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Purpose Short bowel syndrome is a malabsorptive condition that occurs due to surgical removal or a congenital absence of a significant portion of the small intestine. Patients with short bowel syndrome often rely on parenteral support for extended periods or even their entire lives. Teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 analog, has shown promising results in reducing dependency on parenteral support in these patients by promoting intestinal adaptation and enhancing nutrient absorption. However, the long-term safety of teduglutide remains a concern, particularly with respect to its potential for the development of hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia. Methods This study involved patients who received teduglutide from December 2012 to December 2022 at Boston Medical Center. We evaluated outcomes and adverse events, focusing on hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia, through chart review. Results Thirteen eligible patients were identified who had used teduglutide. Of these, the majority (84.6%) experienced a reduction in parenteral support. A high incidence (72.7%) of nonpathological pancreatic enzyme elevation was observed in patients treated with teduglutide. These elevations were often dose dependent and were not associated with any clinical signs of acute pancreatitis or abnormal imaging findings. Conclusion This study highlights the need for further investigations into the long-term safety of teduglutide and the importance of closely monitoring amylase and lipase levels in patients undergoing treatment with teduglutide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lymph node metastasis of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) potentially leads to poor survival. Given the contradictory results in the literature regarding factors associated with lymph node metastasis of nonfunctioning pNENs, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the preoperative predictors of lymph node metastasis. Methods: Original studies reporting factors associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with nonfunctioning pNENs were identified in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, and data from eligible studies were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Eleven studies were included. Tumor size (>2 cm or >2.5 cm; OR, 5.80 [95% CI, 4.07–8.25]) and pancreatic head location (OR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.05–2.94]) were significant preoperative predictors of lymph node metastasis. Old age (OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 0.68–1.68]) and male sex (OR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.74–1.70]) were not significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: A large tumor size and pancreatic head location can be useful for planning optimal treatment in patients with nonfunctioning pNENs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The potential of using retinal images as a biomarker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has gained significant attention, but regulatory approval of such artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms is lacking. In this regulated pivotal trial, we validated the efficacy of Reti-CVD, an AI-Software as a Medical Device (AI-SaMD), that utilizes retinal images to stratify CVD risk. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, we used data from the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center-High Risk (CMERC-HI) Cohort. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) trend across the 3-tier CVD risk groups (low-, moderate-, and high-risk) according to Reti-CVD in prediction of CVD events. The cardiac computed tomography-measured coronary artery calcium (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were compared to Reti-CVD. Results A total of 1106 participants were included, with 33 (3.0%) participants experiencing CVD events over 5 years; the Reti-CVD-defined risk groups (low, moderate, and high) were significantly associated with increased CVD risk (HR trend, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.26-3.24). When all variables of Reti-CVD, CAC, CIMT, baPWV, and other traditional risk factors were incorporated into one Cox model, the Reti-CVD risk groups were only significantly associated with increased CVD risk (HR = 2.40 [0.82-7.03] in moderate risk and HR = 3.56 [1.34-9.51] in high risk using low-risk as a reference). Discussion This regulated pivotal study validated an AI-SaMD, retinal image-based, personalized CVD risk scoring system (Reti-CVD). Conclusion These results led the Korean regulatory body to authorize Reti-CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several regulations on exhaust gases have been introduced to curb hazardous exhaust of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) from the paint and printing industries. VOCs produce photochemical oxidants and suspended PM such as PM2.5, which is now recognized as a global environmental problem. We assess a nonthermal plasma technique for controlling VOC emissions, especially, propose a wet-type packed-bed plasma reactor to extend the treatment of water-non-soluble VOCs. This paper proposes a wet-type packed-bed plasma reactor to extend the treatment of water-non-soluble VOCs. The proposed technique is evaluated through the simultaneous removal of nanoparticles and toluene at a relatively high flow rate. Simultaneous treatment of the VOCs and nanoparticles using the reactor indicates that the average particle collection efficiency is 94%, and the removal efficiency of 60 ppm toluene is 73% with a gas flow rate of 10 L/min. The resultant byproducts are benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO), benzyl alcohol (C6H5CH2OH), phenol (C6H5OH), ozone, formic acid, and acetic acid, and some are easily dissolved and removed by the sodium hydroxide solution film. A smaller pellet diameter leads to more efficient toluene removal at lower specific energy values, while the ozone concentration does not change. However, the ozone concentration can be greatly suppressed by dissolving the ozone in the alkali solution film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]