Ethnic and Demographic Differences in Colectomy Rates and Timing for Ulcerative Colitis: 2007-2014

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel, with one third of patients requiring a colectomy for fulminant disease and tissue dysplasia. In 2007, infliximab was approved for induction and maintenance of remission in UC, with some evidence to suggest a potential reduction in colectomies. The aim of this study is to examine relative colectomy rates for UC among different ethnicities from 2007 to 2014 in order to evaluate for development of new trends or disparities. Discrepancies in colectomy rates and timing are seen in our models which mirror closely findings in a prior study from 1999-2003 (Nguyen GC, et al. Racial and Geographic Variations in Colectomy Rates Among Hospitalized Ulcerative Colitis Patients. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2006; 4: 15071513.e1). The consistency between our findings suggests that the availability of infliximab has not altered the relative differences in surgical management of inpatients of different ethnicities with UC flares. Closer study of utilization and response to UC therapy across ethnic and demographic lines is needed to better elucidate whether such practices are based on true phenotypic differences in disease or bias, as it appears white, wealthier patients continue to more readily and rapidly receive colectomies

Gastric calcifying fibrous tumor mimicking GI stromal tumor

A 27-year-old female with no significant medical history was referred for an EUS to evaluate a large, firm, gastric mass, which was detected during esophagastroduodenoscopy done for persistent reflux symptoms and intermittent epigastric pain. EUS revealed a polypoid, broad-based, solid intramural mass, 2 cm x 4 cm in size, heterogeneous in echo-texture with calcifications and post-acoustic shadowing. The polypoid gastric mass appeared to arise from the muscularis propria

Insecticide efficacy against Earias species infestation of okra and residue analysis of chlorantraniliprole under field conditions in India

A field study was conducted to compare the efficacy of 10 recommended insecticides against Earias spp. on okra. Three okra plots (3 m × 5 m (15 m2)) were subjected to each of the 10 insecticidal sprays applied twice at an interval of 10 days. On the third, seventh, and tenth day after each spray, percent shoot and fruit infestation and yield were calculated. All insecticides significantly reduced shoot and fruit infestation compared to the control. However, chlorantraniliprole 18.5%SC was the most effective across all time points and resulted in the highest yield. A second field study, to determine the time till the maximum residue limit (MRL—0.3 mg/kg) and the limit of quantification (LOQ—0.01 mg/kg) for both fruit and soil exposed to either the recommended (125 mL/ha) or a double strength dose (250 mL/ha) of chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC was undertaken. MRL was reached on the same day following both doses. The LOQ was reached on the seventh and tenth day at recommended and a double strength dose, respectively. Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC provides effective control. However, Earias spp. resistance has been observed in other crops. Thus, constant monitoring in the field is needed to ensure its effectiveness

The association of leptin with severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A population-based study

Background/Aims Leptin is associated with metabolic disorders, which predispose one to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The role of leptin in NAFLD pathogenesis is not fully understood. We aim to investigate the association between serum leptin level and severity of NAFLD using U.S. nationally representative data. Methods Data were obtained from the United States Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. NAFLD was defined by ultrasound detection and severity of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other liver diseases. The severity of hepatic fibrosis was determined by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). We used multivariate survey-weighted generalized logistic regression to evaluate the association between leptin level and the degree of NAFLD. We also performed subgroup analyses by body mass index (lean vs. classic NAFLD). Results Among 4,571 people, 1,610 (35%) had NAFLD. By ultrasound findings, there were 621 people with mild, 664 with moderate, and 325 with severe steatosis. There were 885 people with low NFS (0.676, advanced fibrosis). Leptin levels for normal, mild, moderate and severe steatosis were 10.7±0.3 ng/mL, 12.1±0.7 ng/mL, 15.6±0.8 ng/mL, 16±1.0 ng/mL, respectively (trend P-value<0.001). Leptin levels for low, intermediate, and high NFS were 11.8±0.5 ng/mL, 15.6±0.8 ng/mL, 28.5±3.5ng/mL, respectively (trend P-value<0.001). This association remained significant even after adjusting for known demographic and metabolic risk factors. In the subgroup analysis, this association was only prominent in classic NAFLD, but not in lean NAFLD. Conclusions Serum leptin level is associated with the severity of NAFLD, especially in classic NAFLD patients

Hepatic abnormalities in patients with chronic granulomatous disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by repeated bacterial and fungal infections. Aside from a high incidence of liver abscess, little is known about hepatic involvement in CGD. The aim of this study was to describe the spectrum of liver abnormalities seen in CGD. The charts of 194 patients with CGD followed at the NIH were reviewed, with a focus on liver abnormalities. Liver enzyme elevations occurred on at least one occasion in 73% of patients during a mean of 8.9 years of follow-up. ALT elevations were generally transient. Although transient alkaline phosphatase (ALP) elevations were also common, persistent ALP elevations lasting up to 17.6 years were seen in 25% of patients. Liver abscess occurred in 35% of patients. Drug-induced hepatotoxicity was documented in 15% of patients but likely occurred more frequently. Hepatomegaly was found in 34% and splenomegaly in 56% of patients. Liver histology showed granulomata in 75% and lobular hepatitis in 90% of specimens. Venopathy of the portal vein was common (80%) and associated with splenomegaly. Venopathy of the central vein was also common (63%) and was associated with the number of abscess episodes. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) was seen in 9 patients, including 6 of 12 autopsy specimens. CONCLUSION: Liver enzyme abnormalities occur frequently in patients with CGD. In addition to liver abscesses and granulomata, drug hepatotoxicity is likely underappreciated. Vascular lesions such as venopathy and--to a lesser extent--NRH are common. The cause and clinical consequences of venopathy await prospective evaluation

Method Validation for Simultaneous Determination of Pyriproxyfen and Fenpropathrin in Okra Matrices

Extraction and quantification of pesticide residue from the okra matrix at or below the established maximum residue limit (MRL) is a challenging task for both analytical chemists and regulatory institutions to take corrective actions for human health and safety. to develop a simple rapid and less expensive extraction and cleanup method for simultaneous analysis of pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin residue in okra two methods:&nbsp; QuEChERS and Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) were tested. Both methods produce reliable results, QuEChERS method was chosen for the present research due to its superior efficiency, low cost&nbsp;as well as reduced risk of exposure to solvents in comparison to Liquid-Liquid Partitioning. The residues of both pesticides were confirmed and quantified by hyphenated gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS). The effect of spiking concentration, matrix effect (ME), measurement of inter- and intra-assay repeatability, reproducibility of recovery, and trueness of the results were investigated to validate the effectiveness of the method. Limit of determination (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for both the analytes were 0.005 and 0.01 mg/kg. The % recovery of both pesticides ranged between 85.9 to 97.9 % with RSD ≤ 7.19 %. The method fulfilled all the SANTE guidelines (SANTE, 2021) and thus can be extended for routine analysis of multiclass pesticide residue in the okra matrix

Ultimate Fate and Determination of Pyriproxyfen and Fenpropathrin in the Environment: A Critical Review

Since the 1990s, the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen and pyrethroids such as fenpropathrin have been widely used to reduce pest populations in agriculture. The widespread use of these insecticides makes it essential for researchers to understand how they behave in terrestrial ecosystems and how they can be detected. This work reviewed the most effective analytical techniques used to detect pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin in various samples. The degradation of pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin in soil takes time, but in aerobic environments, pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin are degraded rapidly following first-order kinetics or pseudo-first-order kinetics. Both insecticides tend to adsorb on soils and are not susceptible to leaching into groundwater. Based on greenhouse or field conditions, both insecticides degrade differently by following first-order kinetics, and their half-lives in plants range from one to three weeks. Since both insecticide residues are soluble in acetone, hexane, ethyl acetate, and acetonitrile, they can be extracted in those solvents. They can also be processed in a variety of ways discussed in this paper. Ultimately, the review explains how fate profiles of pyriproxyfen and fenpropathrin in soil and plants affect these molecules' adverse effects on non-target organisms