Rectal Indomethacin Does Not Mitigate the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome in Acute Pancreatitis: A Randomized Trial.

Introduction: Experimental data suggest that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may prevent disease severity and mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of rectal indomethacin vs placebo in reducing the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score in a high-risk AP population for clinical progression.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, quadruple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Which Patients with Mild Acute Pancreatitis Require Prolonged Hospitalization?

Objectives: In our experience, a subset of mild acute pancreatitis (AP) patients, as defined by the Revised Atlanta Classification, has longer than expected hospitalization. Our aims are to report the prevalence of patients with mild AP who have a prolonged length of stay (LOS), evaluate the etiology, thoroughly phenotype, and finally compare this subset to those with expected LOS.

Methods: Patients admitted with AP from 2003 to 2015 were prospectively enrolled into this cohort study.

The -251 A/T Polymorphism in the IL8 Promoter is a Risk Factor for Acute Pancreatitis.

Objectives: Inflammation in the setting of acute pancreatitis (AP) is partially driven by pathogen recognition receptors that recognize damage-associated molecular patterns. Interleukin (IL)-8 is a chemotactic factor produced by pathogen recognition receptor-expressing cells. A single-nucleotide polymorphism in IL8 promoter region (-251 A/T) has been implicated in inflammatory diseases.

Suboptimal Agreement Among Cytopathologists in Diagnosis of Malignancy Based on Endoscopic Ultrasound Needle Aspirates of Solid Pancreatic Lesions: A Validation Study.

Background & Aims: Despite the widespread use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) to sample pancreatic lesions and the standardization of pancreaticobiliary cytopathologic nomenclature, there are few data on inter-observer agreement among cytopathologists evaluating pancreatic cytologic specimens obtained by EUS-FNA. We developed a scoring system to assess agreement among cytopathologists in overall diagnosis and quantitative and qualitative parameters, and evaluated factors associated with agreement.

Methods: We performed a prospective study to validate results from our pilot study that demonstrated moderate to substantial inter-observer agreement among cytopathologists for the final cytologic diagnosis.

A Prospective Multicenter Study Evaluating Learning Curves and Competence in Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Among Advanced Endoscopy Trainees: The Rapid Assessment of Trainee Endoscopy Skills Study.

Background & Aims: On the basis of the Next Accreditation System, trainee assessment should occur on a continuous basis with individualized feedback. We aimed to validate endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) learning curves among advanced endoscopy trainees (AETs) by using a large national sample of training programs and to develop a centralized database that allows assessment of performance in relation to peers.

Methods: ASGE recognized training programs were invited to participate, and AETs were graded on ERCP and EUS exams by using a validated competency assessment tool that assesses technical and cognitive competence in a continuous fashion.

Comparison of FNA and fine-needle biopsy for EUS-guided sampling of suspected GI stromal tumors.

Background And Aims: Subepithelial lesions are found in about 1% of all EGD procedures, and GI stromal tumors are a type of subepithelial lesion commonly encountered. Although the majority of subepithelial lesions are benign, GI stromal tumors have malignant potential, making a definitive diagnosis important. Currently, the criterion standard for the diagnosis of GI stromal tumors is EUS-directed FNA (EUS-FNA).

Per-oral video cholangiopancreatoscopy with narrow-band imaging for the evaluation of indeterminate pancreaticobiliary disease.

Background And Aims: Cholangiopancreatoscopy for evaluating pancreaticobiliary pathology is currently limited by suboptimal optics. The aim of this study was to characterize the operating characteristics of per-oral video cholangiopancreatoscopy with narrow-band imaging (POVCP) findings in indeterminate pancreaticobiliary disease and to describe their association with neoplasia.

Methods: Data from consecutive patients undergoing POVCP for the evaluation of indeterminate pancreaticobiliary disease at a single tertiary care center were analyzed.

Interobserver agreement among cytopathologists in the evaluation of pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology specimens.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has become the standard of care in the evaluation of solid pancreatic lesions. Limited data exist on interobserver agreement (IOA) among cytopathologists in assessing solid pancreatic EUS-FNA specimens. This study aimed to evaluate IOA among cytopathologists in assessing EUS-FNA cytology specimens of solid pancreatic lesions using a novel standardized scoring system and to assess individual clinical and cytologic predictors of IOA.

Endoscopic resection is cost-effective compared with laparoscopic resection in the management of complex colon polyps: an economic analysis.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic resection (ER) is an efficacious treatment for complex colon polyps (CCPs). Many patients are referred for surgical resection because of concerns over procedural safety, incomplete polyp resection, and adenoma recurrence after ER. Efficacy data for both resection strategies are widely available, but a paucity of data exist on the cost-effectiveness of each modality.

Admission Hematocrit and Rise in Blood Urea Nitrogen at 24 h Outperform other Laboratory Markers in Predicting Persistent Organ Failure and Pancreatic Necrosis in Acute Pancreatitis: A Post Hoc Analysis of Three Large Prospective Databases.

Objectives: Predicting severe acute pancreatitis (AP) remains a challenge. The present study compares admission blood urea nitrogen (BUN), hematocrit, and creatinine, as well as changes in their levels over 24 h, aiming to determine the most accurate laboratory test for predicting persistent organ failure and pancreatic necrosis.

Methods: Clinical data of 1,612 AP patients, enrolled prospectively in three independent cohorts (University of Pittsburgh, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group), were abstracted.

Endoscopic and surgical treatment of malignant colorectal polyps: a population-based comparative study.

Background: Long-term population-based data comparing endoscopic therapy (ET) and surgery for management of malignant colorectal polyps (MCPs) are limited.

Objective: To compare colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific survival with ET and surgery.

Design And Setting: Population-based study.

Revised Atlanta and determinant-based classification: application in a prospective cohort of acute pancreatitis patients.

Objectives: Atlanta classification (Atlanta 1992) of acute pancreatitis (AP) has several limitations. Two new classification systems were recently proposed: the Atlanta reclassification (Atlanta 2012) and the determinant-based classification (DBC). The aim of our study was to: (i) determine the association between different severity categories and clinical outcomes and (ii) perform a head-to-head comparison between Atlanta 1992, Atlanta 2012, and DBC in predicting these clinical outcomes.

Genetics of acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Purpose Of Review: Acute pancreatitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis are interrelated and progressive inflammatory disorders of the pancreas with highly variable and complex susceptibility, severity and outcomes. The role of genetics in acute pancreatitis, RAP and progression to chronic pancreatitis within a new framework is needed.

Recent Findings: The first genome-wide association study in the pancreas has been published with genome-wide significance linked with noncoding variants at the PRSS1-PRSS2 locus on chromosome seven and the CLDN2 locus on the X chromosome.

Comparison of existing clinical scoring systems to predict persistent organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: It is important to identify patients with acute pancreatitis who are at risk for developing persistent organ failure early in the course of disease. Several scoring systems have been developed to predict which patients are most likely to develop persistent organ failure. We head-to-head compared the accuracy of these systems in predicting persistent organ failure, developed rules that combined these scores to optimize predictive accuracy, and validated our findings in an independent cohort.

Cardiovascular side effects of atomoxetine and its interactions with inhibitors of the cytochrome p450 system.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and adolescence. Classically, stimulants have been used in the treatment of this condition. Atomoxetine (Strattera; Eli Lilly and Company) is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), one of the first medications in the nonstimulant class of medications that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD.

Lymphotoxin-alpha contributes to lymphangiogenesis.

Lymphotoxin-α (LTα), lymphotoxin-β (LTβ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) are inflammatory mediators that play crucial roles in lymphoid organ development. We demonstrate here that LTα also contributes to the function of lymphatic vessels and to lymphangiogenesis during inflammation. LTα(-/-) mice exhibited reduced lymph flow velocities and increased interstitial fluid pressure.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis before liver transplantation does not affect patient survival.

Background & Aims: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a devastating complication of cirrhosis with high mortality. The impact of a prior episode of SBP on the outcome of liver transplantation (LT) is not well known. We aimed to determine the short- and long-term morbidity and mortality of patients who received LT, with and without a history of SBP.

Dynamic imaging of lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes using a bimodal nanoparticulate contrast agent.

Background: Evaluation of lymphedema and lymph node metastasis in humans has relied primarily on invasive or radioactive modalities. While noninvasive technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offer the potential for true three-dimensional imaging of lymphatic structures, invasive modalities, such as optical fluorescence microscopy, provide higher resolution and clearer delineation of both lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Thus, contrast agents that image lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes by both fluorescence and MRI may further enhance our understanding of the structure and function of the lymphatic system.

Lymphoid organ development: from ontogeny to neogenesis.

The development of lymphoid organs can be viewed as a continuum. At one end are the 'canonical' secondary lymphoid organs, including lymph nodes and spleen; at the other end are 'ectopic' or tertiary lymphoid organs, which are cellular accumulations arising during chronic inflammation by the process of lymphoid neogenesis. Secondary lymphoid organs are genetically 'preprogrammed' and 'prepatterned' during ontogeny, whereas tertiary lymphoid organs arise under environmental influences and are not restricted to specific developmental 'windows' or anatomic locations.

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of rifaximin in patients with abdominal bloating and flatulence.

Aims: To study the efficacy of rifaximin, a nonabsorbable antibiotic, in relieving chronic functional symptoms of bloating and flatulence.

Methods: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial consisting of three 10-day phases: baseline (phase 1), treatment with rifaximin 400 mg b.i.