EPR Viscometric Measurements Using a C-Labeled Triarylmethyl Radical in Protein-based Biotherapeutics and Human Synovial Fluids.

The viscosity measurements are of clinical significance for evaluation of the potential pathological conditions of biological lubricants such as synovial fluids of joints, and for formulation and characterization of peptide- and protein-based biotherapeutics. Due to inherent potential therapeutic activity, protein drugs have proven to be one of the most efficient therapeutic agents in treatment of several life-threatening disorders, such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases. However, home-use applications for treating chronic inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, necessitate the development of high-concentration insulin and monoclonal antibodies formulations for patient self-administration.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with celiac disease: a multicenter research network study.

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections and severe outcomes. No data have been reported in the scientific literature regarding the outcomes of COVID-19 in this population. The aim of this study was to report matched clinical outcomes in a large cohort of 930 patients with COVID-19 in the setting of known CD.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed in Liver Cirrhosis; Less May Be More.

Introduction: Administration of antibiotics in patients with cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been shown to improve outcomes. Little is known regarding optimum duration of prophylactic antibiotics. Seven days of antibiotics are generally recommended but very few studies have compared antibiotic duration to clinical outcomes in current available scientific literature.

Noninvasive Models Screen New-Onset Diabetics at Low Risk of Early-Onset Pancreatic Cancer.

Objectives: Several noninvasive models have been developed to identify new-onset diabetics at higher risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, they need external validation before implementation.

Methods: This study validated one such model (Boursi model) among a cohort of new-onset diabetics.

Superimposed Infectious Colitis in Crohn's Disease.

The differential diagnosis for an acute Crohn's flare should include enteric infection, a challenging yet critical distinction to make when determining appropriate therapy. Since both present similarly, identification of an enteric infection should be performed with comprehensive stool microbial testing. In the setting of moderate-to-severe disease, patients on biologic therapy may be more prone to infectious complications.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis: A multicenter retrospective research network study.

Background: Analyses of COVID-19 infection outcomes in patients with preexisting pulmonary sarcoidosis are lacking and are limited to case reports or small case series with the largest study reporting outcomes of 37 patients.

Research Question: Retrospective cohort study to assess clinical outcomes of 945 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, presenting with COVID 19, compared to a propensity matched cohort of patients without sarcoidosis.

Study Design And Methods: Analysis of a multi-center research network TriNETX was performed including patients more than 16 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Propensity-matched Analysis of a Large Research Network.

Background: Organ transplant recipients comprise an immunocompromised and vulnerable cohort. Outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients remain understudied.

Methods: We used a multicenter federated research network to compare clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with SOT to a propensity--matched cohort of patients without SOT.

Are We Overradiating Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Introduction: Protracted exposures to small doses of radiation, even cumulative effective doses (CED) as low as 50-100 mSv, may increase the risk for malignancy. Medical radiation exposure has not been rigorously examined for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We examined medical radiation exposure in patients with IBS at a tertiary care center in the USA.

Validation of the ENDPAC model: Identifying new-onset diabetics at risk of pancreatic cancer.

Background: Patients with new-onset diabetes are known to be at a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The Enriching New-Onset Diabetes for Pancreatic Cancer (ENDPAC) model was recently developed to identify new-onset diabetics with this higher risk. Further validation is needed before the ENDPAC model is implemented as part of a screening program to identify pancreatic cancer.

Opioid Use Is More Common in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients with Cirrhosis, Higher BMI, and Psychiatric Disease.

Background: Opioid use is a topic of growing concern among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Given safety concerns of opioids, proactively identifying subgroups of patients with an increased probability of opioid use may encourage practitioners to recommend alternative therapies for pain, thus reducing the likelihood of opioid misuse. This work assessed the prevalence and patient characteristics associated with opioid use in a real-world cohort of patients with NAFLD.

Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with HIV: a multicentre research network study.

Objective: We studied clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients living with HIV (PLH) in comparison to non-HIV population.

Design: Analysis of a multicentre research network TriNETX was performed including patients more than 10 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19.

Methods: Outcomes in COVID-19 positive patients with concurrent HIV (PLH) were compared with a propensity-matched cohort of patients without HIV (non-PLH).

Acute kidney injury after multiphase imaging for lesions detected on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis.

Objective: The risk difference between multiphase multidetector contrast-enhanced CT and MRI for developing acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been previously evaluated in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. We aimed to compare the rate of AKI after CT and MRI for evaluation of these lesions.

Design: A retrospective chart review of all patients with cirrhosis who underwent either multiphase multidetector liver protocol CT or MRI for lesions detected on HCC screening was conducted at West Virginia University.

Increasing Rates of Infective Endocarditis in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Introduction and aim Infective endocarditis (IE) cases are on the rise in the United States. The incidence of IE in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been reported. Utilizing a national level database, we sought to estimate the incidence of IE in IBD-related hospitalizations and to determine its outcomes.

Increased DMT1 and FPN1 expression with enhanced iron absorption in ulcerative colitis human colon.

Iron deficiency anemia is a common complication of ulcerative colitis (UC) that can profoundly impact quality of life. Most iron absorption occurs in the duodenum via divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1)-mediated uptake and ferroportin-1 (FPN1)-mediated export across the apical and basolateral membranes, respectively. However, the colon also contains iron transporters and can participate in iron absorption.

Improving bone mineral density screening in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a quality improvement report.

The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is estimated between 17% and 41%, partly due to repeat courses of glucocorticoids which enhance the risk for bone disease. Multiple gastroenterological and endocrine societies have established guidelines for bone mineral density (BMD) screening in patients with IBD, with estimates suggesting providers vary in their adherence. We aimed to improve the rate of BMD screening in patients with IBD in a large academic outpatient practice.

Independent association of obstructive sleep apnea with Barrett's esophagus.

Background And Aim: Current guidelines suggest screening at-risk groups of patients for Barrett's esophagus (BE), a precursor to esophageal cancer. Although BE and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have common risk factors, including elevated body mass index and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the relationship between these two conditions has not been well established.

Methods: Retrospectively, all patients who had undergone a polysomnography and esophagogastroduodenoscopy at West Virginia University Hospital from 2013 to 2018 were identified and divided into groups on the basis of the presence or absence of OSA.

Detection of hiatal hernias: comparison of high-resolution manometry and physician reported in an obese-predominant population.

Background: The diagnosis of a hiatal hernia (HH) can be made by barium oesophagram or upper endoscopy. Data regarding the ability of high-resolution manometry (HRM) with oesophageal pressure topography (OPT) to identify HH remains limited. We aim to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the automated localisation on high-resolution manometry compared with physician visual interpretation on the detection of HH.

Rare case of small intestine bleeding.

We present a case of a healthy 59-year-old woman who presented for a capsule endoscopy to evaluate melaena and iron deficiency anaemia. She had previously underwent an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy at an outside institution which were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy showed an ulcerated, bleeding lesion likely in the duodenum.

Recovery of cognitive function after sedation with propofol for outpatient gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Background/aim: Most endoscopies performed in the United States utilize sedation. Anesthesia provides patient comfort and improved procedural quality but adds to the complexity of scheduling routine outpatient procedures. We aimed to assess the return of cognitive function after propofol administration in patients undergoing outpatient endoscopies.

Chronic, Recreational Chloroform-Induced Liver Injury.

Historically used as an anesthetic, chloroform is a halogenated hydrocarbon that is associated with central nervous system depression, arrhythmias, and hepatotoxicity. It is no longer used clinically, but accidental and intentional poisonings still occur. We report a case of chronic chloroform abuse leading to severe hepatotoxicity in a 26-year-old male graduate student.

Small bowel angioedema from angiotensin-converting enzyme: Changes on computed tomography.

Intestinal angioedema is a rare side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. We present a 41-year-old woman with sporadic right lower quadrant abdominal pain and diarrhea with multiple computed tomography scans demonstrating enteritis. Suspicion turned to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use as the cause for the patient's illness after an extensive negative evaluation including labs, stool studies, endoscopies, and capsule endoscopy.