Midterm results of endovascular aneurysm sealing to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background

Endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) represents a novel approach to the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. It uses polymer technology to achieve an anatomic seal within the sac of the aneurysm. This cohort study reports the early clinical outcomes, technical refinements, and learning curve during the initial EVAS experience at a single institution.

Comparison of PC and iPad administrations of the Cogstate Brief Battery in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging: Assessing cross-modality equivalence of computerized neuropsychological tests

Objective: Computerized neuropsychological assessments are increasingly used in clinical practice, population studies of cognitive aging and clinical trial enrichment. Subtle, but significant, performance differences have been demonstrated across different modes of test administration and require further investigation.

Method: Participants included cognitively unimpaired adults aged 50 and older from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging who completed the Cogstate Brief Battery and Cogstate’s Groton Maze Learning Test (GMLT) on an iPad or a personal computer (PC) in the clinic. Mode of administration differences and test–retest reliability coefficients were examined across 3 cohorts: a demographically matched test–retest cohort completing PC and iPad administrations the same day (N?=?168); a test naïve cohort comparing baseline PC (n?=?1820) and iPad (n?=605) performance; and a demographically matched longitudinal cohort completing 3 Cogstate visits over 15 months on either the PC (n?=63) or iPad (n?=63).

Results: Results showed a small but statistically significant and consistent finding for faster performance on PC relative to iPad for several Cogstate Brief Battery measures. Measures of accuracy generally did not differ or differences were very small. The GMLT showed faster performance and higher total errors on iPad. Most Cogstate variables showed no difference in the rate of change across PC and iPad administrations.

Conclusions: There are small, but significant, differences in performance when giving the same cognitive tests on a PC or an iPad. Future studies are needed to better understand if these small differences impact the clinical interpretation of results and research outcomes.     

Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) in a rabbit model of spina bifida

Purpose

Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) with select mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to induce partial or complete skin coverage of spina bifida in rodents. Clinical translation of this emerging therapy hinges on its efficacy in larger animal models. We sought to study TRASCET in a model requiring intra-amniotic injections 60 times larger than those performed in the rat.

Robotic left-sided colorectal resection with natural orifice IntraCorporeal anastomosis with extraction of specimen: The NICE procedure. A pilot study of consecutive cases

Background

Despite numerous benefits, only a small fraction of laparoscopic left-sided colectomy is accomplished without the need for an abdominal incision to retrieve the specimen and prepare for anastomosis. We report our early experience with a robotic approach using Natural orifice IntraCorporeal anastomosis with Extraction of specimen (NICE) to help overcome the technical limitations and challenges of this approach.

The burden of digestive disease across Europe: Facts and policies

The past decade has witnessed a significant increase in the incidence of GI diseases across Europe. There are clear differences in outcomes for patients in Europe based on geographical and economic differences, and there is a worrying inequality in the provision of healthcare across the continent. Recent demographic studies have highlighted the heavy burden of GI disease across Europe. There is increasing demand for endoscopic procedures which are becoming increasingly more complex and demand further expertise and training. A co-ordinated and cohesive approach to research, specialist training and healthcare funding is required to overcome these inequalities.