Gut-brain axis: altered microbiome and depression - review.

The concept of a 'gut-brain axis' was recently developed when the complex communications between the brain and the gut became evident. The interaction may affect emotions, motivation, mood, and higher cognitive functions as well as gut homeostasis. Human microbe symbiosis's merits are now acknowledged to transcend human mental health.

Interaction between Age and Primary Site on Survival Outcomes in Primary GI Melanoma over the Past Decade.

Background: Primary malignant melanomas of the Gastrointestinal mucosa are uncommon. Most cases of gastrointestinal (GI) melanomas are secondary, arising from metastasis at distant sites. The purpose of this study is to assess to what extent the interaction between independent prognostic factors (age and tumor site) of primary GI melanoma influence survival.

Primary Cardiac Sarcoma: Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors over the Past 2 Decades.

Background: Primary cardiac sarcomas (PCS) are extremely rare malignant tumors involving the heart. Only isolated case reports have been described in the literature over different periods of time. This pathology has been associated with a dismal prognosis and given its rarity; treatment options are very limited.

Association between Multiple Myeloma and Ulcerative Colitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background And Aims: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia that is common among patients with autoimmune diseases. However, the association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and multiple myeloma (MM) is yet to be established. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MM among patients with UC in the United States.

Underrepresentation of Women in Late-Breaking Cardiovascular Clinical Trials.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality for women and men. Prior studies have demonstrated the underrepresentation of women in published clinical trials, but no study to date has assessed inclusion of women in late-breaking clinical trials (LBCTs) presented at national meetings. The objective is to characterize the inclusion of women participants in LBCT presented at the 2021 American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual meetings and identify trial characteristics associated with improved inclusion.

Impact of sex and comorbid diabetes on hospitalization outcomes in acute pancreatitis: A large United States population-based study.

Backgrounds: Data on the association between comorbid diabetes mellitus (DM) and acute pancreatitis (AP) remains limited. Utilizing a large, nationwide database, we aimed to examine the impact of comorbid diabetes mellitus on patients admitted for acute pancreatitis.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of adult patients with AP utilizing the National Inpatient Sample from 2015-2018, using ICD-10 codes.

The overall quality of evidence of recommendations surrounding nutrition and diet in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background And Aim: Recently, there has been an increased focus on the role nutrition and diet play in maintaining health in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess the overall quality, strength, and transparency of conflicts among guidelines on nutrition/diet in IBD.

Methods: A systematic search was performed on multiple databases from inception until January 1, 2021, to identify guidelines pertaining to nutrition or diet in IBD.

Benefit and risk evaluation of quinapril hydrochloride.

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a mainstay of antihypertensive therapy. Quinapril hydrochloride, a less commonly used, and less-studied ACE inhibitor has been approved for its primary use in hypertension. Studies also indicate its off-label use for congestive heart failure and diabetic nephropathy.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences in breast cancer surgery performed and delayed treatment: mediating impact on mortality.

Objective: Although Socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, surgical type, and treatment delays are associated with breast cancer mortality outcomes, studies on these associations have been contrasting. This study examined the racial/ethnic and SES differences in surgical treatment types and treatment delays. Also, we quantified the extent to which these differences explained the racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer mortality.

WITHDRAWN: Non-Anti-TNF Biologics as Salvage Therapy for Refractory Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis, A Systematic Review.

Unlabelled: Since the authors are not responding to the editor’s requests to fulfill the editorial requirement, therefore, the article has been withdrawn. Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.

Health Maintenance and Preventative Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of the Overall Quality of Societal Recommendations.

Background Aims: Preventative care plays an important role in maintaining health in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess the overall quality, strength, and transparency of conflicts among guidelines on preventative care in IBD.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in multiple databases to identify all guidelines pertaining to preventative care in IBD in April 2021.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Does Not Increase Bleeding Risk in Percutaneous Gastrostomy Tube Placement: Network Meta-Analysis.

Background/objective: Gastrostomy tube (G tube) is a commonly performed procedure for nutritional support. Current guidelines recommend discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) prior to G tube placement to reduce bleeding risk.

Aims: We aim to compare bleeding risk in single, dual and no antiplatelet therapy during G tube placement.

Epidemiologic risk factors for patients admitted with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in the United States.

Background: Epidemiological studies of chronic pancreatitis (CP) and its association with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are limited. Understanding demographic and ethno-racial factors may help identify patients at the highest risk for CP and PDAC.

Aim: To evaluate the ethno-racial risk factors for CP and its association with PDAC.

The role and timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in acute biliary pancreatitis without cholangitis: A nationwide analysis.

Background/purpose: The role and optimal timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in acute biliary pancreatitis without cholangitis (ABPwoC) remains unclear. Using a large national database, we aimed to examine hospitalization outcomes of patients with ABPwoC as a function of the performance and timing of ERCP.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of adult patients with ABPwoC utilizing the National Inpatient Sample from 2016-2017.

Comparison of Artificial Intelligence With Other Interventions to Improve Adenoma Detection Rate for Colonoscopy: A Network Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analysis have demonstrated improved adenoma detection rate (ADR) for colonoscopy with artificial intelligence (AI) compared with high-definition (HD) colonoscopy without AI. We aimed to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of all RCTs to assess the impact of AI compared with other endoscopic interventions aimed at increasing ADR such as distal attachment devices, dye-based/virtual chromoendoscopy, water-based techniques, and balloon-assisted devices.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane was performed through May 6, 2022, to include RCTs comparing ADR for any endoscopic intervention mentioned above.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Elastography and Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Ultrasound-based transient elastography (TE) is a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy for the staging of hepatic fibrosis due to various chronic liver diseases. This meta-analysis aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of TE for detecting liver cirrhosis (F4) and severe fibrosis (F3) in patients with chronic liver diseases, in comparison to the gold standard liver biopsy.

Methods: A systematic search was performed using PubMed search engine following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines from inception to May 2021.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in COVID-19 Patients: A Propensity Score Analysis.

Revised guidelines clarify indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Limited data exist to compare clinical outcomes of COVID-19 ARDS patients to non-COVID-19-related ARDS patients when supported with ECMO. An observational propensity-matched study was performed to compare clinical and ECMO-related complications between COVID-19-related ARDS patients (COVID) and non-COVID-19-related ARDS (Control).

Erythromycin Improves the Quality of Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Background/aim: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) usually requires esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for diagnostic and-potentially-therapeutic purposes. However, blood within the gastric lumen may hinder the procedure. Administration of prokinetics like erythromycin has shown efficacy.

A Rare Case of Anemia Secondary to Lice Infestation.

Lice are parasitic infections that can infect humans and survive by consuming host blood. They are most commonly associated with a lack of hygiene and occur most commonly in school-age children, homeless populations, and densely populated areas. Lice infections can potentially lead to vector-containing illness and are rarely complicated by acute blood loss anemia.

A Rare Case of Junctional Bradycardia Secondary to Oral Phenytoin.

Phenytoin is a commonly used anti-seizure agent, which stabilizes neuronal membranes by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels to inhibit the propagation of action potentials during convulsions. However, phenytoin has also been shown to have antiarrhythmic effects as it can prolong the effective refractory period of ventricular pacemaker cells. Adverse cardiac effects such as junctional bradycardia are usually seen with intravenous use.

A Case Report of Premalignant Plasma Cell Dyscrasia-Induced Renal Failure in a 31-Year-Old Female.

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a rare disorder in which monoclonal immunoglobulin secreted by nonmalignant B cell or plasma cell clone causes kidney damage. Although MGRS is a premalignant condition, it can cause severe kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at any age. Herein, we present a 31-year-old female with past medical history of lupus nephritis who presented with signs of volume overload and worsening renal function despite adequate immunosuppressive therapy.

Quality measures in endoscopy: A systematic analysis of the overall scientific level of evidence and conflicts of interest.

Quality measures were established to develop standards to help assess quality of care, yet variation in endoscopy exists. We performed a systematic review to assess the overall quality of evidence cited in formulating quality measures in endoscopy. A systematic search was performed on multiple databases from inception until November 15, 2020, to examine the quality measures proposed by all major societies.

A Case Report of DVT following the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine against the Novel SARS-CoV-2.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot typically in the deep veins of the extremities. The risk factors for venous thrombosis are primarily related to hypercoagulability, which can be genetic, acquired, or due to immobilization and venous stasis. The Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine developed against the novel SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to more specific cases of thrombosis, associated with low platelet levels similar to that seen in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Management of Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia During COVID-19 Hospitalization: A Teaching Case.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the dysregulated production and uncontrolled proliferation of mature and maturing granulocytes. CML has the potential to cause secondary immunodeficiency in affected patients. COVID-19 infection has been associated with worse outcomes in immunocompromised patients, including patients with hematologic cancers, requiring hospitalization.

A Rare Case of Dose-Dependent Losartan-Induced Angioedema.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) have long been associated with angioedema and cough. These complications are thought to be related to an increase in bradykinin levels. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan, however, are not known to increase bradykinin levels and, therefore, this complication is not as widely recognized.