Ottosenhermann8822
There are few data on the quality of EUS in the community setting. We characterized EUS performance at the individual facility level in 3 large American states, using need for repeat biopsy (NRB) as a metric for procedural failure, and the rate of unplanned hospital encounters (UHEs) as a metric for adverse events.
We collected data on 76,614 EUS procedures performed at 166 facilities in California, Florida, and New York (2009-2014). The endpoints for the study were 7-day rate of UHEs after EUS, and 30-day rate of NRB after EUS with fine-needle aspiration. Facility-level factors analyzed included annual procedure volume, urban/rural location, and free-standing status (facilities not attached to a larger hospital). Predictors for UHE and NRB were analyzed in both multivariable regression and nonparametric local regression.
Facility volume did not predict risk for UHEs. However, high facility volume protected against NRB (P trend<.001) even after adjustment for other facility-level factors. When regresommunity settings and highlight opportunities to improve endoscopic quality nationally.
This study aims to assess current practices and perspectives of gastroenterologists on approaches to code status before inpatient endoscopy.
Self-reported data were obtained through a voluntary, anonymous survey of gastroenterologists and gastroenterology trainees in the United States. The survey assessed respondents' approach to, beliefs, and knowledge regarding inpatient periprocedural code status discussions.
Four hundred thirty-six gastroenterologists and 83 trainees completed the survey. For patients with an existing do not resuscitate (DNR) order, respondents reversed the code status before endoscopy either all (40.8%, n= 212) or most of the time (18.3%, n= 95). When asked their personal opinion, 32.6% (n=169) supported automatic DNR reversal to full resuscitation attempt during a procedure, 18.5% (n= 96) supported that DNR orders could be sustained, and 48.7% (n= 253) supported offering limited resuscitation. Many gastroenterologists were unaware of institutional (40.7%, n= 211) or national (80.7copic code status reversal.
To evaluate the relationship between remnant cholesterol and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis, in children and adolescents.
Anthropometric, laboratory, liver, and carotid ultrasonographic data were obtained from 767 youths (594, overweight/obese; 173, normal weight). Fasting remnant cholesterol was calculated from the standard lipid profile. cIMT ≥0.56mm (corresponding to the 90th percentile of values observed in normal-weight children) was chosen to define elevated cIMT. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of elevated cIMT according to tertiles of remnant cholesterol levels.
In the entire cohort, the mean concentration of remnant cholesterol was 17.9±10.3mg/dL and mean cIMT value was 0.51±0.8mm. Remnant cholesterol significantly correlated with age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, liver enzymes, and insulin resistance. cIMT value increased progressively with rising remnant cholesterol tertiles (P
<.001). Compared with subjects in the lowest remnant cholesterol tertile, those in the middle and highest remnant cholesterol tertiles had a 2.3- and 2.4-fold increased risk of elevated cIMT, independently of age, sex, pubertal stage, body mass index, and apolipoprotein B (all P
≤.003). When the effects of overweight/obesity on the association between remnant cholesterol and cIMT were determined, normal-weight as well as overweight/obese subjects in the highest remnant cholesterol tertile had a 3.8- and 2.3-fold increased risk to have elevated cIMT compared with the respective study groups in the lowest tertile, after adjustment for conventional risk factors (P
=.038 and P
=.003, respectively).
In youths, elevated levels of remnant cholesterol might represent a marker of early atherosclerotic damage.
In youths, elevated levels of remnant cholesterol might represent a marker of early atherosclerotic damage.Photosynthetic microorganisms are known to adjust their photosynthetic capacity according to light intensity. This so-called photoacclimation process is thought to maximize growth at equilibrium, but its dynamics under varying conditions remains less understood. To tackle this problem, microalgae growth and photoacclimation are represented by a (coarse-grained) resource allocation model. Using optimal control theory (the Pontryagin maximum principle) and numerical simulations, we determine the optimal strategy of resource allocation to maximize microalgal growth rate over a time horizon. We show that, after a transient, the optimal trajectory approaches the optimal steady state, a behavior known as the turnpike property. Then, a bi-level optimization problem is solved numerically to estimate model parameters from experimental data. The fitted trajectory represents well a Dunaliella tertiolecta culture facing a light down-shift. Finally, we study photoacclimation dynamics under day/night cycle. In the optimal trajectory, the synthesis of the photosynthetic apparatus surprisingly starts a few hours before dawn. This anticipatory behavior has actually been observed both in the laboratory and in the field. This shows the algal predictive capacity and the interest of our method which predicts this phenomenon.Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neoAMD) is the leading cause of blindness in AMD and manifests as choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are the mainstay treatments but with limited efficacy and cause detrimental effects on the retina after long-term application. see more These disadvantages warrant alternative strategy. Herein, we examined the effect on CNV by intravitreal injection of bortezomib, a reversible proteasome inhibitor, and further dissected the mechanism. Krypton red Laser was used to create CNV model in mice. The angiogenesis volume was assessed in choroidal flat-mount with isolectin GS-IB4 labeling and the leakage was examined with fluorescein fundus angiography. Injection of Borsub inhibited angiogenesis in the CNV model which was dose-dependent; the injection significantly inhibited leakage as well. Furthermore, Borsub injection reduced the contents of VEGF-A, macrophage chemotactic factor 1 (MCP-1), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-D but not PDGF-B, examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in choroid/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tissue. These injections also reduced phospho-VEGFR-2 and phospho-PDGFRβ in choroid/RPE tissue examined by immunoblotting. Moreover, Borsub inhibited the recruitment of mural cells or macrophages to laser-injured spots. Injection of Borsub indicated negative effect on scotopic and photopic responses recorded by electroretinogram. Altogether, intravitreal injection of Borsub significantly reduced CNV by antagonizing VEGF-A/Flk-1 and PDGF-D/PDGFRβ pathways without impacting electroretinography parameters. Thus, Borsub may offer an invaluable therapy for the prevention and treatment of neoAMD.
To determine contemporary costs of preparing for and applying for a urology residency position for the 2019-2020 American Urological Association Match.
An electronic survey was emailed to all urology residency applicants who applied to Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School during the 2019-2020 application cycle; it was sent 2 weeks after the Match results were released. We collected information on applicant demographics, interview logistics, and estimated costs incurred applying to residency.
A total of 26% (64/242) of subjects responded, representing all 8 the American Urological Association sections, international schools, and schools without urology programs. 62% were male, 75% were single, and 52% attended public medical school. Applicants paid for the interview trail using loans (67%), family donations (50%), previous or current income (36%), and scholarships (16%). Subjects completed a median of 2 visiting student rotations (IQR 2-3), applied to 80 programs (IQR 66-99), and attended 16 interviews (IQR 13-18.75). The median cost per applicant for the 2019-2020 Match was $9725 (IQR $6134-12,564). This estimate included expenditures on application fees, visiting student rotations, interview trail travel and lodging, research, interview attire, and professional photos. Subjects who attended public medical school were likely to spend $3546.31 (95% confidence interval 5630.71-1461.916; P < .001) more than those attending private schools.
Urology residency applicants spend almost $10,000 in pursuit of a residency position. These high costs not only contribute to student debt but also may deter applicants from entering the field of urology.
Urology residency applicants spend almost $10,000 in pursuit of a residency position. These high costs not only contribute to student debt but also may deter applicants from entering the field of urology.
To study erectile function in male patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) trying to correlate it with sexual hormonal profile and disease activity.
We included 35 AS patients and 104 controls. Patients and controls answered the IIEF (International Index of Erectile Dysfunction) and had dosing of total testosterone, free testosterone (FT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), SHBG (serum hormone binding globulin), albumin and LH (luteinizing hormone). AS patients had epidemiological, clinical and treatment data obtained from the charts. AS disease activity was measured simultaneously with blood collection through Bath AS Disease Activity Index, ASDAS (AS Disease Activity Score) -ESR (using erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and ASDAS-CRP (using C reactive protein).
The IIEF results were worse in AS patients than controls (P = .02). Total testosterone and SHBG were higher in AS (with P = .01 and P <.0001 respectively). Between the 2 groups, no differences in LH, FT, BT levels (all with P = ns) were found. In AS patients, the IIEF results did not correlate with total testosterone, SHBG, LH, FT, and BT but a negative association was found with Bath AS Disease Activity Index (P = .001) and ASDAS-CRP (P = .02).
AS patients had worst sexual performance than controls that was linked to disease activity but not to male sexual hormonal profile.
AS patients had worst sexual performance than controls that was linked to disease activity but not to male sexual hormonal profile.
To evaluate the perioperative decision-making process, post-operative decision regret and reflection on the peri-operative experience of patients undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion through patient interviews.
Patients identified as having undergone radical cystectomy for malignancy were interviewed 6-24 months from the time of surgery and stratified by diversion type. Following written consent, interviews were conducted either in person or over the phone using a semi-structured script. Patients were asked 9 open-ended questions, with additional unscripted follow-up questions based on themes raised by the patient. The interviews were reviewed for common themes, preferences, and recommendations.
A total of 13 interviews were conducted. No patient expressed decision regret about their choice of urinary diversion. Ten out of 13 interviewees specifically stated that they had adequate information about diversion options pre-operatively, none felt they did not have adequate pre-operative counseling.