The administration of botulinum toxin A (BTA) into the gastric wall has emerged as a novel endoscopic bariatric procedure. Although over 20 years have elapsed since the initial human trial of intragastric BTA injection, considerable debate remains surrounding the safety, efficacy, and procedural instructions of this approach. The current literature exhibits discrepancies in the methodologies employed across studies, including differences in the dosage of BTA administered, injection site, number and depth of injections, post-procedural dietary modifications, and follow-up duration. This study reviewed the state-of-the-art use of BTA for weight loss and focused on the clinical evidence of the therapeutic applications of BTA for obesity. Studies with consistent outcome measures and methodologies are necessary to thoroughly assess the potential effects of BTA on weight management.

Objective: Treating wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBA) is challenging. Nevertheless, recent progress in endovascular techniques is promising. Woven EndoBridge devices (WEB) have exhibited outcomes comparable to conventional treatments like stent-assisted coiling (SAC) in treating aneurysms. However, their safety and efficacy in managing acutely ruptured aneurysms remain a topic of interest. This study focuses on this issue. Methods: We searched our database from 2020 to 2023 and found 38 patients with acutely (< a week) ruptured WNBA. We extracted radiologic and clinical data from the available medical reports. Favorable functional and radiologic outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and modified Raymond–Roy occlusion classification (MRRC). Results: Our study population comprised 15 aneurysms treated with WEB and 25 treated with SAC. Operational time was significantly lower in the WEB compared to the SAC group (39.3 vs 66.2 minutes, p value: < 0.001). Immediate (p value=0.64) and the 18th-month (p value=0.42) occlusion rates were comparable between the two groups. Favorable mRS scores in the 3rd month were seen in 100% of SAC patients and 93.3% of WEB patients (p value=0.79). Retreatment (p value=1.0) and complication (p value=0.39) rates were comparable. Vasospasms after the procedure were the most common complication. Conclusions WEB demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to SAC in patients with acutely ruptured WNBA. Notably, WEB had a shorter procedure duration. Additional studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary for comprehensive evaluation.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a widely utilized technique for assessing thyroid nodules; however, its inherent non-diagnostic rate poses diagnostic challenges. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic efficacy of FNA, core needle biopsy (CNB), and their combined application in the assessment of thyroid nodules. Methods: A total of 56 nodules from 50 patients was analyzed using both FNA and simultaneous CNB. The ultrasound characteristics were categorized according to the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems classification system. The study compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNA, CNB, and the combination of the two techniques. Results: The concordance between FNA and CNB was notably high, with a kappa coefficient of 0.837. The sensitivity for detecting thyroid malignancy was found to be 25.0% for FNA, 66.7% for CNB, and 83.3% for the combined FNA/CNB approach, with corresponding specificities of 84.6%, 97.4%, and 97.4%. The accuracy of the FNA/CNB combination was the highest at 94.1%. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that both CNB and the FNA/CNB combination offer greater diagnostic accuracy for thyroid malignancy compared to FNA alone, with no significant complications reported. Integrating CNB with FNA findings may enhance management strategies and treatment outcomes for patients with thyroid nodules.

The administration of botulinum toxin A (BTA) into the gastric wall has emerged as a novel endoscopic bariatric procedure. Although over 20 years have elapsed since the initial human trial of intragastric BTA injection, considerable debate remains surrounding the safety, efficacy, and procedural instructions of this approach. The current literature exhibits discrepancies in the methodologies employed across studies, including differences in the dosage of BTA administered, injection site, number and depth of injections, post-procedural dietary modifications, and follow-up duration. This study reviewed the state-of-the-art use of BTA for weight loss and focused on the clinical evidence of the therapeutic applications of BTA for obesity. Studies with consistent outcome measures and methodologies are necessary to thoroughly assess the potential effects of BTA on weight management.

Objective: Treating wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBA) is challenging. Nevertheless, recent progress in endovascular techniques is promising. Woven EndoBridge devices (WEB) have exhibited outcomes comparable to conventional treatments like stent-assisted coiling (SAC) in treating aneurysms. However, their safety and efficacy in managing acutely ruptured aneurysms remain a topic of interest. This study focuses on this issue. Methods: We searched our database from 2020 to 2023 and found 38 patients with acutely (< a week) ruptured WNBA. We extracted radiologic and clinical data from the available medical reports. Favorable functional and radiologic outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and modified Raymond–Roy occlusion classification (MRRC). Results: Our study population comprised 15 aneurysms treated with WEB and 25 treated with SAC. Operational time was significantly lower in the WEB compared to the SAC group (39.3 vs 66.2 minutes, p value: < 0.001). Immediate (p value=0.64) and the 18th-month (p value=0.42) occlusion rates were comparable between the two groups. Favorable mRS scores in the 3rd month were seen in 100% of SAC patients and 93.3% of WEB patients (p value=0.79). Retreatment (p value=1.0) and complication (p value=0.39) rates were comparable. Vasospasms after the procedure were the most common complication. Conclusions WEB demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to SAC in patients with acutely ruptured WNBA. Notably, WEB had a shorter procedure duration. Additional studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary for comprehensive evaluation.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a widely utilized technique for assessing thyroid nodules; however, its inherent non-diagnostic rate poses diagnostic challenges. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic efficacy of FNA, core needle biopsy (CNB), and their combined application in the assessment of thyroid nodules. Methods: A total of 56 nodules from 50 patients was analyzed using both FNA and simultaneous CNB. The ultrasound characteristics were categorized according to the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems classification system. The study compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNA, CNB, and the combination of the two techniques. Results: The concordance between FNA and CNB was notably high, with a kappa coefficient of 0.837. The sensitivity for detecting thyroid malignancy was found to be 25.0% for FNA, 66.7% for CNB, and 83.3% for the combined FNA/CNB approach, with corresponding specificities of 84.6%, 97.4%, and 97.4%. The accuracy of the FNA/CNB combination was the highest at 94.1%. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that both CNB and the FNA/CNB combination offer greater diagnostic accuracy for thyroid malignancy compared to FNA alone, with no significant complications reported. Integrating CNB with FNA findings may enhance management strategies and treatment outcomes for patients with thyroid nodules.

Objective: Treating wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBA) is challenging. Nevertheless, recent progress in endovascular techniques is promising. Woven EndoBridge devices (WEB) have exhibited outcomes comparable to conventional treatments like stent-assisted coiling (SAC) in treating aneurysms. However, their safety and efficacy in managing acutely ruptured aneurysms remain a topic of interest. This study focuses on this issue. Methods: We searched our database from 2020 to 2023 and found 38 patients with acutely (< a week) ruptured WNBA. We extracted radiologic and clinical data from the available medical reports. Favorable functional and radiologic outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and modified Raymond–Roy occlusion classification (MRRC). Results: Our study population comprised 15 aneurysms treated with WEB and 25 treated with SAC. Operational time was significantly lower in the WEB compared to the SAC group (39.3 vs 66.2 minutes, p value: < 0.001). Immediate (p value=0.64) and the 18th-month (p value=0.42) occlusion rates were comparable between the two groups. Favorable mRS scores in the 3rd month were seen in 100% of SAC patients and 93.3% of WEB patients (p value=0.79). Retreatment (p value=1.0) and complication (p value=0.39) rates were comparable. Vasospasms after the procedure were the most common complication. Conclusions WEB demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to SAC in patients with acutely ruptured WNBA. Notably, WEB had a shorter procedure duration. Additional studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary for comprehensive evaluation.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a widely utilized technique for assessing thyroid nodules; however, its inherent non-diagnostic rate poses diagnostic challenges. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic efficacy of FNA, core needle biopsy (CNB), and their combined application in the assessment of thyroid nodules. Methods: A total of 56 nodules from 50 patients was analyzed using both FNA and simultaneous CNB. The ultrasound characteristics were categorized according to the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems classification system. The study compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNA, CNB, and the combination of the two techniques. Results: The concordance between FNA and CNB was notably high, with a kappa coefficient of 0.837. The sensitivity for detecting thyroid malignancy was found to be 25.0% for FNA, 66.7% for CNB, and 83.3% for the combined FNA/CNB approach, with corresponding specificities of 84.6%, 97.4%, and 97.4%. The accuracy of the FNA/CNB combination was the highest at 94.1%. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that both CNB and the FNA/CNB combination offer greater diagnostic accuracy for thyroid malignancy compared to FNA alone, with no significant complications reported. Integrating CNB with FNA findings may enhance management strategies and treatment outcomes for patients with thyroid nodules.

The administration of botulinum toxin A (BTA) into the gastric wall has emerged as a novel endoscopic bariatric procedure. Although over 20 years have elapsed since the initial human trial of intragastric BTA injection, considerable debate remains surrounding the safety, efficacy, and procedural instructions of this approach. The current literature exhibits discrepancies in the methodologies employed across studies, including differences in the dosage of BTA administered, injection site, number and depth of injections, post-procedural dietary modifications, and follow-up duration. This study reviewed the state-of-the-art use of BTA for weight loss and focused on the clinical evidence of the therapeutic applications of BTA for obesity. Studies with consistent outcome measures and methodologies are necessary to thoroughly assess the potential effects of BTA on weight management.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of acupuncture in comparison with sham acupuncture on cognitive functions in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 31 RRMS patients in the acupuncture group were treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture based on the treatment principle of calming the mind, reinforcing qi and blood, and 31 patients in the control group were treated with sham acupuncture (shallow needling at non-acupuncture points) twice a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) score, which was evaluated by a psychologist at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. The secondary outcomes were the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores. The participants were provided with contact information from the researchers with constant access to report any adverse symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 62 participants were enrolled and allocated to the acupuncture group (31 cases) or control group (31 cases). After 12 weeks of acupuncture treatment, BICAMS including Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test-2 (CVLT-2) and delayed CVLT-2 scores were significantly improved in comparison with the control group (P<0.01). However, the changes in the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) and delayed BVMT-R scores related to visual/spatial memory did not differ significantly between the two groups (both P>0.05). The FSS, PSQI, and SCL-90-R scores were significantly reduced after 12-week treatment in the acupuncture group compared to the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). No life-threatening adverse events occurred throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS Twelve weeks of acupuncture treatment was effective in improving immediate and short-term auditory/verbal memory, attention and processing speed; reducing fatigue and decreasing sleep latency and the use of sleeping medications; alleviating depression, somatization, obsessive-compulsive and paranoid disorders in patients with RRMS. (Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, No. IRCT20220101053582N1).
Humans ; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Female ; Male ; Cognition/physiology* ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged