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Cracks are one of the critical structural defects in building assessment to determine the integrity of civil structure. Structural surveying process using computer vision is required to automatically identify cracks. The application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) is limited by its fixed geometric kernels to extract the irregular shape of cracks. In this paper, a mask Region-based Denoised Deformable Convolutional Network (R-DDCN) is proposed to detect cracks for accurate instance segmentation and image classification. Denoised deformable convolution is introduced to improve the modeling capability of convolution layer. It adopts the existing deformable convolution, with non-local means as a denoising mechanism to optimize the augmentation of spatial sampling locations with filtered offsets. Experimental results show that the proposed mask R-DDCN has lower validation loss and improved mean accuracy precision of mAP75 from 66.7% to 76.7% as compared to the mask R-CNN. Mask R-DDCN can perform better modeling capability in cracks identification.

Purpose Obesity increases the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset CKD even in the absence of metabolic risk factors. Weight loss has been shown to reduce renal hyperfiltration and proteinuria. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) remains an effective treatment for obesity and its metabolic-related complications. However, literature on its impact on renal function remains limited. Materials and methods This was an observational retrospective study in a tertiary centre in Singapore. MBS cases performed at the centre between 2008 and 2019 were included. The primary outcome measures were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), calculated using the CKD epidemiology collaboration equation, and albuminuria (defined as urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) > 3.5 mg/mmol) at baseline and 1-year post-MBS. Results Five hundred fifty-seven patients were included. One-year post-MBS, median eGFR increased from 110.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 92.4 to 121.5) to 112.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 97.3 to 122.3), p Conclusions MBS had a positive impact on renal function with modest but statistically significant improvement in eGFR and reduction in albuminuria at 1-year post-surgery. Longer-term data is required to investigate the durability of this impact.

Following bariatric surgery, accurate charting of weight loss and regain is crucial. Various preoperative factors affect postoperative weight loss, including age, sex, ethnicity, and surgical type. These are not considered by current weight loss metrics, limiting comparison of weight loss outcomes between patients or centers and across time. Patients (n=1022) who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (n=809) and gastric bypass (n=213) from 2008 to 2020 in a single center were reviewed. Weight loss outcomes (% total weight loss) were measured for 60 months postoperatively. Longitudinal centile lines were plotted using the post-estimation predictions of quantile regression models, adjusted for type of procedure, sex, ethnicity, and baseline BMI. Median regression showed that %TWL was 1.0% greater among males than females (β = +1.1, 95% CI: +0.6 to +1.7, P =

Endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBT) has emerged as an effective treatment in the management of the patient with obesity. Unfortunately, most procedures involve only the restriction of gastric volume without altering the underlying metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the practicability and limitations of the metabolic altering procedures: "One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB)" with "natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)" on human cadavers.We performed OAGB with NOTES approach in 3 human cadavers. The steps of the procedure can be divided as follows: step 1, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG); step 2, trans-gastric access to peritoneal cavity; step 3, identification of suitable loop of jejunum; step 4, introduction of the jejunal loop into the stomach; step 5, creation of the gastro-jejunostomy with lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS); step 6, gastric pylorus occlusion with overstitch.We performed OAGB with NOTES in 3 human cadavers with bypassed bilio-pancreatic limb of 55, 75, and 105 cm from the pylorus. The average weight for the cadavers was 64.9 kg (61.2-71.7 kg). The mean procedure time was 157 min. The optimal bypassed length for the procedure was 105 cm.This study has provided proof-of-principle in a pre-clinical cadaveric model that NOTES approach can be used to perform OAGB and, therefore, merits additional evaluation and consideration in surviving porcine model.

ObjectivesPostoperative outcomes vary considerably across bariatric patients and may be related to psychosocial factors. In this study, we examined whether a patient’s family support predicts postsurgical weight loss and the remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).DesignRetrospective cohort study in Singapore.SettingParticipants were recruited from a public hospital in Singapore.ParticipantsBetween 2008 and 2018, 359 patients completed a presurgical questionnaire before undergoing gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.Outcome measuresAs part of the questionnaire, patients described their family support in terms of structure (marital status, number of family members in the household) and function (marriage satisfaction, family emotional support, family practical support). Linear mixed-effects and Cox proportional-hazard models were used to examine whether these family support variables predicted percent total weight loss or T2DM remission up to 5 years postsurgery. T2DM remission was defined as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ResultsParticipants had a mean preoperative body mass index of 42.6±7.7 kg/m2and HbA1c (%) of 6.82±1.67. Marital satisfaction was found to be a significant predictor of postsurgical weight trajectories. Namely, patients who reported higher marital satisfaction were more likely to sustain weight loss than patients who reported lower marital satisfaction (β=0.92, SE=0.37, p=0.02). Family support did not significantly predict T2DM remission.ConclusionsGiven the link between marital support and long-term weight outcomes, providers could consider asking patients about their spousal relationships during presurgical counselling.Trial registration numberNCT04303611.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the commonest bariatric procedures. However, it is associated with postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). This study aims to assess the impact of various preoperative clinical and endoscopic characteristics on the development of postoperative GERD and EE. Methods: A single institution retrospective cohort study involving all patients who underwent LSG. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify preoperative parameters that were significantly associated with the development of postoperative GERD and EE, at up to 1-year follow-up. Results:At up to 1-year follow-up, out of 127 patients, only preoperative endoscopic presence of a hiatal hernia noted on axial length (p=0.024), and the Hill’s classification of the gastroesophageal junction (p

Aim: Weight-based stigmatization is prevalent. They have been reported in schools, work and healthcare settings. However, almost all the literature on such weight-based stereotypes were from Western countries. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of weight-based stigmatization in an Asian population. Methods: An anonymized questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Respondents were asked about their socioeconomic status, followed by questions on perceived weight-based stigmatization across 4 domains (self, social, healthcare, work and education). A subsequent subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of different obesity classes on perceived stigmatization across these domains. Results: A total of 101 respondents replied. Respondents with higher BMI were middle-aged (p = 0.040), Malays (p = 0.018), low-income (p = 0.041) and had lower educational qualifications (p = 0.038). Total prevalence of perceived weight-based stigmatization was 65.6%. Class III obesity respondents were more stigmatized at work (Prevalence Rate Ratio (PRR) 5.73, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16–28.47), and resort to increased consumption of unhealthy food or partake in lesser exercise due to stigma (PRR 24.94, 95% CI: 3.61-172.41). Conclusion: Obesity stigmatization is equally prevalent in Asian societies. Individuals with higher BMI were more likely to report perceived stigmatization in the workplace, as well as maladaptive dietary and exercise behaviours in response to stigmatization, regardless of socioeconomic status.

The adverse implications of obesity extend beyond physical health to include negative impact on quality of life (QoL), mood, and eating habits. While bariatric surgery provides successful weight loss and metabolic benefits, studies describe conflicting results on QoL and mood-related outcomes. Patients (n = 140) with class II/III obesity and T2DM were recruited from 2015 to 2019, and stratified based on medical or surgical treatment. Questionnaires including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Euro QoL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS), and Revised 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21) were recorded at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment. At baseline, the surgical group (n = 55) and medical group (n = 85) had no significant difference in questionnaire outcomes. At 6 and 12 months, EQ-VAS was higher in the surgical group (12 months surgical 82.00 ± 12.64, medical 72.81 ± 16.56, p = 0.001), with greater improvement from baseline. HADS-D scores at 12 months were lower in the surgical group (surgical 2.60 ± 2.88, medical 3.90 ± 3.58, p = 0.025). At 12 months, the surgical group also had better TFEQ-R21 scores, with higher cognitive restraint scores (surgical 19.09 ± 3.00, medical 16.69 ± 3.61, p

Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the preferred bariatric procedure in many countries. However, there is one shortcoming of LSG in the long-term follow-up, and this is the onset of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE). Conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered an option in patients unresponsive to medical therapy. Currently, there is no evidence of EE improvement or resolution after conversion surgery. In this study, we objectively evaluate the effectiveness of RYGB in management of EE with upper endoscopy (EGD) to identify the significant variables in patients with GERD symptoms post LSG refractory to medical therapy and require conversion surgery. Methods Over a period of 11 years (2008–2019) at Singapore General Hospital, we retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected database of a cohort of patients whom had conversion surgery to RYGB for refractory GERD and EE after LSG. Patient’s endoscopic findings and demographic and anthropometric data were analyzed. Results We identified a total of 14 patients who underwent LSG to RYGB conversions for endoscopic proven erosive esophagitis in our unit during the study period. Eight patients (57.1%) had concurrent hiatal hernia repaired. Nine (64.3%) patients were females. The median age of patients in this cohort was 44 (range 30–61) years. Mean weight and BMI were 87.7 kg (± 19.2) and 32.8 (± 3.09) kg/m2, respectively, on the day of conversion surgery. The median time between LSG and revision to RYGB was 36 (range 6–68) months. Seven patients (50%) had complete resolution of GERD symptoms after conversion, and 6 patients (42.9%) had partial resolution. Six out of 7 patients had complete resolution of EE. There were 4 anastomotic strictures (28.6%). Older patients, Indian ethnicity, present of hiatal hernia and lower weight loss after initial LSG were more likely to undergo conversion surgery. Conclusion Conversion to RYGB after LSG is clinically relevant and may be a feasible solution if patients have ongoing GERD refractory to medical therapy. Ninety-three percent of our patients achieved complete resolution of their GERD symptoms and significant improvement of erosive esophagitis with significant weight loss after conversion. This study has important implications as LSG is increasingly being performed and a proportion of these will need revision surgery for various reasons, particularly GERD which is extremely prevalent.

This is a video submission of a laparoscopic resection of an epiphrenic oesophageal pulsion diverticulum secondary to achalasia. A Heller’s cardiomyotomy is also performed together with a Toupet fundoplication. Methods The patient is a 40 year old woman with a 12 month history of worsening dysphagia, reflux symptoms, as well as occasional regurgitation of food, worse at night. Barium swallow showed a distal oesophageal diverticulum and oesophageal manometry confirmed type 1 achalasia. Upper GI endoscopy showed no other intra-luminal findings. Results The patient underwent a laparoscopic resection of the diverticulum, together with a Heller’s cardiomyotomy and Toupet fundoplication. There were no post-operative complications. She remains well and asymptomatic at 9 month follow-up. Conclusion Pulsion diverticula secondary to achalasia are a known but rare entity. A few variations exist on how to manage this condition surgically, especially with respect to the type of fundoplication. We present our preferred technique for dealing with this condition. Video https://www.dropbox.com/s/dg4edkamykugupn/Oesophagealdivert.mp4?dl=0

Anastomotic leak following Ivor Lewis oesophago-gastrectomy is a major complication with high morbidity and mortality. We report our experience with three such cases where endoscopically deployed double pigtail stents (DPT) were used to help manage the leaks. Methods Three patients from October 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 experienced leakage from the oesophago-gastric anastomosis following minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophago-gastrectomy. These occurred on post-operative day 9, day 29 and day 7 respectively. All cases were managed with endoscopic deployment of double pigtail stents along with other adjunctive measures. Results To date all patients remain alive, with sepsis under control. One of the patients had been able to have his double pigtail stent removed at six weeks and he has been able to commence adjuvant chemotherapy. Another patient had a follow-up contrast study one week after DPT insertion which showed no further contrast extravasation and was able to recommence oral intake. The third patient has a left empyema (managed conservatively with a combination of internal DPT and external pigtail drainage) which is gradually resolving. Conclusion Endoscopically deployed DPTs are a useful tool in the armamentarium for managing oesophago-gastric anastomotic leaks in selected patients following Ivor Lewis oesophago-gastrectomy. They are advantageous in that stent migration does not appear to be an issue, nor is there any problem with leakage around the stent. Patients are mostly able to restart oral intake soon after insertion of DPTs. This reduces the morbidity associated with these anastomotic leaks, and reduces the number of interventions needed.

Data on attitudes and perceptions towards obesity are lacking in Asia. Participants who attended an obesity public forum were surveyed concerning obesity and its treatment options. Although obesity is generally accepted as a disease with biological underpinnings such as hormonal imbalances and slow metabolic rate, it is also regarded as an issue of personal responsibility. 65.1% believed that weight-loss medications are dangerous. 20.6% thought that pharmacotherapy is effective for weight loss, whereas 41.1% were unsure. Most believed that bariatric surgery could improve health (81.9%) and diabetes control (74.0%) although 64.1% were unsure of its risks.

Obesity plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and as an exacerbating factor of OSA. Given the interlinking relationship of obesity and OSA, treatment of obesity is fundamental in the management of OSA. Weight loss of 7% to 11% significantly improves OSA with remission seen with greater weight loss. Weight loss also ameliorates the constellation of other obesity-related metabolic conditions, reducing the overall cardiovascular risk in an obese person with OSA. This article discusses specific weight loss interventions effective in improving OSA, including lifestyle interventions with dietary modification and physical activity, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

Following bariatric surgery, accurate charting of weight loss and regain is crucial. Various preoperative factors affect postoperative weight loss, including age, sex, ethnicity, and surgical type. These are not considered by current weight loss metrics, limiting comparison of weight loss outcomes between patients or centers and across time.Patients (n=1022) who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (n=809) and gastric bypass (n=213) from 2008 to 2020 in a single center were reviewed. Weight loss outcomes (% total weight loss) were measured for 60 months postoperatively. Longitudinal centile lines were plotted using the post-estimation predictions of quantile regression models, adjusted for type of procedure, sex, ethnicity, and baseline BMI.Median regression showed that %TWL was 1.0% greater among males than females (β = +1.1, 95% CI: +0.6 to +1.7, P =0.0001). Participants who underwent SG had less %TWL compared to GB (β = -1.3, 95% CI: -1.9 to -0.8, P0.0001). There was a trend towards less %TWL among the Indian and Malay participants compared to Chinese. Age and diabetes were not significant predictors. Reference centile charts were produced for the overall cohort, as well as specific charts adjusted for type of bariatric procedure, sex, ethnicity, and baseline BMI.Centile charts provide a clinically relevant method for monitoring of weight trajectories postoperatively and aid in realistic and personalised goal setting, and the early identification of "poor responders". This is the first study to present post-bariatric surgery centile charts for an Asian cohort.

Endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBT) are emerging as effective therapies in the management of overweight patient with or without metabolic syndrome. Unfortunately most procedures only restrict the gastric volume without altering the underlying metabolism which is seen in surgical patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and limitations of a natural orifice trans-luminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). NOTES OAGB was performed in three porcine models. The steps of the procedure can be divide as follows: All the animals underwent successful NOTES of OAGB. The mean weight for the animals was 34.3 kg (32–37 kg). The mean procedure time was 250 min (300 min for first animal and 180 min for third animal). The average bypassed bilio-pancreatic limb was 98 cm (range 65–130 cm). This study has provided proof-of-principle in a preclinical model that a NOTES approach can be used to perform OAGB and, therefore, merits additional evaluation and consideration.

Key Points Question Are bariatric interventions associated with serum micronutrients and metabolic hormones changes in the years after intervention, and do trajectories differ between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy vs gastric bypass procedures? Findings In this comparative effectiveness study of 499 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and 189 patients who underwent one-anastomosis or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, parameters associated with calcium metabolism did not differ between the groups. The extent of hemoglobin suppression was greater among patients who underwent gastric bypass compared with those who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, but the difference was not explained by differences in iron stores or vitamin B levels. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that micronutrient deficiencies after bariatric interventions are differentially associated with types of bariatric procedures., This comparative effectiveness study examines the association of bariatric interventions with micronutrient deficiencies and endocrine disturbances., Importance Few studies have described the longitudinal trajectories of serum levels of micronutrients whose deficiencies are associated with serious sequelae following bariatric procedures, such as anemia, osteoporotic fractures, and neuropathies. Furthermore, previous studies comparing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) vs Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) procedures may have been limited by selection and confounding biases. Objective To appraise the spectrum and temporal course of micronutrient deficiencies associated with bone metabolism and erythropoiesis after LSG vs OAGB or LRYGB procedures, using the propensity score as a balancing score. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective, longitudinal comparative effectiveness study was conducted at a high-volume bariatric unit in Singapore from September 1, 2008, to November 30, 2017, with a cutoff date for analysis of September 2018. Patients who underwent adjustable gastric banding, biliopancreatic diversion procedures, and intragastric balloon procedures were excluded. All other patients who underwent bariatric procedures were included. Data were analyzed from September 23 to 30, 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Serial assessment of 13 biochemical parameters at 12 time points for up to 5 years after bariatric procedure. Inverse probability-of-treatment weights were used to obtain estimates of the mean associations of variables assessed with the bariatric surgical interventions. Longitudinal trajectories were analyzed using mixed-effects generalized linear models to apportion the temporal variation of serum micronutrients into fixed-effects and random-effects components. Results A total of 688 patients were included in this study, of whom 499 underwent LSG (mean [SD] age, 41.5 [11.3] years; 318 [63.7%] women) and 189 underwent OAGB or LRYGB (mean [SD] age, 48.6 [9.4] years; 112 [59.3%] women). There were no differences during follow-up among patients who underwent LSG vs those who underwent OAGB or LRYGB in intact parathyroid hormone levels (mean difference, 7.05 [95% CI, −28.67 to 42.77] pg/mL; P = .70), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (mean difference, −0.72 [95% CI, −1.56 to 0.12] ng/mL; P = .09), or phosphate levels (mean difference, 0.006 [95% CI, −0.052 to 0.064] mg/dL; P = .83). Hemoglobin levels were a mean 0.63 (95% CI, 0.41 to 0.85) g/dL higher among patients who underwent LSG compared with those who underwent OAGB or LRYGB (P

This review aims to evaluate the latest evidence on the treatment options for perceived poor responders to bariatric surgery and provide practitioners with a guide on when to consider revisional surgery and when to consider alternatives. The use of adjuvant pharmacotherapy has been increasingly described in the literature as an adjunct to primary bariatric surgery, in order to attain more weight loss or better control of obesity-related complications. The newer anti-obesity and anti-diabetes drugs also have cardiorenal benefits, which are shown in recent cardiovascular outcome trials. Revisional bariatric surgery has emerged as a distinctive entity and can be broadly organized into three categories: corrective, conversion, and reversal surgeries. Careful patient selection and preoperative optimization are needed to ensure long-term favorable outcomes. Newer treatment modalities involving the use of anti-obesity medications and endoscopic bariatric interventions provide patients and healthcare providers with more options, when faced with the challenge of poor response after bariatric surgery.

Background Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a popular bariatric procedure performed in Asia, as obesity continues to be on the rise in our population. A major problem faced is the development of de novo gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after LSG, which can be chronic and debilitating. In this study, we aim to assess the relationship between the presence of small hiatal hernia (HH) and the development of postoperative GERD, as well as to explore the correlation between GERD symptoms after LSG and timing of meals. In doing so, we hope to gain a better understanding about the type of reflux that occurs after LSG and take a step closer towards effectively managing this difficult to treat condition. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data collected from patients who underwent LSG in our hospital from Dec 2008 to Dec 2016. All patients underwent preoperative upper GI endoscopy, during which the identification of hiatal hernia takes place. Patients' information and reflux symptoms are recorded using standardized questionnaires, which are administered preoperatively, and again during postoperative follow up visits. Results Of the 255 patients, 125 patients (74%) developed de novo GERD within 6 months post-sleeve gastrectomy. The rate of de novo GERD was 57.1% in the group with HH, and 76.4% in the group without HH. Adjusted analysis showed no significant association between HH and GERD (RR = 0.682; 95% CI 0.419 to 1.111; P = 0.125). 88% of the patients who developed postoperative GERD reported postprandial symptoms occurring only after meals, and the remaining 12% of patients reported no correlation between the timing of GERD symptoms and meals. Conclusion There is no direct correlation between the presence of small hiatal hernia and GERD symptoms after LSG. Hence, the presence of a small sliding hiatal hernia should not be exclusion for sleeve gastrectomy. Electing not to perform concomitant hiatal hernia repair also does not appear to result in higher rates of postoperative or de novo GERD.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the preferred bariatric procedure in many countries. However, there is one shortcoming of LSG in the long-term follow-up and this is the onset of GERD and erosive esophagitis (EE). Current evidence of the effect of SG on GERD did not consolidate to a consensus. In this study, we objectively evaluate the incidence of EE 1 year post-LSG with upper endoscopy (EGD) and try to identify the significant variables and possible underlying mechanisms of the EE post-LSG. Over a period of 5 years (2011–2016) at Singapore General Hospital, we retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected database of a cohort of patients whom had LSG by a single surgeon who routinely performed EGD pre-operative and 1 year post-operative to assess EE and hiatal hernia. Patient’s endoscopic findings and demographic and anthropometric data were analyzed. We identified a total of 97 obese patients who underwent LSG at our hospital by studied surgeon. Sixty-three patients (64.9% of original sample) were finally evaluated in the present study, 40 (59.7%) of whom were female. The mean (range) age of patients was 38.2 (18–66) years, and mean BMI was 36.3 ± 4.1 kg/m2. Median time to follow-up EGD was 13 months (range, 12–15). Following LSG, there was a significant decrease in both BMI (42.1 ± 1.2 vs. 29.9 ± 1.0 kg/m2) and percentage excess weight loss of 56.6 ± 3.6%. The prevalence of EE on endoscopy increased from 9 (14.3%) to 28 (44.4%) patients. Of which 15 (23.8%) were grade A, 11 (17.5%) were grade B, and 2 (3.2%) were grade C. There was no correlation between GERD symptoms with EE; however, our study found a trend suggesting higher prevalence of EE with a sleeve diameter measuring > 2 cm wide (p = 0.069). Although LSG is effective in treating obesity and its metabolic syndromes, the prevalence of EE increased significantly 1 year after the surgery. Since we do not fully understand the long-term impact of chronic esophagitis in post-sleeve population, we recommend follow-up EGD assessment post-operatively and treat the esophagitis if present.

Digital measurement of differential settlement is crucial in the structural health assessment. A new differential settlement monitoring system using inverse perspective mapping (IPM) technique is proposed to measure the relative displacement of pillars. First, the displacement of adjacent pillars is indicated by a point of laser beam. Subsequently, camera module attached perpendicularly to the wall captures an image centroid of laser point. As the camera has the image perspective effect, IPM is used to transform the image coordinate of laser point into actual ground plane for vertical displacement measurement in millimeter. A relative displacement graph is plotted onto a Web-base for differential settlement monitoring. The proposed system allows camera to be set up closer to the laser projected wall. Hence, no camera holder is required and no gap is inserted between the camera and targeted screen for laser projection. As a result, the construction of the proposed system is relatively less complex and bulky. A test rig is built to evaluate the proposed differential settlement system. Empirical results showed that the proposed system obtains an accuracy of measurement up to 1 mm ± 0.1 mm. The test results also verify the performance of the system and its applicability to real structures.

Obesity plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and as an exacerbating factor of OSA. Given the interlinking relationship of obesity and OSA, treatment of obesity is fundamental in the management of OSA. Weight loss of 7% to 11% significantly improves OSA with remission seen with greater weight loss. Weight loss also ameliorates the constellation of other obesity-related metabolic conditions, reducing the overall cardiovascular risk in an obese person with OSA. This article discusses specific weight loss interventions effective in improving OSA, including lifestyle interventions with dietary modification and physical activity, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

Introduction: Obesity increases the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), being one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset CKD even in the metabolically normal obese. Weight loss has been shown to reduce renal hyperfiltration and proteinuria. Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (MBS) remains an effective treatment for obesity and its metabolic related complications. However, literature on its impact on long term renal function remains limited. Methods: This was an observational retrospective study in a tertiary centre in Singapore. MBS cases performed at the centre between 2008 and 2019 were included. The primary outcome measure was estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation, and albuminuria (defined as urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) >3.5 mg/mmol) at baseline and at one-year post surgery. Results: 557 patients were included. Baseline parameters are as follows: mean age 41.7 ±10.1 years; female 65.4%; ethnic composition: Chinese (35.2%), Malay (33.0%), Indian (26.9%); BMI 42.5 ±7.9 kg/m²; glycaemic status: Diabetes Mellitus (34.5%), Pre-diabetes (13.5%), Non-diabetic (52.1%); Hypertensive status: Hypertension (55.2%), Pre-Hypertension (1.9%), Normotensive (42.9%). Median eGFR was 110.9 (92.4 - 121.5) mL/min/1.73 m² and median uACR was 1.00 (0.40 - 3.55) mg/mmol. At one-year post surgery, patients achieved statistically significant reductions in mean BMI (-11.3 ±4.2 kg/m2), systolic BP (-3.24 ±19.3 mmHg), diastolic BP (-5.23 ±13.8 mmHg), fasting glucose (-1.95 ±2.89 mmol/L) and improvement in HDL (0.29 ±0.26 mmol/L). In addition, statistically significant reductions in the proportion of patients on anti-hypertensive (48.8% to 14.4%), anti-diabetic (34.1% to 12.7%) and lipid-lowering medications (37.8% to 20.4%) were seen. In particular, ACE-inhibitor and/or angiotensin receptor blocker (32.9% to 9.2%, p< 0.001) usage was reduced. At one-year post surgery, median eGFR increased by 1.66 mL/min/1.73 m² (p Conclusions: Metabolic bariatric surgery had a positive impact on renal function as shown by the improvement in eGFR in the non-diabetic group, and the reduction in albuminuria in the diabetes and pre-diabetes group at one-year post surgery. More adequately powered, longer-term data is required to investigate the durability of this impact.

The present systematic review determined the role of transarterial embolization (TAE) as a prophylactic treatment in bleeding peptic ulcers after initial successful endoscopic hemostasis. PubMed and Ovid Medline databases were searched from inception until July 2019 for studies that included patients deemed high-risk based on Forrest Classification, Rockall score ≥ 5, or endoscopic evaluation in addition to those who underwent prophylactic TAE after initial successful endoscopic hemostasis. Meta-analysis was performed to compare patients who underwent endoscopic therapy (ET) and TAE with those who underwent ET alone. The primary outcomes measured included rates of rebleeding, reintervention, and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures evaluated length of hospitalization, technical success rates, and complications associated with TAE. Of 916 publications, 5 were eligible for inclusion; 310 patients with high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding underwent prophylactic TAE, and 255 were compared against a control group of 580 patients that underwent standard treatment with ET alone. Patients who underwent ET with TAE had lower 30-day rebleeding rates (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15–0.85; P = .02; I2 = 50%). The ET with TAE group had a lower 30-day mortality rate (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.10–0.83; P = .02; I2 = 58%). There was no difference in pooled reintervention rates (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.43–1.08; P = .10; I2 = 0%) and length of hospitalization (mean difference, −0.32; 95% CI, −1.88 to 1.24; P = .69; I2 = 0%). Technical success rate of prophylactic TAE was 90.5% (95% CI, 83.09–97.98; I2 = 75.9%). Pooled proportion of overall complication rate was 0.18% (95% CI, 0.00–1.28; I2 = 0%). Prophylactic TAE has lower rebleeding and mortality with a good success rate and low complications. Prophylactic TAE after primary ET may be recommended for selected patients with high-risk bleeding ulcers; however, further studies should be performed to establish this as a routine tool in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer disease.

Archaic surgical procedures such as the jejunoileal bypass, vertical banded gastroplasty and duodenal switch have contributed to the current best practice of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedure for the treatment of obesity and its consequences. Despite this, RYGB has been blighted with late occurring adverse events such as severe malnutrition, marginal ulcer and reactive hypoglycemia. Despite this, RYGB has given us an opportunity to examine the effect of surgery on gut hormones and the impact on metabolic syndrome which in turn has allowed us to carry out a lower impact but equally, if not more effective, procedure - the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). We examine the benefits of sleeve gastrectomy from the less challenging technical aspect to the effect on obesity and its metabolic syndrome long-term and have concluded that sleeve gastrectomy is possibly the next current best practice.

Traditionally, restoration of normal bowel continuity after resection and bypass of a diseased or obstructed gastrointestinal tract can only be achieved through surgery, which can be technically challenging and comes with a risk of adverse events. Here, we describe our institutions’ experience with endoscopic-guided gastroenterostomy or enteroenterostomy with lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) from March 2015 to August 2016. Ten patients had gastrogastrostomy (gastric pouch to gastric remnant) and three patients had jejunogastrostomy (Roux limb to gastric remnant) for the reversal of Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery. One patient had gastroduodenostomy (stomach to duodenal bulb) post antrectomy and one patient had jejunojejunostomy for distal obstruction following Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Technical and clinical success were achieved in all patients, save for delayed anastomotic stenosis following stent removal in one patient, with a mean follow-up of 126 days (3–318 days) with minimal complications in two patients. Endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis therefore may be a safe and feasible technique to re-establish continuity of the digestive system following bypass in the short-term.