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Clinical and Experimental Hepatology Mar 2024Managing patients with liver cirrhosis and gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) is challenging. Despite being the standard technique for resection of GHPs, hot snare...
Managing patients with liver cirrhosis and gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) is challenging. Despite being the standard technique for resection of GHPs, hot snare polypectomy (HSP) is risky in the setting of coagulation disorders associated with liver cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of endoscopic band ligation (EBL), compared to HSP in resecting GHPs in cirrhotic patients. One hundred consecutive adults with liver cirrhosis and sessile or pedunculated GHPs were enrolled from December 2018 to December 2020. Cases were non-blindly randomized (1 : 1) to two groups to have GHPs managed by either EBL (group I) or HSP (group II). Data of demographic, clinical, and pathological factors, hospitalization expenses and outcomes of both treatment maneuvers were collected and statistically analyzed. Upper endoscopy was repeated for all patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment for recurrence detection. Between the two procedures, the mean operational time was significantly shorter in the EBL than the HSP group (15.1 ±3.80 min vs. 36.6 ±6.72 min, < 0.001). Concerning complications, 94% of EBL cases had reported no complications compared to 78% with HSP. Bleeding occurred only with HSP (20%) with urgent need for adrenaline and/or argon plasma coagulation ( = 0.003). Regarding cost, it was significantly lower in EBL than HSP (280 ±2.02 EGP vs. 390 ±181.8 EGP, < 0.001). However, the recurrence rate of GHPs and number of needed sessions were not significantly different. EBL proved to be a safer, more rapid, and economic maneuver when compared to HSP on resecting GHPs in patients with liver cirrhosis.
PubMed: 38765908
DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2024.136216 -
Cureus Apr 2024We report two cases of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) where multimodal imaging was used to assist in locating the nematode. The first case presented...
We report two cases of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) where multimodal imaging was used to assist in locating the nematode. The first case presented with clusters of migrating choroiditis with a suspicious tiny visualized worm noted on serial fundus photography. The second case had an atypical presentation with extensive exudative retinal detachment and a suspicious coiled worm in the subretinal space noted on optical coherence tomography. Both cases received oral albendazole for six weeks while the first case received additional argon laser photocoagulation to the suspected nematode. Both cases showed resolution of the ocular inflammation upon completion of treatment with no further recurrences. DUSN should be suspected in young and healthy patients with unexplained unilateral inflammatory eye disease with severe loss of vision. This series highlights the challenges faced in identifying the nematode in cases with suspected DUSN.
PubMed: 38765355
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58510 -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... May 2024Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a premalignant biliary-type epithelial neoplasm with intraductal papillary or villous growth. Currently...
BACKGROUND
Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a premalignant biliary-type epithelial neoplasm with intraductal papillary or villous growth. Currently reported local palliative therapeutic modalities, including endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, stenting and biliary curettage, endoscopic biliary polypectomy, percutaneous biliary drainage, laser ablation, argon plasma coagulation, photodynamic therapy, and radiofrequency ablation to relieve mechanical obstruction are limited with weaknesses and disadvantages. We have applied percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS)-assisted biliary polypectomy (PTCS-BP) technique for the management of IPNB including mucin-hypersecreting cast-like and polypoid type tumors since 2010.
AIM
To assess the technical feasibility, efficacy, and safety of PTCS-BP for local palliative treatment of IPNB.
METHODS
Patients with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like or polypoid type IPNB and receiving PTCS-BP between September 2010 and December 2019 were included. PTCS-BP was performed by using a half-moon type snare with a soft stainless-steel wire, and the tumor was snared and resected with electrocautery. The primary outcome was its feasibility, indicated by technical success. The secondary outcomes were efficacy, including therapeutic success, curative resection, and clinical success, and safety.
RESULTS
Five patients (four with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type and one with polypoid type IPNB) were included. Low- and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and recurrent IPNB with invasive carcinoma were observed in one, two, and two patients, respectively. Repeated cholangitis and/or obstructive jaundice were presented in all four patients with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type IPNB. All five patients achieved technical success of PTCS-BP. Four patients (three with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type and one with polypoid type IPNB) obtained therapeutic success; one with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type tumors in the intrahepatic small bile duct and HGIN had residual tumors. All four patients with mucin-hypersecreting IPNB achieved clinical success. The patient with polypoid type IPNB achieved curative resection. There were no PTCS-BP-related serious adverse events.
CONCLUSION
PTCS-BP appears to be feasible, efficacious, and safe for local palliative treatment of both mucin-hypersecreting cast-like and polypoid type IPNB.
PubMed: 38764829
DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.1821 -
ACS Omega May 2024The combination of the effects of nonthermal plasma using atmospheric pressure of plasma jet and the photocatalytic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was used to...
The combination of the effects of nonthermal plasma using atmospheric pressure of plasma jet and the photocatalytic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was used to study the plasma flow modes, electrical characteristics, nonthermal characteristics, antimicrobial measurements, and surface modifications. Using different wettabilities of argon discharges in a laminar flow: (i) wet I, wettability with 2.4 slm argon mixture with oxygen ratio O, equivalent to 15 mslm (Ar/O), and (ii) wet II, wettability (Ar/O) mixture combined with titanium dioxide, to accelerate the inactivation process on the nonwoven fabric surface. For wet 0, wet I, and wet II discharges, the average rate of heat transfer to the nonwoven silk fabric increased significantly. Specifically, it goes from 104.6 to 118.6 and then to 241.7 mW, respectively. The kinetic deactivation rate of increases starting at 0.20, then going up to 0.32, and finally reaching 0.57 min. The increased wettability of the TiO photocatalyst results in an enhanced bactericidal rate, which is caused by both the heat impact from the nonthermal jet and potentially photocatalytic disinfection, leading to the generation of active species. The mechanical parameters owing to different wettabilities and plasma interactions with the fabric membrane were tested for the treated samples, such as stiffness, ultimate yield strength, tensile strength, strain, hardening, elongation, resilience, and toughness.
PubMed: 38764619
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c08858 -
Scientific Reports May 2024We present a new method for approximating two-body interatomic potentials from existing ab initio data based on representing the unknown function as an analytic...
We present a new method for approximating two-body interatomic potentials from existing ab initio data based on representing the unknown function as an analytic continued fraction. In this study, our method was first inspired by a representation of the unknown potential as a Dirichlet polynomial, i.e., the partial sum of some terms of a Dirichlet series. Our method allows for a close and computationally efficient approximation of the ab initio data for the noble gases Xenon (Xe), Krypton (Kr), Argon (Ar), and Neon (Ne), which are proportional to and to a very simple truncated continued fraction with integer coefficients and depending on only, where n is a natural number (with for Xe, for Kr, for Ar, and for Neon). For Helium (He), the data is well approximated with a function having only one variable with and a truncated continued fraction with (i.e., the third convergent of the expansion). Also, for He, we have found an interesting result, a Dirichlet polynomial of the form (with all integers), which provides a surprisingly good fit, not only in the attractive but also in the repulsive region. We also discuss lessons learned while facing the surprisingly challenging non-linear optimisation tasks in fitting these approximations and opportunities for parallelisation.
PubMed: 38750117
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60835-8 -
Journal of the Belgian Society of... 2024This study aimed to investigate ultrasound (US) features of thyroid nodules categorized as nondiagnostic (ND) and atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) according to...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate ultrasound (US) features of thyroid nodules categorized as nondiagnostic (ND) and atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) according to the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) and their potential implications for clinical management.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent thyroid nodules FNAC between 2019 and 2023. Nodules falling into the ND and AUS categories were analyzed for US features, nodule size, composition, echogenicity, shape, margin, echogenic foci, the distribution of the American College of Radiology's Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) categories, and other parameters. The study included a total of 1,199 patients and 1,252 nodules (ND: 1110; AUS: 142).
RESULTS
No significant differences in age, gender, nodule features, echogenicity, shape, margin, echogenic foci, TI-RADS scores, localization, number of nodules, or thyroid parenchymal disease presence were found between the ND and AUS categories ( > 0.05). Also, no statistically significant difference in nodule size (<10 mm vs. ≥10 mm) existed between the ND and AUS categories ( = 0.475). Both showed predominantly solid composition and hyperechoic/isoechoic echogenicity. High proportions of TI-RADS 4 nodules were observed in both groups, with 727 (65.5%) in ND and 95 (66.9%) in AUS.
CONCLUSION
This study found no statistically significant differences in US characteristics between the ND and AUS categories, indicating potential similarities in their radiological appearances. Also, no significant difference in nodule size (<10 mm and ≥10 mm) was observed between these categories. Clinical management should consider further investigations, including repeat FNAC, due to the diagnostic challenges and malignancy risk in both categories.
PubMed: 38737380
DOI: 10.5334/jbsr.3577 -
Open Life Sciences 2024Endobronchial leiomyomas are rare benign neoplasms of the lungs that arise from the smooth muscle cells of the bronchi and bronchioles. While surgical resection is the...
Endobronchial leiomyomas are rare benign neoplasms of the lungs that arise from the smooth muscle cells of the bronchi and bronchioles. While surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for these tumors, bronchoscopic interventional therapies are also effective and can help preserve lung function in certain cases. A 40-year-old male patient presented with a persistent cough and sputum production for over 4 months. A chest computed tomography scan revealed nodular lesions in the lower lobe bronchus, later confirmed as an endobronchial leiomyoma. The patient refused surgical intervention and opted for minimally invasive bronchoscopic treatments, including electric snare resection, argon plasma coagulation, and balloon dilation, resulting in a successful outcome with no recurrence during follow-up. Clinicians should consider bronchoscopic interventions as a viable treatment option for endobronchial leiomyomas patients who are either ineligible for surgical resection or opt not to undergo surgery.
PubMed: 38737105
DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0845 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction of aryl acetic acids and aryl nitriles has been achieved under an argon atmosphere in high yields. This...
The photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction of aryl acetic acids and aryl nitriles has been achieved under an argon atmosphere in high yields. This method provides a fast way to obtain prevalent aryl acetic acids from an abundant natural source. A tentative radical mechanism has been proposed.
PubMed: 38731647
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092156 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Interaction of the pre-organized complex of iron(II) trimethylacetate and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) [Fe(piv)(phen)] () (piv = (Me)CCO)) with 1,6-diaminohexane (dahx) in...
Interaction of the pre-organized complex of iron(II) trimethylacetate and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) [Fe(piv)(phen)] () (piv = (Me)CCO)) with 1,6-diaminohexane (dahx) in anhydrous acetonitrile yielded a 1D coordination polymer [FeO(piv)(dahx)] () and an organic salt of pivalic acid (Hdahx)(piv) (). The structure of the obtained compounds was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The phase purity of the complexes was determined by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. According to the single-crystal X-ray analysis, coordination polymer is formed due to the binding of a triangular carboxylate core {Fe(μ-O)(μ-piv)} with an aliphatic diamine ligand. Thermal behavior was investigated for compounds and in an argon atmosphere.
PubMed: 38731615
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092125 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Buckypaper (BP), a flexible and porous material, exhibits photovoltaic properties when exposed to light. In this study, we employed radio frequency (RF) sputtering of...
Buckypaper (BP), a flexible and porous material, exhibits photovoltaic properties when exposed to light. In this study, we employed radio frequency (RF) sputtering of zinc oxide (ZnO) followed by rapid thermal annealing to enhance the photovoltaic response of BP. We investigated the impact of various sputtering parameters, such as the gas flow ratio of argon to oxygen and deposition time, on the morphology, composition, resistivity, and photovoltaic characteristics of ZnO-modified BP. Additionally, the photovoltaic performance of the samples under different illumination modes and wavelengths was compared. It was found that optimal sputtering conditions-argon to oxygen flow ratio of 1:2, deposition time of 20 min, and power of 100 watts-resulted in a ZnO film thickness of approximately 45 nanometers. After annealing at 400 °C for 10 min, the ZnO-modified BP demonstrated a significant increase in photocurrent and photovoltage, along with a reduction in resistivity, compared to unmodified BP. Moreover, under gradient illumination, the ZnO-modified BP exhibited a photovoltage enhancement of 14.70-fold and a photocurrent increase of 13.86-fold, compared to uniform illumination. Under blue light, it showed a higher photovoltaic response than under other colors. The enhancement in photovoltaic response is attributed to the formation of a Schottky junction between ZnO and BP, an increased carrier concentration gradient, and an expanded light absorption spectrum. Our results validate that ZnO sputtering followed by annealing is an effective method for modifying BP for photovoltaic applications such as solar cells and photodetectors.
PubMed: 38727387
DOI: 10.3390/nano14090792