Predictors of active and recurrent bleeding in upper gastrointestinal angiodysplasia: Results from 10-year esophagogastroduodenoscopy of a tertiary center in Taiwan.

Upper gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (UGIA) is a unique mucosal vascular lesion that causes acute or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite the increasing incidence of UGIA, the risk factors for bleeding in this condition remain unclear. We investigated the predictors of active and recurrent bleeding among patients with UGIA.

Screening for Delirium During Pediatric Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

Objective: To assess feasibility of routine delirium screening using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium (CAPD) in children admitted for rehabilitation with acquired brain injury (ABI), report on the prevalence of positive delirium screens in this population, and explore longitudinal trends in CAPD scores and their association with rehabilitation outcomes.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit.

CFD Study of the Effect of the Angle Pattern on Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome.

Iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS, or May-Thurner syndrome) occurs due to the compression of the left common iliac vein between the lumbar spine and right common iliac artery. Because most patients with compression are asymptomatic, the syndrome is difficult to diagnose based on the degree of anatomical compression. In this study, we investigated how the tilt angle of the left common iliac vein affects the flow patterns in the compressed blood vessel using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations to determine the flow fields generated after compression sites.

Association of Hepatitis B and C Virus with the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease and Cerebrovascular Disease in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for approximately 90% of primary liver cancers and hepatitis virus was believed to have the potential for altering the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. However, the influence of the hepatitis virus on coronary artery disease or cerebral vascular disease remains unclear. This study used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to clarify the virus-associated risk of coronary artery disease and cerebral vascular disease in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Rethinking recovery in adolescent concussions: Network-level functional connectivity alterations associated with motor deficits.

Adolescents who are clinically recovered from concussion continue to show subtle motor impairment on neurophysiological and behavioral measures. However, there is limited information on brain-behavior relationships of persistent motor impairment following clinical recovery from concussion. We examined the relationship between subtle motor performance and functional connectivity of the brain in adolescents with a history of concussion, status post-symptom resolution, and subjective return to baseline.

Association of protein disulfide isomerase family A, member 4, and inflammation in people living with HIV.

Objectives: Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members are specific endoplasmic reticulum proteins associated with inflammation, obesity, and cancer. In HIV infection, the role of PDI family A, member 4 (PDIA4), is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the association between plasma PDIA4 levels and inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Inter-rater Reliability of the Revised Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs (PANESS) scored using video review.

The Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs (PANESS) is a brief neuromotor exam designed for use in children. This study examined the inter-rater reliability of PANESS scoring using video review in 23 typically developing youth, aged 10-18 years, who were either never-concussed or evaluated following clinical recovery from concussion. Moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability was identified across PANESS subscores and total score.

New insights into sex differences in primary biliary cholangitis. Gender difference in primary biliary cholangitis.

Objective: To highlight the clinical characteristics of primary biliary cholangitis on the basis of gender in terms of the extent of liver injury and extra-liver autoimmune expressions.

Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan, and comprised data of patients aged >20 years diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis between January 2000 and December 2018. Patients in the control group were randomly selected from the health examination centre.

Altered white matter diffusivity and subtle motor function in a pilot cohort of adolescents with sports-related concussion.

Background And Objective: Adolescents with sports-related concussion (SRC) demonstrate acute and persistent deficits in subtle motor function. However, there is limited research examining related neurological underpinnings. This pilot study examined changes in motor-associated white matter pathways using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and their relationship with subtle motor function.

Rasch Properties of the Cognitive and Linguistic Scale and Optimization for Outcome Trajectory Modeling in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury.

Objectives: To (1) determine if items on the Cognitive and Linguistic Scale (CALS) follow a Rasch distribution and (2) explore the relationship between Rasch-derived Cognitive Ability Estimates and outcome trajectory parameters using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Pediatric inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Xanthelasma Palpebrarum.

Background: Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is a sign of hyperlipidemia and is closely linked to atherosclerosis. Since fatty liver shares similar risk factors with atherosclerosis, we hypothesized that patients with XP are also at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 37 patients with XP were compared with sex- and age-matched controls undergoing general health examination.

Relationships Between Vitamin D Status and Cytokine: Results from Interferon-Based Therapy in Non-Cirrhotic, Treatment-Naïve Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection.

Background: Vitamin D contributes to bone health and extra-skeletal effects. The mechanisms underlying vitamin D metabolism have not been extensively evaluated. The relationships between vitamin D and inflammatory cytokines are debated.

Is a bleeding scan prior to single-balloon enteroscopy necessary in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?

Background/purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of bleeder localization in a pre-enteroscopic bleeding scan in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2014, 98 patients with OGIB undergoing single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) were enrolled. These patients were classified based on their history of a previous bleeding scan; 56 patients had undergone a previous bleeding scan, whereas 42 had not.

Pre-medication to improve esophagogastroduodenoscopic visibility: a meta-analysis and systemic review.

Background/aims: The use of pre-medication to improve visibility in gastrointestinal endoscopy has not been well addressed and remains controversial. The aim is to evaluate the effects of current pre-medication on endoscopic visualization.

Methodology: We made the overall strategies to search the different databases and assessed the quality of included studies according to the included and excluded standard.

Benefits of the povidone-iodine: simultaneously decrease risk of infection and tumor seeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a well-established enteral feeding modality in patients with oropharyngeal/esophageal cancer; however, these patients are at risk for two possible PEG-related complications. First, oropharyngeal organisms may be transported to the PEG stoma and thus increase the risk of peristomal infection. Second, oropharyngeal/esophageal cancer cells may adhere to the PEG tube and thus increase the risk of tumor seeding along the PEG tract.

Efficacy of simethicone and N-acetylcysteine as premedication in improving visibility during upper endoscopy.

Background: Simethicone and N-acetylcysteine have been widely used in improving endoscopic visibility. However, the optimal dose, volume, and dosing time for the premedication regimen are still unclear.

Aim: Our aim was to assess the efficacy of premedication in improving endoscopic visibility and determine the contributions of dose, volume, and premedication time.

Hepatitis C virus infection in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

Material And Methods: On the basis of a retrospective review of medical records, all patients consecutively diagnosed with PBC or HCV infection between 1999 and 2011 and who had a regular follow-up of at least 3 years were included in the study. Clinical characteristics, especially the severity of cirrhosis, were analyzed in PBC patients with HCV infection (PBC-HCV), PBC patients without HCV infection (PBC-only), and patients with only HCV infection (HCV-only).

Colchicine and NSAID combination causing acute kidney injury.

Colchicine is used mainly for the treatment of gout and familial mediterranean fever. The use of colchicine is limited by its toxicity, and colchicine overdose is associated with a high mortality rate. Herein, we are reporting a young man who presented to the emergency department after ingesting 13.

[Fulminant lobulated lung empyema caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

We report the case of a 27-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus who presented with conscious disturbance, fever, and stiff neck after upper respiratory tract infection. Following diagnosis of meningoencephalitis, antibiotic therapy and deamethasone was initiated. He received endotracheal tube intervention under mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit, and underwent successful weaning on day 4.