Hybrid argon plasma coagulation-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection for large sessile colon polyps to reduce local recurrence: a prospective pilot study.

Background: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large, sessile colon polyps often results in incomplete resection with subsequent recurrence. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel technique, hybrid argon plasma coagulation-assisted EMR (hAPC-EMR), to remove large, sessile polyps.

Methods: 40 eligible patients underwent hAPC-EMR for the removal of one or more nonpedunculated colon polyps ≥ 20 mm.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for screening hepatocellular carcinoma: an implemented program at a semi-rural academic center.

Purpose: To describe our early experience using a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) protocol for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at a semi-rural academic medical center.

Methods: Retrospective, longitudinal study of the first 100 patients who underwent CEUS liver screening imaging over 2 years. Each patient underwent a standard of care abdominal ultrasound, which was checked with the radiologist, who searched for a focal lesion on the cine clips to target specifically with contrast.

Leukocyte profiles for western fence lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis, naturally infected by the malaria parasite Plasmodium mexicanum.

Plasmodium mexicanum is a malaria parasite that naturally infects the western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis , in northern California. We set out to determine whether lizards naturally infected with this malaria parasite have different leukocyte profiles, indicating an immune response to infection. We used 29 naturally infected western fence lizards paired with uninfected lizards based on sex, snout-to-vent length, tail status, and the presence-absence of ectoparasites such as ticks and mites, as well as the presence-absence of another hemoparasite, Schellackia occidentalis.