Clinical risk factors for sarcopenia in acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Background: Sarcopenia is common in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and has been associated with unfavorable outcomes; however, it is not well studied in acute pancreatitis (AP).

Aims: To evaluate risk factors for sarcopenia among individuals with AP or CP.

Methods: A cross sectional analysis was performed among subjects with AP or CP seen in a tertiary care Pancreas Clinic.

Germline multigene panel testing in acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Background/objectives: Germline genetic testing is recommended for younger patients with idiopathic pancreatitis but there has been a lack of consensus in recommendations for those over age 35. We aimed to analyze the results of genetic testing among subjects of varying ages.

Methods: Individuals who underwent germline multigene testing for pancreatitis susceptibility genes (CASR, CFTR, CPA1, CTRC, PRSS1, SPINK1) through a large commercial laboratory between 2017 and 2022 were included.

Dilation balloon-occlusion technique for EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy.

Video 1Dilation balloon-occlusion technique for EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy.

Colchicine may decrease cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease.

This oral anti-inflammatory agent may offer a low-cost option for prevention of cardiovascular events in this patient population.

Maintaining landholder satisfaction and management of private protected areas established under conservation agreements.

Permanent protection of biodiversity on private lands is achieved through various mechanisms around the world. In Australia, conservation covenants are widely used to dedicate private lands to biodiversity conservation. The permanency of covenants necessitates similarly long-term commitment by landholders to meet and maintain the conservation obligations under the covenant.

Early unplanned readmissions following same-admission cholecystectomy for acute biliary pancreatitis.

Background: Same-admission cholecystectomy (CCY) is recommended for mild acute biliary pancreatitis (biliary-AP). However, there is a paucity of research investigating reasons for early (30-day) unplanned readmissions in patients who undergo CCY for biliary-AP. Hence, we sought to investigate this gap using a large population database.

Changing epidemiology of esophageal stent placement for dysphagia: a decade of trends and the impact of benign indications.

Background And Aims: In addition to managing malignant obstruction, esophageal stents (ESs) have evolved to address various benign etiologies of dysphagia. We sought to evaluate national trends and changes in practice of ES placement for both benign and malignant etiologies in hospitalized patients with dysphagia.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (2003-2013) was used to include all adult inpatients (≥18 years of age) with endoscopy-guided ES placement for a symptom of dysphagia.

Unavailability of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography Adversely Impacts Hospital Outcomes of Acute Biliary Pancreatitis: A National Survey and Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Objectives: There is a paucity of literature assessing the impact of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) availability at hospitals and the management of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP). Thus, we sought to evaluate the impact of ERCP availability on the clinical outcomes of ABP.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2004-2013) was reviewed to identify adult inpatients (≥18 years) with ABP.

SpHincterotomy for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis Randomized Trial: Rationale, Methodology, and Potential Implications.

Objectives: In patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), pancreas divisum, and no other etiologic factors, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with minor papilla endoscopic sphincterotomy (miES) is often performed to enlarge the minor papillary orifice, based on limited data. The aims of this study are to describe the rationale and methodology of a sham-controlled clinical trial designed to test the hypothesis that miES reduces the risk of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: The SpHincterotomy for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis (SHARP) trial is a multicenter, international, sham-controlled, randomized trial comparing endoscopic ultrasound + ERCP with miES versus endoscopic ultrasound + sham for the management of ARP.

Endoscopic intervention and cholecystectomy in pregnant women with acute biliary pancreatitis decrease early readmissions.

Background And Aims: Acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is associated with increased rates of morbidity in pregnancy. Because there is a paucity of population-based studies evaluating ABP in pregnancy, we sought to investigate clinical outcomes in hospitalized pregnant women on a national level.

Methods: By using the Nationwide Readmission Database (2011-2014), we identified all women (age ≥18 years) with an index admission for ABP in the United States.

Validation of the STA-Liatest DDi assay for exclusion of proximal deep vein thrombosis according to the latest Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute/Food and Drug Administration guideline: results of a multicenter management study.

: Recommended strategy for venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosis includes the use of sensitive D-dimer (DDi) assays along with pretest probability (PTP) assessment. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recently issued a guideline (US FDA endorsed) on DDi in VTE exclusion. Such guideline specifies the ideal D-dimer assay characteristics and target population.

Using social-network research to improve outcomes in natural resource management.

The conservation and management of natural resources operates in social-ecological systems in which resource users are embedded in social and environmental contexts that influence their management decisions. Characterizing social networks of resource users can be used to inform understanding of social influences on decision making, and social network analysis (SNA) has emerged as a useful technique to explore these relationships. We synthesized how SNA has been used in 85 studies of natural resource management.

Pharmacy Student Monitoring of Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Background: Best practice recommendations are lacking. Thus far, literature has described pharmacist-led DOAC monitoring.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe a DOAC monitoring program involving pharmacy students.

Overview of a pharmacist anticoagulation certificate program.

Background And Purpose: To describe the design of an ongoing anticoagulation certificate program and annual renewal update for pharmacists.

Educational Activity And Setting: Components of the anticoagulation certificate program include home study, pre- and posttest, live sessions, case discussions with evaluation and presentation, an implementation plan, and survey information (program evaluation and use in practice). Clinical reasoning skills were assessed through case work-up and evaluation prior to live presentation.

Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: The prevalence of obesity and number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery are increasing. Obesity has adverse effects in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). We investigated whether bariatric surgery affects outcomes of patients with AP.

Outcomes in patients with obstructive jaundice from metastatic colorectal cancer and implications for management.

Introduction: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer can develop jaundice from intrahepatic or extrahepatic causes. Currently, there is little data on the underlying causes and overall survival after onset of jaundice. The purpose of this study was to characterize the causes of jaundice and determine outcomes.

Predicting patch occupancy in fragmented landscapes at the rangewide scale for an endangered species: an example of an American warbler.

AIM: Our objective was to identify the distribution of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) in fragmented oak-juniper woodlands by applying a geoadditive semiparametric occupancy model to better assist decision-makers in identifying suitable habitat across the species breeding range on which conservation or mitigation activities can be focused and thus prioritize management and conservation planning. LOCATION: Texas, USA. METHODS: We used repeated double-observer detection/non-detection surveys of randomly selected (n = 287) patches of potential habitat to evaluate warbler patch-scale presence across the species breeding range.

Pharmacological and clinical differences between low-molecular-weight heparins: implications for prescribing practice and therapeutic interchange.

Thanks to their predictable pharmacokinetics and ease of use, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have established uses in the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases and as a replacement for unfractionated heparin (UFH). Although LMWHs as a class have similar antithrombotic effects, they comprise a diverse group of agents with distinct biochemical and pharmacological profiles. In light of the ongoing pressure to contain pharmacy costs, the diversity among the LMWHs and their benefits over UFH are important considerations in clinical practice.