Adsorption of Monocyclic Carbon Rings on Graphene: Energetics Revealed via Continuum Modeling.

Gas-phase spectroscopic detection of tiny carbon clusters is a recent success story in the area of carbon cluster research. However, experimental production and isolation of these clusters are extremely difficult because of their high reactivity. One possibility to isolate the generated clusters would be to deposit them on graphene and to desorb them for subsequent use.

Incidence of Primary Biliary Cholangitis in a Rural Midwestern Population.

Background: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare disease with incidence that varies with time and geography. Only two studies have assessed PBC incidence in the United States, with the most recent appearing over a decade ago. The objective of the present study was to assess PBC incidence in the United States in a more recent era.

Outcomes in Dieulafoy's Lesion: A 10-Year Clinical Review.

Background: Dieulafoy's lesion (DL) is a rare, but serious cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, most frequently treated with endoscopic therapy. We examined 10 years of data to assess clinical outcomes in DL.

Methods: Data were captured by retrospective chart review to assess 109 patients treated endoscopically for bleeding DL from 2003 to 2013.

Endotherapy in symptomatic pancreas divisum: a systematic review.

Pancreas divisum (PD) is the most common congenital variant of the pancreas and has been implicated as a cause of pancreatitis; however, endoscopic treatment is controversial. Our objective was to examine patient response to endotherapy for treatment of symptomatic PD in adult patients in a systematic review of the literature. A systematic review of all case series and case-control studies with ten or more patients undergoing endotherapy for treatment of symptomatic PD indicated by acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), chronic pancreatitis (CP), or chronic abdominal pain (CAP) was performed.

Urosdeoxycholic acid in primary sclerosing cholangitis: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background And Study Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease with no proven effective medical therapy. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was proposed as a potential treatment for this disorder. However, several randomised controlled trials reported conflicting results regarding the usefulness of UDCA.

Pancreatic stents for prophylaxis against post-ERCP pancreatitis: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common complication of ERCP. Several randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the use of pancreatic stents in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis with varying results.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to assess the role of prophylactic pancreatic stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Statin use does not prevent recurrent adenomatous polyp formation in a VA population.

Purpose: To evaluate whether statin use was associated with recurrent adenomatous polyps.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study. We used electronic health records to evaluate veterans who underwent polypectomy between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2001 and surveillance colonoscopy by December 2006.

Mechanism of interferon-gamma-induced increase in T84 intestinal epithelial tight junction.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an important proinflammatory cytokine that plays a central role in the intestinal inflammatory process of inflammatory bowel disease. IFN-gamma induced disturbance of the intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier has been postulated to be an important mechanism contributing to intestinal inflammation. The intracellular mechanisms that mediate the IFN-gamma induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability remain unclear.

Prophylactic antibiotics in necrotizing pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Prophylactic antibiotics have been used in acute necrotizing pancreatitis with mixed results. This meta-analysis analyzes the effects of prophylactic antibiotics in necrotizing pancreatitis.

Methods: Multiple databases and abstracts were searched for randomized trials comparing treatment with prophylactic antibiotics to treatment without prophylactic antibiotics in necrotizing pancreatitis.

Role of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis.

Background: The role of prophylactic antibiotics in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in low-risk patients is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in low-risk patients (those without cholelithiasis or cholangitis) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Multiple databases and abstracts were searched.

Early versus delayed feeding after placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Traditionally, tube feedings have been delayed after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement to the next day and up to 24 h postprocedure. However, results from various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate earlier feeding may be an option. We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the effect of early feedings (< or = 4 h) after PEG placement.

Effect of music on patients undergoing colonoscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: Music has been utilized as a therapeutic tool during colonoscopy, but various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the effect of music on patients undergoing colonoscopy.

Patients And Methods: Multiple medical databases were searched (12/06).

Role of the JNK signal transduction pathway in inflammatory bowel disease.

The c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase (JNK) pathway represents one sub-group of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases which plays an important role in various inflammatory diseases states, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Significant progress towards understanding the function of the JNK signaling pathway has been achieved during the past few years. Blockade of the JNK pathway with JNK inhibitors in animal models of IBD lead to resolution of intestinal inflammation.