Computed tomography scanning in the diagnosis of lower extremity phlebolymphedema.

Objectives: Phlebolymphedema, the most common cause of secondary lymphedema in Western societies, seldom gets the attention it deserves. Diagnosis is often missed and when evaluated is through lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) which is cumbersome. This study aims to assess the role of computed tomography (CT) scanning in the diagnosis of phlebolymphedema of the lower extremities by comparing CT characteristics to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) grading system and LSG.

The Bacterial Species Behind the Wound and Their Antibacterial Resistant Pattern: A Three-Year Retrospective Study at St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana.

Background: Wound infections are often underestimated issues that can lead to chronic illnesses, and since the introduction of antibiotics, wound complications have become less common. However, due to the increased and irrational use of these antibiotics, the resistance in the bacterial isolates has become very common. This has led to reduced treatment options, delay in wound healing, and high treatment costs.

Emergency physicians perspectives of state continuing medical education requirements for medical licensure.

Objectives: This study aims to better understand the perspectives of emergency medicine physicians' on the role that state-mandated, topic-specific continuing medical education (CME) plays in addressing knowledge gaps, its relevance to current emergency practice, its reported burden and costs of CME activities to emergency physicians, and its perceived improvement in patient care.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed by the Coalition of Board-Certified Emergency Physicians (COBCEP) and distributed in February 2023 to all American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)-certified physicians. Statistical tests of significance (Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test) assessed the cost and time spent on CME as well as the perceived value placed on CME by ABEM-certified physicians to improve patient care.

Impact of native iliac vein aspect ratio on initial clinical presentation and outcomes following stenting for symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction.

Objective: Venous stenting has become the first line of treatment for patients with symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (CIVO) in whom conservative therapy has failed. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) interrogation with the use of normal minimal luminal diameters or areas has become the standard to confirm the diagnosis and determine the adequacy of stenting. However, the aspect ratio (ratio between the maximal and minimal luminal diameters) has also been put forth as a possible metric for determining stent adequacy.

Tendency of Semaglutide to Induce Gastroparesis: A Case Report.

Semaglutide, an agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, is frequently used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, although, lately, weight loss has additionally become a reason for its use. However, if a patient is already experiencing bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and discomfort in the abdomen, it is not recommended to use it due to concern about aggravating these symptoms. Although it is often well tolerated, there are occasions when it can have several gastrointestinal side effects.

Diagnosis of chronic iliac venous obstruction.

Stenting has become the first line of treatment for symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction in patients with quality-of-life-impairing clinical manifestations who have failed conservative therapy. Patient selection for such intervention is, however, dependent on clear identification of relevant clinical manifestations and subsequent testing to confirm the diagnosis. In this regard, the physician engaged in management of such patients needs to be well-aware of symptoms and signs of chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction, and instruments used to grade chronic venous insufficiency and determine quality of life, in addition to diagnostic tests available and their individual roles.

Advancements in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Literature Review.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common diseases of the liver globally. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has a complicated pathophysiology which includes lipid buildup, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and lipotoxicity. Recently, there has been tremendous improvement in understanding of NASH pathogenesis due to advancements in the scientific field.

The beneficial role of complex decongestive therapy in patients with symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction with phlebolymphedema.

Objective: Phlebolymphedema has been noted to be one of the most common causes of lymphedema in the lower extremity in western societies. Although complex decongestive therapy (CDT) represents the mainstay of lymphedema treatment, its role for phlebolymphedema arising from chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (CIVO) merits further exploration. We evaluated this through the use of a protocol of CDT first for limbs with CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) clinical C3 disease and stent correction of obstruction before CDT for those with more advanced disease (CEAP C4-C6).

Advancements and Applications of Liquid Biopsies in Oncology: A Narrative Review.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 10 million people died from cancer worldwide in 2020, making it the leading cause of mortality. Liquid biopsies, which provide non-invasive and real-time monitoring of tumor dynamics, have evolved into innovative diagnostic techniques in the field of oncology. Liquid biopsies offer important insights into tumor heterogeneity, treatment response, minimum residual disease identification, and personalized treatment of cancer through the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles, and microRNAs.

Exploring the Impact of the Gut Microbiome on Obesity and Weight Loss: A Review Article.

The global obesity pandemic has prompted efforts to search for novel intervention options, including maximizing the health benefits of certain gut microbes and their metabolic byproducts. Our increased understanding of gut microbiota can potentially lead to revolutionary advancements in weight management and general well-being. We studied the association between gut microbiota and obesity, as well as the possible benefits of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in the prevention and management of obesity in this review.

Inguinal intranodal lymphangiography reveals a high incidence of suprainguinal lymphatic disease in patients with leg edema undergoing stenting for symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction.

Objective: Recent studies have emphasized the important role lymphatics play in the drainage of interstitial fluid and edema prevention. Although the infrainguinal lymphatics have been studied in some depth, with patterns of pathology identified, such data above the groin are sparse, especially for patients with phlebolymphedema. The present study attempts to evaluate the status of lymphatic flow above the inguinal ligament in patients presenting with edema and undergoing stenting for symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (CIVO).

Microfluidic Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Biosensors As Advanced Technologies in Cancer Screening: A Review Article.

Cancer screening techniques aim to detect premalignant lesions and enable early intervention to delay the onset of cancer while keeping incidence constant. Technology advancements have led to the development of powerful tools such as microfluidic technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and electrochemical biosensors to aid in early cancer detection. Non-invasive cancer screening methods like virtual colonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography have also been developed to provide comprehensive pictures of organs and detect cancer early.

Pylephlebitis Complicated by Bacteremia: A Rare Complication Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Pylephlebitis is a rare but serious condition caused by intra-abdominal or pelvic infections that can lead to septic thrombophlebitis of the portal veins. While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered a safe and effective treatment option, it is not without its risks, and pylephlebitis following this procedure is an extremely rare occurrence. Here, we present the case of a 73-year-old male who presented with lower abdominal pain for the last two weeks.

How controlled motion alters the biophysical properties of musculoskeletal tissue architecture.

Introduction: Movement is fundamental to the normal behaviour of the hand, not only for day-to-day activity, but also for fundamental processes like development, tissue homeostasis and repair. Controlled motion is a concept that hand therapists apply to their patients daily for functional gains, yet the scientific understanding of how this works is poorly understood.

Purpose Of The Article: To review the biology of the tissues in the hand that respond to movement and provide a basic science understanding of how it can be manipulated to facilitate better functionThe review outlines the concept of controlled motion and actions across the scales of tissue architecture, highlighting the the role of movement forces in tissue development, homeostasis and repair.

Technique of stent sizing in patients with symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction-the case for intravascular ultrasound-determined inflow channel luminal area-based stenting and associated long-term outcomes.

Objective: Femoroiliocaval stenting has become the standard of care for patients with quality-of-life impairing chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction not responding to conservative measures. Although improvement after stenting has been noted in multiple large studies, sizing of stents has been subjective in nature with a general tendency to use smaller stents that would be required to relieve venous hypertension. This study evaluates the authors' technique of using the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) inflow channel luminal area to guide stent sizing.

Role of lower extremity fasciectomy plus fasciotomy for patients with persistent leg pain after stenting for chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction.

Although clinical improvement after stenting for symptomatic iliofemoral venous obstruction has been demonstrated in multiple large studies, a small proportion of patients will experience persistent quality of life-impairing symptoms. Swelling in such a setting represents the concomitant presence of lymphedema and will respond to treatment directed at the lymphedema. In contrast, persistent pain likely arises from venous hypertension in the lower leg, leading to the development of chronic compartment syndrome.

Corrigendum: The association between pregnancy-related factors and health status before and after childbirth with satisfaction with skilled delivery in multiple dimensions among postpartum mothers in the Akatsi South District, Ghana.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.