Safety, Efficacy, and Technical Details of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography After Irreversible Electroporation for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Patients undergoing irreversible electroporation (IRE) for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) may experience biliary obstruction owing to inflammation generated by tumor ablation. This study assessed the safety, efficacy, and technical details of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary decompression after IRE.

Methods: A single-institution database of patients undergoing IRE for LAPC between 2012 and 2017 was queried for patients requiring post-IRE ERCP.

Predictive risk factors associated with cholangitis following ERCP.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stent placement is used for the management of many pancreaticobiliary disorders. It is generally safe with a few short-term complications. The risk factors for the development of post-ERCP cholangitis due to stent occlusion have not been previously described.

Assessing the value of endoscopic ultrasound in predicting symptom severity and long-term clinical course in chronic pancreatitis.

Background: To date, no studies have evaluated the correlation between number of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) criteria met for chronic pancreatitis (CP) and symptom severity over the course of the disease. This study assessed the relationship between number of EUS-based diagnostic criteria for CP and CP severity over time.

Methods: A University of Louisville database was queried for patients undergoing EUS due to concern for chronic pancreatitis between 2005 and 2016.

Comparative Efficacy of Bilateral Thoracoscopic Splanchnicectomy for Intractable Pain Secondary to Pancreatic Cancer vs Chronic Pancreatitis.

Background: Splanchnicectomy has been evaluated for treatment of chronic pain in both pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis patients, although its efficacy has not been compared in these 2 patient populations. This study aimed to compare bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in treatment of abdominal pain secondary with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis.

Study Design: A University of Louisville database was evaluated from July 1998 to March 2016 for patients undergoing bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for intractable pain secondary to pancreatic cancer (n = 48) or chronic pancreatitis (n = 75).

Endoscopic management of acute pancreatitis.

Patients presenting with acute pancreatitis can be complex on different levels. Having a multifaceted approach to these patients is often necessary with radiographic, endoscopic, and surgical modalities all working to benefit the patient. Major surgical intervention can often be avoided or augmented by therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopic maneuvers.

The microbiology of secondary and postoperative pancreatic infections: implications for antimicrobial management.

Hypothesis: We reviewed our experience with secondary pancreatic infections with a focus on preemptive intervention and the potential alteration of the recovered microbial flora. The pathogens associated with postoperative pancreatic infections were analyzed with respect to nonenteric organisms, if any, that were recovered. We hypothesized that our findings might alter the antimicrobial management of these patients.

Effects of 8-chlorodeoxyadenosine on DNA synthesis by the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I.

8-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (8-Cl-dAdo) was incorporated into synthetic DNA oligonucleotides to determine its effects on DNA synthesis by the 3'-5' exonuclease-free Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA Polymerase I (KF-). Single nucleotide insertion experiments were used to determine the coding potential of 8-Cl-dAdo in a DNA template. KF- inserted TTP opposite 8-Cl-dAdo in the template, but with decreased efficiency relative to natural deoxyadenosine.