Publications by authors named "Grace E Kim"

Background: Distinguishing serous cystadenoma, a benign pancreatic cyst, from potentially malignant mucinous pancreatic cystic lesions carries significant clinical and prognostic implications; and while endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is the standard diagnostic tool, its low diagnostic yield often results in additional workup.

Objective: This study evaluates diagnostic yield of fine needle biopsy (FNB) on lesions suggestive of serous cystadenoma on endoscopic ultrasound.

Methods: Patients with microcystic EUS appearance were identified through retrospective chart review in two institutions.

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High-grade or grade 3 epithelial neuroendocrine neoplasms (G3 NEN) are now divided into grade 3 well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (G3 NET) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), both defined by Ki-67 > 20% and/or > 20 mitoses per 2 mm. NET and NEC are thought to be distinct tumors with different genetic profiles: NEC classically harbors co-alteration of TP53 and RB1, whereas NET genetics are site-dependent with frequent alterations in MEN1, ATRX, DAXX, and TSC1/2 in pancreatic NETs. Progression from NET to NEC is considered rare and is not well described.

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Purpose Of Review: The number of hospitalizations for gastroparesis has risen over 300% in recent decades with increased physical, psychological, and healthcare burdens. Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is a promising therapy for patients with refractory gastroparesis. This article reviews important considerations for G-POEM.

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GLI1-altered tumors form a diverse group occurring in various anatomic locations. In the alimentary tract, the most established are gastroblastoma, a biphasic epithelial-mesenchymal neoplasm of the stomach, and plexiform fibromyxoma, a pure spindle cell neoplasm. The spectrum of GLI1-rearranged gastrointestinal tumors has recently expanded with reports of cases in other parts of the GI tract, some exhibiting gastroblastoma-like features and others being pure mesenchymal neoplasms.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how cancer cells, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), regulate oncogenic protein levels to survive, focusing on the Myc oncogene.
  • Using CRISPRi screens, four RNA binding proteins (RBPs) were identified as key activators of selective translation, with RBM42 being the most critical and linked to poor patient survival.
  • RBM42 was found to be a ribosome-associated protein that binds to the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of specific oncogenic transcripts, promoting their translation and supporting cancer growth, offering potential for new therapeutic strategies.
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The pleiotropic roles of nSMase2-generated ceramide include regulation of intracellular ceramide signaling and exosome biogenesis. We investigated the effects of eliminating nSMase2 on early and advanced PDA, including its influence on the microenvironment. Employing the KPC mouse model of pancreatic cancer, we demonstrate that pancreatic epithelial nSMase2 ablation reduces neoplasia and promotes a PDA subtype switch from aggressive basal-like to classical.

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Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of developing a computer vision algorithm that uses preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans to predict superior mesenteric artery (SMA) margin status in patients undergoing Whipple for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and to compare algorithm performance to that of expert abdominal radiologists and surgical oncologists.

Summary Background Data: Complete surgical resection is the only chance to achieve a cure for PDAC; however, current modalities to predict vascular invasion have limited accuracy.

Methods: Adult patients with PDAC who underwent Whipple and had preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans were included (2010-2022).

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Corroborative evidence for discectomy in pediatric or adolescent patients remains scarce, with this single-arm meta-analysis investigating discectomy for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) within this population. PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), CiNAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Eligible studies reported pediatric patients under 21 years of age with a diagnosis of LDH that was treated surgically with discectomy.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study analyzed 69 pancreatic intraductal papillary neoplasms (IPNs) and various related samples, identifying over 10,000 proteins and 22,000 glycopeptides using mass spectrometry.
  • *Among these, 756 proteins showed increased abundance in IPNs compared to normal pancreatic ducts, with 45% also found in cyst fluids.
  • *The research also distinguished two subtypes of IPMs and highlighted potential targets for earlier detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.*
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Background: Spatial normalization to a standardized brain template is a crucial step in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. Brain templates made from sufficient sample size have low brain variability, improving the accuracy of spatial normalization. Using population-specific template improves accuracy of spatial normalization because brain morphology varies according to ethnicity and age.

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Transcatheter arterial radioembolization (TARE) is a common locoregional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. It is associated with peptic ulcer disease in up to 5% of patients. A 70-year-old man with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with TARE 6 months earlier was evaluated for continued melena and was found to have an ulcer in the excluded stomach.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The evaluation of liver vascular lesions in children is complex due to inconsistent terminology, rare samples, and similar features among different lesions, making diagnosis challenging.
  • - This review emphasizes the need for using the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) classification to more accurately categorize these lesions.
  • - The text discusses specific cases, including pediatric liver tumors like hepatic infantile and congenital hemangiomas, as well as vascular malformations linked to syndromes and potential complications.
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Background: In 2023 alone, it's estimated that over 64,000 patients will be diagnosed with PDAC and more than 50,000 patients will die of the disease. Current guidelines recommend neoadjuvant therapy for patients with borderline resectable and locally advanced PDAC, and data is emerging on its role in resectable disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may increase the number of patients able to receive complete chemotherapy regimens, increase the rate of microscopically tumor-free resection (R0) margin, and aide in identifying unfavorable tumor biology.

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Background: The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the safety of outpatient thyroidectomy based on 24-h and same-day discharge criteria.

Methods: CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched. A meta-analysis of selected studies was performed.

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Background And Aims: Manipulation of colorectal polyps by biopsy, incomplete resection, or tattoo placement under the lesion has been shown to cause submucosal fibrosis and associated inferior outcomes. The effect of delays between index manipulation and definitive resection on the incidence of fibrosis is unknown.

Methods: Patients undergoing EMR of previously manipulated colorectal polyps ≥10 mm from 2016 to 2021 at a tertiary referral center were included.

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Background And Aims: The widespread use of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has revolutionized the management of esophageal motility disorders (EMDs). The introduction of an endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP, Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) can serve as a complementary diagnostic tool to assess the mechanical properties (ie, pressure, diameter, distensibility, topography) of the esophagus. During EndoFLIP measurements, different anesthesia techniques may induce variable degrees of neuromuscular blockade, potentially affecting esophageal motility and altering the results of EndoFLIP metrics.

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Background And Aims: Duodenal polyps have a reported incidence of 0.3% to 4.6%.

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This meta-analysis investigated the effects of exercise on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores following vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty in osteoporotic fractures. A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE (Elsevier), CiNAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from database inception to October 6, 2022. Eligible studies reported osteoporosis patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of at least one vertebral fracture via radiography or clinical assessment.

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Distinguishing grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (G3 PanNET) from neuroendocrine carcinoma (PanNEC) is a known diagnostic challenge, and accurate classification is critical because clinical behavior and therapies differ. Although current recommendations suggest that immunohistochemistry for p53, Rb, ATRX, and DAXX can distinguish most cases, some cases remain difficult to classify using this approach. In this study, we reviewed 47 high-grade neoplasms originally diagnosed as pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

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Article Synopsis
  • Laboratory medicine is at a stage where AI and machine learning are being explored, but there's a lack of tools to evaluate the diagnostic quality of these technologies, currently reliant on medical directors for assessments.
  • An expert discussion at a conference led to the development of a diagnostic quality model (DQM) that categorizes AI/ML improvements across different levels, offering a structured way to assess their impact on laboratory diagnostics.
  • The DQM framework provides a clear operational definition and rubric to measure AI/ML advancements while adhering to regulatory standards, helping to clarify the implications of these technologies in clinical settings.
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Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world, second in the United States. Although most lesions are managed surgically especially when they have already invaded into the submucosal layer, endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) has become an emerging technique that can serve as a safe and effective alternative management for locally invasive gastrointestinal cancers. This article discusses the indications and various techniques and limitations of nontunneled EFTRs of gastrointestinal cancer and reviews the current literature on the outcomes of EFTR.

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