Recommendations for the Operation of Endoscopy Centers in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic - World Endoscopy Organization guidance document.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent causing the disease Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19), resulting in a worldwide pandemic. Non-emergent endoscopy services have been disrupted as incidence and hospitalizations were rising. It is anticipated that the peak incidence may be leveling off in many parts of the world, but there is a concern for resurgence of the virus activity.

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Critically Ill Cancer Patients Admitted to Korean Intensive Care Units.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of critically ill cancer patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Korea.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that analyzed prospective collected data from the Validation of Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS3) in Korean ICU (VSKI) study, which is a nationwide, multicenter, and prospective study that considered 5,063 patients from 22 ICUs in Korea over a period of 7 months. Among them, patients older than 18 years of age who were diagnosed with solid or hematologic malignancies prior to admission to the ICU were included in the present study.

Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy is Associated with Improved Survival for Patients with Resected Gallbladder Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The impact of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART) on survival from gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains underexplored, with conflicting results reported. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to clarify the impact of ART in GBC.

Methods: A systematic literature search of several databases was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, from inception to August 2016.

Comparative Outcomes of Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy Using Midline Incision or Low Transverse Incision for Hand-assisted Port Placement.

Objectives: Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is performed in many centers for donor nephrectomy. A midline incision for hand-assisted port placement is generally used but produces an unsightly scar. In this study, patients who had hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy with low transverse incision were compared with those who received a midline incision.

Imago Mundi, Imago AD, Imago ADNI.

Since the launch in 2003 of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) in the USA, ever growing, similarly oriented consortia have been organized and assembled around the world. The various accomplishments of ADNI have contributed substantially to a better understanding of the underlying physiopathology of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These accomplishments are basically predicated in the trinity of multimodality, standardization and sharing.

The search for the ideal thin skin flap: superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap--a review of 210 cases.

Background: The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap is a thin skin flap that can be harvested reliably and quickly from the groin. It is ideal for single-stage resurfacing of cutaneous defects. The donor site heals well and is easily concealed.

Markers of poor outcome in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Purpose: This study described the acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) population and identified potential modifiable markers of outcome.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter study was performed in 22 intensive care units (ICUs). The clinical outcomes of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were compared to the outcomes in patients with non-ARDS AHRF, and a propensity score matched analysis was performed.

Body mass index and mortality in Korean intensive care units: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: The level of body mass index (BMI) that is associated with the lowest mortality in critically ill patients in Asian populations is uncertain. We aimed to examine the association of BMI with hospital mortality in critically ill patients in Korea.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study of 3,655 critically ill patients in 22 intensive care units (ICUs) in Korea.

Impact of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status on hospital mortality in critically ill patients.

Introduction: This study evaluates the association between the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) and hospital mortality in general critically ill patients.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzes prospective collected data from the Validation of Simplified acute physiology score 3 in Korean Intensive care unit study. The study population comprised patients who were consecutively admitted to participating intensive care units from July 1, 2010, to January 31, 2011.

Prognostic factors in patients with gallbladder cancer after surgical resection: analysis of 279 operated patients.

Background: Identification of prognostic factors can help predict life expectancy and decide treatment plan. We evaluated prognostic factors in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) after surgical resection.

Study: Data from 279 patients with GBC who underwent surgery between January 1999 and February 2009 were reviewed retrospectively.

Risk factors for stroke during surgery for carotid body tumors.

Background: Removing carotid body tumors (CBTs) carry the risk of operative morbidity including stroke. We evaluated the risk factors for stroke related to resection of CBTs.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 17 procedures performed on 16 patients with CBT between March 1998 and September 2008.

Symptomatic spontaneous celiac artery dissection treated by conservative management: serial imaging findings.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of clinical characteristics with serial imaging findings of symptomatic spontaneous celiac artery dissection treated by conservative management.

Methods: Eight consecutive, hemodynamically stable patients with symptomatic spontaneous celiac artery dissection without associated aortic dissection that received non-operative treatments were included in this study. Their clinical characteristics, treatment methods, serial imaging findings and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Lemierre's syndrome in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis is usually associated with intravenous drug abuse, long-term venous catheterization, local infection, or spontaneous occlusion. The antiphospholipid syndrome is now recognized as one of the commonest causes of acquired arterial or venous thrombosis. Lemierre's syndrome is an uncommon but potentially lethal complication of internal jugular vein thrombosis after an oropharyngeal infection.

Protein C and/or S deficiency presenting as peripheral arterial insufficiency.

Although protein C and/or S deficiency has frequently been associated with venous thromboembolic events, instances of arterial thromboses have been reported. However, the exact incidence of protein C and/or S deficiency in patients with peripheral arterial insufficiency has not been established. Furthermore, given the lack of adequate studies to define the natural history and angiographic findings of these patients, the treatment has not been well delineated.

Analysis of extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas according to the New American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system focused on tumor classification problems in 222 patients.

Background: Although the sixth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma was updated, the system has a problem on T classification due to its ambiguous definition of T1 as "tumor confined to bile duct histologically" and T2 as "tumor invading beyond the bile duct."

Methods: The authors considered the outermost part of the muscle layer or fibrous tissue as within the extrahepatic bile duct and considered the area starting from large clusters of adipose tissue as beyond the extrahepatic bile duct. After designing a precise definition of the extrahepatic bile duct wall, they analyzed the new AJCC staging system in 222 patients with of extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas.

Severe lactic acidosis and thiamine deficiency during total parenteral nutrition--case report.

We encountered a case of total parenteral nutrition-associated lactic acidosis that did not respond to sodium bicarbonate or other conventional emergency treatments. He was characterized by minimal food intake before surgery, delayed gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy due to pancreas head cancer and long-term total parenteral nutrition without food intake and vitamin supplements after surgery. After thiamine administration, the patient very quickly recovered with dramatic reestablishment of the acid-base balance.

Retroperitoneal abscess complicated by acupuncture: case report.

With acupuncture treatment becoming an increasingly popular analgesic, there have been increasing reports on its associated complications. Although pneumothorax is the most frequently reported injury caused by acupuncture needles, infectious complications may not be uncommon. Most infectious complications show less serious clinical manifestations than pneumothorax, but retroperitoneal or intraabdominal abscess caused by acupuncture may be much more serious conditions.

Phase II study of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and concurrent mitomycin-C, vinblastine, and cisplatin chemotherapy for Stage III locally advanced, unresectable, non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility, treatment outcome, and toxicity of hyperfractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (CRT) and concurrent mitomycin-C, vinblastine, and cisplatin (MVP) chemotherapy in locally advanced, unresectable, Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods And Materials: Between August 1993 and December 1996, 161 patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC were entered into this trial, and 146 (91%) completed the treatment. Hyperfractionated RT was given to a total dose of 64.

Role of diagnostic laparoscopy in managing acute mesenteric venous thrombosis.

We describe two cases with acute mesenteric venous thrombosis in which diagnostic laparoscopy helped to diagnose the possible bowel infarction. These patients presented with abdominal pain out of proportion to physical findings, and computed tomography demonstrated thrombus in the superior mesenteric vein. Anticoagulation with heparin followed by diagnostic laparoscopy was done immediately after the diagnosis was established.

Leakage of jejunal end of roux limb after total gastrectomy: management with a placement of a covered metallic stent: case report.

Postoperative leakage is a serious complication in patients after gastric surgery. It can lead to a rapid deterioration in the patient's condition and quality of life. Treatment is guided by the type of anastomosis and the patient's clinical status.

Can carotid endarterectomy improve metabolic status in patients with asymptomatic internal carotid artery flow lesion? Studies with localized in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Purpose: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has proven to be effective in the prevention of stroke in patients with significant internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. However, whether increased cerebral blood flow after CEA improves the cerebral metabolism in patients with asymptomatic ICA flow lesions is unknown. Localized in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) has been used to measure the metabolic status of the human brain in a totally noninvasive manner.

The anatomy of the circle of Willis as a predictive factor for intra-operative cerebral ischemia (shunt need) during carotid endarterectomy.

The collateral flow to the cerebral hemisphere after carotid cross clamping during carotid endarterectomy is mainly through the circle of Willis, and the circle is incomplete in the majority of cases. A correlation between the status of the circle of Willis and the necessity of shunting was evaluated in 67 carotid endarterectomies with pre-operative four-vessel cerebral angiogram. All carotid endarterectomies were performed with selective shunting, based on the change of consciousness and motor function after carotid test clamping under regional anesthesia.

Predicting the rotationally neutral state of the femur by comparing the shape of the contralateral lesser trochanter.

The rotationally neutral state of the femur was measured by comparing the shape of the contralateral lesser trochanter in 100 adults. Three observers predicted a position presumed to be neutral by comparing the shape of the neutrally positioned contralateral lesser trochanter previously recorded by C-arm image intensification. The mean (SD) angular discrepancy between the neutral point and the predicted angle was 3.

Carotid endarterectomy with bovine patch angioplasty: a preliminary report.

Carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty is a durable procedure for prevention of recurrent neurological symptoms and stroke. However, no definitive study has demonstrated a clear benefit of one class of the patch material over another. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of carotid endarterectomy with bovine pericardium patch in comparison with autologous vein patch.