Bariatric endoscopy is an emerging subspecialty for gastroenterologists encompassing a broad array of procedures including primary endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies and the treatment of complications of bariatric surgery. In addition, comprehensive understanding of lifestyle intervention and pharmacotherapy are essential to successful outcomes. This review summarizes goals and steps of training for this emerging field.
Bariatric Surgery ; Drug Therapy ; Endoscopy ; Life Style

Objectives: Chronic rhinitis may contribute to a persistently decreased quality of life in patients undergoing surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to characterize the role of OSA in pediatric patients with refractory chronic rhinitis after adenoidectomy. Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients <18 years of age with a history of OSA who underwent adenoidectomy at an academic medical center from October 2012 to December 2018 and that were seen in the clinic for follow-up. They were identified through the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 42830 and 42831 with the exclusion of CPT 42820 for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Patients with a prior diagnosis of OSA who had refractory symptoms were compared with those who had symptoms resolution using chi-square analysis and t-tests. Results: Thirty-six (35.0%) patients with refractory symptoms following adenoidectomy and 52 (37.4%) patients without refractory symptoms had a history of OSA before surgery (p=0.80). In patients with refractory symptoms, the average age (3.8 years) and male sex (n=24, 66.7%) did not differ significantly from the age (4.42 years) and male sex (n=36, 69.2%) percentages of patients without refractory symptoms. The mean apnea/hypopnea-index (AHI) (p=0.91), completion of the sleep study (p=0.41), history of snoring (p=0.92), and tonsil size (p=0.42) did not differ significantly between the groups. However, patients with refractory symptoms had a significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) (19.58) than those who did not (17.77, p=0.04) and completed a higher number of allergy evaluations (p=0.02). Conclusions While the history and severity of OSA did not differ significantly in patients with refractory nasal symptoms after adenoidectomy, these patients had a significantly higher BMI and completion of allergy evaluation.

With numerous advancements in novel biochemical techniques, our knowledge of the role of RNAs in the regulation of cellular physiology and pathology has grown significantly over the past several decades. Nevertheless, detailed information regarding RNA processing, trafficking, and localization in living cells has been lacking due to technical limitations in imaging single RNA transcripts in living cells with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this review, we discuss tech-niques that have shown great promise for single RNA imaging, followed by highlights in our recent work in the development of molecular beacons (MBs), a class of nanoscale oligonucleotide-probes, for detecting individual RNA transcripts in living cells. With further refinement of MB design and development of more sophisticated fluorescence microscopy techniques, we envision that MB-based approaches could promote new discoveries of RNA functions and activities.

Variations of the anterior cerebral artery-anterior communicating artery complex are commonly identified in aneurysm surgery. An infraoptic course of the anterior cerebral artery is exceedingly rare. Robison first described this anomaly from an anatomic dissection in 1959. A unilateral anomalous infraoptic anterior cerebral artery is more common than anomalies of bilateral infraoptic anterior cerebral arteries. We present the case of an unruptured aneurysm at the anterior communicating artery in a patient with bilateral infraoptic anterior cerebral arteries, identified by computed tomography angiography and verified during surgery. Implications for aneurysm formation and surgical treatment are discussed.
Aneurysm ; Angiography ; Anterior Cerebral Artery* ; Arteries ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Vascular Surgical Procedures

Background/Aims: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a life-threatening condition that necessitates early identification and intervention and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. However, several diagnostic challenges remain regarding risk stratification and the optimal timing of endoscopy. The PillSense System is a noninvasive device developed to detect blood in patients with UGIB in real time. This study aimed to assess the safety and performance characteristics of PillSense using a simulated bleeding model. Methods: A preclinical study was performed using an in vivo porcine model (14 animals). Fourteen PillSense capsules were endoscopically placed in the stomach and blood was injected into the stomach to simulate bleeding. The safety and sensitivity of blood detection and pill excretion were also investigated. Results: All the sensors successfully detected the presence or absence of blood. The minimum threshold was 9% blood concentration, with additional detection of increasing concentrations of up to 22.5% blood. All the sensors passed naturally through the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusions This study demonstrated the ability of the PillSense System sensor to detect UGIB across a wide range of blood concentrations. This ingestible device detects UGIB in real time and has the potential to be an effective tool to supplement the current standard of care. These favorable results will be further investigated in future clinical studies.

Objective To explore the outcomes of computer-assisted design of therapeutic personalized footwear for diabetic foot.Methods Fifty-eight cases of diabetic foot were included in the study.Ten items of data from theses patients were measured with methods provided by Salford University.All characteristics of the footwear were calculated with computer.Shoes were specially designed with the formula and computational method provided by Safford university.All patients had worn the shoes for 13 months.Special questionnaires were used to measure the outcomes.Results Thirty-two cases had been followed up for one month,25 cases for 2 months,25 cases for 3 months and 42 cases for 13 months.The score had improved from 67.94±15.14 before wearing the shoes to 78.13±1.44 thirteen months after wearing.The health score of the foot had improved.There was significant difference between before and after wearing the footwears.Conclusion Special-designed diabetic shoes play an important role in the prevention of ulcer for diabetic foot patients.Computational method and data model obtained from Salford university needs to be modified when applying it for Chinese.

While Onyx embolization of cerebrospinal arteriovenous shunts is well-established, clinical researchers continue to broaden applications to other vascular lesions of the neuraxis. This report illustrates the application of Onyx (eV3, Plymouth, MN) embolization to vertebral body lesions, specifically, a vertebral hemangioma and renal cell carcinoma vertebral body metastatic lesion.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Hemangioma

Traumatic internal carotid artery injuries can produce direct carotid-cavernous fistulas as well as giant internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms. Clinical sequelae can include headaches, cranial nerves palsies, proptosis, chemosis and optic neuropathy with visual loss as the most dangerous complication. Herein, we present a case of one of the largest reported internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms associated with a direct carotid cavernous fistula. We describe the techniques and pitfalls of treatment with parent vessel occlusion.

Purpose: Routine preoperative urinalysis has been the standard of care for the orthopedic population for decades, regardless of symptoms. Studies have demonstrated antibiotic overuse and low concordance between bacteria cultured from the surgical wound and the urine. Testing and treatment of asymptomatic urinary tract colonization before total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is unnecessary and increases patient risk. We investigated reducing antibiotic use by (1) modifying testing algorithms to target patients at risk, (2) modifying reflex to culture criteria, and (3) providing treatment guidelines. Materials and Methods: A pre-post study was conducted to determine identify the impact of eliminating universal urinalysis prior to TJA on surgical site infection (SSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates and number of antibiotic prescriptions. Patients who underwent primary hip or knee TJA or spinal fusions from February 2016 to March 2018 were included. Patient data was collected for pre- and post-practice change period (February 2016-October 2016 and August 2017-March 2018). Patient demographics, urinalysis results, cultures, and prescriptions were analyzed retrospectively from every tenth chart in the pre-period and prospectively on all patients in the post-period. Results: A total of 4,663 patients were studied. There was a 96% decrease in urinalyses performed (P<0.0001), and a 93% reduction rate in antibiotic utilization (P<0.001). No significant difference in SSI and CAUTI rates was observed (P>0.05). Conclusion The elimination of routine urinalysis before orthopedic surgery resulted in a reduction in antibiotic utilization with no significant change in the SSI or CAUTI rates. Cost savings resulted from reduced antibiotic usage.