Moving towards health promoting schools: effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve knowledge, attitude and beliefs regarding heart attack, and CPR knowledge in high school students in Lebanon.

Background: Health promoting schools (HPS) prioritize the health of students and community. One important target of HPS is noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including prevention of heart attacks, due to their burden on healthcare.

Objective: This study assesses the effectiveness of an educational intervention to promote knowledge of signs and symptoms, beliefs and attitudes towards heart attack, and promote knowledge of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Outcomes of Phacoemulsification With or Without Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy for Glaucoma Patients With Cataract.

Prcis: This meta-analysis examines the comparative efficacy of phacoemulsification with and without Kahook Dual Blade Goniotomy in individuals with glaucoma and cataract, aiming to elucidate optimal surgical approaches for coexisting conditions.

Purpose: The purpose of this current study is to compare the effect of combining Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy with phacoemulsification versus phacoemulsification alone on intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication reduction in patients with glaucoma and cataract.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis utilizing computer databases, including Embase (OVID), MEDLINE (OVID and PubMed), CINHAL (EBSCO), and the Cochrane Library (Wiley).

Association between Cannabis Use Disorder and Self- and Other-Directed Aggression.

Cannabis is the most widely used drug worldwide. Data about the association of cannabis use with aggression is heterogeneous. The objective of the current study was to assess the nature of the association between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and self-directed, other-directed, and combined aggression.

The TEMPO Trial at 5 Years: Transoral Fundoplication (TIF 2.0) Is Safe, Durable, and Cost-effective.

Background: Questions remain about the therapeutic durability of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF). In this study, clinical outcomes were evaluated at 5 years post-TIF 2.0.

Efficacy of transoral fundoplication vs omeprazole for treatment of regurgitation in a randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Transoral esophagogastric fundoplication (TF) can decrease or eliminate features of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in some patients whose symptoms persist despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. We performed a prospective, sham-controlled trial to determine if TF reduced troublesome regurgitation to a greater extent than PPIs in patients with GERD.

Methods: We screened 696 patients with troublesome regurgitation despite daily PPI use with 3 validated GERD-specific symptom scales, on and off PPIs.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication: 2-year results from the prospective multicenter U.S. study.

The aim of this study was to assess prospectively 2-year outcomes of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) in a multicenter setting. A 14-center U.S.

Efficacy of transoral fundoplication for treatment of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease incompletely controlled with high-dose proton-pump inhibitors therapy: a randomized, multicenter, open label, crossover study.

Background: The aim of this randomized, crossover study was to determine if transoral fundoplication (TF) could further improve clinical outcomes in partial responders to high-dose (HD) proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and to evaluate durability of TF.

Methods: In seven United States centers, patients with hiatal hernia ≤ 2 cm and abnormal esophageal acid exposure (EAE) were randomized to TF (n = 40) or HD PPIs (n = 23) group. At 6-month follow-up, PPI patients underwent crossover.

Univariate and multivariate analyses of preoperative factors influencing symptomatic outcomes of transoral fundoplication.

Background: Preoperative factors predicting symptomatic improvement after transoral fundoplication (TF) in chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with persistent symptoms on proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) therapy have not been elucidated fully.

Methods: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on data from 158 consecutive patients who underwent TF with the EsophyX device between January 2010 and June 2012 in 14 community centers. Variables included age, gender, body mass index, GERD duration, PPIs therapy duration, presence of hiatal hernia, esophagitis, Hill grade, quality of life scores (QOL) on PPIs, % total time pH < 4, and DeMeester score on reflux testing off PPIs.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication effective in eliminating GERD symptoms in partial responders to proton pump inhibitor therapy at 6 months: the TEMPO Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Incomplete control of troublesome regurgitation and extraesophageal manifestations of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a known limitation of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. This multicenter randomized study compared the efficacy of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) against PPIs in controlling these symptoms in patients with small hiatal hernias.

Methods: Between June and August 2012, 63 patients were randomized at 7 US community hospitals.

A prospective multicenter registry of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease receiving transoral incisionless fundoplication.

Background: This study was undertaken to validate previously reported safety and symptomatic outcomes of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), evaluate the relative benefit of TIF within different gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) subgroups, and to determine predictors of success in community settings.

Study Design: Between January 2010 and February 2011, 100 consecutive patients who underwent TIF procedures at 10 centers were enrolled in this prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm study. Symptom improvement and objective outcomes of TIF were analyzed at 6-month follow-up.

Long-term outcomes after transoral incisionless fundoplication in patients with GERD and LPR symptoms.

Background: A retrospective study evaluated safety, symptom resolution, patient satisfaction, and medication use 1-2 years after transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and/or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with a confirmed diagnosis of GERD symptoms that were inadequately controlled by antisecretory medications, and who where either dissatisfied with their current therapy or not willing to continue taking medication, underwent TIF using EsophyX at our community-based hospital. Follow-up assessments were completed in 28 patients.

Structural study of the Li(0.5)Na(0.5)MnFe2(PO4)3 and Li(0.75)Na(0.25)MnFe2(PO4)3 alluaudite phases and their electrochemical properties as positive electrodes in lithium batteries.

The alluaudite lithiated phases Li(0.5)Na(0.5)MnFe(2)(PO(4))(3) and Li(0.

Endoscopic axillary exploration and sentinel lymphadenectomy.

Background: Minimally invasive approaches have changed the practice of surgery in several specialties. The purpose of this study was to develop a reproducible endoscopic technique for the evaluation of the axilla in breast cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 23 patients with biopsy-proven breast carcinoma were enrolled.

Comparison of acid reduction in antiulcer operations.

Background: Three acid-reducing operations have recently been described for the laparoscopic treatment of peptic ulcer disease. These consist of a posterior truncal vagotomy combined with either (1) an anterior seromyotomy (SERO), (2) an anterior highly selective vagotomy (AHSV), or (3) a linear stapled lesser curvature excision (STAP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiologic effects of these procedures in terms of basal and maximal acid outputs.

The protective effect of vein cuffed anastomoses is not mechanical in origin.

Purpose: Intimal hyperplasia (IH) is a proliferative process of vascular smooth muscle cells that occurs after an arterial injury, particularly at outflow anastomoses of prosthetic bypass grafts. IH causes stenosis that leads ultimately to graft flow reduction and thrombosis. We have demonstrated previously that vein cuff interposition between an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) graft and artery at distal anastomoses diminished IH formation in the arterial outflow as compared with noncuffed anastomoses.

Capsaicin-sensitive nerves mediate esophageal mucosal protection.

The esophageal mucosa is exposed to damaging agents both by ingestion and reflux. Using our in vivo rabbit model of esophagitis, we have observed that acute luminal exposure (within 1 to 5 minutes) to potentially harmful agents, such as acid, bile, or ethanol, induces a rapid increase in mucosal blood flow; whereas prolonged exposure (10 to 60 minutes) results in mucosal injury and ablation of blood flow. We have also shown that capsaicin-sensitive mucosal afferent nerves can modulate esophageal blood flow.

Advantages of handsewn over stapled bowel anastomosis.

Bowel anastomoses are conventionally performed using a handsewn technique or a stapling device. Each has potential benefits and disadvantages. The most clinically significant complications of the bowel anastomosis are anastomotic leakage and stricture formation.