Medium-term surgical outcomes and health-related quality of life after laparoscopic vs open colorectal cancer resection: SF-36 health survey questionnaire

BACKGROUND Previous studies that compared the postoperative health-related quality of life(HRQoL)outcomes after receiving laparoscopic resection(LR)or open resection(OR)in patients with colorectal cancer(CRC)have different conclusions.AIM To explore the medium-term effect of postoperative HRQoL in such patients.METHODS This study randomized 567 patients undergoing non-metastatic CRC surgery managed by one surgeon to the LR or OR groups.HRQoL was assessed during the preoperative period and 3,6,and 12 mo postoperative using a modified version of the 36-Item Short Form(SF-36)Health Survey questionnaire,emphasizing eight specific items.RESULTS This cohort randomly assigned 541 patients to receive LR(n=296)or OR(n=245)surgical procedures.More episodes of postoperative urinary tract infection(P<0.001),wound infection(P<0.001),and pneumonia(P=0.048)were encountered in the OR group.The results demonstrated that the LR group subjectively gained mildly better general health(P=0.045),moderately better physical activity(P=0.006),and significantly better social function recovery(P=0.0001)3 mo postoperatively.Only the aspect of social function recovery was claimed at 6 mo,with a significant advantage in the LR group(P=0.001).No clinical difference was found in HRQoL during the 12 mo.CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that LR resulted in better outcomes,including intra-operative blood loss,surgery-related complications,course of recovery,and especially some health domains of HRQoL at least within 6 mo postoperatively.Patients should undergo LR if there is no contraindication.

Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus disease secondary to measles in an immunocompetent infant

Yang et al reported an immunocompetent infant with gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus disease secondary to measles infection.We express our opinion about the diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease.

Cecal lipoma with subclinical appendicitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Colonic lipomas are rare, slow-growing benign tumors. Colonic lipomas are generally asymptomatic and are found incidentally. Although cases of cecal lipoma have been sporadically reported in the literature, the disease has not been systematically reviewed.CASE SUMMARY We present a 44-year-old man who underwent a routine physical check-up during which colonoscopic examination revealed an asymptomatic 1.5-cm cecal mass at the appendiceal orifice. Laparoscopic exploration was performed that also demonstrated a congested and erythematous appendix. En bloc resection of both the cecum and vermiform appendix was performed because of the suspicion of malignancy. Histopathological examination revealed a cecal lipoma composed of mature adipose tissue, and the appendix showed subclinical inflammation.Our procedures and findings were discussed, along with relevant English literature that was retrieved from the PubMed database from 2000 to 2017.Twenty-six cases, including ours, were reported. Consistent with the findings of the literature, it is difficult to obtain a definitive diagnosis by colonoscopic biopsy.CONCLUSION Surgery remains the treatment of choice for this condition. Intraoperative frozen pathological sectioning helped the surgeon decide the extent of surgery, and radical surgery was avoided. Excision of benign lesions occupying the appendiceal orifice may be indicated for the prevention of later development of acute appendicitis. The prognosis is generally good, with only one of the 26 reported patients complicated with acute appendicitis, who subsequently succumbed due to severe comorbidities and sepsis.

Mesentery solitary fibrous tumor with postoperative recurrence and sarcomatosis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Solitary fibrous tumors are rare neoplasms of mesenchymal origin. They are often of low malignant potential and rarely metastasize. They frequently arise from the pleura and can occur at any soft tissue site in the body. However, these tumors rarely develop in the mesentery, peritoneal cavity or peritoneum.CASE SUMMARY We report on a scarce case of solitary fibrous tumor of the rectal mesentery showing sarcomatosis about 4 years after previous tumor resection. This 69-yearold male had no clinical symptoms but was transferred to our hospital because of a suspected tumor recurrence from follow-up abdominal computed tomography.Tumor markers(CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 125) were within the normal range. Open laparotomy showed sarcomatosis, and pathology confirmed its mesenchymal origin and diagnosis as the solitary fibrous tumor. Our case may be the second recurrent mesentery solitary fibrous tumor reported to date, and the only one with progression to sarcomatosis. There has been no evidence of recurrence in follow-up at the 28 th mo after extensive intra-operative peritoneal lavage and cytoreductive surgery.CONCLUSION Although there are few risk factors of cancer recurrence in this patient, careful long-term followup after cytoreductive surgery is necessary.

Task-related brain oscillations in normal aging

During the past few years, many researchers have demonstrated the importance of the age-related changes in spontaneous electroencephalography. However, very little research on of the event-related responses of oscillations connections has been used to examine the changes during normal aging. The aim of the present study was to investigate age-related changes of task-related brain oscillations, which include spectral power and omega-complexity. We hypothesized that the power and omega-complexity of the brain are affected by age-related changes, which could be observed in this study. The samples included young and healthy elderly groups. Compared to young participants, elderly participants were found to have increased power in anterior area and decreased power in posterior area, and have shown a decreased power in the alpha-1 (7 - 10 Hz) and alpha-2 (10 - 13 Hz) bands and an increased power in the delta (1 - 4 Hz) band. Elderly participants were found to have increased omega-complexity in the anterior and posterior brain areas, and have shown an increased omega-complexity in the alpha-2, beta-1 (13 - 18 Hz), and beta-2 (18 - 30 Hz) bands. The findings in this study suggest that power and omega-complexity changes in task-specific neural activity may potentially be used to assess age-related decline in the brain.

Potential and role of artificial intelligence in current medical healthcare

Artificial intelligence(AI)is defined as the digital computer or computer-controlled robot's ability to mimic intelligent conduct and crucial thinking commonly associated with intelligent beings.The application of AI technology and machine learning in medicine have allowed medical practitioners to provide patients with better quality of services;and current advancements have led to a dramatic change in the healthcare system.However,many efficient applications are still in their initial stages,which need further evaluations to improve and develop these applications.Clinicians must recognize and acclimate themselves with the developments in AI technology to improve their delivery of healthcare services;but for this to be possible,a significant revision of medical education is needed to provide future leaders with the required competencies.This article reviews the potential and limitations of AI in healthcare,as well as the current medical application trends including healthcare administration,clinical decision assistance,patient health monitoring,healthcare resource allocation,medical research,and public health policy development.Also,future possibilities for further clinical and scientific practice were also summarized.