Intragastric balloon to treat obesity. An old friend with new horizons. About The first Spanish device (Stella®).

We present the Clinical Trial results of the first Spanish intragastric balloon manufactured: the Stella® balloon (SwanMedical, Barcelona). As a peculiarity, it has a double lumen in the introducer system. The first one is intended for the passage of a guidewire to insert the balloon quickly and safely, which also requires prior gastroscopy.

Risk factors for post-operative VTE following colorectal surgery: Is caprini score enough?

Background: Post-operative colorectal venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates range between 1 and 3%. Often, surgeons utilize risk assessment models, like the modified Caprini, to determine need for prophylaxis. However, studies reveal additional unaccounted risk factors like preoperative serum albumin level, perioperative blood transfusion, emergency surgery, and preoperative steroid use.

Immune checkpoint blockade in hematological malignancies: current state and future potential.

Malignant cells are known to evade immune surveillance by engaging immune checkpoints which are negative regulators of the immune system. By restoring the T-lymphocyte mediated anti-tumor effect, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of solid tumors but have met rather modest success in hematological malignancies. Currently, the only FDA approved indications for ICI therapy are in classic hodgkin lymphoma and primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma.

Sex differences in time course and diagnostic accuracy of GFAP and UCH-L1 in trauma patients with mild traumatic brain injury.

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1) have been FDA-approved for clinical use in mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Understanding sex differences in their diagnostic accuracy over time will help inform clinical practice. We sought to evaluate the sex differences in the temporal profile of GFAP and UCH-L1 in a large cohort of trauma patients presenting to the emergency department.

Temporal Dynamics of Nasopharyngeal and Tracheal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Cycle Thresholds in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients With Tracheostomy.

In this study of 45 patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheostomy, nasopharyngeal and tracheal cycle threshold (Ct) values were analyzed. Ct values rose to 37.9 by the time of tracheostomy and remained >35 postoperatively, demonstrating that persistent test positivity may not be associated with persistent transmissible virus in this population.

Perspectives on inadequate preparation and training priorities for physicians working with sexual minority youth.

Objectives: To understand pediatric and family medicine residents' and practitioners' perceived ability to work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) youth, assessment of their prior educational experiences, and recommendations for medical training to better prepare physicians to provide quality care to this population.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 24 pediatric/family medicine residents (n=20) and practicing physicians (n=4) in the U.S.

Adherence to National Consensus Guidelines and Association with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Candidemia.

Background: National consensus guidelines outline recommendations for best practices in treating patients with candidemia. This study evaluated the impact of receiving care adherent to the best practice recommendations on clinical outcomes in patients with candidemia.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study included patients with candidemia from 2010 to 2015 at 9 hospitals.

Thromboelastography Use in the Acute Young Trauma Patient: Early Experience of Two Level One Trauma Centers.

Background: Thromboelastography (TEG) point-of-care systems allow for analysis of the sum of platelet function, coagulation proteases and inhibitors, and the fibrinolytic system within 30 minutes. This allows a clinician to guide transfusion more precisely with an appropriate type of blood product. Literature has supported that TEG-guided resuscitation had lower mortality compared to standardized 1:1:1 (red blood cells (RBC), fresh-frozen plasma (FFP), and platelets) massive transfusion protocol (MTP) in penetrating trauma patients, but data has been sparse in examining the young trauma patient.

Factors Affecting Urinary Retention in Critically Ill Trauma Patients.

The objective of this retrospective study was to gain a better understanding of patient and care factors that may contribute to urinary retention in critically ill trauma patients. Fifty trauma patients over a 1-year period with an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code for urinary retention were identified and analyzed. Most patients had an indwelling urinary catheter placed on admission, and it was reinserted in 39 patients.