Effectiveness of Gabapentin as a Benzodiazepine-Sparing Agent in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.

Gabapentin has shown promise as a potential agent for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin as a benzodiazepine-sparing agent in patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal treatment in all the hospitals of a large tertiary healthcare system. Medical records of patients admitted to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal management between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2022 were reviewed.

Comparison of the perioperative outcomes of using the Firefly system with indocyanine green during robotic-assisted cystectomy with urinary diversion.

Introduction: Use of indocyanine green (ICG) with near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) has been demonstrated to be an effective tool for intraoperative assessment of bowel and ureteric vascularity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ICG on postsurgical outcomes such as anastomotic bowel leak and uretero-enteric stricture formation during robot-assisted cystectomy (RAC) and intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD).

Methods: We identified 238 patients who underwent RAC at the University of Louisville between September 2012 and August 2021.

Identify risk factors for perioperative outcomes in Intracorporeal Urinary Diversion and Extracorporeal Urinary Diversion with Robotic Cystectomy.

Introduction: The increasing adoption of robotic-assisted cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD), despite its complexity, prompts a detailed comparison with extracorporeal urinary diversion (ECUD). Our study at a single institution investigates perioperative outcomes and identifies risk factors impacting the success of these surgical approaches.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 174 patients who underwent robotic-assisted cystectomy at the University of Louisville from June 2016 to August 2021 were reviewed.

Management of an obstructing calculus in an anticoagulated patient with a ureteral hernia.

Introduction: Ureteral hernias are a rare urologic occurrence and can complicate otherwise straightforward management of commonly encountered urologic emergencies.

Methods: We review the incidence and identification of ureteroinguinal hernias and present a novel and easily reproducible technique using a modified bander stent to decompress the upper tracts.

Results: The technique allowed for decompression of the upper tract secondary to an obstructing stone in a ureteral hernia.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye using eco-friendly synthesized rGO@ZnO nanocomposites.

Industrial chemical pollutants such as methylene blue (MB) dye are released into the water body and potentially cause harm to the human and aquatic biosphere. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize eco-friendly nanocatalysts, i.e.

Technique and outcomes of robotic-assisted retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy.

Background: Robotic retroperitoneal partial nephrectomy (rRPN) has numerous advantages over transperitoneal surgery, including direct access to the renal hilum and posterior tumors, and avoidance of the peritoneal cavity in patients with a hostile abdomen. Although the use of the retroperitoneal approach has increased over the last decade, there is little literature on robotic retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy (rRRN), which has similar benefits over the transperitoneal approach. The aim of this study was to describe our technique for robotic retroperitoneal nephrectomy (rRN) and assess its feasibility and outcomes at a high-volume center.

Identification of Medication-Related Risks in Bariatric Surgery Patients by Performing Structured Medication Reviews.

Purpose: More medication-related issues are seen with the growing demand for bariatric surgery, because of possible altered pharmacokinetics after surgery. Collaboration with a pharmacist could improve the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a structured medication review to identify medication-related risks before bariatric surgery.

Immediate gemcitabine bladder instillation following bladder closure during robotic-assisted radical nephroureterectomy: a multi-institutional report of feasibility and initial outcomes.

Background: Bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is common and randomized data supports utilization of prophylactic intravesical mitomycin to reduce recurrence. Recently, gemcitabine has been shown to be safe and effective at reducing recurrence following transurethral resection of bladder tumors. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single, intraoperative gemcitabine instillation immediately following bladder cuff closure during RNU, and to compare outcomes with non-gemcitabine intravesical chemotherapy agents.

Forecasting the Potential Effects of Climate Change on Malaria in the Lake Victoria Basin Using Regionalized Climate Projections.

Background: Malaria epidemics are increasing in East Africa since the 1980s, coincident with rising temperature and widening climate variability. A projected 1-3.5 °C rise in average global temperatures by 2100 could exacerbate the epidemics by modifying disease transmission thresholds.

Prospective Comparison of Opioid Nonopioid Pain Regimen After Ureteroscopy.

We wanted to evaluate two new treatment phases within our practice, including a nonopioid pathway, to determine the effect on opioid usage, health care utilization, and pain following ureteroscopy. Patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy were enrolled in a study utilizing text messaging to evaluate postoperative pain and opioid usage. Our historical postoperative pain regimen included #30 oxycodone.

30-Day Morbidity and Mortality of Bariatric Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Multinational Cohort Study of 7704 Patients from 42 Countries.

Background: There are data on the safety of cancer surgery and the efficacy of preventive strategies on the prevention of postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 in these patients. But there is little such data for any elective surgery. The main objectives of this study were to examine the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to determine the efficacy of perioperative COVID-19 protective strategies on postoperative symptomatic COVID-19 rates.

Mental health disorders among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey from three major hospitals in Kenya.

Background: COVID-19 is an international global health emergency and has posed a great challenge to mental well-being and resilience. Little is known about the mental health impact of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) in sub-Saharan Africa or other low-resource settings.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between August and November 2020 among HCWs recruited from three major hospitals in Kenya.

UVB damage response of dermal stem cells as melanocyte precursors compared to keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts from human foreskin.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces mutagenic DNA photolesions in skin cells especially in form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Protection mechanisms as DNA repair and apoptosis are of great importance in order to prevent skin carcinogenesis. In human skin, neural crest-derived precursors of melanocytes, the dermal stem cells (DSCs), are discussed to be at the origin of melanoma.

Production, Optimization, and Characterization of an Acid Protease from a Filamentous Fungus by Solid-State Fermentation.

Acid proteases represent an important group of enzymes, extensively used in food and beverage industries. There is an increased demand for acid proteases adapting to the industrial extreme environment, especially lower pH. Thus, this necessitates the search for a better acid protease from fungi that best performs in industrial conditions.

Radical Approaches During Unusual Circumstances: Intellectual Property Regulation and the COVID-19 Dilemma.

The current outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic traces its roots back many decades and is worsened by a number of ill-conceived strategies and policies. The current patent protection regime and its suitability in dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic need to be questioned. Strengthened intellectual property protection manifested by the rise of TRIPS-Plus standards is having a negative impact on the affordability and accessibility of medicines.

The Forgotten Element in the Resumption of Elective Bariatric Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic: the Patient Consent!

Safety comes first, and the sympathy with the postponed bariatric patients should not come at the expense of the proper standard of care. This study presents a survey of 266 bariatric candidates who were rescheduled for bariatric surgery after postponement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to assess their knowledge and expectations regarding bariatric surgery and the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Microengineered 3D pulmonary interstitial mimetics highlight a critical role for matrix degradation in myofibroblast differentiation.

Fibrosis, characterized by aberrant tissue scarring from activated myofibroblasts, is often untreatable. Although the extracellular matrix becomes increasingly stiff and fibrous during disease progression, how these physical cues affect myofibroblast differentiation in 3D is poorly understood. Here, we describe a multicomponent hydrogel that recapitulates the 3D fibrous structure of interstitial tissue regions where idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) initiates.

Morphologically and physiologically diverse fruits of two Lepidium species differ in allocation of glucosinolates into immature and mature seed and pericarp.

The morphology and physiology of diaspores play crucial roles in determining the fate of seeds in unpredictable habitats. In some genera of the Brassicaceae different types of diaspores can be found. Lepidium appelianum produces non-dormant seeds within indehiscent fruits while in L.

Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome: Two Case Reports of the Forgotten Diagnosis After Bariatric Surgery.

Unexplained abdominal pain is an increasing phenomenon after laparoscopic bariatric surgery, with an occurrence of 7.4%. The pain could be explained by the anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES).

Hernio-abdominoplasty with or without Scarpa's Fascia Preservation for Ventral Hernia and Abdominal Wall Deformity.

Unlabelled: Scarpa's fascia preservation plays a great role in decreasing the volume of wound drainage and reducing seroma after abdominoplasty. This study aimed to assess the role of Scarpa's fascia preservation in patients with ventral hernias associated with abdominal wall deformity who underwent concomitant hernio-abdominoplasty in terms of early and late postoperative outcome and quality of life.

Methods: Patients with ventral hernia and abdominal wall deformity underwent combined hernio-abdominoplasty.

Outcome and Adverse Events of Endoscopic Bariatric Stents for Management of Leakage after Bariatric Surgery.

Introduction: Bariatric leakage (BL) is a serious complication with a variety in available treatment options. Endoscopic stenting is preferred because of its minimally invasive nature in morbidly obese patients. Various modifications have been applied to stents since its use in palliation of malignant strictures.

Randomized Controlled Trial on Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Saline Dressing in Treatment of Non-healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Background: This randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel as a treatment of clean non-healing diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in comparison with regular dressing with saline as a control.

Methods: Patients with DFU were randomly assigned to one of two equal groups: group I received dressing with PRP gel and group II received regular saline dressing. The main outcomes of the study were percent reduction in the dimensions of the DFU, healing of DFU, and complications at 20 weeks of follow-up.

Mobility Problems and Weight Regain by Misdiagnosed Lipoedema After Bariatric Surgery: Illustrating the Medical and Legal Aspects.

Lipoedema is a progressive disorder that is characterized by an abnormal distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue, which results in a disproportion between the extremities and the trunk. This vascular/dermatological disease might have a detrimental impact on psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life. In this article, we report on a patient with morbid obesity that had a Roux en-Y Gastric bypass with sufficient weight loss.