlled study to evaluate the relationship between aortic valve disease and gastrointestinal angiodysplasia.

Methods: Forty patients who had endoscopy for clinical indications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, polyps, colon cancer, and dyspepsia, and who were found to have angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract, underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Thirty-seven controls matched for age, sex, indication, and nature of endoscopic examination, but without angiodysplasia, underwent similar echocardiographic examination.

Hepatobiliary complications of inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinically significant liver and biliary disorders occur in approximately 5 percent of persons with inflammatory bowel disease. The most common hepatobiliary disorders encountered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are fatty liver, sclerosing cholangitis and gallstones. In addition, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, biliary cancer and amyloidosis sometimes occur.