1,721,148 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
A case of jejunal adenocarcinoma missed at cross-sectional techniques and diagnosed by capsule endoscopy
No full textPrimary tumors of the small bowel (SB) are rare, representing approximately 1% to 3% of all primary GI neoplasms. The overall incidence is increasing, probably owing to an improvement in diagnostic techniques. Small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is a noninvasive and well tolerated procedure that allows direct visualization of the SB mucosa, with a detection rate for neoplasm ranging from 1.6% to 11.5% in procedures performed for any indication. The diagnostic yield of SBCE has previously been compared with that of CT, with either similar performance or favoring SBCE. In SBCE terminology, SB tumors are included in the protruding lesions. Typical endoscopic features include a well-defined lesion with distinctive color from the surrounding mucosa, and irregular mucosal pattern, bleeding stigmata, and ulceration. A delayed transit of the SBCE resulting in visualization of the lesion for several minutes is common. SBCE is helpful indiagnosing adenocarcinoma in the GI tract. By contrast, a submucosal tumor such as a GI stromal tumor could be mistaken as a nonspecific mucosal bulge on SBCE.
The most common adverse event of SBCE is capsule retention. This rare adverse event can be seen in 2% of all placed capsules and is mostly managed conservatively. This risk can be mitigated with the use of a patency test using either imaging or a patency capsule. In this patient, with a nondiagnostic CT scan, retention was the key to identifying the location
of the adenocarcinoma during surgery.
This case highlights the importance of having SBCE in our repertoire for early diagnosis of SB conditions
Pouchitis: Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment
Full text linkProcto-colectomy with an ileal pouch anal anastomosis is the procedure of choice for ulcerative colitis patients that require colectomy. Pouchitis is a non-specific inflammation of the ileal reservoir, and the most common, inflammatory and long-term, complication after pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis. The aetiology is still unknown, but many risk factors have been individuated. Pouchitis can be classified based on aetiology, duration, clinical course, and response to antibiotic therapy. Accurate diagnosis and classification is the key factor for an adequate management, and exclusion of secondary causes of pouchitis is pivotal. Most of the patients consistently respond to antibiotic therapy, but management of the subgroup of patients with chronic-antibiotic-resistant-pouchitis is still challenging, being this entity one of the major causes of pouch failure
A current overview of corticosteroid use in active ulcerative colitis
No full textIntroduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes continuous mucosal inflammation of the colon. New biological drugs have been developed in order to avoid colectomy, but corticosteroids still play a crucial role in management of active UC. Areas covered: We reviewed the current literature about the importance of corticosteroid use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. The evidence reviewed in this article is a summation of relevant scientific publications, expert opinion statements, and current practice guidelines. This review is a summary of expert opinion in the field without a formal systematic review of evidence. Expert opinion: Corticosteroids represent the mainstay of treatment in patients with severe UC and are very effective in inducing remission in mild to moderate flares not responding to combined oral and topical mesalazine. A valid alternative to systemic corticosteroids is represented by poorly absorbed steroids, such as Beclomethasone dipropionate and Budesonide MMX. In mild-moderate distal disease topical administration of corticosteroids (both systemic and BDP) is an effective alternative to topical mesalazine. However, corticosteroids do not represent a therapeutic option as a maintenance treatment since they are associated with multiple adverse effects
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