Tracking Anti-cytolethal Distending Toxin B and Anti-vinculin Over Time and Their Roles in Symptoms.

Background And Aims: Antibodies targeting bacterial cytolethal distending toxin subunit B (CdtB) and vinculin are diagnostic of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study, we explored the temporal behavior of anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies and potential relationships to IBS symptoms. The potential impacts of antibody reduction therapies were also assessed.

Assessing the Impact of Media Coverage of the NordICC Trial on Public Perspectives on Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Introduction: Screening tests like colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer (CRC), yet their effectiveness is often questioned. The Nordic-European Initiative on Colorectal Cancer (NordICC) trial demonstrated that colonoscopy significantly reduces CRC incidence and mortality in per-protocol analysis. However, media coverage of the trial often focused on intention-to-screen findings that showed no change in mortality, possibly contributing to public confusion about colonoscopy benefits.

Tingling, Numbness, and Underlying Malignancy: A Case Report of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a World Health Organisation (WHO) grade IV glioma originating from astrocytes. It is the most common malignant primary tumour of the brain and central nervous system (CNS) and is associated with fast progression and violent local spread, with a median overall survival of approximately 15 months after diagnosis. Due to its late and varied presentation, it is often diagnosed only after it has grown considerably.

Incidence Trends in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer in Young Adults: A Nationwide Time-Trend Analysis Using 2001-2019 US Cancer Statistics Databases.

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers, comprising malignancies of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, liver, biliary tract, and gallbladder, are the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and are associated with significant comorbidities. Recent studies show a disproportionate rise in pancreatic and stomach cancer among young adults. This study aims to use a nationwide, population-based cohort to (i) evaluate the trend of all UGI cancer as an aggregate and (ii) examine the role of demographics, histology, and tumor stage in UGI cancer incidence among young adults.

Artificial Intelligence- and Physician-Interpreted Stool Image Characteristics Correlate With C-Reactive Protein Among Inpatients With Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot Study.

Background: Stool characteristics are used as a measure of ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity, but they have not been validated against objective inflammation. We aimed to determine whether stool characteristics measured by trained artificial intelligence (AI) and physicians correlate with inflammation in UC.

Methods: Patients hospitalized with acute severe UC (ASUC) were asked to capture images of all bowel movements using a smartphone application (Dieta®).

Post-cholecystectomy Clip Migration: A Case Report.

Surgical clip migration into the common bile duct (CBD) with subsequent stone formation is an exceedingly rare complication following both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, with fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature. Herein, we present the case of a 78-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain and dark urine six years after an open cholecystectomy. Her abdominal ultrasonography revealed no abnormalities, with only mild derangements noted in liver function tests.

Attitudes and perceptions of next-of-kin/loved ones toward end-of-life HIV cure-related research: A qualitative focus group study in Southern California.

As end-of-life (EOL) HIV cure-related research expands, understanding perspectives of participants' next-of-kin (NOK) is critical to maintaining ethical study conduct. We conducted two small focus groups and two one-on-one interviews using focus group guides with the NOK of Last Gift study participants at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Participating NOK included six individuals (n = 5 male and n = 1 female), including a grandmother, grandfather, partner, spouse, and two close friends.

Altruism: Scoping review of the literature and future directions for HIV cure-related research.

Introduction: The question of what motivates people to participate in research is particularly salient in the HIV field. While participation in HIV research was driven by survival in the 1980's and early 1990's, access to novel therapies became the primary motivator with the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in the late 1990s. In the HIV cure-related research context, the concept of altruism has remained insufficiently studied.

"[It] is now my responsibility to fulfill that wish:" Clinical and rapid autopsy staff members' experiences and perceptions of HIV reservoir research at the end of life.

Introduction: Little is known about the effects of HIV reservoir research at the end of life on staff members involved. Staff members' perceptions and experiences were assessed related to their involvement in the Last Gift, a rapid autopsy study at the University of California San Diego enrolling people living with HIV who are terminally ill and have a desire to contribute to HIV cure-related research.

Methods: Two focus group discussions consisting of clinical (n = 7) and rapid research autopsy (n = 8) staff members were conducted to understand the perspectives of staff members and the impact the Last Gift rapid autopsy study had on them.

"My Death Will Not [Be] in Vain": Testimonials from Last Gift Rapid Research Autopsy Study Participants Living with HIV at the End of Life.

End-of-life (EOL) HIV cure-related research provides a novel approach to studying HIV reservoirs. The Last Gift is a rapid autopsy research study at the University of California San Diego that enrolls terminally ill people living with HIV (PLWHIV) with a desire to contribute to HIV cure-related research. We conducted in-depth baseline and follow-up interviews with Last Gift study participants.

Perceptions of Next-of-Kin/Loved Ones About Last Gift Rapid Research Autopsy Study Enrolling People with HIV/AIDS at the End of Life: A Qualitative Interview Study.

A growing number of people living with HIV/AIDS are participating in HIV cure-related research at the end of life (EOL). Due to the novelty of EOL HIV cure-related research, there is a need to understand how their next-of-kin (NOK) perceive such research. We conducted in-depth interviews with NOK of the Last Gift study participants at the University of California, San Diego.

Effect of artificial sweeteners on insulin resistance among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Introduction: Incidence of diabetes mellitus has increased over the past few years, mainly due to our eating habits and physical inactivity. This also includes the use of artificial sweetening agents which have broadly replaced other forms of sugars and have shown a paradoxical, negative effect on blood glucose. Ingestion of these artificial sweeteners (AS) results in the release of insulin from pancreas which is mistaken for glucose (due to their sweet taste).

Assessment of knowledge and attitude about child abuse amongst parents visiting rural tertiary care hospital in central India.

Introduction: Child abuse is one of the pressing human rights issues which still needs to be highlighted for general public, especially in traditional societies. This study depicts perspectives of parents and caregivers.

Methods: The study was, conducted amongst parents visiting paediatric department (OPD and ward) at Rural Tertiary care Hospital in central India.

Universal HIV and Birth Cohort HCV Screening in San Diego Emergency Departments.

Universal HIV and HCV screening in emergency departments (ED) can reach populations who are less likely to get tested otherwise. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate universal opt-out HIV and HCV screening in two EDs in San Diego. HIV screening for persons aged 13-64 years (excluding persons known to be HIV+ or reporting HIV testing within last 12 months) was implemented using a 4 generation HIV antigen/antibody assay; HCV screening was offered to persons born between 1945 and 1965.

Differential sensitivity of structural, diffusion, and resting-state functional MRI for detecting brain alterations and verbal memory impairment in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Objectives: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is known to affect large-scale gray and white matter networks, and these network changes likely contribute to the verbal memory impairments observed in many patients. In this study, we investigate multimodal imaging patterns of brain alterations in TLE and evaluate the sensitivity of different imaging measures to verbal memory impairment.

Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (vMRI), and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) were evaluated in 46 patients with TLE and 33 healthy controls to measure patterns of microstructural, structural, and functional alterations, respectively.

Beyond depression: The impact of executive functioning on quality of life in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Objective: Individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often experience diminished quality of life (QoL). Although comorbid depression is one of the most recognized predictors of poor QoL in TLE, impairments in verbal memory (VM) and executive functioning (EF), have also been identified as risk factors, independent of other biological and psychosocial factors. In this study, we examine the contribution of depression, VM, and EF to QoL in 52 well-characterized medically-refractory TLE patients.

Ethical considerations for HIV cure-related research at the end of life.

Background: The U.S. National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) have a new research priority: inclusion of terminally ill persons living with HIV (PLWHIV) in HIV cure-related research.