Access to Evaluation for Liver Transplantation in the Veterans Health Administration.

Background: As the largest US provider of cirrhosis care, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is the ideal setting to assess patient-, clinician-, and site-level barriers to transplant evaluation.

Aims: To assess barriers to transplant evaluation referral among Veterans with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Logistic regression assessed facility, patient, clinical, and distance factors associated with transplant referral for Veterans with cirrhosis or HCC, over 1 year.

Immunotherapy Responses in Viral Hepatitis-Induced HCC: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent liver cancer with poor prognosis, often linked to hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of immunotherapy in HCC, particularly in cases arising from viral hepatitis. : In adherence to PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines, the immunotherapeutic outcomes comprised objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Innovative application of green surfactants as eco-friendly scale inhibitors in industrial water systems.

Scale deposition poses significant challenges in various industrial utilities, necessitating the development of eco-friendly scale inhibitors in line with environmental regulations. This study investigates the potential of two natural surfactants, Casein and Rhamnolipid, as innovative inhibitors for calcium carbonate (CaCO) scale formation, offering an alternative to traditional water treatment chemicals. The anti-scaling characteristics of these two green surfactants were performed using conductivity and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Due to Bupropion Inhalation.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a form of hemoptysis caused by disruption of the alveolar-capillary basement membrane causing alveolar bleeding. Inhalation of cocaine and other sympathomimetic agents are described as one of many pathologic causes. We describe what is to the author's knowledge the first reported case of DAH caused by inhalation of bupropion, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which was successfully treated with systemic steroids.

A Crisis in Scope: Recruitment and Retention Challenges Reported by VA Gastroenterology Section Chiefs.

Background: Having a sufficient number of gastroenterologists is important for protecting the digestive health of veterans. However, gastroenterology is among the most difficult medical specialties for recruitment at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Methods: We surveyed VA gastroenterology section chiefs to learn about current barriers to recruitment and retention and to identify opportunities for improvement.