Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Levels: The Grim Reaper Sign in Acute Pancreatitis?

Background And Aims: Acute pancreatitis (AP) frequently presents in emergency departments and poses challenges in predicting severity and mortality. Established scoring systems like Ranson criteria, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE) II, and Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) have varying effectiveness. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme released during tissue damage, shows promise as a marker for organ injury in AP.

Decreased Duration of Hospital Stays in Uncomplicated Diverticulitis With Initiation of Enteral Feeds Within 24 Hours.

Diverticulitis is a complication of a mostly benign condition called diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is a common illness that medical staff see in emergency departments and hospital inpatient services. The thought process behind this study was looking at the treatment of other diseases like pancreatitis or other critical illnesses and the data supporting timing of feeds.

A Rare Case of Anti-Caspr2 Autoimmune Encephalitis Associated with a Testicular Mixed Germ Cell Tumor.

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE) is a poorly understood condition, thought to be caused by the cross-reacting of tumor antibodies with neurons in the brain, resulting in neuropsychiatric sequelae, such as personality and behavioral changes, psychosis, memory loss, and seizures. Anti-contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) antibodies can cause PLE in patients with particular tumors, which in most cases can be identified as thymoma, lung cancer, or endometrial cancer. Some case reports show rare instances with other tumors, such as throat or sigmoid carcinoma.

Think With Your Gut: A Retrospective Analysis on the Effects of Chronic Gastrointestinal Illness and Psychiatric Comorbidities.

Background: As mental health awareness increases, healthcare professionals must understand the interplay between chronic gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and psychological well-being, particularly regarding healthcare utilization. This study uniquely aggregates various chronic GI disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and eosinophilic esophagitis, to examine their impact on depression and anxiety.

Methods: Utilizing a retrospective observational design, we analyzed data from 34,876 patients admitted to HCA national hospitals from January 2016 to December 2022.

Evaluating the Impact of Phosphatidylethanol Testing on Hospital Outcomes.

Background: Alcohol dependence remains a significant global health issue, exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a direct biomarker of recent alcohol consumption, offers improved specificity, sensitivity, and a longer detection window of 2 - 4 weeks compared to traditional biomarkers. This study evaluates the association between PEth testing and hospital outcomes in hospitalized patients by comparing outcomes among patients with positive PEth and negative PEth test results.

Seasonal influenza vaccination: Attitudes and practices of healthcare providers in Jordan.

Background: Influenza is associated with significant global morbidity and mortality, with vaccination being the primary preventive strategy. Despite recommendations, influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare providers (HCPs) remains suboptimal, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean. We aimed to assess the attitudes and practices of HCPs in Jordan regarding seasonal influenza vaccination and assess sources of variation thereof.

Top-100 Highest Cited Articles on Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the 100 most highly cited articles assessing posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

Methods: In May 2024, a comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus database using the keyword "posterior communicating artery aneurysm" The top-100 most impactful articles were ranked by citation count and analyzed for relevant factors. Citations per year were calculated to minimize the risk of bias.

Retrospective, Longitudinal, One-Group Study on the Implementation of Continuous Glucose Monitoring To Improve Quality of Care for Patients With Type I or II Diabetes Mellitus in an Internal Medicine Residency Continuity Community Clinic.

In this three-year retrospective study, data from 51 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), receiving a minimum of 3-4 insulin injections per day and self-monitoring their blood glucose (SMBG) four times a day, were derived from our internal medicine residency primary care clinic. The patients were equipped with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device that shared 24-hour glucose data with the clinic. They were assigned to members of our CGM team, which included internal medicine or transitional year medical residents who functioned under the supervision of a board-certified endocrinologist.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis Mimicking Obstructive Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), otherwise known as non-alcoholic destructive pancreatitis or sclerosing pancreatitis, is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis that is clinically significant due to its potential to mimic pancreatic cancer. In our case, we present a 64-year-old male with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes and epigastric abdominal pain for one year who presented with worsening epigastric abdominal pain, 12-pound weight loss, and vomiting and was found to have a neuroendocrine tumor on a preliminary pathology report, while official pathology later came back stating AIP. Distinguishing between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and pancreatic cancer is vital, given the stark contrast in their treatment and prognosis.

Evaluation of Spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines-incorporating Isoquinoline Motif as Antitumor, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Agents.

Background: A series of novel 2-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-spiro[oxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines] were synthesized by a one-pot three-component reaction involving dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, 3-phenylimidazo[5,1-a]isoquinoline and N-alkylisatins in chloroform at ∼60°C for 24 h.

Aims: This study aimed at the synthesis of novel spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines derivatives and in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity affinities in cross-correlations with their anti-inflammation and radical scavenging capacities.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to use a one-pot, three-component reaction to synthesize a novel set of spirooxindole-3,3'-pyrrolines derivatives.

Congestive Hepatopathy: A Review of the Literature.

Congestive hepatopathy (CH), stemming from compromised hepatic venous flow or heightened intrahepatic pressure, represents a significant consequence of cardiovascular conditions like congestive heart failure (CHF). This review of literature encapsulates the core aspects of this condition, characterized by hepatic congestion, cellular injury, and impaired liver function. Diagnostic challenges arise due to symptoms mirroring primary liver diseases.

An Unusual Presentation of Crohn's Disease in an Elderly Patient: A Report of a Rare Case.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the terminal ileum and proximal colon. The exact cause is unknown but likely involves genetic factors, environmental triggers, and immune dysregulation. This case report delineates the choice of diagnostics for a 70-year-old patient presenting with symptoms indicative of small bowel obstruction.

Accessory lacrimal gland secretion mimicking seidel positivity following complex cataract surgery: Case report.

Purpose: To describe the presentation of lacrimal gland secretions mimicking a positive Seidel test following combined complex cataract surgery and endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP).

Observation: The patient presented with a posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) most likely secondary to chronic steroid use for a history of chemical burns from a firework injury in 2019. This injury resulted in symblepharon formation and limbal stem cell deficiency.

Benign Peptic Ulcer as a Cause of Gastrocolic Fistula.

Gastrocolic fistula is a rare complication and can occur in various conditions, most commonly gastric or colonic adenocarcinoma, followed by benign gastric ulcers secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. We report a case of an 82-year-old man with a benign peptic ulcer that led to a gastrocolic fistula, which was not associated with a history of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use or malignancy. The exact cause of this patient's gastrocolic fistula is unclear, but the patient's medical history of microscopic lymphocytic colitis may have increased his risk of fistula formation.

The Discrepancy Between Hemoglobin A1c and Glucose Management Indicators in 26 Patients Treated With Continuous Glucose Monitoring in an Internal Medicine Residency Clinic.

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study between 2020 and 2023 in 26 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who were using 3-4 injections per day of insulin and were monitored by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The goal of this retrospective observational cohort study is to compare these two metrics in an internal medicine community primary care residency clinic. We used CGM devices, Dexcom G6 and G7, and Freestyle Libre 3.

Kuragel: A biomimetic hydrogel scaffold designed to promote corneal regeneration.

Cornea-related injuries are the most common cause of blindness worldwide. Transplantation remains the primary approach for addressing corneal blindness, though the demand for donor corneas outmatches the supply by millions. Tissue adhesives employed to seal corneal wounds have shown inefficient healing and incomplete vision restoration.

A Rare Case of Heterozygous C282Y Mutation Causing Hereditary Hemochromatosis With Acute Pancreatitis.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is the most common autosomal recessive genetic disorder globally for Caucasians. HH is known as an iron metabolism disorder where there is an increase in iron absorption in the body. HH is not localized but a systemic disease; the manifestations of HH include cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy, and pancreatitis.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor-Induced Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Type 2 Diabetic Patient.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) is a life-threatening metabolic complication typically associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, its occurrence in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains exceptionally rare. We present a case report detailing the unusual manifestation of euDKA in a patient with T2DM following the initiation of treatment with a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor.

Long-term aspirin use in patients hospitalized with ischemic colitis.

Background: Ischemic colitis is a form of mesenteric ischemia that often presents in patients with vascular disease. Long-term aspirin use has been shown to improve the outcomes in patients with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. However, the relationship between aspirin use and ischemic colitis is unclear.

Abnormal Neurologic Findings in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Without a History of Major Neurologic Events.

Background And Objectives: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are prone to symptomatic neurologic complications. Previous studies reported accrual of neural injury starting at early age, even without having symptomatic neurologic events. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of abnormal neurologic findings in patients with SCD with no history of major symptomatic neurologic events.

A Rare Case of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor-Induced Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas that requires hospital admission and treatment. There are many causes of pancreatitis, the most common being gallstone and alcohol-induced; other reasons include metabolic, infectious, and medication-induced. A new medication that has come to the market is empagliflozin, which is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor that is common in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Outcomes of Ischemic Colitis: A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Ischemic colitis is the most common presentation of mesenteric ischemia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Coagulopathy has been associated with the development of ischemic colitis. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection can lead to a variety of pathology and physiological derangements, including coagulopathy.